High-fat diet-induced obesity in animal models

Postnatally induced metabolic and oxidative changes associated with maternal high-fat consumption were mildly affected by Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside treatment in rats

Oxidative stress is usually associated with prolonged intake of high-fat diet (HFD). However, little is known about the impact of maternal HFD on endogenous modulation of antioxidant-defence-enzyme-network, its link to adverse fetal growth and overall effects of Quercetin-3-o-rutinoside (QR) supplementation. Sprague-Dawley rats were initially assigned to normal diet (ND) or HFD for 8 weeks and mated. Post-conception, rats were further divided into four groups, of which two groups had diets supplemented with QR while others continued with their respective diets until delivery. Measurements include food and water consumption, physical parameters (body weight, body mass index (BMI) and fur appearance), oral glucose tolerance, lipid profiles, and placental/liver oxidative changes. We observed that water consumption was significantly increased in dams fed HFD without marked differences in food intake, body weight, BMI and glucose tolerance. Surprisingly, offspring of HFD-fed dams had reduced body weight marked by delayed fur appearance compared to the ND offspring. In dams, there were alterations in lipid profile. Lipid peroxidation was increased in the placenta and liver of gestational day (GD) 19 HFD-fed dams and their postnatal day (PND) 21 male offspring. There was evidence of HFD-induced nitrosative stress in dams and PND28 female offspring. Adaptive defence indicate decreased placenta and liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels as well as differential changes in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and catalase (CAT) activity in HFD treated dams and their progenies. Overall, the results indicate that intrauterine metabolic alterations associated with maternal high-fat consumption may induce oxidative challenge in the offspring accompanied by mild developmental consequences, while QR supplementation has little or no beneficial effects.

Soyasaponin ameliorates obesity and reduces hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation by suppressing lipogenesis in high-fat diet-fed mice

Soyasaponins are triterpenoid glycosides found in soybean. We investigated whether soyasaponin ameliorates lipid metabolism and its possible mechanisms. In C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), soyasaponin (SAP) was orally administered for 9 weeks. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of soyasapogenols on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In HFD-fed mice, the SAP significantly reduced body weight by 7% and relative adipose tissue weight by 35%. X-ray computed tomography demonstrated that the SAP reduced visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue weights during week 3 of feeding. The SAP reduced sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) mRNA levels by 32% in the epididymal adipose tissue, significantly decreasing the triacylglycerol (TAG) content by 37% and SREBP-1c and fatty acid synthase mRNA levels by 52% and 61%, respectively, in the liver. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, soyasapogenol B significantly decreased lipid droplets. The SAP containing soyasaponin A and B as conjugates demonstrate anti-obesity effects by suppressing adipocyte differentiation and lipogenesis, with a preventive effect on hepatic TAG accumulation by suppressing lipogenesis. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Soyasaponin is one of the oleanane triterpenoids in soybeans. We have demonstrated that soyasaponin potently reduces body weight and white adipose tissue weight, and hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation in high-fat diet-fed mice. Thus, soyasaponin is a beneficial compound to prevent obesity and fatty liver.

Autophagy in Hepatic Steatosis: A Structured Review

Steatosis is the accumulation of neutral lipids in the cytoplasm. In the liver, it is associated with overeating and a sedentary lifestyle, but may also be a result of xenobiotic toxicity and genetics. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) defines an array of liver conditions varying from simple steatosis to inflammation and fibrosis. Over the last years, autophagic processes have been shown to be directly associated with the development and progression of these conditions. However, the precise role of autophagy in steatosis development is still unclear. Specifically, autophagy is necessary for the regulation of basic metabolism in hepatocytes, such as glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, response to insulin and glucagon signaling, and cellular responses to free amino acid contents. Also, genetic knockout models for autophagy-related proteins suggest a critical relationship between autophagy and hepatic lipid metabolism, but some results are still ambiguous. While autophagy may seem necessary to support lipid oxidation in some contexts, other evidence suggests that autophagic activity can lead to lipid accumulation instead. This structured literature review aims to critically discuss, compare, and organize results over the last 10 years regarding rodent steatosis models that measured several autophagy markers, with genetic and pharmacological interventions that may help elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved.

Effects of high fat diets and supplemental tart cherry and fish oil on obesity and type 2 diabetes in male and female C57BL/6J and TALLYHO/Jng mice

Obesogenic and diabetogenic high fat (HF) diets can influence genetic factors in disease development with sexual dimorphic responses. We investigated potential protective effects of tart cherry (TC), fish oil (FO) and TC+FO supplementation in TALLYHO/Jng (TH) and C57BL/6J (B6) mice fed HF diets. Male and female TH and B6 mice were weaned onto five different diets; low fat (LF), HF, and HF supplemented with TC, FO, or TC+FO and maintained. For both males and females on LF, TH mice were heavier and fatter than B6, which was accentuated by HF in males, but not in females. TH males, but not others, developed severe glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia on HF, with reduced mRNA levels of Adipoq and Esr1 in adipose tissue. Considering energy balance, locomotor activity was lower in TH mice than B6 for both sexes without diet effects, except B6 females where HF decreased it. Compared to LF, HF decreased energy expenditure, RER, and food intake (in grams) for both sexes without strain differences. In all mice, but B6 males, HF increased plasma IL6 levels compared to LF. No preventive effects of TC, FO or TC+FO were noted for HF-induced obesity or energy imbalance, but FO alleviated glucose intolerance in TH males. Further, TC and FO decreased plasma IL6 levels, especially in females, without additive or synergistic effects of these two. Collectively, obesogenic and diabetogenic impacts of HF diets differed depending on the genetic predisposition. Moreover, sexually dimorphic effects of dietary supplementation were observed for glucose metabolism and inflammatory markers.

Gastric motor dysfunction coincides with the onset of obesity in rats fed with high-fat diet

Exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) has been reported to impair central autonomic and enteric neurocircuitries, however, the relevant mechanisms and their time course are inadequately clarified. This study aimed to investigate the effects of HFD consumption through the period of adolescence on gastric motor functions in adulthood. Male Sprague-Dawley rats consumed a regular diet or HFD (60% kcal by fat) from 4 to 12 weeks of age. Body weight and food intake were monitored weekly. In adult rats, gastric emptying (GE) was measured. Additionally, using in-vitro organ bath, contractile and relaxant responses of antral and fundic strips were assessed with bethanechol and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), respectively. The expressions of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were detected by immunofluorescence, whereas, the number of myenteric neurons were evaluated by staining with cuprolinic blue and enteric neuronal marker PGP 9.5. In adulthood, the HFD did not alter food intake, while significantly increasing the body weight. In HFD-fed adult rats, increased visceral fat mass was accompanied by delayed GE. Moreover, bethanechol- and SNP-induced responses were attenuated in antral and fundic tissues. HFD remarkably decreased the number of myenteric neurons and NOS immunoreactivity both in fundus and antrum. HFD remarkably decreased ChAT expression, while increasing the immunoreactivity for VIP in antrum. In conclusion, consumption of HFD between early adolescence and adulthood results in obesity and impairment of gastric motor functions. Particularly, HFD-induced gastric dysmotility appears to be predominantly dependent on the modifications in the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic inhibitory neurotransmission.

