早发冠脉三支病变患者血清ox-LDL、ApoB及ApoB/A1 水平变化及临床意义

目的:研究早发冠脉三支病变患者血清氧化低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)、载脂蛋白B(Apo B)、载脂蛋白A1(Apo A1)及Apo B/A1水平变化及临床意义。方法:选取2014年3月2015年3月我院收治的以心绞痛症状就诊患者185例,根据冠脉造影将患者分为研究组(早发冠脉三支病变103例)和对照组(冠脉正常82例),比较两组ox-LDL、Apo B、Apo A1及Apo B/A1水平,分析其与早发冠脉三支病变的关系。结果:研究组ox-LDL、Apo B及Apo B/A1水平显著高于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),两组Apo A1水平比较无统计学意义(P0.05);Logistic回归分析显示:ox-LDL是早发冠脉三支病变的独立危险因素。结论:血清ox-LDL、Apo B及Apo B/A1水平与早发冠脉三支病变密切相关,ox-LDL是独立危险因素。     

脂联素在早产儿血清中的表达及其与体格指标、载脂蛋白和骨密度的关系

目的:探讨脂联素在早产儿血清中的表达水平及其与体格指标、载脂蛋白和骨密度的相关性。方法:选择2017年1月至2018年5月期间我院新生儿科住院的早产儿72例作为研究组,另外选择同期我院出生的足月新生儿58例作为对照组。对比两组新生儿的一般资料、脂联素、载脂蛋白和骨密度水平,分析早产儿血清脂联素水平与体格指标、载脂蛋白和骨密度的相关性,同时分析影响血清脂联素水平的危险因素。结果:两组受试新生儿的性别、胸围、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)及高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)之间的差异无统计学意义(P0.05);研究组新生儿的胎龄、体质量指数(BMⅠ)、身长、头围、总胆固醇(TC)及三酰甘油(TG)明显低于对照组(P0.05);与对照组相比,研究组新生儿血清脂联素、载脂蛋白A-Ⅰ(Apo A-Ⅰ)及左胫骨中段超声波在骨骼中的传播速度(SOS)水平明显下降,而载脂蛋白B(Apo B)和Apo B/Apo A-Ⅰ水平均显著升高,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);早产儿血清脂联素水平与胎龄、BMⅠ、头围、TC、TG、Apo A-Ⅰ及SOS呈正相关(P0.05),与Apo B和Apo B/Apo A-Ⅰ水平呈负相关(P0.05);Logistic回归结果显示,胎龄、BMⅠ、Apo B/Apo A-Ⅰ及SOS是早产儿血清脂联素水平的影响因素(P0.05)。结论:早产儿血清脂联素水平低于足月儿,血清脂联素水平与体格指标、载脂蛋白及骨密度密切相关,可能对新生儿的生长发育具有重要的调节作用。     

血脂代谢指标及血清维生素A、E水平与子痫前期的相关性分析

目的:探讨血脂代谢指标及血清维生素A、E水平与子痫前期的相关性。方法:选取2016年12月至2017年12月期间来我院产检及住院分娩的722例妊娠妇女,选取94例子痫前期的妊娠妇女作为A组,其中轻度子痫前期32例作为A1组,重度子痫前期62例作为A2组,并从剩余的628例正常妊娠者中选取126例自愿参与本研究的妊娠妇女作为B组。收集并记录妊娠妇女的临床指标,包括入院时的孕周、孕次、产次、流产次数、血脂代谢指标、血清维生素A、E水平,分析血脂代谢指标、血清维生素A、E水平与子痫前期的相关性。结果:三组孕妇总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL)、载脂蛋白A(ApoA)、载脂蛋白B(ApoB)、维生素A、维生素E水平整体比较差异均具有统计学意义(均P0.05);A1组、A2组的TC、TG、LDL、HDL、ApoA、ApoB、维生素A、维生素E水平与B组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05),A2组TG、LDL高于A1组,而维生素A、维生素E水平低于A1组,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05),Spearman秩相关分析结果显示,TC、TG、LDL、ApoB水平与子痫前期呈正相关(r=0.214,0.432,0.517,0.226,P=0.012,0.008,0.005,0.012),HDL、ApoA、维生素A、维生素E水平与子痫前期呈负相关(r=-0.282,-0.357,-0.539,-1.217,P=0.010,0.009,0.003,0.000)。结论:血脂代谢指标、维生素A、维生素E水平在子痫前期孕妇中表达异常,且这些指标与子痫前期密切相关,应重视妊娠期孕妇的血脂代谢指标、维生素A、维生素E水平的监测,并控制其水平,从而有效防治子痫前期。     

