Liania Alves Luzia

The influence of season on the lipid profiles of five commercially important species of Brazilian fish

This study aimed at determining the influence of season (summer and winter) the total lipid, fatty acid and cholesterol contents of five popular fish species: the sardine, Sardinella spp., the croaker Micropogonias furnieri (marine species), the curimbata Prochilodus spp., the tilapia, Oreochromis spp. (fresh water species), and the seabob shrimp, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri. Total lipid analysis was performed by the dry column; fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography and cholesterol was determined by a colorimetric method. Statistical treatment of results showed that sardines collected during winter had the highest lipid contents (10.62). The sardine, the croaker, the tilapia and the curimbata were not influenced by seasonality in terms of their total saturated and unsaturated acid contents. The highest contents of eicosapentanoic acid (3.02 and 1.87%) and docosahexaenoic acid (10.1 and 11.3%) were found in the sardine. The shrimp presented the highest cholesterol contents (165 mg/100 g in summer and 165 mg/100 g in winter).

The effects of lipoic acid and α-tocopherol supplementation on the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Antioxidants probably play an important role in the etiology of type 2 diabetes (DM2). This study evaluated the effects of supplementation with lipoic acid (LA) and α-tocopherol on the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity of DM2 patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 102 DM2 patients divided into four groups to receive daily supplementation for 4 months with: 600 mg LA (n = 26); 800 mg α-tocopherol (n = 25); 800 mg α-tocopherol + 600 mg LA (n = 25); placebo (n = 26). Plasma α-tocopherol, lipid profile, glucose, insulin, and the HOMA index were determined before and after supplementation. Differences within and between groups were compared by ANOVA using Bonferroni correction. Students t-test was used to compare means of two independent variables. The vitamin E/total cholesterol ratio improved significantly in patients supplemented with vitamin E+LA and vitamin E alone (p ≤ 0.001). There were improvements of the lipid fractions in the groups receiving LA and vitamin E alone or in combination, and on the HOMA index in the LA group, but not significant. The results suggest that LA and vitamin E supplementation alone or in combination did not affect the lipid profile or insulin sensitivity of DM2 patients.

Lipid profile of HIV-infected patients in relation to antiretroviral therapy: a review

This study reviewed the lipid profile of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients in relation to use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and its different classes of drugs. A total of 190 articles published in peer-reviewed journals were retrieved from PubMed and LILACS databases; 88 of them met the selection criteria and were included in the review. Patients with HIV/AIDS without ART presented an increase of triglycerides and decreases of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL-c), and high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) levels. Distinct ART regimens appear to promote different alterations in lipid metabolism. Protease inhibitors, particularly indinavir and lopinavir, were commonly associated with hypercholesterolemia, high LDL-c, low HDL-c, and hypertriglyceridemia. The protease inhibitor atazanavir is apparently associated with a more advantageous lipid profile. Some nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (didanosine, stavudine, and zidovudine) induced lipoatrophy and hypertriglyceridemia, whereas abacavir increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases even in the absence of apparent lipid disorders, and tenofovir resulted in lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Although non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors predisposed to hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, nevirapine was particularly associated with high HDL-c levels, a protective factor against cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the infection itself, different classes of drugs, and some drugs from the same class of ART appear to exert distinct alterations in lipid metabolism.

The Influence of Vitamin A Supplementation on Iron Status

Vitamin A (VA) and iron deficiencies are important nutritional problems, affecting particularly preschool children, as well as pregnant and lactating women. A PubMed (National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA) literature review was carried out to search for clinical trials published from 1992 to 2013 that assessed the influence of vitamin A supplementation on iron status. Simultaneous use of iron and vitamin A supplements seemed to be more effective to prevent iron deficiency anemia than the use of these micronutrients alone. Some studies did not include a placebo group and only a few of them assessed vitamin A status of the individuals at baseline. Moreover, the studies did not consider any inflammatory marker and a reasonable number of iron parameters. Another important limitation was the lack of assessment of hemoglobin variants, especially in regions with a high prevalence of anemia. Assessment of hemoglobin variants, inflammatory markers and anemia of chronic inflammation would be important to the studies investigated. Studies involving different populations are necessary to elucidate the interaction between the two micronutrients, especially regarding iron absorption and modulation of erythropoiesis.

Effect of Chocolate and Yerba Mate Phenolic Compounds on Inflammatory and Oxidative Biomarkers in HIV/AIDS Individuals

Flavonoids in cocoa and yerba mate have a beneficial role on inflammation and oxidative disorders. Their effect on HIV individuals has not been studied yet, despite the high cardiovascular risk of this population. This study investigated the role of cocoa and yerba mate consumption on oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers in HIV+ individuals. A cross-over, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted in 92 individuals on antiretroviral therapy for at least six months and at viral suppression. Participants were randomized to receive either 65 g of chocolate or chocolate-placebo or 3 g of yerba mate or mate-placebo for 15 days each, alternating by a washout period of 15 days. At baseline, and at the end of each intervention regimen, data regarding anthropometry, inflammatory, oxidative and immunological parameters were collected. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, lipid profile, white blood cell profile and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were assessed. There was a difference between mean concentrations of HDL-c (ANOVA; p ≤ 0.05) among the different regimens: dark chocolate, chocolate-placebo, yerba mate and mate-placebo. When a paired Student t-test was used for comparisons between mean HDL-c at baseline and after each regimen, the mean concentration of HDL-c was higher after supplementation with dark chocolate (p = 0.008).

