Flávia F. Bezerra

Organic grape juice intake improves functional capillary density and postocclusive reactive hyperemia in triathletes

OBJECTIVEnThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic grape juice intake on biochemical variables and microcirculatory parameters in triathlon athletes.nnnINTRODUCTIONnThe physiological stress that is imposed by a strenuous sport, such as a triathlon, together with an insufficient amount of antioxidants in the diet may cause oxidative imbalance and endothelial dysfunction.nnnMETHODSnTen adult male triathletes participated in this study. A venous blood sample was drawn before (baseline) and after 20 days of organic grape juice intake (300 ml/day). Serum insulin, plasma glucose and uric acid levels, the total content of polyphenols, and the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity were determined. The functional microcirculatory parameters (the functional capillary density, red blood cell velocity at baseline and peak levels, and time required to reach the peak red blood cell velocity during postocclusive reactive hyperemia after a one-min arterial occlusion) were evaluated using nailfold videocapillaroscopy.nnnRESULTSnCompared with baseline levels, the peak levels of serum insulin ( p = 0.02), plasma uric acid ( p = 0.04), the functional capillary density ( p = 0.003), and the red blood cell velocity (p < 0.001) increased, whereas the plasma glucose level (p,0.001), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity ( p = 0.04), and time required to reach red blood cell velocity during postocclusive reactive hyperemia ( p = 0.04) decreased after organic grape juice intake.nnnCONCLUSIONnOur data showed that organic grape juice intake improved glucose homeostasis, antioxidant capacity, and microvascular function, which may be due to its high concentration of polyphenols. These results indicate that organic grape juice has a positive effect in endurance athletes.

Physical exercise is associated with better fat mass distribution and lower insulin resistance in spinal cord injured individuals

Abstract Objectives The aim of the study was to compare total and regional body composition and their relationship with glucose homeostasis in physically active and non-active individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (c-SCI). Methods Individuals with lesion level between C5–C7 were divided into two groups: physically active (PA; n = 14; who practiced physical exercise for at least 3 months, three times per week or more, minimum of 150 minutes/week): and non-physically active (N-PA n = 8). Total fat mass (t-FM) and regional fat mass (r-FM) were assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting plasma insulin (FPI) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results PA group present lower (P < 0.01) total fat mass (t-FM), % and kg, regional fat mass (r-FM), % and kg, FPI levels and HOMA index, while they had higher (P < 0.001) total free fat mass (t-FFM), %, and regional free fat mass (r-FFM), %, compared to the N-PA group. In the N-PA group, FPI and HOMA index were negatively (P < 0.05) correlated with FFM% (r = −0.71, −0.69, respectively) and positively correlated to trunk-FM (r = 0.71, 0.69, respectively) and trunk-FM:t-FM (kg) ratio (r = 0.83, 0.79, respectively). Conclusion Physical exercise is associated with lower t-FM, r-FM, and insulin resistance, which could contribute to the decrease of the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions in individuals with c-SCI.

Physical activity benefits bone density and bone-related hormones in adult men with cervical spinal cord injury.

Severe bone loss is a recognized complication of chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Physical exercise contributes to bone health; however, its influence on bone mass of cervical SCI individuals has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of physical activity on bone mass, bone metabolism, and vitamin D status in quadriplegics. Total, lumbar spine (L1–L4), femur and radius bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed in active (nxa0=xa015) and sedentary (nxa0=xa010) quadriplegic men by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], PTH, IGF1, osteocalcin and NTx were measured in serum. After adjustments for duration of injury, total body mass, and habitual calcium intake, bone indices were similar between groups, except for L1–L4 BMD Z score that was higher in the sedentary group (Pxa0<xa00.05). Hours of physical exercise per week correlated positively with 25(OH)D (rxa0=xa00.59; Pxa0<xa00.05) and negatively with PTH (rxa0=xa0−0.50; Pxa0<xa00.05). Femur BMD was negatively associated with the number of months elapsed between the injury and the onset of physical activity (rxa0=xa0−0.60; Pxa0<xa00.05). Moreover, in the active subjects, both L1–L4 BMD Z score (rxa0=xa00.72; Pxa0<xa00.01) and radius BMD (rxa0=xa00.59; Pxa0<xa00.05) were positively associated with calcium intake. In this cross-sectional study, both the onset of physical activity after injury and the number of hours dedicated to exercise were able to influence bone density and bone-related hormones in quadriplegic men. Our results also suggest a positive combined effect of exercise and calcium intake on bone health of quadriplegic individuals.

