Metabolically obese normal-weight children

Non-obese children with elevated serum insulin levels and metabolic disorders such as,hyperglycemia,hypertension,and/or hypertriglyceridemia are a subset of children in high risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life.Since usually the health policies for the prevention of the obesity associated disorders in children are based on the screening focused on the obese,frequently the metabolically obese normalweight(MONW) children are not identified in primary care setting.Given that characterization of the MONW children is an important public health issue,and that a large amount of resources might be unnecessarily used in the screening of metabolic risk of nonobese children; we review data regarding criteria for the early recognition of this subset of children in high risk of developing cardiovascular disease.Results of our review suggests that the presence of family history of type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension,the elevated percentage of body fat,and the high birth-weight should be taken into account as criteria of high cardiovascular risk,irrespective of obesity.

Effects of exercise training on glucose metabolism indicators and inflammatory markers in obese children and adolescents:A metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Obesity in children and adolescents is a serious problem,and the efficacy of exercise therapy for these patients is controversial.AIM To assess the efficacy of exercise training on overweight and obese children based on glucose metabolism indicators and inflammatory markers.METHODS The PubMed,Web of Science,and Embase databases were searched for randomized controlled trials related to exercise training and obese children until October 2023.The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software to evaluate the efficacy of exercise therapy on glucose metabolism indicators and inflammatory markers in obese children.RESULTS In total,1010 patients from 28 studies were included.Exercise therapy reduced the levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG)[standardized mean difference(SMD):-0.78;95%confidence interval(CI):-1.24 to-0.32,P=0.0008],fasting insulin(FINS)(SMD:-1.55;95%CI:-2.12 to-0.98,P<0.00001),homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)(SMD:-1.58;95%CI:-2.20 to-0.97,P<0.00001),interleukin-6(IL-6)(SMD:-1.31;95%CI:-2.07 to-0.55,P=0.0007),C-reactive protein(CRP)(SMD:-0.64;95%CI:-1.21 to-0.08,P=0.03),and leptin(SMD:-3.43;95%CI:-5.82 to-1.05,P=0.005)in overweight and obese children.Exercise training increased adiponectin levels(SMD:1.24;95%CI:0.30 to 2.18,P=0.01)but did not improve tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)levels(SMD:-0.80;95%CI:-1.77 to 0.18,P=0.11).CONCLUSION In summary,exercise therapy improves glucose metabolism by reducing levels of FBG,FINS,HOMA-IR,as well as improves inflammatory status by reducing levels of IL-6,CRP,leptin,and increasing levels of adiponectin in overweight and obese children.There was no statistically significant effect between exercise training and levels of TNF-α.Additional long-term trials should be conducted to explore this therapeutic perspective and confirm these results.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease:An early mediator predicting metabolic syndrome in obese children?

AIM:To investigate if non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an early mediator for prediction of metabolic syndrome,and if liver B-ultrasound can be used for its diagnosis.METHODS:We classified 861 obese children (6-16 years old) into three subgroups:group 0 (normal liver in ultrasound and normal transaminases);group 1 (fatty liver in ultrasound and normal transaminases);and group 2 (fatty liver in ultrasound and elevated transaminases).We measured the body mass index,waist and hip circumference,blood pressure,fasting blood glucose,insulin,homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR),whole-body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI),lipid profile and transaminases in all the participants.The risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MS) was assessed according to the degree of liver fatty infiltration based on the B-ultrasound examination.RESULTS:Among the 861 obese children,587 (68.18%) were classified as having NAFLD,and 221 (25.67%) as having MS.The prevalence of MS in NAFLD children (groups 1 and 2) was 37.64% (221/587),which was much higher than that in non-NAFLD group (group 0,12.04%) (P < 0.01).There were significantly higher incidences concerning every component of MS in group 2 compared with group 0 (P < 0.05).The incidence of NAFLD in MS patients was 84.61% (187/221),which was significantly higher than that of hypertension (57.46%,127/221) and glucose metabolic anomalies (22.62%,50/221),and almost equal to the prevalence of dyslipidemia (89.14%,197/221).Based on the B-ultrasound scales,the presence of moderate and severe liver fatty infiltration carried a high risk of hypertension [odds ratio (OR):2.18,95% confidence interval (95% CI):1.27-3.75],dyslipidemia (OR:7.99,95% CI:4.34-14.73),impaired fasting glucose (OR:3.65,95% CI:1.04-12.85),and whole MS (OR:3.77;95% CI:1.90-7.47,P < 0.01).The state of insulin resistance (calculated by HOMA-IR and WBISI) deteriorated as the degree of fatty infiltration increased.CONCLUSION:NAFLD is not only a liver disease,but also an early mediator that reflects metabolic disorder,and liver B-ultrasound can be a useful tool for MS screening.

