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Abedi A, Foroutan T, Shalmani LM, Dargahi L. Sex-dependent susceptibility to brain metabolic dysfunction and memory impairment in response to pre- and postnatal high-fat diet. J Nutr Biochem 2024:109675. [PMID: 38945454 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The developing brain is sensitive to the impacts of early-life nutritional intake. This study investigates whether maternal high fat diet (HFD) causes glucose metabolism impairment, neuroinflammation, and memory impairment in immature and adult offspring, and whether it may be affected by postweaning diets in a sex-dependent manner in adult offspring. After weaning, female rats were fed HFD (55.9% fat) or normal chow diet (NCD; 10% fat) for 8 weeks before mating, during pregnancy, and lactation. On postnatal day 21 (PND21), the male and female offspring of both groups were split into two new groups, and NCD or HFD feeding was maintained until PND180. On PND21 and PND180, brain glucose metabolism-, inflammation-, and Alzheimer's pathology-related markers were by qPCR. In adult offspring, peripheral insulin resistance parameters, spatial memory performance, and brain glucose metabolism (18F-FDG-PET scan and protein levels of IDE and GLUT3) were assessed. Histological analysis was also performed on PND21 and adult offspring. On PND21, we found that maternal HFD affected transcript levels of glucose metabolism markers in both sexes. In adult offspring, more profoundly in males, postweaning HFD in combination with maternal HFD induced peripheral and brain metabolic disturbances, impaired memory performance and elevated inflammation, dementia risk markers, and neuronal loss. Our results suggest that maternal HFD affects brain glucose metabolism in the early ages of both sexes. Postweaning HFD sex-dependently causes brain metabolic dysfunction and memory impairment in later-life offspring; effects that can be worsened in combination with maternal HFD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Abedi
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Foroutan
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Leila Mohaghegh Shalmani
- Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Dargahi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Cignarella A, Bolego C, Barton M. Sex and sex steroids as determinants of cardiovascular risk. Steroids 2024; 206:109423. [PMID: 38631602 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
There are considerable sex differences regarding the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke, as well as chronic renal disease. Women are largely protected from these conditions prior to menopause, and the risk increases following cessation of endogenous estrogen production or after surgical menopause. Cardiovascular diseases in women generally begin to occur at a later age than in men (on average with a delay of 10 years). Cessation of estrogen production also impacts metabolism, increasing the risk of developing obesity and diabetes. In middle-aged individuals, hypertension develops earlier and faster in women than in men, and smoking increases cardiovascular risk to a greater degree in women than it does in men. It is not only estrogen that affects female cardiovascular health and plays a protective role until menopause: other sex hormones such as progesterone and androgen hormones generate a complex balance that differentiates heart and blood vessel function in women compared to men. Estrogens improve vasodilation of epicardial coronary arteries and the coronary microvasculature by augmenting the release of vasodilating factors such as nitric oxide and prostacyclin, which are mechanisms of coronary vasodilatation that are more pronounced in women compared to men. Estrogens are also powerful inhibitors of inflammation, which in part explains their protective effects on CVD and chronic renal disease. Emerging evidence suggests that sex chromosomes also play a significant role in shaping cardiovascular risk. The cardiovascular protection conferred by endogenous estrogens may be extended by hormone therapy, especially using bioidentical hormones and starting treatment early after menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Bolego
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Matthias Barton
- Molecular Internal Medicine, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Andreas Grüntzig Foundation, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Coelingh Bennink HJT, Prowse A, Egberts JFM, Debruyne FMJ, Huhtaniemi IT, Tombal B. The Loss of Estradiol by Androgen Deprivation in Prostate Cancer Patients Shows the Importance of Estrogens in Males. J Endocr Soc 2024; 8:bvae107. [PMID: 38883397 PMCID: PMC11177789 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvae107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of estradiol (E2; an estrogen) in men needs to be more appreciated. In this review, we address the clinical situations that allow the study of the clinical consequences of E2 deficiency in men and discuss the effects of restoration of levels of this reproductive steroid hormone. In men with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), E2 is suppressed along with testosterone, leading to side effects affecting the quality of life. These include hot flashes, arthralgia, fatigue, mood changes, cognition problems, weight gain, bone loss, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Transdermal E2 alone for ADT has shown equivalent testosterone suppression compared to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists while also preventing estrogen-deficiency side effects, including hot flashes and bone loss. Co-treatment of ADT with fetal estrogen estetrol (E4) has shown significant improvements of estrogen-deficiency symptoms. These observations emphasize the need to raise awareness of the importance of estrogens in men among clinicians and the lay public.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda Prowse
- Terminal 4 Communications, 1217 SK Hilversum, The Netherlands
| | - Jan F M Egberts
- Terminal 4 Communications, 1217 SK Hilversum, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ilpo T Huhtaniemi
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Bertrand Tombal
- Division of Urology, University Clinic Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
