LDLR gene's promoter region hypermethylation in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and a high risk of early coronary heart disease. Structural alterations in the LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes were not found in 20-40% of patients diagnosed using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DCLN) criteria. We hypothesized that methylation in canonical genes could explain the origin of the phenotype in these patients. This study included 62 DNA samples from patients with a clinical diagnosis of FH according to the DCLN criteria, who previously tested negative for structural alterations in the canonical genes, and 47 DNA samples from patients with normal blood lipids (control group). All DNA samples were tested for methylation in the CpG islands of the three genes. The prevalence of FH relative to each gene was determined in both groups and the respective prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated. The methylation analysis of APOB and PCSK9 was negative in both groups, showing no relationship between methylation in these genes and the FH phenotype. As the LDLR gene has two CpG islands, we analyzed each island separately. The analysis of LDLR-island1 showed PR = 0.982 (CI 0.33-2.95; χ2 = 0.001; p = 0.973), also suggesting no relationship between methylation and the FH phenotype. Analysis of LDLR-island2 showed a PR of 4.12 (CI 1.43-11.88; χ2 = 13,921; p = 0.00019), indicating a possible association between methylation on this island and the FH phenotype.

Adiponectin predicts the antioxidant capacity and size of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in individuals with diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: The relationship between adiponectin and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is established; however the evidence on its role in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality is still scant. The aim of this study was to assess the association of adiponectin with HDL functionality especially on the antioxidant capacity and HDL subfractions in individuals with T2DM. METHODS: This case-control study enrolled 356 individuals who were divided into two groups: diabetics [T2DM (n = 188)] and non-diabetic [nT2DM (n = 168)]. The association of adiponectin level on HDL functionality parameters was done in function of the cut-off point for adiponectin [percentile p < 75 = 12.9 µg/mL versus p ≥ 75 = 12.9 µg/mL] and multiple adjustments applied in the logistic regression models. RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body fat mass (FM) were higher in T2DM. The larger HDL particles (HDLLARGE) were lower in T2DM group in comparison with nT2DM (28.20% versus 30.40%; p = 0.016). Individuals with T2DM and simultaneous highest adiponectin (p ≥ 75) had 2.25 OR (95% CI = 1.03-4.91) and 5.14 OR (95% CI = 2.37-11.15) to present higher HDL-C and HDLLARGE concentrations. After adjustment for multiple confounders, high level of adiponectin was independently related with improvement of the HDL antioxidant capacity (OR = 2.78; 95% CI = 1.16-6.67). CONCLUSIONS: High adiponectin level associates with a lesser negative impact of T2DM on HDL functionality by increase in APO AI, particles size, and cholesterol content. On the same token, higher adiponectin was associated with greater odds to have high antioxidant capacity.

Structural and magnetic properties of ultra-low density BiFeO3 nanoparticles produced by pulsed laser deposition.

Ultra-low-density BiFeO3 nanoparticles have been prepared by pulsed laser deposition and their structure and magnetic properties have been studied. Annealing increases crystallinity and the size of the particles leading to an alteration of magnetic properties, observed from magnetic studies and evaluated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy , selected area electron diffraction and x-ray diffraction patterns analysis. Transmission electron microscopy results show that the BiFeO3 as-deposited nanoparticles annealed up to 400 °C exhibit a orthorhombic distorted perovskite structure without secondary phase and with diameters varying from 9 nm (as-deposited) to 17 nm (annealed at 400 °C). Magnetic data exhibit exchange bias and magnetic blocking effects at low temperatures and typical superparamagnetic behavior at high temperatures. Meanwhile, the BiFeO3 nanoparticles annealed at 500 °C exhibit a rhombohedrally distorted perovskite structure with typical antiferromagnetic properties and diameter of about 56 nm. The analysis of magnetic relaxation time using the Arrhenius equation suggests a superparamagnetic blocking process of ferromagnetic clusters on the surface of the nanoparticles at low temperature. The magnetic properties are discussed considering the interactions between nanoparticles and the co-existence of different magnetic phases within the nanoparticles: an ordered antiferromagnetic core and ferromagnetic clusters on the surface.

