Fat globule diameter in infant formulas.

OBJECTIVES: The lipid fraction, fatty acid profile, and diameter of fat globules of infant formulas show great differences from human milk. These characteristics influence fat digestion and, consequently, the development and health of infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diameter of fat globules in infant formulas and compare them with those in human milk. METHODS: The diameter of fat globules of 10 infant formulas and human milk samples was determined using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The starter infant formula was the only one that showed a mean diameter value (3.52 ± 2.17 µm) similar to that obtained for human milk (3.44 ± 1.68 µm). The starter infant formula showed the highest values of volume-surface D3,2 (6.13 µm) and volume-weighted D4,3, (7.05 µm) mean diameters among the infant formulas analyzed, and close to those obtained for the human milk sample (5.16 and 5.98 µm, respectively). The infant formulas whey protein partially hydrolyzed, soy protein isolate-based, whey protein extensively hydrolyzed, and thickened with pregelatinized starch had the lowest mean diameters of fat globules 0.64 ± 0.22, 0.70 ± 0.19, 1.06 ± 0.34, and 1.22 ± 0.48 µm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The analysis of principal components showed that none of the analyzed infant formulas had similarity with the diameter of fat globules and the fatty acid profile of human milk.

Ameliorating the impairment of glucose utilization in a high-fat diet-induced obesity model through the consumption of Tucum-do-Cerrado (Bactris Setosa Mart.).

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the effect of Tucum-do-Cerrado on glucose metabolism homeostasis and its relationship with redox-inflammatory responses in a high-fat (HF) diet-induced obesity model. RESULTS: The HF diet increased energy intake, feed efficiency, body weight, muscle and hepatic glycogen, insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA IR) and beta (ß)-cell function, and gut catalase (CAT) activity, and decreased food intake, hepatic glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (Pck1), and intestinal solute carrier family 5 member 1 (Slc5a1) mRNA levels compared with the control diet. However, the HF diet with Tucum-do-Cerrado decreased hepatic glycogen, and increased hepatic GR activity, hepatic Slc2a2 mRNA levels and serum Tnfa compared with the HF diet. Tucum-do-Cerrado decreased muscle glycogen, intestinal CAT and GPX activities, muscle PFK-1 and HK activities, and increased hepatic protein (CARB) and intestinal lipid (MDA) oxidation, hepatic GST activity, serum antioxidant potential, hepatic phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) activity, intestinal solute carrier family 2 member 2 (Slc2a2), tumor necrosis factor (Tnf), interleukin-1 beta (Il1b), muscle protein kinase AMP-activated alpha 1 (Prkaa1), solute carrier family 2 member 2 (Slc2a2) mRNA levels, and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, regardless of diet type. CONCLUSION: Tucum-do-Cerrado consumption may ameliorate impaired glucose utilization in a HF diet-induced obesity model by increasing liver and muscle glucose uptake and oxidation. These data suggest that Tucum-do-Cerrado consumption improves muscle glucose oxidation in non-obese and obese rats. This response may be related to the improvement in the total antioxidant capacity of rats.

Effect of a freeze-dried coffee solution in a high-fat diet-induced obesity model in rats: Impact on inflammatory response, lipid profile, and gut microbiota.

Coffee beans contain high polyphenol content, which have the potential to modulate the intestinal microbiota, and possibly attenuate weight gain and the associated dyslipidemia. This study investigated the effect of freeze-dried coffee solution (FCS) consumption on physiological parameters, lipid profile, and microbiota of Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet (HF) or control diet (CT). FCS combined with a high-fat diet increased the fecal and cecal Bifidobacterium spp. population and decreased the cecal Escherichia coli population and intestinal Il1b mRNA level. Regardless of the diet type, FCS increased the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C); however, it did not affect body weight, food intake, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, fecal bile acids, and intestinal Il6 mRNA levels. The high-fat diet increased weight gain, hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides, fecal bile acids, and the fecal and cecal Lactobacillus spp. population, and reduced food intake, the fecal E. coli population, and intestinal Il6 mRNA level. The results suggest that FCS consumption exhibits positive health effects in rats fed a high-fat diet by increasing Bifidobacterium spp. population and HDL-C reverse cholesterol transport, and by reducing Il1b mRNA level. However, FCS administration at a dose of 0.39 g/100 g diet over an eight-week period was not effective in controlling food intake, and consequently, preventing weight gain in rats of high-fat diet-induced obesity model.

The effect of coffee consumption on glucose homeostasis and redox-inflammatory responses in high-fat diet-induced obese rats.

