miR-222 Is Involved in the Amelioration Effect of Genistein on Dexamethasone-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a complex degenerative disease characterized by decreased skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle strength, and function. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a potential therapeutic target, and natural products that regulate miRNA expression may be a safe and effective treatment strategy for muscle atrophy. Previous studies have shown beneficial effects of genistein treatment on muscle mass and muscle atrophy, but the mechanism is not fully understood. Differential co-expression network analysis revealed that miR-222 was upregulated in multiple skeletal muscle atrophy models. Subsequent in vitro (C2C12 myoblasts) and in vivo (C57BL/6 mice) experiments showed that genistein could alleviate dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy and downregulate the expression of miR-222 in muscle tissue and C2C12 myotubes. The dual-luciferase reporter assay system confirmed that IGF1 is a target gene of miR-222 and is regulated by genistein. In C2C12 myotubes, both dexamethasone and miR-222 overexpression promoted muscle atrophy, however, this function was significantly reduced after genistein treatment. Furthermore, we also observed that both genistein and miR-222 antagomiR could significantly inhibit dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in vivo. These results suggest that miR-222 may be involved in the regulation of genistein on muscle atrophy, and genistein and miR-222 may be used to improve muscle health.     

胰腺癌病人静息能量消耗与营养状态关系的研究

目的:通过检测胰腺癌病人的静息能量消耗(REE),评估病人代谢变化的情况,探讨其与营养状态的关系。方法:用间接能量测定法检测34例诊断为胰腺癌的病人(试验组)和同期30例腹股沟疝病人(对照组)的REE。通过人体成分分析仪检测机体组成[体质指数(BMI)、肌肉重、去脂体重、脂肪重、细胞内液量(ICF)、细胞外液量(ECF)等],将REE与营养指标作相关性分析。结果:试验组病人的REE非常显著高于地对照组(P<0.01)。呼吸商(RQ)较对照组明显降低(P<0.01)。试验组病人的BMI、体重、肌肉群、去脂体重、脂肪、细胞内液量等与对照组比显著减少(P<0.05);细胞外液量较对照组显著增加(P<0.05)。胰腺癌病人的REE与肌肉重、去脂体重、细胞内液均有显著负相关性(P<0.05),与脂肪重无显著相关性(P>0.05)。胰腺癌各病人REE的变化并不相同,其中REE升高者为55.88%,REE正常者为29.41%,REE降低者为14.71%。结论:胰腺癌病人REE显著增加,营养状况显著低下。REE的升高与营养不良相关性。     

Yeast hydrolysate can reduce body weight and abdominal fat accumulation in obese adults

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of yeast hydrolysate on the abdominal fat in obese humans.MethodsWe observed the effects of yeast hydrolysate that had a molecular weight below 10 kDa on the anti-abdominal fat accumulation in obese men and women ages 20 to 50 y for 10 wk. The abdominal fat mass was assessed by computed tomographic scans.ResultsBy the sixth week, the reductions in energy intake in the yeast group (yeast hydrolysate 1 g/d) were significantly greater than those in the control group (placebo 1 g/d) (P < 0.05). The body weight and body mass index (BMI) were significantly reduced by week 10 compared with baseline in the yeast group, and these differences were significantly greater than those in the control group: body weight 0.83 kg versus −2.60 k g (P < 0.001), BMI 0.29 kg/m² versus −0.90 kg/m² (P < 0.001). Despite the increased loss of body weight in the yeast group, lean body mass did not significantly differ between the two groups. Body fat mass in the control group did not significantly change between baseline and week 10. However, the yeast group lost a significant amount of body fat mass after 10 wk of treatment (P < 0.01). The differences in abdominal fat thickness and abdominal circumference between the two groups were significant after 10 wk of treatment (P < 0.001). The total abdominal fat area in the yeast group was significantly lower than in the control group after 10 wk of treatment (−7.06 cm² versus −17.34 cm²; P < 0.01).ConclusionsYeast hydrolysate can reduce body weight and the accumulation of abdominal fat without an adverse effect on lean body mass in obese adults, regardless of sex, via the reduction of energy intake.     

