Observational Study of Early Metabolic and Vascular Changes in Obesity (STYJOBS)

• Anthropometric changes(BMI, SAT-Topography, waist/hipCF, waist to height ratio) during intervention [ Time Frame: 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• Obesity related biomarkers (fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-index, HbA1c, liver transaminases, inflammatory markers, adipokines, clotting parameters, lipids, oxidative stress markers, Biomarkers related to tryptophan metabolism), performance diagnostics. [ Time Frame: 12 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

Obesity is dramatically increasing in the so called western world and newly also in Asia, whereby juveniles are affected in particular. Atherosclerosis, a major consequence of obesity, starts early in life and results in cardiovascular disease and stroke, the main causes of mortality in industrialized countries. STYJOBS / EDECTA is a prospective, observational study to improve the understanding of atherosclerosis and metabolic changes in obesity by investigation of the "non-biased" early phase.

AIMS

• Identification of "individual metabolic high risk patterns" in obesity by linking lab parameters (adipokines, immune-inflammatory mediators, oxidative "stress" biomarkers, lipoproteins, molecular genetics, epigenetics), individual adipose tissue topography, early vascular changes (carotis intima media thickness by sonography), life style habits, sport performance diagnostics, and clinical data. STYJOBS/EDECTA-Databank.
• Evaluation and development of an early intervention by a holistic strategy (i.e. Lipometer adjusted Sport Program, Nutritional Device, Behavioral Therapy). STYJOBS-Intervention.
• To establish a comprehensive serum/plasma/DNA resource of young, adolescent, and middle aged obese probands, their parents, and normal weight age matched controls for advanced research (e.g. molecular genetics, epigenetics, microRNAs) in obesity. STYJOBS/EDECTA-Biobank.
• To improve the understanding of craving in obesity (e.g.link insulin resistance - control of hedonic inputs).
• EDECTA (Early DEteCTion of Atherosclerosis) extends the STYJOBS Database and Bioresource with normal weight and obese probands aged up to 65 years.

Thus, STYJOBS / EDECTA comprehends data and biomaterial of the preclinical phase of major sequels of obesity such as type 2 diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke and cancer. An essential part of the identification of novel individual risk profiles is given by the combined analysis of clinical, anthropometric data, biomarkers(e.g. adipokines, oxidative/nitrosative "stress" markers, inflammatory cytokines), BAT/WAT balance, genetics, and epigenetics(e.g. microRNAs). This approach is performed in collaboration with the Graz University of Technology, Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics (Operator, Marcel Scheideler, PhD). To further improve the understanding of dysbalanced energy expenditure in obesity mitochondrial haplotypes are investigated in cooperation with Dr.Weghuber, Dr.Eder and Prof.Sperl from the Salzburg Paracelsus Private Medical School. All genetic and epigenetic measurements are performed by an anonymous approach (data privacy protection) after careful accreditation by the local ethical committee.

The investigative spectrum of STYJOBS / EDECTA is also extended to underweight/anorectic people. This condition is an attractive biologic "counterpart" to the overweight/obese group. Extremely underweight and anorectic patients are afflicted with profound metabolic abnormalities. Thus, it is interesting to investigate anorexia associated risk profiles in comparison to those found in overweight/obese people. Especially the craving like behaviour and the cardiovascular/"ox"Stress risk will be focused in our investigations.

Finally, we started to investigate the role of tryptophan (TRP) metabolism in context with obesity, immune-mediated inflammation, and mechanisms underlying uncontrolled overeating.