The characterization of the epigenetic changes within the obesity-related adipose tissue will provide new insights to understand this metabolic disorder, but adipose tissue is not easy to sample in ...population-based studies. We aimed to evaluate the capacity of circulating leukocytes to reflect the adipose tissue-specific DNA methylation status of obesity susceptibility. DNA samples isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue and circulating leukocytes were hybridized in the Infinium HumanMethylation 450 BeadChip. Data were compared between samples from obese (n = 45) and non-obese (n = 8-10) patients by Wilcoxon-rank test, unadjusted for cell type distributions. A global hypomethylation of the differentially methylated CpG sites (DMCpGs) was observed in the obese subcutaneous adipose tissue and leukocytes. The overlap analysis yielded a number of genes mapped by the common DMCpGs that were identified to reflect the obesity state in the leukocytes. Specifically, the methylation levels of FGFRL1, NCAPH2, PNKD and SMAD3 exhibited excellent and statistically significant efficiencies in the discrimination of obesity from non-obesity status (AUC > 0.80; p < 0.05) and a great correlation between both tissues. Therefore, the current study provided new and valuable DNA methylation biomarkers of obesity-related adipose tissue pathogenesis through peripheral blood analysis, an easily accessible and minimally invasive biological material instead of adipose tissue.
To fully understand the causes and mechanisms involved in overeating and obesity, measures of both cognitive and physiological determinants of eating behavior need to be integrated. Effectively ...synchronizing behavioral measures such as meal micro-structure (e.g., eating speed), cognitive processing of sensory stimuli, and metabolic parameters, can be complex. However, this step is central to understanding the impact of food interventions on body weight. In this paper, we provide an overview of the existing gaps in eating behavior research and describe the development and validation of a new methodological platform to address some of these issues. As part of a controlled trial, 76 men and women self-served and consumed food from a buffet, using a portion-control plate with visual stimuli for appropriate amounts of main food groups, or a conventional plate, on two different days, in a random order. In both sessions participants completed behavioral and cognitive tests using a novel methodological platform that measured gaze movement (as a proxy for visual attention), eating rate and bite size, memory for portion sizes, subjective appetite and portion-size perceptions. In a sub-sample of women, hormonal secretion in response to the meal was also measured. The novel platform showed a significant improvement in meal micro-structure measures from published data (13 vs. 33% failure rate) and high comparability between an automated gaze mapping protocol vs. manual coding for eye-tracking studies involving an eating test (ICC between methods 0.85; 90% CI 0.74, 0.92). This trial was registered at Clinical Trials.gov with Identifier NCT03610776.
Abstract Background and aims Cocoa flavanols are recognised by their favourable antioxidant and vascular effects. This study investigates the influence on health of the daily consumption of ...ready-to-eat meals supplemented with cocoa extract within a hypocaloric diet, on middle-aged overweight/obese subjects. Methods and results Fifty healthy male and female middle-aged volunteers 57.26 ± 5.24 years and body mass index (BMI) 30.59 ± 2.33 kg/m2 were recruited to participate in a 4 week randomised, parallel and double-blind study. After following 3 days on a low-polyphenol diet, 25 volunteers received meals supplemented with 1.4 g of cocoa extract (645.3 mg of polyphenols) and the other 25 participants received control meals, within a 15% energy restriction diet. On the 4th week of intervention individuals in both dietary groups improved ( p < 0.05) anthropometric, body composition, blood pressure and blood biochemical measurements. Oxidised LDL cholesterol (oxLDL), showed a higher reduction ( p = 0.030) in the cocoa group. Moreover, myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels decreased only in the cocoa supplemented group ( p = 0.007). Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (sICAM-1) decreased significantly in both groups, while Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) did not present differences after the 4 weeks of intervention. Interestingly, cocoa intake showed a different effect by gender, presenting more beneficial effects in men. Conclusions The consumption of cocoa extract as part of ready-to-eat meals and within a hypocaloric diet improved oxidative status (oxLDL) in middle-aged subjects, being most remarkable in males. Registration number: Registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT01596309 ).
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of an extract obtained from seeds/fruits of an Oleaceae (Fraxinus excelsior L.) on glucose homeostasis and associated metabolic markers ...in non-diabetic overweight/obese subjects.