Zizyphus lotus L. fruit attenuates obesity-associated alterations: in vivo mechanisms

Zizyphus lotus L., ZL is a Mediterranean plant and widely consumed for its beneficial medicinal properties. Objective: We assessed the effects of ZL fruit on diet-induced obesity. Materials and methods: Male C57BL/6j mice were divided into three groups. Each group received either a standard diet or a high-fat diet, HFD (30% of palm oil, w/v) or a HFD-supplemented with ZL fruit powder (10%, w/w) for six weeks, followed by a six weeks period, in which animals were maintained on the HFD and ZL aqueous extract (1%, w/v). We measured plasma parameters and assessed the expression of key genes involved in energy metabolism and inflammation. Results: ZL fruit improved glycaemia, lipids concentrations and inflammation in obese mice. Discussion and conclusion: Our investigations showed that ZL fruit improved glucose tolerance, dyslipidaemia and fatty liver disease, but not the severity of HFD-induced obesity in mice.

Garcinia mangostana extract and curcumin ameliorate oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia in high fat diet-induced obese Wistar albino rats

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) and Curcuma longa independently and synergistically in modulating oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia commonly observed in high-fat diet-induced obesity in rodent models. Male albino Wistar rats were divided into eight experimental groups, fed on a normal diet or high-fat diet (HFD), then given mangosteen extract (400 mg /kg /day) and/or curcumin (80 mg/kg /day) for 6 weeks. Oxidative stress markers, glucose, and lipid fractions were measured in the sera. Mangosteen pericarp extract (MPE) induced a remarkable decrease in BMI (from 0.86 to 0.81 gm/cm²), while curcuma either alone or in combination was more effective, as treated rats recorded BMIs of 0.78 and 0.79 gm/cm², respectively. Regarding the antioxidant effects, MPE induced a significant increase of GSH in obese rats (123.86 ± 15.53 μg/ml vs 288.72 ± 121.37 μg/ml). As anti-atherogenic agents MPE demonstrate significant effect recorded higher level of HDL-C in treated animals, but ineefective as anti-dyslipidemic agent. Curcumin was more effective in reducing LDL-C levels in obese rats. Both extracts effectively reduced blood glucose. The present study demonstrated that MPE and curcumin were independently and synergistically effective in treating obesity-induced atherogenesis.

Effect and mechanism of high-fat diet on the preference for sweeteners on mice

BACKGROUND

Male Kunming mice were divided into a normal diet group (control group) and a high-fat diet group (HF group) (185 g·kg^-1 protein, 600 g·kg^-1 fat and 205 g·kg^-1 carbohydrate). After 8 weeks' feeding, behavioral indicators and biochemical indicators in serum were determined. The double-bottle preference experiment was used to study the preferences of mice for five sweeteners. The monoamine neurotransmitter content, gene expression related to dopamine (DA), and opioid receptors were also determined.

RESULTS

The body weight of the mice in the HF group increased significantly (P < 0.05) after 36 days compared with the control group. The feed intake of the HF group increased sharply in the first 12 days, and then it became basically unchanged. The preference of the HF group for all of the five sweeteners was highly significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that of the control group. Depression-related behavior was observed in the HF group mice. The triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) content in the HF group were very much higher (P < 0.01) than those of the control group. The gene expression related to DA and opioid receptor in the HF group was significantly lower than that of the control group, except for preproenkephalin (PENK).

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, this study suggested that a long-term high-fat diet could result in a decrease in the preference for sweeteners and could result in a state of reward hypofunction in mice. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sex-specific effects of ketogenic diet after pre-exposure to a high-fat, high-sugar diet in rats

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The objectives were to evaluate the relationship between ketogenic diets, the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), parameters known to increase risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in both sexes, using a pre-clinical model of obesity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Rats had access to a diet high in fat and sugar (HFS) for 12 weeks. After HFS, they switched to chow (HFS-CH) or ketogenic diet (HFS-KD) for 3 weeks to model a dietary intervention. Body weight, adiposity, and food intake were measured. Glucose tolerance and corticosterone response to stress were measured after HFS, then again after the intervention. Both sexes increased body weight, food intake, and adiposity compared to control (CTL) while on HFS. HFS females showed impaired glucose tolerance. HFS males developed a dampened corticosterone to stress, whereas HFS females developed an exacerbated response. The effects of HFS on adiposity and corticosterone were reversed in HFS-CH males. These same improvements were observed in HFS-CH females, although they still had impaired glucose tolerance. HFS-KD males showed some improvements, however, they still had higher body weight and adiposity than CTL. The same pattern was observed in females. These beneficial effects of KD correlated with plasma BHB levels in females but not in males.

CONCLUSIONS

These data model effects reported in clinical literature and serve as a valuable translational tool to further test causal mechanisms that lead to desirable outcomes of KD. These sex-specific relationships are important, as KD could potentially affect endocrine mechanisms differently in males and females.

Long-term supplementation with phenolic compounds from jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) reduces adiposophaty and improves glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism

Obesity is a critical public health problem worldwide that has been associated to non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM), non-alcoholic fatty lipid diseases (NAFLD) and inflammatory diseases. Polyphenols from several food sources have been studied as one option against these health problems. Sabara jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) is a Brazilian berry rich in ellagic acid derivatives and anthocyanins. Here we investigated the effects of a phenolic-rich extract from Sabara jaboticaba (PEJ) in a diet-induced obesity animal model. PEJ at two doses, 50 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg body weight (BW) and 100 mg GAE/kg BW, were administered by daily gavage to obese C57BL/6J mice for 14 weeks. PEJ prevented the excessive body weight and adiposity, adipocyte hypertrophy, inflammation, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia, and hepatic lipid accumulation, as well as increased energy expenditure. In conclusion, polyphenols from Sabara jaboticaba presented several powerful therapeutic properties relevant for fighting obesity and associated health problems.

High-fat diet and fructose drink introduced after weaning rats, induces a better human obesity model than very high-fat diet

In the present study, we associated a high-fat diet (HF group: 45% kcal from lipids) or very high-fat (VHF group: 60% kcal from lipids) diet with a fructose drink (10% fructose) for hydration. Normal rat chow that received the control diet (content 16.3% kcal from lipid-AIN93G) and water. The treatments were introduced soon after weaning and were administered for 70 days. We aimed to compare HF and VHF groups and find which acts as a better model mimicking human obesity. Body mass gain, final body weight, adipocyte area in inguinal depots, visceral and subcutaneous adipose depots, serum triacylglycerol, and VLDL-c were all higher in the HF group, followed by the VHF group, compared to the C group. Only the HF group showed hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia and higher total caloric intake, Lee index, HOMA2-IR, and total cholesterol. Serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were lower in the HF and VHF groups than in the C group at the end for 70 days. In Summary, the HF (45%) diet administered with fructose induced a higher similarity of metabolic and hormonal alterations associated with human obesity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: High intake of lipids with sugary drinks has been associated with obesity and its comorbidities. Although a diet with 45% or 60% of lipids is considered hyperlipidic, they are different in their effects on eating behavior and also probably from a metabolic point of view. Common sense is that the reduction in intake of lipids is favorable to health. Our study shows that this is not wholly true, and this information contributes to the guidelines for the treatment of obesity. In addition, the scientific literature on the subject has shown the most diverse results and also the use of experimental models with few similarities with human obesity. Our findings can contribute as a good model of obesity initiated during childhood to investigate possible using nutritional strategies, or the adoption of ergogenic nutritional resources in future studies, for example.

