Growth hormone binding protein correlates strongly with leptin and percentage body fat in GH-deficient adults, is increased by GH replacement but does not predict IGF-I response

GH-binding protein (GHBP) corresponds to the extracellular domain of the GH receptor (GHR) and has been shown to be closely related to body fat. This study aimed to examine the inter-relationship between GHBP, leptin and body fat, and to test the hypothesis that GHBP is modified by GH replacement in GH-deficient adults and predicts IGF-I response. Twenty adults, mean age 47 years (range 20-69) with proven GH deficiency were randomly allocated to either GH (up to 0.25 U/kg/week in daily doses) or placebo for 3 months before cross-over to the opposite treatment. Plasma GHBP and leptin were measured at baseline and 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after each treatment. Whole body composition was measured at baseline by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). There was a strong correlation between baseline leptin and GHBP (r = 0.88, P < 0.0001) and between baseline GHBP and percentage body fat, (r = 0.83, P < 0.0001). Mean GHBP levels were higher on GH compared with placebo, 1.53 +/- 0.28 vs 1.41 +/- 0.25 nM, P = 0.049. There was no correlation between baseline IGF-I and GHBP (r = -0.049, P = 0.84), and GHBP did not predict IGF-I response to GH replacement. The close inter-relationship between GHBP, leptin and body fat suggests a possible role for GHBP in the regulation of body composition. GHBP is increased by GH replacement in GH-deficient adults, but does not predict biochemical response to GH replacement. (C) 1999 Churchill Livingstone.

Administration of growth hormone or IGF-I to pregnant rats on a reduced diet throughout pregnancy does not prevent fetal intrauterine growth retardation and elevated blood pressure in adult offspring

Increasing evidence from human epidemiological studies suggests that poor growth before birth is associated with postnatal growth retardation and the development of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. We have shown previously that nutritional deprivation in the pregnant rat leads to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), postnatal growth failure, changes in the endocrine parameters of the somatotrophic axis, and to increased blood pressure in later life. In the present study, we investigated whether administration of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) or bovine growth hormone (GH) during pregnancy could prevent IUGR and/or alter long-term outcome. Dams h-om day 1 of pregnancy throughout gestation received a diet of nd libitum available food or a restricted dietary intake of 30% of ad libitum fed dams. From day 10 of gestation, dams were treated for 10 days with three times daily subcutaneous injections of saline (100 mu l), IGF-I (2 mu g/g body weight) or GH (2 mu g/g body weight). Maternal weight gain was significantly increased (P

Kinetics of propranolol uptake in muscle, skin, and fat of the isolated perfused rat hindlimb

The tissue distribution kinetics of a highly bound solute, propranolol, was investigated in a heterogeneous organ, the isolated perfused limb, using the impulse-response technique and destructive sampling. The propranolol concentration in muscle, skin, and fat as well as in outflow perfusate was measured up to 30 min after injection. The resulting data were analysed assuming (1) vascular, muscle, skin and fat compartments as well mixed (compartmental model) and (2) using a distributed-in-space model which accounts for the noninstantaneous intravascular mixing and tissue distribution processes but consists only of a vascular and extravascular phase (two-phase model). The compartmental model adequately described propranolol concentration-time data in the three tissue compartments and the outflow concentration-time curve (except of the early mixing phase). In contrast, the two-phase model better described the outflow concentration-time curve but is limited in accounting only for the distribution kinetics in the dominant tissue, the muscle. The two-phase model well described the time course of propranolol concentration in muscle tissue, with parameter estimates similar to those obtained with the compartmental model. The results suggest, first that the uptake kinetics of propranolol into skin and fat cannot be analysed on the basis of outflow data alone and, second that the assumption of well-mixed compartments is a valid approximation from a practical point of view las, e.g., in physiological based pharmacokinetic modelling). The steady-state distribution volumes of skin and fat were only 16 and 4%, respectively, of that of muscle tissue (16.7 ml), with higher partition coefficient in fat (6.36) than in skin (2.64) and muscle (2.79. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of replacing meat with soyabean in the diet on sex hormone concentrations in healthy adult males