New advances of adiponectin in regulating obesity and related metabolic syndromes

Obesity and related metabolic syndromes have been recognized as important disease risks,in which the role of adipokines cannot be ignored.Adiponectin(ADP)is one of the key adipokines with various beneficial effects,including improving glucose and lipid metabolism,enhancing insulin sensitivity,reducing oxidative stress and inflammation,promoting ceramides degradation,and stimulating adipose tissue vascularity.Based on those,it can serve as a positive regulator in many metabolic syndromes,such as type 2 diabetes(T2D),cardiovascular diseases,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),sarcopenia,neurodegenerative diseases,and certain cancers.Therefore,a promising therapeutic approach for treating various metabolic diseases may involve elevating ADP levels or activating ADP receptors.The modulation of ADP genes,multimerization,and secretion covers the main processes of ADP generation,providing a comprehensive orientation for the development of more appropriate therapeutic strategies.In order to have a deeper understanding of ADP,this paper will provide an all-encompassing review of ADP.

Insights into the interplay between gut microbiota and lipid metabolism in the obesity management of canines and felines

Obesity is a prevalent chronic disease that has significant negative impacts on humans and our companion animals,including dogs and cats.Obesity occurs with multiple comorbidities,such as diabetes,hypertension,heart disease and osteoarthritis in dogs and cats.A direct link between lipid metabolism dysregulation and obesity-associated diseases has been implicated.However,the understanding of such pathophysiology in companion animals is lim-ited.This review aims to address the role of lipid metabolism in various metabolic disorders associated with obesity,emphasizing the involvement of the gut microbiota.Furthermore,we also discuss the management of obesity,including approaches like nutritional interventions,thus providing novel insights into obesity prevention and treatment for canines and felines.

Junshanyinzhen tea extract prevents obesity by regulating gut microbiota and metabolic endotoxemia in high-fat diet fed rats

Obesity is associated with gut dysbiosis and metabolic endotoxin.Junshanyinzhen tea extract(JSTE)reduced fat accumulation and body weight in obese mice.However,the effects and mechanism of JSTE in preventing obesity were unclear.Therefore,we used different doses of JSTE(75,150 and 300 mg/(kg·day))to evaluate the effect on high-fat diet(HFD)-induced rats under 8 weeks of intervention.Here,our results showed that JSTE could significantly reduce body weight gain,blood lipid levels and fat accumulation,improve fatty damage in liver tissue(P<0.05).In addition,JSTE increased the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins(P<0.05),relieved metabolic endotoxemia(P<0.05)and chronic low-grade inflammation in HFD rats.Sequencing of fecal samples showed that JSTE could effectively reverse the microbial diversity and the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes to normal levels in HFD-fed rats.Desulfovibrioceae and Erysipelotrichaceae,which are positively related to obesity,were decreased by JSTE intervention(P<0.05).while Bifidobacteriaceae,Bacteroidaceae,Akkermansia,and Clostridium,which are negatively related to obesity,were increased.Together,these results suggested that JSTE might effectively prevent obesity by modulating gut microbiota dysbiosis,intestinal barrier dysfunction,metabolic endotoxemia and chronic low-grade infl ammation in HFD-induced rats.

Comparative study on the weight loss and lipid metabolism by tea polyphenols in diet induced obese C57BL/6J pseudo germ free and conventionalized mice

The role of gut microbiota in terms of host health is becoming increasingly important.In this study,the comparative effects of tea polyphenols(TPs)on weight loss and lipid metabolism on conventionalized mice(CVZ)and pseudo germ-free(PGF)mice(treated with antibiotics)were investigated.Our findings revealed that high fat(HF)diet considerably increased the body weight,total fat and upsurge lipid indices in CVZ mice but PGF mice were not sensitive to the effect of HF diet as CVZ mice.After the dietary administration of TP,body weight,perirenal fat and epididymal fat,liver weight,glucose(GLU)level,total chloestrol(TC level),high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C)level significantly lowered in PGF mice as compared to CVZ mice group.However,the area of fat cells and triglyceride(TG)level were significantly increased in PGF mice.In CVZ mice,TP intervention resulted in a considerable drop in the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio as compared to PGF mice.The intestinal flora of PGF mice was severely reduced after antibiotic treatment,while TP administration restored intestinal diversity;the abundance of Akkermansia and Lactobacillus increased,whereas the abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and Prevotella reduced.Overall,we can assume that PGF obese mice administered with TP have less anti-obesity effects compared to obese CVZ mice.