Role of dietary fat on obesity-related postmenopausal breast cancer: insights from mouse models and methodological considerations

The increasing incidence rate of breast cancer in the last few decades is known to be linked to the upward trend of obesity prevalence worldwide. The consumption of high-fat diet in particular has been correlated with postmenopausal breast cancer risk. The underlying mechanisms, using suitable and reliable experimental mouse model, however, is lacking. The current review aims to discuss the evidence available from mouse models on the effects of dietary fats intake on postmenopausal breast cancer. We will further discuss the biochemical mechanisms involved in the occurrence of postmenopausal breast cancer. In addition, the methodological considerations and their limitations in obesity-related postmenopausal breast cancer, such as choice of mouse models and breast cancer cell lines as well as the study duration will be reviewed. The current review will provide a platform for further development of new xenograft models which may offer the opportunity to investigate the mechanisms of postmenopausal breast cancer in a greater detail.

Restoring Perivascular Adipose Tissue Function in Obesity Using Exercise

Purpose

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) exerts an anti-contractile effect which is vital in regulating vascular tone. This effect is mediated via sympathetic nervous stimulation of PVAT by a mechanism which involves noradrenaline uptake through organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) and β₃-adrenoceptor-mediated adiponectin release. In obesity, autonomic dysfunction occurs, which may result in a loss of PVAT function and subsequent vascular disease. Accordingly, we have investigated abnormalities in obese PVAT, and the potential for exercise in restoring function.

Methods

Vascular contractility to electrical field stimulation (EFS) was assessed ex vivo in the presence of pharmacological tools in ±PVAT vessels from obese and exercised obese mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect changes in expression of β₃-adrenoceptors, OCT3 and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) in PVAT.

Results

High fat feeding induced hypertension, hyperglycaemia, and hyperinsulinaemia, which was reversed using exercise, independent of weight loss. Obesity induced a loss of the PVAT anti-contractile effect, which could not be restored via β₃-adrenoceptor activation. Moreover, adiponectin no longer exerts vasodilation. Additionally, exercise reversed PVAT dysfunction in obesity by reducing inflammation of PVAT and increasing β₃-adrenoceptor and OCT3 expression, which were downregulated in obesity. Furthermore, the vasodilator effects of adiponectin were restored.

Conclusion

Loss of neutrally mediated PVAT anti-contractile function in obesity will contribute to the development of hypertension and type II diabetes. Exercise training will restore function and treat the vascular complications of obesity.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10557-020-07136-0.

Efficacy of a Novel Herbal Formulation (F2) on the Management of Obesity: In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Background

Currently, obesity and its comorbidities have become a serious threat to human health necessitating urgent development of safe and effective therapy for their management.

Materials and Methods

In this research, a novel polyherbal formulation (F2) was prepared by mixing specific proportions of royal jelly and lemon juice with ethanol extracts of Orostachys japonicus, Rhus verniciflua, and Geranium thunbergii. The antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assay methods. The antiobesity potential of the F2 was assessed in vitro using 3T3-L1 fibroblast and in vivo using a high-fat diet (HFD) fed C57BL/6J mice model. F2 was administered in mice at the dose of 23 mg/kg and 46 mg/kg, twice daily by oral gavage. A well-accepted antiobesity agent, Garcinia cambogia (GC), at 200 mg/kg was used as a positive control.

Results

F2 was observed to exhibit synergistic antiadipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 cells. This inhibition was reinforced by the downregulation of specific adipogenic transcription factors. Furthermore, F2 was also found to reduce mice body weight gain, food efficiency ratio, fasting blood glucose level, fat deposition into the liver, and mass of white adipose tissue. F2 also played a role in the excretion of fat consumed by the mice. For most of the assays performed, the F2 (46 mg/kg) was comparable to the positive control GC (200 mg/kg). In addition, potential and synergistic antioxidant activity was observed on F2.

Conclusion

The results revealed that the formulation F2 exhibited potential antiobesity activity through the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, dietary fat absorption, and reduction of free fatty acids deposition in tissues.

Dietary and metabolic risk of neuropsychiatric disorders: insights from animal models

Neuropsychiatric disorders are major causes of the global burden of diseases, frequently co-occurring with multiple co-morbidities, especially obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its various risk factors in the metabolic syndrome. While the determining factors of neuropsychiatric disorders are complex, recent studies have shown that there is a strong link between diet, metabolic state and neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. There is no doubt that rodent models are of great value for preclinical research. Therefore, this article focuses on a rodent model of chronic consumption of high-fat diet (HFD), and/or the addition of a certain amount of cholesterol or sugar, meanwhile, summarising the pattern of diet that induces anxiety/depressive-like behaviour and the underlying mechanism. We highlight how dietary and metabolic risk influence neuropsychiatric behaviour in animals. Changes in dietary patterns, especially HFD, can induce anxiety- or depression-like behaviours, which may vary by diet exposure period, sex, age, species and genetic background of the animals used. Furthermore, dietary patterns significantly aggravate anxiety/depression-like behaviour in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. The mechanisms by which diet induces anxiety/depressive-like behaviour may involve neuroinflammation, neurotransmitters/neuromodulators, neurotrophins and the gut-brain axis. Future research should be focused on elucidating the mechanism and identifying the contribution of diet and diet-induced metabolic risk to neuropsychiatric disorders, which can form the basis for future clinical dietary intervention strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Short-term Western-style diet negatively impacts reproductive outcomes in primates

A maternal Western-style diet (WSD) is associated with poor reproductive outcomes, but whether this is from the diet itself or underlying metabolic dysfunction is unknown. Here, we performed a longitudinal study using regularly cycling female rhesus macaques (n = 10) that underwent 2 consecutive in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, one while consuming a low-fat diet and another 6–8 months after consuming a high-fat WSD. Metabolic data were collected from the females prior to each IVF cycle. Follicular fluid (FF) and oocytes were assessed for cytokine/steroid levels and IVF potential, respectively. Although transition to a WSD led to weight gain and increased body fat, no difference in insulin levels was observed. A significant decrease in IL-1RA concentration and the ratio of cortisol/cortisone was detected in FF after WSD intake. Despite an increased probability of isolating mature oocytes, a 44% reduction in blastocyst number was observed with WSD consumption, and time-lapse imaging revealed delayed mitotic timing and multipolar divisions. RNA sequencing of blastocysts demonstrated dysregulation of genes involved in RNA binding, protein channel activity, mitochondrial function and pluripotency versus cell differentiation after WSD consumption. Thus, short-term WSD consumption promotes a proinflammatory intrafollicular microenvironment that is associated with impaired preimplantation development in the absence of large-scale metabolic changes.

Integrative analysis of physiological responses to high fat feeding with diffusion tensor images and neurochemical profiles of the mouse brain

Background

Obesity proceeds with important physiological and microstructural alterations in the brain, but the precise relationships between the diet and feeding status, its physiological responses, and the observed neuroimaging repercussions, remain elusive. Here, we implemented a mouse model of high fat diet (HFD) feeding to explore specific associations between diet, feeding status, phenotypic and endocrine repercussions, and the resulting microstructural and metabolic alterations in the brain, as detected by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurochemical metabolic profiling.

Methods

Brain DTI images were acquired from adult male C57BL6/J mice after 6 weeks of HFD, or standard diet (SD) administrations, both under the fed, and overnight fasted conditions. Metabolomic profiles of the cortex (Ctx), hippocampus (Hipc), and hypothalamus (Hyp) were determined by ¹H high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) spectroscopy, in cerebral biopsies dissected after microwave fixation. Mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA) maps, and HRMAS profiles were complemented with determinations of phenotypic alterations and plasma levels of appetite-related hormones, measured by indirect calorimetry and multiplex assays, respectively. We used Z-score and alternating least squares scaling (ALSCAL) analysis to investigate specific associations between diet and feeding status, physiological, and imaging parameters.

