Weight-loss in obese dogs promotes important shifts in fecal microbiota profile to the extent of resembling microbiota of lean dogs

Background Among the undesirable changes associated with obesity, one possibility recently raised is dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota. Studies have shown changes in microbiota in obese rats and humans, but there are still few studies that characterize and compare the fecal microbiota of lean, obese and dogs after weight loss. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of a weight loss program (WLP) in fecal microbiota of dogs in addition to comparing them with those of lean dogs. Twenty female dogs of different breeds, aged between 1 and 9 years were selected. They were equally divided into two groups: Obese group (OG), with body condition score (BCS) 8 or 9/9, and body fat percentage greater than 30%, determined by the deuterium isotope dilution method, and lean group (LG) with BCS 5/9, and maximum body fat of 15%. Weight loss group (WLG) was composed by OG after loss of 20% of their current body weight. Fecal samples were collected from the three experimental groups. Total DNA was extracted from the feces and these were sequenced by the Illumina methodology. The observed abundances were evaluated using a generalized linear model, considering binomial distribution and using the logit link function in SAS (p < 0.05). Results The WLP modulated the microorganisms of the gastrointestinal tract, so that, WLG and LG had microbial composition with greater biodiversity than OG, and intestinal uniformity of the microbiota (Pielou’s evenness index) was higher in OG than WLG dogs (P = 0.0493) and LG (P = 0.0101). In addition, WLG had values of relative frequency more similar to LG than to OG. Conclusion The fecal microbiota of the studied groups differs from each other. The weight loss program can help to reverse the changes observed in obese dogs.

The role of social support in achieving weight loss in adults in the Caribbean aiming to achieve remission of type 2 diabetes: A cross-case analysis

BackgroundRemission of type 2 diabetes through weight loss is possible in a high proportion of persons with a recent diagnosis, but a major challenge is achieving sufficient weight loss.ObjectivesIn the first study of this type in the Caribbean, we investigated factors associated with successful weight loss in adults in a diabetes remission intervention. We hypothesized that differences in social support may have influenced differences in weight loss achieved by participants in the Barbados Diabetes Reversal Study (BDRS).MethodsA comparative case study was conducted. Quantitative data for the primary outcome measure of weight reduction (the participants’ baseline and 8-month weights) were assessed to identify the 6 participants with the highest and 6 participants with the lowest weight loss. The 8-week (low-calorie diet phase) and 8-month (weight maintenance phase) interview transcripts for each participant were then analysed via qualitative thematic analysis to explore factors related to social support.ResultsInformal and formal support were identified for both categories of participants. Cases were similar with respect to their sources of support however dissimilarities were found in (1) the depth of support received; (2) access to supportive environments and (3) diversity of social supportive networks. Participants in the top weight loss group reported consistency in the levels of support received over the low-calorie diet and weight maintenance phases of the study while the converse was true for those of the bottom weight loss group.ConclusionStudy findings suggest that individuals aiming at type 2 diabetes remission benefit from strong social support networks. These networks provide tangible assistance and facilitate the sharing and discussion of strategies for weight reduction. Future studies should facilitate in-depth understanding of how formal and informal supportive networks can aid sustained dietary diabetes remission and long-term weight maintenance.

The Effect of Four Weeks Dietary Intervention with 8-Hour Time-Restricted Eating on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Young Adults

Recently, intermittent fasting, also known as time-restricted eating (TRE), has become a popular diet trend. Compared to animal studies, there have been few studies and inconclusive findings investigating the effects of TRE in humans. In this study, we examined the effects of 8 h TRE on body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults who were mainly active at night. A total of 33 young adults completed the 8 h TRE for 4 weeks. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline and every 2 weeks, and blood samples were collected at baseline and week 4. Daily dietary records were logged throughout the intervention period. Participants experienced significant changes in body weight (−1.0 ± 1.4 kg), body mass index (−0.4 ± 0.5 kg/m2), and body fat (−0.4 ± 1.9%) after 4 weeks of TRE. When participants were divided into weight loss/gain groups based on their weight change in week 4, fat mass reduction was significantly higher in the weight loss group than in the weight gain group. Regarding cardiometabolic risk factors, levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance improved in the weight loss group after intervention, but not in the weight gain group. All subjects showed late-shifted sleeping patterns, but no significant differences in sleep duration, sleep quality, or psychological measures between the two groups. When meal frequency and energy proportion were evaluated, the average meal frequency was 2.8 ± 0.5 and energy proportions of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks were 4.5, 39.2, 37.6, and 18.5%, respectively; there were no significant differences between the two groups. However, the saturated fat intake at dinner was lower in the weight loss group (3.1 ± 3.2%, 6.0 ± 2.5% respectively). In conclusion, 8 h TRE can be applied as a lifestyle strategy to manage body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors among young adults with late chronotypes.

