Unsaturated fatty acids revert diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation in obesity

Identification of key modules in metabolic syndrome induced by second-generation antipsychotics based on co-expression network analysis

Background

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) frequently cause metabolic syndrome (MetS), which raises the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, morbid obesity, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. MetS also impairs cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. However, the fundamental reasons of MetS caused by SGAs are not yet fully understood. Thus, we aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets for MetS induced by SGAs.

Methods

The serum biochemical parameters and the RNA-sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured in three groups (healthy controls and patients with schizophrenia with and without MetS taking SGAs). The study of the weighted gene co-expression network was utilized to pinpoint modules that were significantly connected to clinical markers.

Results

Statistical analysis showed significant differences in triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein among the three groups. The TNF signaling pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway, fatty acid metabolism, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway were the pathways that were primarily enriched in the two unique co-expression network modules that were found. Finally, five specific genes (TNF, CXCL8, IL1B, TIMP1, and ESR1) associated with metabolism and immunity pathways were identified.

Conclusions

This study indicated that SGAs differentially induced MetS of patients with schizophrenia through metabolic and inflammation-related pathways. Therefore, the potential side effects of drugs on inflammatory processes need to be considered when using SGAs for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Effects of aerobic exercise on the regulation of mitochondrial carrier homolog-2 and its influence on the catabolic and anabolic activity of lipids in the mesenteric adipose tissue of obese mice

The aim was to understand the direct impact of aerobic short-term exercise on lipid metabolism, specifically in regulating the mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (MTCH2) and how it interferes with lipid metabolism in mesenteric adipose tissue. Swiss mice were divided into three groups: control, sedentary obese, and exercised obese. The obese groups were induced into obesity for fourteen weeks of a high-fat diet, and the trained submitted to seven aerobic exercise sessions. The exercise proved the significant increase of the pPerilipin-1, a hormone-sensitive lipase gene, and modulates lipid metabolism by increasing the expression of Mtch2 and acetyl Co-A carboxylase, perhaps occurring as feedback to regulate lipid metabolism in adipose tissue. In conclusion, we demonstrate, for the first time, how aerobic physical exercise increases Mtch2 transcription in mesenteric adipose tissue. This increase was due to changes in energy demand caused by exercise, confirmed by observing the significant reduction in mesenteric adipose tissue mass in the exercised group. Also, we showed that physical exercise increased the phosphorylative capacity of PLIN1, a protein responsible for the degradation of fatty acids in the lipid droplet, providing acyl and glycerol for cellular metabolism. Although our findings demonstrate evidence of MTCH2 as a protein that regulates lipid homeostasis, scant knowledge exists concerning the signaling of the MTCH2 pathway in regulatingfatty acid metabolism. Therefore, unveiling the means of molecular signaling of MTCH2 demonstrates excellent potential for treating obesity.

Fish oil minimises feed intake and improves insulin sensitivity in Zucker fa/fa rats

Long-chain n-3 PUFA (LC n-3 PUFA) prevent, in rodents, insulin resistance (IR) induced by a high-fat and/or fructose diet but not IR induced by glucocorticoids. In humans, contrasting effects have also been reported. We investigated their effects on insulin sensitivity, feed intake (FI) and body weight gain in genetically insulin resistant male obese (fa/fa) Zucker (ZO) rats during the development of obesity. ZO rats were fed a diet supplemented with 7 % fish oil (FO) + 1 % corn oil (CO) (wt/wt) (ZOFO), while the control group was fed a diet containing 8 % fat from CO (wt/wt) (ZOCO). Male lean Zucker (ZL) rats fed either FO (ZLFO) or CO (ZLCO) diet were used as controls. FO was a marine-derived TAG oil containing EPA 90 mg/g + DHA 430 mg/g. During an oral glucose tolerance test, glucose tolerance remained unaltered by FO while insulin response was reduced in ZOFO only. Liver insulin sensitivity (euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp + 2 deoxyglucose) was improved in ZOFO rats, linked to changes in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase expression, activity and glucose-6-phosphatase activity. FI in response to intra-carotid insulin/glucose infusion was decreased similarly in ZOFO and ZOCO. Hypothalamic ceramides levels were lower in ZOFO than in ZOCO. Our study demonstrates that LC n-3 PUFA can minimise weight gain, possibly by alleviating hypothalamic lipotoxicity, and liver IR in genetically obese Zucker rats.

Body weight gain and control: beneficial effect of extra virgin olive oil versus corn oil in an experimental model of mammary cancer

Obesity is a known risk factor for breast cancer, the most common malignancy among women worldwide. We have previously described different effects of high-fat diets on mammary experimental carcinogenesis. In this work, we analyzed the animal growth data obtained in six experimental assays, in healthy and carcinogen-induced rats undergoing different dietary interventions. The animals were fed with three experimental diets administered at different periods of development: a control low-fat diet, and two isocaloric high-fat diets (rich in corn oil or in extravirgin olive oil -EVOO-). Weekly weight throughout the development of 818 animals have been compiled and reanalyzed using adjusted mathematical models. Molecular mechanisms have been investigated: ethanolamides in small intestine, neuropeptides controlling satiety in hypothalamus, and proteins controlling lipid metabolism in adipose and mammary tissues. The results indicated that the effect of diets depended on type of lipid, timing of intervention and health status. The high corn oil diet, but not the high EVOO diet, increased body weight and mass, especially if administered from weaning, in healthy animals and in those that received a moderate dose of carcinogen. The potential protective effect of EVOO on weight maintenance may be related to anorexigenic neuropeptides such as oxytocin and lipolysis/deposition balance in adipose tissue (increasing phospho-PKA, HSL, MGL and decreasing FAS). In animals with cancer, body weight gain was related to the severity of the disease. Taken together, our results suggest that EVOO has a beneficial effect on body weight maintenance in both health and cancer.

Association Between Dietary Patterns and Bullying Among Adolescents in Sao Paulo-Brazil

Previous studies have assessed the association between food consumption and bullying perpetration, but most of them have not broadly assessed food consumption, neither the distinction between forms of bullying. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between dietary patterns with bullying roles and its different types of bullying perpetration among adolescents. Data on a representative sample of ninth-grade students (N = 2,163; mean age = 14.8 years) taken from Sao Paulo Project for the social development of children and adolescents (SP-PROSO) were used. The independent variables were healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns obtained by exploratory factor analysis. The dependent variables were bullying role (victim-only, bully-only, bully-victim) and bullying perpetration (any type, social exclusion, psychological/verbal aggression, physical aggression, property destruction, sexual harassment). Multinomial and logistic regression models were performed for the total sample and stratified by sex (only for association with sexual harassment), adjusting for covariates. Adolescents who engaged in a healthy dietary pattern were less likely to be bullies (RR 0.67 [0.49, 0.92]), while adolescents with an unhealthy dietary pattern were more likely to be bully-victims (RR 1.29 [1.12, 1.48]). Unhealthy dietary pattern was associated with any type of bullying perpetration (OR 1.24 [1.12, 1.38]), mainly with sexual harassment and physical aggression. Boys who had an unhealthy dietary pattern were more likely to sexually harass another adolescent (OR 2.10 [1.20, 3.66]). In conclusion, adolescents who had a healthy dietary pattern were less likely to perpetrate bullying. Unhealthy dietary pattern was associated with bullying perpetration, especially with sexual harassment by boys.

