Energy Intake of Men With Excess Weight During Normobaric Hypoxic Confinement

Due to the observations of weight loss at high altitude, normobaric hypoxia has been considered as a method of weight loss in obese individuals. With this regard, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of hypoxia per se on metabolism in men with excess weight. Eight men living with excess weight (125.0 ± 17.7 kg; 30.5 ± 11.1 years, BMI: 37.6 ± 6.2 kg⋅m–2) participated in a randomized cross-over study comprising two 10-day confinements: normobaric (altitude of facility ≃ 940 m) normoxia (NORMOXIA; PIO2 = 133 mmHg), and normobaric hypoxia (HYPOXIA). The PIO2 in the latter was reduced from 105 (simulated altitude of 2,800 m) to 98 mmHg (simulated altitude of 3,400 m over 10 days. Before, and at the end of each confinement, participants completed a meal tolerance test (MTT). Resting energy expenditure (REE), circulating glucose, GLP-1, insulin, catecholamines, ghrelin, peptide-YY (PYY), leptin, gastro-intestinal blood flow, and appetite sensations were measured in fasted and postprandial states. Fasting REE increased after HYPOXIA (+358.0 ± 49.3 kcal⋅day–1, p = 0.03), but not after NORMOXIA (−33.1 ± 17.6 kcal⋅day–1). Postprandial REE was also significantly increased after HYPOXIA (p ≤ 0.05), as was the level of PYY. Furthermore, a tendency for decreased energy intake was concomitant with a significant body weight reduction after HYPOXIA (−0.7 ± 0.2 kg) compared to NORMOXIA (+1.0 ± 0.2 kg). The HYPOXIA trial increased the metabolic requirements, with a tendency toward decreased energy intake concomitant with increased PYY levels supporting the notion of a hypoxia-induced appetite inhibition, that could potentially lead to body weight reduction. The greater postprandial blood-glucose response following hypoxic confinement, suggests the potential development of insulin resistance.

Pediatric quality of life multidimensional fatigue scale (PedsQL-MFS) detects the effects of a 3-week Inpatient body weight reduction program for children and adolescents with obesity

Background Fatigue is a frequent complaint amongst children and adolescents with obesity, and it interferes with adherence to dietary and exercise regimes that could reduce obesity. The present study evaluated the effect of an inpatient 3-week body weight reduction program on body weight and fatigue. Method One hundred children and adolescents with obesity (64% female; aged 11–18 years) undertook an inpatient program of personalized diet, daily exercise, education, and counselling. Results The sample evidenced a mean reduction in body mass (females: ΔM = 4.3 (sd = 2.1) kg, p < .001), males: ΔM = 6.2 (sd = 2.6) kg, p < .001), BMI standard deviation score (females: ΔM = 0.17 (sd = 0.07), males: ΔM = 0.24 (sd = 0.08), p < .001) and fatigue (females: ΔM = 7.8 (sd = 9.7), males: ΔM = 5.0 (sd = 6.9), p < .001) as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL-MFS) and improvements on the Attention problems subscale of the Youth Self Report (total sample: ΔM = 0.89 (sd = 2.44), p < .001). Reliable change analyses revealed fatigue changes were achieved by up to 34% females and 17% males, but the majority did not achieve reliable change and changes in fatigue were not correlated with changes in body mass. Conclusions The program achieved clinically significant improvements in some children and adolescents. Future studies should explore predictors of treatment responsiveness. Trial registration Observational study. Not registered.

Acute Hypophagia and Changes in c-Fos Immunoreactivity in Adolescent Rats Treated with Low Doses of Oxytocin and Naltrexone

A recent case report has shown that an adjunctive oxytocin + naltrexone (OT + NTX) treatment promoted more robust hypophagia and body weight reduction than OT alone in an adolescent male with hypothalamic obesity after craniopharyngioma resection. Thus far, there has been no basic research in adolescent laboratory animals that would examine whether the benefit of OT + NTX on appetite extends onto adolescent individuals without surgically induced overeating. Thus, here we examined whether low doses of combined OT + NTX acutely affect post-deprivation intake of energy-dense, standard chow; intake of energy-dense and palatable high-fat high-sugar (HFHS) diet; or calorie-dilute, palaTable 10% sucrose solution without deprivation in adolescent male rats. We assessed whether OT + NTX decreases water intake after water deprivation or produces a conditioned taste aversion (CTA). Finally, by using c-Fos immunoreactivity, we determined changes in activity of feeding-related brain areas after OT + NTX. We found that individual subthreshold doses of OT and NTX decreased feeding induced by energy and by palatability. Significant c-Fos changes were noted in the arcuate and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei. The hypophagic doses of OT + NTX did not suppress water intake in thirsty rats and did not cause a CTA, which suggests that feeding reduction is not a secondary effect of gastrointestinal discomfort or changes in thirst processing. We conclude that OT + NTX is an effective drug combination to reduce appetite in adolescent male rats.

