Resistance exercise training does not affect plasma irisin levels of hemodialysis patients.

Irisin, a hormone secreted by myocytes induced in exercise, acts as a muscle-derived energy-expenditure signal that binds to undetermined receptors on the white adipose tissue surface, stimulating its browning and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of an intradialytic resistance exercise training program (RETP) on plasma irisin levels of hemodialysis (HD) patients and compare the baseline plasma irisin levels of HD patients to healthy subjects. This longitudinal study enrolled 26 patients undergoing HD (50% men, 44.8±14.1 years, body mass index (BMI) 23.5±3.9 kg/m²). The healthy subjects group consisted of 11 women and 7 men with mean age of 50.9±6.6 years and BMI, 24.2±2.7 kg/m². Anthropometric and biochemistry parameters (Irisin by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) were measured at the baseline and after 6 months of RETP (in both lower limbs). There was no difference regarding gender, age, and BMI between HD patients and healthy subjects. Plasma irisin levels in HD patients were lower than in healthy subjects (71.0±41.6 vs. 101.3±12.5 ng/ml, p<0.05). Although the muscle mass increased in consequence of exercise [evaluated by arm muscle area from 27.9 (24.1) to 33.1 (19.0) cm²], plasma irisin did not differ significantly after exercises (71.0±41.6 vs. 73.3±36.0 ng/ml). HD patients seem to have lower plasma irisin when compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, a resistance exercise training program was unable to augment plasma irisin despite increasing muscle mass.

Maternal prolactin inhibition during lactation affects physical performance evaluated by acute exhaustive swimming exercise in adult rat offspring.

Maternal prolactin inhibition at the end of lactation programs for metabolic syndrome and hypothyroidism in adult offspring, which could negatively affect exercise performance. We evaluated the effects of maternal hypoprolactinemia in late lactation on physical performance in adult progeny. Lactating Wistar rats were treated with bromocriptine (BRO, 1 mg per day) or saline on days 19, 20, and 21 of lactation and offspring were followed until 180 days old. Physical performance was recorded in untrained rats at 90 and 180 days by an acute exhaustive swimming test (exercise group-Ex). At day 90, BRO offspring showed higher visceral fat mass, higher plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lower total antioxidant capacity, higher liver glycogen, lower glycemia, and normal insulinemia. Although thyroid hormones (TH) levels were unchanged, mitochondrial glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (mGPD) activity was lower in muscle and in brown adipose tissue (BAT). At this age, BRO-Ex offspring showed higher exercise capacity, lower blood lactate, higher serum T3, and higher muscle and BAT mGPD activities. At day 180, BRO offspring showed central obesity, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, and lower EDL (extensor digitorum longus) muscle glycogen with unaltered plasma oxidative stress markers. This group showed no alteration of exercise capacity or blood lactate. After exercise, EDL and liver glycogen were lower, while T3 levels, BAT and muscle mGPD activities were normalized. Liver glycogen seem to be related with higher exercise capacity in younger BRO offspring, while the loss of this temporary advantage maybe related to the hypothyroidism and insulin resistance developed with age.

Bone development in children and adolescents with PKU.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU, OMIM 261600) have shown bone disease from childhood. Factors such as non-adherence to treatment, nutritional inadequacy, and high phenylalanine levels are associated with bone disease in several studies. This research aimed to describe the impact of dietary factors (consumption of energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and phenylalanine), and the control of plasma phenylalanine levels on bone age (BA) and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODOLOGY: Thirteen patients of both genders, from 8 to 16 years old participated in this study. Control data were collected of phenylalanine levels, food frequency and record, hand and fist X-rays, and spinal bone densitometry. RESULTS: In children group (CG), individuals non-adherent to diet (NAD) consumed lower amounts of calcium (472 ± 100 mg/day) and energy (1743 ± 486 Kcal); they had higher rates of phenylalanine (564 ± 94 µmol/L) in blood, intake phenylalanine (701 ± 334 mg/g), and higher protein intake from free foods (14 ± 6.67 g/day); bone age (BA) values higher than the chronological age (CA) and less BMD values (-0.7 ± 1.6 SD) also were verified. In adolescent group (AG, N = 8) of NAD, values were lower for energy intake (1379 ± 258 Kcal), calcium (801 ± 152 mg/day), phosphorus (657 ± 102 mg/day), food protein (25 ± 7.6 g/day), and intake phenylalanine (1067 ± 382 mg/day) than recommended. Higher levels of plasma phenylalanine (851 ± 244 µmol/L), bone age greater than chronological age and lower BMD values (-2.4 ± -2.5 SD) were observed. CONCLUSION: The results suggest effects on BA and on BMD, in both children and adolescent groups. The bone development is expressed differently in children and adolescents. The non-adherence to the diet verified in both groups and the consequent imbalance in the nutrients intake involved in bone metabolism suggest that these factors influence the failure to thrive in children and reduced bone mineralization in adolescents.

