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Ding D, Van Buskirk J, Partridge S, Clare P, Giovannucci E, Bauman A, Freene N, Gallagher R, Nguyen B. The association of diet quality and physical activity with cardiovascular disease and mortality in 85,545 older Australians: A longitudinal study. JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2024:S2095-2546(24)00082-6. [PMID: 38810689 DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2024.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A quality diet and an active lifestyle are both important cornerstones of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. However, despite their interlinked effects on metabolic health, the 2 behaviors are rarely considered jointly, particularly within the context of CVD prevention. We examined the independent, interactive, and joint associations of diet and physical activity with CVD hospitalization, CVD mortality, and all-cause mortality. METHODS CVD-free Australian participants aged 45-74 years (n = 85,545) reported physical activity, diet, and sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics at baseline (2006-2009) and follow-up (2012-2015), and data were linked to hospitalization and death registries (03/31/2019 for CVD hospitalization and all-cause mortality and 12/08/2017 for CVD mortality). Diet quality was categorized as low, medium, and high based on meeting dietary recommendations. Physical activity was operationalized as (a) total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as per guidelines, and (b) the composition of MVPA as the ratio of vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) to total MVPA. We used a left-truncated cause-specific Cox proportional hazards model using time-varying covariates. RESULTS During a median of 10.7 years of follow-up, 6576 participants were admitted to the hospital for CVD and 6581 died from all causes (876 from CVD during 9.3 years). A high-quality diet was associated with a 17% lower risk of all-cause mortality than a low-quality diet, and the highest MVPA category (compared with the lowest) was associated with a 44% and 48% lower risk of CVD and all-cause mortality, respectively. Multiplicative interactions between diet and physical activity were non-significant. For all outcomes, the lowest risk combinations involved a high-quality diet and the highest MVPA categories. Accounting for total MVPA, some VPA was associated with further risk reduction of CVD hospitalization and all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION For CVD prevention and longevity, one should adhere to both a healthy diet and an active lifestyle and incorporate some VPA when possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ding Ding
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Joe Van Buskirk
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Stephanie Partridge
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Philip Clare
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Edward Giovannucci
- Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Adrian Bauman
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Nicole Freene
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia
| | - Robyn Gallagher
- Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Binh Nguyen
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
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Luo Y, Liu J, Zeng J, Pan H. Global burden of cardiovascular diseases attributed to low physical activity: An analysis of 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2019. Am J Prev Cardiol 2024; 17:100633. [PMID: 38380078 PMCID: PMC10877163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpc.2024.100633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Low physical activity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed to estimate the global, regional, national, and sex-age-specific burden of CVDs attributed to low physical activity from 1990 to 2019. Methods We leveraged data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to compute the number of fatalities, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-adjusted mortality rates (ASMR), and age-adjusted DALY rates (ASDR) attributed to CVDs resulting from low physical activity. Furthermore, we scrutinized the trends and correlations of these metrics in connection with the socio-demographic index (SDI) across 21 regions and 204 countries and territories. Results The global deaths and DALYs due to CVDs caused by low physical activity increased from 371,042.96 [95 % UI: 147,621.82-740,490] and 6,282,524.95 [95 % UI: 2,334,970.61-13,255,090.08] in 1990 to 639,174.92 [95 % UI: 272,011.34-1,216,528.4] and 9,996,080.17 [95 % UI: 4,130,111.16-20,323,339.89] in 2019, respectively. The corresponding ASMR and ASDR decreased from 12.55 [95 % UI: 5.12-24.23] and 181.64 [95 % UI: 71.59-374.01] in 1990 to 8.6 [95 % UI: 3.68-16.28] and 127.52 [95 % UI: 53.07-256.55] in 2019, respectively. Deaths and DALYs attributed to low physical activity were initially higher in males but shifted to females after 70-74 age group. Both genders had increasing death rates, peaking at 80-84 age group. Most CVDs deaths and DALYs number are caused by ischemic heart disease. The highest burden of CVDs attributed to low physical activity was observed in North Africa and the Middle East. The lowest burden was observed in Oceania and High-income Asia Pacific. There was a distinctive 'n-shape' relationship between the regional SDI and the ASDR of CVDs attributed to low physical activity from 1990 to 2019. Conclusion The global impact of CVDs stemming from low physical activity remains substantial and demonstrates substantial regional disparities. As individuals age, this burden becomes more prominent, particularly among females. Efficacious interventions are imperative to promote physical activity and mitigate the risk of CVDs across diverse populations and regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Luo
- Department of Cardiology, Huizhou Municipal People's Hospital, Huizhou, 516001, PR China
