JOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 5 2008
Julie H. Carmalt
Matching and attribute trade are two perspectives used to explain mate selection. We investigated patterns of matching and trade, focusing on obesity, using Add Health Romantic Pair data (N = 1,405 couples). Obese individuals, relative to healthy weight individuals, were less likely to have physically attractive partners, with this disadvantage greater for women than men, and greater for White women than Black women. Additional education, a more attractive personality, and better grooming increased the probability of having a physically attractive partner and offset the disadvantage of obesity for some individuals. Unexpectedly, we found women, like men, trade education for their partners' physical attractiveness. Despite evidence of attribute trade, matching with respect to physical characteristics was the dominant mate selection pattern. [source]

Long-term Infusion of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Reduces Food Intake and Body Weight via a Corticotrophin-Releasing Hormone Pathway in the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus

JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 9 2010
M. Toriya
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in learning, depression and energy metabolism. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying the effects of BDNF on energy metabolism remain unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the neuronal pathways by which BDNF controls feeding behaviour and energy balance. Using an osmotic mini-pump, BDNF or control artificial cerebrospinal fluid was infused i.c.v. at the lateral ventricle or into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) for 12 days. Intracerebroventricular BDNF up-regulated mRNA expression of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortin in the PVN. TrkB, the receptor for BDNF, was expressed in the PVN neurones, including those containing CRH. Both i.c.v. and intra-PVN-administered BDNF decreased food intake and body weight. These effects of BDNF on food intake and body weight were counteracted by the co-administration of ,-helical-CRH, an antagonist for the CRH and urocortin receptors CRH-R1/R2, and partly attenuated by a selective antagonist for CRH-R2 but not CRH-R1. Intracerebroventricular BDNF also decreased the subcutaneous and visceral fat mass, adipocyte size and serum triglyceride levels, which were all attenuated by ,-helical-CRH. Furthermore, BDNF decreased the respiratory quotient and raised rectal temperature, which were counteracted by ,-helical-CRH. These results indicate that the CRH-urocortin-CRH-R2 pathway in the PVN and connected areas mediates the long-term effects of BDNF to depress feeding and promote lipolysis. [source]

The Medial Amygdala Modulates Body Weight but not Neuroendocrine Responses to Chronic Stress

JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
M. B. Solomon
Stress pathologies such as depression and eating disorders (i.e. anorexia nervosa) are associated with amygdalar dysfunction, which are linked with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) axis hyperactivity. The medial amygdaloid nucleus (MeA), a key output nucleus of the amygdaloid complex, promotes HPA axis activation to acute psychogenic stress and is in a prime position to mediate the deleterious effects of chronic stress on physiology and behaviour. The present study tests the hypothesis that the MeA is necessary for the development of maladaptive physiological changes caused by prolonged stress exposure. Male rats received bilateral ibotenate or sham lesions targeting the MeA and one half underwent 2 weeks of chronic variable stress (CVS) or served as home cage controls. Sixteen hours post CVS, all animals were exposed to an acute restraint challenge. CVS induced thymic involution, adrenal hypertrophy, and attenuated body weight gain and up-regulation of hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing hormone mRNA expression. Consistent with previous literature, lesions of the MeA dampened stress-induced increases in corticosterone after 30 min of exposure to acute restraint stress. However, this effect was independent of CVS exposure, suggesting that the MeA may not be critical for modulating neuroendocrine responses after chronic HPA axis drive. Interestingly, lesion of the MeA modestly exaggerated the stress-induced attenuation of weight gain. Overall, the data obtained suggest that the MeA modulates the neuroendocrine responses to acute but not chronic stress. In addition, the data suggest that the MeA may be an important neural component for the control of body weight in the face of chronic stress. [source]

Differential Appetite-Related Responses to Central Neuropeptide S in Lines of Chickens Divergently Selected for Low or High Body Weight

JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 7 2008
M. A. Cline
The anorexigenic 20 amino acid neuropeptide S (NPS) has not been studied in an animal model of hypo- or hyperphagia. The present study aimed to elucidate whether central NPS appetite-related effects are different in lines of chickens that had undergone long-term divergent selection for low (LWS) or high (HWS) body weight and that were hypo- and hyperphagic, respectively. It took a longer time for food intake to be reduced in LWS than HWS chicks administered the lowest dose of NPS tested (0.14 nmol) and, at the highest dose tested (0.56 nmol), they had a greater reduction in food intake than did HWS chicks. HWS chicks responded with a similar magnitude of food intake reduction that was independent of NPS dose. Although water intake was reduced concurrently with food intake after central NPS in both lines, blood glucose concentrations were not affected. Hypothalamic signalling was different between the lines. Although both lines respond to central NPS with decreased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the lateral hypothalamus, the periventricular nucleus had increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in LWS but not HWS chicks. After central NPS treatment, there was increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the paraventricular nucleus in HWS but not LWS chicks. These data support the notion of differences in the central NPS system between the LWS and HWS lines and infer that central NPS may differentially affect appetite-related processes in other species that contain hypo- and hyperphagic individuals. [source]

Changes in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Function, Body Temperature, Body Weight and Food Intake with Repeated Social Stress Exposure in Rats

JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
S. Bhatnagar
Abstract These present studies aimed to compare changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity and body temperature in response to acute social defeat, to repeated social stress and to novel restraint after repeated stress, as well as to assess effects on metabolic parameters by measuring body weight gain and food and water intake. We found that social defeat produced a marked increase in both adrenocorticotrophic hormone and corticosterone compared to placement in a novel cage. Similarly, body temperature was also increased during social defeat and during 30 min of recovery from defeat. We then examined the effects of 6 days of repeated social stress and observed minimal HPA responses to repeated social stress compared to control rats. These neuroendocrine responses were contrasted by robust increases in body temperature during stress and during recovery from stress during 6 days of repeated stress. However, in response to novel restraint, repeatedly stressed rats displayed facilitated body temperature responses compared to controls, similar to our previous findings with HPA activity. Food intake was increased during the light period during which defeat took place, but later intake during the dark period was not affected. Repeated stress decreased body weight gain in the dark period but food intake was increased overall during the 6 days of repeated stress in the light period. As a result, repeated stress increased cumulative food intake during the light period in the stressed rats but these relatively small increases in food intake were unable to prevent the diminished total weight gain in repeatedly stressed rats. Overall, the results demonstrate that, although acute social defeat has similar effects on temperature and HPA activity, repeated exposure to social stress has divergent effects on HPA activity compared to body temperature and that dampened weight gain produced by repeated social stress cannot be fully explained by changes in food intake. [source]

Chemical Coding of GABAB Receptor-Immunoreactive Neurones in Hypothalamic Regions Regulating Body Weight

JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
M. Bäckberg
Abstract ,-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interacts with hypothalamic neuronal pathways regulating feeding behaviour. GABA has been reported to stimulate feeding via both ionotropic GABAA and metabotropic GABAB receptors. The functional form of the GABAB receptor is a heterodimer consisting of GABAB receptor-1 (GABABR1) and GABAB receptor-2 (GABABR2) proteins. Within the heterodimer, the GABA-binding site is localized to GABABR1. In the present study, we used an antiserum to the GABABR1 protein in order to investigate the cellular localization of GABABR1-immunoreactive neurones in discrete hypothalamic regions implicated in the control of body weight. The colocalization of GABABR1 immunoreactivity with different chemical messengers that regulate food intake was analysed. GABABR1-immunoreactive cell bodies were found in the periventricular, paraventricular (PVN), supraoptic, arcuate, ventromedial hypothalamic, dorsomedial hypothalamic, tuberomammillary nuclei and lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). Direct double-labelling showed that glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-positive terminals were in close contact with GABABR1-containing cell bodies located in all these regions. In the ventromedial part of the arcuate nucleus, GABABR1-immunoreactive cell bodies were found to contain neuropeptide Y, agouti-related peptide (AGRP) and GAD. In the ventrolateral part of the arcuate nucleus, GABABR1-immunoreactive cell bodies were shown to contain pro-opiomelanocortin and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript. In the LHA, GABABR1 immunoreactivity was present in both melanin-concentrating hormone- and orexin-containing cell populations. In the tuberomammillary nucleus, GABABR1-immunoreactive cell bodies expressed histidine decarboxylase, a marker for histamine-containing neurones. In addition, GAD and AGRP were found to be colocalized in some nerve terminals surrounding GABABR1-immunoreactive cell bodies in the parvocellular part of the PVN. The results may provide a morphological basis for the understanding of how GABA regulates the hypothalamic control of food intake and body weight via GABAB receptors. [source]

Quantitative Assessment of Regional Right Ventricular Myocardial Velocities in Awake Dogs by Doppler Tissue Imaging: Repeatability, Reproducibility, Effect of Body Weight and Breed, and Comparison with Left Ventricular Myocardial Velocities

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2005
Valérie Chetboul
Right ventricular myocardial (RVM) motion is poorly documented. The objective of this study was to determine the variability of RVM velocities by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in healthy dogs (study 1), to analyze RVM motion in a large healthy canine population (study 2), and to compare the results with those obtained for the left ventricular free wall. Six healthy Beagle Dogs were monitored in study 1, and 64 healthy dogs of 14 different breeds were monitored in study 2. Velocities were recorded in 2 segments (basal and apical) of the right and left myocardial walls. In study 1, 36 TDI examinations were performed for 4 days, whereas a single TDI examination was performed on each dog in study 2. All velocity profiles included 1 positive systolic wave and 2 negative diastolic waves. The lowest intraday and interday coefficient of variation values of the right TDI variables were observed at the base (3.5,16.1%). The variability of the right apical velocities was much higher, with most coefficient of variation values >15%. RVM velocities were higher in the basal than in the apical segments (P < .001) and were higher than the left velocities of the corresponding segment (P < .01). Body weight and breed had an effect on only a few right and left TDI variables. TDI provides a repeatable and reproducible method for evaluating basal RV function in the dog. These data also demonstrate the heterogeneity of the myocardial velocities between the left and the right ventricles and between the base and the apex. [source]

Dietary Energy Density and Body Weight: Is There a Relationship?

NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 11 2004
Adam Drewnowski PhD
The energy density of foods and beverages is defined as the available energy per unit weight (kJ/g). Energy density of the diet is usually calculated excluding non-caloric beverages and drinking water. Because water contributes more to the weight of foods than any macronutrient, energydense foods are not necessarily those high in sugar or fat, but those that are dry. Evidence linking dietary energy density with body weight is critically evaluated in this review. Existing reports of a positive association between dietary energy density, higher energy intakes, and weight gain are based on laboratory and clinical studies. Although some cross-sectional epidemiological studies have linked dietary energy density with higher body mass index (BMI) values, the data are not consistent. At this time, there are no longitudinal cohort data linking dietary energy density with higher obesity risk. [source]

What Epidemiologic Studies Tell Us about the Relationship between Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Body Weight

NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 10 2004
Beth Carlton Tohill PhD, MSPH
Clinical evidence shows that combining advice to increase fruit and vegetable consumption with caloric restriction is an effective strategy for weight management. The purpose of this review is to evaluate epidemiologic evidence to determine whether it supports an association between fruit and/or vegetable consumption and body weight. Few studies have been designed to specifically address this issue, and those that are available vary in methodology and offer inconsistent results. We make recommendations on how to strengthen future studies so that the influence of fruit and vegetable consumption on body weight in free-living individuals is better understood. [source]

The Role of Leptin in the Control of Body Weight

NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 2002
Rudolph L. Leibel M.D.
Physiologic responses to high and low leptin concentrations are strikingly asymmetrical. High concentrations often produce minimal effects, whereas low concentrations provoke strong counterregulatory responses. A model and rationale for the physiology is presented. [source]

No Change Detected in Body Weight, Scrotal Circumference, Semen Characteristics and Sexual Behaviour during the Development of Prepubertal Milchschaf Lambs after Weekly Administration of eCG

REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 4 2008
R Ungerfeld
Contents To study the effects of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) on pubertal development, 38 Milchschaf spring born male lambs fathered by the same ram and grazing over native pasture as a single mob during all the experiment were divided into three groups as follows: group 100 (100 IU of eCG weekly i.m., n = 11), group 400 (400 IU of eCG weekly i.m., n = 12) and group 0 (controls, n = 15). Lambs were weighed and scrotal circumference was registered every 2 weeks since birth until 170 days of age (end of experiment). On days 125 and 167 semen was collected using an electroejaculator. Semen volume and concentration, mass and individual sperm motility (scale 0 to 5) and total number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate were recorded. The sexual behaviour of the lambs was evaluated twice, on days 127 and 170 in a pen test with oestrous ewes. There were no significant effects of treatment on body weight or scrotal circumference, semen characteristics or sexual behaviour. At least in the administration regimens tested, eCG treatment has no effect on prepubertal reproductive development of male lambs. [source]

Anti-Inflammatory, Antiproliferative, and Radical-Scavenging Activities of Tolfenamic Acid and Its Metal Complexes

CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY, Issue 6 2009
Dimitra Kovala-Demertzi
Abstract Some new complexes of tolfenamic acid (=2-[(2-methyl-3-chlorophenyl)amino]benzoic acid; Htolf) with potentially interesting biological activities are described. The complexes [Mn(tolf)2(H2O)2], [Co(tolf)2(H2O)2], [Ni(tolf2(H2O)2], [Cu(tolf)2(H2O)]2, and [Zn(tolf)2(H2O)] were prepared by the reaction of tolfenamic acid, a potent anti-inflammatory drug, with metal salts. The radical-scavenging activities of the complexes were evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging assay. Their ability to inhibit soybean lipoxygenase, , -glucuronidase, and trypsin-induced proteolysis was studied. Their inhibitory effects on rat paw edema induced by carrageenin was studied and compared with those of tolfenamic acid. The complex [Zn(tolf)2(H2O)] exhibited the strongest in vivo inhibitory effect at 0.1,mm/kg Body Weight (BW; 93.0±0.9%), superior than the inhibition induced by tolfenamic acid at the same molar dose (76.0±0.9%). Tolfenamic acid and its metal complexes have been evaluated for antiproliferative activity in vitro against the cells of three human cancer cell lines, MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line), T24 (bladder cancer cell line), and A-549 (non-small cell lung carcinoma), and a mouse fibroblast L-929 cell line. The complexes [Mn(tolf)2(H2O)2] and [Cu(tolf)2(H2O)]2 have shown selectivity against T24 cell line. The IC50 values of these two complexes against T24 cancer cell lines are in a micromolar range similar or better to that of the antitumor drug cisplatin. [source]

Pregnancy and lactation have anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects in Ay/a mice

