Comparative analysis of gut microbiota in children with obstructive sleep apnea: assessing the efficacy of 16S rRNA gene sequencing in metabolic function prediction based on weight status.

Background: Analyzing bacterial microbiomes consistently using next-generation sequencing (NGS) is challenging due to the diversity of synthetic platforms for 16S rRNA genes and their analytical pipelines. This study compares the efficacy of full-length (V1-V9 hypervariable regions) and partial-length (V3-V4 hypervariable regions) sequencing of synthetic 16S rRNA genes from human gut microbiomes, with a focus on childhood obesity. Methods: In this observational and comparative study, we explored the differences between these two sequencing methods in taxonomic categorization and weight status prediction among twelve children with obstructive sleep apnea. Results: The full-length NGS method by Pacbio® identified 118 genera and 248 species in the V1-V9 regions, all with a 0% unclassified rate. In contrast, the partial-length NGS method by Illumina® detected 142 genera (with a 39% unclassified rate) and 6 species (with a 99% unclassified rate) in the V3-V4 regions. These approaches showed marked differences in gut microbiome composition and functional predictions. The full-length method distinguished between obese and non-obese children using the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, a known obesity marker (p = 0.046), whereas the partial-length method was less conclusive (p = 0.075). Additionally, out of 73 metabolic pathways identified through full-length sequencing, 35 (48%) were associated with level 1 metabolism, compared to 28 of 61 pathways (46%) identified through the partial-length method. The full-length NGS also highlighted complex associations between body mass index z-score, three bacterial species (Bacteroides ovatus, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, and Streptococcus parasanguinis ATCC 15912), and 17 metabolic pathways. Both sequencing techniques revealed relationships between gut microbiota composition and OSA-related parameters, with full-length sequencing offering more comprehensive insights into associated metabolic pathways than the V3-V4 technique. Conclusion: These findings highlight disparities in NGS-based assessments, emphasizing the value of full-length NGS with amplicon sequence variant analysis for clinical gut microbiome research. They underscore the importance of considering methodological differences in future meta-analyses.

Metagenomic and metabolomic analysis showing the adverse risk-benefit trade-off of the ketogenic diet.

BACKGROUND: Ketogenic diets are increasingly popular for addressing obesity, but their impacts on the gut microbiota and metabolome remain unclear. This paper aimed to investigate how a ketogenic diet affects intestinal microorganisms and metabolites in obesity. METHODS: Male mice were provided with one of the following dietary regimens: normal chow, high-fat diet, ketogenic diet, or high-fat diet converted to ketogenic diet. Body weight and fat mass were measured weekly using high-precision electronic balances and minispec body composition analyzers. Metagenomics and non-targeted metabolomics data were used to analyze differences in intestinal contents. RESULTS: Obese mice on the ketogenic diet exhibited notable improvements in weight and body fat. However, these were accompanied by a significant decrease in intestinal microbial diversity, as well as an increase in Firmicutes abundance and a 247% increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The ketogenic diet also altered multiple metabolic pathways in the gut, including glucose, lipid, energy, carbohydrate, amino acid, ketone body, butanoate, and methane pathways, as well as bacterial secretion and colonization pathways. These changes were associated with increased intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis in obese mice. Furthermore, the ketogenic diet enhanced the secretion of bile and the synthesis of aminoglycoside antibiotics in obese mice, which may impair the gut microbiota and be associated with intestinal inflammation and immunity. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggest that the ketogenic diet had an unfavorable risk-benefit trade-off and may compromise metabolic homeostasis in obese mice.

Joint association of weight-adjusted-waist index and physical activity with insulin resistance in adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) is a recently developed obesity metric, and the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and WWI and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in adolescents, as well as the joint association of HOMA-IR. METHODS: This study was based on the National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted between 2013 and 2016 and included 1024 adolescents whose median age was 15.4. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the associations between HOMA-IR and PA and WWI. Using generalized additive models, a potential nonlinear link between WWI and HOMA-IR was evaluated. Subgroup analysis was also carried out. RESULTS: The fully adjusted model revealed a positive association (ß: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.53) between the WWI and HOMA-IR. The HOMA-IR was lower in physically active (ß: -0.16, 95% CI: -0.26, -0.05) participants versus inactive participants. Participants who had higher WWI and were not physically active (ß: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.82) had the highest levels of HOMA-IR compared to participants who had lower WWI and were physically active. Subgroup analysis revealed that these correlations were similar in males and females. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that higher WWI and PA were associated with a lower HOMA-IR and that WWI and PA had a combined association with HOMA-IR. The findings of this study are informative for the preventing insulin resistance in adolescents.

