Glutaredoxin-1 Overexpression Enhances Neovascularization and Diminishes Ventricular Remodeling in Chronic Myocardial Infarction

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of cardiac failure, including the modulation of neovascularization following myocardial infarction (MI). Redox molecules thioredoxin (Trx) and glutaredoxin (Grx) superfamilies actively maintain intracellular thiol-redox homeostasis by scavenging reactive oxygen species. Among these two superfamilies, the pro-angiogenic function of Trx-1 has been reported in chronic MI model whereas similar role of Grx-1 remains uncertain. The present study attempts to establish the role of Grx-1 in neovascularization and ventricular remodeling following MI. Wild-type (WT) and Grx-1 transgenic (Grx-1Tg/+) mice were randomized into wild-type sham (WTS), Grx-1Tg/+ Sham (Grx-1Tg/+S), WTMI, Grx-1Tg/+MI. MI was induced by permanent occlusion of the LAD coronary artery. Sham groups underwent identical time-matched surgical procedures without LAD ligation. Significant increase in arteriolar density was observed 7 days (d) after surgical intervention in the Grx-1Tg/+MI group as compared to the WTMI animals. Further, improvement in myocardial functional parameters 30 d after MI was observed including decreased LVIDs, LVIDd, increased ejection fraction and, fractional shortening was also observed in the Grx-1Tg/+MI group as compared to the WTMI animals. Moreover, attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptotic cardiomyocytes was observed in the Grx-1Tg/+MI group as compared to the WTMI animals. Increased expression of p-Akt, VEGF, Ang-1, Bcl-2, survivin and DNA binding activity of NF-κB were observed in the Grx-1Tg/+MI group when compared to WTMI animals as revealed by Western blot analysis and Gel-shift analysis, respectively. These results are the first to demonstrate that Grx-1 induces angiogenesis and diminishes ventricular remodeling apparently through neovascularization mediated by Akt, VEGF, Ang-1 and NF-κB as well as Bcl-2 and survivin-mediated anti-apoptotic pathway in the infarcted myocardium

Salivary Neurotrophins Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Nerve Growth Factor Associated with Childhood Obesity: A Multiplex Magnetic Luminescence Analysis

Obesity is linked with higher inflammatory markers and is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation. Neurotrophins brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and β-nerve growth factor (β-NGF), in addition to their neuronal functions, act on several immune cells and have been recently designated as metabokines due to their regulatory role in energy homeostasis and food intake. The current study evaluates the salivary BDNF and β-NGF and their association with anthropometric measurement, blood pressure, and salivary insulin in children. Anthropometric measurements and saliva samples were obtained from 76 children, aged 6–10 years. Multiplex analysis was carried out for the salivary analysis of BDNF, NGF, and insulin by human magnetic Luminex performance assay. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the best fit diagnostic value for biomarkers and the relationship of the neurotrophic levels of BDNF and NGF with obesity measures and blood pressure. Salivary BDNF and β-NGF showed a significantly higher concentration in obese children than normal-weight children. Both neurotrophins are positively associated with obesity anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and salivary insulin. Multinominal regression analysis reported a significant association between salivary BDNF, β-NGF, insulin, and systolic pressure adjusted for age, gender, income, and maternal education. The salivary concentration of BDNF and NGF was higher in obese children, and it is positively associated with anthropometric measures, suggesting that neurotrophins can be used as a non-invasive predictor of obesity-related complications in children

Potential Role of Oxidative Stress in the Production of Volatile Organic Compounds in Obesity

Obesity is associated with numerous health issues such as sleep disorders, asthma, hepatic dysfunction, cancer, renal dysfunction, diabetes, cardiovascular complications, and infertility. Previous research has shown that the distribution of excess body fat, rather than excess body weight, determines obesity-related risk factors. It is widely accepted that abdominal fat is a serious risk factor for illnesses associated with obesity and the accumulation of visceral fat promotes the release of pro-oxidants, pro-inflammatory, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The metabolic process in the human body produces several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) via urine, saliva, breath, blood, skin secretions, milk, and feces. Several studies have shown that VOCs are released by the interaction of ROS with underlying cellular components leading to increased protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, or DNA damage. These VOCs released via oxidative stress in obese individuals may serves as a biomarker for obesity-related metabolic alterations and disease. In this review, we focus on the relationship between oxidative stress and VOCs in obesity