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010
E. N. Makarova
Abstract Aim:, Dominant ,yellow' mutation at the mouse agouti locus (Ay) results in obesity. Pregnancy and lactation are characterized by large energy demand. The aim of this study was to investigate whether obesity would develop in pregnant and suckling Ay mice. Methods:, Body weight and food intake in pregnancy, lactation, and after weaning, plasma leptin, insulin, corticosterone and blood glucose concentrations on days 7, 13 and 18 of pregnancy, days 1, 10, 21 and 80 postpartum, glucose and insulin tolerance on pregnancy days 7 and 18 were measured in C57Bl/6J mice of a/a (normal metabolism) and Ay/a genotypes. The same parameters were also measured in age-matched virgin females. Results:, Virgin Ay/a females exhibited hyperphagia, enhanced body weight, glucose intolerance and normal blood parameters at the mating age. With age, they developed obesity, hyperleptinaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and hyperglycaemia. Obesity did not develop in mated Ay/a mice; during suckling, they had equal food intake and body weight as a/a mice. During pregnancy, glucose tolerance was enhanced in Ay/a mice and became equal in both genotypes. In both genotypes, concentrations of hormones increased, and glucose decreased from pregnancy day 7 to day 18 and returned to normal values after parturition. Ay/a mice did not differ from a/a in corticosterone, insulin and glucose levels during pregnancy and lactation, in leptin levels during suckling; however, Ay/a mice had two times higher leptin levels than a/a during pregnancy. After weaning, Ay/a mice began to eat and weigh more than a/a exhibiting normal metabolic parameters for 50 days. Conclusion:, Pregnancy and lactation retard obesity and diabetes development in Ay mice. [source]

Chronic inhibition of standing behaviour alters baroreceptor reflex function in rats

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 3 2009
H. Waki
Abstract Aim:, To investigate whether daily orthostatic stress during development is an important factor affecting arterial baroreceptor reflex function, we examined the effect of chronic inhibition of upright standing behaviour on the baroreceptor reflex function in rats. Methods:, Upright standing behaviour was chronically inhibited during the developmental period between 3 and 8 weeks of age in Sprague,Dawley rats and heart rate (HR) and aortic nerve activity in response to increased and decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured after the treatment period. Results:, The baroreceptor cardiac gain in the rats grown without standing behaviour was significantly lower than the control rats grown in a normal commercial cage (1.0 ± 0.1 beats min,1 mmHg,1 vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 beatsmin,1 mmHg,1, P < 0.05). The range of HR change in the MAP,HR functional curve was also lowered by chronic inhibition of orthostatic behaviour (56.2 ± 5.9 beats min,1) compared with that of the control rats (76.8 ± 6.9 beats min,1, P < 0.05). However the aortic afferent function remained normal after the treatment period, indicating that the attenuated baroreceptor reflex function may be due to other mechanisms involving functional alterations in the cardiovascular centres, efferents and/or peripheral organs. Body weight and adrenal weight were not affected by the inhibition of orthostatic behaviour, suggesting that the animals were not exposed to specific stress by this treatment. Conclusion:, These results indicate that active haemodynamic changes induced by orthostatic behaviour are an important factor for setting the basal level of reflex function during development. Moreover, our experimental model may be useful for studying mechanisms of attenuated baroreceptor reflex observed after exposure to a chronic inactive condition. [source]

Maternal hypoxia increases the activity of MMPs and decreases the expression of TIMPs in the brain of neonatal rats

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Wenni Tong
Abstract A recent study has shown that increased activity of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) has detrimental effect on the brain after neonatal hypoxia. The present study determined the effect of maternal hypoxia on neuronal survivability and the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, as well as the expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in the brain of neonatal rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to 10.5% oxygen for 6 days from the gestation day 15 to day 21. Pups were sacrificed at day 0, 4, 7, 14, and 21 after birth. Body weight and brain weight of the pups were measured at each time point. The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and the protein abundance of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were determined by zymography and Western blotting, respectively. The tissue distribution of MMPs was examined by immunofluorescence staining. The neuronal death was detected by Nissl staining. Maternal hypoxia caused significant decreases in body and brain size, increased activity of MMP-2 at day 0, and increased MMP-9 at day 0 and 4. The increased activity of the MMPs was accompanied by an overall tendency towards a reduced expression of TIMPs at all ages with the significance observed for TIMPs at day 0, 4, and 7. Immunofluorescence analysis showed an increased expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 in the hippocampus at day 0 and 4. Nissl staining revealed significant cell death in the hippocampus at day 0, 4, and 7. Functional tests showed worse neurobehavioral outcomes in the hypoxic animals. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2010 [source]

Obesity, serious mental illness and antipsychotic drugs

DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 7 2009
Richard I. G. Holt
The prevalence of overweight and obesity is higher in people with mental illness than in the general population. Body weight is tightly regulated by a complex system involving the cortex and limbic system, the hypothalamus and the gastrointestinal tract. While there are justifiable concerns about the weight gain associated with antipsychotic medication, it is too simplistic to ascribe all obesity in people with serious mental illness (SMI) to their drug treatment. The development of obesity in SMI results from the complex interaction of the genotype and environment of the person with mental illness, the mental illness itself and antipsychotic medication. There are dysfunctional reward mechanisms in SMI that may contribute to poor food choices and overeating. While it is clear that antipsychotics have profound effects to stimulate appetite, no one receptor interaction provides an adequate explanation for this effect, and many mechanisms are likely to be involved. The complexity of the system regulating body weight allows us to start to understand why some individuals appear much more prone to weight gain and obesity than others. [source]