Combination of Gold Nanoparticles with Carnitine Attenuates Brain Damage in an Obesity Animal Model

Obesity causes inflammation in the adipose tissue and can affect the central nervous system, leading to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, it becomes necessary to seek new therapeutic alternatives. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) could take carnitine to the adipose tissue, thus increasing fatty acid oxidation, reducing inflammation, and, consequently, restoring brain homeostasis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of GNPs associated with carnitine on the neurochemical parameters of obesity-induced mice. Eighty male Swiss mice that received a normal lipid diet (control group) or a high-fat diet (obese group) for 10 weeks were used. At the end of the sixth week, the groups were divided for daily treatment with saline, GNPs (70 µg/kg), carnitine (500 mg/kg), or GNPs associated with carnitine, respectively. Body weight was monitored weekly. At the end of the tenth week, the animals were euthanized and the mesenteric fat removed and weighed; the brain structures were separated for biochemical analysis. It was found that obesity caused oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in brain structures. Treatment with GNPs isolated reduced oxidative stress in the hippocampus. Carnitine isolated decreased the accumulation of mesenteric fat and oxidative stress in the hippocampus. The combination of treatments reduced the accumulation of mesenteric fat and mitochondrial dysfunction in the striatum. Therefore, these treatments in isolation, become a promising option for the treatment of obesity.

Microglia in Central Control of Metabolism

Beyond their role as brain immune cells, microglia act as metabolic sensors in response to changes in nutrient availability, thus playing a role in energy homeostasis. This review highlights the evidence and challenges of studying the role of microglia in metabolism regulation.

Time-restricted feeding combined with resistance exercise prevents obesity and improves lipid metabolism in the liver of mice fed a high-fat diet

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver, is estimated to be the most common liver disease worldwide. Obesity is a major risk factor and contributor, and, accordingly, weight loss can improve NAFLD. Previous studies in preclinical models of diet-induced obesity and fatty liver disease have shown the independent benefits of resistance exercise training (RT) and time-restricted feeding (TRF) in preventing weight gain and hepatic build-up of fat. Here, we tested the combined effect of TRF and RT on obesity and NAFLD in mice fed a high-fat diet. Our results showed that both TRF-8-h food access in the active phase-and RT-consisting of three weekly sessions of ladder climbing-attenuated body weight gain, improved glycemic homeostasis, and decreased the accumulation of lipids in the liver. TRF combined with RT improved the respiratory exchange rate, energy expenditure, and mitochondrial respiration in the liver. Furthermore, gene expression analysis in the liver revealed lower mRNA expression of lipogenesis and inflammation genes along with increased mRNA of fatty acid oxidation genes in the TRF + RT group. Importantly, combined TRF + RT was shown to be more efficient in preventing obesity and metabolic disorders. In conclusion, TRF and RT exert complementary actions compared with isolated interventions, with significant effects on metabolic disorders and NAFLD in mice.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Whether time-restricted feeding (TRF) combined with resistance exercise training (RT) may be more efficient compared with these interventions alone is still unclear. We show that when combined with RT, TRF provided additional benefits, being more effective in increasing energy expenditure, preventing weight gain, and regulating glycemic homeostasis than each intervention alone. Thus, our results demonstrate that TRF and RT have complementary actions on some synergistic pathways that prevented obesity and hepatic liver accumulation.

Effects of omega fatty acids on the short-term postprandial satiety related peptides in rats

We aimed to assess the effects of omega fatty acids on time depending on responses of satiety hormones. Sixty adult rats were randomly divided into 4 groups; linoleic acid (LA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) groups. For each fatty acid, the dose of 400 mg/kg was applied by oral gavage. Blood samples were taken after the 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes. Ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), leptin and insulin hormones were analyzed by ELISA. We observed the significant increases (p<0.05) of the levels of CCK between n-3 (ALA, at 60th min; EPA, at 30th and 60th min and DHA, at 60 min) and n-6 (LA) supplemented rats. The highest GLP-1 levels were in ALA (0.70 ng/mL) and DHA (0.67 ng/mL) supplemented groups at 60th and 120th min indicating n-3 fatty acids efficiency on satiety compared to LA. It seems that ALA at 60th min and EPA at 120th min could provide the highest satiety effect with the highest insulin response, while the efficiency of LA supplementation on insulin-induced satiety diminished. The only significant change in AUC values among all hormones was in the CCK of the ALA group (p=0.004). The level of leptin increased in DHA and EPA supplemented rats (p=0.140). Our results showed that dietary omega fatty acids influenced the releasing of hormones in different ways possibly depending on chain length or saturation degree. Comprehensive studies need to be addressed for each fatty acid on satiety-related peptide hormones.

Short-term strength exercise reduces the macrophage M1/M2 ratio in white adipose tissue of obese animals

Obesity can exacerbate the systemic inflammatory process, leading to increased infiltration of monocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and polarization of these cells into pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, while reducing the population of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. Aerobic exercise has been shown to be effective in reducing the pro-inflammatory profile. However, the impact of strength training and the duration of training on macrophage polarization in the WAT of obese individuals have not been widely studied. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the effects of resistance exercise on macrophage infiltration and polarization in the epididymal and subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese mice. We compared the following groups: Control (CT), Obese (OB), Obese 7-day strength training (STO7d), and Obese 15-day strength training (STO15d). Macrophage populations were evaluated by flow cytometry: total macrophages (F4/80+), M1 (CD11c), and M2 (CD206) macrophages. Our results demonstrated that both training protocols improved peripheral insulin sensitivity by increasing AKT phosphorylation (Ser473). Specifically, the 7-day training regimen reduced total macrophage infiltration and M2 macrophage levels without altering M1 levels. In the STO15d group, significant differences were observed in total macrophage levels, M1 macrophages, and the M1/M2 ratio compared to the OB group. In the epididymal tissue, a reduction in the M1/M2 ratio was observed in the STO7d group. Overall, our data demonstrate that 15 days of strength exercise can reduce the M1/M2 ratio of macrophages in white adipose tissue.

Energy metabolism and behavioral parameters in female mice subjected to obesity and offspring deprivation stress

This study aimed to evaluate the behavioral and energy metabolism parameters in female mice subjected to obesity and offspring deprivation (OD) stress. Eighty female Swiss mice, 40 days old, were weighed and divided into two groups: Control group (control diet, n = 40) and Obese group (high-fat diet, n = 40), for induction of the animal model of obesity, the protocol was based on the consumption of a high-fat diet and lasted 8 weeks. Subsequently, the females were subjected to pregnancy, after the birth of the offspring, were divided again into the following groups (n = 20): Control non-deprived (ND), Control + OD, Obese ND, and Obese + OD, for induction of the stress protocol by OD. After the offspring were 21 days old, weaning was performed and the dams were subjected to behavioral tests. The animals were humanely sacrificed, the brain was removed, and brain structures were isolated to assess energy metabolism. Both obesity and OD led to anhedonia in the dams. It was shown that the structures most affected by obesity and OD are the hypothalamus and hippocampus, as evidenced by the mitochondrial dysfunction found in these structures. When analyzing the groups separately, it was observed that OD led to more pronounced mitochondrial damage; however, the association of obesity with OD, as well as obesity alone, also generated damage. Thus, it is concluded that obesity and OD lead to anhedonia in animals and to mitochondrial dysfunction in the hypothalamus and hippocampus, which may lead to losses in feeding control and cognition of the dams.