Indirect calorimetry in obese female subjects: Factors influencing the resting metabolic rate

AIM: To evaluate selected factors influencing resting energy expenditure(REE) in obese female subjects.METHODS: Seventy seven 61 obese Caucasian women [mean age of 52.93 ± 13.45 years, and mean body mass index(BMI) of 41.78 ± 11.54 kg/m2] were enrolled; measurements of resting metabolic rate(RMR) by a ventilated, open-circuit system, indirect calorimeter were performed after an overnight fast. Body composition as well as medications, physical parameters, blood samples, disease pattern, and smoking were considered. RESULTS: RMR was significantly associated with body weight(r = 0.732, P < 0.001), body height(r = 0.401,P = 0.008), BMI(r = 0.504, P < 0.001), waist circumference(r = 0.602, P < 0.001), mid-upper arm circumference(r = 0.417, P = 0.006), mid-upper arm muscle circumference(r = 0.344, P = 0.028), total body water(r = 0.339, P = 0.035), body temperature(r = 0.409, P = 0.007), smoking(P = 0.031), serum T4 levels(r = 0.331, P = 0.036), obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome(OSAS; P = 0.023), impaired glucose tolerance(IGT; P = 0.017) and impaired glycaemic status, including hyperinsulinism, IGT and diabetes mellitus(P = 0.003).CONCLUSION: Future research should be prompted to optimize the procedure of indirect calorimetry to achieve clinical benefits in obese subjects.

Total Antioxidant Status and Other Markers to Distinguish Severely Obese Volunteers with and without Metabolic Syndrome

Obesity (Ob) is an accepted major risk factor for the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a combination of at least three of five risk factors, which predispose to high oxidative stress (OS), but all obese do not show symptoms of MetS. There is dearth of data comparing OS homeostasis of severely obese adults with and without MetS, and need for biomarkers to help in differential diagnosis. Erythrocytic lipid and protein damage markers, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO), antioxidant enzymes erythrocytic superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase (CAT), plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as ferric-reducing-ability-of-plasma (FRAP) were compared to understand OS homeostasis among 102 severely Ob (body mass index > 30), 102 Ob with severe (z-score > 2) MetS as per National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines and 100 healthy non-obese Controls. MDA/PCO and all antioxidant enzymes were lowest for ObMetS, followed by Ob, indicating greater damage to protein moieties of the erythrocytic membrane. Multiple regression analysis confirmed z-scores > 2 as significant predictor of lowered enzymes and TAC. Receiver Operator Curve analysis predicted that TAC was the most potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of MetS with an Odds Ratio of 88.5 indicating the high probability that FRAP would be low for ObMetS (z-score > 2) than for Ob with BMI > 30, but z-scores < 1. TAC is qualified as the most effective biomarker to distinguish between severely obese respondents with and without metabolic syndrome, and as a useful candidate for study of homeostatic breakdown in metabolic syndrome and the importance of z-score in assessment of MetS in obese respondents.

Hepcidin and Iron Metabolism in Non-diabetic Obese and Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Summary： The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of iron levels and hepatic regulatory molecules expression involved in iron metabolism in non-diabetic obese/type 2 diabetic rat models. Male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups： control group, non-diabetic obese group and type 2 dia- betic group （n=20 each）. The rats were evaluated physiologically and biochemically. The hepatic histo- pathological changes were observed using haematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining. The mRNA expres- sion patterns of hepcidin, interleukin-6 （IL-6）, hypoxia-inducible factor （HIF） and ferroportin （Fpn） in the rat liver in control group, non-diabetic obese group and type 2 diabetic group were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. The protein expression patterns of hepcidin in liver of each group were further ana- lyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. As compared with control group, the ferritin in non-diabetic obese group and type 2 diabetic group was increased significantly （P〈0.001）. However, there was no significant difference in soluble transferring receptor （sTfR）：ferritin ratio among the three groups （P〉0.05）. The real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting results all re- vealed that the expression levels of hepcidin in non-diabetic obese group and type 2 diabetic group were elevated significantly as compared with those in control group （P〈0.001）. The expression levels of hep- cidin mRNA between non-diabetic obese group and type 2 diabetic group showed no significant differ- ence （P〉0.05）. However, the protein expression levels of hepcidin in type 2 diabetic group were sig- nificantly higher than those in non-diabetic obese group （P〈0.05）. Compared to control group, the ex- pression levels of IL-6 mRNA in non-diabetic obese group and type 2 diabetic group were increased significantly and the expression levels ofFpn mRNA decreased （P〈0.05）. However, the expression lev- els ofHIF mRNA had no significant difference among three groups. It is suggested that iron metabolism is substantially disturbed in non-diabetic obese and type 2 diabetic rats probably by the abnormal ex- pression of hepcidin in chronic inflammatory status. The increased hepcidin may restrain the iron re- lease from the cells by affecting the expression of Fpn, which probably associates with the development of diabetic complication.

