Economic consequences of overweight and obesity in Asia-Pacific

Disease burden attributable to endocrine-disrupting chemicals exposure in China: A case study of phthalates

While it has been acknowledged that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is associated with human diseases, the overall disease burden attributable to the exposure to a specific EDC has rarely been evaluated. Based on existing models for assessing probabilities of causation and a comprehensive review of available data, we analyzed the burden of three diseases, i.e., male infertility, adult obesity, and diabetes, among the general Chinese population resulting from exposure to phthalates. Our estimation indicates that exposure to phthalates is associated with ~2.50 million cases of the three diseases across China in 2010, causing ~57.2 billion Chinese Yuan (equivalent to ~9 billion US dollars) of health care costs in a year. Male infertility has the largest number of cases, followed by adult obesity and diabetes. Based on these phthalate-specific estimates, we further estimated that the total disease cost due to exposure to the overall EDCs amounted to ~429.43 billion Chinese Yuan in China in 2010, accounting for 1.07% of nationwide gross domestic product (GDP). When comparing our results with an earlier estimate for the European Union (EU) member countries, we find that exposure to phthalates leads to quite a similar disease burden per unit of GDP in both regions. Our study illustrates the considerable socio-economic impact of EDC exposure on human society, implying the imperative need for global risk reduction actions on EDCs, especially in view of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The development of probiotic treatment in obesity: a review

Recent studies suggested that manipulation of the composition of the microbial ecosystem in the gut might be a novel approach in the treatment of obesity. Such treatment might consist of altering the composition of the microbial communities of an obese individual by administration of beneficial microorganisms, commonly known as probiotics. Here, we intend to contribute to the developmental process of probiotic treatment of human obesity. The aim is to review the evidence regarding the potential effect of probiotic strains on reduction of weight and body fat. A literature study was conducted focusing on clinical trials that examined the effect of specific microorganisms on body weight control. Analysis of the eligible articles pointed out that Lactobacillus gasseri SBT 2055, Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103, and the combination of L. rhamnosus ATCC 53102 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 may reduce adiposity, body weight, and weight gain. This suggests that these microbial strains can be applied in the treatment of obesity. Furthermore, short chain fatty acid production and low grade inflammation were found as the underlying mechanisms of action that influence metabolism and affect body weight. These findings might contribute to the development of probiotic treatment of obesity. Further research should be directed to the most effective combination and dosage rate of probiotic microorganisms.

Maternal quercetin administration during gestation and lactation decrease endoplasmic reticulum stress and related inflammation in the adult offspring of obese female rats

PURPOSE

Maternal obesity is a risk factor for metabolic diseases in offspring. The aim of this study was to investigate whether quercetin administration during gestation and lactation could have any protective effect against the impact of maternal obesity on increased sensitivity to obesity and metabolic disorders in offspring.

METHODS

Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity. Obese dams were administered 0, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) quercetin intragastrically during gestation and lactation. Normal weight dams were used as controls. The F1 generation was fed with a standard diet after weaning, and blood glucose, lipids and inflammatory factors were assessed. Expression of biomarkers involved endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and related inflammatory pathways in liver and adipose tissues were analyzed at postnatal day 100.

RESULTS

Maternal obesity resulted in increased birth weight, postnatal BW gain, hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased serum levels of inflammatory factors, and up-regulated biomarkers involved in ER stress and related inflammatory pathways in the offspring. Maternal quercetin intervention (QI) had significant ameliorating effects on maternal blood lipids, especially cholesterol, which resulted in improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity and alleviated ER stress and related inflammation in the grown offspring of obese dams.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal QI in obese dams during gestation and lactation reduced birth weight and postnatal BW gain in the offspring, and helped to improve insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism of the mature offspring via reducing ER stress and related inflammation in the liver and adipose tissue.