André Manoel Correia-Santos

Dietary supplements for the lactating adolescent mother: influence on plasma micronutrients

INTRODUCTION The nutritional status of micronutrients in lactating adolescent women is crucial to guarantee an adequate secretion of these in breast milk and, consequently, an adequate nutritional status of children. Hence, more attention should be given to micronutrient status of adolescent mother who breastfeed. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of multimicronutrients supplementation upon nutritional status of iron, copper, zinc and calcium of lactating adolescent mother from low socioeconomic status in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil. METHODS We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. During 60 days, 36 adolescents were allocated into two groups: supplemented group (SG) with 17 volunteers, receiving daily multimicronutrients supplement and the placebo group (PG) with 19 volunteers, receiving an inert compound. Plasma iron, copper, zinc and calcium and hemoglobin were determined at 7, 11 and 15 of the postpartum weeks (PPW). The effect of supplementation was analyzed by analysis of variance, comparing the differences between groups and within groups. RESULTS The average age of volunteers was 17.1 ± 0.8 for the supplemented group and 16.3 ± 1.4 for the placebo group. We observed an increase in the mean concentration of zinc (p < 0.05) and hemoglobin (p < 0.05) in the SG during the study (60 days), while the PG showed reduction (p < 0.05) in the mean concentration of copper between the 7th and 11t h PPW. CONCLUSION The results of this study show that supplementation with multimicronutrientes exerted positive effect on hemoglobin, copper and zinc.

Maternal use of flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation prevents morphological alterations in pancreas of female offspring from rat dams with experimental diabetes

Nutritional recommendations have promoted the increased need to consume n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Flaxseed is the richest dietary source of n‐3 fatty acids among plant sources and is widely used for its edible oil. This study aimed to investigate whether maternal use of flaxseed oil has effects on pancreas morphology in the female offspring of diabetic mothers. Female Wistar rats (n = 12) were induced into diabetes by a high‐fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin. After confirmation of the diabetes, rats were mated, and once pregnancy was confirmed, they were allocated into three groups (n = 6): high‐fat group (HG); flaxseed oil group (FOG); and control group (CG) (non‐diabetic rats). At weaning, female offspring (n = 6/group) received standard chow diet. The animals were euthanized at 180 days. Pancreas was collected for histomorphometric and immunohistochemistry analysis. HG showed hypertrophy of pancreatic islets (P < 0.0001), whereas FOG offspring had islets with smaller diameters compared to HG (P < 0.0001). HG offspring showed higher percentage of larger (P = 0.0061) and lower percentage of smaller islets (P = 0.0036). HG showed lower islet insulin immunodensity at 180 days (P < 0.0001), whereas FOG was similar to CG (P < 0.0001). Flaxseed oil reduced the damage caused by maternal hyperglycaemia, promoting normal pancreas histomorphometry and β‐cell mass in female offspring.

Serum and liver lipids distributions in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat treated with diet containing Yam (Dioscorea bulbifera) flour

INTRODUCTION Liver disease as a major cause of mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. There is a interest to investigate the hypolipidemic properties of yam. The goal was assess the role of Brazilian yam (Dioscorea bulbifera) on serum and hepatic levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, in female diabetic rats. METHODS The rats were divided into three groups: Control (C), Diabetic (DM); Diabetic Yam (DMY), treated with diet containing 25g/100g of yam flour. After 5 weeks of experiment, glucose, insulin, gonadal fat and liver mass were evaluated. Serum and liver concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations were quantified. Total liver thiols were determined. RESULTS After the 5 weeks, experimental groups shower (P < 0.05): Lower body mass; lower serum insulin; higher food intake and higher blood glucose concentration. DMY (vs. DM) group showed (P < 0.05): Lower blood glucose; higher gonadal fat mass; lower serum and hepatic triglycerides; higher hepatic cholesterol and thiols concentrations. DMY (vs. C) group showed: Similar serum and hepatic triglycerides and hepatic thiols. CONCLUSIONS Brazilian yam (Dioscorea bulbifera) alleviated the consequences of the experimental diabetic disease, suggesting protection to hypertriglyceridemia and lipid peroxidation.

