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Summary The endocrine consequences of weight loss by bariatric surgery (BS) and caloric restriction are not fully understood but contribute to variable improvements in insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic health. This study compared changes in insulin sensitivity and plasma concentrations of gut peptides 8 weeks and 1 year after BS and a low‐calorie diet (LCD). Nineteen female patients with obesity self‐selected BS (gastric bypass [n = 5] or sleeve gastrectomy [n = 7]) or LCD (n = 7) in this parallel‐arm, prospective observational study. We assessed insulin sensitivity via a two‐step hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp (20 and 80 mU/min/m2 insulin). Plasma glucose, insulin, and gut peptides were measured around a mixed meal tolerance test (400 kcal). Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to rate subjective appetite sensations. All assessments were conducted at baseline and after 8 weeks and 1 year of intervention. Whole‐body insulin sensitivity was unchanged 8 weeks after the intervention. One year after surgery, insulin sensitivity at both 20 and 80 mU/m2/min insulin infusion doses increased with BS weight loss (−33.8% ± 1.4% body weight) but was unchanged in LCD with small weight loss (−3.7% ± 2.0% body weight). Postprandial total PYY increased more following BS while total and acylated ghrelin decreased more following BS compared to LCD. Hunger decreased and fullness increased with BS compared to LCD (p = .037; p = .010, respectively). Insulin sensitivity was improved only 1 year after BS, despite significant weight loss after 8 weeks. Changes in gut peptides after BS paralleled reduced hunger and increased fullness. Most improvements in cardiometabolic health were related to weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Fetuin B is a steatosis‐responsive hepatokine that causes glucose intolerance in mice, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely described. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of action of fetuin B by investigating its putative effects on white adipose tissue metabolism. Methods: First, fetuin B gene and protein expression was measured in multiple organs in mice and in cultured adipocytes. Next, the authors performed a hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp in mice and in humans to examine the link between white adipose tissue fetuin B content and indices of insulin sensitivity. Finally, the effect of fetuin B on inflammation was investigated in cultured adipocytes by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and full RNA sequencing. Results: This study demonstrated in adipocytes and mice that fetuin B was produced and secreted by the liver and taken up by adipocytes and adipose tissue. There was a strong negative correlation between white adipose tissue fetuin B content and peripheral insulin sensitivity in mice and in humans. RNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that fetuin B induced an inflammatory response in adipocytes. Conclusions: Fetuin B content in white adipose tissue strongly associated with peripheral insulin resistance in mice and humans. Furthermore, fetuin B induced a proinflammatory response in adipocytes, which might drive peripheral insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Measures during the COVID‐19 pandemic, including the closure of schools and sports facilities, may have lasting impact on the physical activity (PA) of children that persists for a long time. Objective: To investigate the effect of COVID‐19 measures on screen time and PA in Dutch children pre‐, during‐ and post‐school closures. Methods: In cohort A (n = 102, 10.5 ± 3.6 years, 42.4% boys), data on PA and screen time during the lockdown were collected using a questionnaire. In cohort B (n = 131, 10.2 ± 0.9 years, 43.5% boys), data on PA and screen time were collected using a questionnaire and accelerometry 1 year before and after school closure. Results: In cohort A, 62% reported less total PA. Self‐reported screen time on week days increased 34 ± 105 min/d during the lockdown. In cohort B, sedentary time as measured by accelerometry, increased by 45 ± 67 min/d and only 20% reached PA levels of 60 min/d compared to 64% in May 2019. Self‐reported screen time increased by 59 ± 112 min/d and 62 ± 130 min/d during week and weekend days, respectively. Conclusions: Children were less physically active, and screen time was higher during and after the school closures due to the COVID‐19 lockdown. This is alarming as an active lifestyle in children is crucial in preventing chronic diseases such as obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestinal microbiota may contribute to the development of obesity by affecting host lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. To investigate the effects of microbiota manipulation on ex vivo basal and b-adrenergically-stimulated lipolysis in human adipocytes, 36 obese men were randomized to amoxicillin (broad-spectrum antibiotic), vancomycin (narrow-spectrum antibiotic) or placebo treatment (7 d, 1500 mg/d). Before and after treatment, ex vivo adipose tissue lipolysis was assessed under basal conditions and during stimulation with the non-selective b-agonist isoprenaline using freshly isolated mature adipocytes. Gene (targeted microarray) and protein expression were analyzed to investigate underlying pathways. Antibiotics treatment did not significantly affect basal and maximal isoprenaline-mediated glycerol release from adipocytes. Adipose tissue b-adrenoceptor expression or post-receptor signalling was also not different between groups. In conclusion, 7 d oral antibiotics treatment has no effect on ex vivo lipolysis in mature adipocytes derived from adipose tissue of obese insulin resistant men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypertensive pregnancy disorder preeclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of fetal and maternal morbidity/mortality. Obesity increases the risk to develop PE, presumably via the release of inflammatory mediators from the adipose tissue, but the exact etiology remains largely unknown. Using obese PE-like blood pressure high subline 5 (BPH/5) and lean gestational age-matched C57Bl6 mice, we aimed to obtain insight into differential reproductive white adipose tissue (rWAT) gene expression, circulating lipids and inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface during early pregnancy. In addition, we investigated the effect of 7 days 25% calorie restriction (CR) in early pregnancy on gene expression in rWAT and implantation sites. Compared with C57Bl6, female BPH/5 are dyslipidemic before pregnancy and show an amplification of rWAT mass, circulating cholesterol, free fatty acids, and triacylglycerol levels throughout pregnancy. RNA sequencing showed that pregnant BPH/5 mice have elevated gene enrichment in pathways related to inflammation and cholesterol biosynthesis at embryonic day ( e ) 7.5 . Expression of cholesterol-related HMGCS1 , MVD , Cyp51a1 , and DHCR was validated by quantitative reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction. CR during the first 7 days of pregnancy restored the relative mRNA expression of these genes to a level comparable to C57Bl6 pregnant females and reduced the expression of circulating leptin and proinflammatory prostaglandin synthase 2 in both rWAT and implantation sites in BPH/5 mice at e7.5 . Our data suggest a possible role for rWAT in the dyslipidemic state and inflammatory uterine milieu that might underlie the pathogenesis of PE. Future studies should further address the physiological functioning of the adipose tissue in relation to PE-related pregnancy outcomes.