This study was performed in 22 participants (50–80 years-old; BMI 31.0kg/m2). The design was a longitudinal, randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled 7-week nutritional intervention. The participants received daily 3 capsules each containing either 333mg of an extract from Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds (Glucevia®) or placebo capsules (control) in a random order for 3 weeks with 1 week of washout between treatments. Moreover, they followed a balanced covert energy-restricted diet (−15% energy). All variables were measured at the beginning and at the end of each period.
Compared to baseline, the administration of 1g of Glucevia® for 3 weeks resulted in significantly lower incremental glucose area under the curve (−28.2%; p<0.01), and significantly lower 2h blood glucose values (−14%; p<0.01) following an oral glucose tolerance test. No significant changes were found in the control group (−7.9% AUC, −1.6% 2h blood glucose). Furthermore, significant differences were found between responses in the control and Glucevia® groups with respect to serum fructosamine and plasma glucagon levels (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). Interestingly, administration of Glucevia® significantly increased the adiponectin:leptin ratio (p<0.05) and decreased fat mass (p<0.01) compared to control (p<0.05).
The administration of an extract from Fraxinus excelsior L. seeds/fruits in combination with a moderate hypocaloric diet may be beneficial in metabolic disturbances linked to impaired glucose tolerance, obesity, insulin resistance and inflammatory status, specifically in older adults.
Introduction
Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter that regulates the rewarding and motivational processes underlying food intake and eating behaviors. This study hypothesized associations of DNA ...methylation signatures at genes modulating DA signaling with obesity features, metabolic profiles, and dietary intake.
Methods
An adult population within the Methyl Epigenome Network Association project was included (n = 473). DNA methylation levels in white blood cells were measured by microarray (450K). Differentially methylated genes were mapped within the dopaminergic synapse pathway using the KEGG reference database (map04728). Subsequently, network enrichment analyses were run in the pathDIP portal. Associations of methylation patterns with anthropometric markers of general (BMI) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference), the blood metabolic profile, and daily dietary intakes were screened.
Results
After applying a correction for multiple comparisons, 12 CpG sites were strongly associated (p < 0.0001) with BMI: cg03489495 (ITPR3), cg22851378 (PPP2R2D), cg04021127 (PPP2R2D), cg22441882 (SLC18A1), cg03045635 (DRD5), cg23341970 (ITPR2), cg13051970 (DDC), cg08943004 (SLC6A3), cg20557710 (CACNA1C), cg24085522 (GNAL), cg16846691 (ITPR2), and cg09691393 (SLC6A3). Moreover, average methylation levels of these genes differed according to the presence or absence of abdominal obesity. Pathway analyses revealed a statistically significant contribution of the aforementioned genes to dopaminergic synapse transmission (p = 4.78E−08). Furthermore, SLC18A1 and SLC6A3 gene methylation signatures correlated with total energy (p < 0.001) and carbohydrate (p < 0.001) intakes.
Conclusions
The results of this investigation reveal that methylation status on DA signaling genes may underlie epigenetic mechanisms contributing to carbohydrate and calorie consumption and fat deposition.
This study hypothesized associations of DNA methylation signatures at genes modulating DA signaling with obesity features, metabolic profiles, and dietary intake. The results of this investigation reveal that methylation status on DA signaling genes may underlie epigenetic mechanisms contributing to carbohydrate and calorie consumption and fat deposition.
The high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Spain requires additional efforts for prevention and treatment.
The study RESMENA-S aims to improve clinical criteria and biomarkers associated with ...MS though an integral therapy approach.
The study is a randomized prospective parallel design in which is expected to participate a total of 100 individuals. The RESMENA-S group (n = 50) is a personalized weight loss (30% energy restriction) diet, with a macronutrient distribution (carbohydrate / fat / protein) of 40/30/30, high meal frequency (7 / day), low glycemic index/load and high antioxidant capacity as well as a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The control group (n = 50) is assigned to a diet with the same energy restriction and based on the American Heart Association pattern. Both experimental groups are under dietary and psychological control during 8 weeks. Likewise, for an additional period of 16 weeks of self-control, is expected that volunteers will follow the same pattern but with no dietary advice.
Anthropometrical data and body composition determinations as well as blood and urine samples are being collected at the beginning and end of each phase. This project is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov with the number NCT01087086 and count with the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Navarra approval (065/2009).
Intervention trials to promote the adoption of dietary patterns and healthy lifestyle are of great importance to identify the outcomes and nutritional mechanisms that might explain the link between obesity, metabolic syndrome and associated complications.
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