Loss of CTRP4 alters adiposity and food intake behaviors in obese mice

Central and peripheral mechanisms are both required for proper control of energy homeostasis. Among circulating plasma proteins, C1q/TNF-related proteins (CTRPs) have recently emerged as important regulators of sugar and fat metabolism. CTRP4, expressed in brain and adipose tissue, is unique among the family members in having two tandem globular C1q domains. We previously showed that central administration of recombinant CTRP4 suppresses food intake, suggesting a central nervous system role in regulating ingestive physiology. Whether this effect is pharmacological or physiological remains unclear. We used a loss-of-function knockout (KO) mouse model to clarify the physiological role of CTRP4. Under basal conditions, CTRP4 deficiency increased serum cholesterol levels and impaired glucose tolerance in male but not female mice fed a control low-fat diet. When challenged with a high-fat diet, male and female KO mice responded differently to weight gain and had different food intake patterns. On an obesogenic diet, male KO mice had similar weight gain as wild-type littermates. When fed ad libitum, KO male mice had greater meal number, shorter intermeal interval, and reduced satiety ratio. Female KO mice, in contrast, had lower body weight and adiposity. In the refeeding period following food deprivation, female KO mice had significantly higher food intake due to longer meal duration and reduced satiety ratio. Collectively, our data provide genetic evidence for a sex-dependent physiological role of CTRP4 in modulating food intake patterns and systemic energy metabolism.

The Effect of Food Intake on the Incidence of Malnutrition in Toddlers in the Work Area of the Kertosari Health Center, Banyuwangi Regency

This study aims to determine the effect of food intake patterns on malnutrition incidence in toddlers in the working area of Kertosari Health Care. This study used a cross-sectional method with a research population of 30 toddlers. The data were obtained from validated questionnaires and food intake measurements using a 24 hours food recall form. Samples in this study as many as 30 malnourished toddlers and spread in the Kertosari Health Care working area. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis techniques and ordinal logistic regression influence tests. The results of the study showed that energy intake patterns (p = 0.032), protein intake patterns (p = 0.026), fat intake patterns (p = 0.026), carbohydrate intake patterns (p = 0.014), zinc intake patterns (p = 0.043) and calcium intake patterns (p = 0.026) with the incidence of malnutrition in toddlers

Time-Restricted Eating Alters Food Intake Patterns, as Prospectively Documented by a Smartphone Application

Time-restricted eating (TRE) can facilitate weight loss, yet its effect on eating patterns remains unknown. Twenty adults with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 underwent a 12-week randomized trial, examining the effect of an 8-h, time-restricted eating intervention on dietary patterns. Oral intake was documented using a smartphone. Dietary patterns, assessed as frequency of eating occasions (EOs) and types of meals/snacks and beverages, were compared between baseline (T0), early-intervention (T1), and end-intervention (T2). At T1 and T2, both groups had less EOs compared to T0, with greater reduction seen in the TRE group (−28%) than the non-TRE group (−12%) at T2 (p = 0.01 vs. non-TRE). Comparing T1 to T0, the TRE group documented less incomplete meals (−32.5%: p = 0.02), high quality snacks (−23.6%: p = 0.03), and low quality snacks (−36.6%: p = 0.004). Comparing T2 to T0, the TRE group documented less incomplete meals (−33.9%: p = 0.03), high quality snacks (−28.1%: p < 0.001) and low quality snacks (−51.2%: p < 0.001). Caffeinated beverage intake was reduced in the TRE group at T1 (−20.2%) and T2 (−28.8%) vs. T0, but remained unaltered in the non-TRE group. By using a smartphone application to document dietary intake, TRE significantly reduced the number of EOs, snacks, and caffeinated beverages, relative to baseline and relative to the non-TRE.

Natural food intake patterns do not synchronize peripheral clocks

Food is thought to synchronize circadian clocks in the body, but this is based on time-restricted feeding (TRF) protocols. To test whether naturalistic feeding patterns are sufficient to phase-shift and entrain peripheral tissues, we measured circadian rhythms of the liver, kidney, and submandibular gland in mPer2Luc mice under different feeding schedules. In ad lib feeding as well as in a schedule designed to mimic the ad lib pattern, PER2::LUC bioluminescence peaked during the night as expected. Surprisingly, shifting the scheduled feeding by 12h caused only small advances (<3h). To isolate the effects of feeding from the light-dark cycle, clock phase was then measured in mice acclimated to scheduled feeding and housed in constant darkness. In these conditions, peripheral clock phases were better predicted by the rest-activity cycle than the food schedule. Under natural feeding patterns, the master pacemaker in the brain sets the phase of peripheral organs independent of feeding behavior.

