Eric Francelino Andrade

Effect of beta-glucans in the control of blood glucose levels of diabetic patients: a systematic review

Introduction: Functional foods have been widely utilized to reduce the symptoms of various diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Among the foods used to combat these effects are soluble fibres, mainly those rich in beta- glucans (BGs). Objective: To review the effects of beta-glucans (BGs) on glucose plasmatic levels of diabetic individuals. Design: A search was conducted using the Pubmed, Science Direct and Scielo databases using the keywords: diabetes mellitus and beta-glucan and glucose and glycaemia. As inclusion criteria, only studies on diabetic human individuals (type 1 or type 2) who consumed BGs were selected. Results and Discussion: Of the 819 initial articles retrieved, only 10 fit the inclusion criteria and were used in the study. It was observed that doses around 6.0g/person/ day, for at least 4 weeks were sufficient to provoke improvements in the blood glucose levels and also lipid parameters of individuals with DM. However, glucose levels do not reach normal levels using BG alone. Low doses of BG for at least 12 weeks were also reported to promote metabolic benefits. Conclusions: Based on previous research, it was concluded that the ingestion of BGs was efficient in decreasing glucose levels of diabetic patients. The consumption of greater doses or smaller doses for longer periods of time produced better results.INTRODUCTION Functional foods have been widely utilized to reduce the symptoms of various diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Among the foods used to combat these effects are soluble fibres, mainly those rich in beta- glucans (BGs). OBJECTIVE To review the effects of beta-glucans (BGs) on glucose plasmatic levels of diabetic individuals. DESIGN A search was conducted using the Pubmed, Science Direct and Scielo databases using the keywords: diabetes mellitus and beta-glucan and glucose and glycaemia. As inclusion criteria, only studies on diabetic human individuals (type 1 or type 2) who consumed BGs were selected. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Of the 819 initial articles retrieved, only 10 fit the inclusion criteria and were used in the study. It was observed that doses around 6.0g/person/ day, for at least 4 weeks were sufficient to provoke improvements in the blood glucose levels and also lipid parameters of individuals with DM. However, glucose levels do not reach normal levels using BG alone. Low doses of BG for at least 12 weeks were also reported to promote metabolic benefits. CONCLUSIONS Based on previous research, it was concluded that the ingestion of BGs was efficient in decreasing glucose levels of diabetic patients. The consumption of greater doses or smaller doses for longer periods of time produced better results.

β-Glucans (Saccharomyces cereviseae) Reduce Glucose Levels and Attenuate Alveolar Bone Loss in Diabetic Rats with Periodontal Disease.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of oral ingestion of β-glucans isolated from Saccharomyces cereviseae on the metabolic profile, expression of gingival inflammatory markers and amount of alveolar bone loss in diabetic rats with periodontal disease. Diabetes mellitus was induced in 48 Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (80 mg/kg). After confirming the diabetes diagnosis, the animals were treated with β-glucans (by gavage) for 28 days. On the 14th day of this period, periodontal disease was induced using a ligature protocol. β-glucans reduced the amount of alveolar bone loss in animals with periodontal disease in both the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (p < 0.05). β-glucans reduced blood glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels in diabetic animals, both with and without periodontal disease (p < 0.05). Furthermore, treatment with β-glucans reduced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand and increased osteoprotegerin expression in animals with diabetes and periodontal disease (p < 0.05). It was concluded that treatment with β-glucans has beneficial metabolic and periodontal effects in diabetic rats with periodontal disease.

Adaptation to physical training in rats orally supplemented with glycerol.

We evaluated training adaptation and physical performance parameters in rats orally supplemented with glycerol, glucose, or saline, and submitted to moderate aerobic exercise. Thirty male rats were trained for 6 weeks and administered the supplements during the last 4 weeks of the experiment. Animals were distributed in a completely randomized factorial 2 × 3 design (with or without exercise and 3 substrates). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were compared using the Student-Newmann-Keuls test at 5%. Among the trained animals, none of the substances caused differences in the percentages of protein, fat, or water content in the carcass. Compared with the sedentary animals, the trained animals supplemented with saline and glucose showed a higher protein percentage in the carcass. The relative mass of the heart and adrenal glands was higher in the trained animals. Glycerol improved the protein content in non-trained animals and increased the relative adrenal mass in both groups. Glycerol reduced the variation in levels of lactate and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) during the last exercise session. There was no difference between groups regarding the relative mass of the thymus and gastrocnemius or with the diameter of muscle fibers or the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. Supplementation with glycerol was efficient at attenuating variation in AST and lactate levels during exercise.

