Anti-obesity and anticancer activity of Solanum xanthocarpum leaf extract: An in vitro study

Background: Solanum xanthocarpum grows in parts of India as a wild herb. The active principles of this plant are Solasodine, Carpesterol, ?-Sitosterol, and Diosgenin. Pharmacological effects such as hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective and hypotensive activity of S. xanthocarpum have been reported. Solasodine, an active component of this plant is reported to have antioxidant activity. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the anticancer and anti-obesity property of S. xanthocarpum. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in Department of Pharmacology, Government Kilpauk Medical College, with laboratory support from Life Teck Research Center, Chennai. Both dry and fresh leaves of S. xanthocarpum were taken and evaluated for anticancer property using MCF cell line and anti-obesity activity using Pancreatic Lipase inhibition activity. Results: There was significant decrease in cell viability with increase in concentration of both dry and fresh leaves which shows anticancer activity. With increase in concentrations of leaf extracts, the inhibition of pancreatic lipase was found but in comparison to Orlistat the standard treatment, the effect was very less. Conclusion: Based on above results, it is concluded that S. xanthocarpum has good anticancer and minimal anti-obesity activity. Further investigations are required to identify the actual phytoactive component.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Methanolic Extracts of Local Punica granatum in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats

@#Introduction: Obesity has been linked to coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke, and cancer. Pomegranate (Punica granatum; PG) has been used extensively in folk medicine for several therapeutic purposes. The goal of this study is to investigate the anti-obesity effect of PG peel and pulp methanolic extracts in highfat diet (HFD)-induced Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: The animals were separated into 7 groups namely Normal control group (normal diet); HFD-induced only as negative control group, and positive control group (HFD-induced + orlistat); treatment group included HFD-induced + peel 125 mg/kg, HFD-induced +peel 250 mg/kg, HFD-induced + pulp 125 mg/kg and HFD-induced + pulp 250 mg/kg. Results: It was observed that methanolic extract of peel and pulp PG 250 mg/kg showed low increment of body weight with a reduction in weight of liver, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat. Compared to the negative control group, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels were shown to be lowered for PG peel and pulp groups also showed higher values in high-density lipoprotein. Conclusion: PG reduced obesity-related markers in blood, liver, and adipose tissue and inhibited obesity caused by a high-fat diet probably because of its antioxidant properties.

Relación entre el fármaco semaglutida y la reducción de peso en pacientes con obesidad: una revisión sistemática / Relation between the drug semaglutide and weight reduction in patients with obesity: a systematic review / Relação entre a droga semaglutida e a perda de peso em pacientes obesos: uma revisão sistemática

El tratamiento farmacológico para la obesidad es muy limitado, entre los existentes en el mercado, destaca la Semaglutida, ampolla subcutánea que se aplica semanalmente y se usa en pacientes con diabetes y obesidad. OBJETIVO: establecer la relación de Semaglutida como un potencial fármaco para el tratamiento de obesidad. MÉTODO: estudio de tipo descriptivo, principalmente enfocado en la revisión y análisis de investigaciones publicadas en bases de datos científicas de alta relevancia, restringiéndose únicamente a publicaciones del 2015 en adelante (2022) que engloben como tópico principal el uso de Semaglutida. RESULTADO: se identificaron 802 registros en las bases de datos, aplicando los criterios de selección se identificaron 45 artículos como potenciales fuentes de información, finalmente se seleccionaron 15 artículos con datos altamente relevantes para esta revisión, donde se consideró la dosis del fármaco para la reducción de peso se observa que a mayor cantidad de Semaglutida se obtiene una reducción significativa de peso, llegando a una media de 11.82 kg. CONCLUSIÓN: el tratamiento semanal con Semaglutida administrada a nivel subcutánea con cambios en el estilo de alimentación y actividad física, dan como resultados pérdida de peso sostenida en el tiempo clínicamente relevante, pudiendo llegar a la aplicabilidad en pacientes cuyo tratamiento por otros métodos más convencionales no es eficiente.

