Medically Speaking Team

Researchers found a blood molecule that has been demonstrated to lower food intake after exercise in mice, racehorses, and people, as well as to cause weight reduction in obese animals.

The findings of a new study published in the journal Nature by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine, and other institutions contribute to our understanding of the physiological processes that drive the exercise-hunger connection.

“Regular exercise has been proven to help weight loss, regulate appetite and improve the metabolic profile, especially for people who are overweight and obese,” said co-corresponding author Dr. Yong Xu, professor of pediatrics – nutrition and molecular and cellular biology at Baylor. “If we can understand the mechanism by which exercise triggers these benefits, then we are closer to helping many people improve their health.”

“We wanted to understand how exercise works at the molecular level to be able to capture some of its benefits,” said co-corresponding author Jonathan Long, MD, assistant professor of pathology at Stanford Medicine and an Institute Scholar of Stanford ChEM-H (Chemistry, Engineering & Medicine for Human Health). “For example, older or frail people who cannot exercise enough, may one day benefit from taking a medication that can help slow down osteoporosis, heart disease or other conditions.”

Xu, Long, and their colleagues performed in-depth investigations of blood plasma components from mice after severe treadmill jogging. The most strongly stimulated molecule was Lac-Phe, a modified amino acid. It is made from lactate (a result of hard activity that causes a burning feeling in the muscles) and phenylalanine (an amino acid that is one of the building blocks of proteins).

A high dosage of Lac-Phe decreased food intake by around 50% in mice with diet-induced obesity (given a high-fat diet) during a 12-hour period without influencing activity or energy expenditure. Lac-Phe decreased cumulative food intake and body weight (due to fat loss) in mice after 10 days of administration and enhanced glucose tolerance.

The researchers also discovered an enzyme called CNDP2 that is involved in the formation of Lac-Phe and demonstrated that mice missing this enzyme did not shed as much weight on the same exercise regimen as a control group.

Interestingly, the team also found robust elevations in plasma Lac-Phe levels following physical activity in racehorses and humans. Data from a human exercise cohort showed that sprint exercise induced the most dramatic increase in plasma Lac-Phe, followed by resistance training and then endurance training. “This suggests that Lac-Phe is an ancient and conserved system that regulates feeding and is associated with physical activity in many animal species,” Long said.

“Our next steps include finding more details about how Lac-Phe mediates its effects in the body, including the brain,” Xu said. “Our goal is to learn to modulate this exercise pathway for therapeutic interventions.”

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According to a new study published in Frontiers in Physiology, men and women have distinct ideal workout periods. Women respond better to early exercises, while males respond better to exercise later in the day, according to researchers from Arizona State University, California State University, and Skidmore College in New York.

Data obtained from a small sample of ‘very active’ persons aged 25 to 55 reveals that working out in the morning helps women burn more fat and improves blood pressure measurements. Men, on the other hand, burn more calories at night. Being very active means engaging in at least 30 minutes of organised exercise four times per week for three years.

During the study, researchers tracked a group of 30 men and 26 women while they exercised at various times of the day according to a workout plan. Endurance training, interval sprints, stretching, and strength training were all part of the sessions. Participants participated in four sessions each week, with one form of training on each active day. The first group worked out for an hour in the morning before 8.30 a.m., whereas the second group worked out for an hour in the evening between 6 and 8 p.m. The workout routine was the same for both groups.

The researchers discovered that women dropped more belly fat and had lower blood pressure when they exercised in the morning and increased their physical power and endurance when they exercised at night. When men worked out at night, they had higher fat oxidation and lower blood pressure and weariness.

The disparity in exercise impacts between men and women is attributed in part to hormonal differences and differing sleep habits. Women spend more time in the deep sleep phase and less time in the light sleep phase than males, thus they are more aware in the morning.

The study’s findings can assist individuals with specific training or health goals modify their programme to meet their objectives. The study suggests that if a woman wants to grow muscle mass in her legs, lose fat, or lower her blood pressure, she should exercise in the morning.

This study adds weight to the notion that hormones can impact training results. Research suggests that hormone levels during different stages of the menstrual cycle can affect how the body responds to exercise. Tracking the cycle can help to plan effective training programs. It’s best to go hard with activities like HIIT, weight lifting, boxing, plyometrics, and long runs during the first phase of the cycle, the follicular phase. During the luteal phase, the final stage of the cycle, hormone load is high, and this means that it’s beneficial to opt for less intense exercises, including hiking, moderate cardio, light weights, yoga, and Pilates.

