The role of multicomponent therapy in the metabolic syndrome, inflammation and cardiovascular risk in obese adolescents.

Obesity is characterised by low-grade inflammation, which increases the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular risks. The aim of the present study was to verify the role of multicomponent therapy in controlling the MetS, inflammation and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in obese adolescents. The second aim was to investigate the relationships between adipokines, the MetS parameters and cIMT. A total of sixty-nine obese adolescents participated in the present study and completed 1 year of multicomponent therapy (a combination of strategies involving nutrition, psychology, physical exercise and clinical therapy), and were divided according to their MetS diagnosis as follows: MetS (n 19); non-MetS (n 50). Blood analyses of glucose, lipid and adipokine concentrations (adiponectin, leptin, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and C-reactive protein) were collected. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index and homeostasis model assessment-adiponectin. cIMT and visceral and subcutaneous fat were estimated using ultrasonography. At baseline, the MetS group presented higher waist circumference, glucose and insulin levels, and systolic and median blood pressures compared with the non-MetS group. After therapy, both groups showed improvements in the anthropometric profile, body composition, insulin level, insulin resistance, insulin sensibility, TAG and VLDL-cholesterol, adiponectin, leptin and PAI-1 levels, blood pressure and cIMT. The prevalence of the MetS was reduced from 27·5 to 13·0 %. Metabolic syndrome patients showed resistance in the attenuation of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and leptin:adiponectin and adiponectin:leptin ratios. In the MetS group, the variation in the adiponectin:leptin ratio was correlated with variations in glucose, insulin sensibility, total cholesterol, LDL-c and systolic blood pressure. Additionally, the number of MetS parameters was correlated with the carotid measurement. Moreover, the variation in cIMT was correlated with the variations in insulin sensibility, total cholesterol and LDL-c. For the entire group, the number of MetS alterations was correlated with the leptin level and leptin:adiponectin ratio and adiponectin:leptin ratio after therapy. In conclusion, multicomponent therapy was effective in controlling the MetS, inflammation and cIMT in the obese adolescents. However, the MetS patients showed resistance in the attenuation of the atherogenic lipid profile and leptin:adiponectin ratio and adiponectin:leptin ratio. These results suggest that the MetS patients have increased cardiovascular risks, and that it is important to attempt to control the inflammatory process that occurs due to obesity in clinical practice in order to improve the health of adolescents.

Aerobic plus resistance training was more effective in improving the visceral adiposity, metabolic profile and inflammatory markers than aerobic training in obese adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether aerobic plus resistance training (AT + RT) is more effective than aerobic training (AT) at reducing inflammatory markers and cardiovascular risk in obese adolescents. A total of 139 obese adolescents were enrolled, aged 15-19 years, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile and participated in 1 year of interdisciplinary intervention. They were randomised into two groups: AT (n = 55), AT + RT (n = 61). Blood samples were collected to analyse glycaemia, insulin, the lipid profile, leptin and adiponectin concentrations. Insulin resistance was measured by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). The AT + RT group showed better results with regard to decreased body fat mass, low-density lipoprotein concentration (LDL-c) levels, subcutaneous and visceral fat and increased body lean mass. Indeed, a reduction of hyperleptinaemia and an increase in adiponectin concentrations, promoting an improvement in the leptin/adiponectin ratio, was observed. Important clinical parameters were improved in both types of exercise; however, AT + RT was more effective in improving the visceral adiposity, metabolic profile and inflammatory markers than AT alone, suggesting clinical applications for the control of intra-abdominal obesity and cardiovascular risk in the paediatric population.

Aerobic plus resistance training improves bone metabolism and inflammation in adolescents who are obese.