Pharmacological treatment for obesity is very limited; among those available on the market, Semaglutide, a subcutaneous ampoule applied weekly and used in patients with diabetes and obesity, stands out. OBJETIVE: to establish the relationship of Semaglutide as a potential drug for the treatment of obesity. METHOD: descriptive study, mainly focused on the review and analysis of research published in scientific databases of high relevance, restricting only to publications from 2015 onwards (2022) that include as main topic the use of Semaglutide. RESULT: 802 records were identified in the databases, applying the selection criteria 45 articles were identified as potential sources of information, finally 15 articles were selected with highly relevant data for this review, where the dose of the drug for weight reduction was considered, it is observed that the greater the amount of Semaglutide a significant weight reduction is obtained, reaching a mean of 11.82 kg. CONCLUSION: weekly treatment with Semaglutide administered subcutaneously with changes in eating style and physical activity, results in clinically relevant sustained weight loss over time, being able to reach applicability in patients whose treatment by other more conventional methods is not efficient.

Entre os tratamentos existentes no mercado, destaca-se Semaglutide, uma ampola subcutânea que é aplicada semanalmente e utilizada em pacientes com diabetes e obesidade. OBJETIVO: estabelecer a relação do Semaglutide como uma droga potencial para o tratamento da obesidade. METODO: estudo descritivo, focado principalmente na revisão e análise de pesquisas publicadas em bases de dados científicos altamente relevantes, restringindo-se apenas a publicações a partir de 2015 (2022) que incluem o uso do Semaglutide como tema principal. RESULTADOS: 802 registros foram identificados nos bancos de dados, aplicando os critérios de seleção 45 artigos foram identificados como fontes potenciais de informação, finalmente 15 artigos foram selecionados com dados altamente relevantes para esta revisão, onde a dose do medicamento para redução de peso foi considerada, observa-se que quanto maior a quantidade de Semaglutide uma redução de peso significativa é obtida, atingindo uma média de 11,82 kg. CONCLUSAO: o tratamento semanal com Semaglutide administrado subcutaneamente com mudanças na dieta e na atividade física resulta em perda de peso sustentada clinicamente relevante ao longo do tempo, e pode ser aplicável em pacientes cujo tratamento por outros métodos mais convencionais não é eficiente.

Anti-obesity Effects of Extracts from Irvingia gabonensis on High Fat Diet-induced Obese Mice / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Irvingia gabonensis seed extract is known to have an anti-obesity effect. In this study, we confirmed this effect in high-fat diet-fed mice using the commercially available “Africamangonoki” food product with functional claims. As a result, significant reductions in body weight and visceral fat (excluding paratesticular fat) were observed in the high-fat food intake group containing the commercially available “Africamangonoki” product, compared with the high-fat food only intake group. Therefore, it was considered that the seed extract of Irvingia gabonensis has an excellent anti-obesity effect. Conversely, no anti-obesity effect was observed with ellagic acid, which is a component involved, suggesting that components other than ellagic acid may also be involved in the anti-obesity effect observed in relation to Irvingia gabonensis.

Farmacoterapia de la obesidad: revisión de revisiones sistemáticas / Pharmacotherapy of obesity: an umbrella review

