Assessment of leisure-time physical activity for the prediction of inflammatory status and cardiometabolic profile

Objectives: Associations of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), commuting and total physical activity with inflammatory markers, insulin resistance and metabolic profile in individuals at high cardiometabolic risk were investigated. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 193 prediabetic adults were compared according to physical activity levels measured by the international physical activity questionnaire; p for trend and logistic regression was employed. Results: The most active subset showed lower BMI and abdominal circumference, reaching significance only for LTPA (p for trend = 0.02). Lipid profile improved with increased physical activity levels. Interleukin-6 decreased with increased total physical activity and LTPA (p for trend = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively), while adiponectin increased in more active subsets for LTPA (p for trend = 0.03). Elevation in adjusted OR for hypercholesterolemia was significant for lower LTPA durations (p for trend = 0.04). High apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A ratio was inversely associated with LTPA, commuting and total physical activity. Increase in adjusted OR for insulin resistance was found from the highest to the lowest category of LTPA (p for trend = 0.04) but significance disappeared after adjustments for BMI and energy intake. No association of increased C-reactive protein with physical activity domains was observed. Conclusions: In general, the associations of LTPA, but not commuting or total physical activity, with markers of cardiometabolic risk reinforces the importance of initiatives to increase this domain in programs for the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. (C) 2012 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cardiometabolic benefits of exercise training in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome and menopause

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiometabolic effects of exercise training in ovariectomized hypertensive rats both submitted and not submitted to fructose overload. Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive ovariectomized rats were divided into sedentary and trained (THO) groups submitted to normal chow and sedentary and trained groups submitted to fructose overload (100 g/L in drinking water for 19 wk). Exercise training was performed on a treadmill (8 wk). Arterial pressure (AP) was directly recorded. Cardiovascular autonomic control was evaluated through pharmacological blockade (atropine and propranolol) and in the time and frequency domains by spectral analysis. Results: The THO group presented reduced AP (approximately 16 mm Hg) and enhanced cardiac vagal tonus (approximately 49%) and baroreflex sensitivity (approximately 43%) compared with the sedentary hypertensive ovariectomized group. Exercise training attenuated metabolic impairment, resting tachycardia, cardiac and vascular sympathetic increases, and baroreflex sensitivity decrease induced by fructose overload in hypertensive rats. However, the trained hypertensive ovariectomized group submitted to fructose overload presented higher AP (approximately 32 mm Hg), associated with baroreflex sensitivity (approximately 69%) and parasympathetic dysfunctions compared with the THO group. Conclusions: These data suggest that the metabolic disorders in hypertensive rats after ovarian hormone deprivation could blunt and/or attenuate some exercise training benefits.

Associations of the TNF-alpha-308 G/A, IL6-174 G/C and AdipoQ 45 T/G polymorphisms with inflammatory and metabolic responses to lifestyle intervention in Brazilians at high cardiometabolic risk

Background: Cytokines secreted by the adipose tissue influence inflammation and insulin sensitivity, and lead to metabolic disturbances. How certain single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) interfere on lifestyle interventions is unclear. We assessed associations of selected SNPs with changes induced by a lifestyle intervention. Methods: This 9-month intervention on diet and physical activity included 180 Brazilians at high cardiometabolic risk, genotyped for the TNF-alpha -308 G/A, IL-6 -174 G/C and AdipoQ 45 T/G SNPs. Changes in metabolic and inflammatory variables were analyzed according to these SNPs. Individuals with at least one variant allele were grouped and compared with those with the reference genotype. Results: In the entire sample (66.7% women; mean age 56.5 +/- 11.6 years), intervention resulted in lower energy intake, higher physical activity, and improvement in anthropometry, plasma glucose, HOMA-IR, lipid profile and inflammatory markers, except for IL-6 concentrations. After intervention, only variant allele carriers of the TNF-alpha -308 G/A decreased plasma glucose, after adjusting for age and gender (OR 2.96, p = 0.025). Regarding the IL-6 -174 G/C SNP, carriers of the variant allele had a better response of lipid profile and adiponectin concentration, but only the reference genotype group decreased plasma glucose. In contrast to individuals with the reference genotype, carriers of variant allele of AdipoQ 45 T/G SNP did not change plasma glucose, apolipoprotein B, HDL-c and adiponectin concentrations in response to intervention. Conclusion: The TNF alpha -308 G/A SNP may predispose a better response of glucose metabolism to lifestyle intervention. The IL-6 -174 G/C SNP may confer a beneficial effect on lipid but not on glucose metabolism. Our findings reinforce unfavorable effects of the AdipoQ 45 T/G SNP in lipid profile and glucose metabolism after intervention in Brazilians at cardiometabolic risk. Further studies are needed to direct lifestyle intervention to subsets of individuals at cardiometabolic risk.

