Tag Archives: obesity
Age-dependent metabolic and morphological response of rat adipose tissue to a high-fat diet
O. S. Tkachenko1*, H. V. Kosiakova1, T. M. Horidko1,
O. F. Mehed1, A. H. Berdyshev1, V. M. Klimashevsky1,
S. A. Mykhalskiy2, N. M. Hula1
1Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy
of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
2D.F.Chebotarev State Institute of Gerontology, National Academy
of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: 888oksana.tkachenko@gmail.com
Received: 24 December 2025; Revised: 09 February 2026;
Accepted: 03 April 2026; Available on-line: 21 April 2026
Obesity and related metabolic disorders remain one of the most pressing problems of modern biomedicine. Both obesity and aging cause functional and structural changes in the adipose organ, but the age-specificity of adipose tissue’s response to high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. The aim of the study was to analyze correlation between glucose, lipoproteins and adiponectin plasma levels, to determine Δ9-desaturase activity in adipocyte and to explore the morphological state of adipose tissue in rats of different ages. The experiment was carried out on male Wistar rats for 24 weeks, when young animals reached the age of 10 months, and older – 24 months. Animals of both age groups were divided into kept on a standard rodent diet or a diet with addition of pork visceral lard. The fatty acid composition was identified by gas-liquid chromatography with mass-detection, HDL and LDL cholesterol content – by commercial kits, adiponectin levels – using ELISA kit. The activity index of Δ9-desaturase was calculated as the ratio of oleic to stearic acid. It was shown that the saturated/ unsaturated fatty acids ratio in a standard pelleted feed was 1:4, whereas in the lard it was close to 1:1. No correlation between increased body weight and glucose level, and a positive correlation between adiponectin and HDL cholesterol levels were found in younger rats. In the older rats a positive correlation between body weight and glucose level, and a significant negative correlation between adiponectin and LDL cholesterol levels was observed. Activity of Δ9-desaturase in adipocytes was found to be increased with aging. When animals were kept on a HFD diet, Δ9-desaturase activity in younger group was increased to a large extent, while in older group it decreased significantly as compared with age-matched controls. Morphological analysis showed age-related differences in the morphology, cellular adaptation, and inflammation development in brown and white adipose tissue in response to a dietary fat overload. The results of our study facilitate the identification of potential biomarkers for the prevention and treatment of obesity and associated diseases across different age groups.
Indicators of musculus soleus contractility disorder in obese rats
D. M. Nozdrenko, O. V. Rizun, O. O. Kalmukova,
M. Yu. Kuznietsova, N. G. Raksha, T. I. Halenova*,
O. V. Lynchak, Yu. I. Prylutskyy
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine;
*e-mail: galenovatanya@knu.ua
Received: 23 October 2025; Revised: 12 November 2025;
Accepted: 30 January 2026; Available on-line: 23 February 2026
Obesity has become a widespread issue across the globe, reaching epidemic proportions. Being overweight is a known risk factor for developing impairments in muscle performance. The aim of the study was to estimate mechanokinetic parameters of musculus soleus contraction in obese animals to better understand the possible impact of obesity on muscle contractile activity, tissue structure and appearance of damage markers in the blood. Experiments were carried out on 40 male white non-linear rats, divided equally into two groups. Control group were fed a standard diet for 10 weeks. Rats in the obesity group were maintained on a high-fat diet for the same time period. At the end of the experiment animals were anesthetized, musculus soleus was dissected, the ventral roots were severed from the spinal cord. Stimulation was performed by electrical impulses generated by a pulse generator. Tissue samples histological analysis was done with the use of Van Gieson’s trichrome and Sudan Black staining. Creatinine concentration, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the blood was determined. Reduction in musculus soleus maximum contraction force and muscle force impulse, prolonged relaxation time and delayed muscle return to initial state in obese animals as compared to control group were detected indicating on skeletal muscle fatigue. The appearance of intramyocellular lipid droplets and increased amount of intramuscular collagen fibers in the muscle tissue, as well as the elevated creatinine level and increased LDH and CPK activity in the blood, confirmed the impairment of muscle state in obese rat.
Potential of isothiocyanate sulforaphane from broccoli to combat obesity and type 2 diabetes: involvement of NRF2 regulatory pathway
M. V. Ivanochko1, M. M. Bayliak1, V. I. Lushchak1,2*
1Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology,
Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine;
2Research and Development University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine;
*e-mail: volodymyr.lushchak@pnu.edu.ua
Received: 03 September 2024; Revised: 11 November 2024;
Accepted: 21 November 2024; Available on-line: 17 December 2024
Biologically active food components are now considered to be remedies for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders of different etiology. The aim of this review was to analyze the current data on the application of isothiocyanate sulforaphane, found in broccoli and other cruciferous plants, for the treatment of T2DM, obesity, and their comorbidities with the presentation of established molecular, particularly dependent on NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), and signaling mechanisms of therapeutic effects.
