Direct oral and fiber-derived butyrate supplementation as an anti-obesity treatment via different targets.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Butyric (one of the short-chain fatty acids), a major byproduct of the fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates (e.g. fiber), is supposed to have anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties. However, butyrate's potential and mechanism in preventing obesity and the efficient form of administration remain to be clarified. METHODS: Hence, we studied the effect of oral supplementation with 5% (w/w) sodium butyrate and 4% (w/w) ß-glucan (fiber) on young male mice (C57BL/6J) with high-fat diet-induced obesity (HFD: 60 kcal% of fat + 1% of cholesterol). Six weeks old mice were fed diets based on HFD or control (AIN-93G) diet with/without supplements for 4 weeks. The unique, interdisciplinary approach combining several Raman-based techniques (including Raman microscopy and fiber optic Raman spectroscopy) and next-generation sequencing was used to ex vivo analyze various depots of the adipose tissue (white, brown, perivascular) and gut microbiome, respectively. RESULTS: The findings demonstrate that sodium butyrate more effectively prevent the pathological increase in body weight caused by elevated saturated fatty acids influx linked to a HFD in comparison to ß-glucan, thereby entirely inhibiting diet-induced obesity. Moreover, butyrate significantly affects the white adipose tissue (WAT) reducing the epididymal WAT mass in comparison to HFD without supplements, and decreasing lipid saturation in the epididymal WAT and perivascular adipose tissue of the thoracic aorta. Contrarily, ß-glucan significantly changes the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome, reversing the HFD effect, but shows no effect on the epididymal WAT mass and therefore the weight gain inhibition is not as effective as with sodium butyrate. CONCLUSIONS: Here, oral supplementation with sodium butyrate and ß-glucan (fiber) has been proven to have an anti-obesity effect through two different targets. Administration-dependent effects that butyrate imposes on the adipose tissue (oral administration) and microbiome (fiber-derived) make it a promising candidate for the personalized treatment of obesity.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Combining White Kidney Bean Extract, Propolis Ethanolic Extract and CrPi3 on Sprague-Dawley Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Obesity has been associated with the occurrence and prevalence of various chronic metabolic diseases. The management of obesity has evolved to focus not only on reducing weight, but also on preventing obesity-related complications. Studies have shown that bioactive components in natural products like white kidney bean extract (WKBE), propolis ethanolic extract (PEE), and chromium picolinate (CrPi3) showed anti-obesity properties. However, no studies have examined the outcomes of combining any of these nutraceutical supplements. We compared the effects of HFD supplemented with WKBE, WKBE+PEE, or WKBE+PEE+CrPi3 against control and obese groups using Sprague-Dawley rats fed a 45% high-fat diet as an in vivo model. Nutritional parameters, biochemical parameters, and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease, liver function, kidney function, and gut health were among the comparable effects. Our findings showed that combining the three nutraceutical supplements had a synergetic effect on reducing weight gain, food utilization rate, abdominal fat, serum lipids, arterial and hepatic lipids, risk of cardiovascular disease, and blood glucose level, in addition to improving renal function and gut microbiota. We attributed these effects to the α-amylase inhibitor action of WKBE, flavonoids, and polyphenol content of PEE, which were potentiated with CrPi3 resulting in a further reduction or normalization of certain parameters.

Influence of Inula helenium rhizomes and Matricaria chamomilla inflorescences on the biochemical and physiological parameters in male rats fed a high-fat diet.

