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Biomedical subjects

A Astrup

Publications and source records attributed to A Astrup.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Sociodemographic differences in dietary habits described by food frequency questions--results from Denmark.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether a modest number of food frequency questions are sufficient to describe sociodemographic differences in dietary habits, and to identify sociodemographic characteristics of subjects adhering to food-based dietary guidelines operationalised in a "healthy-diet index". DESIGN: Cross-sectional population survey. SUBJECTS: A total of 480 men, 515 women, aged 15-90 y. Random sample of private telephone numbers drawn from regional telephone records, geographically stratified. Participation rate 62%. METHODS: Computer-assisted telephone interviews, including six food frequency questions, a question on type of fat spreads used on bread, questions on seven sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: The summary of the healthy-diet index showed that the subjects who adhered to food-based dietary guidelines (top quintile) compared to those who did not (bottom quintile) were most often women (odds ratio (OR)=6.07; confidence interval (CI): 3.91-9.43, women vs men), of older age (OR=9.72; CI: 3.02-31.31, old age vs young), highly educated (OR=3.69; CI: 1.53-8.92, high education vs low) and living in multiperson households including children (OR=4.66; CI: 2.47-8.80, multiperson household vs single household). The results also showed that gender difference in dietary habits is associated with other sociodemographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: The selected food frequency questions proved sufficient to describe sociodemographic differences in dietary habits, and this method may be a valuable supplement to traditional quantitative dietary surveys in monitoring sociodemographic changes in eating patterns. The results also underline the influence of sociodemographic status on dietary habits. SPONSORSHIP: The Danish Nutrition Council funded the study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

No effect of physiological concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-2 on appetite and energy intake in normal weight subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a GLP-2 infusion on appetite sensations and ad libitum energy intake in healthy, normal weight humans. DESIGN: The experiment was performed in a randomised, blinded, and placebo-controlled crossover design. Placebo or GLP-2 was infused (infusion rate of 25 pmol/kg body wth) for 4.5 h. SUBJECTS: A total of 18 healthy, normal weight young subjects participated; eight women and 10 men. MEASUREMENTS: During the infusion, subjects recorded their appetite sensations every 30 min using visual analogue scales, and blood was sampled frequently. After 2 h of infusion, an ad libitum meal, consisting of sandwiches, was served. RESULTS: The concentration of GLP-2 was significantly higher during the GLP-2 infusion compared with placebo (P<0.0001) and increased further in both conditions in response to the meal. Neither appetite sensations, nor palatability of the test meals, or energy intake were different on the two occasions. Glucose, GLP-1, insulin, and GIP responses were also unaffected by the infusion, whereas glucagon levels were higher during the GLP-2 treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Circulating GLP-2 in physiological concentrations does not seem to play a significant role in human appetite regulation.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

PPARgamma agonists in the treatment of type II diabetes: is increased fatness commensurate with long-term efficacy?

The nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a member of the PPAR family. The endogenous activators of all members of the PPAR family are a variety of fatty acids, which suggests that the PPARs are highly involved in lipid metabolism. In the present paper, the current understanding of the involvement of PPARgamma in adipocyte proliferation and adipose tissue formation is extensively reviewed, and it is stressed that PPARgamma seems to be a major regulator in the differentiation of adipocytes. Thiazoledinediones (TZDs) are a group of PPARgamma-agonists used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) since 1997. They are characterized by their ability to decrease insulin resistance, and have been suggested to slow down the progression of insulin resistance. Treatment with TZD requires several weeks of treatment to decrease plasma glucose levels, but in addition they markedly decrease plasma triglycerides and free fatty acids. A major drawback of treatment with TZD is body fat gain, but some evidence suggests that the fat is redistributed in a favourable direction, that is, from visceral to subcutaneous depots. However, the effect of long-term treatment on weight gain following TZD treatment is unknown, and it may be questioned whether the use of these 'adipogenic compounds' is appropriate, considering that excess body fat is almost a prerequisite for the development of type 2 diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Comparisons of leptin, incretins and body composition in obese and lean patients with hypopituitarism and healthy individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To identify possible abnormalities specific for obesity in hypopituitary patients. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional case-control study. MEASUREMENTS AND STUDY SUBJECTS: Body composition (DEXA) and measurements of fasting plasma levels of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptides (GLPs), insulin, C-peptide, glucose, leptin and lipids were performed in 25 hypopituitary patients (15 obese, 10 normal weight) and 26 BMI and age-matched healthy controls (16 obese, 10 normal weight). All hypopituitary patients had GH deficiency and received adequate substitution therapy on this and other deficient axes (3 +/- 1). RESULTS: Fasting GIP-levels were significantly higher in obese hypopituitary patients compared to lean hypopituitary patients (P < 0.01), while the fasting concentrations of GLP-1 and GLP-2 were comparable between obese and lean hypopituitary patients. The same trend was seen in obese healthy controls vs. lean controls. No differences were observed in glucose, insulin or C-peptide between the hypopituitary patients and the controls. Leptin levels were increased in obese hypopituitary patients compared to lean hypopituitary patients when adjusted for gender. At least a 2-fold higher level of leptin was observed in women compared to men in both patient groups and healthy controls. Lean female hypopituitary patients had higher leptin levels than matched controls. CONCLUSIONS: Fasting levels of GIP were elevated in obese substituted hypopituitary patients, while fasting concentrations of GLPs were similar. Obese hypopituitary patients had the same degree of hyperinsulinaemia, affected glucose tolerance, dyslipoproteinaemia and central obesity as obese healthy controls. Further studies are required to identify the possible biochemical reasons for obesity in patients with apparently well-substituted hypopituitarism.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Achieving "proper" satiety in different social contexts--qualitative interpretations from a cross-disciplinary project, sociomaet.

