Effects of brown and golden flaxseed on the lipid profile, glycemia, inflammatory biomarkers, blood pressure and body composition in overweight adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Flaxseed is a promising alternative to reduce the risk of diseases associated with body weight excess because it is rich in a-linolenic acid, lignans, and dietary fiber. Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) can be found in brown and golden varieties; however, questions have arisen as to whether the variety may influence the health effects. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of brown and golden flaxseeds on lipid profile, glycemia, blood pressure, inflammatory status,body weight, and body composition in overweight adolescents. METHODS: Seventy-five overweight adolescents (33 boys, 42 girls; age 13.7 ! 2.1 y), from Alegre-ES, Brazil, were randomized to one of the three groups (n » 25) on a parallel, single-blind clinical trial. They received 28 g/d of brown flaxseed (BF), golden flaxseed (GF), or the equivalent amount of wheat bran (Control, CG) in different preparations at school from Monday to Friday for 11 wk. Blood pressure, anthropometric evaluation, and the analyses of blood total cholesterol, lipoproteins, glucose, and inflammatory markers were performed at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. The data were analyzed by ANCOVA at 5% significance. RESULTS: The groups who consumed brown and golden flaxseed showed significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure. Brown and golden flaxseed did not differentially affect plasma lipid responses, plasma glucose and inflammatory profile, although all groups (BF, GF, and CG) showed increased levels of TNF-a. CONCLUSIONS: The adolescents consumed about half the daily amount provided, which may not have been sufficient to exert the health benefits of flaxseed reported in the literature, concerning the lipid profile, inflammation biomarkers and body composition.

Acute and second-meal effects of peanuts on glycaemic response and appetite in obese women with high type 2 diabetes risk: a randomised cross-over clinical trial.

Nut consumption is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of adding peanuts (whole or peanut butter) on first (0-240 min)- and second (240-490 min)-meal glucose metabolism and selected gut satiety hormone responses, appetite ratings and food intake in obese women with high T2DM risk. A group of fifteen women participated in a randomised cross-over clinical trial in which 42·5 g of whole peanuts without skins (WP), peanut butter (PB) or no peanuts (control) were added to a 75 g available carbohydrate-matched breakfast meal. Postprandial concentrations (0-490 min) of glucose, insulin, NEFA, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), cholecystokinin (CCK), appetitive sensations and food intake were assessed after breakfast treatments and a standard lunch. Postprandial NEFA incremental AUC (IAUC) (0-240 min) and glucose IAUC (240-490 min) responses were lower for the PB breakfast compared with the control breakfast. Insulin concentrations were higher at 120 and 370 min after the PB consumption than after the control consumption. Desire-to-eat ratings were lower, while PYY, GLP-1 and CCK concentrations were higher after the PB intake compared with the control intake. WP led to similar but non-significant effects. The addition of PB to breakfast moderated postprandial glucose and NEFA concentrations, enhanced gut satiety hormone secretion and reduced the desire to eat. The greater bioaccessibility of the lipid component in PB is probably responsible for the observed incremental post-ingestive responses between the nut forms. Inclusion of PB, and probably WP, to breakfast may help to moderate glucose concentrations and appetite in obese women.

Modified soybean affects cholesterol metabolism in rats similarly to a commercial cultivar.

The consumption of soy protein lowers blood cholesterol in humans and animals. Breeding may alter the physiological effects of soybeans, such as its cholesterol-lowering property. Our hypothesis is that breeding affects the hypocholesterolemic effect of soy by modulating the expression of key hepatic enzymes related to cholesterol and bile acid biosynthesis, as well as altering fecal neutral and acidic steroid excretion. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new Brazilian soybean cultivar (UFV-116), lacking lipoxygenases 2 and 3, compared with a commercial cultivar (OCEPAR-19), on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A) mRNA expression and fecal steroid output in rats. Thirty-six male rats were fed UFV-116, OCEPAR-19, or casein as the protein source, with or without addition of dietary cholesterol (0.25%). Blood and liver cholesterol, HMGR and CYP7A mRNA abundance, and fecal excretion of steroids were measured. Blood and liver cholesterol levels were lowered by both soybean cultivars, with and without cholesterol, but UFV-116 was more effective when included in the cholesterol-free diet. Both soy diets promoted lower levels of HMGR mRNA, higher levels of CYP7A mRNA, and higher excretion of fecal secondary bile acids. There was higher fecal neutral steroid output when cholesterol was added to all diets. These data show that both soybean cultivars acted similarly in lowering serum and hepatic cholesterol; therefore, breeding did not affect the hypocholesterolemic effect of the new cultivar.

In vivo bioavailability of selenium in enriched Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms.

