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Although severe obesity is associated with insulin resistance (IR) and inflammation, secretory function of intra-abdominal adipose tissues and their relationships with IR and inflammation markers remain poorly understood. Aims were to measure gene expression of adipogenic (C/EBPα/β, PPARγ-1/2, SREBP-1c, LXRα), lipogenic (SCD1, DGAT-1/2), angiogenic (VEGFα, leptin), and fibrotic (LOX, COL6A3) factors in the round ligament (RL), omental (OM), and mesenteric (ME) fat depots and to evaluate their relationships with IR and inflammation markers in 48 women with severe obesity undergoing bariatric surgery. Gene expression was assessed by RT-qPCR, and plasma glucose and insulin (HOMA-IR calculated), PAI-1, IL-6, TNFα, adiponectin, and leptin levels were determined. C/EBPβ and PPARγ-1/2 mRNA levels were more expressed in the OM (0.001p0.05). ME showed the highest expression of C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, DGAT-2, and leptin and the lowest of SCD1, LXRα, VEGFα, and LOX (0.001p0.05). COL6A3 expression was higher in the ME and RL (p0.001). COL6A3 expression was negatively associated with IR indices in the RL (0.01p0.05) and with fasting glycemia and HOMA-IR in the OM (0.001p0.05). VEGFα expression was positively related to TNFα and PAI-1 in the RL (0.001p0.05) and to PAI-1 in the OM (p0.05) and negatively to PAI-1 in the ME (p0.001). Fibrosis gene expression correlated negatively with inflammation in RL and OM (0.001p0.05) and positively with PAI-1 in the ME (0.001p0.05). The varying relationships of gene expression profiles with selected IR indices and inflammation biomarkers further suggest these fat depots have distinct contributions to overall health in premenopausal women with severe obesity.

Sarcopenia and obesity are considered a double health burden. Therefore, the implementation of effective strategies is needed to improve the quality of life of older obese individuals. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on functional capacities, muscle function, body composition and blood biomarkers in obese older adults. Adipose tissue gene expression and markers of muscle mitochondrial content and quality control involved in exercise adaptations were also investigated. Sixty-eight participants performed either HIIT (n = 34) on an elliptical trainer or MICT (n = 34) on a treadmill, three times per week for 12 weeks. HIIT produced significantly higher benefits on some physical parameters (six-minute walking test (HIIT: +12.4% vs. MICT: +5.2%); step test (HIIT: +17.02% vs. MICT: +5.9%); ten-repetition chair test (HIIT: −17.04% vs. MICT: −4.7%)). Although both HIIT and MICT led to an improvement in lower limb power (HIIT: +25.2% vs. MICT: +20.4%), only MICT led to higher improvement in lower limb muscle strength (HIIT: +4.3% vs. MICT: +23.2%). HIIT was more beneficial for increasing total lean body mass (HIIT: +1.58% vs. MICT: −0.81%), while MICT was more effective for decreasing relative gynoid fat mass (HIIT: −1.09% vs. MICT: −4.20%). Regarding adipose tissue gene expression, a significant change was observed for cell death-inducing DFFA (DNA fragmentation factor-alpha)-like effector A (CIDEA) in the HIIT group (A.U; HIIT at T0: 32.10 ± 39.37 vs. HIIT at T12: 48.2 ± 59.2). Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) content, a marker of mitochondrial biogenesis, increased significantly following HIIT (+36.2%) and MICT (+57.2%). A significant increase was observed in the HIIT group for Translocase of Outer Membrane 20 (TOM20; +54.1%; marker of mitochondrial content), Mitofusin-2 (MFN2; +71.6%; marker of mitochondrial fusion) and Parkin RBR E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase (PARKIN; +42.3%; marker of mitophagy). Overall, our results indicate that even though MICT (walking on treadmill) and HIIT (on an elliptical) are effective intervention strategies in obese older adults, HIIT appears to have slightly more beneficial effects. More specifically, HIIT led to higher improvements than MICT on functional capacities, lean mass and skeletal muscle markers of mitochondrial content, fusion, and mitophagy. Thus, MICT but also HIIT (time-efficient training) could be recommended as exercise modalities for obese older adults to maintain or improve mobility, health and quality of life.

Numerous classifications are used to discern metabolically healthy obese (MHO) from metabolically abnormal obese (MAO) individuals. The goal of this study was to compare a single phenotype approach, adiposopathy (i.e., the plasma adiponectin/leptin ratio), with four commonly used classifications (International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Karelis, Lynch, Wildman), all based on obesity with other risk factors), for their ability to discern phenotypic differences between MAO and MHO postmenopausal women. Anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), lipid-lipoprotein, hepatic, inflammatory, and adipokine profiles, as well as glucose-insulin homeostasis, were assessed in 79 obese sedentary postmenopausal women (60 ± 5 years; body mass index, BMI, 34.0 ± 3.7 kg/m2). Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) expression of selected genes involved in fatty acid metabolism and inflammation was used as markers of tissue state (n = 48). Beyond their intrinsic criteria, adiposopathy was almost as effective as the Karelis definition in discerning differences in MHO for adiposity (reduced body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass), lipid-lipoprotein (lower triacylglycerol and higher HDL-cholesterol levels, reduced atherogenic ratios) and adipokine (higher adiponectin and lower leptin levels) profiles, and glucose-insulin homeostasis (lower insulin resistance) as well as for some SCAT gene expression related to lipolysis and lipogenesis, but was the only one able to distinguish these subjects for greater CRF. The other classifications revealed fewer differences between MAO and MHO women. These data suggest that considering a marker of AT dysfunction such as adiposopathy either alone or in addition to other criteria could be potentially interesting in discerning the MHO phenotype.

