High Caloric Diet Induces Memory Impairment and Disrupts Synaptic Plasticity in Aged Rats

The increasing consumption of sugar and fat seen over the last decades and the consequent overweight and obesity, were recently linked with a deleterious effect on cognition and synaptic function. A major question, which remains to be clarified, is whether obesity in the elderly is an additional risk factor for cognitive impairment. We aimed at unravelling the impact of a chronic high caloric diet (HCD) on memory performance and synaptic plasticity in aged rats. Male rats were kept on an HCD or a standard diet (control) from 1 to 24 months of age. The results showed that under an HCD, aged rats were obese and displayed significant long-term recognition memory impairment when compared to age-matched controls. Ex vivo synaptic plasticity recorded from hippocampal slices from HCD-fed aged rats revealed a reduction in the magnitude of long-term potentiation, accompanied by a decrease in the levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptors TrkB full-length (TrkB-FL). No alterations in neurogenesis were observed, as quantified by the density of immature doublecortin-positive neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. This study highlights that obesity induced by a chronic HCD exacerbates age-associated cognitive decline, likely due to impaired synaptic plasticity, which might be associated with deficits in TrkB-FL signaling.

The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on GLP-1, Appetite, and Weight in Obese Rats

Background and Objectives: Appetite is an essential factor in obesity. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on GLP-1, appetite, and weight of obese mice while maintaining a high caloric diet. Subjects and Methods A total of 24 C57BL/6 mice with a Mean±SD weight of 20.7±1 g were selected. After implementing a high caloric dieting and making them fat (Mean±SD weight: 30.95±3.23 g), they were divided into two groups of training and control. A high caloric diet was maintained for both groups (training and control) until the end of the experiment, while the training group performed HIIT for 8 weeks. Every session of HIIT included 30 minutes of exercise with a progressive intensity of 50% to 60% in low-intensity intervals and 80% to 90% in high-intensity intervals. The independent t test and analysis of variance with repeated measures were used for data analysis. Results Findings of the study indicated that GLP-1 increased significantly in the HIIT training group compared to the control group (P<0.05). In the HIIT group, body weight was significantly higher (P<0.001), and food intake was significantly lower (P<0.001) than those in the control group. Conclusion When consuming high-calorie food, HIIT training can probably cause weight loss through reducing appetite mediated by increasing GLP-1

A NOBEL APPROACH OF DIABETIC NEUROPATHY & ITS MANAGEMENT THROUGH AYURVEDA

Diabetes mellitus vis a vis Madhumeha is a multi-factorial metabolic disorder of the 21st century. It is caused by an absolute or a relative lack of insulin. Its manifestations include hyperglycemia, other metabolic derangements, and long-term damage to blood vessels, eyes, nerves, kidneys, and the heart. It is a leading cause of cardiac death, nonfatal MI, heart failure and stroke. It is also the most common cause of adult blindness, end-stage renal disease, non-traumatic leg amputation and neuropathy. Diabetes mellitus is one of the oldest diseases recognized since antiquity. It is amazing that 7 century B.C. Ayurvedic texts like Charaka and Sushruta Samhita have been described high caloric diet and sedentary habits as an important causative factor of Apathyanitmittaja Prameha and genetic/hereditary factors described as Sahaja Prameha. Besides this, more profound Ayurveda have been mentioned different complications of Madhumeha. These two types of diabetics have been described to be treated on two different lines of management. Its aetiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, complications as well as treatment modalities, appear well comparable to the latest knowledge of conventional medicine. Thus, the present concept will be providing a new outlook about the understanding of aetiopathogenesis and as well management of Diabetic neuropathy. Keywords: Ayurveda, Preameha, Madhumeha, Diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy

Short-term variability of proton density fat fraction in pancreas and liver assessed by multi-echo chemical-shift encoding-based MRI at 3 T

