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Background: Little is known about the changes in organs and tissues that may make elder patients more vulnerable to acute stressors such as SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: In 80 consecutive elderly patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, we evaluated the association between the descending thoracic aorta calcium score, L1 bone density and T12 skeletal muscle density measured on the same scan by high-resolution computed tomography. Results: At median regression, the ln-transformed DTA calcium score was inversely associated with L1 bone density (−0.02, 95%CI −0.04 to −0.01 ln-Agatston units for an increase of 1 HU) and with T12 muscle density (−0.03, −0.06 to −0.001 ln-Agatston units for an increase of 1 HU). At penalized logistic regression, an increase of 1 ln-Agatston unit of DTA calcium score was associated with an OR of death of 1.480 (1.022 to 2.145), one of 1 HU of bone density with an OR of 0.981 (0.966 to 0.996) and one of 1 HU of muscle density with an OR of 0.973 (0.948 to 0.999). These relationships disappeared after correction for age and age was the stronger predictor of body composition and death. Conclusions: Age has a big effect on the relationship between vascular calcifications, L1 bone density and T12 muscle density and on their relationship with the odds of dying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare a Mediterranean diet (MED) with a high‐fibre vegetarian diet (HFV) in terms of hunger‐satiety perception through post‐prandial assessment of appetite‐related hormones glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) and oxyntomodulin, as well as self‐rated visual analogue scale (VAS) quantification, in overweight/obese subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Materials and methods: Twelve T2D subjects (Male to female ratio = 7:5), mean age 63 ± 8.5 years, were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, crossover study. Participants consumed an MED meal as well as an isocaloric meal rich in complex carbohydrate as well as an isocaloric MED meal in two different visits with a 1‐week washout period between the two visits. Appetite ratings, glucose/insulin, and gastrointestinal hormone concentrations were measured at fasting and every 30' until 210' following meal consumption. Results: GLP‐1 and oxyntomodulin levels were significantly higher following MED meal compared with HFV meals (210' area under the curve, p < 0.022 and p < 0.023, respectively). Both MED and HFV meal resulted in a biphasic pattern of GLP‐1 and oxyntomodulin, although MED meal was related to a delayed, significantly higher second GLP‐1 peak at 150' compared with that of HFV meal (p < 0.05). MED meal was related to lower glucose profile compared with HFV meal (p < 0.039), whereas we did not observe significant changes in terms of self‐reported VAS scores and insulin trend. Conclusions: In T2D overweight/obese subjects, an MED meal is more effective than a HFV meal in terms of post‐prandial plasma glucose homoeostasis and GLP‐1 and oxyntomodulin release. These changes were not confirmed by VAS appetite self‐assessment over a 210' period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Microvascular complications' risk differs between people with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and people with type 2 diabetes. We aimed to investigate whether the prevalence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy, a life‐threatening complication of diabetes, also varies depending on diabetes type. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, 43 adults with LADA, 80 with type 1 diabetes and 61 with type 2 diabetes were screened for cardiac autonomic neuropathy with recommended tests. Logistic regression models were used to test differences between diabetes types adjusting for confounders. Results: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy was diagnosed in 17 (40%) participants with LADA, 21 (26%) participants with type 1 diabetes and 39 (64%) participants with type 2 diabetes (p < 0.001). The odds ratio (OR) for cardiac autonomic neuropathy in type 1 diabetes and in type 2 diabetes compared to LADA were 0.54 (95% CI: 0.25–1.20, p‐value: 0.13) and 2.71 (95% CI: 1.21–6.06, p‐value 0.015) respectively. Smoking (adjOR 3.09, 95% CI: 1.40–6.82, p‐value: 0.005), HDL cholesterol (adjOR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09–0.93, p‐value: 0.037) and hypertension (adjOR 2.11, 95% CI: 1.05–4.24, p‐value: 0.037) were independent modifiable risk factors for cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Differences among diabetes types did not change after correction for confounders. Conclusions: This is the first study offering a comparative evaluation of cardiac autonomic neuropathy among LADA, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, showing a lower risk of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in LADA compared to type 2 diabetes and similar compared to type 1 diabetes. This disparity was not due to differences in age, metabolic control or cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcopenia is a prevalent condition in patients with Crohn's disease (CD), representing an independent predictor factor for the development of major postoperative complications. Thus, a proper assessment of the muscle strength, by using different validated tools, should be deemed an important step of the clinical management of these patients. Patients with CD are frequently malnourished, presenting a high prevalence of different macro- and micro-nutrient deficiencies, including that of vitamin D. The available published studies indicate that vitamin D is involved in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, and regeneration of muscle cells. The relationship between vitamin D deficiency and sarcopenia has been extensively studied in other populations, with interesting evidence in regards to a potential role of vitamin D supplementation as a means to prevent and treat sarcopenia. The aim of this review was to find studies that linked together these pathological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Of Review: To describe the main pathways involved in the interplay between bone and cardiovascular disease and to highlight the possible impact of physical activity and medical nutrition therapy on the bone-vascular axis.Recent Findings: Diabetes increases the risk of both cardiovascular disease and bone fragility fractures, sharing common pathogenic pathways, including OPG/RANK/RANKL, the FGF23/Klotho axis, calciotropic hormones, and circulating osteogenic cells. This may offer new therapeutic targets for future treatment strategies. As lifestyle intervention is the cornerstone of diabetes treatment, there is potential for an impact on the bone-vascular axis. Evidence published suggests the bone-vascular axis encompasses key pathways for cardiovascular disease. This, along with studies showing physical activity plays a crucial role in the prevention of both bone fragility and cardiovascular disease, suggests that lifestyle intervention incorporating exercise and diet may be helpful in managing skeletal health decline in diabetes. Studies investigating the controversial role of high-fiber diet and dietary vitamin D/calcium on bone and cardiovascular health suggest an overall benefit, but further investigations are needed in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]