AIMTo assess the association between liver fat content (LFC) and weight status in young adults using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) technique.METHODSSeventy-eight healthy young adults, between 19-30 years of age participated in this study. This group was then separated into a control of 39 subjects and an overweight/obese group (OW/OB group) consisting of 39 subjects. Blood biochemical quantity and 1H MRS was performed for LFC assessment.RESULTSLFC was found to be almost three times higher in OW/OB group when compared to the control group. A 48.7% incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the OW/OB group was found. Blood biochemical measurements showed statistically higher low-density lipoproteins and triglyceride, lower high-density lipoproteins, and increased glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting glucose in the OW/OB group. Body mass index was a significant independent predictor for LFC after adjusting for age and sex (multiple linear regression; β = 0.459, P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONDue to the prevalence of high LFC in the OW/OB group, it can be proposed that weight gain and obesity are sensitive indicators of high hepatic fat content.

Dolichandrone serrulata (DC.) Seem flowers are widely used as vegetables in northern and eastern Thailand. Biological studies of the methanolic extract of these flowers have shown promising antioxidant activity. Biological-guided separation of D. serrulata flowers yielded six compounds, identified as hallerone, protocatechuic acid, rengyolone, cleroindicin B, ixoside, and isomaltose. This is the first report on hallerone, protocatechuic acid, rengyolone, cleroindicin B, and isomaltose in D. serrulata. Protocatechuic acid was the most potent scavenger of 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radicals with IC 50 values of 25.6 ± 0.6 and 29.6 ± 0.4 M, respectively. Hallerone and rengyolone showed moderate scavenging action on superoxide radicals and inhibited H 2 O 2 induced reactive oxygen species production in HEK-293 cell. In addition, the other isolated compounds showed weak activity.

Young adulthood is increasingly considered as a vulnerable age group for significant weight gain, and it is apparent that there is an increasing number of new cases of metabolic syndrome developing among this population. This study included 60 young adult volunteers (18–26 years old). All participants obtained a calculated total abdominal fat percentage, subcutaneous fat percentage, and visceral fat percentage using a semiautomatic segmentation technique from T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of the abdomen. The results show strongest correlation between abdominal fat and BMI (r = 0.824) followed by subcutaneous fat (r = 0.768), and visceral fat (r = 0.633) respectively, (p < 0.001 for all, after having been adjusted for age and gender). Among anthropometric measurements, waist circumference showed strong correlation with all fat compartments (r = 0.737 for abdominal, r = 0.707 for subcutaneous fat, and r = 0.512 for visceral fat; p < 0.001 for all). The results obtained from examining the blood revealed that there was a moderate positive correlation relationship between all fat compartments with triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and fasting glucose levels (p < 0.05 for all). This study suggests that both BMI and waist circumference could be used to assess the fat compartments and treatment targets to reduce the risk of metabolic disorders and health risks in the young adult population.

Background Overweight (OW) is considered a risk for various metabolic diseases. However, its effects as a mechanism that alters the metabolite profiles remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects that OW has on the lipid and metabolite profiles in young adults. Methods The serum metabolite profiles of 46 young adults of normal weight and those considered OW were studied by Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) technique. Results 1H NMR metabolite analysis shows the alteration of metabolic levels and increased levels of CH2 lipids and CH3 lipids, which are used as unique biomarkers to identify OW subjects from the normal weight groups. Conclusion This present study reveals that OW contributes to the systemic metabolism and the metabolite alteration among young adults. The alteration in serum lipids level could shed the light on metabolic syndrome pathogenesis in young adults and needs further elucidation.

(1) Since the obesity prevalence rate has been consistently increasing, it is necessary to find an effective way to prevent and treat it. Although progress is being made to reduce obesity in the young adult population, a better understanding of obesity-related metabolomics and related biochemical mechanisms is urgently needed for developing appropriate screening strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the serum metabolic profile associated with young adult obesity and its metabolic phenotypes. (2) Methods: The serum metabolic profile of 30 obese and 30 normal-weight young adults was obtained using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). 1H NMR spectra were integrated into 24 integration regions, which reflect relative metabolites, and were used as statistical variables. (3) Results: The obese group showed increased levels of lipids, glucose, glutamate, N-acetyl glycoprotein, alanine, lactate, 3 hydroxybutyrate and branch chain amino acid (BCAA), and decreased levels of choline as compared with the normal-weight group. Non-hyperlipidemia obese adults showed lower levels of lipids and lactate, glutamate, acetoacetate, N-acetyl glycoprotein, isoleucine, and higher levels of choline and glutamine, as compared with hyperlipidemic obese adults. (4) Conclusions: This study reveals valuable findings in the field of metabolomics and young adult obesity. We propose several serum biomarkers that distinguish between normal weight and obese adults, i.e., glutamine (higher in the normal group, p < 0.05), and lactate, BCAAs, acetoacetate and 3-hydroxybutyrate (higher in the obese group, p < 0.05). In addition, visceral fat and serum TG, glutamate, acetoacetate, N-acetyl glycoprotein, unsaturated lipid, isoleucine, and VLDL/LDL are higher (p < 0.05) in the obese with hyperlipidemia. Therefore, they can be used as biomarkers to identify these two types of obesity.