Molecular tracking of insulin resistance and inflammation development on visceral adipose tissue

Association between the lipid accumulation product and chronic kidney disease among adults in the United States

The objective of this research was to explore the potential association between lipid accumulation product (LAP) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) among adult population of United States (US). Using cross-sectional data from the 2013 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we explored the association of LAP with CKD, low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and albuminuria. This analysis encompassed multivariate logistic regression analyses, smoothed curve fitting, subgroup analyses, and interaction tests. We found a significant positive association between higher ln-transformed LAP (LAP was transformed using a natural logarithm) and the prevalence of CKD, low-eGFR and albuminuria. Notably, this association of ln-transformed LAP with CKD and albuminuria was significantly influenced by diabetes status and sex (P for interaction < 0.05), while no significant interaction was observed regarding the association with low-eGFR (P for interaction > 0.05). Additionally, in model 3 (adjusted for all included covariates except eGFR and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR)), a nonlinear relationship was identified between ln-transformed LAP and the presence of both CKD and albuminuria, with inflection points of 4.57 and 4.49, respectively. This indicates that this correlation is more pronounced on the right of the inflection point. In conclusion, the findings indicate a significant association between LAP and the prevalence of CKD in US adults.

The association between fat distribution and α1-acid glycoprotein levels among adult females in the United States

BACKGROUND

Visceral fat accumulation and obesity-induced chronic inflammation have been proposed as early markers for multiple disease states, especially in women. Nevertheless, the potential impact of fat distribution on α1-acid glycoprotein(AGP), a marker of inflammation, remains unclear. This research was conducted to investigate the relationships among obesity, fat distribution, and AGP levels.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study was performed using blood samples from adult females recruited through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2015 to 2018. Serum levels of AGP were measured using the Tina-quant α-1-Acid Glycoprotein Gen.2 assay. Based on the fat distribution data obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessments, body mass index (BMI), total percent fat (TPF), android percent fat (APF), gynoid percent fat (GPF), android fat/gynoid fat ratio (AGR), visceral percent fat (VPF), subcutaneous percent fat (SPF), visceral fat/subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR) were used as dependent variables. To investigate the link between fat distribution and AGP, multivariate linear regression analysis was utilized. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

The present study included 2,295 participants. After adjusting for covariates, BMI, TPF, APF, GPF, VPF, and SPF were found to be positively correlated with AGP levels (BMI: β = 23.65 95%CI:20.90-26.40; TPF: β = 25.91 95%CI:23.02-28.80; APF: β = 25.21 95%CI:22.49-27.93; GPF: β = 19.65 95%CI:16.96-22.34; VPF: β = 12.49 95%CI:9.08-15.90; SPF: β = 5.69, 95%CI:2.89-8.49; AGR: β = 21.14 95%CI:18.16-24.12; VSR: β = 9.35 95%CI:6.11-12.59, all P < 0.0001). All the above indicators exhibited a positive dose-response relationship with AGP. In terms of fat distribution, both AGR and VSR showed positive associations with AGP (P for trend < 0.0001). In particular, when compared to individuals in tertile 1 of AGR, participants in tertiles 2 and 3 had 13.42 mg/dL (95% CI 10.66-16.18) and 21.14 mg/dL (95% CI 18.16-24.12) higher AGP levels, respectively. Participants in the highest tertile of VSR were more likely to exhibit a 9.35 mg/dL increase in AGP compared to those in the lowest tertile (95% CI 6.11-12.59).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this study revealed a positive dose-dependent relationship between fat proportion/distribution and AGP levels in women. These findings suggest that physicians can associate abnormal serum AGP and obesity with allow timely interventions.

Targeting white adipose tissue to combat insulin resistance

Metabolic and endocrine dysfunction of white adipose tissue (WAT) is linked to inflammation, which has been considered a key mechanism of insulin resistance (IR). However, recent studies revealed non-inflammatory mechanisms of IR in WAT, which may trigger inflammation and could be developed as a novel strategy to counteract IR.

Chinese Visceral Adiposity Index Predict Prehypertension Progression and Regression: A Prospective Cohort Study Involving Middle-Aged and Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Limited data are published on the relationship of the Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) with prehypertension progression or regression. Therefore, we investigated this association through the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

METHODS

Participants with prehypertension were assigned to two groups according to baseline CVAI, and after 4 years of follow-up, their blood pressure was analyzed for deterioration or improvement. We constructed logistic regression models for assessing the association of CVAI with the progression or regression of prehypertension. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) model was utilized for determining the dose-response association. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also conducted.

RESULTS

The study included 2,057 participants with prehypertension. During the follow-up, 695 participants progressed to hypertension, 561 participants regressed to normotension, and 801 participants remained as prehypertensive. An association was observed between a high CVAI value and a higher incidence of progression to hypertension and between a high CVAI value and a lower incidence of regression to normotension (OR = 1.66 and 0.58, 95% CI: 1.35-2.05 and 0.47-0.73, respectively). The RCS model exhibited a linear association between CVAI and prehypertension progression and regression (all P for non-linear > 0.05). The results of the subgroup and sensitivity analyses agreed with those of the primary analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant association was noted between CVAI and prehypertension progression and regression. Thus, as part of the hypertension prevention strategy, monitoring CVAI is crucial in individuals with prehypertension.

Hybrid lineages of CD4+ T cells: a handbook update

CD4+ T lymphocytes have been classified into several lineages, according to their gene expression profiles and their effector responses. Interestingly, recent evidence is showing that many lineages could yield hybrid phenotypes with unique properties and functions. It has been reported that such hybrid lineages might underlie pathologies or may function as effector cells with protection capacities against molecular threats. In this work, we reviewed the characteristics of the hybrid lineages reported in the literature, in order to identify the expression profiles that characterize them and the markers that could be used to identify them. We also review the differentiation cues that elicit their hybrid origin and what is known about their physiological roles.

Molecular Mechanisms for the Vicious Cycle between Insulin Resistance and the Inflammatory Response in Obesity

The comprehensive anabolic effects of insulin throughout the body, in addition to the control of glycemia, include ensuring lipid homeostasis and anti-inflammatory modulation, especially in adipose tissue (AT). The prevalence of obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m², has been increasing worldwide on a pandemic scale with accompanying syndemic health problems, including glucose intolerance, insulin resistance (IR), and diabetes. Impaired tissue sensitivity to insulin or IR paradoxically leads to diseases with an inflammatory component despite hyperinsulinemia. Therefore, an excess of visceral AT in obesity initiates chronic low-grade inflammatory conditions that interfere with insulin signaling via insulin receptors (INSRs). Moreover, in response to IR, hyperglycemia itself stimulates a primarily defensive inflammatory response associated with the subsequent release of numerous inflammatory cytokines and a real threat of organ function deterioration. In this review, all components of this vicious cycle are characterized with particular emphasis on the interplay between insulin signaling and both the innate and adaptive immune responses related to obesity. Increased visceral AT accumulation in obesity should be considered the main environmental factor responsible for the disruption in the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in the immune system, resulting in autoimmunity and inflammation.