Predicting enteric methane production from cattle in the tropics.

Accurate estimates of methane (CH4) production by cattle in different contexts are essential to developing mitigation strategies in different regions. We aimed to: (i) compile a database of CH4 emissions from Brazilian cattle studies, (ii) evaluate prediction precision and accuracy of extant proposed equations for cattle and (iii) develop specialized equations for predicting CH4 emissions from cattle in tropical conditions. Data of nutrient intake, diet composition and CH4 emissions were compiled from in vivo studies using open-circuit respiratory chambers, SF6 technique or the GreenFeed® system. A final dataset containing intake, diet composition, digestibility and CH4 emissions (677 individual animal observations, 40 treatment means) obtained from 38 studies conducted in Brazil was used. The dataset was divided into three groups: all animals (GEN), lactating dairy cows (LAC) and growing cattle and non-lactating dairy cows (GCNL). A total of 54 prediction equations available in the literature were evaluated. A total of 96 multiple linear models were developed for predicting CH4 production (MJ/day). The predictor variables were DM intake (DMI), gross energy (GE) intake, BW, DMI as proportion of BW, NDF concentration, ether extract (EE) concentration, dietary proportion of concentrate and GE digestibility. Model selection criteria were significance (P < 0.05) and variance inflation factor lower than three for all predictors. Each model performance was evaluated by leave-one-out cross-validation. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2006) Tier 2 method performed better for GEN and GCNL than LAC and overpredicted CH4 production for all datasets. Increasing complexity of the newly developed models resulted in greater performance. The GCNL had a greater number of equations with expanded possibilities to correct for diet characteristics such as EE and NDF concentrations and dietary proportion of concentrate. For the LAC dataset, equations based on intake and animal characteristics were developed. The equations developed in the present study can be useful for accurate and precise estimation of CH4 emissions from cattle in tropical conditions. These equations could improve accuracy of greenhouse gas inventories for tropical countries. The results provide a better understanding of the dietary and animal characteristics that influence the production of enteric CH4 in tropical production systems.

A new dawn for managing dyslipidemias: The era of rna-based therapies.

The high occurrence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events is still a major public health issue. Although a major determinant of ASCVD event reduction is the absolute change of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), considerable residual risk remains and new therapeutic options are required, in particular, to address triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. In the era of Genome Wide Association Studies and Mendelian Randomization analyses aimed at increasing the understanding of the pathophysiology of ASCVD, RNA-based therapies may offer more effective treatment options. The advantage of oligonucleotide-based treatments is that drug candidates are targeted at highly specific regions of RNA that code for proteins that in turn regulate lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. For LDL-C lowering, the use of inclisiran - a silencing RNA that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) synthesis - has the advantage that a single s.c. injection lowers LDL-C for up to 6 months. In familial hypercholesterolemia, the use of the antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) mipomersen, targeting apolipoprotein (apoB) to reduce LDL-C, has been a valuable therapeutic approach, despite unquestionable safety concerns. The availability of specific ASOs lowering Lp(a) levels will allow rigorous testing of the Lp(a) hypothesis; by dramatically reducing plasma triglyceride levels, Volanesorsen (APOC3) and angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3)-LRx will further clarify the causality of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in ASCVD. The rapid progress to date heralds a new dawn in therapeutic lipidology, but outcome, safety and cost-effectiveness studies are required to establish the role of these new agents in clinical practice.

