Correlation between Serum Lipid Parameters and Interleukin-10 Concentration in Obese Individuals

High-dose vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy ameliorates obesity-induced increase in maternal IL-1β level without affecting obesity-induced increase in IL-6 and MCP

BACKGROUND

Maternal and placental inflammatory activity is carefully regulated during pregnancy and changes in inflammatory status are associated with pregnancy complications and health deficits in the offspring including adverse effects on neurodevelopment. Overweight/obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, thereby contributing to adverse effects. Disturbingly, overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among pregnant women worldwide. Vitamin D (vitD) possess immunomodulatory effects and is believed to support healthy pregnancy. Endocrinological societies recommend empiric vitD supplementation in pregnancy but there is no consensus on the minimal supplementation dose METHODS: An adjacent study to GRAVIT-D (no. NCT04291313, ClinicalTrial.gov), a double-blinded randomized trial investigating the clinical benefits of increasing vitD supplementation in pregnancy from 400IU to 3600IU/day from gestational week 11-16 onwards. In a subgroup, (n = 156), multiplex ELISA targeting third-semester serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNFα, MCP-1, and IL-17A was performed. Inflammation signals were correlated with the vitD dose given, subsequently analysing the effect of vitD in relation to the pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) within each treatment arm comparing the inflammatory response in WHO-defined BMI groups, < 25, 25-30 and > 30 kg/m2.

MAIN RESULTS

High pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with increased IL6 and MCP1 in both the 400IU and the 3600 IU exposed group. IL1β levels increased with BMI if using a 400IU/day supplement. High dose vitD supplementation ameliorated BMI effects on IL1β.

CONCLUSION AND PERSPECTIVES

Increased vitD supplementation during pregnancy may ameliorate some overweight/obesity-induced inflammatory activity. Further studies are needed to determine the vitD need in pregnancies complicated by obesity and overweight.

Grip Strength, Anthropometric Indices, and Their Combination in Screening for Metabolic Syndrome in the Korean Population

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors for future diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and low grip strength (GS) is associated with an increased risk of MS. However, the index (among absolute GS, relative GS, and anthropometric indices) that is more strongly associated with MS has not been conclusively identified. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to simultaneously examine the associations of MS with relative and absolute GS and anthropometric indices in a Korean population. Methods: In this large-scale cross-sectional study, we used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). A total of 20,915 subjects were included in the statistical analyses. Complex sample binary logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between MS and indices such as the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body mass index (BMI), and absolute and relative GS. Results: The prevalence of MS was 40.48% in men and 34.4% in women. The mean GS values in the healthy group and MS group were 38.06 ± 0.13 and 38.06 ± 0.15 years for men (p = 0.980) and 22.72 ± 0.07 and 21.19 ± 0.11 years for women (p < 0.001), respectively. Among all the indices, the WHtR was the index most strongly associated with MS in men. Among the GS indices, the GS/weight index was closely associated with MS, and the magnitude of this association was stronger than that of the absolute GS index. In women, the WHtR was the most related index to MS among all the indices. Among the GS indices, the GS/weight and GS/BMI indices were strongly associated with MS, and the magnitudes of these associations were much greater than those of the absolute GS index. Conclusions: Although absolute and relative GS indices are strongly associated with MS in the Korean population, the strongest association was observed for the simple anthropometric index (WHtR).

Unraveling the Interaction between Inflammation and the Cardiometabolic Index in Older Men: A Pilot Study

Both cardiometabolic and chronic inflammatory diseases pose a significant challenge to global public health, particularly among older adults. Here, we investigated the interplay between systemic inflammatory status and the cardiometabolic index (CMI) in older men with adequate weight or obesity. In this observational cross-sectional study, older men (71.79 ± 7.35 years) were separated into groups with normal weight (NW, n = 34) and obesity (O, n = 32) to assess circulating levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and CMI. Overall, the O group showed not only a higher inflammatory status but also increased CMI (p < 0.0001) compared with the NW group. Interestingly, only positive correlations were found between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in both groups. Through multivariate regression analysis, IL-6 (β = -0.2276, p = 0.0003) and IL-10 (β = 0.2023, p = 0.0030) significantly influenced CMI in the NW group. No significant results were found in the O group. Our findings reinforce the effects of obesity in inflammaging, as well as suggesting that the influence of cytokines in CMI occurs in older men with normal weight, since the elevated pro-inflammatory profile observed in older men with obesity can interfere in this effect.

Mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing interleukin-10 prevent allergic airway inflammation

BACKGROUNDS

Allergic airway inflammation is prevalent worldwide and imposes a considerable burden on both society and affected individuals. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic advantages of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) overexpressed interleukin-10 (IL-10) for the treatment of allergic airway inflammation, as both IL-10 and MSCs possess immunosuppressive properties.

