18F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine PET co-registered with MRI in patients with persisting acromegaly.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with 18F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine (FET) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) co-registered with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (FET-PET/MRICR) in the care trajectory for persistent acromegaly. DESIGN: Prospective case series. PATIENTS: Ten patients with insufficiently controlled acromegaly referred to our team to evaluate surgical options. MEASUREMENTS: FET-PET/MRICR was used to support decision-making if MRI alone and multidisciplinary team evaluation did not provide sufficient clarity to proceed to surgery. RESULTS: FET-PET/MRICR showed suspicious (para)sellar tracer uptake in all patients. In five patients FET-PET/MRICR was fully concordant with conventional MRI, and in one patient partially concordant. FET-PET/MRICR identified suggestive new foci in four other patients. Surgical re-exploration was performed in nine patients (aimed at total resection (6), debulking (2), diagnosis (1)), and one patient underwent radiation therapy. In 7 of 9 (78%) operated patients FET-PET/MRICR findings were confirmed intraoperatively, and in six (67%) also histologically. IGF-1 decreased significantly in eight patients (89%). All patients showed clinical improvement. Complete biochemical remission was achieved in three patients (50% of procedures in which total resection was anticipated feasible). Biochemistry improved in five and was unchanged in one patient. No permanent complications occurred. At six months, optimal outcome (preoperative intended goal achieved without permanent complications) was achieved in six (67%) patients and an intermediate outcome (goal not achieved, but no complications) in the other three patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with persisting acromegaly without a clear surgical target on MRI, FET-PET/MRICR is a new tracer to provide additional information to aid decision-making by the multidisciplinary pituitary team.

Clinical use of [18F]fluoro-ethyl-L-tyrosine PET co-registered with MRI for localizing prolactinoma remnants.

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of [18F]fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine PET co-registered with magnetic resonance imaging ([18F]FET-PET/MRICR) in patients with difficult-to-localize prolactinoma to inform clinical decision-making and (surgical) treatment planning. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 17 consecutive patients with prolactinoma undergoing [18F]FET-PET/MRICR between October 2020 and September 2022 for either (1) additional information in case of difficult-to-visualize remnants after prior transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), or pharmacological treatment, or (2) radiological diagnosis in absence of a (clear) adenoma on diagnostic/post-treatment conventional MRI. RESULTS: [18F]FET-PET/MRICR identified a lesion in 14/17 patients, yet failed to identify active lesions in 2 patients with negative conventional MRI despite prolactin > 7.5 times upper limit of normal. [18F]FET-PET/MRICR results were inconclusive in 1 patient due to diffuse tracer uptake 10 weeks post-surgery. [18F]FET-PET/MRICR was completely concordant with a suspected lesion on conventional MRI in 10/17 patients, and partially concordant in 3/17 patients. New foci were identified in 4/17 patients. The [18F]FET-PET/MRICR conclusions influenced clinical shared decision-making in 15/17 patients, of whom 7 patients underwent TSS and 8 refrained from TSS. One patient underwent TSS despite negative [18F]FET-PET/MRICR, and one patient underwent additional imaging. Intraoperative findings corresponded with [18F]FET-PET/MRICR in 5/8 patients, and immunohistochemistry was positive in 5/8 patients. The treatment goal was achieved in 7/8 patients, and remission was achieved in 5/7 patients in whom total resection was considered feasible. CONCLUSION: [18F]FET-PET/MRICR can be of added value in the preoperative decision-making process for selected patients with difficult-to-localize prolactinoma (remnants), or patients lacking a substrate on conventional MRI.

Care trajectories of surgically treated patients with a prolactinoma: why did they opt for surgery?

