Search Results (1,749)

Blood-based biomarkers allow monitoring of an individual’s health status and provide insights into metabolic and inflammatory processes in conditions like obesity, cardiovascular, and liver diseases. However, selecting suitable biomarkers and optimizing analytical assays presents challenges, is time-consuming and laborious. Moreover, knowledge of potential sex differences remains incomplete as research is often carried out in men. This study aims at enabling researchers to make informed choices on the type of biomarkers, analytical assays, and dilutions being used. More specifically, we analyzed plasma concentrations of >90 biomarkers using commonly available ELISA or electrochemiluminescence-based multiplex methods, comparing normal weight (BMI < 25; n = 40) with obese (BMI > 30; n = 40) adult blood donors of comparable age. To help choose optimal biomarker sets, we grouped frequently employed biomarkers into biological categories (e.g., adipokines, acute-phase proteins, complement factors, cytokines, myokines, iron metabolism, vascular inflammation), first comparing normal-weight with obese persons, and thereafter exploratively comparing women and men within each BMI group. Many biomarkers linked to chronic inflammation and dysmetabolism were elevated in persons with obesity, including several adipokines, interleukins, chemokines, acute-phase proteins, complement factors, and oxidized LDL. Further exploration suggests sex disparities in biomarker levels within both normal-weight and obese groups. This comprehensive dataset of biomarkers across diverse biological domains constitutes a reference resource that may provide valuable guidance for researchers in selecting appropriate biomarkers and analytical assays for own studies. Moreover, the dataset highlights the importance of taking possible sex differences into account. Full article

Background/Objectives: Perceptions of obesity critically influence people’s eating behaviors and responses to food stimuli. However, few studies have investigated the impact of negative body perception on behavioral and neural responses to food stimuli. This study investigates how elevated body dissatisfaction modulates food-related inhibitory control. Methods: Fifty-one participants comprising three cohorts—overweight/obese individuals (OO), normal-weight participants exhibiting high negative body image (HNN), and healthy controls—performed a food-specific inhibitory control task under EEG recording. Results: The results showed that the HNN cohort achieved superior no-go accuracy and enhanced inhibitory control compared to controls. An event-related potentials (ERPs) analysis revealed increased conflict detection (P200) for high-calorie foods and reduced conflict resolution (LPP) in the HNN group, similar to the overweight/obese group. A multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) identified earlier neural discrimination in the HNN group, suggesting more efficient inhibitory processing. Conclusions: These findings underscore negative body perception as a critical modulator of food-related cognitive control mechanisms. Full article

Background/Objectives: Prior research suggest that poor working memory significantly contributes to the growth of overweight and obesity. This study investigated the behavioral and neural aspects of general and food-specific working memory in females with overweight or obesity (OW/OB). Method: A total of 54 female participants, with 26 in the OW/OB group and 28 in the normal-weight (NW) group, completed a general and a food-related two-back task while an EEG was recorded. Results: In the general task, the OW/OB group showed significantly poorer performance (higher IES) than the NW group (p = 0.018, η² = 0.10), with reduced theta power during non-target trials (p = 0.040, η² = 0.08). No group differences were found for P2, N2, or P3 amplitudes. In the food-related task, significant group × stimulus interactions were observed. The OW/OB group showed significantly higher P2 amplitudes in high-calorie (HC) versus low-calorie (LC) food conditions (p = 0.005, η² = 0.15). LPC amplitudes were greater in the OW/OB group for HC targets (p = 0.036, η² = 0.09). Alpha power was significantly lower in OW/OB compared to NW in HC non-targets (p = 0.030, η² = 0.09), suggesting a greater cognitive effort. Conclusions: These findings indicate that individuals with OW/OB exhibit deficits in general working memory and heightened neural responses to high-calorie food cues, particularly during non-target inhibition. The results suggest an interaction between reward salience and cognitive control mechanisms in obesity. Full article