Results

HFD induced significant increases in body weight and the plasma levels of glucose and fatty acids in the fed and fasted conditions, as well as higher cerebral MD (Ctx, Hipc, Hyp), FA (Hipc), and mobile saturated fatty acids resonances (Ctx, Hipc, Hyp). Z-score and ASLCAL analysis identified the precise associations between physiological and imaging variables.

Conclusions

The present study reveals that diet and feeding conditions elicit prominent effects on specific imaging and spectroscopic parameters of the mouse brain that can be associated to the alterations in phenotypic and endocrine variables. Together, present results disclose a neuro-inflammatory response to HFD, characterized primarily by vasogenic edema and compensatory responses in osmolyte concentrations.

A High-Fat Diet Induces Lower Systemic Inflammation than a High-Carbohydrate Diet in Mice

Background: We previously established that male Swiss mice (Mus musculus) receiving a high-fat diet (HFD) during 8 weeks exhibit similar caloric ingestion and body weight (grams) compared with mice fed a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD). HFD mice exhibit a lower inflammatory state than an HCD in the liver, skeletal muscle, and brain. In addition, we demonstrated that HFD and HCD modulated fatty acids (FA) composition in these tissues. In this study, our objective was to compare HFD mice and HCD mice in terms of systemic inflammation. Methods: Saturated FA (SFA), monounsaturated FA, omega-6 polyunsaturated FA (n-6 PUFA), and n-3 PUFA were evaluated at the time points 0, 1, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days after starting the administration of the diets. We investigated n-6 PUFA:n-3 PUFA, SFA:n-3 PUFA, palmitic acid:α-linolenic acid (ALA), and myristic acid:docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ratios as potential serum biomarkers of systemic inflammation. We also measured the serum levels of basic fibroblast growth factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), inducible protein 10 (IP-10), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), monokine induced by IFN-γ (MIG), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Results: The HFD group had lower (P < 0.05) n-6 PUFA:n-3 PUFA, palmitic acid:ALA, myristic acid:DHA ratios, and lower plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, MIG, GM-CSF, and IL-6). Conclusion: The HFD mice showed lower systemic inflammation compared with a caloric ingestion-body weight-matched control HCD mice.

Invited review: Potential antiobesity effect of fermented dairy products

The growing prevalence of obesity affects millions of people around the world and has gained increased attention over the years because it is associated with the development of other chronic degenerative diseases. Different organizations recommend lifestyle changes to treat obesity; nevertheless, other strategies in addition to lifestyle changes have recently been suggested. One of these strategies is the use of probiotics in fermented dairy products; however, a need exists to review the different studies available related to the potential antiobesity effect of these products. Because probiotic fermented dairy products that support weight management are not available in the market, there is a great opportunity for the development of functional dairy products with new lactic acid bacteria that may present this added health benefit. Thus, the purpose of this overview is to highlight the importance of probiotic fermented dairy products as potential antiobesogenic functional foods and present in vitro and in vivo studies required before this kind of product may be introduced to the market. Overall, most studies attributed the antiobesity effect of fermented dairy foods to the probiotic strains present; however, bioactive peptides released during milk fermentation may also be responsible for this effect.

Protective effect of Elateriospermum tapos in maternal obesity-induced deficit cognitive function of the offspring

OBJECTIVES

Pre-pregnancy obesity is a serious epidemics concern that negatively affects the neurodevelopmental of the offspring. Elateriospermum tapos (E. tapos) commonly used to enhance weight loss in obesity treatment. This study was aimed to investigate the influence of E. tapos supplement in obese maternal prior pregnancy on the offspring's bodyweight, lipid metabolism and memory function.

METHODS

Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats were used. Six rats were assigned to the normal diet group (DND). The remaining rats were fed with a high-fat and cafeteria diet (HFCD) to generate obesity for 5 weeks. Obese rats were further divided into four groups: Negative Control (DNC; HFCD), Positive Control (DPC; Orlistat 200 mg/kg), treatment 1 (DTX1; E. tapos seed 200 mg/kg) and treatment 2 (DTX2, E. tapos shell 200 mg/kg) were given daily, for 6 weeks prior to mating. At weaning, offspring of both genders were designated into six groups according to their dam's group (n=6/group). All groups were fed with a cafeteria diet except for the control group. Memory tasks for object and place recognition were conducted on offspring at eighth weeks of age. The offspring were cull at the 12th week of age for their blood sample.

RESULTS

Both offspring genders from DTX2 significantly reduce bodyweight, calorie intake and triglyceride level. In memory tasks, offspring from DTX2 showed a significant increase in exploration rate in place test as compared to offspring from the DNC group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights E. tapos shell as an anti-obesity agent and protecting memory deficit in obese dam's offspring.

Phenotypic sexual dimorphism in response to dietary fat manipulation in C57BL/6J mice

BACKGROUND

Obesity and the metabolic syndrome are increasingly prevalent in society and their complications and response to treatment exhibit sexual dimorphism. Mouse models of high fat diet-induced obesity are commonly used for both mechanistic and therapeutic studies of metabolic disease and diabetes. However, the inclusion of female mammals in obesity research has not been a common practice, and has resulted in a paucity of data regarding the effect of sex on metabolic parameters and its applicability to humans.

METHODS

Here we analyzed male and female C57BL/6 J mice beginning at 4 weeks of age that were placed on a low-fat diet (LFD, 10% calories from fat), a Western Diet (WD, 45% calories from fat), or a high fat diet (HFD, 60% calories from fat). Assessments of body composition, glucose homeostasis, insulin production, and energy metabolism, as well as histological analyses of pancreata were performed.

RESULTS

Both male and female C57BL/6 J mice had similar increases in total percent body weight gain with both WD and HFD compared to LFD, however, male mice gained weight earlier upon HFD or WD feeding compared to female mice. Male mice maintained their caloric food intake while reducing their locomotor activity with either WD or HFD compared to LFD, whereas female mice increased their caloric food intake with WD feeding. Locomotor activity of female mice did not significantly change upon WD or HFD feeding, yet female mice exhibited increased energy expenditure compared to WD or HFD fed male mice. Glucose tolerance tests performed at 4, 12 and 20 weeks of dietary intervention revealed impaired glucose tolerance that was worse in male mice compared to females. Furthermore, male mice exhibited an increase in pancreatic β cell area as well as reduced insulin sensitivity after HFD feeding compared to WD or LFD, whereas female mice did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Male and female C57BL/6 J mice exhibited strikingly different responses in weight, food consumption, locomotor activity, energy expenditure and β cell adaptation upon dietary manipulation, with the latter exhibiting less striking phenotypic changes. We conclude that the nature of these responses emphasizes the need to contextualize studies of obesity pathophysiology and treatment with respect to sex.

Hypothalamic Renin-Angiotensin System and Lipid Metabolism: Effects of Virgin Olive Oil versus Butter in the Diet

The brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been recently involved in the homeostatic regulation of energy. Our goal was to analyse the influence of a diet rich in saturated fatty acids (butter) against one enriched in monounsaturated fatty acids (olive oil) on hypothalamic RAS, and their relationship with the metabolism of fatty acids. Increases in body weight and visceral fat, together with an increase in aminopeptidase A expression and reductions in AngII and AngIV were observed in the hypothalamus of animals fed with the butter diet. In this group, a marked reduction in the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism (LPL, CD36, and CPT-1) was observed in liver and muscle. No changes were found in terms of body weight, total visceral fat and the expression of hepatic genes related to fatty acid metabolism in the olive oil diet. The expressions of LPL and CD36 were reduced in the muscles, although the decrease was lower than in the butter diet. At the same time, the fasting levels of leptin were reduced, no changes were observed in the hypothalamic expression of aminopeptidase A and decreases were noted in the levels of AngII, AngIV and AngIII. These results support that the type of dietary fat is able to modify the hypothalamic profile of RAS and the body energy balance, related to changes in lipid metabolism.

