Eat healthy? Attitudes of the German population towards industrially produced cardioprotective food.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is likely to increase in incidence. Foods with cardioprotective functions, e.g. specific functional food, could reduce CVD risk factors and hence CVD incidence. Little is known about industrially modified foods with cardioprotective functions. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a large German sample (n = 1007), attitudes of consumers in Germany towards industrially produced cardioprotective food were assessed using Cluster analyses. Consumers were contacted via telephone and interviewed using questionnaires. Overall, about 25% knew about industrially produced food with cardioprotective function. Our analysis revealed a small but determined group of consumers who think very skeptical about cardioprotective products, but we also identified a favorable group. These two groups only differed in age, with the skeptical group being ten years older. CONCLUSIONS: The rising number of industrially modified products with potential cardioprotective benefit is met by skepticism and a lack of knowledge by German costumers. If large scale studies show health benefits of these products, these will need to be better communicated to German customers in order to address possible doubts or concerns and to encourage healthy eating habits in consumer eating behavior.

The effects of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibition by sacubitril/valsartan on adipose tissue transcriptome and protein expression in obese hypertensive patients.

Increased activation of the renin-angiotensin system is involved in the onset and progression of cardiometabolic diseases, while natriuretic peptides (NP) may exert protective effects. We have recently demonstrated that sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696), a first-in-class angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor, which blocks the angiotensin II type-1 receptor and augments natriuretic peptide levels, improved peripheral insulin sensitivity in obese hypertensive patients. Here, we investigated the effects of sacubitril/valsartan (400 mg QD) treatment for 8 weeks on the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) phenotype compared to the metabolically neutral comparator amlodipine (10 mg QD) in 70 obese hypertensive patients. Abdominal subcutaneous AT biopsies were collected before and after intervention to determine the AT transcriptome and expression of proteins involved in lipolysis, NP signaling and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. Both sacubitril/valsartan and amlodipine treatment did not significantly induce AT transcriptional changes in pathways related to lipolysis, NP signaling and oxidative metabolism. Furthermore, protein expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) (Ptime*group = 0.195), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) (Ptime*group = 0.458), HSL-ser660 phosphorylation (Ptime*group = 0.340), NP receptor-A (NPRA) (Ptime*group = 0.829) and OXPHOS complexes (Ptime*group = 0.964) remained unchanged. In conclusion, sacubitril/valsartan treatment for 8 weeks did not alter the abdominal subcutaneous AT transcriptome and expression of proteins involved in lipolysis, NP signaling and oxidative metabolism in obese hypertensive patients.

Branched-chain amino acid catabolism rather than amino acids plasma concentrations is associated with diet-induced changes in insulin resistance in overweight to obese individuals.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: 3-Hydroxyisobutyrate (3-HIB), a catabolic intermediate of the BCAA valine, which stimulates muscle fatty acid uptake, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. We tested the hypothesis that circulating 3-HIB herald insulin resistance and that metabolic improvement with weight loss are related to changes in BCAAs and 3-HIB. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed plasma and urine in 109 overweight to obese individuals before and after six months on hypocaloric diets reduced in either carbohydrates or fat. We calculated the homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA-IR) and whole body insulin sensitivity from oral glucose tolerance tests and measured intramyocellular fat by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. BCAAs and 3-HIB plasma concentrations were inversely related to insulin sensitivity but not to intramyocellular fat content at baseline. With 7.4 ± 4.5% weight loss mean BCAA and 3-HIB plasma concentrations did not change, irrespective of dietary macronutrient content. Individual changes in 3-HIB with 6-month diet but not BCAAs were correlated to the change in whole body insulin sensitivity and HOMA-IR independently of BMI changes. CONCLUSIONS: 3-HIB relates to insulin sensitivity but is not associated with intramyocellular fat content in overweight to obese individuals. Moreover, changes in 3-HIB rather than changes in BCAAs are associated with metabolic improvements with weight loss. Registration number for clinical trials: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00956566.