载脂蛋白E基因多态性检测对ACS患者降脂疗效的影响

目的:探究载脂蛋白E(ApoE)基因多态性检测在急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者降脂治疗的中应用价值。方法:选取2019年2月~2020年6月180例ACS患者,采用随机数字表法分为A、B、C共3组各60例,各组患者均接受ApoE基因多态性检测,并根据Sanger法测序判断ApoE基因表型(E2、E3、E4表型),A组予以瑞舒伐他汀口服(10 mg/d),B组予以瑞舒伐他汀强化治疗(20 mg/d),C组予以瑞舒伐他汀(10 mg/d)+依折麦布(10 mg/d)口服,连续治疗1个月,评价3组各基因表型血脂[总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)]改善情况、LDL-C达标率,记录药物副反应,所有患者随访1个月,统计心血管不良事件(MACE)发生情况。结果:3组ApoE基因E2、E3、E4表型构成比无显著差异(P>0.05)。治疗后,各组不同ApoE基因表型TC、TG、LDL-C水平均较治疗前下降,且变化率比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),表现为E2型>E3型>E4型;其中,3组E2表型TC、TG、LDL-C水平变化率无显著差异(P>0.05);B组、C组E3表型TC、TG、LDL-C水平变化率均显著高于A组(P<0.05),但B组、C组各指标变化率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);3组E4表型TC、TG、LDL-C水平变化率比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且表现为C组>B组>A组。治疗后,A组LDL-C达标率为61.67%,显著低于B组的85.00%、C组的90.00%(P<0.05);其中,3组E2表型LDL-C达标率比较无显著差异(P>0.05),A组E3表型LDL-C达标率显著低于B组、C组(P<0.05),A组、B组E4表型LDL-C达标率低于C组(P<0.05)。治疗期间,仅B组出现1例ALT超出正常上限3倍,停药后可恢复正常。3组MACE发生率比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),表现为A组发生率18.33%明显高于B组5.00%、C组3.33%(P<0.05),但3组E2、E4型MACE发生率均无明显差异(P>0.05),而A组E3型MACE发生率高于B组、C组(P<0.05)。结论:ACS患者降脂疗效与ApoE基因表型有关,对E2表型单用瑞舒伐他汀即可取得良好降脂效果,对E3表型强化瑞舒伐他汀或联合依折麦布治疗较单用瑞舒伐他汀均能提高降脂效果,而对E4表型联合依折麦布降脂效果优于单用瑞舒伐他汀或强化治疗。     

阻塞性黄疸患者总胆汁酸的表达及与血脂水平的关系研究

目的:探讨阻塞性黄疸(OJ)患者血清总胆汁酸(TBA)水平与血脂水平的关系。方法:选择2015年5月到2015年12月我院收治的70例OJ患者作为观察组,同期选择70例健康人员作为对照组。检测并比较两组血清TBA、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、载脂蛋白AI(Apo AI)、载脂蛋白B(Apo B)、脂蛋白α[Lp(α)]、总胆红素(T-Bil)及直接胆红素(D-Bil)水平,并分析血清TBA与血脂水平的关系。结果:观察组患者的血清TBA、TG、TC、Apo B、T-Bil及D-Bil水平均明显低于对照组,血清LDL-C、HDL-C、Apo AI及Lp(α)水平均明显高于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。Pearson直线相关性分析结果表明,血清TBA水平与血清TG、TC、Apo B、T-Bil及D-Bil呈正相关性,与血清LDL-C、HDL-C、Apo AI及Lp(α)水平呈负相关性。结论:OJ患者体内存在血脂水平紊乱,血清TBA可能是导致OJ患者血脂代谢紊乱的重要因素。     