In nutritional research, the sensations of appetite have mostly been studied as a physiological phenomenon. However, in order to understand the significance of appetite for everyday eating habits, it is pertinent to include the social dimension. In a qualitative interview study, using qualitative semi-structured in-depth interviews, we investigated how appetite was experienced and handled in the context of everyday life among 20 men and women. This report examines how qualitative dimensions of appetite are experienced and conceptualised in everyday life. Achieving what was described as proper satiety was found to be of decisive importance for daily eating habits. The experience of being full up, the duration of satiety and the sensuous pleasure of eating were all found to be central dimensions of proper satiety, the definition of which varied according to different social contexts. Whether one ate one's fill in the company of others, alone, at work or in one's spare time turned out to be of decisive importance. A more elaborate understanding of the social dimensions of appetite may help to improve endeavours to prevent overweight and obesity.

Appetite↗
PubMed2002

The effect of wine or beer versus a carbonated soft drink, served at a meal, on ad libitum energy intake.

BACKGROUND: Alcoholic beverage drinking may increase total energy intake at a meal by various mechanisms and this effect may depend on the sort of beverage. OBJECTIVE: To test the effect of wine, beer and a soft drink served with a normal meal on food and total energy intake in non-obese men. DESIGN: A supper meal consisting of three consecutive dishes was presented to 22 young men. Ad libitum energy intakes (EI) of the meal were measured at three different occasions in a cross-over design with red wine, lager beer or a carbonated soft drink. This was done in two studies with different design. In the first study the beverages were supplied ad libitum and in a second study the intake of the beverages was fixed: beer and soft drink at 9 ml/kg body weight and wine isoalcoholic to beer, 3.185 ml/kg body weight. RESULTS: In the ad libitum beverage study total EI was higher with wine than with the soft drink and beer (P<0.05). In the fixed beverage study differences in total EI did not reach statistical significance (P=0.14), although the intake of goulash was higher with wine and beer than with the soft drink (P<0.005). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that alcoholic beverages, and wine in particular, may enhance total EI at a meal relative to a soft drink, when served with no restriction.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Association studies between microsatellite markers within the gene encoding human 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and body mass index, waist to hip ratio, and glucocorticoid metabolism.

