Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “OBESITY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptorgamma2 (PPARgamma2) Pro12Ala variant: lack of association with type 2 diabetes in obese and non obese Tunisian patients.

OBJECTIVES: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptorgamma2 (PPARgamma2) is a nuclear receptor that regulates adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism and probably insulin sensitivity. There have been several reports on the relationship between the PPARgamma2 Pro12Ala genotype and the development of obesity or type 2 diabetes. We designed a case-controlled study to investigate the potential association of the genetic variation of the PPARgamma2 gene with type 2 diabetes in Tunisians. METHODS: We used the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion to characterize the variation of the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPARgamma2 gene in 242 unrelated Tunisian patients with type 2 diabetes and 246 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Analysis of the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPARgamma2 gene in patients with type 2 diabetes and in control subjects revealed no significant differences in the PPARgamma2 allele frequencies between diabetic patients and control subjects. However the PPARgamma2 Ala12 allele was found significantly associated with a high level of systolic blood pressure in diabetic patients. Stratification of diabetic patients on obese and non obese subjects showed non significant differences in the PPARgamma2 Ala12 frequency between the two groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the PPARgamma2 gene is unlikely a major gene for type 2 diabetes mellitus or obesity in Tunisian subjects.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Memory impairment in obese Zucker rats: an investigation of cognitive function in an animal model of insulin resistance and obesity.

The genetically obese Zucker rat is a widely investigated model of pathological changes associated with type 2 diabetes. To assess cognitive function, obese and lean Zucker rats were tested on a variable-interval delayed alternation test of learning and memory. There were no group differences in learning the alternation rule or at short intervals, but obese rats were impaired at longer intervals where performance is hippocampus dependent. Plasma membrane association of the insulin sensitive glucose transporter, GLUT4, was reduced in the hippocampus of obese rats in the absence of changes in total GLUT4 and insulin receptor expression. These results parallel those of human studies in pointing to the susceptibility of the hippocampus and related structures to the adverse environment of diabetes mellitus.

Analysis of Variance↗

Obesity-related comorbidities in obese African Americans in an outpatient weight loss program.

OBJECTIVE: To identify, among obese African-American enrollees in an outpatient weight loss program, differences between those with and without obesity-related comorbidities (ORCMs). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Data were from 237 obese African Americans (BMI, 30 to 50 kg/m2; 90% women) who enrolled in a 10-week lifestyle weight loss program. Analyses compared subgroups defined by ORCM status (from medical history) on baseline characteristics, program attendance, and postprogram weight change. RESULTS: Most participants (76%) had one or more ORCMs. Those with versus without ORCMs, respectively, were older (mean age, 45.6 vs. 37.1 years; p < 0.001), were less educated (59.2% vs. 76.6% with > 12 years; p = 0.031), were more likely to perceive a physical limitation affecting activity (22.2% vs. 1.8%; p < 0.001), and had higher waist circumference (mean, 113.7 vs. 106.9 cm; p < 0.001) but not BMI (38.3 vs. 37.0 kg/m2; p = 0.095). Logistic regression analyses confirmed the independence of these associations. Having ORCMs was not associated with class attendance or return for data collection after the 10-week program. Postprogram weight change (n = 134) was unrelated to ORCMs, but better weight loss was seen among those without perceived physical limitations (1.9 vs. 0.4 kg in those without versus with limitations; p = 0.069). CONCLUSION: Data from this clinical sample of obese African Americans suggest that waist circumference is relevant to ORCM status at BMI levels up to 50 kg/m2. Clear indications for tailoring of treatment based on ORCM status were not identified, although the possible influence of ORCM-related activity limitations warrants further study.