Vitamin E concentrations in adults with HIV/AIDS on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

HIV/AIDS patients are probably more predisposed to vitamin E deficiency, considering that they are more exposed to oxidative stress. Additionally, there are an extensive number of drugs in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens that may interfere with vitamin E concentrations. The objective of this study was to compare serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in 182 HIV/AIDS patients receiving different HAART regimens. The patients were divided into three groups according to regimen: nucleoside analog reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) + non-nucleoside analog reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs); NRTIs + protease inhibitors + ritonavir; NRTIs + other classes. Alpha-tocopherol was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of HAART regimen, time of use, and compliance with the regimen on alpha-tocopherol concentrations. Alpha-tocopherol concentrations were on average 4.12 μmol/L lower for the NRTIs + other classes regimen when compared to the NRTIs + NNRTIs regimen (p = 0.037). A positive association (p < 0.001) was observed between alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol concentrations, a finding due, in part, to the relationship between liposoluble vitamins and lipid profile. This study demonstrated differences in alpha-tocopherol concentrations between patients using different HAART regimens, especially regimens involving the use of new drugs. Long-term prospective cohort studies are needed to monitor vitamin E status in HIV/AIDS patients since the beginning of treatment.

The Relationship between Maternal Plasma Leptin and Adiponectin Concentrations and Newborn Adiposity.

Increased maternal blood concentrations of leptin and decreased adiponectin levels, which are common disturbances in obesity, may be involved in offspring adiposity by programming fetal adipose tissue development. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between maternal leptin and adiponectin concentrations and newborn adiposity. This was a cross-sectional study involving 210 healthy mother-newborn pairs from a public maternity hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Maternal blood samples were collected after delivery and leptin and adiponectin concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Newborn body composition was estimated by air displacement plethysmography. The association between maternal leptin and adiponectin concentrations and newborn adiposity (fat mass percentage, FM%) was evaluated by multiple linear regression, controlling for maternal age, socioeconomic status, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), weight gain, gestational age, and newborn age at the time of measurement. No relationship was found between maternal leptin and FM% of male or female newborn infants. Maternal adiponectin (p = 0.001) and pre-pregnancy BMI (p < 0.001; adj. R2 = 0.19) were positively associated with FM% of newborn males, indicating that maternal adiponectin is involved in fetal fat deposition in a sex-specific manner. Large-scale epidemiological, longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm our results.

Fish oil and vitamin E change lipid profiles and anti-LDL-antibodies in two different ethnic groups of women transitioning through menopause

BACKGROUND studies have investigated the relationship between the transition through menopause and cardiovascular diseases. White population, generally, have lower levels of traditional coronary heart risk factors, particularly dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, and lower rates of coronary heart disease mortality, than black population. Furthermore many studies have shown the cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) of marine origin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 supplementation, combined or not with vitamin E, on oxidative biomarkers and lipid profiles in nonwhite and white women with dyslipidemia transitioning through menopause. METHODS a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Seventy-four eligible women were assigned to receive: fish oil, fish oil plus vitamin E and placebo for three months. At baseline, 45 and 90 days blood sample for biochemical variables and biomarkers of oxidative stress were taken. Socioeconomic and lifestyle variables were collected with standardized questionnaires. RESULTS after 90 days the fish oil plus vitamin E treated group had a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL-C. Furthermore, there was a decrease in anti- LDL- autoantibodies after 45 days. Plasma TBARS concentrations were increased after 90 days in the group receiving only fish oil when compared to the placebo and fish oil-vitamin E groups. All of the effects observed were independent of ethnic group. CONCLUSION supplementation with fish oil and vitamin E reduced total cholesterol and LDL-C, but had opposite effects on oxidative stress compared to supplementation with fish oil alone.

α-Tocopherol Supplementation, Lipid Profile, and Insulin Sensitivity in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is one of the leading chronic diseases and a growing public health problem. There is evidence that oxidative stress plays a key role in the early stages of the disease. Vitamin E – α-tocopherol is a potential dietary antioxidant and an important component of cell membranes which apparently affects the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity of DM2 patients. Studies designed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the oxidative alterations in patients with DM2 are scarce. The evidence supporting the effect of α-tocopherol supplementation on lipid profile and insulin sensitivity of DM2 patients is still not clear. Future studies should consider the potential of this vitamin, evaluating the benefit of this low-cost supplementation alone or in combination with other antioxidants. In this respect, the therapeutic window in which antioxidant supplementation would be effective needs to be identified.

The relationship between serum retinol concentrations and subclinical infection in rural Brazilian children

Objective To evaluate the relationship between serum retinol concentrations and subclinical infection in children from rural settlements.