Effects of Anoectochilus formosanus on endurance capacity in mice

The present study was designed to determine the effects of Anoectochilus formosanus exract (AFE) on endurance capacity in mice. Four wk-old male mice were given either a vehicle (distilled water) or AFE (500, 1,000 mg/kg) through stomach intubations for 4 wk. Mice were made to perform swimming exercises with weights attached to their tails corresponding to 10% of their body weight. Endurance capacity was evaluated by swimming time to exhaustion. The group treated with 1,000 mg/kg AFE showed a significant improvement (p<0.05) in endurance performance time. The mice were made to swim for 15 min with loads corresponding to 5% of their body weight. In the 1,000 mg/kg body weight of AFE administration group, blood lactate concentration was significantly lower than in the control group. In the AFE administration group, the plasma non-esterfied fatty acid (NEFA) was significantly increased by swimming exercise. AFE treatment also significantly decreased fat accumulation. Liver and gastrocnemius muscle glycogen after 15 min of swimming remained at significantly higher levels in the mice fed 1,000 mg/kg of AFE as compared to the control group. These results suggest that AFE activated utilization of lipid more than glucose as the energy source for performance.     

带蒂颊脂垫在口腔颌面部肿瘤切除术后缺损修复中的应用

贋目的：探讨带蒂颊脂垫在口腔颌面部肿瘤切除术后缺损修复中的应用效果。方法：对照组给予复体修复,研究组提供带蒂颊脂垫修复。结果：两组口腔颌面部肿瘤切除患者均顺利完成缺损修复,研究组所需手术时间、术中出血量及术后至张口间隔时间显著高于对照组（P<0.05）;研究组不良反应发生率（11.11%）显著低于对照组（40.00%）（P<0.05）。结论：利用带蒂颊脂垫对口腔颌面部肿瘤切除患者实施缺损修复效果显著。     

3种剂量地塞米松预处理对96例剖宫产术后镇痛疗效的影响

目的 观察麻醉前静脉注射地塞米松对剖宫产术后患者静脉自控镇痛的各种影响。方法 96例接受剖宫产手术的患者随机均分为4组,于麻醉诱导前分别静脉注射地塞米松5 mg(Dex5组)、10 mg(Dex10组)、15 mg(Dex15组)和生理盐水(Con组)。术后均行患者自控静脉镇痛,记录4组患者术后30 min、6 h、24 h、48 h 的VAS疼痛评分,统计术后各时间段镇痛泵按压次数、计算芬太尼累计使用量,观察恶心、呕吐等不良反应发生情况。结果 Dex5组、Dex10组、Dex15组患者术后6 h、24 h 的VAS评分及芬太尼累计用量均低于Con组(P<0.05),且存在剂量依赖关系。Dex不同剂量的3组患者恶心、呕吐发生率均低于Con组(P<0.05),但不存在剂量依赖关系。结论 麻醉诱导前静脉注射地塞米松能改善剖宫产患者术后疼痛效果,减少术后芬太尼用量,降低恶心、呕吐发生率,值得临床推广。     

Effect of dairy supplementation on body composition and insulin resistance in mice

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether yogurt supplementation attenuated the weight gain and insulin resistance in mice fed a moderate-fat diet. METHODS: Nine-week-old male mice (F1 BTBR x C57Bl6/J) were housed individually for the duration of the study. After initial measurements of body weight and composition, mice were randomly assigned to receive one of two isocaloric diets (19.4% kcal protein, 45.5% kcal carbohydrate, and 35.1% kcal fat). One diet was supplemented with dried yogurt powder (10.75 g/100 g of diet). In the first experiment, mice received the diets for 4 wk, after which body weight and body composition were reassessed. In the second experiment, an insulin tolerance test was performed at week 4 and glucose uptake in gonadal fat was assessed at week 5. RESULTS: Baseline body weight was not significantly different between control and yogurt mice (P = 0.85). Body weight and fat mass increased significantly over time (P < 0.001) and there was a significant effect of diet on the increase in body weight (P < 0.05) and fat mass (P < 0.001), with the yogurt mice gaining less weight and fat than the control mice. Food intake was not significantly affected by the yogurt supplementation (P = 0.906). Digestive efficiency was significantly lower in the yogurt mice (P < 0.05) due to greater fecal production (P < 0.01). There was no significant effect of diet on the glucose area under the curve during the insulin tolerance test (P = 0.24). Glucose uptake in the gonadal fat was significantly higher in the yogurt mice than in controls under basal (P < 0.05) and insulin-stimulated (P < 0.05) conditions. CONCLUSION: Yogurt supplementation resulted in less weight and fat gain in mice fed isocaloric diets due to a decrease in digestive efficiency. Yogurt also enhanced the uptake of glucose in fat but did not significantly improve insulin sensitivity.     

