Efficacy of a 2-Month Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) Compared to a Standard Low-Calorie Diet in Reducing Visceral and Liver Fat Accumulation in Patients With Obesity.

Background: Currently the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is based on weight loss through lifestyle changes, such as exercise combined with calorie-restricted dieting. Objectives: To assess the effects of a commercially available weight loss program based on a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and liver fat content compared to a standard low-calorie (LC) diet. As a secondary aim, we evaluated the effect on liver stiffness measurements. Methods: Open, randomized controlled, prospective pilot study. Patients were randomized and treated either with an LC or a VLCKD and received orientation and encouragement to physical activity equally for both groups. VAT, liver fat fraction, and liver stiffness were measured at baseline and after 2 months of treatment using magnetic resonance imaging. Paired t-tests were used for comparison of continuous variables between visits and unpaired test between groups. Categorical variables were compared using the χ2-test. Pearson correlation was used to assess the association between VAT, anthropometric measures, and hepatic fat fraction. A significance level of the results was established at p < 0.05. Results: Thirty-nine patients (20 with VLCKD and 19 with LC) were evaluated at baseline and 2 months of intervention. Relative weight loss at 2 months was -9.59 ± 2.87% in the VLCKD group and -1.87 ± 2.4% in the LC group (p < 0.001). Mean reductions in VAT were -32.0 cm2 for VLCKD group and -12.58 cm2 for LC group (p < 0.05). Reductions in liver fat fraction were significantly more pronounced in the VLCKD group than in the LC group (4.77 vs. 0.79%; p < 0.005). Conclusion: Patients undergoing a VLCKD achieved superior weight loss, with significant VAT and liver fat fraction reductions when compared to the standard LC diet. The weight loss and rapid mobilization of liver fat demonstrated with VLCKD could serve as an effective alternative for the treatment of NAFLD. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04322110.

Predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis evaluated by carotid intima-media thickness in asymptomatic young women with type 1 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and clinical predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic, young adult women with type 1 DM. Subjects and methods The study included 45 women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (aged 36 ± 9 years) who underwent carotid Doppler ultrasound evaluation to determine the carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and to assess the occurrence of carotid artery plaques. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), and metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined by the World Health Organization criteria. Results The cohort had a mean age of 36 ± 9 years, diabetes duration of 18.1 ± 9.5 years, and body mass index (BMI) of 24.6 ± 2.4 kg/m2. MS was present in 44.4% of the participants. The CIMT was 0.25 ± 0.28 mm, and the prevalence of carotid artery plaques was 13%. CIMT correlated positively with hypertension (p = 0.04) and waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.37, p = 0.012). The presence of carotid artery plaques correlated positively with age (p = 0.018) and hypertension (p = 0.017). eGDR correlated negatively with CIMT (r = -0.39, p = 0.009) and carotid plaques (p = 0.04). Albuminuria showed a correlation trend with CIMT (p = 0.06). Patients with carotid artery plaques were older, had a higher prevalence of hypertension, and lower eGDR. No correlation was found between CIMT and carotid plaques with diabetes duration, MS, BMI, cholesterol profile, glycated hemoglobin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, or fibrinogen. Conclusion Insulin resistance, central obesity, hypertension, and older age were predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic, young adult women with type 1 DM.

Predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis evaluated by carotid intima-media thickness in asymptomatic young women with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and clinical predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic, young adult women with type 1 DM. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 45 women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (aged 36 ± 9 years) who underwent carotid Doppler ultrasound evaluation to determine the carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and to assess the occurrence of carotid artery plaques. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), and metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined by the World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS: The cohort had a mean age of 36 ± 9 years, diabetes duration of 18.1 ± 9.5 years, and body mass index (BMI) of 24.6 ± 2.4 kg/m2. MS was present in 44.4% of the participants. The CIMT was 0.25 ± 0.28 mm, and the prevalence of carotid artery plaques was 13%. CIMT correlated positively with hypertension (p = 0.04) and waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.37, p = 0.012). The presence of carotid artery plaques correlated positively with age (p = 0.018) and hypertension (p = 0.017). eGDR correlated negatively with CIMT (r = -0.39, p = 0.009) and carotid plaques (p = 0.04). Albuminuria showed a correlation trend with CIMT (p = 0.06). Patients with carotid artery plaques were older, had a higher prevalence of hypertension, and lower eGDR. No correlation was found between CIMT and carotid plaques with diabetes duration, MS, BMI, cholesterol profile, glycated hemoglobin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, or fibrinogen. CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance, central obesity, hypertension, and older age were predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic, young adult women with type 1 DM.