The product of Aoc3 gene is known as vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1), a glycoprotein contributing to leukocyte extravasation and exhibiting semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase activity (SSAO). Regarding the immune functions of VAP-1/SSAO, it is known that mice bearing Aoc3 gene knock-out (AOC3KO) exhibit defects in leukocyte migration similar to those of mice expressing a mutated VAP-1 lacking functional SSAO activity (knock-in, AOC3KI). However, it has not been reported whether these models differ regarding other disturbances. Thus, we further compared endocrine-metabolic phenotypes of AOC3KO and AOC3KI mice to their respective control. Special attention was paid on adiposity, glucose and lipid handling, since VAP-1/SSAO is highly expressed in adipose tissue (AT). In both mouse lines, no tissue SSAO activity was found, while Aoc3 mRNA was absent in AOC3KO only. Although food consumption was unchanged, both AOC3KO and AOC3KI mice were heavier and fatter than their respective controls. Other alterations commonly found in adipocytes from both lines were loss of benzylamine insulin-like action with unchanged insulin lipogenic responsiveness and adiponectin expression. A similar downregulation of inflammatory markers (CD45, IL6) was found in AT. Glucose handling and liver mass remained unchanged, while circulating lipid profile was distinctly altered, with increased cholesterol in AOC3KO only. These results suggest that the lack of oxidase activity found in AOC3KI is sufficient to reproduce the metabolic disturbances observed in AOC3KO mice, save those related with cholesterol transport. Modulation of SSAO activity therefore constitutes a potential target for the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases, especially obesity when complicated by low-grade inflammation.

The objective of this pilot study was to compare the effects of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and a moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) performed within a fitness center, on various health indices of 49 sedentary and moderately obese women (age 37 ± 7 years; BMI 32 ± 4 kg/m2) randomly assigned to supervised exercise on a cycle ergometer, 3 times/week, during 12 weeks, at 60% (MICT, n=24) or 85% (HIIT, n=25) of their heart rate reserve for weeks 5-12. Anthropometry, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, CRF (2 km-walking test estimated V; O2max), quality of life, QoL (SF-36 Questionnaire), eating behaviors (Three Factor Eating Questionnaire, TFEQ) and perceived health (Short Health Perceived Questionnaire, SHPQ) were obtained before and after training from 10 HIIT vs. 13 MICT participants who completed the program. At baseline, both groups showed similar characteristics, except for a better sleep quality (SHPQ) in MICT than in HIIT participants (p

Apolipoprotein D (ApoD) is a lipocalin participating in lipid transport. It binds to a variety of ligands, with a higher affinity for arachidonic acid, and is thought to have a diverse array of functions. We investigated a potential role for ApoD in insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and thrombosis—processes related to lipid metabolism—in severely obese women. We measured ApoD expression in a cohort of 44 severely obese women including dysmetabolic and non-dysmetabolic patients. Physical and metabolic characteristics of these women were determined from anthropometric measurements and blood samples. ApoD was quantified at the mRNA and protein levels in samples from three intra-abdominal adipose tissues (AT): omental, mesenteric and round ligament (RL). ApoD protein levels were highly variable between AT of the same individual. High ApoD protein levels, particularly in the RL depot, were linked to lower plasma insulin levels (−40%, p = 0.015) and insulin resistance (−47%, p = 0.022), and increased insulin sensitivity (+10%, p = 0.008). Lower circulating pro-inflammatory PAI-1 (−39%, p = 0.001), and TNF-α (−19%, p = 0.030) levels were also correlated to high ApoD protein in the RL AT. ApoD variability between AT was consistent with different accumulation efficiencies and/or metabolic functions according to the anatomic location of fat depots. Most statistically significant correlations implicated ApoD protein levels, in agreement with protein accumulation in target tissues. These correlations associated higher ApoD levels in fat depots with improved metabolic health in severely obese women.

Bien que l’obesite soit associee a un risque accru de maladies cardiovasculaires et de mortalite, des etudes ont rapporte l’existence d’individus obeses ayant un profil metabolique sain ou « metabolically healthy obese » (MHO). Ce phenotype peut etre evalue par de nombreuses classifications qui ne font toujours pas l’objet d’un consensus. Cette revue presente les classifications les plus utilisees, la prevalence et les principales caracteristiques des sujets MHO, leur morbi- mortalite a court et long terme ainsi que l’impact d’interventions de perte de poids chez ces individus.

Numerous classifications are used to discern metabolically healthy obese (MHO) from metabolically abnormal obese (MAO) individuals. The goal of this study was to compare a single phenotype approach, adiposopathy (i.e., the plasma adiponectin/leptin ratio), with four commonly used classifications (International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Karelis, Lynch, Wildman), all based on obesity with other risk factors), for their ability to discern phenotypic differences between MAO and MHO postmenopausal women. Anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), lipid-lipoprotein, hepatic, inflammatory, and adipokine profiles, as well as glucose-insulin homeostasis, were assessed in 79 obese sedentary postmenopausal women (60 ± 5 years; body mass index, BMI, 34.0 ± 3.7 kg/m

