The Effect of Body Adiposity and Alcohol Consumption on Serum Uric Acid: A Quantile Regression Analysis Based on the China National Health Survey

Adiposity and alcohol consumption are reported to be associated with a higher level of serum uric acid (SUA), but whether their effect differs on SUA percentile distribution is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate how alcohol intake and body fat percentage (%BF) integrated with body mass index (BMI) influence the distribution of SUA in Chinese adults. Data from the China National Health Survey (CNHS) which included adults from 10 provinces of China were used (n = 31,746, aged 20–80 years, 40% male). %BF and BMI were integrated into eight expanded body composition groups to understand how excess body adiposity affects the distribution of SUA in the populational level. Self-report alcohol intake information was collected by face-to-face questionnaire interview. Quantile regression (QR) was used to analyze the data. We found that adiposity and alcohol consumption were associated with SUA, especially at the upper percentile in both sexes. In obese men, the QR coefficients at the 75th and 95th percentiles were 74.0 (63.1–84.9) and 80.9 (52.5–109.3) μmol/L, respectively. The highest quartile of %BF in men had a 92.6 (79.3–105.9) μmol/L higher SUA levels at its 95th percentile than the 5th quartile (p < 0.001). Compared with normal or underweight with the lowest %BF group (NWBF1), the obesity-highest %BF group (OBBF4) had the strongest positive effect on SUA, especially at the higher percentile of SUA. In BMI-defined normal or underweight participants, a higher quartile of %BF had greater effect size in all SUA percentiles. In men, current alcohol drinking had the strongest effect at the 95th percentile of SUA (QR coefficient: 31.8, with 95% CI: 22.6–41.0) comparing with 14.5, 95% CI of 8.4 to 20.6 in the 5th SUA percentile. High risk of alcohol consumption had a greater effect on SUA, especially in the higher SUA percentile. The observation of stronger association at the higher percentile of SUA suggests that decreasing body adiposity and alcohol intake at the populational level may shift the upper tails of the SUA distributions to lower values, thereby reducing the incidence of hyperuricemia.

Reduced calorie diet combined with NNMT inhibition establishes a distinct microbiome in DIO mice

Treatment with a nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibitor (NNMTi; 5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) combined with low-fat diet (LD) promoted dramatic whole-body adiposity and weight loss in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, rapidly normalizing these measures to age-matched lean animals, while LD switch alone was unable to restore these measures to age-matched controls in the same time frame. Since mouse microbiome profiles often highly correlate with body weight and fat composition, this study was designed to test whether the cecal microbiomes of DIO mice treated with NNMTi and LD were comparable to the microbiomes of age-matched lean counterparts and distinct from microbiomes of DIO mice maintained on a high-fat Western diet (WD) or subjected to LD switch alone. There were minimal microbiome differences between lean and obese controls, suggesting that diet composition and adiposity had limited effects. However, DIO mice switched from an obesity-promoting WD to an LD (regardless of treatment status) displayed several genera and phyla differences compared to obese and lean controls. While alpha diversity measures did not significantly differ between groups, beta diversity principal coordinates analyses suggested that mice from the same treatment group were the most similar. K-means clustering analysis of amplicon sequence variants by animal demonstrated that NNMTi-treated DIO mice switched to LD had a distinct microbiome pattern that was highlighted by decreased Erysipelatoclostridium and increased Lactobacillus relative abundances compared to vehicle counterparts; these genera are tied to body weight and metabolic regulation. Additionally, Parasutterella relative abundance, which was increased in both the vehicle- and NNMTi-treated LD-switched groups relative to the controls, significantly correlated with several adipose tissue metabolites’ abundances. Collectively, these results provide a novel foundation for future investigations.

