The Long-Term Impact of High Levels of Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone in Energy Balance Among Obese Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Deregulation of orexigenic and anorexigenic pathways occurs among adolescents with obesity. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a key catabolic mediator of energy homeostasis and an important anorexigenic neuropeptide in the control of energy balance and thermogenesis. However, it was not well explored if α-MSH can modulate long-term weight loss therapy responses in a dependent manner according to its concentration. Our hypothesis is that a high α-MSH concentration at baseline promotes better modulation of anorexigenic/orexigenic pathways in obese adolescents. METHODS: One hundred ten post-pubertal obese adolescents (body mass index >95th percentile) were submitted to 1 year of interdisciplinary therapy (clinical, nutritional, psychological, physical exercise, and physiotherapy support). Body composition and plasma levels of α-MSH, neuropeptide Y (NPY), melanin-concentrating hormone, and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) were measured before and after therapy. The volunteers were grouped on the basis of Tertiles of α-MSH concentration: Low (<0.75 ng/mL), Medium (≤0.76 to ≥1.57 ng/mL), and High (>1.57 ng/mL). Significance was set as p < 0.05. RESULTS: The treatment promoted a significant improvement in body adiposity and fat free mass for all groups. It is important to note that only in the high α-MSH group, a significant increase of the α-MSH/NPY ratio and decrease NPY/AgRP ratio post treatment were observed. CONCLUSION: The high α-MSH concentration promotes better modulation of anorexigenic/orexigenic pathways in obese adolescents following long-term weight loss therapy and this is important in clinical practice.

Avaliação dos fatores de risco associados ao broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício em crianças e adolescentes sem diagnóstico prévio de asma / Assessment of risk factors associated with exercise-induced bronchospasm in children and adolescents without prior diagnosis of asthma

Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores de risco associados ao broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício (BIE) em crianças e adolescentes sem diagnóstico prévio de asma por meio dos parâmetros espirométricos. Métodos: 90 voluntários acima do percentil 85th do peso (EP) e 30 eutróficos (EU) participaram deste estudo. Foi realizado teste de broncoprovocação de acordo com o protocolo de Del Rio-Navarro et al. (2000), utilizando-se esteira ergométrica. O BIE foi considerado positivo quando o voluntário apresentou redução ≥ 10% do volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) basal, ou redução ≥ 26% do fluxo expiratório forçado entre 25 e 75% da capacidade vital forçada (FEF25-75%). Resultados: Houve associação do excesso de massa corpórea com o BIE demonstrado nas crianças e adolescentes, o que não foi observado com o nível de atividade física. Além disso, o diagnóstico positivo de BIE apresentou reduções significativas da função pulmonar até uma hora pós-exercício avaliado pelos métodos VEF1 e FEF25-75% da espirometria. Conclusão: O excesso de massa corporal pode influenciar no aumento da frequência de BIE em crianças e adolescentes sem o diagnóstico prévio de asma quando comparado a eutróficos por diferentes parâmetros na espirometria.

Objective: To assess risk factors associated with exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in children and adolescents without prior diagnosis of asthma using spirometric parameters. Methods: 90 volunteers above the 85th percentile for weight (overweight) and 30 eutrophic participants were included in this study. EIB testing was performed according to the protocol proposed in 2000 by Del Rio-Navarro et al., using a treadmill. The EIB test was considered positive when there was a decrease of 10% or more in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) or a reduction of 26% or more in forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of the forced vital capacity (FEF25-75%). Results: There was an association between EIB and excess body mass in children and adolescents, but not between EIB and level of physical activity. Furthermore, the diagnosis of EIB was associated with prolonged significant reductions in pulmonary function parameters FEV1 and FEF 25­75%.Conclusion: Excess body weight may increase the frequency of BIE in children and adolescents without prior diagnosis of asthma when compared with eutrophic subjects, based on different spirometric parameters.

Beneficial effects of a multifaceted 1-year lifestyle intervention on metabolic abnormalities in obese adolescents with and without sleep-disordered breathing.

