Assessment of EN-RAGE, sRAGE, and its isoforms: cRAGE, esRAGE in obese patients treated by moderate caloric restriction combined with physical activity conducted in hospital condition.

BACKGROUND: AGEs, their receptor (RAGE), and the extracellular newly identified receptor for AGEs product-binding protein (EN-RAGE) are implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammation. AIM: We analyzed serum EN-RAGE, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), and their isoforms: endogenous secretory - esRAGE and cleaved - cRAGE concentrations in lean controls (n = 74) and in patients with obesity (n = 71) treated for three weeks with moderate calorie restriction (CR) combined with physical activity in a hospital condition. METHODS: Using the ELISA method, serum sRAGE, esRAGE, and EN-RAGE were measured before and after CR. RESULTS: The serum level of sRAGE and esRAGE in patients with obesity was lower than that in non-obese individuals, contrary to cRAGE. EN-RAGE concentration was about three times higher in obese patients. Gradually, a rise in BMI resulted in sRAGE, esRAGE reduction, and EN-RAGE increase. The sRAGE concentration was sex-dependent, indicating a higher value in lean men. A moderate negative correlation was observed between BMI and all RAGE isoforms, whereas EN-RAGE displays a positive correlation. CR resulted in an expected decrease in anthropometric, metabolic, and proinflammatory parameters and EN-RAGE, but no RAGE isoforms. The ratio EN-RAGE/sRAGE was higher in obese humans than in control and was not modified by CR. CONCLUSION: Obesity decreases sRAGE and esRAGE and increases EN-RAGE concentration. Moderate CR and physical activity by decreasing inflammation reduces EN-RAGE but is insufficient to increase sRAGE and esRAGE to the extent observed in lean patients. EN-RAGE instead of sRAGE could be helpful to indicate a better outcome of moderate dietary intervention in obese subjects.

Gender Influences Gut Microbiota among Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disease that affects approximately 11% of the general population. The gut microbiota, among other known factors, plays a substantial role in its pathogenesis. The study aimed to characterize the gut microbiota differences between patients with IBS and unaffected individuals, taking into account the gender aspect of the patients and the types of IBS determined on the basis of the Rome IV Criteria, the IBS-C, IBS-D, IBS-M, and IBS-U. In total, 121 patients with IBS and 70 unaffected individuals participated in the study; the derived stool samples were subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The gut microbiota of patients with IBS was found to be more diverse in comparison to unaffected individuals, and the differences were observed primarily among Clostridiales, Mogibacteriaceae, Synergistaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Blautia spp., and Shuttleworthia spp., depending on the study subgroup and patient gender. There was higher differentiation of females' gut microbiota compared to males, regardless of the disease status. No correlation between the composition of the gut microbiota and the type of IBS was found. Patients with IBS were characterized by more diverse gut microbiota compared to unaffected individuals. The gender criterion should be considered in the characterization of the gut microbiota. The type of IBS did not determine the identified differences in gut microbiota.

Is there an association of cortisol, DHEA-S and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio with obesity and selected metabolic parameters?

A growing problem of obesity observed worldwide results in an increased interest of its pathogenesis. One hypothesis is the association between hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and obesity. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess cortisol and DHEA-S secretion and their association with body mass and other selected metabolic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 91 obese patients and 50 non-obese controls were recruited. The obese group was further subdivided into metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy individuals. Blood cortisol was assessed in the morning and in the evening. Other laboratory and anthropometric parameters were also checked. In the obese group, DHEA-S was measured additionally and cortisol/DHEAS ratio calculated. RESULTS: Morning and evening cortisol concentrations were comparable in two studied groups (p>0.05). The only significant difference was the morning to evening cortisol amplitude (212.97±140.24 in the obese vs 171.81±94.00 in the non-obese, p=0.04). Cortisol secretion parameters were not correlated with age, body mass or BMI when whole group was analyzed. In the obese group morning cortisol was negatively correlated with body mass (r=-0.29, p=0.01) and cortisol amplitude with body mass (r=-0.26, p=0.02) and BMI (r=-0.22, p=0.04). DHEA-S was negatively correlated with fasting glucose (r=-0,48 p<0.01) and HOMA-IR (r=-0.26 p =0.03) in the obese group, although it was no longer significant after correcting for age. CONCLUSIONS: There is no strong association between cortisol secretion parameters or DHEA-S and obesity; however, some alterations can be observed with increasing body mass. Further studies should explain their potential role in obesity pathogenesis.