Two isozymes of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) interconvert active cortisol (F) and inactive cortisone (E). 11beta-HSD1 is an oxo-reductase (E to F) expressed in several glucocorticoid target tissues, including liver and adipose tissue, where it facilitates glucocorticoid-induced gluconeogenesis and adipocyte differentiation, respectively. We have isolated a full-length HSD11B1 genomic clone; the gene is more than 30 kb in length, not 9 kb in length as previously reported, principally due to a large intron 4. Two polymorphic (CA)(n) repeats have been characterized within intron 4: a CA(19) repeat 2.7 kb 3' of exon 4 and a CA(15) repeat 3 kb 5' of exon 5. The microsatellites, CA(19) and CA(15), were PCR amplified using fluorescent primers and were genotyped on an ABI 377 DNA sequencer from DNA of 413 normal individuals enrolled in the MONICA study of cardiovascular risk factors and 557 Danish men (ADIGEN study), of whom 234 were obese [body mass index (BMI), >/=31 kg/m(2) ] at draft board examination and 323 were randomly selected controls from the draftee population with BMI below 31 kg/m(2) (mean +/- SE, 21.7 +/- 0.41). Genotypic data from the normal MONICA cohort was compared with gender, 5beta-tetrahydrocortisol+5alpha-tetrahydrocortisol/tetrahydrocortisone ratio, and waist to hip (W:H) ratio. When analyzed by allele length (0, 1, or 2 short alleles) for the CA(19) marker, there was a trend toward a higher 5beta-tetrahydrocortisol+5alpha-tetrahydrocortisol/tetrahydrocortisone ratio (P = 0.058) and an increased W:H ratio (2 vs. 0.1 short; P(c) = 0.10) with overrepresentation of short alleles. The opposite was true for the CA(15) locus, with longer alleles at this locus predicting increased 11beta-HSD1 activity, particularly in females. Genotypic data from the ADIGEN case-control population was compared with clinical markers of obesity such as BMI and W:H ratio. There was no significant difference in the distribution of either microsatellite marker between lean and obese groups. Allele distributions were binomial, as seen for the MONICA cohort, and the data were split accordingly (zero, one, or two short alleles). No significant association was seen between grouped alleles and the clinical parameters. No association was observed between HSD11B1 genotype and BMI in either population. These data suggest that 11beta-HSD1 is not a major factor in explaining genetic susceptibility to obesity per se. However, weak associations between HSD11B1 genotype, increased 11beta-HSD1 activity, and W:H ratio suggest that polymorphic variability at the HSD11B1 locus may influence susceptibility to central obesity through enhanced 11beta-HSD1 activity (E to F conversion) in visceral adipose tissue.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2↗
PubMed2001

Leptin levels are associated with fat oxidation and dietary-induced weight loss in obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between fasting plasma leptin and 24-hour energy expenditure (EE), substrate oxidation, and spontaneous physical activity (SPA) in obese subjects before and after a major weight reduction compared with normal weight controls. To test fasting plasma leptin, substrate oxidations, and SPA as predictive markers of success during a standardized weight loss intervention. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Twenty-one nondiabetic obese (body mass index: 33.9 to 43.8 kg/m(2)) and 13 lean (body mass index: 20.4 to 24.7 kg/m(2)) men matched for age and height were included in the study. All obese subjects were reexamined after a mean weight loss of 19.2 kg (95% confidence interval: 15.1-23.4 kg) achieved by 16 weeks of dietary intervention followed by 8 weeks of weight stability. Twenty-four-hour EE and substrate oxidations were measured by whole-body indirect calorimetry. SPA was assessed by microwave radar. RESULTS: In lean subjects, leptin adjusted for fat mass (FM) was correlated to 24-hour EE before (r = -0.56, p < 0.05) but not after adjustment for fat free mass. In obese subjects, leptin correlated inversely with 24-hour and resting nonprotein respiratory quotient (r = -0.47, p < 0.05 and r = -0.50, p < 0.05) both before and after adjustments for energy balance. Baseline plasma leptin concentration, adjusted for differences in FM, was inversely related to the size of weight loss after 8 weeks (r = -0.41, p = 0.07), 16 weeks (r = -0.51, p < 0.05), and 24 weeks (r = -0.50, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: The present study suggests that leptin may have a stimulating effect on fat oxidation in obese subjects. A low leptin level for a given FM was associated with a greater weight loss, suggesting that obese subjects with greater leptin sensitivities are more successful in reducing weight.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2001

Predictors of weight loss and maintenance during 2 years of treatment by sibutramine in obesity. Results from the European multi-centre STORM trial. Sibutramine Trial of Obesity Reduction and Maintenance.

