-
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 2024This study aims to explore the nexus between students' psychological well-being and the manifestation of gastrointestinal symptoms (GISs) amid the health lockdown...
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to explore the nexus between students' psychological well-being and the manifestation of gastrointestinal symptoms (GISs) amid the health lockdown enforced in Xi'an, focusing on the student populace of Xi'an Medical College and Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A survey encompassing psychological parameters and GISs was administered to a randomized cohort of 1327 college students drawn from Xi'an Medical College and Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The survey instrument was developed utilizing the Questionnaire Star platform. Subsequent to data collection, analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 9 and SPSS 22.0.
RESULTS
Comparative analysis revealed statistically significant disparities (P < 0.05) in various GISs between the periods during and preceding the health lockdown, encompassing symptoms such as nausea/vomiting, acid reflux, postprandial fullness/early satiety, anorexia, decreased appetite, bloating, abdominal discomfort, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Notably, the mean score for Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) was 3.31±3.92, indicating mild anxiety, while the mean score for Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) was 1.15±1.28, suggesting mild depression. Detailed evaluation of anxiety revealed prevalence rates of 34% among respondents, with 34.2% of these individuals reporting concurrent GISs, while among those evaluated for depression (38.8% of the sample), 44.2% reported concurrent GISs. Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis unveiled a negative correlation between GISs during the health lockdown and lifestyle scores, while positive correlations were observed with GISs preceding the lockdown, anxiety, and depression. The formulated multiple linear regression equation for GISs during the health lockdown is delineated as follows: 14.693-0.342 life style + 0.725GISs before health lockdown + 0.218anxiety + 0.564 depression.
CONCLUSION
This investigation underscores the substantial impact of anxiety and depression on the student body, accentuating their role in precipitating GISs during health lockdown situations. The psychological well-being of medical students during exigent circumstances such as natural disasters warrants heightened attention, necessitating proactive measures aimed at emotional regulation to mitigate the onset of GISs.
PubMed: 38751379
DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S455418 -
Bioscience, Biotechnology, and... May 2024γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) transaminase (GABA-T) is a GABA-degrading enzyme that plays an essential role in regulating GABA levels and maintaining supplies of GABA....
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) transaminase (GABA-T) is a GABA-degrading enzyme that plays an essential role in regulating GABA levels and maintaining supplies of GABA. Although GABA in the mammalian brain was discovered 70 years ago, research on GABA and GABA-T has predominantly focused on the brain. Notwithstanding the high activity and expression of GABA-T in the liver, the exact functions of GABA-T in the liver remain unknown. This article reviews the up-to-date information on GABA-T in the liver. It presents recent findings on the role of liver GABA-T in food intake suppression and appetite regulation. Finally, the potential functions of liver GABA-T in other neurological diseases, natural GABA-T inhibitors, and future perspectives in this research area are discussed.
PubMed: 38749549
DOI: 10.1093/bbb/zbae066 -
FASEB Journal : Official Publication of... May 2024Amomum xanthioides (AX) has been used as an edible herbal medicine to treat digestive system disorders in Asia. Additionally, Lactobacillus casei is a well-known...
Amomum xanthioides (AX) has been used as an edible herbal medicine to treat digestive system disorders in Asia. Additionally, Lactobacillus casei is a well-known probiotic commonly used in fermentation processes as a starter. The current study aimed to investigate the potential of Lactobacillus casei-fermented Amomum xanthioides (LAX) in alleviating metabolic disorders induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in a mouse model. LAX significantly reduced the body and fat weight, outperforming AX, yet without suppressing appetite. LAX also markedly ameliorated excessive lipid accumulation and reduced inflammatory cytokine (IL-6) levels in serum superior to AX in association with UCP1 activation and adiponectin elevation. Furthermore, LAX noticeably improved the levels of fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and HOMA-IR through positive regulation of glucose transporters (GLUT2, GLUT4), and insulin receptor gene expression. In conclusion, the fermentation of AX demonstrates a pronounced mitigation of overnutrition-induced metabolic dysfunction, including hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and obesity, compared to non-fermented AX. Consequently, we proposed that the fermentation of AX holds promise as a potential candidate for effectively ameliorating metabolic disorders.
Topics: Animals; Diet, High-Fat; Mice; Obesity; Male; Lacticaseibacillus casei; Fermentation; Amomum; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Probiotics; Uncoupling Protein 1; Insulin Resistance; Mice, Obese; Adiponectin; Insulin; Blood Glucose
PubMed: 38747734
DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400552R -
CNS & Neurological Disorders Drug... May 2024Depression is among the main causes of disability, and its protracted manifestations could make it even harder to treat metabolic diseases. Obesity is linked to episodes...