Metformin Affects Gut Microbiome Composition and Function and Circulating Short-Chain Fatty Acids: A Randomized Trial

<b>Objective:</b> To determine the longer-term effects of metformin and behavioral weight loss on gut microbiota and SCFAs. <p><b>Methods: </b>We conducted a parallel-arm, randomized trial. We enrolled overweight/obese adults who had been treated for solid tumors but had no ongoing cancer treatment and randomized them (n=121) to: 1) metformin (up to 2000mg), 2) coach-directed behavioral weight loss, or 3) self-directed care (control) for 12 months. We collected stool and serum at baseline (n=114), 6 months (n=109) and 12 months (n=105). From stool, we extracted microbial DNA and conducted amplicon and metagenomic sequencing. We measured SCFAs and other biochemical parameters from fasting serum. </p> <p><b>Results: </b>Of the 121 participants, 79% were female, 46% were black, and the mean age was 60y. Only metformin intervention significantly altered microbiota composition. Compared to control, metformin increased <i>E. Coli</i> and <i>Ruminococcus torques</i> and decreased <i>Intestinibacter Bartletti</i> at both 6 and 12 months, and decreased the genus <i>Roseburia (genus)</i>, including <i>R. faecis</i> and <i>R. intestinalis,</i> at 12 months. Effects were similar when comparing metformin to the behavioral weight loss group. Metformin also altered 62 metagenomic functional pathways and increased butyrate, acetate, and valerate at 6 months. Behavioral weight loss vs. control did not significantly alter microbiota composition, but did increase acetate at 6 months. Increases in acetate were associated with decreases in fasting insulin.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Metformin, but not behavioral weight loss, impacted gut microbiota composition and function at 6 months and 12 months. Both metformin and behavioral weight loss altered 6-month SCFAs, including increasing acetate which correlated with improved insulin sensitivity.</p>

Metformin Affects Gut Microbiome Composition and Function and Circulating Short-Chain Fatty Acids: A Randomized Trial

<b>Objective:</b> To determine the longer-term effects of metformin and behavioral weight loss on gut microbiota and SCFAs. <p><b>Methods: </b>We conducted a parallel-arm, randomized trial. We enrolled overweight/obese adults who had been treated for solid tumors but had no ongoing cancer treatment and randomized them (n=121) to: 1) metformin (up to 2000mg), 2) coach-directed behavioral weight loss, or 3) self-directed care (control) for 12 months. We collected stool and serum at baseline (n=114), 6 months (n=109) and 12 months (n=105). From stool, we extracted microbial DNA and conducted amplicon and metagenomic sequencing. We measured SCFAs and other biochemical parameters from fasting serum. </p> <p><b>Results: </b>Of the 121 participants, 79% were female, 46% were black, and the mean age was 60y. Only metformin intervention significantly altered microbiota composition. Compared to control, metformin increased <i>E. Coli</i> and <i>Ruminococcus torques</i> and decreased <i>Intestinibacter Bartletti</i> at both 6 and 12 months, and decreased the genus <i>Roseburia (genus)</i>, including <i>R. faecis</i> and <i>R. intestinalis,</i> at 12 months. Effects were similar when comparing metformin to the behavioral weight loss group. Metformin also altered 62 metagenomic functional pathways and increased butyrate, acetate, and valerate at 6 months. Behavioral weight loss vs. control did not significantly alter microbiota composition, but did increase acetate at 6 months. Increases in acetate were associated with decreases in fasting insulin.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Metformin, but not behavioral weight loss, impacted gut microbiota composition and function at 6 months and 12 months. Both metformin and behavioral weight loss altered 6-month SCFAs, including increasing acetate which correlated with improved insulin sensitivity.</p>