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO), identical to primary amine oxidase or vascular adhesion protein-1, is a membrane enzyme that generates hydrogen peroxide. SSAO is highly expressed at the adipocyte surface, and its plasma levels increase with type 2 diabetes. Since visceral adipose tissue (AT) is more tightly associated with obesity complications than subcutaneous (SC) abdominal fat, we compared SSAO activity in plasma and 4 distinct AT locations in 48 severely obese women (body mass index (BMI), averaging 54 ± 11 kg/m2), with or without a dysmetabolic profile. Higher glucose and triacylglycerol levels vs lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol characterized dysmetabolic women (DYS; n = 25) from non-dysmetabolic (NDYS; n = 23), age- and weight-matched subjects. SC, mesenteric (ME), omental (OM), and round ligament (RL) fat locations were collected during bariatric surgery. SSAO capacity to oxidize up to 1 mM benzylamine was determined in AT and plasma with radiometric and fluorimetric methods. Plasma SSAO was higher in the DYS group. SSAO activity was higher in fat than in plasma, when expressed as radiolabeled benzaldehyde per milligram of protein. In ATs from DYS women, protein content was 10 % higher, and basal hydrogen peroxide release lower than in NDYS subjects, except for RL location. The SSAO affinity towards benzylamine did not exhibit regional variation and was not altered by a dysmetabolic profile (Km averaging 184 ± 7 μM; n = 183). Although radiometric and fluorimetric methods gave different estimates of oxidase activity, both indicated that AT SSAO activity did not vary according to anatomical location and/or metabolic status in severely obese women.

Adiposopathy, or sick fat, refers to adipose tissue dysfunction that can lead to several complications such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and hyperglycemia. The relative contribution of adiposopathy in predicting insulin resistance remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between adiposopathy, as assessed as a low plasma adiponectin/leptin ratio, with anthropometry, body composition (hydrostatic weighing), insulin sensitivity (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp), inflammation, and fitness level (ergocycle VO2max, mL/kgFFM/min) in 53 men (aged 34-53 years) from four groups: sedentary controls without obesity (body mass index [BMI]25 kg/m(2)), sedentary with obesity (BMI 30 kg/m(2)), sedentary with obesity and glucose intolerance, and endurance trained active without obesity. The adiponectin/leptin ratio was the highest in trained men (4.75 ± 0.82) and the lowest in glucose intolerant subjects with obesity (0.27 ± 0.06; ANOVA p 0.0001) indicating increased adiposopathy in those with obesity. The ratio was negatively associated with adiposity (e.g., waist circumference, r = -0.59, p 0.01) and positively associated with VO2max (r = 0.67, p 0.01) and insulin sensitivity (M/I, r = 0.73, p 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed fitness as the strongest independent predictor of insulin sensitivity (partial R (2) = 0.61). While adiposopathy was also an independent and significant contributor (partial R (2) = 0.10), waist circumference added little power to the model (partial R (2) = 0.024). All three variables remained significant independent predictors when trained subjects were excluded from the model. Plasma lipids were not retained in the model. We conclude that low fitness, adiposopathy, as well as adiposity (and in particular abdominal obesity) are independent contributors to insulin resistance in men without diabetes.

Gene expression (qPCR) was compared in round ligament (RL), omental (OME) and mesenteric (MES) ATs from 48 severely obese women (BMI, 54±11 kg/m(2); 38±9 yrs). The mRNA levels of enzymes of lipid metabolism (LPL, HSL, and PDE-3B), cortisol production (11βHSD-1), adipogenesis (PPAR-γ1/2), thrombosis and inflammation (PAI-1, IL-6, TNF-α and adiponectin) were determined. AT-LPL mRNA was highest in RL. The highest PDE-3B and lowest PAI-1 mRNA levels were observed in RL and MES. The lowest IL-6 and TNF-α and the highest adiponectin and PPAR-g1/2 mRNA levels were found in RL AT. 11βHSD-1 was highest in RL and OME. A higher lipogenic and adipogenic, and lower pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic profiles of the RL suggest a lesser deleterious impact on obesity-related complications.

Background Sarcopenic obese (SO) individuals are a unique subset of subjects that combines obesity and sarcopenia. Traditional weight loss programmes including aerobic exercises may worsen their condition by further reducing their lean mass. The objective of this observational and retrospective study was to verify the effect of a mixed weight loss programme combining caloric restriction and exercise on body composition, and lipid-lipoprotein profile of obese women according to their sarcopenic status. Methods One hundred and forty-six obese women (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and fat mass ≥ 40%) participated to the 3 week usual and institutionalized weight-reducing programme combining a dietary plan (1400 ± 200 kcal/day) and aerobic exercise (1 h/day, 6 days/week) of a specialized medical institution. The lean body mass index (LMI; lean mass/height2) was calculated, and women in the lowest tertile of LMI were considered SO. Results At baseline, SO women were older, and their body weight and LMI were lower than non-sarcopenic obese (N-SO) women (p

The objective of the study was to examine the effects of a 16-week walking program on food group preferences and energy balance of sedentary, moderately obese (body mass index, 29–35 kg/m2), postmenopausal Caucasian women, aged 60 ± 5 years old. One hundred and fifty-six volunteers were subjected to 3 sessions/week of 45 min of walking at 60% of heart rate reserve. Total energy intake (TEI) and food group preferences (3-day dietary record), total energy expenditure (TEE, 3-day physical activity diary), cardiorespiratory fitness (2-km walking test), anthropometry, and body composition (bioelectrical impedance) were measured before and after walking. Data were statistically analyzed using an ANOVA with repeated measures on 1 factor (time). The modest increase in TEE of 151 ± 24 kcal/day (p < 0.0001) leads to body weight, fat mass losses, and waist girth reduction (p < 0.0001). TEI remained unchanged despite a slight decrease in carbohydrate intake and a minor increase in protein intake (p < 0.05). Analysis of food records revealed a decreased consumption of fruits (p < 0.05) and sweet and fatty foods (p < 0.01), but an increase in oil consumption (p < 0.0001) after walking. Women with the highest body weight loss showed the greatest reduction in the consumption of fruits, sugar, sweet foods, and fatty foods (p < 0.05). Women with the greatest fat mass loss showed the highest decrease in fatty food intake (p < 0.05). In conclusion, although our walking program changed some food group consumption patterns, body weight loss was primarily because of the increased TEE.