Cardiometabolic risk reduction through lifestyle intervention programs in the Brazilian public health system

Public health strategies to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality should focus on global cardiometabolic risk reduction. The efficacy of lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes have been demonstrated, but low-cost interventions to reduce cardiometabolic risk in Latin-America have been rarely reported. Our group developed 2 programs to promote health of high-risk individuals attending a primary care center in Brazil. This study compared the effects of two 9-month lifestyle interventions, one based on medical consultations (traditional) and another with 13 multi-professional group sessions in addition to the medical consultations (intensive) on cardiometabolic parameters. Adults were eligible if they had pre-diabetes (according to the American Diabetes Association) and/or metabolic syndrome (International Diabetes Federation criteria for Latin-America). Data were expressed as means and standard deviations or percentages and compared between groups or testing visits. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: 180 individuals agreed to participate (35.0% men, mean age 54.7 ± 12.3 years, 86.1% overweight or obese). 83 were allocated to the traditional and 97 to the intensive program. Both interventions reduced body mass index, waist circumference and tumor necrosis factor-α. Only intensive program reduced 2-hour plasma glucose and blood pressure and increased adiponectin values, but HDL-cholesterol increased only in the traditional. Also, responses to programs were better in intensive compared to traditional program in terms of blood pressure and adiponectin improvements. No new case of diabetes in intensive but 3 cases and one myocardial infarction in traditional program were detected. Both programs induced metabolic improvement in the short-term, but if better results in the intensive are due to higher awareness about risk and self-motivation deserves further investigation. In conclusion, these low-cost interventions are able to minimize cardiometabolic risk factors involved in the progression to type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease.

Influence of obesity and cardiometabolic makers on lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity in adolescents: the healthy young cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity (Lp-PLA2) is a good marker of cardiovascular risk in adults. It is strongly associated with stroke and many others cardiovascular events. Despite this, the impact of obesity on this enzyme activity and its relation to biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in adolescents is not very well investigated. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the influence of obesity and cardiometabolic markers on Lp-PLA2 activity in adolescents. Results This cross-sectional study included 242 adolescents (10–19 years) of both gender. These subjects were classified in Healthy Weight (n = 77), Overweight (n = 82) and Obese (n = 83) groups. Lipid profile, glucose, insulin, HDL size, LDL(−) and anti-LDL(−) antibodies were analyzed. The Lp-PLA2 activity was determined by a colorimetric commercial kit. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and body composition were monitored. Food intake was evaluated using three 24-hour diet recalls. The Lp-PLA2 activity changed in function to high BMI, waist circumference and fat mass percentage. It was also positively associated with HOMA-IR, glucose, insulin and almost all variables of lipid profile. Furthermore, it was negatively related to Apo AI (β = −0.137; P = 0.038) and strongly positively associated with Apo B (β = 0.293; P < 0.001) and with Apo B/Apo AI ratio (β = 0.343; P < 0.001). The better predictor model for enzyme activity, on multivariate analysis, included Apo B/Apo AI (β = 0.327; P < 0.001), HDL size (β = −0.326; P < 0.001), WC (β = 0.171; P = 0.006) and glucose (β = 0.119; P = 0.038). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that changes in Apo B/Apo AI ratio were associated with a 73.5 times higher risk to elevated Lp-PLA2 activity. Conclusions Lp-PLA2 changes in function of obesity, and that it shows important associations with markers of cardiovascular risk, in particular with waist circumference, glucose, HDL size and Apo B/Apo AI ratio. These results suggest that Lp-PLA2 activity can be a cardiovascular biomarker in adolescence.

