Text messaging (SMS) as a tool to facilitate weight loss and prevent metabolic deterioration in clinically healthy overweight and obese subjects: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether SMS text messaging facilitates a reduction of weight and waist circumference (WC) and favourable changes in lipid profile and insulin levels in clinically healthy overweight and obese subjects. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. SETTING AND INTERVENTION: Primary care health centre in Riga, Latvia. Text messaging once in two weeks. SUBJECTS: A total of 123 overweight and obese men and women aged 30-45 years with no cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) or diabetes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: changes in anthropometric parameters (weight, WC, body mass index (BMI)) and biochemical parameters (lipids, fasting glucose and insulin). RESULTS: We found a statistically significant decrease in weight (2.4%), BMI and WC (4.8%) in the intervention group, while the control group showed a statistically non-significant increase in weight and BMI and decrease in WC. Between group results obtained over the course of a year showed statistically significant mean differences between weight (-3.4 kg (95% CI -5.5, -1.3)), BMI kg/m2 (-1.14 (95% CI -1.9, -0.41)), WC (-4.6 cm (95% CI -6.8, -2.3)), hip circumference (-4.0 cm (95% CI -5.9, -2.0)) and fasting insulin (2.43 µU/ml (95% CI 0.6, 4.3)). Mean differences of changes in glucose and lipid levels were statistically non significant: fasting glucose (-0.01 mmol/l (95% CI -0.19, 0.17)), TC mmol/l (-0.04 mmol/l (95% CI -0.29, 0.21)), HDL-C (0.14 mmol/l (95% CI -0.65, 0.09)), LDL-C (-0.02 mmol/l (95% CI -0.22, 0.18)) and TG (0.23 mmol/l (95% CI -0.06, 0.52)). CONCLUSIONS: SMS messaging in clinically healthy overweight and obese subjects facilitates a slight decrease in weight, BMI and WC. It is anticipated that the implications of this strategy might facilitate the design of preventive and promotive strategies among high risk groups in Latvia.

Ectopic Adipose Tissue Storage in the Left and the Right Renal Sinus is Asymmetric and Associated With Serum Kidney Injury Molecule-1 and Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 Levels Increase.

OBJECTIVE: A potential mechanism by which obesity could promote hypertension and kidney diseases is through accumulation of adipose tissue in the renal sinus (RS). The aim of the study was to quantify RS and abdominal adipose tissue volumes and to evaluate serum kidney injury molecule (sKIM)-1 and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 association with different adipose tissue compartments. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 280 and follow-up study-40 asymptomatic participants; aged 38.30±4.10. For all study participants computed tomography examination was performed, sKIM-1 and FGF-21 levels were measured. RESULTS: The results indicated asymmetrical deposition of adipose tissue into the RS even after corresponding kidney volume adjustment. The cross-sectional and the follow-up studies showed that sKIM-1 level was positively associated with RS adipose tissue volume increase for both genders. FGF-21 was positively associated with RS and retroperitoneal adipose tissue amount. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of gender adipose tissue in RS accumulates asymmetrically-the left RS accumulates a significantly higher amount of adipose tissue. Thus, primarily RS adipose tissue effects should be assessed on the left kidney. Accumulation of adipose tissue in the RS is related with the visceral adipose amount, KIM-1 and FGF-21 concentration increase in the blood serum.

Circulating adhesion molecules, matrix metalloproteinase-9, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and myeloperoxidase in coronary artery disease patients with stable and unstable angina.

BACKGROUND: There are many pathophysiological mechanisms underlying reciprocal relationships between changes in cytokines and insulin resistance in metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate alterations in soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, and their relation to insulin resistance in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with stable and unstable angina (SAP, UAP). METHODS: Non-diabetic CAD patients were classified into two groups: 22 patients with SAP and 22 patients with UAP. 22 healthy subjects were selected as controls. The study groups were matched for age and sex. Insulin resistance was evaluated by HOMA-IR method. Serum levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin PAI-1(total), MPO and MMP-9 were quantified by xMAP technology (Luminex-200 analyzer). RESULTS: Both patient groups demonstrated significantly elevated serum levels of sICAM-1, sE-selectin, PAI-1(total), MPO and MMP-9 (p<0.05) as well as higher IR-HOMA values (p<0.05) than those of healthy controls. The elevation was more pronounced in the UAP group (p<0.01). HOMA-IR was correlated with sICAM-1, PAI-1(total), and MMP-9 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that CAD patients have elevated HOMA-IR values. Furthermore, CAD patients with UAP have higher levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, MMP-9, PAI-1(total), and MPO than patients with SAP, and there are relationships between three of the above biomarkers: sICAM-1, PAI-1(total), MMP-9 and HOMA-IR.