Association between Intrapancreatic Fat Deposition and the Leptin/Ghrelin Ratio in the Fasted and Postprandial States

Background: The clinical relevance of excess intrapancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) is increasingly appreciated. Leptin and ghrelin are key players in the regulation of food intake, energy balance, and body fat mass. The aim was to investigate the associations of the leptin/ghrelin ratio and its components with IPFD. Methods: All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging on a 3T scanner to quantify IPFD. Both fasting and postprandial blood samples were analyzed for leptin and acylated ghrelin. Linear regression analysis was conducted, accounting for visceral/subcutaneous fat volume ratio, glycated hemoglobin, and other covariates. Results: A total of 94 participants (32 women) with a median age of 56 (interquartile range 44–66) years were studied. Their median IPFD was 9.6% (interquartile range 8.8–10.4%). In the fasted state, the leptin/ghrelin ratio (β = 0.354; 95% confidence interval 0.044–0.663; p = 0.025, in the most adjusted model) and leptin (β = 0.040; 95% confidence interval 1.003–1.078; p = 0.035, in the most adjusted model) were significantly associated with IPFD. Ghrelin in the fasted state was not significantly associated with IPFD. In the postprandial state, the leptin/ghrelin ratio, leptin, and ghrelin were not significantly associated with IPFD. Conclusion: Fasting circulating levels of leptin are directly associated with IPFD. Purposely designed mechanistic studies are warranted to determine how high leptin may contribute to excess IPFD.

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Associations between Intra-Pancreatic Fat Deposition, Pancreas Size, and Pancreatic Enzymes in Health and after an Attack of Acute Pancreatitis

Obesity Facts ◽

10.1159/000519621 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Juyeon Ko ◽

Loren Skudder-Hill ◽

Sunitha Priya ◽

Wandia Kimita ◽

Sakina H. Bharmal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Pancreatitis ◽

Pancreatic Lipase ◽

Exocrine Pancreas ◽

Fat Deposition ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Pancreatic Amylase ◽

Pancreatic Fat ◽

Adjusted Model ◽

Circulating Levels

Introduction: Ectopic fat deposition in the pancreas is involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic sequelae following an attack of pancreatitis. However, its relationship with the exocrine pancreas has never been explored in this setting. The aim was to investigate the associations between intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD), pancreas size, and pancreatic enzymes. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited individuals with a history of acute pancreatitis and healthy controls. All participants underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging, from which IPFD, total pancreas volume (TPV), and pancreas diameters (across the head, body, and tail) were measured independently by 2 raters in a blinded fashion. Circulating levels of pancreatic amylase, pancreatic lipase, and chymotrypsin were measured in a fasted state. A series of linear regression analyses was conducted, accounting for possible confounders. Results: A total of 108 individuals with pancreatitis and 60 healthy controls were studied. There was a statistically significant difference in IPFD (p < 0.001), but not in TPV (p = 0.389), between the groups. In the post-pancreatitis group, IPFD was significantly inversely associated with pancreas tail diameter (β = −0.736, p = 0.036 in the most adjusted model). In the control group, IPFD was significantly inversely associated with TPV (β = −3.557, p = 0.026 in the most adjusted model). Levels of pancreatic amylase were significantly directly associated with pancreas tail diameter in the post-pancreatitis group (β = 3.891, p = 0.042 in the most adjusted model), whereas levels of pancreatic lipase were significantly inversely associated with TPV in the control group (β = −10.533, p = 0.024 in the most adjusted model). Conclusion: Increased IPFD in individuals after an attack of pancreatitis is associated with reduced pancreas tail diameter, which is in turn associated with reduced circulating levels of pancreatic amylase. The relationship between IPFD and the exocrine pancreas warrants further investigations.

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The Association of Circulating MiR-29b and Interleukin-6 with Subclinical Atherosclerosis

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000485649 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 1537-1544 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Yu-qing Huang ◽

Jie Li ◽

Ji-yan Chen ◽

Ying-ling Zhou ◽

An-ping Cai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Multiple Linear Regression ◽

