Pathogenesis of Insulin Resistance and Glucose Intolerance in Childhood Obesity

Lansoprazole enhances the antidiabetic effect of dapagliflozin in fortified diet-fed streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats

Dapagliflozin (DAPA) is used for treating type 2 diabetes, whereas lansoprazole (LPZ) is used as a traditional antiulcer drug. The present study investigated the possible antidiabetic effects of LPZ on fortified diet-fed streptozotocin (FDF/STZ)-induced insulin-resistant diabetic rats. On the basis of the current results, it can be concluded that LPZ could be used as an add-on drug along with the conventional treatment for T2D as it showed beneficial effects in the current experimental model of insulin resistance.

Early postnatal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and reduced insulin sensitivity in adult rats

OBJECTIVE

Early life stress influences the development of metabolic disorders, including functional changes in the developing of pancreas mediated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In the present study, the role of an early postnatal stress on corticosterone, glucose, and insulin levels was investigated during young adulthood.

METHODS

Two groups of pups were studied, including control group (pups not receiving foot shock by communication box), and early stress group (pups receiving foot shock by communication box 2 times/day for 5 consecutive days). In rats, concentration of plasma corticosterone, glucose, and insulin was detected before and after placing them into the communication box at 2 weeks of age. At 8-10 weeks of age, concentrations of plasma corticosterone, glucose, and insulin and glucose tolerance were measured in young adult rats.

RESULTS

Our results showed that early postnatal foot shock stress increased the corticosterone, insulin, and glucose levels in the postnatal age (p<0.01) that did not last until young adult age, but it caused a significant increase in plasma glucose and insulin levels (p<0.05) following the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) in young adult rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that impaired IPGTT in young adult rats who experienced early postnatal stress can indicate insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity that make it at risk of the type 2 diabetes later in life.

Added sugar and dietary fiber consumption are associated with creativity in preadolescent children

Objectives: Creativity requires the ability to combine existing mental representations in new ways and depends, in part, on the hippocampus. Hippocampal function is, in turn, affected by a number of health factors, including aerobic fitness, excess adiposity, and diet. Specifically, in rodent studies, diets high in saturated fatty acids and sugar - hallmarks of a western diet- have been shown to negatively impact hippocampal function and thereby impair performance on cognitive tasks that require the hippocampus. Yet relatively few studies have examined the relationship between diet and hippocampal-dependent cognition in children. Methods: The current study therefore sought to explore the relationship of several diet quality markers including dietary lipids (saturated fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids), simple carbohydrates (added sugars), and dietary fiber with creativity in preadolescent children. Participants (N = 57; mean age = 9.1 years) completed the Verbal Form of the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT), a standardized test of creativity known to require the hippocampus. Additionally, participants completed a 3-day food intake record with the assistance of a parent, underwent dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess central adiposity, and VO₂max testing to assess aerobic fitness. Results: Added sugar intake was negatively associated, and dietary fiber was positively associated with overall TTCT performance. These relationships were sustained even after controlling for key covariates. Discussion: These findings are among the first to report an association between added sugar consumption and hippocampal-dependent cognition during childhood and, given the key role of the hippocampus in learning and memory, as well as creative thinking, have potential educational and public health implications.