-
1.
Effects of probiotic administration on overweight or obese children: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
Li, Y, Liu, T, Qin, L, Wu, L
Journal of translational medicine. 2023;21(1):525
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
The prevalence of overweight or obesity in children is increasing due to changes in dietary structure and exercise habits, as determined by the body mass index (BMI) calculated from height and weight. Childhood obesity can cause some clinical complications such as hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of probiotics on eight factors in children with overweight or obesity. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of four studies with a total of 206 overweight or obesity children. Among them, 105 were in the probiotic group, and 101 were in the placebo group. Results showed that probiotics can improve high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adiponectin, leptin, and TNF-α in overweight or obese children. The systematic review showed that probiotics work mainly by reshaping disturbed intestinal microbiota, regulating lipid metabolism, reducing inflammation and immune response, playing a positive effect of short-chain fatty acids produced, alleviating oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inhibiting the growth and reproduction of pathogens in the gut. Authors concluded that probiotics could regulate lipid metabolism and immune response to some degree in children with overweight or obesity.
Abstract
BACKGROUND This paper aimed to examine the effects of probiotics on eight factors in overweight or obese children by meta-analysis, namely, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), adiponectin, leptin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and summarize the mechanisms of action of probiotics based on the existing researches. METHODS Six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, SinoMed and CNKI) were searched until March 2023. Review Manager 5.4 was used for meta-analysis. The data were analysed using weighted mean differences (WMDs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) under a fixed effect model or random effect model to observe the effects of probiotic administration on the included indicators. RESULTS Four publications with a total of 206 overweight or obesity children were included. According to the meta-analysis, probiotics were able to significantly decrease the levels of HDL-C (MD, 0.06; 95% CI 0.03, 0.09; P = 0.0001), LDL-C (MD, - 0.06; 95% CI - 0.12, - 0.00; P = 0.04), adiponectin (MD, 1.39; 95% CI 1.19, 1.59; P < 0.00001), leptin (MD, - 2.72; 95% CI - 2.9, - 2.54; P < 0.00001) and TNF-α (MD, - 4.91; 95% CI - 7.15, - 2.67; P < 0.0001) compared to those in the placebo group. Still, for BMI, the palcebo group seemed to be better than the probiotic group (MD, 0.85; 95% CI 0.04, 1.66; P = 0.04). TC (MD, - 0.05; 95% CI - 0.12, 0.02; P = 0.14) and TG (MD, - 0.16; 95% CI - 0.36, 0.05; P = 0.14) were not different between two groups. CONCLUSIONS This review drew that probiotics might act as a role in regulating HDL-C, LDL-C, adiponectin, leptin and TNF-α in overweight or obesity children. Additionally, our systematic review yielded that probiotics might regulate lipid metabolism and improve obese associated symptoms by some paths. This meta-analysis has been registered at PROSPERO with ID: CRD42023408359.
-
2.
Vegetarian and vegan diets and the risk of cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.
Dybvik, JS, Svendsen, M, Aune, D
European journal of nutrition. 2023;62(1):51-69
-
-
-
Free full text
-
Plain language summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is mainly due to ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke. Plant-based diets are effective for improving CVD risk factors. This is further supported by the favourable cardiometabolic profile seen among vegetarians who predominantly exclude meat, fish and poultry from their diet, when compared to people consuming meat. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between vegetarian or vegan diets and risk of incidence and mortality from CVD, IHD and stroke, both overall and subtypes. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of thirteen prospective cohort studies. Results show a 15% and a 21% reduction in the relative risk of CVD and IHD, respectively, for vegetarians compared to nonvegetarians, but there wasn’t a clear association for total stroke or subtypes of stroke. Furthermore, an 18% reduction in the relative risk of IHD was observed among vegans when compared to nonvegetarians but the association lacked precision and no clear association was observed for CVD or stroke; however, there were few studies in the analyses of vegans. Authors conclude that their findings are consistent with existing guidelines recommending plant-based dietary patterns for CVD prevention. However, further studies are required to clarify the association between vegetarian diets and stroke risk, as well as the association between vegan diets and IHD.