Maternal exposure to diets containing flaxseed flour or flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation protects the aortic remodeling in adult male offspring of diabetic rat dams

BACKGROUND Diabetes during pregnancy is associated with cardiovascular complications in the fetus and extends into adulthood. Therapeutic applications of flaxseed have been studied in cardiovascular disorders, because its oilseed is the best plant source of omega-3 fatty acid, which is currently considered by researchers to be an essential protective against cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of flaxseed flour and oil on cardiovascular biochemical parameters and the histoarchitecture of the aorta in adult rats which were offspring of diabetic mothers. RESULTS At 100 days of age in offspring it was observed that maternal consumption of a high-fat diet containing flaxseed oil (FOG) and flaxseed flour (FFG) did not affect the serum concentration of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density-, low-density- or very-low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. However, the thickness of the intima media layer of the aorta was significantly smaller in FOG and FFG groups; the lumen area was similar among the groups; and a higher percentage of elastic fiber was found in FOG and FFG groups. CONCLUSION These data suggest that the use of both flaxseed flour and its oil reduces the remodeling of the aorta; however; it has not been possible to modify the cardiovascular biochemical parameters.

Effect of maternal use of flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation on glucose metabolism and pancreas histomorphometry of male offspring from diabetic rats

AIM Investigate if the maternal use of flaxseed oil prevents pancreatic alterations in the offspring of diabetic mothers. METHODS Diabetes was induced in female wistar rats (n=12) by a high-fat diet and low-dose of streptozotocin. After the confirmation of the diabetes (glucose >300 mg/dL), rats were mated and once pregnancy was confirmed, they were allocated into three groups (n=6): high-fat group (HFG); flaxseed oil group (FOG); and control group (CG) (nondiabetic rats). At weaning, male offspring (n=12/group) received a standard chow diet. The animals were euthanized in two phases: at 100 and at 180 days, (n=6/group). The pancreas was collected for histomorphometric and immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS HFG showed hypertrophy of pancreatic islets at 100 and at 180 days (p<0.0001), while the FOG offspring had islets with smaller diameters compared to HFG at both phases of sacrifice (p<0.0001). HFG had a lower percentage of small islets when compared to CG and FOG, which had a higher percentage when compared to HFG (p=0.0053) at 100 days. At 180 days HFG showed higher percentage of larger islets (p=0.00137) and lower percentage of smaller islets (p=0.00112), when compared to FOG. HFG showed lower islet insulin immunodensity at 100 days (p<0.0001) and 180 days (p<0.0001), whereas FOG was similar to CG (p<0.0001) at 100 days and higher at 180 days (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Flaxseed oil reduced the damage caused by maternal hyperglycemia, promoting normal pancreas histomorphometry and β cell mass.

Evaluation of blood pressure and aortic elasticity of offspring of diabetic Wistar rats who have consumed flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether maternal use of flaxseed oil has effects on blood pressure and aorta elastic fibre in female offspring of diabetic mothers. Methods: Diabetes was induced into the rats (n = 18) by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin. After diabetes confirmation, rats were mated, and after pregnancy was confirmed, they were allocated into three groups: control group (CG); high-fat group (HFG); and flaxseed oil group (FOG). At weaning, female offspring (n = 6/group) received standard chow diet and were euthanized at 100 days of life. The following blood pressure and the percentage of the aortic elastic fibre were analysed. Results: HFG showed higher blood pressure, and the use of flaxseed oil avoided this condition in FOG (p < 0.001) and increased the percentage of the aortic elastic fibre (p < 0.022). Conclusions: Flaxseed oil reduced the damage caused by maternal hyperglycaemia, promoting normal blood pressure and elasticity of the aorta in female offspring.