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic with a high prevalence of comorbidities, including alterations in bone mineral metabolism. The purpose of this yearlong study was to evaluate the role of 2 types of exercise training (aerobic and aerobic plus resistance exercise) on adipokines parameters and bone metabolism in adolescents who are obese. This was a clinical trial study with interdisciplinary weight loss therapy. Forty-two postpubertal adolescents who are obese were subjected to interdisciplinary weight loss therapy with physical exercise, medical monitoring, nutritional intervention, and psychological intervention. Data were collected from serum analyses of leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin, glucose, and insulin. Anthropometric measurements of body composition, bone mineral density, visceral, and subcutaneous fat were also performed. Statistical tests were applied using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Correlations were established using the Pearson test, and dependencies of variables were established using simple linear regression test. Both training types promoted reductions in body mass index, total central, visceral and subcutaneous fat, insulin concentration, and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, but only aerobic plus resistance training showed statistical improvements in the bone mineral content, adiponectin concentration, and lean tissue. Effective reduction in the visceral/subcutaneous ratio, central/peripheral ratio, and leptin concentration was observed. Insulin and the HOMA-IR index were negative predictors of bone mineral content in the combined training group. Moreover, fat distribution was a negative predictor for bone mineral density in both groups. Aerobic plus resistance training promotes a protective role in bone mineral content associated with an improvement in adiponectin and leptin concentrations, favoring the control of the inflammatory state related to obesity in adolescents. Aerobic plus resistance training combined with interdisciplinary interventions provides important strategies to approach obesity, and these strategies may contribute to clinical practice.

The effect of weight loss magnitude on pro-/anti-inflammatory adipokines and carotid intima-media thickness in obese adolescents engaged in interdisciplinary weight loss therapy.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a chronic disease defined by an excess amount of adipose tissue and presents a low-grade inflammatory state, increasing cardiovascular risk. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of weight loss magnitude on the inflammatory profile and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in obese adolescents engaged in interdisciplinary therapy. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Seventy-seven postpubertal obese adolescents with a BMI greater than the 95th percentile (37·18 ± 5·14), of both genders and between the ages of 14 and 19 years (16·74 ± 1·59) were subjected to a 1-year period of interdisciplinary intervention (nutrition, psychology, physical exercise and clinical support). MEASUREMENTS: Blood samples were collected to analyse glucose, lipid and adipokine concentrations. Body composition, anthropometric profiles and cIMT were measured. The results are presented according to quartiles of weight loss: 1st (≤5·80 kg) = low; 2nd (5·80-10·90 kg) = low to moderate; 3rd (10·90-15·90 kg) = moderate; and 4th (>15·90 kg) = massive. RESULTS: Leptin, the leptin/adiponectin ratio and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) were decreased significantly in the low-to-moderate weight loss. The cIMT was reduced in the moderate weight loss. Moreover, adiponectin was increased only in the massive weight loss. Additionally, weight loss was an independent predictor of changes in leptin level, the adiponectin/leptin ratio (A/L ratio) and PAI-1 when the data were adjusted for age and gender. BMI changes were predictors of changes in leptin and PAI-1 levels. A/L ratio was associated with lean body mass (%), independent of gender and age. In addition, changes in A/L ratio were independent predictors of cIMT alterations. CONCLUSIONS: Interdisciplinary therapy may reduce cardiovascular risk factors among adolescents depending on their degree of weight loss (moderate to massive) and when correlated with their inflammatory profile, metabolic state and cIMT.

Lipotoxicity: effects of dietary saturated and transfatty acids.

The ingestion of excessive amounts of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and transfatty acids (TFAs) is considered to be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The focus of this paper was to elucidate the influence of dietary SFA and TFA intake on the promotion of lipotoxicity to the liver and cardiovascular, endothelial, and gut microbiota systems, as well as on insulin resistance and endoplasmic reticulum stress. The saturated and transfatty acids favor a proinflammatory state leading to insulin resistance. These fatty acids can be involved in several inflammatory pathways, contributing to disease progression in chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, allergy, cancer, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart hypertrophy as well as other metabolic and degenerative diseases. As a consequence, lipotoxicity may occur in several target organs by direct effects, represented by inflammation pathways, and through indirect effects, including an important alteration in the gut microbiota associated with endotoxemia. Interactions between these pathways may perpetuate a feedback process that exacerbates an inflammatory state. The importance of lifestyle modification, including an improved diet, is recommended as a strategy for treatment of these diseases.