| | - Jinguang Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Huizhou Municipal People's Hospital, Huizhou, 516001, PR China
| | - Jinshan Zeng
- Department of Cardiology, Huizhou Municipal People's Hospital, Huizhou, 516001, PR China
| | - Hailin Pan
- Department of Cardiology, Huizhou Municipal People's Hospital, Huizhou, 516001, PR China
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Yazdanpanah MH, Sharafkhah M, Poustchi H, Etemadi A, Sheikh M, Kamangar F, Pourshams A, Boffetta P, Dawsey SM, Abnet CC, Malekzadeh R, Hashemian M. Mineral Intake and Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and All-Cause Mortality: Findings from the Golestan Cohort Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:344. [PMID: 38337629 PMCID: PMC10857363 DOI: 10.3390/nu16030344] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Associations between mineral intake and mortality in non-Western countries have not been studied adequately. This study evaluated these associations in the Golestan Cohort Study, featuring a Middle Eastern population. The mineral intake was estimated from the baseline food frequency questionnaire, adjusted by using the nutrient density method, and divided into quintiles. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the mortality. We analyzed 41,863 subjects with a mean age of 51.46 ± 8.73 years at the baseline. During 578,694 person-years of follow-up (median: 14.1 Years), 7217 deaths were recorded. Dietary calcium intake was inversely associated with the all-cause mortality (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.85-0.99). We observed significant associations between calcium (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.73-0.93), copper (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.99-1.26), and selenium intake (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01-1.29) and CVD mortality. Dietary phosphorus (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.69-0.96) and copper intake (HRQ5 vs. Q1 = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.71-0.99) were inversely associated with cancer mortality. In this study within a Middle Eastern population, a higher dietary intake of calcium exhibited an inverse association with all-cause mortality. Furthermore, nuanced associations were observed in the cause-specific mortality, suggesting potential avenues for dietary interventions and emphasizing the importance of considering dietary factors in public health strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hosein Yazdanpanah
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1461884513, Iran; (M.H.Y.); (M.S.); (H.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Maryam Sharafkhah
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1461884513, Iran; (M.H.Y.); (M.S.); (H.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Hossein Poustchi
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1461884513, Iran; (M.H.Y.); (M.S.); (H.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Arash Etemadi
- Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.E.); (S.M.D.); (C.C.A.)
| | - Mahdi Sheikh
- Genomic Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 69366 Lyon, France;
| | - Farin Kamangar
- Department of Biology, School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA;
| | - Akram Pourshams
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1461884513, Iran; (M.H.Y.); (M.S.); (H.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Paolo Boffetta
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA;
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sanford M. Dawsey
- Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.E.); (S.M.D.); (C.C.A.)
| | - Christian C. Abnet
- Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (A.E.); (S.M.D.); (C.C.A.)
| | - Reza Malekzadeh
- Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1411713135, Iran
| | - Maryam Hashemian
- Epidemiology and Community Health Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Shi D, Tao Y, Wei L, Yan D, Liang H, Zhang J, Wang Z. The Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases Attributed to Diet High in Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in 204 Countries and Territories From 1990 to 2019. Curr Probl Cardiol 2024; 49:102043. [PMID: 37595857 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the impact of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and aims to provide evidence for preventive measures. The analysis involved a comprehensive scrutiny of CVD-related data from 1990 to 2019. Temporal trends of ASMR and ASDR were assessed using the Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC). Globally, there was an increase in deaths and DALYs from 1990 to 2019, despite decreasing ASMR and ASDR. In 2019, SSB-related CVDs accounted for approximately 193.1 thousand deaths and 3973.2 thousand DALYs. China had the highest number of deaths, Tajikistan had the highest ASMR, and Yemen had the highest ASDR in 2019. ASMR and ASDR increased with age and were higher in males. Deaths and DALYs increased overall, except in high Socio-demographic Index (SDI) regions. ASMR and ASDR declined across SDI regions, with the steepest decline in high SDI regions (EAPC: -2.8 for ASMR, -2.36 for ASDR). ASDR increased in low SDI countries but decreased in high SDI countries. This study provides comprehensive insights into the global burden of SSB-related CVDs. Urgent interventions and policies are needed to reduce SSB consumption and mitigate the impact on cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donglei Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yujia Tao
- Department of Cardiology, Jilin Province People's Hospital, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Li Wei
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Dongqing Yan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hongsen Liang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Junhang Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhaojun Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.