PURPOSE: To describe care trajectories in patients with prolactinoma, aiming to clarify the rationale for surgery. METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients with prolactinoma undergoing surgery from 2017 to 2019 at the referral center (RC), prior to surgery being considered a viable treatment option (i.e. PRolaCT study). Demographics and clinical data (type and duration of pretreatment and surgical indications, goals, and outcomes) were collected from patient records. Care trajectories were divided into three phases: (1) diagnosis and initial treatment, (2) endocrine treatment at the RC, and (3) surgical treatment. RESULTS: 40 patients were included (31 females (77.5%), median age 26.5 (14-63) years. Indications for surgery were dopamine agonist (DA) intolerance (n = 31, 77.5%), resistance (n = 6, 15.0%), and patient/physician preference (n = 3, 7.5%). Patients were pretreated with DA (n = 39 (97.5%)), and surgery (n = 3 (7.5%)). Median disease duration at surgery was 4 (0-27) years. Primary surgical goal was total resection in 38 patients (95.0%), of which biochemical remission was achieved 6 months postoperatively in 23 patients (62.2%), and clinical remission in 6 patients (16.2%), missing data n = 1. CONCLUSION: Care trajectories were highly individualized based on patient and tumor characteristics, as well as the multidisciplinary team's assessment (need for alternative treatment, surgical chances and risks). Most patients were pretreated pharmacologically and had broad variation in timing of referral, undergoing surgery as last-resort treatment predominantly due to DA intolerance. High quality imaging and multidisciplinary consultations with experienced neurosurgeons and endocrinologists enabling treatment tailored to patients' needs were prerequisites for adequate counseling in treatment of patients with prolactinoma.

Implementation of functional imaging using 11C-methionine PET-CT co-registered with MRI for advanced surgical planning and decision making in prolactinoma surgery.

PURPOSE: To report the first experience of our multidisciplinary team with functional imaging using 11C-methionine positron emission tomography-computed tomography (11C-methionine PET-CT) co-registered with MRI (Met-PET/MRICR) in clinical decision making and surgical planning of patients with difficult to treat prolactinoma. METHODS: In eighteen patients with prolactinoma, referred to our tertiary referral centre because of intolerance or resistance for dopamine agonists (DA), Met-PET/MRICR was used to aid decision-making regarding therapy. RESULTS: Met-PET/MRICR was positive in 94% of the patients. MRI and Met-PET/MRICR findings were completely concordant in five patients, partially concordant in nine patients, and non-concordant in four patients. In five patients Met-PET/MRICR identified lesion(s) that were retrospectively also visible on MRI. Met-PET/MRICR was false negative in one patient, with a cystic adenoma on conventional MRI. Thirteen patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery, with nine achieving full biochemical remission, two clinical improvement and near normalized prolactin levels, and one patient clinical improvement with significant tumour reduction. Hence, nearly all patients (94%) were considered to have a positive outcome. Permanent complication rate was low. Three patients continued DA, two patients have a wait and scan policy. CONCLUSION: Met-PET/MRICR can provide additional information to guide multidisciplinary preoperative and intraoperative decision making in selected cases of prolactinoma. This approach resulted in a high remission rate with a low rate of complications in our expert centre.

Physiological changes due to mild cooling in healthy lean males of white Caucasian and South Asian descent: A metabolomics study.

During mild cold exposure, non-shivering thermogenesis increases to maintain core body temperature by increasing utilization of substrates, especially fatty acids (FA), ultimately affecting lipid-associated metabolites. We aimed to investigate whether mild cooling induces changes in other metabolites and whether this response differs between white Caucasians and South Asians, who have a disadvantageous metabolic phenotype. 12 lean male Dutch white Caucasians and 12 matched Dutch South Asians were exposed to mild cold. Before and after 100 min exposure, serum samples were collected for analysis of 163 metabolites and 27 derived parameters using high throughput metabolomics. The overall response to mild cooling between both ethnicities was not different, therefore the data were pooled. After Bonferroni correction, mild cooling significantly changed 44 of 190 (23%) metabolic parameters. Specifically, cooling increased 19 phosphatidylcholine (PC) species, only those containing very long chain FAs, and increased the total class of PC containing mono-unsaturated FAs (+12.5%). Furthermore, cooling increased 10 sphingomyelin species as well as the amino acids glutamine (+18.7%), glycine (+11.6%) and histidine (+10.6%), and decreased short-chain (C3 and C4) acylcarnitines (-17.1% and -19.4%, respectively). In conclusion, mild cooling elicits substantial effects on serum metabolites in healthy males, irrespective of white Caucasian or South Asian ethnicity.