Creating an effective exercise routine

The study’s authors are eager to emphasise that an active lifestyle is helpful regardless of when you exercise. Exercising at any time of day is preferable to not exercising at all. Many people are unable to exercise at their desired time owing to job obligations, for example. A man who trains in the morning will not be disadvantaged if he is unable to exercise that evening.

One of numerous aspects that might impact training performance is the time you exercise. Nutrition is one of the most crucial factors to consider since your diet fuels your body. A well-balanced diet high in vitamins and minerals, as well as the required daily intakes of protein, fibre, healthy fats, and carbs, will allow you to exercise harder, recover quicker, and maintain high energy levels. Active people who wish to gain muscle mass can boost their protein intake by eating extra lean meat, eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, and vegetables, or by including a protein snack in their regular diet. Hydration is also important since the body loses fluid through perspiration during activity. Drink plenty of water to make sure that you replace lost fluid.

Training regularly can help you gain fitness, but it also increases your risk of injury and burnout. Overtraining is harmful and might put you back in your fitness objectives. Rest and recuperate between training sessions, and don’t push yourself if you have an injury or are weary.

Working with a personal trainer can assist people in achieving their objectives and remaining motivated. A personal trainer is skilled in developing tailored programmes and workout sessions that assist clients in achieving goals and working towards objectives. Trainers may tweak and change routines to fit the person, from growing muscle and boosting endurance to shedding weight, enhancing mental health, and generating greater definition. They provide knowledgeable advise while also encouraging and assisting customers in developing confidence.

Planning exercise going forward

The study’s findings, which were published in Frontiers in Physiology, may have an impact on those who are working towards specific health or fitness objectives, as well as those who want to make the most of every training session. Exercise is healthy at any time of day, and being active has several physical and mental health benefits, but this study gives intriguing information regarding the impact of training at different times. If people can pick when they exercise, this study might help them schedule exercise more effectively and meet personal goals.

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the use of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for COVID-19 prevention in infants as young as 6 months old.

“For the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, the FDA amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) to include use of the vaccine in individuals 6 months through 17 years of age. The vaccine had been authorized for use in adults 18 years of age and older,” the FDA said in a statement. “For the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, the FDA amended the EUA to include use of the vaccine in individuals 6 months through 4 years of age. The vaccine had been authorized for use in individuals 5 years of age and older,” the statement added.

This decision was made after the FDA conducted a thorough examination and analysis of the safety, efficacy, and manufacturing data for these vaccines, which supported the emergency use permission (EUA).

The agency judged that the known and prospective benefits of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines exceed the known and potential hazards in the paediatric groups for which each vaccine is approved for use.

The FDA’s independent Vaccinations and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee was contacted and voted in favour of the authorizations prior to reaching the decision to licence these vaccines for the relevant paediatric populations.

Meet to recommend vaccine

Following vaccine approval, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experts will meet later this week to determine whether to recommend the vaccinations for young children.

According to the Hill, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky might sign off on a positive recommendation as early as Saturday. The Biden administration hopes to begin vaccines on June 21, according to the article.

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Also Read: Co-WIN platform to be used for transparent organ, blood donation: Dr RS Sharma

Dr. RS Sharma, CEO of the National Health Authority (NHA), said on Friday that India’s Covid vaccination platform Co-WIN will be converted as an organ donation platform to make the current system transparent and to link patients with potential blood donors in their area.

“I will not speak much about the architecture, as organ donation is a very complicated issue, but can only say that the way we made vaccination, we will use the same principle of technology that will cover organ donation,” he said. “Nobody knows if there is any person nearby who can donate the blood. We will put everybody on this blood donation platform which can become an extremely dynamic blood donation platform. Through Co-WIN you can see which vaccines are available, likewise for blood, you can also see who are donors available nearby,” ANI quoted Sharma as saying.

As per a report by ANI, Dr. RS said at the Vivatech 2022 event that the Co-WIN platform is now focused solely on the covid-19 vaccination campaign, enabling information and papers relevant to it.

He also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is enthusiastic about using the Co-WIN platform for organ donation.

“Organ donation is in a pitiable situation in India, I must admit. There is a lot of non-transparency in the whole system. We can make the entire system transparent,” Sharma said.

Dr said that the Co-WIN portal will be used for national digital health missions.

