Metabolomic Signatures for the Effects of Weight Loss Interventions on Severe Obesity in Children and Adolescents

Profound perturbations are found in the proteome and metabolome in children with obesity after weight loss intervention

Background and aims

The mechanisms occur in children with obesity after lifestyle intervention remain poorly explained. Here, we investigated the serum proteomes and metabolomes of children with obesity who had undergone 30 days of weight loss intervention.

Methods and results

Serum samples and clinical parameters were collected before and after lifestyle alteration interventions. Proteomic and metabolomic profiling was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins and differentially abundant metabolites in response to weight loss intervention. Lifestyle alteration interventions significantly decreased BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and body fat, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high non-HDL cholesterol, but not TG and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), in children with obesity. By comparing the multiomics data, we identified 43 proteins and 165 metabolites that were significantly differentially expressed in children with obesity before and after lifestyle alteration interventions. Using integrated -omics analysis, we obtained 7 KEGG pathways that were organically integrated based on the correlations between differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and metabolites (DMs). Further interaction analysis identified 7 proteins as candidate DEPs and 9 metabolites as candidate DMs. Interestingly, we found that some of these candidate DEPs and candidate DMs were significantly correlated with clinical parameters.

Conclusion

Our results provide valuable proteome and metabolome data resources for better understanding weight loss-associated responses in children with obesity. In addition, we analyzed the number of significantly differentially expressed proteins and metabolites, shed new light on weight loss pathogenesis in children with obesity, and added potential therapeutic agents for obese children.

Metabolic liability for weight gain in early adulthood

While weight gain is associated with a host of chronic illnesses, efforts in obesity have relied on single "snapshots" of body mass index (BMI) to guide genetic and molecular discovery. Here, we study >2,000 young adults with metabolomics and proteomics to identify a metabolic liability to weight gain in early adulthood. Using longitudinal regression and penalized regression, we identify a metabolic signature for weight liability, associated with a 2.6% (2.0%-3.2%, p = 7.5 × 10-19) gain in BMI over ≈20 years per SD higher score, after comprehensive adjustment. Identified molecules specified mechanisms of weight gain, including hunger and appetite regulation, energy expenditure, gut microbial metabolism, and host interaction with external exposure. Integration of longitudinal and concurrent measures in regression with Mendelian randomization highlights the complexity of metabolic regulation of weight gain, suggesting caution in interpretation of epidemiologic or genetic effect estimates traditionally used in metabolic research.

The Effect of Broccoli Glucoraphanin Supplementation on Ameliorating High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity through the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Interface

SCOPE

Obesity and its metabolic comorbidities pose a major global challenge for public health. Glucoraphanin (GRN) is a natural bioactive compound enriched in broccoli that is known to have potential health benefits against various human chronic diseases.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study investigats the effects of broccoli GRN supplementation on body weight, metabolic parameters, gut microbiome and metabolome associated with obesity. The study is conducted on an obese-related C57BL/6J mouse model through the treatment of normal control diet, high-fat diet (HFD)and GRN-supplemented HFD (HFD-GRN) to determine the metabolic protection of GRN. The results shows that GRN treatment alleviates obesity-related traits leading to improved glucose metabolism in HFD-fed animals. Mechanically, the study noticed that GRN significantly shifts the gut microbial diversity and composition to an eubiosis status. GRN supplement also significantly alters plasma metabolite profiles. Further integrated analysis reveal a complex interaction between the gut microbes and host metabolism that may contribute to GRN-induced beneficial effects against HFD.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that beneficial effects of broccoli GRN on reversing HFD-induced adverse metabolic parameters may be attributed to its impacts on reprogramming microbial community and metabolites. Identification of the mechanistic functions of GRN further warrants it as a dietary candidate for obesity prevention.

Interaction between adolescent sleep rhythms and gender in an obese population

BACKGROUND

The obesity rate of adolescents is gradually increasing, which seriously affects their mental health, and sleep plays an important role in adolescent obesity.