Dietary Fat Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Impact on Regulatory Pathways Controlling Food Intake

Obesity is a multifactorial disease that continues to increase in prevalence worldwide. Emerging evidence has shown that the development of obesity may be influenced by taxonomic shifts in gut microbiota in response to the consumption of dietary fats. Further, these alterations in gut microbiota have been shown to promote important changes in satiation signals including gut hormones (leptin, ghrelin, GLP-1, peptide YY and CCK) and orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptides (AgRP, NPY, POMC, CART) that influence hyperphagia and therefore obesity. In this review, we highlight mechanisms by which gut microbiota can influence these satiation signals both locally in the gastrointestinal tract and via microbiota-gut-brain communication. Then, we describe the effects of dietary interventions and associated changes in gut microbiota on satiety signals through microbiota-dependent mechanisms. Lastly, we present microbiota optimizing therapies including prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and weight loss surgery that can help restore beneficial gut microbiota by enhancing satiety signals to reduce hyperphagia and subsequent obesity. Overall, a better understanding of the mechanisms by which dietary fats induce taxonomical shifts in gut microbiota and their impact on satiation signaling pathways will help develop more targeted therapeutic interventions in delaying the onset of obesity and in furthering its treatment.

The Early Impact of Diets Enriched with Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Intestinal Inflammation and Tight Junctions

The gut has been suggested as the first organ to be affected by unbalanced diets contributing to the obesogenic process. This study aimed to test a short time-course exposition model to a known pro- or anti-inflammatory enriched fatty diet to understand the early gut alterations. Male mice were exposed to the chow diet (CT), high-fat (HF) diet, or a high-fat diet partially replaced on flaxseed oil (FS), rich in omega-3 (ω3), for 14 days. HF and FS increased the total body weight mass compared with the CT group, but FS reduced the epididymal fat depot compared to HF. The bioinformatics from mice and human databases showed the Zo1-Ocln-Cldn7 tight junctions as the main protein-triad. In the ileum, the HF diet has increased IL1β transcript and IL1β, TNFα, and CD11b proteins, but reduced the tight junctions (Zo1, Ocln, and Cld7) compared to the CT group. Despite the FS diet being partially efficient in protecting the ileum against inflammation, the tight junctions were increased, compared to the HF group. The GPR120 and GPR40 receptors were unaffected by diets, but GPR120 was co-localized on the surface of ileum macrophages. The short period of a high-fat diet was enough to start the obesogenic process, ileum inflammation, and reduce the tight junctions. Flaxseed oil did not protect efficiently against dysmetabolism. Still, it increased the tight junctions, even without alteration on inflammatory parameters, suggesting the protection against gut permeability during early obesity development.

The effects of macronutrients metabolism on cellular and organismal aging

Evidence supports the notion that metabolic pathways are major regulators of organismal aging, and that metabolic perturbations can extend health- and lifespan. For this reason, dietary interventions and compounds perturbing metabolism are currently explored as anti-aging strategies. A common target for metabolic interventions delaying aging is cellular senescence, a state of stable growth arrest that is accompanied by various structural and functional changes including the activation of a pro-inflammatory secretome. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the molecular and cellular events associated with carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism, and define how macronutrients can regulate induction or prevention of cellular senescence. We discuss how various dietary interventions can achieve prevention of disease and extension of healthy longevity by partially modulating senescence-associated phenotypes. We also emphasize the importance of developing personalized nutritional interventions that take into account the current health and age status of the individual.

Potential of omega-3 and conjugated fatty acids to control microglia inflammatory imbalance elicited by obesogenic nutrients

High-fat diet-induced obesity detrimentally affects brain function by inducing chronic low-grade inflammation. This neuroinflammation is, at least in part, likely to be mediated by microglia, which are the main immune cell population in the brain. Microglia express a wide range of lipid-sensitive receptors and their activity can be modulated by fatty acids that cross the blood-brain barrier. Here, by combining live cell imaging and FRET technology we assessed how different fatty acids modulate microglia activity. We demonstrate that the combined action of fructose and palmitic acid induce Ikβα degradation and nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit nuclear factor kB (NF-κB) in HCM3 human microglia. Such obesogenic nutrients also lead to reactive oxygen species production and LynSrc activation (critical regulators of microglia inflammation). Importantly, short-time exposure to omega-3 (EPA and DHA), CLA and CLNA are sufficient to abolish NF-κB pathway activation, suggesting a potential neuroprotective role. Omega-3 and CLA also show an antioxidant potential by inhibiting reactive oxygen species production, and the activation of LynSrc in microglia. Furthermore, using chemical agonists (TUG-891) and antagonists (AH7614) of GPR120/FFA4, we demonstrated that omega-3, CLA and CLNA inhibition of the NF-κB pathway is mediated by this receptor, while omega-3 and CLA antioxidant potential occurs through different signaling mechanisms.

Short-term flaxseed oil, rich in omega 3, protects mice against metabolic damage caused by high-fat diet, but not inflammation

It is known that long-term high-fat diet (HF) feeding drastically affects the adipose tissue, contributing to metabolic disorders. Recently, short-term HF consumption was shown to affect different neuronal signaling pathways. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the inflammatory effects of a short-term HF and whether a diet containing omega-3 fatty acid fats from flaxseed oil (FS) has protective effects. Mice were divided into three groups for 3 d, according to their diets: Control group (CT), HF, or FS for 3 d. Lipid profiles were assessed through mass spectrometry and inflammatory markers by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. After short-term HF, mice increased food intake, body weight, adiposity, and fasting glucose. Increased mRNA content of Ccl2 and Tnf was demonstrated in the HF compared to CT in mesenteric adipose tissue. In the liver, TNFα protein was higher in the HF group than in CT, followed by a decreased polyunsaturated fatty acids tissue incorporation in HF. On the other hand, the consumption of FS reduced food intake and fasting glucose, as well as increased omega-3 fatty acid incorporation in MAT and the liver. However, short-term FS was insufficient to control the early inflammation triggered by HF in MAT and the liver. These data demonstrated that a 3-d HF diet is enough to damage glucose homeostasis and trigger inflammation. In contrast, short-term FS protects against increased food intake and fasting glucose but not inflammation in mice.

Is human obesity an inflammatory disease of the hypothalamus?

Obesity and its comorbidities are long-standing, challenging global health problems. Lack of exercise, overnutrition, and especially the consumption of fat-rich foods are some of the most important factors leading to an increase in prevalence in modern society. The pathophysiology of obesity as a metabolic inflammatory disease has moved into focus since new therapeutic approaches are required. The hypothalamus, a brain area responsible for energy homeostasis, has recently received special attention in this regard. Hypothalamic inflammation was identified to be associated with diet-induced obesity and new evidence suggests that it may be, beyond that, a pathological mechanism of the disease. This inflammation impairs the local signaling of insulin and leptin leading to dysfunction of the regulation of energy balance and thus, weight gain. After a high-fat diet consumption, activation of inflammatory mediators such as the nuclear factor κB or c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway can be observed, accompanied by elevated secretion of pro-inflammatory interleukins and cytokines. Brain resident glia cells, especially microglia and astrocytes, initiate this release in response to the flux of fatty acids. The gliosis occurs rapidly before the actual weight gain. Dysregulated hypothalamic circuits change the interaction between neuronal and non-neuronal cells, contributing to the establishment of inflammatory processes. Several studies have reported reactive gliosis in obese humans. Although there is evidence for a causative role of hypothalamic inflammation in the obesity development, data on underlying molecular pathways in humans are limited. This review discusses the current state of knowledge on the relationship between hypothalamic inflammation and obesity in humans.