Depression is among the main causes of disability, and its protracted manifestations could make it even harder to treat metabolic diseases. Obesity is linked to episodes of depression, which is closely correlated to abdominal adiposity and impaired food quality. The present review is aimed at studying possible links between obesity and depression along with targets to disrupt it. Research output in Pubmed and Scopus were referred for writing this manuscript. Obesity and depression are related, with the greater propensity of depressed people to gain weight, resulting in poor dietary decisions and a sedentary lifestyle. Adipokines, which include adiponectin, resistin, and leptin are secretory products of the adipose tissue. These adipokines are now being studied to learn more about the connection underlying obesity and depression. Ghrelin, a gut hormone, controls both obesity and depression. Additionally, elevated ghrelin levels result in anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects. The gut microbiota influences the metabolic functionalities of a person, like caloric processing from indigestible nutritional compounds and storage in fatty tissue, that exposes an individual to obesity, and gut microorganisms might connect to the CNS through interconnecting pathways, including neurological, endocrine, and immunological signalling systems. The alteration of brain activity caused by gut bacteria has been related to depressive episodes. Monoamines, including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, have been widely believed to have a function in emotions and appetite control. Emotional signals stimulate arcuate neurons in the hypothalamus that are directly implicated in mood regulation and eating. The peptide hormone GLP-1(glucagon-like peptide- 1) seems to have a beneficial role as a medical regulator of defective neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, synaptic dysfunction, and neurotransmitter secretion discrepancy in the depressive brain. The gut microbiota might have its action in mood and cognition regulation, in addition to its traditional involvement in GI function regulation. This review addressed the concept that obesity-related low-grade mild inflammation in the brain contributes to chronic depression and cognitive impairments.
PubMed: 38747226
DOI: 10.2174/0118715273291985240430074053 -
IBRO Neuroscience Reports Jun 2024Complex homeostatic control mechanisms are tools to adjust the food birds eat and their appetite. Birds and mammals differ in several ways considering food intake...
Complex homeostatic control mechanisms are tools to adjust the food birds eat and their appetite. Birds and mammals differ in several ways considering food intake regulation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the special effects of the intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of spexin and its interaction with nitric oxide, serotonin and corticotropin receptors on central food intake regulation in broilers. In the test 1, Broilers received ICV injection of saline, PCPA (p-chlorophenylalanine,1.25 µg), spexin (10 nmol) and PCPA+spexin. In test 2-7, 8-OH-DPAT, SB-242084 (5-HT2C, 1.5 µg), L-arginine (Precursor of nitric oxide, 200 nmol), L-NAME (nitric oxide synthetize inhibitor, 100 nmol), Astressin-B (30 µg) and Astressin2-B (30 µg) were injected to Broilers instead of the PCPA. Then, the amount of food received was measured up to 2 h after the injection. The food consumption was significantly decreased by Spexin (10 nmol) (P<0.05). Concomitant injection of SB-242084+spexin attenuated spexin-induced hypophagia (P<0.05). Co-injection of L-arginine+spexin enhanced spexin-induced hypophagia and this effect was reversed by L-NAME (P<0.05). Also, concomitant injection of Astressin-B + spexin or Astressin2-B + spexin enhanced spexin-induced hypophagia (P<0.05). Founded on these observations, spexin-induced hypophagia may be mediated by nitric oxide and 5-HT2C, CRF1, and CRF2 receptors in neonatal broilers.
PubMed: 38746491
DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2024.04.010 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2024Obesity, a chronic global health problem, is associated with an increase in various comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus,... (Review)
Review
Obesity, a chronic global health problem, is associated with an increase in various comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and certain types of cancer. The increasing global prevalence of obesity requires research into new therapeutic strategies. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, specifically semaglutide and liraglutide, designed for type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment, have been explored as drugs for the treatment of obesity. This minireview describes the molecular mechanisms of semaglutide and liraglutide in different metabolic pathways, and its mechanism of action in processes such as appetite regulation, insulin secretion, glucose homeostasis, energy expenditure, and lipid metabolism. Finally, several clinical trial outcomes are described to show the safety and efficacy of these drugs in obesity management.
PubMed: 38742021
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1398059 -
Journal of Inflammation Research 2024GDF-15 is an essential member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. Its functions mainly involve in tissue injury, inflammation, fibrosis, regulation of... (Review)
Review
GDF-15 is an essential member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. Its functions mainly involve in tissue injury, inflammation, fibrosis, regulation of appetite and weight, development of tumor, and cardiovascular disease. GDF-15 is involved in various signaling pathways, such as MAPK pathway, PI3K/AKT pathway, STAT3 pathway, RET pathway, and SMAD pathway. In addition, several factors such as p53, ROS, and TNF-α participate the regulation of GDF-15. However, the specific mechanism of these factors regulating GDF-15 is still unclear and more research is needed to explore them. GDF-15 mainly improves the function of kidneys in CKD and plays an important role in the prediction of CKD progression and cardiovascular complications. In addition, the role of GDF-15 in the kidney may be related to the SMAD and MAPK pathways. However, the specific mechanism of these pathways remains unclear. Accordingly, more research on the specific mechanism of GDF-15 affecting kidney disease is needed in the future. In conclusion, GDF-15 may be a therapeutic target for kidney disease.