BACKGROUND Quantification of pancreatic fat (PF) and intrahepatic lipids (IHL) is of increasing interest in cross-sectional epidemiological and interventional studies in subjects at risk for metabolic diseases. Up to now, short- and medium-term variations as well as their dependence on actual nutritional status are almost unknown. PURPOSE or HYPOTHESIS To assess short-term intraday variations of PF/IHL after a high-fat meal as well as medium-term changes after 5 days of high-caloric diet with a 1500 kcal surplus on individual daily energy requirement. STUDY TYPE Prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS Twelve healthy subjects (6m/6f) for intraday variations, 15 healthy male subjects for medium-term high-caloric diet and 11 age- and BMI-matched controls. FIELDSTRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3 T whole-body imager (Magnetom Vida, Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany), assessment of proton density fat fraction by chemical-shift encoded MRI (multi-echo gradient echo sequence, qDixon). ASSESSMENT Manually drawn regions of interest in head, body and tail of pancreas as well as in liver by an experienced medical physicist carefully avoiding inclusion of surrounding visceral fat (pancreas) or blood-vessels (liver). STATISTICAL TESTS Repeated measurements Anova for variabilities of PF and IHL, linear correlation analyses for relation of PF, IHL and BMI. Significance level p < 0.05 for all. RESULTS (must have numerical data and statistical testing for each phrase) Non-significant changes in PF in both studies (2.5±0.9 vs. 2.5±1.0% after high-fat meal, 1.4±0.8 vs. 1.6±0.6% after high-caloric diet and 1.6±0.7 vs. 1.8±1.0% in the isocaloric control group), unchanged IHL after high-fat meal (2.5±0.9 vs. 2.4±1.0 %) and in the control group (1.1±0.6 vs. 1.2±1.1%), but significantly increased IHL after 5-day high-caloric diet (1.6±2.2% vs. 2.6±3.6%, p < 0.05). DATA CONCLUSION Daytime and nutritional status have no significant influence on ectopic fat depots in pancreas and liver and will therefore represent no major confounders in epidemiologic or clinical studies.

An unusual case of chronic abdominal pain: an association between Celiac disease and Crohn’s disease

ABSTRACT Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and Celiac disease (CeD) are immune-mediated gastrointestinal diseases with incompletely understood etiology. Both diseases show a multifactorial origin with a complex interplay between genetic, environmental factors, and some components of the commensal microbiota. The coexistence of celiac disease with Crohn’s disease is rarely reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of a 13-year-old Syrian male who presented with a history of abdominal pain, anorexia and pallor. CeD and Crohn’s disease was documented on gastrointestinal endoscopy and histological study. The patient was treated with a gluten-free, low fiber, high caloric diet, and a course of oral corticosteroids with an improvement in growth rate and abdominal pain.

Cardioprotective Function of Green Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) Extract Supplementation in Ex Vivo Ischemic Prediabetic Rat Hearts

Diabetic patients develop ischemic heart disease and strokes more readily. Following an ischemic event, restoration of blood flow increases oxidative stress resulting in myocardial damage, termed ischemia/reperfusion injury. Aspalathus linearis (rooibos), rich in the antioxidant phenolic compound aspalathin, has been implicated as cardioprotective against ischemia/reperfusion injury with undefined mechanism in control rats. Primarily, the therapeutic potential of Afriplex green rooibos extract to prevent ischemia/reperfusion injury in cardiovascular disease-compromised rats was investigated. Additionally, Afriplex Green rooibos extractʼs cardioprotective signaling on metabolic markers and stress markers was determined using western blotting. Three hundred male Wistar rats received either 16-wk standard diet or high-caloric diet. During the final 6 wk, half received 60 mg/kg/day Afriplex green rooibos extract, containing 12.48% aspalathin. High-caloric diet increased body weight, body fat, fasting serum triglycerides, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance – indicative of prediabetes. High-caloric diet rats had increased heart mass, infarct size, and decreased heart function. Afriplex green rooibos extract treatment for 6 wk lowered pre-ischemic heart rate, reduced infarct size, and improved heart function pre- and post-ischemia, without significantly affecting biometric parameters. Stabilized high-caloric diet hearts had decreased insulin independence via adenosine monophosphate activated kinase and increased inflammation (p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase), whereas Afriplex green rooibos extract treatment decreased insulin dependence (protein kinase B) and conferred anti-inflammatory effect. After 20 min ischemia, high-caloric diet hearts had upregulated ataxia–telangiectasia mutated kinase decreased insulin independence, and downregulated insulin dependence and glycogen synthase kinase 3 β inhibition. In contrast, Afriplex green rooibos extract supplementation downregulated insulin independence and inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2. During reperfusion, all protective signaling was decreased in high-caloric diet, while Afriplex green rooibos extract supplementation reduced oxidative stress (c-Jun N-terminal kinases 1 and 2) and inflammation. Taken together, Afriplex green rooibos extract supplementation for 6 wk preconditioned cardiovascular disease-compromised rat hearts against ischemia/reperfusion injury by lowering inflammation, oxidative stress, and heart rate.