Analyzing Children's Weight Growth Variations and Associated Factors in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam: Using Fractional Polynomial Mixed-Effects Model.

Background: Children's growth is increasingly considered a key mediator of later life outcomes. When examining weight growth, the correlation between repeated observations on the same subject must be regarded as well-modelled. This study aimed to analyze children's weight growth variations and associated factors in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam using a fractional polynomial mixed-effects model. Methods: This study used longitudinal data from the Young Lives Cohort Study conducted from 2002 to 2016 in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam. The study included 7,140 children of 1 to 15 years old A fractional polynomial mixed-effects model was used to analyze the data. Results: Ethiopian, Peruvian, and Vietnamese children had significantly higher average body weights than children in India (1.426, P<0.001; 1.992, P<0.001; 1.334, P<0.001, respectively). Girl children's average body weight was significantly 0.15 times less than that of boys (-0.148; P=0.027). The average weight of rural children was significantly 0.671 times less than that of urban children (0.671, P<0.001). Children from Peru and Vietnam had higher rates of weight change than those from India. However, the rate of weight change was lower in Ethiopian children than in Indian children. Children from urban areas had a significantly higher rate of weight gain than those from rural areas. Conclusion: Country, sex, residence, parental education, household size, wealth, good drinking water, and reliable power affected children's longitudinal weight growth. Therefore, WHO and the nation's health ministry should monitor children's weight growth status and these associated factors to plan future action.

Growth charts for children aged 6-17 years in Shanxi, China: comparison with other cities of China and WHO.

BACKGROUND: Growth charts are an important method for evaluating a child's health, growth, and nutritional status. It is essential to monitor the growth of children and adolescents using growth charts. OBJECTIVES: To present body mass index (BMI)-for-age references reflecting children's growth in Shanxi. We also compare our new data with growth references of other cities of China and World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards. METHODS: A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to recruit 5461 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. The LMS method was used to calculate the percentile values of body mass index by sex and age. Smoothed BMI-for-age growth curves were presented for both sexes and compared with reference data from other cities of China and WHO. RESULTS: BMI centiles increased with age but with different patterns in both boys and girls. The centile curves from the 3rd to the 50th had a slight increase, while a sharp increase was seen from 11 to 17 years in boys and from 6 to 14 years in girls in the higher centiles. In comparison with other cities of China, the values for the 50th percentile are higher than those reported for children from China 2009, Shanghai, Changsha and China 2010 in both sexes. In comparison with WHO growth references, Chinese girls and boys had higher values in all percentiles, whereas curves of girls look roughly the same. The medians for BMI in Shanxi increase linearly from 6 to 17 years in boys. CONCLUSIONS: The BMI percentiles of children aged 6-17 years in Shanxi differed significantly from the growth reference curves of other cities of China and WHO. Recommending the provision of BMI reference curves for local children and adolescents to assess their growth and development and monitor their nutritional status. Early detection of overweight and obesity in children provides a scientific basis for the prevention and control of overweight and obesity in children.

Characterization of the effects of cannabinoid receptor deletion on energy metabolism in female C57BL mice.

Background: Despite the evidence that energy balance is regulated differently in females and that the endocannabinoid system is sexually dimorphic, previous studies on the endocannabinoid system and energy balance predominantly used male models. Here, we characterize the effects of cannabinoid receptor deletion on body weight gain and glucose metabolism in female C57BL mice. Methods: Female mice lacking the cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R-/-), cannabinoid-2 receptor (CB2R-/-), or both receptors (CB1R-/-/CB2R-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed with a low (LFD; 10% of calories from fat) or high-fat diet (HFD; 45% of calories from fat) for six weeks. Results: Female WT mice fed with HFD gained significantly more weight than WT mice fed with LFD (p < 0.001). Similar pattern was observed for CB2/- mice fed with HFD compared to CB2R-/- mice fed with LFD (p < 0.001), but not for CB1R-/- fed with HFD vs. LFD (p = 0.22) or CB1R-/-/CB2R-/- fed with HFD vs. LFD (p = 0.96). Comparing the 4 groups on LFD, weight gain of CB1R-/- mice was greater than all other genotypes (p < 0.05). When fed with HFD, the deletion of CB1R alone in females did not attenuate weight gain compared to WT mice (p = 0.72). Female CB1R-/-/CB2R-/- mice gained less weight than WT mice when fed with HFD (p = 0.007) despite similar food intake and locomotor activity, potentially owing to enhanced thermogenesis in the white adipose tissue. No significant difference in weight gain was observed for female CB2R-/- and WT mice on LFD or HFD. Fasting glucose, however, was higher in CB2R-/- mice fed with LFD than all other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The effects of cannabinoid receptor deletion on glucose metabolism in female mice were similar to previously published findings on male mice, yet the effects on body weight gain and thermogenesis were attenuated in CB1R-/- mice.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on Body Mass Index: a three-year follow up study in 6,156 Chinese college students.