The contribution of adiposopathy to glucose-insulin homeostasis remains unclear. This longitudinal study examined the potential relationship between the adiponectin/leptin ratio (A/L, a marker of adiposopathy) and insulin resistance (IR: homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)), insulin sensitivity (IS: Matsuda), and insulin response to an oral glucose tolerance test before and after a 16-week walking program, in 29 physically inactive pre- and postmenopausal women with obesity (BMI, 29–35 kg/m2; age, 47–54 years). Anthropometry, body composition, VO2max, and fasting lipid-lipoprotein and inflammatory profiles were assessed. A/L was unchanged after training (p = 0.15), despite decreased leptin levels (p

Resume Objectif Cette etude a pour but d’analyser les effets de la danse-therapie associee a un programme de perte de poids combinant restriction calorique et exercice, d’une duree de 3 semaines, sur les comportements alimentaires et l’estime de soi de femmes obeses et sedentaires. Methodes Les comportements alimentaires (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire) et l’estime de soi (echelle de Rosenberg), ainsi que le poids et l’indice de masse corporelle ont ete evalues chez 2 groupes de 11 femmes pairees pour l’âge et le niveau de corpulence : l’un suivait la prise en charge classique et l’autre avait un cours additionnel de danse-therapie a raison d’1 heure, 3 fois par semaine. Resultats Le poids et l’IMC sont significativement reduits chez les deux groupes ( p p p p Conclusion Cette etude-pilote montre l’interet d’inclure un atelier de danse-therapie dans une prise en charge de courte duree, combinant diete et reentrainement a l’effort, afin d’ameliorer l’estime de soi et de diminuer la desinhibition alimentaire de femmes obeses.

Background: Methylamine, a natural soluble amine present in foods, is known to be a substrate of primary amine oxidase (PrAO) widely expressed in animal tissues. Methylamine has been reported to activate glucose transport in fat cells and to facilitate glucose disposal in rabbits but the interests and limits of such insulin-mimicking actions have not been further explored. This work aimed to perform a preclinical study of the inter-individual variations of these biological properties to study the putative link between PrAO activity and insulin resistance. Methods: Methylamine was tested on human adipocyte preparations and in rabbit pancreatic islets to determine its influence on glucose uptake and insulin release, respectively. PrAO activity and related responses were determined in adipose tissues obtained from two cohorts of non-obese and obese women. Results: Adipose tissue PrAO activity was negatively correlated with insulin resistance in high-risk obese women. PrAO-dependent activation of glucose uptake was negatively correlated with body mass index and reflected the decrease of insulin responsiveness of human fat cells with increasing obesity. Methylamine exhibited antilipolytic properties in adipocytes but was unable to directly activate insulin secretion in isolated pancreatic islets. Conclusions: PrAO activation by its substrates, e.g., methylamine, increases glucose utilization in human adipocytes in a manner that is linked to insulin responsiveness. Methylamine/PrAO interaction can therefore contribute to adipose tissue enlargement but should be considered as potentially useful for diabetes prevention since it could limit lipotoxicity and facilitate glucose handling, at the expense of favoring healthy fat accumulation.

International audience; Piceatannol is a hydroxylated derivative of resveratrol. While both dietary polyphenols coexist in edible plants and fruits, and share equivalent concentrations in several wines, the influence of piceatannol on adiposity has been less studied than that of resveratrol. Though resveratrol is now recognized to limit fat deposition in various obesity models, the benefit of its dietary supplementation remains under debate regarding human obesity treatment or prevention. The research for more potent resveratrol analogs is therefore still undergoing. This prompted us to compare various effects of piceatannol and resveratrol directly on human adipose tissue (hAT). Hydrogen peroxide release was measured by Amplex Red-based fluorescence in subcutaneous hAT samples from obese patients. Interactions of stilbenes with human amine oxidases and quinone reductase were assessed by radiometric methods, computational docking and electron paramagnetic resonance. Influences on lipogenic and lipolytic activities were compared in mouse adipocytes. Resveratrol and piceatannol inhibited monoamine oxidase (MAO) with respective IC50 of 18.5 and 133.7 μM, but not semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) in hAT. For both stilbenes, the docking scores were better for MAO than for SSAO. Piceatannol and resveratrol similarly hampered hydrogen peroxide detection in assays with and without hAT, while they shared pro-oxidant activities when incubated with purified quinone reductase. They exhibited similar dose-dependent inhibition of adipocyte lipogenic activity. Only piceatannol inhibited basal and stimulated lipolysis when incubated at a dose ≥100 μM. Thus, piceatannol exerted on fat cells dose-dependent effects similar to those of resveratrol, except for a stronger antilipolytic action. In this regard, piceatannol should be useful in limiting the lipotoxicity related to obesity when ingested or administered alone - or might hamper the fat mobilization induced by resveratrol when simultaneously administered with it.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 6 weeks of supramaximal exercise training (SET) on performance variables and metabolic changes in sedentary obese adults.Twenty-four obese adults were randomly allocated into a non-trained (NT) [n = 12; body mass index (BMI) = 33(3)] and SET group [n = 12; BMI = (33(2)]. After baseline metabolic and fitness measurements, the participants completed a 6-week SET intervention. Metabolic, anthropometric, and fitness assessments were repeated post-intervention.For SET, fasting glucose (4.64(0.15) vs. 4.32(0.22) mmol · l–1; P

