Ana Maria Pandolfo Feoli

Effect of diet on adiponectin levels in blood

Dietary management has been considered an alternative means of modulating adiponectin levels. The purpose of this review is to examine the scientific evidence regarding the effect of diet on adiponectin levels in blood. Clinical trials were selected from Medline until April 2010 using the following MeSH terms: adipokines OR adiponectin AND diet OR lifestyle. A total of 220 articles were identified in the initial search, and 52 studies utilizing three different methods of dietary management were included in the present review: low-calorie diets (n = 9 studies), modification of diet composition (n = 33), and diet plus exercise (n = 10). Daily intake of fish or omega-3 supplementation increased adiponectin levels by 14-60%. Weight loss achieved with a low-calorie diet plus exercise increased adiponectin levels in the range of 18-48%. A 60-115% increase in adiponectin levels was obtained with fiber supplementation. In conclusion, dietary management can be an effective therapeutic means of increasing adiponectin levels. Studies investigating different forms of adiponectin and changes in the types of adipose tissue are necessary in order to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the modulation of adiponectin levels.

Serum and liver lipids in rats and chicks fed with diets containing different oils.

OBJECTIVES Because dietary fat composition is determinant for serum cholesterol level, which is related to cardiovascular disease, we evaluated the effects of diets containing saturated (coconut oil) or polyunsaturated fatty acids (soybean oil) supplemented or not with dietary cholesterol on serum and liver lipid composition in two animal species. METHODS Male Wistar rats (21 d old) were assigned to one of seven groups and fed with commercial diet or diets containing 5% or 20% soybean oil or 20% coconut oil with or without 1% cholesterol. Chicks were assigned to one of four groups and fed with diets containing 15% soybean oil or 15% coconut oil with or without 1% cholesterol. RESULTS In rats, the accumulations of hepatic cholesterol and triacylglycerols were higher in the group fed 20% soybean oil and 1% cholesterol than in the group fed 20% coconut fat and 1% cholesterol. The highest serum levels of cholesterol and triacylglycerols were observed in the group fed coconut oil and cholesterol, compared with the group fed soybean oil and cholesterol. Triacylglycerol, high-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol serum levels increased with diet containing coconut oil and cholesterol. In chicks, the highest hepatic cholesterol accumulation occurred in the group fed 15% coconut fat and 1% cholesterol. Total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased with diet containing coconut oil and cholesterol, although none of these diets modified serum triacylglycerol levels. CONCLUSIONS The type of experimental animal model and the diet composition influence lipid metabolism.

Xanthine Oxidase Activity Is Associated with Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease and Inflammatory and Oxidative Status Markers in Metabolic Syndrome: Effects of a Single Exercise Session

Objective. The main goal of the present study was to investigate the xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in metabolic syndrome in subjects submitted to a single exercise session. We also investigated parameters of oxidative and inflammatory status. Materials/Methods. A case-control study (9 healthy and 8 MS volunteers) was performed to measure XO, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase activities, lipid peroxidation, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) content, glucose levels, and lipid profile. Body mass indices, abdominal circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and TG levels were also determined. The exercise session consisted of 3 minutes of stretching, 3 minutes of warm-up, 30 minutes at a constant dynamic workload at a moderate intensity, and 3 minutes at a low speed. The blood samples were collected before and 15 minutes after the exercise session. Results. Serum XO activity was higher in MS group compared to control group. SOD activity was lower in MS subjects. XO activity was correlated with SOD, abdominal circumference, body mass indices, and hsCRP. The single exercise session reduced the SOD activity in the control group. Conclusions. Our data support the association between oxidative stress and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and suggest XO is present in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome.

Developmental changes in content of glial marker proteins in rats exposed to protein malnutrition

Pre- and postnatal protein malnutrition (PMN) adversely affects the developing brain in numerous ways, but only a few studies have investigated specific glial parameters. This study aimed to evaluate specific glial changes of rats exposed to pre and postnatal PMN, based on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100B immunocontents as well as glutamine synthetase (GS), in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebrospinal fluid, on the 2nd, 15th and 60th postnatal days. We found increases in GFAP, S100B and GS in the cerebral cortex at birth, suggesting an astrogliosis. Hippocampus and cerebellum also exhibited this profile at birth. However, a significant interaction between age and diet in postnatal life was observed only in the S100B of the cerebral cortex. No changes in the content of GFAP and S100B and GS activity were found on the 60th postnatal day in malnourished rats. In contrast, following an increase in the levels of S100B in the cerebrospinal fluid, during the early developmental stages, levels remained elevated on the 60th postnatal day. Our data support the concept of astrogliosis at birth, induced by PMN, and involve extracellular-regulated kinase activation. Specific alterations in cerebral cortex emphasize the regional vulnerability of the brain to malnutrition; some alterations were observed only at birth (e.g. GFAP); others were observed on the 2nd and 15th post-natal days (e.g. ERK phosphorylation). Taken together, transient and persistent alterations (e.g. elevated extracellular levels of S100B) suggest some brain damage or a risk of brain diseases in rats exposed to PMN.

