Calculation of basal metabolic rate in patients with morbid obesity treated in spa conditions.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to calculate the basal metabolic rate (BMR) with the Mifflin equation based on the expected body mass for normal body mass index (BMI) values in obese patients treated in spa conditions. METHODS: Patients with morbid obesity (BMI > 40 kg m-2 ) and non-obese controls (BMI < 30 kg m-2 ) were recruited. In total, 104 patients with morbid obesity (mean BMI ± standard deviation, 46.9 ± 2.1 kg m-2 ) treated in spa conditions and 90 non-obese controls (mean BMI, 28 ± 1.3 kg m-2 ) were included in the present study. RESULTS: The mean BMR calculated based on actual body mass was 2088 ± 303 kcal in patients with morbid obesity and 1424 ± 268 kcal in non-obese controls. The BMR calculated based on expected body mass for normal BMI decreased significantly in patients with morbid obesity (p < 0.01), but not in non-obese controls. Accordingly, energy expenditure and planned caloric intake was significantly lower when BMR was calculated based on expected body mass rather than actual body mass in patients with morbid obesity, but not in non-obese controls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Expected body mass for normal BMI should be used to calculate the BMR in patients with morbid obesity.

The effects of humic water on endothelial cells under hyperglycemic conditions: inflammation-associated parameters.

Humic waters (HW) are globally unique, deep underground, dark-brown waters containing humic acids, and they present numerous therapeutic activities including anti-inflammatory. In the present study, we use HW from source in Poland. Diabetes has become an epidemic and is a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Hyperglycemia in diabetes is responsible for damaging of the endothelium and increases inflammation on the surface of the vascular lining. The inflammatory process in diabetes is associated with the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by endothelial cells, e.g., tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and with the reduction of cell proliferation. In the study, we used cultures of endothelial cells (HUVEC line-human umbilical vein endothelial cells) with the addition 30 mM/L of glucose in the culture medium which imitated the conditions of uncontrolled diabetes. The addition of HW in the proper volume to the culture medium causes reduction of inflammation by significant decrease in inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-6 and also leads to enhancement of the cell proliferation. It appears that the adverse effects of hyperglycemia on vascular endothelial cells may be corrected by addition of humic water. The above promising results of in vitro tests provide an opportunity to the possible use of humic water in the supportive treatment of endothelial dysfunction disorders in diabetes. However, this issue requires further clinical research.

Clinical and biochemical effects of a 3-week program of diet combined with spa therapy in obese and diabetic patients: a pilot open study.

Obesity is a major risk factor for arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, dyslipidemias, and type 2 diabetes. Spa therapy has long been used for treating obesity and its comorbidities. Enlargement of adipose tissue has been linked to a dysregulation of adipokine secretion and adipose tissue inflammation. Adipokines are currently investigated as potential drug targets in these conditions. Our primary aim was to assess the clinical efficacy of a 3-week program of diet combined with spa therapy in obese patients with and without type 2 diabetes. The secondary aim was to examine whether this combined program influences the response of serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Fifty obese males were enrolled and 21 of these featured a type 2 diabetes. During the 3-week period of the study, the patients were on a 1,000-kcal diet and were involved in mineral bath and total body's mud-pack applications (15 procedures). Patients were assessed at baseline and at the end of the therapy for clinical and biochemical parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glycemia, and adipokines). We showed that a 3-week program of spa therapy in obese patients induced significant decrease of body weight, body mass index, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, glycemia, and serum levels of leptin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. So, a cycle of mud-bath therapy associated with a controlled diet may be a promising treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes decreasing body weight and many risk factors for atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome.

[Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese patients]. / Niealkoholowe stluszczenie watroby u osób otylych.

