Célia Lúcia de Luces Fortes Ferreira

Potential mechanisms for the emerging link between obesity and increased intestinal permeability

Recently, increased attention has been paid to the link between gut microbial composition and obesity. Gut microbiota is a source of endotoxins whose increase in plasma is related to obesity and insulin resistance through increased intestinal permeability in animal models; however, this relationship still needs to be confirmed in humans. That intestinal permeability is subject to change and that it might be the interface between gut microbiota and endotoxins in the core of metabolic dysfunctions reinforce the need to understand the mechanisms involved in these aspects to direct more efficient therapeutic approaches. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the emerging link between obesity and increased intestinal permeability, including the possible factors that contribute to increased intestinal permeability in obese subjects. We address the concept of intestinal permeability, how it is measured, and the intestinal segments that may be affected. We then describe 3 factors that may have an influence on intestinal permeability in obesity: microbial dysbiosis, dietary pattern (high-fructose and high-fat diet), and nutritional deficiencies. Gaps in the current knowledge of the role of Toll-like receptors ligands to induce insulin resistance, the routes for lipopolysaccharide circulation, and the impact of altered intestinal microbiota in obesity, as well as the limitations of current permeability tests and other potential useful markers, are discussed. More studies are needed to reveal how changes occur in the microbiota. The factors such as changes in the dietary pattern and the improvement of nutritional deficiencies appear to influence intestinal permeability, and impact metabolism must be examined. Also, additional studies are necessary to better understand how probiotic supplements, prebiotics, and micronutrients can improve stress-induced gastrointestinal barrier dysfunction and the influence these factors have on host defense. Hence, the topics presented in this review may be beneficial in directing future studies that assess gut barrier function in obesity.

Intestinal permeability parameters in obese patients are correlated with metabolic syndrome risk factors

BACKGROUND & AIMS Altered intestinal permeability has been shown to be associated with metabolic alterations in animal models of obesity, but not in humans. The aim of this study was to assess intestinal permeability in obese women and verify if there is any association with anthropometric measurements, body composition or biochemical variables. METHODS Twenty lean and twenty obese females participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements, body composition and blood pressure were assessed and biochemical analyses were performed. Administration of lactulose and mannitol followed by their quantification in urine was used to assess the intestinal permeability of volunteers. RESULTS The obese group showed lower HDL (p < 0.05), higher fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA index and lactulose excretion than the lean group (p < 0.05), suggesting increased paracellular permeability. Lactulose excretion showed positive correlation (p < 0.05) with waist and abdominal circumference. Blood insulin and the HOMA index also increased with the increase in mannitol and lactulose excretion and in the L/M ratio (p < 0.05). L/M ratio presented a negative correlation with HDL concentration (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that intestinal permeability parameters in obese women are positively correlated with anthropometric measurements and metabolic variables. Therapeutic interventions focused on intestine health and the modulation of intestinal permeability should be explored in the context of obesity.

Higher level of faecal SCFA in women correlates with metabolic syndrome risk factors

SCFA provide energy to the host and influence lipid and glucose metabolism, suggesting that they may have an impact on the occurrence of metabolic risk factors. The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of SCFA in faeces of lean and obese individuals and to analyse whether associations between faecal SCFA and metabolic syndrome parameters are present. Lean (n 20) and obese (n 20) women of similar age (28·5 (sd 7·6) v. 30·7 (sd 6·5) years, P= 0·33) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, blood pressure and biochemical parameters were assessed. SCFA were extracted from faeces and quantified by GC. Blood pressure and blood glucose, although within the normal limits, were higher in the obese group compared to lean subjects (P< 0·05). Lower HDL concentration and higher insulin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index were observed in the obese than in the lean group (P< 0·05). The median values of SCFA (% w/w) from the lean and obese groups were butyric (0·021 v. 0·044, P= 0·024), propionic (0·021 v. 0·051, P= 0·007) and acetic (0·03 v. 0·061, P= 0·01). SCFA correlated positively with metabolic syndrome risk factors such as adiposity, waist circumference and HOMA index (P< 0·05), and inversely with HDL (P< 0·05). Our results suggest that the higher faecal concentration of SCFA is associated with metabolic risk factors and thus may influence metabolic homeostasis.