Exercise Restores Hypothalamic Health in Obesity by Reshaping the Inflammatory Network

Obesity and overnutrition induce inflammation, leptin-, and insulin resistance in the hypothalamus. The mediobasal hypothalamus responds to exercise enabling critical adaptions at molecular and cellular level that positively impact local inflammation. This review discusses the positive effect of exercise on obesity-induced hypothalamic dysfunction, highlighting the mechanistic aspects related to the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise. In HFD-fed animals, both acute and chronic moderate-intensity exercise mitigate microgliosis and lower inflammation in the arcuate nucleus (ARC). Notably, this associates with restored leptin sensitivity and lower food intake. Exercise-induced cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 mediate part of these positive effect on the ARC in obese animals. The reduction of obesity-associated pro-inflammatory mediators (e.g., FFAs, TNFα, resistin, and AGEs), and the improvement in the gut-brain axis represent alternative paths through which regular exercise can mitigate hypothalamic inflammation. These findings suggest that the regular practice of exercise can restore a proper functionality in the hypothalamus in obesity. Further analysis investigating the crosstalk muscle-hypothalamus would help toward a deeper comprehension of the subject.

Diet containing stearic acid increased food intake in mice by reducing serum leptin compared with oleic acid

In today's society, obesity is becoming increasingly serious, and controlling food intake and maintaining weight balance have become increasingly important. Here, we found that a stearic acid diet can increase food intake without causing obesity in mice compared with an oleic acid diet. Stearic acid increases food intake in mice by reducing serum leptin and increasing NPY neuronal excitability through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. The impaired anorexic effect of leptin is probably due to repressive cholesterol-oxysterol-LXR-α/SREBP-1c-mediated leptin expression in mouse iWAT. At the same time, we found that stearic acid was not only poorly absorbed by itself in the small intestine but also reduced the entire absorption system of the small intestine. In conclusion, we have proven that a stearic acid diet can increase food intake in mice and avoid obesity, but whether a stearic acid diet could cause adverse reactions in the body remains to be studied.

Central Regulation of Brown Fat Thermogenesis in Response to Saturated or Unsaturated Long-Chain Fatty Acids

Sensing of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) in the hypothalamus modulates energy balance, and its disruption leads to obesity. To date, the effects of saturated or unsaturated LCFA on hypothalamic-brown adipose tissue (BAT) axis and the underlying mechanisms have remained largely unclear. Our aim was to characterize the main molecular pathways involved in the hypothalamic regulation of BAT thermogenesis in response to LCFA with different lengths and degrees of saturation. One-week administration of high-fat diet enriched in monounsaturated FA led to higher BAT thermogenesis compared to a saturated FA-enriched diet. Intracerebroventricular infusion of oleic and linoleic acids upregulated thermogenesis markers and temperature in brown fat of mice, and triggered neuronal activation of paraventricular (PaV), ventromedial (VMH) and arcuate (ARC) hypothalamic nuclei, which was not found with saturated FAs. The neuron-specific protein carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1-C (CPT1C) was a crucial effector of oleic acid since the FA action was blunted in CPT1C-KO mice. Moreover, changes in the AMPK/ACC/malonyl-CoA pathway and fatty acid synthase expression were evoked by oleic acid. Altogether, central infusion of unsaturated but not saturated LCFA increases BAT thermogenesis through CPT1C-mediated sensing of FA metabolism shift, which in turn drive melanocortin system activation. These findings add new insight into neuronal circuitries activated by LCFA to drive thermogenesis.

Obesogenic Diet-Induced Neuroinflammation: A Pathological Link between Hedonic and Homeostatic Control of Food Intake

Obesity-induced neuroinflammation is a chronic aseptic central nervous system inflammation that presents systemic characteristics associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) and the presence of microglia and reactive astrogliosis as well as the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The obesity pandemic is associated with lifestyle changes, including an excessive intake of obesogenic foods and decreased physical activity. Brain areas such as the lateral hypothalamus (LH), lateral septum (LS), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) have been implicated in the homeostatic and hedonic control of feeding in experimental models of diet-induced obesity. In this context, a chronic lipid intake triggers neuroinflammation in several brain regions such as the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala. This review aims to present the background defining the significant impact of neuroinflammation and how this, when induced by an obesogenic diet, can affect feeding control, triggering metabolic and neurological alterations.

We are what we eat: The role of lipids in metabolic diseases

Lipids play a fundamental role, both structurally and functionally, for the correct functioning of the organism. In the last two decades, they have evolved from molecules involved only in energy storage to compounds that play an important role as components of cell membranes and signaling molecules that regulate cell homeostasis. For this reason, their interest as compounds involved in human health has been gaining weight. Indeed, lipids derived from dietary sources and endogenous biosynthesis are relevant for the pathophysiology of numerous diseases. There exist pathological conditions that are characterized by alterations in lipid metabolism. This is particularly true for metabolic diseases, such as liver steatosis, type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The main issue to be considered is lipid homeostasis. A precise control of fat homeostasis is required for a correct regulation of metabolic pathways and safe and efficient energy storage in adipocytes. When this fails, a deregulation occurs in the maintenance of systemic metabolism. This happens because an increased concentrations of lipids impair cellular homeostasis and disrupt tissue function, giving rise to lipotoxicity. Fat accumulation results in many alterations in the physiology of the affected organs, mainly in metabolic tissues. These alterations include the activation of oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased inflammation, accumulation of bioactive molecules and modification of gene expression. In this chapter, we review the main metabolic diseases in which alterations in lipid homeostasis are involved and discuss their pathogenic mechanisms.

Impact of Dietary Arachidonic Acid on Gut Microbiota Composition and Gut-Brain Axis in Male BALB/C Mice

Although arachidonic acid (ARA) is the precursor of the majority of eicosanoids, its influence as a food component on health is not well known. Therefore, we investigated its impact on the gut microbiota and gut-brain axis. Groups of male BALB/c mice were fed either a standard diet containing 5% lipids (Std-ARA) or 15%-lipid diets without ARA (HL-ARA) or with 1% ARA (HL + ARA) for 9 weeks. Fatty acid profiles of all three diets were the same. The HL-ARA diet favored the growth of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum contrary to the HL + ARA diet that favored the pro-inflammatory Escherichia-Shigella genus in fecal microbiota. Dietary ARA intake induced 4- and 15-fold colic overexpression of the pro-inflammatory markers IL-1β and CD40, respectively, without affecting those of TNFα and adiponectin. In the brain, dietary ARA intake led to moderate overexpression of GFAP in the hippocampus and cortex. Both the hyperlipidic diets reduced IL-6 and IL-12 in the brain. For the first time, it was shown that dietary ARA altered the gut microbiota, led to low-grade colic inflammation, and induced astrogliosis in the brain. Further work is necessary to determine the involved mechanisms.