Neck circumference is associated with non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors in individuals at low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk: cross-sectional analysis of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

BACKGROUND: Neck circumference (NC) is associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), but its usefulness to identify earlier atherogenic risk has been scarcely examined. Associations of NC with non-traditional CVRF were investigated in participants at low-to-moderate risk from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). METHODS: 807 individuals (35-54 years) without obesity, diabetes or cardiovascular disease was stratified into quartiles of NC (cut-off for men: 36.5; 37.9 and 39.5 cm; women: 31.4; 32.5 and 34 cm) and traditional and non-traditional risk factors (lipoprotein subfractions by Vertical Auto Profile, adiponectin, leptin, E-selectin) were compared across groups. In linear regression models, associations of NC with non-traditional risk factors were tested for the entire sample and for low-risk group (≤ 2 CVRF). RESULTS: In both sexes, BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting and 2-h plasma glucose, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, leptin, E-selectin, small dense LDL-cholesterol, IDL-cholesterol, VLDL3-cholesterol and TG/HDL ratio increased significantly, while HDL2-cholesterol and HDL3-cholesterol decreased across NC quartiles. In linear regression models, a direct association [ß(95% CI)] of NC with leptin [(0.155 (0.068-0.242); 0.147 (0.075-0.220)], E-selectin [(0.105 (0.032-0.177); 0.073 (0.006 to 0.140)] and small-dense LDL [(1.866 (0.641-3.091); 2.372 (1.391-3.353)] and an inverse association with HDL2-cholesterol [(- 0.519 (- 0.773 to - 0.266); - 0.815 (- 1.115 to 0.515)] adjusted for age were detected for men and women, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that measurement of NC may be useful for an earlier identification of unfavorable atherogenic metabolic profile in middle-aged individuals at lower cardiovascular risk level.

Self-initiated changes in physical activity levels improve cardiometabolic profiles: A longitudinal follow-up study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: While studies have described the importance of higher physical activity levels (PAL) in weight loss, the impact of self-initiated PAL on health status warrants further study. We aimed to prospectively examine the effects of self-initiated longitudinal PAL changes on body mass index (BMI) and cardiometabolic parameters in normal weight, overweight and obese adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 4840 adults (mean age 41.6 ± 7.9 years, 79% male) undergoing routine health screening examinations. Self-reported PAL, height, weight, blood pressure and blood samples were collected at baseline and after a mean (95% confidence interval) follow up of 536 (531-541) days. Subjects were stratified according to BMI [39.8% normal weight (<25 kg/m2), 45.1% overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and 19.1% obese (≥30 kg/m2)]. In normal weight individuals, BMI increased from baseline to follow-up, irrespective of PAL changes. On the other hand, overweight and obese individuals that increased PAL experienced a decrease in BMI by -0.9% and -3.1%, respectively (p < 0.05). Overweight and obese individuals that increased PAL also experienced a decrease in -5.8% -4.6% in non-HDL concentrations from baseline to follow-up (p < 0.05). Finally, in overweight individuals, LDL cholesterol concentrations decreased from baseline to follow-up, irrespective of PAL changes whereas in obese individuals, a maintenance or increased PAL were associated with a decrease in -4.7% and -6.1% (p < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of screening patients, longitudinal self-initiated PAL is associated with improved BMI and cardiometabolic profile in overweight and obese individuals.

Association between non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis and hyper reactive blood pressure response on the exercise treadmill test.

AIMS: Non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis (HS) is associated with hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk. While Blood pressure hyper-reactive response (HRR) during peak exercise indicates an increased risk of incident hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk, no data on the association of non-alcoholic HS and HRR exists. In this study, we have evaluated the association of HS with HRR. METHODS: We included 13 410 consecutive individuals with a mean age: 42.4 ± 8.9 years, 3561 (26.6%) female with normal resting blood pressure and without a previous diagnosis of hypertension, who underwent symptom limited exercise treadmill test, abdominal ultrasonography and clinical and laboratory evaluation. HS was detected by abdominal ultrasonography. HRR was defined by a peak exercise systolic blood pressure >220 mmHg and/or elevation of 15 mmHg or more in diastolic blood pressure from rest to peak exercise. RESULTS: The prevalence of HS was 29.5% (n = 3956). Overall, 4.6% (n = 619) of the study population presented a HRR. Subjects with HS had a higher prevalence of HRR (8.1 vs. 3.1%, odds ratio 2.8, 95% CI 2.4-3.3, P < 0.001). After adjustment for body mass index, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, HS (odds ratio 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.6, P = 0.002) remained independently associated with HRR. HS was additive to obesity markers in predicting exercise HRR. CONCLUSIONS: Non-alcoholic HS is independently associated with hyper-reactive exercise blood pressure response.