Resumen Introducción: los cambios de estilo de vida son los pilares fundamentales del tratamiento de la obesidad. Estos anteceden y acompañan al tratamiento farmacológico cuando correspondiera su indicación. Objetivos: describir la evidencia disponible a través de revisiones sistemáticas (RS) sobre la eficacia y seguridad de los fármacos aprobados para el tratamiento de la obesidad en adultos en Argentina. Materiales y método: se realizaron búsquedas en cinco bases de datos electrónicas, en idioma español, inglés y portugués, donde se seleccionaron RS con o sin metaanálisis, publicadas entre enero 2015 y marzo 2021. La calidad de la evidencia se analizó con la herramienta AMSTAR 2. Resultados: se identificaron 183 RS potencialmente relevantes, incluyendo finalmente a 7 (6 con metaanálisis). A los 12 meses de tratamiento, se observó un rango de pérdida de peso adicional por el uso de medicación vs. placebo: con orlistat de 2,12 a 3,07 kg a una dosis de 360 mg/día; con liraglutida de 5,15 a 5,8 kg a una dosis de 3 mg; y con naltrexona-bupropión de 2,53 a 4,95 kg a una dosis de 32/360 mg o 16/180 mg. Entre los efectos adversos (EA) predominaron los gastrointestinales (GI) en todos los fármacos. Conclusión: los fármacos fueron superiores al placebo en relación a la pérdida de peso, a los 12 meses de intervención, sin embargo es necesario evaluar el costo beneficio de su uso y los resultados a largo plazo. Su implementación en el marco de tratamientos multicomponente e intervenciones intensivas de cambios en el estilo de vida, considerando el fenotipo de conducta alimentaria, entre otros factores influyentes, permitiría optimizar los resultados.

Abstract Introduction: lifestyle changes are the cornerstones of obesity treatment. These precede and go along with pharmacological treatment when indicated. Objectives: to describe the evidence available through systematic reviews (SR) on the efficacy and safety of drugs approved for the treatment of obesity in adults in Argentina. Materials and methods: searches were carried out in five electronic databases, in Spanish, English and Portuguese, in which SRs with or without meta-analysis were selected, published between January 2015 and March 2021. The quality of the evidence was analyzed through AMSTAR2 tool. Results: 183 potentially relevant SRs were identified, finally including 7 (6 with meta-analysis). At 12 months of treatment, a range of additional weight loss from medication use vs. placebo: with orlistat from 2.12 to 3.07 kg at a dose of 360 mg/day; with liraglutide from 5.15 to 5.8 kg at a dose of 3 mg; and with naltrexone-bupropion from 2.53 to 4.95 kg at a dose of 32/360 mg or 16/180 mg. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms predominated among adverse effects (AEs) in all drugs. Conclusion: drugs were superior to placebo in relation to weight loss, at 12 months of intervention; however, it is necessary to evaluate the cost benefit of their use and long-term results. Its application in the framework of multicomponent treatments and intensive lifestyle change interventions, considering the eating behavior phenotype, among other influencing factors, would allow optimization of results.

Use of Pharmacotherapy in Obesity Management

@#Obesity is a chronic disease which is often relapsing and progressive due in part to the physiology of energy homeostasis in people with obesity, rendering them with the challenge of attaining adequate weight loss and weight maintenance after successful weight loss. Depending on the presence, types and severity of the obesity-related comorbidities (ORCs), some patients will require an amount of weight loss beyond what lifestyle and behavioural modification can achieve. Even after bariatric surgery, patients may not lose the expected amount of weight or experience weight regain. Anti-obesity medications may be required to support them further. Hence, the use of pharmacotherapy in obesity management remains an important adjunct to lifestyle and behavioural modifications and even to bariatric surgery, particularly in those with more severe ORCs and with a high body mass index. This article discusses the general approach to the use of pharmacotherapy in obesity management and the various anti-obesity medications currently approved.

Capsaicin: Current Understanding in Therapeutic Effects, Drug Interaction, and Bioavailability

@#Capsaicin (N-vanillyl-8-methyl-6-(E)-none amide) is a unique and significant compound from group component of capsaicinoids. This component can only be found in the plants from the Capsicum genus. It is the primary source of pungency or spiciness of chilli pepper. Traditionally, capsaicin has been used to alleviate pain. Recently, some studies showed significant therapeutic effects of capsaicin in many diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and obesity. Determination of the most effective dosage used and underlying working mechanism of capsaicin are still in progress. Currently, capsaicin research, especially in drug interaction and encapsulation technologies, has not been reviewed. We aim to report current experimental evidence of capsaicin research focusing on its pharmacological properties, interaction with drugs and ways to improve the bioavailability of capsaicin. It is essential to provide a general orientation for further investigation that can discover more potency of capsaicin usage as a medicinal supplement to treat various diseases.