Background: Pharmacological correction of a high-fat diet is of great interest to prevent the development of obesity and hypertension. More and more research is being done on the preventive use of medicinal herbs for excess caloric intake. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the general physiological effect of I. helenium rhizomes and M. chamomilla inflorescences used in the diet of male rats consuming excess amounts of fat and calories in the daily diet. Material and methods: In a 30-day experiment, we determined the effect of I. helenium rhizome and M. chamomilla on the physiological activity and metabolic processes of laboratory rats consuming a high-fat diet. The physical activity was evaluated according to the mass gain of animals and change in the relative mass of the internal organs, and also the functional conditions of the central nervous system. The influence on the metabolic processes was revealed by biochemical and clinical blood analyses. Results: In a laboratory experiment on male rats, it was found that the addition of dry crushed rhizomes of Inula helenium L. and inflorescences of Matricaria chamomilla L. to the diet caused opposite changes in body weight. In the control group, the animals slightly increased their body weight (up to 111.5% of the initial weight by the end of the experiment); the rhizomes of I. helenium caused a decrease in body weight gain (up to 105.5% on the 30th day of the experiment compared to the initial weight); rats fed M. chamomilla inflorescences gained 123.2% of their initial body weight during the month of the experiment. The rhizomes of I. helenium caused an increase in the stomach relative mass. A decrease in the thymus relative weight was observed when animals were fed M. chamomilla inflorescences. The rhizomes of I. helenium stimulated an increase of blood protein concentration (mainly due to globulins), an increase in the alkaline phosphatase activity and cholesterol, and a decrease in the triglycerides concentration. M. chamomilla inflorescences reduced the blood urea concentration and increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase, causing strong changes in fat metabolism. Under the influence of the diet with the addition of M. chamomilla inflorescences, the atherogenic index increased in animals by 6.5 times relatively to the control group (due to a decrease in the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and an increase in the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, an increase in the total cholesterol concentration). When M. chamomilla was added to the diet, the blood triglycerides concentration in animals decreased sharply and the concentration of leukocytes increased. The concentration of monocytes exceeded the limits of the physiological norm both in the control group and in the group of animals fed on M. chamomilla inflorescences. Conclusions: The results of the studies show the promise for further research of I. helenium rhizomes in the prevention of hypertension and also indicate strong risks when using M. chamomilla inflorescences for preventive purposes during high-fat and hypercaloric diet.

Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Reducing the Effects of Paternal Obesity and Preventing Fatty Liver in Offspring.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious public health concern, which calls for appropriate diet/nutrition intervention. Fish oil (FO) has several benefits in reducing obesity, but its intergenerational role in reducing the effects of paternal obesity has not been established. Hence, we hypothesized that FO supplementation to an obese father during the pre-conceptional period could improve the metabolic health of the offspring, specifically in the liver. Three groups of male mice were fed with a low-fat (LF), high-fat (HF), or high-fat diet supplemented with FO (HF-FO) for 10 weeks and were then allowed to mate with female mice fed a chow diet. Offspring were sacrificed at 16 weeks. The liver tissue was harvested for genomic and histological analyses. The offspring of HF and HF-FO fathers were heavier compared to that of the LF mice during 9-16 weeks. The glucose tolerance of the offspring of HF-FO fathers were significantly improved as compared to the offspring of HF fathers. Paternal FO supplementation significantly lowered inflammation and fatty acid synthesis biomarkers and increased fatty acid oxidation biomarkers in the offspring liver. In summary, FO supplementation in fathers shows the potential to reduce metabolic and cardiovascular diseases through genetic means in offspring.