Exenatide: a review from pharmacology to clinical practice

DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 6 2009
R. Gentilella
Background:, Exenatide is an incretin mimetic that activates glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptors. It blunts the postprandial rise of plasma glucose by increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing inappropriately high glucagon secretion and delaying gastric emptying. Methods:, In seven clinical trials performed in 2845 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were inadequately controlled by a sulphonylurea and/or metformin (glycosylated haemoglobin, HbA1c ,11%), or by thiazolidinediones (with or without metformin) and treated for periods from 16 weeks to 3 years, exenatide (5 ,g b.i.d. s.c. for the first 4 weeks of treatment and 10 ,g b.i.d. s.c. thereafter) reduced HbA1c, fasting and postprandial glucose, and body weight dose dependently, and was similar to insulin glargine and biphasic insulin aspart in reducing HbA1c. Body weight diminished with exenatide, whereas it increased with both insulin preparations. Positive effects on the lipid profile and a reduction in C-reactive protein were also recorded with exenatide. Treatment extensions up to 3 years showed that benefits were maintained in the long term. Adverse events were usually mild to moderate in intensity, and generally the frequency decreased with continued therapy. The most common was nausea (whose incidence may be reduced by gradual dose escalation from 5 ,g b.i.d. to 10 ,g b.i.d.), vomiting, diarrhoea, headache and hypoglycaemia (almost exclusively in patients treated with a sulphonylurea). Results and conclusions:, Exenatide is a new, promising therapeutic option for type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled by oral agents, before insulin therapy, offering the added benefits of body weight reduction and tight postprandial glucose control. [source]

Rosiglitazone RECORD study: glucose control outcomes at 18 months

DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 6 2007
P. D. Home
Abstract Aims To compare glucose control over 18 months between rosiglitazone oral combination therapy and combination metformin and sulphonylurea in people with Type 2 diabetes. Methods RECORD, a multicentre, parallel-group study of cardiovascular outcomes, enrolled people with an HbA1c of 7.1,9.0% on maximum doses of metformin or sulphonylurea. If on metformin they were randomized to add-on rosiglitazone or sulphonylurea (open label) and if on sulphonylurea to rosiglitazone or metformin. HbA1c was managed to , 7.0% by dose titration. A prospectively defined analysis of glycaemic control on the first 1122 participants is reported here, with a primary outcome assessed against a non-inferiority margin for HbA1c of 0.4%. Results At 18 months, HbA1c reduction on background metformin was similar with rosiglitazone and sulphonylurea [difference 0.07 (95% CI ,0.09, 0.23)%], as was the change when rosiglitazone or metformin was added to sulphonylurea [0.06 (,0.09, 0.20)%]. At 6 months, the effect on HbA1c was greater with add-on sulphonylurea, but was similar whether sulphonylurea was added to rosiglitazone or metformin. Differences in fasting plasma glucose were not statistically significant at 18 months [rosiglitazone vs. sulphonylurea ,0.36 (,0.74, 0.02) mmol/l, rosiglitazone vs. metformin ,0.34 (,0.73, 0.05) mmol/l]. Increased homeostasis model assessment insulin sensitivity and reduced C-reactive protein were greater with rosiglitazone than metformin or sulphonylurea (all P , 0.001). Body weight was significantly increased with rosiglitazone compared with sulphonylurea [difference 1.2 (0.4, 2.0) kg, P = 0.003] and metformin [difference 4.3 (3.6, 5.1) kg, P < 0.001]. Conclusions In people with diabetes, rosiglitazone in combination with metformin or sulphonylurea was demonstrated to be non-inferior to the standard combination of metformin + sulphonylurea in lowering HbA1c over 18 months, and produces greater improvements in C-reactive protein and basal insulin sensitivity but is also associated with greater weight gain. [source]

Body size as an estimator of production costs in a solitary bee

ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2002
Jordi Bosch
Abstract 1. Body weight is often used as an estimator of production costs in aculeate Hymenoptera; however, due to differences between sexes in metabolic rates and water content, conversion of provision weight to body weight may differ between males and females. As a result, the cost of producing female progeny may often have been overestimated. 2. Provision weight and body weight loss throughout development were measured in a solitary bee, Osmia cornuta (Latreille), to detect potential differences between sexes in food weight/body weight conversion. 3. Male O. cornuta invest a larger proportion of larval weight in cocoon spinning, and presumably have higher metabolic rates than females during the larval period; however, this is compensated by a slightly longer larval period in females. 4. Overall, body weight loss throughout the life cycle does not differ significantly between sexes. As a result, cost production ratios calculated from provision weights and from adult body weights are almost identical. 5. The validity of other weight (cocoon, faeces) and linear (head width, intertegular span, wing length, cocoon length, and cell length) measures as estimators of production costs is also discussed. 6. Valid estimators of production costs vary across species due to differences in sex weight ratio, cocoon shape, provision size in reference to cell size, and adult body size. [source]