Abstract
PURPOSE Vegetarian diets have been associated with reduced risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, results regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) overall and stroke are less clear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies on CVD, IHD and stroke risk among vegetarians or vegans versus nonvegetarians to clarify these associations. METHODS PubMed and Ovid Embase databases were searched through August 12, 2021. Prospective cohort studies reporting adjusted relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incidence or mortality from CVD, IHD and stroke, comparing vegetarians and vegans to nonvegetarians were included. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using ROBINS-I and the strength of evidence was assessed using World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) criteria. Summary RRs (95% CIs) were estimated using a random effects model. RESULTS Thirteen cohort studies (844,175 participants, 115,392 CVD, 30,377 IHD, and 14,419 stroke cases) were included. The summary RR for vegetarians vs. nonvegetarians was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.79-0.92, I2 = 68%, n = 8) for CVD, 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71-0.88, I2 = 67%, n = 8) for IHD, 0.90 (95% CI: 0.77-1.05, I2 = 61%, n = 12) for total stroke, and for vegans vs. nonvegetarians was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.68-1.00, I2 = 0%, n = 6) for IHD. RoB was moderate (n = 8) to serious (n = 5). The associations between vegetarian diets and CVD and IHD were considered probably causal using WCRF criteria. CONCLUSIONS Vegetarian diets are associated with reduced risk of CVD and IHD, but not stroke, but further studies are needed on stroke. These findings should be considered in dietary guidelines. REVIEW REGISTRATION No review protocol registered.
-
3.
Effect of oat supplementation interventions on cardiovascular disease risk markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Llanaj, E, Dejanovic, GM, Valido, E, Bano, A, Gamba, M, Kastrati, L, Minder, B, Stojic, S, Voortman, T, Marques-Vidal, P, et al
European journal of nutrition. 2022;61(4):1749-1778
-
-
-
Free full text
-
Plain language summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality among adults. Changes in diet can have a beneficial effect on the prevention and management of CVD. Studies have shown that increasing intake of wholegrains, particularly those containing oat components, reduces CVD risk markers including blood cholesterol, blood glucose and body mass index (BMI). The purpose of this systematic review was to look at the effects of oat supplementation interventions (OSI) on CVD risk markers among adults, accounting for different dietary backgrounds or control arms. 74 RCTs were included (4937 subjects). Supplementing the diet with oat cereals improves CVD risk markers in healthy adults and those with mild metabolic disturbances. In particular serum total and LDL cholesterol, BMI and waist circumference. The beneficial effects on total cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol were independent of the dietary background. The role of OSIs on blood pressure, glucose homeostasis or other markers, could not be established.
Abstract
PURPOSE Oat supplementation interventions (OSIs) may have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, dietary background can modulate such effect. This systematic review assesses the effects of OSIs on CVD risk markers among adults, accounting for different dietary backgrounds or control arms. METHODS We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed the effect of oat, oat beta-glucan-rich extracts or avenanthramides on CVD risk markers. RESULTS Seventy-four RCTs, including 4937 predominantly hypercholesterolemic, obese subjects, with mild metabolic disturbances, were included in the systematic review. Of these, 59 RCTs contributed to the meta-analyses. Subjects receiving an OSI, compared to control arms without oats, had improved levels of total cholesterol (TC) [weighted mean difference and (95% CI) - 0.42 mmol/L, (- 0.61; - 0.22)], LDL cholesterol [- 0.29 mmol/L, (- 0.37; - 0.20)], glucose [- 0.25 nmol/L, (- 0.36; - 0.14)], body mass index [- 0.13 kg/m2, (- 0.26; - 0.01)], weight [- 0.94 kg, (- 1.84: - 0.05)], and waist circumference [- 1.06 cm, (- 1.85; - 0.27)]. RCTs on inflammation and/or oxidative stress markers were scarce and with inconsistent findings. RCTs comparing an OSI to heterogeneous interventions (e.g., wheat, eggs, rice, etc.), showed lowered levels of glycated haemoglobin, diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. The majority of included RCTs (81.1%) had some concerns for risk of bias. CONCLUSION Dietary OSIs resulted in lowered levels of blood lipids and improvements in anthropometric parameters among participants with predominantly mild metabolic disturbances, regardless of dietary background or control. Further high-quality trials are warranted to establish the role of OSIs on blood pressure, glucose homeostasis and inflammation markers.