Middle-aged overweight South Asian men exhibit a different metabolic adaptation to short-term energy restriction compared with Europeans.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: South Asians have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than Europeans. The underlying cause of this excess risk is still poorly understood but might be related to differences in the regulation of energy/nutrient-sensing pathways in metabolic tissues and subsequent changes in whole-body substrate metabolism. In this study, we investigated the whole-body and skeletal muscle metabolic adaptations to short-term energy restriction in South Asian and European volunteers. METHODS: Twenty-four middle-aged overweight South Asian and European men underwent a two-step hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp, with skeletal muscle biopsies and indirect calorimetry before and after an 8 day diet very low in energy (very low calorie diet [VLCD]). Abdominal fat distribution and hepatic triacylglycerol content were assessed using MRI and MR spectroscopy. RESULTS: South Asian men had higher hepatic triacylglycerol content than European men, and exhibited elevated clamp insulin levels that probably reflect a lower insulin clearance rate. Despite higher insulin levels, endogenous glucose production rate was similar and glucose disposal rate (Rd) and nonoxidative glucose disposal rate (NOGD) were significantly lower in South Asian than European men, indicating impaired whole-body insulin sensitivity. Energy restriction decreased abdominal fat mass and hepatic triacylglycerol content in both groups. However, the shift induced by energy restriction from glucose towards lipid oxidation observed in European men was impaired in South Asian men, indicating whole-body metabolic inflexibility. Remarkably, although energy restriction improved hepatic insulin sensitivity in both groups, Rd improved only in South Asian men owing to higher NOGD. At the molecular level, an increase in insulin-induced activation of the skeletal muscle mTOR pathway was found in South Asian men, showing that skeletal muscle energy/nutrient-sensing pathways were differentially affected by energy restriction. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: We conclude that South Asian men exhibit a different metabolic adaptation to short-term energy restriction than European men. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch trial registry ( www.trialregister.nl ), trial number NTR 2473.

High prevalence of cardiovascular disease in South Asians: Central role for brown adipose tissue?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in modern society. Interestingly, the risk of developing CVD varies between different ethnic groups. A particularly high risk is faced by South Asians, representing over one-fifth of the world's population. Here, we review potential factors contributing to the increased cardiovascular risk in the South Asian population and discuss novel therapeutic strategies based on recent insights. In South Asians, classical ('metabolic') risk factors associated with CVD are highly prevalent and include central obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. A contributing factor that may underlie the development of this disadvantageous metabolic phenotype is the presence of a lower amount of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in South Asian subjects, resulting in lower energy expenditure and lower lipid oxidation and glucose uptake. As it has been established that the increased prevalence of classical risk factors in South Asians cannot fully explain their increased risk for CVD, other non-classical risk factors must underlie this residual risk. In South Asians, the prevalence of "inflammatory" risk factors including visceral adipose tissue inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and HDL dysfunction are higher compared with Caucasians. We conclude that a potential novel therapy to lower CVD risk in the South Asian population is to enhance BAT volume or its activity in order to diminish classical risk factors. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory therapy may lower non-classical risk factors in this population and the combination of both strategies may be especially effective.

Short-term high-fat diet increases macrophage markers in skeletal muscle accompanied by impaired insulin signalling in healthy male subjects.

Macrophage markers in skeletal muscle of obese subjects are elevated and inversely relate to insulin sensitivity. The present study aimed to investigate whether short-term high-fat high-calorie (HFHC) diet already increases macrophage markers and affects glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle of healthy lean subjects. Muscle biopsies were obtained from 24 healthy lean young men before and after a 5-day HFHC-diet. mRNA expression levels of relevant genes in muscle and glucose, insulin, C-peptide and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) levels in plasma were measured. In addition, we assessed hepatic triacylglycerol ('triglyceride') (HTG) content by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) biopsies were analysed histologically from a subset of subjects (n=8). A 5-day HFHC-diet markedly increased skeletal muscle mRNA expression of the general macrophage markers CD68 (3.7-fold, P<0.01) and CD14 (3.2-fold, P<0.01), as well as the M1 macrophage markers MARCO (11.2-fold, P<0.05), CD11c (1.8-fold, P<0.05) and MRC1 (1.7-fold, P<0.05). This was accompanied by down-regulation of SLC2A4 and GYS1 mRNA expression, and elevated plasma glucose (+4%, P<0.001) and insulin (+55%, P<0.001) levels together with homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (+48%, P<0.001), suggesting development of insulin resistance (IR). Furthermore, the HFHC-diet markedly increased HTG (+118%, P<0.001) and plasma CETP levels (+21%, P<0.001), a marker of liver macrophage content, whereas sWAT macrophage content remained unchanged. In conclusion, short-term HFHC-diet increases expression of macrophage markers in skeletal muscle of healthy men accompanied by reduced markers of insulin signalling and development of IR. Therefore, recruitment of macrophages into muscle may be an early event in development of IR in response to short-term HFHC-feeding.