Salvia hispanica L. (chia) seed promotes body fat depletion and modulates adipocyte lipid handling in sucrose-rich diet-fed rats

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of Salvia hispanica L. (chia) seed upon metabolic pathways that play a key role in adipose tissue lipid handling which could be involved in visceral adiposity reduction developed in rats fed a sucrose-rich diet (SRD). Male Wistar rats were fed with a reference diet (RD) -6 months- or SRD-3 months. Then, the last group was randomly divided into two subgroups. One subgroup continued receiving the SRD up to 6 months and the other was fed with a SRD where whole chia seed was incorporated as the source of dietary fat for the next 3 months (SRD + CHIA). Results showed that chia seed in the SRD-fed rat reduced the abdominal and thoracic circumferences, carcass fat content, adipose tissue weights, and visceral adiposity index. This was accompanied by an improvement in insulin sensitivity and plasma lipid profile. In epididymal adipose tissue, the decreased fat cell triglyceride content was associated with a reduction in both, FAT/CD 36 plasma membrane levels and the fat synthesis enzyme activities. There were not changes in oxidative CPT enzyme activities. PKCβ and the precursor and mature forms of SREBP-1 protein levels were decreased, while pAMPK was increased. Our findings suggest that chia seed supplementation can modulate essential pathways of lipid metabolism in adipose tissue, contributing to reduced visceral fat accumulation in SRD-fed rats.

Obesity-like metabolic effects of high-carbohydrate or high-fat diets consumption in metabolic and renal functions

Present study investigated which diet, high-carbohydrate (HCD) or high-fat (HFD), most effectively induces classical characteristics of obesity in mice. Mice were fed commercial chow (control), an HCD, or an HFD for 12 weeks. HFD and HCD increased body weight, fat mass, and glycaemia, whereas the HFD augmented insulinemia. In the kidney, the HFD caused albuminuria, and reductions in fractional Na⁺ excretion, Thromboxane B2 (TXB2) excretion, and urinary flow, whereas the HCD reduced glomerular filtration, plasma osmolality, and TXB2 and Prostaglandin E2 excretion. The consumption of HFD and HCD modified parameters that indicate histopathological changes, such as proliferation (proliferating-cell-nuclear antigen), inflammation (c-Jun N-terminal-protein), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (vimentin, and desmin) in renal tissue, but the HCD group presents fewer signals of glomerular hypertrophy or tubule degeneration. In summary, the HCD generated the metabolic and renal changes required for an obesity model, but with a delay in the development of these modifications concerning the HFD.

Simultaneous Determination of Multiple Reactive Carbonyl Species in High Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Disordered Mice and the Inhibitory Effects of Rosemary on Carbonyl Stress

As potential endogenous biomarkers, reactive carbonyl species (RCS) have gained abundant attention for monitoring oxidative and carbonyl stress. However, there is no accurate method to evaluate multiple RCS in biological samples. In this study, a 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) derivatization-based LC-MS method was developed and validated to quantitate eight RCS: malondialdehyde (MDA), acrolein (ACR), 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), 4-oxo-2-nonenal (4-ONE), methylglyoxal (MGO), glyoxal (GO), 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG), and 2-keto-d-glucose (2-Keto). Subsequently, the method was applied to assess the RCS in low fat (LF), high fat (HF), and HF plus rosemary extract (RE) diet-fed mouse samples. The quantitative results on RCS levels indicated that the HF diet significantly increased the total RCS levels in mouse urine, plasma, and kidney with an average rate of 280.69%, 153.87%, and 61.30%, respectively. The RE administration significantly inhibited the elevated RCS levels induced by the HF diet, especially for MDA, 4-ONE, 4-HNE, and 2-Keto in mouse plasma, and ACR and 2-Keto in mouse kidney. This is the first study to simultaneously measure eight RCS in biological samples and demonstrate that RE was able to eliminate the accumulation of the HF diet-induced RCS.

Effects of Banana Resistant Starch on the Biochemical Indexes and Intestinal Flora of Obese Rats Induced by a High-Fat Diet and Their Correlation Analysis

The effects of banana resistant starch (BRS) on obesity-related metabolic and intestinal flora were investigated in a high-fat diet-induced obesity model. After 6 weeks of intervention, the glucolipid metabolism index [blood glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)], hormone index [leptin (LEP), insulin (INS), ghrelin, adiponectin (ADP), and thyroxine (T4)], and 16S rRNA sequencing analyses were performed for each group to explore the regulating effect of intestinal flora and the mechanism of weight loss in obese rats. The results showed that (1) BRS intervention significantly reduced the levels of GLU, TG, TC, LDL-C, LEP, and INS (p < 0.01) and increased the contents of ghrelin (p < 0.05) and ADP (p < 0.01). (2) BRS could improve the diversity of intestinal flora and regulate the overall structure of intestinal microorganisms, mainly by upregulating the Bacteroides/Firmicutes ratio and the relative abundance of Cyanobacteria and downregulating the relative abundances of Deferribacteres and Tenericutes (at the phylum level). BRS could inhibit the proliferation of Turicibacter, Romboutsia, and Oligella and increase the abundances of Bacteroides, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae (at the genus level). (3) Some significant correlations were observed between the gut microbiota and biomarkers. Turicibacter, Romboutsia, and Oligella were positively correlated with GLU, TG, TC, LEP, and INS and negatively correlated with ghrelin and ADP. Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Akkermansia were negatively correlated with GLU, TG, and TC. Conclusion: BRS had promising effects on weight loss, which could be associated with the improvement in host metabolism by regulating intestinal flora.

Impact of High Fat Diet and Ethanol Consumption on Neurocircuitry Regulating Emotional Processing and Metabolic Function

The prevalence of psychiatry disorders such as anxiety and depression has steadily increased in recent years in the United States. This increased risk for anxiety and depression is associated with excess weight gain, which is often due to over-consumption of western diets that are typically high in fat, as well as with binge eating disorders, which often overlap with overweight and obesity outcomes. This finding suggests that diet, particularly diets high in fat, may have important consequences on the neurocircuitry regulating emotional processing as well as metabolic functions. Depression and anxiety disorders are also often comorbid with alcohol and substance use disorders. It is well-characterized that many of the neurocircuits that become dysregulated by overconsumption of high fat foods are also involved in drug and alcohol use disorders, suggesting overlapping central dysfunction may be involved. Emerging preclinical data suggest that high fat diets may be an important contributor to increased susceptibility of binge drug and ethanol intake in animal models, suggesting diet could be an important aspect in the etiology of substance use disorders. Neuroinflammation in pivotal brain regions modulating metabolic function, food intake, and binge-like behaviors, such as the hypothalamus, mesolimbic dopamine circuits, and amygdala, may be a critical link between diet, ethanol, metabolic dysfunction, and neuropsychiatric conditions. This brief review will provide an overview of behavioral and physiological changes elicited by both diets high in fat and ethanol consumption, as well as some of their potential effects on neurocircuitry regulating emotional processing and metabolic function.