The Implication of Nutrition on the Prevention and Improvement of Age-Related Sarcopenic Obesity: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of sarcopenic obesity, making it a critical focus for preventing and treating this condition. However, the specific dietary components that effectively combat sarcopenic obesity remain poorly understood. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the potential nutritional and dietary factors that may play a role in the development of sarcopenic obesity in the elderly population. METHODS: To identify relevant studies investigating the association/effects of dietary pattern/single foods/nutrients or supplements with sarcopenic obesity-related outcomes, a comprehensive literature search was conducted until April 2023. The search encompassed multiple databases including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Two researchers performed rigorous assessments that included screening titles and abstracts, reviewing full-text studies, extracting data, and evaluating the quality of the studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for observational studies, while the Jadad-Oxford Scale was employed for clinical trials. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies (14 observational studies and 9 trials) with 37078 participants, published between 2012 and 2022, were eligible for the systematic review. Of the 14 observational articles, two focused on dietary patterns and 12 on food/calorie/macro- and micronutrient intake. The nutritional interventions included the intake of supplements (i.e., protein, amino acids, tea catechin, and vitamin D) and dietary management (calorie restriction, very low-calorie ketogenic diet, and high-protein diet). Appropriate dietary factors, such as appropriate intake of calories, macronutrients, micronutrients, antioxidant nutrients, vegetables, fruits, and overall dietary quality, have been shown to be effective in preventing and treating sarcopenic obesity-related parameters. A combined approach of hypocaloric diet and high protein intake may be necessary for managing both obesity and sarcopenia in older individuals. CONCLUSION: Studies suggest that dietary factors, such as overall dietary quality, appropriate intake of calories and protein, consumption of antioxidant nutrients, vegetables, fruits, and protein, may be linked to sarcopenic obesity.

Randomized-controlled trial of a whole-family obesity prevention and treatment intervention designed for low-income Hispanic families: HeLP the healthy living program.

BACKGROUND: Low-income Hispanic families face marked disparities in obesity, but interventions for obesity prevention and treatment have rarely been designed with this population as a focus. Hispanic culture is characterized by Familism, a value that prioritizes familial respect, cooperation, and togetherness. We describe the rationale and design of a trial of the Healthy Living Program (HeLP), a bilingual whole-family behavioral obesity prevention and treatment intervention designed around the value Familism and addressing food insecurity. METHODS/DESIGN: This two-group randomized comparative effectiveness trial will compare the effects of HeLP versus a primary care counseling intervention (Recommended Treatment of Obesity in Primary Care, or RTOP) on decreasing body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) in Hispanic children 2-16 years of age with obesity and preventing BMI increase among siblings without obesity. 164 families per arm will be recruited from primary care practices. Families randomized to HeLP will participate in 12 two-hour sessions, followed by booster sessions. HeLP sessions include family meals and instruction in parenting skills, nutrition, culinary skills, fitness, and mindfulness delivered at community recreation centers by bilingual health educators and athletic trainers. Families randomized to RTOP will be offered individual visits in primary care every 3 months throughout the 18-month follow-up period. Secondary outcomes include changes to objectively measured child fitness, the home environment related to nutrition, physical activity, and media usage, food insecurity, child eating behaviors, quality of life, parent BMI and waist circumference, and implementation outcomes. DISCUSSION: This protocol paper describes the rationale and planned methods for the comparative effectiveness trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT05041855 (6/13/2023).

Pectic oligosaccharides ameliorate high-fat diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis in association with modulating gut microbiota in mice.

Accumulating evidence has shown that gut microbiota and its metabolites have important significance in the etiology of obesity and related disorders. Prebiotics prevent and alleviate obesity by modulating the gut microbiota. However, how pectin oligosaccharides (POS) derived from pectin degradation affect gut microbiota and obesity remains unclear. To investigate the potential anti-obesity effects of POS, mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks and a POS supplement with drinking water during the last 8 weeks. The outcomes demonstrated that POS supplementation in HFD-fed mice decreased body weight (P < 0.01), improved glucose tolerance (P < 0.001), reduced fat accumulation (P < 0.0001) and hepatic steatosis, protected intestinal barrier, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. After fecal metagenomic sequencing, the POS corrected the gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by the HFD, as shown by the increased populations of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus taiwanensis, and Bifidobacterium animalis, and decreased populations of Alistipes and Erysipelatoclostridium, which were previously considered harmful bacteria. Notably, the changed gut microbiota was associated with the obesity prevention of POS. These findings demonstrate that POS regulates particular gut microbiota, which is essential owing to its ability to prevent disorders associated with obesity.

Omega-3 PUFAs prevent bone impairment and bone marrow adiposity in mouse model of obesity.