Improved Insulin Sensitivity With Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibition in Individuals With Obesity and Hypertension.

Natriuretic peptide (NP) deficiency and sustained renin-angiotensin system activation are associated with impaired oxidative metabolism and predispose to type-2 diabetes. We hypothesized that sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696), which augments NP through neprilysin inhibition while blocking angiotensin II type-1 (AT1 )-receptors, improves insulin sensitivity, lipid mobilization, and oxidation. After 8 weeks of treatment of obese patients with hypertension, sacubitril/valsartan 400 mg q.d., but not amlodipine 10 mg q.d., was associated with a significant increase from baseline in the insulin sensitivity index (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp), and tended to be higher in patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan compared to amlodipine. Abdominal adipose tissue interstitial glycerol concentrations increased with sacubitril/valsartan, but decreased with amlodipine. Whole-body lipolysis and substrate oxidation did not change with either treatment. Results confirm that sacubitril/valsartan treatment leads to a metabolic benefit in the study population and supports the relevance of neprilysin inhibition along with AT1 -receptor blockade in the regulation of human glucose and lipid metabolism.

Branched-chain and aromatic amino acids, insulin resistance and liver specific ectopic fat storage in overweight to obese subjects.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Amino acids may interfere with insulin action, particularly in obese individuals. We hypothesized that increased circulating branched-chain and aromatic amino acids herald insulin resistance and ectopic fat storage, particularly hepatic fat accumulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured fasting branched-chain and aromatic amino acids (tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine) by mass spectrometry in 111 overweight to obese subjects. We applied abdominal magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to assess adipose tissue distribution and ectopic fat storage, respectively. Plasma branched-chain amino acids concentrations were related to insulin sensitivity and intrahepatic fat independent from adiposity, age and gender, but not to abdominal adipose tissue or intramyocellular fat. CONCLUSIONS: In weight stable overweight and obese individuals, branched-chain amino acid concentrations are specifically associated with hepatic fat storage and insulin resistance.

Caffeine intake is related to successful weight loss maintenance.

The effect of caffeine intake on weight loss maintenance has not been examined in humans. We compared the daily consumption of coffee and caffeinated beverages between 494 weight loss maintainers and 2129 individuals from the general population controlling for sociodemographic variables, body mass index and physical activity level. Weight loss maintainers reported to consume significantly more cups of coffee and caffeinated beverages compared with the participants in the general population sample. Thus, consumption of caffeinated beverages might support weight loss maintenance. Further studies should investigate possible mechanisms.

Low sodium diet and adipokine secretion: implications for the cardiovascular system?

The influence of dietary sodium intake on cardiovascular risk factors has been a matter of decade-long discussions. Needed is a clear-cut elucidation of the beneficial mechanisms of action of reduced salt intake. In a recent study, lean and obese mice were subjected to a high or low salt diet for 16 weeks. The low salt diet tremendously reduced fasting insulin in obese animals, and HOMA-IR was improved. Reduced adiponectin expression in the heart and in peritoneal adipose tissue in obese animals was restored or even increased compared to normal levels with the low salt diet. Corresponding with the beneficial effect on adiponectin, inflammatory markers were reduced to lean levels by the low salt diet. Whether the increase in adiponectin would have been larger if the rise in aldosterone had been prevented is one of the questions raised by this study. The data obtained in this animal study are based on a robust methodological basis for two reasons: first, the long-term intervention of 16 weeks clearly represents a strength of the study; second, dietary sodium restriction was modest, as judged by only 2-fold increased plasma renin activity. Overall, the data presented by Baudrand et al. in the current issue of NMCD may path the way to a better understanding of the mode of action of modest sodium restriction. However, a replication of the results in a more human-like diet-induced obesity mouse model is warranted.

