Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – epidemic of the XXI century

The term “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” (NAFLD) was first introduced by Ludwig in 1980. He described NAFLD as a liver disease characterized by lipid accumulation in the hepatocytes of people who do not abuse alcohol (<20g/ethanol/day). NAFLD comprises of a range of disorders, including simple fatty liver without the symptoms of damaged hepatocytes, as well as complex fatty liver with an ongoing inflammation and developing fibrosis. It is estimated that 2-44% of adult Europeans will develop a fatty liver. The pathogenesis and development of NAFLD is a complicated process involving numerous factors, such as: dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, overweight, obesity, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, the development of an inflammatory state, the disorders of the metabolism of fat tissue, dysbiosis and genetic factors. Because the mechanism of the illness is based on many factors, the multiple hits hypothesis serves as the new and generally standard approach to this pathological unit. The basis of this theory is the development of insulin resistance, which is one of the main causes of steatosis. The consequence of insulin resistance is an increased glucose level (associated with impaired insulin receptors) and excessive insulin production leading to elevated levels of this hormone in the serum. Insulin resistance causes continuous stimulation of gluconeogenesis and hyperglycemia. On the other hand, hyperinsulinemia stimulates the hepatic synthesis of the de novo lipogenesis and leads to steatosis. NAFLD is also closely connected to the metabolism disorders of fatty acids. The pathomechanism of the illness includes an increased concentration of FFA in blood, an increase in the biosynthesis of fatty acids in the liver, as well as disorders in the process of β-oxidation

Reduction of sitting time has a positive effect on the decrease of insulin resistance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects a large part of the human population. One of the major environmental factors associated with the risk of NAFLD is the lack of physical activity. Aim: To compare the level of physical activity and the insulin resistance in NAFLD patients. Material and methods: Thirty patients with NAFLD underwent a six-month dietary intervention based on the principles of classical dietetics. Data about diet and physical activity was based on 72-hour nutrition diaries and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Standard blood biochemical analyses were carried out before and after diet at the University Hospital Laboratory. Results: The study showed that total physical activity and physical activity in leisure time are negatively correlated with insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p &lt; 0.05). Insulin (p &lt; 0.05), body weight (p &lt; 0.05), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) (p &lt; 0.05) were also negatively correlated with physical activity in free time. In addition, we noticed a positive correlation between sitting time and the risk of insulin resistance, in the case of HOMA-IR and insulin concentration (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Dietary intervention and a physical activity plan are important factors in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Taking regular exercise increases insulin sensitivity and prevents further development of the disease. It seems that diet and physical activity are not the only one risk factors of NAFLD. Our study reveals that the reduction of sitting time has a positive effect on the level of insulin and it reduces insulin resistance in patients with NAFLD

Changes in the IGF-1 and TNF-α synthesis pathways before and after three-month reduction diet with low glicemic index in women with PCOS

Objectives: An increase in IGF-I and TNF-α may be a cardioprotective effect. To examine the relationships between IGF-I and TNF-α and test the anthropometric and biochemical parameters before and after a low-glycemic index reduction diet using a correlation matrix. Material and methods: Twenty-two women diagnosed with PCOS according to Rotterdam’s criteria were eligible for this study, which analysed the results before and after a three months dietary intervention. Body composition measurements were determined by bioimpedance and performed twice, along with the labelling of lipid, carbohydrate and hormonal profiles. IGF-I and TNF-α were also determined in the serum. Results: Before dietary intervention, a significant correlation was observed. A correlation was also noted between the increase in TNF-α and DHEA-SO4, FSH, glucose level and total cholesterol. The increase in IGF-I was not related to anth­ropometric measurements: however, its concentration was observed to be related to the level of SHBG and HDL. After dietary intervention, the correlation between TNF-α and muscle mass percentage was confirmed, as was the correlation between WHR and fasting blood glucose levels. A significant negative correlation was observed between extracellular water, provided in litres, and SHBG level. Conclusions: One important role of IGF-I in PCOS pathogenesis is the stimulation of increased synthesis of SHBG and HDL. The increased level of IGF-I after the reduction diet had a cardioprotective effect. TNF-α inhibits FSH synthesis, preventing the growth of numerous follicles. Its synthesis is also related to DHEA-SO4. After three-month reduction diet does not significantly reduce TNF-α