Interleukin 6 ◽

Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Circulating Levels

Background/Aims: Although it is widely acknowledged that atherosclerosis is mainly a chronic inflammatory process, in which both miR-29b and interleukin-6 (IL-6) play multifaceted roles, the association between miR-29b and IL-6 remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between miR-29b and IL-6 and to test whether circulating levels of miR-29b and IL-6 could predict atherosclerosis. Methods: A total of 170 participants were divided into two groups according to carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT): study group (CIMT ≥ 0.9mm) and control group (CIMT < 0.9mm). Levels of circulating miR-29b and IL-6 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The association of miR-29b and IL-6 levels with CIMT was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The study group showed higher miR-29b levels (31.61 ± 3.05 vs. 27.91 ± 1.71 Ct, p < 0.001) and IL-6 levels (3.40 ± 0.67 vs. 2.99 ± 0.37 pg/ml, p < 0.001), compared with the control group. CIMT was positively correlated with miR-29b (r = 0.587, p < 0.001) and IL-6 (r = 0.410, p < 0.001), and miR-29b levels were also correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.242, p = 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis also showed that CIMT was positively correlated with miR-29b and IL-6. After adjustment for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and C-reactive protein, CIMT was still closely correlated with miR-29b and IL-6. The combination of miR-29b and IL-6 (AUC = 0.901, p < 0.001) offered a better predictive index for atherosclerosis than either miR-29b (AUC = 0.867, p < 0.001) or IL-6 (AUC = 0.747, p < 0.001) alone. Conclusion: Circulating levels of miR-29b and IL-6 may be independently correlated with subclinical atherosclerosis, and may serve as novel biomarkers for the identification of atherosclerosis.

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Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy improves liver function compared with endoscopic variceal ligation

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-99855-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tsuguru Hayashi ◽

Tatsuyuki Watanabe ◽

Michihiko Shibata ◽

Shinsuke Kumei ◽

Shinji Oe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Liver Function ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Meld Score ◽

Injection Sclerotherapy ◽

Endoscopic Variceal Ligation ◽

Endoscopic Injection Sclerotherapy ◽

Endoscopic Injection ◽

Liver Functions

AbstractLiver function is a most important prognostic factor in patients with liver cirrhosis. Also, portal hypertension is a fatal complication of liver cirrhosis and variceal treatment is indispensable. However, changes of liver functions after endoscopic variceal treatments are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate prognosis and liver functions after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) and endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL). A total of liver cirrhotic 103 patients who underwent prophylactic EIS and EVL were enrolled. Overall survival rate was higher in EIS group than EVL group (p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that EIS was a negative factor for death (HR: 0.46, 95% confidence interval: 0.24–0.88, p = 0.02). Liver functions were assessed by blood test taken at before and 3 months after treatment. In EIS group, albumin and prothrombin time improved (p < 0.01), leading to improvement of Child–Pugh score, ALBI score and MELD score (p < 0.05). However, these did not improve in EVL group. EIS was a significant factor related to the elevated value of albumin after treatment in linear regression analysis (estimated regression coefficient: 0.17, 95% confidence interval: 0.05–0.29, p = 0.005). These results revealed that EIS could improve liver functions and prognosis.

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Circulating Levels of Free 25(OH)D Increase at the Onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis

10.1101/675124 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Vidyanand Anaparti ◽

Xiaobo Meng ◽

Hemsekhar Mahadevappa ◽

Irene Smolik ◽

Neeloffer Mookherjee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Autoimmune Disorder ◽

Joint Inflammation ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Vitamin D Metabolites ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Hs Crp ◽

Circulating Levels

ABSTRACTObjectiveEpidemiological studies suggest vitamin D deficiency as a potential risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development, a chronic autoimmune disorder highly prevalent in indigenous North American (INA) population. We therefore profiled the circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitaminD [25(OH)D], an active metabolite of vitamin D, in a cohort of at-risk first-degree relatives (FDR) of INA RA patients, a subset of whom subsequently developed RA (progressors).Methods2007 onward, serum samples from INA RA patients and FDR were collected at the time of a structured baseline visit and stored at −20°C. Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), 25(OH)D, hs-CRP, vitamin-D binding protein (VDBP) levels were determined using ELISA and rheumatoid factor (RF) seropositivity was determined by nephelometry.ResultsWe demonstrate that 25 (OH) D concentrations were lower in winter than summer (P=0.0538), and that serum 25(OH)D levels were higher in samples collected and stored after 2013 (P<0.0001). Analysis of samples obtained after 2013 demonstrated that 37.6% of study participants were 25(OH)D insufficient (<75nmol/L). Also, seropositive RA patients and FDR had lower 25(OH)D levels compared to ACPA-/FDR (P<0.05, P<0.01 respectively). Linear regression analysis showed 25(OH)D insufficiency was inversely associated with presence of RA autoantibodies. Longitudinal samples from 14 progressors demonstrated a consistent increase in 25(OH)D levels at the time they exhibited clinically detectable joint inflammation, without any significant change in VDBP levels.ConclusionWe demonstrate that 25(OH)D levels in serum increased at RA onset in progressors. The potential role that vitamin D metabolites and their downstream effects play in RA transition requires further investigation.