Exercise and Beta-Glucan Consumption (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Improve the Metabolic Profile and Reduce the Atherogenic Index in Type 2 Diabetic Rats (HFD/STZ)

Physical activity and the ingestion of dietary fiber are non-drug alternatives commonly used as adjuvants to glycemic control in diabetic individuals. Among these fibers, we can highlight beta-glucans. However, few studies have compared isolated and synergic effects of physical exercise and beta-glucan ingestion, especially in type 2 diabetic rats. Therefore, we evaluated the effects beta-glucan (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) consumption, associated or not to exercise, on metabolic parameters of diabetic Wistar rats. The diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced by high-fat diet (HFD) associated with a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ—35 mg/kg). Trained groups were submitted to eight weeks of exercise in aquatic environment. In the last 28 days of experiment, animals received 30 mg/kg/day of beta-glucan by gavage. Isolated use of beta-glucan decreased glucose levels in fasting, Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), the atherogenic index of plasma. Exercise alone also decreased blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and renal lesions. An additive effect for reducing the atherogenic index of plasma and renal lesions was observed when both treatments were combined. It was concluded that both beta-glucan and exercise improved metabolic parameters in type 2 (HFD/STZ) diabetic rats.

Use of biodiesel co-products (Glycerol) as alternative sources of energy in animal nutrition: a systematic review

El reciente aumento en el uso de biodiesel en Brasil y en el extranjero, junto con la disponibilidad de gran cantidad de su residuo, el glicerol, ha generado un gran interes en el uso de este co-producto de varias maneras, entre ellas su aplicacion en la alimentacion animal. El uso de glicerol en la formulacion de dietas despierta interes inmediato para obtener un producto rico en energia y alta eficiencia de utilizacion por los animales. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los efectos del uso de la glicerina resultante de la produccion de biodiesel como suplemento energetico en la produccion de alimentos para animales, buscando establecer protocolos adecuados para cada especie a partir de estudios anteriores. En los trabajos analizados, hubo estudios con cerdos, vacas, toros, ovejas, gallinas ponedoras y pollos de engorde. Del analisis realizado se puede inferir que el glicerol es un ingrediente alimenticio de remplazo adecuado en dietas en animales de produccion.

Influence of training in the dark or light phase on physiologic and metabolic parameters of Wistar rats submitted to aerobic exercise

Light and dark phase training may influences rodents’ physiologic parameters because these animals have nocturnal habits. Thus, we verify the effects of the training in different photoperiods on metabolism and corporal composition of rats. Eighteen rats were divided into three groups – G1: non-trained; G2: trained in the light phase; G3: trained in the dark phase. Rats were allowed to swim for 60 min, five times per week during six weeks. Trained animals presented a smaller weight gain and fat percentage in carcass. Rats of G3 increased gastrocnemius relative weight. The adipocyte diameter of G3 rats was smaller than the other groups. The levels of the total cholesterol, low-density proteins, and triacylglycerols were decreased in animals of G2 while the glycemia was increased. Training in light phase provided more alterations in the blood biochemical profile while the training in the dark increased the gastrocnemius weight and decreased the diameter of the adipocyte.

Effect of different light sources on reproductive anatomy and physiology of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Artificial lights are essential for controlling the reproductive tract development of birds during puberty and therefore influence reproductive quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different light sources on reproductive anatomic and physiological characteristics of female Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 270 birds from one day of age were housed in a masonry shed divided into six rooms with light isolation. Each room was equipped with a different type of light bulb and contained seven cages with five birds in each. The light bulbs tested were: incandescent; compact fluorescent; and light-emitting diode (LED) in the colors white, blue, red and green. The experimental design was completely randomized with six treatments and seven replications of individual birds each. The anatomic and physiological condition of the birds was evaluated at four, eight and 12 weeks of age. The white LED bulb advanced (P<0.05) the sexual maturity by one week, resulted (P<0.05) in higher live weights and greater weight and relative percentage of ovarian stroma, oviduct and ovarian tissue at eight weeks of age. Higher plasma concentrations of estradiol and lipids were also observed (P<0.05) at eight weeks under the white LED bulb. At 12 weeks of age, the magnum and isthmus folding characteristics were better (P<0.05) with the red LED bulb. In conclusion, the photostimulation with the white LED bulb was more efficient at activating the reproductive cycle, hastening the onset of sexual maturity and increasing the development of reproductive organs after puberty.