Dose-related effects following oral exposure of 2,4-dinitrotoluene on the western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2008
Jamie G. Suski
Abstract 2,4-dintitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) is an explosive frequently found in the soil of military installations. Because reptiles can be common on these sites, ecological risk assessments for compounds such as 2,4-DNT could be improved with toxicity data specific to reptiles. Western fence lizards, Sceloporus occidentalis, were used to develop a laboratory toxicity model for reptiles. A hierarchical approach was used; acute to subchronic studies were conducted to provide toxicity data relevant to short- and long-term exposures. First, a modified median lethal dose (LD50) study was conducted on male and female lizards using a stage-wise probit model. The LD50 was 577 mg/kg for female and 380 mg/kg for male lizards. Subsequently, a subacute experiment was conducted to further assess 2,4-DNT toxicity to male lizards and to define exposure levels for a longer term, subchronic study. The subchronic study was conducted for 60 consecutive days; male lizards were exposed to 0, 9, 15, 25, 42, 70 mg/kg/d. Dose-dependent mortality was observed in the three highest dose groups (25, 42, and 70 mg/kg/d); all other animals survived the study duration. Benchmark dose model calculations based on mortality indicated a 5% effect level of 15.8 mg/kg/d. At study termination, a gross necropsy was performed, organ weights were taken, and blood was collected for clinical and hematological analysis. Body weight, kidney weight, food consumption, postdose observations, and blood chemistries all were found to be significantly different from controls at doses above 9 mg/kg/d. Also, preliminary results suggest behavioral observations, and reduced food consumption may be a sensitive indicator of toxicity. The present study indicates Sceloporus occidentalis is suitable for evaluating toxicity of compounds to reptilian species. [source]

Effects of Pacific salmon spawning and carcass availability on the caddisfly Ecclisomyia conspersa (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae)

FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 7 2006
JASON K. WALTER
Summary 1. The effects of spawning coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) on the limnephilid caddisfly Ecclisomyia conspersa were evaluated by experimentally excluding salmon from the upper 14-m stretch of a spawning channel by a wire-meshed fence. Density, and development and growth rates, of larvae upstream of the fence (without salmon) were compared with those downstream (with salmon). 2. Larval density in the stretch with salmon declined during spawning, but increased again after spawning subsided and the carcasses of dead fish became available. In the stretch with salmon, larval density on salmon carcasses was seven to 37 times greater than on the adjacent channel substratum. The rate of larval development in the stretch with salmon was greater than that in the stretch without salmon. Two months after carcasses became available, 98% of larvae sampled from the stretch with salmon were in the fifth instar, compared to only 23% from the stretch without salmon. Body weight of E. conspersa in the stretches with and without salmon increased by an average of 3.04 and 2.38 mg, respectively, over a 6-month period. 3. 15N values of larvae from the stretch with salmon increased following the arrival of the fish, suggesting that the larvae were feeding on salmon-derived material, such as eggs and carcasses, which contain a high proportion of the heavier stable isotope. In contrast, 15N values of larvae from the stretch without salmon remained relatively constant throughout the experiment. The availability of salmon carcasses as a high-quality food source late in larval development may increase survival and fecundity of E. conspersa. 4. These substantial differences were consistent with the view that they were due to the experimental exclusion of salmon and salmon carcasses from the upstream stretch, though the study was un-replicated and thus precludes ascribing causation more definitely. [source]

The value of serum albumin in pretreatment assessment and monitoring of therapy in HIV/AIDS patients

HIV MEDICINE, Issue 6 2006
HO Olawumi
Objectives We sought to examine the utility of serum albumin measurement in staging AIDS and monitoring patients' response to therapy. Methods The possible importance of serum albumin measurement in assessing AIDS stage and in monitoring the response to highly active antiretroviral therapy using CD4 cell count and body weight as parameters was examined in 185 consecutive HIV-infected, therapy-naïve individuals who were recruited for antiretroviral therapy at the university of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. The regimen included lamivudine, stavudine and nevirapine. The diagnosis of AIDS was established through a combination of clinical features and HIV seropositivity using two different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Serum albumin level was determined by the Bromocresol green method, while the CD4 lymphocyte count was obtained using the Dynal T4 count method. Body weight was measured in kilograms with light clothes on. Results There were significant positive correlations between pretreatment albumin and both pretreatment CD4 cell count and pretreatment weight, and between post-treatment albumin and both post-treatment weight and post-treatment CD4 cell count up to a count of 700 cells/,L. There were also significant positive correlations between increase in serum albumin and both increase in body weight and duration of treatment. Conclusions We conclude that, in developing countries where many patients may not be able to afford to pay for CD4 cell counts and viral load tests, which are the traditional markers for HIV disease, serum albumin would be a very useful surrogate test for predicting severity of HIV infection and for clinical monitoring of response to antiretroviral therapy. [source]

Effectiveness of antipsychotic polypharmacy for patients with treatment refractory schizophrenia: an open-label trial of olanzapine plus risperidone for those who failed to respond to a sequential treatment with olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone

HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 6 2008
Takefumi Suzuki
Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of antipsychotic polypharmacy in a methodologically sound manner. Methods In this open-label study, 17 patients with treatment-refractory schizophrenia, who failed to respond to a sequential monotherapy with olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone, were subsequently treated with a combination therapy with olanzapine plus risperidone for at least 8 weeks. Results Seven responded according to the primary endpoint defined as the post-treatment Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale being less than 70% of the pretreatment values, and they were classified as such an average of 10 weeks after the initiation of polypharmacy. Two of them were successful in a later conversion to monotherapy. None dropped out prematurely. Four (out of 13 inpatients) got better enough to be discharged from the hospital, while six patients did not show any response. The Global Assessment of Functioning score improved from 37.1 to 53.0 in responders (mean maximum dose: olanzapine 12.9,mg; risperidone 3.14,mg), while it showed non-significant changes among others (mean maximum dose: olanzapine 14.5,mg; risperidone 5.50,mg). Body weight, prolactin, and total cholesterol increased significantly. Conclusions Antipsychotic polypharmacy might be sometimes helpful for difficult populations but at the cost of adverse effects. More studies of antipsychotic combination therapy versus clozapine, augmentation strategies or tenacious longer- term monotherapy are warranted for refractory schizophrenia. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Safety and efficacy of high dose of venlafaxine XL in treatment resistant major depression

HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 7 2002
P. MbayaArticle first published online: 24 SEP 200
Abstract Aim The aim of the study was to look at efficacy and the safety profile of high dose (450,600,mg) venlafaxine XL in five patients with treatment resistant major depressive illness. Methods Five patients with treatment resistant depression were treated with high dose venlafaxine XL. Efficacy was evaluated using the Montgomery,Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS), the 21-item Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D-21) and the clinical global impressions (CGI) scale. Level of functioning was evaluated by social adaptation self-evaluation scale (SASS). Body weight, supine pulse and blood pressure were recorded. Results The response rate was based on a 50% decrease in MADRS and HAM-D scores between weeks 1 and 24. There was a more than 50% decrease in MADRS scores in 3 of 5 patients and 4 of 5 patients in HAM-D scores. There was a trend to improvement of SASS scores in three of the study patients and in two of them the mean scores were within the normal range. Supine pulse and blood pressure remained stable in four patients, except in one patient where there was a slight increase although the final reading at week 24 was normal. Weight was relatively stable in all three patients where it was recorded, but in one patient there was a slight increase which may have been due to an atypical neuroleptic the patient was taking at the time. Conclusion High dose venlafaxine was safe, well tolerated and effective in this small number of severe treatment resistant patients with major depression and it also improved social functioning. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Androgen receptor gene polymorphism and the metabolic syndrome in 60,80 years old Norwegian men

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Paal André Skjærpe
Summary The metabolic syndrome (MS) includes a clustering of metabolic derangements. Low testosterone levels have been shown to be associated with both components of MS and MS per se. As most androgen-related effects are mediated thorough the androgen receptor (AR), we wanted to investigate to which degree the AR CAG and GGN repeat polymorphisms might be related to MS. Sixty-eight men, 60,80 years old, with subnormal total testosterone levels (,11.0 nmol/L) and 104 men with normal levels (>11.0 nmol/L), participating in a nested case,control study were investigated in this study. Body weight, height, waist circumferences and blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood samples were drawn and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. The CAG and GGN polymorphisms in the AR gene were determined by direct sequencing of leucocyte DNA. Men with MS had lower CAG repeat number than healthy men (p = 0.007). There were, however, no difference in CAG or GGN repeats length between the groups with subnormal or normal testosterone concentrations. In cross-sectional analyses, men with CAG repeat lengths , 21 had significantly higher fasting glucose, C-peptide and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (all p < 0.05). In multiple regression analyses, CAG repeat length was an inverse and independent predictor of glucose after an OGTT and of HbA1c levels. We also found that men with more than one component of MS had shorter CAG repeat number (p for trend 0.013) than those with only one component. In conclusion, there were no associations with GGN repeat length, while short CAG repeat length seems to be associated with increased risk of MS. [source]

Sperm characteristics and teratology in rats following vas deferens occlusion with RISUG and its reversal

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 1 2010
N. K. Lohiya
Summary The functional success of the reversal of vas occlusion by styrene maleic anhydride (RISUG), using the solvent vehicle, Dimethyl Sulphoxide (DMSO), has been investigated. Reversal with DMSO was carried out in Wistar albino rats 90 days after bilateral vas occlusion. The body weight, organ weight, sperm characteristics, fertility test and teratology, including skeletal morphology were evaluated in vas occlusion and reversal animals and in F1 progenies to assess the functional success of the occlusion and reversal. Body weight, organ weight and the cauda epididymal sperm characteristics of vas occlusion and reversal animals and of F1 progenies were comparable to control. Ejaculated spermatozoa in the vaginal smear showed detached head/tail, acrosomal damage, bent midpiece, bent tail and morphological aberrations in sperm head after vas occlusion, which returned to normal, 90 days after reversal. Monthly fertility test, post-injection showed 0% fertility, which improved gradually and 100% fertility was achieved 90 days after reversal. The fertility/pregnancy/implantation record and skeletal morphology of the offspring were comparable to control. The results suggest functional success and safety of vas occlusion reversal by DMSO. [source]

An obesity drug sibutramine reduces brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in severely obese patients

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 4 2010
D. Taner Ertugrul
Summary Objectives:, Sibutramine is a selective inhibitor of the reuptake of monoamines. Plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) appear to be inversely associated with body mass index (BMI) in subjects with and without heart failure for reasons that remain unexplained. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of sibutramine treatment on BNP levels in severely obese patients. Methods:, Fifty-two severely obese female patients with BMI > 40 kg/m2 were included to this study. The women were recommended to follow a weight-reducing daily diet of 25 kcal/kg of ideal body weight. During the treatment period, all patients were to receive 15 mg of sibutramine once a day. Blood chemistry tests were performed before the onset of the medication and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results:, None of the subjects was withdrawn from the study because of the adverse effects of sibutramine. Body weight (108.8 ± 13.3 kg vs. 101.7 ± 15.6 kg, p < 0.001), BMI (44.6 ± 4.6 kg/m2 vs. 41.8 ± 5.7 kg/m2, p < 0.001) and BNP [8.6 (0.5,49.5) ng/l vs. 3.1 (0.2,28.6) ng/l, p = 0.018] levels were significantly decreased after 12 weeks of sibutramine treatment. Total cholesterol (5.19 ± 0.90 mmol/l vs. 4.82 ± 1.05 mmol/l respectively; p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (3.26 ± 0.86 mmol/l vs. 2.99 ± 0.40 mmol/l respectively; p = 0.008), levels were significantly decreased; however, there was no significant alteration in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Conclusion:, This study has shown a decrease in BNP levels which may lead to improvement in cardiac outcome after sibutramine treatment. Further randomised studies are needed to be conducted to clarify the relationship between sibutramine and BNP. [source]