Background/Objectives: The association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and body size phenotypes in metabolically diverse but apparently healthy adult populations remains inadequately understood. This study investigated the association between CKD and body size phenotypes in a nationally representative sample of healthy Korean adults. Methods: Data from 8227 participants in the 2019–2021 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Participants were categorized into four body size phenotypes by combining BMI status (normal weight or obese) with metabolic health status (healthy or abnormal)—MHNW (Metabolically Healthy Normal Weight), MANW (Metabolically Abnormal Normal Weight), MHO (Metabolically Healthy Obese), or MAO (Metabolically Abnormal Obese). CKD was defined based on the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). To assess the association between CKD and body size phenotypes, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: CKD prevalence was 4.4%. MANW and MAO made up 12.6% and 26.4% of the CKD group, compared to 5.0% and 13.2% of the non-CKD group. CKD prevalence by phenotype was observed as follows: MHNW, 3.2%; MANW, 10.5%; MHO, 4.0%; and MAO, 8.5%. CKD odds were highest in the MAO group (OR: 3.770, 95% CI: 2.648–5.367), followed by the MANW (OR: 2.492, 95% CI: 1.547–4.016) and MHO (OR: 1.974, 95% CI: 1.358–2.870) groups. MAO individuals carried a higher CKD risk than MHO individuals (OR: 1.897, 95% CI: 1.221–2.945). Conclusions: Among apparently healthy adults, body size phenotypes—particularly those with metabolic abnormalities—were significantly associated with the presence of CKD. These findings highlight the need to assess both metabolic health and body composition for effective CKD prevention and management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Maternal overweight and obesity are critical factors increasing the risk of various pregnancy complications. Maternal obesity can lead to fetal macrosomia and a heightened risk of intrauterine death, with long-term implications for the child’s health. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of obesity and its impact on pregnancy outcomes in women who delivered by cesarean section at the University Hospital “St. George”, Plovdiv. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. The documentary method was used for gathering data. Records were randomly selected. The statistical methods used included mean values, confidence intervals (of mean), frequency, and the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for normality of distribution. Data comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney test. Mean values of numerical variables were compared using the independent samples t-test. Results: In total, 46.36% of women in this study were affected by obesity to varying degrees, and the proportion of women who were overweight at the end of their pregnancy was 37.85%. In the studied cohort, 15.99% of women were affected by hypertensive complications. This significant prevalence of obesity highlights concerns regarding body weight among women of reproductive age. This study emphasized a strong correlation between maternal obesity, particularly severe obesity, and the occurrence of preeclampsia. Conclusions: In this study among women who delivered by cesarean section, a significant proportion of them were affected by overweight and obesity. Data for our country are insufficient, and a more in-depth study of this problem is needed. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of maternal obesity on the health of the mother and the newborn. Full article

Background: Obesity and its complications have increased in both adults and children, with pediatric populations developing metabolic disorders at earlier ages. Long non-coding RNAs, particularly MEG3, are involved in obesity through regulation of lipogenic genes including ATF4, FTO, SREBP1, FASN, and ACACA. However, data on MEG3 expression in pediatric obesity are limited. This study evaluated MEG3, FTO, and ATF4 expression in PBMCs from children with obesity and their associations with added sugar intake and lipid metabolism genes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study 71 children within the age range of 6 to 12 years were included (28 normal weight and 43 with obesity). Anthropometrical and clinical parameters and dietary added sugar consumption were analyzed. Real-time PCR was performed to assess MEG3, FTO, ATF4, SREBP1, FASN, and ACACA gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results: The expression of MEG3, ATF4, FTO, SREBP1, FASN, and ACACA was decreased in children with obesity. MEG3 and FTO showed sex-dependent expression in children without obesity, while additional sex-related differences were observed for SREBP1, FASN, ACACA, FTO, and MEG3 in children with obesity. MEG3 was associated with the expression of SREBP1, FASN, ACACA, FTO, and ATF4. In insulin-resistant (IR) children, MEG3, ATF4, FTO, ACACA, and SREBP1 were reduced, while FASN was increased. Added sugar intake negatively correlated with FTO, SREBP1, and ACACA. Conclusions: The MEG3, FTO, and ATF4 expression was altered in children with obesity, showing sex- and IR-related differences. Added sugar intake correlated negatively with lipogenic gene expression. Full article

Introduction: Obesity is a rapidly increasing condition that leads to serious health issues. The sense of smell, one of the oldest senses related to energy metabolism, has been increasingly studied in relation to obesity. Objective: This study investigates the impact of childhood obesity on the volumes of the olfactory bulb and pituitary gland, exploring the relationship between body mass index and these brain structures. Method: This study included 146 participants aged 6–18 years with different body mass indices between 2021 and 2024 at Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Participants were classified into normal weight, obese, and morbidly obese groups, and olfactory bulb and pituitary gland volumes were retrospectively analyzed. MRI scans were performed to exclude intracranial pathologies due to headache complaints, and patients with cranial pathologies were excluded from the study. Results: This study examined the olfactory bulb and pituitary gland volumes among normal weight, obese, and morbidly obese groups aged 6–18 years. In the morbidly obese group, right olfactory bulb area and right olfactory bulb volume were significantly higher compared to the other groups, while left olfactory bulb area was higher in both the obese and morbidly obese groups. Additionally, in the morbidly obese group, pituitary height was significantly lower than the other groups, and pituitary volume was also found to be reduced in morbid obesity. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that childhood obesity is linked to significant changes in the volumes of the olfactory bulb and pituitary gland. In morbidly obese children, an increase in pituitary volume and alterations in olfactory bulb volume suggest possible neuroanatomical adaptations. Full article

