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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The rise in obesity highlights the need for improved therapeutic strategies, particularly in addressing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We aim to assess the role of tryptophan metabolic pathways in the pathogenesis of obesity and in the different histological stages of MASLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography to quantify circulating levels of 15 tryptophan-related metabolites from the kynurenine, indole and serotonin pathways. A cohort of 76 subjects was analysed, comprising 18 subjects with normal weight and 58 with morbid obesity, these last being subclassified into normal liver (NL), simple steatosis (SS) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Then, we conducted gene expression analysis of hepatic IDO-1 and kynyrenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO). RESULTS: Key findings in obesity revealed a distinct metabolic signature characterized by a higher concentration of different kynurenine-related metabolites, a decrease in indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-propionic acid, and an alteration in the serotonin pathway. Elevated tryptophan levels were associated with MASLD presence (37.659 (32.577-39.823) µM of tryptophan in NL subjects; 41.522 (38.803-45.276) µM in patients with MASLD). Overall, pathway fluxes demonstrated an induction of tryptophan catabolism via the serotonin pathway in SS subjects and into the kynurenine pathway in MASH. We found decreased IDO-1 and KMO hepatic expression in NL compared to SS. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a distinctive metabolic signature in obesity marked by changes in tryptophan catabolic pathways, discernible through altered metabolite profiles. We observed stage-specific alterations in tryptophan catabolism fluxes in MASLD, highlighting the potential utility of targeting these pathways in therapeutic interventions.
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There is a phenotype of obese individuals termed metabolically healthy obese that present a reduced cardiometabolic risk. This phenotype offers a valuable model for investigating the mechanisms connecting obesity and metabolic alterations such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Previously, in an untargeted metabolomics analysis in a cohort of morbidly obese women, we observed a different lipid metabolite pattern between metabolically healthy morbid obese individuals and those with associated T2DM. To validate these findings, we have performed a complementary study of lipidomics. In this study, we assessed a liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer untargeted lipidomic analysis on serum samples from 209 women, 73 normal-weight women (control group) and 136 morbid obese women. From those, 65 metabolically healthy morbid obese and 71 with associated T2DM. In this work, we find elevated levels of ceramides, sphingomyelins, diacyl and triacylglycerols, fatty acids, and phosphoethanolamines in morbid obese vs normal weight. Conversely, decreased levels of acylcarnitines, bile acids, lyso-phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylcholines (PC), phosphatidylinositols, and phosphoethanolamine PE (O-38:4) were noted. Furthermore, comparing morbid obese women with T2DM vs metabolically healthy MO, a distinct lipid profile emerged, featuring increased levels of metabolites: deoxycholic acid, diacylglycerol DG (36:2), triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholines, phosphoethanolamines, phosphatidylinositols, and lyso-phosphatidylinositol LPI (16:0). To conclude, analysing both comparatives, we observed decreased levels of deoxycholic acid, PC (34:3), and PE (O-38:4) in morbid obese women vs normal-weight. Conversely, we found elevated levels of these lipids in morbid obese women with T2DM vs metabolically healthy MO. These profiles of metabolites could be explored for the research as potential markers of metabolic risk of T2DM in morbid obese women.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Lipidómica , Obesidad Mórbida , Humanos , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/sangre , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicaciones , Femenino , Obesidad Mórbida/sangre , Obesidad Mórbida/metabolismo , Obesidad Mórbida/complicaciones , Lipidómica/métodos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto , Lípidos/sangre , Metabolómica/métodos , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Triglicéridos/sangre , Esfingomielinas/sangre , Esfingomielinas/metabolismo , Ceramidas/sangre , Ceramidas/metabolismo , Metabolismo de los LípidosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC), characterized by lingering symptoms post-acute COVID-19, poses clinical challenges, highlighting the need to understand its underlying molecular mechanisms. This meta-analysis aims to shed light on the transcriptomic landscapes and sex-specific molecular dynamics intrinsic to PCC. METHODS: A systematic review identified three studies suitable for comprehensive meta-analysis, encompassing 135 samples (57 PCC subjects and 78 recovered subjects). We performed meta-analysis on differential gene expression, a gene set enrichment analysis of Reactome pathways, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). We performed a drug and disease enrichment analysis and also assessed sex-specific differences in expression patterns. KEY FINDINGS: A clear difference was observed in the transcriptomic profiles of PCC subjects, with 530 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified. Enrichment analysis revealed that the altered pathways were predominantly implicated in cell cycle processes, immune dysregulation and histone modifications. Antioxidant compounds such as hesperitin were predominantly linked to the hub genes of the DEGs. Sex-specific analyses highlighted disparities in DEGs and altered pathways in male and female PCC patients, revealing a difference in the expression of ribosomal proteins. PCC in men was mostly linked to neuro-cardiovascular disorders, while women exhibited more diverse disorders, with a high index of respiratory conditions. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals the intricate molecular processes underlying PCC, highlighting that the differences in molecular dynamics between males and females could be key to understanding and effectively managing the varied symptomatology of this condition.
