Weight loss
Serum leptin concentrations and satiety in Parkinson's disease patients with and without weight loss.

Evidente VG, Caviness JN, Adler CH, Gwinn-Hardy KA, Pratley RE.

Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, USA.

We compared serum leptin and satiety measures in 18 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with unintended weight loss (WL) and 18 PD patients whose weight was stable (WS). Mean serum leptin concentrations tended to be lower in WL than WS patients, but this did not reach statistical significance. Body mass index correlated with serum leptin concentrations. Ratings of hunger, satiety, fullness, and thirst did not differ between groups. However, the mean sensation of fullness before meals correlated with serum leptin in the entire cohort of patients, particularly in the WL group. The results indicate that unintended weight loss in PD patients is unlikely to be due to abnormal serum leptin concentrations. Copyright 2001 Movement Disorder Society.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11746624&dopt=Abstract weight loss



Weight loss
Bacterial degradation of natural and synthetic rubber.

Bode HB, Kerkhoff K, Jendrossek D.

Institut fur Organische Chemie, Universitat Gottingen, Gottingen, Germany.

The degradation of natural rubber (NR), synthetic poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) (SR), and cross-linked NR (latex gloves) by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was analyzed by weight loss, gel permeation chromatography, and determination of the protein content. Weight losses of 11-18% and an increase in protein up to 850 microg/mL after incubation of Nocardia sp. DSMZ43191, Streptomyces coelicolor, Streptomyces griseus, bacterial isolate 18a, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and Xanthomonas sp. with latex gloves as a carbon source indicated degradation of the polymer. An increase of protein up to 1250 microg/mL was obtained upon incubation of the bacteria with SR. No or only little weight losses and no increase in the protein content were found for nondegrading control strains such as Streptomyces lividans and Streptomyces exfoliatus and for mutants of degrading strains of S. coelicolor and S. griseus, which have been identified by their inability to produce clearing zones on opaque latex agar. Measurement of the average molecular weight of synthetic rubber before and after degradation showed a time-dependent shift to lower values for the degrading strains. Diketone derivates of oligo(cis-1,4-isoprene) were identified as metabolites of rubber degradation. An oxidative degradation pathway of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) to acetyl-coenzymeA and propionyl-coenzymeA by beta-oxidation is suggested for bacterial degradation of isoprene rubber.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11749186&dopt=Abstract weight loss



Weight loss
Associations of weight loss and changes in fat distribution with the remission of hypertension in a bi-ethnic cohort: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Juhaeri, Stevens J, Chambless LE, Nieto FJ, Jones D, Schreiner P, Arnett D, Cai J.

Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, CB# 7400 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 27599-740, USA. juhaeri email.unc.edu

BACKGROUND: To examine associations of weight loss and changes in fat distribution with changes in blood pressure and the remission of hypertension in a community-based sample. METHODS: Participants were 3245 white and African-American men and women, 45-64 years of age, who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study over an average of 9 years. Mixed models analyses were used to examine the associations of weight loss and changes in fat distribution with changes in blood pressure. Proportional hazard models with time-dependent covariates were used to examine the associations of weight loss and changes in fat distribution with the remission of hypertension. RESULTS: Weight loss was associated with a decrease in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure and with an increased rate of remission of hypertension. Hazard ratios of the remission of hypertension associated with 1-kg increment in annual weight loss were 2.04 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62-2.59), 1.38 (95% CI: 1.14-1.67), 1.84 (95% CI: 1.47-2.29), and 1.53 (95% CI: 1.14-2.05) for white women, African-American women, white men, and African-American men, respectively. Changes in fat distribution were associated with the remission of hypertension in younger (45-54 years) participants. CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss was associated with a decrease in blood pressure and with remission of hypertension in white and African-American men and women.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12634024&dopt=Abstract weight loss



Weight loss
Increase in plasma pollutant levels in response to weight loss in humans is related to in vitro subcutaneous adipocyte basal lipolysis.

Imbeault P, Chevrier J, Dewailly E, Ayotte P, Despres JP, Tremblay A, Mauriege P.

Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Laval University, Ste-Foy, Quebec, Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether weight loss-induced changes in in vitro basal lipolysis of subcutaneous abdominal and femoral fat cells were related to those in plasma organochlorine levels. DESIGN: A 15 week weight loss program induced by a moderate caloric restriction. SUBJECTS: Seventeen men and 20 women (age 36-50 y, body fat 25-50%). MEASUREMENTS: In vitro basal lipolysis of subcutaneous abdominal and femoral adipocytes and plasma levels of five polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (Aroclor 1260, PCBs 118, 138, 153 and 180) and three chlorinated pesticides (dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene (p,p'-DDE), beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB)) were measured before and after the weight reducing program. RESULTS: Both genders showed a similar reduction in body weight (approximately 11 kg) in response to treatment, although men lost significantly more fat mass than women (mean+/-s.d., 9.4+/-4.1 vs 5.9+/-5 kg, respectively, P<0.05). Mean basal fat cell lipolysis did not vary before and after weight reduction, regardless of depots and genders. In response to weight loss, significant increases of all organochlorines investigated were observed in men, whereas only p,p'-DDE, Aroclor 1260, PCBs 153 and 180 significantly rose in women. In men, higher the increase in basal lipolysis of subcutaneous abdominal or femoral adipocytes, greater the rise in plasma levels of most pollutants (HCB, Aroclor 1260, PCBs 118, 138 and 153) was in response to weight loss (0.51<r<0.70, P<0.05). Similar positive correlations were also observed in women but only a few reached statistical significance (p,p'-DDE, PCBs 118 and 180). CONCLUSION: The weight loss-induced increase in plasma pollutant levels is related to the rise in subcutaneous abdominal and femoral adipocyte basal lipolysis, especially in men.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11753575&dopt=Abstract weight loss



Weight loss
Albumin concentrations are primarily determined by the body cell mass and the systemic inflammatory response in cancer patients with weight loss.

McMillan DC, Watson WS, O'Gorman P, Preston T, Scott HR, McArdle CS.

University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK. d.c.mcmillan clinmed.gla.ac.uk

The association between hypoalbuminemia and poor prognosis in patients with cancer is well recognized. However, the factors that contribute to the fall in albumin concentrations are not well understood. In the present study, we examined the relationship between circulating albumin concentrations, weight loss, the body cell mass (measured using total body potassium), and the presence of an inflammatory response (measured using C-reactive protein) in male patients (n = 40) with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancer. Albumin concentrations were significantly correlated with the percent ideal body weight (r = 0.390, p < 0.05), extent of reported weight loss (r = -0.492, p < 0.01), percent predicted total body potassium (adjusted for age, height, and weight, r = 0.686, p < 0.001), and log10 C-reactive protein concentrations (r = -0.545, p < 0.001). On multiple regression analysis, the percent predicted total body potassium and log10 C-reactive protein concentrations accounted for 63% of the variation in albumin concentrations (r2 = 0.626, p < 0.001). The interrelationship between albumin, body cell mass, and the inflammatory response is consistent with the concept that the presence of an ongoing inflammatory response contributes to the progressive loss of these vital protein components of the body and the subsequent death of patients with advanced cancer.

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Weight loss
Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase G-148A genetic variant and weight loss in obese women.

Peters WR, MacMurry JP, Walker J, Giese RJ Jr, Comings DE.

Loma Linda University, Center for Health Promotion, Loma Linda, California 92350, USA. wpeters univ.llu.edu

OBJECTIVE: To understand the impact of the phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) G-148A gene and nutritional variables on weight loss in obese women. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: One hundred forty-nine women, ages 45 to 65 with a body mass index of >30 kg/m(2), participated in a 6-month, open-label intervention that included sibutramine (15 mg/d) and a monthly health-education class. Anthropometric measurements, vital signs, food frequency, exercise log, medication compliance, and psychological and sociological questionnaires were completed each month. Genetic polymorphisms of PNMT were determined. RESULTS: Univariate analysis of G/G, G/A, and A/A genotypes against tertiles of percentage of weight loss were significant at 3 but not at 6 months (Pearson chi(2): p < 0.006; homozygous/heterozygosity: p < 0.002, p < 0.253, and p < 0.122, respectively). A regression model that included the PNMT genetic variation and certain nutrition and exercise variables demonstrated that only the PNMT gene (beta = 0.360, SE 0.585, and p = 0.003) was statistically significant at 6 months, and the total calories (beta = -0.925, SE = 0.004, and p = 0.009), fiber intake (beta = 0.621, SE = 0.124, and p = 0.000), and PNMT (beta = 0.262, SE = 1.415, and p = 0.024) were significant. DISCUSSION: The homozygosity/heterozygosity of the PNMT gene was highly predictive of significant weight loss with sibutramine during the first 3 months, which highlights the need for specific pharmacotherapy. The early weight-loss success of those subjects who were homozygous for PNMT may have motivated and selected those that would make further dietary changes, which then augmented their final weight loss.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12634439&dopt=Abstract weight loss



Weight loss
Weight loss and body mass index as predictors of HIV disease progression to AIDS in adults. Aquitaine cohort, France, 1985-1997.

Malvy E, Thiebaut R, Marimoutou C, Dabis F; Groupe d'Epidemiologie Clinique du Sida en Aquitaine.

Unite INSERM 330, Universite Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Hjpital Saint-Andre, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, France. crdess crl.u-boedeaux2.fr

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of weight related nutritional markers (reported involuntary weight loss greater than 10%, measured weight loss and body mass index-BMI-) in predicting HIV disease progression. DESIGN: Multirisk cohort of HIV-1 infected patients. METHOD: The three nutritional variables were studied in Cox proportional hazard models as time dependant variables. RESULTS: The sample included 2376 subjects (median follow up: 43.1 months), of those 675 experienced an AIDS defining event. After adjustment for well known prognostic factors, the reported weight loss greater than 10% tripled the risk of progression to clinical AIDS (Hazard ratio [HR] 3.0. 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5-3.7). For measured weight loss under 5%. between 5% and 10% and greater than 10% of baseline weight compared with no weight loss, hazard ratios were respectively 1.8 (CI 1.5-2.2), 2.6 (CI 2.1-3.2) and 5.1 (CI 4.1-6.4). The relative risks of AIDS were 1.7 (CI 1.3-2.2) for BMI between 17 kg/m2 and 18.5 kg/m2, 2.6 (CI 1.7-4.0) for BMI between 16 kg/m2 and 17 kg/m2 and 4.7 (CI 3.0-7.4) for BMI under 16 kg/m2. COMMENTS: Even a limited weight loss measured at a given time during follow up increases the risk of HIV progression; moreover, a simple cross-sectionnal measure of BMI has a good predictive value for subsequent development of clinical disease.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11771676&dopt=Abstract weight loss



Weight loss
The effect of widowhood on weight change, dietary intake, and eating behavior in the elderly population.

Shahar DR, Schultz R, Shahar A, Wing RR.

Ben-Gurion University, Israel. dshahar bgumail.bgu.ac.il

OBJECTIVES. To assess the effect of recent widowhood on weight, dietary intake, and habits. METHODS. Participants included 58 recently widowed elderly subjects and 58 married subjects who were matched on age, sex, and race. Weight change from baseline and following widowhood, dietary intake, eating behavior, depression, and cognitive and physical functioning were assessed in a clinic interview. RESULTS. Mean weight loss and the prevalence of weight loss were significantly higher among widowed participants. They ate more meals alone, more commercial meals per week, and fewer snacks and homemade meals. They also enjoyed their eating less. A significant difference between cases and controls was evident after adjusting for all the variables. Higher cognitive functioning score, younger age, and better appetite were protective against weight loss. DISCUSSION. Widowed people were found to be at increased risk for weight loss. This may well be due to decreased appetite and enjoyment of their meals.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11787511&dopt=Abstract weight loss



Weight loss
Using thermogravimetry for weight loss monitoring of permeation tubes used for generation of trace concentration gas standards.

Maria PC, Gal JF, Balza M, Pere-Trepat E, Tumbiolo S, Couret JM.

Chimie des Materiaux Organiques et Metalliques, Faculte des Sciences, Universite de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, France.

Permeation tubes are convenient analyte sources for generating standard gas mixtures (containing, in particular, volatile organic compounds) used in the calibration of analytical instruments. For small permeation rates, corresponding to trace levels of analytes, the calibration of permeation tubes is time-consuming. The use of thermogravimetry as a means to measure rapidly the weight loss at constant temperature was investigated. An attempt to apply this technique to calibrating a permeation tube filled with benzene is described. In the 20 ng/min range of permeation rate, day-to-day variations of <5% were observed. The continuous weight loss monitoring of permeation tubes by thermogravimetry allows their rapid characterization.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11795812&dopt=Abstract weight loss