Effects of Diabetes and Obesity on Vascular Reactivity,Inflammatory Cytokines,and Growth Factors

We examined the influences of obesity and diabetes on endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent vasodilation, inflammatory cytokines, and growth factors. We included 258 subjects, age 21–80 years in four groups matched for age and gender: 40 healthy nonobese (BMI <30 kg·m^?2) nondiabetic subjects, 76 nonobese diabetic patients, 37 obese (BMI >30) nondiabetic subjects, and 105 obese (BMI >30) diabetic patients. The flow‐mediated dilation (FMD, endothelium‐dependent) and nitroglycerin‐induced dilation (NID, endothelium‐independent) in the brachial artery, the vascular reactivity at the forearm skin and serum growth factors and inflammatory cytokines were measured. FMD was reduced in the nonobese diabetic patients, obese nondiabetic controls, and obese diabetic patients (P < 0.0001). NID was different among all four groups, being highest in the obese nondiabetic subjects and lowest in the obese diabetic patients (P < 0.0001). The resting skin forearm blood flow was reduced in the obese nondiabetic subjects (P < 0.01). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was higher in the obese nondiabetic subjects (P < 0.05), tumor necrosis factor–α was higher in the obese diabetic patients (P < 0.0001) and C‐reactive protein was higher in both the obese nondiabetic and diabetic subjects (P < 0.0001). Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 was elevated in the two diabetic groups and the obese nondiabetic subjects (P < 0.05). We conclude that diabetes and obesity affect equally the endothelial cell function but the smooth muscle cell function is affected only by diabetes. In addition, the above findings may be related to differences that were observed in the growth factors and inflammatory cytokines.     

The Effects of Overfeeding on Spontaneous Physical Activity in Obesity Prone and Obesity Resistant Humans

Despite living in an environment that promotes weight gain in many individuals, some individuals maintain a thin phenotype while self‐reporting expending little or no effort to control their weight. When compared with obesity prone (OP) individuals, we wondered if obesity resistant (OR) individuals would have higher levels of spontaneous physical activity (SPA) or respond to short‐term overfeeding by increasing their level of SPA in a manner that could potentially limit future weight gain. SPA was measured in 55 subjects (23 OP and 32 OR) using a novel physical activity monitoring system (PAMS) that measured body position and movement while subjects were awake for 6 days, either in a controlled eucaloric condition or during 3 days of overfeeding (1.4× basal energy) and for the subsequent 3 days (ad libitum recovery period). Pedometers were also used before and during use of the PAMS to provide an independent measure of SPA. SPA was quantified by the PAMS as fraction of recording time spent lying, sitting, or in an upright posture. Accelerometry, measured while subjects were in an upright posture, was used to categorize time spent in different levels of movement (standing, walking slowly, quickly, etc.). There were no differences in SPA between groups when examined across all study periods (P > 0.05). However, 3 days following overfeeding, OP subjects significantly decreased the amount of time they spent walking (?2.0% of time, P = 0.03), whereas OR subjects maintained their walking (+0.2%, P > 0.05). The principle findings of this study are that increased levels of SPA either during eucaloric feeding or following short term overfeeding likely do not significantly contribute to obesity resistance although a decrease in SPA following overfeeding may contribute to future weight gain in individuals prone to obesity.     

Orexin-A在肥胖大鼠摄食和自由活动中的调控

目的:探讨Orexin-A对肥胖大鼠摄食和自由活动的影响。方法:雄性SD大鼠下丘脑外侧区(LH)置管,预先测量体重(BW),脂体重(FM)和瘦体重(LM),据此对大鼠分组并分别提供高脂(HF)和低脂(LF)饮食饲喂,通过置管向大鼠LH注射人工合成脑脊液(a CSF)或orexin-A(OXA)。在饲喂前后监测OXA对大鼠自发动态运动(SPA)以及摄食量,体重(BW),脂体重(FM)和瘦体重(LM)的影响,以及每日LH注射OXA是否能够抵抗高脂饮食引起的摄食诱导肥胖(DIO)。结果:高脂饮食饲喂之后,高摄食诱导肥胖(DIO)大鼠和低DIO大鼠间体重增加量(ΔBW)、摄食量和高脂饮食饲喂后的体重无差异(P0.05),但与低脂饮食组大鼠相比,上述各指标均显著增加(P0.05)。低DIO大鼠的24 h SPA和活跃期SPA显著高于高DIO大鼠(P0.05)。LH注射OXA可使严重DIO降低而轻微DIO增加,DIO程度对LH注射OXA后的SPA的影响呈非线性的。每日双侧LH注射OXA可抑制早期DIO但并不改变大鼠摄食量。LH注射OXA使大鼠SPA增加,影响能量消耗,有助于DIO抵抗。结论:Orexin-A可通过增加大鼠活动量,调控肥胖大鼠的摄食和DIO抵抗作用。     

