Intermittent Fasting Reshapes the Gut Microbiota and Metabolome and Reduces Weight Gain More Effectively Than Melatonin in Mice

Background: Intermittent fasting (IF) can reduce energy intake and body weight (BW). Melatonin has many known functions, which include reducing appetite and preventing excessive weight gain.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of IF on body fat and the gut microbiota and metabolome as well as a potential interaction with melatonin.Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice (23.0 ± 0.9 g, 6 wk old) were randomly assigned into four groups (12 mice/group): control (C), intermittent fasting (F), melatonin (M), and intermittent fasting plus melatonin (MF). The C and M groups mice were provided with ad libitum access to food and water, while the F and MF groups underwent alternative-day feed deprivation (15 cycles total). Melatonin was administered in the drinking water of the M and MF groups. Blood, epididymal fat, liver tissue, and intestinal tissue and contents were collected for lab measurements, histology, and microbiota and metabolome analysis. Main effects and interactions were tested by 2-factor ANOVA.Results: IF significantly reduced BW gain and serum glucose, total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels. Adipocyte size significantly decreased with IF, then the number of adipocytes per square millimeter significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared to the C group, the M and MF groups had significantly higher serum melatonin levels (17 and 21%, respectively), although melatonin monotherapy had no effect on serum parameters and adipocytes. There was no interaction between IF and melatonin on BW gain and serum parameters except for on adipocyte area and number per square millimeter, Bacteroidetes and Akkermansia bacterial abundance, and the levels of the intestinal metabolites alanine, valine and isoleucine. IF changed the intestinal microbiota structure, with the F and MF groups clearly separating from the C and M groups. Metabolomic analysis showed that there was obvious separation between all four groups.Conclusions: IF, but neither melatonin nor the interaction between IF and melatonin, could alter intestinal microbiota and metabolism and prevent obesity by reducing BW gain, serum glucose, TC, and TG, and adipocyte size in mice.

Genetic predictors and pathophysiological features of non-alcoholic fat liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of liver disease in highly developed countries. The risk of developing NAFLD and associated complications varies greatly among people of different nationalities and is determined by environmental and genetic factors. Genome-wide studies have revealed strong and reproducible associations between gene variations such as PNPLA3, TM6SF2, MBOAT7, GCKR, HSD17B1, and NAFLD. In this article, we consider the influence of genes and environmental factors on the pathophysiological features of NAFLD. The use of a sufficient population sample with the analysis of SNP arrays and the use of sequencing methods (exome and genome as a whole) will lead to the discovery of additional genetic variants, will inevitably improve the understanding of the pathogenesis of NAFLD, and will allow the development of a technology for personalized risk in assessing the disease in a patient. The aim of our study was to study the genetic predictors of NAFLD based on literature data with the interpretation of the studies. There is now strong evidence that specific variants of genetic risk have a large effect on NAFLD, and their effect is comparable to that of major metabolic risk factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The increased risk extends to the onset and progression of the entire spectrum of NAFLD manifestations, including overall mortality due to liver disease. Currently, individual genetic variants do not allow the creation of a personalized risk profile; therefore, the most expedient approach today is the development of polygenic risk assessments. The number of genetic loci associated with the prevalence and outcome of NAFLD remains limited. The use of a sufficient population sample with the analysis of SNP arrays and the use of sequencing methods (exome and genome as a whole) will lead to the discovery of additional genetic variants and will inevitably improve the understanding of the pathogenesis of NAFLD and will allow the development of a technology for personalized risk in the assessment of the disease.

Evaluation of fatty liver disease using ultrasound in a semi-urban population in Jos, North Central Nigeria

Background: Fat liver is one of the most common abnormalities of the liver depicted on ultrasound and whose impact has not been fully evaluated in Nigeria. Ultrasound scan is an imaging modality that is cheap and readily available and comes in handy in evaluating this disease. Aim of the current study was to determine the relationship of Fatty liver with age, gender, alcohol consumption and body habitus.Methods: This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 316 subjects diagnosed with fatty liver on ultrasound scan. A structured questionnaire was administered to each subject to ascertain their age, sex, and alcohol intake. The weight and height of all subjects were also measured and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated.Results: The study comprises 151 (47.8%) males and 165 (52.2%) females respectively. A good number of the participants 232 (73.4%) were between the age of 30-59 years. The majority of the participants had of 30 kg/m2 and above. Majority of the participants 225 (71.2%) do not consume alcohol. The study showed a positive but weak correlation between increasing BMI and fatty liver span. The study revealed that most participants with liver span <15.9 cm (57.1%) or ≥16 cm (75.5%) have BMI ≥30 kg/m2.Conclusions: This study showed fatty liver is common in all ages and gender but commoner in the middle age groups with strong relationship between increasing body weight and fatty liver, but a weak relationship with regards to the span of the liver.