METHODS

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived MSCs were engineered to overexpress IL-10 via lentiviral transfection (designated as IL-10-MSCs). MSCs and IL-10-MSCs were administered intravenously to mice with allergic inflammation induced by ovalbumin (OVA), and the features of allergic inflammation including inflammatory cell infiltration, Th cells in the lungs, and T helper 2 cell (Th2) cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were examined. MSCs and IL-10-MSCs were co-cultured with CD4+ T cells from patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), and the levels of Th2 cells and corresponding type 2 cytokines were studied. RNA-sequence was performed to further investigate the potential effects of MSCs and IL-10-MSCs on CD4+ T cells.

RESULTS

Stable IL-10-MSCs were established and characterised by high IL-10 expression. IL-10-MSCs significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and epithelial goblet cell numbers in the lung tissues of mice with allergic airway inflammation. Inflammatory cell and cytokine levels in BALF also decreased after the administration of IL-10-MSCs. Moreover, IL-10-MSCs showed a stronger capacity to inhibit the levels of Th2 after co-cultured with CD4+ T cells from patients with AR. Furthermore, we elucidated lower levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in IL-10-MSCs treated CD4+ T cells, and blockade of IL-10 significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of IL-10-MSCs. We also reported the mRNA profiles of CD4+ T cells treated with IL-10-MSCs and MSCs, in which IL-10 played an important role.

CONCLUSION

IL-10-MSCs showed positive effects in the treatment of allergic airway inflammation, providing solid support for the use of genetically engineered MSCs as a potential novel therapy for allergic airway inflammation.

Impact of Moderate Physical Activity on Inflammatory Markers and Telomere Length in Sedentary and Moderately Active Individuals with Varied Insulin Sensitivity

Introduction

Physical activity-associated immune response plays a crucial role in the aging process. This study aimed to determine the impact of short-term moderate physical activity on cytokine levels, oxidative stress markers, and telomere length in lean/overweight young subjects.

Methods

Fasting blood samples were collected from 368 participants at Qatar Biobank. Based on their homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), participants were categorized as insulin sensitive (IS) or insulin resistant (IR). Subsequently, they were divided into four groups: sedentary IS (n = 90), sedentary IR (n = 90), moderately active IS (n = 94), and moderately active IR (n = 94). Moderate physical activity was defined as walking at least two days per week for more than 150 minutes, as determined by physical activity questionnaires. Serum samples were analyzed for circulating inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-10, IL-22, MCP-1/CCL2, TNF-α), as well as antioxidant enzyme levels (SOD and catalase). Telomere lengths were measured in the respective DNA samples.

Results

Moderately active IR participants exhibited significantly lower SOD activity, while catalase activity did not show significant differences. Moderately active IS participants had higher IL-6 and IL-10 levels compared to sedentary IS participants, with no significant differences observed in the IR counterparts. Telomere length did not significantly differ between the physically active and sedentary groups.

Conclusion

This study highlights the potential anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects of moderate physical activity in individuals with insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance. However, no significant changes in telomere length were observed, suggesting a complex relationship between physical activity and the aging process. Further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and optimize the balance between anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation through exercise and lifestyle adjustments.

Adverse effects of low serum lipoprotein cholesterol on the immune microenvironment in gastric cancer: a case‒control study

BACKGROUND

Cholesterol is crucial for tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) remodeling. Serum lipoprotein cholesterol is closely associated with gastric cancer (GC) progression, but whether it affects TIME remodeling is unknown.

METHODS

GC patients with differential serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were collected. After balancing the baseline, immunohistochemical staining was performed on serial whole-tissue sections to detect B-cell and T-cell subsets, macrophages, and PD-L1. Features of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) and the extra-TLS zone, including TLS distribution and maturation, immune cell density, and PD-L1 expression, were measured by annotating TLSs or regions of interest (ROIs) in the extra-TLS zone.

RESULTS

A total of 9,192 TLSs and over 300 ROIs from 61 patients were measured. Compared to HDL-normal patients, HDL-low patients had a decreased secondary-TLS fraction or density but an elevated NK-cell density in the extra-TLS zone. Compared to LDL-normal patients, LDL-low patients had a higher ratio of PD-1 + T follicular helper cells to CD20 + B cells in TLSs, a higher ratio of PD-1 + T cells to CD8 + T cells and increased PD-1 + T-cell density in the extra-TLS zone. Different correlations were found in groups with differential HDL or LDL levels. Cell dynamics in the immune response were weaker in patients with low lipoprotein cholesterol. TLS parameters reached their peak earlier than those of the extra-TLS zone along with tumor progression.

