miR-21, miR-221 and miR-222 expression and prostate cancer recurrence among obese and non-obese cases

Recent evidence shows that certain microRNAs （miRNAs） play a role in both obesity and prostate cancer recurrence, but the association between the expression of these miRNAs and obesity in prostate cancer recurrence is unknown. In this study, we examined the effect of the interaction between obesity and miR-21, miR-221 or miR-222 expression on prostate cancer recurrence among 28 recurrent and 37 non-recurrent prostate cancer cases, miRNA expression was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for age at diagnosis, clinical stage and Gleason score were used to estimate hazard ratios （HR） and 95% confidence intervals （95% CI） for recurrence free survival. A significantly （P=0.014） higher proportion of recurrent cases （78,6%） than non-recurrent cases （48.6%） had a low expression of miR-21 and the difference was more prominent in obese than non-obese patients. Multivariate analysis showed that the expression of miR-21 was an independent risk factor for recurrence in obese （HR=6.15, 95% CI= 1.04-36.48, P=-0.045）, but not in non-obese （HR= 1.28, 95% C1=0.30-5.49, P=0.74） cases. A significant association with recurrence was not observed for the expression of miR-221 and miR-222. In summary, our findings show that miR-21 is associated with prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy and suggest that the differential expression of miR-21 is more prominent in obese than in non-obese cases. Future larger studies are warranted to confirm these initial findings and to elucidate the mechanisms involved.

The effects of aerobic exercise training on oxidant-antioxidant balance, neurotrophic factor levels, and blood-brain barrier function in obese and non-obese men

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of obesity and aerobic exercise training on oxidant-antioxidant balance,neurotrophic factor levels, and blood-brain barrier(BBB) function.Methods: Ten non-obese healthy men(body mass index < 25 kg/m2) and 10 obese men(body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2) were included in the study.Both groups performed treadmill exercise for 40 min 3 times weekly for 8 weeks at 70% heart rate reserve. Blood samples were collected to examine oxidant-antioxidant balance(reactive oxygen species(ROS) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity levels), neurotrophic factors(brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), nerve growth factor, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor levels), and BBB function(S100βand neuron-specific enolase(NSE) levels) before and after exercise training.Results: The obese group showed significantly greater changes than the non-obese group in serum ROS(-0.46 ± 0.31 mmol/L vs.-0.10 ±0.17 mmol/L,p=0.005),serum S100 p levels(-8.50 ± 5.92 ng/L vs.-0.78 ± 5.45 ng/L,p=0.007),and serum NSE levels(-0.89 ± 0.54 μg/L vs.-0.01 ± 0.74 μg/L,p= 0.007) after training. At baseline,the obese group showed significantly higher serum ROS and S100β levels and significantly lower serum SOD activity and BDNF levels than the non-obese group(p < 0.05). The obese group showed significantly lower serum ROS, S100β,and NSE levels and significantly higher serum SOD activity and BDNF levels after training compared with baseline(p < 0.05).Conclusion: These results suggest that obesity can reduce serum neurotrophic factor levels and can induce BBB dysfunction. On the other hand,aerobic exercise can improve an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in obese subjects and limit BBB dysfunction.

Evaluation of Lipid Profile in Obese and Non-Obese Hypertensive Adult Patients Attended in Medicine Department of a Medical College Hospital of Bangladesh