Interaction of bone mineral density, adipokines and hormones in obese adolescents girls submitted in an interdisciplinary therapy.

Obesity is a chronic inflammatory condition with numerous metabolic consequences to the organism, highlighting its influence on bone mass. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the role of visceral fat, leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin on bone mineral density in obese post-puberty adolescents girls, submitted to an interdisciplinary therapy. The study involved 20 post-puberty obese adolescent girls: 16±1.5 years of age, 98.9±15.8 kg (weight), 1.60±0.72 m (height) and 37.2±4.8 kg/m2 [body mass index (BMI)]. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, bone mineral density and content were determined. Ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin were analyzed and the leptin/adiponectin ratio was calculated. Our findings showed a significant increase in adiponectin concentration and a reduction in body weight, BMI, total fat mass, visceral and subcutaneous fat. In addition, ghrelin (r2=-0.53; p=0.02) visceral fat (r2=-0.46, p=0.04) (r2 -0.66, p=0.001) and leptin/adiponectin ratio (r2 -0.56, p=0.01) were negative predictors for bone mineral density and content in obese adolescent girls, respectively. It provides a novel physiologically concept that may shed light on the etiology of osteoporosis and help to identify new therapeutic targets. However this should be confirmed in a large cohort study.

Long-term interdisciplinary therapy reduces endotoxin level and insulin resistance in obese adolescents.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to assess the dietary fat intake, glucose, insulin, Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance HOMA-IR, and endotoxin levels and correlate them with adipokine serum concentrations in obese adolescents who had been admitted to long-term interdisciplinary weight-loss therapy. DESIGN: The present study was a longitudinal clinical intervention of interdisciplinary therapy. Adolescents (n = 18, aged 15-19 y) with a body mass index > 95th percentile were admitted and evaluated at baseline and again after 1 year of interdisciplinary therapy. We collected blood samples, and IL-6, adiponectin, and endotoxin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Food intake was measured using 3-day diet records. In addition, we assessed glucose and insulin levels as well as the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: The most important finding from the present investigation was that the long-term interdisciplinary lifestyle therapy decreased dietary fat intake and endotoxin levels and improved HOMA-IR. We observed positive correlations between dietary fat intake and endotoxin levels, insulin levels, and the HOMA-IR. In addition, endotoxin levels showed positive correlations with IL-6 levels, insulin levels and the HOMA-IR. Interestingly, we observed a negative correlation between serum adiponectin and both dietary fat intake and endotoxin levels. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate an association between dietary fat intake and endotoxin level, which was highly correlated with a decreased pro-inflammatory state and an improvement in HOMA-IR. In addition, this benefits effect may be associated with an increased adiponectin level, which suggests that the interdisciplinary therapy was effective in improving inflammatory pathways.

Relationship between bone mineral density, leptin and insulin concentration in Brazilian obese adolescents.

Despite the epidemic of adolescent obesity, the effect of obesity and hormones on bone mineral accrual during growth is poorly understood. Studies using dual-energy X-ray to examine the effect of obesity on bone mass in children and adolescents have yielded conflicting results. The aim of this study was to explore the combined and independent contributions of body mass index, body composition, leptin, insulin, glucose levels and Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) to bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content in a group of Brazilian obese adolescents. This study included 109 post-pubescent obese adolescents. A whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan was performed,using a HOLOGIC QDR4200, to determine whole-body BMD and body composition. Blood samples were collected in the outpatient clinic after an overnight fast, and evaluated for fasting blood glucose and immunoreactive insulin. Leptin levels were assessed with a radioimmunoassay kit. Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA-IR and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. Our results showed that insulin levels and HOMA-IR correlated negatively with BMD and a linear regression analysis showed that serum leptin is inversely associated to BMD adjusted for body mass. In conclusion, our data support the hypothesis that leptin, insulin and HOMA-IR are inversely associated with BMD and play a significant direct role in bone metabolism.

