Harry Freitag Luglio

The role of genes involved in lipolysis on weight loss program in overweight and obese individuals

The ability of obese people to reduce weight in the same treatment varied. Genetic make up as well as the behavioral changes are important for the successfulness of the program. One of the most proposed genetic variations that have been reported in many intervention studies was genes that control lipolysis process. This review summarizes studies that were done showing the influence of genetic polymorphisms in lipolysis pathway and weight loss in a weight loss treatment program. Some studies had shown that certain enzymes involved in this process were related to successfulness of weight loss program. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in PLIN (11482G>A) and ADRB3 (Trp64Arg) are the most studied polymorphisms that have effect on weight loss intervention. However, those studies were not conclusive because of limited number of subjects used and controversies in the results. Thus, replication and confirmation on the role of those genes in weight loss are important due to their potential to be used as predictors of the results of the program.

Lesser yam (dioscorea esculenta) based cookies improves lipid profile in overweight/obese adults with an ad libitum diet via glucagon like peptide 1

Purpose This study aims to examine the effect of lesser yam-based cookies on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), blood glucose and lipid profile in overweight and obese individuals. Design/methodology/approach This was an experimental study on overweight or obese adults aged 21-50 years old. The intervention was done by giving 87g of cookies made with lesser yam flour in combination with wheat flour (80 and 20 per cent, respectively) for six weeks. Anthropometric measures, fasting plasma glucose, lipid and GLP-1 were measured before and after the intervention. Findings There were no changes in anthropometric measurements and glucose level after the intervention (p > 0.05). However, plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol decreased after the intervention (p = 0.033 and p = 0.035, respectively). Although fasting GLP-1 level (p = 0.121) was unchanged, we found that the slight changes in GLP-1 concentration was associated with changes in LDL and total cholesterol (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively). Originality/value The lesser yam-based cookies reduced fasting plasma LDL and total cholesterol, but not glucose level after six weeks of intervention. Additionally, reduction of LDL and total cholesterol level was negatively associated with the changes in GLP-1 level.

Gene-lifestyle interaction: The role of SNPs in UCP2 -866G/A and UCP3 -55C/T on dietary intake and physical activity in Indonesian obese female adolescents

BACKGROUND: Obesity is linked to high dietary intake and low physical activity. Studies showed that those factors were not only regulated by environment but also regulated by genetic variations. However, the relationship has less been understood in obese children and adolescents. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the role of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in uncoupling protein (UCP) 2 -866G/A and UCP3 -55C/T on dietary intake and physical activity in obese female adolescents. METHODS: This is an observational study with cross sectional design. Respondents were obese female adolescents enrolled from obesity screening done in six junior high schools in Yogyakarta. RESULTS: Seventy eight obese female adolescents joined this study. From 2 SNPs that have been analysed, we found that SNPs in UCP2 was associated with dietary intake and physical activity (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02, respectively). Interestingly, subjects with combination of UCP2 -866GG and UCP3 -55CC had slightly higher percent fat to total energy intake compared to those with UCP2 -866AA and UCP3 -55TT (mean difference = –3.8 ± 1.9; p = 0.059). CONCLUSION: We concluded that SNPs on UCP2 was related to dietary intake and physical activity in Indonesian obese female adolescents.

Effect of FTO rs9939609 variant on insulin resistance in obese female adolescents

ObjectivesFTO rs9939609 variant has been shown to be associated with insulin resistance in Caucasian children. However, studies in Asia show inconsistent findings. We investigated the association between FTO rs9939609 polymorphisms and insulin resistance in obese female adolescents in Indonesia, a genetically distinct group within Asia.ResultsA total of 78 obese female adolescents participated in this study. The risk allele (A) frequency of FTO rs9939609 variant in Indonesian obese female adolescence was 44.2%. The frequency of insulin resistance was higher in the subjects with AA (54.6%) or AT (59.6%) than the subject with TT genotype (50%), but did not statistically different (p = 0.81 and p = 0.47, respectively). The insulin resistance rate was also higher in the risk allele (A) than the non-risk allele (T) subjects (0.58 vs. 0.55), but did not statistically different (p = 0.75). There was no association between FTO rs9939609 variant and body mass index, fasting glucose level, fasting insulin level, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and waist circumference (p > 0.05). In conclusion, FTO rs9939609 variant may not be associated with insulin resistance in Indonesian obese female adolescents. A multicenter study with a larger sample size is needed to clarify these findings.