-
4.
Nigella sativa supplementation improves cardiometabolic indicators in population with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Saadati, S, Naseri, K, Asbaghi, O, Abhari, K, Zhang, P, Li, HB, Gan, RY
Frontiers in nutrition. 2022;9:977756
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Chronic, non-infectious diseases contribute to nearly three-quarters of deaths worldwide. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) together with cardiovascular disease, are the two most common conditions in this category. Insulin resistance, obesity, elevated blood fats, and high blood pressure are typical hallmarks of T2DM and its development and are also significant risk factors for diabetes-related cardiovascular events. The prolonged nature of T2DM and the complications that can go alongside make the condition one of the most costly diseases for healthcare systems hence finding cost-effective therapeutic strategies should be of high importance. Many functional plants and their bioactive components have shown to exert anti-diabetic effects, including Nigella sativa, commonly known as black cumin. Previous studies also reported promising benefits of Nigella on cardiometabolic health. How these effects manifest in individuals with T2DM and those who are prediabetic was analysed in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The review included 11 randomised controlled trials with a total of 666 subjects. The review focused on cardiometabolic measures such as body measurements, blood sugar control, insulin resistance and secretion, blood fats, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Nigella supplementation appeared to have favourable effects on blood sugar control overall but with no changes in the outcomes of oral glucose tolerance tests. Furthermore, Nigella appeared to positively influence on various blood fats, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. There were no changes to fasting insulin, insulin resistance, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-Cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) when compared to the control group. Yet, in a sub-analysis Nigella supplementation enhanced serum levels of 'good' HDL-Cholesterol in a particular group. An improvement in insulin resistance and a decrease in BMI were seen in supplementation trials lasting over 8-weeks with doses of over 1 g/day of Nigella. The authors concluded that Nigella has the potential to improve cardiometabolic parameters by favourably influencing blood sugar metabolism and blood fats, inflammation, and oxidative stress in individuals with prediabetes and T2DM. Hence Nigella supplementation has promsing potential as an adjunct therapeutic in the management of prediabetes and T2DM.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Nigella sativa (N. sativa) from the family Ranunculaceae has medicinal properties. Previous studies have reported promising findings showing that N. sativa may benefit cardiometabolic health; however, current evidence on its cardiometabolic effects on those with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is still unclear. Hence, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of N. sativa on cardiometabolic parameters in population with prediabetes and T2DM. METHODS PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane library were systematically searched up to June 20, 2022. Meta-analyses using random-effects models were used. RESULTS Eleven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. N. sativa intervention resulted in significant changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), c-reactive protein (CRP), and malondialdehyde (MDA), without overall changes in glucose levels after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and body mass index (BMI) when compared with the control group. In subgroup analyses, N. sativa supplementation enhanced serum levels of HDL-C in subjects with baseline HDL-C lower than 40 mg/dL. Furthermore, HOMA-IR and BMI values decreased in the N. sativa-supplemented group compared with the control group, when the length of follow-up was more than 8 weeks and the dose was more than 1 g/day for N. sativa supplementation, respectively. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that N. sativa supplementation may effectively improve cardiometabolic profiles in individuals with prediabetes and T2DM.
-
5.
The effects of olive leaf extract on cardiovascular risk factors in the general adult population: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Razmpoosh, E, Abdollahi, S, Mousavirad, M, Clark, CCT, Soltani, S
Diabetology & metabolic syndrome. 2022;14(1):151
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Modifiable unhealthy behaviours, such as sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and unhealthy food habits, are regarded as important contributors to the widespread prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which occur concurrently in overweight/obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether olive leaf extract (OLE) could improve the major cardiovascular-related variables, including lipid profile, glucose haemostasis, blood pressure, as well as liver/kidney and inflammatory markers in the general adult population. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of twelve randomised controlled studies. Results show that OLE supplementation: - significantly decreased triglycerides and systolic blood pressure levels. - only had short-term positive effects on blood pressure and lipid profiles, which may be attributed to the active constituents in OLE. - had more profitable effects on the improvement of triglycerides, blood pressure, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol measures among participants with hypertension and individuals with normal body weight. Authors conclude that stronger randomised controlled trial investigations, assessing different doses and durations of OLE, are required to better elucidate the effects of OLE supplementation.
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effect of olive leaf extract (OLE) supplementation on cardiovascular-related variables, including lipid, glycemic, inflammatory, liver and renal-related factors, as well as blood pressure. METHODS PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane library were searched, up to October 2021, for relevant controlled trials. Mean differences and standard deviations were pooled for all outcomes, using a random-effects model. The methodological quality, as well as quality of evidence were assessed using standard tools. RESULTS Twelve studies (n = 819 participants) were included in our analyses. Overall analyses showed that OLE supplementation significantly decreased triglyceride (TG) levels (WMD = - 9.51 mg/dl, 95% CI - 17.83, - 1.18; P = 0.025; I2 = 68.7%; P-heterogeneity = 0.004), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD = - 3.86 mmHg, 95% CI - 6.44, - 1.28 mmHg; P = 0.003; I2 = 19.9%; P-heterogeneity = 0.28). Subgroup analyses also revealed a significant improvement in SBP (- 4.81 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (- 2.45 mmHg), TG (- 14.42 mg/dl), total cholesterol (TC) (- 9.14 mg/dl), and low-density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C) (- 4.6 mg/dl) measurements, in patients with hypertension. Significant reductions were also observed in TC (- 6.69 mg/dl), TG (- 9.21 mg/dl), and SBP (- 7.05 mmHg) in normal-weight individuals. However, no meaningful changes were seen in glucose hemostasis, liver and kidney, or inflammatory markers. CONCLUSION The present study revealed that supplementation with OLE yielded beneficial effects for blood pressure and lipid profile in adults, especially in patients with hypertension. As the quality of evidence for glucose hemostasis variables, liver, kidney, and inflammatory markers, were low-to-very low, higher quality RCTs may impact the overarching results. This study was registered at PROSPERO with the code CRD42022302395.
-
6.
Psoriasis and cardiovascular disease risk in European and East Asian populations: evidence from meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization analysis.
Zhang, L, Wang, Y, Qiu, L, Wu, J
BMC medicine. 2022;20(1):421
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Psoriasis constitutes a chronic, inflammatory skin disease with an immune-genetic basis that has been linked to numerous diseases, including metabolic syndrome, cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to determine if the relationship of psoriasis with CV events (CVE) risk is congruent with causal associations. This study is a report employing a meta-analysis of observational studies and a two-sample mendelian randomised trial (MR). Results from the meta-analysis show that psoriasis was remarkably associated with a higher risk of incident coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) and was not associated with heart failure risk. Furthermore, the MR approach showed that psoriasis was linked with a higher risk of CAD in both European and East Asian populations. Additionally, psoriasis was also causally linked to an elevated risk of MI in European population. Authors conclude that their findings indicate a causal association of psoriasis with CAD and MI. However, further studies are needed to establish the mechanisms of the causal relationship of psoriasis with CAD and MI.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psoriasis has been linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), and heart failure (HF). However, available studies regarding this relationship have shown inconsistent results. Therefore, in this report, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature to assess the effects of psoriasis on risk of these CVDs. METHODS A search of literature until 24 December 2021 was done in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase. Within European and East Asian populations, meta-analyses of observational studies assessing correlations between psoriasis and various CVD risk factors were conducted. Mendelian randomization (MR) was then employed to assess the causative impact of genetic pre-disposition for psoriasis on these CVD risk factors. RESULTS The results of the meta-analyses indicated that, in both the European and East Asian populations, psoriasis was significantly linked to an elevated risk in the incidence of CAD (RR = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-2.18, p = 0.028 and RR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.62-2.25, p < 0.001) and MI (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.04-1.46, p = 0.017 and RR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.44-3.28, p < 0.001). A positive genetic relationship of psoriasis with CAD was found in European individuals (IVW OR1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, p = 0.005) and in East Asian individuals (IVW OR1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.32, p = 0.031). We also established that psoriasis was causally linked with an elevated risk of MI (IVW OR1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.09, p = 0.026) in the European population as determined using an MR approach. Moreover, our MR results were congruent with the null findings from the meta-analysis assessing associations of psoriasis with HF risk. CONCLUSIONS This research work provides preliminary evidence that psoriasis and CVD have a common genetic origin and that targeted psoriasis treatment might improve cardiovascular outcomes. These results not only increase our knowledge of the genetic underpinnings linking a comorbidity of psoriasis with CVD but also suggests a novel approach for CVD prevention.