Coffee effects on glucose homeostasis in obesity remain controversial. We investigated whether coffee mitigates the negative effects on glucose metabolism induced by a high-fat diet and the interrelationships with redox-inflammatory responses. Rats were treated with: control (CT-); coffee (CT+) 3.9 g of freeze-dried coffee/kg of diet; high-fat (HF-); or high-fat + coffee 3.9 g of freeze-dried coffee/kg of diet (HF+) diet. The high-fat diet increased weight gain, feed efficiency, HOMA ß, muscle and hepatic glycogen, intestinal CAT and SOD activity, hepatic protein (CARB) and lipid oxidation (MDA), muscle Prkaa1 mRNA and IL6 levels, and decreased food intake, hepatic GR, GPX and SOD activities, intestinal CARB, intestinal Slc2a2 and Slc5a1 and hepatic Prkaa1 and Prkaa2 mRNA levels, hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase and muscle hexokinase (HK) activities, compared to the control diet. The high-fat diet with coffee increased hepatic GST activity and TNF and decreased IL6 and intestinal glucosidase activity compared with the high-fat diet. The coffee diet increased muscle glycogen, hepatic CARB and PEPCK activity, and decreased hepatic GR and SOD activities and intestinal CARB, compared with the control diet. Coffee increased insulin levels, HOMA IR/ß, FRAP, muscle Prkaa1 mRNA levels and hepatic and muscle phosphofructokinase-1, and it decreased intestinal CAT, hepatic Slc2a2 mRNA levels and muscle HK activity, regardless of the diet type. In conclusion, chronic coffee consumption improves antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses, but does not ameliorate glucose homeostasis in a high-fat diet-induced obesity model. In addition, coffee consumption increases insulin secretion and promotes muscle glycogen synthesis in rats maintained on a control diet.

Coffee Increases Post-Exercise Muscle Glycogen Recovery in Endurance Athletes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide and caffeine is known to improve performance in physical exercise. Some substances in coffee have a positive effect on glucose metabolism and are promising for post-exercise muscle glycogen recovery. We investigated the effect of a coffee beverage after exhaustive exercise on muscle glycogen resynthesis, glycogen synthase activity and glycemic and insulinemic response in a double-blind, crossover, randomized clinical trial. Fourteen endurance-trained men performed an exhaustive cycle ergometer exercise to deplete muscle glycogen. The following morning, participants completed a second cycling protocol followed by a 4-h recovery, during which they received either test beverage (coffee + milk) or control (milk) and a breakfast meal, with a simple randomization. Blood samples and muscle biopsies were collected at the beginning and by the end of recovery. Eleven participants were included in data analysis (age: 39.0 ± 6.0 years; BMI: 24.0 ± 2.3 kg/m2; VO2max: 59.9 ± 8.3 mL·kg-1·min-1; PPO: 346 ± 39 W). The consumption of coffee + milk resulted in greater muscle glycogen recovery (102.56 ± 18.75 vs. 40.54 ± 18.74 mmol·kg dw-1; p = 0.01; d = 0.94) and greater glucose (p = 0.02; d = 0.83) and insulin (p = 0.03; d = 0.76) total area under the curve compared with control. The addition of coffee to a beverage with adequate amounts of carbohydrates increased muscle glycogen resynthesis and the glycemic and insulinemic response during the 4-h recovery after exhaustive cycling exercise.

The Action of JAK/STAT3 and BMP/HJV/SMAD Signaling Pathways on Hepcidin Suppression by Tucum-do-Cerrado in a Normal and Iron-Enriched Diets.

The Brazilian savanna fruit, tucum-do-cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) reduces hepatic hepcidin levels. Therefore, we investigated the effect of tucum-do-cerrado on the TfR/HFE and/or BMP/HJV/SMAD and JAK/STAT pathways, in normal and excess iron conditions. Rats were treated with: control diet (CT); control diet +15% tucum-do-cerrado (Tuc); iron-enriched diet (+Fe); or iron-enriched diet +15% tucum-do-cerrado (Tuc+Fe). Tucum-do-cerrado (Tuc) decreased hepatic Hamp and Hjv mRNA levels but did not alter Bmp6, Smad7, Tfr1, and Hfe mRNA levels; pSMAD1/5/8 and pSTAT3 protein levels; labile iron pool (LIP); and inflammatory biomarkers, compared to the CT group. The iron-enriched diet increased Hamp mRNA levels, as well as pSMAD1/5/8 and pSTAT3 protein levels, while no difference was observed in Hjv, Bmp6, Smad7, Tfr1, and Hfe mRNA levels and LIP compared to the CT group. The association of tucum-do-cerrado with the iron-enriched diet (Tuc+Fe) decreased Hamp, Hjv, Bmp6, and Hfe mRNA levels and pSTAT3 protein content compared to the +Fe group, while increased Hamp and decreased Hfe mRNA levels compared to the Tuc group. Therefore, the inhibition of hepatic hepcidin by tucum-do-cerrado consumption may involve the downregulation of intestinal Dmt1 and hepatic Hjv expression and deacetylation mediated by SIRT1 by a mechanism that is independent of tissue iron content. However, in excess iron conditions, the modulation of hepatic hepcidin expression by tucum-do-cerrado seems to be partially mediated by the inflammatory signaling pathway, as well as involves the chelating activity of tucum-do-cerrado.