Comparing single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis against deuterium dilution to assess total body water.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to validate the accuracy of single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (SF-BIA) at 50 kHz to assess total body water (TBW) against the reference technique deuterium dilution (D(2)O) and to explore if the simple clinical parameters extracellular fluid (ECF) composition and body shape explain individual differences between D(2)O and SF-BIA (Diff(BIA-D(2)O)). SUBJECTS/METHODS: We assessed TBW with D(2)O and SF-BIA in 26 women and 26 men without known disease or anomalous body shapes. In addition, we measured body shape with anthropometry and ECF composition (osmolality, albumin, glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium). RESULTS: On group average, SF-BIA to predict TBW agreed well with D(2)O (SF-BIA, 39.8 ± 10.1 l; D(2)O, 40.4 ± 10.2 l; and Diff(BIA-D(2)O) -0.7 l). In four individuals ('outliers'; 15% of the study population), Diff(BIA-D(2)O) was high (-6.8 to +3.8 l). Diff(BIA-D(2)O) was associated with individual variations in body shape rather than ECF composition. Using gender-specific analysis, we found that individual variability of waist circumference in men and arm length in women significantly contributed to Diff(BIA-D(2)O). When removing the four 'outliers', these associations were lost. CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of our sample, BIA agreed well with D(2)O. Adjusting for individual variability in body shape by anthropometrical assessment could possibly improve the accuracy of SF-BIA for individuals who deviate from mean values with respect to body shape. However, further studies with higher subject numbers are needed to confirm our findings.

Thiazolidinedione response in familial lipodystrophy patients with LMNA mutations: a case series.

Type 2 familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD2) patients show impaired glucose and lipid metabolism resulting from lipodystrophic 'lipid pressure' and an intrinsic defect in skeletal muscle metabolism. Since mutated lamin A may interfere with peroxisome proliferator activator gamma (PPARγ) expression, we hypothesized that PPARγ stimulation improves fat distribution and metabolic abnormalities in these patients. 5 nondiabetic FPLD2 patients were treated with rosiglitazone over 12 months. We assessed body composition, body fat distribution, and skinfold thickness/subcutaneous tissue thickness. We also determined venous glucose, insulin, and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations, and respiratory quotient (RQ) before and during oral glucose tolerance testing. Adipose tissue and muscle fasting and postprandial metabolism were studied by microdialysis. Within 12 months treatment, hip circumference increased from 93.6±2.78 cm to 96.2±2.3 cm (p<0.05). Rosiglitazone reduced fasting glucose levels and liver transaminases. Baseline and postprandial FFA concentrations were significantly lower after 12 months treatment. RQ and muscle interstitial pyruvate and lactate did not respond to treatment. We conclude that PPARγ stimulation with rosiglitazone modestly improves glucose metabolism in FPLD2 patients presumably through proximal adipose tissue expansion. The intrinsic muscular metabolic defect does not respond to rosiglitazone.

Variations in truncal body circumferences affect fat mass quantification with bioimpedance analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that variations in trunk circumferences influence the accuracy of bioimpedance analysis (BIA) for assessment of percent fat mass (%FM). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: %FM was predicted with BIA, and compared with air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) in a small sample of 35 overweight (OW), 21 normal weight and 8 underweight volunteers. Waist and hip circumferences were assessed, and 15 of the OW subjects were measured before and after weight reduction. RESULTS: BIA and ADP provided similar cross-sectional estimates of group mean %FM (28.9±10.0 and 31.3±13.0%, respectively). However, within individuals, there were large between-method differences (Diff(BIA-ADP)) ranging from -13 to +13 %FM. Furthermore, we found a systematic bias of BIA related to the degree of adiposity. Consequently, %FM and fat mass loss during weight reduction in OW were underestimated with BIA when compared with ADP. Waist and hip circumferences were inversely associated with resistance (R) and reactance (P<0.01), and with Diff(BIA-ADP) (P<0.001). In women, the variability in hip circumference explained 76%, and in men, the variability in waist circumference explained 59% of Diff(BIA-ADP). CONCLUSION: Resistance changes associated with variations in trunk circumferences decrease resistance, and therefore impair the accuracy of BIA to assess %FM.