Desempenho produtivo de ovinos em confinamento alimentados com farelo de manga / Productive performance of confined sheep fed mango meal

Avaliou-se o efeito da inclusão do farelo de manga em substituição ao milho moído em dietas para ovinos sobre o consumo de nutrientes e de frações fibrosas, o ganho de peso e a conversão alimentar. Estudou-se também o benefício líquido e a taxa de retorno do custo total da dieta. Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros Santa Inês, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos, constituídos pelas porcentagens de inclusão do farelo de manga, em substituição ao milho, de 0, 33, 66 e 100%, e seis repetições. Não houve efeito da inclusão do farelo de manga sobre o consumo de nutrientes e o ganho de peso dos animais. Verificou-se efeito quadrático (P<0,05) da porcentagem de inclusão do farelo de manga sobre a conversão alimentar. O farelo de manga pode substituir o milho em dietas para ovinos sem comprometer o consumo e o ganho de peso e reduz o custo da alimentação, o que sugere ser ele um alimento alternativo para ovinos em confinamento.

The effect of inclusion of mango meal to replace corn in sheep diets was evaluated. The variables evaluated were the consumption of nutrients and fibre fractions, weight gain and feed conversion. In addition, a study of the net benefit and rate of return on the total cost of the diets was conducted. Twenty-four lambs Santa Inês, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments, consisting of the inclusion levels of mango meal replacing corn (0, 33, 66 and 100%) and six repetitions. There was no effect of the inclusion levels of mango meal on nutrients intake and weight gain of animals. There was a quadratic effect (P<0.05) of inclusion levels of mango meal on feed conversion. The mango meal can replace corn in diets without compromising intake and weight gain, while reducing the cost of feed, indicating the possibility of alternative use as feed for confined sheep.

Avaliação da qualidade microbiológica de bebida láctea e creme de leite UAT por ATP-Bioluminescência / Evaluation of microbiological quality of UHT milk drink and UHT milk cream by ATP-Bioluminescence

Embora métodos tradicionais sejam utilizados na avaliação microbiológica de produtos UAT, metodologias rápidas, baseadas em ATP-Bioluminescência, têm sido desenvolvidas. Os resultados da aplicação dessa técnica em 54 amostras de bebida láctea UAT achocolatada e 12 de creme de leite UAT foram comparados com os resultados de métodos microbiológicos, utilizando-se diferentes meios de cultura e tempos de incubação das referidas amostras. A técnica de ATP-Bioluminescência foi aplicada por meio do sistema MLS, e os resultados foram expressos em unidades relativas de luz (RLU). Em todos os tempos de incubação - 48, 72 e 168 horas - , as amostras apresentaram contagens baixas de microrganismos mesófilos e psicrotróficos aeróbios quando analisadas em meio PCA, BHI, PetrifilmTM AC e por ATP-Bioluminescência (<150 RLU), demonstrando alta especificidade da técnica. Apenas uma amostra de creme de leite UAT apresentou contagem de mesófilos aeróbios acima do padrão estabelecido pela legislação brasileira (<100 UFC/mL) quando analisada em meio PCA (260 UFC/mL) e PetrifilmTM AC (108 UFC/mL), no tempo de 168 horas. Essa alta contagem de microrganismos mesófilos aeróbios também foi detectada pela técnica de ATP-Bioluminescência (416 RLU). Os resultados da técnica de ATP-Bioluminescência foram iguais aos resultados em meio PCA, BHI e PetrifilmTM AC.