Effect of vitamin A supplementation on iron status in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Anemia is a worldwide public health problem that can be related to many causes, including vitamin A deficiency. The aim of this study was to assess and estimate the effect of vitamin A supplementation (VAS) on iron status biomarkers and anemia in humans. Six databases, including Cochrane, EMBASE, LILACS, Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science, were searched for clinical trials and cohort studies that investigated the effect of vitamin A supplementation alone on iron status and anemia, without time-restriction. The search yielded 23 eligible studies, 21 clinical trials and 2 cohort studies, with children, teenagers, pregnant or lactating women. The meta-analysis of the clinical trials showed that VAS reduces the risk of anemia by 26% and raises hemoglobin levels, compared to non-treated group, independent of the life stage. VAS did not alter the prevalence of iron deficiency among the clinical trials conducted with children and teenagers (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.12, p = 0.204), whereas a significant increase in serum ferritin levels was observed in trials conducted with pregnant and lactating women (WMD 6.61 µg/L; 95% CI 6.00 to 7.21 µg/L; p < 0.001). Therefore, vitamin A supplementation alone may reduce the risk of anemia, by improving hemoglobin and ferritin levels in individuals with low serum retinol levels.

Tucum-do-cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) may enhance hepatic glucose response by suppressing gluconeogenesis and upregulating Slc2a2 via AMPK pathway, even in a moderate iron supplementation condition.

Dietary phytochemicals may improve glucose metabolism while iron excess seems to be associated to impaired glucose homeostasis and insulin responses. This study investigated the effect of tucum-do-cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) consumption on the carbohydrate metabolism and redox response in rats supplemented or not with dietary iron. Male wistar rats were treated with one of the following diets: CT: control diet (AIN- 93G); +Fe: iron-enriched diet; Tuc: control diet +15% tucum-do-cerrado or Tuc + Fe: iron-enriched diet +15% tucum-do-cerrado. Iron supplementation increased muscle lipid and protein oxidation, hepatic glucokinase (GK) and phosphofrutokinase 1 (PFK1) activities and decreased hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), intestinal Scl2a2 and muscle Slc2a4 and Prkaa2α mRNA levels compared to CT group. Tucum-do-cerrado consumption (Tuc) increased hepatic Slc2a2, Prkaa1α, Prkaa2α and intestinal Slc5a1 mRNA levels, also decreased hepatic G6Pase activity, muscle Slc2a4 and Prkaa2α in relation to CT group. The association of tucum-do-cerrado with iron-enriched diet increased hepatic Prkaa1 and Pck1 compared to the CT and + Fe groups, intestinal Slc2a2 mRNA levels compared to the +Fe group, while decreased hepatic G6Pase activity in relation to the CT, +Fe and Tuc + Fe groups and muscle Slc2a4 and Prkaa2α compared to CT group. These results suggest that tucum-do-cerrado consumption might induce Prkaa1α and Prkaa2α expression, which may inhibit gluconeogenic rate limiting enzyme, G6Pase, and upregulates GLUT2 hepatic glucose uptake. In addition, moderate iron supplementation improves intracellular hepatic glucose response, stimulating the glycolytic rate limiting enzymes GK and PFK1 while inhibiting gluconeogenic enzyme G6Pase.

Avaliação da rotulagem de suplementos energéticos em brasília / Evaluation of energy supplements labels in brasília / Evaluación de los rótulos de suplementos energéticos en brasília