Weight loss improve pregnancy and livebirth outcomes in young women with early-stage endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia:15 years’ experience

Background: To evaluate the effects of body weight loss on pregnancy and livebirth outcomes in young women with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) and atypical hyperplasia (AH) with fertility-sparing therapy. Thus, improve the management of this patient group.Method: Patients with AH (n=36) and well-differentiated EC (n=8, FIGO stage IA) who achieved complete regression after conservative treatment were included in this retrospective study. A weight loss group (n=25) and a non-weight loss group (n=19) were divided; while subgroup analysis according to body mass index and stratification analysis according to weight loss proportion were performed to investigate the effect of weight loss on pregnancy and livebirth outcomes. A univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were undertaken to analysis the factors associated with pregnancy.Results: The mean body weight and body mass index at pretreatment of progestin and initiation of fertility treatment was 70.63±12.03 and 67.08±8.18 kg, respectively, and 27.06±4.44 and 25.73±3.15 kg/m2, respectively. 25 patients (56.82%) had weight loss; the median weight loss amount is 5.00kg (1.00-34.50), median weigh loss proportion was 6.70% (1.00-36.00) during median time interval of 12months (5.00-97.00). An impressive favorable pregnancy rate (65.91%) and live birth rate (50.00%) were achieved. The pregnancy and livebirth rate were meaningfully higher in the weight loss group than the non-weight loss group (88.00% vs.36.84%,P=0.000; 64.00% vs.31.58%,P=0.033, respectively); weight loss≥5% significantly increased pregnancy and live birth rate in patients with BMI≥25. The risk ratios of weight loss≥5% in multivariate logistic analysis for pregnancy was 0.096(0.010, 0.907).Conclusions: Weight loss could have a positive effect on pregnancy rates and seem to be useful for improving live birth rates in overweight or obese women with early-stage endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia during/after fertility-sparing therapy. weight loss≥5% was protective factors of pregnancy in fertility-sparing patients with early-stage endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia.

Effect of High Fat Diet on Weight Loss Through the Expression of Uncouple Protein 1 in Mice Visceral Fat

Obesity has become an epidemic around the world. High fat diet (HFD) have been implemented as one of intervention to battle obesity. Uncouple protein 1 (UCP1) is one of the key factor on energy expenditure. The aim of this experiment is to see the macronutrients composition on weight loss and UCP1 expression in the visceral fat. Fifty male mice, 2-3 months old, 18-30 grams, were put in five different groups. K1 were fed (20% protein, 62.0% carbohydrate, 12% fat), K2 (60% protein, 0% carbohydrate, 30% fat), K3 (45% protein, 0% carbohydrate, 45% fat), K4 (30% protein, 0% carbohydrate, 60% fat), K5 (15% protein, 0% carbohydrate, 75% fat). The experiment was done in four weeks, mice body weight was measured every week. UCP1 expression seen using immunohistochemistry staining was measured at the end of the fourth week. Significant weight loss was achieved by K4 (-9.60±3.81) gram by the end of week four (p<0.05). K4 had the least amount of visceral fat. The result was that K4 achieved a significant visceral fat mass (0.02±0.06) gram compared to K1 (0.53±0.08) gram. Compared to other groups K5 expressed UCP1 more than the others (3.78±3.72) cphfp. HFD fed groups produced significant weight loss, group that had the greatest weight loss is K4. Meanwhile, each group had a variety of UCP1 expression.