Mechanisms of action and clinical applications of anti-obesity drugs currently available in Korea

Over the last 5 years, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved four anti-obesity drugs for long-term weight management. In this review, the mechanisms of action and clinical applications of lorcaserin, naltrexone/bupropion, liraglutide, and phentermine/topiramate have been clarified. Lorcaserin stimulates proopiomelanocortin/cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript neurons in the arcuate nucleus. Naltrexone/bupropion reduces body weight by controlling the hedonic reward system of food intake. The hypophagic effect of liraglutide depends on the direct activation of the proopiomelanocortin/cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript neurons and indirect suppression of neuropeptide Y/agouti-related peptide neurons through gammaaminobutyric acid-dependent signaling, with an additional thermogenic effect. Phentermine/topiramate induces weight loss by elevating the norepinephrine levels in the hypothalamus, reducing energy deposition in the adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, and elevating the corticotropin-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus. In patients with high cardiovascular risks or type 2 diabetes mellitus, lorcaserin and liraglutide are appropriate. In patients with mood disorders, naltrexone/bupropion could be considered as the first choice of therapy. Notably, lorcaserin and liraglutide are neutral in the aspect of sleep disorder. In case of obese individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, liraglutide or phentermine/topiramate would be selected as the treatment option. These four drugs should be used after considering the patients' co-morbidities of obesity.

Anti-oxidant and anti-adipocyte differentiation of Aster glehni and Aster yomena / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Aster glehnii (AG) and Aster yomena (AY) are medicinal plants that belong to the family Compositea and grow widely in Korea. Plants in the genus Aster have been used to treat snakebite wounds or bruises in oriental medicine. This study compared the effects of anti-oxidants and anti-adipocyte differentiation according to the species (the aerial parts of AG and AY). METHODS: AG and AY were extracted using 70% ethanol (−E) and water (−W) at room temperature. The anti-oxidant activities were measured by total phenol contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), DPPH and ABTS+ assay. In addition, correlation analysis was performed for the anti-oxidant compounds and effect. The level of anti-adipocyte differentiation was assessed using an oil red O assay on pre-adipocytes. RESULTS: AG-W showed higher TPC (6.92 µg/mL) and AG-E presented higher TFC (8.22 µg/mL) than the other extracts. Furthermore, AG-E exhibited higher radical scavenging activity in the DPPH and ABTS+ assay (IC50: 104.88 and 30.06 µg/mL). In the cytotoxicity assay, AG and AY extracts at concentrations less than 100µg/mL were non toxic. AG-W reduced the lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 cells significantly after differentiation (70.49%) compared to the other extracts. CONCLUSION: These results show that the water extract of AG has anti-oxidant effects and reduces the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, AG has utility as a functional food material for its anti-oxidant activities and ability to prevent lipid accumulation.

Screening Moringa species focused on development of locally available sustainable nutritional supplements