A randomised crossover dietary intervention study was performed to evaluate the effects of replacing meat protein in the diet with a soyabean product, tofu, on blood concentrations of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, androstanediol glucuronide, oestradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and the free androgen index (total testosterone concentration/SHBG concentration x 100; FAI). Forty-two healthy adult males aged 35-62 years were studied. Diets were isoenergetic, with either 150 g lean meat or 290 g tofu daily providing an equivalent amount of macronutrients, with only the source of protein differing between the two diets. Each diet lasted for 4 weeks, with a 2-week interval between interventions. Fasting blood samples were taken between 07.00 and 09.30 hours. Urinary excretion of genistein and daidzein was significantly higher after the tofu diet (P

Weight reduction improves biochemistry and histology in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease that may progress to cirrhosis. Antiviral treatment is successful in less than 50% of patients, is costly and causes debilitating side effects. For these reasons, additional therapies to limit the progression of liver disease are urgently required. Steatosis is found in 60% of patients with HCV and is strongly associated with more severe fibrosis. Improvements in biochemical parameters may be seen with weight reduction, however the effects on liver histology have not been investigated. We propose that in patients with chronic HCV and steatosis, obesity contributes to fat in the liver, which results in increased fibrosis and progression to cirrhosis. This study investigated the effect of weight reduction on liver biochemistry and histology in patients with HCV and the success of weight maintenance after an intensive intervention. We examined the effect of a 12 week diet and exercise program where all subjects were seen weekly by the Dietician, with the goal of achieving a 0.5 kg weight loss per week. Biochemistry was monitored monthly and a liver biopsy was performed prior to and 3-6 months after the intervention period. Patients then entered a 12 month weight maintenance program with monthly dietetic review. After 12 weeks there was a mean weight loss of 5.9 ± 3.2 kg and a mean reduction in waist circumference of 9.0 ± 5.0 cm. In 16 of the 19 patients, serum ALT levels fell progressively with weight loss. Mean fasting insulin fell from 16 to 11 mmol/L (p

A honeybee storage protein gene, hex 70a, expressed in developing gonads and nutritionally regulated in adult fat body

In preparing for metamorphosis, insect larvae store a huge amount of proteins in hemolymph, mainly hexamerins. Out of the four hexamerins present in the honeybee larvae, one, HEX 70a, exhibited a distinct developmental pattern, especially since it is also present in adults. Here, we report sequence data and experimental evidence suggesting alternative functions for HEX 70a, besides its well-known role as an amino acid resource during metamorphosis. The hex 70a gene consists of 6 exons and encodes a 684 amino acid chain containing the conserved hemocyanin N, M, and C domains. HEX 70a classifies as an arylphorin since it contains more than 15% of aromatic amino acids. In the fat body of adult workers, hex 70a expression turned out to be a nutrient-limited process. However, the fat body is not the only site for hex 70a expression. Both, transcript and protein subunits were also detected in developing gonads from workers, queens and drones, suggesting a role in ovary differentiation and testes maturation and functioning. In its putative reproductive role, HEX 70a however differs from the yolk protein, vitellogenin, since it was not detected in eggs or embryos. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Binge eating symptoms, diet composition and metabolic characteristics of obese children and adolescents