Physical Activity and Physical Fitness in African-American Girls With and Without Obesity

WARD, DIANNE S, STEWART G TROST, GWEN FELTON, RUTH SAUNDERS, MARY ANN PARSONS, MARSHA DOWDA, RUSSELL R PATE. Physical activity and physical fitness in African-American girls with and without obesity. Lack of physical activity and low levels of physical fitness are thought to be contributing factors to the high prevalence of obesity in African-American girls. To examine this hypothesis, we compared habitual physical activity and physical fitness in 54 African-American girls with obesity and 96 African-American girls without obesity residing in rural South Carolina. Participation in vigorous (6 METs) (VPA) or moderate and vigorous physical activity (4 METs) (MVPA) was assessed on three consecutive days using the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the PWC 170 cycle ergometer test. Upper body strength was determined at two sites via isometric cable tensiometer tests. Relative to their counterparts without obesity, girls with obesity reported significantly fewer 30-minute blocks of VPA (0. 90 ± 0. 14 vs. 1. 3 ± 0. 14) and MVPA (1. 2 ± 0. 18 vs. 1. 7 ± 0. 16) (p<0. 01). Within the entire sample, VPA and MVPA were inversely associated with body mass index (r=?0. 17 and r=?0. 19) and triceps skinfold thickness (r=?0. 19 and r=?0. 22) (p<0. 05). In the PWC 170 test and isometric strength tests, girls with obesity demonstrated absolute scores that were similar to, or greater than, those of girls without obesity; however, when scores were expressed relative to bodyweight, girls with obesity demonstrated significantly lower values (p<0. 05). The results support the hypothesis that lack of physical activity and low physical fitness are important contributing factors in the development and/or maintenance of obesity in African-American girls.     

The Association of Cysteine with Obesity, Inflammatory Cytokines and Insulin Resistance in Hispanic Children and Adolescents

Context

Plasma total cysteine (tCys) independently relates to fat mass in adults. Dietary cyst(e)ine promotes adiposity and decreases glucose tolerance in some rodent models, but alleviates insulin resistance in others.

Objective

To investigate whether the association of tCys with body fat extends to children at particular risk of obesity, and whether tCys is associated with insulin resistance and obesity-associated inflammation.

Methods

We explored the cross-sectional relations of fasting plasma tCys and related metabolites with body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 984 Hispanic children and adolescents aged 4–19 years from the Viva La Familia Study. Linear and logistic regression and dose-response curves were used to evaluate relations of tCys with obesity, insulin resistance and inflammatory markers including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Results

tCys, methionine and total homocysteine (tHcy) increased with age. Upper tCys quartile was independently associated with a 5-fold increased risk of obesity (95% CI 3.5–8.0, P<0.001), and 2-fold risk of insulin resistance (95% CI: 1.6-5.0, P<0.001; adjusted for body fat%). Within the overweight/obese subgroup, but not in normal-weight children, tCys accounted for 9% of the variability in body fat% (partial r = 0.30, P<0.001; adjusted for age and gender). tCys correlated positively with serum non-esterified fatty acids and leptin, partly independent of body fat, but was not associated with serum IL-6, TNF-α or MCP-1. A positive correlation with CRP disappeared after adjustment for BMI.

Conclusion

tCys is independently associated with obesity and insulin resistance in Hispanic children and adolescents, highlighting a previously underappreciated link between the sulfur amino acid metabolic pathway and obesity and cardiometabolic risk.     

细胞因子对中枢神经系统海马脑区的作用

细胞因子是一组多肽蛋白,一般认为其主要功能是介导非特异性免疫反应、促进未成熟白细胞增殖、分化和生长等。但近年来的研究表明,这些在免疫系统中起重要作用的调节因子及其受体也存在于中枢神经系统（ＣＮＳ）中,并发现它们对ＣＮＳ中某些神经元和胶质细胞的生理功能有调控作用。本综述细胞因子白细胞介素１、白细胞介素２和白细胞介素６对ＣＮＳ海马脑区作用的研究进展。     

细胞因子在炎症性肠病中的作用

炎症性肠病(inflammatory bowel disease,IBD)是一组病因未明的以慢性胃肠道炎症为特征的疾病,包括克罗恩病(Crohn's disease,CD)和溃疡性结肠炎(ulcerative colitis,UC)。细胞因子在IBD肠道炎症反应和黏膜免疫反应中起重要作用,目前已成为研究IBD发病机制的热点,本文就其在IBD中的作用作一综述。     