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The leaves of Moringa oleifera (MO) and Moringa stenopetala (MS) commonly grown in Ethiopia possess potential nutritional and medicinal value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and functional characteristics of the dried leaf powder from two Moringa species to develop sustainable nutritional supplements for Ethiopians from locally grown plant sources. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Freshly harvested and air-dried MO and MS leaves were authenticated and the nutritional contents, such as protein, ash, lipids, and selected vitamins and minerals, were analyzed using standard analytical procedures. Amino acid compositions were also determined by an amino acid analyzer. Nine-week-old mice were randomly divided into four groups to investigate the anti-obesity effects of Moringa. The first group was fed a basal diet, the second group a high-fat diet, and the others were fed a high-fat diet containing 0.1% Moringa leaf powder from each species. After seven weeks, serum indices related to lipid profiles from each mouse were analyzed. RESULTS: The present study revealed high protein (28–29%) and ash (7–11%) contents. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline, and leucine were the most abundantly found amino acids in both species. The predominant minerals in the leaf powder were calcium (826–1,530 mg/100 g), potassium (794–904 mg/100 g), and magnesium (286-431 mg/100 g). Pyridoxine (475.06 mg/100 g) and vitamin E (34.2 mg/100 g) were found only in MS. Niacin was found only in MO at 32.21 mg/100 g, whereas ascorbic acid was found in both species (3.89 and 6.19 mg/100 g dry weight for MO and MS, respectively). The results of the animal study showed that mice on a high-fat diet containing 0.1% MO leaf powder alleviated the elevation of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol induced by the high fat diet. MO was more effective than MS in preventing hypercholesterolemia and fat deposition. CONCLUSIONS: The findings in this work confirmed that Moringa leaves of both MO and MS possessed high nutritional value but MO was better at preventing the harmful effects of the high-fat diet than MS.

Fumigaclavine C attenuates adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and ameliorates lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Fumigaclavine C (FC), an active indole alkaloid, is obtained from endophytic Aspergillus terreus (strain No. FC118) by the root of Rhizophora stylosa (Rhizophoraceae). This study is designed to evaluate whether FC has anti-adipogenic effects in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and whether it ameliorates lipid accumulation in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. FC notably increased the levels of glycerol in the culture supernatants and markedly reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. FC differentially inhibited the expressions of adipogenesis-related genes, including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor proteins, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins, and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins. FC markedly reduced the expressions of lipid synthesis-related genes, such as the fatty acid binding protein, lipoprotein lipase, and fatty acid synthase. Furthermore, FC significantly increased the expressions of lipolysis-related genes, such as the hormone-sensitive lipase, Aquaporin-7, and adipose triglyceride lipase. In HFD-induced obese mice, intraperitoneal injections of FC decreased both the body weight and visceral adipose tissue weight. FC administration significantly reduced lipid accumulation. Moreover, FC could dose-dependently and differentially regulate the expressions of lipid metabolism-related transcription factors. All these data indicated that FC exhibited anti-obesity effects through modulating adipogenesis and lipolysis.

Current Treatments on Obesity

Recently, the number of obesity and diabetes mellitus have increased rapidly not only in Korea but also around the world. It is even called the new pandemic of the 21st century. In Korea, the diabetes growth rate, which exceeds the obesity growth rate, is a bigger problem. Accordingly, the simultaneous treatment of diabetes and obesity has become a global issue. In this article, we will review various obesity treatments to help diabetes remission and take a look at meaningful previous study about dietary methods for obesity. This overview includes the update of medications for obesity and the practical method for clinicians in field of obesity treatment in Korea.

Inhibitory effects of tannins from leaves of Hippophae rhamnoids and their anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects / 中草药

Objective: To study the anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity constituents from the leaves of Hippophae rhamnoids. Methods: Several open-column chromatographic techniques and semi-preparative HPLC were used to separate and purify the compounds in H. rhamnoids. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated by the spectroscopic analysis. Their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells, and triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells were examined. Results: Eighteen tannins and other compounds were isolated and identified as 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranose (1), 1,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-D- glucopyranose (2), 1,4,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranose (3), 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranose (4), 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl- β-D-glucopyranose (5), 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranose (6), 1-O-galloyl-4,6-(S)-HHDP-β-D-glucopyranose (7), 1-O- galloyl-2,3-(S)-HHDP-β-D-glucopyranose (8), 1,3-di-O-galloyl-4,6-(S)-HHDP-β-D-glucopyranose (9), 1,6-di-O-galloyl-2,3-(S)- HHDP-β-D-glucopyranose (10), casuarictin (11), 1,2,3-tri-O-galloyl-4,6-(S)-HHDP-β-D-glucopyranose (12), 1,4,6-tri-O-galloyl-2,3-(S)- HHDP-β-D-glucopyranose (13), hippophaenin B (14), pedunculagin (15), casuarinin (16), ellagic acid (17), and pinitol (18). Conclusion: Tannins from the leaves of H. rhamnoides showed anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activities. Compounds 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 13 were isolated from this genus for the first time.