Quality of life in Brazilian obese adolescents: effects of a long-term multidisciplinary lifestyle therapy.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has adverse physical, social, and economic consequences that can negatively affect quality of life (QOL). Thus the aim of this study was to verify the effects of a long-term multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention on QOL, body image, anxiety, depression and binge eating in obese adolescents. METHODS: Sixty-six obese adolescents (41 girls and 25 boys; BMI: 35.62 +/- 4.18 kg/m2) were recruited from the Multidisciplinary Obesity Intervention Program outpatient clinic, and were submitted to a multidisciplinary lifestyle therapy (short-term = 12 weeks and long-term = 24 weeks), composed of medical, dietary, exercise and psychological programs. Validated self-report questionnaires were used to assess symptoms of anxiety Trait/State (STAI); depression (BDI); binge eating (BES), body image dissatisfaction (BSQ) and QOL (SF-36). Data were analyzed by means of scores; comparisons were made by ANOVA for repeated measures, and Turkey's test as post-hoc and Students T test. RESULTS: Long-term therapy decreased depression and binge eating symptoms, body image dissatisfaction, and improved QOL in girls, whereas, for boys, 24 weeks, were effective to reduce anxiety trait/state and symptoms of binge eating, and to improve means of dimensions of QOL (p < .05). CONCLUSION: A long-term multidisciplinary lifestyle therapy is effective to control psychological aspects and to improve QOL in obese adolescents.

Hormonal alteration in obese adolescents with eating disorder: effects of multidisciplinary therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ghrelin and leptin play important roles in the physiopathology of eating disorders, starting generally in infancy and adolescence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of multidisciplinary short-term therapy on ghrelin and leptin concentrations, bulimia nervosa symptoms, binge eating disorder symptoms, body composition, and visceral and subcutaneous fat in obese adolescents. METHODS: Twenty obese adolescents with simple obesity (BMI >95th percentile, 36.93 +/- 4.14, CDC) were submitted to multidisciplinary (nutrition, psychology, exercise and clinical) therapy. Plasma ghrelin and leptin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Bulimic and binge eating behaviors were measured by the Bulimic Investigation Test Edinburgh and the Binge Eating Scale, respectively. Visceral and subcutaneous fat were measured by ultrasonography and body composition by plethysmography. RESULTS: Significant reductions were observed in body weight (101.04 +/- 11.18 to 94.79 +/- 10.94 kg), BMI (36.93 +/- 4.14 to 34.27 +/- 4.78), fat% (41.96 +/- 6.28 to 39.14 +/- 7.62%), visceral fat (4.34 +/- 1.53 to 3.41 +/- 1.12 cm), leptin concentration (20.12 +/- 6.47 to 16.68 +/- 8.08 ng/ml), prevalence of bulimia nervosa (100 to 67%) and binge eating disorder symptoms (40 to 17%). CONCLUSION: Short-term multidisciplinary therapy was effective in improving body composition, visceral fat, leptinemia and eating disorders in obese adolescents.

Short- and long-term beneficial effects of a multidisciplinary therapy for the control of metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents.