Omega-3 pleiad: The multipoint anti-inflammatory strategy

Omega 3 (ω3) fatty acids have been described since the 1980s as promising anti-inflammatory substances. Prostaglandin and leukotriene modulation were exhaustively explored as the main reason for ω3 beneficial outcomes. However, during the early 2000s, after the human genome decoding advent, the nutrigenomic approaches exhibited an impressive plethora of ω3 targets, now under the molecular point of view. Different G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) recognizing ω3 and its derivatives appear to be responsible for blocking inflammation and insulin-sensitizing effects. A new class of ω3-derived substances, such as maresins, resolvins, and protectins, increases ω3 actions. Inflammasome disruption, the presence of GPR120 on immune cell surfaces, and intracellular crosstalk signaling mediated by PPARγ compose the last discoveries regarding the multipoint anti-inflammatory targets for this nutrient. This review shows a detailed mechanistic proposal to understand ω3 fatty acid action over the inflammatory environment in the background of several chronic diseases.

Plasma membrane and brain dysfunction of the old: Do we age from our membranes?

One of the characteristics of aging is a gradual hypo-responsiveness of cells to extrinsic stimuli, mainly evident in the pathways that are under hormone control, both in the brain and in peripheral tissues. Age-related resistance, i.e., reduced response of receptors to their ligands, has been shown to Insulin and also to leptin, thyroid hormones and glucocorticoids. In addition, lower activity has been reported in aging for ß-adrenergic receptors, adenosine A2B receptor, and several other G-protein-coupled receptors. One of the mechanisms proposed to explain the loss of sensitivity to hormones and neurotransmitters with age is the loss of receptors, which has been observed in several tissues. Another mechanism that is finding more and more experimental support is related to the changes that occur with age in the lipid composition of the neuronal plasma membrane, which are responsible for changes in the receptors’ coupling efficiency to ligands, signal attenuation and pathway desensitization. In fact, recent works have shown that altered membrane composition—as occurs during neuronal aging—underlies reduced response to glutamate, to the neurotrophin BDNF, and to insulin, all these leading to cognition decay and epigenetic alterations in the old. In this review we present evidence that altered functions of membrane receptors due to altered plasma membrane properties may be a triggering factor in physiological decline, decreased brain function, and increased vulnerability to neuropathology in aging.

Competing paradigms of obesity pathogenesis: energy balance versus carbohydrate-insulin models

The obesity pandemic continues unabated despite a persistent public health campaign to decrease energy intake (“eat less”) and increase energy expenditure (“move more”). One explanation for this failure is that the current approach, based on the notion of energy balance, has not been adequately embraced by the public. Another possibility is that this approach rests on an erroneous paradigm. A new formulation of the energy balance model (EBM), like prior versions, considers overeating (energy intake > expenditure) the primary cause of obesity, incorporating an emphasis on “complex endocrine, metabolic, and nervous system signals” that control food intake below conscious level. This model attributes rising obesity prevalence to inexpensive, convenient, energy-dense, “ultra-processed” foods high in fat and sugar. An alternative view, the carbohydrate-insulin model (CIM), proposes that hormonal responses to highly processed carbohydrates shift energy partitioning toward deposition in adipose tissue, leaving fewer calories available for the body’s metabolic needs. Thus, increasing adiposity causes overeating to compensate for the sequestered calories. Here, we highlight robust contrasts in how the EBM and CIM view obesity pathophysiology and consider deficiencies in the EBM that impede paradigm testing and refinement. Rectifying these deficiencies should assume priority, as a constructive paradigm clash is needed to resolve long-standing scientific controversies and inform the design of new models to guide prevention and treatment. Nevertheless, public health action need not await resolution of this debate, as both models target processed carbohydrates as major drivers of obesity.

Effects of obesity on neuroinflammatory and neurochemical parameters in an animal model of reserpine-induced Parkinson's disease

Obesity is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, affecting the brain's reward system by decreasing dopaminergic neurotransmission. It is known that dopaminergic neurotransmission is also reduced in Parkinson's disease (PD), and high adiposity is considered a risk factor for the development of several neurodegenerative diseases, including PD. This study aimed to assess the effects of obesity on neuroinflammatory and neurochemical parameters in an animal model of reserpine-induced PD. The obese group showed increased inflammation and oxidative damage as well as inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and II and DNA damage in the evaluated structures. The PD group did not show inflammation or mitochondrial dysfunction but exhibited oxidative damage in the hippocampus. The combination group (obesity + PD) showed reduced inflammation and oxidative stress and increased activity of complexes I and II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in most of the analyzed structures. On the other hand, obesity + PD caused oxidative damage to proteins in the liver, prefrontal cortex, striatum, and cerebral cortex and oxidative stress in the hypothalamus, resulting in reduced catalase activity. Furthermore, the combination group showed DNA damage in blood, liver, and cerebral cortex. In conclusion, it was observed that the association of obesity and PD did not increase inflammation, oxidative stress, or mitochondrial dysfunction in most of the evaluated structures but increased oxidative damage and induced mechanisms that led to DNA damage in peripheral tissues and brain structures.

Effects of Avocado Oil Supplementation on Insulin Sensitivity, Cognition, and Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers in Different Tissues of Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Obesity induces insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurocognitive impairment. Avocado oil (AO) has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects. This study evaluated the effect of AO supplementation on obese mice in the adipose tissue, muscle, liver, and hippocampus. Male C57BL/6J mice received a standard and high-fat diet (20 weeks) and then were supplemented with AO (4 mL/kg of body weight, 90 days) and divided into the following groups: control (control), control + avocado oil (control + AO), diet-induced obesity (DIO), and diet-induced obesity + avocado oil (DIO + AO) (n = 10/group). AO supplementation was found to improve insulin sensitivity and decrease hepatic fat accumulation and serum triglyceride levels in DIO mice. AO improved cognitive performance and did not affect mood parameters. Oxidative marker levels were decreased in DIO + AO mice in all the tissues and were concomitant with increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in the epididymal adipose tissue and quadriceps, as well as increased catalase activity in the liver. AO in obese animals further induced reductions in TNF-α and IL-1β expressions in the epididymal adipose tissue and quadriceps. These results suggest that AO supplementation has the potential to be an effective strategy for combating the effects of obesity in rats, and human studies are needed to confirm these findings.

RESISTANCE EXERCISE ATTENUATES IKKε PHOSPHORYLATION AND HEPATIC FAT ACCUMULATION OF OBESE MICE

Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation and disturbances in hepatic metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the effects of resistance exercise on inflammatory signaling related to IKKepsilon protein (IKKɛ) and on hepatic fat accumulation in obese mice. Male Swiss mice were distributed into three groups: control (CTL) fed with standard chow; obese (OB) mice induced by a high-fat diet (HFD); obese exercised (OB+RE) mice fed with HFD and submitted to a resistance exercise training. The resistance exercise training protocol consisted of 20 sets/3 ladder climbs for eight weeks, three times/week on alternate days. The training overload was equivalent to 70% of the maximum load supported by the rodent. Assays were performed to evaluate weight gain, hepatic fat content, fasting glucose, insulin sensitivity, IKKɛ phosphorylation, and proteins related to insulin signaling and lipogenesis in the liver. Mice that received the high-fat diet showed greater adiposity, impaired insulin sensitivity, increased fasting glucose, and increased hepatic fat accumulation. These results were accompanied by an increase in IKKɛ phosphorylation and lipogenesis-related proteins such as cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the liver of obese mice. In contrast, exercised mice showed lower body weight and adiposity evolution throughout the experiment. In addition, resistance exercise suppressed the effects of the high-fat diet by reducing IKKɛ phosphorylation and hepatic fat content. In conclusion, resistance exercise training improves hepatic fat metabolism and glycemic homeostasis, which are, at least in part, linked to the antiinflammatory effect of reduced IKKɛ phosphorylation in the liver of obese mice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Roles of the Unsaturated Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid in the Central Nervous System: Molecular and Cellular Insights