Comparative activities of daidzein metabolites,equol and <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-desmethylangolensin,on bone mineral density and lipid metabolism in ovariectomized mice and in osteoclast cell cultures

Daidzein, a major isoflavone predominantly found in soybean, is mainly metabolized to equol and O-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA) by the human gut microflora. Equol exhibits a stronger estrogenic activity than daidzein, however, only approximately 30% of the population has been identified as equol-producers and there are too few direct evidences of the effects of the other major metabolite, O-DMA on estrogen-deficient status. The purpose of this study is therefore, to compare the effect of both O-DMA and equol on bone and lipid metabolism in vivo and in vitro. For the in vivo study, 8-week-old female mice were assigned to five groups as follows: sham-operated (sham), ovariectomized (OVX), OVX + 0.5 mg/day O-DMA (OVX + O-DMA), OVX + 0.5 mg/day equol (OVX + Eq), and OVX + 0.03 microg/day 17beta-estradiol (OVX + E2) administration. Three weeks after the intervention, O-DMA and equol did not affect uterine atrophy in OVX mice. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur was lower in the OVX group than in the sham group. The administration of equol but not O-DMA, maintained BMD through the intervention. Values of whole body fat mass and plasma lipids were lower in the equol and O-DMA treated OVX mice than those in OVX mice. In the in vitro study, equol significantly inhibited the osteoclast formation induced by 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) in a dose-dependent manner in a co-culture system of mouse bone-marrow cells with primary osteoblastic cells. However, O-DMA slightly inhibited osteoclast formation, and the effect was not dose dependent. These results suggest that the effects of O-DMA on bone and lipid metabolism in OVX mice and osteoclast cell cultures are weaker than those of equol.     

Body composition changes in patients with anorexia nervosa after complete weight recovery

OBJECTIVE: To assess body composition changes occurring in female anorectic patients after complete weight recovery. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SUBJECTS:: Ten female patients with anorexia nervosa (age at baseline: 19.7+/-5.8 y) were studied both when undernourished (body mass index, BMI 14.8+/-1.3 kg/ m(2)) and after the achievement of a BMI >18.5 kg/m(2). The control group comprised 18 well-nourished women (age 20.1+/-4.4 y; BMI 19.0-23.0 kg/ m(2)). INTERVENTIONS: Fat mass and fat-free mass were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Skinfold thicknesses and circumferences were also measured. Arm muscle area and arm fat area were calculated by standard formulas. RESULTS: The undernourished patients had lower fat-free mass, fat mass, skinfold thicknesses and circumferences. After refeeding, fat mass represented 25-71% (mean 56%) of the mass regained, this percentage being directly related to the extent of weight gain. The increases in skinfolds and circumferences depended upon the site considered and were correlated to a various extent with those in weight or BMI. Skinfolds at biceps and abdominal sites and the waist-to-hip ratio remained significantly higher, whereas arm muscle circumference was significantly lower, in the refed group than in the control one. CONCLUSION: The percentage of fat in the weight regained by refed female anorectic patients was directly related to the extent of body mass increase. Refed anorectic patients appear to preferentially regain fat in the abdominal and triceps regions. Abnormalities in skinfolds (at biceps and abdominal sites), arm muscle area and waist-to-hip ratio still persist in refed anorectic patients in comparison to control healthy controls.     

高脂膳食对雌、雄大鼠肥胖程度影响差异研究

目的：观察、分析高脂膳食对雌、雄大鼠肥胖程度影响的差异。方法：用高、低脂饲料喂养SD雌、雄大鼠7周，观察体重、身长、腹腔脂肪重量、腹腔脂肪重量系数和血中甘油三酯、胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白、血糖、胰岛素、雌二醇水平。结果：高脂膳食成功诱导雄性大鼠肥胖，雌性则相反。雌、雄性实验组血中甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白水平显著低于相应对照组，胆固醇水平高于对照组。结论：高脂膳食对雌、雄性大鼠的肥胖程度有不同的影响，其机制可能与雌激素有关。     

