Alterations of DNA methylation profile in peripheral blood of children with simple obesity

Purpose

To investigate the association between DNA methylation and childhood simple obesity.

Methods

Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation was conducted on peripheral blood samples from 41 children with simple obesity and 31 normal controls to identify differentially methylated sites (DMS). Subsequently, gene functional analysis of differentially methylated genes (DMGs) was carried out. After screening the characteristic DMGs based on specific conditions, the methylated levels of these DMS were evaluated and verified by pyrosequencing. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis assessed the predictive efficacy of corresponding DMGs. Finally, Pearson correlation analysis revealed the correlation between specific DMS and clinical data.

Results

The overall DNA methylation level in the obesity group was significantly lower than in normal. A total of 241 DMS were identified. Functional pathway analysis revealed that DMGs were primarily involved in lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, human diseases, among other pathways. The characteristic DMS within the genes Transcription factor A mitochondrial (TFAM) and Piezo type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1(PIEZO1) were recognized as CpG-cg05831083 and CpG-cg14926485, respectively. Furthermore, the methylation level of CpG-cg05831083 significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI) and vitamin D.

Conclusions

Abnormal DNA methylation is closely related to childhood simple obesity. The altered methylation of CpG-cg05831083 and CpG-cg14926485 could potentially serve as biomarkers for childhood simple obesity.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13755-024-00275-w.

Identification of novel circulating miRNAs biomarkers for healthy obese and lean children

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight has risen globally, leading to increased rates of metabolic disorders. Various factors, including genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences such as diet and physical activity, contribute to pediatric obesity. This study aimed to identify specific circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers for assessing obesity in children.

METHODS

Thirty children, including 15 obese and 15 extremely thin individuals, were selected for this study. MiRNA expression in circulating plasma was assessed using miRNA microarrays. The reliability of differential miRNA expression was confirmed using TaqMan qPCR. The correlation between miRNAs and obesity was analyzed through multiple linear regression, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and odds ratio (OR) calculations. Bioinformatics tools were utilized to identify target genes for the selected miRNAs, and a functional network map was constructed.

RESULTS

A total of 36 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified through gene chip analysis, and TaqMan qPCR validation confirmed the upregulation of seven miRNAs: hsa-miR-126-3p, hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-199a-3p, hsa-miR-20a-5p, hsa-miR-223-3p, hsa-miR-23a-3p, and hsa-miR-24-3p. Among these, hsa-miR-15b-5p and hsa-miR-223-3p exhibited a statistically significant difference except for hsa-miR-23a-3p. These two miRNAs showed more predicted target genes related to obesity than others. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed an association between obesity and hsa-miR-15b-5p and hsa-miR-223-3p [10.529 (4.974-16.084), -10.225 (-17.852~ -2.657)]. Even after adjusting for age and sex, these two miRNAs remained associated with obesity [8.936 (3.572-14.301), -8.449(-15.634~ -1.303)]. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) reached values of 0.816, 0.711, and 0.929, respectively. Odds ratio analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between obesity and hsa-miR-15b-5p (OR = 143, 95% CI 5.80 to 56,313, p = 0.024) and between obesity and hsa-miR-223-3p (OR = 0.01, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.23, p = 0.037). Importantly, hsa-miR-15b-5p was found to have numerous target genes associated with the FoxO, insulin, Ras, and AMPK signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Differential miRNA expression profiles in the circulation of obese children compared to controls suggest underlying metabolic abnormalities. Hsa-miR-15b-5p and hsa-miR-223-3p may be considered as molecular markers for the screening of obese children and populations at risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

Progress on haptoglobin and metabolic diseases

Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acidic glycoprotein, existing in the serum and other body fluids of human beings and a variety of mammals. Hp is produced in the liver, white adipose tissue, and the kidney. The genetic polymorphisms and different phenotypes of Hp have different biological functions. Hp has antibacterial, antioxidant, and angiogenic effects and is associated with multiple diseases including simple obesity, vascular complications of diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, blood diseases, autoimmune diseases, and malignant tumors. Hp also participates in many life activities, indicating the importance of Hp in further studies. Previously, we found that the expression of serum Hp changed after treatment of simple obesity patients in clinical trials. However, the specific mechanism of Hp in patients with simple obesity is still unclear. The purpose of this article is to introduce recent research progress on Hp, emphasizing the relationship between Hp and the development of metabolic disease, which will improve the understanding of the functions of Hp underlying metabolic diseases and discuss future research directions.