The anti-obesity potential of Ilex paraguariensis: results from a meta-analysis

The dried leaves of Ilex paraguariensis, also known as yerba mate or chimarrão, are used to produce infusions consumed by over 1 million people worldwide, being a traditional drink in several South American countries, particularly, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The positive effects of I. paraguariensis in obesity have been described and observed in some clinical trials both in animals and in humans. The main goal of this work was to perform a systematic review, complying with the PRISMA (Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) recommendations, followed by a meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA), to summarize the results of the recent clinical trials, clarifying the anti-obesity potential of I. paraguariensis. The search for this systematic review was performed on several electronic databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO and Cochrane Library) in July 2017. A total of 22 clinical trials were considered for the quantitative synthesis of the data, totalizing 726 patients enrolled. In conclusion, this systematic review demonstrated the positive effects of I. paraguariensis consumption on the reduction of body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference of patients, showing its anti-obesity potential.

Intentos para perder peso en una población con sobrepeso y obesidad referida a un centro de endocrinología en Colombia / Attempts to lose weight in an overweight and obese population referred to an endocrinology center in Colombia / Tentativas de perda de peso de uma população com sobrepeso e obesidade encaminhada para um centro de endocrinologia na Colômbia

Introducción. El exceso de peso es una condición prevalente en Colombia. Esto conlleva a realizar múltiples intentos para perder peso, muchos autodirigidos y con riesgos, siendo un motivo de consulta frecuente en atención médica primaria y especializada. Metodología. Estudio de corte transversal con datos secundarios de la consulta de endocrinología de pacientes que consultaron por percepción de aumento de peso. Se indagó por 18 métodos convencionales y populares para perder peso, su duración, peso perdido y posterior re ganancia. Resultados. Se incluyeron 100 personas, 79% mujeres, con un promedio de edad de 41.1 años, índice de masa corporal de 32.9 ± 4.6 kg/m2 y perímetro abdominal de 102.7 ± 12.5 cm. En promedio se registraron entre 4 y 5 intentos para perder peso por persona antes de consultar al endocrinólogo, con una mediana de historia de exceso de peso de 10 años. Todos los intentos lograron alguna pérdida con posterior reganancia del total del peso perdido, excepto liraglutida. No se encontró asociación significativa entre variables antropométricas y el número de intentos para perder peso. Discusión. Los intentos de pérdida de peso más empleados por la población evaluadas son los que no están aprobados o carecen de evidencia científica robusta. Conclusiones. Los pacientes con sobrepeso y obesidad realizan múltiples intentos fallidos para perder peso antes de consultar al médico especialista. La reganancia es muy frecuente, independientemente del tipo de intento. Cómo citar. Wandurraga EA, Marín Carrillo LF, Ardila Gutiérrez MA, Serrano-Gómez SE. Intentos para perder peso en una población con sobrepeso y obesidad referida a un centro de endocrinología en Colombia. MedUNAB. 2019:22(3): 314-321. doi: 10.29375/01237047.3569

