Micronutrients and Markers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Related to Cardiometabolic Health: Results from the EHES-LUX Study

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) characteristics include chronic inflammation and elevated oxidative stress. This study assessed associations between circulating concentrations of micronutrients/phytochemicals and inflammatory/oxidative stress markers with MetS and MetS components. Adults (N = 606) from the European Health Examination Survey in Luxembourg (2013–2015) were randomly selected. We performed a multivariable logistic regression model using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator to identify MetS-associated variables. Participants with MetS had higher concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, leptin, insulin, and vitamins E/A, but lower concentrations of adiponectin, beta-carotene, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein. A one-unit increase in log-CRP was associated with 51% greater odds of MetS (OR = 1.51 (95% CI: 1.16, 1.98)). Adults with a one-unit increase in log-leptin were 3.1 times more likely to have MetS (3.10 (2.10, 4.72)). Women with a one-unit increase in vitamin A were associated with 3% increased odds of MetS (1.03 (1.01, 1.05)), while those with a one-unit increase in log-adiponectin were associated with 82% decreased odds (0.18 (0.07, 0.46)). Chronic inflammation best characterized adults with MetS, as CRP, adiponectin, and leptin were selected as the main MetS determinants. Micronutrients did not seem to affect MetS, except for vitamin A in women.     

Influence of obesity on breast cancer receptor status and prognosis

Pre-existing obesity and postoperative weight gain are related to a poor prognosis in breast cancer regardless of menopausal status. Delayed diagnosis may be one cause, but of more biological significance, especially in younger women, is the association of adiposity with estrogen receptor-negative tumors with a propensity for distant metastasis. After the menopause, the major mechanism for the relationship is the elevated estrogen synthesis by adipose tissue; these hormone-dependent tumors are estrogen receptor-positive. Insulin and some adipokines also stimulate breast cancer growth and metastasis, both directly and most probably by enhanced angiogenesis. Weight control is important, not only to target breast cancer progression, but also to reduce the risk of nonbreast cancer mortality risk associated with excess adiposity.     

Evaluation of Adiponectin, Resistin, IL-6, TNF-a in Obese and Non-obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective To evaluate possible clinical effects of adiponectin, resistin, IL-6, and TNF-α in obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Seventy selected PCOS patients were recruited for this study, and were divided into two groups based on their body mass index (BMI): 35 obese (BMI ≥ 25kg/m2 , group A), 35 non-obese (BMI<25kg/m2 , group B). In addition, 35 healthy non-obese women (BMI<25kg/m2 ) were enrolled as the control (group C). Serum levels of FSH, LH, T, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, resistin, IL-6, TNF-α were detected, and compared the differences of them among three groups. Results Blood glucose levels among three groups had no difference (P>0.05). Blood insulin level was significantly greater in group A than in group B or group C (P<0.05), and a significant difference existed between group B and group C (P<0.05). The ratio of glucose/insulin was significantly higher in group A than in group B or group C (P<0.05), and the ratio in group B was significantly higher than that in group C (P<0.05). Adiponectin level was significantly lower and resistin level was significantly higher in group A than in group B or group C (P<0.05). IL-6 level in group C was significantly lower than that in group A or group B (P<0.05), and significant difference was found between group A and group B (P<0.05). TNF-α level was a slight high in group B, whereas there was no statistical difference among three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Disturbances of some metabolic and inflammatory adipokines could involve the pathogenesis of PCOS in both obese and non-obese women. Low-grade chronic inflammation might have negative effects on the development of PCOS in non-obese women.     

Hormonal and Dietary Characteristics in Obese Human Subjects with and without Food Addiction

The concept of food addiction (FA) is a potentially important contributing factor to the development of obesity in the general population; however, little is known about the hormonal and dietary differences between obesity with and without FA. Therefore, the aim of our study was to explore potential biomarkers, including various hormones and neuropeptides, which regulate appetite and metabolism, and dietary components that could potentially differentiate obesity with and without FA. Of the 737 adults recruited from the general Newfoundland population, 58 food-addicted and non-food-addicted overweight/obese individuals (FAO, NFO) matched for age, sex, BMI and physical activity were selected. A total of 34 neuropeptides, gut hormones, pituitary polypeptide hormones and adipokines were measured in fasting serum. We found that the FAO group had lower levels of TSH, TNF-α and amylin, but higher levels of prolactin, as compared to NFO group. The total calorie intake (per kg body weight), the dietary intake of fat (per g/kg body weight, per BMI and per percentage of trunk fat) and the percent calorie intake from fat and carbohydrates (g/kg) was higher in the FAO group compared to the NFO group. The FAO subjects consumed more sugar, minerals (including sodium, potassium, calcium and selenium), fat and its components (such as saturated, monounsaturated and trans fat), omega 3 and 6, vitamin D and gamma-tocopherol compared to the NFO group. To our knowledge, this is the first study indicating possible differences in hormonal levels and micro-nutrient intakes between obese individuals classified with and without food addiction. The findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which FA could contribute to obesity.     

Liver Function Parameters in Hip Fracture Patients: Relations to Age,Adipokines, Comorbidities and Outcomes

Aim: To asses liver markers in older patients with hip fracture (HF) in relation to age, comorbidities, metabolic characteristics and short-term outcomes.Methods: In 294 patients with HF (mean age 82.0±7.9 years, 72.1% women) serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, bilirubin, 25(OH)vitaminD, PTH, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, thyroid function and cardiac troponin I were measured.Results: Elevated ALT, GGT, ALP or bilirubin levels on admission were observed in 1.7% - 9.9% of patients. With age GGT, ALT and leptin decrease, while PTH and adiponectin concentrations increase. Higher GGT (>30U/L, median level) was associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and alcohol overuse; lower ALT (≤20U/L, median level) with dementia; total bilirubin >20μmol/L with CAD and alcohol overuse; and albumin >33g/L with CAD. Multivariate adjusted regression analyses revealed ALT, ALP, adiponectin, alcohol overuse and DM as independent and significant determinants of GGT (as continuous or categorical variable); GGT for each other liver marker; and PTH for adiponectin. The risk of prolonged hospital stay (>20 days) was about two times higher in patients with GGT>30U/L or adiponectin >17.14 ng/L (median level) and 4.7 times higher if both conditions coexisted. The risk of in-hospital death was 3 times higher if albumin was <33g/L.Conclusions: In older HF patients liver markers even within the normal range are associated with age-related disorders and outcomes. Adiponectin (but not 25(OH)vitaminD, PTH, leptin or resistin) is an independent contributor to higher GGT. Serum GGT and albumin predict prolonged hospital stay and in-hospital death, respectively. A unifying hypothesis of the findings presented.     

新脂肪细胞因子CTRP9的研究进展

C1q／肿瘤坏死因子相关蛋白9（C1q／TNF-related protein9,CTRP9）是一种新发现的与脂联素高度同源的脂肪细胞因子,其对机体具有正性作用,在调节代谢、保护心肌、舒张血管和改善内皮功能等方面发挥重要作用。本文对CTRP9的分子结构、聚合形式、组织表达和分泌以及生物学功能作一综述。