Using weight-for-age as a screening tool for metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy adolescents
August 12, 2024 / Metabolic Syndrome / Screening / Weight-for-age / Adolescents / Early Detection
This study found that weight-for-age percentiles effectively screen for metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescents, offering a simple alternative to BMI-for-age. The 93rd percentile was identified as the optimal cut-off for detecting MetS in adolescents aged 12-18.
Rising Metabolic Syndrome Among Mexico’s Older Adults
August 12, 2024 / Mexico / Metabolic Syndrome / Obesity / Public Health
A study revealed a high prevalence (77.4%) of metabolic syndrome among Mexican adults over 60, with obesity and smoking significantly increasing risk. The findings highlight the urgent need for public health policies to address rising obesity and diabetes rates.
Brain electrical stimulation suppresses appetite: A new obesity treatment?
August 12, 2024 / Obesity / Neuromoduulation Technology / tRNS
Researchers are developing transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) as a non-invasive treatment to suppress appetite by electrically stimulating the brain’s dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Clinical trials showed reduced appetite and emotional eating, offering a potential obesity treatment with fewer side effects.
The influence of metabolic disorders on adaptive immunity
August 12, 2024 / Metabolic Disorders / Immune Cell Dysfunction / Lipid Metabolism
Metabolic disorders, characterized by disrupted lipid metabolism, impair immune cell function through chronic inflammation and ectopic lipid deposition. This lipid accumulation in immune cells disrupts their signaling, activation, and function, contributing to disease progression and immune system dysfunction.
The growing challenge of conducting clinical trials for metabolic associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
August 12, 2024 / MASH / Clinical Trials / Metabolic
Conducting clinical trials for metabolic associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is increasingly challenging due to competition for participants, limited site expertise, and complex disease pathophysiology. Innovations in early diagnosis and improved biomarkers are crucial to enhance trial efficiency and patient outcomes.
A New Twist on an Old Hormone Leads to First Drug for a Type of Liver Disease
August 12, 2024 / FDA / MASH Treatment / Fatty Liver Disease / Thyroid Hormone Therapy
Resmetirom, a thyroid hormone-like drug, was FDA-approved in March 2024 as the first treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). It selectively targets liver thyroid receptors to reduce fat, inflammation, and fibrosis, potentially preventing cirrhosis.
Two Phase 3 pegozafermin trials for severe fatty liver disease enrolling
August 12, 2024 / MASH / Liver Fibrosis Treatment / Clinical Trials
Two Phase 3 trials are enrolling participants to test pegozafermin, a fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analog, for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The trials aim to evaluate pegozafermin’s effectiveness in reducing liver fibrosis and preventing disease progression in both non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic MASH patients.
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals poised for market dominance with Rezdiffra’s first full quarter success and growing MASH market potential
August 12, 2024 / Rezdiffra Sales / MASH / Madrigal Pharma / Market Growth / Approval
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals’ Rezdiffra (resmetirom), the first FDA-approved treatment for MASH, achieved $14.6 million in US sales during its first full quarter. Positioned as the first-line treatment, Rezdiffra is set to dominate the growing MASH market, projected to reach $25.7 billion by 2032.
Children Born Into Famine Have a Much Greater Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Adulthood
August 12, 2024 / Type 2 Diabetes / Metabolic Health / Gestational Nutrition
A study on the 1932-1933 Holodomor famine in Ukraine found that prenatal exposure to famine significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Individuals in early gestation during the peak famine had over twice the risk compared to those unexposed.
A new animal model of cardiorenal syndrome could be established by inducing heart failure through coronary artery ligation in spontaneously hypertensive rats
August 12, 2024 /Cardiorenal Syndrome / Hypertension / Heart Failure / Renal Dysfunction
Researchers developed a new animal model of cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) by inducing heart failure through coronary artery ligation in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The study demonstrated that myocardial infarction in hypertensive rats exacerbated kidney damage, indicated by increased proteinuria, elevated levels of inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This model may aid in understanding the mechanisms of CRS and evaluating potential treatments.