Oral physiology and quality of life in cancer patients

INTRODUCTION Cancer treatment can affect the health of the teeth and support structures, which are essential to the chewing process, which may change the nutritional status of the patient. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of oral physiology changes on quality of life (QoL) of patients submitted to cancer treatment. DESIGN Initially 84 cancer patients were screened and only those presenting at least 15 natural teeth were selected for oral physiology and quality of life tests. The final sample comprised 30 patients. Twenty subjects were selected as controls paired by age and gender. Dental caries status, salivary flow, masticatory performance (MP), location of tumor, duration of chemo and radiotherapy and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL- bref) questionnaire were assessed. Linear regression models were used to test the relationship between the WHOQOL-bref domains (physical, psychological, social relationship, environmental and overall QoL) and independent variables under study. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Number of teeth, MP and salivary flow were lower in cancer patients, as well as for the scores obtained in Social Relationship, Environment and Overall QoL domains (p<0.050). Breast cancer caused a negative impact on Psychological (p<0.001) and Overall QoL scores (p=0.017). A similar negative effect was found for the duration of radiotherapy on Psychological (p=0.012) and Environmental (p=0.039) domains. On the other hand, the maintenance of teeth had a positive impact on Psychological (p=0.012) and Environmental (p=0.024) scores. CONCLUSION Oral physiology changes may impact the QoL of oncological patients. The maintenance of teeth was of positive importance, especially for the psychological aspects.

Benefits of Fish Oil Consumption over Other Sources of Lipids on Metabolic Parameters in Obese Rats

This study evaluated the effect of the consumption of different levels and sources of lipids on metabolic parameters of Wistar rats. Animals were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) containing 20% of lard for 12 weeks to cause metabolic obesity. Subsequently, the animals were divided into six groups and were fed diets with lipid concentrations of 5% or 20% of lard (LD), soybean oil (SO) or fish oil (FO), for 4 weeks. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (two-way) followed by Tukey post hoc test (p < 0.05). The groups that consumed FO showed less weight gain and lower serum levels of triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterol and fractions, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, atherogenic index, less amount of fat in the carcass, decreased Lee index and lower total leukocyte counting (p < 0.05). These same parameters were higher in LD treatment (p < 0.05). In the concentration of 20%, carcass fat content, blood glucose levels, as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) decreased in FO groups (p < 0.05). The SO group had intermediate results regarding the other two treatments (FO and LD). We concluded that fish oil intake was able to modulate positively the metabolic changes resulting from HFD.

Subjective experience of older women during exercise in virtual condition

This quali-quantitative study aimed to verify subjective exercise experiences of older women before and after exercise sessions in actual and virtual conditions, as well as, the preferred exercise condition. The sample was composed by 20 older women (71.1±6.5 years-old) who practiced dance sessions in actual and virtual conditions, and answered the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES) before and after the activity. In virtual condition it was used the virtual game Just Dance I from the Nintendo Wii® console. In actual condition participants reproduced the same game movements, as demonstrated by the researcher. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analyses (p<0.05). Significant decrease was observed in the psychological distress score of SEES after both conditions. Increase in positive well being score was found only in the virtual condition. Most of the older women chose the actual condition as the preferred.Os objetivos desse estudo quali-quantitativo foram verificar as experiencias subjetivas relacionadas ao exercicio em idosas antes e depois da realizacao de atividade fisica em ambientes real e virtual, bem como a preferencia pelo ambiente. A amostra foi composta por 20 idosas (71,1±6,5 anos) que executaram sessoes de danca nos dois ambientes e responderam ao instrumento Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES) antes e depois da pratica. Na situacao virtual foi utilizado o jogo Just Dance I do console Wii® da Nintendo. Na situacao real, cada participante reproduziu os mesmos movimentos demonstrados pela pesquisadora. Para a analise dos dados da SEES foram utilizados os testes Wilcoxon e Mann-Whitney (p<0,05). Houve reducao significativa na pontuacao da subescala distress psicologico da SEES apos ambas as situacoes experimentais e aumento no bem-estar positivo apenas em ambiente virtual. A maioria das idosas escolheu o ambiente real como o preferido.