Polyglycolic acid sutures embedded in abdominal acupoints for treatment of simple obesity in adults: a randomized control trial

Background

Acupoint catgut embedding therapy characterized by acupoint, needle and catgut are superior to traditional acupuncture, due to exerting more comprehensive therapeutic efficacy. However, it is still deficient in clinical evidence for polyglycolic acid sutures, a novel biodegradable material instead of catgut, embedded for the treatment of simple obesity. In our study, we investigate the efficacy and related mechanism of polyglycolic acid sutures embedded in abdominal acupoints on simple obese persons by a randomized control trial.

Methods

A total of 51 eligible participators were randomly allocated to a polyglycolic acid sutures embedding therapy (PASET) group (n = 28) or control group (n = 23). Participators in PASET group received polyglycolic acid sutures alternatively embedded in abdominal I group and II group acupoints in odd and even number therapeutic courses, and participators in control group were required to perform lifestyle modification. The duration of the study was 10 weeks.

Results

It suggested that PASET significantly reduced weight, body mass index, hip circumference, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio and thickness of abdominal subcutaneous fat tissue compared with those before treatment (p < 0.01), but lifestyle modification only illustrated downward trend of weight (p < 0.05). Moreover, PASET group also improved the evaluated scores in aspects of physical function, self-esteem, public distress and sexual life, as well as decreased blood pressure, glycemia, low density lipoprotein, uric acid and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1β, and increased high density lipoprotein in comparison with those before treatment (p < 0.05), whose efficacies are superior to control group. Additionally, our results also indicate PASET is relative safe and its pain and discomfort can be tolerable.

Conclusions

PASET distinctly ameliorates anthropometric data and quality of life in obese population, which associates with improvements of metabolic profile and inflammatory response. Based on the advantageous actions, we think PASET is an effective therapeutic approach to simple obesity treatment.

Trial registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR1800015591. Registered 10 April 2018, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=23258

[Comparison of therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture and acupoint catgut embedding in redu-cing serum leptin and insulin levels in simple obesity patients]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and acupoint catgut embedding in the treatment of simple obesity.

METHODS

Simple obesity patients were randomized into EA group (7 men and 36 women, 21－42 years in age) and catgut embedding group (4 men and 37 women, 22－41 years in age). EA (4 Hz/20 Hz, a tolerable strength) was applied to main acupoints Zhongwan (CV12), bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Daheng (SP15), Daimai (GB26), Shuidao (ST28), Zhigou (TE6), Yinlingquan (SP9), Zusanli (ST36), Fenglong (ST40), and Sanyinjiao (SP6), and some auxiliary acupoints for 30 min, once every other day for 30 times. Subcutaneous catgut-embedment was performed in the same acupoints. Nine to 11 acupoints were used every time, once every 10 days for 6 times. Before and after the treatment, fasting serum leptin and insulin (INS) contents were detected by radioimmunoassay, and the correlation between the leptin, INS and the body mass index (BMI) was analyzed, respectively.

RESULTS

Following the treatment, the serum leptin and INS concentrations and BMI in both groups were significantly decreased in comparison with those of their own pre-treatment (P<0.01). No significant differences were found between the two groups in the levels of serum leptin and INS after the treatment (P>0.05). There were positive correlations between the decreased BMI and serum leptin/INS contents in both EA and catgut embedding groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Both catgut embedding and EA interventions have a positive effect in reducing body weight of simple obesity patients, which may be related to its effects in down-regulating serum leptin and INS levels and in correcting leptin resistance and insulin resistance.

[Regularity of Acupoint Selection for Simple Obesity Treated by Acupoint Catgut Embedding Based on Complex Network Technology]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the core acupoints and acupoint combinations of catgut embedding for simple obesity based on the complex network technology.