INTRODUCTION: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NFLD) is a heavy healthy problem in well civilized Countries, where obese appear more frequently. Mostly disease has a benign process, but in some radical case might lead to cirrhosis or even to cancer. There is a demand on specific researches about NFLD, cause knowledge about pathogenesis and epidemiology is not clear. The aim of this researches is to rate frequency of occurring nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese type II and III patients with reference to patients with correct body weight. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Research group comprise 70 patients of Clinical Health Resort Hospital in Ciechocinek with BMI higher than 35. Control group comprise 20 patients with BMI lower than 30. In case of all patients fatty liver qualities were rate by ultrasounds scaning examination. For additional diagnostic following parameters were rated: liver enzyme ASPAT/ALAT levels, lipids level, glycemic level before and after meal. RESULTS: In case of 52 patients from research group fatty liver qualities were noticed, it is about 65% of whole group. Much more often fatty liver qualities had been noticed about patients witch III degree of obese (94%). In control group we didn't notice fatty liver qualities in any patients. ALAT level was statistical relevant (p = 0.0006) higher in research group (32 U/l) then level in control group (20,3 U/I). ASPAT level in research group amounted to 28.7 U/l and in control group only 19.8 U/l. Difference between those two group was statistical relevant (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSION: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease occur average in case of 65% obese patients but in cease of patients with III degree obese is about 94%. That disease ought to be treated like a complication of obese.

[Expert's opinion on recommendations for water and other beverages consumption in elderly?]. / Stanowisko Grupy Ekspertów w sprawie zalecen dotyczacych spozycia wody i innych napojów przez osoby w wieku podeszlym.

The article encloses definition of water role and its body requirement, review of water balance and management in older persons regarding characteristic of this age group and concomitant disorders. Based on current literature and expert's opinion the recommendations for water consumption were expressed with estimation of insufficient apply and oversupply, evaluation of hydration state, domestic water sources in diet with accent on influence of proper hydration on comfort and good health.

Withdrawal from bariatric treatment - an analysis under various demographic conditions.

Poland is high on a list of countries affected by epidemics of obesity, a problem that has especially suddenly increased in the post-transformation period. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Documentation of 115 subsequent patients diagnosed with grade 3 obesity, considered eligible for surgical treatment, was analysed since 2015. A subgroup of 68 patients was selected from this group and the included patients who decided to cancel their treatment at various stages. Their history since presentation at the obesity treatment centre, BMI with its history, age, education and place of residence were analysed, followed by a telephone survey. 42 patients were finally contacted. Special attention was placed on the analysis of patients taking into account their place of residence. Patients were divided into inhabitants of rural and urban areas. RESULTS: In the study group of 68 patients, 19 (27.9%) were inhabitants of rural areas and 49 (72.1%) of urban areas. Women accounted for 67.6%, and men for 32.4%. The mean age of patients when they presented for treatment was 43 years. On average, men presented 5 years later compared to women. The mean BMI on qualification for treatment of obesity was 47.6 kg/m2. The mean BMI max - 49.6 kg/m2. There were no differences regarding education in both populations. Despite the lack of differences regarding changes in the BMI since withdrawal from treatment, as many as 63% of patients from rural areas reached the BMI max in this time. CONCLUSIONS: There were demographic differences between the degree of obesity observed among patients receiving bariatric treatment, and inhabitants of urban areas were favoured. Patients from rural areas who withdrew from bariatric treatment and were left without medical care significantly more often achieved their maximum body weight, when compared to those living in urban areas. The active participation of physicians, both specialists and general practitioners, in the life of obese patients is imperative.

Effect of a 3-Week Low-Calorie Diet and Balneological Treatment on Selected Coagulation Parameters in Morbidly Obese Patients.