Effect of supplemental Bacillus cultures on rumen fermentation and milk yield in Chinese Holstein cows

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 4 2010
G. H. Qiao
Summary Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of supplemental 100 g/day of live Bacillus cultures (2 × 1011 cell of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) on rumen fermentation as well as milk yield and composition in Chinese Holstein cows. In experiment 1, investigating 3 × 10 cows, milk yield and milk protein were increased by using B. licheniformis (p < 0.05) in comparison with an unsupplemented group and the B. subtilis group. Body weight was not significantly affected by Bacillus culture supplementation (p > 0.05). Percentage of milk fat and lactose was not significantly different between treatments (p > 0.05). But milk protein increased with B. licheniformis supplementation (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, carried out with three non-lactating ruminally and duodenally fistulated cows, results showed that B. licheniformis supplementation increased microbial crude protein flow into duodenum (p < 0.05) and decreased the ammonia nitrogen concentration in ruminal fluid at 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h after morning feeding (p < 0.05). Bacillus licheniformis supplementation increased total VFA and acetate concentration in ruminal fluid at 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h after morning feeding (p < 0.05). Bacillus subtilis had no significant effect on rumen fermentation characteristics, duodenal microbial N flow and ruminal apparent nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). Bacillus licheniformis increased ruminal apparent nutrient digestibility of neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and organic matter (p < 0.05). [source]

Re-induction of obese body weight occurs more rapidly and at lower caloric intake in beagles

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3 2010
D. Nagaoka
Summary For the purpose of investigating the mechanism of obesity-induction/re-induction including weight-cycling in beagles, a study was conducted using commercially available dog food combined with human food to mimic at home-snacking and diet-supplementation behaviours. Adult female beagles, which had free access to water and exercise, were used (n = 9). All dogs were initially offered two times their daily calculated number of calories using a dry extruded diet plus blend of canola and soybean oils and allowed to eat ad libitum. After 3 weeks, Pecan shortbread cookies were added to the diet mixture. Obesity was induced during a 19-week period with 1875,2250 kcal/day consumed, on average, during this period. The dogs were then subjected to a weight-loss regimen while consuming 490,730 kcal/day. After weight loss, a similar degree of obesity was re-induced for 17 weeks even though dogs consumed only 1125,1250 kcal/day. Body weight, body condition scores, kcal consumption and food efficiency were recorded. Results indicated that less time and fewer kcal were required to re-induce the same degree of obesity compared with the initial obesity induction. Human snack foods appeared to stimulate appetite and thus contribute to the obese state. Food efficiency was also increased during the obesity-reinduction period compared with the induction period. This information may help pet owners better understand the need to limit table scraps and human-type food snacks in dogs prone to obesity as well as weight maintenance after weight loss. [source]

Adipose tissue gene expression in obese dogs after weight loss

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3 2008
V. Leray
Summary Body weight (BW) mainly depends on a balance between fat storage (lipogenesis) and fat mobilization (lipolysis) in adipocytes. BW changes play a role in insulin resistance (IR), the inability of insulin target tissue to respond to physiological levels of insulin. This results in inhibition of lipogenesis and stimulation of lipolysis. Weight gain leads to IR whereas, weight loss improves insulin sensitivity (IS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of weight loss and recovery of IS on the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis in weight losing dogs. Gene expression was studied in both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. Obese dogs received a hypoenergetic low fat high protein diet (0.6 × NRC recommendation). Before and after weight loss, IS was assessed using the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp. Gene expression of IRS-2, SREBP, intracellular insulin effectors, ACC, FAS, FABP, ADRP, PEPCK, lipogenesis key proteins, perilipin and HSL, lipolysis key proteins were quantified using real-time RT-PCR in subcutaneous and visceral fat. BW decreased from 15.2 ± 0.5 to 11.4 ± 0.4 kg (p < 0.05) over 78 ± 8 days. When obese, dogs were insulin resistant. After weight loss, IS was improved. In the subcutaneous adipose tissue, the expression of only the IRS-2 was increased. In the visceral adipose tissue, the expression of the genes involved in the lipogenesis was decreased whereas one of the genes implied in the lipolysis did not change. The expression profile of genes involved in lipid metabolism, as measured after weight loss, is indicative for a lower lipogenesis after weight loss than in obese dogs. Our results also confirm dramatic differences in the lipid metabolism of visceral and subcutaneous fat. They should be completed by comparing gene expression during weight losing and normal weight steady state. [source]