Influence of dietary fat ingestion on asymmetrical dimethylarginine in lean and obese human subjects.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) may contribute to hypertension and cardiovascular disease by decreasing NO formation. In diabetic patients, a high fat meal acutely increased plasma ADMA while impairing endothelial function. We hypothesized that chronic and acute increases in dietary fat intake augment ADMA also in lean and in obese subjects without diabetes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventeen lean and twelve obese volunteers were randomized to two weeks of isocaloric diets with approximately 20% or >40% calories from fat in a cross-over fashion. At the end of the high and low fat periods, volunteers received corresponding test meals. ADMA was measured by GC-MS/MS using a deuterated standard. Mean fasting plasma ADMA concentration was 0.52 (0.49-0.54; 95% CI) µmol/l in lean and 0.53 (0.50-0.55) µmol/l in obese subjects (p = 0.55). The two week high fat diet did not influence ADMA. Both test meals elicited a 6%increase in circulating ADMA in lean subjects. In obese subjects, plasma ADMA concentration did not change with the low fat meal, and decreased by approximately 4% with the high fat meal. CONCLUSION: Our findings challenge the idea that obesity and dietary fat intake have a major effect on plasma ADMA, at least in subjects without overt cardiovascular and metabolic disease. This finding is important with regard to dietary recommendations for weight loss. Overestimation of the influence of dietary fat intake and obesity on circulating ADMA in previous reports was most likely due to methodological issues concerning ADMA measurements.

Circulating endocannabinoids and N-acyl-ethanolamides in patients with sleep apnea--specific role of oleoylethanolamide.

OBJECTIVE: The endocannabinoid system promotes diverse effects on fat and glucose metabolism as well as on energy balance and sleep regulation. The role of N-acylethanolamides like oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and other endocannabinoids such as anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonyl-glycerol (2-AG) has not yet been investigated in patients with sleep apnea. DESIGN AND METHODS: We measured circulating OEA, AEA and 2-AG in patients with sleep apnea (n = 20) and healthy control subjects (n = 57). Respiratory distress index (RDI) as measured by polysomnography was used as a quantitative index of sleep apnea. RESULTS: In patients with sleep apnea OEA serum concentrations were significantly higher than in control subjects (8.4 pmol/ml (95% CI 6.9;9.9) vs. 4.0 (3.5;4.5); p<0.0001, adjusted for body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin, HDL and LDL cholesterol). In contrast, AEA (2.9 (95% CI 1.9;3.9) vs. 1.8 (1.4;2.1), p = 0.09) and 2-AG (20.0 (-14.5;54.5) vs. 32.8 (21.4;44.2), p = 0.56) were not significantly different between patients with sleep apnea and control subjects after adjustment. In the sleep apnea group, OEA serum concentrations were associated with RDI (r (2) = 0.28, p = 0.02) and BMI (r (2) = 0.32, p = 0.01). However, OEA was not associated with BMI in the control group (p = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that among the three analyzed fatty acid derivatives, OEA plays a specific role in patients with sleep apnea. Together with animal data, the 2-fold elevation of OEA serum concentrations could be interpreted as a neuroprotective mechanism against chronic oxidative stressors and a mechanism to promote wakefulness in patients with nocturnal sleep deprivation and daytime hypersomnolence.

