-
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Obesity has become a pandemic, as currently more than half a billion people worldwide are obese. The etiology of obesity is multifactorial, and combines a contribution... (Review)
Review
Obesity has become a pandemic, as currently more than half a billion people worldwide are obese. The etiology of obesity is multifactorial, and combines a contribution of hereditary and behavioral factors, such as nutritional inadequacy, along with the influences of environment and reduced physical activity. Two types of adipose tissue widely known are white and brown. While white adipose tissue functions predominantly as a key energy storage, brown adipose tissue has a greater mass of mitochondria and expresses the uncoupling protein 1 () gene, which allows thermogenesis and rapid catabolism. Even though white and brown adipocytes are of different origin, activation of the brown adipocyte differentiation program in white adipose tissue cells forces them to transdifferentiate into "beige" adipocytes, characterized by thermogenesis and intensive lipolysis. Nowadays, researchers in the field of small molecule medicinal chemistry and gene therapy are making efforts to develop new drugs that effectively overcome insulin resistance and counteract obesity. Here, we discuss various aspects of white-to-beige conversion, adipose tissue catabolic re-activation, and non-shivering thermogenesis.
PubMed: 38931457
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060790 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Ethanol extracts obtained from 13 poplar propolis samples originating from various European countries by traditional maceration were tested for total polyphenols,...
Ethanol extracts obtained from 13 poplar propolis samples originating from various European countries by traditional maceration were tested for total polyphenols, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. Moreover, the content of 18 polyphenolic compounds (from the group of phenolic acids and flavonoids) was determined using the HPLC method. The inhibitory effect of six selected extracts with the highest activity was assessed by well-diffusion method against five strains ( spp., , , , and spp.) of intestinal bacteria self-isolated from the faeces of obese probands with the use of selective media. It was found that the antioxidant activity of propolis varied depending on geographical origin and even among samples from the same region, which indicates that some other factors also influence propolis quality. The samples of different geographical origin varied mainly in the share of individual phenolic compounds, and it was not possible to find a characteristic marker of origin, excluding the galangin present in the Polish samples only. Assessing the inhibitory activity of propolis (in the range of 70 mg to 10 µg per mL) indicated that the concentration of 100 µg/mL was found as being safe for tested fecal bacteria ( spp., , , , and spp.). As no negative effect of low doses of propolis on the intestinal microflora was found, it can be suggested that its use in recommended doses brings only beneficial effects to the body.
PubMed: 38931435
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060768 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Obesity and its associated hepatic steatosis have become a global concern, posing numerous health hazards. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a unique approach that promotes...
Obesity and its associated hepatic steatosis have become a global concern, posing numerous health hazards. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a unique approach that promotes anti-obesity by releasing intracellular fat. Chlorin e6 (Ce6)-PDT was tested for its anti-obesity properties in male ovariectomized (OVX) beagle dogs, as well as male C57BL/6 and Balb/c mice. The 12 OVX beagles were randomly assigned to one of four groups: high-fat diet (HFD) only, Ce6 only, Ce6 + 10 min of light-emitting diode light (LED) treatment, and Ce6 + 15 min of light treatment. We assessed several parameters, such as body weight, adipose tissue morphology, serum biochemistry, and body fat content analysis by computed tomography (CT) scan in HFD-fed beagle dogs. At the end of the study period, dogs that were treated for 35 days with Ce6 and exposed to LED irradiation (660 nm) either for 10 min (Ce6 + 10 min of light) or for 15 min (Ce6 + 15 min of light) had decreased body weight, including visceral and subcutaneous fats, lower aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine transaminase (ALT) ratios, and a reduction in the area of individual adipocytes with a concomitant increase in the number of adipocytes. Furthermore, C57BL/6 male mice following an HFD diet were effectively treated by Ce6-PDT treatment through a reduction in weight gain and fat accumulation. Meanwhile, Ce6-PDT attenuated hepatocyte steatosis by decreasing the epididymal adipose tissue and balloon degeneration in hepatocytes in HFD-fed Balb/c mice. Taken together, our results support the idea that Ce6-PDT is a promising therapeutic strategy for the recovery of obesity and obesity-related hepatic steatosis.
PubMed: 38931396
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060729 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a neurotransmitter regulating numerous physiological functions, and its dysregulation is a crucial component of the pathological... (Review)
Review
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a neurotransmitter regulating numerous physiological functions, and its dysregulation is a crucial component of the pathological processes of schizophrenia, depression, migraines, and obesity. 5-HT interacts with 14 different receptors, of which 5-HTRs, 5-HTRs, and 5-HTRs are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), while 5-HTR is a ligand-gated ion channel. Over the years, selective orthosteric ligands have been identified for almost all serotonin receptors, yielding several clinically relevant drugs. However, the high degree of homology between 5-HTRs and other GPCRs means that orthosteric ligands can have severe side effects. Thus, there has recently been increased interest in developing safer ligands of GPCRs, which bind to less conserved, more specific sites, distinct from that of the receptor's natural ligand. The present review describes the identification of allosteric ligands of serotonin receptors, which are largely natural compounds (oleamide, cannabidiol, THC, and aporphine alkaloids), complemented by synthetic modulators developed in large part for the 5-HT receptor. The latter are positive allosteric modulators sought after for their potential as drugs preferable over the orthosteric agonists as antiobesity agents for their potentially safer profile. When available, details on the interactions between the ligand and allosteric binding site will be provided. An outlook on future research in the field will also be provided.