ANTI-OBESITY EFFECT OF CANNABIS SATIVA SEED FLOUR FROM KHLALFA OF TAOUNATE REGION (NORTHERN OF MOROCCO) IN HIGH CALORIC DIET-INDUCED OBESE MICE

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-obesity activity of Cannabis sativa seed Flour (CSSF) on obese mice. Methods: The experiment process was carried out in 8 weeks. In this time, three groups of animals were adopted: High caloric diet control group (HCD), group treated with 100 mg/kg of CSSF, group treated with 200 mg/kg of CSSF, and normal diet control group (ND). Then, the histopathological and biochemical parameters analysis has been realized at the end of the experiment. Results: As a result, body weight gain, epididymal, and perirenal adipose tissue decreased in the CSSF (Cannabis sativa seed Flour) group in both doses (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) compared to the HCD. CSSF lowered serum glucose level elevated by HCD. For lipid profiles, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG) significantly decreased in the CSSF group. The histopathological results of this study showed a regenerative effect of CSSF on the kidney and liver tissues. Conclusion: It is concluded from the present study that CSSF can be used as a natural anti-obesity agent.

Polyphenols and Other Bioactive Compounds of Sideritis Plants and Their Potential Biological Activity

Due to the growing problem of obesity associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, causes of obesity are extensively investigated. In addition to a high caloric diet and low physical activity, gut microbiota disturbance may have a potential impact on excessive weight gain. Some reports indicate differences in the composition of the intestinal microflora of obese people in comparison to lean. Bioactive compounds of natural origin with beneficial and multifaceted effects on the body are more frequently used in prevention and treatment of many metabolic diseases including obesity. Sideritis scardica is traditionally consumed as mountain tea in the Balkans to strengthen the body and improve mood. Many reports indicate a positive effect on digestive system, weight loss, and prevention of insulin resistance. Additionally, it exhibits antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects. The positive effect of Sideritis scardica extracts on memory and general cognitive abilities is indicated as well. The multilevel positive effect on the body appears to originate from the abundant occurrence of phenolic compounds, especially phenolic acids in Sideritis scardica extracts. However, mechanisms underlying their action require careful discussion and further research. Therefore, the objective of this review is to summarize the available knowledge on the role and mechanism of action of biologically active compounds of Sideritis scardica and other related species from the genus Sideritis.

Space-use strategy affects energy requirements in Barents Sea polar bears

Polar bears Ursus maritimus are currently facing rapid environmental changes with loss of sea ice and shifts in their prey distribution. Two distinct ecotypes exist in the Barents Sea, where sea ice is decreasing at the highest rate in the Arctic. Coastal bears remain within the Archipelago of Svalbard year-round, whereas offshore bears follow the marginal ice zone (MIZ). We explored these 2 ecotypes’ habitat use, activity and energy needs as well as seasonal variation within these parameters. During the period from 2011-2018, adult female polar bears were equipped with GPS collars and activity sensors (n = 84); 46 of these were equipped with conductivity switches to record aquatic behaviour. Offshore bears travelled longer distances at a higher speed on land and at sea away from land and had a higher activity rate compared to coastal bears. This translated into higher overall energy expenditure. Offshore bears also undertook more distant and energetically costly trips from land to the MIZ, swimming in open water. Both ecotypes showed similar seasonal patterns of activity and movement consistent with their life history linked to sea ice phenology. Despite higher energy expenditure, the offshore strategy seemed to be as profitable as the coastal one as females had marginally better spring body condition, likely due to their specialized high caloric diet of seals throughout the year. However, both ecotypes are currently experiencing habitat changes. Future studies should aim to predict how rapidly declining sea ice in the Barents Sea may challenge polar bears energetically during the coming decades.