Influence of physical activity level and body adiposity on lumbar multifidus muscle fat infiltration of low back pain individuals

The stability of the spinal column is largely dependent on the integrity of the spinal muscles, especially the multifidus muscle. However, this important role of the multifidus muscle might be compromised due to both mechanical and non-mechanical causes leading to change in its contents, fat deposition and reduction in the cross-sectional area. This study was carried out to determine the influence of physical activity level and body adiposity indices on lumbar multifidus muscle (LMM) fatty infiltration among individuals with low back pain (LBP). This was a cross-sectional study in which 94 participants, male and female samples with non-specific LBP were recruited conveniently and assessed for LMM fat infiltration, pain intensity, functional disability, physical activity and socio-demographic variables. There were positive and moderate correlations between LMM fatty infiltration body mass index (BMI) (r=0.575, p=0.001), waist circumference (WC) (r=0.514, p=0.001) and gender (r=0.409, p=0.001) for normally distributed data using Pearson moment correlation coefficient. For not normally distributed variables, LMM fatty infiltration was moderately and positively correlated with gender (r=0.422, p=0.001), %body fat (r=0.621, p=0.001), visceral fat (r=0.470, p=0.0001), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (r=0.238, p=0.021) and visual analogue scale (VAS) (r=0.232, p=0.024) respectively. However, there was a weak negative correlation between LMM fatty infiltration and occupation (r=p=0.046). There were significant differences between male and female multifidus fat infiltration and body adiposity indices. There was a positive relationship between multifidus fatty infiltration and BMI, gender, %body fat, visceral mass, ODI and VAS, while we observed a negative relationship between lumbar multifidus fatty infiltration and occupation. Furthermore, the best correlate of lumbar multifidus % body fat.

Interaction Between Caveolin-1 Polymorphism with Dietary Fat Quality Indices and the Relationship with Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and Body Adiposity Index (BAI) Among Overweight and Obese Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background & Aims: Caveolin-1(CAV-1) in adipocyte tissue, and other parts of body, possess numerous biological functions. In the present study, we sought to investigate the interaction between CAV-1 polymorphism with dietary fat quality indices and the relationship with visceral adiposity index (VAI) and body adiposity index (BAI) among overweight and obese women. Methods This study was conducted on 386 women, aged 18-48 years old. Biochemical measurements were measured by standard protocols. We used a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to calculate the dietary intake and the indices of dietary fat quality intake. Anthropometric values and body composition were measured by standard methods. Finally, the CAV-1 genotype was measured using PCR-RFLP method. Results We found a marginally significant difference in waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (P=0.06) and BAI (P=0.06) of participants, after adjusting with potential cofounders. For dietary intakes, after adjusting with the energy intake, mean differences in biotin (P=0.04) and total fiber (P=0.06) were significant and marginally significant, respectively. The interaction between two risk allele genotype group (AA) with omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (W6/W3) on BAI, after adjustment with potential cofounders (age, physical activity, energy intake, education), was marginally positive (β = 14.08, 95%CI= -18.65,46.81, P= 0.07). In comparison to the reference group (GG), there was a positive interaction between the two risk allele (AA) with W6/W3 ratio on VAI (β = 2.81, 95%CI= 1.20,8.84, P= 0.06) in the adjusted model. Conclusions We found that there may be an interaction between CAV-1 genotypes with dietary quality fat indices on VAI and BAI among overweight and obese women.

OXYGEN UPTAKE AND INDICATORS OF OBESITY: META-ANALYSIS INCLUDING 17,604 ADOLESCENTS

ABSTRACT Introduction: Low aerobic fitness levels are associated with excess body adiposity in adolescents. However, studies that have analyzed this association in adolescents have used different methods and measures to evaluate aerobic fitness, making it difficult to compare the results. Objective: To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis of studies that have analyzed the association between aerobic fitness and anthropometric body adiposity indicators in adolescents aged 10-19 years. Methods: A systematic search was performed in May 2016, updated in March 2017, in the following electronic databases: LILACS (BIREME), Embase, MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science (Web of Knowledge), Scopus, and SPORTDiscus. Results: Twenty-three studies were selected. The meta-analysis indicated that as the aerobic fitness levels increased, the BMI, waist circumference and body fat percentage values of the adolescents decreased. Conclusion: There is a negative association between aerobic fitness (evaluated by measuring maximum oxygen uptake in the 20-meter Shuttle Run test) and the body fat percentage, BMI and waist circumference of adolescents and a negative association between aerobic fitness (assessed by measuring the number of laps in the 20-meter Shuttle Run test) and body fat percentage. However, caution is required in the interpretation of data due to the heterogeneity of the studies analyzed. Level of Evidence II; Systematic review of studies with level II of evidence.