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COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Transcriptoma , Humanos , COVID-19/genética , Transcriptoma/genética , Masculino , Femenino , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Factores Sexuales , Síndrome Post Agudo de COVID-19 , Perfilación de la Expresión GénicaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: There is a lack of noninvasive diagnostic methods for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the severe condition of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Platelet activation, evaluated through certain related parameters, is associated with liver disease and inflammation, but previous results are inconclusive. AIM: To investigate the potential utility of platelet-related indices as noninvasive diagnostic markers for the detection and prediction of MASLD, focusing on NASH. RESULTS: We found that mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were increased in the severe and morbidly obese (SMO) group compared to the normal weight (NW) group. We found decreased levels of MPV in steatosis and NASH patients. MPV and PCT values were decreased in the presence of mild liver inflammation. Platelet count (PLA) and PCT values were lower in the presence of ballooning. We obtained an area under the ROC curve of 0.84 using MPV and three other variables to predict MASLD. CONCLUSIONS: Some platelet-related indices vary depending on liver condition. Here, we reported decreased MPV in MASLD presence. Moreover, we presented for the first time a predictive model using MPV, ALT levels and the presence of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome to predict MASLD in obese women. Also, MPV is closely related to early liver inflammation in NASH, and PLA and PCT are related to hepatic ballooning. These indices could be widely used for the early detection of NASH since they are usually determined in routine laboratory tests.
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Enfermedades Metabólicas , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico , Obesidad Mórbida , Humanos , Femenino , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/diagnóstico , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/complicaciones , Volúmen Plaquetario Medio , Biomarcadores , Enfermedades Metabólicas/complicaciones , Inflamación/complicaciones , Poliésteres , PlaquetasRESUMEN
Long COVID (LC) syndrome is a complex multiorgan symptom that persists beyond >12 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most frequently associated symptom is fatigue. Physical activity and exercise are recommended, although specific studies are lacking. The objectives of the present work are to analyze the impact of a supervised exercise program on the clinical evolution of LC with fatigue patients and to identify whether certain circulating biomarkers could predict the response to rehabilitation. The rehabilitation treatment response was analyzed in 14 women diagnosed with LC and fatigue, based on the changes in the 6 min walk test and Borg/Fatigue Impact scales. Patients who showed improvement in the meters walked were considered "responders" to the therapy. A total of 65% of patients responded to the exercise program, with an improvement in the meters walked and in oxygen saturation, with stability in the percentage of meters walked. Participants with obesity and those double-vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 presented a lower degree of fatigue. LC patients presented a favorable response to a supervised exercise program. Differences in creatinine and protein levels were observed between rehabilitation therapy "responders" and "nonresponders". A good state of protein nutrition was related to a better rehabilitation response. The results are promising regarding possible predictive biomarkers of rehabilitation response, such as creatinine.
