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DNA Methylation of NFATC2IP was recently identified as being causally related to body mass index. The present study aimed to examine the roles of the genetic variation, methylation and gene expression at this locus in adiposity changes in a 2‐year weight‐loss trial. Participants (n = 692) were genotyped and randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 reduced‐calorie diets, DNA methylation was derived from stored blood samples at baseline (n = 48), and adipose tissue gene expression was measured in 96 volunteers. We found significant interactions of fat intake with the genetic (rs11150675) and transcriptional (ILMN_1725441) variations at the NFATC2IP locus on 2‐year weight change (Pinteraction < .01). Similarly, cis‐DNA methylation at cg26663590 of the NFATC2IP locus showed an opposite impact on weight‐loss in response to high‐fat vs low‐fat diet (effect size, 4.62 vs −1.24 kg). Additionally, baseline methylation at cg26663590 causally mediated 52.8% of the effect of rs11150675 on 2‐year weight‐loss in the high‐fat diet group (P = .01), whereas no such mediation was observed in the low‐fat diet group. Our findings suggest potentially causal effects of genetic, epigenetic and transcriptional variations at the NFATC2IP locus on adiposity changes in response to dietary fat intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The role of dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) in the development of obesity has been debated globally. The relationship with body shape and fat distribution was examined in this cross-sectional association study among apparently healthy Iranian adults.Methods and Materials: A study population of 265 (126 males and 139 females) aged 18-55 years participated in this cross-sectional study from the communities of Tehran based on cluster sampling. GI and GL were assessed by the 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) completed by a trained dietitian. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference of the participants were measured, and body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) were further calculated. Fat mass and fat-free mass were also measured using a body composition analyzer, and fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) were then calculated. Multivariate regression models were fitted to assess the association between GI/GL and fat distribution measures such as FMI, FFMI, WC, BMI, WHR, and ABSI, considering potential confounding factors such as sex, age, BMI, and physical activity.Results: There was a statistically significant inverse association between GL and WC, BMI, and ABSI found in the adjusted model. GL was inversely associated with WC for both the adjusted model (p-trend = 0.027) and the crude model. Also, an inverse association was seen between GL and BMI (p-trend = 0.019) in the adjusted model but a marginal association in the crude model. GL was also inversely associated with ABSI (p-trend = 0.089) in the highest tertile.Conclusion: Dietary GL but not GI is inversely associated with fat distribution measures such as WC, BMI, and ABSI in the study population. This result may suggest a beneficial role of higher-GL diets in the prevention of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we start the classification of strongly bracket-generated subsymmetric spaces. We prove a structure theorem and analyze the nilpotent case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: Differences in body fat content during childhood and adolescence have been described in offspring conceived by in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, data on body fat and its distribution as well as on adipocytokine production in young adults conceived by ICSI are nonexistent. We investigated if young adult men and women conceived by ICSI have a normal body fat patterning and adipocytokine production. Design: Cohort study. Patients: One hundred twenty‐seven young adults conceived by ICSI and 138 peers born after spontaneous conception. Measurements: Anthropometric parameters (skinfold thickness, hip and waist circumferences), dual X‐ray absorptiometry (whole body and regional) measurements and adipocytokine levels (leptin and adiponectin) were analysed in relation to fertility markers (serum anti‐Mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B). Results: While at age 18 years, a normal body fat distribution and normal leptin and adiponectin production was found in both male and female ICSI offspring, young men conceived by ICSI had a higher peripheral fat deposition in comparison with spontaneously conceived peers. No correlation between AMH and inhibin B with leptin or adiponectin was observed. Conclusion: While men conceived by ICSI, but not women, had a higher peripheral fat deposition, body fat distribution as well as mean levels of adipocytokines were not affected by the mode of conception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this cohort study was to compare body composition and regional body fat distribution between children exposed (GDM+) or unexposed (GDM−) in utero to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to investigate the association with the glycaemic and the insulin profile. Data from 56 GDM+ and 30 GDM− were analysed. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured. Total and regional body composition was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Insulin, glucose and HbA1c were obtained from a fasting plasma sample, and the HOMA‐IR index was calculated. anova was performed to compare adiposity measures between GDM+ and GDM−. Associations between the glycaemic and insulin profile and adiposity measures were studied using partial Pearson correlations. Mean age was 6.6 ± 2.3 years. Waist circumference, fat mass percentage, android fat mass, android fat mass percentage and android‐to‐gynoid fat mass ratio were higher among GDM+, and lean mass percentage was lower (P < 0.05). Among GDM+ children, body mass index (BMI) z score, waist circumference, fat mass percentage, android fat mass percentage and android‐to‐gynoid fat mass ratio were all positively correlated with HbA1C (r = 0.32–0.43, P < 0.05). Prenatal exposure to GDM is associated with increased total and abdominal adiposity. This increased adiposity observed among GDM+ children is associated with an altered glycaemic profile. This study is registered in the Clinical Trials.gov registry (NCT01340924). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Atmospheric ammonia in animal housing is reported to have adverse effects on livestock performance and animal health. Previous experiments have found that 75 ppm ammonia reduced the production performance and altered body fat distribution quality of broilers. In this study, we examined the body fat distribution, serum metabolites and lipid metabolism gene expression of broiler exposed to ammonia. A total of 400 chickens were randomly allocated to four groups with four replicates and received ammonia treatments at 0, 25, 50 and 75 ppm, respectively, for 3 weeks. The average daily feed intake and weight gain were decreased when broiler was exposed to ammonia concentration exceeding 50 ppm (p < .05). The increased abdominal fat and reduced thickness of subcutaneous adipose were found in broilers of 75 ppm group (p < .05). When ammonia exceeded 50 ppm, the content of fat in breast muscle of broiler was increased, and when ammonia was higher than 25 ppm, the fat in liver was increased (p < .05). It showed that the fat content in liver was a sensitive index for broilers exposed to ammonia. Furthermore, ammonia exposure had no significant effect on total cholesterol and triglyceride in serum, but significantly increased the relative mRNA expression of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (p = .046) and malic enzyme in liver (p = .038), which indicated that ammonia exposure may increase the de novo fat synthesis in liver. In addition, ammonia increased the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = .02) and activity of hepatic lipase in serum (p < .001), which indicated that ammonia exposure may improve the transportation of cholesterol to liver. To conclude, our results indicated that ammonia exposure might increase the de novo fat synthesis in liver and increased the transportation of cholesterol to liver. In addition, the concentration of ammonia in poultry house should be limited lower than 25 ppm based on the variation of hepatic fat content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the associations between anthropometric measurements and functional impairments in a sample of urban elderly Chinese people.Methods: In two population-based cohort studies, the Shanghai Women's Health Study (SWHS) and Shanghai Men's Health Study (SMHS), 11,505 men and 17,166 women aged 70-88 years at the time of the functional assessment were studied. Weight history was collected and anthropometric data were taken at study enrollment (from 1996 to 2000 for the SWHS, 2002-2006 for the SMHS). Information on functional status and current weight was collected at the most recent follow-up survey (from 2011 to 2015). Logistic regression analyses were applied to estimate the associations of body mass index (BMI), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), and weight changes with functional decline.Results: After a median follow-up of 14.4 years (range 5.4-18.2 years), we found that BMI/WHR at or after middle age, and weight gain during adulthood were significantly associated with impaired walking ability and mental functioning. Being underweight after age 70 was associated with poorer hearing and/or vision as well as poorer memory. The associations between obesity and functional impairment were generally not modified by sex, comorbidity or exercise.Conclusion: Weight gain, obesity at or after middle age, and underweight after age 70 were associated with physical and mental functional impairments among elderly Chinese people. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining healthy weight to reduce age-related functional decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate needle-knife therapy for weight loss and the relationship of fat distribution, serum leptin, and insulin. Methods: Patients (n = 60) with simple obesity, treated by needle-knife therapy, were divided into abdominal obesity and peripheral obesity groups by body weight index (BMI) and waist circumference. The efficacy of the needle-knife therapy for weight loss, the relationship of fat distribution, serum leptin, and insulin were observed. Results: Needle-knife therapy can improve obesity-related indicators; the rate of change of leptin and BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist-hip ratio index correlated significantly, (P < 0.01). The rate of change of insulin and BMI and waist circumference have a significant positive correlation (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Needle-knife therapy is an effective way to treat simple obesity by reducing visceral fat content, which is related to improving insulin resistance, and to reduce body fat, which is related to improving leptin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate abdominal fat distribution and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and to determine the independent risk factors for subclinical atherosclerosis.Study Design: One hundred and twenty-four women with PCOS were compared with 118 age and BMI-matched controls. Abdominal obesity was assessed as the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and abdominal fat distribution was measured as subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), pre-peritoneal fat thickness (PFT) and visceral fat thickness (VFT) using Ultrasound (US). Markers of subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD)) and other CVD risk factors such as fasting glucose, fasting insulin (FIN), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), androgens and lipid levels were measured.Results: In comparison to controls, PCOS women had increased VFT and subclinical atherosclerosis. PCOS women also had higher FIN and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and an elevated total cholesterol (TC) to HDL-C ratio. In PCOS women, VFT showed a strong association with CIMT and WHR showed a strong association with FIN and HOMA-IR; however these associations were weak in controls. Multiple regression analysis revealed VFT as the strongest independent predictor of CIMT in PCOS women whereas age was the only independent predictor of CIMT and FMD in controls.Conclusions: While age can be an independent baseline risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis in normal menstruating women, excess visceral fat accumulation is the most important predictor of atherosclerosis in PCOS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes Randall Sakai's professional career from graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, through postdoctoral work at Rockefeller University, and to being an independent investigator at the University of Cincinnati. He was fortunate in having Alan Epstein, Bruce McEwen, and Eliot Stellar as mentors. Early in Sakai's graduate work, Epstein and Stellar introduced him to Curt Richter, the legendary investigator at Johns Hopkins. This early introduction to Richter and his tradition of research was crucial for Sakai's scientific development. We review Sakai's research with the Visible Burrowing System (VBS) at Cincinnati. This was the most original of Sakai's research interests. His experimental proficiency in the investigation of salt appetite, food