Impact of Sugar Reduction and PNPLA3 Genotype on Liver Fat, Liver Fibrosis, and Body Composition in Hispanic Youth With Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives Pediatric Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is prevalent among Hispanics, which may partially result from a higher frequency of the C &gt; G polymorphism in the patatin-like phospholipase 3 (PNPLA3) gene. Our prior work showed an interaction between the GG genotype and high dietary sugar, resulting in higher liver fat. Additionally, studies show that extreme sugar depletion improves liver fat in children with obesity. This trial aimed to test whether a clinical intervention for sugar reduction versus standard diet advice in Hispanic youth differentially impacts liver fat, liver fibrosis, body weight and composition, and whether effects differed by PNPLA3 genotype. Methods Hispanic youth with obesity (n = 105; 72% GG) were randomized to a healthy eating control group or a sugar reduction group (goal, &lt;10% of calories from free sugar) for 12 weeks. Participants continued their typical exercise regimens and incorporated their interventions into their ad libitum diet. Liver fat and fibrosis were measured by magnetic resonance imaging and elastography, and body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry before and after the intervention. Results Both treatment and control groups reduced free sugar intake, with a greater reduction in the treatment group (−4.8 ± 6.5% vs. −3.0 ± 8.5%, P = 0.02). At follow-up, free sugar intake in the intervention group was 8.8 ± 5.4% of calories. In modified intent to treat analyses, there were no differential intervention effects on liver fat, liver fibrosis, body weight, body fat or fat distribution (P &gt; 0.05). No treatment by PNPLA3 genotype interaction was observed for any endpoint (P &gt; 0.05). While there was no significant change in fat mass in either study arm, secondary analyses revealed that participants who reduced fat mass, significantly reduced liver fat compared to those without fat mass reduction [−1.8% (−6.2, −3.4) vs. 0.3% (−1.0, 1.1), P &lt; 0.001]. Conclusions In Hispanic Youth with obesity, a clinic-based intervention focused on sugar reduction did not affect liver fat, liver fibrosis, body weight or composition, regardless of PNPLA3 genotype. However, the reduction in sugar intake observed might not have been sufficient to shift liver fat. Further, our results suggest that reducing fat mass is essential to reducing liver fat. Funding Sources The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (MD-010358).

Incidence and Risk Factors of Hyperuricemia among 2.5 Million Chinese Adults during the Years 2017–2018

Objective: To assess the incidence and risk factors of hyperuricemia among Chinese adults in 2017–2018. Methods: A total of 2,015,847 adults (mean age 41.2 ± 12.7, 53.1% men) with serum uric acid concentrations assayed on at least two separate days in routine health examinations during 2017–2018 were analyzed. Hyperuricemia was defined as fasting serum urate concentration >420 μmol/L in men and >360 μmol/L in women. The overall and sex-specific incidence rate were stratified according to age, urban population size, geographical region, annual average temperature and certain diseases. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore risk factors associated with hyperuricemia. Results: 225,240 adults were newly diagnosed with hyperuricemia. The age- and sex-standardized incidence rate per 100 person-years was 11.1 (95%CI: 11.0–11.1) (15.2 for men and 6.80 for women). The risk of hyperuricemia was positively associated with younger age, being male, larger urban population size, higher annual temperature, higher body mass index, lower estimate glomerular filtration rate, hypertension, dyslipidemia and fat liver. Conclusions: The incidence of hyperuricemia was substantial and exhibited a rising trend among younger adults, especially among men. Socioeconomic and geographic variation in incidence were observed. The risk of hyperuricemia was associated with estimate glomerular filtration rate, fat liver and metabolic factors.