Background: By the dawn of this modern era of science, the prime challenge of physician is cardiovascular disease (CVD). The most important modifiable risk factors of CVDs are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use. The effects of unhealthy diet and physical inactivity include abnormal blood lipid, obesity and hypertension. We tried to evaluate and correlate the pattern of lipid profile in obese and non-obese hypertensive patients. Objectives: This study was conducted at medicine department of Cumilla Medical College Hospital. The principal aim was to evaluate the lipid profile in obese and non-obese adult hypertensive patients. Methodology: During this cross sectional analytical study, a total of 100 adult hypertensive patients were taken by purposive sampling. Among them 50 (group 1) patients were taken those were obese and 50 (group 2) patients taken those were non-obese according to BMI measurement on operational definition. Diagnosis of hypertension would be established with the help of ambulatory BP measurements two occasions few minutes apart. The staging of hypertension was done according to JNC7 Criteria. Morning blood samples were taken after 8 - 12 hours of fasting and lipid profiles were done on authentic laboratories. The laboratory values were interpreted according to the operational definition of dyslipidaemia. The ethical research and review committee approved the study protocol and signed informed consent was obtained from the participants. The statistics was analyzed using the IBM SPSS software of version 19.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Among the two groups, there were 56 (56%) males and 44 (44%) females. The mean age of group 1 (46.10 ± 11.09) was compared to that of group 2 (45.5 ± 10.6). Lipid profile abnormalities were significantly higher in the stage 2 hypertension (59.62%) and stage 3 hypertension (66.66%), higher in class 2 obese (100%) and class 3 obese subjects (100%), female hypertensive patients had significantly higher BMI than their male counterparts (27.24 ± 3.63 kg/m2 versus 29.29 ± 3.99 kg/m2), lipid profiles were higher in the female than male hypertensive patients (63.33% vs 55.35%) but only TC was statistically significant (4.45 ± 1.19 mmol/l versus 4.86 ± 1.29 mmol/l, p < 0.05). Those who were obese had significant high TG (p < 0.001), high TC (p < 0.001) and high LDL-C (p < 0.001). 38 (76%) of the obese hypertensive patients had dyslipidaemia whereas 21 (42%) of non-obese hypertensive patients had dyslipidaemia. In multivariate regression, TG was significantly and directly associated with BMI of subjects. Dyslipidaemia was more prevalent in the age group 30 - 59 of adult hypertensive patients. It showed that obese hypertensive patients had significantly higher SBP (p < 0.001), DBP (p < 0.001) than non-obese subjects. The mean TC (4.83 ± 0.95 mmol/l versus 4.15 ± 0.57 mmol/l, t = -9.70, p < 0.001), TG (2.64 ± 0.67 mmol/l versus 2.10 ± 0.45 mmol/l, t = -5.37, p < 0.001) and LDL-C (3.00 ± 0.82 mmol/l versus 2.44 ± 0.53 mmol/l, t = -9.11, p < 0.001) were also significantly higher among the hypertensive obese subjects. The mean HDL-C was however comparable in the two groups (1.25 ± 0.27 mmol/l versus 1.24 ± 0.57 mmol/l, t = -0.25, p = 0.08)...

Diets of obese and non-obese children

Aim: To compare diets between obese and non-obese in children. Methods: Thirty-four obese and ten non-obese school children were recruited and their habitual factors of obesity were asked. Intakes of food in the obesity and non-obesity groups were checked using a model nutritional balance chart (MNBC). Results: Average intake ratio of food relative to ideal food intake was significantly higher in the non-obesity group than the obesity group. The relationship between obesity and exercise was significant but not significant for intake ratio of food, times watching TV and playing games. Conclusion: Food intake is not a primary factor of obesity but exercise is a key factor for obesity in school children. Since the effect of diet intervention in obese children was slight, exercise habit would be a more important strategy to reduce obesity than diet in school children.

Diets of obese and non-obese older subjects

Aim: To compare diets between obese and non-obese in healthy older subjects. Methods: Forty-five obese and eighty-seven non-obese older subjects were recruited and their habitual factors that may contribute to obesity were assessed. Intakes of food by food-group in the obesity and non-obesity groups were checked using a visual type presentation of model nutriational balance chart (MNBC). Results: Average intake ratio of food relative to ideal food intake was significantly higher in the obesity group than the non-obesity group. The relationship of obesity and exercise or habitual activities was not significant. Conclusion: Food intake is a primary factor of obesity but regular exercise or habitual activities is not a key factor for obesity in older subjects. Since exercise habit is difficult to achieve in older subjects, particularly those who are obese, food control using the present visualtype MNBC would be one strategy forthe management of obesity.