Trans unsaturated fatty acids are components of atheromatous plaque

Wstęp. Przeprowadzono badania chromatograficzne blaszek miażdżycowych pobranych od 21 pacjentów w Klinice Chirurgii Naczyniowej PAM w Szczecinie, których operowano z powodu powikłań zaawansowanej miażdżycy tętnic brzusznych i udowych. Cel pracy. Celem analizy było ustalenie czy izomery trans nienasyconych kwasów tłuszczowych (występujące w utwardzonych tłuszczach spożywczych pochodzenia roślinnego) są istotnymi składnikami blaszki miażdżycowej. Materiał i metody. Kwasy tłuszczowe ekstrahowano mieszaniną Folcha, zmydlano metanolowym 2-procentowym roztworem KOH i metylowano 14-procentowym BF3 w metanolu, otrzymując estry metylowe kwasów tłuszczowych. Analizę badanego materiału przeprowadzono przy użyciu chromatografu gazowego Perkin-Elmer 8500, stosując program Chromed PI. Oceny zależności pomiędzy otrzymanymi parametrami dokonano na podstawie współczynnika korelacji rang Spearmana, przyjmując za istotne statystycznie wartości p < 0,05. Wyniki. W badanym materiale stwierdzono obecność różnych izomerów kwasów tłuszczowych, w tym także charakterystycznych dla utwardzanych tłuszczów roślinnych (zwłaszcza margaryn). Kwas elaidynowy (trans 9 C18:1) okazał się dominującym trans izomerem wśród jednonienasyconych kwasów tłuszczowych. Głównym reprezentantem wielonienasyconych kwasów tłuszczowych był jeden ze sprzężonych dienów kwasu linolowego: cis 9 trans 11 C18:2. Wnioski. Wyniki badań wskazują na zależność pomiędzy występowaniem w diecie izomerów trans nienasyconych kwasów tłuszczowych a ich udziałem w metabolizmie blaszki miażdżycowej, a nawet w ewentualnym indukowaniu procesu aterogenezy.Background. Chromatographic studies on fatty acid composition of atheromatous plaques obtained from 21 patients treated surgically in the Department of Vascular Surgery (Pomeranian Academy of Medicine, Szczecin, Poland) for complications of atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta, iliac or femoral arteries, were carried out. Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to assess if the trans unsaturated fatty acids (occurring in hardened fats of plant origin) are substantial components of the atheromatous plaques. Material and methods. Fatty acids were extracted using Folch mixture, saponified in 2% KOH solution and methylated with 14% solution of BF3 in methanol, obtaining fatty acid methyl esters. The analysis of obtained material was carried out with a gas chromatograph Perkin-Elmer 8500, applying Chromed PI software. Correlations between obtained parameters were calculated using the Spearman&#8217;s correlation coefficient, taking p < 0.05 as statistically significant. Results. The presence of varied isomers of fatty acids in the analysed material (among them typical for the hardened plant fats) was established. Elaidic acid (trans-9 C18:1) served as a major trans isomer among monounsaturated fatty acids. The main representative of polyunsaturated fatty acids was one of conjugated diens of linoleic acid: cis-9, trans-11 C18:2. Conclusions. The results of the study show the relationship between trans unsaturated fatty acids content in the diet and their importance in the metabolism of atheromatous plaque and possible induction of atherogenesis

Can the FUT 2 Gene Variant Have an Effect on the Body Weight of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery? - Preliminary, Exploratory Study

Background: The FUT2 gene (Se gene) encoding the enzyme α-1,2-L-fucosyltransferase 2 seems to have a significant effect on the number and type of bacteria colonizing the intestines. Methods: In a group of 19 patients after bariatric surgery, the polymorphism (rs601338) of FUT2 gene was analyzed in combination with body mass reduction, intestinal microbiome (16S RNA sequencing), and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) measurements in stools. Results: Among the secretors (Se/Se polymorphism of the FUT2 gene rs601338, carriers of GG variant), correlations between waist-hip ratio (WHR) and propionate content and an increase in Prevotella, Escherichia, Shigella, and Bacteroides were observed. On the other hand—in non-secretors (carriers of GA and AA variants)—higher abundance of Enterobacteriaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridiales was recorded. Conclusions: The increased concentrations of propionate observed among the GG variants of FUT 2 may be used as an additional source of energy for the patient and may have a higher risk of increasing the WHR than carriers of the other variants (GA and AA)

Caloric Restriction Diet (CR diet) or Mediterranean Diet (MD) - Which is the Best Choice for Former Athletes?