Visceral fat is highly correlated with metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and to assess the effect of a long-term (1 year) intervention with multidisciplinary therapy in predicting metabolic syndrome among obese adolescents, as well as to compare short- with long-term therapy. Eighty-three postpuberty obese adolescents were recruited, including 37 boys (body mass index [BMI], 36.19 +/- 3.85 kg/m(2)) and 46 girls (BMI, 35.73 +/- 4.42 kg/m(2)). Body composition was measured by plethysmography using the BOD POD body composition system (version 1.69, Life Measurement Instruments, Concord, CA), and visceral fat was analyzed by ultrasound. Metabolic syndrome was determined according to the World Health Organization criteria. Patients were assigned to a weight loss multidisciplinary intervention consisting of nutritional, exercise, psychological, and clinical therapy. At the beginning of therapy, we found that 27.16% of the obese adolescents presented metabolic syndrome, whereas only 8.3% did so after intervention. Indeed, in boys, BMI (36.19 +/- 3.85 to 32.06 +/- 5.85 kg/m(2)), visceral fat (4.88 +/- 1.35 to 3.63 +/- 1.71 cm), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (4.77 +/- 3.41 to 3.18 +/- 2.33), and percentage of body fat (38.24% +/- 6.54% to 30.02% +/- 13.43%) presented a statistically significant reduction; and their fat-free mass percentage increased (62.14% +/- 5.78% to 69.17% +/- 12.37%). In girls, after long-term therapy, BMI (35.73 +/- 4.42 to 33.62 +/- 3.78 kg/m(2)), visceral fat (3.70 +/- 1.40 to 2.75 +/- 1.01 cm), and percentage of body fat (46.10% +/- 5.66% to 39.91% +/- 5.59%) showed a statistically significant reduction; and their fat-free mass increased (53.61% +/- 5.65% to 59.82% +/- 5.78%). In conclusion, long-term multidisciplinary therapy was effective in promoting beneficial changes in some predictors and decreasing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents.

Metabolic and nutritional profile of obese adolescents with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing due to its prevalence in obesity, diabetes, and insulin-resistance syndrome. The best treatment protocol for NAFLD has not been determined. However, there is evidence that exercise and nutritional intervention can improve and prevent it. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dietary and metabolic profiles of obese adolescents with NAFLD who participated in a multidisciplinary program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 43 adolescents ages 15 to 19 years (17.18 +/- 1.66 years) with a body mass index (BMI) > or = 30, consisting of 30 patients without NAFLD (BMI = 35.80 +/- 3.44 kg/m2) and 13 with NAFLD (BMI = 33.47 +/- 2.34 kg/m2). The NAFLD diagnosis was determined by ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected to analyze glycemia, hepatic aminotransferase levels, and lipid profiles. Insulin resistance was measured by homeostasis model assessment insulin-resistance index (HOMA-IR). The analyses of baseline and postintervention food intake were made by a 3-day inquiry. RESULTS: At baseline conditions, the patients with NAFLD showed significant differences in body mass, BMI, and visceral and subcutaneous fat. Glucose and visceral and subcutaneous fat presented a significant reduction after treatment in patients with NAFLD. Analyzing the food intake, at baseline we observed a positive correlation between the visceral obesity and lipid consumption only in patients with NAFLD. We also observed significant decrease in energy and cholesterol consumption in patients with NAFLD after the multidisciplinary therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention promoted a decrease in the prevalence of NAFLD, a significant decrease in visceral obesity, and improved HOMA-IR, glycemia, and serum lipid levels that are risk factors for NAFLD. In summary, the multidisciplinary program is essential in the treatment and prevention of NAFLD.

Homeostasis Model Assessment-Adiponectin: the role of different types of physical exercise in obese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Homeostasis Model Assessment-Adiponectin (HOMA-AD) is suggesting a new biomarker of insulin resistance in obese population. In this way, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different kinds of exercise in the sensitive index predictor of insulin resistance. METHODS: A total of 148 obese adolescents were enrolled in the program. They aged 15-19 y, with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥P95th and were submitted to 1 year of interdisciplinary weight loss therapy, randomized in two groups, aerobic training (AT) (N.=51) and aerobic plus resistance training (N.=97). Blood samples were collected to analyze adiponectin, glucose and insulin concentrations. The insulin resistance was measured by HOMA-AD and Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance Index (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Both kinds of exercise training promoted a decrease in body mass, body mass index, fat mass, visceral and subcutaneous fat. However, only aerobic plus resistance training was effective to reduce HOMA-AD, insulin and glucose concentration; and increase insulin sensibility and adiponectin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The aerobic plus resistance training was more effective than AT alone to improve the HOMA-AD, suggesting clinical application on obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome control in the pediatric population.