血清脂联素与载脂蛋白A5 及2 型糖尿病的关系

目的:检测血清脂联素(APN)水平,分析血清APN浓度与血脂、血清载脂蛋白A5(apoA5)及2型糖尿病的关系。方法:收集2型糖尿病(T2DM)210例,健康体检者112例,采用ELISA法检测血浆脂联素水平,双抗体夹心ELISA法检测血清载脂蛋白A5(apoA5)水平,7600-020E全自动生化分析仪检测总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)等,放射免疫分析仪检测血胰岛素水平。结果:T2DM患者血清APN浓度明显低于健康对照组,LDL-C、TG及TC均高于对照组(P<0.05)。T2DM患者血清apoA5浓度(200.3±51.2)ng/ml,显著低于健康对照组(229.8±56.5)ng/ml,P<0.05。Pearson相关分析显示经年龄、性别校正后APN水平与LDL-C、TG呈负相关,与HDL-C呈正相关;T2DM组APN与apoA5呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论:T2DM患者血清APN水平显著降低,本研究证实低水平血清APN和apoA5不仅与血脂代谢密切相关,还可作为T2DM患者早期监测的指标,对其预后评价具有积极的意义。     

丹参治疗冠心病的疗效及对患者载脂蛋白、内皮功能及炎症氧化指标的影响

为了探讨复方丹参治疗冠心病患者的临床效果及对载脂蛋白、内皮功能及炎症氧化指标的影响,本研究选取了我院收治的冠心病患者120例,收集时间2016年1月至2016年6月,采用随机法将患者分为两组,其中对照组和研究组各60例,两组患者在研究前均采用降血脂药物、抗血小板药物、硝酸酯类药物等基础治疗措施,研究组同时加用复方丹参治疗,疗程12周。治疗前,两组患者的炎症指标血清CRP、TNF-α、IL-6、ICAM-1和载脂蛋白指标Apo A1、Apo B水平差异均无统计学意义(p0.05);治疗后,研究组患者的血清CRP、TNF-α、IL-6、ICAM-1、Apo A1、Apo B水平均显著的低于对照组(p0.05);治疗前,两组患者的内皮功能氧化指标MDA、SOD、ET-1、NO水平差异无统计学意义(p0.05);治疗后,研究组患者的MDA、ET-1水平均显著的低于对照组(p0.05),研究组的NO、SOD水平显著的高于对照组(p0.05);治疗后,研究组患者显效65%、有效33.33%、无效1.67%,对照组显效46.67%、有效48.33%、无效5%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(p0.05)。本研究表明复方丹参治疗冠心病患者能降低患者的载脂蛋白及炎症反应水平、减轻内皮损伤及氧化应激损伤、对提高临床疗效有帮助。     

FT3/FT4比值、Apo B/Apo A1比值与急性缺血性脑卒中患者临床疗效和出院后短期预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨游离三碘甲腺原氨酸（FT3）/游离甲状腺素（FT4）比值、载脂蛋白B （Apo B）/载脂蛋白A1（Apo A1）比值与急性缺血性脑卒中（AIS）患者临床疗效和出院后短期预后的关系。方法：选取2020年2月至2022年2月安徽省第二人民医院收治的102例AIS患者,所有患者入院后接受血运重建、抗血小板等治疗,根据临床疗效将患者分为有效组（76例）和无效组（26例）。治疗后检测所有AIS患者血清FT3、FT4、Apo B、Apo A1水平,计算FT3/FT4比值、Apo B/Apo A1比值,所有AIS患者出院后随访3个月,根据AIS患者随访期间的预后情况将其分为预后不良组（31例）和预后良好组（71例）。比较不同组间血清FT3、FT4、Apo B、Apo A1水平以及FT3/FT4比值、Apo B/Apo A1比值差异,分析影响AIS患者出院后短期预后的因素。结果：无效组血清FT3水平、FT3/FT4比值低于有效组（P＜0.05）,血清Apo B水平、Apo B/Apo A1比值高于有效组（P＜0.05）。预后不良组血清FT3水平、FT3/FT4比值低于预后良好组（P＜0.05）,血清Apo B水平、Apo B/Apo A1比值高于预后良好组（P＜0.05）。美国国立卫生院神经功能缺损评分（NIHSS评分）高、Apo B/ApoA1比值增高是AIS患者出院后短期预后不良的危险因素（P＜0.05）,FT3/FT4比值增高是其保护因素（P＜0.05）。结论：AIS临床治疗无效和预后不良患者FT3/ FT4比值降低,Apo B/ApoA1比值增高,低FT3/ FT4比值和高Apo B/ApoA1比值与AIS患者出院后短期预后不良有关。     