BACKGROUND: The most common cause of death among people with obesity are cardiovascular complications as a result of a hypercoagulability state. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to assess the potential of coagulation system activation depending on the tissue factor and to analyze of the influence of a 3-week low-calorie diet and balneological treatment on selected coagulation parameters in morbidly obese patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 36 patients (28 females and 8 males; mean age 46) with the value of BMI > 40 kg/m2. The study was designed in two stages: baseline and after 21-days. The evaluation of tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), von Willebrand factor (vWF), fibrinogen, D-dimer, thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), and the activity of antithrombin (AT) was performed in patients before and after the treatment. The control group consisted of 24 healthy volunteers (16 females and 8 males) at a mean age of 39 with BMI . 24.9 kg/m2. RESULTS: There were significantly higher levels of TF, TFPI, fibrinogen, TAT complexes and D-dimer in the study group as compared to the controls. Moreover, there were no significant changes in the parameters studied before and after the treatment. In the group of obese patients, there were significant positive correlations between the concentrations of vWF and BMI and BMI changes and a significant negative correlation between the WHR changes and TFPI concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed that morbidly obese patients represent a high risk of hypercoagulability state, despite no clinical evidence, which could be due to the great inhibitory potential of TFPI in suppressing the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation system. However, the lack of effect of the 3-week exposure to the LCD and balneological treatment in morbidly obese subjects indicates that substantial fat mass must be reduced before adequate hemostasis is re-established.

CRP, but not TNF-α or IL-6, decreases after weight loss in patients with morbid obesity exposed to intensive weight reduction and balneological treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the degree of homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in patients with morbid obesity exposed to a three-week low-calorie diet and balneotherapy. METHODS: The study included 33 patients (25 females and 8 males; mean age 46 years) with body mass index (BMI) values of >40 kg/m(2). Evaluations of CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, lipid profile, HOMA-IR, and fasting glucose were carried out before (baseline data) and three weeks after the treatment. The control group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers (15 females and 5 males) with a mean age of 39 years and BMI values of ≤24.9 kg/m(2). RESULTS: In the blood of patients with morbid obesity we found significantly elevated levels of CRP, TNF-α, triglycerides, HOMA-IR and fasting glucose, but a decreased level of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, compared with the healthy individuals. The treatment resulted in about a 9.4% reduction in body weight from 122.5 to 111.0 kg and a significant decrease in the concentration of CRP, but no change in TNF-α or IL-6. HOMA-IR was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in CRP level without changes in TNF-α or IL-6 concentrations after the low-calorie diet and balneological treatment, suggests that an essential amount of adipose tissue must be removed before proper adipocyte function is restored. The decrease in HOMA-IR indicates an improvement in insulin sensitivity, which is beneficial in obese patients.

A-FABP concentration is more strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and the occurrence of metabolic syndrome in premenopausal than in postmenopausal middle-aged women.

We aimed at the evaluation of the relationship between adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) and cardiometabolic risk factors in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Additionally, we compared A-FABP with adipokines related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) such as leptin and adiponectin. 94 premenopausal and 90 early postmenopausal middle-aged Caucasian women were subject to examinations. Postmenopausal women had higher A-FABP than premenopausal; this difference became insignificant after controlling for age. We found significantly higher correlation coefficients between A-FABP and TC/HDL-C ratio and number of MetS components in premenopausal women, compared to postmenopausal. Each 1 ng/dL increase in A-FABP concentration significantly increased the probability of occurrence of atherogenic lipid profile in premenopausal women, even after multivariate adjustment. All odds ratios became insignificant after controlling for BMI in postmenopausal women. A-FABP was more strongly associated with MetS than leptin and adiponectin in premenopausal women. Adiponectin concentration was a better biomarker for MetS after menopause. Our results suggest that the A-FABP is more strongly associated with some cardiometabolic risk factors in premenopausal than in postmenopausal women. Higher values of A-FABP after menopause are mainly explained by the fact that postmenopausal women are older. Because of the limitation of study, these results should be interpreted with caution.

Association of FSH with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women: a comparison with CRP, adiponectin and leptin.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) determination in the postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a comparative analysis with biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), adiponectin, leptin and leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (L/A). MATERIAL & METHODS: 135 postmenopausal women with MetS and 153 without MetS were subjected to examinations. RESULTS: The increase in the probability of MetS, when the value of the marker concentration decreased or increased by 1 standard deviation, was two times higher for FSH-based models than for models including CRP and leptin, and was similar to models including adiponectin and L/A. The areas under the ROC curves were 0.78 for FSH, 0.68 for CRP, 0.72 for leptin, 0.76 for adiponectin and 0.80 for L/A. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the FSH concentration assesses the probability of MetS similarly to L/A or adiponectin and better than CRP or leptin in postmenopausal women.

