Caloric restriction overcomes pre-diabetes and hypertension induced by a high fat diet and renal artery stenosis

Intermittent fasting as a dietary intervention with potential sexually dimorphic health benefits

Intermittent fasting (IF) has proven to be a feasible dietary intervention for the wider population. The recent increase in IF clinical trials highlights its potential effects on health, including changes in body composition, cardiometabolic status, and aging. Although IF may have clinical applications in different populations, studies suggest there may be sex-specific responses in parameters such as body composition or glucose and lipid metabolism. Here, the existing literature on IF clinical trials is summarized, the application of IF in both disease prevention and management is discussed, and potential disparities in response to this type of diet between men and women are assessed. Moreover, the potential mechanisms that may be contributing to the sexually dimorphic response, such as age, body composition, tissue distribution, or sex hormones are investigated. This review underscores the need to further study these sex-specific responses to IF to define the most effective time frames and length of fasting periods for men and women. Tailoring IF to specific populations with a personalized approach may help achieve its full potential as a lifestyle intervention with clinical benefits.

Effect of calorie restriction on redox status during chemically induced estropause in female mice

In females, there is a continuous decline of the ovarian reserve with age, which results in menopause in women or estropause in mice. Loss of ovarian function results in metabolic alterations in mice and women. Based on this, we aimed to evaluate the effect of caloric restriction (CR) on redox status and metabolic changes in chemically induced estropause in mice. For this, mice were divided into four groups (n = 10): cyclic ad libitum (AL), cyclic 30% CR, AL estropause, and estropause 30% CR. Estropause was induced using 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) for 20 consecutive days in 2-month-old females. The CR protocol started at 5 months of age and the treatments lasted for 4 months. The CR females gained less body weight than AL females (p < 0.001) and had lower glycemic curves in response to glucose tolerance test (GTT). The AL estropause females had the highest body weight and body fat, despite having lower food intake. However, the estropause females on 30% CR lost the most body weight and had the lowest amount of body fat compared to all groups. The effect of 30% CR on redox status in fat and liver tissue was similar for cyclic and estropause females. Interestingly, estropause decreased ROS in adipose tissue, while increasing it in the liver. No significant effects of CR on redox status were observed. Chemically induced estropause did not influence the response to 30% CR on glucose tolerance and redox status; however, weight loss was exarcebated compared to cyclic females.

Caloric restriction reduces proteinuria in male rats with established nephropathy

Reducing proteinuria is a crucial approach in preventing kidney function loss. Previous preclinical studies indicated that caloric restriction (CR) imposed at a young age protects against age-related proteinuria. However, these studies have not explored CR in established renal disease. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of CR on established proteinuria. Rats, aged 12 ± 2 weeks, were administered 2.1 mg/kg of Adriamycin. Six weeks after injection, protein excretion was measured, and a [13 N]ammonia positron emission tomography (PET) scan was conducted to assess kidney perfusion. After 7 weeks rats were divided into four groups: ad libitum (AL) and CR groups fed either a 12% or a 20% protein diet. All groups were treated for 12 weeks. Blood pressure was measured and a second PET scan was acquired at the end of the study. The animals subjected to CR exhibited a 20.3% decrease in protein excretion (p = 0.003) compared to those in the AL groups. Additionally, blood pressure in the CR group was 21.2% lower (p < 0.001) than in the AL groups. While kidney function declined over time in all groups, the 20% CR group demonstrated the smallest decline. Thus CR effectively reduces urinary protein excretion and lowers blood pressure in rats with established proteinuria.

Exploring a novel therapeutic strategy: the interplay between gut microbiota and high-fat diet in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders

In the past two decades, the rapid increase in the incidence of metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, and hyperuricemia, has been attributed to high-fat diets (HFD) and decreased physical activity levels. Although the phenotypes and pathologies of these metabolic diseases vary, patients with these diseases exhibit disease-specific alterations in the composition and function of their gut microbiota. Studies in germ-free mice have shown that both HFD and gut microbiota can promote the development of metabolic diseases, and HFD can disrupt the balance of gut microbiota. Therefore, investigating the interaction between gut microbiota and HFD in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic strategies for these diseases. This review takes HFD as the starting point, providing a detailed analysis of the pivotal role of HFD in the development of metabolic disorders. It comprehensively elucidates the impact of HFD on the balance of intestinal microbiota, analyzes the mechanisms underlying gut microbiota dysbiosis leading to metabolic disruptions, and explores the associated genetic factors. Finally, the potential of targeting the gut microbiota as a means to address metabolic disturbances induced by HFD is discussed. In summary, this review offers theoretical support and proposes new research avenues for investigating the role of nutrition-related factors in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders in the organism.