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 as the most pervasive and consequential pandemic in recent years, has exerted significant impacts on human health, including aspects related to body weight. Objectives: This study aims to assess the influence of the lockdown measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic on Chinese college students' Body Mass Index (BMI) through a three-year cohort study. Methods: We recruited 6156 college students (n = 4,248, 69% male, and n = 1,908, 31% female, with an average age of 18.68 ± 0.86 yr.) from a University in China to participate in this three-year cohort study. All of the subjects took the same physical fitness tests from 2019 to 2021 (pre-lockdown, during lockdown and post-lockdown). Participants' height and weight data were objectively measured by Tongfang Health Fitness Testing Products 5000 series. A paired t-test was performed in the analysis. Results: During the lockdown, there is 4.2% increase of BMI among the college student (p<0.001). Moreover, males had a greater overall mean BMI rate increase of 4.74% (p<0.001) than females (2.86%, p<0.001). After the lockdown, there is 0.94% increase of BMI among the college student (p<0.001). However, females had a greater overall mean BMI rate increase of 1.49% (p<0.001) than males (0.72%, p<0.001). During this period, the obese and overweight group's growth rate from 2019 to 2020 was smaller than the normal and underweight group, which were 2.94% (p<0.001), 3.90% (p<0.001), 4.44% (p<0.001) and 5.25% (p<0.001), respectively. Conclusion: BMI increased both during and post-lockdown periods among Chinese college students. However, during the lockdown, participants with higher BMI groups appeared to have a diminished BMI growth rate compared to those with lower BMI. After the lockdown, participants with higher BMI levels appeared to have an augmented BMI growth rate. Public policy action is needed to increase the level of physical activity of Chinese college students and take action to improve students' physical fitness performance after the lockdown.

[Consequences of chronodisruption on body weight regulation and metabolism]. / Konsequenzen von Chronodisruption auf Körpergewichtsregulation und Stoffwechsel.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased dramatically. At the same time, lack of sleep has become a part of the modern lifestyle, as well as shift and night work. As a result, chronodisruption, i. e. a change in physiological processes that are controlled by the internal clock, becomes commonplace. Epidemiological data show that too short but also too long sleep are associated with an increased risk of obesity, also seen for night shift work. Overweight and obesity are associated with metabolic syndrome and data likewise report an increased risk by both short and long sleep. It has not yet been conclusively clarified how chronodisruption influences the metabolic risks. Clinical experimental studies report on neuroendocrine and circadian mechanisms and it has been shown that lack of sleep increases the hunger-promoting hormone ghrelin as well as subjective feelings of hunger and increases leptin levels. Lack of sleep also increases hedonic hunger and food-related reward signals. Through preventive measures, chronodisruption and thus, the risk of obesity can be counteracted. The extent to which smartwatches and fitness trackers, which according to the manufacturer can measure and analyze sleep, provide an objective picture of sleep has not been sufficiently investigated. However, smartwatches and fitness trackers can - probably - increase awareness of sleep in the modern society.

Tracking changes in weight status in primary school children in Birmingham: an analysis of the National Child Measurement Programme - a retrospective cohort study.