肾病综合征患者血脂代谢紊乱与血胆红素和蛋白代谢指标的相关性分析

目的:研究肾病综合征(NS)患者血脂代谢紊乱与血胆红素和蛋白代谢指标的相关性。方法:纳入我院从2017年5月～2019年5月收治的NS患者50例进行研究,记作病变组,另取同期于我院进行体检的健康人员50例作为健康组。检测两组血脂代谢相关指标[甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、载脂蛋白A1(ApoA1)、载脂蛋白B(ApoB)]、血胆红素相关指标[总胆红素(TBIL)、直接胆红素(DBIL)以及间接胆红素(IBIL)]以及蛋白代谢相关指标[血清总蛋白(TP)、血清清蛋白(ALB)、尿微量清蛋白(UALB)]水平并进行对比,予以Pearson相关性分析各指标之间的相关性。结果:病变组TG、TC、LDL-C、ApoA1、ApoB水平均显著高于健康组,而HDL-C水平显著低于健康组(均P0.05)。病变组TBIL、DBIL、IBIL水平均显著低于健康组(均P0.05)。病变组TP、ALB水平均显著低于健康组,而UALB水平显著高于健康组(均P0.05)。经Pearson相关性分析可得:NS患者TG、TC、LDL-C、ApoA1、ApoB与TBIL、DBIL、IBIL、TP、ALB均呈负相关(均P0.05);TG、TC、LDL-C、ApoA1、ApoB与UALB均呈正相关(均P0.05);HDL-C与TBIL、DBIL、IBIL、TP、ALB均呈正相关(均P0.05);HDL-C与UALB呈负相关(均P0.05)。结论:NS患者血脂代谢紊乱和血胆红素、蛋白代谢指标密切相关,血胆红素、蛋白代谢指标可能参与了NS患者血脂代谢紊乱的机制。     

瞬时弹性成像技术对非酒精性单纯性脂肪肝的诊断价值及受控衰减系数与糖脂代谢的相关性分析

目的:探讨瞬时弹性成像技术(FibroTouch)对非酒精性单纯性脂肪肝(NAFLD)的诊断价值及受控衰减系数(CAPTM)与糖脂代谢的相关性分析。方法:选取2017年8月~2019年8月期间本院收治的NAFLD患者117例为研究对象,纳入实验组,另选同期在我院进行健康体检的健康受试者80例为对照组。对实验组患者和对照组受试者进行FibroTouch检查、腹部彩色多普勒超声检查、糖脂代谢指标生化检查。对比两组受试者的糖脂代谢指标水平、CAPTM水平、FibroTouch检查与彩色多普勒超声检查诊断NAFLD的准确率,分析CAPTM水平与糖脂代谢指标水平的相关性。结果:实验组空腹血糖(FPG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1C)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)水平均高于对照组(P<0.05)。实验组甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、载脂蛋白A(apoA)、CAPTM水平均高于对照组(P<0.05)。FibroTouch检查NAFLD的准确率高于彩色多普勒超声检查(P<0.05)。经Pearson相关性分析显示,CAPTM与各项糖脂代谢指标均呈正相关性(P<0.05)。结论:相比于彩色多普勒超声检查,FibroTouch用于NAFLD的诊断准确率更高,FibroTouch检查参数CAPTM与糖脂代谢指标存在明显的相关性,可辅助用于NAFLD的诊断和病情评估。     

Correlations of pedometer readings with energy expenditure in workers during free-living daily activities