RESUMO Introdução: A legislação brasileira dispõe de regulamentação para a comercialização de suplementos para atletas. Nesse contexto, um dos suplementos muito utilizados para atletas são os energéticos ricos em carboidratos, os quais são excelentes fontes de energia para o exercício. Objetivo: Avaliar a adequação da rotulagem de suplementos energéticos à base de carboidratos comercializados em Brasília, Distrito Federal, de acordo com a legislação vigente. Métodos: Foram avaliados rótulos de produtos comercializados em farmácias e lojas de suplementos nutricionais na região do Plano Piloto de Brasília. As informações avaliadas nos rótulos foram uso pretendido do produto, composição específica, presença de frase obrigatória e ausência de imagens e expressões proibidas de acordo com a Resolução da Diretoria Colegiada número 18/2010 da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). Resultados: Foram catalogados 60 produtos nacionais e importados. Verificou-se que 75% da amostra apresentaram algum item em desacordo com a resolução. A presença da frase obrigatória em negrito e em destaque foi o item com maior percentual de inadequação (73,3%). Além disso, houve casos de a declaração obrigatória estar redigida com significado oposto. Todos os suplementos atenderam à legislação no que se refere ao teor mínimo de carboidratos relativo ao valor energético total do produto e à quantidade mínima de carboidratos na porção do produto. Conclusões: Considerando-se que 75% dos suplementos à base de carboidratos apresentaram inadequação de rotulagem e que a inadequação mais frequente foi a ausência ou redação incorreta da frase obrigatória nos rótulos dos suplementos, conclui-se que esse tipo de irregularidade atende aos interesses da indústria e não necessariamente aos interesses do consumidor. A presença da declaração obrigatória no produto é um requisito facilmente fiscalizável, portanto, destaca-se a necessidade de fiscalização na comercialização dos suplementos energéticos. Nível de Evidência III; Análises econômicas e de decisão - Desenvolvimento de modelo econômico ou de decisão.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Brazilian legislation provides regulations for the marketing of supplements for athletes. In this context one of the most widely used supplements for athletes are the carbohydrate-rich ones, which are excellent sources of energy for exercise. Objective: To evaluate the adequacy of the labeling of supplements based on carbohydrates marketed in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil according to the current legislation. Methods: The labels of products marketed in drugstores and nutritional supplement stores were evaluated in the region of the Plano Piloto de Brasília. The information evaluated on the labels were intended use of the product, specific composition, presence of mandatory phrase and absence of prohibited images and expressions according to the Resolution of the Collegiate Board of Directors number 18/2010 of the National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance (ANVISA). Results: Sixty national and imported products were cataloged. It was observed that 75% of the sample products had some item that failed to comply with the regulation. The presence of the mandatory statement in bold and highlighted was the item with the highest percentage of inadequacy (73.3%). In addition, there have been cases where the mandatory statement is worded with opposite meaning. All supplements have complied with the legislation regarding the minimum carbohydrate content relative to the total energy value of the product and the minimum amount of carbohydrate per serving. Conclusions: Considering that 75% carbohydrate-based supplements were inadequate for labeling and that the most frequent mismatch was the absence or incorrect wording of the mandatory statement on the labels of supplements, it is concluded that this type of irregularity serves the interests of industry and not necessarily the interests of the consumer. The presence of the mandatory statement in the product is an easily enforceable requirement, therefore, it is emphasized a more efficient inspection of the energy supplements marketed. Level of Evidence III; Economic and decision analyses - Developing an economic or decision model.

RESUMEN Introducción: La legislación brasileña dispone la reglamentación para la comercialización de suplementos para atletas. En este contexto, uno de los suplementos más utilizados para atletas son los energéticos ricos en carbohidratos, los cuales son excelentes fuentes de energía para el ejercicio. Objetivo: Evaluar la adecuación del rotulado de suplementos energéticos a base de carbohidratos comercializados en Brasília, Distrito Federal, de acuerdo con la legislación vigente. Métodos: Fueron evaluados los rótulos de productos comercializados en farmacias e tiendas de suplementos nutricionales en la región del Plano Piloto de Brasília. Las informaciones evaluadas en los rótulos fueron uso pretendido del producto, composición específica, presencia de información obligatoria e la ausencia de imágenes y expresiones prohibidas de acuerdo con la Resolución del Directorio Colegiado número 18/2010 de la Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria (ANVISA). Resultados: Fueron catalogados 60 productos nacionales e importados. Se verificó que el 75% de la muestra presentó algún ítem en desacuerdo con la resolución. La presencia de la información obligatoria en negrita e en destaque fue el ítem con mayor porcentaje de inadecuación (73,3%). Además, hubo casos de que la información obligatoria esté redactada con un significado opuesto. Todos los suplementos atendieron a la legislación en lo que se refiere al grado mínimo de carbohidratos relativo al valor energético total del producto y a la cantidad mínima de carbohidratos en la porción del producto. Conclusiones: Considerando que el 75% de los suplementos a base de carbohidratos presentaron inadecuación de rotulado y que la inadecuación más frecuente fue la ausencia o redacción incorrecta de la información obligatoria en los rótulos de los suplementos, se concluye que ese tipo de irregularidad atiende a los intereses de la industria e no necesariamente a los intereses del consumidor. La presencia de la información obligatoria en el producto es un requisito fácilmente fiscalizable, por lo que se destaca la necesidad de fiscalización en la comercialización de los suplementos energéticos. Nivel de Evidencia III; Análisis económico y de decisión - Desarrollo de modelo económico o de decisión.

Tucum-do-Cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) May Promote Anti-Aging Effect by Upregulating SIRT1-Nrf2 Pathway and Attenuating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.