Biochanin A attenuates obesity cardiomyopathy in rats by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation through the Nrf-2 pathway

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of biochanin A (BCA) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity cardiomyopathy.

METHODS

BCA (10 mg/kg body weight) was administered to HFD-induced obese rats for 30 days, and its effect on anthropometrical, morphological, plasma cardiac, and inflammatory biomarkers, along with cardiac lipid profiles was assessed.

RESULTS

Supplementation of HFD to rats significantly increased body mass index, obesity index parameters, and cardiac lipid profile along with notable oxidative stress and inflammation. Additionally, BCA treatment in obese rats demonstrated a superior therapeutic action by restoring the altered parameters to almost normal levels. Simultaneously, BCA increased the activities and mRNA expressions of enzymatic antioxidants by upregulating the Nrf-2 pathway and inhibiting the NF-κB cascade.

CONCLUSION

BCA may attenuate obesity and its associated cardiomyopathy by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation through activation of the Nrf-2 pathway and inhibition of NF-κB activation.

Capsiate Intake with Exercise Training Additively Reduces Fat Deposition in Mice on a High-Fat Diet, but Not without Exercise Training

While exercise training (ET) is an efficient strategy to manage obesity, it is recommended with a dietary plan to maximize the antiobesity functions owing to a compensational increase in energy intake. Capsiate is a notable bioactive compound for managing obesity owing to its capacity to increase energy expenditure. We aimed to examine whether the antiobesity effects of ET can be further enhanced by capsiate intake (CI) and determine its effects on resting energy expenditure and metabolic molecules. Mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8 per group) and fed high-fat diet. Mild-intensity treadmill ET was conducted five times/week; capsiate (10 mg/kg) was orally administered daily. After 8 weeks, resting metabolic rate and metabolic molecules were analyzed. ET with CI additively reduced the abdominal fat rate by 18% and solely upregulated beta-3-adrenoceptors in adipose tissue (p = 0.013) but did not affect the metabolic molecules in skeletal muscles. Surprisingly, CI without ET significantly increased the abdominal fat rate (p = 0.001) and reduced energy expenditure by 9%. Therefore, capsiate could be a candidate compound for maximizing the antiobesity effects of ET by upregulating beta-3-adrenoceptors in adipose tissue, but CI without ET may not be beneficial in managing obesity.

Integrative Analyses of mRNA Expression Profile Reveal SOCS2 and CISH Play Important Roles in GHR Mutation-Induced Excessive Abdominal Fat Deposition in the Sex-Linked Dwarf Chicken

Sex-linked dwarf (SLD) chicken, which is caused by a recessive mutation of the growth hormone receptor (GHR), has been widely used in the Chinese broiler industry. However, it has been found that the SLD chicken has more abdominal fat deposition than normal chicken. Excessive fat deposition not only reduced the carcass quality of the broilers but also reduced the immunity of broilers to diseases. To find out the key genes and the precise regulatory pathways that were involved in the GHR mutation-induced excessive fat deposition, we used high-fat diet (HFD) and normal diet to feed the SLD chicken and normal chicken and analyzed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the four groups. Results showed that the SLD chicken had more abdominal fat deposition and larger adipocytes size than normal chicken and HFD can promote abdominal fat deposition and induce adipocyte hypertrophy. RNA sequencing results of the livers and abdominal fats from the above chickens revealed that many DEGs between the SLD and normal chickens were enriched in fat metabolic pathways, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling, extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor pathway, and fatty acid metabolism. Importantly, by constructing and analyzing the GHR-downstream regulatory network, we found that suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) and cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CISH) may involve in the GHR mutation-induced abdominal fat deposition in chicken. The ectopic expression of SOCS2 and CISH in liver-related cell line leghorn strain M chicken hepatoma (LMH) cell and immortalized chicken preadipocytes (ICP) revealed that these two genes can regulate fatty acid metabolism, adipocyte differentiation, and lipid droplet accumulation. Notably, overexpression of SOCS2 and CISH can rescue the hyperactive lipid metabolism and excessive lipid droplet accumulation of primary liver cell and preadipocytes that were isolated from the SLD chicken. This study found some genes and pathways involved in abdominal fat deposition of the SLD chicken and reveals that SOCS2 and CISH are two key genes involved in the GHR mutation-induced excessive fat deposition of the SLD chicken.

Acetyl-CoA Synthetase 2: A Critical Linkage in Obesity-Induced Tumorigenesis in Myeloma

Obesity is often linked to malignancies including multiple myeloma, and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we showed that acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) may be an important linker in obesity-related myeloma. ACSS2 is overexpressed in myeloma cells derived from obese patients and contributes to myeloma progression. We identified adipocyte-secreted angiotensin II as a direct cause of adiposity in increased ACSS2 expression. ACSS2 interacts with oncoprotein interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), and enhances IRF4 stability and IRF4-mediated gene transcription through activation of acetylation. The importance of ACSS2 overexpression in myeloma is confirmed by the finding that an inhibitor of ACSS2 reduces myeloma growth both in vitro and in a diet-induced obese mouse model. Our findings demonstrate a key impact for obesity-induced ACSS2 on the progression of myeloma. Given the central role of ACSS2 in many tumors, this mechanism could be important to other obesity-related malignancies.

Transkingdom interactions between Lactobacilli and hepatic mitochondria attenuate western diet-induced diabetes

Western diet (WD) is one of the major culprits of metabolic disease including type 2 diabetes (T2D) with gut microbiota playing an important role in modulating effects of the diet. Herein, we use a data-driven approach (Transkingdom Network analysis) to model host-microbiome interactions under WD to infer which members of microbiota contribute to the altered host metabolism. Interrogation of this network pointed to taxa with potential beneficial or harmful effects on host's metabolism. We then validate the functional role of the predicted bacteria in regulating metabolism and show that they act via different host pathways. Our gene expression and electron microscopy studies show that two species from Lactobacillus genus act upon mitochondria in the liver leading to the improvement of lipid metabolism. Metabolomics analyses revealed that reduced glutathione may mediate these effects. Our study identifies potential probiotic strains for T2D and provides important insights into mechanisms of their action.

The Turkish version of the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire in patients with chronic neck pain: a cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity study

INTRODUCTION

The cultural adaptation of a self-report measurement in different languages is important for developing common strategies for evaluation and treatment. The Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire (NBQ), which was developed to evaluate patients with neck pain, was adapted from the Bournemouth Questionnaire in accordance with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) categories. The aim of this study was to conduct the Turkish cultural adaptation, validity and reliability study of the NBQ.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 119 patients (93 females, 26 males; mean age: 37.2 ±11.8 years) with chronic nonspecific neck pain. The NBQ, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) questionnaires were administered to all the subjects. Test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient) and the internal consistency (Cronbach's α) were the methods used for the reliability study. The relationship between NBQ, NDI and NHP was investigated for concurrent validity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was used for construct validity.

RESULTS

The Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire showed good internal consistency (α = 0.87). The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.913 (95% CI: 0.875-0.940). The correlations between NBQ and NDI and NHP were significant (p < 0.05). The questionnaire was found to have one factor and the explained variance was 59.084% as a result of factor analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire is a valid and reliable scale for patients with chronic neck pain in the Turkish population.

