Obesity and its associated metabolic dysregulation are established risk factors for many cancers. However, the biologic mechanisms underlying this relationship remain incompletely understood. Given the rising rates of both obesity and cancer worldwide, and the challenges for many people to lose excess adipose tissue, a systematic approach to identify potential molecular and metabolic targets is needed to develop effective mechanism-based strategies for the prevention and control of obesity-driven cancer. Epidemiological, clinical, and preclinical data suggest that within the growth-promoting, pro-inflammatory microenvironment accompanying obesity, crosstalk between adipose tissue (comprised of adipocytes, macrophages and other cells) and cancer-prone cells may occur via obesity-associated hormones, cytokines, and other mediators that have been linked to increased cancer risk and/or progression. We report here a systematic review on the direct “crosstalk” between adipose tissue and carcinomas in humans. We identified 4,641 articles with n=20 human clinical studies which are summarized as: (a) breast (n=7), (b) colorectal (n=4), (c) esophageal (n=2), (d) esophageal/colorectal (n=1), (e) endometrial (n=1), (f) prostate (n=4), and (g) ear-nose-throat (ENT) cancer (n=1). Findings from these clinical studies reinforce preclinical data and suggest organ-dependent crosstalk between adipose tissue and carcinomas via VEGF, IL-6, TNF-alpha and other mechanisms. Moreover, visceral white adipose tissue (VAT) plays a more central role as it is more bio-energetically active and is associated with a more pro-cancer secretome than subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Efforts to eavesdrop and ultimately interfere with this cancer-enhancing crosstalk may lead to new targets and strategies for decreasing the burden of obesity-related cancers.

Background Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) have been previously linked to survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. It is unclear whether BCAAs are prognostic biomarkers or surrogate markers for energy balance. Objectives We aimed to determine correlations of BCAAs with markers of energy balance over time and to investigate prognostic significance of BCAAs in CRC. Methods We used urinary samples from newly diagnosed CRC patients [n=163; (stage I – IV)] from the ColoCare study in Heidelberg, Germany, collected at surgery (n=163), 6 (n=83) and 12 months follow-up (n=54). Isoleucine, leucine, valine, (2Z)-3-methylglutaconic acid (3HM), 2-ethylhydracrylic acid (2EA), 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyrate (2M3H) were detected using gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry and proton-nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy. Partial correlation coefficients between BCAAs with body mass index (BMI), physical activity (metabolic equivalent [MET]) and muscle area were computed and adjusted for sex and age at diagnosis. We used Cox proportional hazard models to investigate overall survival (OS) after 24 months of follow-up. Results We did not observe significant correlations between BCAAs and parameters of energy balance at all time points (correlation ranges: BMI: r= −0.13 to −0.01; METs: r=−0.14 to 0.02; dorsal muscle: r=−0.03 to 0.10). BCAAs were not associated with risk of death in stage I-III (e.g., valine: HRlog2=1.62, p=0.25) or in stage IV tumors. Elevated concentrations of 2EA and 2M3H were significantly associated with OS, independent of stage (2EA: stage I-III: HRlog2=0.42, p=0.04; stage IV: HRlog2=0.51, p=0.01). Conclusion Our study suggests that BCAAs in colorectal cancer patients do not reflect parameters of energy balance and may be independently associated with overall survival.

Obesity is a major global health problem and has been associated with vitamin D deficiency. Intentional weight loss may alter vitamin D status and, conversely, vitamin D supplementation has been hypothesized to aid in weight loss. A systematic literature search in PubMed/Medline identified 3,173 articles of which 37 studies (randomized controlled trials (RCT) (n=17), non-RCTs (n=20)) are summarized as effect of: (I) diet-induced weight loss on vitamin D status (n=7), (II) vitamin D supplementation on diet-induced weight loss (n=11), (III) surgery-induced weight loss on vitamin D status (n=15), and (IV) vitamin D supplementation after surgery-induced weight loss on vitamin D status (n=5). While all studies on the effect of diet-induced weight loss on vitamin D status have consistently reported increased vitamin D levels, the targeted percentage of weight loss that is necessary for an increase has varied between 5% and >10%. N=11 RCTs testing the effect of vitamin D supplementation observe that vitamin D supplementation does not result in increased weight loss, but may affect body fat loss. Vitamin D deficiency and subsequent hyperparathyroidism have been detected in post-surgery patients, and there is evidence that vitamin D supplementation improves these post-surgery complications.. We review the current evidence addressing the role of vitamin D status and supplementation in diet- and surgery induced weight loss. Subsequently, we highlight gaps in current research and suggest directions for future research including differences in vitamin D supplementation dosages, indoor vs. outdoor exercise, and the assessment of vitamin D status in different body pools.

