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Serum, Urine, and Fecal Metabolome Alterations in the Gut Microbiota in Response to Lifestyle Interventions in Pediatric Obesity: A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial.
Lee, Y, Cho, JY, Cho, KY
Nutrients. 2023;15(9)
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Paediatric obesity is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and metabolic syndrome. Diverse evidence suggests that obesity is associated with alterations in the gut microbiota and its metabolites. The aim of this study was to understand the metabolic pathways underlying paediatric obesity and the effect of intervention, which could provide guidance for the treatment of obesity. This study was a non-randomised clinical trial which enrolled 50 children with obesity and 22 normal-weight children aged 7–18 years. Results showed that imbalances in microbiota and metabolites were associated with both obesity and response to the intervention. The most distinct metabolic alterations in the obese group were branched-chain amino acid and purine changes. Authors conclude that the findings of their study could be valuable for identifying novel targets and biomarkers for the treatment of obesity.
Abstract
Pediatric obesity is associated with alterations in the gut microbiota and its metabolites. However, how they influence obesity and the effect of lifestyle interventions remains unknown.. In this non-randomized clinical trial, we analyzed metabolomes and microbial features to understand the associated metabolic pathways and the effect of lifestyle interventions on pediatric obesity. Anthropometric/biochemical data and fasting serum, urine, and fecal samples were collected at baseline and after an eight-week, weight-reduction lifestyle modification program. Post-intervention, children with obesity were classified into responder and non-responder groups based on changes in total body fat. At baseline, serum L-isoleucine and uric acid levels were significantly higher in children with obesity compared with those in normal-weight children and were positively correlated with obesogenic genera. Taurodeoxycholic and tauromuricholic α + β acid levels decreased significantly with obesity and were negatively correlated with obesogenic genera. Branched-chain amino acid and purine metabolisms were distinguished metabolic pathways in the obese group. Post-intervention, urinary myristic acid levels decreased significantly in the responder group, showing a significant positive correlation with Bacteroides. Fatty acid biosynthesis decreased significantly in the responder group. Thus, lifestyle intervention with weight loss is associated with changes in fatty acid biosynthesis, and myristic acid is a possible therapeutic target for pediatric obesity.
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A Pecan-Rich Diet Improves Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
McKay, DL, Eliasziw, M, Chen, CYO, Blumberg, JB
Nutrients. 2018;10(3)
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There has been a global rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (TD2M) and dietary risk factors are a known contributor. While evidence has shown that an increased intake of tree nuts is associated with a reduced risk of disease indicators, there is limited research specifically on the effects of pecans. The aim of this randomised crossover trial was to assess the impact of pecan consumption on biomarkers related to CVD and T2DM risk in 26 overweight or obese women. Participants consumed a pecan-rich diet with an iso-caloric control diet of similar fat and fibre content, but absent in nuts, for four weeks with a two-week washout period. This trial demonstrated that displacing a portion of saturated fat in the typical American diet with pecans has a protective effect for CVD and TD2M. Based on these results, the authors recommend using dietary change as a first-line approach to disease prevention and management and suggest further studies be done to better understand potential benefits and associated mechanisms.
Abstract
Evidence from observational and intervention studies has shown a high intake of tree nuts is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), mortality from type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and all-cause mortality. However, there is limited data regarding their effects on indicators of cardiometabolic risk other than hypercholesterolemia, and little is known about the demonstrable health benefits of pecans (Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.) K.Koch). We conducted a randomized, controlled feeding trial to compare the effects of a pecan-rich diet with an isocaloric control diet similar in total fat and fiber content, but absent nuts, on biomarkers related to CVD and T2DM risk in healthy middle-aged and older adults who are overweight or obese with central adiposity. After 4 weeks on a pecan-rich diet, changes in serum insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA-β) were significantly greater than after the control diet (p < 0.05). Pecan consumption also lowered the risk of cardiometabolic disease as indicated by a composite score reflecting changes in clinically relevant markers. Thus, compared to the control diet, the pecan intervention had a concurrent and clinically significant effect on several relevant markers of cardiometabolic risk.