Obesity is considered a chronic subinflammatory disease and is a risk factor for many diseases such as sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Although the interaction between obesity and sleep has been explored, not much is known about SDB in the adolescent population. Thus, the aims of this study were, first, to verify the effect of 1 year of interdisciplinary therapy on inflammatory markers in SDB and without SDB and, second, to investigate the influence of SDB on the result of the therapy by comparing these groups. A total of 36 obese adolescents were enrolled; however, only 24 completed the therapy (SDB group, n=12; non-SDB obese group, n=12). Sleep, anthropometric, metabolic, and inflammatory profiles were evaluated at baseline and after the treatment. In both groups, the therapy was able to improve all anthropometric variables. Metabolic parameters such as insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were significantly improved only in non-SDB group. In both groups, the inflammatory state was significantly improved by the reduction in the leptin/adiponectin ratio. After the intervention, both groups no longer presented the hyperleptinemic state, favoring not only the inflammatory state, but also neuroendocrine regulation. Regarding the sleep parameter, the SDB group improved significantly in all respiratory events, and after therapy only four patients remained with SDB. Furthermore, there was an increase in sleep time. The lifestyle intervention was able to improve anthropometric, metabolic, and inflammatory parameters in both groups; however, the presence of SDB impaired better results. The data supported that the inclusion of SDB in the metabolic syndrome because of the link shown between them.

Linear and undulating periodized strength plus aerobic training promote similar benefits and lead to improvement of insulin resistance on obese adolescents.

The present study compares the effectiveness of three types of physical training for obesity control in adolescents submitted to a long-term interdisciplinary therapy. Forty-five post-puberty obese adolescents (15-18yo) were randomly placed in three different groups of physical trainings: aerobic training (AT n=20), aerobic plus strength training with linear periodization (LP n=13) and aerobic plus strength training with daily undulating periodization (DUP n=12). The body composition was evaluated by air-displacement plethysmography; the rest metabolic rate was measured by indirect calorimetry; serum analysis was collected after an overnight fasting. The most important finding of this study was that both LP and DUP groups improved lipid profile, insulin sensitivity and adiponectin concentration (p<0.01). The linear regression showed a negative association between delta (%) adiponectin and delta (%) insulin (p<0.05). Each group presented a significant reduction in body mass, body mass index and fat mass (kg) after short and long-term intervention (p<0.01). However, the AT group reduced the fat-free mass after short-term intervention (p<0.01) and enhanced protein oxidation (p<0.01), whereas only LP group was able to increase the fat-free mass and maintain the rest metabolic rate (RMR). There was a negative correlation between percentage of protein oxidation and RMR (r=-0.75) in all groups. The interdisciplinary therapy models that included aerobic plus strength training were more effective than only aerobic training to improve lipid profile and insulin sensitivity, as well as the inflammatory state by increasing adiponectin. In all groups were observed an improvement on anthropometric profile.

Interaction of bone mineral density, adipokines and hormones in obese adolescents girls submitted in an interdisciplinary therapy.

Obesity is a chronic inflammatory condition with numerous metabolic consequences to the organism, highlighting its influence on bone mass. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the role of visceral fat, leptin, adiponectin and ghrelin on bone mineral density in obese post-puberty adolescents girls, submitted to an interdisciplinary therapy. The study involved 20 post-puberty obese adolescent girls: 16±1.5 years of age, 98.9±15.8 kg (weight), 1.60±0.72 m (height) and 37.2±4.8 kg/m2 [body mass index (BMI)]. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, bone mineral density and content were determined. Ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin were analyzed and the leptin/adiponectin ratio was calculated. Our findings showed a significant increase in adiponectin concentration and a reduction in body weight, BMI, total fat mass, visceral and subcutaneous fat. In addition, ghrelin (r2=-0.53; p=0.02) visceral fat (r2=-0.46, p=0.04) (r2 -0.66, p=0.001) and leptin/adiponectin ratio (r2 -0.56, p=0.01) were negative predictors for bone mineral density and content in obese adolescent girls, respectively. It provides a novel physiologically concept that may shed light on the etiology of osteoporosis and help to identify new therapeutic targets. However this should be confirmed in a large cohort study.