Dietary excess regulates absorption and surface of gut epithelium through intestinal PPARα

Intestinal surface changes in size and function, but what propels these alterations and what are their metabolic consequences is unknown. Here we report that the food amount is a positive determinant of the gut surface area contributing to an increased absorptive function, reversible by reducing daily food. While several upregulated intestinal energetic pathways are dispensable, the intestinal PPARα is instead necessary for the genetic and environment overeating–induced increase of the gut absorptive capacity. In presence of dietary lipids, intestinal PPARα knock-out or its pharmacological antagonism suppress intestinal crypt expansion and shorten villi in mice and in human intestinal biopsies, diminishing the postprandial triglyceride transport and nutrient uptake. Intestinal PPARα ablation limits systemic lipid absorption and restricts lipid droplet expansion and PLIN2 levels, critical for droplet formation. This improves the lipid metabolism, and reduces body adiposity and liver steatosis, suggesting an alternative target for treating obesity.

Consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with abdominal obesity in rotating shift workers

Background and aims: Higher intake of ultra-processed foods might be associated with an increased risk of obesity. Our objective was to evaluate the consumption of ultra-processed foods and their association with nutrient intake and excess body adiposity in shift workers.Design: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2016 with 238 male rotating shift workers. Dietary data is obtained by the 24-hour recall and classified according to processing by the NOVA classification system. Body adiposity indicators assessed were waist circumference and body mass index. Logistic regression models were built and adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and dietary variables.Results: Ultra-processed foods represented on average 22.3% of the total caloric value of the individuals' food consumption, with a maximum value of 66.9%. Participants with the highest tercile of ultra-processed foods consumed more carbohydrate (57%), protein (35%), total fat (96%), saturated fat (79%), cholesterol (68%), and sodium (44%) intake compared to the first tercile (p < 0.001). The most frequencies of ultra-processed foods consumed were bread (81.0%), followed by cookies (45.9%), sweetened beverages (45.7%), processed meats (46.8%), and margarine (46.8%). In multivariable analysis, the highest consumption of ultra-processed foods had 183% higher odds of abdominal obesity (OR = 2.83, 95%CI 1.29-6.22), compared with the lowest consumption. Conclusion: Ultra-processed foods are important contributors to the energy intake of these workers, and higher consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with abdominal obesity.

Obesity-Related Indices Are Associated with Longitudinal Changes in Lung Function: A Large Taiwanese Population Follow-Up Study

The global pandemic of obesity and the increasing incidence of chronic respiratory diseases are growing health concerns. The association between obesity and pulmonary function is uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to explore associations between changes in lung function and obesity-related indices in a large longitudinal study. A total of 9059 participants with no personal histories of asthma, smoking, bronchitis, or emphysema were enrolled from the Taiwan Biobank and followed for 4 years. Lung function was assessed using spirometry measurements including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Changes in FEV1/FVC (∆FEV1/FVC) between baseline and follow-up were calculated. The following obesity-related indices were studied: lipid accumulation product (LAP), body roundness index (BRI), conicity index (CI), body adiposity index (BAI), abdominal volume index (AVI), body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). In multivariable analysis, the subjects with high BMI (p < 0.001), WHR (p < 0.001), WHtR (p < 0.001), LAP (p = 0.002), BRI (p < 0.001), CI (p = 0.005), BAI (p < 0.001), and AVI (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a high baseline FEV1/FVC. After 4 years of follow-up, the subjects with high BMI (p < 0.001), WHR (p < 0.001), WHtR (p < 0.001), LAP (p = 0.001), BRI (p < 0.001), CI (p = 0.002), BAI (p < 0.001), and AVI (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a low △FEV1/FVC. High obesity-related index values were associated with better baseline lung function and a rapid decrease in lung function at follow-up.