Comparison of the effect of rapeseed oil or amaranth seed oil supplementation on weight loss, body composition, and changes in the metabolic profile of obese patients following 3-week body mass reduction program: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Amaranth seed oil (ASO) and rapeseed oil (RSO) are functional foods that display antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. These oils are also known to lower glucose and cholesterol levels. The current study compared the effects exerted by RSO and ASO on weight loss and metabolic parameters during a 3-week body mass reduction program. METHODS: Eighty-one obese subjects (BMI > 30 kg/m2), aged 25-70 years, were enrolled in a 3-week body mass reduction program based on a calorie-restricted diet and physical activity. Participants were randomly categorized into an AO group (administered 20 mL/d of ASO), a RO group (administered 20 mL/d of RSO), and a C group (control; untreated). Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were measured at baseline and endpoint. RESULTS: Significant decreases in weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), fat mass (FM), lean body mass (LBM), visceral fat mass (VFM), and total body water (TBW%) were observed in all groups (P <  0.05). No significant improvements were observed in the clinical parameters of group C. Fasting insulin (Δ - 5.9, and Δ - 5.7) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (Δ - 1.1 and Δ - 0.5) were decreased in both RO and AO groups, respectively. Fasting glucose (Δ -8.5; P = 0.034), total cholesterol (Δ -14.6; P = 0.032), non-HDL cholesterol (Δ 15.9; P = 0.010), TG/HDL ratio (Δ -0.6; P = 0.032), LDL cholesterol (Δ -12.3; P = 0.042), and triglycerides (Δ -6.5; P = 0.000) were significantly improved in the AO group, compared to the RO group. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-week body mass reduction intervention caused a significant reduction in the weight, BMI, WC, HC, FM, and VFM of all groups. Except for HOMA-IR, there were no statistical differences between the clinical parameters of all groups. However, a trend toward improved insulin levels and HDL% was noticeable in AO and RO. Therapies involving edible oils with high nutritional value, such as RSO and ASO, show potential for improving metabolic measurements during body mass reduction programs. Thus, obese patients undertaking weight reduction programs may benefit from RSO and ASO supplementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: retrospectively registered, DRKS00017708.

Oxidative stress in etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases / Stres oksydacyjny w etiopatogenezie nieswoistych chorób zapalnych jelit.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are a group of chronic diseases of the digestive tract of unknown origin. The etiology of IBD is multifactorial and involves interaction between genetic, environmental and immunological factors with oxidative stress being an inherent part of any one of them. Therefore, the redox equilibrium is crucial to maintain cell homeostasis in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which is constantly exposed to large numbers of commensal and pathological bacteria. Distortion of this homeostasis and increase in oxidative stress leads to the propagation of inflammation, mucosal injury in the GI tract and is associated with the development and exacerbation of IBD.

Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) oil impact on the oxidative metabolism of neutrophils in the obese patients.

CONTEXT: Amaranth and canola oils have been used traditionally. Amaranth has been identified as being of interest because of its outstanding nutritive value. Amaranth oil is a rich source of highly unsaturated fats and so could be a valuable dietary alternative for individuals affected with obesity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are postulated to be involved in systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) generate high amounts of reactive oxygen species. OBJECTIVE: Our study investigates the impact of amaranth and canola oils supplementation on oxidative metabolism in patients with obesity. We hypothesized that, due to its lipid-lowering and antioxidant properties, amaranth and canola oil would protect against oxidative stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested 19 obese patients [body mass index (BMI) = 41.1 ± 7.8 kg/m2, (mean ± SD)]. The protocol consisted of two stages: a run-in phase of 2 weeks and an experimental stage - canola or amaranth oil supplementation (20 mL/d) with calorie restriction diet for 3 weeks. The neutrophil oxidative burst was expressed by fluorescence intensity (IF). RESULTS: The oxidative burst had increased significantly at the end of treatment in both groups IF: (21.4 ± 11.15 vs. 35.9 ± 20.3; mean ± SD) p < 0.05. The levels of IF were significantly higher in neutrophils of patients who received canola oil (41.05 ± 25.3) compared to those who received amaranth oil (28.4 ± 11.8) p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Canola oil exerts possible effects on oxidative burst activity in neutrophils in vivo conditions.