The Effect of Combined Aerobic and Strength Training on a Weight Loss and Metabolic Profile: Development of an Effective Lifestyle-based Weight Loss Program

The aim of this study was to develop a new exercise regime with a mixture of aerobic and strength training combined with a low-calorie diet (1200 kcal/d) and to evaluate its health benefit in overweight/obese individuals. In 8 weeks of study, participants were divided into 2 groups: a low-calorie diet alone and a low-calorie diet with exercise regimen. The low-calorie diet combined with aerobic and strength training had a superior effect on weight loss and improved body composition (but not on glucose and lipid profile compared with low-calorie diet alone).

The Gene-Lifestyle Interaction on Leptin Sensitivity and Lipid Metabolism in Adults: A Population Based Study

Background: Obesity has been associated with leptin resistance and this might be caused by genetic factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene-lifestyle interaction between −866G/A UCP2 (uncoupling protein 2) gene polymorphism, dietary intake and leptin in a population based study. Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted in adults living at urban area of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Data of adiposity, lifestyle, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, leptin and UCP2 gene polymorphism were obtained in 380 men and female adults. Results: UCP2 gene polymorphism was not significantly associated with adiposity, leptin, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, dietary intake and physical activity (all p > 0.05). Leptin was lower in overweight subjects with AA + GA genotypes than those with GG genotype counterparts (p = 0.029). In subjects with AA + GA genotypes there was a negative correlation between leptin concentration (r = −0.324; p < 0.0001) and total energy intake and this correlation was not seen in GG genotype (r = −0.111; p = 0.188). Conclusions: In summary, we showed how genetic variation in −866G/A UCP2 affected individual response to leptin production. AA + GA genotype had a better leptin sensitivity shown by its response in dietary intake and body mass index (BMI) and this explained the protective effect of A allele to obesity.

Sexual dimorphism in interleukin 17A and adipocytokines and their association with insulin resistance among obese adolescents in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 17A (IL-17), leptin, and adiponectin have been associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Moreover, differences in sex and ethnicity as well as plasma concentration of adipocytokines and cytokines have been associated with the risk of insulin resistance. This study was conducted to elucidate whether sex differences exist in the risk of insulin resistance in Indonesian adolescents and to determine how plasma leptin, adiponectin, and IL-17 predict insulin resistance. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN The study participants were 69 obese-overweight boys, 53 obese-overweight girls, 59 non-obese boys, and 50 non-obese girls aged 15-18 years. Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index. Plasma IL-17, leptin, and adiponectin were measured using ELISA. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and linear regression analysis. Odd ratios [ORs; 95% confidence intervals (CIs)] were analysed to estimate the risk of insulin resistance; the significance level was set at 95%. RESULT The OR (95% CI) for insulin resistance was higher in obese-overweight boys than in obese-overweight girls. The plasma IL-17 was higher in boys, whereas plasma adiponectin and leptin were significantly higher in girls. In all participants, obesity status and plasma leptin were the most efficient predictors of insulin resistance, whereas the IL-17 could not significantly predict insulin resistance. CONCLUSION Sexual dimorphism exists in IL17 as well as leptin and adiponectin in adolescents. Plasma IL-17 cannot be used to predict insulin resistance in adolescents of both sex.

Dioscorea esculenta increase cytochrome c oxidase 1 expression and adenosine triphosphate in diabetic rats

BACKGROUND: The low cytochrome c oxidase (COX)-1 activity was associated with reduction of adenosin triphosphate (ATP) production in diabetes mellitus (DM) individuals. Interestingly, the secondary metabolite of Dioscorea esculenta (lesser yam) fermentation in gut can increase ATP production. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Lesser yam diet on ATP level and COX-1 expression in type 2 diabetic rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: (1) normal rats (N), (2) diabetic rats (DM), (3) diabetic rats with lesser yam 200 mg/kg BW (DMT1), (4) diabetic rats with lesser yam 400 mg/kg BW (DMT2), (5) diabetic rats with lesser yam 800 mg/kg BW (DMT3). The diabetic rats were induced by nicotinamide and streptozotocin and had plasma glucose more than 126 mg/dL. ATP was measured before and after 4 weeks of intervention. COX-1-was determined at skeletal muscle, heart, liver, brown adipose tissue and kidney after intervention using immuno-histochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: Fasting blood glucose was reduced in all intervention groups compared to DM group (p = 0.016). ATP level was significantly increased in DMT1 group and slightly higher in DMT2 and DMT3 compared with the negative control (p > 0.05). After the intervention, COX-1 protein expression was higher in kidney, liver and skeletal muscle in diabetic rats received lesser yam compared to DM group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study we found that lesser yam reduced fasting blood glucose, increase plasma ATP and expression of COX-1 protein.