Obesity adversely affects bone and fat metabolism in mice and humans. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) have been shown to improve glucose metabolism and bone homeostasis in obesity. However, the impact of omega-3 PUFAs on bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) and bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) metabolism has not been intensively studied yet. In the present study we demonstrated that omega-3 PUFA supplementation in high fat diet (HFD + F) improved bone parameters, mechanical properties along with decreased BMAT in obese mice when compared to the HFD group. Primary BMSCs isolated from HFD + F mice showed decreased adipocyte and higher osteoblast differentiation with lower senescent phenotype along with decreased osteoclast formation suggesting improved bone marrow microenvironment promoting bone formation in mice. Thus, our study highlights the beneficial effects of omega-3 PUFA-enriched diet on bone and cellular metabolism and its potential use in the treatment of metabolic bone diseases.

Going Beyond Management and Maintenance: Occupational Therapy's Role in Primary Prevention for Adults at Risk of Obesity.

There is a critical need to address the escalating obesity epidemic by examining new methods of care. Adult obesity has historically been addressed through management and maintenance once an individual is clinically diagnosed as obese. Research and practice demonstrate that significant weight loss can be difficult to achieve and even harder to maintain. Despite this, preventive interventions targeted toward adult obesity have been limited in many health care professions, including occupational therapy. As professionals who are skilled in supporting clients' holistic development of healthy habits and routines, occupational therapists are equipped to play a key role in moving health care practices away from a reactive model of care to a proactive one that emphasizes primary prevention. This column identifies how this issue is aligned with occupational therapy's domain and presents potential examples of interventions to support adult obesity prevention.

Extended brief interventions for weight management and obesity prevention in children: A rapid evidence review.

Uptake of child weight management (CWM) support is typically low, and services are not available in all areas. Extended brief interventions (EBIs) have been proposed as an affordable way to provide enhanced support, at a level between one-off brief advice and intensive CWM programs. This rapid systematic review sought to synthesize evidence on the efficacy of EBIs for weight management and obesity prevention in children (2-18 years). Embase and Web of Science were searched from January 2012 to January 2022. Nineteen studies, reporting on 17 separate EBIs, were included. The quality of studies was variable, and the EBIs were heterogeneous. The majority of EBIs (n = 14) were based on motivational interviewing. Five of the included studies reported significant improvements in parent or child determinants of health behavior change. However, robust measures of behavioral determinants were rarely used. No studies reported significant positive effects on child weight. No clear patterns in outcomes were identified. There is currently insufficient evidence for EBIs to be adopted as part of CWM services. To improve the evidence base, EBIs that are currently being implemented by local health services, should be evaluated to establish the most effective content, how it should be delivered, and by whom.

Suppression of food intake by Glp1r/Lepr-coexpressing neurons prevents obesity in mouse models.

The adipose-derived hormone leptin acts via its receptor (LepRb) in the brain to control energy balance. A potentially unidentified population of GABAergic hypothalamic LepRb neurons plays key roles in the restraint of food intake and body weight by leptin. To identify markers for candidate populations of LepRb neurons in an unbiased manner, we performed single-nucleus RNA-Seq of enriched mouse hypothalamic LepRb cells, identifying several previously unrecognized populations of hypothalamic LepRb neurons. Many of these populations displayed strong conservation across species, including GABAergic Glp1r-expressing LepRb (LepRbGlp1r) neurons, which expressed more Lepr than other LepRb cell populations. Ablating Lepr from LepRbGlp1r cells provoked hyperphagic obesity without impairing energy expenditure. Similarly, improvements in energy balance caused by Lepr reactivation in GABA neurons of otherwise Lepr-null mice required Lepr expression in GABAergic Glp1r-expressing neurons. Furthermore, restoration of Glp1r expression in LepRbGlp1r neurons in otherwise Glp1r-null mice enabled food intake suppression by the GLP1R agonist, liraglutide. Thus, the conserved GABAergic LepRbGlp1r neuron population plays crucial roles in the suppression of food intake by leptin and GLP1R agonists.