Introduction. Excess weight is a prevailing condition in Colombia. This leads to many weight loss attempts, many self-managed and with risks, being a frequent reason for consulting primary and specialized healthcare. Methodology. Cross-sectional study with secondary data from the endocrinology consultation of patients who made the appointment due to a perceived increase in weight. Eighteen conventional and popular ways of losing weight, their duration, the weight lost and the subsequent regained weight were investigated. Results. One hundred people were included, 79% women with an average age of 41.1 years, a body mass index of 32.9 ± 4.6 kg/m2 and a waist circumference of 102.7 ± 12.5 cm. Each person reported an average of four to five attempts to lose weight before consulting the endocrinologist, with a median history of being overweight of ten years. All of the attempts achieved some weight loss with subsequent regain of the total weight lost, except when using liraglutide. A significant association was not found between the anthropometric variables and the number of weight loss attempts. Discussion. The weight loss methods most used by the assessed population are ones that are not approved or that lack strong scientific evidence. Conclusions. Overweight or obese patients make multiple failed attempts to lose weight before consulting a specialist physician. Regain of the lost weight is frequent, regardless of the method used. Cómo citar. Wandurraga EA, Marín Carrillo LF, Ardila Gutiérrez MA, Serrano-Gómez SE. Intentos para perder peso en una población con sobrepeso y obesidad referida a un centro de endocrinología en Colombia. MedUNAB. 2019:22(3): 314-321. doi: 10.29375/01237047.3569

Introdução. Excesso de peso é uma condição prevalecente na Colômbia. Isso leva a várias tentativas de perda de peso, muitas auto-dirigidas e de risco, sendo motivo de consultas frequentes em atendimento médico primário e especializado. Metodologia. Estudo transversal com dados secundários da consulta de endocrinología de pacientes que consultaram para percepção do ganho de peso. Foram investigados 18 métodos convencionais e populares para perder peso, sua duração, peso perdido e subsequente reganho. Resultados. Foram incluídas 100 pessoas, 79% mulheres, com idade média de 41,1 anos, índice de massa corporal de 32,9 ± 4,6 kg / m2 e perímetro abdominal de 102,7 ± 12,5 cm. Em média, foram registradas entre quatro e cinco tentativas de perda de peso por pessoa antes de consultar o endocrinologista, com uma mediana de história de excesso de peso de 10 anos. Todas as tentativas alcançaram alguma perda com subsequente re-ganancia do peso total perdido, exceto o liraglutida. Não foi encontrada associação significativa entre as variáveis antropométricas e o número de tentativas de perda de peso. Discussão. As tentativas de perda de peso mais utilizadas pela população avaliada são aquelas que não são aprovadas ou não possuem evidências científicas robustas. Conclusões. Pacientes com sobrepeso e obesos fazem várias tentativas fracassadas de perder peso antes de consultar o especialista. A re-ganancia de peso é frequente, independentemente do tipo de tentativa. Cómo citar. Wandurraga EA, Marín Carrillo LF, Ardila Gutiérrez MA, Serrano-Gómez SE. Intentos para perder peso en una población con sobrepeso y obesidad referida a un centro de endocrinología en Colombia. MedUNAB. 2019:22(3): 314-321. doi: 10.29375/01237047.3569

The Use of Weight Loss Products Among Overweight and Obese Patients in Malaysia

@#Introduction: Local profiles on the use of weight loss products are scarce. The study aims to address this together with concerns on the users’ misperception of the safety of these products, and the absence of high-quality evidence to support such use. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in overweight and obese patients attending a public primary care clinic in Penang. Selected patients were given a set of self-administered questionnaire that assessed types of weight loss products used, factors that influenced the usage and the users’ perception of their own body weight and the diet products they are taking. Results: From 332 participants of this study, 18.7% were users. Mean age of users were 44.6 (SD 11.9) years. The majority (66.1%) only used dietary supplements, 11.3% used weight loss medications and the rest (22.6%) used both products. Reasons for its use were for health, a faster result to lose weight and failing dieting and exercise regimes. The average amount spent on this was RM100 per month. Commonest source of weight loss products were friends. Majority (80.6%) did not discuss the use of the products with doctors. Factors associated with the use of weight loss products were being female (AOR=5.59), had tertiary level education (AOR=2.27), being employed (AOR=3.42), self-perceived of overweight (AOR=3.61) and perception that weight loss products as safe (AOR 2.48). Conclusion: Users of weight loss products are among highly educated working females who perceived themselves as being overweight and assume the products are safe