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COVID-19 , Síndrome de Fatiga Crónica , Humanos , Femenino , Síndrome Post Agudo de COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Creatinina , Síndrome de Fatiga Crónica/terapiaRESUMEN
This study investigated the importance of a metabolomic analysis in a complex disease such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) associated with obesity. Using an untargeted metabolomics technique, we studied blood metabolites in 216 morbidly obese women with liver histological diagnosis. A total of 172 patients were diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and 44 were diagnosed with normal liver (NL). Patients with NAFLD were classified into simple steatosis (n = 66) and NASH (n = 106) categories. A comparative analysis of metabolites levels between NASH and NL demonstrated significant differences in lipid metabolites and derivatives, mainly from the phospholipid group. In NASH, there were increased levels of several phosphatidylinositols and phosphatidylethanolamines, as well as isolated metabolites such as diacylglycerol 34:1, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine 20:3 and sphingomyelin 38:1. By contrast, there were decreased levels of acylcarnitines, sphingomyelins and linoleic acid. These findings may facilitate identification studies of the main pathogenic metabolic pathways related to NASH and may also have a possible applicability in a panel of metabolites to be used as biomarkers in future algorithms of the disease diagnosis and its follow-up. Further confirmatory studies in groups with different ages and sexes are necessary.
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Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico , Obesidad Mórbida , Humanos , Femenino , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/metabolismo , Obesidad Mórbida/metabolismo , Hígado/metabolismo , Metabolómica/métodos , Biomarcadores/metabolismoRESUMEN
Obesity is a chronic and complex disease, with an increasing incidence worldwide that is associated with metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thus, it is important to determine the differences between metabolically healthy obese individuals and those with metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to perform an untargeted metabolomics assay in women with morbid obesity (MO) compared to a normal weight group, and to differentiate the metabolome of these women with MO who present with T2DM. We carried out a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics assay using serum samples of 209 Caucasian women: 73 with normal weight and 136 with MO, of which 71 had T2DM. First, we found increased levels of choline and acylglycerols and lower levels of bile acids, steroids, ceramides, glycosphingolipids, lysophosphatidylcholines, and lysophosphatidylethanolamines in MO women than in the control group. Then, in MO women with T2DM, we found increased levels of glutamate, propionyl-carnitine, bile acids, ceramides, lysophosphatidylcholine 14:0, phosphatidylinositols and phosphoethanolamines, and lower levels of Phe-Ile/Leu. Thus, we found metabolites with opposite trends of concentration in the two metabolomic analyses. These metabolites could be considered possible new factors of study in the pathogenesis of MO and associated T2DM in women.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Obesidad Mórbida , Humanos , Femenino , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/metabolismo , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Metabolómica , Metaboloma , Espectrometría de Masas , Cromatografía Liquida , Ácidos y Sales BiliaresRESUMEN
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic hepatic disease. Although mostly benign, this disease can evolve into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) plays an important role in the immune response against stressed cells, but this protein may also be involved in liver lipogenesis and microbiota composition. In this study, the role of STING in NAFLD was evaluated by RT-qPCR to analyze STING mRNA abundance and by immunohistochemical analysis to evaluate protein expression in liver biopsies from a cohort composed of 69 women with morbid obesity classified according to their liver involvement (normal liver, n = 27; simple steatosis (SS), n = 26; NASH, n = 16). The results showed that STING mRNA expression in the liver increases with the occurrence of NAFLD, specifically in the SS stage in which the degree of steatosis is mild or moderate. Protein analysis corroborated these results. Positive correlations were observed among hepatic STING mRNA abundance and gamma-glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase levels, hepatic Toll-like receptor 9 expression and some circulating microbiota-derived bile acids. In conclusion, STING may be involved in the outcome and progression of NAFLD and may be related to hepatic lipid metabolism. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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This study's objective was to assess the involvement of olfactomedin 2 (OLFM2), a secreted glycoprotein related to lipid metabolism regulation, in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mediated by the adipose-tissue-liver axis. OLFM2 mRNA expression was analyzed in subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue by RT-qPCR. The cohort included women with normal weight (n = 16) or morbid obesity (MO, n = 60) who were subclassified into normal liver (n = 20), simple steatosis (n = 21), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, n = 19) groups. The results showed that OLFM2 expression in SAT was enhanced in MO individuals and in the presence of NAFLD. Specifically, OLFM2 expression in SAT was increased in mild and moderate degrees of steatosis in comparison to the absence of it. Moreover, OLFM2 expression in SAT was negatively correlated with interleukin-6 levels. On the other hand, OLFM2 expression in VAT decreased in the presence of NASH and exhibited a positive correlation with adiponectin levels. In conclusion, OLFM2 in SAT seems to be implicated in hepatic lipid accumulation. Additionally, since we previously suggested the possible implication of hepatic OLFM2 in NAFLD progression, now we propose a possible interaction between the liver and SAT, reinforcing the potential implication of this tissue in NAFLD development.