One-in-four 4-5 years and more than one-in-three 10-11 years have excess weight in England. AIM: To identify characteristics associated with (1) having overweight, obesity and severe obesity at 11 years and (2) rapid weight gain (defined as increasing weight status by one or more body mass index (BMI) categories) between the ages of 4-5 and 10-11 years. METHOD: Using National Child Measurement Programme data, BMI at reception (4-5 years) and year 6 (10-11 years) were linked for 15 390 children. Weight categories were identified at both time points using BMI centile classifications.For each child, the number of BMI categories they crossed between reception and year 6 was identified. Logistic regression models were fitted to explore associations with sociodemographic characteristics of children with excess weight at age 10-11 years and with children experiencing rapid weight gain between reception and year 6. RESULTS: Overall, 61.9% of children remained in their original weight category; 30% whose weight increased by ≥1 weight categories and 11.7% by ≥2 weight categories. Only 7.8% had decreased ≥1 weight categories and 0.9% had decreased ≥2 weight categories.Adjusting for other sociodemographic characteristics, girls were less likely than boys to increase ≥2 weight categories between reception and year 6 (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.58 to 0.71; p<0.001). Compared to white children, Asian and mixed-ethnicity children had higher odds of rapid weight gain. Children with the highest deprivation were over 6 times more likely to increase ≥2 weight categories between reception and year 6 compared with children with the lowest deprivation (OR 6.1; 95% CI 1.92 to 19.10; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Male children, children of Asian and mixed ethnicity and children with high deprivation are at higher risk of rapid weight gain and should be targeted for intervention.

Genetic parameters of body weight traits in Mithun (Bos frontalis) using animal model.

Mithun (Bos frontalis), a domestically raised herbivore, holds significant economic importance for the farming community of Northeast India. This study aimed to elucidate the genetic parameters governing Mithun body weight traits across different ages using data from the sole organized semi-intensive Mithun farm in India. Information was gathered from 110 Mithuns born over a period spanning from 2011 to 2022. Body weight taken at week 1 (W1), 1-month (M1), 3-months (M3), 6-months (M6), 9-months (M9), 12-months (M12), 30-months (M30) and 45-months (M45) were considered for the study. The genetic parameters estimation employed the BLUPF90 suite of programs, incorporating univariate Gibbs sampler animal model with fixed effects; season and period of birth, and sex of the animal. Variance and covariance components, including direct additive genetic effects, were estimated. Heritability estimates for the eight body weight traits ranged from 0.47 ± 0.0050 to 0.50 ± 0.0043, indicating varying genetic influence across growth stages. Results revealed that Mithun herd has a substantial genetic variability for growth traits and therefore there is ample scope to select for a better growth rate. Here, we conclude that Month 12 (M12) and Month 9 (M9) body weights exhibit higher heritability, indicating potential for genetic improvement through selective breeding.

Effects of a physical exercise programme on bodyweight, body condition score and chest, abdominal and thigh circumferences in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Research on the effects of physical exercise on canine body composition is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a physical exercise programme on bodyweight, body condition score (BCS) and chest, abdominal and thigh circumferences in dogs. Twenty-one healthy dogs of different breeds exercised together with their owners during an eight-week programme consisting of jogging and strength exercises. Standardised measurements were performed in triplicates with a measuring tape on standing dogs. Chest circumference was measured at three anatomical locations, abdomen at two and thigh at one. Data on bodyweight, BCS (9-point scale) and circumferences were analysed with mixed model repeated measures analyses to evaluate changes after the programme and effects of target distance. RESULTS: Seven dog owners choose a target distance of 2 km and 14 owners choose 5-10 km. Mean BCS decreased (P = 0.007) after the programme (5.1 ± 0.9 vs. 4.7 ± 0.6) but there was no effect of target distance. Almost all chest and abdominal circumference measurements decreased (P ≤ 0.007) with the 2 km group driving the reduction in chest circumference and the 5-10 km group driving the reduction in abdominal circumference. In contrast, thigh circumference (28.8 ± 0.4 vs. 30.2 ± 0.4) increased (P = 0.007) while bodyweight was maintained. There were positive correlations between BCS and abdominal/chest ratios before and after the programme (Pearson correlation; R square ≤ 0.43, P ≤ 0.0012) but the mean ratio remained constant. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated a redistribution between total body fat and muscle mass in body composition of normal weight to slightly overweight dogs after the physical exercise programme. The use of bodyweight alone was not a reliable evaluation method to complement the BCS assessment. However, repeated measurements of chest, abdominal and thigh circumference might aid in the assessment of body composition in dogs performing physical exercise. Further research should include a control group and objective evaluations of total body fat and lean mass, in order to investigate the effectiveness of physical exercise as a freestanding method for decreasing BCS and increasing muscle mass in overweight dogs.