METHODS

Articles about acupoint catgut embedding for simple obesity were collec-ted from databases of PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from 1980 to 2016 by using keywords "simple obesity" "obesity" "acupoint embedding" "acupuncture" and "traditional Chinese medicine"， followed by constructing a database of acupoint prescription. Acupoint node (one node means an acupoint) weighted complex network was constructed by using complex network technique, followed by conducting centrality analysis and clustering analysis about the nodes using Matlab 2014, a software for revealing the core acupoint node and compatibility relations. At last, theresults (complex network diagram) were displayed using software Gephi 0.9.1.

RESULTS

A total of 238 articles (all in Chinese) including 278 acupoints (of which 115 are meridian acupoints) were collected. The top 15 core acupoints are Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12), Fenglong (ST 40), San-yinjiao (SP 6), Quchi (LI 11), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Guanyuan (CV 4), Pishu (BL 20), Qihai (CV 6), Shenshu (BL 23), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Daheng (SP 15), Shuifen (CV 9), and Ganshu (BL 18), mainly distributing in the abdomen, lower limbs and back. Those acupoints with the highest core degree are attributed to the Stomach Meridian, Conception Vessel, Bladder Meri-dian, Spleen Meridian and Large Intestine Meridian. Regarding the compatibility of these acupoints, ST 25 and CV 12 have the highe-st correlation frequency, followed by ST 25 and ST 36, and ST 40 and ST 25, indicating the principle of different combinations being regional acupoints and meridian acupoints.

CONCLUSION

In the treatment of simple obesity with catgut embedding, top 15 core acupoints as ST 25, ST 36, CV 12, ST 40, etc, and acupoint recipes as ST 25 and CV 12, ST 25 and ST 36, ST 40 and ST 25 are most frequently used in clinical practice.

[Treatment of Simple Obesity Patients with Phlegm Dampness Stagnation Syndrome with Warming Needle Moxibustion]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the therapeutic effect of warming needle moxibustion stimulation of Hegu (LI 4), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. for simple obesity patients with phlegm dampness stagnation syndrome (PDSS)．.

METHODS

A total of 60 simple obesity patients with PDSS were equally randomized into control group (13 men and 17 women, 18－53 years in age) and treatment group (14 men and 16 women, 19－45 years in age). All the patients of both groups were treated by diet control (trying their best to reduce high fat, high glucose and high salt foods, supplementing proteins). Patients of the treatment group received additional treatment of warming needle moxibustion, i．e., the inserted acupuncture needles in bilateral Hegu (LI 4), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), and Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), etc., were manipulated for a while with reducing technique after "deqi"， followed by attachment of ignited moxa-cones at each of the needle handles for 30 min. The treatment was conducted once every other day for 8 weeks. The therapeutic effect was assessed according to the "Criteria for Diagnosis and Therapeutic Effect Evaluation of Simple Obesity" (1998). Before and after the treatment, body fat percentage (F%), body adiposity index (BAI), and body mass index (BMI) were calculated, serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (CHO), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were detected using a biochemical analyzer.

RESULTS

Following the treatment, of the two 30 cases of obesity patients in the control and treatment groups, 0 (0.0%) and 1 (3.3%) was under control, 11(36.7%) and 16 (53.3%) had a marked improvement, 8(26.7%) and 10 (33.3%) were effective, and 11 (36.7%) and 3 (10.0%) failed in the treatment, with the effective rates being 63.3% and 90.0%, respectively. The effective rate of the warming needle moxibustion plus diet control was significantly superior to that of the simple diet control (P<0.01). After the treatment, the BMI, F%, serum CHO and TG levels and BAI in the treatment group were significantly decreased in comparison with its own pre-treatment in treatment group (P<0.05, P<0.01), while serum HDL-C of the treatment group was obviously increased compared with its own pre-treatment (P<0.01). The decreased F%, CHO and TG levels were markedly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05，P<0.01)．.

CONCLUSION

Warming needle moxibustion has a positive effect for simple obesity patients with PDSS in controlling their symptoms.