Correlation between Occupational Stress, Lifestyle, and Hyperglycemia among Obese and Non-Obese Middle-Aged Japanese Male Workers

The aim of this study was to identify the correlation between stress, lifestyle, and hyperglycemia among middle-aged Japanese male workers. We also analyzed the obese (OB) and non-obese (non- OB) groups pertaining to the risk of hyperglycemia. A total of 353 male employees aged between 50 and 59 years taking health checkup sat a company in Japan were examined. The data were collected using validated scales of occupational stress and medical examination. Of the 353 employees, 335 (effective response rate 95%) were analyzed. “Support from colleagues” and “reward from work” reported by the OB group were lower than the non-OB group. The items “eating until satiety” and “having greasy meal often” were significantly more common in the OB group than in the non-OB group. There was a significant correlation between less sleep time and hyperglycemia in the OB group than in the non-OB group. The non-OB group reported more overtime hours than the OB group. Hyperglycemia in the non-OB group was positively correlated with long working hours, “workload,” and “mental workload.” The results indicated that the OB group would benefit from lifestyle interventions, for example, improvement in sleep time and eating habits may prevent hyperglycemia and eventually in obesity. Furthermore, it was suggested that stress in response to “workload” and “mental workload” owing to long working hours leads to hyperglycemia in the non-OB group. Therefore, the improvement of the workplace environment, reducing the number of hours at work, and stress management are required to prevent hyperglycemia in the non-OB group.

Impact of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on the risk of gallbladder polyps in lean and non-obese individuals:A cohort study

Background:The association between non-obese or lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and gallbladder polyps(GBPs)has not yet been evaluated.We aimed to determine whether NAFLD is an independent risk factor for the development of GBPs,even in non-obese and lean individuals.Methods:We analyzed a cohort of 331208 asymptomatic adults who underwent abdominal ultrasonography(US).The risk of GBP development was evaluated according to the obesity and NAFLD status.Results:The overall prevalence of NAFLD and GBPs≥5 mm was 28.5%and 2.9%,respectively.The prevalence of NAFLD among 160276 lean,77676 overweight and 93256 obese participants was 8.2%,31.2%,and 61.1%,respectively.Individuals with NAFLD had a significantly higher incidence of GBPs with a size of≥5 mm[adjusted odds ratio(OR)=1.18;95%confidence interval(CI):1.11–1.25].A higher body mass index and its categories were also significantly associated with an increased risk of GBPs≥5 mm.Moreover,risk of GBPs≥5 mm was significantly increased even in NAFLD individuals who are not obese(lean:adjusted OR=1.36,95%CI:1.19-1.54;overweight:adjusted OR=1.14,95%CI:1.03–1.26,respectively).Conclusions:Non-obese/lean NAFLD is an independent risk factor for GBP development,suggesting that NAFLD may play an important role in the pathogenesis of GBPs regardless of the obesity status.Therefore,a more thorough evaluation for GBPs may be necessary when hepatic steatosis is detected on abdominal US,even in non-obese or lean individuals.

Risk factors and metabolic abnormality of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Either non-obese or obese Chinese population

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) occurs not only in obese individuals but also in non-obese ones. The aim of this study was to focus on the association between NAFLD and metabolic events in a non-obese or obese Chinese population.Methods: Data collected from subjects registered at Taichung Veterans General Hospital from January to December 2009 were analyzed. The exclusion criteria were alcoholics, chronic hepatitis B or C. Patients included in analyses were assigned to four groups according to sonography of their liver(normal or NAFLD), and body mass index(BMI) levels(non-obese if BMI < 25 kg/m~2 or obese if BMI ≥ 25 kg/m~2).Results: There were 745, 208, 770 and 285 patients enrolled in four groups labeled non-obese normal liver(group A), non-obese NAFLD(group B), obese normal liver(group C) and obese NAFLD(group D),respectively. The highest ratio of metabolic syndrome existed in the group B(26.9%), followed by group A(11.7%), group D(10.9%) and finally the group C(5.2%). The positive association with NAFLD in non-obese individuals was significant in triglyceride(OR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01–1.02) and glucose(OR = 1.02; 95% CI:1.01–1.03), while the positive association with NAFLD in obese subjects was only significant in triglyceride(OR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01–1.02). The positive association was most significant in all cases(adjusted OR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.78–3.24), especially in non-obese individuals(OR = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.92–4.12).Conclusions: Non-obese NAFLD subjects displayed a higher proportion of metabolic abnormality. Hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia had the most positive strength association with NAFLD.

