Peptides Evaluated In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo as Therapeutic Tools for Obesity: A Systematic Review.

Bioinformatics has emerged as a valuable tool for screening drugs and understanding their effects. This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether in silico studies using anti-obesity peptides targeting therapeutic pathways for obesity, when subsequently evaluated in vitro and in vivo, demonstrated effects consistent with those predicted in the computational analysis. The review was framed by the question: "What peptides or proteins have been used to treat obesity in in silico studies?" and structured according to the acronym PECo. The systematic review protocol was developed and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022355540) in accordance with the PRISMA-P, and all stages of the review adhered to these guidelines. Studies were sourced from the following databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, Virtual Heath Library, and EMBASE. The search strategies resulted in 1015 articles, of which, based on the exclusion and inclusion criteria, 7 were included in this systematic review. The anti-obesity peptides identified originated from various sources including bovine alpha-lactalbumin from cocoa seed (Theobroma cacao L.), chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.), rice bran (Oryza sativa), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), sea buckthorn seed flour (Hippophae rhamnoides), and adzuki beans (Vigna angularis). All articles underwent in vitro and in vivo reassessment and used molecular docking methodology in their in silico studies. Among the studies included in the review, 46.15% were classified as having an "uncertain risk of bias" in six of the thirteen criteria evaluated. The primary target investigated was pancreatic lipase (n = 5), with all peptides targeting this enzyme demonstrating inhibition, a finding supported both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, other peptides were identified as PPARγ and PPARα agonists (n = 2). Notably, all peptides exhibited different mechanisms of action in lipid metabolism and adipogenesis. The findings of this systematic review underscore the effectiveness of computational simulation as a screening tool, providing crucial insights and guiding in vitro and in vivo investigations for the discovery of novel anti-obesity peptides.

Proteins and Peptides Studied In Silico and In Vivo for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review.

Bioinformatics has expedited the screening of new efficient therapeutic agents for diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM). The objective of this systematic review (SR) was to understand naturally occurring proteins and peptides studied in silico and subsequently reevaluated in vivo for treating DM, guided by the question: which peptides or proteins have been studied in silico for the treatment of diabetes mellitus? The RS protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database. Articles meeting the eligibility criteria were selected from the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, Virtual Health Library (VHL), and EMBASE databases. Five studies that investigated peptides or proteins analyzed in silico and in vivo were selected. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using the adapted Strengthening the Reporting of Empirical Simulation Studies (STRESS) tool. A diverse range of assessed proteins and/or peptides that had a natural origin were investigated in silico and corresponding in vivo reevaluation demonstrated reductions in glycemia and/or insulin, morphological enhancements in pancreatic ß cells, and alterations in the gene expression of markers associated with DM. The in silico studies outlined offer crucial insights into therapeutic strategies for DM, along with promising leads for screening novel therapeutic agents in future trials.

Prevalence of consumption of mechanically separated meat, consumer profile, nutrient intake and food choices among manufacturing workers in Northeastern Brazil.

Mechanically separated meat (MSM) is widely used in the food industry, however, there is a lack of studies on its consumption in populations. The objective of this study was to identify the frequency and amount of MSM consumption, factors associated with MSM consumption, nutrient intake and preferential choice of food groups among MSM consumers. This was an observational, cross-sectional prospective study based on a probability sample of manufacturing workers, conducted in Brazil. Logistic and linear multiple regression with robust standard errors were used. 921 workers from 33 manufacturing companies were studied, with an average age of 38.2 ± 10.7 years, 55.9% males. MSM products are consumed by 28.8% and represent in average 10% of total daily caloric intake, and 47.3% of the daily kcal from ultra-processed products. Younger age and greater waist circumference are associated with MSM consumption. Younger age and lesser educational level are associated with increased contribution of MSM to total daily kcal intake. MSM consumers have greater consumption of energy, fats, carbohydrates and sodium. Their dietary patterns are characterized by lower consumption of in natura and minimally processed foods, such as tubers and roots, fruits, white and red meat, and eggs and greater consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages.

In silico structure-based design of peptides or proteins as therapeutic tools for obesity or diabetes mellitus: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis.