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4
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Santos JDM, Silva JFT, Alves EDS, Cruz AG, Santos ARM, Camargo FN, Talarico CHZ, Silva CAA, Camporez JP. Strength Training Protects High-Fat-Fed Ovariectomized Mice against Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Steatosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5066. [PMID: 38791103 PMCID: PMC11120807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Menopause is characterized by a reduction in sex hormones in women and is associated with metabolic changes, including fatty liver and insulin resistance. Lifestyle changes, including a balanced diet and physical exercise, are necessary to prevent these undesirable changes. Strength training (ST) has been widely used because of the muscle and metabolic benefits it provides. Our study aims to evaluate the effects of ST on hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in ovariectomized mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) divided into four groups as follows: simulated sedentary surgery (SHAM-SED), trained simulated surgery (SHAM-EXE), sedentary ovariectomy (OVX-SED), and trained ovariectomy (OVX-EXE). They were fed an HFD for 9 weeks. ST was performed thrice a week. ST efficiently reduced body weight and fat percentage and increased lean mass in OVX mice. Furthermore, ST reduced the accumulation of ectopic hepatic lipids, increased AMPK phosphorylation, and inhibited the de novo lipogenesis pathway. OVX-EXE mice also showed a better glycemic profile, associated with greater insulin sensitivity identified by the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, and reduced markers of hepatic oxidative stress compared with sedentary animals. Our data support the idea that ST can be indicated as a non-pharmacological treatment approach to mitigate metabolic changes resulting from menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - João Paulo Camporez
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14049-900, Brazil (J.F.T.S.); (E.d.S.A.); (A.G.C.); (A.R.M.S.); (F.N.C.); (C.H.Z.T.); (C.A.A.S.)
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Zhou G, Bao K, Xiao H, Ge Y, Kong X, Liu T. Measurement of Energy Expenditure by Indirect Calorimetry with a Whole-Room Calorimeter. PHENOMICS (CHAM, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 4:203-212. [PMID: 38884055 PMCID: PMC11169320 DOI: 10.1007/s43657-023-00127-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Energy plays a vital role in biological processes. To assess energy metabolism status in a large population cohort, the standard operating procedure for measuring energy expenditure measurement using a whole-room calorimeter was purposed in this study. This protocol illustrates the procedure and specific details for validating methanol burning and evaluating the metabolic status of volunteers. In metabolic status evaluation, the (1) O2 consumption, (2) CO2 production, (3) energy expenditure, and (4) respiratory exchange ratio were first measured at resting and provided as basic phenotype items in Human Phenotype Atlas. Besides, it includes the procedure and results for measuring exercise-related activity thermogenesis and evaluating the impact of environmental temperature on energy metabolism. These results demonstrate the broader utility of the whole-room calorimeter. The implementation of this protocol is expected to enhance the data comparability in Human Phenotype Atla and provide a valuable reference for metabolism-related studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo Zhou
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Kaixuan Bao
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Hui Xiao
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Yamin Ge
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Xingxing Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Tiemin Liu
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203 China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
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Barbagallo F, Cucinella L, Tiranini L, Chedraui P, Calogero AE, Nappi RE. Obesity and sexual health: focus on postmenopausal women. Climacteric 2024; 27:122-136. [PMID: 38251874 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2024.2302429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Menopause is a cardiometabolic transition with many women experiencing weight gain and redistribution of body fat. Hormonal changes may affect also several dimensions of well-being, including sexual function, with a high rate of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), which displays a multifactorial etiology. The most important biological factors range from chronic low-grade inflammation, associated with hypertrophic adipocytes that may translate into endothelial dysfunction and compromised blood flow through the genitourinary system, to insulin resistance and other neuroendocrine mechanisms targeting the sexual response. Psychosocial factors include poor body image, mood disorders, low self-esteem and life satisfaction, as well as partner's health and quality of relationship, and social stigma. Even unhealthy lifestyle, chronic conditions and putative weight-promoting medications may play a role. The aim of the present narrative review is to update and summarize the state of the art on the link between obesity and FSD in postmenopausal women, pointing to the paucity of high-quality studies and the need for further research with validated end points to assess both biomarkers of obesity and FSD. In addition, we provide general information on the diagnosis and treatment of FSD at menopause with a focus on dietary interventions, physical activity, anti-obesity drugs and bariatric surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Barbagallo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - L Cucinella
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Gynecological Endocrinology and Menopause, IRCCS San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - L Tiranini
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - P Chedraui
- Escuela de Posgrados en Salud, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador
| | - A E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - R E Nappi
