
Role of Colonic Short Chain Fatty Acids in Obesity
ObesityThe excess production of colonic short-chain-fatty-acids (SCFA) has been implicated in the promotion of obesity, but colonic fermentation of dietary-fiber to SCFA may also play a role in preventing diabetes. The investigators aimed to compare the effects of two fermentable fibers (inulin and resistant-starch) on postprandial SCFA, glucose, insulin, free-fatty acids (FFA) and gut hormone responses and to compare the responses in healthy overweight and obese (OWO) vs lean (LN) participants. Methods: Using a randomized, single blind, crossover design, 13 OWO and 12 LN overnight fasted participants were studied on 3 separate occasions. On each day they consumed a 300 mL drink containing 75g glucose (Control) or 75g glucose plus 24g inulin (IN), or 28.2g resistant-starch (RS). A standard lunch was served 4 h after the test drink.

Evaluation of the Effects Associated With the Administration of Akkermansia Muciniphila on Parameters...
Metabolic Syndrome xGlucose Metabolism Disorders2 moreOverweight and obesity have reached worldwide epidemic level. Both overweight and obesity are characterized by comorbidities such as cardio-metabolic risk factors (i.e., insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, low-grade inflammation) representing a major public health problem. Therefore, it is urgent to find a therapeutic solution to target all these metabolic disorders. Among the environmental factors able to influence the individual susceptibility to gain weight and to develop metabolic disorders associated with obesity, more and more evidence show that the trillions of bacteria housed in our gastro-intestinal tract (i.e, gut microbiota) influence host metabolism. The investigators recently discovered a putative interesting microbial candidate, namely Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk). More exactly, we found that the administration of Akkermansia muciniphila reduced body weight gain, fat mass gain, glycemia and inflammatory markers in diet-induced obese mice. Moreover, in overweight/obese patients with cardiovascular risk factors subjected to a calorie restriction diet (calorie restriction diet for 6 weeks and an additional 6 weeks of weight maintenance), a higher abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila was associated with a better cardio-metabolic status in these patients. The investigators also discovered that patients having more Akkermansia muciniphila in their gut before the calorie restriction exhibited a greater improvement in glucose homoeostasis, blood lipids and body composition after calorie restriction. These observations suggested that the administration of Akkermansia muciniphila in overweight or obese people could be a very interesting therapeutic solution. Currently, no human study has investigated the beneficial effects of Akkermansia muciniphila administration on obesity and metabolic disorders. The overall objective of this study is to evaluate the effects associated with the administration of live or heat-killed Akkermansia muciniphila on the metabolic disorders (insulin-resistance, type-2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, inflammation) related to overweight and obesity in humans.

The Optimising Family Engagement in HENRY (OFTEN) Study
Childhood ObesityThis study will test whether parent engagement (recruitment, attendance) in a Childhood obesity prevention programme (HENRY) can be improved in local authorities randomised to receive an Optimisation intervention (in addition to standard HENRY) compared to those continuing to deliver the programme as standard.

Mechanism of Decreased Iron Absorption in Obesity: Controlling Adiposity-related Inflammation
ObesityThe main iron regulatory protein in the human metabolism is hepcidin. In normal weight, healthy subjects, hepcidin is regulated through the iron status of the body: low iron status results in low hepcidin concentrations, which facilitates dietary iron absorption. In obesity, which is an inflammatory state, hepcidin concentrations are increased and iron absorption is reduced despite low iron stores, leading to iron deficiency over time. Whether lowering the chronic low-grade inflammation during a limited treatment period and thereby lowering hepcidin concentration can improve iron absorption is uncertain.

Study of Antenatal Care Intervention Directed to Pregnant Women With Obesity
Obesity Complicating ChildbirthThe purpose of this study is to determine whether a behavioural intervention focusing on diet and physical activity is cost-effective in decreasing weight gain during pregnancy among pregnant women with body mass index above 30, and has effect on the weight of offspring at birth and at 2.5 years of age

Obesity, Inflammation and Aging: Effects of Physical Exercise and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
ObesityAging1 moreDysfunction of adipose tissue in obesity, inflammation and aging: mechanisms and effects of physical exercise and omega-3 fatty acids.