Effects of Lonicera caerulea extract on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and mouse adipose-derived stem cells (MADSCs) / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Obesity is a major health problem of global significance because it is clearly associated with an increased risk of health problems, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Lonicera caerulea (LC) originates from high mountains or wet areas and has been used as a traditional medicine in northern Russia, China, and Japan. LC contains a range of bioactive constituents, such as vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols. This study examined the anti-obesity effects of LC during differentiation in preadipocytes. METHODS: The cell viability assay was performed after the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells for 7 days. Oil Red O staining was used to visualize the changes in lipid droplets in 3T3-L1 cells and mouse adipose-derived stem cells (MADSCs). The mRNA expression of obesity-related genes was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: According to the results of Oil Red O staining, the lipid levels and size of lipid droplets in the adipocytes were reduced and the LC extract (LCE, 0.25–1 mg/mL) markedly inhibited adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of LCE also decreased the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) in 3T3-L1 cells. Western blot analysis showed that the PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP1 protein levels in both 3T3-L1 and MADSC were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that LCE can inhibit adipogenic differentiation through the regulation of adipogenesis-related markers.

Role of brown adipose tissue in metabolic syndrome, aging, and cancer cachexia / 医学前沿

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a fundamental role in maintaining body temperature by producing heat. BAT that had been know to exist only in mammals and the human neonate has received great attention for the treatment of obesity and diabetes due to its important function in energy metabolism, ever since it is recently reported that human adults have functional BAT. In addition, beige adipocytes, brown adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT), have also been shown to take part in whole body metabolism. Multiple lines of evidence demonstrated that transplantation or activation of BAT or/and beige adipocytes reversed obesity and improved insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, many genes involved in BATactivation and/or the recruitment of beige cells have been found, thereby providing new promising strategies for future clinical application of BAT activation to treat obesity and metabolic diseases. This review focuses on recent advances of BAT function in the metabolic aspect and the relationship between BAT and cancer cachexia, a pathological process accompanied with decreased body weight and increased energy expenditure in cancer patients. The underlying possible mechanisms to reduce BAT mass and its activity in the elderly are also discussed.

Recent Advances in Anti-Obesity Agents / 대한내과학회지

Obesity is a chronic disorder that is a significant risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, malignancy, and other chronic diseases. Lifestyle modifications form the basis of most treatments for obesity, but it has become clear that such modifications alone are not enough for many obese patients. When a behavioral approach is insufficient, pharmacological treatment may be recommended. In recent years, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has withdrawn several therapeutic options for obesity due to their side effects, but has approved four novel anti-obesity agents. Until recently, orlistat was the only drug approved for the management of long-term obesity, but the US FDA approved the novel anti-obesity drugs lorcaserin and phentermine/topiramate in 2012, and naltrexone/bupropion and liraglutide in 2014. The present review discusses the different pharmacotherapeutic options for the treatment of obesity.

Anti-obesity and LDL-cholesterol lowering effects of silkworm hemolymph in C57BL/6N mice fed high fat diet / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Obesity, a worldwide epidemic, is associated with insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Many strategies, including natural alternative anti-obesity agents, are used widely to prevent obesity. This study examined the effects of silkworm hemolymph on the weight control of C57BL/6N mice fed with a high-fat diet. METHODS: The mice were divided into five groups: normal group (N), high-fat diet group (HFC), high-fat diet and silkworm hemolymph (at dose of 1 mL/kg BW (HFS-1), 5 mL/kg BW (HFS-5) and 10 mL/kg (HFS-10) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: After 12 weeks treatment, the administration of silkworm hemolymph decreased the final body weight significantly along with a decrease in the weights of epididymal fat and total fat. The plasma LDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly lower in the HFS-1, HFS-5, and HFS-10 groups than in the HFC group. In addition, the leptin level of the HFS groups was significantly lower than those of the HFC group without a change in the plasma insulin concentration. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the silkworm hemolymph may have the potential to prevent obesity.