Maternal flaxseed diet during lactation programs thyroid hormones metabolism and action in the male adult offspring in rats.

Flaxseed has several benefits for health such as improvement in lipid profile; and since thyroid hormones increases cholesterol biliary excretion, we decide to evaluate the programming effect of maternal flaxseed diet during lactation upon thyroid hormone metabolism and action in the adult offspring in rats. At birth, lactating rats were divided into: flaxseed dams (F) - diet with 25% of flaxseed - and controls dams (C). F and C pups received normal diet after weaning and male offspring were sacrificed at 21 and 180 days old. We evaluated serum T3, T4, and TSH; type 1 and 2 deiodinase activities (D1 and D2) in the liver, thyroid, brown adipose tissue (BAT), and pituitary; thyroid hormone receptor (TRß1) expression and mitochondrial glycerophosphate-dehydrogenase activity (GPDm) in the liver. F offspring showed lower T3 levels at weaning (-30%, p<0.05) probably caused by lower liver D1 activity (-32%, p<0.05) and higher TSH levels (+84.6%, p<0.05) characterizing a profile of hypothyroidism. At 180 days old, F offspring had lower T4 and thyroid D1 and D2 activities (-28.3%, -18.5%, and -44.2%, respectively, p<0.05) and higher BAT D2 activity (+34.5%, p<0.05). We suggest that adult F animals present an inappropriate TSH action on the thyroid, since thyroid deiodinase was lower. Serum T3 was normal probably due to a higher BAT D2 activity and may reflect the tissue T3 concentration because liver D1, TRß1, and GPDm were normal. Thus, maternal flaxseed diet during lactation may affect the thyroid hormones metabolism in a long-term.

Perinatal exposure to a high-fat diet alters proopiomelanocortin, neuropeptide Y and dopaminergic receptors gene expression and the food preference in offspring adult rats.

Exposure to the hight-fat diet may alter the control of food intake promoting hyperphagia and obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of this diet on dopamine receptors (drd1 and drd2), proopiomelanocortin (pomc), neuropeptideY (npy) genes expression, and preference food in adult rats. Wistar female rats were fed a hight-fat or control diet during pregnancy and lactation. The offspring were allocated into groups: Lactation - Control (C) and High-fat (H). Post-weaning - Control Control (CC), offspring of mothers C, fed a control diet after weaning; Control Hight-fat (CH), offspring of mothers C, fed a hight-fat diet after weaning; Hight-fat Control (HC), offspring of mothers H, fed with control diet after weaning; and Hight-fat Hight-fat (HH), offspring of mothers H, fed a H diet after weaning. The groups CH and HH presented greater expression of drd1 in comparison to the CC. The drd2 of CH and HC presented higher gene expression than did CC. HH presented higher pomc expression in comparison to the other groups. HC also presented greater expression in comparison to CH. The npy of HH presented greater expression in relation to CH and HC. HH and HC have had a higher preference for a high-fat diet at 102º life's day. The high-fat diet altered the gene expression of the drd1, drd2, pomc and npy, and influencing the food preference for high-fat diet.

Sexual dimorphism on aortic remodelling in rats offspring from diabetic mothers and the role of flaxseed oil in this effect.

Diabetes during pregnancy is associated with aortic remodelling in the fetus, stimulating the development of cardiovascular diseases in adult life. However, studies suggest that the use of foods high in omega-3 fatty acid, such as flaxseed oil, may reverse this effect of metabolic programming. This study aimed at investigating whether the effects of diabetes in mothers are passed on to their offspring in a gender-specific manner and whether the flaxseed oil used during pregnancy and lactation reverses or not the possible negative effects of this programming. Diabetic female rats (n = 18) were mated and allocated into three groups (n = 6): high-fat group (HG); flaxseed oil group (FOG) and control group (CG) (nondiabetic rats) during pregnancy and lactation. On the 21st day, male and female pups were weaned on a standard diet until 180 days. Aorta histomorphometry was analysed. Intima-media layer thickness was larger in FOG than CG in male (+15%) and than HG in female (+13.7%). Male FOG (+11.5%) showed higher amount of elastic fibre than CG. Maternal intake of flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation of diabetic mothers program the offspring to increase aorta intima-media layer thickness in adulthood and preserves aorta elastic fibres deposition in male offspring.

