Fasting in Science and Clinics: A Report on Proceedings from the International Scientific Symposium and Conference on Fasting in Berlin (June 2023).

Background: A fasting conference and scientific symposium on fasting were held in Berlin in June 2023. Researchers and clinicians from around the world shared new findings, clinical insights, and work in progress during a 3-day program.

Summary: Different fasting regimens, including prolonged, short-term, intermittent fasting, and time-restricted eating were discussed for preventive and therapeutic settings.

International consensus on fasting terminology.

Although fasting is increasingly applied for disease prevention and treatment, consensus on terminology is lacking. Using Delphi methodology, an international, multidisciplinary panel of researchers and clinicians standardized definitions of various fasting approaches in humans. Five online surveys and a live online conference were conducted with 38 experts, 25 of whom completed all 5 surveys.

Atrial natriuretic peptide and leptin interactions in healthy men.

Introduction: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a hormone secreted from the heart, controls cardiovascular and renal functions including arterial blood pressure and natriuresis. ANP also exerts metabolic effects in adipose tissue, liver and skeletal muscle, and interacts with the secretion of adipokines. We tested the hypothesis that ANP lowers concentrations of the anorexigenic adipokine leptin in healthy humans .

SPSB1-mediated inhibition of TGF-β receptor-II impairs myogenesis in inflammation.

Background: Sepsis-induced intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) features profound muscle atrophy and attenuated muscle regeneration related to malfunctioning satellite cells. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is involved in both processes. We uncovered an increased expression of the TGF-β receptor II (TβRII)-inhibitor SPRY domain-containing and SOCS-box protein 1 (SPSB1) in skeletal muscle of septic mice.

Corrigendum: Exercise blood-drop metabolic profiling links metabolism with perceived exertion.

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Thrifty energy phenotype predicts weight regain in postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity and is related to FGFR1 signaling.

Background&aims: Long term improvement of body weight and metabolism is highly requested in obesity. The specific impact of weight loss associated temporary negative energy balance or modified body composition on metabolism and weight regain is unclear.

Methods: We randomly assigned 80 post-menopausal women (BMI 33.

The Berlin-Buch respiration chamber for energy expenditure measurements.

Purpose: We present a methodological overview of a respiration chamber at the Experimental and Clinical Research Center in Berlin, Germany. Since 2010, we investigated 750 healthy subjects and patients with various diseases. We routinely measure resting energy expenditure (REE), dietary-induced thermogenesis, and activity energy expenditure.

"suMus," a novel digital system for arm movement metrics and muscle energy expenditure.

In the field of non-treatable muscular dystrophies, promising new gene and cell therapies are being developed and are entering clinical trials. Objective assessment of therapeutic effects on motor function is mandatory for economical and ethical reasons. Main shortcomings of existing measurements are discontinuous data collection in artificial settings as well as a major focus on walking, neglecting the importance of hand and arm movements for patients' independence.

Exercise blood-drop metabolic profiling links metabolism with perceived exertion.

Assessing detailed metabolism in exercising persons minute-to-minute has not been possible. We developed a "drop-of-blood" platform to fulfill that need. Our study aimed not only to demonstrate the utility of our methodology, but also to give insights into unknown mechanisms and new directions.

Glucose-Induced Hemodynamic and Metabolic Response of Skeletal Muscle in Heart Failure Patients with Reduced vs. Preserved Ejection Fraction-A Pilot Study.

(1) Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a characteristic pathophysiologic feature in heart failure (HF). We tested the hypothesis that skeletal muscle metabolism is differently impaired in patients with reduced (HFrEF) vs. preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction.

Prediction of activity-related energy expenditure under free-living conditions using accelerometer-derived physical activity.

The purpose of the study was to develop prediction models to estimate physical activity (PA)-related energy expenditure (AEE) based on accelerometry and additional variables in free-living adults. In 50 volunteers (20-69 years) PA was determined over 2 weeks using the hip-worn Actigraph GT3X + as vector magnitude (VM) counts/minute. AEE was calculated based on total daily EE (measured by doubly-labeled water), resting EE (indirect calorimetry), and diet-induced thermogenesis.

Hypoxia Differentially Affects Healthy Men and Women During a Daytime Nap With a Dose-Response Relationship: a Randomized, Cross-Over Pilot Study.