Salivary fingerprint of simple obesity.

BACKGROUND: The nature of a link between poor oral health and obesity is not fully understood. It is also unclear if saliva contributes to it and whether the properties of saliva change as a result of an increase in body mass or rather as a consequence of obesity-associated comorbidities. This pilot study was undertaken in an attempt to determine if salivary biomarkers can identify obesity per se. METHODS: Whole mixed saliva was analysed for 16 soluble parameters covering 4 categories (inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, adipokines). In the discovery group, 19 obese and 25 non-obese women matched for age, with similar hygiene habits, with no comorbidities and not taking any medication known to affect saliva secretion were analysed. In the validation group, a cohort of no-preselected 81 individuals (34 obese) were analysed. RESULTS: Individuals with obesity had significantly higher salivary concentrations of several cytokines and adipokines, of which TNF-R1, serpin A12 and PAI-1 were identified as parameters discriminating between obese and non-obese subjects with the highest sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity per se leads to distinct changes in the concentration of several parameters in saliva. These findings may have diagnostic implications for distinguishing the effects of obesity and obesity-linked comorbidities on oral health.

Association of endothelial proliferation with the magnitude of weight loss during calorie restriction.

OBJECTIVES: Substantial weight loss through intense dietary regimens is thought to ameliorate endothelial dysfunction in obesity. It is less clear whether similar improvements can be achieved with modest dietary interventions. This study aimed to identify the parameters of endothelial cell status in obesity that are affected by mild calorie restriction. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EA.hy926 line) in culture were exposed pairwise to serum from 57 individuals with simple obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m(2)) collected before and after 8-week dietary intervention with energy deficit of 300-500 kcal/day. RESULTS: Analysis of endothelial transcriptome suggested that the intervention could impact on endothelial cell growth. Cell proliferation was measured with the MTT test and verified by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. The participants were categorized according to a change in proliferation over time. Significant decrease in endothelial cell proliferation correlated with the extent of weight loss in men, but not in women. This effect corresponded with changes in serum levels of leptin and adiponectin, but was not related to serum concentrations of several known angiogenic mediators (VEGF, MCP-1, TSP-1, MMP-9, angiopoietin-2). CONCLUSION: Direction and magnitude of changes in serum-induced endothelial cell proliferation identifies patients with the greatest weight loss in response to modest calorie restriction.

C-reactive protein as a diagnostic and prognostic factor in inflammatory bowel diseases.

AIM: The study aimed to evaluate high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) as a diagnostic and predictive marker in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). MATERIAL/METHODS: Medical history of 106 patients with IBD revealed hsCRP concentrations at diagnosis and during the follow-up period. RESULTS: The study showed that the majority of investigated patients had elevated hsCRP concentrations at diagnosis, although the mean concentration was much higher in the group of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) than the group with ulcerative colitis (UC) (P<0.001). The overall decrease in mean hsCRP concentration observed during the follow-up period was larger in the group of CD patients. The analysis showed a correlation between hsCRP concentrations at diagnosis and risk of surgery in the group of CD patients (r=0.408, P=0.002), but not in the group of UC patients. In a logistic regression analysis, surgery in CD patients was associated with age (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.8-1.0, P=0.05) and hsCRP concentration (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.0-1.04, P=0.03) at diagnosis. DISCUSSION: HsCRP might be a useful diagnostic marker in differentiating active IBD from other diseases. Particularly important however seems to be the predictive value of hsCRP at diagnosis in prognosing the clinical outcome of the disease in CD patients.

[Hygienic habits and health behaviors in patients with obesity].