In vitro effects of selenite and mercuric chloride on liver thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances and non-protein thiols from rats: Influences of dietary cholesterol and polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids☆

OBJECTIVE We measured the in vitro effects of mercuric chloride (Hg2+) and selenite (Se4+) on hepatic 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and non-protein sulfhydryl (NPSH) levels of rats fed diets enriched with polyunsaturated or saturated fatty acids with and without cholesterol. METHODS Male Wistar rats (21 d old) were assigned to one of four groups and fed diets containing 20% soybean oil, 20% soybean oil plus 1% cholesterol, 20% coconut oil, or coconut oil plus 1% cholesterol. After the feeding period (6 wk), body weight gain was equal in all groups. TBARS levels and NPSH content were measured after in vitro exposure to mercuric chloride (100 microM) and sodium selenite (25 microM) for 1 h. RESULTS The lipid peroxidation, measured as TBARS levels in the control group, were statistically higher in hepatic homogenates of rats fed diets containing soybean oil than in groups fed coconut oil (P = 0.009). However, cholesterol supplementation did not change TBARS levels. Selenite alone did not modify TBARS production, whereas mercury alone significantly increased TBARS levels. Moreover, Se4+ protected against mercury-induced lipid peroxidation only in rats fed diets containing coconut oil. In the control group, dietary fat acids did not change NPSH levels. Selenite produced higher oxidative effects toward NPSH content, whereas Hg2+ decreased NPSH levels only in liver from rats fed diets containing soybean oil. NPSH levels were higher after concomitant exposure to Se4+ and Hg2+ chloride that after exposure to Se4+ alone, suggesting an interaction between Hg2+ and Se4+. Catalase activity was higher in animals fed diets containing soybean oil. Dietary cholesterol decreased glutathione peroxidase activity. CONCLUSION Together these results indicated that the protective effect of Se4+ against mercury-induced lipid peroxidation depends on dietary fat saturation.

Alimentary habits, physical activity, and Framingham global risk score in metabolic syndrome.

Background Metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder represented by a set of cardiovascular risk factors. A healthy lifestyle is strongly related to improve Quality of Life and interfere positively in the control of risk factors presented in this condition. Objective To evaluate the effect of a program of lifestyle modification on the Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Profile in subjects diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Methods A sub-analysis study of a randomized clinical trial controlled blind that lasted three months. Participants were randomized into four groups: dietary intervention + placebo (DIP), dietary intervention + supplementation of omega 3 (fish oil 3 g/day) (DIS3), dietary intervention + placebo + physical activity (DIPE) and dietary intervention + physical activity + supplementation of omega 3 (DIS3PE). The general cardiovascular risk profile of each individual was calculated before and after the intervention. Results The study included 70 subjects. Evaluating the score between the pre and post intervention yielded a significant value (p < 0.001). We obtained a reduction for intermediate risk in 25.7% of subjects. After intervention, there was a significant reduction (p < 0.01) on cardiovascular age, this being more significant in groups DIP (5.2%) and DIPE (5.3%). Conclusion Proposed interventions produced beneficial effects for reducing cardiovascular risk score. This study emphasizes the importance of lifestyle modification in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Nursing, nutrition and physiotherapy students: career choice

Sob o aspecto da escolha profissional, o ingresso na universidade traz embutido significados de autorrealizacao e status social, nos quais perpassam conceitos e ideais construidos no viver da pessoa. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar regimes de verdade que permeiam a escolha profissional da enfermagem, fisioterapia e nutricao. E um estudo descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, com ingressantes na graduacao. Coleta de dados foi realizada com grupos focais, avaliados pela analise de discurso, sob o olhar de Focault. Da analise emergiram as tematicas: - escolha profissional: coroamento de um processo de diferenciacao social, - reflexos da historia de reconhecimento das profissoes, - a escolha profissional para alem de projetos profissionais. Os discursos assinalam que o conhecimento cientifico adquire status nas relacoes de poder entre as diferentes profissoes e a sociedade, sendo fundamental que a formacao de profissionais de saude esteja articulada as politicas publicas que ampliam a participacao de diferentes profissoes, a fim de atender as demandas em prol da atencao integral.Bajo el aspecto de la eleccion profesional, el ingreso a la Universidad trae embutido significados de autorrealizacion y de status social, los cuales contienen conceptos e ideales construidos en el vivir cotidiano de las personas. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar regimenes de verdad contenidos en la eleccion profesional de enfermeria, nutricion y fisioterapia. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, de abordaje cualitativo realizado en los estudiantes que ingresan a la Graduacion. La recoleccion de datos fue realizada en Grupos Focales, evaluados por medio del Analisis del Discurso, bajo el marco teorico de Focault. Del analisis emergieron las tematicas: Eleccion profesional; Coronamiento de un proceso de diferenciacion social; Reflejos de la historia del reconocimiento de las profesiones; La eleccion profesional - mas alla de proyectos profesionales. Los discursos senalan que el conocimiento cientifico adquiere status en las relaciones de poder entre las diferentes profesiones y en la sociedad, siendo fundamental que la formacion de los profesionales de la salud este articulada a las politicas publicas que amplian la participacion de las diferentes profesiones, con la finalidad de atender las demandas en pro de una atencion integral.