Neurohumoral and metabolic response to exercise in water.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) stimulates lipid mobilization and lipid oxidation in humans. The mechanism appears to promote lipid mobilization during exercise. We tested the hypothesis that water immersion augments exercise-induced ANP release and that the change in ANP availability is associated with increased lipid mobilization and lipid oxidation. In an open randomized and cross-over fashion we studied 17 men (age 31+/-3.6 years; body mass index 24+/-1.7 kg/m(2); body fat 17+/-6.7%) on no medication. Subjects underwent two incremental exercise tests on a bicycle ergometer. One test was conducted on land and the other test during immersion in water up to the xiphoid process. In a subset (n=7), we obtained electromyography recordings in the left leg. We monitored gas exchange, blood pressure, and heart rate. In addition, we obtained blood samples towards the end of each exercise step to determine ANP, norepinephrine, epinephrine, lactate, free fatty acids, insulin, and glucose concentrations. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and oxygen consumption at the anaerobic threshold and during peak exercise were similar on land and with exercise in water. The respiratory quotient was mildly reduced when subjects exercised in water. Glucose and lactate measurements were decreased whereas free fatty acid concentrations were increased with exercise in water. Water immersion attenuated epinephrine and norepinephrine and augmented ANP release during exercise. Even though water immersion blunts exercise-induced sympathoadrenal activation, lipid mobilization and lipid oxidation rate are maintained or even improved. The response may be explained by augmented ANP release.

Determinants of exercise-induced fat oxidation in obese women and men.

Endurance training at an intensity eliciting maximal fat oxidation may have a beneficial effect on body weight and glucose metabolism in obese patients. However, the exercise intensity at which maximal fat oxidation occurs and the factors limiting fat oxidation are not well studied in this population. Obese, otherwise healthy men (n=38) and women (n=91) performed an incremental exercise test up to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. Substrate oxidation was estimated using indirect calorimetry. Magnetic resonance tomography and spectroscopy were conducted to assess body fat distribution and intramyocellular fat content. We determined the exercise intensity at which maximal body fat oxidation occurs and assessed whether body composition, body fat distribution, intramyocellular fat content, or oxidative capacity predict exercise-induced fat oxidation. Maximal exercise-induced fat oxidation was 0.30+/-0.02 g/min in men and 0.23+/-0.01 g/min in women (p<0.05). Exercise intensity at the maximum fat oxidation was 42+/-2.2% VO (2 max) in men and 43+/-1.7% VO (2 max) in women. With multivariate analysis, exercise-induced fat oxidation was related to fat-free mass, percent fat mass, and oxidative capacity, but not to absolute fat mass, visceral fat, or intramyocellular fat content. We conclude that in obese subjects the capacity to oxidize fat during exercise appears to be limited by skeletal muscle mass and oxidative capacity rather than the availability of visceral or intramyocellular fat.

Genetic influences on the pharmacokinetics of orally and intravenously administered digoxin as exhibited by monozygotic twins.

The expression and function of the drug transporter P-glycoprotein are highly variable. Environmental and genetic factors contribute to this variation. We studied the disposition of digoxin, a frequently used probe drug for P-glycoprotein function in humans, in monozygotic (MZ) twins and found that digoxin pharmacokinetics after oral and intravenous administration are highly correlated within MZ twins, supporting the hypothesis of a robust contribution from genetic variance. Our study suggests that studies involving twins could be more widely applied to elucidate pharmacogenetics.

Dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system in obesity.

An activation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in obesity with increased concentrations of endocannabinoids in several tissues and in the circulation is described in this review. This increased availability of endocannabinoids might stimulate cannabinoid receptors in a pathophysiological manner. The successful use of the cannabinoid receptor CB(1) inverse agonists rimonabant and taranabant for weight loss and the treatment of obesity-associated metabolic disorders might well be through blocking this overstimulation of cannabinoid receptors. At present, no single mechanism has been identified that explains the increased bioavailability of endocannabinoids in obesity. Both increased synthesis and decreased degradation appear to operate in a species- and tissue-dependent manner, but many pieces of the puzzle still need to be collected. For example, most data show decreased fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) expression and/or activity as a result of obesity or high-fat intake, but the endocannabinoid predominantly increased in tissues is 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), which is not degraded by FAAH in vivo. Furthermore, the influence of dietary fatty acids on the synthesis of endocannabinoids needs to be studied in much more detail. Although weight loss does not seem to influence activation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in human obesity, suggesting an underlying mechanisms independent of body weight, no such mechanism at the genetic level has yet been identified either. Thus, activation of the ECS is a hallmark of abdominal obesity, and explains the success of pharmacological CB(1) blockade, but serious attempts have to be made to clarify the underlying mechanisms of this activation.