The evaluation of nutritional status in general medical patients

We have analised the nutritional status of 415 hospitalised patients in an internal medicine service; 240 were males and 175 females; mean age was 56.6 ± 1.1 and 59.2 ± 1.5 years respectively. In these patients weight for height, triceps skinfold, arm muscle circumference, temporal muscle atrophy, Bichat's fat atrophy and serum albumin concentration were investigated.We have considered that a patient was malnourished when three or more of the six criteria mentioned above were affected. The prevalence of undernutrition was 40% (43.2% of the males and 35.2% of the females). We found more undernutrition in the males than in the females (weight for height less than 90% in 32.8% and 16.5% respectively). The prevalence of obesity (weight for height more than 120), was 18%, higher in the females (11.6%) of the males and 27% of the females).Aging was related to poor nutritional status, less caloric and protein intake, loss of the Bichat's fat, temporal muscle atrophy, and lower serum albumin. Smoking and drinking were also associated with a worse nutritional status.Patients with temporal muscle atrophy or Bichat's fat atrophy had a smaller intake of protein and calories, smaller values of the anthropometric parameters (WH, TS, AMC) and lower Hb and serum albumin levels. The relationships suggest that these two ‘simple’ clinical parameters are useful in the assessement of undernutrition.     

Tea catechins prevent contractile dysfunction in unloaded murine soleus muscle: a pilot study

Objective

Extended periods of muscle disuse, physical inactivity, immobilization, and bedrest result in a loss of muscle mass and a decrease in muscle force, which are accompanied by an increase in oxidative stress. We investigated the effects of the intake of green tea catechins on unloading-induced muscle dysfunction in tail-suspended mice.

Methods

Ten-week-old male BALB/c mice were fed a purified control diet or a diet containing 0.5% tea catechins for 14 d. Thereafter, the mice were subjected to continuous tail suspension for 10 d. On the final day, muscle mass, contractile force production, antioxidant potential, and carbonylated protein levels were evaluated.

Results

Hind limb unloading caused a loss of soleus muscle weight and muscle force. Intake of tea catechins significantly inhibited the unloading-induced decrease in force in isolated soleus muscle by 19% compared with the control group, although tea catechins did not affect muscle weight. In addition, intake of tea catechins suppressed the decrease in antioxidant potential and the increase in carbonyl myofibrillar protein.

Conclusion

Ingestion of tea catechins minimized contractile dysfunction in skeletal muscle and muscle atrophy in unloaded muscle. This effect might be partly due to the lower oxidative modification of myofibrillar protein through the antioxidant activity of tea catechins.     

Dietary fat alters HIV protease inhibitor-induced metabolic changes in mice

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors (PI) may alter lipid metabolism in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, the influence of dietary fat on the metabolic effects of PI therapy remains unknown. AKR/J mice were fed high or low fat diets and treated with the PI indinavir (IDV), nelfinavir (NFV), saquinavir (SQV) or amprenavir (APV) by subcutaneous delivery for 2 wk. Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, free fatty acid, glycerol, pancreatic lipase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and PI, and interscapular and epididymal fat weights were determined. Some metabolic effects of PI were dependent on diet. IDV- and NFV-treated mice had greater serum glucose concentration and body weight; IDV-treated mice had lower serum insulin; NFV-treated mice had greater interscapular fat mass; and SQV treated mice had lower serum triglyceride concentration than control mice fed the low but not the high fat diet. In contrast, NFV- and IDV-treated mice had greater triglyceride concentration and blood urea nitrogen, and SQV treated mice had greater serum cholesterol than control mice fed the high but not the low fat diet. The serum concentration of SQV was lower in mice fed the high fat compared with the low fat diet. Other effects were not dependent on diet. IDV- and NFV-treated mice had greater fatty acids, and IDV-treated mice had greater pancreatic lipase, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase than control mice fed either diet. APV treatment had little effect on these serum measurements. Thus, changes in dietary fat can influence some but not all of the effects of PI on metabolism. Furthermore, each PI produces different effects in vivo, indicating that various PI affect distinct metabolic pathways.     

Investigation of the Effect of Nutritional Supplementation with Whey Protein and Vitamin D on Muscle Mass and Muscle Quality in Subacute Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Patients: A Randomized,Single-Blinded,Placebo-Controlled Trial

In post-stroke hemiparesis patients, the skeletal muscle mass decrease rapidly with the histological degradation. We investigated the effect of nutritional supplementation with whey protein and vitamin D on the muscle mass and muscle quality, in post-stroke convalescent rehabilitation patients in a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to two groups; HP group received supplemental jelly (100 kcal; whey protein 10 g; vitamin D 20 μg) twice a day throughout up to 16-week period, the control group received placebo jelly. Cross-sectional area (CSA) of thigh muscle, skeletal muscle index (SMI), muscle strength, activity of daily living (ADL), and some nutritional indicators in blood were measured. Although no significant difference was observed in CSA and SMI between the groups, fat infiltration into the thighs muscle was singnificantly lower in the HP group. There were no significant difference in muscle strength and ADL between the groups. Blood urea nitrogen and serum 25(OH)D at endpoint were significantly higher in the HP group but physiological normal ranges. Supplementation with whey protein and vitamin D in post-stroke patients led to suppression of fat infiltration into the muscle. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to verify whether this nutritional intervention provides substantial benefits for the prognosis of stroke survivors.     