The role of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory adipokines on exercise-induced bronchospasm in obese adolescents undergoing treatment.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated a greater prevalence in exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in obese adolescents. However, the role of pro-/anti-inflammatory adipokines and the repercussions of obesity treatment on EIB need to be explored further. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the role of pro-/anti-inflammatory adipokines on EIB in obese adolescents evaluated after long-term interdisciplinary therapy. METHODS: Thirty-five post-pubertal obese adolescents, including 20 non-EIB (body mass index [BMI] 36 ± 5 kg/m(2)) and 15 EIB (BMI 36 ± 5 kg/m(2)), were enrolled in this study. Body composition was measured by plethysmography, using the BOD POD body composition system, and visceral fat was analyzed by ultrasound. Serum levels of adiponectin and leptin were analyzed. EIB and lung function were evaluated according to the American Thoracic Society criteria. Patients were recruited to a 1-year interdisciplinary intervention of weight loss, consisting of medical, nutritional, exercise, and psychological components. RESULTS: Anthropometrics and lung function variables improved significantly after the therapy in both groups. Furthermore we observed a reduction in EIB occurrence in obese adolescents after treatment. There was an increase in adiponectin levels and a reduction in leptin levels after the therapy. In addition, a low FEV(1) value was a risk factor associated with EIB occurrence at baseline, and was correlated after treatment with changes in anthropometric and maximal O(2) consumption values as well as the adipokines profile. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study it was demonstrated that 1 year of interdisciplinary therapy decreased EIB frequency in obese adolescents, paralleled by an increase in lung function and improvement in pro-/anti-inflammatory adipokines.

Interdisciplinary therapy improves biomarkers profile and lung function in asthmatic obese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The simultaneous rise in the prevalence of asthma and obesity in the world, have demonstrated the importance of the development of treatment strategies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term results of interdisciplinary therapy on inflammatory biomarkers and lung function in asthmatics obese adolescents. METHODS: Seventy-six post-pubertal obese adolescents were recruited, including 50 non-asthmatics [body mass index (BMI), 36 ± 5 kg/m(2) ) and 26 asthmatics (BMI, 39 ± 4 kg/m(2) ). Body composition was measured by plethysmography, and visceral fat was analyzed by ultrasound. Serum levels of adiponectin, leptin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were analyzed. Asthma and lung function were evaluated according to the American Thoracic Society criteria. Patients were submitted to 1-year weight loss interdisciplinary intervention consisting of medical, nutritional, exercise, and psychological therapy. RESULTS: After interdisciplinary intervention, the lung function and pro/anti-inflammatory adipokines improved significantly in both groups. Most importantly, there was an increase in adiponectin [4 (1.86-12.9) to 5.1 (2.48-16)], a reduction in CRP [2,073 (385-9,174) to 1,538 (205-7,083)] and leptin concentrations [59 (29-69) to 33 (9-49)] in the asthmatics patients. Furthermore, it was observed a reduction in asthma severity after treatment. In addition, Δ adiponectin was an independent factor to improve lung function after therapy in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Interdisciplinary therapy resulted in beneficial changes in inflammatory biomarkers profile and lung function in asthmatic and non-asthmatic obese adolescents. Additionally, for the first time we showed that change in adiponectin level was an independent predictor to improve lung function in Brazilian obese adolescents.

Obese adolescents with eating disorders: analysis of metabolic and inflammatory states.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the effect of interdisciplinary therapy on the physical and metabolic profiles, including body composition, insulin resistance and sensitivity as well as adiponectin and leptin concentrations, of obese adolescents with and without eating disorder symptoms. METHODS: A total of 83 obese adolescents (28 with and 55 without eating disorder symptoms) were enrolled for 1 year of interdisciplinary weight-loss therapy (clinical, nutritional, exercise, physiotherapy and psychological). Bulimic and binge eating symptoms were measured by the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh, and the Binge Eating Scale, respectively. Leptin and adiponectin concentrations were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Visceral and subcutaneous fat were assessed by ultrasonography. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated improved body mass, body mass index, body fat (%), lean mass, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, homeostasis model assessment insulin-resistance index (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL, triglycerides, adiponectin and leptin concentrations after therapy. We found a positive correlation between leptin concentrations and subcutaneous fat in the control group and a negative correlation between adiponectin concentrations and HOMA-IR and fat mass (%). The prevalence of obese adolescents with eating disorders was reduced by 89% after 1 year of interdisciplinary therapy. CONCLUSION: The eating disorder symptoms did not impair the metabolic state during weight loss therapy of obese adolescents. Additionally, long-term interdisciplinary therapy was effective in reducing the chances of developing several co-morbidities in both groups.