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Body fat distribution and metabolic consequences — Examination opportunities in dogs

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica ◽

10.1556/avet.2013.057 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

pp. 169-179 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Linda Müller ◽

Eszter Kollár ◽

Lajos Balogh ◽

Zita Pöstényi ◽

Teréz Márián ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Body Fat ◽

Regional Distribution ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Metabolic Status ◽

Metabolic Effects ◽

Body Regions ◽

Fat Deposits ◽

The Relationship ◽

Fat Volume

The relationship between metabolic disorders and the distribution of fat in different body regions is not clearly understood in humans. The aim of this study was to develop a suitable method for assessing the regional distribution of fat deposits and their metabolic effects in dogs. Twenty-five dogs were subjected to computed tomographic (CT) imaging and blood sampling in order to characterise their metabolic status. The different fat areas were measured on a cross-sectional scan, and the animals’ metabolic status was evaluated by measuring fasting glucose, insulin and leptin levels. The volume of visceral adipose tissue is the main determinant of leptin levels. The correlation of visceral fat volume and leptin concentration was found to be independent of insulin levels or the degree of insulin resistance. There was a positive correlation between the visceral to subcutaneous fat volume ratio and serum insulin concentration, and a similar trend was observed in the relationship of fat ratio and insulin resistance. The distribution of body fat essentially influences the metabolic parameters in dogs, but the effects of adiposity differ between humans and dogs. The findings can facilitate a possible extrapolation of results from animal studies to humans with regard to the metabolic consequences of different obesity types.

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Reduced Skeletal Muscle Volume and Increased Skeletal Muscle Fat Deposition Characterize Diabetes in Individuals after Pancreatitis: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Diseases ◽

10.3390/diseases8030025 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 25

Author(s):

Andre E. Modesto ◽

Juyeon Ko ◽

Charlotte E. Stuart ◽

Sakina H. Bharmal ◽

Jaelim Cho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Psoas Muscle ◽

Fat Deposition ◽

Muscle Volume ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Pancreatic Fat ◽

Adjusted Model

Background: Skeletal muscle has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes but it has never been investigated in diabetes after pancreatitis. The aim was to investigate the relationship between psoas muscle volume (PMV) and diabetes in individuals after pancreatitis, as well as its associations with ectopic fat phenotypes and insulin traits. Methods: Individuals after an attack of pancreatitis and healthy individuals were studied in a cross-sectional fashion. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging, based on which PMV, skeletal muscle fat deposition (SMFD), as well as liver and intra-pancreatic fat depositions were derived. Fasting and postprandial blood samples were collected to calculate indices of insulin sensitivity and secretion. Linear regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for possible confounders (age, sex, body composition, comorbidities, use of insulin, and others). Results: A total of 153 participants were studied. PMV was significantly decreased in the diabetes group compared with healthy controls (β = −30.0, p = 0.034 in the most adjusted model). SMFD was significantly inversely associated with PMV (β = −3.1, p < 0.001 in the most adjusted model). The Matsuda index of insulin sensitivity was significantly directly associated with PMV (β = 1.6, p = 0.010 in the most adjusted model). Conclusions: Diabetes in individuals after pancreatitis is characterized by reduced PMV. Reduced PMV is associated with increased SMFD and decreased insulin sensitivity in individuals after pancreatitis.

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Myostatin regulates fatty acid desaturation and fat deposition through MEF2C/miR222/SCD5 cascade in pigs

Communications Biology ◽

10.1038/s42003-020-01348-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hongyan Ren ◽

Wei Xiao ◽

Xingliang Qin ◽

Gangzhi Cai ◽

Hao Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factor ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Fatty Acid Metabolism ◽

Acid Metabolism ◽

Muscle Growth ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Fat Deposition ◽

Wild Type ◽

Binding Prediction ◽

Stearoyl Coa Desaturase

Abstract Myostatin (MSTN), associated with the “double muscling” phenotype, affects muscle growth and fat deposition in animals, whereas how MSTN affects adipogenesis remains to be discovered. Here we show that MSTN can act through the MEF2C/miR222/SCD5 cascade to regulate fatty acid metabolism. We generated MSTN-knockout (KO) cloned Meishan pigs, which exhibits typical double muscling trait. We then sequenced transcriptome of subcutaneous fat tissues of wild-type (WT) and MSTN-KO pigs, and intersected the differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs to predict that stearoyl-CoA desaturase 5 (SCD5) is targeted by miR222. Transcription factor binding prediction showed that myogenic transcription factor 2C (MEF2C) potentially binds to the miR222 promoter. We hypothesized that MSTN-KO upregulates MEF2C and consequently increases the miR222 expression, which in turn targets SCD5 to suppress its translation. Biochemical, molecular and cellular experiments verified the existence of the cascade. This novel molecular pathway sheds light on new targets for genetic improvements in pigs.