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Atefatfar A, Babajafari S, Mohammadifard N, Nouri F, Boshtam M, Sadeghi M, Sharifi MH, Kazemi A, Sarrafzadegan N. A healthy diet, physical activity, or either in relation to cardiovascular and all-cause mortality: A prospective cohort study. Nutrition 2023; 116:112186. [PMID: 37678016 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2023.112186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to compare four lifestyles-healthy diet and low activity, unhealthy diet and high activity, unhealthy diet and low activity, and healthy diet and high activity-in relation to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. METHODS A total of 6504 adults ages ≥35 y were recruited to participate in the Isfahan Cohort Study and followed for 13 y. Diet was assessed using a validated 48-item food frequency questionnaire, and the quality of diet was assessed using the Dietary Quality Index. Physical activity (PA) was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The primary outcomes were CVD and all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and the 95% CIs. RESULTS During 771 440 person-years of follow-up, 390 and 147 deaths occurred due to all causes and CVD, respectively. High PA, either with a healthy or unhealthy diet, was associated with a lower risk of death from CVD (HR = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.26-0.69, and HR = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.18-0.56, respectively) and also all-cause mortality(HR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.39-0.71, and HR = 0.5, 95% CI, 0.36-0.68). Moreover, type of PA was important, such that when leisure time PA was considered, none of the lifestyles was associated with a lower risk of CVD and all-cause mortality. However, for occupational PA, the result was the same as the total PA. CONCLUSIONS Having high PA (total or occupational), with or without adhering to a healthy diet, is associated with a lower risk of death from any cause and CVD; although leisure time PA, irrespective of adhering to a healthy diet, was not associated with a lower risk of all-cause and CVD mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayda Atefatfar
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Siavash Babajafari
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Noushin Mohammadifard
- Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Nouri
- Heart Failure Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Boshtam
- Interventional Cardiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Sadeghi
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Sharifi
- Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Asma Kazemi
- Nutrition Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Nizal Sarrafzadegan
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Hashemian M, Poustchi H, Sharafkhah M, Pourshams A, Mohammadi-Nasrabadi F, Hekmatdoost A, Malekzadeh R. Iron, Copper, and Magnesium Concentration in Hair and Risk of Esophageal Cancer: A Nested Case-Control Study. ARCHIVES OF IRANIAN MEDICINE 2023; 26:665-670. [PMID: 38431946 PMCID: PMC10915918 DOI: 10.34172/aim.2023.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An association has already been hypothesized between iron, copper, and magnesium status assessed through food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, self-reported dietary assessment methods are prone to measurement errors. We studied the association between iron, copper, and magnesium status and ESCC risk, using hair samples as a long exposure biomarker. METHODS We designed a nested case-control study within the Golestan Cohort Study, that recruited about 50000 participants in 2004-2008, and collected biospecimens at baseline. We identified 96 incident cases of ESCC with available hair samples. They were age-matched with cancer-free controls from the cohort. We used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure iron, copper, and magnesium concentrations in hair samples. We used multiple logistic regression models to determine odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Median concentrations of iron, copper, and magnesium were 35.4, 19.3, and 41.7 ppm in cases and 25.8, 18.3, and 50.0 ppm in controls, respectively. Iron was significantly associated with the risk of ESCC in continuous analysis (OR=1.41, 95% CI=1.03-1.92), but not in the tertiles analyses (ORT3 vs. T1=1.81, 95% CI=0.77-4.28). No associations were observed between copper and magnesium and ESCC risk, in either the tertiles models or the continuous estimate (copper: ORT3 vs. T1=2.56, 95% CI=1.00-6.54; magnesium: ORT3 vs. T1=0.75, 95% CI=0.32-1.78). CONCLUSION Higher iron status may be related to a higher risk of ESCC in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Hashemian
- Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Biology Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Utica University, Utica, NY, USA
| | - Hossein Poustchi
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Sharafkhah
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Pourshams
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mohammadi-Nasrabadi
- Food and Nutrition Policy and Planning Research Department, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute (NNFTRI), Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azita Hekmatdoost
- Departments of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Malekzadeh
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Falvo S, Minucci S, Santillo A, Senese R, Chieffi Baccari G, Venditti M. A short-term high-fat diet alters rat testicular activity and blood-testis barrier integrity through the SIRT1/NRF2/MAPKs signaling pathways. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1274035. [PMID: 38027181 PMCID: PMC10643185 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1274035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Overweight/obesity are metabolic disorder resulting from behavioral, environmental, and heritable causes. WHO estimates that 50% of adults and 30% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, and, in parallel, an ongoing decline in sperm quality and male fertility has been described. Numerous studies demonstrated the intimate association between overweight/obesity and reproductive dysfunction due to a highly intricate network of causes not yet completely understood. This study expands the knowledge on the impact of a short-term high-fat diet (st-HFD) on rat testicular activity, specifically on steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, focusing on the involved molecular mechanisms related to mitochondrial dynamics, blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity, and SIRT1/NRF2/MAPKs pathways. Methods Ten adult Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups of five and treated with a standard diet or an HFD for five weeks. At the end of the treatment, rats were anesthetized and sacrificed by decapitation. Blood was collected for serum sex hormone assay; one testis was stored at -80ÅãC for western blot analysis, and the other, was fixed for histological and immunofluorescence analysis. Results Five weeks of HFD results in reduced steroidogenesis, increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, and altered spermatogenesis, as highlighted by reduced protein levels ofmeiotic and post-meiotic markers. Further, we evidenced the compromission of the BTB integrity, as revealed by the downregulation of structural proteins (N-Cadherin, ZO-1, occludin, connexin 43, and VANGL2) other than the phosphorylation of regulative kinases (Src and FAK). At the molecular level, the impairment of mitochondrial dynamics (fission, fusion, andbiogenesis), and the dysregulation of the SIRT1/NRF2/MAPKs signaling pathways, were evidenced. Interestingly, no change was observed in the levels of pro-inflammatory markers (TNFα, NF-kB, and IL-6). Conclusions The combined data led us to confirm that overweight is a less severe state than obesity. Furthermore, understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the association between metabolic disorders and male fertility could improve the possibility of identifying novel targets to prevent and treat fertility disorders related to overweight/obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Falvo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandra Santillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosalba Senese
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Gabriella Chieffi Baccari
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Napoli, Italy
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