Nutritional Control of Intestinal Stem Cells in Homeostasis and Tumorigenesis

Food and nutrition have a profound impact on organismal health and diseases, and tissue-specific adult stem cells play a crucial role in coordinating tissue maintenance by responding to dietary cues. Emerging evidence indicates that adult intestinal stem cells (ISCs) actively adjust their fate decisions in response to diets and nutritional states to drive intestinal adaptation. Here, we review the signaling mechanisms mediating the dietary responses imposed by caloric intake and nutritional composition (i.e., macronutrients and micronutrients), fasting-feeding patterns, diet-induced growth factors, and microbiota on ISCs and their relevance to the beginnings of intestinal tumors.

Delayed Exercise Training Improves Obesity-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease by Activating AMPK Pathway in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Exercise training is now recognized as an interesting therapeutic strategy in managing obesity and its related disorders. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about its impact on obesity-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we investigated the effects of a delayed protocol of endurance exercise training (EET) as well as the underlying mechanism in obese mice presenting CKD. Mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or a low-fat diet (LFD) for 12 weeks were subsequently submitted to an 8-weeks EET protocol. Delayed treatment with EET in obese mice prevented body weight gain associated with a reduced calorie intake. EET intervention counteracted obesity-related disorders including glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and hepatic steatosis. Moreover, our data demonstrated for the first time the beneficial effects of EET on obesity-induced CKD as evidenced by an improvement of obesity-related glomerulopathy, tubulo-interstitial fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. EET also prevented renal lipid depositions in the proximal tubule. These results were associated with an improvement of the AMPK pathway by EET in renal tissue. AMPK-mediated phosphorylation of ACC and ULK-1 were particularly enhanced leading to increased fatty acid oxidation and autophagy improvement with EET in obese mice.

Sandwich ELISA-Based Electrochemical Biosensor for Leptin in Control and Diet-Induced Obesity Mouse Model

Leptin is a peptide hormone produced primarily in adipose tissues. Leptin is considered a biomarker associated with obesity and obesity-mediated diseases. Biosensor detection of leptin in the blood may play a critical role as an indicator of dynamic pathological changes. In this paper, we introduce an electrochemical biosensor that adopts o-Phenylenediamine (oPD) on screen-printed gold electrodes (SPGEs) for detecting the leptin from a mouse model of diet-induced obesity (DIO). A linear calibration curve for the leptin concentration was obtained in the ranges from 0.1 to 20 ng/mL with a lower detection limit of 0.033 ng/mL. The leptin concentration was quantified with HRP (horseradish peroxidase)-catalyzed oxidation of oPD by two voltammetry methods: cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square-wave voltammetry (SWV). The proposed sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based electrochemical biosensor for the leptin in mouse blood serum showed high stability, sensitivity, selectivity, and effectivity compared to the commercial Leptin ELISA measurement. Thus, we believe that this leptin biosensor can be a sensitive analytical tool to detect low-levels of biomarkers in clinics and point-of-care testing (POCT).

In Vitro and In Vivo Models of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Critical Appraisal

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), represents the hepatic manifestation of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Due to the spread of the obesity epidemic, NAFLD is becoming the most common chronic liver disease and one of the principal indications for liver transplantation. However, no pharmacological treatment is currently approved to prevent the outbreak of NASH, which leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Preclinical research is required to improve our knowledge of NAFLD physiopathology and to identify new therapeutic targets. In the present review, we summarize advances in NAFLD preclinical models from cellular models, including new bioengineered platforms, to in vivo models, with a particular focus on genetic and dietary mouse models. We aim to discuss the advantages and limits of these different models.

Resveratrol Attenuates High-Fat Diet Induced Hepatic Lipid Homeostasis Disorder and Decreases m6A RNA Methylation

Purpose: N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA methylation is affected by dietary factors and associated with lipid metabolism; however, whether the regulatory role of resveratrol in lipid metabolism is involved in m6A mRNA methylation remains unknown. Here, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on hepatic lipid metabolism and m6A RNA methylation in the liver of mice. Methods: A total of 24 male mice were randomly allocated to LFD (low-fat diet), LFDR (low-fat diet + resveratrol), HFD (high-fat diet), and HFDR (high-fat diet + resveratrol) groups for 12 weeks (n = 6/group). Final body weight of mice was measured before sacrificing. Perirhemtric fat, abdominal and epididymal fat, liver tissues, and serum were collected at sacrifice and analyzed. Briefly, mice phenotype, lipid metabolic index, and m6A modification in the liver were assessed. Results: Compared to the HFD group, dietary resveratrol supplementation reduced the body weight and relative abdominal, epididymal, and perirhemtric fat weight in high-fat-exposed mice; however, resveratrol significantly increased average daily feed intake in mice given HFD. The amounts of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), liver total cholesterol (TC), and triacylglycerol (TAG) were significantly decreased by resveratrol supplementation. In addition, resveratrol significantly enhanced the levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta (PPARβ/δ), cytochrome P450, family 4, subfamily a, polypeptide 10/14 (CYP4A10/14), acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1), and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) mRNA and inhibited acyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) mRNA levels in the liver. Furthermore, the resveratrol in HFD increased the transcript levels of methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3), alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), fat mass and obesity associated protein (FTO), and YTH domain family 2 (YTHDF2), whereas it decreased the level of YTH domain family 3 (YTHDF3) and m6A abundance in mice liver. Conclusion: The beneficial effect of resveratrol on lipid metabolism disorder under HFD may be due to decrease of m6A RNA methylation and increase of PPARα mRNA, providing mechanistic insights into the function of resveratrol in alleviating the disturbance of lipid metabolism in mice.

Improvement of Hypertriglyceridemia by Roasted Nelumbinis folium in High Fat/High Cholesterol Diet Rat Model

Hypertriglyceridemia is a condition characterized by high triglyceride levels and is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effect of roasted Nelumbinis folium (RN), which is a medicinal substance produced by heating lotus leaves, on lipid metabolism in high fat/cholesterol (HFC) diet-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Except for those in the control group, Sprague–Dawley rats were fed an HFC diet for four weeks to induce hypertriglyceridemia. During the next nine weeks, the control, regular diet; HFC, HFC diet, FLU, fluvastatin (3 mg/kg/day); RNL, RN (100 mg/kg/day); RNH, RN (200 mg/kg/day) were orally administered together with the diet, and the experiments were conducted for a total of 13 weeks. The weight of the epididymal adipose tissue, liver, and heart of rats in the HFC diet group significantly increased compared to those in the control group but improved in the RN-treated group. It was also confirmed that vascular function, which is damaged by an HFC diet, was improved after RN treatment. The levels of insulin, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein increased in the HFC diet group compared to those in the control group, while the administration of RN attenuated these parameters. In addition, the administration of RN significantly reduced the gene expression of both LXR and SREBP-1, which indicated the inhibitory effect of the biosynthesis of triglycerides caused by RN. The results indicated that RN administration resulted in an improvement in the overall lipid metabolism and a decrease in the concentration of triglycerides in the HFC diet-induced rat model of hypertriglyceridemia. Therefore, our findings suggest that the RN can be a candidate material to provide a new direction for treating hypertriglyceridemia.

The cafeteria diet: A standardized protocol and its effects on behavior

Obesity is a major health risk, with junk food consumption playing a central role in weight gain, because of its high palatability and high-energy nutrients. The Cafeteria (CAF) diet model for animal experiments consists of the same tasty but unhealthy food products that people eat (e.g. hot dogs and muffins), and considers variety, novelty and secondary food features, such as smell and texture. This model, therefore, mimics human eating patterns better than other models. In this paper, we systematically review studies that have used a CAF diet in behavioral experiments and propose a standardized CAF diet protocol. The proposed diet is ad libitum and voluntary; combines different textures, nutrients and tastes, including salty and sweet products; and it is rotated and varied. Our summary of the behavioral effects of CAF diet show that it alters meal patterns, reduces the hedonic value of other rewards, and tends to reduce stress and spatial memory. So far, no clear effects of CAF diet were found on locomotor activity, impulsivity, coping and social behavior.