BACKGROUND: In this report we assess pre-treatment determinants of weight loss and maintenance outcome in The Sibutramine Trial of Obesity Reduction and Maintenance (STORM), a 2 y randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, European multicenter study examining the effect of sibutramine (Sib) on inducing and maintaining weight loss in obese subjects. MATERIAL: A total of 605 obese patients (BMI: 30-45 kg/m2) of both gender were included from eight European centers and treated for 24 months. The patients were treated for the initial 6 months by Sib (10 mg/day) and a low-fat low-energy, individualized diet (600 kcal/day deficit). The 467 patients who achieved >5% weight loss after 6 months were randomized 3&ratio;1 to Sib (10 mg/day) (Sib/Sib) and placebo (Sib/Pla) for weight maintenance over a further 18 months. MAIN OUTCOME AND ANALYSES: Pre-treatment individual characteristics were assessed as predictors of 6 months weight loss (kg) and 24 months weight maintenance using simple and multivariate correlation and regression analyses. RESULTS: In univariate analyses, the 6 month weight loss (n=505) was positively associated with pre-treatment body weight (r=0.27), height (r=0.18), fat-free mass (r=0.21) (all P<0.001), fat mass (r=0.13, P<0.03), and resting metabolic rate (r=0.13, P<0.003). However, no relation was found with age, gender, smoking status, age at onset of obesity, or number of previous slimming attempts. The same predictors were found for weight change to endpoint in the Sib/Sib group (n=350), while no predictors were identified in the Sib/Pla (n=114). In the multivariate regression analysis only pre-treatment body weight predicted weight loss at 6 months (P<0.001). Weight change (kg) to 24 month was predicted by: 4.34+0.07*body weight (kg)-4*treatment (Sib=1, Pla=0)-0.06*age (y), (r2=8%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Only pre-treatment body weight seems to be an important independent predictor of 6 months weight loss and 24 month weight maintenance in this study on diet and Sib. As only 8% of the variation in 24 months weight change could be explained by the predictors, the clinical value of this information is limited.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The association between the val/ala-55 polymorphism of the uncoupling protein 2 gene and exercise efficiency.

BACKGROUND: Energy expenditure may partly be determined by genetic variations in uncoupling proteins. We have previously found an increased physical activity but a similar 24-h energy expenditure (EE) in subjects with the val/val-55 UCP2 genotype compared to those with the ala/ala genotype which indicates that the val-55 allele is statistically associated with a higher metabolic efficiency. DESIGN: EE during bicycling was determined by indirect calorimetry at three different loads (30, 40 and 60% of VO2max in eight subjects with the val/val-55 genotype (35+/-6 y weight=76.8+/-13.6 kg, VO2max=2.79+/-0.71 l/min) and eight subjects with the ala/ala-55 genotype (37+/-3 y, weight=78.3+/-16.5 kg, VO2max=2.66+/-0.41 l/min). RESULTS: Incremental exercise efficiency across the three different work levels was higher in the val/val (25.3%, c.i. 24.2-26.4%) than in the ala/ala (23.6%, c.i. 22.5-24.7%) genotype P<0.05. Gross exercise efficiency at 40% VO2max was higher in the val/val (15.3+/-0.6%) than in the ala/ala (13.5+/-0.4%) group. CONCLUSION: As the val/ala-55 polymorphism is located in a domain of the protein without any known function, the different exercise efficiency between the two genotypes most likely reflects a linkage disequilibrium with a functionally significant polymorphism in UCP2 or in the neighbouring UCP3 gene. The study suggests that variations in the UCP genes may affect not only basal metabolic rate but also influence energy costs of exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The effect of physiological levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 on appetite, gastric emptying, energy and substrate metabolism in obesity.

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral infusions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in humans have been shown to inhibit gastrointestinal motility and decrease hunger and energy intake. However, these investigations used supraphysiological doses. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a GLP-1 infusion in a physiological dose on appetite sensations, energy intake, gastric emptying, energy and substrate metabolism. METHODS: Eighteen obese men participated in the placebo-controlled, randomized, single-blinded, cross-over study with infusion of GLP-1 or saline. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and substrate oxidations were measured by ventilated hood before and after an energy-fixed breakfast. Gastric emptying was measured using paracetamol as a marker. Visual analogue scales were used to assess appetite sensations, thirst and comfort throughout the experiment and palatability of the test meals. Blood was sampled for analysis of hormones (GLP-1, GLP-2, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), insulin, glucagon), and substrates (glucose, lactate, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triacylglycerol (TAG)). Ad libitum energy intake at lunch was registered. RESULTS: Following the breakfast, GLP-1 infusion suppressed ratings of hunger and prospective food consumption (P<0.05), whereas all other subjective ratings and ad libitum energy intake were unaffected. RMR, carbohydrate oxidation and gastric emptying rate were lower during the GLP-1 infusion compared with the saline infusion (P<0.001, P<0.05, P<0.0001, respectively). All plasma hormone and substrate profiles, except NEFA, were significantly reduced by GLP-1 (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that GLP-1 in physiological concentrations powerfully reduces the rate of entry of nutrients into the circulation by a reduction of gastric emptying rate in obese subjects. The effect of GLP-1 on appetite and food intake may be beneficial in weight reduction.

Adult↗