AIM

To investigate the relationship between sleep rhythm and obesity among adolescents and further explores the interactive effect of sleep rhythm and gender on adolescent obesity, providing a theoretical basis for developing interventions for adolescent obesity.

METHODS

Research data source Tianjin Mental Health Promotion Program for Students. From April to June 2022, this study selected 14201 students from 13 middle schools in a certain district of Tianjin as the research subject using the convenient cluster sampling method. Among these students, 13374 accepted and completed the survey, with an effective rate of 94.2%.The demographic data and basic information of adolescents, such as height and weight, were collected through a general situation questionnaire. The sleep rhythm of adolescents was evaluated using the reduced version of the morningness-eveningness questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 13374 participants (6629 females, accounting for 49.56%; the average age is 15.21 ± 1.433 years) were analyzed. Among them, the survey showed that 2942 adolescent were obesity, accounting for 22% and 2104 adolescent were overweight, accounting for 15.7%. Among them, 1692 male adolescents are obese, with an obesity rate of 25.1%, higher than 18.9% of female adolescents. There is a statistically significant difference between the three groups (χ2 = 231.522, P < 0.000). The obesity group has the smallest age (14.94 ± 1.442 years), and there is a statistical difference in age among the three groups (F = 69.996, P < 0.000).Obesity rates are higher among individuals who are not-only-child, have residential experience within six months, have family economic poverty, and have evening-type sleep (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis shows a correlation between sleep rhythm and adolescent obesity. Evening-type sleep rhythm can increase the risk of obesity in male adolescents [1.250 (1.067-1.468)], but the effect on female obesity is not remarkable. Further logistic regression analysis in the overall population demonstrates that the interaction between evening-type sleep rhythm and the male gender poses a risk of adolescent obesity [1.122 (1.043-1.208)].

CONCLUSION

Among adolescents, the incidence of obesity in males is higher than in females. Evening-type sleep rhythm plays an important role in male obesity but has no significant effect on female obesity. Progressive analysis suggests an interactive effect of sleep rhythm and gender on adolescent obesity, and the combination of evening-type sleep and the male gender promotes the development of adolescent obesity. In formulating precautions against adolescent obesity, obesity in male adolescents with evening-type sleep should be a critical concern.

Untargeted Metabolomics and Body Mass in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analysis

Obesity in children and adolescents has increased globally. Increased body mass index (BMI) during adolescence carries significant long-term adverse health outcomes, including chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Little is known about the metabolic consequences of changes in BMI in adolescents outside of typical clinical parameters. Here, we used untargeted metabolomics to assess changing BMI in male adolescents. Untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed on urine samples from 360 adolescents using UPLC-QTOF-MS. The study includes a baseline of 235 subjects in a discovery set and 125 subjects in a validation set. Of them, a follow-up of 81 subjects (1 year later) as a replication set was studied. Linear regression analysis models were used to estimate the associations of metabolic features with BMI z-score in the discovery and validation sets, after adjusting for age, race, and total energy intake (kcal) at false-discovery-rate correction (FDR) ≤ 0.1. We identified 221 and 16 significant metabolic features in the discovery and in the validation set, respectively. The metabolites associated with BMI z-score in validation sets are glycylproline, citrulline, 4-vinylsyringol, 3'-sialyllactose, estrone sulfate, carnosine, formiminoglutamic acid, 4-hydroxyproline, hydroxyprolyl-asparagine, 2-hexenoylcarnitine, L-glutamine, inosine, N-(2-Hydroxyphenyl) acetamide glucuronide, and galactosylhydroxylysine. Of those 16 features, 9 significant metabolic features were associated with a positive change in BMI in the replication set 1 year later. Histidine and arginine metabolism were the most affected metabolic pathways. Our findings suggest that obesity and its metabolic outcomes in the urine metabolome of children are linked to altered amino acids, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism. These identified metabolites may serve as biomarkers and aid in the investigation of obesity's underlying pathological mechanisms. Whether these features are associated with the development of obesity, or a consequence of changing BMI, requires further study.

