Reduction of body weight by increased loading is associated with activation of norepinephrine neurones in the medial nucleus of the solitary tract

Increased weight-load improves body composition by reducing fat mass and waist circumference, and by increasing lean mass in participants with obesity: a single-centre randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effects of increased weight-loading on body weight, body composition, fat mass distribution, physical activity and energy balance in individuals with obesity.

METHODS

This single-centre non-blinded randomised controlled trial was conducted from August 1, 2021, through February 28, 2022. Adults with obesity class 1 (body mass index, BMI 30-35 kg/m2) were assigned to wear either a heavy (high load; 11% of body weight, n = 28) or light (low load; 1% of body weight, n = 30) weight vest for 8 h per day over 5 weeks.

RESULTS

High-load treatment reduced fat mass (mean difference - 2.60%; 95% CI - 3.79, - 1.41) and increased lean mass (mean difference 1.40%; 95% CI 0.37, 2.42), with no significant effect on body weight. Fat mass reductions were primarily observed in weight-loaded regions but not in the non-weight-bearing regions such as the arms. Waist circumference decreased (mean difference - 2.26%; 95% CI - 3.81, - 0.71) in the high-load group compared to the low-load group. Despite these beneficial changes, sedentary time was higher in the high-load group (mean difference 4.69%; 95% CI 0.98, 8.39) compared to the low-load group, while energy expenditure and energy intake remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased weight-loading reduced fat mass and increased lean mass, resulting in a healthier body composition. These effects were achieved despite no increase in physical activity. The fat mass-reducing effect was primarily seen in weight-loaded regions, implying local adaptation to the increased loading.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04697238) in 2021.

Xiasangju alleviate metabolic syndrome by enhancing noradrenaline biosynthesis and activating brown adipose tissue

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clinical condition associated with multiple metabolic risk factors leading to type 2 diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases. Recent evidence suggests that modulating adipose tissue to adaptive thermogenesis may offer therapeutic potential for MetS. Xiasangju (XSJ) is a marketed drug and dietary supplement used for the treatment of metabolic disease with anti-inflammatory activity. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of XSJ and the underlying mechanisms affecting the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in MetS. The results revealed that XSJ ameliorated MetS by enhancing glucose and lipid metabolism, leading to reduced body weight and abdominal circumference, decreased adipose tissue and liver index, and improved blood glucose tolerance. XSJ administration stimulated catecholamine biosynthesis, increasing noradrenaline (NA) levels and activating NA-mediated proteins in BAT. Thus, BAT enhanced thermogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Moreover, XSJ induced changes in gut microbiota composition, with an increase in Oscillibacter abundance and a decrease in Bilophila, Candidatus Stoquefichus, Holdemania, Parasutterella and Rothia. XSJ upregulated the proteins associated with intestinal tight junctions corresponding with lower serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels to maintain NA signaling transport. In summary, XSJ may alleviate MetS by promoting thermogenesis in BAT to ultimately boost energy metabolism through increasing NA biosynthesis, strengthening intestinal barrier integrity and reducing low-grade inflammation. These findings suggest XSJ has potential as a natural therapeutic agent for the treatment of MetS.