Anti-Obesity Effects of Combined Cornus officinalis and Ribes fasciculatum Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Male Mice

Medicinal plants are widely used as supplements for the treatment of various diseases because of their few side-effects. Here, we examined the anti-obesity effects of a mixture extract of Cornus officinalis and Ribes fasciculatum (CR) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese male mice. Four week old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or 60% high-fat diet (HFD) with different concentrations of CR extracts (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day) by oral administration for 12 weeks. CR extract administration prevented HFD-induced weight gain, hepatic steatosis, and adipocyte enlargement through the downregulation of adipogenesis-associated genes in obese male mice. In addition, CR administration improved the impaired glucose metabolism, insulin action, biochemical obesity parameters, and metabolic profiles in HFD-induced male mice. Consequently, the CR extract exhibited beneficial effects on HFD-induced systemic metabolic challenges. Taken together, our findings suggest that CR extract may be a potent therapeutic supplement for the treatment and prevention of obesity.

Epididymal Fat-Derived Sympathoexcitatory Signals Exacerbate Neurogenic Hypertension in Obese Male Mice Exposed to Early Life Stress

Previously, we have shown that male mice exposed to maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW)—a mouse model of early life stress—display increased mean arterial pressure compared with controls when fed a high-fat diet. As the stimulation of sensory nerves from fat has been shown to trigger the adipose afferent reflex, we tested whether MSEW male mice show obesity-associated hypertension via the hyperactivation of this sympathoexcitatory mechanism. After 16 weeks on high-fat diet, MSEW mice displayed increased blood pressure, sympathetic activation, and greater depressor response to an α-adrenergic blocker when compared with controls ( P <0.05; n=8), despite no differences in adiposity and plasma leptin. The acute infusion of capsaicin in epididymal white adipose tissue (1.5 pmol/μL of capsaicin, 8 μL/per site, 4 sites, bilaterally) increased the total pressor response in MSEW mice compared with controls (110±19 versus 284±33 mm Hg×30 minutes; P <0.05; n=8). This response was associated with neuronal activation in OVLT, posterior paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and RVLM ( P <0.05 versus control; n=6–7). Renal denervation abolished both the acute and chronic elevated mean arterial pressure in obese MSEW mice. Moreover, selective sensory denervation of epididymal white adipose tissue using resiniferatoxin (10 pmol/µL solution; n=6) decreased mean arterial pressure in obese MSEW mice only ( P <0.05 versus control). Obese MSEW mice displayed increased epididymal white adipose tissue levels of both tryptophan hydroxylase (Tph1) mRNA expression and its synthesis product serotonin (8.3±1.9 versus 16.6±1.7 ug/mg tissue; P <0.05 versus control). Thus, afferent sensory signals from epididymal white adipose tissue may contribute to the exacerbated fat–brain–blood pressure axis displayed by obese male mice exposed to early life stress.

Assessment of Omentin- 1 AS AN Adipokine in obese male and females with and without fatty liver disease

Background Omentin-1 (intelectin-1) “a new adipokine described in 2003,” acts centrally to modulate the insulin resistance, body weight, and inflammation. However, its role in the liver pathogenesis and in the metabolic consequences of the liver disorders is not fully elucidated. Aim and objectives the aim of the study was to assess the relation of serum omentin1 with fatty liver in obese and non-obese Subjects and methods This was a comparative case control study was conducted at Ain Shams university hospital. Patients were divided in to two group: Group1: 40 patient 20 patient with fatty liver 10 of them obese and 10 non-obese compared with 20 not have fatty live 10obese and 10 non-obese, group 2. The duration of the study ranges from 6-12 months. Results There was statistically significant difference between the four studied subgroups as regard Omentin1 and Apelin. There was statistically significant difference between group A and group B in obese as regard Omentin1 and Apelin. Conclusion Omentin-1 might be considered as a protective factor in the evaluation of occurrence of NAFLD, especially in central obese patients. Thus, the measurement of these novel adipokines may contribute to the evaluation of NAFLD occurrence.