Metabolic profiles reflect weight loss maintenance and the composition of diet after very-low-energy diet

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Diet and weight loss affect circulating metabolome. However, metabolite profiles induced by different weight loss maintenance diets and underlying longer term weight loss maintenance remain unknown. Herein, we investigated after-weight-loss metabolic signatures of two isocaloric 24-wk weight maintenance diets differing in satiety value due to dietary fibre, protein and fat contents and identified metabolite features that associated with successful weight loss maintenance.

METHODS

Non-targeted LC-MS metabolomics approach was used to analyse plasma metabolites of 79 women and men (mean age ± SD 49.7 ± 9.0 years; BMI 34.2 ± 2.5 kg/m2) participating in a weight management study. Participants underwent a 7-week very-low-energy diet (VLED) and were thereafter randomised into two groups for a 24-week weight maintenance phase. Higher satiety food (HSF) group consumed high-fibre, high-protein, and low-fat products, while lower satiety food (LSF) group consumed isocaloric low-fibre products with average protein and fat content as a part of their weight maintenance diets. Plasma metabolites were analysed before the VLED and before and after the weight maintenance phase. Metabolite features discriminating HSF and LSF groups were annotated. We also analysed metabolite features that discriminated participants who maintained ≥10% weight loss (HWM) and participants who maintained <10% weight loss (LWM) at the end of the study, irrespective of the diet. Finally, we assessed robust linear regression between metabolite features and anthropometric and food group variables.

RESULTS

We annotated 126 metabolites that discriminated the HSF and LSF groups and HWM and LWM groups (p < 0.05). Compared to LSF, the HSF group had lower levels of several amino acids, e.g. glutamine, arginine, and glycine, short-, medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines (CARs), odd- and even-chain lysoglycerophospholipids, and higher levels of fatty amides. Compared to LWM, the HWM group in general showed higher levels of glycerophospholipids with a saturated long-chain and a C20:4 fatty acid tail, and unsaturated free fatty acids (FFAs). Changes in several saturated odd- and even-chain LPCs and LPEs and fatty amides were associated with the intake of many food groups, particularly grain and dairy products. Increase in several (lyso)glycerophospholipids was associated with decrease in body weight and adiposity. Increased short- and medium-chain CARs were related to decreased body fat-free mass.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that isocaloric weight maintenance diets differing in dietary fibre, protein, and fat content affected amino acid and lipid metabolism. Increased abundances of several phospholipid species and FFAs were related with greater weight loss maintenance. Our findings indicate common and distinct metabolites for weight and dietary related variables in the context of weight reduction and weight management. The study was registered in isrctn.org with identifier 67529475.

Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Transcriptome Highlights Specific Expression Profiles in Severe Pediatric Obesity: A Pilot Study

The prevalence of pediatric obesity is rising rapidly worldwide, and "omic" approaches are helpful in investigating the molecular pathophysiology of obesity. This work aims to identify transcriptional differences in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (scAT) of children with overweight (OW), obesity (OB), or severe obesity (SV) compared with those of normal weight (NW). Periumbilical scAT biopsies were collected from 20 male children aged 1-12 years. The children were stratified into the following four groups according to their BMI z-scores: SV, OB, OW, and NW. scAT RNA-Seq analyses were performed, and a differential expression analysis was conducted using the DESeq2 R package. A pathways analysis was performed to gain biological insights into gene expression. Our data highlight the significant deregulation in both coding and non-coding transcripts in the SV group when compared with the NW, OW, and OB groups. A KEGG pathway analysis showed that coding transcripts were mainly involved in lipid metabolism. A GSEA analysis revealed the upregulation of lipid degradation and metabolism in SV vs. OB and SV vs. OW. Bioenergetic processes and the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids were upregulated in SV compared with OB, OW, and NW. In conclusion, we report for the first time that a significant transcriptional deregulation occurs in the periumbilical scAT of children with severe obesity compared with those of normal weight or those with overweight or mild obesity.

Childhood Obesity and the Cryptic Language of the Microbiota: Metabolomics’ Upgrading

The growing obesity epidemic in childhood is increasingly concerning for the related physical and psychological consequences, with a significant impact on health care costs in both the short and the long term. Nonetheless, the scientific community has not yet completely clarified the complex metabolic mechanisms underlying body weight alterations. In only a small percentage of cases, obesity is the result of endocrine, monogenic, or syndromic causes, while in much more cases, lifestyle plays a crucial role in obesity development. In this context, the pediatric age appears to be of considerable importance as prevention strategies together with early intervention can represent important therapeutic tools not only to counteract the comorbidities that increasingly affect children but also to hinder the persistence of obesity in adulthood. Although evidence in the literature supporting the alteration of the microbiota as a critical factor in the etiology of obesity is abundant, it is not yet fully defined and understood. However, increasingly clear evidence is emerging regarding the existence of differentiated metabolic profiles in obese children, with characteristic metabolites. The identification of specific pathology-related biomarkers and the elucidation of the altered metabolic pathways would therefore be desirable in order to clarify aspects that are still poorly understood, such as the consequences of the interaction between the host, the diet, and the microbiota. In fact, metabolomics can characterize the biological behavior of a specific individual in response to external stimuli, offering not only an eventual effective screening and prevention strategy but also the possibility of evaluating adherence and response to dietary intervention.

A Metabolomics-Based Investigation of the Effects of a Short-Term Body Weight Reduction Program in a Cohort of Adolescents with Obesity: A Prospective Interventional Clinical Study

Metabolomics applied to assess the response to a body weight reduction program (BWRP) may generate valuable information concerning the biochemical mechanisms/pathways underlying the BWRP-induced cardiometabolic benefits. The aim of the present study was to establish the BWRP-induced changes in the metabolomic profile that characterizes the obese condition. In particular, a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) targeted metabolomic approach was used to determine a total of 188 endogenous metabolites in the plasma samples of a cohort of 42 adolescents with obesity (female/male = 32/10; age = 15.94 ± 1.33 year; body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) = 2.96 ± 0.46) who underwent a 3-week BWRP, including hypocaloric diet, physical exercise, nutritional education, and psychological support. The BWRP was capable of significantly improving body composition (e.g., BMI SDS, p < 0.0001), glucometabolic homeostasis (e.g., glucose, p < 0.0001), and cardiovascular function (e.g., diastolic blood pressure, p = 0.016). A total of 64 metabolites were significantly reduced after the intervention (at least p < 0.05), including 53 glycerophospholipids (23 PCs ae, 21 PCs aa, and 9 lysoPCs), 7 amino acids (tyrosine, phenylalanine, arginine, citrulline, tryptophan, glutamic acid, and leucine), the biogenic amine kynurenine, 2 sphingomyelins, and (free) carnitine (C0). On the contrary, three metabolites were significantly increased after the intervention (at least p < 0.05)-in particular, glutamine, trans-4-hydroxyproline, and the octadecenoyl-carnitine (C18:1). In conclusion, when administered to adolescents with obesity, a short-term BWRP is capable of changing the metabolomic profile in the plasma.

Cytosolic aldose metabolism contributes to progression from cirrhosis to hepatocarcinogenesis

Oxidative stress modulates carcinogenesis in the liver; however, direct evidence for metabolic control of oxidative stress during pathogenesis, particularly, of progression from cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has been lacking. Deficiency of transaldolase (TAL), a rate-limiting enzyme of the non-oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), restricts growth and predisposes to cirrhosis and HCC in mice and humans. Here, we show that mitochondrial oxidative stress and progression from cirrhosis to HCC and acetaminophen-induced liver necrosis are critically dependent on NADPH depletion and polyol buildup by aldose reductase (AR), while this enzyme protects from carbon trapping in the PPP and growth restriction in TAL deficiency. Both TAL and AR are confined to the cytosol; however, their inactivation distorts mitochondrial redox homeostasis in opposite directions. The results suggest that AR acts as a rheostat of carbon recycling and NADPH output of the PPP with broad implications for disease progression from cirrhosis to HCC.

Causal association between obesity, circulating glutamine levels, and depression: a Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Observational studies indicated obesity and glutamatergic dysfunction as potential risk factors of depression, and reported disturbance of glutamine metabolism in obese state. However, it remains unclear whether the inter-relationships between obesity, glutamine and depression are causal.

METHODS

We conducted two-sample bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) analyses to explore the causalities between circulating glutamine levels, specific depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder (MDD) and body mass index (BMI). Univariable MR, multivariable MR (MVMR) and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSR) analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Genetic downregulation of glutamine was causally associated with MDD, anhedonia, tiredness, and depressed mood at the false discovery rate (FDR)-controlled significance level (estimate, -0·036∼ -0·013, P = 0·005 to P = 0·050). Elevated BMI was causally linked to lower glutamine level (estimate = -0·103, P = 0·037), as well as more severe depressed mood, tiredness, and anhedonia (estimate, 0·017∼0·050, P < 0·001 to P = 0·040). In MVMR analysis, BMI was causally related to depressed mood dependently of glutamine levels. Reversely, it showed limited evidence supporting causal effects of depression on glutamine levels or BMI, except a causal association of tiredness with elevated BMI (estimate = 0·309, P = 0·003). LDSR estimates were directionally consistent with MR results.

CONCLUSION

The present study reported that higher BMI was causally associated with lower glutamine levels. Both obesity and down-regulation of glutamine were causally linked to depression.

Validity of food additive maltodextrin as placebo and effects on human gut physiology: systematic review of placebo-controlled clinical trials

PURPOSE

Maltodextrin (MDX) is a polysaccharide food additive commonly used as oral placebo/control to investigate treatments/interventions in humans. The aims of this study were to appraise the MDX effects on human physiology/gut microbiota, and to assess the validity of MDX as a placebo-control.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of randomized-placebo-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) where MDX was used as an orally consumed placebo. Data were extracted from study results where effects (physiological/microbial) were attributed (or not) to MDX, and from study participant outcomes data, before-and-after MDX consumption, for post-publication 're-analysis' using paired-data statistics.

RESULTS

Of two hundred-sixteen studies on 'MDX/microbiome', seventy RCTs (n = 70) were selected for analysis. Supporting concerns regarding the validity of MDX as a placebo, the majority of RCTs (60%, CI 95% = 0.48-0.76; n = 42/70; Fisher-exact p = 0.001, expected < 5/70) reported MDX-induced physiological (38.1%, n = 16/42; p = 0.005), microbial metabolite (19%, n = 8/42; p = 0.013), or microbiome (50%, n = 21/42; p = 0.0001) effects. MDX-induced alterations on gut microbiome included changes in the Firmicutes and/or Bacteroidetes phyla, and Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium species. Effects on various immunological, inflammatory markers, and gut function/permeability were also documented in 25.6% of the studies (n = 10/42). Notably, there was considerable variability in the direction of effects (decrease/increase), MDX dose, form (powder/pill), duration, and disease/populations studied. Overall, only 20% (n = 14/70; p = 0.026) of studies cross-referenced MDX as a justifiable/innocuous placebo, while 2.9% of studies (n = 2/70) acknowledged their data the opposite.

CONCLUSION

Orally-consumed MDX often (63.9% of RCTs) induces effects on human physiology/gut microbiota. Such effects question the validity of MDX as a placebo-control in human clinical trials.

Association between Obesity and Anemia in a Nationally Representative Sample of South Korean Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Anemia is associated with physical, cognitive, and developmental problems. Given that there are limited studies on anemia prevalence among obese Asian adolescents and that past evidence is controversial, this study investigated the relationship between obesity and anemia in a nationally representative sample of South Korean adolescents. Data were obtained from the 2007–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Overall, 10,231 subjects were included in the analysis. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship between obesity and anemia. Compared with the non-obesity group, the adjusted odds ratio (OR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of anemia was 1.00 (0.66–1.50) in the obesity group. However, in the early adolescent subgroup of 10–13 years (adjusted OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.20–6.95), the risk of anemia was significantly higher in the obese group than in the non-obese group. Obesity was associated with an increased risk of anemia in early adolescents. Obese adolescents aged 10–13 require special care, especially through regular examination and management for anemia.