Different metabolic responses induced by long-term interdisciplinary therapy in obese adolescents related to ACE I/D polymorphism

The frequency of the ACE I/D polymorphism in South America: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a key component of the renin-angiotensin system and plays an important role in homeostasis and maintenance of blood pressure. However, little is known about allele and genotypic frequencies, as well as phenotypic characteristics associated with ACE polymorphism genotypes in South American populations. This study aimed to verify the allelic predominance and genotype frequency of ACE I/D polymorphism in South America and its association with the main diseases and related conditions. We conducted a systematic review considering studies published in the last 25 years available in PubMed, Scielo, LILACS, LIPECS, Coleciona SUS, CUMED, BINACIS, IBECS, and MEDLINE databases, resulting in the inclusion of 121 studies. Quality of the studies was assessed according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Genetic Association (STREGA) guidelines. We mapped the frequency of the ACE I/D polymorphism in South American populations. 8,856 (32.1%) subjects were DD, 13,050 were ID (47.4%), and 5,644 were II (20.5%) carriers. The main associated conditions included systemic arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions, cardiorespiratory or respiratory characteristics, physical activity level, kidney conditions, aging-related diseases, as well as different types of cancers and metabolic conditions. 61.1% of the studies found no significant association between the respective conditions investigated and the ACE I/D polymorphism. Considering DD genotype or D allele, 21.5% of the studies observed negative and 4.9% positive outcomes. Regarding ID genotype, 4.1% of the studies identified negative and 0.8% positive outcomes, and for II genotype or I allele, 4.1% of the results had negative and 10.7% positive associations.

An Interdisciplinary Weight Loss Program Improves Body Composition and Metabolic Profile in Adolescents With Obesity: Associations With the Dietary Inflammatory Index

Background and Aims: The prevalence of overweight and obesity consitutes a global epidemic and it is growing around the world. Food and nutrition are essential requirements for promoting health and protecting against non-communicable chronic diseases, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. Specific dietary components may modulate inflammation and oxidative stress in obese individuals. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) was developed to characterize the anti- and pro-inflammatory effects of individuals' diet. Few studies have investigated the role of diet-associated inflammation in adolescents with obesity. The present study aims to investigate the effects of an interdisciplinary weight loss therapy on DII scores and cardiometabolic risk in obese adolescents and possibles correlations.

Methods: A total of 45 volunteers (14–19 years old) were recruited and enrolled for long-term interdisciplinary therapy including clinical, nutritional, psychological counseling, and exercise training. Adolescents had access to videos about health education weekly. Body composition and inflammatory and serum profiles were evaluated at baseline and after intervention. The food intake was obtained by 24-h food recall. Data was used to calculate energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) scores. Negative scores indicate an anti-inflammatory diet and positive scores indicates a pro-inflammatory diet. The sample was divided according to whether individuals increased or decreased E-DII scores after therapy.

Results: After therapy the body mass index (BMI), body weight, body fat, abdominal, waist, neck, and hip circumferences decreased significantly. The mean of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) increased after the therapy. There was found an improvement of inflammatory and cardiometabolic parameters. In exploratory analyses, this occurred mainly when the EDII improved.

Conclusion: Long-term interdisciplinary therapy combined with a health education website improved inflammatory serum markers in obese adolescents. Reduction in DII scores was associated with reduction of cardiometabolic parameters, suggesting that an anti-inflammatory diet may be an effective strategy to prevent and treat obesity and related comorbidities.

Trial:http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-6txv3v/, Register Number: RBR-6txv3v

An integrative review of associations between polymorphic variants and the metabolic syndrome

The pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, i.e. of each of its components, is complex and has not been entirely elucidated. As a result, it is very difficult to establish a definition of which clinical factors are the most important determinants of its development. The objective of this review is to describe Brazilian scientific research investigating associations between the metabolic syndrome and genetic factors. We selected fifteen studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our analysis revealed that there is a modest volume of Brazilian studies investigating relationships between genes, their polymorphic variants and the metabolic syndrome and its risk factors. Therefore, more studies are needed to better understand the biological roles played by genetic polymorphisms and their relationships with metabolic syndrome or its risk factors.