FTO rs9939609: T>A Variant and Physical Inactivity as Important Risk Factors for Class III Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity has been increasing worldwide. It has been reported that physiological and environmental factors such as diet, culture, physical activity, and genetics are the principal factors related to obesity. The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gen variant (rs9939609: T>A) has been associated with class III obesity. The A variant has been correlated with anthropometric and metabolic alterations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the association of the FTO rs9939609: T>A variant and environmental factors with clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical variables in subjects with class III obesity. RESULTS: The A variant frequency was higher in the class III obesity group compared with the normal weight group (44% vs. 25%, p < 0.001). Subjects with the AA genotype had a higher body mass index (BMI) than those with the AT genotype (35.46 kg/m2 (31-39.8) vs. 26.91 kg/m2 (23.7-30), p = 0.005). Women with the AA genotype showed higher waist circumferences than the AT group (101.07 cm (90.9-111.1) vs. 85.45 cm (77-93.8) p = 0.047). The FTO A variant increases the risk by 3.54 times and physical inactivity increases the risk by 6.37 times for class III obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that among the studied variables, those most related to class III obesity were the FTO risk genotype (A allele) and physical inactivity.

The Influence of Lifestyle on High-Density Lipoprotein Concentration among Mexican Emerging Adults.

Previous studies have highlighted the role of lifestyle on HDL-C concentrations in adults. To our knowledge, the health and nutritional status of emerging adults have been understudied. The present study aimed to explore the most important lifestyle factors, including micronutrient intake adequacy and the percentage of energy from food processing, according to HDL-C concentrations in emerging adults. In this context, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 261 Mexican emerging adults who were apparently healthy. Lifestyle factors were collected through a structured survey and the prevalence of micronutrient intake inadequacy was estimated using the estimated average requirement cut-point method. The percentage of energy from ultra-processed foods was assessed using the NOVA system. HDL-C was determined using the enzymatic colorimetric method. Statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS. The results revealed that lifestyle factors do not differ according to HDL-C status. The participants showed a poor nutritional diet that was energy-dense and micronutrient-inadequate. Nearly half of their energy came from processed and ultra-processed foods. Most participants did not meet the recommendations for key nutrients (ϖ3 fatty acids and phytosterols) that promote a healthy lipid status. In conclusion, regardless of their HDL-C levels, emerging adults exhibited lifestyle-related risk factors. The persistence of these findings over time could contribute to the development of metabolic disorders in the future. It is crucial to increase understanding and to develop effective nutritional interventions during this critical phase of life.

The Effect of Dietary Interventions on Hypertriglyceridemia: From Public Health to Molecular Nutrition Evidence.

Approximately 25-50% of the population worldwide exhibits serum triglycerides (TG) (≥150 mg/dL) which are associated with an increased level of highly atherogenic remnant-like particles, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and pancreatitis risk. High serum TG levels could be related to cardiovascular disease, which is the most prevalent cause of mortality in Western countries. The etiology of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is multifactorial and can be classified as primary and secondary causes. Among the primary causes are genetic disorders. On the other hand, secondary causes of HTG comprise lifestyle factors, medical conditions, and drugs. Among lifestyle changes, adequate diets and nutrition are the initial steps to treat and prevent serum lipid alterations. Dietary intervention for HTG is recommended in order to modify the amount of macronutrients. Macronutrient distribution changes such as fat or protein, low-carbohydrate diets, and caloric restriction seem to be effective strategies in reducing TG levels. Particularly, the Mediterranean diet is the dietary pattern with the most consistent evidence for efficacy in HTG while the use of omega-3 supplements consumption is the dietary component with the highest number of randomized clinical trials (RCT) carried out with effective results on reducing TG. The aim of this review was to provide a better comprehension between human nutrition and lipid metabolism.

A Comprehensive Descriptive Epidemiological and Clinical Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in West-Mexico during COVID-19 Pandemic 2020.

This study aimed to summarize the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 from Western Mexico people during 2020. A retrospective analysis from an electronic database of people visiting a sentinel center for molecular SARS-CoV-2 confirmatory diagnosis by RT-PCR from April to December 2020 was carried out for epidemiological and clinical description of COVID-19. Out of 23,211 patients evaluated, 6918 (29.8%) were confirmed for SARS-CoV-2 infection (mean age 38.5 ± 13.99), mostly females (53.8%). Comorbidities, such as diabetes (34.7%), obesity (31.15%), and hypertension (31.8%), presented an increased odds OR = 1.27, CI = 1.14-1.41; OR = 1.08, CI = 1.01-1.16; and OR = 1.09, CI = 0.99-1.19, respectively, for viral-infection. Moreover, fever, headache, and dry cough were the most frequent symptoms. No infection difference among sex was found. Those patients >60 years old were prone to COVID-19 severity (OR = 3.59, CI = 2.10-6.14), evaluated by the number of manifested symptoms, increasing with age. In conclusion, a high SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was found in Western Mexico. Comorbidities were frequent in infected people; nevertheless, no association with disease outcomes was observed, in contrast with the highest disease severity risk found in older patients; however, continuous monitoring should be carried since comorbidities have been reported as aggravating factors. This study can help the health officials for the elaboration of planning efforts of the disease management and others in the future.