Weight loss response following lifestyle intervention associated with baseline gut metagenomic signature in humans

We report a weight-loss response analysis on a small cohort of individuals (N=25) selected from a larger population (N∼5,000) enrolled in a commercial scientific wellness program, which included healthy lifestyle coaching. Each individual had baseline data on blood metabolomics, blood proteomics, clinical labs, lifestyle questionnaires, and stool metagenomes. A subset of these participants (N=15) lost at least 10% of their body weight within a 6-12 month period and saw significant improvement in metabolic health markers (‘weight loss’ group), while another subset of individuals (N=10) undergoing the same lifestyle intervention showed no change in BMI over the same timeframe (‘no weight loss’ group). Only a single baseline blood analyte, a metabolite linked to fried food consumption, was (negatively) associated with weight loss, but a large number of baseline stool metagenomic features, including complex polysaccharide and protein degradation genes, stress-response genes, respiration-related genes, cell wall synthesis genes, and gut bacterial replication rates, were significantly associated with weight loss after explicitly controlling for baseline BMI. Together, these results provide a set of baseline gut microbiome functional features that are associated with weight loss outcomes.

Rapid Bodyweight Reduction before Lumbar Fusion Surgery Increased Postoperative Complications

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.Purpose: To determine the effects of massive weight loss on perioperative complications after lumbar fusion surgery (LFS).Overview of Literature: Patients who are obese are more likely to experience low back pain, which would require LFS. Nonetheless, they have a higher risk of perioperative complication development compared with individuals who are not obese.Methods: Patients who underwent LFS at hospitals that participated in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database within the United States between 2005 and 2015. Outcomes included 30-day medical complications, surgical complications, and length of stay (LOS). We analyzed a total of 39,742 patients with the use of the International Classification of Disease, ninth revision codes. The patients were categorized in the following two groups: group 1, individuals with a history of massive weight loss within 6 months before LFS, and group 2, individuals without a history of massive weight loss before surgery. Massive weight loss was defined as loss of 10% of total body weight. Patients with a history of malignancy or chronic disease were excluded from the study. Patients in each group were randomly matched based on age, gender, sex, smoking status, and body mass index. Paired two-tailed Student t -tests were used to compare the outcomes.Results: Of the 39,742 patients identified, 129 (0.32%) met the criteria for inclusion in the weight loss group (WL group) and were successfully matched to individuals in the non-weight loss group (non-WL group). Compared with the non-WL group, the WL group had a significantly longer LOS (9.7 vs. 4.0 days, <i>p</i> <0.05), higher surgical site infections (SSIs) (8.0 vs. 3.0, <i>p</i> <0.05), increased number of blood transfusions (40.0 vs. 20.0, <i>p</i> <0.05), and greater deep vein thrombosis (DVTs) (5.0 and 0.00, <i>p</i> <0.05).Conclusions: On a nationwide scale, rapid weight loss before LFS is associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications, including SSI and DVTs, longer average LOS, and more frequent blood transfusions.

Impact of Physical Activity and Weight Loss on Fat Mass, Glucose Metabolism, and Inflammation in Older African Americans with Osteoarthritis

(1) Background: There are currently very few interventions performed within a community setting that compare the effects of physical activity (PA) versus PA plus weight loss on cancer and chronic disease risk in older African Americans. Therefore, we investigated the impact of an 8 week (24 session) PA intervention compared to a PA plus weight loss intervention on fat mass, glucose metabolism, and markers of inflammation in older, overweight and obese African Americans. (2) Methods: Subjects were randomized to a PA (n = 83) or PA plus weight loss (n = 72) intervention that met three times weekly for 8 weeks. At baseline and post-intervention, anthropometrics, body composition, systemic inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin 6), fasting glucose, insulin and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were determined. (3) Results: Subjects had a mean age of 67 years (SD = 5.3) and were mostly women (88%). The PA plus weight loss group lost more total and visceral fat than the PA group (−4.0% vs. +0.6% and −4.1% vs. +3.7%, respectively, p < 0.01 for both). Changes in inflammation and glucose metabolism were similar between groups post-intervention. Within the PA plus weight loss group only, serum insulin and HOMA-IR decreased significantly. (4) Conclusions: PA combined with weight loss can decrease total and visceral fat mass and improve insulin sensitivity, confirming that these cancer- and chronic disease-related risk factors are influenced by relatively modest lifestyle changes in the short term.