Fatty acids (FAs) are essential components of the central nervous system (CNS), where they exert multiple roles in health and disease. Among the FAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been widely recognized as a key molecule for neuronal function and cell signaling. Despite its relevance, the molecular pathways underlying the beneficial effects of DHA on the cells of the CNS are still unclear. Here, we summarize and discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of DHA in neural cells with a special focus on processes of survival, morphological development, and synaptic maturation. In addition, we examine the evidence supporting a potential therapeutic role of DHA against CNS tumor diseases and tumorigenesis. The current results suggest that DHA exerts its actions on neural cells mainly through the modulation of signaling cascades involving the activation of diverse types of receptors. In addition, we found evidence connecting brain DHA and ω-3 PUFA levels with CNS diseases, such as depression, autism spectrum disorders, obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases. In the context of cancer, the existing data have shown that DHA exerts positive actions as a coadjuvant in antitumoral therapy. Although many questions in the field remain only partially resolved, we hope that future research may soon define specific pathways and receptor systems involved in the beneficial effects of DHA in cells of the CNS, opening new avenues for innovative therapeutic strategies for CNS diseases.

Strength training alters the tissue fatty acids profile and slightly improves the thermogenic pathway in the adipose tissue of obese mice

Obesity is a disease characterized by the exacerbated increase of adipose tissue. A possible way to decrease the harmful effects of excessive adipose tissue is to increase the thermogenesis process, to the greater energy expenditure generated by the increase in heat in the body. In adipose tissue, the thermogenesis process is the result of an increase in mitochondrial work, having as substrate H⁺ ions, and which is related to the increased activity of UCP1. Evidence shows that stress is responsible for increasing the greater induction of UCP1 expression via β-adrenergic receptors. It is known that physical exercise is an important implement for sympathetic stimulation promoting communication between norepinephrine/epinephrine with membrane receptors. Thus, the present study investigates the influence of short-term strength training (STST) on fatty acid composition, lipolysis, lipogenesis, and browning processes in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (sWAT) of obese mice. For this, Swiss mice were divided into three groups: lean control, obesity sedentary, and obese strength training (OBexT). Obese animals were fed a high-fat diet for 14 weeks. Trained obese animals were submitted to 7 days of strength exercise. It was demonstrated that STST sessions were able to reduce fasting glycemia. In the sWAT, the STST was able to decrease the levels of the long-chain fatty acids profile, saturated fatty acid, and palmitic fatty acid (C16:0). Moreover, it was showed that STST did not increase protein levels responsible for lipolysis, the ATGL, ABHD5, pPLIN1, and pHSL. On the other hand, the exercise protocol decreased the expression of the lipogenic enzyme SCD1. Finally, our study demonstrated that the STST increased browning process-related genes such as PGC-1α, PRDM16, and UCP1 in the sWAT. Interestingly, all these biomolecular mechanisms have been observed independently of changes in body weight. Therefore, it is concluded that short-term strength exercise can be an effective strategy to initiate morphological changes in sWAT.

The roles of cell-cell and organ-organ crosstalk in the type 2 diabetes mellitus associated inflammatory microenvironment

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a classic metaflammatory disease, and the inflammatory states of the pancreatic islet and insulin target organs have been well confirmed. However, abundant evidence demonstrates that there are countless connections between these organs in the presence of a low degree of inflammation. In this review, we focus on cell-cell crosstalk among local cells in the islet and organ-organ crosstalk among insulin-related organs. In contrast to that in acute inflammation, macrophages are the dominant immune cells causing inflammation in the islets and insulin target organs in T2DM. In the inflammatory microenvironment (IME) of the islet, cell-cell crosstalk involving local macrophage polarization and proinflammatory cytokine production impair insulin secretion by β-cells. Furthermore, organ-organ crosstalk, including the gut-brain-pancreas axis and interactions among insulin-related organs during inflammation, reduces insulin sensitivity and induces endocrine dysfunction. Therefore, this crosstalk ultimately results in a cascade leading to β-cell dysfunction. These findings could have broad implications for therapies aimed at treating T2DM.

Disruption of Pituitary Gonadotrope Activity in Male Rats After Short- or Long-Term High-Fat Diets Is Not Associated With Pituitary Inflammation

Overnutrition is associated with the activation of inflammatory pathways in metabolically linked organs and an early hypothalamic inflammation is now known to disrupt the central control of metabolic function. Because we demonstrated that fatty acids (FA) target the pituitary and affect gonadotropin synthesis, we asked whether overnutrition induces pituitary inflammation that may contribute to obesity-associated disorders in the control of reproduction. We analyzed pituitary inflammation and hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in male rats fed a short- (4 weeks) or long-term (20 weeks) high-fat diet. The effect of diet enrichment with the ω3 polyunsaturated FA, DHA, was also analyzed. After only 4 weeks and before weight gain of rats, high-fat diet caused a significant decrease in pituitary gonadotropin and hypothalamic GnRH transcript levels despite unchanged testosterone and inhibin B levels. Contrasting with the hypothalamus, there was no concomitant increases in gene expression of pituitary inflammatory mediators and even a reduction of prototypical cytokines such as interleukin-1β and TNF-α. No inflammation was still detected in the pituitary after 20 weeks although gonadotropin transcripts and circulating levels were still altered. Gonadotropins were the only pituitary hormones remaining affected at this stage of the regimen, underlying a differential susceptibility of pituitary lineages to metabolic disorders. DHA enrichment of the diet did not prevent alterations of gonadotrope activity due to either a long- or a short-term high-fat diet although it blocked early hypothalamic inflammation and attenuated several metabolic effects. Taken together, our findings suggest that high-fat diet-induced defects in gonadotrope activity in male rats occurred despite a lack of pituitary inflammation.

Free fatty acid receptors in the endocrine regulation of glucose metabolism: Insight from gastrointestinal-pancreatic-adipose interactions

Glucose metabolism is primarily controlled by pancreatic hormones, with the coordinated assistance of the hormones from gastrointestine and adipose tissue. Studies have unfolded a sophisticated hormonal gastrointestinal-pancreatic-adipose interaction network, which essentially maintains glucose homeostasis in response to the changes in substrates and nutrients. Free fatty acids (FFAs) are the important substrates that are involved in glucose metabolism. FFAs are able to activate the G-protein coupled membrane receptors including GPR40, GPR120, GPR41 and GPR43, which are specifically expressed in pancreatic islet cells, enteroendocrine cells as well as adipocytes. The activation of FFA receptors regulates the secretion of hormones from pancreas, gastrointestine and adipose tissue to influence glucose metabolism. This review presents the effects of the FFA receptors on glucose metabolism via the hormonal gastrointestinal-pancreatic-adipose interactions and the underlying intracellular mechanisms. Furthermore, the development of therapeutic drugs targeting FFA receptors for the treatment of abnormal glucose metabolism such as type 2 diabetes mellitus is summarized.