Plasma volume (PV) is affected by several factors including age, physical training and, acutely, by exercise intensity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIT) on PV and blood pressure (BP) changes among sedentary individuals. Thirty subjects aged between 18 and 71 years [body mass index=30.1(1.2) kg/m2] completed a 6-weeks HIT program. Anthropometric and fitness variables were obtained at pre- and post- HIT. PV variations during warm-up and after supramaximal cycling test (SCT) were calculated using two methods based on Hematocrit (Ht) and Hemoglobin (Hb) measures. After both the warm-up and SCT, PV decreased significantly among participants at pre- and at post-HIT (P < 0.01). However, PV decreases were significantly greater at pre-HIT compared with post-HIT during warm-up and after SCT (P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, at pre-HIT, a positive relationship was found between age and both PV variations at warm-up and after SCT (r2 = 0.55 and r2 = 0.46; P < 0.01 respectively). However, no relationship was found during the post-HIT period. After SCT and after both visits, only body weight predicted 22% of PV variations. In the current study, a significant relationship was found between systolic and diastolic BP improvements and PV variations in post-HIT (r2 = 0.54 and r2=0.56, P < 0.05, respectively). Our results suggest that HIT may improve PV values and reduce the effects of age on the decrease in PV. These interventions led to improvements in systolic and diastolic BP values among participants. © 2018 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Physiological Society and the American Physiological Society This work was supported by the Faculty of Superior Studies and Research of the Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Scopus

The duration of the numerous weight-loss studies that combine physical activity and diet varies from 3 to 14 months, and these studies have often considered pre- and postmenopausal women separately. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 3-week weight-reducing program that combines caloric restriction and exercise on the metabolic profile, eating behaviors, and perceived health of sedentary obese pre- and postmenopausal women, after adjustment for age. In 10 pre- and 22 postmenopausal women, before and after weight loss, body composition, fasting lipid-lipoprotein profile, glucose and insulin levels, eating behaviors, and perceived health state were assessed. Body mass index, fat mass, and waist girth decreased after weight reduction in both groups (p < 0.0001). Reductions in fasting serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were greater in pre- than in postmenopausal women (p < 0.0001), whereas triacylglycerol, glucose, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels decreased similarly in both groups (p < 0.05). Neither fasting insulin nor free fatty-acid concentrations were modified after weight loss in either group. Disinhibition (p < 0.005) and hunger scores on the three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ) (p < 0.05) and the state-anxiety score on the state–trait anxiety inventory (STAI) questionnaire (p < 0.0005) decreased in both groups, but restriction (TFEQ) increased (p < 0.01) and trait anxiety (STAI) decreased (p < 0.001) after weight reduction only in premenopausal women. Improvements in selected lipid-lipoprotein indices, eating behaviors, and perceived health-state components were better in pre- than in postmenopausal women, suggesting that menopausal status has an influence on some metabolic and behavioral responses to weight loss.

Background: The present retrospective study aims to provide additional evidence supporting the fact that waist circumference, in severe obesity, is not a good clinical marker to identify individuals with the metabolic syndrome or an altered metabolic profile. Methods: Relationships between waist circumference and metabolic profile of pre- (n=165) and postmenopausal (n=43) severely obese women were compared to associations observed in pre- (n=52) and postmenopausal (n=35) moderately obese women. Results: Results showed that abdominal obesity assessed by waist circumference was more highly correlated with fasting glycemia, HDL-cholesterol and the cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio in moderately than in severely obese women, before menopause. After menopause, waist circumference was not a valuable predictor of metabolic abnormalities in both groups. Moreover, when waist circumference was included as a criterion of the metabolic syndrome (as defined by the NCEP ATP III guidelines) in severely obese women, the prevalence of this metabolic condition was over-estimated by 72%. Conclusion: These results emphasize the uselessness of waist circumference to assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome or an altered metabolic profile in severely obese women.

Resume Introduction Etudier l'influence de l'âge et de l'obesite sur la condition physique, les capacites fonctionnelles et comportements alimentaires de femmes premenopausees, sedentaires. Synthese des faits L'âge augmente la masse grasse et la circonference de la taille chez les femmes obeses et normoponderales. La distance de marche parcourue et les capacites fonctionnelles diminuent chez les femmes obeses, independamment de l'âge. Parmi les comportements alimentaires evalues, le score de desinhibition est plus eleve chez les femmes obeses, peu importe l'âge. Conclusion L'âge et l'obesite diminuent independamment la condition physique et les capacites fonctionnelles, et augmentent la desinhibition alimentaire chez les femmes premenopausees.

Objective: To examine the impact of a 3-week weight-reducing program on body composition, physical condition, health-related quality of life, and eating behaviors of sedentary, obese (body mass index, 29-35 kg/m 2 ) women, according to menopausal status and menopause duration (

Despite well-established variations in the health risks posed by visceral vs. subcutaneous abdominal (SCABD) fat depots, surprisingly little is known on the differences within a given adipose tissue (AT) among severely obese patients displaying varying metabolic dysfunction. We thus compared, by quantitative PCR, the expression profile of a number of genes in the SCABD, omental (OME), and mesenteric (MES) depots of severely obese women with (DYS; n = 25) or without (NDYS; n = 23) a dysmetabolic profile. Fasting insulinemia and HOmeostasis Model Assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were higher and plasma adiponectin level lower in DYS women (p

Background: Obesity is well known to be associated with an increased prevalence of metabolic complications. Severe obesity is thus expected to have more important alterations of the metabolic profile than moderate obesity. This study aimed to compare the metabolic profile of pre- and postmenopausal severely obese women with moderately obese women. Methods: First, the metabolic profile of pre- (n=165) and postmenopausal (n=43) severely obese women (body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2) was compared to that of pre- (n=52) and postmenopausal (n=35) moderately obese women (BMI of 30-40 kg/m2). Thereafter, pre- and postmenopausal severely obese women were divided into two subgroups according to the presence/absence of a dysmetabolic profile. We used for comparison, a group of pre- and postmenopausal moderately obese women without a dysmetabolic profile. Results: The metabolic profile of pre- and postmenopausal severely obese women was less deteriorated than expected when compared to moderately obese women. Moreover, severely obese women with or without a dysmetabolic profile displayed comparable or even lower plasma levels of cholesterol, HDL and LDL-cholesterol, and a lower cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio than moderately obese women (P≤0.05). After menopause, the metabolic profile of severely obese women, dysmetabolic or not, was similar to that of moderately obese women. Blood pressure was, however, higher in severely obese women compared to moderately obese women, only before menopause (P≤0.0001). Conclusion: These results indicate that despite their large accumulation of adipose tissue, most of the severely obese women had a metabolic profile less deteriorated than expected, when compared to moderately obese women.