Obesity and metabolic dysfunction are established risk factors for luminal breast cancer, yet current preclinical models inadequately recapitulate the complex metabolic and immune interactions driving tumorigenesis. To develop and characterize an immunocompetent rat model of luminal breast cancer induced by chronic exposure to a cafeteria diet mimicking Western obesogenic nutrition, female rats were fed a cafeteria diet or standard chow from weaning. Metabolic parameters, plasma biomarkers (including leptin, insulin, IGF-1, adiponectin, and estrone), mammary gland histology, tumor incidence, and gene expression profiles were longitudinally evaluated. Gene expression was assessed by PCR arrays and qPCR. A subgroup underwent dietary reversal to assess the reversibility of molecular alterations. Cafeteria diet induced significant obesity (mean weight 426.76 g vs. 263.09 g controls, p < 0.001) and increased leptin levels without altering insulin, IGF-1, or inflammatory markers. Histological analysis showed increased ductal ectasia and benign lesions, with earlier fibroadenoma and luminal carcinoma development in diet-fed rats. Tumors exhibited luminal phenotype, low Ki67, and elevated PAI-1 expression. Gene expression alterations were time point specific and revealed early downregulation of ID1 and COX2, followed by upregulation of MMP2, THBS1, TWIST1, and PAI-1. Short-term dietary reversal normalized several gene expression changes. Overall tumor incidence was modest (~12%), reflecting early tumor-promoting microenvironmental changes rather than aggressive carcinogenesis. This immunocompetent cafeteria diet rat model recapitulates key metabolic, histological, and molecular features of obesity-associated luminal breast cancer and offers a valuable platform for studying early tumorigenic mechanisms and prevention strategies without carcinogen-induced confounders. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pathological vertebral fragility (path-VF) increases the risk of osteoporotic fractures and pedicle screw loosening (PSL) after posterior instrumented spinal fusion (PISF). While WHO body mass index (BMI) categories broadly identify risks related to underweight and obesity, fixed thresholds may inadequately reflect vertebral fragility risks among elderly patients, especially within the normal-weight range. This study investigates whether current BMI classifications sufficiently capture the risk of path-VF in older adults. Methods: This retrospective study included 225 patients who underwent kyphoplasty or PISF (2022–2023). Path-VF was defined by non-tumorous fractures, screw reinforcement, or PSL within six months without prior reinforcement. Patients were grouped into the path-VF (n = 94) and control (n = 131) groups. HU and BMI values, BMI-related ORs, and age trends were analysed, and a logistic regression was performed. Results: Mean HU values were significantly lower in the path-VF group (71.37 ± 30.50) than in controls (130.35 ± 52.53, p < 0.001). Path-VF females (26.26 ± 5.38) had a lower BMI than the control females (29.33 ± 5.98, p = 0.002); no difference was found in males. Normal-weight females showed a borderline risk for path-VF (OR 2.03, p = 0.0495). Obesity (OR_male 0.31/OR_female 0.37) and being male and overweight (OR 0.21) were protective (all p < 0.05). BMI declined with age in path-VF males (p = 0.001) but increased in the controls (p = 0.023). A logistic regression identified a BMI < 22.5 kg/m² and age > 67.5 years as significant risk thresholds. Notably, 20.2% of path-VF patients over 67.5 had a normal weight, suggesting a potentially overlooked subgroup. Conclusions: The current WHO lower limit for normal BMI (18.5 kg/m²) may underestimate the risk of path-VF in patients older than 67.5 years, potentially overlooking 24.7% of cases. The results offer a new approach for clinicians to interpret BMI values at the lower end of the normal range (<22.5 kg/m²) with caution in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery. Full article