Effect of a nutrition education programme on the metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus at a Level 5 Hospital in Kenya: “a randomized controlled trial”

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), is a life-threatening condition of global public health concern. It worsens in the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a complex disorder characterized by co-occurrence of at least three of such factors as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. However, lifestyle interventions reduce the risk of both MetS and T2D, and nutrition education can empower individuals on the appropriate lifestyle changes. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of a nutrition education programme, with and without inclusion of peer to peer support, on MetS in T2D patients. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial with two intervention groups and one control. One of the intervention groups involved a nutrition education programme with peer-to-peer support (NEP); the other involved only the education program, while the control received standard care. Each group had 51 participants. The nutrition education programme was conducted for 2h per week for 8 weeks. In addition, the NEP had weekly peer-to-peer interactions for 8 weeks. All groups had follow-up sessions for 6 months. Data on MetS risk factors as well as food intake patterns and physical activity levels were taken at baseline and at different time points during the study. Analysis of Co-variance and regression were used in the analysis. Results: The MetS prevalence improved in the NEP (90% to 52%) and NE (86% to 69%),while it worsened in C (88% to 91%). There was improvement in the mean values of the anthropometric parameters in the NEP and NE which worsened in the control group. There was a general improvement in mean values of blood lipids, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c in all the groups, with NEP showing the greatest improvements, followed by NE, except for triglycerides and HDL where the control group had better improvement than the NE. Changes in the anthropometric and metabolic indicators mirrored the changes in food intake patterns and physical activity, where the greatest improvements occurred in the NEP. Conclusions: Nutrition education with inclusion of peer to peer support was of clinical benefit in improving metabolic outcomes and reducing MetS in T2D patients.

Circadian Regulation of Cardiac Physiology: Rhythms That Keep the Heart Beating

On Earth, all life is exposed to dramatic changes in the environment over the course of the day; consequently, organisms have evolved strategies to both adapt to and anticipate these 24-h oscillations. As a result, time of day is a major regulator of mammalian physiology and processes, including transcription, signaling, metabolism, and muscle contraction, all of which oscillate over the course of the day. In particular, the heart is subject to wide fluctuations in energetic demand throughout the day as a result of waking, physical activity, and food intake patterns. Daily rhythms in cardiovascular function ensure that increased delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and endocrine factors to organs during the active period and the removal of metabolic by-products are in balance. Failure to maintain these physiologic rhythms invariably has pathologic consequences. This review highlights rhythms that underpin cardiac physiology. More specifically, we summarize the key aspects of cardiac physiology that oscillate over the course of the day and discuss potential mechanisms that regulate these 24-h rhythms.

How achievable are free sugar recommendations in healthy dietary patterns for 1–5 year olds in Ireland?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) strongly recommends reducing free sugar intake to < 10% energy, and suggests a further conditional reduction to < 5% energy. This study aims to assess how achievable these free sugar intake recommendations are in healthy diets of 1–5 year olds in Ireland and to identify the main food contributors.Using minimal added sugar, fat and no added salt, four-day food intake patterns were developed for 1–5 year old children (n30 girls; n30 boys) representing different percentile levels on the WHO growth charts. These food intake patterns were based on foods commonly consumed in the Irish National Pre-school Nutrition Survey and adjusted to meet energy, macronutrient and micronutrient requirements. The free sugar content of each food used was identified according to the WHO definition and estimated using food composition tables. Free sugar content of the four-day patterns was assessed against the two WHO recommendations. Subjects were compared depending on recommendations achieved. Where necessary, nutrients were estimated per 500kcal to control for energy.Food intake patterns of all subjects (n60) achieved the WHO recommendation of < 10% energy, with 50% (n30) meeting the further recommendation of < 5% energy. Subjects with free sugar intakes < 5% energy compared with those not meeting this recommendation, were younger (2 years vs. 3.5 years, p < 0.001), had lower energy intakes (946kcal vs. 1263.8kcal, p < 0.001), higher fat intakes (37% vs. 29%, p < 0.001), higher saturated fat intakes (18% vs. 13%, p < 0.001) and lower carbohydrate intakes (46% vs. 53%, p < 0.001). When estimated per 500kcal they had lower intakes of fibre (5.0 g vs. 6.2 g, p < 0.001) and vitamin D (5.9μg vs. 6.3μg, p < 0.001) and higher intakes of vitamin A (177.3μg vs. 108.5μg, p < 0.001) and DHA and EPA (0.3 g vs. 0.2 g, p < 0.001). The main foods contributing to free sugar intakes in these subjects were cereals (29% of free sugar intake), yoghurts (27%), breads (5%) and ice cream (4%). By comparison the main foods contributing to free sugar in subjects whose intakes exceeded 5% energy included yoghurts (22%), stewed apples (9%) and puddings (6%).This analysis demonstrates the WHO strong recommendation of < 10% energy for free sugar was easily achievable, but the further conditional recommendation (< 5%) was more difficult. This was only achieved at younger ages and was associated with increased intakes of fat and saturated fat and lower intakes of fibre and vitamin D. The main food contributors to free sugar in healthy diets for 1–5 year olds are important sources of nutrients.