Resume Objectifs. – Cette etude s'interesse a l'effet d'une prise en charge pluridisciplinaire sur l'adiposite et la condition physique d'adolescent(e)s. Methodes. – Ces deux parametres ont ete mesures tous les mois, pendant dix mois. Resultats. – L'indice de masse corporelle (IMC) diminue similairement chez les deux sexes. La condition physique augmente au cours du temps. Une difference intersexe apparait en fin de sejour. Par ailleurs, l'evolution du poids des adolescent(e)s, durant le sejour, n'est pas liee a l'âge d'apparition de l'obesite. Aussi, le nombre de parents obeses n'induit pas de differences dans la perte de poids des adolescent(e)s, au cours du sejour. Conclusion. – Notre etude montre qu'une prise en charge pluridisciplinaire a des effets benefiques sur la sante.

In white adipose tissue (WAT), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) can mediate lipolysis, a central pathway in obesity and diabetes. Gene-targeted HSL-deficient (HSL-/-) mice with no detectable HSL peptide or activity (measured as cholesteryl esterase) have WAT abnormalities, including low mass, marked heterogeneity of cell diameter, increased diacylglycerol content, and low beta-adrenergic stimulation of adipocyte lipolysis. Three transgenic mouse strains preferentially expressing human HSL in WAT were bred to a HSL-/- background. One, HSL-/- N, expresses normal human HSL (41.3 +/- 9.1% of normal activity); two express a serine-to-alanine mutant (S554A) initially hypothesized to be constitutively active: HSL-/- ML, 50.3 +/- 12.3% of normal, and HSL-/- MH, 69.8 +/- 15.8% of normal. In WAT, HSL-/- N mice resembled HSL+/+ controls in WAT mass, histology, diacylglyceride content, and lipolytic response to beta-adrenergic agents. In contrast, HSL-/- ML and HSL-/- MH mice resembled nontransgenic HSL-/- mice, except that diacylglycerol content and perirenal and inguinal WAT masses approached normal in HSL-/- MH mice. Therefore, 1) WAT expression of normal human HSL markedly improves HSL-/- WAT biochemically, physiologically, and morphologically; 2) similar levels of S554A HSL have a low physiological effect despite being active in vitro; and 3) diacylglycerol accumulation is not essential for the development of the characteristic WAT pathology of HSL-/- mice.

Background: Many people who are not obese according to standard height and weight criteria may still display features of insulin resistance syndrome and thus be at high risk of ischemic heart disease. We sought to investigate the effect of cumulative features of insulin resistance syndrome on the risk of ischemic heart disease associated with variations in body mass index (BMI) among men who participated in the Quebec Cardiovascular Study. Methods: A cohort of 1824 nondiabetic men free of ischemic heart disease was evaluated at the 1985 baseline evaluation and followed for a period of 13 years, during which 284 first ischemic heart disease events were recorded. Relative hazards (RHs) of ischemic heart disease in 3 BMI groups (normal weight, overweight and obese) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Although obese men (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) were the most likely to accumulate features of insulin resistance syndrome, the univariate risk of ischemic heart disease in this group was not significantly increased compared with normal-weight men (BMI 2 ) (RH 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88–1.80). However, obese men who accumulated more than 4 features of insulin resistance syndrome were at increased risk of ischemic heart disease (RH 1.81, 95% CI 1.02–3.19) compared with normal-weight men who had fewer than 3 features of the syndrome. Conversely, having more than 4 features of insulin resistance syndrome was associated with a 3-fold increase in the risk of ischemic heart disease among normal-weight men (RH 3.01, 95% CI 1.70–5.32). Interpretation: Although obesity is an important risk factor for ischemic heart disease, variations in BMI alone poorly reflect the risk of ischemic heart disease associated with features of insulin resistance syndrome.

The present study examined the associations between a major adipokine, adiponectin, and adiposity indices as well as metabolic risk variables in a sample of 190 untreated asymptomatic men. Anthropometric measurements and a complete fasting plasma lipoprotein and lipid profile were obtained, and subjects underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Fasting plasma adiponectin concentrations were determined by an ELISA. Although all adiposity and adipose tissue (AT) distribution indices were negatively correlated with plasma adiponectin levels (−0.14 ≤ r ≤ −0.32; P < 0.04), multiple regression analyses revealed that visceral AT accumulation was the only independent predictor of adiponectin levels, with 10% of its variance explained by visceral AT (P < 0.0001). Comparison of obese men with similar body mass index values (≥30 kg/m2) but who markedly differed in their level of visceral AT (< vs. ≥130 cm2; n = 15) revealed significant differences in adiponectin levels (7.0 ± 3.0 vs. 11.1 ± 4.9 μg/ml; P < 0.02 for men with high vs. low visceral AT, respectively). Finally, when men were stratified into tertiles of visceral AT and further classified on the basis of the 50th percentile of adiponectin levels (≤ vs. >8.8 μg/ml), a 3 × 2 ANOVA revealed an independent contribution of adiponectin on the variation of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P < 0.002) and of the glucose area (P < 0.02). These results support the notion that adiponectin concentration is influenced to a greater extent by visceral than sc obesity. Furthermore, adiponectin predicts glucose tolerance and plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in a manner that is partly independent from the contribution of visceral adiposity.