Effects of a 3-Week Inpatient Multidisciplinary Body Weight Reduction Program on Body Composition and Physical Capabilities in Adolescents and Adults with Obesity.

Background The aim of the present study was to examine the short-term changes in body composition and physical capabilities in subjects with obesity during a multidisciplinary inpatient body weight reduction program (BWRP). Methods One hundred thirty-nine adolescents (56 boys and 83 girls; BMI: 37.1±6.5 kg/m2; Fat Mass, FM: 45.3±7.2 %) and 71 adults (27 males and 44 females; BMI: 44±4.7 kg/m2; FM: 51.4±4.7 %) followed a 3-week inpatient BWRP consisting of regular physical activity, moderate energy restriction, nutritional education and psychological counseling. Before (T0) and after the end of the BWRP (T21), body composition was assessed with an impedancemeter, lower limb muscle power with Margaria Stair Climbing Test (SCT), lower limb functionality with Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the capacity of performing activity of daily living (ADL) with Physical Performance Test (PPT). Results At T21, obese adolescents showed a 4% reduction in body mass (BM) (p<0.001), associated with a FM (kg) reduction in boys (-10%) and girls (-6%) (p<0.001) and with a 3% reduction in fat-free mass (FFM, kg) recorded only in boys (p=0.013). Obese adults showed a 5% BM reduction (p<0.001), associated with a 2% FFM (kg) reduction (p<0.001) and a reduction of 9% FM (kg) in males and 7% in females (p<0.001). Regarding physical capabilities, at T21 in obese adolescents, PPT score increased by ~4% (p<0.001), SCT (s) decreased by ~5% (boys) and ~7% (girls) (p<0.001), while SPPB score did not significantly change. In obese adults at T21, PPT score increased by 9% (p<0.001), SCT (s) decreased by ~16% (p<0.001) only in females, and SPPB score increased by ~7% (males) and ~10% (females) (p<0.01). Conclusions In conclusion, moderate energy restriction and regular physical activity determine a 4-5% BM reduction during a 3-week inpatient BWRP, improve physical capabilities and induce beneficial changes in body composition in adolescents and adults with obesity. Trial registration: This study was was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Istituto Auxologico Italiano (Milan, Italy; research code: 01C124; acronym: PRORIPONATFIS). Registered 11 November 2020 - Retrospectively registered.

Are Antioxidants Useful in Preventing the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive impairment of renal function for more than three months that affects 15% of the adult population. Because oxidative stress is involved in its pathogenesis, antioxidants are under study for the prophylaxis of CKD progression. The objective of this work was to meta-analyze the efficacy of antioxidant therapy in CKD patients and to identify the most effective candidate antioxidants. Our meta-analysis showed that, despite being quite heterogeneous, overall antioxidant therapy apparently reduced CKD progression. Pentoxifylline and bardoxolone methyl demonstrated a robust and statistically significant protection, while other products showed a favorable but non-significant tendency, due to a high interindividual variability. Off-target (i.e., antioxidant-independent) effects, such as body weight reduction and heart failure-associated blood dilution, might totally or partially explain the protection provided by effective antioxidants. This potential pleiotropy introduces uncertainty on the role of oxidative stress in CKD progression and on antioxidant therapy in its prevention, which needs to be further investigated. Independently, identification of factors determining the nephroprotective effect of each candidate on each patient is thus necessary for a prospectively personalized antioxidant therapy. Finally, pentoxifylline should be further explored for the prophylaxis of CKD progression.

ASAM KLOROGENAT PADA KOPI DAN OBESITAS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW Chlorogenic Acid in Coffee and Obesity: A Systematic Review

Obesity are defined as excessive fat accumulation caused of imbalance energy in and energy out. Consuming a cup of coffee can help prevent obesity through chlorogenic acid compound. Chlorogenic acid is one of biactive component that has an important role to our body. Chlorogenic acid has a potential role in body weight reduction and preventing obesity. Chlorogenic acid has an effect to inhibit the absorption of glucose in the intestine, block the conversion of glucose to fat in the adipose tissue and protect from weight gain. Chlorogenic acid that contain in coffee has a differences that depend on variety, type, roasting duration, temperature and coffee bean size. Based on several studies, giving chlorogenic acid as a form of supplementation or green coffee extract has demonstrated a consistent result. Those studies explain that chlorogenic acid in coffee can inhibit body fat accumulation and reducing body weight. The aim of this systematical review was to know the contain of chlorogenic acid in coffee and analyze the effect of giving chlorogenic acid to obesity. The experimental studies in human and animal subjects in the last 15 years as inclusion criteria and studies that is not represent the anthropometry result as exclusion criteria through electronic database were comprehensively reviewed. The result from five studies demonstrated that chlorogenic acid has an effect to reduce body weight, reduce body fat percentage, and reduce blood glucose concentration with the duration and chlorogenic acid dosage differently. Chlorogenic acid has many benefits in improving the obesity.

