Obesity: A Growing Multifaceted Problem

Ramadan Diurnal Intermittent Fasting Is Associated With Attenuated FTO Gene Expression in Subjects With Overweight and Obesity: A Prospective Cohort Study

Aim and Background

A growing body of evidence supports the impact of intermittent fasting (IF) on normalizing body weight and that the interaction between body genes and environmental factors shapes human susceptibility to developing obesity. FTO gene is one of these genes with metabolic effects related to energy metabolism and body fat deposition. This research examined the changes in FTO gene expression upon Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) in a group of metabolically healthy subjects with overweight and obesity.

Methods

Sixty-three (63) subjects were recruited, of which 57 (17 males and 40 females, mean age 38.4 ± 11.2 years) subjects with overweight and obesity (BMI = 29.89 ± 5.02 kg/m2were recruited and monitored before and at the end of Ramadan month), and 6 healthy subjects with normal BMI (21.4 ± 2.20 kg/m2) recruited only to standardize the reference for normal levels of FTO gene expression. In the two-time points, anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary assessments were undertaken, and FTO gene expression tests were performed using RNA extracted from the whole blood sample.

Results

In contrast to normal BMI subjects, the relative gene expressions in overweight/obese were significantly decreased at the end of Ramadan (−32.30%, 95% CI–0.052 −0.981) in comparison with the pre-fasting state. Significant reductions were found in body weight, BMI, fat mass, body fat percent, hip circumference, LDL, IL-6, TNF-α (P<0.001), and in waist circumference (P<0.05), whilst HDL and IL-10 significantly increased (P<0.001) at the end of Ramadan in comparison with the pre-fasting levels. Binary logistic regression analysis for genetic expressions showed no significant association between high-energy intake, waist circumference, or obesity and FTO gene expression.

Conclusions

RIF is associated with the downregulation of the FTO gene expression in subjects with obesity, and this may explain, at least in part, its favorable metabolic effects. Hence, RIF presumably may entail a protective impact against body weight gain and its adverse metabolic-related derangements in subjects with obesity.

AT1Receptor Blockade Improves Myocardial Functional Performance in Obesity

Fundamento

A obesidade tem sido associada com ativação crônica do sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona e importantes alterações no desempenho cardíaco.

Objetivo

Avaliar a influência do bloqueio de receptores de angiotensina-II do tipo 1 (AT₁) sobre a morfologia e desempenho cardíaco de ratos obesos por dieta

Métodos

Ratos Wistar (n=48) foram submetidos a dieta controle (2,9 kcal/g) ou hiperlipídica (3,6 kcal/g) durante 20 semanas. Após a 16ª semana, foram distribuídos em quatro grupos: Controle (CO), Obeso (OB), Controle Losartan (CL) e Obeso Losartan (OL). CL e OL receberam losartan (30 mg/kg/dia) na água durante quatro semanas. Posteriormente, foram analisadas composição corporal, pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e ecocardiograma. A função de músculos papilares foi avaliada em situação basal com concentração de cálcio ([Ca²⁺]_o) de 2,50 mM e após manobras inotrópicas: potencial pós-pausa (PPP), elevação da [Ca²⁺]_o e durante estimulação beta-adrenérgica com isoproterenol. A análise dos resultados foi feita por meio de Two-Way ANOVA e teste de comparações apropriado. O nível de significância considerado foi de 5%.

Resultados

Embora a alteração da PAS não tenha se mantido ao final do experimento, a obesidade se associou com hipertrofia cardíaca e maior velocidade de encurtamento da parede posterior do ventrículo esquerdo.No estudo de músculos papilares em condição basal, CL mostrou menor velocidade máxima de variação negativa da tensão desenvolvida (-dT/dt) do que CO. O PPP de 60s promoveu menor -dT/dt e pico de tensão desenvolvida (TD) em OB e CL, comparados ao CO, e maior variação relativa de TD e velocidade máxima de variação positiva (+dT/dt) no OL em relação a CL e OB. Sob 1,5, 2,0 e 2,5mM de [Ca²⁺]_o, o grupo OL exibiu maior -dT/dt do que CL.

Conclusão

Losartan melhora a função miocárdica de ratos com obesidade induzida por dieta. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(1):17-28)

Parental weight status and early adolescence body weight in association with socioeconomic factors

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity remains a major health issue. The understanding of the multifactorial nature of childhood obesity remains the cornerstone to eliminate the rising trends. This study aimed to examine the association between parental and childhood weight status, in relation to various socioeconomic (SE) factors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted including 1190 children aged 10-12 years and their parents, during school years 2014-2016. Primary schools from five Greek counties (including Athens metropolitan area) were randomly selected. Parental and child data were collected through self-administered, anonymous questionnaires. Children's weight status was based on gender- and age-specific tables derived from the International Obesity Task Force body mass index (BMI) cut offs. General Linear Model (GLM), Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied. Multiple logistic regressions was used to determine the association between children and parents' weight status.

RESULTS

Childhood prevalence of overweight and obesity was 25.9% (21.8% overweight and 4.1% obese), with prevalence being significantly higher in males (31.7% compared to 21.3%; P for gender differences < 0.001). The percent of overweight and obese male (34.4% and 43.1%) and female children (20.3% and 31.8%) significantly increased with paternal overweight and obesity status, respectively. The same relationship was observed between male children and maternal overweight and obesity status (43.4% and 65.7%). This was not evident among females (27% and 23.2%). Regression analysis showed a significant positive association with parental BMI, a negative association with both parental educational levels (low to high), living space, and parental age (P < 0.05, for all). Children's likelihood of being overweight or obese increased significantly with increasing parental weight status (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Parental weight status remained the most significant predictive factor for early adolescence obesity among various SE factors. Health promotion strategies should consider parental education as an effective childhood obesity preventive measure.