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Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico , Obesidad Mórbida , Femenino , Humanos , Tejido Adiposo/metabolismo , Hígado/metabolismo , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/metabolismo , Obesidad Mórbida/metabolismoRESUMEN
The autophagy gene ATG7 has been shown to be essential for the induction of autophagy, a process that used to be suppressed in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the specific role of ATG7 in NAFLD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze hepatic ATG7 mRNA and ATG7 protein expression regarding obesity-associated NAFLD. Patients included women classified into normal weight (NW, n = 6) and morbid obesity (MO, n = 72). The second group was subclassified into normal liver (NL, n = 11), simple steatosis (SS, n= 29), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, n = 32). mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR and protein expression was evaluated by Western blotting. Our results showed that NASH patients presented higher ATG7 mRNA and ATG7 protein levels. ATG7 mRNA expression was increased in NASH compared with SS, while ATG7 protein abundance was enhanced in NASH compared with NL. ATG7 mRNA correlated negatively with the expression of some hepatic lipid metabolism-related genes and positively with endocannabinoid receptors, adiponectin hepatic expression, and omentin levels. These results suggest that ATG7-mediated autophagy may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, especially in NASH, perhaps playing a possible protective role. However, this is a preliminary study that needs to be further studied.
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Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico , Humanos , Femenino , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/complicaciones , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/genética , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/metabolismo , Proteína 7 Relacionada con la Autofagia/genética , Proteína 7 Relacionada con la Autofagia/metabolismo , ARN Mensajero/genética , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Hígado/metabolismo , Obesidad/complicaciones , Obesidad/genética , Obesidad/metabolismoRESUMEN
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the predominant cause of chronic liver injury; however, the mechanisms underlying its progression have not been fully elucidated. Pathophysiological studies have stated that NAFLD is significantly influenced by dietary and environmental factors that could participate in the development of NAFLD through different mechanisms. Currently, "plastic pollution" is one of the most challenging environmental problems worldwide since several plastics have potential toxic or endocrine disputing properties. Specifically, the intake of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in water or diet and/or the inhalation from suspended particles is well established, and these particles have been found in human samples. Laboratory animals exposed to MPs develop inflammation, immunological responses, endocrine disruptions, and alterations in lipid and energy metabolism, among other disorders. MPs additives also demonstrated adverse reactions. There is evidence that MPs and their additives are potential "obesogens" and could participate in NAFLD pathogenesis by modifying gut microbiota composition or even worsen liver fibrosis. Although human exposure to MPs seems clear, their relationship with NAFLD requires further study, since its prevention could be a possible personalized therapeutic strategy. Adequate mitigation strategies worldwide, reducing environmental pollution and human exposure levels of MPs, could reduce the risk of NAFLD.
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Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Humanos , Animales , Microplásticos , Plásticos/toxicidad , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/etiología , Agua , Lípidos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisisRESUMEN
Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is an anti-inflammatory adipocytokine secreted by adipocytes that seems to be linked with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to evaluate the role of the SFRP5-wingless-MMTV integration site family member 5a (WNT5A) pathway, closely related to adipogenesis, in subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissues (VAT) and its relationship with obesity-related NAFLD. Our cohort was composed of 60 women with morbid obesity (MO), who underwent hypocaloric diet, subclassified according to their hepatic histopathology and 15 women with normal weight. We observed increased SFRP5 mRNA expression in VAT and lower WNT5A expression in SAT in MO compared to normal weight. We found elevated SFRP5 expression in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in SAT and in mild simple steatosis (SS) and NASH in VAT. We observed higher WNT5A expression in SS compared to normal liver in SAT, and a peak of WNT5A expression in mild SS. To conclude, we reported increased SFRP5 mRNA expression in SAT and VAT of NAFLD-related to obesity subjects, suggesting an implication of the SFRP5-WNT5A pathway in NAFLD pathogenesis, probably due to the adipose tissue-liver axis. Since the mechanisms by which this potential interaction takes place remain elusive, more research in this field is needed.
