Distinguishing health-related parameters between metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy obesity in women.

BACKGROUND: Obesity represents a global health crisis, yet a dichotomy is emerging with classification according to the metabolic state into metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). This study aimed to identify distinctive systemic clinical/endocrinological parameters between MHO individuals, employing a comprehensive comparative analysis of 50 biomarkers. Our emphasis was on routine analytes, ensuring cost-effectiveness for widespread use in diagnosing metabolic health. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study included 182 women diagnosed with obesity referred for bariatric surgery at the Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Service of São João Hospital and University Centre in Portugal. MUO was defined by the presence of at least one of the following metabolic disorders: diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. Patients were stratified based on the diagnosis of these pathologies. RESULTS: Significantly divergent health-related parameters were observed between MHO and MUO patients. Notable differences included: albumin (40.1 ± 2.2 vs 40,98 ± 2.6 g/L, p value = 0.017), triglycerides (110.7 ± 51.1 vs 137.57 ± 82.6 mg/dL, p value = 0.008), glucose (99.49 ± 13.0 vs 119.17 ± 38.9 mg/dL, p value < 0.001), glycated hemoglobin (5.58 ± 0.4 vs 6.15 ± 1.0%, p value < 0.001), urea (31.40 ± 10.0 vs 34.61 ± 10.2 mg/dL, p value = 0.014), total calcium (4.64 ± 0.15 vs 4.74 ± 0.17 mEq/L, 1 mEq/L = 1 mg/L, p value < 0.001), ferritin (100.04 ± 129.1 vs 128.55 ± 102.1 ng/mL, p value = 0.005), chloride (104.68 ± 1.5 vs 103.04 ± 2.6 mEq/L, p value < 0.001), prolactin (13.57 ± 6.3 vs 12.47 ± 7.1 ng/mL, p value = 0.041), insulin (20.36 ± 24.4 vs 23.87 ± 19.6 µU/mL, p value = 0.021), c peptide (3.78 ± 1.8 vs 4.28 ± 1.7 ng/mL, p value = 0.003), albumin/creatinine ratio (15.41 ± 31.0 vs 48.12 ± 158.7 mg/g creatinine, p value = 0.015), and whole-body mineral density (1.27 ± 0.1 vs 1.23 ± 0.1 g/cm2, p value = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight potential additional parameters that should be taken into consideration alongside the commonly used biomarkers for classifying metabolic health in women. These include albumin, urea, total calcium, ferritin, chloride, prolactin, c-peptide, albumin-creatinine ratio, and whole-body mineral density. Moreover, our results also suggest that MHO may represent a transitional phase preceding the development of the MUO phenotype.

Cecropia hololeuca: A new source of compounds with potential anti-inflammatory action.

Our objective is to investigate the phytochemical components, antioxidant capacity and in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory action from Cecropia hololeuca bark aqueous extract (AECh). The chemical characterization of AECh was performed through CE-UV, FTIR and NMR Spectroscopy. In vitro assays were performed with the AECh on murine macrophages J774A.1 cells in order to analyse cell viability, NO, TNF-α and IL-1ß productions and the in vivo anti-inflammatory potential in acute carrageenan paw oedema in mice. The AECh showed a decrease in the production of NO, TNF-α and IL-1ß, without altering the cell viability and reduction of the paw thickness in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th hour. The extract presented 72% free radical scavenging, 0.60% flavonoid content and showed the presence of gallic acid, caffeic acid and catechin as major constituents. The C. hololeuca bark extract showed important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, emphasizing the industrial and pharmacological potential of this plant.