Calcium Plus Vitamin D Supplementation During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy in Adolescents Accustomed to Low Calcium Diets Does Not Affect Infant Bone Mass at Early Lactation in a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUNDnPregnancy and lactation in adolescents with low calcium intake may impair fetal growth and infant bone mass.nnnOBJECTIVEnWe investigated the effects of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy in Brazilian adolescent mothers consuming low calcium diets (∼600 mg/d) on fetal biometry and infant bone mass, and the relation between infant and maternal bone mass during early lactation.nnnMETHODSnInfants of mothers who received calcium (600 mg/d) plus cholecalciferol (200 IU/d) supplementation (n = 30) or placebo (n = 26) from 26 wk of gestation until parturition were studied. Fetal biometric measurements at 23 and 36 wk of gestation were obtained from medical records. Infant anthropometric and total body bone measurements [bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), and bone mineral density (BMD)] at 5 wk postpartum were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Maternal BMD z scores for total body, lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck at 5 wk postpartum were obtained. Group comparisons were adjusted for significant covariates.nnnRESULTSnMaternal mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 59 nmol/L at baseline in both groups. No differences in fetal measurements at 36 wk of gestation were observed between the groups, except for body weight and its increment from 23 to 36 wk, which were higher in the supplemented group (6.8%, P = 0.014 and 10.5%, P = 0.07, respectively). Infant BMC (61.1 ± 21.7 g), BA (167 ± 79 cm(2)), and BMD (0.385 ± 0.069 g/cm(2)) did not significantly differ between the groups. In the placebo group, infant BMC and BA were negatively correlated with maternal BMD z scores for total body (r = -0.40 and r = -0.47; P < 0.05) and hip (r = -0.41 and r = -0.46; P < 0.05). In contrast, no correlations were observed in the supplemented group.nnnCONCLUSIONSnCalcium and vitamin D supplementation of the adolescents studied resulted in higher fetal body weight at 36 wk of gestation and had no effect on infant bone mass at 5 wk postpartum. Because correlations between maternal and infant bone mass were evident only in the placebo group, infant bone mass appeared to be more dependent on maternal skeletal mass when calcium intake was low. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01732328.

Association between fat mass and bone mineral density among Brazilian women differs by menopausal status: The Pró-Saúde Study

OBJECTIVEnThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and fat mass (FM) in a multiethnic population of Brazilian women and to evaluate the influence of total body mass and lean mass on this association.nnnMETHODSnThis was a cross-sectional study nested within the Pro-Saúde Study, a prospective cohort of university civil servants in Rio de Janeiro. Participants were pre- (nxa0=xa0100) and postmenopausal (nxa0=xa0166) women. Total fat, lean mass, and BMD of total body, lumbar spine, and femoral neck were measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The association of BMD with FM was investigated after adjustment for total body mass (model 1) and lean mass (model 2) and potential confounding variables using multivariate linear regression models.nnnRESULTSnIn model 1, FM was inversely associated with BMD for total body (Bxa0=xa0-0.010; Pxa0<xa00.01) and for femoral neck (Bxa0=xa0-0.009 Pxa0<xa00.05) in premenopausal women. No association between FM and BMD was observed in postmenopausal women. Model 2 yielded direct associations between FM and BMD (total and specific sites; Bxa0=xa00.003-0.008; Pxa0<xa00.01) in postmenopausal women only.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIndependently of the adjustment used, the results of the present study suggest the absence of an inverse association between FM and BMD in postmenopausal women. Additionally, when adjusted for lean mass, a direct association between FM and bone mass can be observed, suggesting that for postmenopausal women being slightly obese does not confer excessive risk for bone loss and may even result in a bone density advantage.

Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy interacts with polymorphisms in the promoter region of the VDR gene to affect postpartum bone mass of Brazilian adolescent mothers: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVEnWe investigated whether calcium plus vitamin D supplementation interacts with polymorphisms in the VDR gene promoter region to affect changes on maternal bone mass from 5 to 20xa0wk postpartum in Brazilian adolescent mothers.nnnMETHODSnPregnant adolescents (14-19xa0y) randomly received calcium plus cholecalciferol (600 mg/d +xa0200 IU/d, nxa0=xa030) or placebo (nxa0=xa026) from 26xa0wk of pregnancy until parturition. Bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), and bone mineral density (BMD) at total body, lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck were evaluated at 5 and 20xa0wk postpartum. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and parathyroid hormone concentrations were measured. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for genotyping rs7139166 (1521 pb Gxa0>xa0C) and rs4516035 (1012 pb Axa0>xa0G). Interactions between supplementation and polymorphisms were adjusted for significant covariates.nnnRESULTSnChanges in serum 25(OH)D from pregnancy to postpartum differed between supplemented and placebo groups for mothers carrying 1521xa0GG/1012 AA genotypes (Pxa0=xa00.004). Only in the placebo group, mothers carrying 1521xa0GG/1012 AA had greater reduction in total BMD z score, femoral neck BMC, and BMD from 5 to 20xa0wk postpartum compared with those with 1521xa0GC/1012 AG (Pxa0<xa00.05). In the placebo group, total hip BA decreased from 5 to 20xa0wk postpartum in adolescents with 1521xa0GG/1012 AA, but increased in those with 1521xa0GC/1012 AG (Pxa0<xa00.05), in contrast to the supplemented group.nnnCONCLUSIONnCalcium plus vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy interacted with polymorphisms in the VDR gene promoter region affecting postpartum bone loss. The increased supply of calcium and vitamin D appeared to minimize postpartum bone loss particularly in adolescents with 1521xa0GG/1012 AA.

Alcohol consumption is associated with DXA measurement of adiposity: the Pró-Saúde Study, Brazil

PurposeEvaluate the association between alcohol consumption and body adiposity.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from a longitudinal investigation (Pró-Saúde Study), comprising a sample of 514 civil servants of both sexes (35–64xa0years). Daily alcohol consumption (wine, beer, and other alcoholic drinks) over the previous 6xa0months was assessed via food frequency questionnaire and categorized as no doses, up to 1 dose, and ≥1 dose. The total body mass, total fat mass (TFM), android fat mass (AFM), and gynoid fat mass (GFM) were measured via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. AFM (AFM%) and GFM (GFM%) were expressed as percentages relative to TFM. The ratio of AFM% and GFM% was calculated. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed after adjusting for age, calories not originating from alcohol, leisure-time physical activity and education.ResultsAmong nondrinkers, 59xa0% were women, and the age range between 45 and 54xa0years was predominant (44.3xa0%); 63.7xa0% of the nondrinkers were overweight/obese. Among drinkers of 1 dose or more/day, 67xa0% were males aged between 45 and 54xa0years (43.7xa0%); 69.1xa0% were overweight/obese. Among men, the daily consumption of ≥1 alcohol dose (13xa0g) was associated with an approximately 2xa0% (βxa0=xa02.2, ICxa0=xa00.077; 4.303) adjusted for age, calories not originated from alcohol, leisure-time physical activity and education, increase in TFM, compared to those who reported no alcohol consumption during the previous 6xa0months. This association was not observed among women. In both sexes, no associations were observed between alcohol consumption and the other evaluated parameters of adiposity.ConclusionAmong men only, daily consumption of ≥1 alcohol dose was associated with increased adiposity, despite the relatively low average alcohol consumption in this study population.