The in vivo bioavailability of Se was investigated in enriched Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms. A bioavailability study was performed using 64 Wistar male rats separated in 8 groups and fed with different diets: without Se, with mushrooms without Se, with enriched mushrooms containing 0.15, 0.30 or 0.45 mg kg(-1) Se and a normal diet containing 0.15 mg kg(-1) of Se using sodium selenate. The experiment was performed in two periods: depletion (14 days) and repletion (21 days), according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. After five weeks, the rats were sacrificed under carbon dioxide, and blood was drawn by heart puncture. Blood plasma was separated by centrifugation. The total Se concentration in the plasma of rats fed with enriched mushrooms was higher than in rats fed with a normal diet containing sodium selenate. The plasma protein profiles were obtained using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and UV detectors. Aliquots of effluents (0.5 mL per minute) were collected throughout in the end of the chromatographic column. However, Se was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) only in the aliquots where proteins were detected by SEC-UV. The plasma protein profile of rats fed with different diets was similar. The highest Se concentration was observed in a peptide presenting 8 kDa. Furthermore, the higher Se concentration in this peptide was obtained for rats fed with a diet using enriched mushrooms (7 µg L(-1) Se) compared to other diets (2-5 µg L(-1) Se). These results showed that Se-enriched mushrooms can be considered as an alternative Se food source for humans, due to their high bioavailability.

Effects of peanut processing on body weight and fasting plasma lipids.

Peanuts and peanut butter are commonly consumed as a snack, meal component and ingredient in various commercial products. Their consumption is associated with reduced CVD risk and they pose little threat to positive energy balance. However, questions have arisen as to whether product form (e.g. whole nut v. butter) and processing properties (e.g. roasting and adding flavours) may compromise their positive health effects. The present study investigated the effects of peanut form and processing on two CVD risk factors: fasting plasma lipids and body weight. One hundred and eighteen adults (forty-seven males and seventy-one females; age 29.2 (sd 8.4) years; BMI 30.0 (sd 4.5) kg/m2) from Brazil, Ghana and the United States were randomised to consume 56 g of raw unsalted (n 23), roasted unsalted (n 24), roasted salted (n 23) or honey roasted (n 24) peanuts, or peanut butter (n 24) daily for 4 weeks. Peanut form and processing did not differentially affect body weight or fasting plasma lipid responses in the total sample. However, HDL-cholesterol increased significantly at the group level, and total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and TAG concentrations decreased significantly in individuals classified as having elevated fasting plasma lipids compared with those with normal fasting plasma lipids. These observations suggest that the processing attributes assessed in this trial do not compromise the lipid-lowering effects of peanuts, and do not negatively impact body weight. Further studies are warranted to determine the effects of form and processing on other health risk factors.

Growth of preschool children was improved when fed an iron-fortified fermented milk beverage supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Food fortification is an efficient strategy applied to overcome iron deficiency anemia. This study investigated the effect of iron fortification with probiotic bacteria in a milk beverage on growth and iron status of preschool children with a usually low-bioavailable-iron diet intake. The fermented milk beverage was fortified with iron amino acid chelate (3 mg iron per 80 mL) and supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus (test) or not (control). The beverage was fed to 190 children aged 2 to 5 years for a duration of 101 days. Anthropometric, hematologic, and nutritional assessments were carried out before and after the intervention. The levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit decreased (P < .001) in both groups (test and control) but remained within the reference range. The children fed the probiotic milk beverage exhibited higher red blood cell status and a positive correlation between iron intake and hemoglobin. An increased serum ferritin level was observed in the control group (P < .001). Nutritional status was improved after intervention in both groups by comparing the indices of weight for age and height for age. However, no difference was observed in the weight for height index in these groups. Energy and nutrient intake increased (P < .001) with intervention, and the prevalence of inadequacy was reduced. The fortified beverage contributed to improved nutrient intake and nutritional status of the preschool children. The higher demand and mobilization of nutrients to offset growth may have contributed to maintain blood parameters at borderline levels.

Efeitos da suplementação de creatina e do treinamento de potência sobre a performance e a massa corporal magra de ratos / Effects of creatine supplementation and power training on performance and lean body mass of rats

