HOMA-IR as a Predictor of PAI-1 Levels in Women with Severe Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a chronic inflammatory disorder that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Given the high CVD mortality rate among individuals with obesity, early screening should be considered. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), a cytokine that links obesity and CVDs, represents a promising biomarker. However, PAI-1 is not part of the clinical routine due to its high cost. Therefore, it is necessary to find good predictors that would allow an indirect assessment of PAI-1. METHODS: This study enrolled 47 women with severe obesity (SO). The obtained anthropometric measurements included weight, height, neck (NC), waist (WC), and hip circumference (HC). Blood samples were collected to analyse glucose and lipid profiles, C-reactive protein, liver markers, adiponectin, and PAI-1 (determined by ELISA immunoassay). Homeostasis model assessment-adiponectin (HOMA-AD), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were calculated. The women were grouped according to PAI-1 levels. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 21. The significance level for the analysis was set at 5%. RESULTS: Women with SO who have higher levels of PAI-1 have lower values of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (p = 0.037) and QUICKI (0.020) and higher values of HOMA-AD (0.046) and HOMA-IR (0.037). HOMA-IR was demonstrated to be a good predictor of PAI-1 in this sample (B = 0.2791; p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: HOMA-IR could be used as a predictor of PAI-1 levels, pointing out the relevance of assessing glycaemic parameters for the prevention of CVDs in women with SO.

Proposal for a new cut-off point for waist-to-hip ratio in women with severe obesity: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a chronic disease that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), underestimated in this population. The high mortality related to CVD reveals the need for early screening. One of the training tools is the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). However, few studies evaluate its relationship with metabolic changes in severe obesity, making necessary a new cut-off point. METHOD: Cross-sectional study with 75 Brazilian women with severe obesity (mean age: 37,6 years; weight of 122 kg and body mass index (BMI) of 47,8 kg/m2). Height, weight, neck circumference (NC), hip (HC), waist (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were obtained. Blood samples were collected for lipid/glucose profile. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) was explored to define cut-off points for WHR based on SAH. Women were compared using the t-Student/Mann Whitney test. Pearson/Spearman correlations were performed, and the significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: The ROC curve indicated that WHR ≥0.92 best predicted SAH. The group with WHR ≥0.92 had higher Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.037), insulin (p = 0.037), NC (p = 0.004), and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) (p = 0.038). WHR correlated with NC (p = 0.002; r = 0.358), glucose (p = 0.026; r = 0.270); insulin (p = 0.05; r = 0.238); HOMA-IR (p = 0.01; r = 0.3238), triglycerides (p = 0.006; r = 329) and AIP (p = 0.02; r = 0.370). CONCLUSIONS: A new cut-off point for WHR related to SAH in severe obesity is suggested.

The impact of the obesity onset on the inflammatory and glycemic profile of women with severe obesity.

BACKGROUND: The stage of life at the onset of obesity is an important factor in assessing inflammatory state and cardiometabolic risk. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the obesity onset and the inflammatory profile in women with severe obesity. SETTING: Public hospital, Brazil. METHODS: Forty-eight women with severe obesity (20-59 yr old) were evaluated according to weight, height, neck circumference (NC), waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference, as well blood metabolic and inflammatory parameters. The participants were grouped according to obesity onset stage of life (early group: ≤19 yr; late group: >19 yr). RESULTS: The demographic means of the participants were: age of 39.7 years, weight of 122.7 kg and body mass index (BMI) of 48.4 kg/m2. The late group presented significantly higher values of leptin (lep)/adiponectin (adipo) ratio and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) than the early group. The late group also had a lower adipo/lep ratio. Moreover, the late group showed correlations between the lep/adipo ratio and BMI (r = .460, P = .021), NC (r = .478, P = .016), and WC (r = .535, P = .006). Adipo was also correlated with NC (r = -.418, P = .038), WC (r = -.437, P = .029), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) (r = -.485, P = .019). By contrast, in the early group, the lep/adipo ratio showed correlations with insulin (r = .647, P = .004) and HOMA-B (r = .564, P = .015). CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory profile is correlated with anthropometric values in women with late-onset obesity. Inflammatory markers seemed to correlate with the glycemic profile in women with early-onset obesity. Furthermore, inflammation was higher in women with late-onset obesity compared to those with early-onset obesity.

The degree of food processing can influence serum fatty acid and lipid profiles in women with severe obesity.