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Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales/genética , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico , Obesidad Mórbida , Tejido Adiposo/metabolismo , Dieta Reductora , Femenino , Humanos , Péptidos y Proteínas de Señalización Intracelular , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/complicaciones , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/genética , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/metabolismo , Obesidad/complicaciones , Obesidad/genética , Obesidad/metabolismo , Obesidad Mórbida/metabolismo , ARN Mensajero/genética , ARN Mensajero/metabolismoRESUMEN
Olfactomedins (OLFMs) are a family of glycoproteins that play a relevant role in embryonic development and in some pathological processes. Although OLFM2 is involved in the regulation of the energy metabolism and OLFM4 is an important player in inflammation, innate immunity and cancer, the role of OLFMs in NAFLD-related intestinal dysbiosis remains unknown. In this study, we analysed the hepatic mRNA expression of OLFM2 and the jejunal expression of OLFM4 in a well-established cohort of women with morbid obesity (MO), classified according to their hepatic histology into normal liver (n = 27), simple steatosis (n = 26) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, n = 16). Our results showed that OLFM2 hepatic mRNA was higher in NASH, in advanced degrees of steatosis and in the presence of lobular inflammation. Additionally, we obtained positive correlations between hepatic OLFM2 and glucose, cholesterol, trimethylamine N-oxide and deoxycholic acid levels and hepatic fatty acid synthase, and negative associations with weight and jejunal Toll-like receptors (TLR4) and TLR5 expression. Regarding jejunal OLFM4, we observed positive correlations with circulating interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, IL-17 and jejunal TLR9. In conclusion, OLFM2 in the liver seems to play a relevant role in NAFLD progression, while OLFM4 in the jejunum could be involved in gut dysbiosis-related inflammatory events.
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Proteínas de la Matriz Extracelular , Glicoproteínas , Factor Estimulante de Colonias de Granulocitos , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico , Disbiosis/patología , Proteínas de la Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Femenino , Glicoproteínas/metabolismo , Factor Estimulante de Colonias de Granulocitos/metabolismo , Humanos , Inflamación/metabolismo , Inflamación/patología , Hígado/metabolismo , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/metabolismo , ARN Mensajero/metabolismoRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Given that obesity is a major medical problem associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the lack of studies on postsurgery weight loss according to hepatic histology, we aimed to analyse weight loss indicators according to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) presence one and 2 years postsurgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The weight loss pattern of 410 women with severe obesity (SO) was analysed after sleeve gastrectomy (SG, n = 191) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB, n = 219) according to NASH presence at baseline and at 12 and 24 months postsurgery. Weight loss indicators: expected BMI (eBMI), excess BMI loss percentage (%EBMIL), total weight loss percentage (%TWL) and alterable weight loss percentage (%AWL). RESULTS: Unlike RYGB, after SG, a higher percentage of NASH patients do not reach the eBMI 2 years postsurgery. %TWL and %AWL presented no differences after RYGB despite the presence of NASH. After SG, there is a worse ponderal evolution of all indicators analysed in the presence of NASH. Unlike SG, diabetic patients lose less weight than non-diabetic patients after RYGB. The presence of NASH in diabetics had no impact on weight loss indicators, but in non-diabetics, it had an impact, particularly in the SG group. CONCLUSION: The presence of NASH suggests a worse weight loss pattern through all the analysed indicators one and 2 years after SG in women. The presence of T2DM appears to result in less weight loss after RYGB, but only non-diabetic women presenting NASH lose less weight that non-diabetic women in the absence of NASH after SG.