Evaluation of Adiponectin, Resistin, IL-6, TNF-α in Obese and Non-obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective To evaluate possible clinical effects of adiponectin, resistin, 1L-6, and TNF-a in obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）. Methods Seventy selected PCOS patients were recruited for this study, and were divided into two groups based on their body mass index （BM1）： 35 obese （BM1 25 kg/m2, group A）, 35 non-obese （BMI〈25 kg/me, group B）. In addition, 35 healthy non-obese women （BMI〈25 kg/m2） were enrolled as the control （group C）. Serum levels of FSH, LH, T, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, resistin, 1L-6, TNF-a. were detected, and compared the differences of them among three groups. Results Blood glucose levels among three groups had no difference （P〉0.05）. Blood insulin level was significantly greater in group A than in group B or group C （P〈0.05）, and a significant difference existed between group B and group C （P〈0. 05）. The ratio of glucose/insulin was significantly higher in group A than in group B or group C （P〈0.05）, and the ratio in group B was significantly higher than that in group C （P〈0.05）. Adiponectin level was significantly lower and resistin level was significantly higher in group A than in group B or group C （P〈0.05）. IL-6 level in group C was significantly lower than that in group A or group B （P〈0.05）, and significant difference was found between group A and group B （P〈0.05）. TNF-a level was a slight high in group B, whereas there was no statistical difference among three groups （P〉0.05）. Conclusion Disturbances of some metabolic and inflammatory adipokines could involve the pathogenesis of PCOS in both obese and non-obese women. Low-grade chronic inflammation might have negative effects on the development of PCOS in non- obese women.

Metabolic syndrome in metabolic obese, non-obese elderly in northern Taiwan

Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high in non-obese adult individuals, but less research focusing on elderly group. We aimed to assess the prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its individual components in metabolic obese, non-obese elderly population in northern Taiwan (body mass index [BMI] 2). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among elderly people (≥65 y/o) who received a senior citizen health examination from March to November 2009. A total of 1180 participants (433 men, 36.7%;748 women, 63.3%) were investigated. The prevalence and odds ratios of metabolic syndrome, as defined by the modified Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), were analyzed in the following BMI groups: 2, 18.5 - 24 kg/m2, 24 - 27 kg/m2, and ≥27 kg/m2. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased with BMI in both women and men (P 2, and 1.09 (1.02 - 1.17) for men with BMI 24 - 27 kg/m2. Conclusions: Elderly individuals in the BMI belong to normal and overweight groups have a relatively high prevalence and increased risk of developing MetS. Therefore, physicians should perform screening examinations for MetS and its risk factors not only in obese patients but also in non-obese elderly patients to prevent Mets. This electronic document is a “live” template. The various components of your paper [title, text, heads, etc.] are already defined on the style sheet, as illustrated by the portions given in this document.