Growth of preschool children was improved when fed an iron-fortified fermented milk beverage supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus

Food fortification is an efficient strategy applied to overcome iron deficiency anemia. This study investigated the effect of iron fortification with probiotic bacteria in a milk beverage on growth and iron status of preschool children with a usually low-bioavailable-iron diet intake. The fermented milk beverage was fortified with iron amino acid chelate (3 mg iron per 80 mL) and supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus (test) or not (control). The beverage was fed to 190 children aged 2 to 5 years for a duration of 101 days. Anthropometric, hematologic, and nutritional assessments were carried out before and after the intervention. The levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit decreased (P < .001) in both groups (test and control) but remained within the reference range. The children fed the probiotic milk beverage exhibited higher red blood cell status and a positive correlation between iron intake and hemoglobin. An increased serum ferritin level was observed in the control group (P < .001). Nutritional status was improved after intervention in both groups by comparing the indices of weight for age and height for age. However, no difference was observed in the weight for height index in these groups. Energy and nutrient intake increased (P < .001) with intervention, and the prevalence of inadequacy was reduced. The fortified beverage contributed to improved nutrient intake and nutritional status of the preschool children. The higher demand and mobilization of nutrients to offset growth may have contributed to maintain blood parameters at borderline levels.

Yacon Flour and Bifidobacterium longum Modulate Bone Health in Rats

Yacon flour has been considered a food with prebiotic potential because of the high levels of fructooligosaccharides, which allows for its use in formulating synbiotic foods. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of yacon flour and probiotic (Bifidobacterium longum) on the modulation of variables related to bone health. Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control, yacon flour, diet+B. longum, and yacon flour+B. longum. After euthanasia, the bones were removed for analysis of biomechanical properties (thickness, length, and strength of fracture) and mineral content (Ca, Mg, and P); the cecum was removed for analysis of the microbiota and short-chain fatty acids. Tibia Ca, P, and Mg content was significantly (P<.05) higher in groups fed diet+B. longum, yacon flour+B. longum than in the control group. An increase in fracture strength was observed in the yacon flour (8.1%), diet+B. longum (8.6%), and yacon flour+B. longum (14.6%) in comparison to the control group. Total anaerobe and weight of the cecum were higher (P<.05) in rats consuming the yacon flour diet compared with the other groups. Cecal concentration of propionate was higher in all experimental groups compared with the control (P<.05). Yacon flour in combination with B. longum helped increase the concentration of minerals in bones, an important factor in the prevention of diseases such as osteoporosis.

Processamento do queijo coalho regional empregando leite pasteurizado e cultura lática endógena

The main objective of this work is to propose a manufacturing procedure to make a safe artisan Coalho type cheese. Pasteurized and standardized cow´s milk added with endogenous lactic acid culture was used in the procedure. Endogenous lactic cultures were identified and characterized after being isolated from raw cow´s milk and artisan cheeses. The selected cultures were used in the manufacturing procedure designed for Coalho type cheese. Cheese made with added endogenous lactic acid culture underwent physic-chemical analysis, sensory acceptance and fritter tests. Results showed that it is feasible to make such cheese in a standardized process, with improved microbiological quality, keeping sensory properties of traditional cheese made with raw milk and a reduced cost using suppression on imports of starter cultures.

Microbiological and chemical analysis of youghurts marketed in Lavras - MG

Taking into consideration the importance that yoghurt has been assuming in the Brazilian market, a number of research has been procceded to improve its quality and of other fermented products. The presence of contaminants is today one of the great problems for the industry, causing loss of the product due to alterations of flavour, color and also of package swelling on the refrigerated shelves. The chief purpose of this work was to perform surveys of the microbiological characteristics of yoghurts by means of the enumeration of fungi and yeasts found relating them with the shelf-life of the yoghurt of different marks. Seventy-two samples of yoghurts marketed were submitted to the microbiological analysis of the population of Lactobacillus/Streptococcus, fungus and yeasts count and chemical analysis (pH, % of lactic acid). The yoghurts were produced by four different manufacturers and marketed in the supermarkets of Lavras-MG, Brazil. Both Lactobacillus delbrueckii spp. Bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophillus were found at the 1:2 ratio, respectively, on 80% of the samples analysed. No significant differences were found in the pH value and lactic acid content in the samples. In 28% of the samples, yeasts population above 100 CFU/g was found where as at 7%, yeast counts over 1000 CFU/g were obtained. The results show that despite all cares and technic innovations both during and after yoghurt manufacture, the product may still be subject to microbial contamination when hygiene and health conditions are not met.