-
7.
Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Adult Mortality Risk: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of 207,291 Participants.
Suksatan, W, Moradi, S, Naeini, F, Bagheri, R, Mohammadi, H, Talebi, S, Mehrabani, S, Hojjati Kermani, MA, Suzuki, K
Nutrients. 2021;14(1)
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Globally, consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has risen in most middle- or high-income countries and gradually displaced fresh and minimally processed foods. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis (of 7 studies) to determine if UPF intake is associated with mortality risk. Results indicate that UPF consumption was associated with an elevated risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease-cause mortality, and heart-cause mortality. However, there was no association between UPF consumption and cancer-cause mortality. Authors conclude that future studies should also investigate whether ultra-processing indices can demonstrate an association between diet and mortality compared with other nutritional quality scores/indices.
Abstract
We performed a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies assessing the association between UPF consumption and adult mortality risk. A systematic search was conducted using ISI Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus electronic databases from inception to August 2021. Data were extracted from seven cohort studies (totaling 207,291 adults from four countries). Using a random-effects model, hazard ratios (HR) of pooled outcomes were estimated. Our results showed that UPF consumption was related to an enhanced risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.30; I2 = 21.9%; p < 0.001), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)-cause mortality (HR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.37, 1.63; I2 = 0.0%; p < 0.001), and heart-cause mortality (HR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.50, 1.85; I2 = 0.0%; p = 0.022), but not cancer-cause mortality. Furthermore, our findings revealed that each 10% increase in UPF consumption in daily calorie intake was associated with a 15% higher risk of all-cause mortality (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.21; I2 = 0.0%; p < 0.001). The dose-response analysis revealed a positive linear association between UPF consumption and all-cause mortality (Pnonlinearity = 0.879, Pdose-response = p < 0.001), CVDs-cause mortality (Pnonlinearity = 0.868, Pdose-response = p < 0.001), and heart-cause mortality (Pnonlinearity = 0.774, Pdose-response = p < 0.001). It seems that higher consumption of UPF is significantly associated with an enhanced risk of adult mortality. Despite this, further experimental studies are necessary to draw a more definite conclusion.
-
8.
Obesity, Cardiovascular Disease, and Influenza: How Are They Connected?
Gutiérrez-Spillari, L, Palma M, G, Aceituno-Melgar, J
Current tropical medicine reports. 2020;7(3):92-97
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Retrospective studies demonstrate that during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, obesity was identified as a risk factor for hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and mortality upon infection. This study is a review which focuses on how obesity and cardiovascular disease impact influenza response. A higher body mass index and metabolic syndrome in patients with influenza have shown an increased risk and length of hospitalization, increased disease severity, morbidity, and mortality during lower respiratory tract infections. Obesity causes a chronic state of inflammation in a generalized and constant way with negative effects on immunity. In fact, obese people have delayed immune responses to influenza virus infection and experience slower recovery from the disease. Thus, recent recommendation advocates the priority of vaccination against influenza in obese patients. Furthermore, cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic heart disease and heart failure combined with influenza A infection, can trigger acute heart failure exacerbations that increase the overall mortality in a hospitalized setting. The cardioprotective mechanism of influenza vaccination may not function effectively in obese cohorts, thus authors conclude that in order to prevent these complications and in the absence of special consideration treatments for this population, a weight-loss approach is highly recommended.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To better understand the impact of obesity and cardiovascular diseases on influenza A infection. RECENT FINDINGS This infection could have detrimental outcomes in obese patients with cardiovascular diseases, such as an increased risk, length of hospitalization, disease severity, morbidity, and mortality. Nevertheless, there also might be some cardioprotective benefits associated with influenza vaccination, such as a reduced mortality, hospitalization, and acute coronary syndromes, in patients with coronary heart disease and/or heart failure. SUMMARY Obesity negatively impacts immune function and host defense. Recent studies report obesity to be an independent risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality following infection. Obese patients might need special considerations in the treatment; however, there is not enough evidence to fully comprehend the mechanisms behind the reduced immunocompetence when influenza A infection occurs. Future studies should focus on special consideration treatments when the patients have not been vaccinated and have cardiovascular diseases.