Background: The increase in the prevalence of obesity is associated with the increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods and may be related to the increase in the disorders involving metabolism and the transport and storage of fatty acids. Objective: To evaluate the effect of processed food consumption according to the degree of processing on the serum fatty acid levels and lipid profile of women with severe obesity. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from anthropometric assessments, the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and blood tests for lipidogram studies and serum fatty acid measurements. The foods consumed were identified through the FFQ and classified according to the degree of processing based on the NOVA rating, and the frequencies of consumption were transformed into scores, as proposed by Fornés methodology. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 21. The significance level for the analysis was set at 5%. Results: This study included 44 women with a mean age of 40.59 years and mean body mass index of 48.61 kg/m2. An inverse association was observed between the consumption of unprocessed and the occurrence of hypertriglyceridemia (p = 0.021) and levels of triglycerides (p = 0.047), total cholesterol (p = 0.030), and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p = 0.039). The consumption of processed foods was positively associated with the presence of hypertriglyceridemia (p = 0.044) and omega 6/3 ratio (p = 0.001) and negatively associated with total omega 3 levels (p = 0.011). The consumption of processed foods was positively associated with total cholesterol (p = 0.041) and negatively associated with the omega 3/6 ratio (p = 0.001). A negative correlation was found between the average consumption of ultra-processed foods (at least once a week) and serum level of high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.035). Conclusion: The consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods was associated with unfavorable lipid profiles and fatty acid levels in women with severe obesity. These results emphasize the importance of promoting the consumption of unprocessed food to mitigate metabolic disorders linked to processed food intake.

Acute caffeine mouth rinsing does not improve 10-km running performance in CYP1A2 C-allele carriers.

PURPOSE: This study assessed whether caffeine mouth rinsing affects 10-km run performance and vertical jump in recreational runners. METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted. Ten well-trained volunteers performed two trials, following caffeine or placebo mouth rinse, separated by seven days. Immediately before the 10-km run, a 10-second mouth rinse with either 300 mg of caffeine (1.2%) or microcrystalline cellulose (placebo) diluted in 25 mL of water was performed. Pre- and post-exercise, participants performed a vertical jump test. A Garmin Forerunner® GPS, was used to measure 10-km running time and an 11-point Borg scale was used post-exercise to measure ratings of perceived exertion. Blood samples were also collected during the visit in the laboratory in the afternoon period to classify individuals according to their CYP1A2 genotype. Vertical jump performance was evaluated using a force plate. RESULTS: Nine runners (90%) were CC homozygotes and one (10%) was an AC heterozygote for CYP1A2. There was no difference in 10-km time-trial performance (Placebo: 47.07 ± 5.18 vs. CAF: 47.45 ± 6.34 min, p = 0.89), ratings of perceived exertion (Placebo: 17 ± 1 vs. CAF: 16 ± 2, p = 0.34) or vertical jump power (Placebo, Pre: 4.5 ± 0.6 W•kg-1 and Post: 4.5 ± 0.7 W•kg-1; CAF: Pre: 4.4 ± 0.7 W•kg-1 and Post: 4.4 ± 0.8 W•kg-1, d = 0.21, p = 0.66) between trials. CONCLUSION: Acute caffeine mouth rinsing (1.2%) did not improve 10-km performance and showed similar null effects on vertical jump performance in CYP1A2 C-allele carriers.

Acute Caffeine Mouth Rinse Does Not Change the Hydration Status following a 10 km Run in Recreationally Trained Runners.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Caffeine mouth rinsing has emerged as an alternative to oral caffeine consumption for improving performance without provoking lower gastrointestinal distress. However, it remains unclear if hydration status and sweat rate are negatively affected by caffeine mouth rinsing. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of 10 seconds of caffeine mouth rinsing (1.2% anhydrous caffeine solution) on hydration status and sweat rate following a 10 km run trial. METHODS: Ten recreationally trained runners (30.1 ± 6.4 y) volunteered to participate in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, and crossover research study. Participants completed two 10 km run trials separated by approximately one week. Immediately prior to running, participants completed a 10-second mouth rinse protocol with either 300 mg of caffeine or microcrystalline cellulose (placebo) diluted in 25 mL of water. The effects of caffeine mouth rinsing on hydration status and sweat rate were assessed following a 10 km run trial. RESULTS: Sweat rate (placebo: 15.34 ± 9.71 vs. caffeine: 11.91 ± 6.98 mL · min-1; p = 0.39), dehydration (placebo: 1.20 ± 0.57 vs. caffeine: 1.49 ± 0.29%; p = 0.15), and hydration (placebo: 15.32 ± 9.71 vs. caffeine: 11.89 ± 6.99 mL · min-1; p = 0.37) measures were not significantly different between trials. CONCLUSION: Caffeine mouth rinse does not appear to alter the hydration status or sweat rate following a 10 km run.