Impact of weight loss on markers of systemic inflammation in obese Saudi children with asthma

Background: Weight loss studies were conducted in children without asthma have demonstrated a reduction in systemic inflammation. However, the impact of weight loss in the obese paediatric population with asthma has not been investigated. Objective: To measure the effects of weight loss on markers of systemic inflammation in obese children with bronchial asthma. Methods: Eighty obese children with bronchial asthma (42 boys, and 38 girls) with mean age 13.86± 3.21 years were divided into two equal groups. The training group received diet regimen, exercise training in addition to the medical treatment for two months, where the control group received the medical treatment only. Results: There was a 17.5% , 15.5% , 22.4% , 14.1% and 15.9% reduction in mean values of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), Leptin and body mass index (BMI) respectively and 38.7 % increase in mean values of adiponectin in the training group. While, there was a 0.7% , 9.0% , 2.8% , 1.6% and 1.2% increase in mean values of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, Leptin and BMI respectively and 3.9% decrease in mean values of adiponectin in the control group. The mean values of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, Leptin and BMI was decreased and adiponectin was increased significantly in the training group, however the results of the control group were not significant. Also, there were significant differences between both groups at the end of the study. Conclusion: Weight loss improves markers of systemic inflammation in obese Saudi children with bronchial asthma

Weight reduction improves markers of hepatic function and insulin resistance in type-2 diabetic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver

Objective: The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing dramatically affecting up to 30% of the population worldwide. At present, treatment options are limited and pharmacological management of NAFLD has had disappointing results. Some of the best available evidence to improve NAFLD concerns lifestyle modification. Objective: To detect the degree of weight reduction needed to improve the markers of hepatic function and insulin resistance in type-2 diabetics with NAFLD. Methods: One hundred type-2 diabetic male patients with NAFLD were included into this study and divided into two equal groups. Group (A) received aerobic exercise training in addition to diet regimen. Group (B) received no treatment intervention. Results: There was a 26.99%, 40.8%, 33.81%, 32.73%, 37.8% and 15 % reduction in mean values of Alkaline Phosphatase(ALP), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Gamma–Glutamyltransferase (GGT) and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance- index (HOMA-IR) and BMI respectively in group (A) at the end of the study. While there were significant differences between mean levels of the investigated parameters in group (A) and group (B) after treatment. Conclusion: About 15 % reduction in BMI is effective to improve the liver condition and insulin resistance in type-2diabetics with NAFLD