Curcumin exerts a protective effect against obesity and liver injury induced by an atherogenic diet

Background: Curcumin (Cur) is a natural yellow polyphenol extracted from the turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa). Cur is known for its potential therapeutic properties as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and anti-mutagenic, although some of these biological activities remain unproven. Epidemiological studies have shown a positive relationship between high-fat diets and diet-related chronic diseases. We hypothesized that some adverse effects of consuming atherogenic or high-fat diets (AD) can be ameliorated by Cur supplementation. Using an experimental model of rats, this study investigated the significance of Cur when it is given as a supplement in an AD.Methods: Healthy adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Controls (C) received a standard diet and experimental rats were fed with AD or AD+Cur for 5 weeks. Cur (100 mg/kg body weight) was given orally daily, plus piperine (5 mg/kg body weight). The effect of Cur supplementation was studied on zoometrics, visceral fat content, serum lipids profile, hepatosteatosis, liver function and oxidative status. Results: Diets did not alter energy consumption. As compared to the other groups, AD+Cur group showed a lower total visceral fat content, percentage of perirenal, mesenteric, and pelvic fat, and body weight gain (P< 0.05). Serum total cholesterol (P<0.0001), non-HDL-C (P<0.0001) levels were significantly higher in AD groups as compared with C. Serum triglycerides and HDL-C levels remained similar among groups (P>0.05). AD induced a liver injury with macrovesicular steatosis and portal inflammation. AD+Cur rats presented microvesicular steatosis with no inflammation, achieving the lowest level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT; P<0.0001) and reductions of aspartate aminotransferase (AST; P<0.0001). Liver homogenates from AD+Cur showed that Cur supplementation reduced the dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) oxidation rate induced by AD by 25 % and deferoxamine and superoxide dismutase inhibited DCFH-DA. Conclusion: Cur as a dietary supplement showed a protective effect against obesity and inflammation, but its cardioprotective ability remained unproved. Cur may develop as a promising therapeutic agent for liver diseases induced by oxidative stress. This study provides supporting evidence to confirm the beneficial effects of curcumin from the point of view of functional food science. Keywords: curcumin, liver injury, ROS, atherogenic diet, visceral fat, obesity

Dynamics of indicators of physical development of women 25-35 years under the influence of aquafitness training

The aim of the study was to identify the features of the impact of aquafitness training on the indicators of physical development of women 25-35 years of different somatotypes. The study involved 41 women 25-35 years old. The somatotype was determined by the Heath-Carter method. Physical development indicators were determined by the indicators of the device OMRON BF-511, which works on the principle of bioelectric impedance. Under the influence of aquafitness training in a group of women that brought together representatives of different somatotypes, not found statistically confirmed changes of indicators physical development. At all control stages of the study, body mass, BMI, fat percentage, visceral fat content tended to decrease. Among women distributed by somatotype, a statistically significant decrease in body mass and BMI was found only in representatives of the endomorphic somatotype. The decrease in body mass and BMI was due to a decrease in body fat and visceral fat. In the representatives ectomorphic somatotype, body mass, BMI, and muscle component percentage tended to increase, and fat percentage tended to decrease. Representatives of the balanced and endomorphic-mesomorphic somatotype demonstrated only a tendency to decrease body mass, BMI, fat content and visceral fat content. The percentage of muscle component tended to increase. Different adaptive reactions were revealed to aquafitness training in women 25-35 years of different somatotypes. Statistically significant decreased body mass and BMI occurred only in representatives of the endomorphic somatotype. Body mass and BMI decreased due to a decrease in body fat (including visceral fat).

The relationship between thyroid hormone and lipid metabolism/body fat content in euthyroid male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in China: A cross-sectional study

Background: This study compared the relationship between thyroid hormones and lipid metabolism/body fat content in euthyroid male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China. Methods: A total of 64 male patients who were diagnosed as T2DM and 64 non-diabetic males who underwent health examination were matched according to age at a 1:1 ratio. Results: The 32 subjects in each sub-group showed differences in age, body mass index (BMI), mean arterial pressure, waist circumference, visceral fat content, body fat percentage, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, FT3, TSH, HDL-c, adiponectin, leptin, visfatin and TNF-α (all P < 0.05). In the overall population, FT3 was positively correlated with body fat percentage (r=0.21, P=0.02), and negatively correlated with HOMA-IR (r=-0.18, P=0.04) and visfatin (r=-0.47, P <0.01); TSH was positively correlated with body fat percentage (r=0.23, P=0.01). In the T2DM-OB group FT3 was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.45, P <0.05), visceral fat content (r=0.50, P <0.05), and body fat percentage (r=0.44, P <0.05); FT4 was positively correlated with visceral fat content (r=0.38, P <0.05); and TSH was positively correlated with HOMA-IR (r=0.39, P <0.05). Conclusion: TSH increased in obese people and FT3 was lower in patients with T2DM.

BODY MASS INDEX;

Background: Asians compared to Europeans are known to be at an increasedrisk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Obesity is a global cardio metabolic healthand cancer risk. There is paucity of data regarding obesity in our local population. Aims &Objectives: To evaluate Body Mass Index (BMI). Visceral fat content and body fat percentageusing Bio-impedance body composition monitor. Thus to identify overweight and obeseindividuals with high visceral and body fat content the risk factors for cardio metabolicsyndrome. Study Design: Cross sectional survey. Setting: Outpatient Department of Medicine,Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. Period: 15th January to 20th March 2016. Materialand Method: 250 patients above 18 years of age who reported in outdoor department wereenrolled after informed consent in local language according to enrollment criteria. Approved byethical review committee reference number FMS-2-2016-IRB-M-111. Their height and weightwere measured and BMI, visceral fat content and body fat percentage was calculated using bioimpedancebody composition monitor. They were asked questions for pertinent co-morbidities.The statistical analysis was done using SPSS 22.0 version. Results: Out of 250 patients enrolled144 (58 %) were females and 106 (42 %) were males. Mean age was 45 ±13 years. Mean BMIwas 29kg/m2. Above normal BMI was seen in 170 (68%), 98(39%) were obese (BMI>30kg/m2) and 80 (32%) overweight (BMI 25-29.9). Above normal visceral fat content and body fatpercentage was seen in 110(44 %) and 191(76%) respectively. In the later group 100(67%) werefemales. Diabetes and hypertension were present in 63(64%) obese patients among 30(73%)with high visceral fat and in 90(60%) with high body fat percentage. Conclusion: A significantnumber of patients were overweight or obese with above normal visceral fat content and bodyfat percentage with female dominance in later group. They also had higher prevalence ofdiabetes and hypertension. Bio-impedance technique is useful simple inexpensive tool for initialassessment of visceral and body fat content in outdoor facility.

The effectiveness of transdermal electrical stimulation used to treat neuropathic and metabolic disorders in the patients with diabetes mellitus

World-wide occurrence of diabetes mellitus and its complications in the form of neuropathic and metabolic disorders implies the necessity of development and application of the new methods for their combined treatment, such as the low-frequency transdermal electrical stimulation with the use of the OMRON Е-4 myostimulator. This technique was shown to significantly alleviate the symptoms of pain syndrome and other neuropathic manifestations. Moreover, it facilitated the reduction of body weight and visceral fat content in such patients and thereby considerably decreased the risk of development of diabetic complications.