Associations of the TNF-alpha -308 G/A, IL6 -174 G/C and AdipoQ 45 T/G polymorphisms with inflammatory and metabolic responses to lifestyle intervention in Brazilians at high cardiometabolic risk

Abstract Background Cytokines secreted by the adipose tissue influence inflammation and insulin sensitivity, and lead to metabolic disturbances. How certain single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) interfere on lifestyle interventions is unclear. We assessed associations of selected SNPs with changes induced by a lifestyle intervention. Methods This 9-month intervention on diet and physical activity included 180 Brazilians at high cardiometabolic risk, genotyped for the TNF-α -308 G/A, IL-6 -174 G/C and AdipoQ 45 T/G SNPs. Changes in metabolic and inflammatory variables were analyzed according to these SNPs. Individuals with at least one variant allele were grouped and compared with those with the reference genotype. Results In the entire sample (66.7% women; mean age 56.5 ± 11.6 years), intervention resulted in lower energy intake, higher physical activity, and improvement in anthropometry, plasma glucose, HOMA-IR, lipid profile and inflammatory markers, except for IL-6 concentrations. After intervention, only variant allele carriers of the TNF-α -308 G/A decreased plasma glucose, after adjusting for age and gender (OR 2.96, p = 0.025). Regarding the IL6 -174 G/C SNP, carriers of the variant allele had a better response of lipid profile and adiponectin concentration, but only the reference genotype group decreased plasma glucose. In contrast to individuals with the reference genotype, carriers of variant allele of AdipoQ 45 T/G SNP did not change plasma glucose, apolipoprotein B, HDL-c and adiponectin concentrations in response to intervention. Conclusion The TNFα -308 G/A SNP may predispose a better response of glucose metabolism to lifestyle intervention. The IL-6 -174 G/C SNP may confer a beneficial effect on lipid but not on glucose metabolism. Our findings reinforce unfavorable effects of the AdipoQ 45 T/G SNP in lipid profile and glucose metabolism after intervention in Brazilians at cardiometabolic risk. Further studies are needed to direct lifestyle intervention to subsets of individuals at cardiometabolic risk.

A behavioral intervention in a cohort of Japanese-Brazilians at high cardiometabolic risk

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a health promotion program on cardiometabolic risk profile in Japanese-Brazilians. METHODS: A total of 466 subjects from a study on diabetes prevalence conducted in the city of Bauru, southeastern Brazil, in 2000 completed a 1-year intervention program (2005-2006) based on healthy diet counseling and physical activity. Changes in blood pressure and metabolic parameters in the 2005-2006 period were compared with annual changes in these same variables in the 2000-2005 period. RESULTS: During the intervention, there were greater annual reductions in mean (SD) waist circumference [-0.5(3.8) vs. 1.2(1.2) cm per year, p<0.001], systolic blood pressure [-4.6(17.9) vs. 1.8(4.3) mmHg per year, p<0.001], 2-hour plasma glucose [-1.2(2.1) vs. -0.2(0.6) mmol/L per year, p<0.001], LDL-cholesterol [-0.3(0.9) vs. -0.1(0.2) mmol/L per year, p<0.001] and Framingham coronary heart disease risk score [-0.25(3.03) vs. 0.11(0.66) per year, p=0.02] but not in triglycerides [0.2(1.6) vs. 0.1(0.42) mmol/L per year, p<0.001], and fasting insulin level [1.2(5.8) vs. -0.7(2.2) IU/mL per year, p<0.001] compared with the pre-intervention period. Significant reductions in the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose/impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes were seen during the intervention (from 58.4% to 35.4%, p<0.001; and from 30.1% to 21.7%, p= 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A one-year community-based health promotion program brings cardiometabolic benefits in a high-risk population of Japanese-Brazilians.