intake, and obesity led him to focus on the effect of chronic social stress on food intake, body composition, metabolism, and the distribution of fat. He and his colleagues, many of them his students, were able to demonstrate that chronic social stress produced changes in metabolism and fat distribution that were characteristic of an incipient metabolic syndrome that could lead to obesity. This did not solve the problem, but showed the way to further investigation. This opening up of problems to experimental investigation was a hallmark of Richter's research. Thus, Sakai worked in the mainstream of the research tradition of Richter. He did what he revered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is elevated in obesity. Objectives We investigated the circulating level of FGF21 and the expression of FGF21, beta-klotho (KLB), and FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) in adipose tissue in relation to weight, fat distribution, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)-induced weight loss. Setting The Department of Endocrinology at Aarhus University Hospital. Methods Thirty-one obese patients were enrolled. Visceral adipose tissue volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging, hepatic fat content measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and body composition measured by dual-energy x-ray absorbtiometry were determined at baseline and 12 months after RYGB. Fasting blood samples and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue samples were obtained. Moreover, 25 lean controls were enrolled. Results FGF21 was significantly elevated in obese patients compared with lean patients (281±151 pg/mL versus 149±99 pg/mL, P <.05). RYGB-induced weight loss resulted in a smaller reduction in FGF21 ( P = .08). However, a significant reduction was seen in obese patients with initially high FGF21 levels (42% reduction, P <.001). A significant association was found between FGF21 and hepatic fat content at baseline (r = 0.40, P <.05). Moreover, ΔFGF21 was significantly associated with Δhepatic fat content after RYGB (r = 0.39, P <.05). FGF21 mRNA was not detectable in AT from either lean or obese patients. KLB and FGFR1 were upregulated in AT in relation to obesity, and both were further increased 12 months after RYGB. Conclusions FGF21 is reduced in relation to weight loss in patients with initial high levels of FGF21 and this reduction is significantly associated with a reduction in hepatic fat content. Thus, changes in FGF21 after RYGB-induced weight loss are closely related to changes in liver fat content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fat mass and fat distribution are major determinants of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the interplay between them has not been thoroughly investigated. In addition, fat mass and fat distribution are generally different in men than in women. We aimed to determine whether the interplay between fat mass and fat distribution regarding MetS and its components is sex-dependent using data from the large-scale population-based sample EpiHealth. Methods: Occurrence of MetS and its components was determined together with fat mass by bioimpedance in 19,094 participants in the EpiHealth sample [mean age 61 years (SD 8.5), 56% females]. MetS was defined by the NCEP/ATPIII-criteria. Results: MetS prevalence was 23.0%. Fat mass (percent of body weight) was more strongly related to MetS (and the number of MetS components) in men than in women ( P < 0.0001 for interaction term) and in those with a high compared with those with a low waist/hip ratio (WHR). This modulating effect of WHR on the fat mass versus MetS-relationship was more pronounced in women than in men ( P < 0.0001 for interaction term). When analyzing the MetS components one by one, fat mass was more closely related to all the individual MetS criteria in men than in women, except for the glucose criteria. Conclusions: Fat mass is more closely related to prevalent MetS in men than in women, but the modulating effect of an abdominal type of fat distribution on the fat mass versus MetS-relationship is stronger in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Indicators of total and abdominal obesity were negatively associated with femoral neck strength indices. There are age-, sex-, and fat distribution-specific differences in the magnitude of these associations. These suggested that indicators of obesity with different magnitude according to age, sex, and fat distribution associated with poor bone health. Introduction: Fat regulates bone metabolism, but the associations of total and abdominal obesity with bone health are inconsistent. We investigated the association between indicators of obesity and composite indices of femoral neck (FN) strength reflecting the risk of hip fracture. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study examined data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Participants were divided into groups according to age (25-49/≥50 years) and sex. We examined total fat mass (TFM) and percentage fat mass (pFM) as indicators of total obesity and truncal fat mass (TrFM) as an indicator of abdominal obesity. We calculated the composite indices of FN strength and anthropometric clinical indicators of abdominal obesity. Results: TFM, pFM, and TrFM were negatively associated with the composite indices, irrespective of age and sex ( P < 0.001-0.005). Most anthropometric clinical indicators of abdominal obesity showed negative associations with the composite indices regardless of age and sex ( P < 0.001-0.048), except for women aged 25-49 years. In men, magnitudes of the negative contributions of TFM to the composite indices were significantly stronger at age 25-49 years than at age ≥50 years. Magnitudes of negative associations of TFM with the composite indices were greater in men than in women. TrFM had a more detrimental effect than TFM on FN strength in men aged 25-49 years and in women of both ages. Conclusion: Indicators of total and abdominal obesity negatively associated with FN strength, and magnitudes of their effects on bone health differed according to age, sex, and fat distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that a homogeneous space of a compact Lie group carrying an invariant fat distribution must have finite fundamental group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prospect of a significant increase in global health-related costs associated with high cardiometabolic complications of obesity in Asians has encouraged more attention to be focused on the problem of growing obesity prevalence in these populations. Although these studies have shown that cardiometabolic complications occur more frequently and at a lower body mass index (BMI) in Asians than in European populations, the mechanisms involved