Introduction: Smoking is the most common addiction in the world. Coexistence of smoking and obesity lead to a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is also known that both the tobacco and excessive weight have a negative impact on oral health. Aim: Assessment of the frequency of smoking, hygienic habits and healthy behaviors in people with obesity. Material and Methods: The study included 125 people, of both sexes, aged from 20 to 65 years. The study group consisted of patients Clinic of Internal Medicine, Metabolic and Nutrition, Poznan University of Medical Sciences with a BMI> 25 kg/m2, control group - patients Clinic of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences of normal weight (BMI <25 kg/m2). All participants were asked to complete a short survey on smoking, frequency of dental checkups and hygiene habits associated with the oral cavity. Results: In both groups of patients, obese and normal weight, we found similar percentages of smokers: 25 and 24.24%. Both groups showed a similar time of brushing, however, we found statistically significant differences in the frequency of tooth brushing. Conclusion: Despite the similar results obtained during the survey in both groups of patients, it seems necessary to take patients with obesity particularly dental care, enhancement of preventive measures as well as incitement to refrain from smoking.

Obesity - should we revise indications for treatment with metformin?

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of obesity with life style modifications often fails; therefore pharmacological treatment has become a very popular approach. Metformin is one of the examined possibilities. The aim of this study was to verify indications for metformin use in obese women based on metabolic and anthropometric parameters assessed by dual-X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), to establish the degree of insulin resistance and its correlations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anthropometry, fat measurement by bioimpedance and metabolic profile, including lipids, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with insulin (0 and 120 min) were performed in 50 female patients diagnosed with simple obesity, aged 18-40 years. Homeostatic model assessment HOMA-R was calculated for insulin resistance, and area under the curve (AUC) for insulin response. Total, android and gynoid fat distribution, and their ratio (A/G), were measured by DXA. RESULTS: From 50 women who entered the study, 33 were classified as insulin resistant (IR subgroup) and 17 as non-insulin resistant (non-IR subgroup), according to their HOMA-R indices. IR women presented higher waist circumference and DXA A/G ratio. The IR subgroup demonstrated elevated fasting triglycerides and glucose (but in the normal range) and a higher insulin response in OGTT (4.1-fold vs 2.5-fold). From different insulin measurements HOMA index turned out to have the strongest correlations with the metabolic parameters triglycerides and glucose. We found significant positive correlations between android fat and insulin: waist circumference and HOMA-R, WHR and HOMA-R, android fat and HOMA-R, A/G ratio and insulin after OGTT, and A/G ratio and HOMA-R. We found a strong correlation between WHR and A/R ratio. CONCLUSIONS: 67% of premenopausal obese women were insulin resistant. Measures of DXA visceral fat determined by android fat percentage and android/gynoid ratio were the strongest determinants of insulin resistance. Waist-to-hip ratio might be a simple method for determining the indications for metformin treatment.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with increased accumulation of advanced glycation end products in the skin in patients with type 1 diabetes: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI) is more frequently diagnosed in patients with diabetes. Insulin resistance in patients with type 1 diabetes (DMT1) is associated with the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the skin and progression of chronic complications. OBJECTIVES: Assessment of the relationship between the incidence of HPI and skin AGEs in patients with DMT1. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 103 Caucasian patients with a DMT1 duration >5 years. A fast qualitative test was performed to detect the HP antigen in fecal samples (Hedrex). The content of AGEs in the skin was estimated using an AGE Reader device (DiagnOptics). RESULTS: The HP-positive (n = 31) and HP-negative (n = 72) groups did not differ in terms of age, gender, duration of diabetes, fat content, body mass index (BMI) and lipid profile, metabolic control, and inflammatory response markers. The studied groups differed in the amount of AGEs in the skin. The relationship between HPI and increased AGEs in the skin was confirmed in a multifactor regression model taking into account age, gender, DMT1 duration, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), BMI, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the presence of hypertension, and tobacco use. The studied groups also differed in serum levels of vitamin D. CONCLUSIONS: Increased accumulation of AGEs in the skin of patients with DMT1 with coexisting HPI suggests that eradication of HP may significantly improve DMT1 outcomes.

Effect of the one-day fasting on cortisol and DHEA daily rhythm regarding sex, chronotype, and age among obese adults.