Taro flour (Colocasia esculenta) increases testosterone levels and gametogenic epithelium of Wistar rats.

This study evaluated the effects of diet containing taro flour on hormone levels and the seminiferous tubules morphology of rats. After weaning, the male rats were divided into two groups (n=12 each): control group (CG) treated with control diet and taro group (TG), fed with 25% taro flour for 90 days. Food, caloric intake, mass and body length were evaluated at experiment end. Testis followed the standard histological processing. Immunostaining was performed using an anti-vimentin antibody to identify Sertoli cells. In histomorphometry, total diameter, total area, epithelial height, luminal height and luminal area were analyzed. The testosterone levels were performed using the radioimmunoassay method. Group TG presented (P<0.05): increase in mass, body length, testicular weight, histomorphometric parameters and hormonal levels. Food intake, calorie and Sertoli cells not presented statistical differences. The taro promoted increase in the testicles parameters and hormones.

Perinatal exposure to a high-fat diet alters proopiomelanocortin, neuropeptide Y and dopaminergic receptors gene expression and the food preference in offspring adult rats / Exposição perinatal a uma dieta hiperlipídica altera a expressão gênica de proopiomelanocortina, neuropepitídeo Y e receptores dopaminérgicos e a preferência alimentar em ratos adultos descendentes

Exposure to the hight-fat diet may alter the control of food intake promoting hyperphagia and obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of this diet on dopamine receptors (drd1 and drd2), proopiomelanocortin (pomc), neuropeptideY (npy) genes expression, and preference food in adult rats. Wistar female rats were fed a hight-fat or control diet during pregnancy and lactation. The offspring were allocated into groups: Lactation – Control (C) and High-fat (H). Post- weaning – Control Control (CC), offspring of mothers C, fed a control diet after weaning; Control Hight-fat (CH), offspring of mothers C, fed a hight-fat diet after weaning; Hight-fat Control (HC), offspring of mothers H, fed with control diet after weaning; and Hight-fat Hight-fat (HH), offspring of mothers H, fed a H diet after weaning. The groups CH and HH presented greater expression of drd1 in comparison to the CC. The drd2 of CH and HC presented higher gene expression than did CC. HH presented higher pomc expression in comparison to the other groups. HC also presented greater expression in comparison to CH. The npy of HH presented greater expression in relation to CH and HC. HH and HC have had a higher preference for a high-fat diet at 102º life’s day. The high-fat diet altered the gene expression of the drd1, drd2, pomc and npy, and influencing the food preference for high-fat diet.

A exposição à dieta hiperlipídica pode alterar o controle da ingestão de alimentos, promovendo hiperfagia e obesidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos dessa dieta sobre a expressão gênica dos receptores de dopamina (drd1 e drd2), da proopiomelanocortina (pomc) e neuropeptídeo Y (npy), e preferência alimentar em ratos adultos. Ratas Wistar foram alimentadas com uma dieta hiperlipídica ou controle durante a gestação e lactação. Os descendentes foram alocados em grupos: Lactação – Controle (C) e Hiperlipídica (H). Pós-desmame – Controle Controle (CC), descendentes das genitoras do grupo controle e alimentados com dieta controle após o desmame; Controle Hiperlipídica (CH), descendentes das genitoras do grupo controle e alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica após o desmame; Hiperlipídica Controle (HC), descendentes das genitoras do grupo hiperlipídica e alimentados com dieta controle após o desmame; Hiperlipídica Hiperlipídica (HH), descendentes das genitoras do grupo hiperlipídica e alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica após o desmame. Os grupos CH e HH apresentaram maior expressão de drd1 em comparação ao CC. O drd2 de CH e HC apresentou maior expressão gênica que o CC. HH apresentou maior expressão de pomc em comparação com os outros grupos. O HC também apresentou maior expressão de pomc em comparação ao CH. O npy do HH apresentou maior expressão em relação ao CH e HC. HH e HC tiveram uma preferência maior por uma dieta rica em gordura no 102º dia de vida. A dieta hiperlipídica alterou a expressão gênica dos drd1, drd2, pomc e npy e influenciou na preferência alimentar pela dieta hiperlipídica.