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II type I receptor gene polymorphisms with extreme obesity in Polish individuals.

There is strong evidence for the presence of a functional renin-angiotensin system in human adipose tissue. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of polymorphic variants of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE I/D) and angiotensin II type I receptor gene (AGTR1 A1166C) with extreme obesity and obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to examine their combined effect on extremely obese patients. Overall, no significant associations were detected between ACE and AGTR1 gene polymorphisms and extreme obesity. However, extremely obese patients with T2DM showed an increased frequency of ACE II genotype compared with controls (p<0.05) and with non-diabetic extremely obese patients (p<0.01). The results suggest that II genotype of ACE was a significant contributor to extreme obesity in AA homozygotes of AGTR1 gene, regardless of the presence of T2DM. Moreover, the analysis of genetic polymorphisms demonstrated that ACE II and AGTR1 AC genotypes were most frequently observed in patients with extreme obesity and T2DM. On the basis of our results, we suggest that ACE II homozygosity may be a significant predictor of extreme obesity and T2DM and that the interaction between ACE and AGTR1 genes may be considered a predisposing factor for extreme obesity and extreme obesity-associated T2DM development.

Association of follicle-stimulating hormone and sex hormone binding globulin with the metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the association of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) with metabolic syndrome (MetS). DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined 320 postmenopausal women (148 with MetS and 172 without MetS). RESULTS: FSH was more strongly associated with MetS probability in the logistic regression model compared to SHBG. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves comparison showed greater areas under the curve for FSH than SHBG concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: FSH exhibited a stronger coherence to MetS than SHBG in postmenopausal women.

Comparison between C-reactive protein and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein as a component of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged women.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the diagnostic accuracy of CRP and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) for the metabolic syndrome (MS). DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined 310 middle-aged Caucasian women. RESULTS: CRP and AFABP values were significantly associated with the MS probability in the logistic regression model. Operating characteristic curves comparison showed similar areas under the curve. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of A-FABP is equivalent to CRP in the diagnostic utility of the MS.

Ozone therapy and the activity of selected lysosomal enzymes in blood serum of patients with lower limb ischaemia associated with obliterative atheromatosis.

BACKGROUND: The paper compares the effects of ozone therapy and conventional balneological methods on health condition of patients with obliterative atheromatosis and on serum activity of three lysosomal enzymes. MATERIAL/METHODS: Sixty-four patients with lower limb ischaemia in the course of obliterative atheromatosis (without diabetes) were enrolled in the study. Thirty-two patients were treated with ozone administered by intravenous infusions and 30-minute aerosol oxygen-ozone baths. A comparative group was formed of 32 patients treated with traditional balneology. There was also a control group made up of 30 healthy subjects. Ozone therapy as well as traditional balneology were administered daily for the period of 10 days, excluding Saturdays and Sundays. Blood for biochemical analysis was collected from elbow vein in the following time intervals: 24 hours before ozone therapy or classical balneology, one hour after therapy and on the 10th day of treatment. The activity of cathepsin D, acid phosphatase and arylsulphatase as well as the levels of a-1-antitrypsin (protease inhibitor) were determined in blood serum of patients with obliterative atheromatosis. RESULTS: In patients who received ozone therapy the activity of analysed lysosomal hydrolases returned to the values typical for healthy subjects. Patients' general condition also improved. The use of traditional balneological methods did not result in any significant change either in the activity of lysosomal hydrolases, the level of a-1-antitrypsin or general condition of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ozone therapy administered by intravenous infusions and aerosol oxygen-ozone baths of lower extremities yields much better therapeutic results in comparison with classical balneology.