Nahla Hwalla Baba

Effects of dietary canola, olive, and linolenic acid enriched olive oils on plasma lipids, lipid peroxidation and lipoprotein lipase activity in rats

Abstract This study investigated the effect of α-linolenic acid enriched virgin olive, canola and virgin olive oil on body composition, serum lipids, lipid peroxidation and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity in rats. Twenty six male Sprague Dawley rats were fed ad-libitum three diets, containing 40% of dietary calories from fat being either canola (CO), virgin olive (VO), or α-linolenic acid enriched virgin olive oil (LO) for seven weeks. At the end of feeding period, the rats were killed by decapitation and blood samples were analyzed for serum triglycerides (TG), total and HDL-Cholesterol (TC and HDL-C), glucose, insulin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal (4-HNE). Carcasses were analysed for water, fat, and protein content. Individual fat pads were dissected out and weighed. Fat cell size and number, and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity were determined. Results showed that serum triglycerides levels were lower in the CO and LO as compared to VO group. Total plasma cholesterol levels were not different between the CO and LO group but were significantly lower than the VO group. The α-linolenic acid enrichment of VO seems to mimic the effect of CO on blood lipids, and hence could be responsible for reducing triglycerides and total cholesterol, and increasing HDL-C/total cholesterol ratio when compared to VO. Feeding CO, resulted in significantly lower 4-HNE levels as compared to VO and LO. The effects of α-linolenic acid may be explained by its conversion into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which has been previously reported to produce the same effects on plasma lipids. Further studies are needed to elucidate other possible mechanisms of action of α-linolenic acid on the atherogenic factors.

DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF DIETARY OILS ON PLASMA LIPIDS, LIPID PEROXIDATION AND ADIPOSE TISSUE LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE ACTIVITY IN RATS

The potential health benefits of various dietary oils in relation to cardiovascular disease and cancer are currently receiving considerable attention. This study investigated the effects of dietary canola, virgin olive, soybean, and sesame oils on body composition, serum lipids, lipid peroxidation and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity in rats. Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed, ad-libitum, four diets each containing 40% of dietary energy in the form of either canola (CO), virgin olive (VO), soybean (BO), or sesame oils (SO) for seven weeks, with free access to water. At the end of the feeding period, the rats were sacrificed by decapitation and blood samples were analyzed for serum triglycerides (TG), total and HDL-Cholesterol (TC and HDL-C), glucose, insulin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal (4-HNE). Carcasses were analyzed for water, fat, and protein. Fat cell size and number, and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity were determined from epididymal fat pads. Results showed a lower deposition of fat and lower percent liver fat in CO and BO groups as compared to SO and VO. Serum analysis also revealed a higher HDL-C/TC in CO group as compared to the other three groups. Serum triglyceride levels were highest in the VO group. SO group manifested the lowest levels of serum lipid peroxides. Lipoprotein lipase activity in adipose tissue homogenates (THATLPLA) per cell was significantly lower in VO as compared to BO and CO fed rats. It can be concluded that feeding CO resulted in a more favorable plasma lipid response than the other three vegetable oils whereas lipid oxidation was significantly lower with SO than CO feeding.

High protein vs high carbohydrate hypoenergetic diet in treatment of obese normoinsulinemic and hyperinsulinemic subjects

This study tests the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemic (HI) obese subjects respond differently from normoinsulinemics (NI) to changes in composition of hypoenergetic diets. Twenty-seven obese male subjects, 13 HI and 14 NI, were fed for 4 weeks either a high protein (HP) or a high carbohydrate (HC) hypoenergetic diet providing 80% of their resting energy expenditure (REE). On the HP diet weight loss was significantly higher in HI as compared to NI group. Alternatively, the HI group lost less weight than NI group on the HC diet. The HC diets resulted in a considerable and similar reduction in REE in both HI and NI groups as opposed to the HP diet, which maintained REE in both HI and NI. A higher decrease and normalization of fasting insulin levels was observed in the HI group on the HP as compared to HC diet. In conclusion, hyperinsulinemic, in contrast to normoinsulinemic obese subjects, seem to achieve better weight reduction, less decline in energy expenditure, and normalization of insulin levels on HP than isocaloric HC diet.