Adult↗

The Obesity Adjustment Survey: development of a scale to assess psychological adjustment to morbid obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a reliable and valid measure of distress, related to extreme obesity. DESIGN: Items related to distress over obesity were selected from the literature, clinical experience and from input provided by a gastroplasty patient support group. The items were assessed in a longitudinal study, with the body mass index (BMI) and psychological assessment occurring 2-6 months prior to, and 12 months following, gastroplasty surgery. SUBJECTS: 81 females and eight males (mean age 35.9 y) who had been accepted for gastroplasty surgery. All but two of the patients had BMIs > 40 (Mean = 48.11, s.d. = 6.84). MEASUREMENTS: BMIs were calculated using weight and height. Psychological characteristics were assessed using the Mental Health Inventory (MHI), the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), and the Eating Inventory (EI). Demographic information was collected with a questionnaire. RESULTS: Attempts to factor analyse the 95 item questionnaire were unsuccessful. Alternatively, a shorter, 20 item questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire shows good test-retest reliability (r = 0.867), good internal consistency (coefficient alpha = 0.719), good face and construct validity, and is sensitive to pre-post surgical change. CONCLUSIONS: The Obesity Adjustment Survey (OAS) may be useful as a brief measure of distress in obese individuals. This measure can be used to index the psychological impact of gastroplasty surgery on psychological functioning, and can be used in future research as a disease-specific measure to predict success of surgery.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Sick leave and disability pension before and after treatment for obesity: a report from the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse sick leave and disability pension among surgically and conventionally treated obese patients. DESIGN: A prospective study over five years. Differences in sick leave and disability pension were analysed using multiple and logistic regressions. Possible confounding factors were analysed and controlled for. SETTING: Nine counties in Sweden. SUBJECTS: 369 surgically treated patients and 371 matched obese controls, included in the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study. At baseline, mean body mass index (BMI) was 42 kg/m2 in surgical patients and 41 kg/m2 in controls. After four years of treatment, weight reduction was 20% among surgical patients while the control patients kept their initial weight. INTERVENTION: Gastric bariatric surgery. MEASUREMENTS: Days of sick leave plus disability pension, and days of disability pension. RESULTS: In the year prior to treatment, adjusted average number of days of sickness due to sick leave plus disability pension was similar in surgical patients and controls. Compared with controls, the surgical group had 35% more days of sickness during the first year after initiation of treatment, but 10-14% fewer days during years 2-3. During year four, days of sickness tended to be lower in the surgical group (P = 0.07). In the sub-group, aged above the median, surgical patients had 14-18% fewer days of sickness than controls, during years 2-3 after initiation of treatment This difference did not occur in the group below median age. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of obesity results in a reduction of sick leave and disability pension, compared to controls, particularly in subjects aged 47-60 y.

Adult↗

Predictors of weight loss and maintenance during 2 years of treatment by sibutramine in obesity. Results from the European multi-centre STORM trial. Sibutramine Trial of Obesity Reduction and Maintenance.

BACKGROUND: In this report we assess pre-treatment determinants of weight loss and maintenance outcome in The Sibutramine Trial of Obesity Reduction and Maintenance (STORM), a 2 y randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, European multicenter study examining the effect of sibutramine (Sib) on inducing and maintaining weight loss in obese subjects. MATERIAL: A total of 605 obese patients (BMI: 30-45 kg/m2) of both gender were included from eight European centers and treated for 24 months. The patients were treated for the initial 6 months by Sib (10 mg/day) and a low-fat low-energy, individualized diet (600 kcal/day deficit). The 467 patients who achieved >5% weight loss after 6 months were randomized 3&ratio;1 to Sib (10 mg/day) (Sib/Sib) and placebo (Sib/Pla) for weight maintenance over a further 18 months. MAIN OUTCOME AND ANALYSES: Pre-treatment individual characteristics were assessed as predictors of 6 months weight loss (kg) and 24 months weight maintenance using simple and multivariate correlation and regression analyses. RESULTS: In univariate analyses, the 6 month weight loss (n=505) was positively associated with pre-treatment body weight (r=0.27), height (r=0.18), fat-free mass (r=0.21) (all P<0.001), fat mass (r=0.13, P<0.03), and resting metabolic rate (r=0.13, P<0.003). However, no relation was found with age, gender, smoking status, age at onset of obesity, or number of previous slimming attempts. The same predictors were found for weight change to endpoint in the Sib/Sib group (n=350), while no predictors were identified in the Sib/Pla (n=114). In the multivariate regression analysis only pre-treatment body weight predicted weight loss at 6 months (P<0.001). Weight change (kg) to 24 month was predicted by: 4.34+0.07*body weight (kg)-4*treatment (Sib=1, Pla=0)-0.06*age (y), (r2=8%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Only pre-treatment body weight seems to be an important independent predictor of 6 months weight loss and 24 month weight maintenance in this study on diet and Sib. As only 8% of the variation in 24 months weight change could be explained by the predictors, the clinical value of this information is limited.