Introduction: The obesity paradox has been observed in patients with cardiovascular disease. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether obesity has a protective effect in patients presenting with cardiogenic shock. Method: Using a large Nationwide Inpatient (NIS) sample database, we evaluated mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock based on weight categories in adults. Results: A total of 843,020 patients over age 18 had a diagnosis of cardiogenic shock in the database. We found that overweight and obesity had the lowest mortality using univariate or multivariate analysis (overweight mortality of 20.66% vs. obesity mortality of 26.6% vs. 34.8% of normal weights). In contrast, cachexia was associated with the highest mortality in univariate analysis (cachexia 40.4%). Using multivariate analysis adjusting for age, baseline characteristics, and comorbidities, these relations remained unchanged (cachexia MVOR: 1.13; CI: 1.21–1.13; p < 0.001; overweight MVOR: 0.52, CI: 0.43–0.65; p < 0.001; obesity MVOR: 0.76, CI: 0.73–0.79; p < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment, morbid obesity had similar mortality to patients with normal weight (morbid obesity MVOR: 0.99 CI 0.95–01.03; p = 0.6) Conclusions: We observe a partial obesity paradox in patients with cardiogenic shock, showing that being overweight, followed by obesity, has the lowest mortality, whereas cachexia has the highest mortality despite multivariate adjustment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Prehabilitation is a multimodal intervention introduced in preparation for various surgical procedures. The most effective treatment for obesity is bariatric surgery. Physiotherapy during prehabilitation for bariatric surgery may be an effective method of functional capacity improvement. We aimed to evaluate the impact of an individual outpatient 12-week, exercise-based physiotherapy program featuring prehabilitation on functional status, exercise tolerance, everyday mobility, and fatigue among patients qualified for bariatric surgery. Methods: The completion of an individual outpatient 12-week, exercise-based physiotherapy program during prehabilitation was an inclusion criterion for the study group. Participants included in the study and control groups were assessed twice, after enrollment into the prehabilitation program (the first assessment) and after prehabilitation but before surgery (the second assessment). Both assessments involved functional tests (a six-minute walking test [6MWT], a timed up and go test [TUG], a chest mobility test, anthropometric measures, a mobility index [Barthel], and a modified Borg scale). The collected anthropometric data and values from the 6MWT were used to create original linear models. This study followed STROBE recommendations. Results: The study group and control group did not differ statistically in terms of their anthropometric data. Statistically significant results were obtained between the first and second assessments in both groups in terms of body weight and waist circumference. However, only the study group showed improved results in the TUG test (p = 0.0001) and distance in the 6MWT (p = 0.0005). The study group presented with the normalization of blood pressure (BP) after exertion in the second assessment (systolic BP p = 0.0204; diastolic BP p = 0.0377), and the 6MWT results were close to the norms. According to the original linear model used to predict performance in the 6MWT, the primary modifiable determinant of exercise tolerance was the participant’s weight, while gender served as a non-modifiable determinant. Conclusions: Exercise-based physiotherapy in prehabilitation was associated with improved functional capacity in patients preparing for bariatric surgery, contributing to the improvement in 6MWT results in relation to the norms as well as exercise tolerance. Body weight may be an independent factor determining distance in the 6MWT for patients undergoing prehabilitation for bariatric surgery. Full article

Obesity is currently one of the major medical problems affecting humans and companion animals, including cats; however, a detailed understanding of the metabolic processes altered in feline obesity remains limited. This study aimed to investigate obesity-related changes in the serum metabolome of three groups of cats, metabolically healthy normal-weight (MHN) cats, metabolically healthy overweight (MHO) cats, and metabolically unhealthy overweight (MUO) cats. Metabolome changes were assessed using LC-MS (untargeted), LC-MS (targeted), and FIA-MS (targeted) methods. Untargeted analysis detected 141 significant annotated features, while targeted approach identified 48 metabolites significantly associated with obesity. Both untargeted and targeted analyses showed lower kynurenine levels in the MUO group compared to the MHN group. Targeted LC-MS analysis identified 11 significant metabolites, whereas the FIA-MS approach detected 37. Four metabolites—glycine, citrulline, and two phosphatidylcholines—were found at lower levels in the MHO group compared to the MHN group. Arginine and proline metabolism, along with methionine metabolism, were significantly altered pathways, while thyroid hormone synthesis was independently altered with the highest enrichment ratio. The obtained results suggest that cats with a healthy phenotype exhibit an intermediate-metabolic-risk profile and provide new insights into the metabolic mechanisms and pathways underlying feline obesity. Full article