BACKGROUND: In silico studies using dynamic simulation or molecular docking have boosted the screening and identification of molecules and/or targets in studies aimed at treating diseases such as obesity and diabetes mellitus, optimizing the development of new drugs. This study aims to describe a systematic review protocol on peptides and proteins evaluated in silico as potential therapeutic agents for obesity or diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This protocol followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Protocols and was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database (number: CRD42022355540). The databases to be searched will be PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, virtual health library, and EMBASE. It will be included in silico studies that evaluate the simulation by dynamics or molecular docking of proteins or peptides involved in treating obesity or diabetes mellitus. Two independent reviewers will select studies, extract data, and assess methodological quality using the adapted Strengthening the reporting of empirical simulation studies. A narrative synthesis of the included studies will be performed for the systematic reviews. RESULTS: This protocol contemplates the production of 2 systematic reviews to be developed focusing on obesity or diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: The reviews will enable knowledge of peptides and proteins involved in research treating these diseases and will emphasize the importance of in silico studies in this context and for the development of future studies.

In silico structure-based designers of therapeutic targets for diabetes mellitus or obesity: A protocol for systematic review.

Obesity is a significant risk factor for several chronic non-communicable diseases, being closely related to Diabetes Mellitus. Computer modeling techniques favor the understanding of interaction mechanisms between specific targets and substances of interest, optimizing drug development. In this article, the protocol of two protocols of systematic reviews are described for identifying therapeutic targets and models for treating obesity or diabetes mellitus investigated in silico. The protocol is by the guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes Protocols (PRISMA-P) and was published in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database (PROSPERO: CRD42022353808). Search strategies will be developed based on the combination of descriptors and executed in the following databases: PubMed; ScienceDirect; Scopus; Web of Science; Virtual Health Library; EMBASE. Only original in silico studies with molecular dynamics, molecular docking, or both will be inserted. Two trained researchers will independently select the articles, extract the data, and assess the risk of bias. The quality will be assessed through an adapted version of the Strengthening the Reporting of Empirical Simulation Studies (STRESS) and the risk of bias using a checklist obtained from separate literature sources. The implementation of this protocol will result in the elaboration of two systematic reviews identifying the therapeutic targets for treating obesity (review 1) or diabetes mellitus (review 2) used in computer simulation studies and their models. The systematization of knowledge about these treatment targets and their in silico structures is fundamental, primarily because computer simulation contributes to more accurate planning of future either in vitro or in vivo studies. Therefore, the reviews developed from this protocol will guide decision-making regarding the choice of targets/models in future research focused on therapeutics of obesity or Diabetes Mellitus contributing to mitigate of factors such as costs, time, and necessity of in vitro and/or in vivo assays.

Participation in a food assistance program and excessive weight gain: an evaluation of the Brazilian Worker's Food Program in male and female manufacturing workers.

BACKGROUND: Several published studies have reported an association between participation in a food assistance program and greater prevalence of overweight/obesity. Our aim was to compare nutritional status and nutrient consumption between workers from manufacturing companies participant and non-participant in the Brazilian Workers' Food Program (WFP). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey, based on a probability sample of manufacturing workers in Brazil obtained by stratified two-stage sampling, comparative between WFP and non-WFP participating companies. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and nutrient consumption (24-hour recall) were collected by trained nutritionists. Statistical analysis was done separately in each sex with mixed effects multilevel linear regression model including sampling weights and covariate adjustment. RESULTS: Thirty-three companies were randomly selected from all companies in three different economic activity sectors (food and beverages, non-metallic minerals, and textiles) in North-eastern Brazil, with stratification by company size, and a random sample of 929 workers (484 from non-WFP and 445 from WFP companies) was obtained from those companies. In males, the WFP group had higher BMI (+ 1.08 kg/m2, p < 0.001), greater WC (+ 3.27 cm, p < 0.001) and greater prevalence of obesity (OR 1.67, p < 0.001). In females, no statistical significant differences were observed in anthropometric parameters, but the WFP group had lower prevalence of obesity (OR 0.49, p = 0.05). Among workers in companies that provide lunch, males from WFP companies have greater consumption of carbohydrates (+ 39.5 kcal, p = 0.02) and protein (+ 11.1 kcal, p = 0.08), while females have lower protein consumption (- 14.2 kcal, p = 0.04) and also lower total daily consumption of carbohydrates (- 59.3 Kcal, p = 0.05) and total lipids (- 14.2 Kcal, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the WFP is associated with increased BMI and WC among male workers; however, this association was not found in females. Compared to the non-WFP group, in the WFP group, males have greater consumption of carbohydrates and protein at lunch, while women have lower protein intake. These results indicate the need that proposals for public policies aimed to the improvement of the nutritional status of populations take into consideration the different effects of food assistance programs in males and females.