Avaliação do broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício avaliado pelo Peak Flow Meter em adolescentes obesos / Evaluation of exercise-induced bronchospasm assessed by Peak Flow Meter in obese adolescents

INTRODUÇÃO: Crianças e adolescentes com excesso de peso apresentam maior prevalência de broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício (BIE), quando comparados a eutróficos. A espirometria e o peak flow meter são importantes métodos avaliativos da função pulmonar. Porém, a aplicabilidade do medidor do pico de fluxo expiratório (peak flow meter) na detecção do BIE em crianças e adolescentes com excesso de peso não é conhecida, o que justifica o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar e comparar o desencadeamento de broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício (BIE) em crianças e adolescentes não asmáticos com excesso de peso, avaliados pela espirometria e pelo peak flow meter (PFE). CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 39 voluntários acima do percentil 85º (OB) e 30 eutróficos (EU), de oito a 15 anos. A avaliação da função pulmonar pré e pós-teste de broncoprovocação foi realizada pela espirometria e peak flow meter, de acordo com o protocolo de Del Río-Navarro et al., (2000). O BIE foi considerado positivo quando o voluntário apresentou uma redução > 10 por cento do VEF1 basal ou redução > 20 por cento do PFE PFM e/ou PFE E. RESULTADOS: Na detecção do BIE, a prevalência do grupo obeso foi de 26 por cento avaliado pelo peak flow meter (PFEPFM) e 23 por cento pelo VEF1. O tempo do BIE ocorreu nos primeiros 15 minutos pós-exercício em ambos os parâmetros: (PFE PFM) e VEF1. CONCLUSÃO: Os voluntários obesos apresentaram tempo e prevalências similares de BIE, quando avaliados por ambos os métodos de avaliação pulmonar. O fácil manejo e o baixo custo facilitam a maior acessibilidade para a população geral do peak flow meter, o que demonstra sua importância como parte integrante de um programa educacional no diagnóstico inicial do BIE em vias aéreas de grande calibre.

INTRODUCTION: Children and adolescents who are overweight have a higher prevalence of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB), as compared to eutrophics. Spirometry and peak flow meter are important evaluation methods of lung function. However, the applicability of the peak expiratory flow (peak flow meter) in the detection of EIB in children and adolescents who are overweight is not known, hence the development of this research. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the onset of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in children and adolescents non-asthmatic who are overweight, evaluated by spirometry and the peak flow meter (PEF). METHODS: The study included 39 volunteers above the 85th percentile (OB) and 30 normal weight (EU), with the age of 8 to 15 years. The evaluation of lung function before and after bronchial provocation test was performed by spirometry and peak flow meter, according to the protocol of Del Río-Navarro et al, (2000). The EIB was considered positive when the volunteer showed a reduction > 10 percent of baseline FEV1 or > 20 percent reduction in PEF PFM and / or PEFE. RESULTS: The detection of the BIE, the prevalence of obese group was 26 percent measured by peak flow meter (PEF PFM) and 23 percent for FEV1. The time of the BIE occurred with the first 15 minutes post-exercise in both parameters: (PFE PFM) and FEV1. CONCLUSION: The obese volunteers presented similar time and prevalence of EIB, when evaluated by both methods of pulmonary assessment. The easy handling and low cost from this method created greater accessibility for the general population from the peak flow meter, which shows its importance as part of an educational program in the initial diagnosis of EIB in large airway caliber.

Estudo morfométrico da raiz lateral do nervo mediano / Morphometric study of the lateral root of the median nerve

Anastomoses e variações são frequentemente encontradas no plexo braquial, podendo envolver a formação de ramificações, a presença de comunicações entre os nervos, diferentes diâmetros e espessuras, além de evidências de anomalias durante as dissecações do membro superior. Portanto, a proposta do presente estudo foi determinar os aspectos morfométricos relacionados ao comprimento e espessura da raiz lateral do nervo mediano. Foram avaliados 14 membros superiores de cadáveres adultos formolizados, brasileiros, de ambos os sexos, pertencentes à Universidade de Rio Verde - Goiás. Os ramos analisados apresentaram uma espessura média de 0,36 cm no braço direito e 0,40 cm no braço esquerdo, enquanto o comprimento médio foi de 4,12 cm e 2,93 cm à direita e à esquerda, respectivamente. Sendo assim, a distribuição, o curso e os padrões de ramificações do nervo musculocutâneo e nervo mediano são importantes para as investigações clínicas envolvendo lesões nervosas periféricas.