Vitex agnus castus and Some Female Disorders: A Review

Vitex agnus castus L., is a deciduous tree which has been utilized in ancient Greece, Iran, Egypt and Rome for over 2500 years for a large variety of female reproductive system health difficulties. In Saudi Arabia, many women have menstrual cycle disturbances and menopausal dysfunction and many have polycystic ovary syndrome at young age. Using Vitex is not in Saudi tradition like other Arab countries. Recently, just few people used this herb for treating some infertility problems. A variety of beneficial effects of this curative herb have been reported in clinical studies, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, anti-diabetic, hormonal modulatory, anti-nociceptive and opioidergic activities, preventing oxidative stress and nonalcoholic fat liver disease. Adverse effects of the plant are mild and reversible. The advantages of this herb as natural medicine attract the people and make it one of best choose and utilize widely in women disorders specially that related with menopauses. Its constituents could interact with dopaminergic antagonists and exhibited progesteronic and estrogenic activities. This brief review introduces this plant to Saudi society and others to expand it usage and discusses the potential effect of the plant to cure some of the women disorders displaying its main ingredients and the side effects.

STRUCTURE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME AND NON-ALCOHOLIC FAT LIVER DISEASE

The article is devoted to the study of the psychological characteristics of the behavior of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The manifestations of NAFLD are a powerful frustrating factor for patients, negatively affect the quality of life, hinder psychosocial adaptation and serve as the basis for the formation of chronic stress from the disease, which blocks the actual needs of the individual. Psychological factors are an important component in the clinical assessment of patients in connection with the individualization of the treatment process and secondary psychoprophylaxis, including methods of somato-centered and personality-centered psychotherapy.

Possibilities of ultrasonic methods of research in the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fat liver disease in children

The prevalence of non-alcohol fatty liver disease in a pediatric population over the past few decades is constantly increasing. The aim of the study - to describe the possibilities of ultrasound methods of research in the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fat liver disease in children. Materials and methods. 47 children with non-alcohol fatty liver disease, aged from 9 to 18 years were investigated: 25 boys (53.19 %) and 22 girls (46.81%). 19 children of prepubertal age (9-12 years old), which accounted for 40.43 % and 28 of puberty age (13-17 years) – 59.57 %. According to the index of body weight in 34 (72.34 %) of investigated children, an excessive body weight (85-95 percentile), and in 13 (27.66 %) children an alimentary-constitutional type of obesity (≥ 95 percentile) were registered. All patients had a laboratory-instrumental examination. Ultrasound examination of abdominal organs according to a generally accepted method, ultrasonic steatometry and ultrasound elastography for determining the signs of fibrous damage were carried out. 26 patients had the diagnosis of liver steatosis and 21 – steatohepatitis. Results of the research. Grayscale ultrasound recorded 2 degrees of echographic changes: with non-alcoholic fatty steatosis in 46.15 %, with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in 85.71 % of cases. According to the results of steatometry, the greatest deviations were in children with excessive body weight and obesity in groups: S-1 (38.46 % – with steatosis and 33.3 % – with steatohepatitis) and S-2 (50 % – with steatosis and 52.38 % with steatohepatitis). A slight increase in the stiffness of the liver parenchyma, according to elastography, has been registered in 2 children with liver steatosis and in 3 patients with steatohepatitis. Conclusion. Ultrasonic methods are an important tool not only in screening diagnosis of the non-alcohol fatty liver disease, but in objective measurements of the fat damage degree and in determining the fibrotic changes in the liver as well.

Photoacoustic technology for biological tissues characterization

The existing photoacoustics (PA) imaging systems showed mixed performance in imaging characteristic and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This work presents the use of an in-house assembled PA system using a modulating laser beam of wavelength 633 nm for two-dimensional (2D) characterization of biological tissues. The differentiation of the tissues in this work is based on differences in their light absorption, wherein the produced photoacoustic signal detected by a transducer was translated into phase value that corresponds to the peak amplitude of optical absorption of tissue namely fat, liver and muscle. This work found fat tissue to produce the strongest PA signal with mean ± standard deviation (SD) phase value = 2.09 ± 0.31 while muscle produced the least signal with phase value = 1.03 ± 0.17. This work discovered the presence of stripes pattern in the reconstructed images of fat and muscle resulted from their structural properties. In addition, a comparison is made in an attempt to better assess the performance of the developed system with the related ones. This work concluded that the developed system may use as an alternative, noninvasive and label-free visualization method for characterization of biological tissues in the future.