Nutritional status of Lebanese school children from different socioeconomic backgrounds

This paper examines the nutritional status of school children in private and public schools in West Beirut. The objectives of the study were to measure the impact of the socio‐economic status on the magnitude and severity of malnutrition in school children. Anthropometric data (height and weight) were collected on 400 children from private and public schools. The private schools were considered to house children from high socio‐economic status whereas the public schools children were considered as coming from a low socio‐economic background. The indices studied were height for age, weight for height and weight for age, the cutoff point to indicate malnutrition was taken as values below ISD of a reference population. The United States National Center for Health Statistics Standards (NCHS) were used. Results showed that children classified as low socio‐economic status (public schools) had low weight for age and height for age indices indicating higher occurrence of stunting and wasting in that population as...

Diet composition affects weight gain, adiposity and blood parameters in healthy human volunteers

Thesis (M.S.)-- American University of Beirut. Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, 1997.

Nutritional status of school children aged 6–10 years in United Arab Emirates: Comparison with children from different ethnic origins

A field survey was conducted to study the nutritional status of UAE children in selected Emirates in United Arab Emirates (UAE) as compared to others of different ethnic groups and from different countries. Anthropometric data (weight and height) were collected on 1447 children aged 6-10 years from the UAE National population and from Egyptian, Jordanian, Sudanese, and Omani children living in the same country. The indices studied were weight for age, height for age, and weight for height. The cut-off points used to indicate mild and moderate malnutrition were taken as values below -1 SD and -2 SD respectively of a reference population. The United States National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) standards were used. Results showed that children of UAE Nationals suffered from both stunting and wasting in the four Emirates studied with the highest prevalence in the Emirate of Ajman. Comparisons of anthropometric data for UAE children with those from other nationalities living in UAE, showed that ethnic origin affected the centile and Z-score distribution of anthropometric indices. A higher percentage of Omani and UAE Nationals fell in the lower centile and Z-score ranges as compared to children from other ethnic backgrounds. Within the UAE the observed overall levels of malnutrition could be attributed to noneconomic socio-cultural factors which may also constitute important determinants explaining the differences in nutritional status between UAE Nationals and the other ethnic groups studied. Further studies are needed in order to identify the underlying nutritional and health factors which led to the observed pattern of growth.

Effect of different dietary saturated fats on plasma lipid levels and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase in rats

Abstract The metabolic effects of feeding diets containing different sources of saturated fats on plasma lipid levels were studied in rats. Twenty four male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups with average weight of 268.43±3.46 (g±SE). Rats were fed diets containing 50% of dietary calories from butter (B), cocoa butter (CB) and coconut oil (CO). During the last 3 days of the 7 week adlibitum feeding period fecal fat was measured. After a 12 hour fast, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were analyzed for serum triglycerides, total and HDL cholesterol and Insulin. Samples from the right epididymal fat pad were assayed for adipose tissue Lipoprotein Lipase activity (AT-LPLA). Adipocyte size also was measured. Results showed that CO fed rats gained more weight and deposited more fat than CB or B.fed rats. Percent fat absorption was significantly lower in CB than either CO or B fed rats. Carcass analysis showed that total dissectible fat, percent body fat and adipocyte size were significantly greater in CO than CB fed rats. CO fed rats maintained higher HDL cholesterol levels than CB fed rats. AT-LPLA per fat cell did not differ between the three groups of rats. We conclude that coconut oil raises HDL-C levels when it replaces B or CB. This effect is not mediated by AT-LPLA

Effect of settlement on nutritional status of Bedouin children aged 6–10 years in the Lebanese Beqaa valley†

The paper examines the nutritional status of Bedouin children as affected by settlement and by production systems. Anthropometric data (height and weight) were collected on 215 children aged 6–10 years from the Bedouin population of the Begas valley. The sample included settled and semi‐settled Bedouins having two production activities: livestock ownership, or agricultural work. Semi‐settled Bedouins when compared to settled ones tended to have improved weight and height in all age groups. The difference in height was statistically significant for those aged 10 years (P < 0.05). Production type also seemed to affect growth of Bedouin children whereby those from families involved in agriculture production tended to have better growth with a significant difference in height amongst those aged 7 and 10 years (P < 0.05). The Bedouin Children surveyed whether compared by their own position within centile distribution of reference population (NCHS) or as a standard deviation (Z‐Score) manifested mild to modera...