Outcomes of Intracorporeal Continuous and Paracorporeal Pulsatile Ventricular Assist Devices in Pediatric Patients 10-30 kg.

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been increasingly implanted in pediatric patients. Paracorporeal VADs are generally chosen when intracorporeal continuous (IC) devices are too large. Superiority between IC and paracorporeal pulsatile (PP) devices remains unclear in smaller pediatric patients. Our study analyzes outcomes of IC and PP VADs in pediatric patients who could be considered for either of these options. Using the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) database, we identified children between 10 and 30 kg who received a VAD between June 2018 and September 2021. Survival and stroke outcomes were analyzed based on VAD type. There were 41 patients in the IC group and 54 patients in the PP group. Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profile at the time of implant was higher in the PP cohort ( p < 0.02). The PP cohort was younger ( p < 0.001) and smaller ( p < 0.001) than the IC cohort. The diagnosis was similar between cohorts. Overall survival was similar between groups. Stroke was more common in the PP cohort, but did not reach statistical significance ( p = 0.07). Discharge was possible only in the IC group, but the discharge rate was low (9.5%). Direct comparisons remain challenging given differences in INTERMACS profiles, age, and size.

Beneficial effects of a new probiotic formulation on adipocytokines, appetite-regulating hormones, and metabolic parameters in obese women.

Obesity is often accompanied by low-grade chronic inflammation and metabolic syndrome. It has been established that microbiota influences many physiological processes, including the development of obesity, and dysbiosis has been observed in obese individuals. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of a new probiotic formulation, containing two probiotic strains and the bioactive compound octacosanol, on body weight, metabolic parameters, and concentrations of certain adipocytokines and appetite-regulating hormones in obese women. This double blind placebo-controlled supplementary intervention study included twenty-five women in the intervention group and twenty-three in the placebo group, and it lasted 12 weeks. Daily oral supplementation included 7 × 1010 CFU of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (DSM9843), 5 × 109 CFU of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii (DBVPG6763), and 40 mg of octacosanol or placebo. Body weight, metabolic parameters, adipocytokines, and appetite-regulating hormones were assessed before (T0) and after the intervention (T1). After the intervention, significantly lower median concentrations of CRP (p = 0.005) and IL-6 (p = 0.012) were measured in the intervention group than the baseline, while the median concentrations of ghrelin (p = 0.026) and HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.03) were significantly increased. The intervention group had lower CRP levels (p = 0.023) and higher ghrelin levels (p = 0.006) than the placebo group. Significant changes in BMI between groups were not observed. In summary, although the new probiotic formulation showed beneficial effects on IL-6, CRP, HDL, and ghrelin levels, its potential effects on regulating triglyceride, insulin, and glucose levels require further studies before the novel dietary intervention could be considered a useful adjuvant therapy and an effective strategy for the management of obesity and obesity-associated comorbidities.

The comparisons of non-linear models to describe the growth performance of Lori-Bakhtiari sheep.

BACKGROUND: The study of growth traits is of interest to many animal scientists, regardless of specialization, due to the economic importance of growth rate, mature weight and other related traits. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare six non-linear models for describing the growth of Lori-Bakhtiari sheep. METHODS: In order to collect weight data, 85 lambs (41 males and 44 females) were reared from birth to 140 days of age, and their growth patterns were recorded by measuring their body weight at 10-day intervals. Various mathematical functions, including the negative exponential, Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, Morgan-Mercer-Flodin (MMF) and Weibull, were used to model the relationship between body weight records and age. RESULTS: The results showed that the MMF and Gompertz models provided the best fit to the body weight data, whereas the negative exponential model exhibited the worst fit. In all models, the asymptotic weight of male lambs was higher than females. The research also revealed differences in growth patterns between male and female lambs. Overall, females had a lower absolute growth rate than males, but they reached their peak growth at an earlier period, and their growth rate declined faster. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in growth patterns between males and females indicate the importance of analysing male and female data separately when describing growth. As a result, Gompertz model can be recommended to Lori-Bakhtiari female and male lamb breeders to determine more accurate growth traits. In addition, it should be considered that feeding male and female lambs separately according to absolute growth rate values may increase growth performance.

Performance and metabolic evaluation in primiparous beef cows under grazing at different breeding ages.

