Physical Activity Level and Dietary Intake Associated with Fat-Free Muscle Mass Changes During Intentional Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Subjects.

Background: The prevalence of obesity and related complications is increasing relentlessly worldwide. The effect of intentional weight loss strategies for obese individuals on fat-free muscle mass (FFMM) and metabolic and general health is not well known. The aim of this research is to measure the effects of dietary intake and physical activity level on FFMM change during intentional weight loss in obese subjects.

The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation with or without Calcium on Vitamin D Epimer and Metabolites.

Background: A possible role of vitamin D epimers and metabolites in the measurement and response to treatment of vitamin D has been reported recently. Furthermore, the influence of underlying vitamin D receptor (VDR) genetic polymorphisms which have been linked to diseases such as obesity remains unclear. We therefore aimed to examine the influence of vitamin D3 and calcium supplements on vitamin D epimer and metabolite concentrations in subjects with and those without vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms.

Evaluating a novel method for vitamin A analysis in an observational study of the UAE's obese population.

Vitamin A plays a critical role in various biological functions, including vision, cellular differentiation, and immune regulation. However, accurately assessing its status, particularly in obese individuals, presents challenges due to potential alterations in metabolism and distribution. This study utilized Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methodology to precisely measure serum vitamin A concentrations in population of UAE.

Unraveling the complex interplay between obesity and vitamin D metabolism.

Vitamin D deficiency and obesity are a worldwide health issue. Obesity refers to the accumulation of excessive fats in the body which could lead to the development of diseases. Obese people have low vitamin D levels for several reasons including larger volume of distribution, vitamin D tightly bound in fatty tissues, reduced absorption, and diets with low vitamin D.

Frequency of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in a Population with a very High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency, Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension.

Background: Although vitamin D levels and underlying vitamin D receptor (VDR) genetic polymorphisms have been linked to many common diseases including obesity, the association remains unclear. There is also co-existence of pathologically high proportions of obesity and vitamin D deficiency conditions in our UAE society. We therefore aimed to determine the genotypes and allele percentage frequency distribution of four polymorphisms-FokI, BsmI, ApaI and TaqI-in the VDR gene in healthy Emirati individuals and their association with vitamin D levels and chronic conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity.

Mechanisms and Effect of Increased Physical Activity on General and Abdominal Obesity and Associated Metabolic Risk Factors in a Community with Very High Rates of General and Abdominal Obesity.

Background: The growing prevalence of obesity and related type 2 diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions in the UAE. Physical inactivity is one of the possible factors linking obesity to diabetes and other related complications. However, the molecular mechanisms through which physical inactivity is contributing to increased obesity-related pathologies are not clear.

Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Mitigates Oxidative Damage and Associated Inflammatory Response in Obese Subjects Independent of Body Weight Change.

Introduction: The growing prevalence of obesity and related type 2 diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions in the Gulf countries. Oxidative damage and inflammation are possible mechanisms linking obesity to diabetes and other related complications, including cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Aims: To measure the effects of increased fruit and vegetable consumption on body weight, waist circumference, oxidative damage, and inflammatory markers.

Score Gains on the NBME Subject Examinations in Internal Medicine Among Clerkship Students: a Two-Year Longitudinal Study from the United Arab Emirates.

Background: The impact of clinical proficiency on individual student scores on the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Subject Examinations remains uncertain. We hypothesised that increasing the length of time spent in a clinical environment would augment students' performance.

Methods: Performance on the NBME Subject Examination in Internal Medicine (NBME-IM) of three student cohorts was observed longitudinally.

Urinary Oxidative Damage Markers and Their Association with Obesity-Related Metabolic Risk Factors.

Unlabelled: Oxidative damage and inflammation are possible mechanisms linking obesity to diabetes and related complications. This study investigates the levels of oxidative damage markers in the urine of community free-living subjects with increased prevalence of obesity.

Methods: Participants were assessed regarding clinical, anthropometric, and physical activity data at baseline and at 6 months.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium in community-dwelling vitamin D deficient subjects.

Background: Although vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in the Middle East, very few studies have attempted to measure its health impact.

Aims: We aimed to assess whether vitamin D3 and calcium, either alone or in combination, have health benefit.

Methods: In a 2 × 2 factorial design double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Community free living adults living in the city of Al Ain, UAE were randomly assigned to receive daily 2000 IU oral vitamin D3 alone, 600 mg calcium alone, oral vitamin D3 (2000 IU per day) combined with 600 mg calcium, or a placebo for 6 months.

Vitamin D deficiency associations with metabolic, bone turnover and adverse general health markers in community free living adults.

Background: Although there is some evidence that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in the Middle East, however its health impact is still not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, causes and health implications of vitamin D deficiency in local United Arab Emirates (UAE) citizens.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on community free living adults living in the city of Al Ain, UAE.

Vitamin D [25(OH)D] metabolites and epimers in obese subject: Interaction and correlations with adverse metabolic health risk factors.

Background: Although both vitamin D deficiency and obesity are highly prevalent in the UAE, the role of vitamin D metabolites in mediating obesity-related adverse health effects is not clear. We aimed to assess the role of vitamin D metabolites as potential mediators in the association between obesity, inflammation and metabolic risk factors.

Methods: 277 participants who were part of a randomized controlled trial had their assessment that included clinical, anthropometric and physical activity data at baseline and at 6 months.