“The essential idea is that we should use learning from these platforms to deliver more and more health services,” he added.
The Co-WIN platform is being made ready for alerting parents of children about their vaccination program and he added that the PM Modi wants to make Co-WIN platform technology an open platform because it is a tool for the digital public good.

“We are now giving it as a digital public good free of cost to any country who wants it,” Sharma said.

Over 130 countries are in discussion with India for learning and adopting Co-WIN platform technology. “We have just started with signing an MoU with a country,” Dr RS said.

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COVID-19 cases in India have surpassed 13,000 for the first time in more than three months, with the country reporting 13,216 new infections in the previous 24 hours, according to statistics from the Union Health Ministry.

After a three-month hiatus, the country has seen an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, which has surpassed 12,000 over the previous two days. On Thursday, India recorded 12,213 instances, followed by 12,847 on Friday. India registered 11,499 COVID-19 instances on February 26 of this year.

With this, India’s active COVID-19 caseload increased to 68,108, accounting for 0.16 percent of all cases.

The government data today informed that as many as 8,148 recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours thereby increasing the total recoveries to 4,26,90,845. The recovery rate currently stands at 98.63 per cent.

At present, the daily positivity rate stands at 2.73 per cent while the weekly positivity rate is 2.47 per cent. The death toll increased to 5,24,840 with 23 fresh fatalities.

Covid vaccine coverage

Under the nationwide vaccination program, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 196 crore (1,96,00,42,768) as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,52,66,330 sessions.

So far, more than 3.56 crore (3,56,40,133) adolescents have been administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

More than 193.53 crores (1,93,53,58,865) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, out of which, over 12.89 crores (12,89,73,380) balance and unutilized vaccine doses are still available with them.

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According to the findings of a recent study published in the Journal of Endocrinology, reducing blood glucose levels may partially restore reproductive hormone levels in obese females, leading to enhanced fertility.

The findings suggest that a popular type 2 diabetes medicine that lowers blood glucose levels can partially restore abnormal levels of reproductive hormones in a well-established mouse model of obesity. Many obese women who have fertility problems have changed amounts of reproductive hormones. There is currently no effective treatment for this.

The discovery of a medicine that not only improves women’s metabolic health but also addresses obesity-related infertility would be a big step forward, potentially improving the quality of life for many individuals.

Although reproductive issues in obese women are widely known, there is a lack of effective and tailored treatments to address them. Obesity is an increasing health problem, which implies that more women are experiencing reproductive issues.

Obesity-related fertility concerns are complicated, but data shows that they are connected in part to changes in energy metabolism, which lead to changed levels of reproductive hormones, which can subsequently disrupt the menstrual cycle and ovulation.

The MC4R gene knock-out (KO) mouse is a well-characterised model of obesity, which also exhibits irregular reproductive cycles with altered hormone levels that lead to declining fertility. The mouse reproductive cycle is similar to that of humans, in that the profile of hormone level changes is analogous, although it is much shorter in duration, so the MC4R KO mouse is a good, representative model for initial investigations of metabolic and reproductive function in obesity.

Dapagliflozin is a drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, where it reduces blood glucose levels and improves other markers of metabolic health but its effects on reproductive health and fertility have yet to be investigated.

In this study, Professor Chen and colleagues at the University of Queensland in Australia investigated the effects of dapagliflozin treatment on metabolic health and reproductive hormone levels in the MC4R mouse model of obesity. After just 8 weeks of treatment blood glucose levels were normal, body weight was reduced, the reproductive cycle was normalised and levels of reproductive hormones and ovulation were partially restored, compared with non-treated mice.
“We often see low fertility in women with obesity in clinical practice”, comments primary author, Dr Cui, a visiting fellow from Chengdu Women and Children Hospital in China, “so this research provides hope for a future, effective treatment.”
Professor Chen comments, “These data suggest that normalising blood glucose metabolism with dapagliflozin in obesity may be a promising route for at least partially restoring reproductive function. This could improve fertility in women where no other successful therapy is currently available.”

However, Professor Chen cautions, “Although encouraging, these studies were conducted in mice and much more work needs to be done to confirm that these findings could be replicated effectively in women. However, people with obesity are at much greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, so the known health benefits of correcting blood glucose levels may be extended to also improving fertility in those affected.”

The team now intend to further investigate the therapeutic benefits of using dapagliflozin to improve reproductive function by examining the molecular pathways involved, which could identify better targets for future fertility treatment in women.

How can I treat high blood sugar?