Polysaccharide from Ziyang Selenium-Enriched Green Tea Prevents Obesity and Promotes Adipose Thermogenesis via Modulating the Gut Microbiota.

The objective of the current study was to explore the potential mechanism of Ziyang selenium-enriched green tea polysaccharide (Se-GTP) against obesity. The results showed that Se-GTP significantly alleviated obesity and related metabolic disorders caused by high-fat diet (HFD) in mice. 16S rRNA gene sequencing results revealed that Se-GTP improved gut microbiota disturbance of obese mice and facilitated proliferation of probiotics such as Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Akkermansia. In addition, the colonic content of succinate, a product of microbial metabolite in connection with adipocyte thermogenesis, was significantly enhanced by Se-GTP treatment. Therefore, Se-GTP facilitated brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) browning in obese mice, which could be revealed by increased expressions of thermogenic marker proteins UCP1, PGC-1α, and CIDEA in BAT and iWAT. Interestingly, Se-GTP intervention also observably increased the content of M2-like macrophages in iWAT of obese mice. To summarize, the results of this study are the first to show that Se-GTP can stimulate the browning of iWAT and BAT thermogenesis to counteract obesity, which may be pertinent with the alteration of gut microbiota in obese mice.

Psyllium fiber protects mice against western diet-induced metabolic syndrome via the gut microbiota-dependent mechanism.

Impacts of dietary fiber on intestinal inflammation are complex, but some specific semi-purified fibers, particularly psyllium, can protect humans and rodents against colitis. Mechanisms underlying such protection are not fully understood but may involve activation of the FXR bile acid receptor. Obesity and its associated consequences, referred to as metabolic syndrome, are associated with, and promoted by, low-grade inflammation in a variety of tissues including the intestine. Hence, we examined whether psyllium might ameliorate the low-grade intestinal inflammation that occurs in diet-induced obesity and, moreover, the extent to which it might ameliorate adiposity and/or dysglycemia in this disease model. We observed that enriching a high-fat diet with psyllium provided strong protection against the low-grade gut inflammation and metabolic consequences that were otherwise induced by the obesogenic diet. Such protection was fully maintained in FXR-deficient mice, indicating that distinct mechanisms mediate psyllium's protection against colitis and metabolic syndrome. Nor did psyllium's protection associate with, or require, fermentation or IL-22 production, both of which are key mediators of beneficial impacts of some other dietary fibers. Psyllium's beneficial impacts were not evident in germfree mice but were observed in Altered Schaedler Flora mice, in which psyllium modestly altered relative and absolute abundance of the small number of taxa present in these gnotobiotic mice. Thus, psyllium protects mice against diet-induced obesity/metabolic syndrome by a mechanism independent of FXR and fermentation but nonetheless requires the presence of at least a minimal microbiota.

Preventive nutritional supplementation with furan fatty acid in a DIO mouse model increases muscle mass and reduces metabolic disorders.

The increase in obesity has become a major global health problem and is associated with numerous metabolic dysfunctions. Furan fatty acids (FuFAs) are minor lipids present in our diet. Recently we showed that FuFA-F2 extracted from Hevea brasiliensis latex stimulates muscle anabolism in mice in vitro and in vivo, mimicking in part physical activity. While skeletal muscle is essential for energy metabolism and is the predominant site of insulin-mediated glucose uptake in the post prandial state, our results suggested that FuFA-F2 could have favorable effects against obesity. The aim of this work was therefore to study whether a preventive nutritional supplementation with FuFA-F2 (40 mg or 110 mg/day/kg of body weight) in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model may have beneficial effects against obesity and liver and skeletal muscle metabolic dysfunction. We showed that 12 weeks of FuFA-F2 supplementation in DIO mice decreased fat mass, increased lean mass and restored normal energy expenditure. In addition, we found that FuFA-F2 improved insulin sensitivity. We revealed that FuFA-F2 increased muscle mass but had no effect on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, we observed that FuFA-F2 supplementation reduced liver steatosis without impact on mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in liver. Our findings demonstrated for the first time that a preventive nutritional supplementation with a furan fatty acid in DIO mice reduced metabolic disorders and was able to mimic partly the positive effects of physical activity. This study highlights that nutritional FuFA-F2 supplementation could be an effective approach to treat obesity and metabolic syndrome.

The Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma neo-japonicum (Agaricomycetes) Polysaccharide Extract Prevents Obesity-Induced Diabetes in C57BL/6J Mice.

Ganoderma neo-japonicum Imazeki is a medicinal mushroom consumed by the indigenous people in Malaysia as a remedy for diabetes. This study aims to validate the efficacy of G. neo-japonicum polysaccharides (GNJP) on obesity-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in C57BL/6J mice. Mice were divided into seven groups; normal diet (ND)-control, high-fat-diet (HFD)-control, HFDGNJP-treated (50, 100, 200 mg/kg b.w.), HFDMET (metformin 50 mg/kg; positive-control) and ND-GNJP (200 mg/kg b.w.). Mice were administered GNJP or metformin orally for 10 weeks (thrice/week) and sacrificed after an oral glucose tolerance test. Body weight, serum biochemicals, liver histology, adipocyte gene expressions, glucose and insulin levels were measured. HFD caused obesity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes in the untreated groups. GNJP (50 mg/kg b.w.) supplementation prevented weight gain and liver steatosis, improved serum lipid profile and glucose tolerance and attenuated hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia more effectively when compared with the other treatment groups. The prevention of obesity and lipid dysregulation is plausibly attributed to the increased hormone-sensitive lipase and reduced Akt-1 and Ppary gene expressions while the up-regulation of AdipoQ (adiponectin), Prkag2 and Slc2a4 genes served to sensitize insulin and improve glucose uptake. Thus, supplementation with an appropriate dose of GNJP has promising efficacies in preventing HFD aka obesity-induced T2DM and associated metabolic abnormalities.

Dietary Supplementation of Methyl Cedryl Ether Ameliorates Adiposity in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice.

Methyl cedryl ether (MCE) is a derivative of cedrol and is widely used as a fragrance compound. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventative effects of MCE on obesity and related metabolic syndromes and to delineate the mechanisms from the perspective of gut microbiota and white adipose tissues (WAT) transcriptomic profiles. Five-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into 3 groups and fed with chow diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD supplemented with 0.2% (w/w) MCE for 13 weeks. We found that MCE significantly reduced body weight, inhibited adipocyte hypertrophy, and ameliorated hepatic steatosis under HFD conditions. MCE dietary supplementation downregulated the expression of adipogenesis genes (FAS and C/EBPα) and upregulated the mRNA levels of thermogenesis genes (PGC-1α, PRDM16, UCP1, Cidea, Cytc, and COX4) in epididymal WAT. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that MCE improved gut microbiota dysbiosis in HFD-fed mice, as manifested by the alteration of strains associated with obesity. Further transcriptome analysis of WAT indicated that MCE dramatically changed the gene expression profiles. Our results demonstrate the anti-obesity effect of MCE under HFD conditions, highlighting the nutraceutical potential of MCE for preventing obesity.