Adolescent↗

Energy and fat intake in obese and lean children at varying risk of obesity.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared lean children at high risk (HR) and low risk (LR) of obesity and obese children (OB) to assess the relationship between their energy (EI) and fat intake and adiposity. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of energy and fat intake in children, using 7-day weighed intakes validated by doubly labelled water (DLW) energy expenditure. SUBJECTS: A total of 114 pre-pubertal children, 50 HR (mean+/-s.d., 6.7+/-0.6 y, 25.7+/-4.8 kg, 21.3+/-6.6% body fat), 50 LR (mean+/-s.d., 6.6+/-0.8 y, 23.6+/-3.7 kg, 18.9+/-5.7% body fat) and 14 OB (mean+/-s.d., 6.8+/-1.0 y, 37.7+/-5.3 kg, 34.8+/-5.6% body fat). MEASUREMENTS: Body fatness was measured using deuterium dilution, total energy expenditure (TEE) by DLW and dietary intake using 7-day weighed records. RESULTS: EI was 98% of TEE in LR children, 95% in HR children and 86% in OB children. Although EI was similar in each group (LR, 7.03+/-1.26 MJ/day; HR, 7.30+/-1.46 MJ/day; OB, 7.55+/-1.67 MJ/day), obese +/-4.6%; P<0.05). There was a significant linear trend towards increasing fat intake (percentage energy) with increasing risk of obesity (P<0.05). While HR children were heavier and fatter than LR children (P<0.05), their EI and fat intake were not significantly greater (HR, 73+/-17 g, 37.3+/-4.4%). Dietary fat intake (percentage energy) was weakly but significantly related to body fatness (r(2)=0.05, P=0.02) by step-wise regression. Since energy from fat was the only macronutrient that was a significant predictor of body fatness, results were therefore analysed using quartiles of fat intake (percentage energy) as cut-offs. When grouped in this way children with the lowest intakes were leaner than those with the highest intakes (19.5+/-7.5 vs 24.9+/-9.4% body fatness; P<0.05). There was a significant trend for increasing fatness as fat intake increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fat intake is related to body fatness in childhood.

Anthropometry↗

Low-density lipoprotein particle size, central obesity, cardiovascular fitness, and insulin resistance syndrome markers in obese youths.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To determine the prevalence of small dense low-density lipoprotein (SDLDL) particles in obese youths and (2) to compare youths with SDLDL and large buoyant LDL (LBLDL) subclass phenotypes in total body and abdominal fatness, cardiovascular (CV) fitness, and markers of the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS). DESIGN: For group comparisons, subjects were dichotomized into either SDLDL phenotype group or LBDL phenotype group based on LDL particle size. SUBJECTS: Obese 13 to 16-y-olds (n=80) who had a triceps skinfold greater than the 85th percentile for gender, ethnicity, and age. MEASUREMENTS: LDL particle size, plasma lipids and lipoprotein concentrations, plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, and blood pressures; percentage body fat, visceral adipose tissue (VAT); VO(2) at a heart rate of 170 bpm as an index of CV fitness. RESULTS: The prevalence of the SDLDL phenotype was 54% among the 80 obese youths. Although overall body fatness (ie BMI and percentage body fat) and CV fitness were similar between the two LDL phenotype groups, the SDLDL phenotype group had significantly higher weight, waist circumference and VAT than the LBLDL phenotype group. With respect to the IRS markers, youths with the SDLDL phenotype had significantly higher triacylglycerol (TAG), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLC), apolipoprotein B (apo B), and total cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (TC/HDLC) than youths with the LBLDL phenotype. LDL particle size as a continuous variable was significantly correlated with TAG, VLDLC, apo B, HDLC, and TC/HDLC. Plasma TAG and HDLC concentrations were independent predictors of LDL particle size. CONCLUSION: (1) The SDLDL phenotype was common in obese youths and (2) the relationships of LDL particle size with several of the IRS markers suggested that already in adolescence the expression of the SDLDL phenotype might be an important risk factor for future coronary heart disease mortality and morbidity.

Abdomen↗

What do pharmacological approaches to obesity management offer? Linking pharmacological mechanisms of obesity management agents to clinical practice.

