Nowadays, obesity is considered as one of the main concerns for public health worldwide, since it encompasses up to 39% of overweight and 13% obese (WHO) adults. It develops because of the imbalance in the energy intake/expenditure ratio, which leads to excess nutrients and results in dysfunction of adipose tissue. The hypertrophy of adipocytes and the nutrients excess trigger the induction of inflammatory signaling through various pathways, among others, an increase in the expression of pro-inflammatory adipocytokines, and stress of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A better understanding of obesity and preventing its complications are beneficial for obese patients on two facets: treating obesity, and treating and preventing the pathologies associated with it. Hitherto, therapeutic itineraries in most cases are based on lifestyle modifications, bariatric surgery, and pharmacotherapy despite none of them have achieved optimal results. Therefore, diet can play an important role in the prevention of adiposity, as well as the associated disorders. Recent results have shown that flavonoids intake have an essential role in protecting against oxidative damage phenomena, and presents biochemical and pharmacological functions beneficial to human health. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the anti-inflammatory actions and autophagic flux of natural flavonoids, and their molecular mechanisms for preventing and/or treating obesity.

The metabolism of triglycerides (TGs) is regulated, among others, by the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) that hydrolyses the TGs on endothelial cells. In turn, LPL is inhibited by the ANGPTLs family of proteins, such as ANGPTL3, 4, and, 8; the latter is the least known. In this work, we have tried to establish the expression and localisation of the Angiopoietin-like 8 (ANGPTL8) protein in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of morbid-obese and non-obese patients. 109 subjects (66 women and 43 men) undergoing laparoscopic surgery participated in this study. A blood sample and a portion of the VAT were obtained, and the patients were classified according to their Body Mass Index (BMI) as non-obese (19.5–30 kg/m²) and morbid-obese (40–50 kg/m²). No significant changes in ANGPTL8 plasma levels were determined by EIA in obese patients. The immunocytochemistry and Western blotting showed the presence of increased ANGPTL8 in morbid-obese patients (p < 0.05). In-situ hybridisation and a real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed that the mRNA that encodes ANGPTL8 was present in adipocytes, without differences in their nutritional state (p = 0.89), and even in the endothelial cells. Our data suggests that ANGPT8 plasmatic levels do not change significantly in patients with morbid obesity, although there is a modest difference related to gender. Besides, we demonstrate that in visceral adipose tissue, ANGPTL8 is well defined in the cytoplasm of adipocytes coexisting with perilipin-1 and its mRNA, also is present in endothelial cells. These findings suggest the possibility that among other functions, ANGPTL8 could perform either a paracrine and/or an endocrine role in the adipose tissue.

The pituitary gland is part of hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal axis, which controls development, reproduction, and aging in humans and animals. In addition, the pituitary gland is regulated mainly by hormones and neurotransmitters released from the hypothalamus and by systemic hormones secreted by target glands. Aromatase P450, the enzyme responsible for the catabolization of aromatizable androgens to estrogens, is expressed in different parts of body, including the pituitary gland. Moreover, aromatase P450 is involved in sexual dimorphism where alteration in the level of aromatase can initiate a number of diseases in both genders. On the other hand, the direct actions of estrogens, mainly estradiol, are well known for stimulating prolactin release. Numerous studies have shown that changes in the levels of estrogens, among other factors, have been implicated in the genesis and development of prolactinoma. The pituitary gland can produce estradiol locally in several types of endocrine cells, and it is possible that aromatase could be responsible for the maintenance of the population of lactotroph cells and the modulation of the action of central or peripheral regulators. Aromatase overexpression due to inappropriate gene regulation has clinical effects such as the pathogenesis of prolactinomas. The present study reports on the synthesis of pituitary aromatase, its regulation by gonadal steroids, and the physiological roles of aromatase on pituitary endocrine cells. The involvement of aromatase in the pathogenesis of pituitary tumors, mainly prolactinomas, through the auto-paracrine production of estradiol is reviewed.

Purpose: To address a gap in translational research by developing a preclinical sheep model of medial meniscus anterior root (MAR) repair in vivo and to compare probabilities of potential pitfalls and difficulties with humans.Methods: Preoperative planning and surgical procedures applied to patients were adapted to adult sheep. Eight healthy, skeletally mature, female Merino ewes between 2 and 4 years of age underwent a mini‐open medial parapatellar approach to both stifle joints without luxating the patella. Next, the MAR was transected in 16 knees (8 sheep) resulting in a subtype 2A tear according to the LaPrade classification, followed by a transtibial pull‐out repair through a 3.2 mm diameter bone tunnel with a reinforced Mason–Allen suture and non‐absorbable suture material. Animals were followed until 21 days after surgery.Results: The surgery time per knee ranged between 30 and 50 min (mean, 40.0 ± 7.8 min). The surgical technique was safe without intra‐ or post‐operative complications. Solid repair is most likely if the following surgical principles are respected: (1) Selection of the MAR and the open technique allow for elegant tunnel positioning and less post‐operative loading stress due to the normal extension deficit of sheep; (2) careful preparation of the MAR is mandatory; (3) considering the oval shape of the MAR attachment (MARA) results in anatomic tunnel placement; (4) robust suture placement and configuration avoids suture cut out. The probabilities of potential pitfalls and difficulties differ from the human situation.Conclusion: A clinically adapted MAR repair model in adult sheep was developed following its complete transection close to the MARA, followed by an open transtibial pull‐out repair. The surgical technique was safe without intra‐ or short‐term post‐operative complications. This model may be suitable to study the biomechanics and pathophysiology of meniscal root injuries and their repair.Level of Evidence: Level IV.

Purpose: To analyse the quantitative morphology of the menisci, their roots and relations with a focus on the medial meniscus anterior root (MAR) as a basis for a preclinical model.Methods: Data was obtained from 24 tibial plateaus of skeletally mature, female Merino ewes. The MAR attachment (MARA) was scanned with micro‐computed tomography and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Data of relevant anatomical structures was subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and Spearman correlations.Results: The osteo‐ligamentous junction of the MARA represents a classical enthesis with a type‐I insertion into the cortical bone. The medial tibial plateau was of a significantly smaller area than lateral. Its sagittal length was significantly longer than lateral. The widths of the MAR and lateral meniscus anterior root (LAR) were approximately half of both anterior horn widths. The MAR was significantly wider than the LAR. The medial meniscus body, posterior horn and medial posterior root were significantly thinner than lateral. PCA and cluster analysis revealed a striking, significant distinction between the structures of the medial and lateral tibial plateau. The sagittal length of the articular cartilage of both tibial plateaus correlated with the primary axis length of both menisci. The maximum width of the articular cartilage of both plateaus correlated with the area of both menisci. Significant correlations also existed between the length of the MAR and the total width of the tibia plateau and between the size of the MARA and the coronal distance to the medial tibial eminence (MTE), to the tibial tuberosity and the sagittal distance to the MTE.Conclusion: The ovine MAR may be appropriate for repair approaches because of its morphological similarities to the human situation. The substantial differences between the medial and lateral tibial plateau have to be respected.Level of Evidence: Not applicable.