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Cirugía Bariátrica , Derivación Gástrica , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico , Obesidad Mórbida , Femenino , Gastrectomía , Humanos , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/complicaciones , Obesidad Mórbida/cirugía , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del Tratamiento , Pérdida de PesoRESUMEN
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic hepatic disease; nevertheless, no definitive diagnostic method exists yet, apart from invasive liver biopsy, and nor is there a specific approved treatment. Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) plays a major role in angiogenesis and inflammation; however, its link with NAFLD is unclear as controversial results have been reported. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the proteins involved in the molecular mechanisms between RUNX1 and NAFLD, by means of systems biology. First, a mathematical model that simulates NAFLD pathophysiology was generated by analyzing Anaxomics databases and reviewing available scientific literature. Artificial neural networks established NAFLD pathophysiological processes functionally related to RUNX1: hepatic insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, and hepatic injury-liver fibrosis. Our study indicated that RUNX1 might have a high relationship with hepatic injury-liver fibrosis, and a medium relationship with lipotoxicity and insulin resistance motives. Additionally, we found five RUNX1-regulated proteins with a direct involvement in NAFLD motives, which were NFκB1, NFκB2, TNF, ADIPOQ, and IL-6. In conclusion, we suggested a relationship between RUNX1 and NAFLD since RUNX1 seems to regulate NAFLD molecular pathways, posing it as a potential therapeutic target of NAFLD, although more studies in this field are needed.
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The cytokine signature present in COVID-19 could provide information on the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease and could identify possible prognostic biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets. In this longitudinal work, we studied the clinical and biochemical parameters and circulating cytokine levels of 146 patients at the time of admission for COVID-19 and 4-6 weeks later. The main objective of this study was to determine whether basal cytokines could be early prognostic biomarkers of COVID-19, and also to analyze the impact of comorbidities, such as obesity or metabolic syndrome (MS), in the cytokine profile. The levels of most inflammatory cytokines were elevated on admission in relation to the level that was reached 4-6 weeks later, except for IL-1ß, which was lower on admission; these levels were irrespective of the presence of obesity or MS since the cytokine storm masks these inflammatory processes. Among the cytokines analyzed, those that correlated with a worse prognosis of COVID-19 were resistin, IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, MCP-1 and TNF-α. Specifically, resistin and IL-15 are the best early predictors of requiring invasive ventilation. Therefore, resistin and IL-15 should be included in the personalized treatment decision algorithm of patients with COVID-19.
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Nutrient sensing plays important roles in promoting satiety and maintaining good homeostatic control. Taste receptors (TAS) are located through the gastrointestinal tract, and recent studies have shown they have a relationship with metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to analyze the jejunal expression of TAS1R2, TAS1R3, TAS2R14 and TAS2R38 in women with morbid obesity, first classified according to metabolic syndrome presence (MetS; n = 24) or absence (non-MetS; n = 45) and then classified according to hepatic histology as normal liver (n = 28) or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 41). Regarding MetS, we found decreased expression of TAS2R14 in MetS patients. However, when we subclassified patients according to liver histology, we did not find differences between groups. We found negative correlations between glucose levels, triglycerides and MetS with TAS1R3 expression. Moreover, TAS2R14 jejunal expression correlated negatively with the presence of MetS and ghrelin levels and positively with the jejunal Toll-like receptor (TLR)4, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-10 levels. Furthermore, TAS2R38 expression correlated negatively with TLR9 jejunal expression and IL-6 levels and positively with TLR4 levels. Our findings suggest that metabolic dysfunctions such as MetS trigger downregulation of the intestinal TASs. Therefore, taste receptors modulation could be a possible therapeutic target for metabolic disorders.