Study design:A semi-experimental study (pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with the control group).Summary and background data: Hemophilia as an inherited bleeding creates fundamental changes in the quality of life of hemophiliac population. Patients with hemophilia need to improve the positive relationship with themselves and others by a positive thinking training and the avoidance of negative thoughts as a coping strategy against the problems of their life. Objectives of the study:The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of positive thinking training on self-efficacy and emotion regulation in men with hemophilia.Method: In the present study, 30 patients with hemophilia were selected among all patients with hemophilia (N=129) of Lorestan province. They were randomly assigned to the experimental group (N=15) and control group (N=15). The subjects completed self-efficacy and emotion regulation questionnaires. Seligman's positive thinking training program was administered to the experiment group in eight 120-minute sessions and the control group received no training. The collected data were analyzed using Covariance statistics method and SPPS software (version 21). Results:The results of this study showed that the self-efficacy and emotion regulation increased significantly in the experimental group when compared to control group. Conclusion:The positive thinking training helps patients with hemophilia to avoid negative thoughts and apply better strategies to cope effectively with problems. Patients' information processing works more efficiently by positive thinking and it increases self-efficacy and emotion regulation.

Purpose Diabetes and its complications such as diabetic cardiomyopathy still account for significant morbidity and mortality. High-quality evidence was shown the importance of exercise in controlling diabetes complications, but the molecular mechanism on diabetic cardiomyopathy is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to compare and investigate the effect of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and continuous endurance training (CET) on the signaling pathway of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Methods Hence, 21 Wistar rats with an average weight of 260 ± 10 g, after induction of diabetes (STZ 50 mg/kg BW) were randomly divided into three groups (control, CET and HIIT; n = 7). Training programs were conducted 5 days a week for 5 weeks. CET program was defined as running at 60% vVO 2 max for 30 min in each session and the HIIT program was defined as running at 85-90% vVO 2 max for 3 min followed by 1 min recovery (30-35% vVO 2 max), that was repeated four times in each session. The cardiac performance was analyzed via determination of end systolic and diastolic dimensions and the ejection fraction by echocardiography. To elucidate the responsible molecular mechanism of miR-1, IGF-1 and IGF-1R mRNA and apoptosis marker protein expression were investigated. Results Both training programs specifically HIIT, significantly reduced the blood glucose, enhanced heart performance, reduced miR-1 expression, induced IGF-1 and IGF-1R expression and reduced apoptotic protein expression. Conclusion We showed that HIIT is more effective than CET for reduction of diabetic cardiomyopathy as a complication of diabetes in animal models through suppressing miR-1 and its downstream apoptosis pathway.

ABSTRACT:Introduction: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is now the leading cause of death in most countries. The ABCA1 gene provides instructions for the production of proteins (ATP-binding transporter protein) whose function is to export phospholipid and cholesterol out of the cells where they are bound to circulating apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) and removed in the liver. Increased ABCA1 activity could inhibit atherosclerosis. In the present study, ABCA1 gene expression in lymphocytes and the associated effect of exercise were studied. Method: Subjects were 16 well-trained wrestlers randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed 8 weeks of wrestling and circuit fitness training and the control group remained sedentary. Blood samples were collected 48 hours before the first session and 48 hours after the last session (subjects were fasting). After isolating lymphocytes by centrifugation, ABCA1 gene expression in lymphocytes was measured using semi-quantitative-RT-PCR. Data analyzed by SPSS software (version 16). Results: a significant increase in lymphocyte ABCA1 gene expression was shown following the 8 weeks of training (experimental p<0.001, t=-9.954). Plasma HDL-C concentrations and Apo A-I increased (P<0.001, t=4.97 P<0.05, t=2.67 respectively) and plasma LDL-C concentration decreased (P<0.001, t=4.35) in experimental group when compared with the control group. Discussion and Conclusion: Anaerobic exercises like wrestling and circuit fitness training can increase ABCA1 gene expression, an effective factor in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

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Introduction: The Il4/Stat-6 signaling axis is one of the most important pathways involved in the growth and development of breast cancer. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate the synergistic effect of endurance training along with curcumin on the intratumoral expression of Il4 and Stat-6 in female BALB/c mice with breast cancer. Methods: Forty BALB/c mice (4-5 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups including exercise, curcumin, exercise-curcumin, and control. The 4T1 breast Tumors were transplanted subcutaneously in the right flank of all mice. Then, endurance training (5 days per week) was performed, and curcumin (6 times per week) was given by gavage for five weeks. The intratumoral expression of Il4 and Stat-6 were measured using the qRT-PCR method. One-way analysis of variance followed by LSD post hoc test, was used for the statistical analysis. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A significant decline in tumor growth was observed in all intervention groups compared with the control group (P<0.05). Endurance training with curcumin resulted in a significant reduction in the intratumoral expression of Il4 and Stat-6 in comparison with the control group (P=0.001 for both genes). Significant reductions in the expression of Il4 (P=0.019) and Stat-6 (P=0.001) were also observed in the endurance exercise group. Curcumin only reduced Stat-6 gene expression compared with the control group (P=0. 001). Conclusion: Five weeks of endurance training with curcumin seems to be more effective in treatment of cancer compared with either of these non-pharmacological strategies alone.