MIND dietary pattern adherence is inversely associated with visceral adiposity and features of metabolic syndrome.

The effects of following the Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet on metabolic health remains understudied. This cross-sectional analysis of 163 adults investigated associations between adherence to the MIND, Mediterranean, DASH, and Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015) diets and metabolic syndrome (MetS) features and visceral adiposity. We hypothesized that the MIND diet would show the most beneficial associations with MetS risk factors. Diet adherence was assessed using the Dietary History Questionnaire II. Visceral adipose was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Waist circumference and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were obtained. Fasting blood triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose concentrations were determined. Stepwise regression analyses were applied. Waist circumference was inversely associated with DASH (ß = -0.21, P < .01), HEI-2015 (ß = -0.18, P = .01), and MIND (ß = -0.19, P < .01). Triglycerides were inversely associated with DASH (ß = -0.19, P = .01), HEI-2015 (ß = -0.18, P = .02), and MIND (ß = -0.23, P < .01). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was positively associated with Mediterranean (ß = 0.18, P = .02) and MIND (ß = 0.21, P < .01). Systolic blood pressure was inversely associated with Mediterranean (ß = -0.18, P = .02), DASH (ß = -0.30, P < .01), HEI-2015 (ß = -0.24, P < .01), and MIND (ß = -0.25, P < .01). Diastolic blood pressure was inversely associated with Mediterranean (ß = -0.26, P < .01), DASH (ß = -0.34, P < .01), HEI-2015 (ß = -0.24, P < .01), and MIND (ß = -0.31, P < .01). Fasting glucose was inversely associated with MIND (ß = -0.19, P = .02). Visceral adiposity was inversely associated with Mediterranean (ß = -0.19, P < .01), DASH (ß = -0.22, P < .01), HEI-2015 (ß = -0.22, P < .01), and MIND (ß = -0.28, P < .01). Although each diet exhibited potential benefits for metabolic outcomes, only greater MIND diet adherence was associated with lower visceral adiposity and each MetS feature in adults.

Increased neuronal activation in sympathoregulatory regions of the brain and spinal cord in type 2 diabetic rats.

Increased cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) suggests impaired autonomic control of the heart. However, the central regions that contribute to the autonomic cardiac pathologies in type 2 DM are unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that neuronal activation would be increased in central sympathoregulatory areas in a pre-clinical type 2 DM animal model. Immunohistochemistry in 20-week-old male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats revealed an increased number of neurones expressing ΔFosB (a marker of chronic neuronal activation) in the intermediolateral column (IML) of the spinal cord in DM compared to non-diabetic (non-DM) rats (P < 0.05). Rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) neurones activate IML neurones and receive inputs from the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), as well as the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and area postrema (AP), in the brainstem. We observed more ΔFosB-positive noradrenergic RVLM neurones (P < 0.001) and corticotrophin-releasing hormone PVN neurones (P < 0.05) in DM compared to non-DM rats. More ΔFosB-positive neurones were also observed in the NTS (P < 0.05) and AP (P < 0.01) of DM rats compared to non-DM rats. Finally, because DM ZDF rats are obese, we also expected increased activation of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) arcuate nucleus (ARC) neurones in DM rats; however, fewer ΔFosB-positive POMC ARC neurones were observed in DM compared to non-DM rats (P < 0.01). In conclusion, increased neuronal activation in the IML of type 2 DM ZDF rats might be driven by RVLM neurones that are possibly activated by PVN, NTS and AP inputs. Elucidating the contribution of central sympathoexcitatory drive in type 2 DM might improve the effectiveness of pharmacotherapies for diabetic heart disease.

A comparison of the acute physiological responses to BODYPUMP™ versus iso-caloric and iso-time steady state cycling.

OBJECTIVES: Given apparent consumer interest in calorie counting and arguably inadequate understanding of the differential effects of exercise modality despite equivalent caloric expenditure, we sought to quantify and compare the acute physiological responses within and between a BODYPUMP™ (BP) group-fitness class and steady-state cycling (CARDIO), matched for caloric cost (iso-caloric) and time (iso-time). DESIGN: Acute cross-over study design. METHODS: Twelve healthy recreationally active females (30.1±5.8 years [mean±SD]) completed cardiorespiratory fitness and strength tests. Subsequently, BP and CARDIO were performed on separate days in randomized order, during which heart rate was monitored continuously, and rating of perceived exertion solicited. Blood samples were collected immediately pre- and post-trial and at 45min post-trial for determination of human growth hormone (HGH), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and cortisol. Lactate (BL) was determined from capillary blood. All outcome measures were analyzed for within-, and between-trial differences. RESULTS: HGH, IL-6 and BL were significantly elevated immediately post-trial for both BP and cycling; the elevation for HGH and BL was significantly greater for BP than CARDIO. IL6 remained elevated at 45min post-trial for both exercise modes, but there was no significant between trial difference. Mean heart rate for both trials was 68% of individually determined maximum heart rate, and predicted VO2 during BP was 14.9±5.2mlkgmin, or 46.7±19.4%VO2peak. Mean load self-selected by participants during BP ranged from 21±7%1RM to 32±9%1RM across four exercises. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that BP provided some more potent acute physiological effects than iso-caloric and iso-time steady-state cycling.

Systemic effects of ophthalmic cyclopentolate on body weight in neonatal mice.

BACKGROUND: Cyclopentolate is standardly used in ophthalmologic examinations of neonates to facilitate screening for retinopathy of prematurity. Reports of systemic effects have raised concerns of an increased risk of feeding intolerance after the examinations. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to evaluate systemic concentrations of cyclopentolate after ophthalmic administration, as well as assess changes in weight as an indirect measure of alteration in feeding. METHODS: Neonatal mice were randomized into three groups to simulate a neonatal model for ophthalmic medication administration. The cyclopentolate group received a one-time administration of tetracaine, cyclopentolate, and phenylephrine ophthalmologic solutions in accordance with the protocol used at the children's hospital. The placebo group received the same ophthalmic drop administration, except for normal saline in place of cyclopentolate, and the control group received no ophthalmic drops and minimal handling. Daily weights and serum samples to measure systemic concentrations of cyclopentolate post-ophthalmic administration were assessed at baseline and for 7 days following drop administration. RESULTS: Analysis of serum levels demonstrated detectability of systemic cyclopentolate after ophthalmic administration as early as 30 min (86 ng/ml), 1 h (60 ng/ml), and 24 h (6.2 ng/ml). There were also differences in weight gained on following ophthalmic administration observed between the cyclopentolate group and placebo group, with the cyclopentolate group weighing significantly less on days 3 and 7 (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: RESULTS indicate cyclopentolate is absorbed systemically and instillation of cyclopentolate decreases weight gain in neonatal mice compared to placebo. These preclinical findings provide rationale for further studies in neonatal patients.