Research on Mechanism of Massage Therapy on Energy Metabolism Disorder of Simple Obesity
Simple ObesityThis project is to penetrate and consummate the research mechanism of massage therapy on simple obesity. Latest researches indicate that the energy regulation network system of hypothalamus and metabolic disorders on adipocyte may be the pathological bases which result in obesity. The research group have firstly conducted effect studies of massage therapy on model of simple obesity rats and observed some neurobiological mechanism (whole effect mechanism), meanwhile, the team have discussed influences on the development of preadipocyte and function of endocrine with dynamic mechanical stimulation in vitro (local effect mechanism). This research aims at centering on the hypothesis that massage therapy can act on energy regulation network system of hypothalamus specifically, thus regulating the energy metabolic disorders. Then applying functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore whether patients with simple obesity exist abnormality on energy regulation network system of hypothalamus, ascertain mechanisms how massage therapy treat energy metabolism disorders of simple obesity, deepen mechanism study on how massage therapy prevent and treat obesity and enrich the clinical application's scientific connotation that massage therapy treat simple obesity.

Obesity, Iron Regulation and Colorectal Cancer Risk
Colon InflammationIron Malabsorption2 moreObesity is an independent risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) although the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. Dietary nutrients play a key role in both the prevention and promotion of CRC. While iron is an essential nutrient, excess iron is associated with carcinogenesis. Unlike the systemic compartment, the intestinal lumen lacks an efficient system to regulate iron. In conditions when dietary iron malabsorption and intestinal inflammation co-exist, greater luminal iron is associated with increased intestinal inflammation and a shift in the gut microbiota to more pro-inflammatory strains. However, treatments designed to reduce luminal, including diet restriction and chelation, are associated with lower intestinal inflammation and the colonization of protective gut microbes. Obesity is associated with inflammation-induced, hepcidin-mediated, iron metabolism dysfunction characterized by iron deficiency and dietary iron malabsorption. Obesity is also linked to intestinal inflammation. Currently, there is a fundamental gap in understanding how altered iron metabolism impacts CRC risk in obesity. The investigator's objective is to conduct a crossover controlled feeding trial of: 1) a "Typical American" diet with "high" heme/non-heme iron", 2) a "Typical American" diet with "low" iron, and 3) a Mediterranean diet with "high" non heme iron and examine effects on colonic and systemic inflammation and the gut microbiome.

Three M Study (Malabsorption, Microbiota, Mini-Gastric Bypass)
Obesity (Disorder)Bariatric surgery represents the best therapeutic option to induce sustainable weight loss and to solve serious comorbidities improving the life-expectancy and the quality of life. Actually the choice of the procedure is based on the surgeon's and patients preference . Mini gastric bypass(MGB) is an emerging procedure offering excellent results in terms of weight loss and comorbidities (mainly metabolic) control. On the other hand, recent data indicated that the gut microbiota may mediate some of the beneficial effects of bariatric surgery and changes in the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota have been observed after RY Gastric Bypass (RYGB) in humans as well as in mice. However, there are no prospective investigations on Gut Microbiota changes after MGB, despite the procedure is described as "malabsorptive" and there are no studies comparing gut microbiota shift and malabsorption entity in humans after RYGB vs MGB. Thereafter prospective data on the incidence of bile reflux esophageal lesions after MGB are lacking. The aim of the present multicentric prospective comparative study is to evaluate malabsorption and gut microbiota shift after laparoscopic RYGB vs MGB at 1 year.

Effect of Aging & Obesity With Exercise Intervention
ObesityObesity leads to a vicious circle that increases intramuscular fat, insulin resistance, promotes muscular dysfunction resulting in increased muscle fat accumulation. The study of muscle function and intramyocellular lipids is insufficient for obesity. Particularly, the study of mechanisms in muscle function and intramyocellular lipids is few nationally and internationally.