The impact of consuming different types of high-caloric fat diet on the metabolic status, liver, and aortic integrity in rats
August 10, 2024 / High-caloric Diet / Saturated Fats / PUFAs / Liver / Metabolic Dysfunction
This study examined the impact of different high-caloric fat diets on rats, finding that long-chain saturated fats caused significant liver and aortic damage, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Diets rich in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) showed the most protective effects against metabolic dysfunction.
Study identifies brain circuit that balances hunger-driven and pleasure-driven eating
August 9, 2024 / Obesity / Treatment / Braing Ciruits / Hunger-driven / Pleasure Driven
A study in Nature Metabolism identified brain circuits in mice that differentiate hunger-driven from pleasure-driven eating. Activating Penk neurons in the diagonal band of Broca (DBB) increases hunger-driven feeding while suppressing pleasure-driven eating, offering potential obesity treatments.
Cushing’s syndrome screening with the 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test in metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity phenotypes
August 9, 2024 / Cushing’s Syndrome / DST / MUO / Hypercortisolism / Obesity
A study found that the 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is effective for screening Cushing’s syndrome (CS) in obese patients, particularly those with metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). However, the overall prevalence of CS was low at 0.2%.
Survodutide Shows Significant Improvement in MASH and Liver Fibrosis in Phase 2 Trial
August 9, 2024 / Survodutide / MASH / Liver Fibrosis / Clinical Trial
A Phase 2 trial demonstrated that survodutide, a dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist, significantly improved metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and liver fibrosis in 83% of patients. The treatment showed promising results in reducing liver fat and fibrosis, although some patients experienced gastrointestinal side effects.
How potatoes can improve cardiometabolic health in people with Type 2 diabetes
August 9, 2024 / Cardiometablic / Type 2 Diabetes / Potassium
A study by UNLV researcher Neda Akhavan found that incorporating baked potatoes with skins into the diets of people with Type 2 diabetes improved cardiometabolic health, lowering blood glucose, waist circumference, and resting heart rate. Potatoes, rich in potassium and resistant starch, offer potential benefits when substituted for higher glycemic foods like white rice.
Light-responsive adipose-hypothalamus axis controls metabolic regulation
August 8, 2024 / Metabolism / Opsin3 / Blue Light Therapy / Obesity Treatment
This study identified a light-responsive pathway between adipose tissue and the hypothalamus that regulates metabolism. Blue light exposure to white fat improves high-fat diet-induced metabolic issues via Opsin3, activating brown fat through the sympathetic nervous system, offering potential obesity treatments.
Cleveland Clinic Study Adds to Increasing Evidence that Sugar Substitute Erythritol Raises Cardiovascular Risk
August 8, 2024 / Cleveland Clinic / Erythritol Cardiovascular Risk / Blood Clots / Heart Disease
A Cleveland Clinic study found that consuming erythritol, a common sugar substitute, significantly increases cardiovascular risk by promoting blood clot formation. The research suggests a need to reevaluate erythritol’s safety, particularly for individuals with heart disease or metabolic disorders.
How a CT scan can help predict a person’s risk for type 2 diabetes
August 7, 2024 / Type 2 Diabetes / South Korea / CT Scans
Researchers in Seoul, South Korea, found that multi-organ CT scans can help predict a person’s risk for developing type 2 diabetes by identifying potential indicators in the body. This method could assist doctors in better identifying high-risk individuals, especially those with unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Pharma casts a wide net to hook opportunities in metabolic disorders
August 6, 2024 /Metabolic Disorders / Semeglutide / Tirzepatide / GLP-1 / Drug Development
Pharmaceutical giants like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are expanding their weight loss drugs, semaglutide and tirzepatide, for multiple metabolic disorders, including MASH and cardiovascular risk reduction. This trend highlights a new model in drug development targeting various metabolic diseases.