ObjectiveThe aim was to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation, combined with a hypocaloric diet, could have an independent effect on insulin sensitivity in subjects with both overweight and hypovitaminosis D. Changes from baseline in anthropometric parameters, body composition, glucose tolerance, and insulin secretion were considered as secondary outcomes.MethodsEighteen volunteers who were nondiabetic and vitamin D deficient and had BMI > 25 kg/m2 were randomized (1:1) in a double‐blind manner to a hypocaloric diet + either oral cholecalciferol at 25,000 IU/wk or placebo for 3 months. Hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp to measure insulin sensitivity was performed at baseline and after intervention.ResultsBody weight in both groups decreased significantly (−7.5% in the vitamin D group and −10% in the placebo group; P < 0.05 for both), with no between‐group differences. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels in the vitamin D group increased considerably (from 36.7 ± 13.2 nmol/L to 74.8 ± 18.7 nmol/L; P < 0.001). Insulin sensitivity in the vitamin D group improved (from 4.6 ± 2.0 to 6.9 ± 3.3 mg·kg−1·min−1; P < 0.001), whereas no changes were observed in the placebo group (from 4.9 ± 1.1 to 5.1 ± 0.3 mg·kg−1·min−1; P = 0.84).ConclusionsCholecalciferol supplementation, combined with a weight loss program, significantly improves insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects with obesity and might represent a personalized approach for insulin‐resistant subjects with obesity.

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We are facing an obesity epidemic, and obesity itself and its close companion, type 2 diabetes, are independent risk factors for neurodegeneration. While most medical treatments fail to induce a clinically meaningful improvement in neurodegenerative disorders, lifestyle interventions have emerged in the spotlight. A recently rediscovered approach is intermittent fasting (IF), which, compared to the classic caloric restriction regimens, limits only the time of eating, rather than the number of calories allowed per day. There is already a large amount of evidence from preclinical and clinical studies showing the beneficial effects of IF. In this review, we specifically focus on the effects of IF on brain metabolism. Key molecular players modified during IF and involved in its beneficial central effects (ketone bodies, BDNF, GABA, GH/IGF-1, FGF2, sirtuin-3, mTOR, and gut microbiota) are identified and discussed. Studies suggest that IF induces several molecular and cellular adaptations in neurons, which, overall, enhance cellular stress resistance, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. Still, the absence of guidelines regarding the application of IF to patients hampers its broad utilization in clinical practice, and further studies are needed to improve our knowledge on the different IF protocols and long-term effects of IF on brain metabolism before it can be widely prescribed.

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Aims To evaluate the impact of assisted reproductive technology (ART) on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in single pregnancies. Materials and Methods We retrospectively collected clinical and anthropometric data of 219ART‐ and 256 age‐ and body mass index (BMI)‐matched women with spontaneous conception screened for GDM. The primary outcome was to evaluate GDM prevalence in ART women. Results There were no differences in age, BMI, and family history of diabetes in the two groups of women. ART‐women were more frequently primiparous, whereas the prevalence of previous GDM was higher in SC‐women. The prevalence of GDM in the whole cohort was 36.1% and was higher in ART‐women (52.3% vs. 23.4%; p < 0.0001). In the whole cohort, on multivariate analysis, family history of diabetes (OR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.03–2.69), previous GDM (OR 7.05; 95% CI: 2.92–17.04), pre‐pregnancy obesity (OR 2.72; 95% CI 1.21–6.13), and ART (OR 4.14; 95% CI 2.65–6.48) were independent risk factors for GDM. Among ART‐women, age over 40 years was associated with GDM. Preterm delivery was more common in ART‐women; gestational week at delivery, birth weight, ponderal index, and Apgar score were lower in ART‐women than in SC‐women, both in the whole cohort and in GDM women. Conclusions Among women undergoing ART treatment, at least one in two develops GDM. ART appears to be an independent risk factor for GDM in single pregnancies, particularly above the age of 40. ART treatment seems to be associated with an increased rate of preterm delivery and lower neonatal birth weight and Apgar score, especially in GDM women. Clinical Trial Registration The study was not registered as it is an observational retrospective evaluation.