Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Khaled Benchoula, Ishwar S. Parhar, Wong Eng Hwa
Summary: Obesity is a complex disease resulting from an imbalance between energy expenditure and food intake, with sedentary lifestyles and overeating contributing to a rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes cases. The mechanisms of these diseases and their interactions are still unclear, with ongoing research aiming to clarify these aspects. VGF peptide and its derivatives may play a role in the development of obesity and diabetes, though conflicting studies on the function of VGF have been reported.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ni Tang, Xin Zhang, Defang Chen, Zhiqiong Li
Summary: Adiponectin, the most abundant adipokine in the plasma, plays important roles in energy homeostasis, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism, and is negatively associated with obesity and binge eating disorder. The effect of AdipoQ on feeding behavior is controversial and closely related to nutritional status and food composition.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Di Wang, Jilong Yin, Zixin Zhou, Yan Tao, Yufeng Jia, Haipeng Jie, Jingyuan Zhao, Ruiyu Li, Yuan Li, Chun Guo, Faliang Zhu, Haiting Mao, Lining Zhang, Qun Wang
Summary: Oral supplementation with spermidine can attenuate obesity and metabolic disorders through hypothalamus-dependent or -independent BAT activation and skeletal muscle adaptation. Spermidine promotes UCP-1 and PGC-1 alpha expression in brown adipocytes and myotubes, as well as tyrosine hydroxylase expression and norepinephrine production in neurocytes, leading to CREB activation and UCP-1 induction.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2021)
Editorial Material
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Imke L. Lemmer, Alexander Bartelt
Summary: An elegant quantitative analysis of brown fat and skeletal muscle metabolite flux reveals that brown fat predominantly uses glucose and lactate and acts as a nitrogen scavenger during thermogenesis.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Alana Deutsch, Kosaku Shinoda
Summary: Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to cold can increase the thermogenic capacity of brown adipose tissue through the recruitment of new brown adipocytes. Shamsi et al. and Angueira et al. have identified novel cellular origins of cold-induced brown adipocytes and elucidated the molecular mechanism regulating the expansion of brown adipose tissue.
Article
Neurosciences
Benjamin Deckmyn, Dorothee Domenger, Chloe Blondel, Sarah Ducastel, Emilie Nicolas, Emilie Dorchies, Emilie Caron, Julie Charton, Emmanuelle Vallez, Benoit Deprez, Jean-Sebastien Annicotte, Sophie Lestavel, Anne Tailleux, Christophe Magnan, Bart Staels, Kadiombo Bantubungi
Summary: A study found that activation of the nuclear bile acid receptor in the brain can modify energy homeostasis by affecting the function of brown adipose tissue. Activation of brain FXR decreases the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis, which in turn reduces sympathetic tone. This research sheds new light on the complex control of energy homeostasis by bile acids through FXR.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Fosch, Maria Rodriguez-Garcia, Cristina Miralpeix, Sebastian Zagmutt, Maite Larranaga, Ana Cristina Reguera, Jesus Garcia-Chica, Laura Herrero, Dolors Serra, Nuria Casals, Rosalia Rodriguez-Rodriguez
Summary: Sensing of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) in the hypothalamus modulates energy balance and disruption leads to obesity. The effects of saturated or unsaturated LCFA on hypothalamic-brown adipose tissue (BAT) axis and underlying mechanisms were investigated. Unsaturated LCFA increased BAT thermogenesis through CPT1C-mediated FA metabolism shift, while saturated LCFA did not. These findings provide new insight into neuronal circuitries activated by LCFA to drive thermogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xin Liu, Wenli Fan, Xujia Zhang, Siyuan Zhan, Tao Zhong, Jiazhong Guo, Yan Wang, Jiaxue Cao, Li Li, Hongping Zhang, Linjie Wang
Summary: This study found that maternal L-carnitine supplementation promotes BAT development and thermogenesis in newborn goats. The lipid composition of BAT was also altered by L-carnitine supplementation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiangdong Liu, Yanting Chen, Liang Zhao, Qiyu Tian, Jeanene Marie deAvila, Mei-Jun Zhu, Min Du
Summary: The study found that maternal succinate supplementation enhances fetal brown adipose tissue development and improves offspring thermogenesis, which helps prevent obesity and metabolic dysfunction caused by a high-fat diet in offspring.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Karla J. Suchacki, Roland H. Stimson
Summary: The recent discovery of brown adipose tissue in adult humans offers a new strategy to treat obesity and associated metabolic diseases by increasing energy expenditure. Brown adipose tissue acts as a thermogenic organ that improves insulin sensitivity and lipid clearance, highlighting its beneficial role in metabolic health. Exercise, dietary macronutrients, and bioactive compounds can impact brown adipose tissue activity, and dietary interventions may represent a nonpharmacological means to enhance brown adipose tissue mass and activity for weight loss and improved metabolic health.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ruping Pan, Yong Chen
Summary: Obesity is characterized by the overaccumulation of white adipose tissue in the body, leading to various metabolic disorders. Targeting human thermogenic adipose tissues shows promise in combating obesity.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Whitehead, Fynn N. Krause, Amy Moran, Amanda D. V. MacCannell, Jason L. Scragg, Ben D. McNally, Edward Boateng, Steven A. Murfitt, Samuel Virtue, John Wright, Jack Garnham, Graeme R. Davies, James Dodgson, Jurgen E. Schneider, Andrew J. Murray, Christopher Church, Antonio Vidal-Puig, Klaus K. Witte, Julian L. Griffin, Lee D. Roberts
Summary: The study identifies a group of metabolites synthesized in brown adipose tissue that can influence the metabolism of fat tissue and skeletal muscle, with anti-obesity effects in mouse models of obesity and diabetes. Brown and beige adipose tissue appear to have a significant impact on systemic metabolism through secreted signals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca Oelkrug, Lisbeth Harder, Mehdi Pedaran, Anne Hoffmann, Beke Kolms, Julica Inderhees, Sogol Gachkar, Julia Resch, Kornelia Johann, Olaf Joehren, Kerstin Krause, Jens Mittag
Summary: Maternal hyperthyroidism during pregnancy can program the offspring's glucose sensitivity and response to cold via activation of maternal thyroid hormone receptor beta in a sex-dependent manner.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kaiqing Liu, Xin Liu, Yaqin Deng, Zesong Li, Aifa Tang
Summary: Adipose tissue is a potential target for the treatment of metabolic illnesses, and understanding the roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) can provide insights into lipid metabolism. In this study, circRNA expression profiling of mouse BAT and WAT revealed differentially expressed circRNAs that are associated with mitochondria and are involved in thermogenesis and lipid metabolism pathways. Furthermore, a novel circRNA circOgdh was discovered to be highly expressed in BAT and to have regulatory effects on lipolysis and lipid droplet accumulation.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Miriam A. Holzman, Abigail Ryckman, Tova M. Finkelstein, Kim Landry-Truchon, Kyra A. Schindler, Jenna M. Bergmann, Lucie Jeannotte, Jennifer H. Mansfield
Summary: Hoxa5 plays a critical role in embryonic BAT development and negatively regulates formation of epaxial muscle. The protein is expressed in embryonic adipocytes as early as day 12.5.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Pediatrics
Shalini Ojha, Kathryn MacAllister, Sara Abdula, John Madar, Oliver Rackham, Wendy Tyler
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD-FETAL AND NEONATAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Eleanor Mitchell, Sam J. Oddie, Jon Dorling, Chris Gale, Mark John Johnson, William McGuire, Shalini Ojha
Summary: This article describes the implementation of a two-stage consent pathway in the FEED1 trial and the steps taken by the trial team to support sites. Recommendations for future trials considering a similar pathway are also provided.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD-FETAL AND NEONATAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter Aldiss, Jo E. Lewis, Irene Lupini, Ian Bloor, Ramyar Chavoshinejad, David J. Boocock, Amanda K. Miles, Francis J. P. Ebling, Helen Budge, Michael E. Symonds
Summary: This study demonstrates that chronic suppression of adaptive thermogenesis leads to weight gain and increased fat mass in rodents. Living in a cool environment (20 degrees C) and treatment with a β3-adrenoreceptor agonist (YM-178) had minimal effects on metabolic health in obese rats raised at thermoneutrality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dhurgshaarna Shanmugavadivel, Jo-Fen Liu, Ashley Ball-Gamble, Angela Polanco, Kavita Vedhara, David Walker, Shalini Ojha
Summary: This study aims to understand the current pathway of childhood cancer referrals and diagnosis and quantify diagnostic intervals in the UK. It is a prospective multicentre observational study including all tertiary childhood cancer treatment centres in the UK, collecting data on clinical symptoms, treatment, and outcomes to analyze the association with diagnostic intervals.