This study aimed to determine the occurrence of symptoms of binge eating (BE) among children and adolescents seeking treatment for their obesity, as well as to evaluate their diet composition and metabolic characteristics. The Binge Eating scale (BES) was answered by 128 children and adolescents (10.77 +/- 2.04 years, BMI 29.15 +/- 4.98 kg/m(2), BMI Z score 2.28 +/- 0.46, 53.91% pubescent), who were classified into two subgroups-binge eaters (score greater than or equal to IS points) and non-binge eaters (score lower than 18 points). Anthropometric data, body composition and Tanner stages were collected and dietary evaluation conducted. Blood pressure was determined, and glucose, lipid profile and insulin assays were performed. insulin resistance was determined using HOMA-IR. BE symptoms were present in 39.06% of patients. Carbohydrate intake in diet composition was significantly higher among binge eaters. Children with BE did not demonstrate significant dissimilar metabolic characteristics when compared to their counterparts without BE. Therefore, BE seems to be a prevalent problem among children and adolescents seeking help for their obesity. When associated with obesity, this eating behaviour can influence macronutrient consumption through increased carbohydrate intake. Further research would be valuable to verify the reproducibility of these findings. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Uveitis in celiac disease with an excellent response to gluten-free diet: third case described

To describe the case of a patient with celiac disease who achieved a complete response to a gluten-free diet. A 28-year-old woman presented with diarrhea, oral ulcers, and refractory uveitis of 2.5-years duration. She was treated with prednisone, mydriatic drops, and infliximab with no response. She was referred to our hospital at which point her previous diagnosis of uveitis was confirmed; she was also diagnosed with right-sided sacro-iliitis. The patient did not have arthritis or any skin conditions. Three tests for fecal parasites and a fecal leukocyte were negative. Endoscopy revealed atrophic appearance of the duodenal mucosa. Biopsy showed atrophy of the duodenal villi with intra-epithelial lymphocytes, hyperplasia of the crypts, and chronic inflammatory infiltrate. The search for antiendomysial antibody was > 1/1,280. The patient was started on a gluten-free diet and after 3 months demonstrated significant improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms and uveitis, as well as a reduction of antiendomysial antibodies (1/80). After 6 months, there was complete remission of gastrointestinal symptoms and total control of uveitis. The antiendomysial antibody was negative at that time. Clinical uveitis as a manifestation of celiac disease has been described in only two cases in the literature. This case study is the third to demonstrate that uveitis is a clinical symptom that can be addressed in patients with celiac disease.

Searching behaviour and diet of Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus pairs feeding in their territories

Search path, searching behaviour and diet of pairs of Oystercatchers feeding in mudflat territories were studied during spring. females ate Nereis, Mya, small unidentified prey, probably Corophium, and a few Macoma, whereas males primarily ate Macoma. Even when female and male foraged in the same site, they often caught different prey. The combination of 'The Search-rate/Detection Model' (Gendron & Staddon 1983) and 'The Harvestable Prey Model' (Zwarts & Wanink 1993) provide the theoretical framework in which to explain these differences in diet. Macoma are thought to be more cryptic than Nereis, Mya and Corophium. Therefore females, while searching at a faster rate than their respective mates, caught far fewer cryptic prey, but a greater number of more conspicuous prey than their mates. On the basis of distances moved before and after capturing prey, males exhibited area-restricted searching for Macoma and Corophium. In contrast, females did not exhibit any area-restricted searching. it is suggested that the distribution of Macoma and Corophium available to males searching slowly was more clumped than that of these two prey species available to females searching more quickly.

Dietary salt restriction increases plasma lipoprotein and inflammatory marker concentrations in hypertensive patients

Background: Dietary salt restriction has been reported to adversely modify the plasma lipoprotein profile in hypertensive and in normotensive subjects. We investigated the effects of the low sodium intake (LSI) on the plasma lipoprotein profile and on inflammation and thrombosis biomarkers during the fasting and postprandial periods. Methods: Non-obese, non-treated hypertensive adults (n=41) were fed strictly controlled diets. An initial week on a control diet (CID, Na=160 mmol/day) was followed by 3 weeks on LSI (Na=60mmol/day). At admission and on the last day of each period, the 24-h ambulatory blood pressure was monitored and blood was drawn after an overnight fasting period and after a fat-rich test meal. Results: The dietary adherence was confirmed by 24-h urinary sodium excretion. Fasting triglyceride (TG), chylomicron-cholesterol, hsC-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha). interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations, renin activity, aldosterone, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) Values were higher, but non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were lower on LSI than on CD. For LSI, areas under the curve (AUC) of TG, chylomicron-cholesterol, apoB and the cholesterol/apoB ratio were increased, whereas AUC-NEFA was lowered. LSI did not modify body weight, hematocrit, fasting plasma cholesterol, glucose, adiponectin, leptin, fibrinogen and factor VII (FVII), and AUC of lipoprotein lipase and of lipoprotein remnants. Conclusion: LSI induced alterations in the plasma lipoproteins and in inflammatory markers that are common features of the metabolic syndrome. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome in premenopausal women: low vitamin D, high fat mass and maintained bone mineral mass