To study the in-vivo efficacy and safety of AYUSH polyherbal formulation among COVID-19 infected Syrian gold hamsters

The COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions of people around the world and the resulting disease burden has challenged the already stressed healthcare systems globally. Amidst the increasing morbidity rate of SARS-CoV-2, the scientific community is vigorously researching possible remedies targeted against the virus. Natural herbs have a great potency to cure infectious diseases and are vastly unexplored. The present study aims to investigate Ayurvedic herbs in a unique polyherbal formulation, NOQ19, against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in an animal model. A total of 19 female Syrian hamsters were infected with the virus cell culture through intranasal route. 4 out of 19 animals were mock controls, 5 were infection controls, 4 were treated with remdesivir and acted as positive controls and remaining 6 were treated with NOQ19. The hamsters were observed to note body weight reduction and adverse events followed by sacrifice on day 4 after inoculation with the virus. The lung pathology and viral load was studied in each hamster. Results showed a significant reduction of 78.2% in the viral load for the NOQ19 arm, as compared to the infection control. Gross examination of the lung histology of the NOQ19 arm suggested an improvement in edema and congestion compared to the infection control. Also, no adverse events were noticed in NOQ19 hamster group. Therefore, the authors propose NOQ19 formulation as a potential option to be tested further for its efficacy and efficiency against COVID-19.

Frequent Medical Supervision Increases the Effectiveness of a Longitudinal Multidisciplinary Body Weight Reduction Program: A Real-World Experience in a Population of Children and Adolescents with Obesity

Regular medical supervision represents a fundamental component of the clinical management of obesity. In fact, when frequently supplied it reduces the risk of failure associated with any body weight reduction program (BWRP), resulting in body weight gain. The aim of the present study was to establish the potential beneficial effects of increasing medical supervision on weight loss and other auxometric and cardiometabolic parameters in a population of children and adolescents with obesity (n = 158; F/M = 94/64; age range 9.7–17.3 years; body mass index, BMI = 37.8 ± 6.9 kg/m2), followed up for one year in a real-world setting, after and before a 3-week in-hospital BWRP. Weight loss was significantly associated with medical supervision and changes in several auxometric and cardiometabolic parameters such as fat mass, fat-free mass, waist and hip circumferences, total and LDL cholesterols, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, systolic blood pressure and IDF criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. As expected, weight loss and, congruently, medical supervision, were significantly higher in responsive and stable subjects than in those belonging to the non-responsive group and in responsive subjects than those belonging to the stable group. While weight loss was significantly higher in subjects having class 2 and 3 obesity than those belonging to class 1 obesity group, medical supervision was significantly higher in subjects having class 3 than those having class 1 obesity. Weight loss was significantly higher in subjects suffering from metabolic syndrome than those without; nevertheless, no significant difference was found in medical supervision between these groups. Finally, sex was associated with no differences in weight loss and medical supervision. In conclusion, based on the results of a real-world experience, frequent medical supervision increases the weight loss associated with a longitudinal multidisciplinary BWRP, with a parallel improvement of a set of auxometric and cardiometabolic parameters. Prospectively, incentivising regular medical supervision should reduce the risk of BWRP failure and body weight gain, thus contributing to counteract the detrimental transition from simple obesity to metabolic syndrome in pediatric patients.

The ketogenic diet: a co-therapy in the treatment of mood disorders and obesity - a case report

Introduction: There has been a growing interest in the ketogenic diet (KD) due to its suggested therapeutic potential to support numerous chronic diseases. KD is characterized by high amounts of fats and a reduced amount of carbohydrates and protein intake. During following the nutrition protocol, ketones are synthesised, which are the primary source of energy. The elevated concentration of ketones in blood serum inhibits hunger, what leads to reduced body weight. Some authors suggest KD has antidepressant potential and could stabilise mood by affecting neurotransmitters homeostasis in the central nervous system. Material and methods: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of KD on body weight reduction and improvement of mood in the patients with mood disorder diagnosis. To interpret the results of nutritional intervention, the laboratory parameters and structuralised scales and questionnaires were used. Results: After following 4-week therapy, the reduction of body weight, correction of some laboratory measurements and reduction in mood symptoms were noticed. Conclusions: The ketogenic diet affects the anthropometric measurements. However, a variety of simultaneous therapeutic approaches makes impossible determination of the effect on depressive symptoms.