Amelioration of type 1 diabetes following treatment of non-obese diabetic mice with INGAP and lisofylline

Type 1 diabetes mellitus results from the autoimmune and inflammatory destruction of insulin-producing islet β cells, rendering individuals devoid of insulin production. Recent studies suggest that combination therapies consisting of anti-inflammatory agents and islet growth-promoting factors have the potential to cause sustained recovery of β cell mass, leading to amelioration or reversal of type 1 diabetes in mouse models. In this study, we hypothesized that the combination of the anti-inflammatory agent lisofylline (LSF) with an active peptide fragment of islet neogenesis associated protein (INGAP peptide) would lead to remission of type 1 diabetes in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse. We treated groups of spontaneously diabetic NOD mice with combinations of LSF, INGAP peptide, or control saline parenterally for up to 6 weeks. Our results demonstrate that the mice receiving combined treatment with LSF and INGAP peptide exhibited partial remission of diabetes with increased plasma insulin levels. Histologic assessment of pancreata in mice receiving combined therapy revealed the presence of islet insulin staining, increased β cell replication, and evidence of Pdx1-positivity in ductal cells. By contrast, diabetic animals showed severe insulitis with no detectible insulin or Pdx1 staining. We conclude that the novel combination treatment with LSF and INGAP peptide has the potential to ameliorate hyperglycemia in the setting of established type 1 diabetes via the recovery of endogenous β cells and warrant further studies.

Red blood cell level is increased in obese but not in non-obese patients with coronary heart disease

Objective To examine the changes of red blood cell levels in the obese and non-obese patients with coronary heart disease （CHD） and its clinical significance. Methods 230 cases of coronary heart disease were selected and divided into the obese group and the non- obese group. Obesity and non-obesity were defined based on the body mass index （BMI if 28.0kg/m2）, or waist-hip ratio （men〉 0.9, women〉 0.85）. In addition, 130 healthy subjects were recruited as controls. The pathological status of coronary lesions was quantita- tively analyzed according to the Coronary Vascular Image Segmentation Evaluation Criteria （American Heart Association 1984） and the Gensini scoring system. Results of the changes of both the hemoglobin levels and the red blood cell count in the obese group, the non- obese group with CHD and the control group were compared. Besides, Multivariant Logistic Regression Analysis was applied to assess the correlation between the red blood cells and the coronary artery disease. Results The red blood cell count and the level of hemoglobin in the obese group with CHD was higher than that in the non-obese group with CHD [（4.35 ± 0,55） and （4.13 ± 0.56） 10^9/L; （136.71± 15.87） and （129.96 ±16.23） g/L, P 〈 0.05 in both]; the proportion of acute coronary syndrome in the obese group with CHD was higher in the obese group with CI-/D than that in the non-obese group with CHD （P〈0.05）; Multivariant logistic regression analysis also showed that the red blood cell count was positively correlated with obesity with CHD.Conclusion The red blood cell count and the level of hemoglobin in the obese group were higher than those in the non-obese group; the increase of red blood cell count and hemoglobin level is one of the independent risk factors for the obese patients with CHD.

The likelihood of having serum level of PSA of ≥4.0 ng/mL and ≥10.0 ng/mL in non-obese and obese Nigerian men with LUTS

Objective:This study was undertaken to determine the likelihood of having serum total prostate specific antigen(PSA)levels ≥4.0 ng/mL and ≥10.0 ng/mL among a cohort of non-obese and obese Nigerian men with lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS).Methods:This was a prospective cross-sectional survey among men who presented with benign prostatic hypertrophy to the urology clinic of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital,Ado-Ekiti with LUTS between January 1 and December 31,2014.One hundred and forty men who presented in the urologic clinic with LUTS were recruited.PSA was analyzed using standard method while other clinical variables were collected using a clinical case form.Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of an abnormal PSA of ≥4.0 ng/mL or10.0 ng/mL in these men.Results:The mean ages of obese and non-obese men were 64.8 and 64.0 years respectively.The mean total serum PSA were 14.8 and 13.2 ng/mL for obese and non-obese men respectively.Univariate analysis showed no difference(p>0.05)in the proportion of obese and non-obese men with LUTS who had a PSA threshold of at least 4.0 ng/mL.Multivariate logistic regression showed that,at a PSA threshold of 10.0 ng/mL,obese men had a statistically significant proportion(p<0.05).Although not significant,non-obese patients were less likely to have PSA level of ≥4.0 ng/mL(OR 0.701;95%CI 0.301e1.630)compared to obese men.Inthe same vein,non-obese men were less likely to have a PSA level of 10.0 ng/mL(OR,0.686;95%CI,0.318e1.478)in a simultaneous context of age.Conclusion:Our study demonstrated that,in a sample population of predominantly native African men,there was a non-significantly higher likelihood of overweight/obese patients having a higher serum PSA level than the non-obese.A community based study is needed to further confirm this finding.