Regulation of skeletal muscle energy/nutrient-sensing pathways during metabolic adaptation to fasting in healthy humans.

During fasting, rapid metabolic adaptations are required to maintain energy homeostasis. This occurs by a coordinated regulation of energy/nutrient-sensing pathways leading to transcriptional activation and repression of specific sets of genes. The aim of the study was to investigate how short-term fasting affects whole body energy homeostasis and skeletal muscle energy/nutrient-sensing pathways and transcriptome in humans. For this purpose, 12 young healthy men were studied during a 24-h fast. Whole body glucose/lipid oxidation rates were determined by indirect calorimetry, and blood and skeletal muscle biopsies were collected and analyzed at baseline and after 10 and 24 h of fasting. As expected, fasting induced a time-dependent decrease in plasma insulin and leptin levels, whereas levels of ketone bodies and free fatty acids increased. This was associated with a metabolic shift from glucose toward lipid oxidation. At the molecular level, activation of the protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways was time-dependently reduced in skeletal muscle during fasting, whereas the AMP-activated protein kinase activity remained unaffected. Furthermore, we report some changes in the phosphorylation and/or content of forkhead protein 1, sirtuin 1, and class IIa histone deacetylase 4, suggesting that these pathways might be involved in the transcriptional adaptation to fasting. Finally, transcriptome profiling identified genes that were significantly regulated by fasting in skeletal muscle at both early and late time points. Collectively, our study provides a comprehensive map of the main energy/nutrient-sensing pathways and transcriptomic changes during short-term adaptation to fasting in human skeletal muscle.

The changing treatment paradigm in prolactinoma - a prospective series of 100 consecutive neurosurgical cases.

PURPOSE: To evaluate patients with prolactinoma treated surgically in a time when elective prolactinoma surgery became routine in our center, using a comprehensive outcome set, focusing on preoperative assessments, surgical outcomes, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). METHODS: Cohort of consecutive patients with prolactinoma undergoing surgery between January 2021 and August 2023. Clinical data were collected during multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings/from medical records at distinct timepoints: (1) pre-surgery, (2) two weeks post-surgery, (3) six months post-surgery, and (4) follow-up (median 15.0 (10.0-24.8 months). HR-QoL was measured using the Leiden Bothers and Needs Pituitary (LBNQ-P) questionnaire. Data were described for all patients, and patients undergoing elective total resection, with additional subgroups of (a) patients undergoing a high-probability-first-total-resection, and (b) reoperations aiming for total resection. RESULTS: One hundred surgically treated patients with prolactinoma were included (72 female). Dopamine agonist intolerance was the most frequent indication (n=68). The surgical goal (debulking/total resection) was achieved in 90% of patients. Long-term complications occurred in 4% of patients. Seventy-eight patients underwent an elective total resection, achieving remission in 91%. The subsets of preoperatively estimated high-probability-first-total-resections (n=52), and reoperations (n=9), achieved remission in 92% and 89%, respectively. LBNQ-P Total Bothers and Total Needs scores improved significantly after surgery (p<0.001, Δ-3.4 (IQR -14.4- -0.9) and p=0.006, Δ-1.8 (IQR -11.9-1.3), respectively. CONCLUSION: High remission rates were achieved, improving HR-QoL, evidencing (repeat) prolactinoma surgery is effective in an experienced pituitary center, as highlighted in the most recent guideline (2023).

Testosterone in men with hypogonadism and transgender males: a systematic review comparing three different preparations.

Testosterone therapy is the cornerstone in the care of men with hypogonadism and transgender males. Gel and intramuscular injections are most frequently used and are registered and included in the international guidelines. The specific preparation should be selected according to the patient's preference, cost, availability, and formulation-specific properties. As the majority of men with hypogonadism and transgender males require lifelong treatment with testosterone, it is important to utilize a regimen that is effective, safe, inexpensive, and convenient to use with optimal mimicking of the physiological situation. This systematic review reviews current literature on differences between the three most used testosterone preparations in adult men with hypogonadism and transgender males. Although it appeared hardly any comparative studies have been carried out, there are indications of differences between the preparations, for example, on the stability of testosterone levels, hematocrit, bone mineral density, and patient satisfaction. However, there are no studies on the effects of testosterone replacement on endpoints such as cardiovascular disease in relation to hematocrit or osteoporotic fractures in relation to bone mineral density. The effect of testosterone therapy on health-related quality of life is strongly underexposed in the reviewed studies, while this is a highly relevant outcome measure from a patient perspective. In conclusion, current recommendations on testosterone treatment appear to be based on data primarily from non-randomized clinical studies and observational studies. The availability of reliable comparative data between the different preparations will assist in the process of individual decision-making to choose the most suitable formula.