Functional implications of maternal intake of flaxseed and its by-products during pregnancy and lactation on offspring: Review of animal studies

Purpose The purpose of this review of the literature is to provide data about flaxseed intake during pregnancy and/or lactation and its effects in the offspring from birth to adulthood. Design/methodology/approach This review includes up-to-date information from evidence-based sources on flaxseed intake and its by-products, during pregnancy and lactation and its effects on male and female offspring, from post-weaning until adulthood. Topics included are effects on body mass; glycaemic metabolism; lipid profile; blood pressure and aortic structure; reproductive system and brain tissue. Findings The main effects of flaxseed or its by-products were observed in the cardiovascular system, where a lipid profile improvement and minor aortic remodelling were noticed, and in the cerebral development, where greater n-3 PUFA incorporation in the brain was detected. Originality/value The research done in this study, to understand the offspring response that were early exposed to the flaxseed components during pregnancy and lactation, may be the first step toward guiding future strategies for recommending the use of this seed during the offspring’s perinatal period.

Flaxseed used since pregnancy by the mother and after weaning by the offspring benefits the retina and optic nerve development in rats

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of a diet based on flaxseed upon the development of the nervous system, more specifically, the optic nerve and retina. Methods: Rats were divided into three groups: Control (CG), Flaxseed (FG), and Modified Control (MCG). The analyses were performed in the offspring (n = 6/group) at the immediate postnatal period (P0), 14 d of life (P14) and 30 d of life (P30). Descriptive analysis and histomorphometry of optic nerve and retina were performed. Results: There was a great evolution in the development of the nervous fascicles, connective trabeculae, and blood vessels, when comparing the three ages studied, and these characteristics were more evident in FG at all three ages. The P0, P14, and P30 retina showed similar morphology to that described in the literature. In histomorphometry, at P14, the FG presented the retina and its layers with significant increase in thickness, except for internal granular and ganglionar, whereas MCG had greater retina and photoreceptor layers thickness, inner plexiform and external granular when compared with CG (p < .05). Conclusion: The use of flaxseed in the pre-and postnatal period displays favourable influence on the development of rat optic nerve and retina, probably leading to myelination.

The use of flaxseed flour during pregnancy and lactation reverses lower birth weight in offspring from diabetic mothers but averts the development during lactation

UNLABELLED Diabetes is a complication which occurring during gestation might substantially influence the development of offspring during fetal life and postnatally. Flaxseed is a source of omega-3, that the appropriate supply during gestation and lactation are determinant for a suitable perinatal growth and development. The present study aimed to assess beneficial effects of the use of flaxseed flour during pregnancy and lactation on body development from birth to weaning of offspring from diabetic mothers. METHODS twelve rats from a total of eighteen were induced to diabetes by high-fat diet during four weeks, also receiving one lower dose of streptozotocin. After confirmation of diabetes (glucose>300 mg/dL), they were mated and when pregnancy was confirmed, they were divided in 3 groups: high-fat group (HFG), high-fat flaxseed flour group (HFFFG) and control group (CG), receiving high- fat diet, high-fat diet added flaxseed flour and control diet, respectively. They were fed this way during whole gestation and lactation. The body development of offspring was measured weekly since the first day after birth until weaning. RESULTS At birth, the average body mass of offspring from diabetics mothers who received only high-fat diet was 23,6% lighter than body mass of offspring from non-diabetics mothers (p<0,05), while the animals from diabetic mothers who consumed flaxseed flour during pregnancy and lactation showed the same body mass than the control group. During all experiment HFFFG group showed decreased body mass (about 20%, p<0,05)in comparison with control group. CONCLUSION The treatment with flaxseed flour was capable of avoiding lower birth weight in offspring from diabetic mothers. However, the consumption of flaxseed flour by mothers during lactation yielded decrease offspring weight at weaning.