Differences in metabolic improvement after metabolic surgery are linked to the gut microbiota in non-obese diabetic rats

BACKGROUND Different metabolic/bariatric surgery approaches vary in their effect on weight loss and glucose levels,although the underlying mechanism is unclear.Studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiota might be an important mechanism of improved metabolism after metabolic/bariatric surgery.AIM To investigate the relationship between the improvement in metabolic disturbances and the changes in gut microbiota after gastric or intestinal bypass.METHODS We performed sleeve gastrectomy(SG),distal small intestine bypass(DSIB)or sham surgery in nonobese rats with diabetes induced by 60 mg/kg streptozotocin(STZ-DM).RESULTS The group comparisons revealed that both SG and DSIB induced a reduction in body weight and significant improvements in glucose and lipid metabolism in the STZ-DM rats.Furthermore,DSIB exhibited a stronger glucose-lowering and lipidreducing effect on STZ-DM rats than SG.16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing revealed the gut abundance of some Lactobacillus spp.increased in both the SG and DSIB groups after surgery.However,the DSIB group exhibited a more pronounced increase in the gut abundance of Lactobacillus spp.compared to the SG group,with more Lactobacillus spp.types increased in the gut.CONCLUSION The gut abundance of Lactobacillus was significantly correlated with the improvement in glycolipid metabolism and the change in serum fibroblast growth factor 21 levels.

Relationship Between Serum Testosterone,Leptin,Interleukin-6(il-6)Level and Insulin Sensitivity in Non-obese and Obese Male Subjects in Magway Region,Myanmar

Objective:To determine the relationship between insulin resistance and related variables(serum testosterone,interleukin(IL-6)and leptin level)in obese and non-obese healthy subjects.Methods:Community-based crosssectional,analytic study was undertaken in 60 subjects for each obese group(BMI≥30.0 kg/m2)and non-obese group(BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2)(age;18-45 years)residing in Magway Township from December 2016 to December 2017.Serum insulin,testosterone,IL-6 and leptin levels were measured by enzyme linked immunoassay,and serum fasting glucose was measured by glucose oxidase method.Insulin sensitivity was calculated by HOMA formula(Homeostatic Model Assessment).Results:HOMA-IR,serum leptin and IL-6 level were significantly higher in obese group while serum testosterone level was significantly lower in obese group.There was a significantly correlation between HOMA-IR with leptin(r=0.306,p=0.001),IL-6(r=0.237,p=0.009)and testosterone(r=-0.209,p=0.02).Moreover,serum leptin was significantly and positively correlated with IL-6(r=0.391,p<0.001)while serum testosterone was significantly and negatively correlated with leptin(r=-0.408,p<0.001),and IL-6(r=-0.34,p<0.001).Conclusions:Obese men are more likely to have low testosterone,high inflammatory markers leptin and Il-6,which were associated with decreased insulin sensitivity.

Visceral adipose tissue predicts severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis in obese patients

Acute pancreatitis is a common systemic inflammatory disease, manifested by a spectrum of severity, ranging from mild in the majority of patients to severe acute pancreatitis. Patients with severe acute pancreatitis suffer from severe local and systemic complications and organ failure, leading to a poor prognosis. The early recognition of the severe condition is important to improve prognosis. Obesity has risen in tandem with an increase in the severity of acute pancreatitis in recent years. Studies have revealed that adipose tissue, particularly visceral adipose tissue is associated with the prognosis of acute pancreatitis. This review discussed the role of visceral adipose tissue in obese patients with acute pancreatitis and explored the possible mechanism involved.