Early postoperative HPA-axis testing after pituitary tumor surgery: reliability and safety of basal cortisol and CRH test.

PURPOSE: To assess the reliability and safety of a postsurgical evaluation strategy of adrenal function using CRH stimulation and basal cortisol concentrations after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery from 2010 to 2017, in whom early postoperative basal cortisol and/or CRH-stimulated cortisol secretion were available, including confirmation of adrenal function during follow-up. Patients with Cushing's disease were excluded. Optimal test performances were assessed using ROC analysis. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients were included. Sensitivity and specificity of the CRH test were 78% and 90%, respectively, and 86% and 92% for basal cortisol, respectively, using an optimal cutoff of 220 nmol/L. Eight patients had false-negative test results with the CRH test (normal test but adrenal insufficient at follow-up), and six patients with basal cortisol, the majority of which had multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies and fluid imbalances. No clinical adverse events occurred in patients with false-negative test results. The diagnostic performance of a single basal cortisol measurement was superior to the CRH test. CONCLUSIONS: The early postoperative basal cortisol is a safe and simple measurement to guide (dis)continuation of hydrocortisone replacement. However, disturbing factors, e.g., sodium balance disorders, contraceptives, untreated hypopituitarism, and illness impact the interpretation and in those cases this measure is unreliable. We propose an algorithm in which hydrocortisone replacement at discharge is based on basal cortisol <220 nmol/L on postoperative day 2 or 3 in a stable condition.

Short-term cooling increases serum angiopoietin-like 4 levels in healthy lean men.

BACKGROUND: Cold exposure enhances sympathetic outflow to peripheral tissues, thereby stimulating intracellular lipolysis in white adipose tissue and increasing the lipoprotein lipase-dependent uptake and combustion of triglyceride-derived fatty acids (FAs) by brown adipose tissue. Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) inhibits lipoprotein lipase and can be regulated by cold exposure, at least in mice. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we examined the effect of short-term mild cooling on serum ANGPTL4 levels in healthy lean men of White Caucasian and South Asian descent. METHODS: Healthy, lean White Caucasian (n = 12) and South Asian (n = 12) men were exposed to an individualized cooling protocol for 2 hours. Serum ANGPTL4 levels were measured before and after cooling, and its relation with previously measured parameters (ie, free fatty acid [FFA] levels, body fat percentage, and resting energy expenditure) was determined. RESULTS: Short-term cooling increased ANGPTL4 levels (+17%, P < .001). Thermoneutral ANGPTL4 levels positively correlated with FFA levels (R2 = 0.250, P < .05) and body fat percentage (R2 = 0.338, P < .05). Furthermore, ANGPTL4 negatively correlated with resting energy expenditure (R2 = 0.235, P < .05). The relative increase in ANGPTL4 levels was higher in White Caucasians compared with South Asians (25 ± 4 vs 9 ± 4%, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Short-term cooling increases ANGPTL4 levels in healthy lean men. We anticipate that FFA liberated from white adipose tissue during cooling increases ANGPTL4 to limit uptake of triglyceride-derived FA by this tissue.

Lipid droplet dynamics and insulin sensitivity upon a 5-day high-fat diet in Caucasians and South Asians.

A 5-day High-Fat High-Calorie diet (HFHC-diet) reduces insulin-stimulated glucose disposal (Rd) in South Asian, but not Caucasian healthy lean males. We aimed to investigate if differences in myocellular lipid handling are underlying this differential response. A two-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and muscle biopsies were performed in 12 healthy lean Caucasian and South Asian males (BMI < 25 kg/m2, 19-25 years) before and after a 5-day HFHC-diet (regular diet + 375 mL cream/day; 1275 kcal/day; 94% fat). Triglyceride extractions and Western Blots for lipid droplet and mitochondrial proteins were performed. Intramyocellular lipid content and HFHC-diet response were similar between ethnicities (group effect: P = 0.094; diet effect: +~30%, P = 0.044). PLIN5 protein content increased upon the HFHC-diet (P = 0.031) and tended to be higher in South Asians (0.87 ± 0.42 AU vs. 1.35 ± 0.58 AU, P = 0.07). 4-HNE tended to increase in South Asians upon the HFHC-diet (interaction effect: P = 0.057). In Caucasians ΔPLIN5 content correlated with ΔRd (Caucasians: r = 0.756, P = 0.011; South Asians: r = -0.085, P = 0.816), while in South Asians Δ4-HNE associated with ΔPLIN5 content (Caucasians: r = 0.312, P = 0.380; South Asians: r = 0.771, P = 0.003). These data indicate that in Caucasians, PLIN5 may be protective against HFHC-diet induced insulin resistance, which for reasons not yet understood is not observed in South Asians, who possess increased lipid peroxidation levels.