Sympathetic overactivity precedes metabolic dysfunction in a fructose model of glucose intolerance in mice

De Angelis K, Senador DD, Mostarda C, Irigoyen MC, Morris M. Sympathetic overactivity precedes metabolic dysfunction in a fructose model of glucose intolerance in mice. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 302: R950-R957, 2012. First published February 8, 2012; doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00450.2011.-Consumption of high levels of fructose in humans and animals leads to metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunction. There are questions as to the role of the autonomic changes in the time course of fructose-induced dysfunction. C57/BL male mice were given tap water or fructose water (100 g/l) to drink for up to 2 mo. Groups were control (C), 15-day fructose (F15), and 60-day fructose (F60). Light-dark patterns of arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR), and their respective variabilities were measured. Plasma glucose, lipids, insulin, leptin, resistin, adiponectin, and glucose tolerance were quantified. Fructose increased systolic AP (SAP) at 15 and 60 days during both light (F15: 123 +/- 2 and F60: 118 +/- 2 mmHg) and dark periods (F15: 136 +/- 4 and F60: 136 +/- 5 mmHg) compared with controls (light: 111 +/- 2 and dark: 117 +/- 2 mmHg). SAP variance (VAR) and the low-frequency component (LF) were increased in F15 (>60% and >80%) and F60 (>170% and >140%) compared with C. Cardiac sympatho-vagal balance was enhanced, while baroreflex function was attenuated in fructose groups. Metabolic parameters were unchanged in F15. However, F60 showed significant increases in plasma glucose (26%), cholesterol (44%), triglycerides (22%), insulin (95%), and leptin (63%), as well as glucose intolerance. LF of SAP was positively correlated with SAP. Plasma leptin was correlated with triglycerides, insulin, and glucose tolerance. Results show that increased sympathetic modulation of vessels and heart preceded metabolic dysfunction in fructose-consuming mice. Data suggest that changes in autonomic modulation may be an initiating mechanism underlying the cluster of symptoms associated with cardiometabolic disease.

Inhibition of cannabinoid CB1 receptor upregulates Slc2a4 expression via nuclear factor-kappa B and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 in adipocytes

Evidences have suggested that the endocannabinoid system is overactive in obesity, resulting in enhanced endocannabinoid levels in both circulation and visceral adipose tissue. The blockade of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) has been proposed for the treatment of obesity. Besides loss of body weight, CB1 antagonism improves insulin sensitivity, in which the glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) plays a key role. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulation of GLUT4-encoded gene (Slc2a4 gene) expression by CB1 receptor. For this, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated in the presence of a highly selective CB1 receptor agonist (1 mu M arachidonyl-2'-chloroethylamide) and/or a CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist (0.1, 0.5, or 1 mu M AM251, 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-4-methyl-N-1-piperidinyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide). After acute (2 and 4 h) and chronic (24 h) treatments, cells were harvested to evaluate: i) Slc2a4, Cnr1 (CB1 receptor-encoded gene), and Srebf1 type a (SREBP-1a type-encoded gene) mRNAs (real-time PCR); ii) GLUT4 protein (western blotting); and iii) binding activity of nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1 specifically in the promoter of Slc2a4 gene (electrophoretic mobility shift assay). Results revealed that both acute and chronic CB1 receptor antagonism greatly increased (similar to 2.5-fold) Slc2a4 mRNA and protein content. Additionally, CB1-induced upregulation of Slc2a4 was accompanied by decreased binding activity of NF-kappa B at 2 and 24 h, and by increased binding activity of the SREBP-1 at 24 h. In conclusion, these findings reveal that the blockade of CB1 receptor markedly increases Slc2a4/GLUT4 expression in adipocytes, a feature that involves NF-kappa B and SREBP-1 transcriptional regulation. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology (2012) 49, 97-106

Liposuction induces a compensatory increase of visceral fat which is effectively counteracted by physical activity: a randomized trial