CONCLUSION

Low serum lipoprotein cholesterol caused adverse effects on antitumor immunity in GC. Lipid management or immunometabolic drugs deserve more attention.

Increased LRG1 Levels in Overweight and Obese Adolescents and Its Association with Obesity Markers, Including Leptin, Chemerin, and High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

Leucine-rich α-2 glycoprotein1 (LRG1) is a member of the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) family that is implicated in multiple diseases, including cancer, aging, and heart failure, as well as diabetes and obesity. LRG1 plays a key role in diet-induced hepatosteatosis and insulin resistance by mediating the crosstalk between adipocytes and hepatocytes. LRG1 also promotes hepatosteatosis by upregulating de novo lipogenesis in the liver and suppressing fatty acid β-oxidation. In this study, we investigated the association of LRG1 with obesity markers, including leptin and other adipokines in adolescents (11−14 years; n = 425). BMI-for-age classification based on WHO growth charts was used to define obesity. Plasma LRG1 was measured by ELISA, while other markers were measured by multiplexing assay. Median (IQR) of LRG1 levels was higher in obese (30 (25, 38) µg/mL) and overweight (30 (24, 39) µg/mL) adolescents, compared to normal-weight participants (27 (22, 35) µg/mL). The highest tertile of LRG1 had an OR [95% CI] of 2.55 [1.44, 4.53] for obesity. LRG1 was positively correlated to plasma levels of high sensitivity c-reactive protein (HsCRP) (ρ = 0.2), leptin (ρ = 0.2), and chemerin (ρ = 0.24) with p < 0.001. Additionally, it was positively associated with plasma level of IL6 (ρ = 0.17) and IL10 (ρ = 0.14) but not TNF-α. In conclusion, LRG1 levels are increased in obese adolescents and are associated with increased levels of adipogenic markers. These results suggest the usefulness of LRG1 as an early biomarker for obesity and its related pathologies in adolescents.

A long-term anti-inflammation markedly alleviated high-fat diet-induced obesity by repeated administrations of overexpressing IL10 human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

Objectives

Obesity is a chronic process and could activate various inflammatory responses, which in turn aggravates obesity and related metabolic syndrome. Here we explored whether long-term inhibition of inflammation could successfully alleviate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.

Methods

We constructed stable overexpressing interleukin 10 (IL10) human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (HUCMSCs) which repeatedly were applied to obesity mice with HFD feeding to obtain a long-term anti-inflammation based on the prominent anti-inflammation effects of IL10 and immunomodulatery effects of HUCMSCs. Then we monitored the features of obesity including body weight, serum ALT, AST, and lipids. In addition, glucose homeostasis was determined by glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity tests. The infiltrated macrophages in adipose tissues and hepatic lipid accumulation were detected, and the expressions of adipogenesis and inflammatory genes in adipose tissues were examined by real-time (RT) PCR and western blot analysis.

Results

Compared with HUCMSCs, IL10-HUCMSCs treatment had much better anti-obesity effects including body weight reduction, less hepatic lipids accumulation, lower amount and size of adipocyte, greater glucose tolerance, less systemic insulin resistance, and less adipose tissue inflammation in HFD feeding mice. Finally, IL10-HUCMSCs could decrease the activation of MAPK JNK of adipose tissue induced by HFD. The inhibition of MAPK JNK signal pathway by a small chemical molecule SP600125 in 3T3-L1 cells, a preadipocyte line, reduced the differentiation of adipocytes and lipid droplet accumulation.

Conclusion

A lasting anti-inflammation based on gene modified stem cell therapy is an effective strategy in preventing diet-induced obesity and obesity-related metabolic syndrome.

Plasma Concentrations of Cytokines in Patients with Combined Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerotic Plaque before Treatment Initiation—A Pilot Study

Background and Objectives: The formation and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques is a complex process involving several proteins and cytokines. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 18 (IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) are examples of such cytokines. The goal of our research is to compare the concentrations of the above-mentioned indicators in the plasma of patients with verified high-risk atherosclerotic plaque to the plasma levels of healthy people before lipid lowering therapy. Materials and Methods: Patients with dyslipidemia who had the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque verified by ultrasonography were included in the study. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α in the plasma of these people were determined and compared with the concentrations of these cytokines in the plasma of the control group. Results: Levels of lipid panel, IL-6 and IL-18 were significantly lower in the group of healthy people than in the study group. Conclusions: The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-18 in the plasma of patients with ruptured plaque are higher than in the plasma of healthy people, suggesting that these cytokines as a panel might be used as new indicators of the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaque.