Ferulic acid lowers body weight and visceral fat accumulation via modulation of enzymatic, hormonal and inflammatory changes in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced obesity

Previous studies have reported on the glucose and lipid-lowering effects of ferulic acid (FA) but its anti-obesity potential has not yet been firmly established. This study investigated the possible anti-obesitogenic effects of FA in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 15 weeks. To assess the antiobesity potential of FA, 32 male Swiss mice, weighing 20–25 g (n=6–8 per group) were fed a normal diet (ND) or HFD, treated orally or not with either FA (10 mg/kg) or sibutramine (10 mg/kg) for 15 weeks and at the end of this period, the body weights of animals, visceral fat accumulation, plasma levels of glucose and insulin hormone, amylase and lipase activities, the satiety hormones ghrelin and leptin, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCH-1) were analyzed. Results revealed that FA could effectively suppress the HFD-associated increase in visceral fat accumulation, adipocyte size and body weight gain, similar to sibutramine, the positive control. FA also significantly (P<0.05) decreased the HFD-induced elevations in serum lipid profiles, amylase and lipase activities, and the levels of blood glucose and insulin hormone. The markedly elevated leptin and decreased ghrelin levels seen in HFD-fed control mice were significantly (P<0.05) reversed by FA treatment, almost reaching the values seen in ND-fed mice. Furthermore, FA demonstrated significant (P<0.05) inhibition of serum levels of inflammatory mediators TNF-α, and MCH-1. These results suggest that FA could be beneficial in lowering the risk of HFD-induced obesity via modulation of enzymatic, hormonal and inflammatory responses.

Effects of telmisartan on insulin resistance and visceral fat distribution in Chinese hypertensive patients with obesity

To investigate the effects of telmisartan on body fat distribution and insulin sensitivity in patients with hypertension and obesity. In this prospective, randomized study, outpatients from the Sixth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China were treated with telmisartan [n=23], or losartan [n=22] for 16 weeks between December 2009 to January 2011. Parameters such as waist and hip circumference, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipids, serum adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] were measured before and after treatment. The abdominal visceral fat area [VFA] and subcutaneous fat area [SFA] were determined by magnetic resonance imaging. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by homeostasis model assessment [HOMA-IR]. Compared with baseline, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in both groups. However, the levels of HOMA-IR, serum adiponectin, and TNF-alpha only improved in the telmisartan group. Similarly, the VFA was reduced in the telmisartan group, while the SFA did not change in either group. Telmisartan improves both hemodynamic and metabolic abnormalities found in hypertensive patients with obesity. The additional benefits may be partly due to visceral fat remodeling

Histomorphometric changes in the perirenal adipocytes of adrenalectomized rats treated with dexamethasone

INTRODUCTION: Prolonged steroid treatment administered to any patient can cause visceral obesity, which is associated with metabolic disease and Cushing's syndrome. Glucocorticoids have a profound negative effect on adipose tissue mass, giving rise to obesity, which in turn is regulated by the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme. Adrenalectomized rats treated with dexamethasone exhibited an increase in visceral fat deposition but not in body weight. OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this study was to determine the effect of dexamethasone on the histomorphometric characteristics of perirenal adipocytes of adrenalectomized, dexamethasone-treated rats (ADR+Dexa) and the association of dexamethasone treatment with the expression and activity of 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1). METHODS: A total of 20 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: a baseline control group (n = 6), a sham-operated group (n = 7) and an adrenalectomized group (n=7). The adrenalectomized group was given intramuscular dexamethasone (ADR+Dexa) 2 weeks post adrenalectomy, and the rats from the sham-operated group were administered intramuscular vehicle (olive oil). RESULTS: Treatment with 120 μg/kg intramuscular dexamethasone for 8 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in the diameter of the perirenal adipocytes (p<0.05) and a significant increase in the number of perirenal adipocytes (p<0.05). There was minimal weight gain but pronounced fat deposition in the dexamethasone-treated rats. These changes in the perirenal adipocytes were associated with high expression and dehydrogenase activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, dexamethasone increased the deposition of perirenal fat by hyperplasia, which causes increases in the expression and dehydrogenase activity of 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in adrenalectomized rats.

