Context: Fruit vinegars (FVs) are used in Mediterranean folk medicine for their hypolipidemic and weight-reducing properties. Objective: To investigate the preventive effects of three types of FV, commonly available in Algeria, namely prickly pear [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill (Cectaceae)], pomegranate [Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae)], and apple [Malus domestica Borkh. (Rosaceae)], against obesity-induced cardiomyopathy and its underlying mechanisms. Materials and methods: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were equally divided into 12 groups. The first group served as normal control (distilled water, 7 mL/kg bw), and the remaining groups were respectively treated with distilled water (7 mL/kg bw), acetic acid (0.5% w/v, 7 mL/kg bw) and vinegars of pomegranate, apple or prickly pear (at doses of 3.5, 7 and 14 mL/kg bw, acetic acid content as mentioned above) along with a high-fat diet (HFD). The effects of the oral administration of FV for 18 weeks on the body and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) weights, plasma inflammatory and cardiac enzymes biomarkers, and in heart tissue were evaluated. Results: Vinegars treatments significantly (p < .05) attenuated the HFD-induced increase in bw (0.2–0.5-fold) and VAT mass (0.7–1.8-fold), as well as increase in plasma levels of CRP (0.1–0.3-fold), fibrinogen (0.2–0.3-fold), leptin (1.7–3.7-fold), TNF-α (0.1–0.6-fold), AST (0.9–1.4-fold), CK-MB (0.3–1.4-fold) and LDH (2.7–6.7-fold). Moreover, vinegar treatments preserved myocardial architecture and attenuated cardiac fibrosis. Discussion and conclusion: These findings suggest that pomegranate, apple and prickly pear vinegars may prevent HFD-induced obesity and obesity-related cardiac complications, and that this prevention may result from the potent anti-inflammatory and anti-adiposity properties of these vinegars.

Although the incidence of “diabesity” (coexistence of type 2 diabetes and obesity) is alarmingly increasing in Algeria, the diet–diabesity link has not been well defined. This study aimed to explore the association between dietary diversity score (DDS) and obesity among Algerian type 2 diabetic patients. It was a cross-sectional observational study involving 390 type 2 diabetic patients. Anthropometric data were gathered, and dietary intake information was obtained through a 24-h dietary recall method, which was used to calculate DDS. Potential confounders such as age, sex, smoking, physical activity and energy intake were controlled for using multivariate logistic regression. A total of 160 patients (41.3%) were classified as obese. As expected, obese patients had a higher body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat and fat mass index. Furthermore, obese patients more frequently met carbohydrate recommendations and had a higher intake of meat and protein. Female sex, hypertension, low physical activity and high meat and protein intake were positively associated with diabesity. Additionally, higher DDS was positively associated with diabesity after adjusting for confounders. Thus, a more diversified diet may be a risk factor for obesity among Algerian type 2 diabetic patients.

Background/Objectives: An increase in body fat is linked to abnormalities in energy metabolism. We aimed at determining cardiometabolic risk in Algerian participants with obesity alone and with or without type 2 diabetes. The study measured the concentrations of circulating adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) to identify and examine how imbalances in adipocytokines may affect the parameters of cardiometabolic health. Methods: Algerian participants (n = 300) were recruited and divided into three groups: control, obese, and type 2 diabetics (with two sub-groups: with and without obesity). Insulin resistance was evaluated using HOMA-IR, while ELISA was used to measure adipocytokines. Atherogenic index in plasma (AIP), adiponectin-leptin ratio (ALR), and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were also assessed. One-way ANOVA was used to compare obesity and diabetes groups to the control one (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to strengthen the robustness of statistical correlations. Results: Participants with reduced adiponectin-leptin ratio (ALR) and elevated levels of resistin, TNF-α, and IL-6 are found to be at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. An imbalance in adipocytokine levels is caused by a decrease in adiponectin concentrations, and an increase in pro-inflammatory adipocytokines that maintain and exacerbate energy imbalance and induces hyperinsulinemia, exposing individuals to a high risk of cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions: Given that ALR is a functional biomarker of inflammation, insulin resistance, and adipose tissue dysfunction, targeting ALR could potentially be a therapeutic approach to coping with obesity-related cardiometabolic risks. Mediterranean diet, weight loss, and increased physical activity can be key components to promote healthy adipose tissue through the increase in ALR.