Determinants of bone mass in older adults with normal- and overweight derived from the crosstalk with muscle and adipose tissue.

Lower bone mass in older adults may be mediated by the endocrine crosstalk between muscle, adipose tissue and bone. In 150 community-dwelling adults (59-86 years, BMI 17-37 kg/m; 58.7% female), skeletal muscle mass index, adipose tissue and fat mass index (FMI) were determined.

Normal values for body composition in adults are better represented by continuous reference ranges dependent on age and BMI.

Background & Aims: Reference values for body composition parameters like skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) depend on age and BMI. To ensure reference intervals reflect these changes, they have traditionally been separated into groups of young adults based on sex and BMI. However, this static stratification oversimplifies the dynamic and gradual changes of body composition with increasing age and BMI.

Network-based quantitative trait linkage analysis of microbiome composition in inflammatory bowel disease families.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by a dysbiosis of the gut microbiome that results from the interaction of the constituting taxa with one another, and with the host. At the same time, host genetic variation is associated with both IBD risk and microbiome composition. In the present study, we defined quantitative traits (QTs) from modules identified in microbial co-occurrence networks to measure the inter-individual consistency of microbial abundance and subjected these QTs to a genome-wide quantitative trait locus (QTL) linkage analysis.

Analysis of the adiponectin paradox in healthy older people.

Background: It remains unknown why adiponectin levels are associated with poor physical functioning, skeletal muscle mass and increased mortality in older populations.

Methods: In 190 healthy adults (59-86 years, BMI 17-37 kg/m , 56.8% female), whole body skeletal muscle mass (normalized by height, SMI, kg/m ), muscle and liver fat were determined by magnetic resonance imaging.

Issues related to the assessment of energy balance during short-term over-, under- and refeeding in normal weight men.

Background: In humans, it is unclear how different estimates of energy balance (EB) compare with each other and whether the resulting changes in body weight (bw) and body composition (BC) are predictable and reproducible.

Methods: This is a secondary data analysis of effects of sequential 7d over- (OF), 21d under- (UF) and 14d refeeding (RF) on EB. Energy intake (EI) was controlled at +/- 50% of energy needs in a 32 normal weight men (see Am J Clin Nutr.

Linkage analysis identifies novel genetic modifiers of microbiome traits in families with inflammatory bowel disease.

Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome is a hallmark of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and both, IBD risk and microbiome composition, have been found to be associated with genetic variation. Using data from families of IBD patients, we examined the association between genetic and microbiome similarity in a specific IBD context, followed by a genome-wide quantitative trait locus (QTL) linkage analysis of various microbiome traits using the same data. SNP genotypes as well as gut microbiome and phenotype data were obtained from the Kiel IBD family cohort (IBD-KC).

Plasma boron concentrations in the general population: a cross-sectional analysis of cardio-metabolic and dietary correlates.

Purpose: Experimental evidence suggests positive effects of boron on health and metabolism, but human data are still scarce. We aimed to identify dietary and cardio-metabolic correlates of plasma boron concentrations in the general population.

Methods: In a community-based sample (n = 899, 57% men, mean age 61 years), plasma boron (median [IQR]: 33.

Post-diagnostic reliance on plant-compared with animal-based foods and all-cause mortality in omnivorous long-term colorectal cancer survivors.

Background: Plant-rich diets are associated with lower cardiometabolic risks and longer survival in the general population, but their association with mortality in cancer survivors is still unclear.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the associations of 3 postdiagnostic plant-based diet indices with all-cause mortality in omnivorous long-term colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors.

Methods: Diet was assessed with FFQs at a median of 6 years after diagnosis in 1404 CRC survivors (56% male; median age, 69 years) in a Northern German prospective cohort study.

Plasma Lithium Levels in a General Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Metabolic and Dietary Correlates.

Initial evidence suggests that lithium might affect life expectancy and the risk for different disease conditions, but most studies were conducted in patients on lithium medication. Little is known about the association of blood lithium levels within the physiological range with cardiometabolic risk factors and diet. We measured plasma lithium in a community-based sample from Northern Germany (samples taken between 2010 and 2012).

Adherence to a plant-based diet in relation to adipose tissue volumes and liver fat content.

Background: Better adherence to plant-based diets has been linked to lower risk of metabolic diseases but the effect on abdominal fat distribution and liver fat content is unclear.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the association between different plant-based diet indices and measures of abdominal fat distribution and liver fat content.

Methods: In a population-based sample of 578 individuals from Northern Germany (57% male, median age 62 y), diet was assessed with a validated FFQ and an overall, a healthy, and an unhealthy plant-based diet index were derived.

