Changes in Anxiety and Depression Traits Induced by Energy Restriction: Predictive Value of the Baseline Status

Current evidence proposes diet quality as a modifiable risk factor for mental or emotional impairments. However, additional studies are required to investigate the effect of dietary patterns and weight loss on improving psychological symptoms. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of energy-restriction, prescribed to overweight and obese participants, on anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as the potential predictive value of some baseline psychological features on weight loss. Overweight and obese participants (n = 305) were randomly assigned for 16 weeks to two hypocaloric diets with different macronutrient distribution: a moderately high-protein (MHP) diet and a low-fat (LF) diet. Anthropometrical, clinical, psychological, and lifestyle characteristics were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. The nutritional intervention evidenced that weight loss has a beneficial effect on trait anxiety score in women (β = 0.24, p = 0.03), depression score in all population (β = 0.15, p = 0.02), particularly in women (β = 0.22, p = 0.03) and in subjects who followed the LF diet (β = 0.22, p = 0.04). Moreover, weight loss could be predicted by anxiety status at baseline, mainly in women and in those who were prescribed a LF diet. This trial suggests that weight loss triggers an improvement in psychological traits, and that anxiety symptoms could predict those volunteers that benefit most from a balanced calorie-restricted intervention, which will contribute to individualized precision nutrition

Comprehensive Analysis Reveals Novel Interactions between Circulating MicroRNAs and Gut Microbiota Composition in Human Obesity

Background: The determinants that mediate the interactions between microRNAs and the gut microbiome impacting on obesity are scarcely understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate possible interactions between circulating microRNAs and gut microbiota composition in obesity. Method: The sample comprised 78 subjects with obesity (cases, body mass index (BMI): 30–40 kg/m2 ) and 25 eutrophic individuals (controls, BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2 ). The expression of 96 microRNAs was investigated in plasma of all individuals using miRCURY LNA miRNA Custom PCR Panels. Bacterial DNA sequencing was performed following the Illumina 16S protocol. The FDR correction was used for multiple comparison analyses. Results: A total of 26 circulating microRNAs and 12 bacterial species were found differentially expressed between cases and controls. Interestingly, an interaction among three miRNAs (miR-130b-3p, miR-185-5p and miR-21-5p) with Bacteroides eggerthi and BMI levels was evidenced (r2 = 0.148, p = 0.004). Moreover, these microRNAs regulate genes that participate in metabolism-related pathways, including fatty acid degradation, insulin signaling and glycerolipid metabolism. Conclusions: This study characterized an interaction between the abundance of 4 bacterial species and 14 circulating microRNAs in relation to obesity. Moreover, the current study also suggests that miRNAs may serve as a communication mechanism between the gut microbiome and human hosts

Comprehensive Analysis Reveals Novel Interactions between Circulating MicroRNAs and Gut Microbiota Composition in Human Obesity

Background: The determinants that mediate the interactions between microRNAs and the gut microbiome impacting on obesity are scarcely understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate possible interactions between circulating microRNAs and gut microbiota composition in obesity. Method: The sample comprised 78 subjects with obesity (cases, body mass index (BMI): 30–40 kg/m2 ) and 25 eutrophic individuals (controls, BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2 ). The expression of 96 microRNAs was investigated in plasma of all individuals using miRCURY LNA miRNA Custom PCR Panels. Bacterial DNA sequencing was performed following the Illumina 16S protocol. The FDR correction was used for multiple comparison analyses. Results: A total of 26 circulating microRNAs and 12 bacterial species were found differentially expressed between cases and controls. Interestingly, an interaction among three miRNAs (miR-130b-3p, miR-185-5p and miR-21-5p) with Bacteroides eggerthi and BMI levels was evidenced (r2 = 0.148, p = 0.004). Moreover, these microRNAs regulate genes that participate in metabolism-related pathways, including fatty acid degradation, insulin signaling and glycerolipid metabolism. Conclusions: This study characterized an interaction between the abundance of 4 bacterial species and 14 circulating microRNAs in relation to obesity. Moreover, the current study also suggests that miRNAs may serve as a communication mechanism between the gut microbiome and human hosts

Sex-specific associations between gut prevotellaceae and host genetics on adiposity

