L‐arginine as a potential GLP‐1‐mediated immunomodulator of Th17‐related cytokines in people with obesity and asthma

Obesity is considered as a risk factor for COVID‐19 with insulin resistance and increased production of inflammatory cytokines as likely mechanisms. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) agonists and inhaled nitric oxide are proposed therapeutic approaches to treat COVID‐19 because of their broad anti‐inflammatory effects. One approach that might augment GLP‐1 levels would be dietary supplementation with L‐arginine. Beyond cytokines, multiple studies have started to investigate the relationship between new‐onset diabetes and COVID‐19. In a posthoc analysis of a randomized, placebo‐controlled human clinical trial of L‐arginine supplementation in people with asthma and predominantly with obesity, the results showed that 12 weeks of continuous L‐arginine supplementation significantly decreased the level of IL‐21 (p = 0.02) and increased the level of insulin (p = 0.02). A high arginine level and arginine/ADMA ratio were significantly associated with lower CCL‐20 and TNF‐α levels. The study also showed that L‐arginine supplementation reduces cytokine levels and improves insulin deficiency or resistance, both are two big risk factors for COVID‐19 severity and mortality. Given its safety profile and ease of accessibility, L‐arginine is an attractive potential therapeutic option that allows for a cost‐effective way to improve outcomes in patients. An expedition of further investigation or clinical trials to test these hypotheses is needed

Consequences of maternal obesity on neonatal outcomes and cardio-metabolic health in infancy

Obesity is a growing global health problem and is well-recognized to be a major contributing factor for increased risk of several non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer in both the developed and developing world. This development is multi-factorial, but an increasingly seden- tary lifestyle coupled with unhealthy dietary practices are key risk factors. Effective interventions for weight management would therefore not only be seen to reduce the epidemic of obesity, but also to lessen the risk for obesity-related morbidities. This article will briefly describe some factors that can cause obesity. Since men and women are different in their fat mass and distribution profile, and that ethnic groups are disproportionately affected by obesity, it is conceivable that disparities also exist in the occurrence of obesity and the consequential development of non-communicable diseases. Although the major adverse health outcomes due to obesity are mentioned, the influence and the role of sex, specifically women’s health, and ethnicity in the increased risk as well as development of obesity-induced health complications will also be discussed