Aging may be related to oxidative damage accumulation and a low-grade inflammation, both responses are modulated by iron and phytochemicals. This study investigated the effect of tucum-do-cerrado (Bactris setosa Mart.) consumption on the expression of sirtuins (SIRT 1 and 3) and senescence marker protein-30 (SMP30), and on the redox and inflammatory responses, in adult rats supplemented or not with dietary iron. Male Wistar rats were treated for 12 weeks with: control diet (CT); iron enriched-diet (+Fe); control diet + 15% tucum-do-cerrado (Tuc); or iron enriched-diet + 15% tucum-do-cerrado (Tuc + Fe). Iron supplementation (+Fe) increased liver, spleen and intestine iron levels, transferrin saturation, serum iron, serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels, hepatic carbonyl content and and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, hepatic Nrf2 protein and Nqo1 mRNA levels and decreased the renal Sirt1 mRNA levels in relation to CT group. Tucum-do-cerrado consumption (Tuc) increased hepatic SOD activity, Nrf2 and SIRT1 mRNA and protein contents, and Nqo1 mRNA levels, while it decreased the renal SOD activity compared with the CT diet. The consumption of tucum-do-cerrado associated with the iron-enriched diet (Tuc + Fe) increased the iron levels in tissues and serum transferrin saturation, compared to the CT diet, while promoting a decrease in hepatic carbonyl and renal malondialdehyde levels, marginally reducing serum IL-6 levels, and increasing hepatic SIRT1 protein content, renal Sirt1 and hepatic Nrf2 mRNA levels, compared to the +Fe group. None of the treatments altered Smp30 mRNA levels. The results suggest that tucum-do-cerrado consumption might promote an anti-aging effect by increasing SIRT1 expression, which may enhance Nrf2 mRNA and protein levels and its downstream pathway, which in turn decrease oxidative damage to proteins and the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), induced by iron excess.

Vitamin A deficiency modulates iron metabolism independent of hemojuvelin (Hfe2) and bone morphogenetic protein 6 (Bmp6) transcript levels.

BACKGROUND: Considering that vitamin A deficiency modulates hepcidin expression and consequently affects iron metabolism, we evaluated the effect of vitamin A deficiency in the expression of genes involved in the hemojuvelin (HJV)-bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6)-small mothers against decapentaplegic protein (SMAD) signaling pathway. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were treated: control AIN-93G diet (CT), vitamin A-deficient diet (VAD), iron-deficient diet (FeD), vitamin A- and iron-deficient diet (VAFeD), or 12 mg all-trans retinoic acid (atRA)/kg diet. RESULTS: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) increased hepatic Bmp6 and Hfe2 mRNA levels and down-regulated hepatic Hamp, Smad7, Rarα, and intestinal Fpn1 mRNA levels compared with the control. The FeD rats showed lower hepatic Hamp, Bmp6, and Smad7 mRNA levels compared with those of the control, while in the VAFeD rats only Hamp and Smad7 mRNA levels were lower than those of the control. The VAFeD diet up-regulated intestinal Dmt1 mRNA levels in relation to those of the control. The replacement of retinyl ester by atRA did not restore hepatic Hamp mRNA levels; however, the hepatic Hfe2, Bmp6, and Smad7 mRNA levels were similar to the control. The atRA rats showed an increase of hepatic Rarα mRNA levels and a reduction of intestinal Dmt1 mRNA and Fpn1 levels compared with those of the control. CONCLUSIONS: The HJV-BMP6-SMAD signaling pathway that normally activates the expression of hepcidin in iron deficiency is impaired by vitamin A deficiency despite increased expression of liver Bmp6 and Hfe2 mRNA levels and decreased expression of Smad7 mRNA. This response may be associated to the systemic iron deficiency and spleen iron retention promoted by vitamin A deficiency.

Brazilian savanna fruits contain higher bioactive compounds content and higher antioxidant activity relative to the conventional red delicious apple.

The bioactive compounds content and the antioxidant activity (AA) of twelve fruits native to the Cerrado were compared with the Red Delicious apple by means of the antiradical efficiency (using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil assay/DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the ß-carotene/linoleic system. The antiradical efficiency (AE) and the kinetic parameters (Efficient concentration/EC50 and time needed to reach the steady state to EC50 concentration/TEC50) of the DPPH curve were also evaluated for comparison with the Trolox equivalent (TE) values. A strong, significant and positive correlation was observed between the TE and AE values, whereas a weak and negative correlation was observed between TE and EC50, suggesting that the values of AE and TE are more useful for the determination of antiradical activity in fruits than the widely used EC50. The total phenolic content found in the fruits corresponded positively to their antioxidant activity. The high content of bioactive compounds (flavanols, anthocyanins or vitamin C) relative to the apple values found in araticum, cagaita, cajuzinho, jurubeba, lobeira, magaba and tucum corresponded to the high antioxidant activity of these fruits. Flavanols and anthocyanins may be the main bioactive components in these Cerrado fruits. The daily consumption of at least seven of the twelve Cerrado fruits studied, particularly, araticum, cagaita, lobeira and tucum, may confer protection against oxidative stress, and thus, they may prevent chronic diseases and premature aging. The findings of this study should stimulate demand, consumption and cultivation of Cerrado fruits and result in sustainable development of the region where this biome dominates.