Could METS-VF provide a clue as to the formation of kidney stones?

Objective

The lifetime occurrence rate of kidney stones is 14%, making it one of the most prevalent urological conditions. Other contributing elements, such as obesity, diabetes, diet, and heredity, are also taken into account. Our research sought to explore the potential link between high visceral fat scores (METS-VF) and the occurrence of kidney stones, as a means of understanding how to prevent them.

Methods

This research utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), mirroring the demographics of the United States. We carried out an in-depth analysis of the connection between METS-VF and kidney stones, based on data from 29,246 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning 2007 to 2018, involving logistic regression, segmentation, and dose-response curve analysis.

Results

Our study of 29,246 potential participants found that METS-VF was positively associated with the prevalence and progression of kidney stones. After subgroup analysis by gender, race, blood pressure, and blood glucose, our results showed that the ORs for METS-VF and kidney stones were (1.49, 1.44) in males and females, respectively; while in Mexicans, whites, blacks, and In other populations, the OR values were (1.33, 1.43, 1.54, 1.86); in hypertensive and normal populations, the OR values were (1.23, 1.48); in diabetic patients and normoglycemic patients were (1.36,1.43). This proves that it works for all groups of people.

Summary

Our studies demonstrate a strong connection between METS-FV and the emergence of kidney stones. It would be beneficial to investigate METS-VF as a marker for kidney stone development and progression in light of these findings.

Caloric restriction prevents inflammation and insulin dysfunction in middle-aged ovariectomized mice

BACKGROUND

Loss of ovarian function is associated with increased visceral fat. In this study, we aimed to study the effects of caloric restriction (CR) on metabolism in ovariectomized mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Female, 8-12-month-old mice were divided into three groups: OVX (ovariectomized mice), OVXR (40% CR) and Sham. CR increased insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. AMPK phosphorylation was observed in the liver of OVXR mice. CR also increased hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The reductions in the level of TBARS in the serum and liver and of H2O2 in the liver of OVXR mice suggested alterations in the redox state of the liver. Although expression of catalase protein was reduced by CR, expression of superoxide dismutase was not altered by CR. Although interleukin IL-6 and IL-10 levels in OVXR mice were similar to those in Sham mice, macrophage infiltration was reduced in OVXR mice. OVXR mice had increased sirtuin1 levels and decreased sirtuin3 levels in the liver.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, CR improved the condition of ovariectomized mice by reducing adiposity and increasing insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance through a mechanism that may involve AMPK.

Effects of different weight loss dietary interventions on body mass index and glucose and lipid metabolism in obese patients

To investigate the effects of different weight loss interventions on body mass index (BMI) and glucose and lipid metabolism in obese patients. Obese patients (n = 135) admitted to our hospital between December 2020 and August 2022 were divided into 3 groups, according to their diet patterns: calorie-restricted diet (CRD) group (n = 39), high-protein diet (HPD) group (n = 28), and 5 + 2 intermittent fasting (IF) group (n = 68). Body weight, body fat rate, BMI, hip circumference, and waist circumference were measured before and 60 days after implementation of the respective diet plan. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2h postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and adverse events were evaluated. Following the dietary intervention, the weight (P = .005 for CRD, P < .001 for HPD, and P = .001 for IF), body fat rate (P = .027 for CRD, P = .002 for HPD, and P = .011 for IF group), BMI (P = .017 for CRD, P < .001 for HPD, and P = .002 for IF group), hip circumference (P < .001 for CRD, P = .013 for HPD, and P = .032 for IF group), waist circumference (P = .005 for CRD, P < .001 for HPD, and P = .028 for IF group), HbA1c (P = .014 for CRD, P = .002 for HPD, and P = .029 for IF group), FBG (P = .017 for CRD, P < .001 for HPD, and P = .033 for IF group), and 2hPG (P = .009 for CRD, P = .001 for HPD, and P = .012 for IF group), were significantly decreased. TG (P = .007 for CRD, P < .001 for HPD, and P = .018 for IF group), TC (P = .029 for CRD, P = .013 for HPD, and P = .041 for IF group), LDL-C (P = .033 for CRD, P = .021 for HPD, and P = .042 for IF group), and LDL-C (P = .011 for CRD, P < .001 for HPD, and P = .027 for IF group) improved significantly in the 3 groups, when compared to that before treatment. The HPD had the best effect on reducing blood lipids, followed by the CRD; the effect of IF was slightly lesser. Short-term HPD, CRD, and IF can reduce the weight and body fat of overweight/obese individuals and improve blood lipid and blood sugar levels. The effect of HPD on weight loss, body fat, and blood lipid levels was greater than that of CRD or IF.