Article
Pediatrics
Aarti Mistry, Lara Shipley, Shalini Ojha, Don Sharkey
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the availability of active therapeutic hypothermia in UK maternity centers and found that its availability has increased over time, but there are still regional variations and gaps in coverage for some babies.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD-FETAL AND NEONATAL EDITION
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emily Petley, Alexander Yule, Shaun Alexander, Shalini Ojha, William P. Whitehouse
Summary: This review investigates the natural history of ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) and confirms that neurological symptoms are the most common presenting features in classical A-T, while variants have diverse manifestations. Most patients have a limited lifespan, typically confined to teenage or early adulthood.
Article
Pediatrics
Saskia Walker, Shalini Ojha, Eleanor J. Mitchell
Summary: This study aimed to explore the attitudes of parents and healthcare professionals towards Kangaroo Care (KC) in the United Kingdom, as well as the facilitators and barriers to its implementation. Online cross-sectional surveys were conducted, revealing that most healthcare professionals and parents believe in the benefits of KC and would like to practice it, but a lack of resources for effective implementation is the main barrier.
Article
Pediatrics
Lisa Szatkowski, Sheeza Fateh, Janine Abramson, T'ng Chang Kwok, Don Sharkey, Helen Budge, Shalini Ojha
Summary: This study quantifies the trends in caffeine use in preterm infants and investigates the effects of early vs late caffeine on neonatal outcomes. The results show that early caffeine administration is associated with reduced risks of respiratory diseases and brain injury.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD-FETAL AND NEONATAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Dhurgshaarna Shanmugavadivel, Jo-Fen Liu, Ashley Gamble, Angela Polanco, Kavita Vedhara, David Walker, Shalini Ojha
Summary: This study aimed to develop a new clinical guideline for children and young people suspected to have bone or abdominal tumors. Through a consensus process, best practices, such as conducting consultations and considering parental intuition, were established. The findings will be translated into public awareness tools to improve early diagnosis and awareness.
BMJ PAEDIATRICS OPEN
(2023)
Editorial Material
Primary Health Care
Dhurgshaarna Shanmugavadivel, Jo-Fen Liu, Ashley Ball-Gamble, Angela Polanco, Kavita Vedhara, Paul Nathan, David Walker, Shalini Ojha
BRITISH JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Jahnavi Kalvala, Lydia Chong, Neil Chadborn, Shalini Ojha
Summary: This study aims to assess the effects of breast feeding (exclusive or partial) compared with low-Phe formula feeding in infants diagnosed with PKU, on blood Phe levels, growth and neurodevelopmental scores.
BMJ PAEDIATRICS OPEN
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Neaha Patel, Lisa NeoTRIPS Collaborative Group, Katie Evans, Janet Berrington, Lisa Szatkowski, Kate Costeloe, Shalini Ojha, Paul Fleming, Cheryl Battersby
Summary: A survey conducted in neonatal units in the UK found that over 40% of the units are routinely using probiotics, but there is variability in the products used. Further research is needed to determine if the use of probiotics can lead to improved clinical outcomes.
BMJ PAEDIATRICS OPEN
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mousa Khalafi, Michael E. Symonds, Mohammad Hossein Sakhaei, Faeghe Ghasemi
Summary: The meta-analysis showed that exercise training reduces sICAM-1 but does not significantly affect sVCAM-1 in adults. Both aerobic and resistance training are effective in decreasing sICAM-1 in adults with metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
Review
Pediatrics
Shalini Ojha, Janine Abramson, Jon Dorling
Summary: Mechanical ventilation is uncomfortable and potentially painful. Opioids are commonly used for analgesia, but their effectiveness in mechanically ventilated infants is uncertain. Dexmedetomidine, a selective alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, has been suggested as an alternative with potential benefits. However, there is limited data on its safety and efficacy, particularly in terms of long-term neurodevelopmental effects.
BMJ PAEDIATRICS OPEN
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Asma Al-Turkait, Lisa Szatkowski, Imti Choonara, Shalini Ojha
Summary: This study retrospectively examined the diagnosis and treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in infants born at <32 weeks' gestational age in England and Wales between 2010 and 2017. The results showed that ibuprofen is the preferred drug and surgical interventions for PDA closure are becoming less frequent.
BMJ PAEDIATRICS OPEN
(2022)