Relationship Between Metabolic Syndrome and the Brazilian Workers' Food Program in Male and Female Manufacturing Workers.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have reported increased cardiometabolic risk among workers assisted by food assistance public policies. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its individual components among manufacturing workers and their relationship to the Brazilian Workers' Food Program (WFP). METHODS: It was a prospective, cross-sectional, two-stage survey comparative of manufacturing workers from companies adherent and non-adherent to the WFP stratified by sector of activity and company size. The workers were interviewed in the workplace, and data on waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, and 12-hours fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum triglycerides (TG), and total and HDL-cholesterol were obtained. Mixed effects multilevel regression was used to compare WFP and non-WFP groups separately in each sex. All subjects gave written informed consent. RESULTS: The survey included 332 workers from 16 WFP companies and 344 workers from 17 non-WFP companies. The general prevalence of MetS, according to IDF/AHA/NHLBI criteria, was high but not statistically different between sexes (39.8% in females versus 28.5% for males, p=0.16). Statistically significant differences were found between sexes in the prevalence of individual components: WC (77.8% in females versus 38.3% in males, p=0.002), TG (27.3% in females versus 40.8% in males, p=0.07), and HDL-C (52.2% in females versus 43.1% in males, p=0.05). Among males, MetS prevalence was significantly higher in the WFP group (33.0% versus 23.9%, p=0.008), and, in the individual components, the WFP group had higher prevalence of increased WC (47.0% versus 29.4%, p<0.001) and elevated FBG (8.9% versus 6.3%, p<0.001), as well as greater average levels of TG, HDL-C and FBG. Among female workers, no statistically significant differences between groups were observed in MetS prevalence and its individual components, but WFP female worker presented lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: In a low-income population, male manufacturing workers participating in a food assistance program are at increased risk of MetS, an effect that was not identified among female workers.

Labor, trabalho e ação: elementos pertinentes aos conceitos arendtianos em relatos autobiográficos de trabalhadores do setor de transportes / Labor, work, and action: relevant elements regarding Arendt’s concepts in autobiographical reports of workers from the transportation sector

A reflexão, junto à classe trabalhadora, sobre questões relacionadas à saúde no ambiente de trabalho, visando à criticidade e às ações que resultem no enfrentamento de seus problemas é um importante instrumento de mudança da realidade. O objetivo desta pesquisa exploratória é identificar elementos pertinentes aos conceitos arendtianos (labor, trabalho e ação) presentes no discurso de trabalhadores do setor de transportes participantes de um projeto de extensão universitária. A abordagem é qualitativa e a metodologia consiste em relato autobiográfico. As histórias dos trabalhadores foram gravadas em DVD e posteriormente transcritas. Para a análise, optou-se pela definição de categorias a priori (labor, trabalho e ação), uma vez que o marco teórico era a obra de Hannah Arendt. Como resultado, foram encontrados: insegurança alimentar, doenças crônicas não transmissíveis relacionadas ao conceito de labor; riscos ergonômicos e distúrbios psíquicos relacionados ao trabalho; e participação coletiva e inclusão digital como elementos da ação. Concluiu-se que conhecer, compreender e discutir essas três categorias para o incremento da reflexão acerca da saúde do trabalhador pode ser importante, uma vez que todas elas foram expressas nos relatos de vida, mostrando sua permanência e relevância na história de todos e de cada um...

Reflection, along with the working class, on health-related issues at the workplace, aiming at criticality and actions that result in facing its problems, is a significant instrument to change reality. The purpose of this exploratory research is identifying relevant elements with regard to Arendt’s concepts (labor, work, and action) observed in the discourse of workers from the transportation sector participating in a university outreach project. The approach is qualitative and the methodology is autobiographical account. Workers’ histories were recorded on DVD and then transcribed. For the analysis, we chose to define a priori categories (labor, work, and action), since the theoretical framework was Hannah Arendt’s work. As a result, we found: food insecurity, chronic noncommunicable diseases related to the concept of labor; ergonomic hazards and psychic disorders related to work; and collective participation and digital inclusion as elements of action. It was concluded that knowing, understanding, and discussing these three categories in order to increase the reflection on occupational health may be important, since all of them were expressed in life accounts, showing their permanence and relevance in the history of everybody and each one...