Central interaction between the apelinergic and vasopressinergic systems in the regulation of the haemodynamic parameters in rats maintained on a high-fat diet

A high-fat diet can affect the central activity of the apelinergic and vasopressinergic systems, which can have a significant impact on cardiovascular regulation. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of the central interaction between apelin and vasopressin in the regulation of the cardiovascular system in Sprague Dawley rats maintained on a normal-fat diet (NFD) or on a high-fat diet (HFD). The animals were instrumented with a cannula implanted into the left cerebral ventricle for intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusions of saline (0.9% NaCl), apelin-13 (APLN-13), V1a receptor antagonist (V1aRANT) APJ receptor antagonist (F13A), vasopressin (AVP); and with a catheter placed within the femoral artery for mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate monitoring. Blood, the hypothalamus and the medulla oblongata were collected for biochemical analysis. The hypertensive effect of APLN-13 was blocked by a prior ICV infusion of V1aRANT, only in the NFD rats. However, the hypertensive effect of AVP was blocked by the prior ICV infusion of F13A in both the NFD and HFD rats. A HFD caused an increase in the protein level of APJ and V1a receptors, both in the hypothalamus and the medulla oblongata. This study confirms the presence of an interaction between both peptides in the central regulation of the cardiovascular system in rats on a NFD or a HFD.

Defective immunosuppressive function of Treg cells in visceral adipose tissue in MIF deficient mice

Obesity, a global health problem nowadays, is a state of low-grade chronic inflammation of adipose tissue (AT) associated with increased adipocyte growth and proliferation and immune cell polarization towards an inflammatory phenotype within the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). Pro-inflammatory cells in the AT produce mediators of inflammation (IL-1β, TNF, macrophage migration inhibitory factor - MIF), thereby surpassing the anti-inflammatory response mediated by IL-10 and TGF-β, cytokines produced by regulatory T (Treg) cells. In this study we demonstrate that the absence of the pro-inflammatory cytokine MIF led to obesity and inflammation in the visceral AT (VAT) in 6 months old MIF^-/- mice. Besides the increment of pro-inflammatory AT macrophages and the enhanced production of TNF and IL-1β, VAT of MIF^-/- mice contained increased numbers of Treg cells. In situ proliferation of Treg cells did not differ between MIF^-/- and wild type mice, but Treg cells isolated from the VAT of MIF-deficient mice, and not from the cervical lymph nodes, exhibited lower expression and production of IL-10 and TGF-β. Additionally, SVF cells had significantly lower levels of STAT3 and IL-33, altogether indicating that VAT Treg cells in MIF^-/- mice, albeit abundantly present, are not fully functional. These results indicate that MIF is a new regulator of VAT Treg cell function, necessary for their immunosuppressive activities.

Magnetic resonance assessment of the cerebral alterations associated with obesity development

Obesity is a current threat to health care systems, affecting approximately 13% of the world's adult population, and over 18% children and adolescents. The rise of obesity is fuelled by inadequate life style habits, as consumption of diets rich in fats and sugars which promote, additionally, the development of associated comorbidities. Obesity results from a neuroendocrine imbalance in the cerebral mechanisms controlling food intake and energy expenditure, including the hypothalamus and the reward and motivational centres. Specifically, high-fat diets are known to trigger an early inflammatory response in the hypothalamus that precedes weight gain, is time-dependent, and eventually extends to the remaining appetite regulating regions in the brain. Multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) methods are currently available to characterize different features of cerebral obesity, including diffusion weighted, T2 and volumetric imaging and 1H and 13C spectroscopic evaluations. In particular, consistent evidences have revealed increased water diffusivity and T2 values, decreased grey matter volumes, and altered metabolic profiles and fluxes, in the brain of animal models and in obese humans. This review provides an integrative interpretation of the physio-pathological processes associated with obesity development in the brain, and the MRI and MRS methods implemented to characterize them.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase as a therapeutic target for obesity-induced disorders: roles of gut barrier function involved

Emerging research supports that soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), an enzyme involved in eicosanoid metabolism, could be a promising target for obesity-associated disorders. The sEH enzyme is overexpressed in many tissues of obese animals. Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of sEH attenuates the development of a wide range of obesity-induced disorders, including endoplasmic reticulum stress, metabolic syndrome, kidney diseases, insulin resistance, fatty liver, hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, our recent research showed that genetic ablation or inhibition of sEH attenuated obesity-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and its resulted bacterial translocation, which is widely regarded to be a central mechanism for the pathogenesis of various obesity-induced disorders. Together, these results support that targeting sEH could be a promising strategy to reduce risks of obesity-induced disorders, at least in part through blocking obesity-induced leaky gut syndrome.

Elevated Fat Intake Increases Body Weight and the Risk of Overweight and Obesity among Chinese Adults: 1991-2015 Trends

Studies on fat intake and obesity have been inconclusive. This study examined the associations between dietary fat intake and body weight and the risk of overweight and obesity in China. We used data from 23,859 adults aged 20-60 years who participated in the China Health and Nutrition Survey, an ongoing open-cohort study, from 1991 to 2015. We collected detailed dietary data by conducting three 24-h dietary recalls and weighing foods and condiments in household inventories. We examined the associations between fat intake and body weight, body mass index (BMI), and the risk of overweight and obesity with random-effects linear or logistic regression models for panel data. The Chinese population's fat intake, percentage of energy intake from fat, and prevalence of high-fat diets (energy intake from fat > 30%) increased from 68.5 g per day (g/d), 23.1%, and 22.4%, respectively, in 1991 to 79.3 g/d, 35.6%, and 67.2%, respectively, in 2015. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 12.3% to 37.3% during the same period. Fat intake, percentage of energy intake from fat, and a high-fat diet were positively associated with body weight, BMI, and the risk of overweight and obesity in both sexes (p < 0.001) after adjustment for nonfat energy intake, physical activity, and socioeconomic status. Increased fat intake and high-fat diets were associated with increased body weight, BMI, and risk of overweight and obesity. These findings could have a significant impact on Chinese policies and interventions to control overweight and obesity.

Two polyphenol-rich Brazilian fruit extracts protect from diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis in mice

Consumption of polyphenol-rich food is associated with better metabolic health. Tucum-do-Pantanal (Bactris setosa Mart) and taruma-do-cerrado (Vitex cymosa Bertero ex Spreng) are underexploited native Brazilian fruits with an important source of phytochemicals. In this study, we assessed the effects of 100 mg kg-1 tucum (TPE) and taruma (TCE) extracts on diet-induced obesity (DIO) C57BL/6J mice. After 8 weeks of daily treatment, TPE and TCE were found to significantly prevented the diet-induced body weight gain and fully protected against hepatic steatosis associated with a tendency to stimulate hepatic AMPK phosphorylation. TPE reduced visceral obesity and improved glucose metabolism as revealed by an improvement of the insulin tolerance test, a reduction in the insulin fasting level, and a decreased glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia during an oral glucose tolerance test. TPE and TCE showed promising effects on the treatment of obesity and NAFLD, furthermore, TPE on insulin resistance.