Beneficial effects of a multifaceted 1-year lifestyle intervention on metabolic abnormalities in obese adolescents with and without sleep-disordered breathing.

Obesity is considered a chronic subinflammatory disease and is a risk factor for many diseases such as sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Although the interaction between obesity and sleep has been explored, not much is known about SDB in the adolescent population. Thus, the aims of this study were, first, to verify the effect of 1 year of interdisciplinary therapy on inflammatory markers in SDB and without SDB and, second, to investigate the influence of SDB on the result of the therapy by comparing these groups. A total of 36 obese adolescents were enrolled; however, only 24 completed the therapy (SDB group, n=12; non-SDB obese group, n=12). Sleep, anthropometric, metabolic, and inflammatory profiles were evaluated at baseline and after the treatment. In both groups, the therapy was able to improve all anthropometric variables. Metabolic parameters such as insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were significantly improved only in non-SDB group. In both groups, the inflammatory state was significantly improved by the reduction in the leptin/adiponectin ratio. After the intervention, both groups no longer presented the hyperleptinemic state, favoring not only the inflammatory state, but also neuroendocrine regulation. Regarding the sleep parameter, the SDB group improved significantly in all respiratory events, and after therapy only four patients remained with SDB. Furthermore, there was an increase in sleep time. The lifestyle intervention was able to improve anthropometric, metabolic, and inflammatory parameters in both groups; however, the presence of SDB impaired better results. The data supported that the inclusion of SDB in the metabolic syndrome because of the link shown between them.

Association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with cardiovascular risk factors in obese adolescents: the role of interdisciplinary therapy.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These risk factors can induce changes in the arteries such as an increase in the carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), which contributes to the early development of atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether NAFLD is associated with an atherogenic lipid profile, inflammatory markers, or cIMT in obese adolescents and to compare the effects of therapeutic lifestyle changes in NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups. METHODS: A total of 79 obese adolescents were divided into two groups: 33 NAFLD and 46 non-NAFLD. They were submitted to an interdisciplinary therapy involving diet exercise and psychological support during the course of 1 year. The cIMT and estimates of fat mass (liver, intra-abdominal, and subcutaneous) were determined ultrasonographically. Body composition, glucose, lipid profile, and adipokines were analyzed before and after the therapy. RESULTS: At baseline, only in the NAFLD group was the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance positively correlated with cIMT and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. Therapy was associated with an increase in adiponectin concentrations and reduced visceral fat, cIMT, leptin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 concentrations, as well as the ratios of total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in both groups. Only in the non-NAFLD group did therapy result in a reduction in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. CONCLUSIONS: In obese adolescents, NAFLD is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers of atherosclerosis that were positively correlated with cIMT only in the NAFLD group. Nevertheless, the strength of the present study is that the interdisciplinary therapy effectively improved cIMT and other proinflammatory adipokines in both groups.

Hyperleptinemia: implications on the inflammatory state and vascular protection in obese adolescents submitted to an interdisciplinary therapy.

The low-grade systemic inflammation seen in obesity may affect the actions of some adipose tissue-derived adipokines that are involved in the regulation of vascular function. We sought to verify whether hyperleptinemia may influence the inflammatory and atherogenic responses in obese adolescents undergoing interdisciplinary therapy. Thirty-four obese adolescents underwent interdisciplinary therapy for 1 year. Subjects were considered hyperleptinemic if they had baseline values of leptin above 20 ng/mL for boys and 24 ng/mL for girls. Both groups showed an improvement in body composition and a reduction in carotid intima-media thickness. However, only subjects in the non-hyperleptinemic group showed an increase in adiponectin concentration after therapy. Moreover, leptin concentration was positively correlated with adiponectin and inversely correlated with PAI-1 in this group. Hyperleptinemic state may impair the attenuation of inflammation in obese adolescents undergoing interdisciplinary therapy, particularly by impeding the increase in adiponectin concentration, which is directly involved in vascular protection.

Multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of obese adolescents: effects on cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory profile, and neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance.

The prevention of obesity and health concerns related to body fat is a major challenge worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of a medically supervised, multidisciplinary approach, on reduction in the prevalence of obesity related comorbidities, inflammatory profile, and neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance in a sample of obese adolescents. A total of 97 postpuberty obese adolescents were enrolled in this study. Body composition, neuropeptides, and adipokines were analysed. The metabolic syndrome was defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The abdominal ultrasonography was performed to measure visceral, subcutaneous fat and hepatic steatosis. All measures were performed at baseline and after one year of therapy. The multidisciplinary management promoted the control of obesity reducing body fat mass. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, asthma, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), binge eating, and hyperleptinemia was reduced. An improvement in the inflammatory profile was demonstrated by an increase in anti-inflammatory adiponectin and reduction in proinflammatory adipokines, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, interleukin-6 concentrations, and in the Lep/Adipo ratio. Moreover, a reduction in the AgRP and an increase in the alfa-MSH were noted. The multidisciplinary approach not only reduced obesity but also is efficacious in cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory profile, and neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance.

The role of PAI-1 and adiponectin on the inflammatory state and energy balance in obese adolescents with metabolic syndrome.

Obesity is a chronic inflammatory disease and is considered a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. In this study, 57 obese adolescents with and without metabolic syndrome underwent 1 year of weight loss therapy. At baseline, the metabolic syndrome (MS) patients presented higher values of PAI-1 than the non-metabolic syndrome patients (n-MS). After therapy, significant improvements in anthropometrics and biochemical, inflammatory, and neuroendocrine variables were observed in both groups. However, the n-MS group presented better results than the MS group. Indeed, we found positive correlations in both groups between PAI-1 and neuropeptide Y (NPY) and between PAI-1 and NPY/AgRP. Inflammatory biomarkers may thus play a role in energy balance. The clinical trial registration number is NCT01358773.

The role of pro/anti-inflammatory adipokines on bone metabolism in NAFLD obese adolescents: effects of long-term interdisciplinary therapy.

To investigate the role of pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines in the bone metabolism of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) obese adolescents as well as the effects of long-term interdisciplinary therapy on metabolic-related risk factors. Forty post-puberty obese adolescents were randomly assigned into two groups: (1) NAFLD group and (2) non-NAFLD group (diagnosis by ultrasonography) and submitted to a weight loss therapy. Body composition was analyzed by air displacement plethysmography, bone mineral density (BMD) and content by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, blood samples were collected to measure lipid profile, hepatic enzymes, and adipokines. Leptin and adiponectin concentrations were measured by ELISA. A decrease in total body mass, BMI, body fat, visceral and subcutaneous fat, insulin concentration, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol and an increase in lean body mass were observed in both groups after therapy. It was found positive correlation between the Δ BMD and the Δ fat mass (%) (r = 0.31, P = 0.01) and negative correlations between Δ BMC with Δ HOMA-IR (r = -0.34, P = 0.02) and Δ HOMA-IR with Δ leptin (r = -0.34, P = 0.02). In addition, increased levels of adiponectin and reduction in leptin concentrations were observed in NAFLD group. In the simple regression analysis, the HOMA-IR was an independent predictor changes in BMC in total obese adolescents and in the non-NAFLD group. One year of interdisciplinary weight loss therapy for obese adolescents with or without NAFLD, could regulate bone mineral metabolism as result of an increased BMC and improved inflammatory state.