Association of circulating adipokine concentrations with indices of adiposity and sex in healthy, adult client owned cats

The adipokines progranulin and omentin can directly regulate feline ovarian granulosa cell functions

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the adipokines progranulin and omentin on the basic functions of feline ovarian cells. For this purpose, we investigated the effects of the addition of progranulin and omentin (0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/ml) on the proliferation (accumulation of PCNA and cyclin B1), apoptosis (accumulation of Bax and caspase 3) and progesterone release of cultured feline ovarian granulosa cells by quantitative immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Both progranulin and omentin increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis. Both progranulin and omentin promoted progesterone release. The present findings demonstrate that the adipokines progranulin and omentin can directly regulate basic feline ovarian cell functions.

Blubber gene expression and cortisol concentrations reveal changing physiological stress in a Southern ocean sentinel species

The health of migratory eastern Australian humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) can reflect the condition of their remote polar foraging environments. This study used gene expression (LEP, LEPR, ADIQ, AhR, TNF-α, HSP-70), blubber hormone concentrations (cortisol, testosterone), and photogrammetric body condition to assess this sentinel species during a period of unprecedented changes to anthropogenic activity and natural processes. The results revealed higher cortisol concentrations in 2020 compared to 2021, suggesting a decline in physiological stress between years. Additionally, metabolic transcripts LEPR, and AhR, which is also linked to xenobiotic metabolism, were upregulated during the 2020 southbound migration. These differences suggest that one or more environmental stressors were reduced between 2020 and 2021, with upregulated AhR possibly indicating a Southern Ocean pollutant declined between the years. This research confirms a Southern Ocean-wide decrease in whale stress during the study period and informs efforts to identify key stressors on Antarctic marine ecosystems.

Drug release profile of a novel exenatide long-term drug delivery system (OKV-119) administered to cats

Beneficial weight-loss properties of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) in obese people, with corresponding improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors, are well established. OKV-119 is an investigational drug delivery system that is being developed for the long-term delivery of the GLP-1RA exenatide to feline patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the drug release characteristics of subcutaneous OKV-119 implants configured to release exenatide for 84 days. Following a 7-day acclimation period, five purpose-bred cats were implanted with OKV-119 protypes and observed for a 112-day study period. Food intake, weekly plasma exenatide concentrations and body weight were measured. Exenatide plasma concentrations were detected at the first measured timepoint (Day 7) and maintained above baseline for over 84 Days. Over the first 28 days, reduced caloric intake and a reduction in body weight were observed in four of five cats. In these cats, a body weight reduction of at least 5% was maintained throughout the 112-day study period. This study demonstrates that a single OKV-119 implant can deliver the GLP-1RA exenatide for a months long duration. Results suggest that exposure to exenatide plasma concentrations ranging from 1.5 ng/ml to 4 ng/ml are sufficient for inducing weight loss in cats.

Adipokines as potential biomarkers for type 2 diabetes mellitus in cats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is no longer only a disease of humans, but also of domestic animals, and it particularly affects cats. It is increasingly thought that because of its unique characteristics, T2DM may belong not only to the group of metabolic diseases but also to the group of autoimmune diseases. This is due to the involvement of the immune system in the inflammation that occurs with T2DM. Various pro- and anti-inflammatory substances are secreted, especially cytokines in patients with T2DM. Cytokines secreted by adipose tissue are called adipokines, and leptin, adiponectin, resistin, omentin, TNF-α, and IL-6 have been implicated in T2DM. In cats, approximately 90% of diabetic cases are T2DM. Risk factors include older age, male sex, Burmese breed, presence of obesity, and insulin resistance. Diagnosis of a cat requires repeated testing and is complicated compared to human diagnosis. Based on similarities in the pathogenesis of T2DM between humans and cats, adipokines previously proposed as biomarkers for human T2DM may also serve in the diagnosis of this disease in cats.

Measures of insulin sensitivity, leptin, and adiponectin concentrations in cats in diabetic remission compared to healthy control cats

Objectives

Firstly, to compare differences in insulin, adiponectin, leptin, and measures of insulin sensitivity between diabetic cats in remission and healthy control cats, and determine whether these are predictors of diabetic relapse. Secondly, to determine if these hormones are associated with serum metabolites known to differ between groups. Thirdly, if any of the hormonal or identified metabolites are associated with measures of insulin sensitivity.

Animals

Twenty cats in diabetic remission for a median of 101 days, and 21 healthy matched control cats.

Methods

A casual blood glucose measured on admission to the clinic. Following a 24 h fast, a fasted blood glucose was measured, and blood sample taken for hormone (i.e., insulin, leptin, and adiponectin) and untargeted metabolomic (GC-MS and LC-MS) analysis. A simplified IVGGT (1 g glucose/kg) was performed 3 h later. Cats were monitored for diabetes relapse for at least 9 months (270 days).

Results

Cats in diabetic remission had significantly higher serum glucose and insulin concentrations, and decreased insulin sensitivity as indicated by an increase in HOMA and decrease in QUICKI and Bennett indices. Leptin was significantly increased, but there was no difference in adiponectin (or body condition score). Several significant correlations were found between insulin sensitivity indices, leptin, and serum metabolites identified as significantly different between remission and control cats. No metabolites were significantly correlated with adiponectin. No predictors of relapse were identified in this study.

Conclusion and clinical importance

Insulin resistance, an underlying factor in diabetic cats, persists in diabetic remission. Cats in remission should be managed to avoid further exacerbating insulin resistance.

Changes in glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in a cohort of cats with chronic obesity

Obesity, which is the most common spontaneous nutritional disorder in cats, is a known risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus and has been linked to insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and altered adipose-derived hormone secretion in cats. The objective of this study was to monitor and report changes in the results of serial intravenous glucose tolerance testing (IVGTT) and other metabolic parameters in 4 obese cats over a 4-year period. Serial IVGTT, insulin sensitivity indices, adipokine concentrations, and lipid profiles were evaluated. All cats had IVGTT changes consistent with impaired glucose tolerance and altered insulin secretory patterns during the 4-year study period. There was no significant increase in the fasting blood glucose or insulin concentrations and no changes in the insulin sensitivity indices evaluated. The mean adiponectin concentration decreased significantly over time, but there was no significant increase in the leptin concentration and no changes were observed in lipid profiles. Although IVGTT can be used to document early and/or mild impairment of glucose tolerance and changes in insulin secretory pattern, this test cannot be easily or readily carried out on client-owned cats in most clinical settings. More work needs to be done to establish reliable, convenient methods for earlier identification of cats at risk of developing clinical diabetes mellitus.

Acupuncture for the treatment of leptin resistance in obesity: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Recently, there has been a global increase in obesity and obesity-related diseases. The prevention and treatment of obesity have become one of the most significant public health challenges worldwide in the 21st century, and how to effectively curb the occurrence of obesity has become a major global concern. Numerous studies have shown that the majority of obese individuals do not respond to leptin, and instead demonstrate leptin resistance. Clinical studies have found that acupuncture is widely used in the clinical treatment of obesity in recent years, but whether it can improve leptin resistance has not been systematically reviewed. This study is aimed to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in obesity with leptin resistance (LR).

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang, Technology Journal Database (VIP), and China Biology Medicine disc (CBM). Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. The time was from the establishment of the database to March 19, 2021. RevMan 5.3 software was used to assess the quality and risk of the included studies.

RESULTS

This study will be conducted in terms of clinical efficacy, serum leptin content, and body weight change. The current evidence shows that the incidence of the disease is high and the comprehensive quality is high.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion of this review will provide a basis for judging whether acupuncture therapy is effective in the treatment of leptin resistance in obesity.