Perinatal exposure to a high-fat diet alters proopiomelanocortin, neuropeptide Y and dopaminergic receptors gene expression and the food preference in offspring adult rats

Abstract Exposure to the hight-fat diet may alter the control of food intake promoting hyperphagia and obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of this diet on dopamine receptors (drd1 and drd2), proopiomelanocortin (pomc), neuropeptideY (npy) genes expression, and preference food in adult rats. Wistar female rats were fed a hight-fat or control diet during pregnancy and lactation. The offspring were allocated into groups: Lactation Control (C) and High-fat (H). Post-weaning Control Control (CC), offspring of mothers C, fed a control diet after weaning; Control Hight-fat (CH), offspring of mothers C, fed a hight-fat diet after weaning; Hight-fat Control (HC), offspring of mothers H, fed with control diet after weaning; and Hight-fat Hight-fat (HH), offspring of mothers H, fed a H diet after weaning. The groups CH and HH presented greater expression of drd1 in comparison to the CC. The drd2 of CH and HC presented higher gene expression than did CC. HH presented higher pomc expression in comparison to the other groups. HC also presented greater expression in comparison to CH. The npy of HH presented greater expression in relation to CH and HC. HH and HC have had a higher preference for a high-fat diet at 102º lifes day. The high-fat diet altered the gene expression of the drd1, drd2, pomc and npy, and influencing the food preference for high-fat diet.

Resumo A exposição à dieta hiperlipídica pode alterar o controle da ingestão de alimentos, promovendo hiperfagia e obesidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos dessa dieta sobre a expressão gênica dos receptores de dopamina (drd1 e drd2), da proopiomelanocortina (pomc) e neuropeptídeo Y (npy), e preferência alimentar em ratos adultos. Ratas Wistar foram alimentadas com uma dieta hiperlipídica ou controle durante a gestação e lactação. Os descendentes foram alocados em grupos: Lactação Controle (C) e Hiperlipídica (H). Pós-desmame Controle Controle (CC), descendentes das genitoras do grupo controle e alimentados com dieta controle após o desmame; Controle Hiperlipídica (CH), descendentes das genitoras do grupo controle e alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica após o desmame; Hiperlipídica Controle (HC), descendentes das genitoras do grupo hiperlipídica e alimentados com dieta controle após o desmame; Hiperlipídica Hiperlipídica (HH), descendentes das genitoras do grupo hiperlipídica e alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica após o desmame. Os grupos CH e HH apresentaram maior expressão de drd1 em comparação ao CC. O drd2 de CH e HC apresentou maior expressão gênica que o CC. HH apresentou maior expressão de pomc em comparação com os outros grupos. O HC também apresentou maior expressão de pomc em comparação ao CH. O npy do HH apresentou maior expressão em relação ao CH e HC. HH e HC tiveram uma preferência maior por uma dieta rica em gordura no 102º dia de vida. A dieta hiperlipídica alterou a expressão gênica dos drd1, drd2, pomc e npy e influenciou na preferência alimentar pela dieta hiperlipídica.

Perinatal exposure to a high-fat diet alters proopiomelanocortin, neuropeptide Y and dopaminergic receptors gene expression and the food preference in offspring adult rats / Exposição perinatal a uma dieta hiperlipídica altera a expressão gênica de proopiomelanocortina, neuropepitídeo Y e receptores dopaminérgicos e a preferência alimentar em ratos adultos descendentes

Exposure to the hight-fat diet may alter the control of food intake promoting hyperphagia and obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of this diet on dopamine receptors (drd1 and drd2), proopiomelanocortin (pomc), neuropeptideY (npy) genes expression, and preference food in adult rats. Wistar female rats were fed a hight-fat or control diet during pregnancy and lactation. The offspring were allocated into groups: Lactation - Control (C) and High-fat (H). Post-weaning ­ Control Control (CC), offspring of mothers C, fed a control diet after weaning; Control Hight-fat (CH), offspring of mothers C, fed a hight-fat diet after weaning; Hight-fat Control (HC), offspring of mothers H, fed with control diet after weaning; and Hight-fat Hight-fat (HH), offspring of mothers H, fed a H diet after weaning. The groups CH and HH presented greater expression of drd1 in comparison to the CC. The drd2 of CH and HC presented higher gene expression than did CC. HH presented higher pomc expression in comparison to the other groups. HC also presented greater expression in comparison to CH. The npy of HH presented greater expression in relation to CH and HC. HH and HC have had a higher preference for a high-fat diet at 102º life's day. The high-fat diet altered the gene expression of the drd1, drd2, pomc and npy, and influencing the food preference for high-fat diet.

