Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background The prevalence of excess weight and ageing is notably high in contemporary Western societies. The effectiveness of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference as tools for identifying excess weight and ectopic fat deposition, both associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, is questionable. Methods Our objective is to compare women affected by overweight and obesity during fertile years and menopausal time and identify easily accessible clinical parameters associated with ectopic fat deposition, providing valuable insights into cardiovascular risk. Over 1300 female patients with excess weight referred to the CASCO Centre (High Specialization Centre for the Care of Obesity) at Umberto I Polyclinic in Rome, Italy, were included. Each participant underwent a DXA scan and a cardiac ultrasound, and blood tests to verify menopausal status and evaluate metabolic profile and hepatic steatosis through indirect measurements. Results 775 patients were in the pre-menopausal phase and 617 in the post-menopausal phase. The two cohorts did not differ in BMI, total body fat and lean mass, or waist circumference. However, the post-menopausal group showed an increased visceral fat deposition, evaluated by waist-to-hip ratio and epicardial fat thickness (EFT), and a worse metabolic profile. Conclusion Menopause is associated with a worsening of the metabolic features observed in obesity, with an increase in visceral fat deposition. Of note, these alterations are more pronounced despite similar BMI and waist circumference.

The mechanisms underlying the disruption of bone balance are well known. To date, several possible treatments exist for osteoporosis, mostly based on inhibition of bone resorption. However, as osteoporosis is a disease that causes significant fragility, it merits a proactive prevention-based approach, which identifies risk factors, such as nutritional deficiencies, during the preosteoporotic stage. In this context, nutraceuticals may find application in delaying the onset of osteoporosis and prior to the need for pharmaceutical invention. The beneficial effects of inositol supplementation have been extensively studied in endocrinology and gynecology; herein, we discuss the potential of inositols in the prevention of osteoporosis, highlighting the link with bone metabolism and possible future applications.

Circadian rhythms underpin most physiological processes, including energy metabolism. The core circadian clock consists of a transcription-translation negative feedback loop, and is synchronized to light-dark cycles by virtue of light input from the retina, to the central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus. All cells in the body have circadian oscillators which are entrained to the central clock by neural and humoral signals. In addition to light entrainment of the central clock in the brain, it now emerges that other stimuli can drive circadian clock function in peripheral tissues, the major one being food. This can then drive the liver clock to be misaligned with the central brain clock, a situation of internal misalignment with metabolic disease consequences. Such misalignment is prevalent, with shift workers making up 20% of the working population. The effects of diet composition on the clock are not completely clarified yet. High-fat diet and fasting influence circadian expression of clock genes, inducing phase-advance and phase-delay in animal models. Ketogenic diet (KD) is able to induce a metabolic switch from carbohydrate to fatty acid oxidation, miming a fasting state. In recent years, some animal studies have been conducted to investigate the ability of the KD to modify circadian gene expression, and demonstrated that the KD alters circadian rhythm and induces a rearrangement of metabolic gene expression. These findings may lead to new approaches to obesity and metabolic pathologies treatment.

The use of food supplements for weight loss purposes has rapidly gained popularity as the prevalence of obesity increases. Navigating through the vast, often low quality, literature available is challenging, as is providing informed advice to those asking for it. Herein, we provide a comprehensive literature revision focusing on most currently marketed dietary supplements claimed to favor weight loss, classifying them by their purported mechanism of action. We conclude by proposing a combination of supplements most supported by current evidence, that leverages all mechanisms of action possibly leading to a synergistic effect and greater weight loss in the foreseen absence of adverse events. Further studies will be needed to confirm the weight loss and metabolic improvement that may be obtained through the use of the proposed combination.

Purpose Obesity is a complex heterogeneous disease often associated with dysfunctional eating behavior patterns. Oxytocin (OT) is a neurohormone involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and eating behavior. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in a population of patients with obesity circulating levels of OT and dysfunctional eating behaviors in relation to anthropometric, hormonal and metabolic parameters. Methods A prospective, observational, single-center study was conducted at the Center of High Specialization for the Care of Obesity of Sapienza University of Rome. Adult subjects with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 were recruited. Body impedance assessment (BIA), biochemical and hormonal parameters, plasma OT concentration analysis and the Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity (EBA-O) questionnaire were evaluated. Results A total of 21 patients, 16 females and 5 males, with a mean age of 45.7 ± 15.1 years, mean BMI of 40.89 ± 8.02 kg/m 2 and plasma OT concentration of 1365.61 ± 438.03 pg/mL were recruited. The dysfunctional eating behavior traits investigated by the EBA-O appear significantly associated with metabolic derangements. In particular, night eating is associated with alterations in lipid metabolism ( p  < 0.01). Circulating OT correlates positively with BMI ( r  = 0,43; p  < 0.05), and Hepatic Steatosis Index (HIS) ( r  = 0.46; p  < 0.05), while its role in subjects with obesity and alterations in glucose metabolism is less clear. Interestingly, circulating OT levels < 1312.55 pg/mL may be predictive of food addiction (100% sensitivity; 62.5% specificity). Conclusions Despite the need for larger studies to confirm their validity, the clinical utility of the EBA-O and circulating OT in identifying dysfunctional eating behaviors appears promising.