Nutrition and Physical Activity Program to Attenuate Obesity and Promote Physical and Metabolic Fitness in Elementary School Children

Obesity and low levels of physical and metabolic fitness are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The purpose of this investigation was to attenuate obesity and improve physical and metabolic fitness in elementary school children. Schools have the opportunity, mechanisms, and personnel in place to deliver nutrition education, fitness activities, and a school food service that is nutritious and healthy. Cohorts from grades 3 to 5 in two school districts in rural Nebraska (Intervention/Control) participated in a 2-year study of physical activity and modified school lunch program. Data collection for aerobic capacity, body composition, blood chemistry, nutrition knowledge, energy intake, and physical activity was at the beginning and end of each year. Int received enhanced physical activity, grade specific nutrition education, and a lower fat and sodium school lunch program. Con continued with a regular school lunch and team sports activity program. At year 2, Int lunches had significantly less energy (9%), fat (25%), sodium (21%), and more fiber (17%). However, measures of 24-hour energy intake for Int and Con showed significant differences for sodium only. Physical activity in the classroom was 6% greater for Int compared to Con (p < 0.05) but physical activity outside of school was ?16 % less for Int compared to Con (p < 0.05). Body weight and body fat were not different between schools for normal weight or obese children. No differences were found for cholesterol, insulin, and glucose; however, HDL cholesterol was significantly greater and cholesterol/HDL was significantly less for Int compared to Con (p < 0.05). It appears that compensation in both energy intake and physical activity outside of school may be responsible for the lack of differences between Int and Con.     

Obesity Is Associated With Altered Lung Function Independently of Physical Activity and Fitness

Measures of obesity, especially central adiposity, have been associated with reduced lung function. However, previous studies may have been affected by confounding by physical activity and fitness. This study aimed to examine the relationship among body fatness, fat distribution, and lung function, adjusted for physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and aerobic fitness (VO₂max), in a cohort of British white adults with a family history of type 2 diabetes. A total of 320 adults (mean age 40.4 ± 6.0 years) attended for anthropometric and VO₂max testing, and had ambulatory heart rate monitoring for 4 days to determine PAEE. Spirometry was used to measure forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) and forced vital capacity (FVC). The tests were repeated 12 months later, and a cross‐sectional analysis using linear regression with repeated measures was performed. Measures of obesity (BMI, waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), body fat percentage (BF%)) were associated with lower lung function in men and women (P < 0.01), while waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) was associated with lower lung function in men only (P < 0.001). Associations remained after adjusting for age, smoking status, height, PAEE, and VO₂max. The estimated difference in mean FEV₁ and FVC per unit increase in the exposure measures were consistently stronger in men compared to women (P for interaction <0.001). Obesity is inversely associated with lung function in adults, but central fat distribution appears to have a stronger relationship with respiratory mechanics in men than in women. These associations were independent of the degree of physical activity and aerobic fitness in this cohort.     

Mediating Effects of Inflammatory Biomarkers on Insulin Resistance Associated with Obesity

Objective: Obesity is associated with elevated levels of biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction [including C‐reactive protein (CRP), E‐selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1], as well as insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes. We tested the hypothesis that these biomarkers mediate associations among obesity, IR, and risk of diabetes. Research Methods and Procedures: We stratified 510 initially non‐diabetic women in the Nurses’ Health Study cohort into four phenotypes above/below median BMI (27 kg/m²) and waist circumference (81 cm): low BMI‐low waist (LBLW; N = 190), low BMI‐high waist (LBHW; N = 74), high BMI‐low waist (HBLW; N = 27), and high BMI‐high waist (HBHW; N = 219). Results: In models assessing associations of weight phenotype with IR [fasting insulin (FI)], adjusted for age and diabetes risk factors, mean FI was higher comparing HBHW women (13.6 μU/mL, p < 0.0001) and LBHW (11.5 μU/mL, p = 0.02) with LBLW women (8.6 μU/mL); HBLW and LBLW women were not significantly different. Differences in FI levels were most strongly attenuated after adjustment for E‐selectin comparing LBHW with LBLW women (11.7 vs. 9.7 μU/mL, p = 0.2). Discussion: In logistic regression models, LBHW predicted diabetes (risk factor‐adjusted relative risk 2.06, 1.05 to 6.40), compared with LBLW, but was no longer significant after adjustment for E‐selectin or CRP. After adjusting for CRP and E‐selectin, only HBHW and E‐selectin were significantly associated with risk of diabetes. In women with central adiposity and low BMI, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation may mediate the relationship among central fat, IR, and incident diabetes.     