In a total of 23 subjects consisting of 10 clerical and 13 assembly workers in a factory, the pedometer readings during a day of free-living activity were analyzed for the relation with energy expenditure as determined by the simultaneously recorded 24-hour heart rate. The 24-hour energy expenditures in the clerical and assembly workers were 9515 kJ (2274 kcal) and 9698 kJ (2318 kcal) respectively. The whole day readings of the pedometer for all the subjects moderately correlated (r = 0.438, p less than 0.05) with the net energy cost (NEC) as determined by subtracting the sleeping metabolic cost from the energy expenditure (clerical workers: r = 0.781, p less than 0.01; assembly workers: r = 0.188, p less than 0.05). The correlation analysis of the pedometer readings with the NEC in three activity phases in a day (work, commuting and staying at home), showed that the extent of the relationship differed by job types and activity phases. The best correlation was obtained during commuting in both of the job types (clerical workers: r = 0.843, p less than 0.01; assembly workers: r = 0.743, p less than 0.01). During work, a quite strong correlation (r = 0.889, p less than 0.01) was obtained with the clerical workers but not with the assembly workers. No significant correlations were found in the data while the subjects were at home. The capacity of the pedometer to detect the impacts of body movements, and the characteristics of activity, are responsible for the differences in correlation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Metabolic control by S6 kinases depends on dietary lipids

Targeted deletion of S6 kinase (S6K) 1 in mice leads to higher energy expenditure and improved glucose metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling these effects remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we analyze the potential role of dietary lipids in regulating the mTORC1/S6K system. Analysis of S6K phosphorylation in vivo and in vitro showed that dietary lipids activate S6K, and this effect is not dependent upon amino acids. Comparison of male mice lacking S6K1 and 2 (S6K-dko) with wt controls showed that S6K-dko mice are protected against obesity and glucose intolerance induced by a high-fat diet. S6K-dko mice fed a high-fat diet had increased energy expenditure, improved glucose tolerance, lower fat mass gain, and changes in markers of lipid metabolism. Importantly, however, these metabolic phenotypes were dependent upon dietary lipids, with no such effects observed in S6K-dko mice fed a fat-free diet. These changes appear to be mediated via modulation of cellular metabolism in skeletal muscle, as shown by the expression of genes involved in energy metabolism. Taken together, our results suggest that the metabolic functions of S6K in vivo play a key role as a molecular interface connecting dietary lipids to the endogenous control of energy metabolism.     

Myoglobin,expressed in brown adipose tissue of mice,regulates the content and activity of mitochondria and lipid droplets

The identification of novel physiological regulators that stimulate energy expenditure through brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity in substrate catalysis is of utmost importance to understand and treat metabolic diseases. Myoglobin (MB), known to store or transport oxygen in heart and skeletal muscles, has recently been found to bind fatty acids with physiological constants in its oxygenated form (i.e., MBO₂). Here, we investigated the in vivo effect of MB expression on BAT activity. In particular, we studied mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism as essential determinants of energy expenditure in this tissue. We show in a MB-null (MBko) mouse model that MB expression in BAT impacts on the activity of brown adipocytes in a twofold manner: i) by elevating mitochondrial density plus maximal respiration capacity, and through that, by stimulating BAT oxidative metabolism along with the organelles` uncoupled respiration; and ii) by influencing the free fatty acids pool towards a palmitate-enriched composition and shifting the lipid droplet (LD) equilibrium towards higher counts of smaller droplets. These metabolic changes were accompanied by the up-regulated expression of thermogenesis markers UCP1, CIDEA, CIDEC, PGC1-α and PPAR-α in the BAT of MB wildtype (MBwt) mice. Along with the emergence of the “browning” BAT morphology, MBwt mice exhibited a leaner phenotype when compared to MBko littermates at 20 weeks of age. Our data shed novel insights into MB's role in linking oxygen and lipid-based thermogenic metabolism. The findings suggest potential new strategies of targeting the MB pathway to treat metabolic disorders related to diminishing energy expenditure.     

Nutritional homeostasis in carnivorous southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis): is there a mechanism for increased energy expenditure during carbohydrate overfeeding?

In previous growth experiments with carnivorous southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis), the non-fecal energy lose was positively related to dietary carbohydrate level. To test whether metabolic energy expenditure accounts for such energy loss, an experiment was performed with southern catfish juveniles (33.2-71.9 g) to study the effect of dietary carbohydrate level on fasting metabolic rate and specific dynamic action (SDA) at 27.5 degrees C. The fasting metabolic rate in this catfish was increased with dietary carbohydrate level, and the specific dynamic action (SDA) coefficient (energy expended on SDA as percent of assimilated energy) was not affected by dietary carbohydrate level. The results suggest that in southern catfish, carbohydrate overfeeding increases metabolic rate to oxidize unwanted assimilated carbohydrate. A discussion on the poor capacity of intermediate metabolism for adapting dietary carbohydrate in carnivorous fish and its possible relationship with facultative component of SDA was also documented in this paper.     