Introduction: Physiological and biochemical processes in the human body occur in a specific order and show rhythmic variability. Time dependence characterizes the secretion of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). One-day fasting implies alternating fasting days and eating days. The study aimed to determine how 24-h fasting affects the daily rhythm of cortisol and DHEA levels in obese people while taking into account gender and chronotype. Methods: Forty-nine obese patients (BMI 32.2-67.1 kg/m2; 25 women and 24 men) underwent a 3-week hospital-controlled calorie restriction diet to reduce body weight. During hospitalization, patients fasted for 1 day, during which only water could be consumed. Samples of whole mixed unstimulated saliva were collected at 2-3-h intervals over a 64-h period and analyzed for cortisol and DHEA by immunoassays. The individual chronotypes were assessed by the morning and evening questionnaire, according to Horne and Östberg. Three components of daily rhythm were evaluated: amplitude, acrophase, and the so-called MESOR. Results: Cortisol rhythm showed differences in amplitude (p = 0.0127) and acrophase (p = 0.0005). The amplitude on the fasting day was 11% higher (p = 0.224) than the day after. The acrophase advanced on the day of fasting, 48 min earlier than the day before (p = 0.0064), and by 39 min to the day after fasting (p = 0.0005). In the rhythm of DHEA, differences were found in the MESOR (p = 0.0381). The MESOR on the fasting day increased. Discussion: Our results obtained during 64 consecutive hours of saliva sampling suggest that one-day fasting may affect three components of cortisol and DHEA daily rhythm. Additionally, no differences were found in the daily rhythm between the morning and evening chronotypes and between females and males. Although aging did not influence daily cortisol rhythm, DHEA amplitude, MESOR, and acrophase changed with age. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first presentation of changes in DHEA rhythm during one-day fasting.

Adaptive changes of pancreatic protease secretion to a short-term vegan diet: influence of reduced intake and modification of protein.

In our previous study, we demonstrated that abstaining from meat, for 1 month, by healthy omnivores (lacto-ovovegetarian model) resulted in a statistical decrease in pancreatic secretion as measured by faecal elastase-1 output. However, no correlation between relative and non-relative changes of energy and nutrient consumption and pancreatic secretion was documented. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to assess the changes of exocrine pancreatic secretion with a more restrictive dietetic modification, by applying a vegan diet. A total of twenty-one healthy omnivores (sixteen females and five males) participated in the prospective study lasting for 6 weeks. The nutrient intake and faecal output of pancreatic enzymes (elastase-1, chymotrypsin and lipase) were assessed twice during the study. Each assessment period lasted for 7 d: the first before the transition to the vegan diet (omnivore diet) and the second during the last week of the study (vegan diet). The dietary modification resulted in a significant decrease in faecal elastase-1 (P < 0·05) and chymotrypsin output (P < 0·04). The lipase excretion remained unchanged. The decrease in proteolytic enzymes was documented to be positively correlated with a decreased protein intake (P < 0·05). In addition, elastase-1 and chymotrypsin outputs were also related to the changes of protein type, plant v. animal (P < 0·04 and P < 0·03, respectively). It was concluded that significant reduction and modification of protein intake due to a short-term vegan diet resulted in an adaptation of pancreatic protease secretion in healthy volunteers.

Are patients with polycystic ovary syndrome more prone to irritable bowel syndrome?

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) encompasses endocrine, reproductive and metabolic disturbances. Abdominal pain and bowel movement disturbances are common complaints of PCOS patients. It remains uncertain whether the characteristic features of PCOS are associated with an increased incidence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods: In the study, 133 patients with PCOS diagnosed according to international evidence-based guidelines and 72 age- and BMI-matched eumenorrheic controls were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical and hormonal characteristics were collected. The Rome IV criteria were used for IBS diagnosis. Quality of life (QoL) and depressive symptoms were also assessed. Results: IBS symptom prevalence in PCOS was not significantly different than in controls. Hyperandrogenism and simple and visceral obesity did not appear to affect IBS prevalence in PCOS. There were no anthropometric, hormonal or biochemical differences between IBS-PCOS and non-IBS-PCOS patients, apart from IBS-PCOS patients being slightly older and having lower thyroid-stimulating hormone. Metabolic syndrome (MS) prevalence was higher in IBS-PCOS than non-IBS-PCOS. QoL appears to be significantly lower in IBS-PCOS compared to PCOS-only patients. The occurrence of depression was higher in IBS-PCOS vs non-IBS-PCOS patients. At least one alarm symptom was reported by 87.5% of IBS-PCOS; overall, this group experienced more alarm symptoms than the IBS-only group. Conclusions: Since a link between PCOS and IBS comorbidity and increased MS prevalence was noted, patients presenting with both conditions may benefit from early MS diagnostics and management. The high incidence of alarm symptoms in PCOS women in this study highlights the need for differential diagnosis of organic diseases that could mimic IBS symptoms.