Health-related quality of life in long-term survivors of colorectal cancer and its association with all-cause mortality: a German cohort study.

Background: The group of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors continues to grow worldwide. Understanding health-related quality of life (HRQOL) determinants and consequences of HRQOL impairments in long-term CRC survivors may help to individualize survivorship care plans. We aimed to i) examine the HRQOL status of CRC long-term survivors, ii) identify cross-sectional sociodemographic and clinical correlates of HRQOL, and iii) investigate the prospective association of HRQOL after CRC diagnosis with all-cause mortality.

The case of GWAS of obesity: does body weight control play by the rules?

As yet, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have not added much to our understanding of the mechanisms of body weight control and of the etiology of obesity. This shortcoming is widely attributed to the complexity of the issues. The appeal of this explanation notwithstanding, we surmise that (i) an oversimplification of the phenotype (namely by the use of crude anthropometric traits) and (ii) a lack of sound concepts of body weight control and, thus, a lack of a clear research focus have impeded better insights most.

Association of Circulating Vitamin E (α- and γ-Tocopherol) Levels with Gallstone Disease.

In addition to well-established risk factors like older age, female gender, and adiposity, oxidative stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of gallstone disease. Since vitamin E exerts important anti-oxidative functions, we hypothesized that circulating vitamin E levels might be inversely associated with prevalence of gallstone disease. In a cross-sectional study, we measured plasma levels of α- and γ-tocopherol using high performance liquid chromatography in a community-based sample (582 individuals; median age 62 years; 38.

Changes in Energy Expenditure with Weight Gain and Weight Loss in Humans.

Metabolic adaptation to weight changes relates to body weight control, obesity and malnutrition. Adaptive thermogenesis (AT) refers to changes in resting and non-resting energy expenditure (REE and nREE) which are independent from changes in fat-free mass (FFM) and FFM composition. AT differs in response to changes in energy balance.

Beyond BMI: Conceptual Issues Related to Overweight and Obese Patients.

BMI is widely used as a measure of weight status and disease risks; it defines overweight and obesity based on statistical criteria. BMI is a score; neither is it biologically sound nor does it reflect a suitable phenotype worthwhile to study. Because of its limited value, BMI cannot provide profound insight into obesity biology and its co-morbidity.

Metabolic adaptation to caloric restriction and subsequent refeeding: the Minnesota Starvation Experiment revisited.

Background: Adaptive thermogenesis (AT) is the fat-free mass (FFM)-independent reduction of resting energy expenditure (REE) to caloric restriction (CR). AT attenuates weight loss and favors weight regain. Its variance, dynamics, and control remain obscure.

Endocrine determinants of changes in insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion during a weight cycle in healthy men.

Objective: Changes in insulin sensitivity (IS) and insulin secretion occur with perturbations in energy balance and glycemic load (GL) of the diet that may precede the development of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Determinants of changes in IS and insulin secretion with weight cycling in non-obese healthy subjects remain unclear.

Methods: In a 6wk controlled 2-stage randomized dietary intervention 32 healthy men (26±4y, BMI: 24±2kg/m2) followed 1wk of overfeeding (OF), 3wks of caloric restriction (CR) containing either 50% or 65% carbohydrate (CHO) and 2wks of refeeding (RF) with the same amount of CHO but either low or high glycaemic index at ±50% energy requirement.

Carbohydrate quality and quantity affect glucose and lipid metabolism during weight regain in healthy men.

In this controlled, parallel-group feeding trial, we examined the impact of carbohydrate (CHO) intake and glycemic index (GI) on glucose and lipid metabolism during refeeding after weight loss. Healthy men (n = 32 total, age: 25.5 ± 3.

Impact of glycaemic index and dietary fibre on insulin sensitivity during the refeeding phase of a weight cycle in young healthy men.

Previous studies suggest that a low-glycaemic index (LGI) diet may improve insulin sensitivity (IS). As IS has been shown to decrease during refeeding, we hypothesised that an LGI- v. high-GI (HGI) diet might have favourable effects during this phase.

Anxiety and depression in bariatric surgery patients: a prospective, follow-up study using structured clinical interviews.

Background: Candidates for bariatric surgery frequently have co-morbid psychiatric problems.

Methods: This study investigated the course and the prognostic significance of preoperative and postoperative anxiety and depressive disorders in 107 extremely obese bariatric surgery patients in a prospective design with face-to-face interviews (SCID) conducted prior to the surgery and postoperatively after 6-12 months and 24-36 months.

Results: The point prevalence of depressive disorders but not of anxiety disorders decreased significantly after surgery.