MTOR signaling and ubiquitin-proteosome gene expression in the preservation of fat free mass following high protein, calorie restricted weight loss

ABSTRACT: Caloric restriction is one of the most efficient ways to promote weight loss and is known to activate protective metabolic pathways. Frequently reported with weight loss is the undesirable consequence of fat free (lean muscle) mass loss. Weight loss diets with increased dietary protein intake are popular and may provide additional benefits through preservation of fat free mass compared to a standard protein, high carbohydrate diet. However, the precise mechanism by which a high protein diet may mitigate dietary weight loss induced reductions in fat free mass has not been fully elucidated. Maintenance of fat free mass is dependent upon nutrient stimulation of protein synthesis via the mTOR complex, although during caloric restriction a decrease (atrophy) in skeletal muscle may be driven by a homeostatic shift favouring protein catabolism. This review evaluates the relationship between the macronutrient composition of calorie restricted diets and weight loss using metabolic indicators. Specifically we evaluate the effect of increased dietary protein intake and caloric restricted diets on gene expression in skeletal muscle, particularly focusing on biosynthesis, degradation and the expression of genes in the ubiquitin-proteosome (UPP) and mTOR signaling pathways, including MuRF-1, MAFbx/atrogin-1, mTORC1, and S6K1.     

艾塞那肽对2型糖尿病患者疗效、体重及体质成分的影响

目的：应用艾塞那肽治疗口服药物血糖控制不佳的2型糖尿病患者,评价其降糖疗效、对体重及全身各部位体质成分的影响。方法：选取2011年2月-2012年6月本收治的15例口服药物血糖控制不佳的2型糖尿病患者,在原有口服降糖药基础上,联用艾塞那肽皮下注射3个月,用药前后分别通过人体成分分析仪测定体重、体重指数、体脂百分数、腰臀脂肪比率及内脏脂肪区域,通过双能x线骨密度仪测定上肢、下肢、躯干及全身脂肪量及脂肪百分比、肌肉及骨矿物盐含量,并进行统计。结果：经过3个月的治疗,患者HbAlc有所下降,与治疗前比较差异有统计学意义（t=3．472,P〈0.01）;腰围、臀围及腰臀比有所下降,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;治疗后体重、体重指数、体脂百分比及内脏脂肪区域均明显下降,与治疗前比较差异均有统计号量意义（t体重=4．424,P〈0．01;0体重指数=4．337,P〈0．01;t体脂百分比=4．426,P〈0．01;t内脏脂肪区域=4．025,P〈0．01）;腰臀脂肪比率有所下降,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;治疗后下肢、躯干、全身脂肪量较治疗前均明显下降,差异有统计学意义（t下肢脂肪量=4．008,P〈0．01;t躯干脂肪量=2．914,P〈0．05;t全身脂肪量=3．474,P〈0．01）;下肢、躯干、全身脂肪百分比较治疗前明显下降,差异有统计学意义（t下肢脂妨百分比=2．405,P〈0．05;t躯干脂肪百分比=2.756,P〈0．05;t全身脂肪百分比=2．281,P〈0．05）;上肢脂肪量及脂肪百分比有所下降,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;治疗前后上肢、下肢、躯干、全身肌肉及骨矿物盐含量无明显改变;治疗后体重下降幅度与躯干和全身脂肪量下降幅度高度相关（r=0．860、0．819,P〈0．01）;治疗后全身脂肪量下降幅度与下肢和躯干脂肪量下降幅度高度相关（r=0．834、0．955,P〈0．01）。结论：口服药控制不佳的2型糖尿病加用艾塞那肽治疗,在有效地控制血糖的同时,可减轻体重,减重以脂肪量减少为主,主要减少下肢、躯干脂肪,对肌肉和骨矿物盐含量无影响。     

Skeletal muscle mass abnormalities are associated with survival rates of institutionalized elderly nursing home residents

Background

Knowledge about the changes in skeletal muscle mass in nursing home residents is very limited. We hypothesized that such patients have different types of skeletal muscle mass abnormalities that may affect mortality rates. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and extent of skeletal muscle mass decline, its different clinical phenotypes (sarcopenia, wasting/atrophy and cachexia) and the mortality rates associated with these abnormalities.