Differential Effects of High-carbohydrate and High-fat Diet Composition on Muscle Insulin Resistance in Rats

This study was conducted to evaluate whether the composition of carbohydrate or fat diet affects insulin resistance by measuring the muscle glucose transport rate. Both high-sucrose and high-starch diet with or without high-fat decreased insulin-stimulated glucose transport, but there were no significant differences among groups. Calorie intake in both high-sucrose and high-starch diet groups was higher than in chow group. The high-fat high-sucrose diet induced decrease in insulin-stimulated glucose transport was partially improved by supplement with fish oil. Calorie intake in high-fat high-sucrose and fish oil supplemented groups was higher than in chow group. The decreased insulin-stimulated glucose transport was accompanied by the increase in visceral fat mass, plasma triglyceride and insulin levels. These changes were improved by the supplement with fish oil. These results demonstrate that the composition of fat in diet is clearly instrumental in the induction of muscle insulin resistance. However, in high carbohydrate diet, it is likely that the amount of calorie intake may be a more important factor in causing insulin resistance than the composition of carbohydrate. Thus, the compositions of carbohydrate and fat in diet differentially affect on muscle insulin resistance.

effect of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement on body weight and visceral adipose tissue in rats

Estrogen deficiency is associated with unfavorable changes in body composition and abdominal fat deposition. The consequences of these changes lead to metabolic abnormalities and differential fat distribution Seventy female Wistar rats [weight: 170.73 +/- 15.82gr mean +/- SD] were divided into 7 groups: Intact [one group],sham [two groups], ovariectomized [two groups], ovariectomized, receiving estradiol valerate[one group] and ovariectomized, receiving sesame oil [one group]. The intact rats were anesthetized and visceral fat was then taken from the abdominal cavity and weighed immediately. Two weeks after operation, one group of ovariectomized rats and one group of sham rats were sacrified and visceral fat was measured. The estradiol receiving ovariectomized group and vehicle group were given equal volumes of 17 beta-estradiol[30 micro g/kg, sc, 5 d/wk] and sesame oil for 8 weeks, respectively. After 8 weeks, all animals were sacrificied and intra- abdominal fat depots were dissected and weighed. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and post-hoc and using paired t test. The differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. After two weeks of surgery, the ovariectomized rats showed insignificant increase in body weight and visceral fat weight, whereas, after eight weeks, body weight increased significantly in ovariectomized rats [P < 0.05]. Estradiol replacement decreased body weight and visceral fat weight, however this decrease was only significant in body weight [P < 0.05]. The results indicate that estrogen deficiency following ovariectomy leads to increase in both body weight and visceral fat, showing that replacement of this hormone could decrease body weight without affecting visceral fat

Efeito da indução de obesidade neuroendócrina sobre a hemodinâmica sistêmica e a função ventricular esquerda de ratos normotensos / Effects of neuroendocrine obesity induction on systemic hemodynamics and left ventricular function of normotensive rats

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da obesidade induzida pela administração neonatal de glutamato monossódico (MSG) sobre o peso corporal, a pressão arterial de cauda, a hemodinâmica sistêmica e a função ventricular esquerda de ratos Wistar. Dois grupos de ratos Wistar foram preparados: a)18 animais foram tornados obesos por meio da administração de 2 mg/kg/SC de MSG durante os 11 primeiros dias do período neonatal e b)16 animais controles (que receberam o veículo do MSG pelo mesmo período). Animais adultos foram acompanhados dos três aos seis meses de vida e tiveram pressão arterial e peso corporal medidos duas vezes por semana. Ao final desse período, em parte dos animais dos dois grupos, avaliou-se a função ventricular por intermédio da preparação do coração isolado de Langerdorff, e os animais restantes foram usados para o estudo da hemodinâmica sistêmica por meio de um método de termodiluição. Resultados: Nos animais MSG houve aumento da gordura epididimal relativa (WST = 2,076 ± 0,622; MSG = 2,731 ± 0,722 g/100 g), aumento significante da freqüência cardíaca (WST = 235,0 ± 35,1; MSG = 312,0 ± 90,8 bpm), da resistência periférica total (WST = 0,312 ± 0,100; MSG = 0,535 ± 0,195 mmHg.ml-1.min), e diminuição do volume sistólico (WST = 1,020 ± 0,364; MSG = 0,748 ± 0,455 µl/bat). No estudo hemodinâmico, também detectou-se nos animais obesos aumento da pressão arterial média. Os aumentos da FC e da RPT e a diminuição do VS sugerem que houve aumento da atividade simpática nos ratos normotensos com obesidade associado ao aumento da deposição de gordura visceral.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of obesity induced by neonatal Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) administration upon body weight, tail blood pressure, systemic hemodynamics and left ventricular function of Wistar rats. Two groups of Wistar rats were prepared: a) 18 animals made obese through the administration of 2mg/Kg/SC of MSG during the first 11 days of the neonatal period and b)16 control animals (vehicle treated for the same period). Adults animals were followed from the 3rd up the 6th month of life with blood pressure and body weight being measured twice a week. At the end of this period, in part of animals from both groups, we evaluated the left ventricular function through the Langendorff isolated heart preparation whereas the remainders were used to evaluate the systemic hemodynamics through a termodilution method. Results: MSG animals showed significant increases in heart rate (WST = 235,0 ± 35,1; MSG = 312,0 ± 90,8 bpm), total peripheral resistance (WST = 0,312 ± 0,100; MSG = 0,535 ± 0,195 mmHg.ml-1.min) and in relative epididymal adipose tissue content (WST = 2,076 ± 0,622; MSG = 2,731 ± 0,722 g/100g) and a reduction of systolic volume (WST = 1,020 ± 0,364; MSG = 0,748 ± 0,455 ml/bat). An increase in mean arterial pressure was also detected in obese animals during the hemodynamic evaluation. The increases in HR and TPR and the reduction in SV suggest an augmentation in the sympathetic activation of those obese normotensive rats associated with an increased visceral fat deposition.