The aim of this study was first to examine the relationships between adiponectin gene (Apm1) polymorphisms and anthropometric indices as well as plasma adiponectin and lipoprotein/lipid levels, and then to investigate whether the presence of visceral obesity or insulin resistance may modulate the impact of these polymorphisms on metabolic risk variables. Molecular screening of the Apm1 gene was achieved, and a sample of 270 unrelated men recruited from the greater Quebec City area and selected to cover a wide range of body fatness values was genotyped. Sequencing of the Apm1 gene revealed two previously reported polymorphisms (c.45T>G and c.276G>T) as well as two newly identified genetic variations (−13752delT and −13702G>C). Carriers of the c.276T allele had higher LDL-cholesterol and lower HDL-triglyceride concentrations than did 276G/G homozygotes (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01, respectively). Carriers of the c.45G allele exhibited higher plasma adiponectin concentrations than did 45T/T homozygotes (P = 0.04). After dividing each genotype group into subgroups for visceral AT, homozygotes for the normal allele at position −13752delT, carriers of the c.45G allele, and carriers of the c.276T allele had similar total apolipoprotein B (apoB) concentrations, whether they were viscerally obese or not. These results suggest that some Apm1 gene polymorphisms influence plasma adiponectin concentrations and lipoprotein/lipid levels. In addition, the impact of these polymorphisms is modulated by the presence of visceral obesity.

Circulating endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels have been reported to be associated with vascular complications and endothelial dysfunction in nontransplanted patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ET-1 levels and major cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in renal transplant (RTX) patients with stable graft function.ET-1 levels were determined in 156 RTX patients and the relationship between circulating ET-1 levels and CV risk factors including age, gender, kidney function, blood lipids, diabetes, and hypertension was studied.Circulating ET-1 levels were found to be positively correlated with creatinine (r = 0.25, p0.01) and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.20, p0.05) and inversely correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (r = -0.27, p0.01). Patients with high and intermediate total cholesterol/HDL-C ratios (TC/HDL-C) had significantly higher ET-1 levels when compared to patients with low ratios (7.02 +/- 3.74, 6.79 +/- 2.67, and 5.37 +/- 3.04 pg/ml, respectively, p0.002). Only creatinine, HDL-C, and age40 years were shown to be independent correlates for ET-1 levels according to multivariate analyses. Interestingly, ET-1 levels were significantly higher (+26%, p0.03) in RTX patients with documented CV disease, as compared to those without, when matched for age, gender, and presence of diabetes.Increased circulating ET-1 levels are associated with low HDL-C and documented CV disease in RTX. This is likely a reflection of vascular endothelial damage and dysfunction and therefore may represent an increased risk for atherosclerosis.

In white adipose tissue, lipolysis can occur by hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL)-dependent or HSL-independent pathways. To study HSL-independent lipolysis, we placed HSL-deficient mice in conditions of increased fatty acid flux: β-adrenergic stimulation, fasting, and dietary fat loading. Intraperitoneal administration of the β3-adrenergic agonist CL-316243 caused a greater increase in nonesterified fatty acid level in controls (0.33 ± 0.05 mmol/l) than in HSL−/−mice (0.12 ± 0.01 mmol/l, P < 0.01). Similarly, in isolated adipocytes, lipolytic response to CL-316243 was greatly reduced in HSL−/−mice compared with controls. Fasting for ≤48 h produced normal mobilization and oxidation of fatty acids in HSL−/−mice, as judged by similar values of respiratory quotient and oxygen consumption as in HSL+/+controls. In isolated adipocytes, lipolysis in the absence of β-adrenergic stimulation was 1.9-fold greater in HSL−/−than in HSL+/+cells ( P < 0.05), increasing to 6.5-fold after fasting ( P < 0.01). After 6 wk of a fat-rich diet containing 31.5% of energy as lipid, weight gain of HSL−/−mice was 4.4-fold less than in HSL+/+mice ( P < 0.01), and total abdominal fat mass was 5.2-fold lower in HSL−/−than in HSL+/+mice ( P < 0.01). In white adipose tissue, HSL is essential for normal acute β-adrenergic-stimulated lipolysis and permits normal triglyceride storage capacity in response to dietary fat loading. However, HSL-independent lipolysis can markedly increase during fasting, both in isolated adipocytes and in intact mice, and can mediate a normal flux of fatty acids during fasting.

This study investigated the relevance of using the plasma triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (Log TG/HDL-C) for the prediction of the small dense lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) phenotype and the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Analyses were based on data from the Quebec Cardiovascular Study in a cohort of 2072 men free of IHD at baseline, among whom 262 had a first IHD event (coronary death, non fatal myocardial infarction and unstable angina) during a 13-year follow-up period. LDL particle size phenotype was characterized using 2-16% polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis (PAGGE) of whole plasma. There were significant associations between the Log TG/HDL-C ratio and features of LDL size phenotype such as the proportion of LDL with a diameter255A (r = 0.43, p0.001) and LDL peak particle size (r = -20.55, p0.001). However, the Log TG/HDL-C ratio brought no additional value (p â yen 0.1) in predicting the small dense LDL phenotype (area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC = 71.9%) compared to TG alone (AUROC = 71.2%) or to a combination of Log TG and HDL-C (AUROC = 72.4%) after multivariate adjustment for non lipid risk factors. Finally, elevations in the Log TG/HDL-C ratio did not improve the discrimination of incident IHD cases from non IHD cases compared to the use of plasma TG levels alone (p = 0.5) or a combination of the individual TG and HDL-C values (p = 0.5). The Log TG/HDL-C ratio does not improve our ability to identify individuals with the small dense LDL phenotype compared to plasma TG levels alone. The Log TG/HDLC is also not superior to plasma TG levels alone in predicting IHD risk in men of the QuA(c)bec Cardiovascular Study.