PubMed: 38931362
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060695 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Amiodarone is an anti-arrhythmic drug that has extensive tissue distribution and substantial storage in the fat tissue. Different studies have described some...
BACKGROUND
Amiodarone is an anti-arrhythmic drug that has extensive tissue distribution and substantial storage in the fat tissue. Different studies have described some implications of body fat composition in its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. However, no clinical studies have described its implications for clinical efficacy.
METHODS
We studied 878 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with a regimen of amiodarone and referred to electrical cardioversion (ECV), included prospectively in two Spanish registries. We analyzed the influence of body mass index (BMI), as well as overweight and obesity, in the efficacy of amiodarone for achieving pharmacologic cardioversion to sinus rhythm (SR) before ECV.
RESULTS
A total of 185 patients (21.1%) reverted to SR before ECV. Patients who reverted to SR had a lower BMI than those who did not revert (27.45 ± 4.36 kg/m vs. 29.11 ± 4.09 kg/m; < 0.001). We observed a progressively lower probability of reverting to SR in overweight and obese patients (normal weight 28.3%, overweight 21.3%, obesity 13.1%; < 0.001). In the logistic regression, BMI (kg/m) adjusted for other related variables remained as the main factor inversely related to reversion to SR (OR = 0.904 × kg/m); CI 75% 0.864-0.946).
CONCLUSIONS
We observed a negative relationship between an increased BMI and the efficacy of amiodarone for reversion to SR, suggesting a negative clinical impact of excess body fat in its efficacy.
PubMed: 38931360
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060693 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024There are a wide variety of phytochemicals collectively known as polyphenols. Their structural diversity results in a broad range of characteristics and biological... (Review)
Review
There are a wide variety of phytochemicals collectively known as polyphenols. Their structural diversity results in a broad range of characteristics and biological effects. Polyphenols can be found in a variety of foods and drinks, including fruits, cereals, tea, and coffee. Studies both in vitro and in vivo, as well as clinical trials, have shown that they possess potent antioxidant activities, numerous therapeutic effects, and health advantages. Dietary polyphenols have demonstrated the potential to prevent many health problems, including obesity, atherosclerosis, high blood sugar, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and neurological diseases. In this paper, the protective effects of polyphenols and the mechanisms behind them are investigated in detail, citing the most recent available literature. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on the role of polyphenols in preventing and managing chronic diseases. The cited publications are derived from in vitro, in vivo, and human-based studies and clinical trials. A more complete understanding of these naturally occurring metabolites will pave the way for the development of novel polyphenol-rich diet and drug development programs. This, in turn, provides further evidence of their health benefits.
PubMed: 38931359
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060692 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The prevalence of obesity, characterized by an excessive accumulation of adipose tissue and adipocyte hypertrophy, presents a major public health challenge. This study...
The prevalence of obesity, characterized by an excessive accumulation of adipose tissue and adipocyte hypertrophy, presents a major public health challenge. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of two probiotic strains, Probio65 and Probio-093, in the context of obesity. Utilizing 3T3-L1 cell-derived human adipocytes, we assessed Probio65's and Probio-093's capacity to mitigate triglyceride accumulation and influence adipocytokine production in vitro. Subsequently, an in vivo trial with male C57BL/6J mice examined the effects of both probiotic strains on adipose tissue characteristics, body weight, fat mass, and obesity-related gene expression. This study employed both live and ethanol-extracted bacterial cells. The results demonstrated significant reductions in the triglyceride deposition, body weight, and adipose tissue mass in the treated groups ( < 0.05). Furthermore, both strains modulated adipokine profiles by downregulating proinflammatory markers such as PAI-1, leptin, TNF-α, STAMP2, F4/80, resistin, and MCP-1, and upregulating the insulin-sensitive transporter GLUT4 and the anti-inflammatory adiponectin ( < 0.05). Our findings suggest that Probio65 and Probio-093 are promising agents for microbiome-targeted anti-obesity therapies, offering the effective mitigation of obesity and improvement in adipocyte function in a murine model.