Feeding Soy with Probiotic Attenuates Obesity-Related Metabolic Syndrome Traits in Obese Zucker Rats

Obesity has reached pandemic levels, being a major concern of health. Overweight and obesity are the precursors for metabolic disturbances in the body. Probiotics and prebiotics administrations have shown to reduce the characteristics of obesity-induced metabolic syndrome in animals. The present study examined the effects of dietary supplementation of soybean meal and Bifidobacterium longum (BB536) singly and in combination on obesity-related traits in obese Zucker rats. Control group rats were fed with AIN93-M diet and treatment groups were fed with soybean meal (5 % or 10%) and Bifidobacterium longum (0.1%) in single and combinations for 100 days. Weight gain, feed intake, and % of fat in liver were recorded. Serum biochemical parameters such as cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin and glucose were analyzed. Activities of liver enzymatic markers (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl-transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) were determined. Dietary supplementation of soymeal at 10% with B. longum reduced the weight gain by 30% and liver fat content by 35%. Feeding Bifidobacterium longum alone did not have any effect in analyzing serum biochemical parameters and activity of liver enzymatic markers. Serum glucose and insulin levels in rats were lowered by 18% - 24% and 22% - 25% respectively when fed with administration of combinational feeding of soymeal at 5% and 10% with Bifidobacterium longum. Hepatic enzyme activity was reduced by 1.3 fold with the combinational diet at higher concentration (soy 10%). The present study provides evidence that supplementation with soymeal with probiotic, B. longum attenuates the metabolic disorders induced by obesity in obese Zucker rats.

Comparative Study of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Different Metabolically Healthy Obesity Phenotypes

Aims: Obesity is the major contributor of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), but a unique phenotype of obesity known as metabolically healthy obese (MHO) shows healthier metabolic profile; however understanding of their biochemical correlates is poorly understood. Obesity is defined by Body mass index (BMI), but controversy exists regarding ethnic-specific BMI cut-offs. The present study used the Asian Indian BMI cut-offs to assess relationships of MHO phenotypes with oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation. Methods: In this case-control study, 299 metabolically-healthy (MH) respondents were divided into four groups as per Asian criteria for obesity: MH non-obese (MHNO), MH overweight (MHOW), MHO and MH severely obese (MHSO). Their oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory markers were measured. Results: Levels of hydroxyl radicals (·OH), fluorescent oxidation products (FLOP), MDA, PCO and inflammatory markers CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 were highest in MHSO phenotype followed by the MHO, MHOW and MHNO groups (p > 0.0001), whereas antioxidant markers, CuZn-SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant activity followed the reverse trend. The MHNO and MHOW groups showed significant difference with regard to (·OH) radicals and FLOP. Moreover, ·OH radicals, FLOP and inflammatory markers were significantly correlated to BMI in MHSO and MHO but not in MHNO and MHOW group. Conclusion: The MHO and MHSO phenotype display differences in terms of OS and inflammatory markers at lower BMI cut-offs, indicating that they may be on the way to becoming “unhealthy” obese. The lower BMI cut-offs proposed by Indian Consensus Group would help in understanding of manifestation of metabolic syndrome.

Assessment of mitochondrial function in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease using obese mouse models

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD) is characterized by deregulated hepatic lipid metabolism;however, the association between MAFLD development and mitochondrial dysfunction has yet to be confirmed. Herein, we employed highresolution respirometry, blue native polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis-basedin-gelactivity measurement and immunoblot analysis to assess mitochondrial function in obesity-induced mouse models with varying degrees of MAFLD. Results showed a slight but significant decrease in hepatic mitochondrial respiration in some MAFLD mice compared to mice fed a standard diet. However, the activities and levels of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes remained unchanged during obesity-induced MAFLD progression. These results suggest that mitochondrial function,particularly oxidative phosphorylation, was mildly affected duringo besity-induced MAFLD development. Moreover, transcriptome profiling of mouse and human liver tissues with varying degrees of MAFLD revealed that the decreased activation of mitochondria-related pathways was only associated with MAFLD of a high histological grade, whereas the major regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis were not altered in mice or humans during MAFLD development. Collectively, our results suggest that impaired hepatic mitochondrial function is not closely associated with obesity-induced MAFLD. Therefore,therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondria for the treatment of MAFLD should be reconsidered.