We aimed to evaluate the metabolic and performance differences in primiparous Nellore cows, which became pregnant at 14 or 24-mo old. Thirty-eight cows with 202 ± 5 days of gestation were divided into two treatments according to breeding age: 14 or 24-mo. Cows were evaluated for body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), carcass characteristics, milk yield, calves's performance, and blood characteristics. The animals were managed in eight paddocks under continuous grazing and evaluated from 90 d before parturition until 240 d after calving. We observed an interaction between breeding age and time (P < 0.01) for cow BW. Both breeding age categories experienced BW loss during parturition, with a concurrent decrease in BCS. However, following their first calving, the BW of 24-mo cows remained stable (P > 0.05), whereas 14-mo cows exhibited a gradual recovery in BW after parturition (P < 0.05). Milk yield was greater in 24-mo animals (P < 0.01), but decreased with increasing milking days (p < 0.05) for both groups. The weight gain calves from the heifers bred at 24-mo was greater (P < 0.01), which reflected in greater BW at weaning. The beta-hydroxybutyrate (ß-OHB) concentration was greater before calving and a marked decrease after parturition (P < 0.05). The 24-mo cows had greater blood ß-OHB (P < 0.01) at prepartum and 30 days after calving. Blood progesterone was greater in 24-mo cows (P > 0.05). Primiparous beef cows that conceive at either 14 or 24-months of age exhibit distinct nutritional requirements and metabolic profiles. Notably, cows that conceive at 24-months of age have the advantage of weaning heavier calves and displaying a more consistent reproductive cycle following their first calving than cows that conceive at 14-months.

Dopamine production in neurotensin receptor 1 neurons is required for diet-induced obesity and increased day eating on a high-fat diet.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine a dopaminergic circuit required for diet-induced obesity in mice. METHODS: We created conditional deletion mutants for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) using neurotensin receptor 1 (Ntsr1) Cre and other Cre drivers and measured feeding and body weight on standard and high-fat diets. We then used an adeno-associated virus to selectively restore TH to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) Ntsr1 neurons in conditional knockout (cKO) mice. RESULTS: Mice with cKO of Th using Vglut2-Cre, Cck-Cre, Calb1-Cre, and Bdnf-Cre were susceptible to obesity on a high-fat diet; however, Ntsr1-Cre Th cKO mice resisted weight gain on a high-fat diet and did not experience an increase in day eating unlike their wild-type littermate controls. Restoration of TH to the VTA Ntsr1 neurons of the Ntsr1-Cre Th cKO mice using an adeno-associated virus resulted in an increase in weight gain and day eating on a high-fat diet. CONCLUSIONS: Ntsr1-Cre Th cKO mice failed to increase day eating on a high-fat diet, offering a possible explanation for their resistance to diet-induced obesity. These results implicate VTA Ntsr1 dopamine neurons as promoting out-of-phase feeding behavior on a high-fat diet that could be an important contributor to diet-induced obesity in humans.

[Effect of polymethoxylated flavonoids on glucose and lipid metabolism in rat model of obesity induced by a high-fat diet].

This study established a rat model of obesity by using a high-fat diet(HFD) to explore the effect of polymethoxylated flavonoids on glucose and lipid metabolism in the model rats and decipher the role and mechanism of polymethoxylated flavonoids in mitigating obesity. Thirty normal SD rats were selected and randomized into normal, model, ezetimibe(0.1 mg·kg~(-1)), and polymethoxylated flavonoids(62.5 mg·kg~(-1) and 125 mg·kg~(-1)) groups based on the body weight. Except the normal group receiving a conventional diet, the other groups received a HFD. Rats were administrated with corresponding doses of drugs by gavage. During the administration period, the body weight of each group of rats was regularly weighed, and the serum lipid and glucose levels were measured by a fully automated biochemical analyzer. Islet homeostasis and serum levels of obesity factors were measured by ELISA. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was employed to study the gut microbiota. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the histomorphology of white fat, brown fat, and pancreas. After the wet weights of white fat and brown fat were measured, the organ index was calculated. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to determine the protein levels. The results showed that polymethoxylated flavonoids reduced the body weight and Lee's index and improved blood lipid levels of the model rats. Polymethoxylated flavonoids reduced blood glucose and insulin secretion, increased insulin responsiveness, and alleviated insulin resistance. In addition, polymethoxylated flavonoids regulated the serum levels of obesity factors and reduced the weights and indexes of white fat and brown fat, the diameter of white adipocytes, and the number of fat vacuoles in brown fat and pancreatic islet cells. The intervention with polymethoxylated flavonoids increased the diversity of gut microbiota in the model rats, increasing the beneficial bacteria associated with glucose and lipid metabolism and reduced the harmful bacteria at the genus level. In addition, polymethoxylated flavonoids up-regulated the protein levels of glucose transporter 4(GLUT4), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase(p-AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α(PGC-1α), and uncoupling protein 1(UCP1). In summary, polymethoxylated flavonoids may increase the body utilization of glucose and lipids by regulating the homeostasis of insulin, the serum levels of obesity factors, the diversity of gut microbiota, and the expression of mitochondrial metabolism-related proteins in brown adipocytes, thereby mitigating obesity in rats.

