Comparing the metabolic signatures of obesity defined by waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, or BMI.

OBJECTIVE: Measuring obesity is crucial for assessing health risks and developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. The most common methods used to measure obesity include BMI, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio. This study aimed to determine the metabolic signatures associated with each measure of obesity in the Qatari population. METHODS: Metabolomics profiling was conducted to identify, quantify, and characterize metabolites in serum samples from the study participants. Inverse rank normalization, principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis were used to analyze the metabolomics data. RESULTS: This study revealed significant differences in metabolites associated with obesity based on different measurements. In men, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine metabolites were significantly enriched in individuals classified as having obesity based on the waist-hip ratio. In women, significant changes were observed in leucine, isoleucine, and valine metabolism metabolites. Unique metabolites were found in the different categorization groups that could serve as biomarkers for assessing many obesity-related disorders. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified unique metabolic signatures associated with obesity based on different measurements in the Qatari population. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in obesity and may have implications for developing personalized prevention and treatment strategies.

Soluble ACE2 and angiotensin II levels are modulated in hypertensive COVID-19 patients treated with different antihypertension drugs.

PURPOSE: This study examines the effect of antihypertensive drugs on ACE2 and Angiotensin II levels in hypertensive COVID-19 patients. INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a common comorbidity among severe COVID-19 patients. ACE2 expression can be modulated by antihypertensive drugs such as ACEis and ARBs, which may affect COVID-19's prognosis. BB and CCB reduce mortality, according to some evidence. Their effect on circulating levels of ACE2 and angiotensin II, as well as the severity of COVID-19, is less well studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data were collected from 200 patients in four different antihypertensive medication classes (ACEi, ARB, BB, and CCB). Angiotensin II and ACE2 levels were determined using standard ELISA kits. ACE2, angiotensin II, and other clinical indices were evaluated by linear regression models. RESULTS: Patients on ACEi (n = 57), ARB (n = 68), BB (n = 15), or CCB (n = 30) in this study had mild (n = 76), moderate (n = 76), or severe (n = 52) COVID-19. ACE2 levels were higher in COVID-19 patients with severe disease (p = 0.04) than mild (p = 0.07) and moderate (p = 0.007). The length of hospital stay is correlated with ACE2 levels (r = 0.3, p = 0.003). Angiotensin II levels decreased with severity (p = 0.04). Higher ACE2 levels are associated with higher CRP and D-dimer levels. Elevated Angiotensin II was associated with low levels of CRP, D-dimer, and troponin. ACE2 levels increase with disease severity in patients taking an ARB (p = 0.01), patients taking ACEi, the degree of disease severity was associated with a decrease in angiotensin II. BB patients had the lowest disease severity. CONCLUSION: We found different levels of soluble ACE2, and angiotensin II are observed among COVID-19 patients taking different antihypertensive medications and exhibiting varying levels of disease severity. COVID-19 severity increases with elevated ACE2 levels and lower angiotensin II levels indicating that BB treatment reduces severity regardless of levels of ACE2 and angiotensin II.