Distribuição da gordura corporal e perfis lipídico e glicêmico de pacientes infectados pelo HIV / Corporal fat distribution and lipidic and glicemic profiles of HIV-infected patients

Os objetivos foram avaliar dados antropométricos e perfis lipídico e glicêmico de pacientes infectados pelo HIV usuários e não usuários de anti-retrovirais (ARV), e verificar a associação entre ARV e alterações da gordura corporal, distúrbios lipídicos e da homeostase da glicose. Foram incluídos 176 pacientes (133 usuários e 43 não usuários de ARV). Os pacientes foram submetidos a avaliação clínica, exames laboratoriais, ultrassonografia, biompedanciometria e medida de pregas cutâneas. Pacientes usuários de ARV apresentaram maior relação cintura/quadril (p= 0,0002), maior espessura da gordura intra-abdominal medida pela ultrassonografia (p= 0,003) e menores pregas de gordura bicipital (p= 0,01) e tricipital (p= 0,0002). Estes pacientes tiveram níveis mais elevados de triglicérides (p= 0,0002), colesterol total (p= 0,00007) e colesterol HDL (p= 0,009). Eles também apresentaram maiores níveis de glicose aos 60 (p= 0,01) e 120 minutos (p= 0,001) após dextrosol, maiores níveis de insulina de jejum (p= 0,03) e maiores valores do índice HOMA (p= 0,02). As drogas anti-retrovirais estão associadas a acúmulo central e perda periférica de gordura. Além disso, estas drogas estão associadas a alterações lipídicas e a aumento da resistência insulínica, conhecidos fatores de risco cardiovascular.

The aims of this study were to describe anthropometric data and glycemic and lipidic profiles of HIV-infected patients treated or not with antiretrovirals (ARV) drugs, and to assess association between these drugs and body composition changes, lipid and glucose homeostasis disturbances. There were 176 patients included (133 ARV-treated patients and 43 ARV-naïve). The patients were submitted to clinical evaluation, laboratorial analysis, ultrasonographic measurements, bioelectrical impedance analysis and skin folds thickness measurements. The ARV-treated group showed higher waist-to-hip ratio (p= 0.0002), higher intra-abdominal fat thickness measured by ultrasonography (p= 0.003) and lower bicipital (p= 0.01) and tricipital (p= 0.0002) skin folds. This group also showed higher triglyceride (p= 0.0002), total cholesterol (p= 0.00007), HDL cholesterol (p= 0.009), glucose measurements one hour (p= 0.01) and two hours (p= 0.001) after dextrose load, higher levels of fasting insulin (p= 0.03) and higher HOMAR index (p= 0.02). The antiretroviral drugs are associated with increased visceral fat and decreased peripheral fat pads. Beside that, these drugs are associated with atherogenic lipid profile and insulin resistance, two independent risk predictors of cardiovascular disease.

Efeito do hormônio de crescimento sobre parâmetros antropométricos e metabólicos na obesidade andróide / Effects of growth hormone on anthropometric and metabolic parameters in android obesity

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do GH sobre peso, composição corporal, metabolismo de repouso e fatores de risco cardiovascular na obesidade visceral. O estudo foi prospectivo randomizado duplo-cego em 40 homens não diabéticos de 20 a 50 anos com RAQ (relação abdômen-quadril) > 1 tratados com GH (0,050 U/kg/dia) ou placebo por três meses. Foram avaliados peso, composição corporal por bioimpedância e DEXA, metabolismo de repouso através da calorimetria indireta e exames de fatores de risco cardiovasculares no início e fim do tratamento. O grupo de obesos tratados com GH teve reduções de peso (3,5 ± 2,9 kg), IMC (1,2 ± 1,0 kg/m²), RAQ (0,04 ± 0,01) e massa adiposa (2,4 ± 1,0 kg). As reduções porcentuais foram significantemente diferentes das observadas no grupo placebo. Também houve diminuição nos níveis de colesterol total (4,0 ± 3,3 mg/dL) e LDL-colesterol (5,7 ± 2,7 mg/dL) no grupo GH, em relação ao grupo placebo. Os outros fatores de risco não se alteraram significantemente. Concluímos que obesos tratados com GH por três meses apresentaram uma redução significante de peso corporal, gordura visceral e massa adiposa, e melhora do perfil lipídico. O benefício/risco do GH a longo prazo em obesos é desconhecido.