Omega-3 mechanism of action in inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress in mononuclear cells from overweight non-alcoholic fatty liver disease participants: study protocol for the "Brazilian Omega Study" (BROS)-a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The low-grade inflammation is pivotal in obesity and its comorbidities; however, the inflammatory proteins are out of target for traditional drug therapy. Omega-3 (ω3) fatty acids can modulate the downstream signaling of Toll-like receptor (TLR) and tumor necrosis factor-α receptor (TNFα) through GPR120, a G-protein-coupled receptor, a mechanism not yet elucidated in humans. This work aims to investigate if the ω3 supplementation, at a feasible level below the previously recommended level in the literature, is enough to disrupt the inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER-stress), and also if in acute treatment (3 h) ω3 can activate the GPR120 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and leukocytes from overweight non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) participants. The R270H variant of the Ffar4 (GPR120 gene) will also be explored about molecular responses and blood lipid profiles. A triple-blind, prospective clinical trial will be conducted in overweight men and women, aged 19–75 years, randomized into placebo or supplemented (2.2 g of ω3 [EPA+DHA]) groups for 28 days. For sample calculation, it was considered the variation of TNFα protein and a 40% dropout rate, obtaining 22 individuals in each group. Volunteers will be recruited among patients with NAFLD diagnosis. Anthropometric parameters, food intake, physical activity, total serum lipids, complete fatty acid blood profile, and glycemia will be evaluated pre- and post-supplementation. In the PBMC and neutrophils, the protein content and gene expression of markers related to inflammation (TNFα, MCP1, IL1β, IL6, IL10, JNK, and TAK1), ER-stress (ATF1, ATF6, IRE1, XBP1, CHOP, eIF2α, eIF4, HSP), and ω3 pathway (GPR120, β-arrestin2, Tab1/2, and TAK1) will be evaluated using Western blot and RT-qPCR. Participants will be genotyped for the R270H (rs116454156) variant using the TaqMan assay. It is hypothesized that attenuation of inflammation and ER-stress signaling pathways in overweight and NAFLD participants will be achieved through ω3 supplementation through binding to the GPR120 receptor.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov #RBR-7x8tbx. Registered on May 10, 2018, with the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05702-x.

Hypothalamic inflammation in metabolic disorders and aging

The hypothalamus is a critical brain region for the regulation of energy homeostasis. Over the years, studies on energy metabolism primarily focused on the neuronal component of the hypothalamus. Studies have recently uncovered the vital role of glial cells as an additional player in energy balance regulation. However, their inflammatory activation under metabolic stress condition contributes to various metabolic diseases. The recruitment of monocytes and macrophages in the hypothalamus helps sustain such inflammation and worsens the disease state. Neurons were found to actively participate in hypothalamic inflammatory response by transmitting signals to the surrounding non-neuronal cells. This activation of different cell types in the hypothalamus leads to chronic, low-grade inflammation, impairing energy balance and contributing to defective feeding habits, thermogenesis, and insulin and leptin signaling, eventually leading to metabolic disorders (i.e., diabetes, obesity, and hypertension). The hypothalamus is also responsible for the causation of systemic aging under metabolic stress. A better understanding of the multiple factors contributing to hypothalamic inflammation, the role of the different hypothalamic cells, and their crosstalks may help identify new therapeutic targets. In this review, we focus on the role of glial cells in establishing a cause-effect relationship between hypothalamic inflammation and the development of metabolic diseases. We also cover the role of other cell types and discuss the possibilities and challenges of targeting hypothalamic inflammation as a valid therapeutic approach.

The carbohydrate-insulin model: a physiological perspective on the obesity pandemic

According to a commonly held view, the obesity pandemic is caused by overconsumption of modern, highly palatable, energy-dense processed foods, exacerbated by a sedentary lifestyle. However, obesity rates remain at historic highs, despite a persistent focus on eating less and moving more, as guided by the energy balance model (EBM). This public health failure may arise from a fundamental limitation of the EBM itself. Conceptualizing obesity as a disorder of energy balance restates a principle of physics without considering the biological mechanisms that promote weight gain. An alternative paradigm, the carbohydrate-insulin model (CIM), proposes a reversal of causal direction. According to the CIM, increasing fat deposition in the body-resulting from the hormonal responses to a high-glycemic-load diet-drives positive energy balance. The CIM provides a conceptual framework with testable hypotheses for how various modifiable factors influence energy balance and fat storage. Rigorous research is needed to compare the validity of these 2 models, which have substantially different implications for obesity management, and to generate new models that best encompass the evidence.

Pharmacological Modulation of Immune Responses by Nutritional Components

The incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has increased over the last few decades, and one of the major contributors to this is lifestyle, especially diet. High intake of saturated fatty acids and low intake of dietary fiber is linked to an increase in NCDs. Conversely, a low intake of saturated fatty acids and a high intake of dietary fiber seem to have a protective effect on general health. Several mechanisms have been identified that underlie this phenomenon. In this review, we focus on pharmacological receptors, including the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, binding partners of the retinoid X receptor, G-coupled protein receptors, and toll-like receptors, which can be activated by nutritional components and their metabolites. Depending on the nutritional component and the receptors involved, both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects occur, leading to an altered immune response. These insights may provide opportunities for the prevention and treatment of NCDs and their inherent (sub)chronic inflammation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review summarizes the reported effects of nutritional components and their metabolites on the immune system through manipulation of specific (pharmacological) receptors, including the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, binding partners of the retinoid X receptor, G-coupled protein receptors, and toll-like receptors. Nutritional components, such as vitamins, fibers, and unsaturated fatty acids are able to resolve inflammation, whereas saturated fatty acids tend to exhibit proinflammatory effects. This may aid decision makers and scientists in developing strategies to decrease the incidence of noncommunicable diseases.

Polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption and weight gain during pregnancy: NISAMI Cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Few studies have investigated the influence of polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption on excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Thus, we analyzed the association between the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-6 and ω-3) and weight gain in women during pregnancy.

METHODS

This is a cohort study of 250 pregnant women enrolled in municipal pre-natal services. Weight, height, and dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids were evaluated at the baseline. The semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was employed to assess the main exposure. Gestational weight was measured in the first, second, and third trimesters. A dietary pattern involving the consumption of fatty acids was identified through factor analysis. A generalized estimating equation was used for the data analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of excessive weight gain at the end of pregnancy was 35.2%. Consumption patterns 1 (salted meats, offal, vegetable oil, snacks, legumes, and oleaginous foods) and 2 (red meat, sausages, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, acarajé, caruru, vatapá, and refined cereals) revealed a risk for the accumulation of excess weight during pregnancy. Women who adhered to consumption patterns 1 (RR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.44-3.94) and 2 (RR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.44-3.94) were more susceptible to excess weight gain during pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Women who adhered to dietary patterns involving foods that are sources of ω-6 fatty acids and saturated fatty acids were more susceptible to gaining weight during pregnancy compared to those who adhered less to these patterns.

Anti-Diabetic Effects of Isolated Lipids from Natural Sources through Modulation of Angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Aberrant angiogenesis plays a fateful role in the development of diabetes and diabetic complications. Lipids, as a diverse group of biomacromolecules, are able to relieve diabetes through the modulation of angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVE

Owing to the present remarkable anti-diabetic effects with no or few side effects of lipids, the aim of this study was to assess the state-of-the-art research on anti-diabetic effects of lipids via the modulation of angiogenesis.

METHODS

To study the effects of lipids in diabetes via modulation of angiogenesis, we have searched the electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane.