Association between gestational period and obesity in children with the use of dermatoglyphic traits: A preliminary study

Events occurring during the gestational period can influence the development of diseases and conditions such as obesity. This study aimed to analyze the association between events occurring in the gestational period and the occurrence of obesity in children based on dermatoglyphic traits. The sample comprised 73 children born in 2009, living in Palhoça, Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil, regularly enrolled in public and private schools in that municipality and who are participants of an ongoing major cohort study project called Coorte Brasil Sul. The results show predictive traits of obesity when comparing BMI and fingerprint groups. Obese male group, presented the figure Ulnar Loop (UL) in the right hand (MDT1) thumb and greater number of ridges in the (MDSQL1) right thumb the greater the BMI; likewise, the older the woman getting pregnant the greater the number of ridges that the child presented in the (MESQL2) left index finger and (MESQL1) right thumb. The results obtained infer the presence of predictive traits of BMI ranges and a possible association between the dermatoglyphic traits of children with obesity and late pregnancy women.

The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training and Coenzyme Q10 on the Expression of Hepatic IRS-2 and SREBP1 Proteins in Obese Male Rats

Background: Obesity contributes to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance (IR). In contrast, exercise and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) have been recommended to assist glucose control and IR. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and COQ10 supplementation on hepatic IRS-2 and SREBP1 proteins in obese male rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats after an obesity induction period were randomly assigned to six groups, including non-obese control (NOC), baseline obese control (BOC), CoQ10, HIIT, HIIT + CoQ10, and control. NOC and BOC groups were sacrificed at the beginning of the study period. After 12 weeks of intervention consisting of HIIT program (2 min running at 85% - 90% speed max interspersed with 2 min running at 45% - 50% speed max, 5 sessions per week) and/or CoQ10 supplementation (gavage-fed 500 mg.kg-1) protein content of hepatic SREBP1 and IRS-2 were measured by western blot analysis. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and two-way ANOVA at P < 0.05. Results: Comparison between non-obese and obese control groups indicated a significant difference in weight and Lee index (P < 0.001). Obesity induction elevated hepatic SREBP1c, while reduced IRS-2 protein content (P = 0.0001). Moreover, HIIT decreased hepatic SREBP1 level (P = 0.007), whereas increased IRS-2 content (P = 0.0001). However, CoQ10 supplementation had no significant effect on SREBP1 and IRS-2 (P > 0.05), and no interaction between treatments (HIIT×CoQ10) was observed (P > 0.05). Conclusions: HIIT positively regulates hepatic proteins involved in hepatic IR. However, CoQ10 has no effect on proteins involved in hepatic IR implication that its effect on glucose regulation and IR does not seem to be mediated by SREBP1 and IRS-2 proteins.

COMPARISON OF ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS BETWEEN OBESE MALE PARTICIPANTS WITH AND WITHOUT OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The most common risk factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea includes: Obesity and increased neck circumference in male gender. The objective of the study was to compare the anthropometric parameters between obese male participants with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODOLOGY: Study was conducted at Department of Physiology, Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore during 24 August 2014 to 26 May 2015. Obese males (n=64) with body mass index (BMI) >25kg/m2 and aged 20-45 years were recruited by convenience sampling. Screening of OSA was made by two subjective tools: STOP BANG Questionnaire, and Berlin Questionnaire while final diagnosis was made by overnight portable pulse oximetry. Study population was divided into two groups. Group-I comprised of 32 obese males with OSA. Group II had 32 obese males without OSA. BMI, neck circumference, and waist circumference were measured by standard methods.Comparison of variables was done between the groups by Mann-WhitneyUtest and t-test. RESULTS: BMI was higher in group-I than in group-II (p=0.004). Median BMI for group-I was 30.83 (28.16–32.80) and for group-II was 27.99 (26.59–30.08) Kg/m2. A significantly higher neck circumference (p<0.001) was present in group-I (41.95±2.40cm) than group-II (39.66±2.07cm). Moreover, significantly higher median waist circumference (p<0.001) was present in group I (107.5cm) as compared to group-II (98.5cm). CONCLUSION: Anthropometric parameters (BMI, neck circumference, and waist circumference) are higher in obese individuals with OSA as compared to obese males without OSA.