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Feeding forage or concentrates early in life influences rumen fermentation, metabolic response, immune function and growth of Wagyu × Friesian calves

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an18636 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (11) ◽

pp. 1418

Author(s):

M. A. Khan ◽

V. T. Burggraaf ◽

B. Thomson ◽

P. Muir ◽

K. Lowe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Body Composition ◽

Immune Function ◽

Early Life ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Fat Deposition ◽

Beef Production ◽

Milk Feeding

Context Early life nutrition of calves influences their performance later in life. There is limited literature demonstrating the effects of rearing dairy calves in early life on milk with either exclusively forage or concentrate starter diets on metabolic and immune function and post-weaning growth and body composition on a pasture only diet. Aim This study evaluated the effects of feeding Wagyu × Holstein Friesian calves a forage starter (FS) or a concentrate starter (CS) for the first 14 weeks of rearing on rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, immune function, growth and body composition to Week 41. Methods Group-housed calves (Wagyu × Friesian, 10 calves per group, three groups per treatment) were fed milk (2 L per calf twice daily) until Week 7, then transitioned to once a day milk feeding until weaning by Week 9, with ad libitum access to either FS or CS. All calves were transferred to graze ryegrass pastures a week after transitioning to once daily milk feeding, with starter feeds removed gradually by Week 14. Thereafter, calves were reared together on pasture until Week 41. Results Solid feed intake was lower in FS than CS calves during the first 7 weeks. Total short chain fatty acids were lower, but acetate to propionate ratio and rumen pH were higher in FS than CS calves at Week 7, with no differences observed at Week 12 or 30. Plasma β-hydroxybutyrate an indicator of ketogenic ability of the rumen in developing calves was higher in FS vs CS calves at weaning. Further, FS calves had lower concentrations of circulating non-esterified fatty acids compared with CS calves at weaning. Compared with CS calves, FS calves grew slower for the first 14 weeks which was associated with lower plasma IGF-1 levels. However, FS calves had greater average daily gain after 14 weeks when on pasture and had similar plasma IGF-1 at 30 weeks and similar body weight and body composition (muscle and subcutaneous fat deposition) by Week 41 compared to CS calves. Conclusions These results indicate that offering a FS starter has better prepared calves for weaning onto pasture and potentially improved utilisation of forage post-weaning to achieve similar muscle and fat deposition and overall liveweight in both groups by 41 weeks. Implications Dairy beef calves can be successfully reared using forage as the only solid feed source without affecting their growth performance on pasture until 10 months of age. Rearing calves using forage will contribute to reducing the usage of concentrate feeds in pastoral dairy-beef production systems and provide an opportunity to fulfil the market requirements and standards for grain-free beef production.

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Using real-time ultrasound for in vivo assessment of carcass and internal adipose depots of dairy sheep

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859620000106 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 157 (7-8) ◽

pp. 650-658

Author(s):

J. Afonso ◽

C. M. Guedes ◽

A. Teixeira ◽

V. Santos ◽

J. M. T. Azevedo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Live Weight ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Fat Content ◽

Fat Reserves ◽

Intermuscular Fat

AbstractFifty-one Churra da Terra Quente ewes (4–7 years old) were used to analyse the potential of real-time ultrasound (RTU) to predict the amount of internal adipose depots, in addition to carcass fat (CF). The prediction models were developed from live weight (LW) and RTU measurements taken at eight different locations. After correlation and multiple linear regression analysis, the prediction models were evaluated by k-fold cross-validation and through the ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD). All prediction models included at least one RTU measurement as an independent variable. Prediction models for the absolute weight of the different adipose depots showed higher accuracy than prediction models for fat content per kg of LW. The former showed to be very good or excellent (2.4 ⩽ RPD ⩽ 3.8) for all adipose depots except mesenteric fat (MesF) and thoracic fat, with the model for MesF still providing useful information (RPD = 1.8). Prediction models for fat content per kg of LW were also very good or excellent for subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, CF and body fat (2.6 ⩽ RPD ⩽ 3.2), while the best prediction models for omental fat, kidney knob, channel fat and internal fat still provided useful information. Despite some loss in the accuracy of the estimates obtained, there was a similar pattern in terms of RPD for models developed from LW and RTU measurements taken just at the level of the 11th thoracic vertebra. In vivo RTU measurements showed the potential to monitor changes in ewe internal fat reserves as well as in CF.

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