Obesity is characterised by pathophysiological defects affecting both sides of the energy balance equation. Individuals with a predisposition to obesity have impaired appetite control when diets are fat-rich and energy dense. They also exhibit a lower than expected resting metabolic rate (RMR). A low RMR, in concert with a sedentary lifestyle, contributes to a low total energy output, which may lead to obesity if continued over a period of years. A low metabolic rate seems to be genetically determined, and is partly caused by low sympathetic nervous system activity. Classical treatment programmes for obesity do not provide a satisfactory long-term outcome for the majority of patients. Patients who achieve only a small weight loss during dietary therapy, and have a tendency to weight regain, are characterised by lower energy expenditure, lower sympathetic activity, and a reduced ability to mobilise fat stores, compared with patients who are more successful at losing weight. It is reasonable to improve or normalise these traits by supporting the dietary approach with pharmacological manipulation of central and peripheral pathways. Agents which stimulate adrenergic neurons are particularly suitable because they offer mechanisms for inhibiting hunger and for stimulating energy expenditure, lipolysis and fat oxidation. Sympathomimetic compounds can reduce appetite and increase energy expenditure. Energy expenditure can be increased by 5-10% via stimulation of a combination of beta-adrenoceptors; beta3-adrenoceptors may predominate during chronic therapy. This increased energy expenditure increases the relative proportion of fat oxidation; as this is not fully compensated by increased energy intake, a negative energy balance occurs. This mechanism may be responsible for the long-term weight loss efficiency of agents like ephedrine/caffeine and sibutramine. Pharmacotherapy can be used to support short-term induction of weight loss or long-term weight maintenance. In the latter case, adrenergic agents enable a greater proportion of patients to maintain a satisfactory weight loss, compared with patients treated with conventional programmes alone. Pharmacotherapy which stabilises the size of fat stores at a lower level contributes indirectly to a pronounced improvement of risk factors, leading to a decreased potential for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and associated morbidity.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Repetitive GHRH administration fails to increase the response to GHRH in obese subjects. Evidence for a somatotrope defect in obesity?

Spontaneous GH secretion as well as GH response to several stimuli including GHRH have been shown to be reduced in obesity. To clarify the pathogenesis underlying these alterations, in six obese patients (3 males and 3 females, age 20-44 yrs, BMI = 42.1 +/- 2.2) on unrestricted diet we studied the effect of 8 day GHRH pretreatment (1 micrograms/kg iv each day) on the acute somatotropic response to the neurohormone administered both alone and combined with arginine (ARG, 0.5 g/kg iv infused from 0 to 30 min) which likely inhibits the release of hypothalamic somatostatin. Before treatment the GH response to GHRH (AUC: 231.9 +/- 106.4 micrograms/l/h) was potentiated (p < 0.001) by ARG (932.6 +/- 166.2 micrograms/l/h). However, the GH responses to the neurohormone both alone and combined with ARG were lower (p < 0.02 and 0.002, respectively) than in normals (712.4 +/- 111.6 and 2608.3 +/- 453.2 micrograms/l/h, respectively). After repetitive GHRH administration, in obese subjects baseline GH and IGF-I levels were unchanged. Also the GH responses to GHRH both alone (217.3 +/- 68.1 micrograms/l/h) and combined with ARG (756.3 +/- 202.9 micrograms/l/h) were not modified. In conclusion, our data demonstrate the failure of GHRH pretreatment to improve the somatotrope hyporesponsiveness to GHRH both alone and combined with ARG suggesting the existence of a somatotropic defect in obesity.

Adult↗

The epidemic of obesity in American Indian communities and the need for childhood obesity-prevention programs.

American Indians of all ages and both sexes have a high prevalence of obesity. The high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in American Indians shows the adverse effects that obesity has in these communities. Obesity has become a major health problem in American Indians only in the past 1-2 generations and is believed to be associated with the relative abundance of high-fat foods and the rapid change from active to sedentary lifestyles. Intervention studies are urgently needed in American Indian communities to develop and test effective strategies for weight reduction. The poor success rate of adult obesity treatment programs in the general population points to the need to develop prevention approaches aimed toward children. Because eating and physical activity practices are formed early in life and may be carried into adulthood, prevention programs that encourage increased physical activity and healthful eating habits targeted toward young people need to be developed and tested. To be most effective, interventions must be developed with full participation of the American Indian communities.

Adolescent↗

Workshop on childhood obesity: summary of the discussion.