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Yeyuno/metabolismo , Obesidad Mórbida/genética , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/genética , Gusto , Regulación hacia Abajo , Femenino , Expresión Génica , Humanos , Metabolismo de los Lípidos/genética , Hígado/patología , Síndrome Metabólico/complicaciones , Síndrome Metabólico/genética , Síndrome Metabólico/metabolismo , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/complicaciones , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/genética , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/metabolismo , Obesidad Mórbida/complicaciones , Obesidad Mórbida/metabolismo , Obesidad Mórbida/patología , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismoRESUMEN
Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5), an antagonist of the noncanonical WNT pathway, has a controversial role in liver disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of SFRP5 and the noncanonical WNT pathway in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Plasma SFRP5 levels were determined by ELISA in women with normal weight (NW; n = 20) and morbid obesity (MO; n = 69). Women with MO were subclassified according to hepatic histology into normal liver (NL; n = 28), NAFLD (n = 41) (simple steatosis (SS; n = 24), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH; n = 17)). We used RT-qPCR to evaluate the hepatic mRNA expression of SFRP5, WNT5A, and JNK in women with MO. SFRP5 levels were lower in NW than in MO patients who underwent a very low-calorie diet before surgery. Hepatic SFRP5 mRNA expression was higher in SS than in NL or NASH; additionally, patients with hepatic inflammation or ballooning presented lower SFRP5 abundance. WNT5A and JNK expression was enhanced in NAFLD compared with NL. In conclusion, circulating SFRP5 levels depend on the diet, and hepatic SFRP5 seems to have a protective role in the first steps of NAFLD; however, SFRP5 could be deregulated in an advanced stage while WNT5A and JNK are activated, promoting liver damage.
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Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales/metabolismo , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/metabolismo , Obesidad Mórbida/complicaciones , Obesidad Mórbida/metabolismo , Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales/sangre , Adipoquinas/metabolismo , Biomarcadores , Índice de Masa Corporal , Susceptibilidad a Enfermedades , Humanos , Inmunohistoquímica , Mediadores de Inflamación/metabolismo , MAP Quinasa Quinasa 4/metabolismo , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/sangre , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/etiología , Enfermedad del Hígado Graso no Alcohólico/patología , ARN Mensajero/genética , Proteína Wnt-5a/metabolismoRESUMEN
Recent studies suggest a link between pro-neurotensin (pro-NT) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the published data are conflicting. Thus, we aimed to analyze pro-NT levels in women with morbid obesity (MO) and NAFLD to investigate if this molecule is involved in NAFLD and liver lipid metabolism. Plasma levels of pro-NT were determined in 56 subjects with MO and 18 with normal weight (NW). All patients with MO were subclassified according to their liver histology into the normal liver (NL, n = 20) and NAFLD (n = 36) groups. The NAFLD group had 17 subjects with simple steatosis (SS) and 19 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We used a chemiluminescence sandwich immunoassay to quantify pro-NT in plasma and RT-qPCR to evaluate the hepatic mRNA levels of several lipid metabolism-related genes. We reported that pro-NT levels were significantly higher in MO with NAFLD than in MO without NAFLD. Additionally, pro-NT levels were higher in NASH patients than in NL. The hepatic expression of lipid metabolism-related genes was found to be altered in NAFLD, as previously reported. Additionally, although pro-NT levels correlated with LDL, there was no association with the main lipid metabolism-related genes. These findings suggest that pro-NT could be related to NAFLD progression.
RESUMEN
The pathogenic mechanisms underlying nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are beginning to be understood. RUNX1 is involved in angiogenesis, which is crucial in inflammation, but its role in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze RUNX1 mRNA hepatic and jejunal abundance in women with morbid obesity (MO) and NAFLD. RUNX1, lipid metabolism-related genes, and TLRs in women with MO and normal liver (NL, n = 28), NAFLD (n = 41) (simple steatosis (SS, n = 24), or NASH (n = 17)) were analyzed by RT-qPCR. The RUNX1 hepatic expression was higher in SS than in NL or NASH, as likewise confirmed by immunohistochemistry. An increased expression of hepatic FAS was found in NAFLD. Hepatic RUNX1 correlated positively with FAS. There were no significant differences in the jejunum RUNX1 expressions in the different groups. Jejunal FXR expression was lower in NASH than in NL, while the TLR9 expression increased as NAFLD progressed. Jejunal RUNX1 correlated positively with jejunal PPARγ, TLR4, and TLR5. In summary, the hepatic expression of RUNX1 seems to be involved in the first steps of the NAFLD process; however, in NASH, it seems to be downregulated. Our findings provide important insights into the role of RUNX1 in the context of NAFLD/NASH, suggesting a protective role.