The effect of oral glucose loads on tissue metabolism during angiotensin II receptor and beta-receptor blockade in obese hypertensive subjects.

AT1 receptor blockers and ACE inhibitors decrease the risk for new onset diabetes mellitus. The phenomenon could be related to a direct angiotensin II effect on tissue metabolism. To address the issue, we recruited eighteen obese hypertensive patients. Patients were randomized to double-blind treatment with either valsartan (n = 8) or atenolol (n = 10) for thirteen weeks. They underwent an oral glucose tolerance test before and during active treatment, while metabolism was monitored through subcutaneous and intramuscular microdialysis and indirect calorimetry. After glucose ingestion, venous glucose and insulin concentrations increased rapidly while systemic free fatty acid concentrations were suppressed. Dialysate glucose and lactate concentrations increased briskly in adipose tissue and in skeletal muscle. Dialysate glycerol decreased profoundly in both tissues. Respiratory quotient increased markedly after glucose ingestion. These responses were identical at baseline and during active treatment either drug. We conclude that AT1 receptor blockade in obese hypertensive patients has no effect on interstitial glucose supply, lipolysis, and substrate oxidation. One possible explanation is that angiotensin II levels in obese hypertensives are not sufficient to elicit the metabolic changes that have been observed after direct angiotensin II application. The exact mechanism by which inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system decreases the diabetes risk remains unresolved and requires further study.

Adipose tissue and circulating endothelial cell specific molecule-1 in human obesity.

Adipocytes produce the endothelial-cell specific molecule-1 (ESM-1), which inhibits leukocyte adhesion and migration through the endothelium. This study investigates ESM-1 expression and regulation in human adipose tissue. Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue was obtained from seventy postmenopausal women. Fourteen women subsequently underwent non-pharmacological weight reduction. In vitro experiments were performed on adipocytes isolated from human mammary adipose tissue. We determined gene expression by TaqMan RT-PCR and measured ESM-1 levels in serum and cell culture medium by ELISA. Mature adipocytes produced ESM-1. ESM-1 gene expression was higher in adipocytes than in preadipocytes. Cortisol inhibited ESM-1 gene expression in preadipocytes. Insulin and cortisol inhibited adipocyte ESM-1 production in adipocytes. This inhibitory effect of insulin was attenuated by insulin resistance, as ESM-1 gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue was increased in obese, hyperinsulinemic women. In contrast, ESM-1 serum levels were reduced in obese women and inversely correlated to C-reactive protein levels. Five percent weight loss did not markedly change gene expression. Circulating ESM-1 levels increased significantly, albeit modestly. ESM-1 is actively produced by adipocytes. However, since ESM-1 adipocyte gene expression and circulating plasma levels are not correlated, other sources of ESM-1 may be more important. Circulating ESM-1 levels are reduced in the overweight and obese, consistent with the notion that ESM-1 may play some role in obesity-associated vascular disease.

The Third International Symposium on Obesity and Hypertension ISOH'03: 'Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms' (October 23-25, 2003, Berlin Germany).

The Third International Symposium on Obesity and Hypertension (ISOH'03) was held on 23-25, October 2003 at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin-Buch, Germany. The meeting, which consisted largely of invited lectures, presented a state-of-the-art overview of the genetic and molecular mechanisms that link obesity and hypertension. The over 40 oral presentations were supplemented by around 90 poster presentations from 34 countries. The meeting was attended by around 250 participants from 54 countries. This paper briefly reviews the contents of the invited lectures presented at this meeting covering topics ranging from genetics, molecular mechanisms, pathophysiology, cardiovascular risk, to the management of patients with obesity-related hypertension. Stimulated by the continuing success of these Symposia, the organizers are currently planning to hold a Fourth International Symposium on Obesity and Hypertension (ISOH'05) in Berlin: a tentative date for this meeting has been set for 27-29, October 2005.