共刺激分子对全身炎症反应综合征中细胞因子的影响

目的:探讨全身炎症反应综合征(SIRS)中相关共刺激分子的表达及其调控因素,并对共刺激分子在全身炎症反应综合征发展及治疗中的作用及机制进行初步探究.方法:腹腔注射脂多糖(LPS)建立全身炎症反应综合征的小鼠动物模型后,将BALB/c模型小鼠随机分为生理盐水(NS)、LPS、CD28+LPS三组,进行脾淋巴细胞的分离,通过RT-PCR、ELISA等方法检测共刺激分子在不同组别中的表达.结果:经CD28活化型单克隆抗体(CD28mAb)刺激后的BALB/c小鼠组中共刺激分子CD40配体(CD40L)、杀伤性T细胞相关抗原-4(CTLA-4)的表达量较生理盐水组明显增高.结论:共刺激分子CD28对于全身炎症反应综合征有促进的作用.     

高碳酸血症对大鼠机械通气肺损伤时炎症因子和p38MAPK 表达的影响

目的:探讨高碳酸血症对大鼠机械通气性肺损伤(VILI)时炎症因子和p38MAPK表达的影响。方法:健康雄性Wistar大鼠30只,体重220～280g,采用随机数字表法,将大鼠随机分3组(n=10):对照组(C组)、机械通气肺损伤组(V组)和高碳酸血症组(H组)。C组保留自主呼吸,V组和H组行机械通气4 h。采用高气道压机械通气模式制备机械通气性肺损伤模型。H组通过调整吸入的CO2浓度来维持动脉血PaCO2分别为80～100mmHg。机械通气结束时,测定支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中总蛋白、TNF-α和巨噬细胞炎症蛋白-2(MIP-2)的浓度;取肺组织,测定湿干重比(W/D比)、细胞间粘附分子(ICAM-1)和p38MAPK蛋白的表达水平以及p38MAPK的活性,并观察病理学结果,进行肺损伤评分。结果:与C组比较,V组肺损伤评分、W/D比、ICAM-1表达水平、BALF中总蛋白浓度、TNF-α和MIP-2浓度和肺组织p38MAPK活性升高,PaO2降低(P<0.05);与V组比较,H组肺损伤评分、W/D比、ICAM-1表达水平、BALF中总蛋白浓度、TNF-α和MIP-2浓度和肺组织p38MAPK活性降低,PaO2升高(P<0.05)。结论:高碳酸血症通过调节p38MAPK的表达,从而抑制炎症反应减轻大鼠机械通气肺损伤。     

外源性硫化氢对创伤失血性休克大鼠血浆炎症因子的影响

目的:研究外源性硫化氢(H2S)对创伤失血性休克大鼠炎症反应的影响。方法:选择健康成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为四组:假手术组(Sham),模型组(HTS),生理盐水组(NS),NaHS处理组(NaHS),采用创伤失血性休克模型,Sham组完成所有手术操作,但不放血和复苏,HTS组完成所有手术操作放血后给予Ringer’s液复苏,NS组放血后在Ringer’s液复苏前腹腔注射与NaHS组等容量的生理盐水,NaHS组在复苏前给与NaHS28μmol/kg(生理盐水稀释至0.5ml)腹腔注射。持续监测各组平均动脉压(MAP)及心律(HR),并通过测定血浆中TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6和IL-10浓度的变化,观察外源性硫化氢对创伤失血性休克大鼠血浆炎症因子的影响。结果:①与HTS组及NS组比较,NaHS组复苏后MAP明显改善(P<0.05)。②与HTS组及NS组比较,复苏后1小时NaHS组血浆TNFα、IL-1β、IL-6浓度明显降低(P<0.05);而IL-10浓度四组间差异不明显(P>0.05)。结论:外源性硫化氢可改善创伤失血性休克大鼠复苏后平均动脉压及抑制复苏后早期炎症反应。     