Metabolomic Profiling of Lipids and Fatty Acids: 3 Years Postoperative Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Visceral obesity is common in the United Arab Emirates and worldwide. Although laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) leads to effective and sustainable weight loss, its long-term beneficial impact on other risk factors, including blood lipid and fatty acid (FA) profiles, remains unknown. These two profiles were assessed in patients 3 years after undergoing LSG and in LSG candidates (controls).

Significantly Elevated Levels of Plasma Nicotinamide, Pyridoxal, and Pyridoxamine Phosphate Levels in Obese Emirati Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Water-soluble vitamins like B3 (nicotinamide), B6 (pyridoxine), and B9 (folic acid) are of utmost importance in human health and disease, as they are involved in numerous critical metabolic reactions. Not surprisingly, deficiencies of these vitamins have been linked to various disease states. Unfortunately, not much is known about the physiological levels of B6 vitamers and vitamin B3 in an ethnically isolated group (such as an Emirati population), as well as their relationship with obesity.

Role of Functional Biomarkers to Identify Early Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Patients with Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Although laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is effective for obesity management, postoperative vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency is of major concern. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the levels of B12 and its related functional biomarkers, namely, total homocysteine (tHcy), methylmalonic acid (MMA), folate, methylcitric acid (MCA), and hemoglobin (Hb), in one-year postoperative LSG patients and matched controls. Plasma B12, tHcy, MMA, folate, and MCA were measured in matched controls (n = 66) and patients (n = 71) using validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry techniques and protocols in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Associations between low muscle mass, blood-borne nutritional status and mental health in older patients.

Background: Although low muscle mass is an important predictor of increased physical morbidity in older patients, information on its impact on mental health and well-being is lacking. The first aim of this report is to look for associations if any between low muscle mass and mental health of older people in clinical practice. The second aim is to study underlying mechanisms including nutritional status.

Epimers of Vitamin D: A Review.

In this review, we discuss the sources, formation, metabolism, function, biological activity, and potency of C3-epimers (epimers of vitamin D). We also determine the role of epimerase in vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and vitamin D receptors (VDR) according to different subcellular localizations. The importance of C3 epimerization and the metabolic pathway of vitamin D at the hydroxyl group have recently been recognized.

Total adiponectin in overweight and obese subjects and its response to visceral fat loss.

Background: Visceral obesity and related diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Adiponectin is a hormone that is secreted by adipose tissue and may play an important role in obesity-related morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate total adiponectin levels in overweight and obese UAE subjects visiting health care facilities for weight management.

Zinc Depletion Increases Readmission in Older Patients: An Example of Interactions Between Nutrition and Disease.

Unlabelled: Background: ill health may lead to poor nutrition and poor nutrition to ill health, so identifying priorities for management still remains a challenge. The aim of this report is to present data on the impact of plasma zinc (Zn) depletion on important health outcomes after adjusting for other poor prognostic indicators in hospitalised patients.

Methods: Hospitalised acutely ill older patients who were part of a large randomised controlled trial had their nutritional status assessed using anthropometric, hematological and biochemical data.

Association between nutritional blood-based biomarkers and clinical outcome in sarcopenia patients.

Background: Although several micronutrients deficiency were reported to be associated with poor muscle function, however information on sarcopenia patients is still lacking. The aim of this report was to measure some micronutrients blood-based status in sarcopenia patients during both acute illness and recovery.

Design: We assessed nutritional status of randomly selected hospitalised patients using anthropometric, haematological and biochemical data at baseline, 6 weeks and at 6 months.

Application of a new vitamin D blood test on the Emirati population.

Research shows that immunoassay techniques are not the best choice for the estimation of vitamin D in human blood samples. The main reasons are that some immunoassays are not able to distinguish between 25-OHD3 and 25-OHD2 vitamin D metabolites. Furthermore, immunoassays cannot differentiate between 25OHD and inactive epimers of vitamin D.

Oxidative damage and associated inflammatory risk factors in obese Emirati women. Body mass index versus waist circumference.

Objectives: To establish whether body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC) is a better predictor of cardio metabolic risk factors that are associated with increased visceral fat among obese women from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: In this  cross-sectional study, 333 obese subjects visiting community health centers in Al Ain city, UAE, were recruited between 2012 and 2015. After a written consent subjects had anthropometric, clinical and biochemical measurements.

Impact of poor muscle strength on clinical and service outcomes of older people during both acute illness and after recovery.

Background: Although Low muscle strength is an important predictor of functional decline in older people, however information on its impact on clinical and service outcomes in acute care settings is still lacking. The aim of this study is to measure the impact of low muscle strength on clinical and service outcomes in older adults during both acute illness and recovery.

Methods: Randomly selected 432 hospitalised older patients had their clinical characteristics and nutritional status assessed within 72 h of admission, at 6 weeks and at 6 months.

Association between muscle function, cognitive state, depression symptoms and quality of life of older people: evidence from clinical practice.

Background: Although low muscle function/strength is an important predictor of poor clinical outcome in older patients, information on its impact on mental health in clinical practice is still lacking.

Aims: The aim of this report is to measure the impact of low muscle function measured by handgrip strength on mental health of older people during both acute illness and recovery.

Methods: Four hundred and thirty-two randomly selected hospitalized older patients had their baseline demographic and clinical characteristics assessed within 72 h of admission, at 6 weeks and at 6 months.

Inflammatory markers and cardiovascular risks among overweight-obese Emirati women.

Background: The prevalence of abdominal obesity among women in UAE is exceptionally high. However, its impact on cardiovascular health has not been adequately investigated. The aims of this study were to investigate: (1) correlations between inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers vs.