The goal of the present study was to examine cellular mechanisms that regulate adipose cell metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) and intact rats that were subjected to long-term (27 weeks) treatment with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Forty-eight 16-month-old female rats were divided into 4 groups of 9 to 11 animals (intact, intact-DHEA, OVX, OVX-DHEA). Adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE) activities were determined, and alpha2-, beta1/beta2-, and beta3-adrenoceptors (ARs) were quantified. DHEA did not affect body weight, fat, or muscle mass in intact rats. The similar retroperitoneal fat pad weight of intact-DHEA rats compared to intact animals was in agreement with the lack of difference in the enzyme activities and AR densities. The increased body weight of OVX rat was paralleled by a greater retroperitoneal adipose tissue mass (P

This study evaluated the effects of 6 weeks of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) on mechanical efficiency (ME) in young and older groups. Seventeen healthy young adults [26.2(2.4) year], and thirteen healthy older adults [54.5(2.3) year] completed a 6‐week HIIT intervention (three sessions per week) on an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer. Each HIIT session contained six repetitions of supramaximal exercise intervals (6 seconds each) with 2 min of passive recovery between each repetition. ME (%) were computed in net terms across stages corresponding to ventilator thresholds 1 (VT1) and 2 (VT2) and at 100% of maximal oxygen consumption ( V O 2 max) of an incremental maximal cycling test. After 6 weeks, the ME values did not differ between the two groups and were significantly higher than the ones at baseline ( P 0.01). In this study, the multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated the increases in maximal power (Pmax) contributed significantly to ME increases over 6 weeks at VT1, VT2 and at 100% of VO 2max . This model accounted respectively for 28, 38, and 42%, of the increases. In older adults, ME determined during incremental maximal cycling test increases at VT1, VT2 and at 100% over 6‐week HIIT intervention, and the increment appeared to be related to increases in Pmax. HIIT can be recommended as a strategy aimed at improving muscle efficiency among older adults.

Numerous controversies surround the peptide hormone irisin. Although implicated as a myokine promoting the browning of adipose tissue in rodents, its roles in humans remain unclear. Contradictory results have also been found with respect to the relationships between adiposity or metabolic health and plasma irisin levels in humans. We investigated the relationship between irisin levels and body composition (hydrostatic weighing), insulin sensitivity (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp), fitness level (ergocycle VO2max) and skeletal muscle metabolic profile in 53 men (aged 34-53 years) from four groups: sedentary non-obese controls (body mass index [BMI]25 kg/m(2)), sedentary obese (BMI30 kg/m(2)), sedentary obese glucose-intolerant, and non-obese highly trained endurance active. Baseline plasma irisin levels were significantly different between groups, being lowest in trained men (140.6 ± 38.2 ng/mL) and highest in metabolically deteriorated glucose-intolerant subjects (204.0 ± 50.5 ng/mL; ANOVA p = 0.01). Including all subjects, irisin levels were positively associated with adiposity (e.g. fat mass, r = 0.430, p 0.01) and negatively associated with fitness (r = -0.369, p 0.01), insulin sensitivity (M/I, r = -0.355, p 0.01) and muscle citrate synthase (CS) activity (r = -0.482, p 0.01). Most correlations lost statistical significance when excluding active individuals, except for insulin resistance (r = -0.413, p 0.01) and CS (r = -0.462, p 0.01). Multiple regression analyses reveal CS as the strongest independent predictor of irisin levels (r(2) range 0.214 to 0.237). We conclude that muscle oxidative potential is an important factor linked to circulating irisin levels.

Background Sarcopenic obese (SO) individuals are a unique subset of subjects that combines obesity and sarcopenia. Traditional weight loss programmes including aerobic exercises may worsen their condition by further reducing their lean mass. The objective of this observational and retrospective study was to verify the effect of a mixed weight loss programme combining caloric restriction and exercise on body composition, and lipid‐lipoprotein profile of obese women according to their sarcopenic status. Methods One hundred and forty‐six obese women (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and fat mass ≥ 40%) participated to the 3 week usual and institutionalized weight‐reducing programme combining a dietary plan (1400 ± 200 kcal/day) and aerobic exercise (1 h/day, 6 days/week) of a specialized medical institution. The lean body mass index (LMI; lean mass/height2) was calculated, and women in the lowest tertile of LMI were considered SO. Results At baseline, SO women were older, and their body weight and LMI were lower than non‐sarcopenic obese (N‐SO) women (p

The hormone irisin has been described as increasing energy expenditure and improving glucose tolerance in mice, yet its potential role in humans remains controversial. Objective: We describe the association between circulating irisin and insulin resistance in men with wide-ranging fitness levels and metabolic health. Methods: Fifty-two men aged 34-53 yrs from 4 groups were compared: sedentary non-obese controls (BMI 30 kg/m2), sedentary obese glucose intolerant, and non-obese highly trained endurance active. All participants were evaluated for fitness (VO2max), anthropometric profile, circulating metabolic profile, insulin resistance (hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp), and baseline plasma irisin levels (EIA, Phoenix Pharamaceuticals, Inc.). Results: Baseline plasma irisin levels were significantly different between groups (ANOVA p=0.01), being lowest in trained men (1406±382 ng/mL) and highest in metabolically deteriorated glucose intolerant subjects (2040±505 ng/mL). Incl...