Acadêmicos de enfermagem, nutrição e fisioterapia: a escolha profissional

Sob o aspecto da escolha profissional, o ingresso na universidade traz embutido significados de autorrealizacao e status social, nos quais perpassam conceitos e ideais construidos no viver da pessoa. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar regimes de verdade que permeiam a escolha profissional da enfermagem, fisioterapia e nutricao. E um estudo descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, com ingressantes na graduacao. Coleta de dados foi realizada com grupos focais, avaliados pela analise de discurso, sob o olhar de Focault. Da analise emergiram as tematicas: - escolha profissional: coroamento de um processo de diferenciacao social, - reflexos da historia de reconhecimento das profissoes, - a escolha profissional para alem de projetos profissionais. Os discursos assinalam que o conhecimento cientifico adquire status nas relacoes de poder entre as diferentes profissoes e a sociedade, sendo fundamental que a formacao de profissionais de saude esteja articulada as politicas publicas que ampliam a participacao de diferentes profissoes, a fim de atender as demandas em prol da atencao integral.Bajo el aspecto de la eleccion profesional, el ingreso a la Universidad trae embutido significados de autorrealizacion y de status social, los cuales contienen conceptos e ideales construidos en el vivir cotidiano de las personas. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar regimenes de verdad contenidos en la eleccion profesional de enfermeria, nutricion y fisioterapia. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, de abordaje cualitativo realizado en los estudiantes que ingresan a la Graduacion. La recoleccion de datos fue realizada en Grupos Focales, evaluados por medio del Analisis del Discurso, bajo el marco teorico de Focault. Del analisis emergieron las tematicas: Eleccion profesional; Coronamiento de un proceso de diferenciacion social; Reflejos de la historia del reconocimiento de las profesiones; La eleccion profesional - mas alla de proyectos profesionales. Los discursos senalan que el conocimiento cientifico adquiere status en las relaciones de poder entre las diferentes profesiones y en la sociedad, siendo fundamental que la formacion de los profesionales de la salud este articulada a las politicas publicas que amplian la participacion de las diferentes profesiones, con la finalidad de atender las demandas en pro de una atencion integral.

Effects of Undernutrition on Glycine Metabolism in the Cerebellum of Rats

Undernutrition is a worldwide problem affecting millions of unborn and young children during the most vulnerable stages of brain development. Total restriction of protein during the perinatal period of life can alter the development of the mammalian fetus and have marked repercussions on development of the central nervous system (CNS). The brain is vulnerable to undernutrition with altered morphologic and biochemical maturation, leading to impaired functions. The focus of this study is to investigate [U-14C]glycine metabolism in undernourished rats submitted to pre- and postnatal protein deprivation (diet: 8% protein with and without addition of L-methionine; control group: 25% protein). Although undernutrition produced a reduction in cerebellar weight and alterations in the DNA concentration, the present study shows that glycine metabolism in this structure is partially protected because the undernourished group with L-methionine did not show modifications in glycine metabolism at all ages studied. However, L-methionine deficiency alters glycine metabolism at 7 and 21 days, but in the adult age both undernourished groups presented no differences in oxidation to CO2, conversion to lipids and incorporation into protein from glycine, compared to the control group.

Predictors of adherence in a prevention program for patients with metabolic syndrome

The study objectives were (1) comparison of baseline characteristics between individuals with metabolic syndrome, adhering/not adhering to a primary prevention program modificação do estilo de vida e risco cardiovascular; and (2) determination of risk factors for program adherence. The sample included 127 participants with mean age (±standard deviation) of 49.58 (±7.77) years, participating in the modificação do estilo de vida e risco cardiovascular between 2010 and 2012. Results show that program adherence predictors were age (odds ratio: 1.134, 95% confidence interval: 1.106–1.833); practicing physical exercise (odds ratio: 1.322, 95% confidence interval: 1.115–7.589); self-efficacy for regular eating habits (odds ratio: 2.044, 95% confidence interval: 1.184–3.377); low binge eating scores (odds ratio: 1.922, 95% confidence interval: 1.118–3.974); and low isolation and depression scores (odds ratio: 0.721, 95% confidence interval: 0.322–0.917).