Methods

A retrospective chart-review study comprising 109 institutionalized nursing home residents. Body mass index, body fat mass, fat free mass, skeletal muscle mass and survival rates were assessed.

Results

Skeletal muscle mass abnormalities were found among 73 out of 109 (67.0%) patients and were more prevalent in males compared with females (97.8% and 43.8%, respectively, p<0.001). Most of these patients had muscle wasting/atrophy (51.4%) or sarcopenia (40.3%), and 9.7% suffered from cachexia. One third of the patients with abnorrmal skeletal muscle mass showed a moderate decline of skeletal muscle mass (34.7%) while the remainder (65.3%) had very low levels of skeletal muscle mass. Each group was characterized by typical medical conditions associated with skeletal muscle mass abnormality. A Kaplan-Meier survival plot of mortality showed only lower one-year survival rates in the group with sarcopenia (60%) and muscle atrophy or cachexia (53%), compared with elderly participants with a normal skeletal muscle mass (73%), (p<0.0001). There were no significant differences in 1-year mortality rates between patients with abnormal skeletal muscle mass (whether sarcopenia, cachexia or wasting).

Conclusion

About two thirds of nursing home patients show skeletal muscle mass abnormalities, most within the range of very low skeletal muscle mass rather than moderately low skeletal muscle mass, that are associated with shorter survival rates, compared with normal skeletal muscle mass patients.     

Body composition and energy expenditure after weight loss following bariatric surgery

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) in the treatment of morbid obesity and to evaluate how the procedure affects body weight. SUBJECTS: Fourteen morbidly obese subjects studied before and 30 months after BPD and fifteen healthy volunteers matched for age, sex and height (controls). METHODS: Comparison of the following parameters were made in the study groups before surgery and 30 months after BPD and with those of the controls group: fat mass, fat-free mass, non-protein substrate oxidation, basal metabolic rate, plasma glucose, insulin and free fatty acid concentrations. RESULTS: Obese subjects lost 60.38+/-10.71 kg of weight during 18 months following surgery and then remained stable for another 12 months, when this study was performed. Weight loss was substantially due to a loss of fat mass (FM: 60.13+/-13.01 kg before and 19.02+/-8.61 kg after BPD; p<0.001). FM were not statistically different between post-obese subjects and controls; however, post-obese patients retained significantly more fat free mass (FFM) than controls. Subsequently, basal metabolic rates of post-obese subjects were higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). Fasting non-protein respiratory quotient (npRQ) was significantly lower before BPD than 30 months after the surgery (0.798+/-0.04 vs. 0.90+/-0.048, p<0.001), suggesting that, while obese, patients oxidized more lipids than carbohydrates. Moreover, fasting and two-hour plasma glucose and insulin concentrations decreased significantly after BPD to values comparable to those of the control group. CONCLUSION: Weight loss in obese patients after BPD is mainly due to lipid malabsorption, but increased energy expenditure associated with retaining a high FFM in physically active post-obese subjects may also play a role, enabling them to maintain long-term reduced body weights.     

Detection of isoflavones in mouse tibia after feeding daidzein

Many studies suggest that diets rich in isoflavones protect against bone loss or slow the loss of bone mass that occurs because of estrogen withdrawal. Although in vitro studies have reported effects of isoflavones on bone cells, the presence of daidzein and/or equol in bone tissue in vivo has not been reported. The objective of this study was to determine if daidzein and equol were present in bone tissue (tibias) after feeding mice a diet containing purified daidzein. Sham mice (n = 9) received control diet, and ovariectomized mice were randomized to control diet (Ovx) (n = 9) or control diet containing 200 mg of daidzein/kg of diet (n = 8) for 12 weeks. At necropsy, tibias and serum were collected. Mice in the Daidzein group had significantly higher (P < .05) levels of both daidzein and equol in tibias than Sham and Ovx mice. Tibia levels of daidzein and equol were approximately five and four times higher, respectively, than the Sham and Ovx groups. Similarly, mice fed daidzein also had significantly higher (P < .05) serum daidzein and equol than the Sham and Ovx mice. In conclusion, feeding a level of daidzein that is attainable by dietary intervention alone results in a high level of both daidzein and equol in tibias. These findings suggest that daidzein and its metabolite, equol, have the potential to act directly on bone cells in vivo.