外源性硫化氢对创伤失血性休克大鼠血浆炎症因子的影响

目的：研究外源性硫化氢（H2S）对创伤失血性休克大鼠炎症反应的影响。方法：选择健康成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为四组：假手术组（Sham）,模型组（HTS）,生理盐水组（NS）,NaHS处理组（NaHS）,采用创伤失血性休克模型,Sham组完成所有手术操作,但不放血和复苏,HTS组完成所有手术操作放血后给予Ringer＇s液复苏,NS组放血后在Ringer＇s液复苏前腹腔注射与NaHS组等容量的生理盐水,NaHS组在复苏前给与NaHS28μmol/kg（生理盐水稀释至0.5ml）腹腔注射。持续监测各组平均动脉压（MAP）及心律（HR）,并通过测定血浆中TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6和IL-10浓度的变化,观察外源性硫化氢对创伤失血性休克大鼠血浆炎症因子的影响。结果：①与HTS组及NS组比较,NaHS组复苏后MAP明显改善（P〈0.05）。②与HTS组及NS组比较,复苏后1小时NaHS组血浆TNFα、IL-1β、IL-6浓度明显降低（P〈0.05）;而IL-10浓度四组间差异不明显（P〉0.05）。结论：外源性硫化氢可改善创伤失血性休克大鼠复苏后平均动脉压及抑制复苏后早期炎症反应。     

Central and Peripheral Cytokines Mediate Immune-Brain Connectivity

The immune system is a homeostatic system that contributes to maintain the constancy of the molecular and cellular components of the organism. Immune cells can detect the intrusion of foreign antigens or alteration of self-components and send information to the central nervous system (CNS) about this kind of perturbations, acting as a receptor sensorial organ. The brain can respond to such signals by emitting neuro/endocrine signals capable of affecting immune reactivity. Thus, the immune system, as other physiologic systems, is under brain control. Under disease conditions, when priorities for survival change, the immune system can, within defined limits, reset brain-integrated neuro-endocrine mechanisms in order to favour immune processes at the expenses of other physiologic systems. In addition, some cytokines initially conceived as immune products, such as IL-1 and IL-6, are also produced in the “healthy” brain by glial cells and even by some neurons. These and other cytokines have the capacity to affect synaptic plasticity acting as mediators of interactions between astrocytes and pre- and post-synaptic neurons that constitute what is actually defined as a tripartite synapse. Since the production of cytokines in the brain is affected by peripheral immune and central neural signals, it is conceivable that tripartite synapses can, in turn, serve as a relay system in immune-CNS communication.     

Effects of Genetic Loci Associated with Central Obesity on Adipocyte Lipolysis

ObjectivesNumerous genetic loci have been associated with measures of central fat accumulation, such as waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (WHRadjBMI). However the mechanisms by which genetic variations influence obesity remain largely elusive. Lipolysis is a key process for regulation of lipid storage in adipocytes, thus is implicated in obesity and its metabolic complications. Here, genetic variants at 36 WHRadjBMI-associated loci were examined for their influence on abdominal subcutaneous adipocyte lipolysis.ResultsThe WHRadjBMI-associated loci CMIP, PLXND1, VEGFA and ZNRF3-KREMEN1 demonstrated nominal associations with spontaneous and/or stimulated lipolysis. Candidate genes in these loci have been reported to influence NFκB-signaling, fat cell size and Wnt signalling, all of which may influence lipolysis.SignificanceThis report provides evidence for specific WHRadjBMI-associated loci as candidates to modulate adipocyte lipolysis. Additionally, our data suggests that genetically increased central fat accumulation is unlikely to be a major cause of altered lipolysis in abdominal adipocytes.     

Work‐Related Physical Activity Is Not Associated with Body Mass Index and Obesity

Objective: To analyze the association of work‐related physical activity (WRPA) and leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) with body mass index (BMI) and obesity in the Spanish adult population aged 20 to 60 years. Research Methods and Procedures: The data were taken from the 1993 Spanish National Health Survey. We analyzed a sample of 12,044 men and women representative of the Spanish population aged 20 to 60 years. BMI and frequency of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) were obtained from self‐reported weight and height. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression models were constructed, adjusting for the main confounding factors. WRPA and LTPA were measured by two questions to classify subjects into four categories of physical activity. Results: Neither mean BMI nor percentage of obesity varied significantly (p > 0.05) by WRPA. Mean BMI was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in those who were inactive in their leisure time (25.90 kg/m² in men and 24.43 kg/m² in women) than in those who reported vigorous activity (24.42 kg/m² and 22.97 kg/m² in men and women, respectively). The odds ration (OR) for obesity decreased with increasing level of LTPA in both men (OR of 0.64 for vigorous activity) and women (OR = 0.68), showing a statistically significant dose‐response relation in both men (for linear trend, p = 0.0021) and women (p = 0.0245). Discussion: These results raise questions about the association between WRPA and obesity and suggest the need to reexamine models of the obesity epidemic that point to automation of the workplace as one of the major explanatory factors.