MALDI-TOF Protein Profiling Reflects Changes in Type 1 Diabetes Patients Depending on the Increased Amount of Adipose Tissue, Poor Control of Diabetes and the Presence of Chronic Complications.

INTRODUCTION: Protein profiling allows the determination of the presence of proteins marking various stages of the disease, and differentiates between people at risk of various diseases. In type 1 diabetes, protein profiling had been previously used to find blood markers other than islet autoantibodies to indicate the pancreatic beta cell destruction process and to reflect the progression of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, T1DM is an auto-immune disease and its clinical presentation changes in time of its duration. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To find differences in protein profiles in patients with type 1 diabetes according to diabetes control (HbA1c > 7%) and with presence of diabetic complications or obesity. It may help to identify subgroups of patients who may need a better clinical supervision and individualized treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 103 patients with auto-immunologically confirmed T1DM, and meeting the following inclusion criteria: Caucasian race, duration of diabetes >5 years, were used in the study. Criteria of exclusion: past or present cancer (treated with chemo-/radiotherapy), diseases of the liver (ALT > 3 × ULN) except for people with simple hepatic steatosis, chronic renal disease (eGFR < 30 mL/1.73 m2/min), and acute inflammation (CRP > 5 mg/dL). The study group was divided in terms of the presence of chronic complications, obesity, or poor metabolic control (HbA1c > 7%). Protein profiling was completed by using the MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry) analyzer. RESULTS: Differentiating proteins were identified in all of the groups. The groups burdened with complications, obesity, and poor metabolic control were characterized by increased levels of fibrinogen, complement C4 and C3. CONCLUSION: The groups of type 1 diabetes patients burdened with complications, obesity, and poor metabolic control were characterized by increased levels of fibrinogen, complement C4 and C3. Further detailed studies are necessary to determine more subtle changes in the proteomic profile of patients with type 1 diabetes.

Moderate Caloric Restriction Partially Improved Oxidative Stress Markers in Obese Humans.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in obesity. Therefore, we investigated whether moderate and short-term calorie restriction (CR) reflects a real-life situation, mediates weight loss, and improves oxidative stress markers. We analyzed oxidative stress markers in patients with obesity undergoing moderate CR. Serum oxidative stress markers (myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total antioxidant status (TAS), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (generation by endothelial cells in vitro)) were measured in 53 subjects (mean BMI 37.8 ± 5.9 kg/m2) who underwent 8 weeks of CR, which included a reduction of 300-500 kcal/day. MPO was the most CR-sensitive parameter. The mean level of serum MPO in patients with obesity was 20% higher than that in post CR intervention (p < 0.001). SOD increased by 12% after CR (p < 0.05), which was largely due to the improvement in glucose tolerance and the reduction in insulin resistance after CR. Other tested parameters were not modified during the treatment. CR resulted in an expected decrease in body weight (by 5.9 ± 4.6 kg, p < 0.0001) and other anthropometric parameters. Additionally, it was accompanied by a significant change in hsCRP, hsTNF alpha, hsIL-6, leptin (all p < 0.0001), and HOMA-IR (p < 0.05). Cardiovascular and metabolic parameters were also partially improved. Short-term, moderate CR partially improves antioxidant capacity but is enough to substantially change anthropometric parameters in obese patients. Our observations indicate that mimicking real-life situations and low-cost dietary intervention can be successfully implemented in obesity treatment with a simultaneous moderate effect on antioxidant status.