The allometry of metabolism and stature: Worker fatigue and height in the Tanzanian labor market

If the positive wage–height correlation is at least partially biological in origin, one plausible pathway is the effect of stature on energy expenditure in individuals. If metabolism scales proportionately with stature, then relative to short individuals, taller individuals can produce more energy for a given work task. This also suggests that end-of-the-workday fatigue, or lack of energy, varies inversely with stature. We test this hypothesis with data from the 2004 Tanzanian Household Worker Survey in which workers report the extent of their fatigue at the end-of-the-workday. Ordinal latent variable parameter estimates reveal that relative to short workers, taller workers are less likely to report being tired at the end-of-the-workday. This suggests that the positive wage–height relationship also has a biological foundation whereby the energy requirements and metabolic costs associated with work effort/tasks are inversely related to stature.     

Energy expenditure during tennis play: a preliminary video analysis and metabolic model approach

The aim of this study was to estimate, using video analysis, what proportion of the total energy expenditure during a tennis match is accounted for by aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, respectively. The method proposed involved estimating the metabolic power (MP) of 5 activities, which are inherent to tennis: walking, running, hitting the ball, serving, and sitting down to rest. The energy expenditure concerned was calculated by sequencing the activity by video analysis. A bioenergetic model calculated the aerobic energy expenditure (EEO2mod) in terms of MP, and the anaerobic energy expenditure was calculated by subtracting this (MP - EEO2mod). Eight tennis players took part in the experiment as subjects (mean ± SD: age 25.2 ± 1.9 years, weight 79.3 ± 10.8 kg, VO2max 54.4 ± 5.1 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)). The players started off by participating in 2 games while wearing the K4b2, with their activity profile measured by the video analysis system, and then by playing a set without equipment but with video analysis. There was no significant difference between calculated and measured oxygen consumptions over the 16 games (p = 0.763), and these data were strongly related (r = 0.93, p < 0.0001). The EEO2mod was quite weak over all the games (49.4 ± 4.8% VO2max), whereas the MP during points was up to 2 or 3 times the VO2max. Anaerobic metabolism reached 32% of the total energy expenditure across all the games 67% for points and 95% for hitting the ball. This method provided a good estimation of aerobic energy expenditure and made it possible to calculate the anaerobic energy expenditure. This could make it possible to estimate the metabolic intensity of training sessions and matches using video analysis.     

Association of the MC4R V103I polymorphism with the metabolic syndrome: the KORA Study

Objective: Epidemiological studies showing an association between the melanocortin‐4‐receptor (MC4R) 103I variant (rs2229616) and decreased BMI are complemented by functional studies; these suggest a mechanism for appetite regulation and a linkage signal for physical activity and dietary intake for the region encompassing the MC4R. This study aims to provide epidemiological evidence for showing the association of this polymorphism with features of the metabolic syndrome and with parameters related to energy expenditure and dietary habits as potential mediators. Methods and Procedures: We analyzed this polymorphism in 7,888 adults of a population‐based cross‐sectional study applying regression‐based statistical models. Results: Carriers of the MC4R 103I (3.7%) exhibited a significantly decreased waist circumference (–1.46 cm, P = 0.020), decreased glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) (–0.09%, P = 0.040), and increased HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) (+1.76 mg/dl, P = 0.056), but no change in blood pressure. The odds of having three or more components of the metabolic syndrome were substantially reduced among carriers of MC4R 103I (odds ratio (OR) = 0.46, P = 0.003). Controlling for BMI reduced the HbA_1c and HDL‐C association. Mediator analyses revealed a borderline association of MC4R 103I with carbohydrate intake (OR = 1.26, P = 0.059) possibly mediating association with leanness. Discussion: Our representative study of well‐phenotyped Europeans is the first to describe the association of the MC4R V103I with the metabolic syndrome and with a nutrient‐related phenotype. Our data support the idea that this polymorphism plays a role in appetite regulation that not only affects BMI, but also other features of the metabolic syndrome. It further establishes that the association of the MC4R V103I with obesity and related phenotypes is genuine.     