PREX proteins level correlation with insulin resistance markers and lipid profile in obese and overweight non-diabetic patients
N. Hamza1*, A. A. Kasim2, W. E. Hameed3
1Babel Health Directorate, Ministry of Health and Environment, Babel, Iraq;
2Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Pharmacy,
University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq;
3Nutrition Clinic Unit, Al-Imam Al-Sadiq Teaching Hospital,
Ministry of Health, Babil, Iraq;
*e-mail: ali.abdulhussein@uobasrah.edu.iq
Received: 04 March 2024; Revised: 03 April 2024;
Accepted: 31 May 2024; Available on-line: 17 June 2024
Metabolic dysregulation and obesity are associated with many metabolic alterations, including impairment of insulin sensitivity and dyslipidemia. Recent studies highlight the key role of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate-dependent Rac exchange proteins (PREX proteins) in the pathogenesis of obesity, advocating further elucidation of their potential therapeutic implications. The present study aimed to estimate the serum level of PREX proteins and its potential association with insulin resistance markers and plasma lipids level in obese and overweight non-diabetic patients. The study included 30 persons classified as obese, 30 as overweight, and 30 healthy individuals of similar age and gender. The levels of PREX1 and PREX2 were measured using ELISA kits, insulin, fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and total lipid profile were determined using appropriate photometric kits. HOMA-IR was used as a measure of insulin sensitivity. According to the obtained results, obese non-diabetic patients had higher serum PREX1 level compared to both overweight and normal-weight individuals. PREX1 correlated positively with the markers of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. PREX2 level was shown to be lower both in obese compared to overweight patients and in overweight compared to normal-weight individuals. PREX2 correlated negatively with the markers of insulin resistance but not with the markers of dyslipidemia.
Characterization of the blood coagulation system in morbidly obese patients
D. S. Korolova1, O. V. Hornytska1, A. S. Lavrik2,
N. M. Druzhyna1*, N. Prysyazhna3, T. M. Platonova1
1Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Kyiv;
2Shalimov National Institute of Surgery and Transplantation,
National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
3Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: ndbiochem@gmail.com
Received: 18 April 2023; Revised: 05 May 2023;
Accepted: 7 September 2023; Available on-line: 12 September 2023
Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder that can be followed by blood coagulation disorders, atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis. In the present work, the levels of fibrinogen, soluble fibrin, D-dimer as well as protein C were measured in the blood plasma of 24 morbidly obese patients (the body mass index exceeds 40 kg/m2) to evaluate the risk of prothrombotic state. The study showed that near by 80% of patients had substantially increased fibrinogen concentration, 33% had increased concentration of soluble fibrin, 42% had increased level of D-dimer in blood plasma as compared to control. According to the results of individual analysis, the high level of fibrinogen and soluble fibrin while reduced protein C indicated the threat of thrombosis, which requires complex diagnostics to be identified. Therefore, simultaneous quantification of hemostatic system biomarkers in the blood plasma is the confident way to predict the risk of thrombotic complications in morbidly obese patients.
Correlation between adiponectin level and obesity as a risk factor for allergy disease
M. Spasovska1*, T. K. Panovska2
1General Hospital, Ohrid, R.Macedonia;
2Faculty of Pharmacy, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, R. Macedonia;
*e-mail: spasovskamilena@yahoo.com
Received: 28 November 2021; Revised: 30 June 2022;
Accepted: 29 September 2022; Available on-line: 06 October 2022
Much research has focused on the connection between two inflammatory conditions, allergic reactions and obesity which has led to a focus on adiponectin, hormone with anti-inflammatory properties secreted by adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the association of adiponectin with obesity, as a risk factor for the development of allergic condition in order to rationalize approach to its treatment. Research methods for inflammatory markers and biochemical parameters involve immunoassay technique. Statistical analysis was performed with Student’s t-test, Wilcoxon T-test and coefficient of correlation. The study included apparently healthy subjects and patients with allergy conditions with confirmed presence of specific IgE, classified into 2 groups according to their body mass index (BMI). The obtained data showed negative correlation (cor = – 0.6), between adiponectin levels and BMI values. Thus, decreased level of adiponectin is associated with increased BMI. The mean values of adiponectin in the studied population, with high statistical differences between the groups (19.1 ± 1.5; 17.7 ± 0.9), (18.8± 1.1; 16.6 ± 1.0) demonstrated the relationship between low adiponectin level and development of obesity, and what, in turn, increasd risk of developing allergic conditions. The assumption was made that adiponectin may be used as a sensitive biochemical marker for early diagnostics of allergic reactions.
Growth hormone, growth hormone receptor and insulin-like growth factor serum levels in patients with obesity and food addiction
O. Avsar1*, S. Sancak2, I. Koroglu3, E. Avci4
1Hitit University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Corum, Turkey;
2Fatih Sultan Mehmet Education and Research Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Istanbul, Turkey;
3Arapgir Ali Özge State Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Malatya, Turkey;
4Health Sciences University, Department of Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey;
*e-mail: orcunavsar@hitit.edu.tr
Received: 27 May 2021; Accepted: 12 November 2021
Obesity is a public health problem that increasingly becomes widespread and causes various complications. Food addiction is a hedonic eating behavior characterized by overconsumption of palatable foods (i.e., foods involve a high amount of salt, sugar and fat). Disturbances in the growth hormone signaling pathway were shown to be associated with increased food intake and adiposity. The study aimed to determine the growth hormone (GH), growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) serum levels in individuals with obesity and food addiction. The present study involved 30 adults with obesity (23 females and 7 males) and 10 healthy adults (5 females and 5 males). 18 obese adults were diagnosed with food addiction, whereas only 2 individuals with food addiction were in the control group. GH, GHR, IGF-1 and insulin values were analyzed with ELISA kits. It was revealed that the obese subjects had significantly lower serum IGF-1 levels compared to healthy individuals (144.55±22.69 ng/ml vs 338.70±61.90 ng/ml, P < 0.001)). No significant differences in the GH, GHR and insulin levels between obese and control groups were detected (P > 0.05). No significant differences between the group with food addiction and the group without food addiction in terms of gender, age, weight, BMI, GH, GHR, insulin and IGF-1 levels were observed. Our study demonstrates that normal IGF-1 levels may be protective for the development of obesity. The serum levels of GH, GHR, insulin, IGF-1 are not associated with food addiction and, therefore, can not be used as novel markers of food addiction.