Childhood obesity is rapidly emerging as a global epidemic that will have profound public health consequences as overweight children become overweight adults. To address this problem, action is needed at national and international levels. However, well-documented evidence of the trends in and global prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is required to develop sound public health policies. There is no internationally acceptable index to assess childhood obesity nor is there an established cutoff point to define overweight in children. The purpose of the workshop was to establish a reasonable index with which to assess adiposity (overweight) in children and adolescents worldwide. We present here a summary of the discussion on the establishment of an index. The participants concluded that although body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) is not a perfect measure in children because it covaries with height, it has been validated against measurements of body density. Because a consistent and pragmatic definition for overweight in children and adolescents is required, BMI may therefore be appropriate. However, other alternatives may be considered in the future. The group suggested a scheme for cutoff points for children and adolescents based on internationally accepted BMI cutoff points for adult morbidity of 25 and 30 to identify grade 1 and grade 2 overweight, respectively. Use of these cutoff points would provide a new approach to identifying childhood obesity and make the definition for children and adolescents consistent with that for adults.

Journal Article↗

Site-specific differences in the fatty acid composition of abdominal adipose tissue in an obese population from a Mediterranean area: relation with dietary fatty acids, plasma lipid profile, serum insulin, and central obesity.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity is associated with coronary risk, although causality is not well established. OBJECTIVE: In an obese Mediterranean population, we measured the fatty acid composition of adipose tissue, its relation with dietary fatty acids and central fat deposition, and its influence on plasma lipids and insulin. DESIGN: Adipose tissue samples were obtained from 84 obese patients (29 men, 55 women) aged 30-70 y (body mass index, in kg/m(2): 27-35). We measured concentrations of insulin and lipids in plasma and fatty acids in subcutaneous, omental, and perivisceral fat. Dietary fatty acid intake was assessed with a 7-d diet record. RESULTS: The population studied was normolipidemic and normoinsulinemic. There were important differences in fatty acid composition between tissue sites: saturated fatty acids were higher and monounsaturated fatty acids were lower in perivisceral than in subcutaneous fat (P < 0.05). Significant correlations were found for oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids between the subject's habitual diet and adipose tissue composition. Oleic and n-3 fatty acids from adipose regions were negatively correlated with apolipoprotein B and triacylglycerols; adipose tissue 22:1n-9, 20:2n-6, stearic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid were positively correlated with HDL and apolipoprotein A; and adipose tissue myristic acid was negatively correlated with apolipoprotein A (P < 0.05). Central obesity was positively associated with n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and inversely associated with monounsaturated fatty acids and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissue (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The differences found in the composition and metabolism of perivisceral, omental, and subcutaneous fats may indicate that their atherogenic capacities also differ.

Abdomen↗

Lifestyle intervention of hypocaloric dieting and walking reduces abdominal obesity and improves coronary heart disease risk factors in obese, postmenopausal, African-American and Caucasian women.

BACKGROUND: There are few empirical data to support the claim that weight loss improves coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in postmenopausal women; nor is it known if there are racial differences in changes of body fat distribution, lipids, glucose tolerance, and blood pressure with weight loss. This study determined the efficacy of a lifestyle weight loss intervention in reducing total and abdominal obesity and improving CHD risk factors in obese Caucasian and African-American postmenopausal women. METHODS: Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), abdominal fat areas (computed tomography scan), lipoprotein lipids, insulin, glucose tolerance, and blood pressure were measured before and after 6 months of hypocaloric diet and low-intensity walking in 76 overweight or obese (body mass index > 25 kg/m(2)), Caucasian (72%) or African-American (28%), postmenopausal (age = 60 +/- 5 years) women who completed the study. RESULTS: Absolute amount of body weight lost was similar in Caucasians (-5.4 +/- 3.6 kg) and African Americans (-3.9 +/- 3.6 kg), but Caucasian women lost relatively more fat mass (p <.05). Both groups decreased their subcutaneous abdominal fat, and Caucasian women decreased their visceral fat area, but there were no racial differences in the magnitude of abdominal fat lost. The intervention decreased triglyceride and increased high-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein 2 cholesterol in both races, and it decreased total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in Caucasian women (p <.05-.0001). Fasting glucose and glucose area during the oral glucose tolerance test decreased (p <.0001) in Caucasian women, whereas insulin area decreased in both Caucasian (p <.01) and African-American (p <.05) women. Blood pressure decreased the most in women with higher blood pressures at baseline. Changes in lipids, fasting glucose and insulin, their responses during the oral glucose tolerance test, and blood pressure were not different between racial groups. CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss achieved through a lifestyle intervention of energy restriction and increased physical activity is an equally effective therapy in African-American and Caucasian obese, postmenopausal women for improving glucose and lipid CHD risk factors.