The association of markers of oxidative-inflammatory status with malnutrition in hemodialysis patients with serum ferritin lower than 500 ng/mL.

INTRODUCTION: Enhanced inflammatory-oxidative status is well established in chronic kidney disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the oxidative- inflammatory status and iron indices in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) with serum ferritin lower than 500 ng/mL, and to correlate them with nutritional status. METHOD: In a cross-sectional survey 35 HD patients (23 with normal nutritional status, 12 with Protein-Energy-Wasting syndrome, PEW), and healthy volunteers (n = 35) were studied. Serum concentration of iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), high-sensitive serum C -reactive protein (hs-CRP) and blood counts were determined. The nutritional status was determined by anthropometric and biochemical criteria. RESULTS: HD patients showed low values of hemoglobin and higher values of ferritin, MDA and PC when compared with healthy volunteers. HD subjects with PEW had higher values of PC and hs-PCR as compared to HD patients with normal nutritional status. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the independent variables PC (Wald Statistic 4.25, p = 0.039) and hs-CRP (Wald Statistic 4.83, p = 0.028) where related with the patients' nutritional condition. CONCLUSION: In HD patients with serum ferritin below 500 ng/mL was observed one association of the markers of oxidative stress and inflammation with poor nutritional status independently of serum ferritin, gender and age.

Dietary iron concentration may influence aging process by altering oxidative stress in tissues of adult rats.

Iron is an essential element. However, in its free form, iron participates in redox-reactions, leading to the production of free radicals that increase oxidative stress and the risk of damaging processes. Living organisms have an efficient mechanism that regulates iron absorption according to their iron content to protect against oxidative damage. The effects of restricted and enriched-iron diets on oxidative stress and aging biomarkers were investigated. Adult Wistar rats were fed diets containing 10, 35 or 350 mg/kg iron (adult restricted-iron, adult control-iron and adult enriched-iron groups, respectively) for 78 days. Rats aged two months were included as a young control group. Young control group showed higher hemoglobin and hematocrit values, lower levels of iron and lower levels of MDA or carbonyl in the major studied tissues than the adult control group. Restricted-iron diet reduced iron concentrations in skeletal muscle and oxidative damage in the majority of tissues and also increased weight loss. Enriched-iron diet increased hematocrit values, serum iron, gamma-glutamyl transferase, iron concentrations and oxidative stress in the majority of tissues. As expected, young rats showed higher mRNA levels of heart and hepatic L-Ferritin (Ftl) and kidneys SMP30 as well as lower mRNA levels of hepatic Hamp and interleukin-1 beta (Il1b) and also lower levels of liver protein ferritin. Restricted-iron adult rats showed an increase in heart Ftl mRNA and the enriched-iron adult rats showed an increase in liver nuclear factor erythroid derived 2 like 2 (Nfe2l2) and Il1b mRNAs and in gut divalent metal transporter-1 mRNA (Slc11a2) relative to the control adult group. These results suggest that iron supplementation in adult rats may accelerate aging process by increasing oxidative stress while iron restriction may retards it. However, iron restriction may also impair other physiological processes that are not associated with aging.

The association of markers of oxidative-inflammatory status with malnutrition in hemodialysis patients with serum ferritin lower than 500 ng/mL / Associação dos marcadores do estado oxidativo e inflamatório com a desnutrição em pacientes hemodialisados com ferritina menor do que 500 ng/mL

INTRODUCTION: Enhanced inflammatory-oxidative status is well established in chronic kidney disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the oxidative- inflammatory status and iron indices in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) with serum ferritin lower than 500ng/mL, and to correlate them with nutritional status. METHOD: In a cross-sectional survey 35 HD patients (23 with normal nutritional status, 12 with Protein-Energy-Wasting syndrome, PEW), and healthy volunteers (n = 35) were studied. Serum concentration of iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), high-sensitive serum C -reactive protein (hs-CRP) and blood counts were determined. The nutritional status was determined by anthropometric and biochemical criteria. RESULTS: HD patients showed low values of hemoglobin and higher values of ferritin, MDA and PC when compared with healthy volunteers. HD subjects with PEW had higher values of PC and hs-PCR as compared to HD patients with normal nutritional status. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the independent variables PC (Wald Statistic 4.25, p = 0.039) and hs-CRP (Wald Statistic 4.83, p = 0.028) where related with the patients' nutritional condition. CONCLUSION: In HD patients with serum ferritin below 500 ng/mL was observed one association of the markers of oxidative stress and inflammation with poor nutritional status independently of serum ferritin, gender and age.