A exposição à dieta hiperlipídica pode alterar o controle da ingestão de alimentos, promovendo hiperfagia e obesidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos dessa dieta sobre a expressão gênica dos receptores de dopamina (drd1 e drd2), da proopiomelanocortina (pomc) e neuropeptídeo Y (npy), e preferência alimentar em ratos adultos. Ratas Wistar foram alimentadas com uma dieta hiperlipídica ou controle durante a gestação e lactação. Os descendentes foram alocados em grupos: Lactação ­ Controle (C) e Hiperlipídica (H). Pós-desmame - Controle Controle (CC), descendentes das genitoras do grupo controle e alimentados com dieta controle após o desmame; Controle Hiperlipídica (CH), descendentes das genitoras do grupo controle e alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica após o desmame; Hiperlipídica Controle (HC), descendentes das genitoras do grupo hiperlipídica e alimentados com dieta controle após o desmame; Hiperlipídica Hiperlipídica (HH), descendentes das genitoras do grupo hiperlipídica e alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica após o desmame. Os grupos CH e HH apresentaram maior expressão de drd1 em comparação ao CC. O drd2 de CH e HC apresentou maior expressão gênica que o CC. HH apresentou maior expressão de pomc em comparação com os outros grupos. O HC também apresentou maior expressão de pomc em comparação ao CH. O npy do HH apresentou maior expressão em relação ao CH e HC. HH e HC tiveram uma preferência maior por uma dieta rica em gordura no 102º dia de vida. A dieta hiperlipídica alterou a expressão gênica dos drd1, drd2, pomc e npy e influenciou na preferência alimentar pela dieta hiperlipídica.

Body adiposity and bone parameters of male rats from mothers fed diet containing flaxseed flour during lactation.

Obesity and osteoporosis may have their origins in early postnatal life. This study was designed to evaluate whether flaxseed flour use during lactation period bears effect on body adiposity and skeletal structure of male rat pups at weaning. At birth, male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control and experimental (FF) groups, whose dams were treated with control or flaxseed flour diet, respectively, during lactation. At 21 days of age, pups were weaned to assess body mass, length and composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The animals were then sacrificed to carry out analysis of serum profile, intra-abdominal adipocyte morphology and femur characteristics. Differences were considered significant when P<0.05. The FF group displayed the following characteristics (P<0.05): higher body mass, length, bone mineral content, bone area and concentrations of osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; higher levels of stearic, α-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acids and lower levels of arachidonic acid and cholesterol; smaller adipocyte area; and higher mass, epiphysis distance, diaphysis width, maximal load, break load, resilience and stiffness of femur. Flaxseed flour intake during lactation period promoted adipocyte hypertrophy down-regulation and contributed to pup bone quality at weaning.

Can organic and transgenic soy be used as a substitute for animal protein by rats?

We evaluated the protein quality of organic and transgenic soy fed to rats throughout life. Thirty female Wistar rats were divided into three groups (N = 10): organic soy group (OSG) receiving organic soy-based diet, genetically modified soy group (GMSG) receiving transgenic soy-based diet, and a control group (CG) receiving casein-based diet. All animals received water and isocaloric diet (10% protein), ad libitum for 291 days. After this, the weight of GMSG animals (290.9 +/- 9.1 g) was significantly lower (P <= 0.04) than CG (323.2 +/- 7.9 g). The weight of OSG (302.2 +/- 8.7 g) was between that of the GMSG and the CG. Protein intake was similar for OSG (308.4 +/- 6.8 g) and GMSG (301.5 +/- 2.5 g), and significantly lower (P <= 0.0005) than the CG (358.4 +/- 8.1 g). Growth rate was similar for all groups: OSG (0.80 +/- 0.02 g), GMSG (0.81 +/- 0.03 g) and CG (0.75 +/- 0.02 g). In addition to providing a good protein intake and inducing less weight gain, both types of soy were utilized in a manner similar to that of casein, suggesting that the protein quality of soy is similar to that of the standard protein casein. The groups fed soy-based diet gained less weight, which may be considered to be beneficial for health. We conclude that organic and transgenic soy can be fed throughout life to rats in place of animal protein, because contain high quality protein and do not cause a marked increase in body weight.