The use of daytime napping as a countermeasure in sleep disturbances has been recommended but its physiological evaluation at high altitude is limited. To evaluate the neuroendocrine response to hypoxic stress during a daytime nap and its cognitive impact. Randomized, single-blind, three period cross-over pilot study conducted with 15 healthy lowlander subjects (8 women) with a mean (SD) age of 29(6) years (Clinicaltrials identifier: NCT04146857, https://clinicaltrials.

Mental and Behavioural Responses to Bahá'í Fasting: Looking behind the Scenes of a Religiously Motivated Intermittent Fast Using a Mixed Methods Approach.

Background/objective: Historically, fasting has been practiced not only for medical but also for religious reasons. Bahá'ís follow an annual religious intermittent dry fast of 19 days. We inquired into motivation behind and subjective health impacts of Bahá'í fasting.

Skeletal muscle derived Musclin protects the heart during pathological overload.

Cachexia is associated with poor prognosis in chronic heart failure patients, but the underlying mechanisms of cachexia triggered disease progression remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate whether the dysregulation of myokine expression from wasting skeletal muscle exaggerates heart failure. RNA sequencing from wasting skeletal muscles of mice with heart failure reveals a reduced expression of Ostn, which encodes the secreted myokine Musclin, previously implicated in the enhancement of natriuretic peptide signaling.

Physical Performance and Non-Esterified Fatty Acids in Men and Women after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI).

Background: Men and women with valvular heart disease have different risk profiles for clinical endpoints. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) are possibly involved in cardio-metabolic disease. However, it is unclear whether NEFA concentrations are associated with physical performance in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and whether there are sex-specific effects.

Metabolic Response to Daytime Dry Fasting in Bahá'í Volunteers-Results of a Preliminary Study.

Each year in March, adherents of the Bahá'í faith abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset for 19 days. Thus, Bahá'í fasting (BF) can be considered as a form of daytime dry fasting. We investigated whether BF decreased energy expenditure after a meal and whether it improved anthropometric measures and systemic and tissue-level metabolic parameters.

Effects of Daytime Dry Fasting on Hydration, Glucose Metabolism and Circadian Phase: A Prospective Exploratory Cohort Study in Bahá'í Volunteers.

Religiously motivated Bahá'í fasting (BF) is a form of intermittent dry fasting celebrated by abstaining from food and drinks during daylight hours every year in March for 19 consecutive days. To test the safety and effects of BF on hydration, metabolism, and the circadian clock. Thirty-four healthy Bahá'í volunteers (15 women) participated in this prospective, exploratory cohort study.

Resting Energy Expenditure of Master Athletes: Accuracy of Predictive Equations and Primary Determinants.

Resting energy expenditure (REE) is determined mainly by fat-free mass (FFM). FFM depends also on daily physical activity. REE normally decreases with increased age due to decreases in FFM and physical activity.

Effects of dietary protein-load and alkaline supplementation on acid-base balance and glucose metabolism in healthy elderly.

Background/objectives: Metabolism is controlled by macro- and micronutrients. Protein-rich diets should lead to latent acidosis at tissue level with further negative implications. Food supplements with alkaline salts are available and popular pretending to prevent these changes.

Quantifying technical confounders in microbiome studies.

Aims: Recent technical developments have allowed the study of the human microbiome to accelerate at an unprecedented pace. Methodological differences may have considerable impact on the results obtained. Thus, we investigated how different storage, isolation, and DNA extraction methods can influence the characterization of the intestinal microbiome, compared to the impact of true biological signals such as intraindividual variability, nutrition, health, and demographics.

Near real-time bedside detection of spinal cord ischaemia during aortic repair by microdialysis of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Objectives: Spinal cord ischaemia (SCI) remains the most devastating complication after thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. Its early detection is crucial if therapeutic interventions are to be successful. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is readily available and accessible to microdialysis (MD) capable of detecting metabolites involved in SCI [i.

Hypoxia and exercise interactions on skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome: results of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity in obesity. Hypoxia training is claimed to augment this effect. We tested the hypothesis that normobaric hypoxia training would improve insulin sensitivity in obese patients with metabolic syndrome.