have yet to be discovered. Ethnic/racial differences in body composition and fat distribution have been studied extensively. Although these studies have shown that increasing BMI is associated with larger increases in body fat content in Asians, growing evidence points to factors other than body fat content and fat distribution in determining a higher prevalence of cardiometabolic complications in these populations. Here, we provide support to our view that earlier onset of adipocyte maturation arrest/insulin resistance during weight gain could be a major factor in increasing the cardiometabolic risk of Asian populations at a lower BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genotyping of the rs174547 polymorphism in the fatty acid desaturase 1 gene (FADS1) shows that it is associated with the FA composition of plasma phospholipids and lipid metabolic indices among several ethnic groups. However, this association requires further confirmation in the Chinese population, and little is known about the effect of polymorphisms in fatty acid-related genes on body fat distribution. Methods: Anthropometric measurements of 951 Chinese adults aged 18-79 were obtained and body fat distribution was estimated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The FA composition of plasma phospholipids was measured by gas chromatography. Multiple linear regression assessed whether the rs174547 genotype was associated with FA composition, body fat distribution, and metabolic traits in additive, dominant, and recessive models. Results: The rs174547 C minor allele was associated with a higher proportion of linoleic acid, lower arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, as well as lower delta-6-desaturase and delta-5-desaturase activity. Female C allele carriers had lower android fat percentages and lower levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, while male C allele carriers had lower gynoid fat percentages and higher triglyceride after adjusting for age, income, BMI, behavioral risk factors, and regional fat percentages. Conclusion: An association of FADS1 rs174547 with the FA composition of plasma phospholipids was identified among this Chinese adult population. The association with body fat distribution and lipid metabolic indices differed between men and women, which might explain sexual differences in body fat distribution and lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is now considered a mainstay in the treatment of metastatic and locally advanced prostate cancer (PCa). Despite well-established benefits of ADT in relation to overall survival, this treatment has been associated with a number of adverse effects, particularly with regard to key cardiometabolic risk factors including the development of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and increases in total and regional fat mass. In non-ADT populations, increased levels of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) are thought to be a key mediator of the increased cardiometabolic risk associated with weight gain, but this has received limited attention in men treated with ADT. VAT is best assessed using tools such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging; however, these tools are not readily accessible for the majority of researchers or clinicians. Recent advances allow for a method of estimating VAT using a whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan that shows promise as a practical tool for researchers to evaluate changes in body fat distribution during ADT. The aim of this narrative review is to (1) review the available evidence with regard to the relationship between ADT and cardiometabolic risk; (2) discuss the role of body fat distribution on cardiometabolic risk in non-ADT populations, with a particular emphasis on the importance of visceral adiposity; (3) examine the potential influence of ADT on body fat distribution and visceral adiposity and (4) provide an overview of current tools used to measure changes in body fat distribution in men treated with ADT, highlighting the potential utility of a recently developed DXA-derived measure of VAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although dietary flavonoid intake has been associated with less weight gain, there are limited data on its impact on fat mass, and to our knowledge, the contribution of genetic factors to this relation has not previously been assessed. Objective: We examined the associations between flavonoid intakes and fat mass. Design: In a study of 2734 healthy, female twins aged 18-83 y from the TwinsUK registry, intakes of total flavonoids and 7 subclasses (flavanones, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavones, polymers, and proanthocyanidins) were calculated with the use of food-frequency questionnaires. Measures of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-derived fat mass included the limb-to-trunk fat mass ratio (FMR), fat mass index, and central fat mass index. Results: In cross-sectional multivariable analyses, higher intake of anthocyanins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins were associated with a lower FMR with mean ± SE differences between extreme quintiles of 20.036 0.02 (P-trend = 0.02),20.03 ± 0.02 (P-trend = 0.03), and 20.05 ± 0.02 (P-trend < 0.01), respectively. These associations were not markedly changed after further adjustment for fiber and total fruit and vegetable intakes. In monozygotic, intakediscordant twin pairs, twins with higher intakes of flavan-3-ols (n = 154, P = 0.03), flavonols (n = 173, P = 0.03), and proanthocyanidins (n = 172, P < 0.01) had a significantly lower FMR than that of their co-twins with within-pair differences of 3-4%. Furthermore, in confirmatory food-based analyses, twins with higher intakes of flavonolrich foods (onions, tea, and pears; P = 0.01) and proanthocyanidin-rich foods (apples and cocoa drinks; P = 0.04) and, in younger participants (aged <50 y) only, of anthocyanin-rich foods (berries, pears, grapes, and wine; P = 0.01) had a 3-9% lower FMR than that of their co-twins. Conclusions: These data suggest that higher habitual intake of a number of flavonoids, including anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins, are associated with lower fat mass independent of shared genetic and common environmental factors. Intervention trials are needed to further examine the effect of flavonoid-rich foods on body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity in lifestyles and socioeconomic status among European populations, and recent socio-political and economic changes in transitional countries, may affect changes in adiposity. We aimed to determine whether change in the prevalence of obesity varies between the socio-politically transitional North-East European (Łódź, Poland; Szeged, Hungary; Tartu, Estonia), and