Baru almond improves lipid profile in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects: a randomized, controlled, crossover study.

BACKGROUD AND AIM: The usual consumption of nuts reduces cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk by improving serum lipids and oxidation status. Baru almonds (Dipteryxalata Vog.), a native species of Brazilian Savannah, have considerable contents of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), dietary fiber, vitamin E and zinc, which could exert positive effects in serum lipids and markers of oxidation. However, there is no study about the effect of their consumption on human health. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of baru almonds supplementation on lipid profile and oxidation of mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: A randomized, crossover, placebo controlled study was performed with 20 mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects (total cholesterol (TC) mean ±SEM = 5.8 ± 0.2 mmol/L). The assay had 2 periods of 6 weeks each and a 4-week washout period between the treatments. Subjects were randomly allocated in alternated periods receiving the following treatments per period: supplementation with 20 g/day of baru almonds or placebo (1 corn starch capsule/day). Compared to placebo, supplementation of baru almonds reduced TC (-8.1 ± 2.4%, P = 0.007), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (-9.4 ± 2.4%, P = 0.006) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c) (-8.1 ± 3.0%, P = 0.013). There were no significant changes on the oxidation biomarkers evaluated. CONCLUSION: Dietary supplementation of mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects with baru almonds improved serum lipid parameters, so that this food might be included in diets for reducing the CVD risk. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) (website: http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br). Register number: RBR-4zdy9p.

Quali-quantitative characterization and wastewater treatment of a winery located in the mid-west of Santa Catarina state, South of Brazil.

This paper analyses variations in the quali-quantitative characterization of winery wastewater, and the behavior of the treatment of these effluents. The wastewater produced is sent to two disposition systems: Point A receives the wastewater from the production area whereas Point B receives the wastewater from the area where the washing of bottles takes place. Two Aerated Submerged Biofilter (ASB) reactors (with oyster shells as support material) were built at lab scale to promote the treatment of the winery effluent. Water usage and effluent production values of the 2008 harvest season indicate that grape processing accounted for 30% of the total water usage. The median value found for the effluent at Point A was 8,260 mg COD L(-1) and at Point B 358 mg COD L(-1). The average C/N/P ratio found at Point A was 100/0.29/0.28 during the harvest and 100/0.27/0.25 during the non harvest. For ASB 1 the COD removal efficiency ranged from 56% to 90%, with the removed organic load ranging from 1.5 kg COD m(-3) d(-1) to 2.7 kg COD m(-3) d(-1), respectively. For ASB 2 the COD removal efficiency ranged from 63% to 82%, with the removed organic load ranging from 1.8 kg COD m(-3) d(-1) to 1.7 kg COD m(-3) d(-1), respectively.

Transfer of metronidazole to gastric juice: impact of Helicobacter pylori infection and omeprazole.

BACKGROUND: The effects of Helicobacter pylori infection associated with inhibition of gastric acid secretion on the distribution of medications used for H. pylori eradication are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 7-day administration of 20 mg omeprazole on the transfer of metronidazole from plasma to the gastric juice of individuals with and without H. pylori infection. METHODS: Fourteen H. pylori-positive and 14 H. pylori-negative male volunteers were enrolled in a study with an open, randomized, two-period crossover design with a 21-day washout period between phases. Plasma, salivary, and gastric juice concentrations of metronidazole in subjects with and without omeprazole treatment were measured with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography/liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Metronidazole peak concentration (Cmax) was similar in plasma and saliva and was approximately threefold higher in gastric juice in all groups. Omeprazole treatment increased gastric pH and did not affect metronidazole Cmax or the time required for this to be reached (tmax) in plasma, saliva, or gastric juice. However, omeprazole significantly reduced metronidazole transfer from plasma to gastric juice in H. pylori-positive but not H. pylori-negative subjects, as shown by statistical analysis of AUC(0-2 h). CONCLUSION: Short-term treatment with omeprazole in H. pylori- positive volunteers reduces the amount of metronidazole transferred from plasma to gastric juice. This seems to occur in a pH-independent form.

Transfer of clarithromycin to gastric juice is enhanced by omeprazole in Helicobacter pylori-infected individuals.

BACKGROUND: The effects of proton-pump inhibitors and Helicobacter pylori infection on the distribution of drugs employed for the eradication of H. pylori are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 7-day oral administration of 20 mg omeprazole on the distribution of clarithromycin in the gastric juice of individuals with H. pylori infection. METHODS: Eighteen H. pylori-infected dyspeptic male volunteers without endoscopic lesions were enrolled in a study with an open, randomized, two-period crossover design and a 21-day washout period between phases. Plasma and gastric juice concentrations of clarithromycin in subjects with and without omeprazole pretreatment were measured by means of liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The maximum concentration of clarithromycin (Cmax) and the area under the time-concentration curve from 0 to 2 h (AUC0-2h) were significantly higher in gastric juice than in plasma. Omeprazole treatment further augmented clarithromycin Cmax and AUC0-2h in gastric juice approximately 2-fold (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term treatment with omeprazole in H. pylori-positive volunteers increases the amount of clarithromycin transferred to the gastric juice, confirming a synergism between these drugs. Our results suggest the presence of an active transport mechanism for clarithromycin from plasma to the gastric lumen, which is influenced by omeprazole.