Loganin regulates glycolipid metabolism by influencing intestinal microbiota and AMPK signaling in obese mice

Objective: We aimed to observe the effects of loganin(Log) on serum glycolipid levels and probe the mechanisms focusing on intestinal flora and AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK) signaling in obese mice.Methods: A high-fat diet was given for 12 consecutive weeks to generate the obesity model in institute of cancer research(ICR) mice. Body weight was measured weekly and fasting blood glucose(FBG) was determined every 2 weeks. Both the oral glucose tolerance test and the intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test were performed. The serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride, high-density lipoproteincholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), and free fatty acids(FFA) were measured. The expression of key proteins in the AMPK signaling pathway in skeletal muscle tissue was detected by immunoblotting, and gut microbiota were characterized using 16S rDNA sequencing.Results: Log significantly decreased the body weight and the FBG in obese mice(P <.05), and it could restore FBG to normal levels. The total cholesterol, LDL-C, and FFA levels were significantly reduced by Log compared with the obese controls(TC: P =.0020;LDL-C: P =.0233;FFA: P =.0127), and the glucose tolerance of animals was significantly improved(P =.0477). The western blot results showed that Log could upregulate the protein expression of Adenosine 5‘-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPKa), Sirtuin 1(SIRT1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha(PGC1a) in skeletal muscle tissue of obese mice. 16S rDNA sequencing indicated that Log reduced the diversity of the gut flora in feces and altered the floral composition of obese mice.Conclusions: Log was effective in reducing body weight and improving glucolipid metabolism in obese mice, probably through activating AMPK signaling and regulating intestinal microbial diversity.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome in obese children

I read with great interest the article of Fu et al who investigated whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is an early mediator for prediction of metabolic syndrome,and whether liver B-ultrasound could be used for its diagnosis,in a study involving 861 obese children(6-16 years old).In this study,it was reported that NAFLD is not only a liver disease,but also an early mediator that reflects metabolic disorder,and that liver B-ultrasound can be a useful tool for metabolic syndrome(MS)screening.The authors reported that NAFLD and MS were present in 68.18%and 25.67%of obese children,respectively.Moreover,they observed that the prevalence of MS in NAFLD children was 37.64%,which was much higher than that in the non-NAFLD group.Criteria analogous to those of the Adult Treatment PanelⅢdefinition for MS were used for children in this study.The reported prevalence data on MS in the young has varied markedly,in large part because of disagreement among the variously proposed definitions of MS.Therefore,in my opinion,a study aiming to assess the association between MS components and NAFLD in obese children has to take into account a simple,easy-to-apply clinical definition proposed by the international diabetes federation for MS.Interpretation of the results of the Fu et al study are limited byanother major caveat:that the diagnosis or exclusion of NAFLD was based on liver enzymes and ultrasound imaging,but was not confirmed by liver biopsy.Indeed,it is known that liver enzymes may be within the reference interval in up to 70%of patients with diagnosed NAFLD and that the full histopathological spectrum of NAFLD may be present in patients with normal liver enzymes,which therefore cannot be reliably used to exclude the presence of NAFLD.

Effects of Ethanol Extract of Clinacanthus nutans on Gut Microbiota and Lipid Metabolism of HFD-induced Obese Mice