Evaluation of retinal and choroidal thickness changes in overweight and obese adults without ocular symptoms by swept-source optical coherence tomography

AIM:To evaluate the relationship of overweight and obesity with retinal and choroidal thickness in adults without ocular symptoms by swept-source optical coherence tomography(SS-OCT).METHODS:According to the body mass index(BMI)results,the adults enrolled in the cross-sectional study were divided into the normal group(18.50≤BMI<25.00 kg/m^(2)),the overweight group(25.00≤BMI<30.00 kg/m^(2)),and the obesity group(BMI≥30.00 kg/m^(2)).The one-way ANOVA and the Chi-square test were used for comparisons.Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between the measured variables.RESULTS:This research covered the left eyes of 3 groups of 434 age-and sex-matched subjects each:normal,overweight,and obesity.The mean BMI was 22.20±1.67,26.82±1.38,and 32.21±2.35 kg/m^(2) in normal,overweight and obesity groups,respectively.The choroid was significantly thinner in both the overweight and obesity groups compared to the normal group(P<0.05 for all),while the retinal thickness of the three groups did not differ significantly.Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that BMI was significantly negatively correlated with choroidal thickness,but no significant correlation was observed between BMI and retinal thickness.CONCLUSION:Choroidal thickness is decreased in people with overweight or obesity.Research on changes in choroidal thickness contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of certain ocular disorders in overweight and obese adults.

Neuroinflammation attenuation effects by celastrol and PDIA3 in the amygdala, hippocampus and dorsal raphe nucleus of obese mice

Nowadays,roughly 603.7 million people are bothered by obesity[1].More seriously,obesity brings inflammation to the peripheral and central nervous system,which compromises the comorbidity of obesity,major depression[2],and cognitive deficits[3].Drug competent in the comorbidity is still lacking.In 2015,Liu et al.[4]reported celastrol(CEL)as a powerful anti-obesity agent.In our previous study.

Comment on:Evaluation of retinal and choroidal thickness changes in overweight and obese adults without ocular symptoms by swept-source optical coherence tomography

Dear Editor,We have read with interest the article by Li et al[1].In the response to this article[1]which is a well thought out and written paper,I would like to draw attention to some critical points in this study and add some comments to the results and the conclusion of the study which authors have detected.In the Li et al’s[1]study,it is detected that,choroidal thickness is significantly negatively correlated with body mass index(BMI)and choroidal thickness is decreased in people with overweight or obesity.

Piperine regulates the circadian rhythms of hepatic clock gene expressions and gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced obese rats

The interplay between the host circadian clock and microbiota has significant influences on host metabolism processes,and circadian desynchrony triggered by high-fat diet(HFD)is closely related to metabolic disorders.In this study,the modulatory effects of piperine(PIP)on lipid metabolism homeostasis,gut microbiota community and circadian rhythm of hepatic clock gene expressions in obese rats were investigated.The Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were fed with normal diet(ND),HFD and HFD supplemented with PIP,respectively.After 9 weeks,rats were sacrificed with tissue and fecal samples collected for circadian analysis.Results showed that chronic PIP administration ameliorated the obesity-induced alterations in lipid metabolism and dysregulation of hepatic clock gene expressions in obese rats.The gut microbial communities studied through 16S rRNA sequencing showed that PIP ameliorated the imbalanced nicrobiota and recovered the circadian rhythm of Lactobacillaceae,Desulfovibrionaceae,Paraprevotellaceae,and Lachnospiraceae.The fecal metabolic profiles indicated that 3-dehydroshikimate,cytidine and lithocholyltaurine were altered,which were involved in the amino acid and fatty acid metabolism process.These findings could provide theoretical basis for PIP to work as functional food to alleviate the lipid metabolism disorder,circadian rhythm misalignment,and gut microbiota dysbiosis with wide applications in the food and pharmaceutic industries.