Endocannabinoid tone is higher in healthy lean South Asian than white Caucasian men.

South Asians have a higher risk to develop obesity and related disorders compared to white Caucasians. This is likely in part due to their lower resting energy expenditure (REE) as related with less energy-combusting brown adipose tissue (BAT). Since overactivation of the endocannabinoid system is associated with obesity and low BAT activity, we hypothesized that South Asians have a higher endocannabinoid tone. Healthy lean white Caucasian (n = 10) and South Asian (n = 10) men were cold-exposed to activate BAT. Before and after cooling, REE was assessed and plasma was collected for analysis of endocannabinoids and lipids. At thermoneutrality, South Asians had higher plasma levels of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG; 11.36 vs 8.19 pmol/mL, p < 0.05), N-arachidonylethanolamine (AEA; 1.04 vs 0.89 pmol/mL, p = 0.05) and arachidonic acid (AA; 23.24 vs 18.22 nmol/mL, p < 0.001). After pooling of both ethnicities, plasma 2-AG but not AEA positively correlated with triglycerides (R2 = 0.32, p < 0.05) and body fat percentage (R2 = 0.18, p < 0.05). Interestingly, AA negative correlated with REE (R2 = 0.46, p < 0.001) and positively with body fat percentage (R2 = 0.33, p < 0.01). Cooling increased endocannabinoids. In conclusion, South Asian compared to white Caucasian men have higher endocannabinoid tone. This suggests that endocannabinoids may, at least in part, underlie the disadvantageous metabolic phenotype of South Asians later in life.

LysoPC-acyl C16:0 is associated with brown adipose tissue activity in men.

INTRODUCTION: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) recently emerged as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of obesity and associated disorders due to its fat-burning capacity. The current gold standard in assessing BAT activity is [18F]FDG PET-CT scan, which has severe limitations including radiation exposure, being expensive, and being labor-intensive. Therefore, indirect markers are needed of human BAT activity and volume. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify metabolites in serum that are associated with BAT volume and activity in men. METHODS: We assessed 163 metabolites in fasted serum of a cohort of twenty-two healthy lean men (age 24.1 (21.7-26.6) years, BMI 22.1 (20.5-23.4) kg/m2) who subsequently underwent a cold-induced [18F]FDG PET-CT scan to assess BAT volume and activity. In addition, we included three replication cohorts consisting of in total thirty-seven healthy lean men that were similar with respect to age and BMI compared to the discovery cohort. RESULTS: After correction for multiple testing, fasting concentrations of lysophosphatidylcholine-acyl (LysoPC-acyl) C16:1, LysoPC-acyl C16:0 and phosphatidylcholine-diacyl C32:1 showed strong positive correlations with BAT volume (ß= 116 (85-148) mL, R2 = 0.81, p = 4.6 × 10-7; ß = 79 (93-119) mL, R2 = 0.57, p = 5.9 × 10-4 and ß= 91 (40-141) mL, R2 = 0.52, p = 1.0 × 10-3, respectively) as well as with BAT activity (ß= 0.20 (0.11-0.29) g/mL, R2 = 0.59, p = 1.9 × 10-4; ß = 0.15 (0.06-0.23) g/mL, R2 = 0.47, p = 2.0 × 10-3 and ß= 0.13 (0.01-0.25) g/mL, R2 = 0.28, p = 0.04, respectively). When tested in three independent replication cohorts (total n = 37), the association remained significant between LysoPC-acyl C16:0 and BAT activity in a pooled analysis (ß= 0.15 (0.07-0.23) g/mL, R2 = 0.08, p = 4.2 × 10-4). CONCLUSIONS: LysoPC-acyl C16:0 is associated with BAT activity in men. Since BAT is regarded as a promising tool in the battle against obesity and related disorders, the identification of such a noninvasive marker is highly relevant.

