Rafaella Cristhine Pordeus Luna

Relation between glucose levels, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), body mass index (BMI) and serum and dietary retinol in elderly in population-based study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between fasting glucose levels, hs-CRP, BMI and serum retinol and diet in elderly people. For this study, a cross-sectional, epidemiological, population-based format was adopted. One hundred and sixty-three individuals between 60 and 90 years of age participated; the participants were from different socioeconomic and health backgrounds, except for the individuals diagnosed with diabetes. Most subjects had serum concentrations in the reference ranges for all variables. There was not a significant relationship between fasting glucose and serum retinol or diet. There was a significant correlation between hs-CRP and BMI (r=0.22, p=0.0082) and hs-CRP and total calorie intake (p=0.0091), which reinforces the notion that an increased intake of calories results in being overweight and/or obese. Considering the importance of vitamin A in various physiological processes, more studies on these relationships are necessary to establish a recommendation of vitamin A for the treatment and prevention of changes in fasting glucose and obesity in the elderly population.

Influence of the C677T Polymorphism of the MTHFR Gene on Oxidative Stress in Women With Overweight or Obesity: Response to a Dietary Folate Intervention

ABSTRACT The C677T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) is related to folate metabolism and can alter the levels of biochemical markers. Objective: Investigate the influence of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism on the effects of a dietary folate intervention on oxidative stress in women with overweight or obesity. Methods: Forty-eight adult women with overweight or obesity were subjected to a 24-hour dietary recall, anthropometric measurements, biochemical analysis, and genotyping of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. They were allocated by convenience sampling to 2 groups, which received 300 g of folate-rich vegetables containing 191 µg/d (Group 1) (n = 24) or 95 µg/d (Group 2) (n = 24) of folate for 8 weeks. Results: The dietary intervention increased the serum folic acid levels in the 2 analyzed groups. The intervention with 191 µg/d of folate led to relevant results in terms of homocysteine levels (p = 0.0005) and total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.0261); the effect was larger among carriers of the TT genotype. Conclusions: The study demonstrated the beneficial effect of folate intake in terms of a TAC elevation for the CC and TT genotypes of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism, an increase in folic acid levels for all genotypes, and a reduction in the Hcy levels for the TT genotype in response to an intervention consisting of an intake of 191 µg/d of folate supplied by vegetables.

Analysis of the DNA methylation profiles of miR - 9 - 3 , miR - 34a , and miR - 137 promoters in patients with diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy

Please cite this article as: Mayara Karla dos Santos Nunes, Alexandre Sérgio Silva, Isabella Wanderley de Queiroga Evangelista, João Modesto Filho, Cecília Neta Alves Pegado Gomes, Rayner Anderson Ferreira do Nascimento, Rafaella Cristhine Pordeus Luna, Maria José de Carvalho Costa, Naila Francis Paulo de Oliveira, Darlene Camati Persuhn , Analysis of the DNA methylation profiles of miR-9-3, miR-34a, and miR-137 promoters in patients with diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. The address for the corresponding author was captured as affiliation for all authors. Please check if appropriate. Jdc(2018), doi:10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2018.03.013

Relationship between hemoglobin, serum retinol and habitual meat consumption in the elderly: a population-based study.

Considering the scarcity of data on the relationship between hemoglobin, serum retinol and habitual meat consumption in the elderly, a cross-sectional population-based study was performed, which was representative of the population of a state capital in Northeastern Brazil, including 176 elderly aged between 60 and 90 years, who responded to questionnaires about habitual food consumption and socioeconomic aspects. Blood counts and serum retinol analyses were carried out. The prevalence of anemia was 9.58%, and 96% of elderly showing adequate serum retinol levels. The consumption of vitamin A and iron was adequate in 93.75% and 85%, respectively. There was no correlation between serum retinol and hemoglobin values (p=0.56), and as expected, there was a positive association between meat consumption and hemoglobin (p=0.02). Based on results obtained in this study, it was concluded that the maintenance of adequate vitamin A and meat intake in this population should be encouraged, which appears to be an effective intervention strategy to achieve appropriate serum retinol and hemoglobin values, and hence lower iron deficiency anemia rates.