The aim of this study was to analyze vitamin D levels and their association with bone mineral density and body composition in primary antiphospholipid syndrome. For this cross-sectional study 23 premenopausal women with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (Sapporo criteria) and 23 age- and race-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Demographic, anthropometric, clinical and laboratorial data were collected using clinical interview and chart review. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, parathormone, calcium and 24-hour urinary calcium were evaluated in all subjects. Bone mineral density and body composition were studied by dual X-ray absorptiometry. The mean age of patients and controls was 33 years. Weight (75.61 [20.73] vs. 63.14 [7.34] kg, p=0.009), body mass index (29.57 [7.17] vs. 25.35 [3.37] kg, p=0.014) and caloric ingestion (2493 [1005.6] vs. 1990 [384.1] kcal/day, p=0.03) were higher in PAPS than controls. All PAPS were under oral anticoagulant with INR within therapeutic range. Interestingly, biochemical bone parameters revealed lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [21.64 (11.26) vs. 28.59 (10.67) mg/dl, p=0.039], serum calcium [9.04 (0.46) vs. 9.3 (0.46) mg/dl, p=0.013] and 24-hour urinary calcium [106.55 (83.71) vs. 172.92 (119.05) mg/d, p=0.027] in patients than in controls. Supporting these findings, parathormone levels were higher in primary antiphospholipid syndrome than in controls [64.82 (37.83) vs. 44.53 (19.62) pg/ml, p=0.028]. The analysis of osteoporosis risk factors revealed that the two groups were comparable (p>0.05). Lumbar spine, femoral neck, total femur and whole body bone mineral density were similar in both groups (p>0.05). Higher fat mass [28.51 (12.93) vs. 20.01 (4.68) kg, p=0.005] and higher percentage of fat [36.08 (7.37) vs. 31.23 (4.64)%, p=0.010] were observed in PAPS in comparison with controls; although no difference was seen regarding lean mass. In summary, low vitamin D in primary antiphospholipid syndrome could be secondary to higher weight and fat mass herein observed most likely due to adipocyte sequestration. This weight gain may also justify the maintenance of bone mineral density even with altered biochemical bone parameters. Lupus (2010) 19, 1302-1306.

High sucrose intake in rats is associated with increased ACE2 and angiotensin-(1-7) levels in the adipose tissue

Sucrose-fed rats, a model of metabolic syndrome, are characterized by insulin resistance, obesity, hypertension, and high plasma levels of triacylglycerols and angiotensin II (Ang II). However, whether tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is altered in metabolic syndrome is unclear. To study this issue, food ad libitum and water (C) or 20% sucrose solution (SC) were given to adult male Wistar rats, for 30 days. Body weight (BW), blood pressure (BP), epididymal adipose tissue (EPI) mass, rate of in vivo fatty acid (FA) synthesis in EPI, circulating glucose, insulin, leptin, angiotensins I and II, triacylglycerols, and plasma renin (PRA) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activities were evaluated. In kidneys and EPI, gene and protein expression of type 1 (AT(1)) and 2 (AT(2)) Ang II receptors, ACE, angiotensinogen (ACT) as well as protein expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) were determined. In both tissues, Ang I, Ang II and Ang-(1-7) contents were also measured by HPLC. In SC rats higher BP, EPI mass, circulating triacylglycerols, insulin, leptin, PRA and, Ang II were found. In EPI, the rate of in vivo FA synthesis was associated with increased Ang-(1-7), protein expression of AT(1) and AT(2) receptors, ACE2, ACT, and gene expression of ACT although a reduction in ACE activity and in adipose Ang I and Ang II contents was observed. In kidneys, AT(1) and AT(2), ACE and ACT gene and protein expression as well as protein expression of ACE2 were unaltered while Ang II, Ang-(1-7) and ACE activity increased. These RAS component changes seem to be tissue specific and possibly are related to enhancement of FA synthesis, EPI mass and hypertension. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A high-fat meal impairs muscle vasodilatation response to mental stress in humans with Glu27 beta(2)-adrenoceptor polymorphism