Talk to your doctor about how to keep your blood sugar levels within your target range. Your doctor may suggest the following:

• Be more active. Regular exercise can help keep your blood sugar levels on track.
• Take medicine as instructed. If your blood sugar is often high, your doctor may change how much medicine you take or when you take it.
• Follow your diabetes meal plan. Ask your doctor or dietitian for help if you’re having trouble sticking to it.
• Check your blood sugar as directed by your doctor. Check more often if you’re sick or if you’re concerned about high or low blood sugar.
• Talk to your doctor about adjusting how much insulin you take and what types of insulin (such as short-acting) to use.

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A recent study reveals that controlling body weight more carefully during childhood and adolescence might help avoid male infertility later in life.

The findings will be presented at the annual conference of the Endocrine Society in Atlanta, Georgia. The study discovered that children and adolescents who are overweight or obese, or who have high levels of insulin or insulin resistance, had smaller testicles than their counterparts who have normal weight and insulin levels.

“More careful control of body weight in childhood and adolescence may help to maintain testicular function later in life,” said lead researcher Rossella Cannarella, M.D., of the University of Catania in Italy.

Sperm count is closely connected to testicular volume (a measure of testicle size). This means that smaller testicles generate fewer sperm. One-quarter of young males between the ages of 18 and 19 have low testicular volume or smaller-than-normal testicles. According to Cannarella, this jeopardises their future fertility. Simultaneously, the prevalence of childhood obesity has grown.

“This evidence suggests a possible link between childhood obesity and the high prevalence of low testicular volume in youngsters,” she said.

To investigate for a possible relationship between low testicular volume and obesity, the researchers measured testicular volume in 53 overweight children and teenagers and 150 obese children and teens. Their findings were compared to those of 61 age-matched healthy peers. Boys and teenagers with normal weight had considerably bigger testicular volume than their obese or overweight classmates.

Testicular volume and insulin

The researchers also investigated the impact of obesity-related metabolic abnormalities, such as insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, on testicular volume. Insulin resistance is the body’s poor reaction to insulin, which results in high blood glucose levels.

Hyperinsulinemia is abnormally high levels of insulin in the body. Children and teens with normal insulin levels had significantly higher testicular volume compared to those with hyperinsulinemia. Post-puberty teens with insulin resistance had lower testicular volume compared to those without insulin resistance.

“These findings help to explain the reason for the high prevalence of decreased testicular size in young men,” Cannarella said.

Also Read: New algorithm can detect patients at risk of kidney disease: Research

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Everyone must be proactive about their health at every age but the time period between the age of 20 and 30 years is where many people, especially men, tend to overlook their overall wellbeing.

According to prior Northwestern University study, being healthy in your 20s is highly connected with a decreased risk of heart disease in middle age. According to the findings of that study, most persons who embraced five healthy behaviours in their twenties – a lean body mass index, limited alcohol use, no smoking, a nutritious diet, and regular physical activity – remained healthy well into middle age.

Focusing on health might be especially tough for a young adult. Young people frequently work long hours, making it difficult to exercise and eat healthy. They experience employment stress, love difficulties, financial difficulties, and familial stress. There might be no time to think about long term fitness.

Here are a few measures to maintaining a healthy body that, if practised on a regular basis, would undoubtedly benefit you in the long run:

Eat

Eating a balanced diet with appropriate quantities can enhance men’s health and assist them in maintaining a healthy weight. There are also certain meals that not only enhance men’s overall health, but also help prevent cancer, lower the risk of heart disease, and increase overall vitality.

To build the right diet, use this list of single-portion:

• 1 cup of fresh vegetables or fruit
• 1/2 cup of starchy vegetables or dried beans
• 1 slice of bread
• 1 cup of dry cereal or ½ cup cooked cereal
• 1/3 cup of rice or pasta
• 1 cup of low-fat milk
• 3 ounces of lean meat, chicken, or fish

Move

Regular physical activity is essential for sustaining good mental health, which is especially significant in males. Men commit suicide at four times the rate of women, accounting for six out of every eight suicides every day. In Australia, the number of males who commit suicide is approximately double the national road toll.

One in every eight men will suffer sadness, and one in every five men will experience anxiety at some point in their life. But it’s not all terrible news! Exercising is a very potent strategy for the prevention and management of mental health issues, according to research.

30 minutes a day of heavy cardiovascular activity is good for the heart health and therefore for the sexual function.