INTRODUÇÃO: A creatina é um dos suplementos mais usados por atletas para incrementar a síntese protéica e aumentar a massa e força muscular. OBJETIVO: Investigou-se os efeitos da suplementação de creatina associada a um programa de treinamento de potência (saltos verticais) sobre a performance e a composição da massa corporal magra de ratos Wistar. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar adultos foram distribuídos em quatro grupos: SSC (sedentário sem creatina); SC (sedentário com creatina); ESC (exercício sem creatina) e EC (exercício com creatina). Os animais receberam água e ração ad libitum. Os grupos SC e EC ingeriam dose de creatina diariamente, adotando o procedimento de carga (0,430g/kg p.c. por 7 dias) e manutenção (0,070g/kg p.c. por 6 semanas). Os grupos EC e ESC foram submetidos a um regime progressivo de saltos verticais (5x10 saltos com 1 min de intervalo) em tanque com água, 5 dias/semana, durante 7 semanas. A performance foi avaliada pelo tempo de execução das 5 séries de 10 saltos verticais e a composição da massa corporal magra (músculos e ossos) foi avaliada pelas porções: água, proteína e gordura. RESULTADOS: A performance não foi afetada pela ingestão de creatina (p > 0,05). Os animais suplementados tiveram o percentual de proteína elevado e o de gordura reduzido (p < 0,05), independente do treinamento. Os animais exercitados exibiram maior percentual de proteína, e menor de gordura, além de menor ganho de peso corporal, comparados com os sedentários, independente da suplementação (p < 0,05). Não houve diferença para o percentual de água e consumo alimentar (p > 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: A suplementação de creatina não afetou a performance dos animais, mas alterou a massa corporal magra. A suplementação de creatina e o programa de treinamento de potência, de forma independente, elevaram o percentual de proteína dos músculos e ossos e reduziram o percentual de gordura, sem alterar o percentual de água.

INTRODUCTION: Creatine is one of the supplements most used by athletes in order to increase protein synthesis and consequently muscle mass and strength. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of creatine intake on the performance and lean body mass of Wistar rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were allocated into one of the four groups: sedentary without creatine (S); Sedentary with creatine (SC); exercise without creatine (E); and exercise with creatine (EC) and received water and chow ad libitum. Those animals in SC and EC groups ingested creatine daily (0.430 g/kg body weight for 7 days and 0.070 g/kg body weight for the following 6 weeks). Animals from E and EC groups underwent a progressive vertical jump regimen (5 x 10 jumps with 1 min. resting interval) in a tank filled with water at 30 ± 1ºC, 5 days/wk for 7 weeks. Performance was assessed by taking the time to perform 5 x 10 vertical jumps. The contents of water, fat and protein of the rat's muscles and bones were measured. RESULTS: The performance was not affected by creatine intake (P > 0.05). Animals supplemented with creatine had an increased percentage of protein and a reduced percentage of fat (P < 0.05), regardless the exercise training. Exercised animals exhibited a higher percentage of protein and a lower percentage of fat and gained less body weight when compared to sedentary animals (P < 0.05), regardless the creatine supplementation. There was no difference between groups for water content and food intake (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Creatine supplementation did not affect performance of the animals. Nevertheless, it altered the lean body mass. Creatine supplementation as well as the power training program, independently, raised the protein percentage of the muscles and bones and reduced the fat percentage, with no alteration in the water percentage.

Lipid profile of rats fed high-fat diets based on flaxseed, peanut, trout, or chicken skin.

OBJECTIVE: Dietary saturated fatty acids are associated with coronary disease. Conversely, dietary monounsaturated polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) seem to exert a protective effect. This study evaluated the lipid profile of rats fed high-fat (HF) diets, with fat added as different sources of PUFA (flaxseed and trout), MUFA (peanut), and saturated fatty acid (chicken skin). METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were placed into six dietary groups (n = 10): control (normal); high fat, with 1% cholesterol, 10% soy oil, and 5% lard; and four groups fed similar HF diets, with 10% lipid as trout, flaxseed, peanut, or chicken skin. After 28 d the animals were killed. Blood, livers, and adipose tissue samples were collected. RESULTS: A higher level (P < 0.05) of total serum cholesterol was observed in rats fed the normal diet (93.57 +/- 14.95 mg/dL) compared with those fed the HF diet (67.57 +/- 12.54 mg/dL). Total cholesterol levels in rats fed the flaxseed diet were lower (P < 0.05) than in rats fed the other fats. No difference was observed in cholesterol levels between groups fed the peanut and chicken skin diets (P > 0.05). Animals fed the peanut diet showed decreased body weight gain than did animals in the other treatment groups. There were large lipid and cholesterol depositions in livers of rats fed the HF diet. Lipid deposition in adipose tissue followed the same dietary fatty acid profile, i.e., high levels of omega-3 PUFA in the flaxseed group, high levels of MUFA in the peanut and chicken skin groups and high levels of omega-6 PUFA in the trout group. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that flaxseed is promising for dietary manipulation of hyperlipidemia.

Absorption of calcium fumarate salts is equivalent to other calcium salts when measured in the rat model.

Calcium absorption from fumarate salts (calcium fumarate and calcium malate fumarate), which have recently been considered for use as sources for food and beverage enrichment, was compared to that from calcium citrate malate, calcium citrate, and calcium carbonate. Salts were instrinsically labeled with 45Ca and orally administered to Sprague-Dawley rats. Fractional absorption of calcium from each salt was determined using the femur uptake model. Fractional absorption from the five salts (0.30-0.27) was not significantly different (p > 0.05). Thus, when measured in the rat model, calcium from calcium fumarate and calcium malate fumarate is absorbed equally well as compared to other salts, which are common calcium sources in many foods, beverages, and supplements.