Although traditional methods are used for the microbiological evaluation of UHT products, rapid methodologies based on ATP-Bioluminescence have been developed. The results of applying this technique in 54 samples of chocolate UHT milk drink and 12 of UHT milk cream were compared with the results of microbiological methods, using different culture media and incubation times for the referred samples. The ATP-Bioluminescence technique was applied through the MLS system and the results were expressed as relative light units (RLU). In all incubation times - 48, 72, and 168 hours - , the samples showed lower counts of mesophilic and psychrotrophic aerobic microorganisms when analyzed using PCA, BHI, PetrifilmTM AC and ATP-Bioluminescence (<150RLU), demonstrating the technique's high specificity. Only one sample of UHT milk cream showed a mesophilic aerobic count above the standard established by Brazilian legislation (<100CFU/mL) when analyzed in PCA (260 CFU/mL) and PetrifilmTM AC (108CFU/mL) at 168 hours. This high count of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms was also detected by the ATP-Bioluminescence (416 RLU) technique. The results of the ATP-Bioluminescence technique were equal to the results in PCA, BHI and PetrifilmTM AC.

Farelo de manga na dieta de cordeiros em confinamento / Mango meal in diets of feedlot lambs

Avaliou-se o efeito da substituição do milho por farelo de manga em dietas para ovinos. As características avaliadas foram: consumo e digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca (MS), da proteína bruta (PB), da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), da matéria orgânica (MO), do extrato etéreo (EE), da energia bruta (EB), da energia digestível (ED), dos carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF) e dos carboidratos totais (CT). Vinte e quatro cordeiros Santa Inês foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos, constituídos pelas porcentagens de substituição do milho pelo farelo de manga - 0, 33, 66 e 100% -, com seis repetições. A matéria seca fecal foi estimada utilizando-se o indicador LIPE®. Não houve efeito da inclusão do farelo de manga sobre o consumo dos nutrientes e nos coeficientes de digestibilidade. Os consumos de EB e ED, em kcal/gMS, aumentaram linearmente com a inclusão do farelo de manga. O farelo de manga pode substituir o milho em dietas para ovinos, sem comprometer o consumo e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, indicando a possibilidade de uso na dieta desses animais como alimento alternativo.

The effect of replacing corn meal with mango meal in diets of feedlot lambs was evaluated. Apparent digestibility and intakes of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), organic matter (OM) (EE), gross energy (GE), digestible energy (DE), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and total carbohydrates (TC) were evaluated. Twenty-four Santa Inês lambs were distributed in a randomized design with four treatments, consisting of the replacement levels of corn meal by mango (0, 33, 66 and 100%) with six replicates. The fecal dry matter was estimated using LIPE ® external marker. There is no effect of mango meal inclusion levels on the intake and apparent digestibility. The intakes of GE and DE in kcal/gDM increase linearly with mango meal inclusion. The mango meal can replace corn in diets for lambs without compromising the intake and digestibility of nutrients, indicating potential as an alternative feed.

Valor nutricional de componentes da planta e dos coprodutos da Agave sisalana para alimentação de ruminantes / Nutrition value of plant components and Agave sisalana by-products for ruminant nutrition

Avaliaram-se a composição bromatológica, os nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT), a digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) e a cinética de fermentação ruminal do bulbilho e pseudocaule da planta do sisal e dos coprodutos do desfibramento do sisal (CDS) na forma de silagem, feno e amonização com 5 por cento de ureia e do pó da batedeira das fibras de sisal. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com três repetições. Os valores da matéria seca variaram de 11,4 a 89,7 por cento na silagem e no feno do CDS, respectivamente. O CDS amonizado destacou-se com o maior valor de proteína bruta, 22,7 por cento. Para o pseudocaule e o pó da batedeira, não foram detectadas a presença de extrato etéreo. Os teores de carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF) foram mais altos no pseudocaule, 72,7 por cento, e no bulbilho, 69,5 por cento. Não houve diferença nos valores de DIVMS entre os alimentos avaliados. O pó da batedeira apresentou os maiores valores de NDT. Os teores de fibra em detergente ácido, de CNF e de produção cumulativa de gases do pó da batedeira, bulbilhos e pseudocaule os qualificam como volumosos de baixo teor de fibra e alta digestibilidade.