Sleep

When a man sleeps, the body releases testosterone during sleep. Testosterone is extremely vital to men’s sexual health as it drives libido and erectile function. When a man does not get adequate quality and quantity of sleep, his testosterone levels begin to decrease. 6-8 hours of sleep is associated with higher levels of testosterone.

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According to the findings of a study conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), more exposure to air pollution is related with stronger functional brain connectivity across numerous brain areas in preadolescents, although exposure to traffic noise is not.

The findings also identify the first years of life as the most sensitive period of exposure to air pollution. Traffic-related air pollution and noise are affecting an increasing number of people worldwide. “We already know that children are particularly vulnerable to the effect of these exposures, because of their immature metabolism and developing brain,” says ISGlobal researcher and senior author Monica Guxens. In fact, several studies by Guxens and others have found an association between exposure to traffic-related air pollution during early childhood and alterations in the brain structure.

In this study, the research team used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to explore whether higher exposure to air pollution or noise could also be associated with possible alterations in brain connectivity (i.e. the way in which different brain regions interact). “The use of MRI has opened up new possibilities in epidemiological research for investigating the structure and the functioning of the brain,” says Guxens.

The researchers analysed data from the Generation R Study, which included 2,197 infants born between April 2002 and January 2006 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. They used land use models to estimate levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx and NO2) and particulate matter (PM) in the participants’ residences at various times: during pregnancy, from birth to 3 years, from 3 to 6 years, and from 6 years to the age of the MRI scan. Traffic noise levels were assessed using available noise maps. Participants between the ages of 9 and 12 were asked to undertake a resting MRI scan (i.e. with no external stimuli).

Also Read: Why sitting for longer time can be dangerous for health?

The findings show that higher exposures to NO2 and PM2.5 absorbance (an indicator of black carbon particles) from birth to 3 years, and to NOx from 3 to 6 years of age were associated with higher functional brain connectivity among several brain regions in the preadolescents. The associations were identified in brain areas predominantly involved in two networks that have strongly opposing functions: the task negative (or “default-mode”) network tends to be activated in resting conditions and the task positive network tends to be activated during tasks that demand attention. “We still have to understand the consequences of this increased activity of both networks in resting conditions, but for now we can say that the brain connectivity in children exposed to higher levels of air pollution is different from what we would expect,” says Laura Perez-Crespo, first author of the study.

0-3 year olds most vulnerable to air pollution

The period from birth to three years had the most vulnerability to air pollution, and black carbon was the pollutant most related with alterations in brain connections. As the authors point out, diesel cars are the primary source of black carbon and nitrogen oxide pollutants in European cities. Despite the fact that multiple studies have shown that noise impacts cognitive development in children, noise exposure at home was not connected with variations in brain connection.

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A new research from Simon Fraser University lends weight to the idea that prolonged sitting is bad for your health.

A international study involving over 100,000 adults from 21 countries found that people who sat for six to eight hours a day had a 12-13 percent higher risk of early death and heart disease, while those who sat for more than eight hours a day had a dismal 20% increase. The research, conducted by Scott Lear of Simon Fraser University and Wei Li of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing, was published today in the journal Jama Cardiology.

“The overarching message here is to minimize how much you sit,” says Lear. “If you must sit, getting in more exercise during other times of the day will offset that risk.”

Also Read: US announces USD 122 million fund for India to address challenges posed by infectious diseases

Not surprising, those who sat the most and were the least active had the highest risk — up to 50 per cent — while those who sat the most but were also the most active had a substantially lower risk of about 17 per cent.

“For those sitting more than four hours a day, replacing a half-hour of sitting with exercise reduced the risk by two per cent,” Lear notes. “With only one in four Canadians meeting the activity guidelines there’s a real opportunity here for people to increase their activity and reduce their chances of early death and heart disease.”

The study discovered a specific link in lower-income nations, prompting researchers to believe that this might be because sitting in higher-income countries is often associated with greater socioeconomic position and higher-paying occupations.

Benefits of less sitting more movement

Clinicians should emphasise less sitting and more movement since it is a low-cost intervention with significant advantages, according to Lear.

However, although professionals must spread the word about the need of balancing sitting with movement, individuals must also review their habits and take their health seriously, according to Lear.

“Our study found that a combination of sitting and inactivity accounted for 8.8 per cent of all deaths, which is close to the contribution of smoking (10.6 per cent in Lear and Li’s study). “It’s a global problem that has a remarkably simple fix. Scheduling time to get out of that chair is a great start.”

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