PubMed: 38741613
DOI: 10.2147/JIR.S451398 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2024Malnutrition is prevalent among individuals with gastric cancer and notably decreases their quality of life (QOL). However, the factors impacting QOL are yet to be...
INTRODUCTION
Malnutrition is prevalent among individuals with gastric cancer and notably decreases their quality of life (QOL). However, the factors impacting QOL are yet to be clearly defined. This study aimed to identify essential factors impacting QOL in malnourished patients suffering from gastric cancer.
METHODS
By using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) to assess the nutritional status (≥4 defined malnutrition) of hospitalized cancer patients, 4,586 gastric cancer patients were ultimately defined as malnourished. Spearman method was used to calculate the relationship between clinical features and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Then, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to observe which factors affected QOL, and subgroup analysis was performed in young and old population respectively. In addition, we used univariate and multivariate logistic regression to explore whether and how self-reported frequent symptoms in the last 2 weeks of the PG-SGA score affected QOL.
RESULTS
In multivariate logistic regression analysis of clinical features of patients with malnourished gastric cancer, women, stage II, stage IV, WL had an independent correlation with a low global QOL scores. However, BMI, secondary education, higher education, surgery, chemotherapy, HGS had an independent correlation with a high global QOL scores. In multivariate logistic regression analysis of symptoms in self-reported PG-SGA scores in patients with malnourished gastric cancer, having no problem eating had an independent correlation with a high global QOL scores. However, they have no appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation and pain had an independent correlation with a lower global QOL scores. The p values of the above statistical results are both < 0.05.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates that QOL in malnourished patients with gastric cancer is determined by female sex, stage II, stage IV, BMI, secondary and higher education or above, surgery, chemotherapy, WL, and HGS. Patients' self-reported symptoms of nearly 2 weeks, obtained by using PG-SGA, are also further predictive of malnourished gastric cancer patients. Detecting preliminary indicators of low QOL could aid in identifying patients who might benefit from an early referral to palliative care and assisted nursing.
PubMed: 38725631
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1336859 -
Eating Behaviors Apr 2024A more comprehensive understanding of the factors regarding weight control in individuals with overweight or obesity after quitting smoking is needed. The study aimed to... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
A more comprehensive understanding of the factors regarding weight control in individuals with overweight or obesity after quitting smoking is needed. The study aimed to analyze the changes of in-treatment variables during a smoking cessation intervention and examine their impact on weight.
METHODS
A total of 120 individuals who smoke with overweight or obesity (M = 31.75 ± 4.31; 54.16 % female) participated in a cognitive-behavioral therapy for smoking cessation and weight control or the same treatment plus contingency management. Weight, smoking variables (cotinine and continuous abstinence), eating behaviors (appetite, grazing), exercise, and sleep were assessed weekly throughout the treatment.
RESULTS
More participants gained weight over time with reduced nicotine use or abstinence. There was a tendency during treatment to increase appetite and exercise time, while grazing episodes and sleeping hours remained stable. Higher baseline weight (p < .001), greater cotinine reduction (p = .021) and time (p = .009) were associated with greater weight gain, while more hours of exercise (p = .003), no appetite changes (p = .003) and diminished appetite (p < .001) were associated with less gain over the treatment. Both treatment conditions showed similar results in all in-treatment variables.
DISCUSSION
Individuals with overweight and obesity with higher baseline weight and higher baseline cotinine levels during smoking cessation interventions may require special attention to improve weight outcomes. Exercise and appetite regulation may be useful for mitigating weight gain in smoking cessation interventions for individuals with overweight or obesity.
Topics: Humans; Smoking Cessation; Female; Male; Adult; Overweight; Obesity; Exercise; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Body Weight; Feeding Behavior; Weight Gain; Middle Aged; Appetite
PubMed: 38723487
DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2024.101882 -
Cureus Apr 2024The exponential increase in diabetes mellitus (DM) poses serious public health concerns. In this review, we focus on the role of leptin in type 2 DM. The peripheral... (Review)
Review
The exponential increase in diabetes mellitus (DM) poses serious public health concerns. In this review, we focus on the role of leptin in type 2 DM. The peripheral actions of leptin consist of upregulating proinflammatory cytokines which play an important role in the pathogenesis of type 2 DM and insulin resistance. Moreover, leptin is known to inhibit insulin secretion and plays a significant role in insulin resistance in obesity and type 2 DM. A literature search was conducted on Medline, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar for relevant articles published until December 2023. The following search strings and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH terms) were used: "Diabetes Mellitus," "Leptin," "NPY," and "Biomarker." This article aims to discuss the physiology of leptin in type 2 DM, its glucoregulatory actions, its relationship with appetite, the impact that various lifestyle modifications can have on leptin levels, and, finally, explore leptin as a potential target for various treatment strategies.
PubMed: 38707092
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57667