Background: Forearm blood flow responses during mental stress are greater in individuals homozygous for the Glu27 allele. A high-fat meal is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent dilatation. We investigated the impact of high-fat ingestion on the muscle vasodilatory responses during mental stress in individuals with the Glu27 allele and those with the Gln27 allele of the beta(2)-adrenoceptor gene. Methods: A total of 162 preselected individuals were genotyped for the Glu27Gln beta(2)-adrenoceptor polymorphism. Twenty-four individuals participated in the study. Fourteen were homozygous for the Gln27 allele (Gln27Gln, 40 +/- 2 years; 64 +/- 2 kg), and 10 were homozygous for the Glu27 allele (Glu27Glu, 40 +/- 3 years; 65 +/- 3 kg). Forearm blood flow was evaluated by venous occlusion plethysmography before and after ingestion of 62 g of fat. Results: The high-fat meal caused no changes in baseline forearm vascular conductance (FVC, 2.2 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.4 +/- 0.2; P = 0.27, respectively), but reduced FVC responses to mental stress (1.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.2 units; P = 0.04). When volunteers were divided according to their genotypes, baseline FVC was not different between groups (Glu27Glu = 2.4 +/- 0.1 vs. Gln27Gln = 2.1 +/- 0.1 units; P = 0.08), but it was significantly greater in Glu27Glu individuals during mental stress (1.9 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.3 units; P = 0.04). High-fat intake eliminated the difference in FVC responses between Glu27Glu and Gln27Gln individuals (FVC, 1.3 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.4; P = 0.66, respectively). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that a high-fat meal impairs muscle vasodilatation responses to mental stress in humans. However, this reduction can be attributed to the presence of the homozygous Glu27 allele of the beta(2)-adrenoceptor gene.

Short-term specialized enteral diet fails to attenuate malnutrition impairment of experimental open wound acute healing

Objective: We assessed the effect of enteral refeeding on the morphology, gene expression, and contraction of acute open wounds in previously malnourished rats using two different enteral diets. Methods: Adult male isogenic Lewis rats divided into two groups (eutrophic, n = 30; and previously malnourished, 12-15% body weight loss, n = 27) were subjected to cutaneous dorsal wounds and gastrostomy. Control rats received a standard oral diet (AIN-93M chow) plus enteral saline solution. Subject rats received chow plus a standard enteral diet or an enteral diet enriched with arginine and antioxidants. On post-trauma days 7 and 14, wound granulation tissue samples were collected for morphologic analysis using hematoxylin and eosin and picrosirius stain or immunohistochemistry slides and real-time polymerase chain reaction for collagen I and III gene expression. Wound contraction was also evaluated by comparing wound images from days 0,7, and 14. Results: Malnourished control rats had increased intensity and duration of wound inflammation, impaired increase of fibroblast cells contingent on post-trauma days 7 to 14, decreased expression of collagen III, and less wound contraction compared with eutrophic control rats. A specialized enteral diet did not improve wound healing of malnourished rats but did promote wound contraction at post-trauma day 7 in eutrophic rats. Conclusion: Short-term enteral refeeding, even with a specialized diet, failed to protect previously wounded malnourished rats from a prolonged inflammatory phase and impaired healing. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.