INTRODUÇÃO: Na doença renal crônica, a presença de um estado inflamatório-oxidativo aumentado está bem estabelecida. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o estado oxidativo e inflamatório e o perfil do ferro em pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise crônica de manutenção, com ferritina menor do que 500 ng/mL, e correlacioná-los com o estado nutricional. MÉTODO: Em estudo transversal, em 35 pacientes sob hemodiálise (23 com estado nutricional normal, 12 com desnutrição energético-proteica (DEP) e 35 voluntários sadios foram determinados os índices hematimétricos e as concentrações séricas do ferro, da ferritina e avaliada a saturação de transferrina. O estado oxidativo foi determinado por meio das concentrações séricas do malondialdeído (MDA) e da proteína carbonil (PC). Nos indivíduos sob hemodiálise o estado inflamatório foi avaliado por meio da proteína C reativa ultrassensível determinada no soro (hs-PCR). O estado nutricional foi determinado por critérios antropométricos e bioquímicos. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes da hemodiálise mostraram anemia e um estado oxidativo mais elevado do que os voluntários sadios. Os pacientes hemodialisados com DPE mostraram ferritina e um estado inflamatório-oxidativo mais elevado se comparados aos com boa condição nutricional. Em análise de regressão logística múltipla, os níveis séricos de PC e hs-CRP foram correlacionados com o estado nutricional. PC (Estatística Wald 4.25, p = 0,039), CRP (Estatística Wald 4.83, p = 0,028). CONCLUSÃO: Em indivíduos submetidos à hemodiálise, com ferritina menor do que 500 ng/mL. Observou-se uma associação entre os marcadores de estresse oxidativo e inflamatório com o estado nutricional, independentemente da idade, gênero e dos índices do ferro.

Vitamin A deficiency increases hepcidin expression and oxidative stress in rat.

OBJECTIVE: The interaction between vitamin A and iron status has been widely reported; however, the exact mechanism involved in this interaction has not been well characterized. The present study investigated the mechanism involved in tissue iron accumulation and changes in the oxidative status in vitamin A-deficient rats. METHODS: Rats were treated with a control diet, a vitamin A-deficient diet, or a vitamin A/iron-deficient diet for 57 d. The animals were sacrificed; the blood, liver, and spleen were collected for biochemical analysis. Analysis of variance or Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare groups and Pearson's or Spearman's tests to investigate the bivariate correlation. RESULTS: Vitamin A deficiency increased liver hepcidin mRNA and iron spleen concentrations; however, iron deficiency in vitamin A-deficient rats deeply inhibits liver hepcidin mRNA expression and significantly increases divalent metal transporter-1 mRNA levels. Liver ferroportin and hereditary hemochromatosis gene mRNA levels did not change in either treatment. In the vitamin A-deficient groups, liver carbonyl protein increased, whereas catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities decreased, suggesting that vitamin A protects the liver against protein oxidation. A significant positive correlation was found between lipid oxidative damage and iron concentration in the liver and spleen (r = 0.611, P = 0.007; r = 0.558, P = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that vitamin A maintains iron homeostasis by the modulation of liver hepcidin expression. The increase of lipid peroxidation in vitamin A deficiency seems to be iron dependent, whereas protein oxidation is not.

Iron status and oxidative stress biomarkers in adults: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Although essential to many vital processes, iron catalyzes reactions that produce reactive oxygen species, which are associated with the increased risk of non-communicable chronic diseases and precocious aging. This study investigated whether ferritin, hemoglobin concentration, and dietary iron consumption are related to oxidative stress biomarkers in adults. METHODS: Data were collected from 134 allegedly healthy subjects >18 y of age who were randomly selected to participate in a cross-sectional study as part of the pilot project Prevalence of Risk Factors for Non-communicable Chronic Diseases in the Federal District, Brazil (VIVA Saúde-DF). Serum ferritin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl concentrations, hemoglobin, and dietary iron consumption were analyzed. RESULTS: A weak positive correlation (r = 0.189, P = 0.032) and association (P = 0.046) was observed for serum ferritin and MDA. Hemoglobin concentrations were positively associated with serum MDA (P = 0.040). Dietary iron intake and serum protein carbonyl concentrations showed a weak positive correlation (r = 0.173, P = 0.046) for all subjects. Iron intake by women was positively associated with serum protein carbonyl (P = 0.03). A lower serum MDA concentration was found in ferritin-deficient subjects (P = 0.015) and men with anemia (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that low levels of iron may reduce oxidative stress.