Anastomosis and variations are often found in brachial plexus as they may be involved in the formation of ramifications, the presence of communications between the nerves, different diameters and thicknesses, as well as evidences of anomalies during the dissection of the superior member. Therefore, the proposal of this study was to determine the morphometrical aspects related to length and thickness of the lateral root of the median nerve. Fourteen superior members from both-gender, placed in formol, adult cadavers from the University of Rio Verde - Goiás. The ramifications analyzed presented an average thickness of 0.36 centimeters for the right arm and 0.40 centimeters for the left arm, while the average length was of 4.12 centimeters and 2.93 centimeters to the right and left, respectively. The distribution, the course, and the standards of ramifications of the musculocutaneous nerve and median nerve are important for clinical inquiries involving peripheral nervous injuries.

Obesidade e sua correlação com a osteoartrite de joelho em mulheres / Obesity and its correlation with knee osteoarthritis in adult women

A Osteoartrite (OA) é uma doença articular degenerativa, caracterizada por processo inflamatório, dor, deformidades, alterações da marcha e da funcionalidade nas atividades de vida dia´ria. Tem como um dos principais fatores de risco a obesidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as correlações entr Ìndice de Massa Corporal (IMC), Circunferência Abdominal (CA) e Razão Cintura-Quadril (RCQ) com o desenvolvimento e gravidade osteoartrite de joelho em 30 mulheres obesas. Os resultados demonstraram que toda a amostra apresentou CA maior88cm, já 23 por cento apresentaram RCQ maior 0,9 e 83 por cento ângulo Q maior 20 graus indicando presença de valgismo. Além disso, foi observada correlação positiva entre IMC e CA (r=0,91) e de IMC, CA e Lequesne (r=0,45, r=0,37), respectivamente). Os resultados indicam que o aumento da CA e do ângulo Q estão associados à OA de joelho, mas isso nã foi observado na RCQ; e que a gravidade da OA apresentou correlação com o IMC. Portanto, a prevenção da OA de joelho deve ser iniciada antes da meia-idade, especialmente entre as mulheres, assim como o controle do peso.

Amplitude de dorsiflexão do tornozelo após aplicação do ultra-som terapêutico e alongamento passivo no tendão calcaneano / Posture's analysis of ciclism indoor teacher ankle dorsi-flexion range of movement after therapeutic ultra-sound application and achilles tendon passive lengthening

A estrutura das articulações, assim como a integridade e a flexibilidade dos tecidos moles que passam por elas, podem afetar a amplitude de movimento (ADM) entre dois ou mais ossos que se articulam. objetivo: Verificar e comparar a amplitude de dorsiflexão (AD) do tornozelo direito em indivíduos saudáveis, antes e após a aplicação isolada do ultra-som terapêutico (UST) contínuo, do alongamento passivo dos plantiflexores, bem como a associação destes dois procedimentos no tendão calcaneano. Métodos: A amostra foi composta de 20 indivíduos (20 tornozelos direito), subdivididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos: A, B, C e D, contendo em cada um 05 tornozelos submetidos à avaliação e à realização do protocolo. O grupo A serviu como controle e os demais receberam, respectivamente, aplicação de UST, alongamento passivo dos plantiflexores e UST associado ao alongamento passivo dos flexores plantares. Resultados: A média de idade foi de 21,8 + 2,56 anos. Inicialmente, a média angular da AD dos grupos A, B, C e D foram: 19,0º + 0,4º, 22,3ºº+1,9º, 21,9ºº+2,6º e 21,8º+4,1º para os grupos de A, B, C e D, respectivamente. Houve uma diferença estatisticamente significante na AD nos indivíduos do grupo B, C e D, respectivamente (p=0,000; p=0,000), sendo evidente um maior de amplitude no grupo D. Conclusão: Houve um aumento da AD do tornozelo direito após a aplicação do protocolo específico. Com isso, podemos inferir que a associação destas técnicas fisioterapêuticas promoveu o aumento da AD, provavelmente pela extensibilidade de tecido conectivo pós-tratamento.