RESULTS

The promising anti-diabetic effects of lipids were reported in several studies. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from fish oil (FO) were reported to significantly induce neovasculogenesis in high glucose (HG)-mediated endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) neovasculogenic dysfunction in type 2 diabetic mice. Linoleic acid, mono-epoxy-tocotrienol-α (MeT3α), and ginsenoside Rg1 facilitate wound closure and vessel formation. N-Palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), omega-3 (ω3) lipids from flaxseed (FS) oil, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), lipoic acid, taurine, and zeaxanthin (Zx) are effective in diabetic retinopathy via suppression of angiogenesis. Lysophosphatidic acid, alkyl-glycerophosphate, crocin, arjunolic acid, α-lipoic acid, and FS oil are involved in the management of diabetes and its cardiac complications. Furthermore, in two clinical trials, R-(+)-lipoic acid (RLA) in combination with hyperbaric oxygenation therapy (HBOT) for treatment of chronic wound healing in DM patients, as well as supplementation with DHA plus antioxidants along with intravitreal ranibizumab were investigated for its effects on diabetic macular edema.

CONCLUSION

Proof-of-concept studies presented here seem to well shed light on the anti-diabetic effects of lipids via modulation of angiogenesis.

Flaxseed oil as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid source modulates cortisol concentrations and social dominance in male and female guinea pigs

Flaxseed oil is an excellent source of the essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Omega-3 PUFAs are important neuronal components and can counteract aggressive, depressive, and anxiety-like behavior, reduce glucocorticoid (e.g. cortisol) concentrations under chronic stress but also increase acute glucocorticoid responses. As glucocorticoids per se and glucocorticoid responsiveness can modulate the establishment of dominance hierarchies, we investigated if flaxseed oil high in ALA can promote social dominance through effects on glucocorticoid concentrations. Two male and two female groups of domestic guinea pigs (n = 9 per group) were maintained on a control or a 5% (w/w) flaxseed oil diet for four weeks. Social behaviors, hierarchy indices, locomotion, and saliva cortisol concentrations were determined during basal group housing conditions and stressful social confrontations with unfamiliar individuals of the other groups. Flaxseed groups had increased basal cortisol concentrations and showed no cortisol increase during social confrontations. Cortisol concentrations in control groups significantly increased during social confrontations. Such higher cortisol responses positively affected individual hierarchy indices in control males. However, flaxseed males became dominant irrespective of cortisol concentrations. In females, the opposite was detected, namely a higher dominant status in control compared to flaxseed females. Open-field- and dark-light-tests for anxiety-like behavior revealed no pronounced differences, but flaxseed males showed the highest locomotor activity. Flaxseed oil as an ALA source sex-specifically promoted social dominance irrespective of cortisol concentrations and responses. The underlying neuronal mechanisms remain to be determined, but a sex-specific energetic advantage may have accounted for this effect.

FFAR4: A New Player in Cardiometabolic Disease?

Free fatty acids (FFAs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases that includes obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). FFAs serve as ligands for free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) that belong to the family of rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are expressed throughout the body to maintain energy homeostasis under changing nutritional conditions. Free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4), also known as G protein-coupled receptor 120, is a long-chain fatty acid receptor highly expressed in adipocytes, endothelial cells, and macrophages. Activation of FFAR4 helps maintain metabolic homeostasis by regulating adipogenesis, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation. Furthermore, dysfunction of FFAR4 is associated with insulin resistance, obesity, and eccentric remodeling in both humans and mice, making FFAR4 an attractive therapeutic target for treating or preventing metabolic diseases. While much of the previous literature on FFAR4 has focused on its role in obesity and diabetes, recent studies have demonstrated that FFAR4 may also play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and CVD. Most notably, FFAR4 activation reduces monocyte-endothelial cell interaction, enhances cholesterol efflux from macrophages, reduces lesion size in atherogenic mouse models, and stimulates oxylipin production in myocytes that functions in a feed-forward cardioprotective mechanism. This review will focus on the role of FFAR4 in metabolic diseases and highlights an underappreciated role of FFAR4 in the development of atherosclerosis and CVD.

Pre- and Perinatal Correlates of Ideal Cardiovascular Health during Early Childhood: A Prospective Analysis in the Healthy Start Study

OBJECTIVES

To characterize prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health (ICVH) during early childhood (4-7 years of age), and to identify pre- and perinatal biological, sociodemographic, metabolic, and behavioral correlates of ICVH.

STUDY DESIGN

Among 350 mother-child pairs in the Healthy Start Study, we defined ICVH as no exposure to second hand smoke; ≥1 hour/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; body mass index ≤85th percentile; systolic and diastolic blood pressure <90th percentile; cholesterol <170 mg/dL, fasting glucose <100 mg/dL; and healthy diet, per the American Heart Association. Pre- and perinatal characteristics were obtained from questionnaires, medical records, and in-person visits. Because of low prevalence of ICVH, we focused on prevalence of meeting ≥6 metrics in the analysis. We examined bivariate associations of each characteristic with % meeting ≥6 metrics and included those that were significant (P < .05) in a multivariable logistic regression model.

RESULTS

ICVH prevalence at mean ± SD age 4.7±0.6 years was 6.9%; boys had twice the prevalence as girls (9% vs 4.4%). Most (>85%) children met criteria for second hand smoke, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose, and only one-third met criteria for physical activity (31.4%) and diet (35.1%). In multivariable analyses, key correlates of ICVH were maternal weight status (ORoverweight/obese vs nonoverweight/obese = 0.41 [0.23, 0.73]) and offspring sex (ORmale vs female = 2.14 [1.22, 3.65]).

CONCLUSIONS

At age 4-7 years, ICVH prevalence is already low, with diet and adequate physical activity being the limiting factors. Healthy maternal weight prior to pregnancy and male sex are potential determinants of childhood ICVH. Additional work is required to explore associations of early-life ICVH with future health outcomes.

Microglial Lipid Biology in the Hypothalamic Regulation of Metabolic Homeostasis

In mammals, myeloid cells help maintain the homeostasis of peripheral metabolic tissues, and their immunologic dysregulation contributes to the progression of obesity and associated metabolic disease. There is accumulating evidence that innate immune cells also serve as functional regulators within the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH), a critical brain region controlling both energy and glucose homeostasis. Specifically, microglia, the resident parenchymal myeloid cells of the CNS, play important roles in brain physiology and pathology. Recent studies have revealed an expanding array of microglial functions beyond their established roles as immune sentinels, including roles in brain development, circuit refinement, and synaptic organization. We showed that microglia modulate MBH function by transmitting information resulting from excess nutrient consumption. For instance, microglia can sense the excessive consumption of saturated fats and instruct neurons within the MBH accordingly, leading to responsive alterations in energy balance. Interestingly, the recent emergence of high-resolution single-cell techniques has enabled specific microglial populations and phenotypes to be profiled in unprecedented detail. Such techniques have highlighted specific subsets of microglia notable for their capacity to regulate the expression of lipid metabolic genes, including lipoprotein lipase (LPL), apolipoprotein E (APOE) and Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2). The discovery of this transcriptional signature highlights microglial lipid metabolism as a determinant of brain health and disease pathogenesis, with intriguing implications for the treatment of brain disorders and potentially metabolic disease. Here we review our current understanding of how changes in microglial lipid metabolism could influence the hypothalamic control of systemic metabolism.