Yacon (Smallanthus Sonchifolius): A Food with Multiple Functions

Functional foods are the focus of many studies worldwide. This is justified by the effects they have on public health and thus interest in elucidation of the mechanisms involved in their actions. The present review aims to broaden the discussions of the functional properties attributed to yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), considered a food with multiple functions since it possesses bioactive compounds (antimicrobial, antioxidant, and probiotic substances) that exert beneficial effects on the body. Although some studies have already demonstrated several of these functions, clinical evidence is scarce, making it necessary that more studies are conducted in this area. Still, since the availability of this food in the market is relatively new, its popularity depends on publications aimed at consumer education and development of new products by the food industry.

Composição química, caracterização e quantificação da população de microrganismos em capim-elefante cv. Cameroon (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) e suas silagens

Values of pH, ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen (NH3-N), chemical composition, in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) and microbial populations of elephantgrass silages produced with enzymatic-bacterial inoculants, were evaluated in six fermentation periods (1, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days), using laboratory silos. A 6 x 3 (six fermentation periods x three inoculants) factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized design, with three replicates, was used. The following bacterial inoculants were evaluated: control (without inoculant), Sill All C4 (Alltech of Brazil) and Bacto Silo Tropical C (Katec). The CP, NDF and ADF contents were affected only by the fermentation period. The IVDMD, however, was affected by the inoculant × fermentation period interaction.The IVDMD concentration, however, was affected by the interaction between inoculant and fermentation period. There was a significant effect of inoculant and period on pH value, being observed reduction of 0.5769; 0.62327, and 0.80218 units/day of fermentation for the control silage, silage treated with Sil All, and Bacto Silo, respectively. It was observed inoculant × fermentation period interaction for NH3-N. The lactic acid bacteria population in the grass before ensiling was 104 cfu/gram of fresh forage, reaching maximum value of 108 cfu/gram of fresh silage at 14 days of fermentation to the control silage, and at 7 days of fermentation to the silages treated with inoculant. The enterobacter were not detected after the third day of fermentation and the maximum values of 104, <10, and 103 cfu/gram were registred for the silage to control, Sil All, and Bacto Silo Tropical C silages, respectively.

Whole processed (fermented and extruded) soybean and soybean meal in replacement of dried milk in diet of piglets weaned at 14 days of age

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the use of whole fermented soybean (WFS), whole extruded soybean (WES) and soybean meal (SBM) in replacement to the dried milk (MD) of the diet on the performance, feed intake and morphological alterations on the digestive system of piglets from 14 to 35 day and from 14 to 56 days, and its residual effects from 36 to 56 days of age. Ninety-six crossbreed (Landrace x Large White) piglets weaned at 14 days of age were allotted to a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments, four replicates and six animals per experimental unit. The protein source affected the piglets performance from 14 to 35 days and from 14 to 56 days of ages. The piglets that were fed MD based diet showed better weight gain on the first three weeks after weaning and on the total period. However, from 36 to 56 days of age it was not observed the influence of the treatments on the piglets performance. It was observed effect of protein source on villus height (VH) and villus: cripta ratio of pigs slaughtered at 21 days of age, and on the VH of the piglets slaughtered at 35 days of age; pigs fed MD based diets showed higher VH than other treatments. Whole extrude soybean and SBM can replace the MD in diets of piglets weaned at 14 days of age and that the high level of anti-trypsin factors in the WFS compromised the results.The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of the use of whole fermented soybean (WFS), whole extruded soybean (WES) and soybean meal (SBM) in replacement to the dried milk (MD) of the diet on the performance, feed intake and morphological alterations on the digestive system of piglets from 14 to 35 day and from 14 to 56 days, and its residual effects from 36 to 56 days of age. Ninety-six crossbreed (Landrace x Large White) piglets weaned at 14 days of age were allotted to a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments, four replicates and six animals per experimental unit. The protein source affected the piglets performance from 14 to 35 days and from 14 to 56 days of ages. The piglets that were fed MD based diet showed better weight gain on the first three weeks after weaning and on the total period. However, from 36 to 56 days of age it was not observed the influence of the treatments on the piglets performance. It was observed effect of protein source on villus height (VH) and villus: cripta ratio of pigs slaughtered at 21 days of age, and on the VH of the piglets slaughtered at 35 days of age; pigs fed MD based diets showed higher VH than other treatments. Whole extrude soybean and SBM can replace the MD in diets of piglets weaned at 14 days of age and that the high level of anti-trypsin factors in the WFS compromised the results.