-
9.
Meta-inflammaging at the crossroad of geroscience.
Chen, G, Yung, R
Aging medicine (Milton (N.S.W)). 2019;2(3):157-161
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
The concept of “geroscience” represents a perspective in the understanding of the molecular underpinning of aging. Currently, seven biological processes are regarded as the underpinning of the aging process. This study is a review which focused on the link between chronic low‐grade sterile inflammation prevalent in old age and obesity‐associated metabolic inflammation. Old age, particularly in elderly adults with poor physical function or frailty, is linked to a state of chronic low‐grade sterile inflammation (inflammaging) with elevated pro‐inflammatory cytokines [a general term for the immunoregulatory cytokines that favour inflammation]. Another potential source of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in aging is adipose, or fat tissue, which can be the largest organ in obese individuals. Obesity has been linked to a low‐grade sterile chronic inflammatory state, with similarities to inflammaging, and is termed “metainflammation”. Adiposity has emerged as a major source of inflammation in both diet‐ and aging‐associated obesity, which in turn is linked to most common diseases in old age.
Abstract
Geroscience posits that selected fundamental biological processes are the foundation of age-related chronic diseases and are responsible for the decline in physical and mental function in old age. Late-life chronic low-grade inflammation ("inflammaging") and altered signal transduction pathways in metabolism have been identified as two of the key themes in the aging process. Age-related changes in the immune and metabolic responses are also recognized as playing a critical pathogenic role in most common chronic medical conditions that plague the elderly. Emerging investigations emphasize the interconnectedness of the immune and metabolic responses in aging, an area of gerontological research that can be termed "meta-inflammaging."
-
10.
Adiponectin-leptin ratio: A promising index to estimate adipose tissue dysfunction. Relation with obesity-associated cardiometabolic risk.
Frühbeck, G, Catalán, V, Rodríguez, A, Gómez-Ambrosi, J
Adipocyte. 2018;7(1):57-62
-
-
-
Free full text
-
Plain language summary
Obesity is medically defined as a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue, of sufficient extent to produce adverse health consequences. Presently, adipose tissue has emerged as an extremely active endocrine organ, based on its ability to secrete a plethora of biologically active adipokines [a class of cytokine mediators that are predominantly secreted by adipose cells] such as leptin and adiponectin. Furthermore, obesity is characterized by an increase in circulating leptin concentrations, in parallel to a decrease in blood levels of adiponectin. Thus, the adiponectin/leptin ratio has been suggested as a marker of adipose tissue dysfunction. A dysfunctional adipose tissue, evidenced by a lower adiponectin/ leptin ratio, is a clear contributor to the low-grade chronic inflammation associated with metabolic syndrome. Authors conclude that this ratio is highly and negatively correlated with markers of low-grade chronic inflammation emerging as a useful estimator of obesity- and metabolic syndrome- associated cardiometabolic risk.
Abstract
Obesity is currently the most extended metabolic disturbance worldwide favoring the development of cardiometabolic alterations such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MS) are characterized by an increase in circulating leptin concentrations, in parallel to a decrease in blood levels of adiponectin. Consequently, the adiponectin/leptin ratio has been suggested as a maker of adipose tissue dysfunction. This emerging biomarker correlates with insulin resistance better than adiponectin or leptin alone, or even HOMA and is decreased with increasing number of metabolic risk factors having been proposed as a predictive marker for the MS. Moreover, the adiponectin/leptin ratio is negatively correlated with markers of low-grade chronic inflammation. In this sense, an increase in this ratio has been related with reduced atherosclerosis risk as well as with a decreased risk of some types of cancer in epidemiological studies. In this commentary we propose new cutoffs to estimate obesity- and MS-associated cardiometabolic risk according to the adiponectin/leptin ratio and discuss different therapeutic strategies to increase this promising biomarker of metabolic risk.