Telomere Length as a Biomarker for Race-Related Health Disparities

Disparities between the races have been well documented in health and disease in the USA. Recent studies show that telomere length, a marker of aging, is associated with obesity and obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. The current study aimed to evaluate the connection between telomere length ratio, blood pressure, and childhood obesity. The telomere length ratio was measured in 127 children from both European American (EA) and African American (AA) children, aged 6–10 years old. AA children had a significantly high relative telomere to the single copy gene (T/S) ratio compared to EA children. There was no significant difference in the T/S ratio between normal weight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW/OB) groups of either race. Blood pressure was significantly elevated in AA children with respect to EA children. Hierarchical regression analysis adjusted for race, gender, and age expressed a significant relationship between the T/S ratio and diastolic pressure. Low T/S ratio participants showed a significant increase in systolic pressure, while a high T/S ratio group showed an increase in diastolic pressure and heart rate of AA children. In conclusion, our findings show that AA children have high T/S ratio compared to EA children. The high T/S ratio is negatively associated with diastolic pressure

High Olfactory Receptor-Rich 11q11 Copy Number in Girls and African American Children

Copy number variants (CNVs) provide numerous genetic differences between individuals, and they have been linked with multiple human diseases. Obesity is one of the highly heritable complex disorders, which is associated with copy number variance (CNV). A recent report shows that the 11q11 gene, a novel olfactory receptor, and its copy number variants are involved in the early onset of obesity. In the current study, we analyzed the 11q11 gene copy number variance (CNV) based on gender in White/European American (EA) and African American (AA) normal weight and overweight/obese children. Sixty-nine boys and fifty-eight girls between the ages of 6 and 10 years belonging to either EA or AA ethnicity were involved in this study. As per World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, each participant’s body weight and height were recorded. DNA was extracted from saliva, and the copy number variants for the 11q11 gene were measured using digital PCR. The descriptive analysis of the 11q11 copy number showed significantly more copies in girls compared to boys; similarly, AA participants had significantly increased CNV compared to EA. The normal weight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW/OB) girls were significantly less likely to belong to the low copy number variant (LCNV) group of 11q11 compared to boys; similarly, NW and OW/OB AA children were significantly less likely to belong to the LCNV group. The AA girls in LCNV had significantly higher BMI z-scores. Our findings suggest that the 11q11 copy number in children is race and gender-specific

Eating Behaviors in Relation to Child Weight Status and Maternal Education

Background: The eating behavior of children is important to maintain a healthy weight. This current study explored the differences in children’s eating behaviors and their relation to weight status and maternal education level, using the child eating behavior questionnaire (CEBQ). Methods: The study recruited 169 participants aged between six and ten years. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between the CEBQ factors and children’s body weight status. The association between the CEBQ scores and maternal educational levels was examined using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The multinomial logistic regression findings indicate that children in the obese group exhibited a significant increase in food responsiveness, enjoyment of food, emotional overeating, and a decrease in satiety responsiveness compared to normal weight children. The one-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in subscales under the food approach (food responsiveness, desire to drink, emotional overeating) and food avoidance (satiety responsiveness) based upon the child’s weight status. The three subscales under the food approach category were significantly dependent upon the maternal education but did not have a significant association with food avoidance. Conclusions: The results suggest that the increase in food responsiveness and emotional overeating in obese children is influenced by maternal education

Ethnic variability associating gut and oral microbiome with obesity in children

Obesity is a growing worldwide problem that generally starts in the early years of life and affects minorities more often than Whites. Thus, there is an urgency to determine factors that can be used as targets as indicators of obesity. In this study, we attempt to generate a profile of gut and oral microbial clades predictive of disease status in African American (AA) and European American (EA) children. 16S rDNA sequencing of the gut and saliva microbial profiles were correlated with salivary amylase, socioeconomic factors (e.g., education and family income), and obesity in both ethnic populations. Gut and oral microbial diversity between AA and EA children showed significant differences in alpha-, beta-, and taxa-level diversity. While gut microbial diversity between obese and non-obese was not evident in EA children, the abundance of gut Klebsiella and Magasphaera was associated with obesity in AA children. In contrast, an abundance of oral Aggregatibacter and Eikenella in obese EA children was observed. These observations suggest an ethnicity-specific association with gut and oral microbial profiles. Socioeconomic factors influenced microbiota in obesity, which were ethnicity dependent, suggesting that specific approaches to confront obesity are required for both populations