[Analysis on Randomized Controlled Trials for Acupuncture Treatment of Simple Obesity Collected from PubMed]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze studies published in journals included in PubMed in terms of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for simple obesity, so as to provide a reference for subsequent RCT-related designs and results.

METHODS

RCT literature about acupuncture treatment of simple obesity from the PubMed database and from 2000 to 2016 was retrieved by using keywords of "obesity" "fat" "acupuncture" "joint application of acupuncture and herbal medicine" or "auricular point" "electroacupuncture", "acupoint application", or "cupping", followed by screening, extraction and evaluation of the design methodology and outcomes using Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) and Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA).

RESULTS

Fourteen articles from six countries in Asia examining the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in the treatment of simple obesity mainly by using acupoints of the Stomach Meridian were included. Generally, acupuncture was found to be more effective than sham acupuncture. However, PubMed did not include any RCTs comparing acupuncture with western medicine for weight loss and many problems (as details of needling manipulation, etc.) remained in the the research reports available in the database.

CONCLUSION

All the existing RCTs generally affirm the positive efficacy of acupuncture for simple obesity, but high-quality RCTs, particularly those comparing acupuncture with western medicines for weight loss are lacking.

Proximal gastric function in volunteers with different types of simple obesity: an analysis of 67 cases

AIM: To analyze the characteristics of changes in proximal gastric function in volunteers with different types of simple obesity.

METHODS: Sixty-seven volunteers with simple obesity were divided into three groups, namely, group A (volunteers with binge eating), group B (volunteers with normal diet) and group C (volunteers with functional dyspepsia). Thirty-two non-obese healthy volunteers formed the control group (group D). Gastric barostat studies were then performed to record the changes in gastric capacity, intragastric pressure and gastric compliance in response to mechanical distension.

RESULTS: The initial volume (IV) and maximal tolerance volume (MV) in group A were significantly larger than those in group D (t = -6.63 and -5.20, respectively; both P < 0.01), whereas these two parameters in group C were significantly lower than those in group D (t = 3.48 and 2.11, respectively; both P < 0.01). The initial intragastric pressure (IP) and the maximal tolerance pressure (MP) in group C were significantly lower than those in group D (t = 2.09 and 2.08, respectively; both P < 0.05). The initial gastric compliance (IC) and the maximal tolerance compliance (MC) in group A were significantly higher than those in group D (t = 2.44 and -5.56, respectively; both P < 0.01), whereas these two parameters in group C were significantly than those in group D (t = 2.44 and 2.32, respectively; both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The main reason for the development of obesity in binge eaters is due to an increase in gastric capacity, compliance and accommodation as well as a delay in satiety.

Characteristics of gastric emptying rate in simple obesity accompanied by bulimia

AIM: To observe gastric emptying rates in simple obesity accompanied by bulimia, simple obesity with normal diet and normal weight people, and to investigate the characteristics of gastric emptying.

METHODS: Forty two subjects with simple obesity accompanied by bulimia, 32 subjects with simple obesity and normal food intake and 40 people with normal weight were studied with SPECT. After subjects eating test meal marked 99mTc-DTPA, picture of stomach was collected, and gastric emptying rate was calculated according to a fixed formula.

RESULTS: Gastric emptying halftime of simple obesity accompanied by bulimia was shorter than that of normal control (71.21 ± 19.2 min vs 81.25 ± 14.08 min, P < 0.01). Gastric emptying halftime of normal food intake group was similar to that of normal control group. Gastric emptying rate of simple obesity with bulimia was quicker than normal control (30 min: 22.35% ± 4.53% vs 15.82% ± 4.72%; 60 min: 55.13% ± 9.21% vs 47.25% ± 8.18%; 90 min: 76.35% ± 5.76% vs 69.29% ± 8.85%; 120 min: 92.22% ± 7.41% vs 84.92% ± 6.53%, all P < 0.01). Gastric emptying rate of normal food intake group was similar to that of normal control group.

CONCLUSION: The gastric emptying rate in simple obesity with bulimia become is quicker, which may partly account for obesity.