Body composition in male rats subjected to early weaning and treated with diet containing flour or flaxseed oil after 21 days until 60 days.

The aim of this study was analyzed if the flour or flaxseed oil treatment contributes to body composition in male rats subjected to early weaning. Pups were weaned for separation from mother at 14 (early weaning, EW) and 21 days (control, C). At 21 days, part of the pups was evaluated (C21 v. EW21). After 21 days, control (C60) was fed with control diet. EW was divided in control (EWC60); flaxseed flour (EWFF60); flaxseed oil (EWFO60) diets until 60 days. Body mass, length and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were determined. EW21 (v. C21) and EWC60 (v. C60 and EWFF60) showed lower (P<0.05) mass, length and body composition. EWFO60 (v. C60 and EWFF60) showed lower (P<0.05) body mass and length, body and trunk lean mass, bone mineral density and content and bone area. Flaxseed flour, in comparison with flaxseed oil, contributes to recovery of body composition after early weaning.

Brain development in male rats subjected to early weaning and treated with diet containing flour or flaxseed oil after 21 days until 60 days.

The precocious interruption of lactation is a prime factor for developmental plasticity. Here we analyzed whether flour or flaxseed oil treatment contributes to body and brain mass in male rats subjected to early weaning. Pups were weaned for separation from their mother at 14 (early weaning, EW) and 21 days (control, C). At 21 days, some of the pups were evaluated (C21 v. EW21). After 21 days, control pups (C60) were fed a control diet. EW pups were divided into those fed a control diet (EWC60), those given flaxseed flour (EWFF60), and those given flaxseed oil (EWFO60) until 60 days. EW21 showed lower body and absolute brain mass and higher relative brain mass. At 60 days, EWC60 and EWFO60 had lower body mass. With regard to relative brain mass, EWC60 was heavier; EWFO60 had lower values compared with EWC60 and higher values compared with C60 and EWFF60. These results indicated that flaxseed flour, in comparison with flaxseed oil, contributes to brain development after EW.

Determination of various nutrients and toxic elements in different Brazilian regional diets by neutron activation analysis.

The concentration of 19 elements (As, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se and Zn) was evaluated in some diets taken from different regions of Brazil by Instrumental and Radiochemical Neutron Activation Analysis. Several populations with different socio-economic living conditions and inhabiting in different regions of Brazil were studied in order to estimate and to detect the variability of the mineral and toxic element content among Brazilian populational groups. The data obtained showed a significant difference between the contents of these elements in the diets from the regions studied. The general conclusions from the data obtained in this study were: 1) regarding the daily amounts of essential elements (Ca, Cl, Co, Fe, Mn, Na, K, Fe, Se and Zn), the Santa Catarina 2 diet showed the closest values when compared to the recommended values of RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) and/or WHO (World Health Organization). The Santa Catarina 1(low income groups) showed the lowest when compared to the same values. 2) The intake of toxic elements (As, Br, Cd, Hg, Sb) among the diets does not seem to be a major problem when compared to PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake, WHO), except for Hg intakes in regions near gold mining activities, like Manaus and Mato Grosso, where the values found were near the upper limit set by WHO.

Can calories from ethanol contribute to body weight preservation by malnourished rats?

Our objective was to compare the use of calories from ethanol by well-nourished and malnourished rats in terms of body weight. Female Wistar rats weighing 170-180 g at the beginning of the study were used. The animals were divided into two groups (N = 12 each): group W received water ad libitum and group E an ethanol solution ad libitum as the only source of liquid throughout the experiment. The concentration of ethanol was increased weekly from 0 to 5, 10, 20 and 40% (v/v). In the well-nourished phase (A), all rats received food ad libitum (AW and AE). Ethanol treatment (AE) was then interrupted and water was offered to both groups. After 2 weeks both AW and AE rats were submitted to food restriction (50% of group AW food consumption), thus initiating the malnutrition phase (M). Liquid was offered as described before to the same W (MW) and E (ME) groups. The weight gain during the 1-week treatment of AE rats was similar to that of AW animals only when AE rats received the 5% (v/v) ethanol solution (9.16 vs 10.47 g). Weight loss was observed after exposure to 10% ethanol (P < 0.05) in spite of maintenance of caloric intake. Malnourished rats presented weight loss, which was attenuated by ethanol intake up to the 20% (v/v) solution and was related to an increased caloric offer. This effect was not observed with the 40% ethanol solution (-9.98 g). These data suggest that calories from ethanol were used to maintain body weight up to the concentration of 10% (v/v) (well-nourished) and 20% (v/v) (malnourished) and that ethanol has a toxic profile which depends on nutritional status.

