The gut microbiota obtained after birth is composed of a large range of bacteria that play different roles in the human host, such as nutrient uptake, protection against pathogens and immune modulation. The intestinal bacterial content is not completely known, but it is influenced by internal, and mainly by external factors, which modulate its composition and function. Studies indicate that the gut microbiota differs in lean and obese individuals, and in individuals with different food habits. There is evidence that […]

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between insulin-resistance and fasting levels of ghrelin and PYY in Wistar rats. Materials and methods A total of 25 male Wistar rats, weighing 200-300 g, was included in this study. The animals were maintained in cages with a 12/12h light-dark cycle and fed standard chow and water ad libitum. After 12-h overnight fasting, ghrelin, PYY, insulin and glucose values were determined. Insulin resistance was assessed by means of the […]

The incidence of cardiovascular disease increases considerably after the menopause. One reason for the increased cardiovascular risk seems to be determined by metabolic syndrome, in which all components (visceral obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and glucose metabolism disorder) are associated with higher incidence of coronary artery disease. After menopause, metabolic syndrome is more prevalent than in premenopausal women, and may plays an important role in the occurrence of myocardial infarction and other atherosclerotic and cardiovascular morbidities. Obesity, an essential component of the […]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition in women at reproductive age associated with reproductive and metabolic dysfunction. Proposed diagnosed criteria for PCOS include two out of three features: androgen excess, menstrual irregularity, and polycystic ovary appearance on ultrasound (PCO), after other causes of hyperandrogenism and dysovulation are excluded. Based on these diagnostic criteria, the most common phenotypes are the “classic PCOS” – hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhea, with or without PCO; the “ovulatory phenotype” – hyperandrogenism and PCO in ovulatory […]

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether glugagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) secretion relates to insulin sensitivity (IS) in obese subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty four obese subjects [body mass index (BMI) 40.0 ± 3.0 kg/m2 (mean ± standard deviation)] were included, nine of which were male, age 43 ± 8 years. Twelve subjects had type 2 diabetes, all treated with oral anti-diabetic agents only. The subjects were submitted to standard meal tolerance test (MTT) for dosage […]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical, biochemical, hormonal and genetic characteristics of relatives of two patients with familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) type 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty subjects, members of two non-related Brazilian families from two different probands with FPLD phenotype, were evaluated. A mutation in exon 8 of LMNA gene was confirmed in 18 of them, and a heterozygous substitution at codon 482 was identified, predicting a p.R482W mutation. Based on the presence or absence of the mutation, subjects were classified […]

OBJECTIVE: Validate a model of high-fat diet-induced obesity, of low cost, easy reproducibility, that could express characteristics observed in human, and would enable subsequent therapy proposals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen Swiss mice received a standard diet (DP) or high-fat diet (DH) for 10 weeks. RESULTS: Although the DP group had greater water (p < 0.01) and feed (p < 0.001) consumption, the DH group had greater body weight (p < 0.5) and adipose tissue gain (p < 0.001), favoring higher […]

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of goiter and nodular disease in patients with class III obesity, and to correlate results with serum leptin levels and insulin resistance (IR) parameters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed to assess thyroid ultrasound (US) patterns, HOMA-IR, serum leptin, and TSH levels in obese patients and controls. RESULTS: Thyroid volume was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.240, p = 0.039) and with HOMA-IR (r = 0.329; p < 0.01). […]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of exposure to cigarette smoke and running training on a treadmill on the expression of glucose transporter GLUT4 in oxidative soleus muscle of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into: (C) control, (E) exercise control, (SS), sedentary smoker, and (ES) exercise smoker. Insulin Tolerance Test, Western blotting, and RT-PCR were performed for the evaluation of GLUT4 levels. RESULTS: The SS group presented lower insulin sensitivity with reduced GLUT4 protein in the plasma membrane […]

The increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus has caused a rise in the occurrence of its chronic complications, such as diabetic nephropathy (DN), which is associated with elevated morbidity and mortality. Familial aggregation studies have demonstrated that besides the known environmental risk factors, DN has a major genetic component. Therefore, it is necessary to identify genes associated with risk for or protection against DN. Ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) is expressed in several tissues, including the kidneys. Increased levels of ENPP1 expression […]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate insulin resistance and lipid profile in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) caused by classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD), and their association with body mass index (BMI) and corticosteroid dosage. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We assessed BMI, waist circumference, current glucocorticoid dosage, glucose, insulin and lipid profile in eighteen young women (mean ± SD, 19.3 ± 3.0 years) with 21OHD CAH. RESULTS: BMI was normal in 12 patients, 5 of them were overweight, and 1 was obese. Waist circumference […]

Metabolic syndrome (MS) has been a condition involved in considerable controversy, starting with the terminology. Gerald Reaven himself, the author who proposed the term MS, advised against the use of this terminology because the definition implies in at least three metabolic alterations, and it is never clear to which group of alterations we are referring to when we say that a patient has MS. In children, the problem is even more complicated, since there are many different adaptations to the […]