Abdomen↗

Morbidly obese patients' perceptions of social discrimination before and after surgery for obesity.

Morbidly obese patients' perceptions of obesity-related prejudice and discrimination were assessed before and 14 months after operation for obesity. Preoperatively, the 57 consecutive patients perceived overwhelming prejudice and discrimination at work, within the family, and in public places. After a weight loss of more than 45.5 kg (100 lb), these patients perceived little or no prejudice or discrimination. We examine factors contributing to the change in patients' perceptions and comment upon patients' perceptions of the negative attitudes held by health professionals toward obese patients.

Adult↗

Association of central obesity and insulin resistance with high prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in an elderly population with low fat intake and lower than normal prevalence of obesity: the Indian paradox.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that high prevalences of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in urban population of India are manifestations of insulin-resistance syndrome. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 20 streets in the city of Moradabad and in two villages. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: There were 566 subjects (255 rural and 311 urban) aged 60-84 years. All subjects were divided on the basis of their insensitivity to insulin into groups with mild, moderate and high insensitivity to insulin and data from both sexes were pooled for analysis. RESULTS: Overall increases in the prevalences of coronary disease, diabetes, hypertension, central obesity and associated disturbances were observed with increasing insensitivity to insulin and the trend was more significant among urban than it was among rural subjects. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant positive association of level of insulin insensitivity with the age-adjusted prevalences of coronary disease, hypertension, diabetes, hypertriglyceridaemia, intolerance of glucose and central obesity among urban subjects. We observed a significant inverse association between insensitivity to insulin and physical activity both for rural and for urban subjects and between insensitivity to insulin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level for urban subjects. For rural subjects, we found significant associations of sensitivity to insulin with coronary artery disease and intolerance of glucose without significant associations with other risk factors. CONCLUSION: Insensitivity to insulin was significantly associated with risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, despite there being a low prevalence of obesity (9.0%) among urban subjects. Hypertension, diabetes, hypertriglyceridaemia, intolerance of glucose and central obesity were significantly associated with insensitivity to insulin and coronary disease for urban but not for rural people.

Aged↗

Simultaneous study of cortisol, growth hormone and prolactin nyctohemeral variations in normal and obese subjects. Influence of prolonged fasting in obesity.

Hourly integrated concentrations (IC) of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and cortisol were determined by a continuous sampling procedure in six obese women, before and at the end of a 12 day fast, and in eight normal controls under basal conditions. Hormonal 24 h IC and nyctohemeral variations were calculated from these data. Nyctohemeral rhythms were investigated by the periodogram method. A significant increase over basal values of 24 h IC of PRL, GH and cortisol was observed at the end of the fasting period. Nyctohemeral variations--but not nyctohemeral rhythm--of IC-GH were found in normal subjects. They were abolished in obese patients under basal conditions but restored during fasting. The circadian rhythm of cortisol was not altered in obesity. A shift of the normal nyctohemeral rhythm of PRL was observed in obese patients, but the normal pattern was restored during fasting.

Adult↗

Hormonal and metabolic characteristics of genetically obese Zucker and dietary obese Sprague-Dawley rats.

The endocrine-metabolic plasma pattern and the capacity of isolated perfused livers to produce triglycerides and ketone bodies have been studied in genetically and diet-acquired obese rats (Zucker and Sprague-Dawley obese rats), and in control groups of the same strains. An increased plasma insulin/glucagon molar ratio with hyperinsulinaemia and hypoglucagonaemia was associated with hypertriglyceridaemia, normal ketonaemia, elevated free fatty acids and normal or slight hyperglycaemia in obese rats. During oleate perfusion, the livers of Zucker and Sprague-Dawley obese rats showed an increase in triglyceride output and liver triglyceride content. The ketone body output as well as the mitocondrial carnitine palmitoyl transferase activity were normal or slightly decreased. In our rat population, a positive correlation between the insulin/glucagon molar ratio and triglyceride output has been found.

Animals↗