Bone and Energy Metabolism Parameters in Professional Cyclists during the Giro d'Italia 3-Weeks Stage Race

Cycling is a not weight-bearing activity and is known to induce bone resorption. Stage races are really strenuous endurance performances affecting the energy homeostasis. The recently highlighted link, in the co-regulation of bone and energy metabolism, demonstrates a central role for the equilibrium between carboxylated and undercarboxylated forms of osteocalcin. Aim of this study was to understand the acute physiological responses to a cycling stage race in terms of bone turnover and energy metabolism and the possible co-regulative mechanisms underlying their relationship. We studied nine professional cyclists engaged in 2011 Giro d'Italia stage race. Pre-analytical and analytical phases tightly followed academic and anti-doping authority's recommendations. Bone and energy metabolism markers (bone alkaline phosphatase, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b, total and undercarboxylated osteocalcin, leptin and adiponectin) and related hormones (cortisol and testosterone) were measured, by Sandwich Enzyme Immunoassays, at days -1 (pre-race), 12 and 22 during the race. The power output and the energy expenditure (mean and accumulated) were derived and correlated with the biochemical indexes. During the race, bone metabolism showed that an unbalance in behalf of resorption, which is enhanced, occurred along with a relative increase in the concentration of the undercarboxylated form of osteocalcin that was indirectly related to the enhanced energy expenditure, through adipokines modifications, with leptin decrease (high energy consumption) and adiponectin increase (optimization of energy expenditure). The exertion due to heavy effort induced a decrease of cortisol, while testosterone levels resulted unchanged. In conclusion, during a 3-weeks stage race, bone metabolism is pushed towards resorption. A possible relationship between the bone and the energy metabolisms is suggested by the relative correlations among absolute and relative concentrations trends of undercarboxylated OC, adipokines concentrations, BMI, fat mass (%), power output and the derived energy expenditure.     

Different metabolic responses to central and peripheral injection of enterostatin

Enterostatin, a pentapeptide cleaved from procolipase, suppresses fat intake after peripheral and central administration. Chronic treatment of rats with enterostatin decreases body weight and body fat. The effect was greater than could be accounted by the reduction in food intake alone. Hence, we have investigated the effect of enterostatin on energy metabolism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats adapted to a high-fat diet were implanted with lateral cerebral ventricular or amygdala cannulas. The metabolic effects were determined by indirect calorimetry. After habituation to the test cages, fasted rats were injected with either saline vehicle or enterostatin given either intraperitoneally (100 nmol) or intracerebroventricularly (1 nmol) or into specific brain regions [amygdala (0.01 nmol) or paraventricular nucleus (PVN) (0.1 nmol)]. Respiratory quotient (RQ) and energy expenditure were monitored over 2 h. Intraperitoneal enterostatin reduced RQ (saline: 0.81 +/- 0.02 vs. enterostatin: 0.76 +/- 0.01) and increased energy expenditure by 44%. Intracerebroventricular enterostatin increased the energy expenditure without any effects on RQ, whereas PVN enterostatin increased metabolic rate, while preventing the increase in RQ observed in the control animals. In contrast, neither RQ nor energy expenditure was altered after enterostatin was injected into the amygdala. Enterostatin activated AMP-activated protein kinase in primary cultures of human myocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner and increased the rate of fatty acid beta-oxidation. These findings suggest that enterostatin regulates energy expenditure and substrate partitioning through both peripheral and central effects.     

Energy metabolism, brain size and longevity in mammals

The mathematical relations between basal energy metabolism, brain size, and life span in mammals have been investigated. The evolutionary level of brain development, or encephalization (c), is a function both of brain weight (E) and of body weight (P) according to (formula; see text) Brain weight was found to be a linear function of the product of encephalization and basal metabolic rate. The oxygen consumption of the brain (Mbrain) is proportional to both encephalization and body weight according to (formula; see text) The ratio of metabolic rate in the cerebral cortex to that in the brain as a whole depends solely upon the degree of encephalization and is independent of the size of the animal. The maximum potential life span of a mammal was found to be proportional to the product of its degree of encephalization and the reciprocal of its metabolic rate per unit weight. Life span may be regarded as the algebraic sum of two components: (1) a deduced somatic component (Lb) inversely related to the basal metabolic rate per unit weight, and (2) an encephalization component (Le) related directly to the evolutionary increase of relative brain size.