Relationship between adiponectin, TNFα, and SHBG in prepubertal children with obesity

Hypogonadism and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently proposed to be renamed to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is a major global public health concern, affecting approximately 25-30% of the adult population and possibly leading to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation. The liver is involved in the actions of sex steroids via their hepatic metabolism and production of the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Liver disease, including NAFLD, is associated with reproductive dysfunction in men and women, and the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with hypogonadism is considerable. A wide spectrum of possible pathophysiological mechanisms linking NAFLD and male/female hypogonadism has been investigated. As therapies targeting NAFLD may impact hypogonadism in men and women, and vice versa, treatments of the latter may affect NAFLD, and an insight into their pathophysiological pathways is imperative. This paper aims to elucidate the complex association between NAFLD and hypogonadism in men and women and discuss the therapeutic options and their impact on both conditions.

The therapeutic effect of Loranthus parasiticus lignan derivatives on collagen-induced arthritis in rats through the SHBG/NFκB pathway

Lignan-rich beans, nuts, and various seeds are the main foods with antioxidative and hormone-modulating activities. Although the role of lignans in mediating hormone-dependent cancers and cardiovascular diseases is well characterized, the function of lignans in anti-arthritic activity and its underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Three new lignan derivatives, (-)-nortrachelogenin, trachelogenin, and matairesinol, were extracted from Loranthus parasiticus. After establishing the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model by intradermal injection of collagen, rats were treated with three new lignan derivatives ((-)-nortrachelogenin: 37%; trachelogenin: 27%; matairesinol: 25.7%) at a concentration of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, or methotrexate at 0.3 mg/kg. Mixed lignan derivatives significantly attenuated the immune responses in the joints of CIA rats, leading to lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and higher levels of free androgen in the serum compared to the CIA model. The results of molecular docking using AutoDock Vina showed that the lignan derivative (-)-nortrachelogenin was the most effective compound for binding to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), thus inhibiting the activity of NFκB in LPS-stimulated macrophages. In this study, (-)-nortrachelogenin was identified as a novel natural lignan derivative with previously unrecognized anti-inflammatory activity. Its molecular mechanism appears related to the regulation of the NFκB/SHBG pathway. Our findings suggest that further application of sex hormone-like compounds in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and the potential clinical applications of (-)-nortrachelogenin are promising.

Point-of-care applicable metabotyping using biofluid-specific electrospun MetaSAMPs directly amenable to ambient LA-REIMS

In recent years, ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) including laser ablation rapid evaporation IMS, has enabled direct biofluid metabolome analysis. AIMS procedures are, however, still hampered by both analytical, i.e., matrix effects, and practical, i.e., sample transport stability, drawbacks that impede metabolome coverage. In this study, we aimed at developing biofluid-specific metabolome sampling membranes (MetaSAMPs) that offer a directly applicable and stabilizing substrate for AIMS. Customized rectal, salivary, and urinary MetaSAMPs consisting of electrospun (nano)fibrous membranes of blended hydrophilic (polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacrylonitrile) and lipophilic (polystyrene) polymers supported metabolite absorption, adsorption, and desorption. Moreover, MetaSAMP demonstrated superior metabolome coverage and transport stability compared to crude biofluid analysis and was successfully validated in two pediatric cohorts (MetaBEAse, n = 234 and OPERA, n = 101). By integrating anthropometric and (patho)physiological with MetaSAMP-AIMS metabolome data, we obtained substantial weight-driven predictions and clinical correlations. In conclusion, MetaSAMP holds great clinical application potential for on-the-spot metabolic health stratification.

Early introduction of exercise prevents insulin resistance in postnatal overfed rats

Early childhood obesity increases the risk of developing metabolic diseases. We examined the early introduction of exercise in small-litter obese-induced rats (SL) on glucose metabolism in the epididymal adipose tissue (AT) and soleus muscle (SM). On day 3 post-birth, pups were divided into groups of ten or three (SL). On day 22, rats were split into sedentary (S and SLS) and exercise (E and SLE) groups. The rats swam three times/week carrying a load for 30 min. In the first week, they swam without a load; in the 2nd week, they carried a load equivalent to 2% of their body weight; from the 3rd week to the final week, they carried a 5% body load. At 85 days of age, an insulin tolerance test was performed in some rats. At 90 days of age, rats were killed, and blood was harvested for plasma glucose, cholesterol, and triacylglycerol measurements. Mesenteric, epididymal, retroperitoneal, and brown adipose tissues were removed and weighed. SM and AT were incubated in the Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer, 5.5 mM glucose for 1 h with or without 10 mU/mL insulin. Comparison between the groups was performed by 3-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post-hoc test. Sedentary, overfed rats had greater body mass, more visceral fat, lower lactate production, and insulin resistance. Early introduction of exercise reduced plasma cholesterol and contained the deposition of white adipose tissue and insulin resistance. In conclusion, the early introduction of exercise prevents the effects of obesity on glucose metabolism in adulthood in this rat model.

Sex hormone binding globulin as a potential drug candidate for liver-related metabolic disorders treatment

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a hepatokine that binds to circulating steroid hormones (testosterone, oestradiol) to regulate their concentration in the bloodstream. Recently SHBG was recognized as an essential biomarker for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hepatic steatosis development. At the hepatic level, the production of SHBG is mainly regulated by sex steroids and thyroxine. Studies of various research groups, including ours, showed that SHBG could be considered a reliable marker of insulin resistance and, therefore, can serve as a predictor of type 2 diabetes. Moreover, increased levels of circulating pro-inflammatory mediators strongly correlate with lowered serum levels of SHBG. This review paper emphasizes the role of SHBG as a potential drug candidate in the course of various metabolic dysfunctions, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity, diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance. The studies related to SHBG and its role in the course of metabolic disorders are very limited. Here, we have summarized the most current knowledge about SHBG and its mechanism of action, indicating a novel concept for its possible therapeutic application in the management framework of commonly occurring metabolic dysfunctions.

Clinical Significance of the Fetuin-A-to-Adiponectin Ratio in Obese Children and Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus

Fetuin-A and adiponectin are inflammatory cytokines associated with obesity and insulin resistance. This study aimed to examine the fetuin-A-to-adiponectin ratio (FAR) in diabetic children and to determine the role of FAR. A total of 54 children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus (DM) and 44 controls aged 9–16 years were included in this study. Clinical characteristics, including plasma fetuin-A and adiponectin levels, were compared with respect to body mass index (BMI) and diabetes type. Of 98 children, 54.1% were obese, whereas 18.4% were obese and diabetic. FAR was higher in obese children with DM than in non-obese children and also in type 2 DM children than in type 1. FAR showed a stronger association with BMI than with fetuin-A and adiponectin individually, and its association was more prominent in diabetic children than in controls. BMI was a risk factor for increased FAR. Plasma fetuin-A was elevated in obese children, and its association with insulin resistance and β cell function seemed more prominent in diabetic children after adjustment for adiponectin. Thus, FAR could be a useful surrogate for the early detection of childhood metabolic complications in diabetic children, particularly those who are obese.