Biodisponibilidade de minerais em refeições vegetarianas e onívoras servidas em restaurante universitário / Mineral bioavailability in vegetarian and omnivorous meals served in a university restaurant

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a biodisponibilidade de cálcio, ferro e zinco nas dietas vegetarianas e onívoras, servidas no Restaurante Universitário da Universidade de Brasília. MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas três amostras de cada refeição, durante 5 dias, para determinação do conteúdo de fitato. O conteúdo em cálcio ferro e zinco foi estimado a partir de tabelas de composição de alimentos. A razão molar entre o ácido fítico e o mineral dietéticos foi utilizada como critério para avaliar a biodisponibilidade. RESULTADOS: As concentrações médias de ácido fítico, cálcio e ferro foram significantemente maiores na dieta vegetariana (p=0,0002; p=0,0015 e p=0,0227, respectivamente), enquanto a concentração de Zinco foi maior na dieta onívora (p=0,0205). Ambas as dietas apresentaram razões molares ácido fítico: cálcio e ácido fítico: ferro inferiores aos valores críticos (1,56 e 14, respectivamente), sugerindo que o fitato não deve comprometer a biodisponibilidade do cálcio ou do ferro nessas refeições. A razão molar ácido fítico: zinco, na dieta vegetariana, foi de 9,3 e na onívora de 4,9, caracterizando-as como refeições de média e alta biodisponibilidade para o zinco, respectivamente. O feijão e a soja eram os componentes dietéticos mais ricos em fitato nas duas refeições. CONCLUSÃO: Devido aos teores de cálcio e ferro nas duas refeições, a presença de fitato não deve representar risco de deficiência desses minerais para indivíduos que se alimentam diariamente no Restaurante Universitário da Universidade de Brasília. Entretanto, devido ao baixo teor de zinco nas refeições, a presença do fitato pode representar um risco de deficiência desse mineral, principalmente, para homens vegetarianos.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the bioavailability of calcium, iron and zinc in vegetarian and omnivorous meals served in the university restaurant of the Universidade de Brasília. METHODS: Three samples of each meal were collected during 5 days to determine the concentration of phytate. Calcium, iron and zinc contents were estimated by using food composition tables. The molar ratio between phytic acid and the dietary mineral was used as a criterion to evaluate mineral bioavailability. RESULTS: The mean concentrations of phytate, calcium and iron were significantly higher in the vegetarian meal (p=0.0002; p=0.0015 e p=0.0227, respectively), while zinc concentration was higher in the omnivorous meal (p=0.0205). Both meals presented molar ratios of phytate to calcium and phytate to iron below the critical values (1.56 and 14, respectively) suggesting that phytate in these meals should not impair calcium and iron bioavailability. The molar ratio of phytic acid to zinc in the vegetarian meal was 9.4, while in the omnivorous meal it was 4.3, characterizing them as medium and high bioavailability meals for zinc, respectively. Beans and soy were the highest sources of phytate in both meals. CONCLUSION: Due to the calcium and iron contents in both meals served in the university restaurant of the Universidade de Brasília, phytate content should not induce calcium and iron deficiency in individuals that consume these meals daily. However, given the low zinc content in the meals, phytate content may represent a risk for the development of zinc deficiency, especially in vegetarian men.

Beta-carotene from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) leaves improves vitamin A status in rats.

The bioavailability of beta-carotene from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) leaves was assayed in vitamin A deficient Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). Rats were separated into three groups and fed with a modified AIN-93G--vitamin A deficient--diet. Deficient rat received this diet without any additional vitamin A source. Controls received the diet with 7200 microg of synthetic beta-carotene (control), while experimentals (test) received 19.5 g of cassava leaves powder per kg of diet. The cassava leaves with beta-carotene promotes similar growth and tissue weight in rats to the synthetic beta-carotene. The relative bioavailability, estimated as the Retinol Accumulation Factor (RAF), was 16.5 and 27.5 for control and test groups, respectively, indicating that control and test rats should have an intake of 16.5 microg or 27.5 microg of beta-carotene from synthetic form or cassava leaves powder for each 1 microg of hepatic retinol stored, respectively. The cassava leaves beta-carotene bioavailability was lower than the synthetic beta-carotene probably because the beta-carotene from the leaf matrix may be bounded to protein complex or inside organelles, which impair carotenoid absorption. Our findings showed that beside the hepatic retinol recovery, cassava leaf beta-carotene could maintain rat growth and avoid vitamin A deficient symptoms.

Suplementação de micronutrientes na senescência: implicações nos mecanismos imunológicos / Micronutrients supplementation during the senescence: implications for the immunological functions

A prevalência de indivíduos idosos em detrimento de indivíduos jovens compreende um quadro comum na população mundial. As estimativas indicam que, em 2050, cerca de 22 por cento da população mundial serão constituídos por indivíduos idosos. As mudanças no sistema imune do indivíduo idoso ocorrem acentuadamente na imunidade mediada por células, caracterizada pelo aumento do número de linfócitos T imaturos (CD2+CD3-), decréscimo do número de linfócitos T virgens (CD45RA), aumento dos linfócitos de memória (CD45RO), e aumento das células helper T2, com decréscimo das helper T1. Embora as mudanças na resposta humoral sejam menores no envelhecimento, a menor especificidade e afinidade dos anticorpos nos indivíduos idosos constituem uma diferenciação da resposta imune. Estudos recentes demonstram que no envelhecimento a suplementação de micronutrientes específicos exerce efeitos benéficos sobre o sistema imune.