The gut microbiome has been recognized as a tool for understanding adiposity accumulation and for providing personalized nutrition advice for the management of obesity and accompanying metabolic complications. The genetic background is also involved in human energy homeostasis. In order to increase the value of nutrigenetic dietary advice, the interplay between genetics and microbiota must be investigated. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate interactive associations between gut microbiota composition and 95 obesity-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) searched in the literature. Oral mucosa and fecal samples from 360 normal weight, overweight and obese subjects were collected. Next generation genotyping of these 95 SNPs and fecal 16S rRNA sequencing were performed. A genetic risk score (GRS) was constructed with 10 SNPs statistically or marginally associated with body mass index (BMI). Several microbiome statistical analyses at family taxonomic level were applied (LEfSe, Canonical Correspondence Analysis, MetagenomeSeq and Random Forest), and Prevotellaceae family was found in all of them as one of the most important bacterial families associated with BMI and GRS. Thus, in this family it was further analyzed the interactive association between BMI and GRS with linear regression models. Interestingly, women with higher abundance of Prevotellaceae and higher GRS were more obese, compared to women with higher GRS and lower abundance of Prevotellaceae. These findings suggest relevant interrelationships between Prevotellaceae and the genetic background that may determine interindividual BMI differences in women, which opens the way to new precision nutrition-based treatments for obesit

Sex-specific associations between gut prevotellaceae and host genetics on adiposity

The gut microbiome has been recognized as a tool for understanding adiposity accumulation and for providing personalized nutrition advice for the management of obesity and accompanying metabolic complications. The genetic background is also involved in human energy homeostasis. In order to increase the value of nutrigenetic dietary advice, the interplay between genetics and microbiota must be investigated. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate interactive associations between gut microbiota composition and 95 obesity-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) searched in the literature. Oral mucosa and fecal samples from 360 normal weight, overweight and obese subjects were collected. Next generation genotyping of these 95 SNPs and fecal 16S rRNA sequencing were performed. A genetic risk score (GRS) was constructed with 10 SNPs statistically or marginally associated with body mass index (BMI). Several microbiome statistical analyses at family taxonomic level were applied (LEfSe, Canonical Correspondence Analysis, MetagenomeSeq and Random Forest), and Prevotellaceae family was found in all of them as one of the most important bacterial families associated with BMI and GRS. Thus, in this family it was further analyzed the interactive association between BMI and GRS with linear regression models. Interestingly, women with higher abundance of Prevotellaceae and higher GRS were more obese, compared to women with higher GRS and lower abundance of Prevotellaceae. These findings suggest relevant interrelationships between Prevotellaceae and the genetic background that may determine interindividual BMI differences in women, which opens the way to new precision nutrition-based treatments for obesit

Decreased excretion of nitrate and nitrite in essential hypertensives with renal vasoconstriction

Most hypertensive patients exhibit increased renal vascular resistance (RVR). This study was designed to investigate whether there exists any relationship between RVR and the production of nitric oxide (NO) in patients with essential hypertension. The study was performed in 49 non-treated patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension, and 20 age- and sex-matched normotensive subjects on a controlled sodium diet. Renal hemodynamics was measured in terms of the clearance of para-aminohippuric acid and inulin. Urinary excretion of nitrate and nitrite (NO3- plus NO2-) was determined as an index of NO production. As compared with normotensives, hypertensive patients exhibited higher (P < 0.001) RVR and lower (P < 0.05) urinary excretion of NO3- plus NO2-. With the 100% confidence (upper) limit of the normotensive population as a cut-off point, a subgroup of 30 hypertensives had an abnormally high RVR. The excretion of NO3- plus NO2- was lower (P < 0.005) in hypertensives with high RVR than in normotensives and the remaining hypertensives. No differences were found in the urinary excretion of NO3- plus NO2- between normotensives and hypertensives with normal RVR. Statistically significant associations were seen between diastolic blood pressure and RVR (r = 0.341, P < 0.05) and urinary excretion of NO3- plus NO2- (r = -0.387, P < 0.01) in all hypertensives. These results indicate that there is a subgroup (61%) of hypertensive patients with diminished urine levels of NO3- plus NO2- in which RVR is abnormally increased. Thus, it is suggested that in essential hypertension a diminished renal ability to produce NO by the endothelium may be involved in exaggerated renal vasoconstriction

Decreased excretion of nitrate and nitrite in essential hypertensives with renal vasoconstriction

Most hypertensive patients exhibit increased renal vascular resistance (RVR). This study was designed to investigate whether there exists any relationship between RVR and the production of nitric oxide (NO) in patients with essential hypertension. The study was performed in 49 non-treated patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension, and 20 age- and sex-matched normotensive subjects on a controlled sodium diet. Renal hemodynamics was measured in terms of the clearance of para-aminohippuric acid and inulin. Urinary excretion of nitrate and nitrite (NO3- plus NO2-) was determined as an index of NO production. As compared with normotensives, hypertensive patients exhibited higher (P < 0.001) RVR and lower (P < 0.05) urinary excretion of NO3- plus NO2-. With the 100% confidence (upper) limit of the normotensive population as a cut-off point, a subgroup of 30 hypertensives had an abnormally high RVR. The excretion of NO3- plus NO2- was lower (P < 0.005) in hypertensives with high RVR than in normotensives and the remaining hypertensives. No differences were found in the urinary excretion of NO3- plus NO2- between normotensives and hypertensives with normal RVR. Statistically significant associations were seen between diastolic blood pressure and RVR (r = 0.341, P < 0.05) and urinary excretion of NO3- plus NO2- (r = -0.387, P < 0.01) in all hypertensives. These results indicate that there is a subgroup (61%) of hypertensive patients with diminished urine levels of NO3- plus NO2- in which RVR is abnormally increased. Thus, it is suggested that in essential hypertension a diminished renal ability to produce NO by the endothelium may be involved in exaggerated renal vasoconstriction