Body composition, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the relationship between body fat composition, metabolic syndrome (MS), and insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes (DM1). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-five DM1 women (36 ± 9 years; body mass index 24.6 ± 4.4 kg/m(2)) had body composition and insulin resistance determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and estimated glucose disposal ratio (eGDR), respectively. Twenty patients (45%) had MS according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. RESULTS: Women with DM1 and MS had increased central fat and lower eGDR than women without MS (41.9 ± 2.0 vs. 33.7 ± 1.8%; p = 0.004 and 4.99 ± 0.40 vs. 8.37 ± 0.39; p < 0.0001, respectively). Total body fat and peripheric fat were similar between the groups. Central fat negatively correlated with eGDR (r = -0.33; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Central fat deposition in young non-obese DM1 women was related to MS and insulin resistance. Thus, body fat composition analysis might be important to identify DM1 patients with increased metabolic risk.

Body composition, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes mellitus / Composição corporal, síndrome metabólica e resistência insulínica no diabetes melito tipo 1

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the relationship between body fat composition, metabolic syndrome (MS), and insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes (DM1). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-five DM1 women (36 ± 9 years; body mass index 24.6 ± 4.4 kg/m²) had body composition and insulin resistance determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and estimated glucose disposal ratio (eGDR), respectively. Twenty patients (45 percent) had MS according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. RESULTS: Women with DM1 and MS had increased central fat and lower eGDR than women without MS (41.9 ± 2.0 vs. 33.7 ± 1.8 percent; p = 0.004 and 4.99 ± 0.40 vs. 8.37 ± 0.39; p < 0.0001, respectively). Total body fat and peripheric fat were similar between the groups. Central fat negatively correlated with eGDR (r = -0.33; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Central fat deposition in young non-obese DM1 women was related to MS and insulin resistance. Thus, body fat composition analysis might be important to identify DM1 patients with increased metabolic risk.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre composição corporal, síndrome metabólica (SM) e resistência insulínica (RI) no diabetes tipo 1 (DM1). SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Quarenta e cinco mulheres com DM1 (36 ± 9 anos; índice de massa corporal 24,6 ± 4,4 kg/m²) foram submetidas à análise de composição corporal e RI por meio de densitometria por dupla emissão de raios-X e taxa de disponibilização de glicose estimada (eGDR), respectivamente. Vinte mulheres (45 por cento) apresentavam SM, conforme critérios da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). RESULTADOS: Mulheres com SM apresentaram maior gordura central e menor eGDR do que as sem SM (41,9 ± 2,0 vs. 33,7±1,8 por cento; p = 0,004 e 4,99 ± 0,40 vs. 8,37 ± 0,39; p < 0,0001). A gordura corporal total e a gordura periférica não diferiram entre os grupos. A gordura central foi inversamente correlacionada com eGDR (r = -0,33; p = 0,03). CONCLUSÃO: Deposição de gordura central em mulheres jovens não obesas com DM1 esteve associada com SM e RI. Avaliação da composição corporal pode ser importante na identificação de pacientes com risco metabólico elevado.

Increased epicardial adipose tissue in type 1 diabetes is associated with central obesity and metabolic syndrome.

AIMS: The present study evaluated the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS), body fat composition and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in type 1 diabetes. Epicardial adipose tissue is a new independent marker of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: forty-five type 1 diabetic women were evaluated (age 36 ± 9 years; body mass index 24.6 ± 4.4 kg/m(2)). Metabolic syndrome was defined by the World Health Organization criteria. Body fat composition and EAT were analyzed by dual-energy-X-ray absorptiometry and echocardiogram, respectively. RESULTS: twenty patients (45%) had MS. Patients with MS had greater android (central) fat deposition than patients without MS (41.9 ± 2.0% vs. 33.7 ± 1.8%, p=0.004). Total body fat and gynoid (peripheric) fat distribution were similar between the groups. Mean EAT was higher in patients with MS (6.15 ± 0.34 mm vs. 4.96 ± 0.25 mm; p=0.006) and EAT was positively correlated with android (central) fat distribution (r=0.44; p=0.002), however no correlation was found with gynoid (peripheric) fat distribution. CONCLUSIONS: there was a high incidence of MS in type 1 diabetes related to increased central adiposity, despite the absence of obesity. Metabolic syndrome and central obesity were associated with increased EAT. Thus, young non-obese type 1 diabetic women with central adiposity and/or MS may have increased EAT, what may predict CAD risk.

Bone density in women with prolactinoma treated with dopamine agonists.