Obesity is currently one of the most critical public health problems. Although there is no doubt that obesity is a significant risk factor for developing metabolic disorders, this relationship is not completely straightforward. On the one hand, some patients affected by obesity are metabolically unhealthy, while others are metabolically healthy; on the other hand, metabolic syndrome (MetS) can also occur in people with a normal body weight. A commonly used tool for diagnosing obesity is the body mass index (BMI), but the search for better anthropometric measures is ongoing due to the significant limitations of this measure. Obesity can lead to MetS and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Adipose tissue dysfunction is the fundamental mechanism linking obesity and cardiometabolic diseases, which is rooted in the disturbed secretion of adipokines. The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is calculated based on the BMI, waist circumference (WC), blood triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations. It was proposed in 2010 by Amato et al. as a parameter indicating adipose tissue dysfunction and cardiometabolic risk. According to the research conducted so far, some data confirm a relationship between the VAI value and the risk of developing prediabetes, diabetes, insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, MetS, CVD, and chronic kidney disease. Further research is needed to support the implementation of VAI assessment in routine clinical practice. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a narrative literature review summarizing current knowledge regarding the VAI and its usefulness in clinical practice for assessing cardiometabolic risk. Full article

Background/Objectives: Schizophrenia has been associated with increased inflammatory and metabolic disturbances. Perceived family support potentially affects inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers. The aim of this study was to determine the interrelations between family support, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in a sample of outpatients with schizophrenia. Importantly, this study sought to elucidate the effect of perceived family support on inflammatory processes among patients with schizophrenia. Methods: In this cross-sectional correlation study, 206 outpatients with schizophrenia in clinical remission completed a standardized self-report questionnaire that assessed family support (Family Support Scale—FSS). Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were also recorded. Results: Among the participants, 49.5% had detectable CRP values (≥0.11 mg/dL), whereas 14.6% had positive CRP levels (>0.6 mg/dL). There was a significant difference in CRP levels among the different BMI groups (normal weight/overweight vs. obese). For obese patients, the crude odds ratios (ORs) for detectable and positive CRP values were 1.980 (95% confidence interval (CI) [1.056, 3.713]) and 27.818 (95% CI [6.300, 122.838]), respectively. Significant positive correlations were observed among CRP, BMI and illness duration, while scores on the FSS were negatively associated with these variables. The results of binary logistic regression analysis indicated that both BMI and family support were significant factors in determining the likelihood of having positive CRP levels, with each unit increase in the BMI associated with a 17% (95% CI [0.025, 0.337]) increase in the odds, and with each unit increase in family support leading to an 8.6% (95% CI [0.018, 0.15]) decrease. A moderation analysis revealed that the association between family support and the probability of having positive CRP levels depends on the BMI value, but only for obese patients did the protective effect of family support significantly decrease the magnitude of the risk of having positive CRP (b = −0.1972, SE = 0.053, OR = 0.821, p = 0.000, 95% CI [−0.3010, −0.0934]). Conclusions: The effect of perceived family support on inflammatory responses becomes evident in cases where beyond metabolic complications, inflammatory processes have already been established. Increased perceived family support seems to protect against inflammation and, notably, the association between low perceived family support and increased inflammation is even stronger. Establishing the role of family involvement during the treatment of patients with schizophrenia through inflammatory processes is a novelty of this study, emphasizing the need to incorporate family therapy into psychiatric treatment plans. However, primary interventions are considered necessary for patients with schizophrenia in order to maintain their BMI within normal limits and avoid the subsequent nosological sequelae. Full article

Background: Motor coordination is a fundamental skill in childhood. Factors such as age, sex, and regular sports practice influence its development. However, there is little research that jointly analyzes the impact of these factors on the motor skills and abilities of primary school children. The objective of this study was to analyze what happens to different motor skills and abilities (i.e., locomotor coordination (LC); visuomotor coordination (VC); foot object control coordination (FOCC); hand object control coordination (HOCC); global motor coordination (GMC)) in relation to regular and regulated sports practice (yes vs. no), sex (boys vs. girls), and age (6 to 11 years) in a sample of 663 primary schoolchildren (8.59 ± 1.65 years; 48.26% boys) from Galicia (Spain). Methods: The 3JS test was used to analyze motor coordination. To determine differences between the 3JS variables, a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was performed based on age, sex, and sports practice, including a BMI category (normal weight, overweight, or obese) as a covariate to avoid potential confounding factors. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed based on age [LC (p < 0.001); VC (p < 0.001); FOCC (p < 0.001); HOCC (p < 0.001); CMG (p < 0.001)], sex [i.e., VC (p < 0.001); FOCC (p < 0.001); HOCC (p < 0.001); CMG (p < 0.001)], and sports practice [i.e., LC (p < 0.001); VC (p = 0.008); HOCC (p < 0.001); CMG (p < 0.001)], after the application of the 3JS battery. Conclusions: Locomotor coordination in Primary Education is modulated by the interaction between age, sex, and sports practice. All of these variables increase with age, with higher scores in boys than in girls, and higher scores in children who participate in sports than in those who do not. Full article