A weight-loss model based on baseline microbiota and genetic scores for selection of dietary treatments in overweight and obese population

Background & aims: The response to weight loss depends on the interindividual variability of determinants such as gut microbiota and genetics. The aim of this investigation was to develop an integrative model using microbiota and genetic information to prescribe the most suitable diet for a successful weight loss in individuals with excess of body weight. Methods: A total of 190 Spanish overweight and obese participants were randomly assigned to two hypocaloric diets for 4 months: 61 women and 29 men followed a moderately high protein (MHP) diet, and 72 women and 28 men followed a low fat (LF) diet. Baseline fecal DNA was sequenced and used for the construction of four microbiota subscores associated with the percentage of BMI loss for each diet (MHP and LF) and for each sex. Bootstrapping techniques and multiple linear regression models were used for the selection of families, genera and species included in the subscores. Finally, two total microbiota scores were generated for each sex. Two genetic subscores previously reported to weight loss were used to generate a total genetic score. In an attempt to personalize the weight loss prescription, several linear mixed models that included interaction with diet between microbiota scores and genetic scores for both, men and women, were studied. Results: The microbiota subscore for the women who followed the MHP-diet included Coprococcus, Dorea, Flavonifractor, Ruminococcus albus and Clostridium bolteaea. For LF-diet women, Cytophagaceae, Catabacteriaceae, Flammeovirgaceae, Rhodobacteriaceae, Clostridium-x1vb, Bacteriodes nordiiay, Alistipes senegalensis, Blautia wexlerae and Psedoflavonifractor phocaeensis. For MHP-diet men, Cytophagaceae, Acidaminococcaceae, Marinilabiliaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Fusicatenibacter, Odoribacter and Ruminococcus faecis; and for LF-men, Porphyromanadaceae, Intestinimonas, Bacteroides finegoldii and Clostridium bartlettii. The mixed models with microbiota scores facilitated the selection of diet in 72% of women and in 84% of men. The model including genetic information allows to select the type of diet in 84% and 73%, respectively

A weight-loss model based on baseline microbiota and genetic scores for selection of dietary treatments in overweight and obese population

Background & aims: The response to weight loss depends on the interindividual variability of determinants such as gut microbiota and genetics. The aim of this investigation was to develop an integrative model using microbiota and genetic information to prescribe the most suitable diet for a successful weight loss in individuals with excess of body weight. Methods: A total of 190 Spanish overweight and obese participants were randomly assigned to two hypocaloric diets for 4 months: 61 women and 29 men followed a moderately high protein (MHP) diet, and 72 women and 28 men followed a low fat (LF) diet. Baseline fecal DNA was sequenced and used for the construction of four microbiota subscores associated with the percentage of BMI loss for each diet (MHP and LF) and for each sex. Bootstrapping techniques and multiple linear regression models were used for the selection of families, genera and species included in the subscores. Finally, two total microbiota scores were generated for each sex. Two genetic subscores previously reported to weight loss were used to generate a total genetic score. In an attempt to personalize the weight loss prescription, several linear mixed models that included interaction with diet between microbiota scores and genetic scores for both, men and women, were studied. Results: The microbiota subscore for the women who followed the MHP-diet included Coprococcus, Dorea, Flavonifractor, Ruminococcus albus and Clostridium bolteaea. For LF-diet women, Cytophagaceae, Catabacteriaceae, Flammeovirgaceae, Rhodobacteriaceae, Clostridium-x1vb, Bacteriodes nordiiay, Alistipes senegalensis, Blautia wexlerae and Psedoflavonifractor phocaeensis. For MHP-diet men, Cytophagaceae, Acidaminococcaceae, Marinilabiliaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Fusicatenibacter, Odoribacter and Ruminococcus faecis; and for LF-men, Porphyromanadaceae, Intestinimonas, Bacteroides finegoldii and Clostridium bartlettii. The mixed models with microbiota scores facilitated the selection of diet in 72% of women and in 84% of men. The model including genetic information allows to select the type of diet in 84% and 73%, respectively