Role of herbal medicine and gut microbiota in the prevention and treatment of obesity.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Obesity is a common metabolic dysfunction disease, which is highly correlated with the homeostasis of gut microbiota (GM). The dysregulation of GM on energy metabolism, immune response, insulin resistance and endogenous metabolites (e.g., short chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids) can affect the occurrence and development of obesity. Herbal medicine (HM) has particular advantages and definite therapeutic effects in the prevention and treatment of obesity, but its underlying mechanism is not fully clear. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this review, the representative basic and clinical anti-obesity studies associated with the homeostasis of GM regulated by HM including active components, single herb and herbal formulae were summarized and discussed. We aim to provide a state of art reference for the mechanism research of HM in treating obesity and the further development of new anti-obesity drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relevant information was collected by searching keywords (obesity, herbal medicine, prescriptions, mechanism, GM, short chain fatty acids, etc.) from scientific databases (CNKI, PubMed, SpringerLink, Web of Science, SciFinder, etc.). RESULTS: GM dysbiosis did occur in obese patients and mice, whiles the intervention of GM could ameliorate the condition of obesity. HM (e.g., berberine, Ephedra sinica, Rehjnannia glutinosa, and Buzhong Yiqi prescription) has been proved to possess a certain regulation on GM and an explicit effect on obesity, but the exact mechanism of HM in improving obesity by regulating GM remains superficial. CONCLUSION: GM is involved in HM against obesity, and GM can be a novel therapeutic target for treating obesity.

Catechins prevent obesity-induced kidney damage by modulating PPARγ/CD36 pathway and gut-kidney axis in rats.

Obesity is an epidemic and a growing public health concern worldwide. It is one of the significant risk factors for developing chronic kidney disease. In the present study, we evaluated the preventive effect of green tea catechins (GTC) against obesity-induced kidney damage and revealed the underlying molecular mechanism of action. Various green tea catechins were quantified in the catechins-rich fraction using HPLC. In vitro, the palmitic and oleic acid-treated NRK-52E cells showed reduced fat accumulation and modulated expressions of PPARγ, CD36, and TGFß after GTC treatment. In vivo, rats were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD), and the effect of GTC was assessed at 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight doses. HFD-fed rats showed a significant reduction in weight gain and improved serum creatinine, urea, and urine microalbumin levels after GTC treatment. The improved adipokines and insulin levels in GTC treated groups indicated the insulin-sensitizing effect. Histopathology revealed reduced degenerative changes, fibrous tissue deposition, and mesangial matrix proliferation in GTC treated groups. GTC treatment also downregulated the gene expressions of lipogenic and inflammatory factors and improved the altered expressions of CD36 and PPARγ in the kidney tissue. Further, GTC prevented gut dysbiosis in rats by promoting healthy microbes like Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus reuteri. Faecal metabolome revealed reduced saturated fatty acids, and improved amino acid levels in the GTC treated groups, which help to maintain gut health and metabolism. Overall, GTC prevented obesity-induced kidney damage by modulating PPARγ/CD36 signaling and maintaining gut health in rats.

Nutritional and food education as a complementary treatment approach in severe obese individuals.

Background: The treatment for obesity, specifically severe obesity, is a challenge for health professionals and services. It requires a multidisciplinary and holistic approach covering the complexity and difficulties of incorporating healthy habits to prevent associated diseases and mortality. Individual intervention's methods are not enough to change eating habits. Objective: To describe and investigate the contribution of nutritional and food education as a complementary therapeutic approach in the treatment of individuals with severe obesity and their family members. Methods: A multidisciplinary team adopted a group approach. A different topic was addressed at each therapeutic meeting to assist in the nutritional treatment of obesity, such as diet and healthy habits i.e. barriers to lifestyle changes. The topics were developed based on different methodological and teaching approaches to facilitate adherence to non-drug treatment. Results: Overall, there was a greater understanding towards the adoption of healthy eating habits of the whole family, greater motivation to adhere to dietary changes and adoption of a more physical active lifestyle. This interventional educational support methodology had been accepted in such a positive way for patients and their relatives. Family member participation expands the possibilities of establishing necessary and lasting changes in the lifestyle of not only the patients, but their whole families. Conclusion: Health education actions constitute an important complementary therapeutic approach in promoting health and preventing complications in individuals with severe obesity. This article can be useful to enlarge the debate on the subject and face the challenges related to the effective treatment of obesity, notably severe obesity.