Multivessel system for cold-vapor mercury generation. Determination of mercury in hair and fish.

A multivessel system for the determination of mercury (Hg) by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was developed. The performance of the proposed device was tested by determining total Hg in quality-control samples of hair and fishes following acid digestion. Application of the apparatus to the determination of Hg by CV-AAS following alkaline digestion was studied as well. The detection limit obtained for CV-AAS was 0.11 ng/mL and for ICP-AES 1.39 ng/mL. The results show that the system is appropriate to be used in techniques involving cold-vapor generation of Hg.

Multielement determination in small samples of human milk by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) was used for routine analysis of small samples of human milk. The concentrations of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn) were determined in 203 milk samples from postpartum women at different stages of lactation after stepwise digestion in HNO3, HClO4, and H2O2 under heat. Validation of the procedure was achieved using certified reference material of bovine liver (NBS 1577) with mean recoveries of 103.5%. The concentrations of the above elements in milk matrix were comparable with previously reported values. The analytical results from breast milk will provide reference information for mineral studies of Brazilian mothers and breast-fed infants.

Effect of ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning on liver regeneration in prepubertal rats.

BACKGROUND: Liver regeneration has great importance for transplantation, especially in children; however, it has not been studied sufficiently in development animals. Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a problem, and strategies such as ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning are not well defined regarding regeneration. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate liver regeneration with modulation by ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning in prepubertal rats subjected to total ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: Thirty-five 5-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into groups of 7 animals each: control group (SHAM), 70% hepatectomy (HEP), total ischemia 30 minutes before hepatectomy (IR), ischemic preconditioning 10/10 minutes before ischemia (PRE), and two 30/30-second ischemic postconditioning cycles after ischemia and hepatectomy (POS). All animals were subjected to 24-hour reperfusion. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activity were measured to evaluate liver damage, and histological analysis, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and regenerated mass liver were used to evaluate liver regeneration. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in conditioned groups than in the IR group. Regarding mitotic index, IR > control group and HEP (P < .05), PRE and POS were not significantly different from IR, and POS > HEP (P < .05). PCNA analysis showed that IR > HEP (P < .01), PRE < IR (P < .01), and no significant differences were observed between POS and IR groups. No significant differences in regenerated mass liver were observed between conditioned groups and HEP. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic postconditioning prevented ischemic injury, promoted greater liver regeneration, and should be further investigated as an alternative better than ischemic preconditioning.

Effects of running wheel training on adult obese rats programmed by maternal prolactin inhibition.

The inhibition of maternal prolactin production in late lactation leads to metabolic syndrome and hypothyroidism in adult offspring. Physical training is a therapeutic strategy that could prevent or reverse this condition. We evaluated the effects of a short-duration low-intensity running wheel training program on the metabolic and hormonal alterations in rats. Lactating Wistar rats were treated with bromocriptine (Bro, 1 mg twice a day) or saline on days 19, 20, and 21 of lactation, and the training of offspring began at 35 days of age. Offspring were divided into sedentary and trained controls (C-Sed and C-Ex) and sedentary and trained Bro-treated rats (Bro-Sed and Bro-Ex). Chronic exercise delayed the onset of weight gain in Bro-Ex offspring, and the food intake did not change during the experimental period. At 180 days, visceral fat mass was higher (+46%) in the Bro-Sed offspring than in C-Sed and Bro-Ex rats. As expected, running capacity was higher in trained animals. Most parameters observed in the Bro-Sed offspring were consistent with hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome and were reversed in the Bro-Ex group. Chronic exercise did not influence the muscle glycogen in the C-Ex group; however, liver glycogen was higher (+30%) in C-Ex group and was unchanged in both Bro offspring groups. Bro-Ex animals had higher plasma lactate dehydrogenase levels, indicating skeletal muscle damage and intolerance of the training program. Low-intensity chronic training is able to normalize many clinical aspects in Bro animals; however, these animals might have had a lower threshold for exercise adaptation than the control rats.