Preoperative Multistrain Probiotic Supplementation Does Not Affect Body Weight Changes or Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Bariatrics: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Emerging evidence suggests that microbiota plays a crucial role in the development, progression, and therapeutic options in obesity and its comorbidities. This study assessed preoperative probiotic therapy's impact on bariatric treatment outcomes. A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 48 patients undergoing bariatric surgery was conducted. Participants received probiotics-Sanprobi Barrier-which contained nine strains of bacteria: Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Bifidobacterium lactis W51 and W52, Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, Levilactobacillus brevis W63, Lacticaseibacillus casei W56, Ligilactobacillus salivarius W24, Lactococcus lactis W19, and Lactococcus lactis W58. Primary outcomes included excess body weight loss, body weight loss, and excess body mass index loss, with secondary objectives focusing on metabolic profiles. Surgical treatment of obesity significantly improved anthropometric and metabolic parameters. No significant differences were observed in primary outcomes or in secondary outcomes between groups at any time point post-surgery. Preoperative probiotics administration did not affect clinical outcomes 1, 3, or 6 months following bariatric surgery.

Lifestyle Clusters of Diet Quality, Sleep, and Screen Time and Associations with Weight Status in Children from Madrid City: ENPIMAD Study.

BACKGROUND: Childhood overweight and obesity is a global concern and has increased in Spain over the last decades. Combinations of lifestyle behaviors (i.e., diet, sleep, and sedentarism) are highly related to weight status. Therefore, this study aimed to identify lifestyle patterns among children from Madrid City, and analyze associations with the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity, considering socio-economic factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 4545 children from the ENPIMAD study with data on diet, sleep, anthropometric, and socio-economic variables. K-means cluster analysis was used to identify lifestyle clusters, and logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between socio-economic indicators and cluster membership, and between clusters and weight status. RESULTS: Findings show three lifestyle clusters (healthy, mixed, and unhealthy), with boys and older children more represented in the unhealthy cluster. Food insecurity and low socio-economic status were associated with unhealthier clusters in boys and girls. Children in unhealthier clusters were more likely to have obesity and abdominal obesity. However, these associations disappeared in girls after controlling for food insecurity. CONCLUSION: These results provide insight into the combination of behaviors and socio-economic factors associated with childhood obesity that may aid in the design of future interventions.

Effect of a Low-Glycemic Index Nutritional Intervention on Body Weight and Selected Cardiometabolic Parameters in Children and Adolescents with Excess Body Weight and Dyslipidemia.

Excess body weight in pediatric patients and the resulting dyslipidemia, if left untreated, are a serious risk factor for cardiovascular disease in young adults. Despite this, there is still no effective and validated nutritional strategy for the treatment of overweight/obesity and comorbid dyslipidemia in children and adolescents. A low-glycemic index (LGI) diet may be recommended, but evidence for its effectiveness in the pediatric population is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional intervention in children and adolescents with excess body weight and dyslipidemia. The study was conducted in patients aged 8-16 with overweight or obesity and lipid disorders (n = 64), of which 40 participants who completed the entire 8-week study were included in the analysis. Patients were randomly selected and allocated to one of the two dietary groups: the LGI diet or the standard therapy (ST) diet. Both diets were based on the principal recommendation of Cardiovascular Health Integrated Lifestyle Diet-2 (CHILD-2). This study showed that both LGI and ST diets were equally beneficial in reducing body weight, body fat, blood pressure, total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels. The LGI diet, compared to the ST diet, was less effective in reducing blood TG levels but more effective in reducing diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Therefore, the choice of the type of diet in the treatment of children and adolescents with excess body weight and dyslipidemia may be individual. However, it should be based on the recommendation of CHILD-2. Further long-term, larger-scale studies are needed.