Hepatic steatosis is considered the hepatic manifestation of metabolic disorders. Its global prevalence is a growing public health concern, estimated to affect over 30% of the population. Steatosis is strictly linked to metabolic dysfunction, leading to the revised terminology of MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease). The disease often progresses in conjunction with metabolic syndrome components, significantly increasing cardiovascular and overall mortality risks. The interplay between sex hormones and metabolic dysfunction is crucial, with male hypogonadism and female hyperandrogenism exacerbating the risk and severity of hepatic steatosis. In men, testosterone deficiency is associated with increased visceral adiposity and insulin resistance, creating a vicious cycle of metabolic deterioration. Conversely, in women, hyperandrogenism, particularly in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, may lead to severe metabolic disturbances, including hepatic steatosis. Estrogen deficiency also contributes to central adiposity and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this paper is to discuss this complex sex-dimorphic relationship.

Recently the association between hepatic steatosis and sarcopenia has been described. GH/IGF-1 axis has been postulated to play a role in linking fatty liver and low muscle mass. The aim of our study was to explore the association between fatty liver index, sarcopenic obesity, insulin sensitivity, and GH/IGF-1 status. 427 subjects [age: 45.65±13.94 years, BMI: 36.92±6.43 kg/m2] were enrolled. Participants were divided into three groups: fatty liver index (FLI) <20, 20≥FLI<60, and FLI≥60. Body composition was assessed by DXA. The truncal fat mass (TrFM) to appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) ratio was used as an indicator of sarcopenic obesity. ISI-Matsuda index was used. BMI, fat mass, and the TrFM/ASM ratio were higher in subjects with FLI≥60. GH, IGF-1 and ISI-Matsuda were lower in the high FLI group (all p<0.05). A significantly positive correlation between FLI and TrFM/ ASM ratio (r = 0.221, p<0.001) was found, whereas FLI levels were negatively correlated with ISI- Matsuda (r = -0.335, p<0.001), GH (r = -0.200, p = 0.006), and IGF- 1 levels (r = -0.157, p = 0.028). Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that GH levels were significantly negatively correlated with FLI, while the TrFM/ ASM ratio was positively associated with FLI, after adjustment for age, BMI, total fat mass, truncal fat mass, fat- free mass, and ISI- Matsuda. Impairment of GH/IGF-1 axis seems to be associated to the risk of the development of sarcopenic obesity and ectopic fat deposition in the liver. Metabolic and hormonal derangements as determinants of ectopic fat deposition and body composition deserve to be evaluated in obese subjects.

Severe obesity is associated with an increased risk of admission to intensive care units and need for invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19. The association of obesity and COVID-19 prognosis may be related to many different factors, such as chronic systemic inflammation, the predisposition to severe respiratory conditions and viral infections. The ketogenic diet is an approach that can be extremely effective in reducing body weight and visceral fat in the short term, preserving the lean mass and reducing systemic inflammation. Therefore, it is a precious preventive measure for severely obese people and may be considered as an adjuvant therapy for patients with respiratory compromise.

The Fuegians, ancient inhabitants of Tierra del Fuego, are an exemplary case of a cold-adapted population, since they were capable of living in extreme climatic conditions without any adequate clothing. However, the mechanisms of their extraordinary resistance to cold remain enigmatic. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a crucial role in this kind of adaptation, besides having a protective role on the detrimental effect of low temperatures on bone structure. Skeletal remains of 12 adult Fuegians, collected in the second half of XIX century, were analyzed for bone mineral density and structure. We show that, despite the unfavorable climate, bone mineral density of Fuegians was close to that seen in modern humans living in temperate zones. Furthermore, we report significant differences between Fuegians and other cold-adapted populations in the frequency of the Homeobox protein Hox-C4 (HOXC4) rs190771160 variant, a gene involved in BAT differentiation, whose identified variant is predicted to upregulate HOXC4 expression. Greater BAT accumulation might therefore explain the Fuegians extreme cold-resistance and the protection against major cold-related damage. These results increase our understanding of how ecological challenges have been important drivers of human–environment interactions during Humankind history.

The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of several diseases. Polyphenols have been shown to be beneficial against ROS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a natural antioxidant ice cream on oxidative stress, vascular function, and physical performance. In this controlled, single-blind, crossover study, 14 healthy individuals were randomized to consume 100 g of either antioxidant ice cream containing dark cocoa powder and hazelnut and green tea extracts or milk chocolate ice cream (control ice cream). Participants were studied at baseline and 2 h after ingesting ice cream. Serum polyphenols, antioxidant status (ferric-reducing ability of plasma [FRAP]), nitric oxide (NOx) bioavailability, markers of oxidative stress (determination of reactive oxygen metabolites [d-ROMs] and hydrogen peroxide [H2O2]), endothelium function (flow-mediated dilation [FMD] and reactive hyperemia index [RHI]), and exercise tolerance (stress test) were assessed, and the double product was measured. Serum polyphenols (P < 0.001), NOx (P < 0.001), FRAP (P < 0.005), FMD (P < 0.001), and RHI (P < 0.05) increased significantly, oxidative stress decreased (d-Roms, P < 0.001; H2O2, P < 0.001), and the double product (P < 0.001) was improved only after antioxidant ice cream ingestion. No changes were found after control ice cream ingestion. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that a natural ice cream rich in polyphenols acutely improved vascular function and physical performance in healthy individuals through a reduction in oxidative stress. •To our knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate the antioxidant effect of a natural ice cream.•We discussed new strategies for the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.•Antioxidant ice cream is a natural approach to improve vascular function and physical performance.