Overweight or obesity which often develop in athletes who end their careers is one of the most important issues of the world of sport. During aging, an increase in the amount of intra-abdominal fat is observed; this fat increases the risk of such metabolic disease as diabetes or hypertension. The participants of the study were 94 males. The people were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups: group 1 &ndash; people using the diet based on calorie restriction CRON (n = 32), and group 2 &ndash; those who followed the recommendations of the Mediterranean diet (n = 34). The patients who at the check-up declared not following any diet were assigned to the control group (n = 28). A change in parameters was observed in each of the sub-groups after the intervention. The most significant changes were observed in the sub-group which lost &gt;2.6 kg. Both the diet based on mild calorie restriction and the Mediterranean diet had positive effect on the change of the former athlete&rsquo;s body parameters after the 6-week long dietary intervention. Both diets which were being tested changed the body composition of the athletes who ended their careers in a similar way

Możliwe interakcje fluorków, wapnia i kwasów tłuszczowych w blaszkach miażdżycowych izolowanych z tętnic szyjnych

Background. Quantitative and qualitative changes in the mineral composition of the arterial wall seem to be engaged in the formation of the atherosclerotic plaque. The aim of this study was to determine the content of fluoride and calcium in atherosclerotic plaques and to understand the process of fluorine ions binding into the plaque. Material and methods. Plaques were obtained from patients operated for atherosclerosis of carotid arteries. Median content of fluoride and calcium in the atherosclerotic plaques were 0.75 and 207 &#956;mol/g, respectively. Results. No correlation between the content of fluoride and calcium (R = 0.11, p = 0.60) was disclosed. Conclusions. We are of the opinion that fluoride reacts with fatty acids of the plaque, disrupting carbon bonds of the fatty acid molecule. Fluoride is a component of the atherosclerotic plaque but apparently is not deposited together with calcium ions. Fluoride is capable of interacting with fatty acids of the atherosclerotic plaque.Wstęp. Zmiany ilościowe oraz jakościowe składników mineralnych w ścianie tętniczej mogą być jednym z czynników stymulujących rozwój blaszki miażdżycowej. Celem niniejszej pracy było oznaczenie zawartości fluorku oraz wapnia w blaszce oraz zbadanie sposobu wiązania jonu fluorkowego w złogu miażdżycowym. Materiał i metody. Pomiary zawartości fluorku i wapnia prowadzono w blaszkach miażdżycowych uzyskanych od chorych operowanych z powodu zaawansowanej miażdżycy tętnic szyjnych. Zmierzona mediana zawartości fluorku w blaszce osiągnęła 0,75 &#956;mola/gram. Wyniki. Nie odnotowano istotnej statystycznie korelacji pomiędzy zawartością fluorku oraz wapnia w blaszce miażdżycowej (R = 0,11, p = 0,60). Wnioski. Fluorek może reagować z zawartymi w blaszce miażdżycowej kwasami tłuszczowymi, prawdopodobnie przyczyniając się do degradacji wiązania pomiędzy atomami węgla w cząsteczce kwasu tłuszczowego. Fluorek jest składnikiem blaszki miażdżycowej, ale nie odkłada się w niej w połączeniu z jonami wapnia i może on oddziaływać w blaszce z zawartymi w niej kwasami tłuszczowymi

Religiousness among young people in Europe – the sociological perspective. Continuations

The changes taking place in our times in the religious sphere can be simply presented as occurring between secularization and desecularization. The former trend is especially visible in Western Europe, where it is characteristically and clearly making its presence felt, thus becoming a specific emblem on the religious map of the world. The latter tendency also appears in the Old Continent, but on a much smaller scale and with limited impact. In this article religiousness among young people in chosen European countries will be demonstrated, as well as an attempt will be made to answer the question whether and to what extent the religious changes occur in these societies. Furthermore, there will be an attempt made to define whether they form part of either the secularizational or desecularizational trends. The data of the European Social Survey from Round 1 (2002) and Round 2 (2016) will provide the basis for the analyses, which will make it possible to show the appearing religious changes and the directions of their transformations in the course of almost one and a half decade