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Gynecological Endocrinology and Menopause, IRCCS San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy
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Wittekind DA, Kratzsch J, Mergl R, Baber R, Wirkner K, Schroeter ML, Witte AV, Villringer A, Kluge M. Leptin, but not ghrelin, is associated with food addiction scores in a population-based subject sample. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1200021. [PMID: 37559914 PMCID: PMC10407557 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1200021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ghrelin and leptin are both peptide hormones and act as opposing players in the regulation of hunger, satiety and energy expenditure. Leptin reduces appetite and feelings of hunger and is secreted mainly by adipocytes, while ghrelin increases appetite and food intake and reduces metabolic rate. Both hormones have been implicated in addictive disorders. Ghrelin was shown to have pro-addictive effects while leptin's role in addiction yields more conflicting results. Their involvement in the regulation of both food intake and addictive behaviors make them interesting candidates when investigating the regulation of food addiction. However, only few human studies have been performed and large-scale studies are lacking to date. We aimed to investigate the association between total ghrelin and leptin serum levels with scores in the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS). METHODS Subjects were recruited in the LIFE Adult cohort. 909 subjects were included in the analysis and we performed univariate multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age, sex (in total group analyses only), alcohol consumption, smoking status, BMI scores, cortisol concentrations, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) sum scores. The dependent variable was the YFAS score. RESULTS In men, leptin serum levels showed a significant positive association (standardized β = 0.146; p = 0.012) with the YFAS score. This finding was confirmed in an extreme-group comparison: men in the highest quartile of leptin levels had significantly higher YFAS sum scores than men in the lowest quartile (1.55 vs. 1.18; p = 0.00014). There was no association with YFAS sum score in the total group (standardized β = -0.002; p = 0.974) or in women (standardized β = -0.034; p = 0.674). Total serum ghrelin showed no association with YFAS sum score neither in the total group (standardized β = -0.043; p = 0.196) nor in men (n = 530; standardized β = -0.063; p = 0.135) or women (n = 379; standardized β = -0.035; p = 0.494). CONCLUSION Our findings are in line with previous literature and suggest that total ghrelin serum levels are not associated with food addiction scores. Leptin had been previously shown to be associated with food addiction and we confirmed this finding for men in a large, population-based approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Alexander Wittekind
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jürgen Kratzsch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roland Mergl
- Institute of Psychology, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, Neubiberg, Germany
| | - Ronny Baber
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wirkner
- Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias L. Schroeter
- Department of Neurology, Clinic of Cognitive Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - A. Veronica Witte
- Department of Neurology, Clinic of Cognitive Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arno Villringer
- Department of Neurology, Clinic of Cognitive Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Rudolf-Virchow-Klinikum Glauchau, Glauchau, Germany
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Hool LC, Hryciw DH. What's the difference? Understanding sexual dimorphism in physiology. J Physiol 2023; 601:417-418. [PMID: 36644983 DOI: 10.1113/jp284342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Livia C Hool
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia and Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Deanne H Hryciw
- Griffith Institute of Drug Discovery, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
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Hart DA. Sex differences in musculoskeletal injury and disease risks across the lifespan: Are there unique subsets of females at higher risk than males for these conditions at distinct stages of the life cycle? Front Physiol 2023; 14:1127689. [PMID: 37113695 PMCID: PMC10126777 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1127689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex differences have been reported for diseases of the musculoskeletal system (MSK) as well as the risk for injuries to tissues of the MSK system. For females, some of these occur prior to the onset of puberty, following the onset of puberty, and following the onset of menopause. Therefore, they can occur across the lifespan. While some conditions are related to immune dysfunction, others are associated with specific tissues of the MSK more directly. Based on this life spectrum of sex differences in both risk for injury and onset of diseases, a role for sex hormones in the initiation and progression of this risk is somewhat variable. Sex hormone receptor expression and functioning can also vary with life events such as the menstrual cycle in females, with different tissues being affected. Furthermore, some sex hormone receptors can affect gene expression independent of sex hormones and some transitional events such as puberty are accompanied by epigenetic alterations that can further lead to sex differences in MSK gene regulation. Some of the sex differences in injury risk and the post-menopausal disease risk may be "imprinted" in the genomes of females and males during development and sex hormones and their consequences only modulators of such risks later in life as the sex hormone milieu changes. The purpose of this review is to discuss some of the relevant conditions associated with sex differences in risks for loss of MSK tissue integrity across the lifespan, and further discuss several of the implications of their variable relationship with sex hormones, their receptors and life events.
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