Short-term cooling increases serum triglycerides and small high-density lipoprotein levels in humans.

BACKGROUND: Cold exposure and ß3-adrenergic receptor agonism, which both activate brown adipose tissue, markedly influence lipoprotein metabolism by enhancing lipoprotein lipase-mediated catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and increasing plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and functionality in mice. However, the effect of short-term cooling on human lipid and lipoprotein metabolism remained largely elusive. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the effect of short-term cooling on the serum lipoprotein profile and HDL functionality in men. METHODS: Body mass index-matched young, lean men were exposed to a personalized cooling protocol for 2 hours. Before and after cooling, serum samples were collected for analysis of lipids and lipoprotein composition by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance. Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1)-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL was measured using [3H]cholesterol-loaded ABCA1-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. RESULTS: Short-term cooling increased serum levels of free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Cooling increased the concentration of large very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles accompanied by increased mean size of VLDL particles. In addition, cooling enhanced the concentration of small LDL and small HDL particles as well as the cholesterol levels within these particles. The increase in small HDL was accompanied by increased ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that short-term cooling increases the concentration of large VLDL particles and increases the generation of small LDL and HDL particles. We interpret that cooling increases VLDL production and turnover, which results in formation of surface remnants that form small HDL particles that attract cellular cholesterol.

Higher insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels in healthy, young South Asians as compared to Caucasians during an oral glucose tolerance test.

OBJECTIVE: Higher insulin levels during an oral glucose test (OGTT) have been shown in South Asians. We aimed to investigate if this increased insulin response causes reactive hypoglycemia later on, and if an increased glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) response, which could contribute to the hyperinsulinemia, is present in this ethnic group. METHODS: A prolonged, 6-h, 75-g OGTT was performed in healthy, young Caucasian (n=10) and South Asian (n=8) men. The glucose, insulin and GLP-1 response was measured and indices of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell activity were calculated. RESULTS: Age (Caucasians (CAU) 21.5±0.7 years vs South Asians (SA) 21.4±0.7 years (mean±SEM)) and body mass index (CAU 22.7±0.7 kg/m(2) vs SA 22.1±0.8 kg/m(2)) were comparable between the two groups. South Asian men were more insulin resistant, as indicated by a comparable glucose but significantly higher insulin response, and a significantly lower Matsuda index (CAU 8.7(8.6) vs SA 3.2(19.2), median(IQR)). South Asians showed a higher GLP-1 response, as reflected by a higher area under the curve for GLP-1 (CAU 851±99.8 mmol/l vs SA 1235±155.0 mmol/L). During the whole 6-h period, no reactive hypoglycemia was observed. CONCLUSION: Healthy, young South Asian men have higher insulin levels during an OGTT as compared to Caucasians. This does not, however, lead to reactive hypoglycemia. The hyperinsulinemia is accompanied by increased levels of GLP-1. Whether this is an adaptive response to facilitate hyperinsulinemia to overcome insulin resistance or reflects a GLP-1 resistant state has yet to be elucidated.

A 5-day high-fat, high-calorie diet impairs insulin sensitivity in healthy, young South Asian men but not in Caucasian men.

South Asians (SAs) develop type 2 diabetes at a younger age and lower BMI compared with Caucasians (Cs). The underlying cause is still poorly understood but might result from an innate inability to adapt to the Westernized diet. This study aimed to compare the metabolic adaptation to a high-fat, high-calorie (HFHC) diet between both ethnicities. Twelve healthy, young lean male SAs and 12 matched Cs underwent a two-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp with skeletal muscle biopsies and indirect calorimetry before and after a 5-day HFHC diet. Hepatic triglyceride content (HTG) and abdominal fat distribution were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. At baseline, SAs had higher insulin clamp levels than Cs, indicating reduced insulin clearance rate. Despite the higher insulin levels, endogenous glucose production was comparable between groups, suggesting lower hepatic insulin sensitivity in SAs. Furthermore, a 5-day HFHC diet decreased the insulin-stimulated (nonoxidative) glucose disposal rate only in SA. In skeletal muscle, no significant differences were found between groups in insulin/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, metabolic gene expression, and mitochondrial respiratory chain content. Furthermore, no differences in (mobilization of) HTG and abdominal fat were detected. We conclude that HFHC feeding rapidly induces insulin resistance only in SAs. Thus, distinct adaptation to Western food may partly explain their propensity to develop type 2 diabetes.