[Objectives]To explore the effects of ethanol extract of Clinacanthus nutans on gut microbiota and lipid metabolism in high-fat diet(HFD)-induced obese mice.[Methods]A HFD-induced obesity mouse model was established,and the mice were randomly divided into high-fat model group,high-dose and low-dose groups of ethanol extract of C.nutans.Normal group and high-fat model group were given normal saline by intragastric administration every day.The high-dose and low-dose groups of the ethanol extract of C.nutans were given corresponding drugs by intragastric administration.After 8 weeks of administration,the body weight,fat accumulation,blood lipid level,and liver histopathological changes of the mice in each group were compared.The high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA was used to sequence the fecal samples of mice in each group,and the effects of ethanol extract of C.nutans on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota structure in HFD-induced obese mice were analyzed.[Results]Compared with the normal group,the high-fat model group had significantly higher body weight(P<0.01),increased subcutaneous fat accumulation(P<0.01),increased liver fat content,and increased serum TC,TG and LDL levels(P<0.01).Compared with the high-fat model group,the high-dose group of the ethanol extract of C.nutans significantly reduced the body weight of obese mice(P<0.01),reduced the subcutaneous fat accumulation in obese mice(P<0.05),inhibited the synthesis of fat in the liver,significantly reduced serum TC,TG levels(P<0.01),and significantly increased serum HDL levels(P<0.01).Compared with the normal group,the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in the gut microbiota of mice in the high-fat model group was significantly increased,while the relative abundances of Bacteroidetes,Verrucomicrobia,and Akkermansia were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was significantly increased.After treatment with ethanol extract of C.nutans,the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was reduced,the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,Verrucomicrobia and Akkermansia(AKK)increased(P<0.05),while the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria decreased(P<0.05).[Conclusions]HFD-induced obese mice have imbalanced gut microbiota structure and abnormal lipid metabolism,and the ethanol extract of C.nutans can improve the imbalance of microbiota structure and lipid metabolism in obese mice.

Prevalence of Metabolic Obese Normal Weight and Related Risk Factors in South China

[Objectives]Metabolic obese normal weight(MONW)is becoming one of the pubic problems which are threatening human health.Whereas,MONW was facing a great challenge for limited attention,especially for the female in China.The aim of this research was to estimate the prevalence of MONW and its related risk components in South China.[Methods]A community-based cross-sectional study was performed on 3349 residents aged 18-93 years in The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University,Guangzhou,China,in 2019.Data was collected by physical examination data which included physical measurements and laboratory examinations.[Results]In all subjects,55%were females(M/F=1509/1840).The prevalence of MONW was 16.09%(0.04%for male,16.05%for female,P<0.001).The prevalence increased significantly with increasing age in both genders(P<0.001).The binary logistic regression analysis shows that among the risk factors with MONW,age,BMI,gender,systolic pressure,hypertension[Male:ORs=2.56,95%CI(1.23,5.32);Female:ORs=2.88,95%CI(1.76,4.71)]and hypertriglyceridemia[Male:ORs=3.23,95%CI(1.67,6.19);Female:ORs=2.57,95%CI(1.64,4.03)]were found to be statistically significant.The level of ALT in MONW group was(27.88±15.85)in male and(24.33±15.75)in female,which were significantly higher than those in the non-MetS group.[Conclusions]The prevalence of MONW was pretty high.We considered MONW be significantly associated with the increase of ALT.Female gender,advanced age,and elevated ALT were independent risk factors for MONW.It was high time that the government should raise the public attention toward metabolic function in normal weight population.Effective prevention and treatment strategies for MONW and its risk factors should be developed targeting different ages and genders.

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.

Metabolically healthy obesity:Is it really healthy for type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Metabolically healthy obese(MHO)individuals are reported to have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in comparison with individuals with metabolic syndrome.However,the association between MHO and type 2 diabetes(T2DM)is still controversial.Some studies indicated that MHO is a favorable phenotype for T2DM,but more studies showed that MHO individuals have an increased risk of developing T2DM compared with metabolically healthy normalweight individuals,especially among those who would acquire metabolically unhealthy obesity.This has been supported by finding insulin resistance and lowgrade inflammatory responses in MHO individuals with a tendency for impaired beta-cell dysfunction.Studies also showed that liver fat accumulation increased the risk of incidence of T2DM in MHO.Here,we reviewed current literature on the relationship between MHO and T2DM,discussed the determinants for the development of diabetes in MHO,and summarized the measures for the prevention of T2DM in MHO.

Effects of Maternal Linseed Oil Supplementation on Metabolic Parameters in Cafeteria Diet-induced Obese Rats

Because linseed oil may influence maternal and fetal metabolisms, we investigated its role in the modulation of lipid metabolism in cafeteria diet-induced obese rats and their offspring. Female Wistar rats were fed control or cafeteria food, which were either supplemented or not supplemented with linseed oil （5%） for I month before and during gestation. At parturition, serum and tissue lipids and enzyme activities were analyzed. Cafeteria diet induced adverse metabolic alterations in both mothers and offspring. Linseed oil improved metabolic status. In conclusion, linseed oil displayed health benefits by modulating tissue enzyme activities in both obese mothers and their newborns.