the non-transitional Mediterranean (Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Florence, Italy) and North-West European (Leuven, Belgium; Malmö, Sweden; Manchester, UK) cities. This prospective observational cohort survey was performed between 2003 and 2005 at baseline and followed up between 2008 and 2010 of 3369 community-dwelling men aged 40-79 years. Main outcome measures in the present paper included waist circumference, body mass index and mid-upper arm muscle area. Baseline prevalence of waist circumference ≥ 102 cm and body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m, respectively, were 39.0, 29.5 % in North-East European cities, 32.4, 21.9 % in Mediterranean cities, and 30.0, 20.1 % in North-West European cities. After median 4.3 years, men living in cities from transitional countries had mean gains in waist circumference (1.1 cm) and body mass index (0.2 kg/m), which were greater than men in cities from non-transitional countries ( P = 0.005). North-East European cities had greater gains in waist circumference (1.5 cm) than in Mediterranean cities ( P < 0.001). Over 4.3 years, the prevalence of waist circumference ≥ 102 cm had increased by 13.1 % in North-East European cities, 5.8 % in the Mediterranean cities, 10.0 % in North-West European cities. Odds ratios (95 % confidence intervals), adjusted for lifestyle factors, for developing waist circumference ≥ 102 cm, compared with men from Mediterranean cities, were 2.3 (1.5-3.5) in North-East European cities and 1.6 (1.1-2.4) in North-West European cities, and 1.6 (1.2-2.1) in men living in cities from transitional, compared with cities from non-transitional countries. These regional differences in increased prevalence of waist circumference ≥ 102 cm were more pronounced in men aged 60-79 years than in those aged 40-59 years. Overall there was an increase in the prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m) over 4.3 years (between 5.3 and 6.1 %) with no significant regional differences at any age. Mid-upper arm muscle area declined during follow-up with the greatest decline among men from North-East European cities. In conclusion, increasing waist circumference is dissociated from change in body mass index and most rapid among men living in cities from transitional North-East European countries, presumably driven by economic and socio-political changes. Information on women would also be of value and it would be of interest to relate the changes in adiposity to dietary and other behavioural habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fasting is the most widely prescribed and self-imposed strategy for treating excessive weight gain and obesity, and has been shown to exert a number of beneficial effects. The aim of the present study was to determine the exact role of fasting and subsequent refeeding on fat distribution in mice. Methods: C57/BL6 mice fasted for 24 to 72 h and were then subjected to refeeding for 72 h. At 24, 48 and 72 h of fasting, and 12, 24, 48 and 72 h of refeeding, the mice were sacrificed, and serum and various adipose tissues were collected. Serum biochemical parameters, adipose tissue masses and histomorphological analysis of different depots were detected. MRNA was isolated from various adipose tissues, and the expressions of thermogenesis, visceral signature and lipid metabolism-related genes were examined. The phenotypes of adipose tissues between juvenile and adult mice subjected to fasting and refeeding were also compared. Results: Fasting preferentially consumed mesenteric fat mass and decreased the cell size of mesenteric depots; however, refeeding recovered the mass and morphology of inguinal adipose tissues preferentially compared with visceral depots. Thermogenesis-related gene expression in the inguinal WAT and interscapular BAT were suppressed. Mitochondrial biogenesis was affected by fasting in a depot-specific manner. Furthermore, a short period of fasting led to an increase in visceral signature genes (Wt1, Tcf21) in subcutaneous adipose tissue, while the expression of these genes decreased sharply as the fasting time increased. Additionally, lipogenesis-related markers were enhanced to a greater extent greater in subcutaneous depots compared with those in visceral adipose tissues by refeeding. Although similar phenotypic changes in adipose tissue were observed between juvenile mice and adult mice subjected to fasting and refeeding, the alterations appeared earlier and more sensitively in juvenile mice. Conclusions: Fasting preferentially consumes lipids in visceral adipose tissues, whereas refeeding recovers lipids predominantly in subcutaneous adipose tissues, which indicated the significance of plasticity of adipose organs for fat distribution when subject to food deprivation or refeeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Question: Do the determinants of insulin sensitivity/resistance differ in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?Summary Answer: Peri-muscular thigh adipose tissue is uniquely associated with insulin sensitivity/resistance in women with PCOS, whereas adiponectin and thigh subcutaneous adipose are the main correlates of insulin sensitivity/resistance in women without PCOS.What Is Known Already: In subject populations without PCOS, insulin sensitivity/resistance is determined by body fat distribution and circulating concentrations of hormones and pro-inflammatory mediators. Specifically, visceral (intra-abdominal) adipose tissue mass is adversely associated with insulin sensitivity, whereas thigh subcutaneous adipose appears protective against metabolic disease. Adiponectin is an insulin-sensitizing hormone produced by healthy subcutaneous adipose that may mediate the protective effect of thigh subcutaneous adipose. Testosterone, which is elevated in PCOS, may have an adverse effect on insulin sensitivity/resistance.Study Design, Size, Duration: Cross-sectional study of 30 women with PCOS and 38 women without PCOS; data were collected between 2007 and 2011.Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Participants were group-matched for obesity, as reflected in BMI (Mean ± SD; PCOS: 31.8 ± 6.0 kg/m2; without PCOS: 31.5 ± 5.0 kg/m2). The whole-body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI) was assessed using a mixed-meal tolerance test; Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined from fasting insulin and glucose values. Adipose tissue distribution was determined by computed tomography (CT) scan. Partial correlation analysis, adjusting for total fat mass, was used to identify correlates of WBISI and HOMA-IR within each group of women from measures of body composition, body fat distribution, reproductive-endocrine hormones and adipokines/cytokines. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the variables that best predicted WBISI and HOMA-IR.Main Results and the Role Of Chance: Among women with PCOS, both WBISI and HOMA-IR were best predicted by peri-muscular adipose tissue cross-sectional area. Among women without PCOS, both WBISI and HOMA-IR were best predicted by adiponectin and thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue.Limitations, Reasons For Caution: Small sample size, group matching for BMI and age, and the use of surrogate measures of insulin sensitivity/resistance.Wider Implications Of the Findings: Because insulin resistance is the root cause of obesity and comorbidities in PCOS, determining its cause could lead to potential therapies. Present results suggest that peri-muscular adipose tissue may play a unique role in determining insulin sensitivity/resistance in women with PCOS. Interventions such as restriction of dietary carbohydrates that have been shown to selectively reduce fatty infiltration of skeletal muscle may decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes in women with PCOS.Study Funding/competing Interests: The study was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01HD054960, R01DK67538, P30DK56336, P60DK079626, M014RR00032 and UL1RR025777. The authors have no conflicts of interest.Trial Registration Number: NCT00726908. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common joint diseases, especially in individuals with obesity. Another condition within this population, and which presents frequently, is sarcopenic obesity (SO), defined as an increase in body fat and a decrease in muscle mass and strength. The current paper aims to describe recent nutritional strategies which can generally improve KOA clinical severity and, at the same time, ameliorate SO indices. Searches were carried out in the PubMed and Science Direct databases and data were summarized using a narrative approach. Certain key findings have been revealed. Firstly, the screening and identification of SO in patients with KOA is important, and to this end, simple physical performance tests and anthropometric measures are available in the literature. Secondly, adherence to a Mediterranean diet and the achievement of significant body weight loss by means of low-calorie diets (LCDs) remain the cornerstone nutritional treatment in this population. Thirdly, supplementation with certain micronutrients such as vitamin D, essential and non-essential amino acids, as well as whey protein, also appear to be beneficial. In conclusion, in the current review, we presented a detailed flowchart of three different nutritional tracks that can be adopted to improve both KOA and SO based on joint disease clinical severity.

Background: Adiposity has been previously associated with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD). Body mass index (BMI) is the most common measure of global adiposity, but inconsistent results were found since it is a global measurement. BMI does not represent regional fat distribution which differs between sexes, race, and age. Regional fat distribution may contribute differently to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related brain changes. Fat-specific targeted therapies could lead to personalized improvement of cognition. The goal of this systematic review is to explore whether regional fat depots, rather than central obesity, should be used to understand the mechanism underlying the association between adiposity and brain., Methods: This systematic review included 33 studies in the English language, conducted in humans aged 18 years and over with assessment of regional adiposity, cognitive function, dementia, and brain measures. We included only studies that have assessed regional adiposity using imaging technics and excluded studies that were review articles, abstract only or letters to editor. Studies on children and adolescents, animal studies, and studies of patients with gastrointestinal diseases were excluded. PubMed, PsychInfo and web of science were used as electronic databases for literature search until November 2022., Results: Based on the currently available literature, the findings suggest that different regional fat depots are likely associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment, brain changes and dementia, especially AD. However, different regional fat depots can have different cognitive outcomes and affect the brain differently. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was the most studied regional fat, along with liver fat through non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Pancreatic fat was the least studied regional fat., Conclusion: Regional adiposity, which is modifiable, may explain discrepancies in associations of global adiposity, brain, and cognition. Specific regional fat depots lead to abnormal secretion of adipose factors which in turn may penetrate the blood brain barrier leading to brain damage and to cognitive decline., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Boccara, Golan and Beeri.)

The study aimed to examine leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and serum neuregulin-4 levels and their relationship with disease activity, co-morbidities and body fat distribution in female acromegaly patients. Forty female patients with acromegaly and thirty-nine age and body mass index (BMI) similar healthy female volunteers were included in the study. Patients were classified into two groups: active acromegaly (AA) and controlled acromegaly (CA). The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to study LTL, and T/S ratio < 1 was accepted as shortened telomere length. Neuregulin-4 was studied by ELISA. There was no difference in median LTL between acromegaly and the control group ( p = 0.530). The percentage of T/S < 1 in patients with acromegaly (60.0%) was similar to that of the control group (43.6%) ( p = 0.144). However, serum neuregulin-4 was significantly higher in patients with acromegaly than those in the control group ( p = 0.037). There were no significant differences concerning LTL, percentage of T/S < 1 and neuregulin-4 levels between active and controlled acromegaly groups ( p > 0.05). Neuregulin-4 correlated positively with fasting glucose, triglyceride (TG), triglyceride/glucose (TyG) index, and lean body mass in the acromegaly group. A negative correlation was observed between LTL and neuregulin-4 in the control group ( p = 0.039). When the factors affecting neuregulin-4 were evaluated by multivariate linear regression analysis with an enter method, TG (β: 0.316, p = 0.025) was independently and positively associated with neuregulin-4. Our findings indicate that acromegaly is associated with unchanged LTL and high neuregulin-4 levels in female patients. However, the relationship between acromegaly, the aging process, and neuregulin-4 involves complex mechanisms, and further studies are needed.