OBJECTIVES: (1) to evaluate bone density in women with prolactinoma treated with dopamine agonists and healthy controls, using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), (2) to classify the results according to the current International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) criteria, and (3) to correlate bone density with lean and fat masses, biochemical data and clinical aspects of prolactinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in two University referral centers. Forty-five premenopausal women with prolactinoma were submitted to DXA and blood analysis (prolactin, estradiol, testosterone, SHBG, calcium, phosphorus, PTH, C-telopeptides of type 1 collagen, and osteocalcin) by the time of their clinical evaluation. They were compared with 25 control women of similar age and body mass index distribution. RESULTS: Women with prolactinoma had lower lumbar spine Z-score than controls. Femoral neck, trochanter, and total proximal femur Z-scores were similar in patients and controls. Twenty-two percent of the patients had Z-scores below the expected age range vs. 4% in the control group. Lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total proximal femur Z-scores were mainly correlated with the amenorrhea duration. The trochanter Z-score was associated with the gynoid lean/fat mass ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current ISCD criteria, bone density evaluation in women with prolactinoma reveals bone loss, especially of trabecular type. Bone density in these patients was particularly associated with the duration of amenorrhea, which reinforces the importance of the adequate disease control in women with prolactinoma in order to avoid complications of this disease.

Redução da densidade mineral óssea em mulheres na menacme com prolactinoma / Decreased bone mineral density in pre-menopause women with prolactinoma

A hiperprolactinemia tumoral e conseqüente hipogonadismo têm sido associados à osteoporose. Avaliamos a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) por absortometria com dupla fonte de RX em 24 mulheres entre 18 e 49 anos, com prolactinoma (15 macro e 9 micro). Utilizamos teste t de Student não pareado ou Mann-Whitney para comparar subgrupos, e teste de Spearman para correlações. O maior acometimento foi de coluna lombar, onde 20,83 por cento das pacientes tinham Z-escore < -2 DP. Não detectamos diferenças densitométricas entre macro e microprolactinomas, nem entre pacientes com prolactina normal versus as hiperprolactinêmicas. A DMO e o Z-escore na coluna foram maiores nas pacientes com > 8 ciclos menstruais no ano anterior à densitometria versus as oligoamenorréicas (p = 0,030). O número de ciclos/ano correlacionou-se com a DMO na coluna (r = 0,515, p = 0,017), e o índice de massa corporal, com a DMO em colo femural (r = 0,563, p = 0,006) e fêmur total (r = 0,529, p = 0,011). Conclusões: Em nossa amostra de mulheres jovens com prolactinoma, 20,83 por cento têm densidade óssea abaixo do esperado para a idade. O maior acometimento de regiões ricas em osso trabecular, como as vértebras, sugere a participação do hipogonadismo na gênese da doença óssea. Independentemente dos valores séricos de prolactina, o retorno dos ciclos menstruais parece ser o melhor índice de bom controle dessas pacientes.

Tumoral hyperprolactinemia and consequent hypogonadism have been associated with osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy RX absorptiometry in 24 patients with prolactinoma (15 macro and 9 micro adenomas; age range = 18 to 49 years). Student unpaired t or Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare groups, and Spearman test studied correlations. Lumbar spine (LS) was the most affected, as LS Z-score was < -2 SD in 20.83 percent of the patients. No difference was found in densitometric parameters for the comparison between macro and microprolactinoma, or those with normal prolactin versus hyperprolactinemia. LS BMD and LS Z-score were higher in the patients with > 8 menstrual cycles in the preceding year then in those with oligoamenorrhea (p = 0.030). The number of cycles was correlated to LS BMD (r = 0.515, p = 0.017) and body mass index to femoral neck BMD (r = 0.563, p = 0.006) and total femur BMD (r = 0.529, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased bone mineral density was detected in 20.83 percent of our young patients with prolactinoma. The great involvement of trabecular bone skeletal regions, such as vertebrae, suggests the participation of hypogonadism in the pathogenesis of bone disease. Irrespective of prolactin levels, return to normal menses seems the best index of good control.

[Decreased bone mineral density in pre-menopause women with prolactinoma]. / Redução da densidade mineral óssea em mulheres na menacme com prolactinoma.

UNLABELLED: Tumoral hyperprolactinemia and consequent hypogonadism have been associated with osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy RX absorptiometry in 24 patients with prolactinoma (15 macro and 9 micro adenomas; age range = 18 to 49 years). Student unpaired t or Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare groups, and Spearman test studied correlations. Lumbar spine (LS) was the most affected, as LS Z-score was < -2 SD in 20.83% of the patients. No difference was found in densitometric parameters for the comparison between macro and microprolactinoma, or those with normal prolactin versus hyperprolactinemia. LS BMD and LS Z-score were higher in the patients with > 8 menstrual cycles in the preceding year then in those with oligoamenorrhea (p = 0.030). The number of cycles was correlated to LS BMD (r = 0.515, p = 0.017) and body mass index to femoral neck BMD (r = 0.563, p = 0.006) and total femur BMD (r = 0.529, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased bone mineral density was detected in 20.83% of our young patients with prolactinoma. The great involvement of trabecular bone skeletal regions, such as vertebrae, suggests the participation of hypogonadism in the pathogenesis of bone disease. Irrespective of prolactin levels, return to normal menses seems the best index of good control.