Context: Liposuction is suggested to result in long-term body fat regain that could lead to increased cardiometabolic risk. We hypothesized that physical activity could prevent this effect. Objective: Our objective was to investigate the effects of liposuction on body fat distribution and cardiometabolic risk factors in women who were either exercise trained or not after surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants: Thirty-six healthy normal-weight women participated in this 6-month randomized controlled trial at the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Interventions: Patients underwent a small-volume abdominal liposuction. Two months after surgery, the subjects were randomly allocated into two groups: trained (TR, n = 18, 4-month exercise program) and nontrained (NT, n = 18). Main Outcome Measures: Body fat distribution (assessed by computed tomography) was assessed before the intervention (PRE) and 2 months (POST2), and 6 months (POST6) after surgery. Secondary outcome measures included body composition, metabolic parameters and dietary intake, assessed at PRE, POST2, and POST6, and total energy expenditure, physical capacity, and sc adipocyte size and lipid metabolism-related gene expression, assessed at PRE and POST6. Results: Liposuction was effective in reducing sc abdominal fat (PRE vs. POST2, P = 0.0001). Despite the sustained sc abdominal fat decrement at POST6 (P = 0.0001), the NT group showed a significant 10% increase in visceral fat from PRE to POST6 (P = 0.04; effect size = -0.72) and decreased energy expenditure (P = 0.01; effect size = 0.95) when compared with TR. Dietary intake, adipocyte size, and gene expression were unchanged over time. Conclusion: Abdominal liposuction does not induce regrowth of fat, but it does trigger a compensatory increase of visceral fat, which is effectively counteracted by physical activity. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 97: 2388-2395, 2012)

No evidence of selenosis from a selenium-rich diet in the Brazilian Amazon

Selenium (Se) is an essential element and a well-known anti-oxidant. In the Lower Tapajos River region of the Brazilian Amazon, biomarkers of Se range from normal to very high. The local traditional diet includes important Se sources such as Brazil nuts, chicken, game meat and certain fish species. Some studies have reported alterations in keratin structure, gastrointestinal problems and paresthesia in populations with high Se intake. The objective of the present study was to evaluate cutaneous and garlic odor of the breath signs and sentinel symptoms of Se toxicity (selenosis) in relation to Se status in communities along the Tapajos River. Participants (N = 448), aged 15-87 years, were recruited from 12 communities. Se concentrations were measured in blood (B-Se) and plasma (P-Se) by ICP-MS. A nurse performed an examination of the hair, nails, skin and breath for signs of Se toxicity. Interview-administered questionnaires were used to collect information on socio-demographics, medical history and possible symptoms of Se toxicity. In this population, the median levels of B-Se and P-Se were 228.4 mu g/L (range 103.3-1500.2 mu g/L) and 134.8 mu g/L (range 53.6-913.2 mu g/L) respectively. Although B-Se and P-Se surpassed concentrations considered toxic (B-Se: 1000 mu g/L (U.S. EPA, 2002)), no dermal or breath signs or symptoms of Se toxicity were associated with the biomarkers of Se status. In the present study population, where Se intake is mostly from traditional diet, there is no evidence of selenosis. These findings support the need to re-assess Se toxicity considering factors such as the chemical form of Se exposure, route of exposure (inhaled versus ingested), co-exposures to toxic elements such as mercury. Considering the current food transition towards a western diet in the Amazon, further studies should address the possible association between high Se status and cardiometabolic health in this study population. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phenolic compounds from Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) attenuate oxidative stress and reduce blood cholesterol concentrations in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rats

Abstract Background Phenolic compounds combine antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic activities and, consequently, are expected to prevent or minimize cardiometabolic risk. Methods To evaluate the effect of an aqueous extract (AQ) and non-esterified phenolic fraction (NEPF) from rosemary on oxidative stress in diet-induced hypercholesterolemia, 48 male 4-week old Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: 1 chow diet group (C) and 5 hypercholesterolemic diet groups, with 1 receiving water (HC), 2 receiving AQ at concentrations of 7 and 140 mg/kg body weight (AQ70 and AQ140, respectively), and 2 receiving NEPF at concentrations of 7 and 14 mg/kg body weight (NEPF7 and NEPF14, respectively) by gavage for 4 weeks. Results In vitro, both AQ and NEPF had remarkable antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH●) assay, which was similar to BHT. In vivo, the group that received AQ at 70 mg/kg body weight had lower serum total cholesterol (−39.8%), non-HDL-c (−44.4%) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels (−37.7%) compared with the HC group. NEPF (7 and 14 mg/kg) reduced the tissue TBARS levels and increased the activity of tissular antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase). Neither AQ nor NEPF was able to ameliorate the alterations in the hypercholesterolemic diet-induced fatty acid composition in the liver. Conclusions These data suggest that phenolic compounds from rosemary ameliorate the antioxidant defense in different tissues and attenuate oxidative stress in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rats, whereas the serum lipid profile was improved only in rats that received the aqueous extract.