Leu72Met polymorphism of GHRL gene decreases susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Mexican population.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is the most frequent type of diabetes. It has a multifactorial etiology, affecting millions of people worldwide. Ghrelin gene (GHRL) encodes the ghrelin peptide, which promotes food intake, induces body weight and adipogenesis. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GHRL gene have been associated with metabolic diseases. A protective effect of the Leu72Met (rs696217) polymorphism has been described for T2D in some populations, but this effect seems to depend on the ethnicity of the patients studied. METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the GHRL Leu72Met (rs696217) SNP with the development of T2D and serum ghrelin levels in a Western Mexican population. We performed a case-control study in which we included 284 subjects (159 with previous T2D diagnosis and 125 control subjects (CS)). Leu72Met SNP was genotyped by using PCR-RFLPs technique. Serum ghrelin levels were measured using a commercial enzyme immunoassay. Genotypic and allelic distributions were compared using Chi square test. Student T-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare quantitative variables. Odds ratio (OR) was used to evaluate the association between alleles or genotypes and T2D. Multiple and logistic regression models were performed for adjustment. A two-tailed p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Leu72Leu genotype was more frequent among T2D compared to CS (p < 0.05). After adjusting for age and body composition, there was a significant protective effect of the 72Met allele for T2D development (OR 0.40 IC 95% 0.23-0.70; p ≤ 0.001). Fasting serum ghrelin levels were lower in T2D than CS (p ≤ 0.0001) irrespective of age, body weight and BMI. No associations were found between genotypes and ghrelin serum levels in our population. CONCLUSIONS: The GHRL 72Met allele decreases susceptibility for T2D development in a Western Mexican population. Serum ghrelin levels are lower in T2D independently of Leu72Met polymorphism genotype.

Osteocalcin levels in a healthy population of western Mexico and comparison with populations from around the world. / Niveles de referencia de osteocalcina en población sana de México.

Introduction: Osteocalcin has been shown to have an inverse relationship with blood glucose, insulin resistance and adiposity. Objective: To determine osteocalcin normal serum concentration in Mexican healthy adults and compare it with values reported in other populations. Method: Carboxylated and undercarboxylated osteocalcin serum concentrations were determined in 100 healthy adults by means of enzyme immunoassay; osteocalcin total concentration was calculated. A descriptive comparison was made with other populations' values reported in the literature. Results: Carboxylated and undercarboxylated osteocalcin median concentrations were 3.22 ng/mL and 1.61 ng/mL, respectively. Mean total osteocalcin was 7.40 ± 5.11 ng/mL. There was no significant difference between the osteocalcin values in our population and those of populations where similar quantification methods to ours were used. Conclusion: Osteocalcin total serum concentration mean in the analyzed population was 7.40 ng/mL. There are subtle variations between populations that are attributable to genetic and population factors; however, the quantification method was the only variable that was shown to significantly influence on osteocalcin levels in healthy populations.

Introducción: Se ha demostrado que la osteocalcina tiene una relación inversa con la glucemia, resistencia a la insulina y adiposidad. Objetivo: Determinar la concentración sérica normal de osteocalcina en adultos sanos mexicanos y compararlos con los reportados en otras poblaciones. Método: Se determinó la concentración sérica de osteocalcina carboxilada y pobremente carboxilada en 100 adultos sanos mediante inmunoensayo enzimático; se calculó la concentración de osteocalcina total. Se hizo una comparación descriptiva con valores de otras poblaciones reportadas en la literatura. Resultados: Las medianas de las concentraciones de osteocalcina carboxilada y pobremente carboxilada fueron 3.22 ng/mL y 1.61 ng/mL, respectivamente; la media de osteocalcina total fue 7.40 ± 5.11 ng/mL. No hubo diferencia significativa entre los valores de osteocalcina total en nuestra población y los de poblaciones en las que se utilizaron métodos de cuantificación similares al nuestro. Conclusión: La concentración sérica promedio de osteocalcina total en la población analizada fue de 7.40 ng/mL. Las variaciones sutiles entre poblaciones son atribuibles a factores genéticos y poblacionales, sin embargo, el método de cuantificación fue el único que se comprobó influye significativamente en los niveles de osteocalcina en poblaciones sanas.