Purpose: Body composition is considered to be associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine associations of overnight body composition changes with positional OSA., Methods: The body composition of patients diagnosed with non-positional and positional OSA was measured before and after overnight polysomnography. Odds ratios (ORs) of outcome variables between the case (positional OSA) and reference (non-positional OSA) groups were examined for associations with sleep-related parameters and with changes in body composition by a logistic regression analysis., Results: Among 1584 patients with OSA, we used 1056 patients with non-positional OSA as the reference group. We found that a 1-unit increase in overnight changes of total fat percentage and total fat mass were associated with 1.076-fold increased OR (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.014, 1.142) and 1.096-fold increased OR (95% CI: 1.010, 1.189) of positional OSA, respectively (all p < 0.05). Additionally, a 1-unit increase in overnight changes of lower limb fat percentage and upper limb fat mass were associated with 1.043-fold increased OR (95% CI: 1.004, 1.084) and 2.638-fold increased OR (95% CI: 1.313, 5.302) of positional OSA, respectively (all p < 0.05). We observed that a 1-unit increase in overnight changes of trunk fat percentage and trunk fat mass were associated with 1.056-fold increased OR (95% CI: 1.008, 1.106) and 1.150-fold increased OR (95% CI: 1.016, 1.301) of positional OSA, respectively (all p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Our findings indicated that nocturnal changes in the body's composition, especially total fat mass, total fat percentage, lower limb fat percentage, upper limb fat mass, trunk fat percentage, and trunk fat mass, may be associated with increased odds ratio of positional OSA compared with non-positional OSA., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Habitual declines in sleep duration and increased rates of obesity are public health concerns worldwide. Accumulating evidence suggests a prominent link between reduced sleep duration and weight gain. Our cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between sleep duration and body fat distribution in US adults. We extracted data for 5151 participants (2575 men and 2576 women) aged 18-59 years from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012 and 2013-2014. Weekday or workday night-time sleep duration was estimated using an in-home interview questionnaire. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans were used to determine regional body fat mass (arms, legs, trunk [android and gynoid], and abdominal [subcutaneous and visceral]). Multiple linear regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were performed after adjusting for several demographic, anthropometric, and nutritional covariates. There was a significant negative association between sleep duration and visceral fat mass overall (β: -12.139, P < 0.001) and by sex (men: β: -10.096, P < 0.001; women: β: -11.545, P = 0.038), after adjusting for age, ethnicity, body mass index, total body fat mass, daily energy and alcohol intake, sleep quality and sleep disorder status. Sleep duration and visceral fat appeared to plateau at ≥ 8 h of daily sleep. Sleep duration is negatively associated with visceral fat mass accumulation during adulthood with possibly no benefits beyond 8 h of sleep per day. Mechanistic and prospective studies are required to confirm the effect of sleep duration on visceral adiposity and determine its causes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Diastolic dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity in obese individuals. We aimed to assess the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) derived left atrial (LA) strain to detect early diastolic dysfunction in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and to explore the association between cardiac adipose tissue and LA function. Methods: Twenty patients with obesity and T2D (55 ± 8 years) and nineteen healthy controls (48 ± 13 years) were imaged using cine steady state free precession and 2-point Dixon cardiovascular magnetic resonance. LA function was quantified using a feature tracking technique with definition of phasic longitudinal strain and strain rates, as well as radial motion fraction and radial velocities. Results: Systolic left ventricular size and function were similar between the obesity and type 2 diabetes and control groups by MRI. All patients except four had normal diastolic assessment by echocardiography. In contrast, measures of LA function using magnetic resonance feature tracking were uniformly altered in the obesity and type 2 diabetes group only. Although there was no significant difference in intra-myocardial fat fraction, Dixon 3D epicardial fat volume(EFV) was significantly elevated in the obesity and type 2 diabetes versus control group (135 ± 31 vs. 90 ± 30 mL/m2, p < 0.001). There were significant correlations between LA functional indices and both BMI and EFV (p = 0.007). Conclusions: LA MRI-strain may be a sensitive tool for the detection of early diastolic dysfunction in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes and correlated with BMI and epicardial fat supporting a possible association between adiposity and LA strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive visceral fat accumulation is associated with metabolic disorders. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a candidate environmental obesogen, affects lipid metabolism and adipogenesis. Perinatal exposure to DEHP may be associated with metabolic disorders of dams and offspring. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of exposure of pregnant dams to DEHP on the metabolism and fat distribution of their offspring, and to determine the mechanisms for these effects. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were administered DEHP via gavage (0.05 or 500 mg/kg/day) from gestational days 1-19. Pups were sacrificed at nine weeks of age. Serum leptin, insulin, lipid and fasting glucose levels, and the weights of the inguinal (subcutaneous) and gonadal (visceral) fat pads were determined. mRNA expression levels of two developmental genes, T-box 15 (Tbx15) and glypican 4 (Gpc4) were detected in fat tissues. A 100% abortion rate was exhibited in 500 mg/kg DEHP-treated dams, whereas exposure to 0.05 mg/kg DEHP did not affect reproductive outcomes. Pups from the 0.05 mg/kg exposure group were used for subsequent experimentation. Serum leptin, insulin, lipid and fasting glucose concentrations in these pups were significantly higher than those of control pups (P<0.05). Although no significant change in body weight was detected, the visceral fat weights of DEHP-exposed pups were significantly higher than those of control pups (P<0.05). Compared with controls, mRNA expression levels of Tbx15 in subcutaneous fat and Gpc4 in visceral fat were significantly increased among DEHP-exposed pups (P<0.01). The present results suggest that in utero exposure to an environmentally safe dose of DEHP may lead to excessive visceral fat accumulation and metabolic disorders in offspring and that aberrant expression of Tbx15 and Gpc4 may have an important role in these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Visceral fat plays a central role in the development of metabolic syndrome and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. The association of visceral fat accumulation with cardio-metabolic diseases has been reported, but the impact of visceral fat on the gene expression profile in peripheral blood cells remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) on the gene expression profile in peripheral blood cells of obese subjects. Methods: All 17 enrolled subjects were hospitalized to receive diet therapy for obesity (defined as body mass index, BMI, greater than 25 kg/m2). VFA and SFA were measured at the umbilical level by computed tomography (CT). Blood samples were subjected to gene expression profile analysis by using SurePrint G3 Human GE Microarray 8 × 60 k ver. 2.0. The correlation between various clinical parameters, including VFA and SFA, and peripheral blood gene expression levels was analyzed. Results: Among the 17 subjects, 12 had normal glucose tolerance or borderline diabetes, and 5 were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes without medications [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c); 6.3 ± 1.3%]. The mean BMI, VFA, and SFA were 30.0 ± 5.5 kg/m2, 177 ± 67 and 245 ± 131 cm2, respectively. Interestingly, VFA altered the expression of 1354 genes, including up-regulation of 307 and down-regulation of 1047, under the statistical environment that the parametric false discovery rate (FDR) was less than 0.1. However, no significant effects were noted for SFA or BMI. Gene ontology analysis showed higher prevalence of VFA-associated genes than that of SFA-associated genes, among the genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, immune response, lipid metabolism, and glucose metabolism. Conclusions: Accumulation of visceral fat, but not subcutaneous fat, has a significant impact on the gene expression profile in peripheral blood cells in obese Japanese subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this review was to compare and contrast the physiological and metabolic profiles of rodent white adipose fat pads with white adipose fat depots in humans. Human fat distribution and its metabolic consequences have received extensive attention, but much of what has been tested in translational research has relied heavily on rodents. Unfortunately, the validity of using rodent fat pads as a model of human adiposity has received less attention. There is a surprisingly lack of studies demonstrating an analogous relationship between rodent and human adiposity on obesity-related comorbidities. Therefore, we aimed to compare known similarities and disparities in terms of white adipose tissue development and distribution, sexual dimorphism, weight loss, adipokine secretion, and aging. While the literature supports the notion that many similarities exist between rodents and humans, notable differences emerge related to fat deposition and function of white adipose tissue. Thus, further research is warranted to more carefully define the strengths and limitations of rodent white adipose tissue as a model for humans, with a particular emphasis on comparable fat depots, such as mesenteric fat.

Introduction: Abdominal obesity is a better marker of adverse metabolic profile than generalized obesity in hypertensive subjects. Further, gender has effect on adiposity and its distribution. Aim: Effect of gender on obesity and the distribution of fat in different sub-compartments of abdomen among Indian hypertensive subjects. Materials and Methods: This observational study included 278 adult subjects (Males-149 & Females-129) with essential hypertension from a tertiary care centre in north India over one year. A detailed history taking and physical examination including anthropometry were performed in all patients. Total Abdominal Fat (TAF) and abdominal adipose tissue sub-compartments like Intra-Abdominal Adipose Tissue (IAAT) and Sub-Cutaneous Adipose Tissue (SCAT) were measured using the predictive equations developed for Asian Indians. Results: Female hypertensive subjects had higher Body Mass Index (BMI) with more overweight (BMI ≥ 23kg/m2 ), and obesity (BMI≥ 25 kg/m2 ). Additionally, they had higher prevalence of central obesity based on both Waist Circumference (WC) criteria (WC≥ 90 cm in males and WC≥ 80 cm in females) and TAF criteria {≥245.6 cm2 (males) and ≥203.46 cm2 (females)} than male patients. But there was no difference in the prevalence of central obesity based on Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) criteria (WHR ≥0.90 in males and WHR ≥ 0.85 in females) between two genders. High TAF & IAAT were present in more females although there was no difference in the distribution of high SCAT between two genders. Conclusion: Female hypertensive subjects were more obese with higher abnormal TAF & IAAT compared to male patients. However, there was no difference in the distribution of high SCAT among them.