PubMed: 38931347
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060676 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Dasatinib is one of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The main use of these agents is inhibition of cancerous cell proliferation. The therapeutic importance of tyrosine...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Dasatinib is one of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The main use of these agents is inhibition of cancerous cell proliferation. The therapeutic importance of tyrosine kinase inhibitors raises the necessity of many types of investigations, especially the pharmacokinetic analysis of these drugs in humans. This analysis, along with other investigations and clinical research, will contribute to the overall knowledge of the drug. This study focused on the population pharmacokinetics of dasatinib. The objective of the study was to investigate the sources of the variability of dasatinib in a population pharmacokinetics study in healthy participants.
METHODS
We utilized 4180 plasma observations from 110 subjects who were administered SPRYCEL on two separate occasions under fasting conditions; data from 20% of the subjects (22 subjects) were extracted for the purpose of internal model evaluation and data from 88 subjects were used in modeling. The model was evaluated by visual predictive check of three different datasets. A two-compartmental model with first order absorption and transit compartment was considered the simplest base model to describe the data based on the corrected Bayesian information criterion evaluation. Covariates were tested through conditional sampling for the stepwise approach-screening procedure in Monolix 2020R1 version. Conditional sampling for the stepwise approach was used to include the correlated covariates within the base model in the forward inclusion step and then to eliminate them backwardly to ensure that the key covariates were kept in the model at the final stage.
RESULTS
The effect of body mass index on the absorption rate constant was considered as significant covariate in the final established model. Visual predictive check for simulations, 20% of the original dataset (internal dataset) and an external dataset demonstrated the appropriateness of the final model.
CONCLUSIONS
Population pharmacokinetic modeling was performed to describe dasatinib pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects. Body mass index was considered as a factor that might be used in the future along with studies on patients to adjust the dosing regimens.
KEY POINTS
Dasatinib is classified as a highly variable drug; this variability was demonstrated in the study by the effect of body mass index on the absorption rate constant.
PubMed: 38931339
DOI: 10.3390/ph17060671 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Global increases in metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially within Asian populations, highlight the need for novel approaches to dietary... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of a Higher-Protein Nut versus Higher-Carbohydrate Cereal Enriched Diet on the Gut Microbiomes of Chinese Participants with Overweight and Normoglycaemia or Prediabetes in the Tū Ora Study.
Global increases in metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially within Asian populations, highlight the need for novel approaches to dietary intervention. The Tū Ora study previously evaluated the effects on metabolic health of including a nut product into the diet of a New Zealand cohort of Chinese participants with overweight and normoglycaemia or prediabetes through a 12-week randomised, parallel-group clinical trial. In this current study, we compared the impact of this higher-protein nut bar (HP-NB) versus a higher-carbohydrate cereal bar (HC-CB) on the faecal microbiome by employing both 16S rRNA gene amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequencing of pre- and post-intervention pairs from 84 participants. Despite the higher fibre, protein, and unsaturated fat content of nuts, there was little difference between dietary groups in gut microbiome composition or functional potential, with the bacterial phylum dominating irrespective of diet. The lack of observed change suggests the dietary impact of the bars may have been insufficient to affect the gut microbiome. Manipulating the interplay between the diet, microbiome, and metabolic health may require a more substantial and/or prolonged dietary perturbation to generate an impactful modification of the gut ecosystem and its functional potential to aid in T2D risk reduction.
Topics: Humans; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Prediabetic State; Male; Overweight; Female; Nuts; Dietary Carbohydrates; Edible Grain; Middle Aged; New Zealand; Adult; Feces; Asian People; China; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet, High-Protein; Dietary Proteins; East Asian People
PubMed: 38931324
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121971 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Obesity is increasingly prevalent worldwide and is linked to metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), due to excessive...
Obesity is increasingly prevalent worldwide and is linked to metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), due to excessive free fatty acids (FFAs). Although lifestyle changes are effective, they often prove to be insufficient as initial treatments for obesity. Additionally, while surgical and pharmacological interventions are available, they are not entirely safe or effective. Recently, interest has grown in utilizing food waste and plant-derived phenolic compounds for their health benefits, presenting a promising avenue for managing obesity and its related disorders. Indeed, many studies have examined the potential inhibitory effects of the natural extract on adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. This study focused on the evaluation of the effects of standardized extracts obtained from red oranges and olive leaf waste on 3T3-L1 murine pre-adipocyte and adipocyte functionality. Red orange extract (ROE) and olive leaf extract (OLE), alone and in combination, were tested to assess their anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as their potential therapeutic benefits. Three in vitro models were established to investigate the effects of the extracts on (I) adipocyte differentiation; (II) mature and hypertrophic adipocytes challenged with palmitic acid (PA) and erastin (ER), respectively; and (III) erastin-induced cytotoxicity on pre-adipocytes.
Topics: Animals; Olea; Adipocytes; Plant Extracts; Mice; 3T3-L1 Cells; Plant Leaves; Cell Differentiation; Anti-Obesity Agents; Adipogenesis; Obesity
PubMed: 38931313
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121959