Association of A-604G ghrelin gene polymorphism and serum ghrelin levels with the risk of obesity in a mexican population.

Obesity is a metabolic disorder that has a multifactorial etiology and affects millions of people worldwide. Ghrelin, a hormone coded by the GHRL gene, plays a role in human body composition and appetite. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GHRL gene have been associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. To evaluate the association of A-604G SNP of GHRL promoter region with serum ghrelin levels and the risk of obesity in a Mexican population. Two hundred and fifty individuals were enrolled and classified as obese or control subjects (CS) according to BMI. DNA samples, anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were obtained from all subjects. The A-604G SNP was genotyped using PCR-RFLPs technique. Ghrelin levels were measured using a commercial enzyme immunoassay. The G/G genotype was more frequent among obese individuals (p < 0.0001) when compared to CS. The G/A genotype and A allele were associated with protection against obesity (OR 0.29, p < 0.0001; OR 0.39, p < 0.0001 respectively), the A allele remained significant after adjusting for age and gender (OR: 0.25, p < 0.0001). Serum ghrelin levels were higher in obese patients (p = 0.004) than in CS, however, significance was lost after adjustment for age (p = 0.088). The G/G genotype was associated with higher levels of serum ghrelin (p = 0.02) independently of the effect of age. The G/G genotype of the A-604G SNP in the GHRL gene is associated with altered serum ghrelin levels and obesity. The A allele was also associated with protection against obesity in this study.

Serum levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin are related to cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy subjects.

AIM: To determine a potential relationship between serum undercarboxylated (ucOC) concentration and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients and healthy subjects (HS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 140 subjects classified into two groups, 70 with T2D and 70 HS. Medical history and physical examination with anthropometric measurements were obtained from all subjects. Body fat percentage was determined by bioelectrical impendency analysis. Serum ucOC concentration was determined by enzyme immunoassay, while serum levels of insulin and hsCRP were obtained using high sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostasis model assessment-IR. Lipid profile [triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoproteins (HDL-c), low density lipoproteins (LDL-c), very low-density lipoproteins] was determined by spectrophotometry and standard formulas when applicable. RESULTS: The T2D patient group showed significantly higher values of waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), current smoking, and alcohol use when compared to the HS group (P < 0.05). We observed a significantly lower serum ucOC concentration in T2D than in HS (1.5 ± 1.4 vs 2.3 ± 1.8, P < 0.05). In the whole study population, ucOC concentration was inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = -0.236, P < 0.05), fasting plasma glucose (r = -0.283, P < 0.01) and HDL-c (r = -0.255, P < 0.05); and positively correlated with LDL-c/HDL-c ratio (r = 0.306, P < 0.05) and TC/HDL-c ratio (r = 0.284, P < 0.05). In the T2D group, serum ucOC concentration was inversely correlated with BMI (r = -0.310, P < 0.05) and body-fat percentage (r = -0.311, P < 0.05), and positively correlated with DBP (r = 0.450, P < 0.01). In HS group a positive correlation between serum levels of ucOC and SBP (r = 0.277, P < 0.05) was observed. CONCLUSION: Serum ucOC is a potential marker for cardiovascular risk in Mexicans because it is related to adiposity parameters, blood pressure and lipid profile.

Vitamin-D receptor gene polymorphisms (TaqI and ApaI) and circulating osteocalcin in type 2 diabetic patients and healthy subjects.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is encoded by the VDR gene. Several studies have supported that this gene is associated with diabetes. Heterodimer VDR/RXR functions as an enhancer of the BGLAP gene and increases the basal transcription rate of osteocalcin (OC) during osteoblast differentiation. OC is a regulator of glucose metabolism in mice. Moreover, OC level is decreased in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although inversely correlated with serum glucose insulin and glycated haemoglobin, it is unclear whether OC reduction is caused by diabetes or plays a role in the pathogenesis and/or progression of the disease. In this study we analysed the association between TaqI and ApaI VDR gene polymorphisms and OC serum concentration in T2D subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients underwent clinical and nutritional assessment. Genomic DNA was extracted from leucocytes using a standard salting-out procedure. The polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP method. ELISA was used to measure OC and insulin concentrations. RESULTS: Association between TT genotype of TaqI polymorphism and low levels of OC was observed only in the population with overweight and obesity. No association between TaqI and ApaI polymorphisms and T2D was observed (p > 0.05). Furthermore, in T2D subjects, no correlation between ApaI and TaqI genotypes and age, sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), glucose, or OC was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The TT genotype of TaqI VDR gene polymorphism was correlated with low levels of OC in overweight and obese subjects. However, TaqI and ApaI VDR gene polymorphisms were not associated with T2D.