The terms of chemical composition, total digestible nutrient, in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro gas production technique of plant components: steam base and braird and sisal co-products: SC (in natura, ammonization, and hay) and beater powder were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized with three replications. The dry matter values were 11.4 percent for silage and 89.7 percent for hay. Sisal co product ammonized with 5 percent urea present high values of CP, 22.7 percent and braird, 10.5 percent. The steam base and beater powder do not present values for ether extract. The steam base and braird present high values for nonfiber carbohydrates, 72.7 and 69.5 percent, respectively. There were no significant differences for IVDMD. The acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and PCG values of braird, beater powder and steam base characterize as roughages with high fiber digestibility.

Consumo e desempenho produtivo de ovinos alimentados com dietas que continham coprodutos do desfibramento do sisal / Intake and productive performance of sheep fed sisal coproducts based diets

Avaliaram-se o desempenho produtivo e o consumo de nutrientes e frações fibrosas em ovinos alimentados com dietas contendo coprodutos do desfibramento do sisal, Agave sisalana. Foram utilizados 24 ovinos, machos, alojados em baias individuais. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro dietas isoproteicas, em que: i) dieta padrão, contendo 38 por cento de volumoso (silagem de milheto) e 62 por cento de concentrado (milho, farelo de soja e ureia); ii) inclusão de 20 por cento da silagem de mucilagem do sisal em substituição à silagem de milheto; iii) inclusão de 20 por cento da silagem de mucilagem associada ao pó da batedeira como aditivo em substituição à silagem de milheto; iv) inclusão de 20 por cento do feno da mucilagem em substituição à silagem de milheto. O peso corporal final, os ganhos médio diário e total e a conversão alimentar dos ovinos não foram influenciados pelas dietas avaliadas (P>0,05). Os consumos dos nutrientes, em g/dia e em por centoPC e g/kg0,75, não sofreram influência das dietas. Os resultados indicam que as dietas à base de coprodutos do sisal podem ser utilizadas como alternativa volumosa, além de possibilitar o aumento da rentabilidade da atividade na região semiárida brasileira.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performanceand mean daily intake of nutrients in sheep fed diets containing sisal, Agave sisalana, and co-products. Twenty-four male sheep were used in individual stalls. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and six replications. The treatments consisted of four isonitrogenous, in which: i) standard diet containing 38 percent forage (millet silage) and 62 percent concentrate (corn, soybean meal and urea), ii) inclusion 20 percent agave mucilage silage to replace millet silage in the standard diet, iii) inclusion of 20 percent agave mucilage silage associated with agave powder as additive to replace millet silage in the standard diet, iv) inclusion of 20 percent agave mucilage hay in substitution of millet silage. The final body weight, average daily gain, the total weight gain and feed conversion of sheep was not affected by the diets tested (P>0.05). Similarly, the intake of nutrients in g/day, percent BW and g/kg0,75 were not affected by the diets. The results indicate that the experimental diets based on the agave co-products can be used as alternative roughage in the semiarid region of Brazil, as well as help increase the profitability of cattle ranching in the region.

What is the best equation to estimate the basal energy expenditure of climacteric women?

OBJECTIVES: The methods currently available for the measurement of energy expenditure in patients, such as indirect calorimetry and double-labelled water, are expensive and are limited in Brazil to research projects. Thus, equations for the prediction of resting metabolic rate appear to be a viable alternative for clinical practice. However, there are no specific equations for the Brazilian population and few studies have been conducted on Brazilian women in the climacteric period using existing and commonly applied equations. On this basis, the objective of the present study was to investigate the concordance between the predictive equations most frequently used and indirect calorimetry for the measurement of resting metabolic rate. METHODS: We calculated the St. Laurent concordance correlation coefficient between the equations and resting metabolic rate calculated by indirect calorimetry in 46 climacteric women. RESULTS: The equation showing the best concordance was that of the FAO/WHO/UNU formula (0.63), which proved to be better than the Harris & Benedict equation (0.55) for the sample studied. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the results of the present study, we conclude that the FAO/WHO/UNU formula can be used to predict better the resting metabolic rate of climacteric women. Further studies using more homogeneous and larger samples are needed to permit the use of the FAO/WHO/UNU formula for this population group with greater accuracy.