No Significant Effect of the Individual Chronotype on the Result of Moderate Calorie Restriction for Obesity-A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronotype is the pattern of the circadian rhythm that allows an individual to optimize times of sleep and activity. It has been observed that chronotypes may associate with some conditions and diseases, including obesity. It is not known, however, whether chronotypes determine the effectiveness of weight loss regimens. Therefore, in the present study, we compared the outcomes of a 3-week moderate calorie restriction undertaken by individuals with obesity under the same controlled hospital conditions. METHODS: A total of 131 participants with obesity (median BMI 40.0) were studied. The subjects underwent the same dietary intervention over 3 weeks, with a 30% reduction in daily caloric intake. The individual chronotypes were assessed by the morning and evening questionnaire (MEQ) according to Horne and Östberg. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed by routine methods. RESULTS: Of all patients examined, 75% had the morning (lark) chronotype and 25% had the evening (owl) chronotype. These patient sub-groups did not differ in terms of demographic, anthropometric and biochemical characteristics at baseline. After 3 weeks of calorie restriction, both groups experienced a similar loss of weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) (3.4 ± 0.38% for larks vs. 4.1 ± 0.47% for owls, p = 0.45), with owls exhibiting a marginally greater loss of body fat (3.1 ± 0.79%) compared with larks (2.6 ± 0.64%), p = 0.02. On the other hand, the larks had a more discernable, but not statistically significant from owls, decrease in glycated haemoglobin and CRP (C Reactive Protein). CONCLUSIONS: The chronotype of individuals with obesity does not have a significant effect on the magnitude of the body weight loss, but there is a tendency observed towards the reduction in body fat content in owls through changing their meal and sleep timing to earlier hours, in response to moderate calorie restriction applied under the same controlled conditions.

Do nutritional behaviors depend on biological sex and cultural gender?

Conventional knowledge, resulting from observations and experience, maintains the conviction that there are gender differences in the acquisition, preparation and consumption of food. This review shows differences between the sexes in eating behavior, food choice and nutritional strategy which were conditioned by evolution and by intra-individual (biological or psychological) and extra-individual (socioeconomic and cultural) factors. Women manifest a more pronounced trust in healthy nutrition, greater engagement in controlling body weight, a higher tendency to eat in a group and in stressful situations, and they frequently experience frustration due to their own nutritional behaviors, which reflects higher social pressure and their attempts to reduce eating-related pleasure. On the other hand, men prefer fatty meals with a strong taste, and are directed mainly by the pleasure of consumption; they more frequently furtively eat sweet foods while watching television, use more dietary supplements and more frequently visit fast food restaurants. Nutritional behavior, styles of nutrition, dietary profiles, approach to nourishment, approach to the place of meal consumption, and the sources of nutritional knowledge all demonstrate associations with gender. Reciprocal interactions between gender and diet are conditioned by physiological, psychological and sociocultural factors. This system of reciprocal interactions includes feedback: biological sex and cultural gender shape one's diet and, reciprocally, one's diet affects the deepening or flattening of gender differences. The analysis of reciprocally interacting factors entangled in the formation of a nutritional model may also represent an important element of pro-health prophylaxis and should be used in medical and dietary practice. Males in particular should be informed and educated about health-promoting diets.

Excess body fat increases the accumulation of advanced glycation end products in the skin of patients with type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The process of protein glycation described by Brownlee et al. is a crucial pathogenic mechanism in the development of chronic complications of diabetes. OBJECTIVES: To assess advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the skin of patients with type 1 diabetes (DM1) and excess body fat (EBF) accumulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 227 DM1 patients (121 women and 106 men) whose mean age was 31 ±9.2 years; the mean duration of diabetes was 12 ±7.7 years; and the mean HbA1c was 8.9 ±1.8%. The inclusion criteria were as follows: age 18-65 years, DM1, and lack of acute inflammations and uncontrolled chronic diseases. The exclusion criteria were: anemia (hemoglobin (Hb) <11 g/dL), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m2) and elevated aminotransferase levels (more than twice the upper normal limits). Total adipose tissue content was assessed using the electrical bioimpedance method, with the Tanita BC-418 MA analyzer (Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan). The Tanita ViScan AB 140 (Tanita Corp.) was used to evaluate visceral fat tissue (VTF). The content of glycation end products in the skin was assessed using a DiagnOptics AGE Reader device (type 214D00102; DiagnOptics, Groningen, the Netherlands). RESULTS: The group with normal body fat (NBF) consisted of 123 subjects, whereas 104 subjects had EBF. No significant statistical differences were found between the NBF and EBF groups with regard to age, duration of diabetes, current HbA1C value, and tobacco use. A significantly higher AGE score was observed in the EBF group. CONCLUSIONS: Increased body fat affects the amount of AGE in the skin, which correlates with a higher risk of developing chronic diabetes complications.