Drowning in Children and Predictive Parameters: A 15-Year Multicenter Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Drowning is a serious and underestimated public health problem, with the highest morbidity and mortality reported among children. Data regarding pediatric outcomes of drowning are often inadequate, and data collection is poorly standardized among centers. This study aims to provide an overview of a drowning pediatric population in pediatric emergency department, focusing on its main characteristics and management and evaluating prognostic factors. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study involving eight Italian Pediatric Emergency Departments. Data about patients between 0 to 16 years of age who drowned between 2006 and 2021 were collected and analyzed according to the Utstein-style guidelines for drowning. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-five patients (60.9% males, median age at the event 5; interquartile range, 3-10) were recruited and only those with known outcome were retained for the analysis (133). Nearly 10% had a preexisting medical conditions with epilepsy being the most common comorbidity. One third were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) and younger males had a higher rate of ICU admission than female peers. Thirty-five patients (26.3%) were hospitalized in a medical ward while 19 (14.3%) were discharged from the emergency department and 11 (8.3%) were discharged after a brief medical observation less than 24 hours. Six patients died (4.5%). Medium stay in the ED was approximately 40 hours. No difference in terms of ICU admission was found between cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by bystanders or trained medical personnel ( P = 0.388 vs 0.390). CONCLUSIONS: This study offers several perspectives on ED victims who drowned. One of the major finding is that no difference in outcomes was seen in patients who received cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed by bystanders or medical services, highlighting the importance of a prompt intervention.

Need for pharmacological analgesia after cast immobilisation in children with bone fractures: an observational cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Bone fractures are a common reason for children and adolescents to seek evaluation in the ED. Little is known about the pain experienced after cast immobilisation and discharge from the ED and its optimal management. We aimed to investigate the administration of pharmacological analgesia in the first days after cast immobilisation and to identify possible influencing variables. METHODS: A prospective observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the ED of the children's hospital, Institute for Maternal and Child Health of Trieste, Italy, from October 2019 to June 2020. Patients aged 0-17 years with bone fractures were included. The primary outcome was the administration of analgesia during the 10 days following discharge, while secondary outcomes were the associated variables, including age, gender, fracture type and location, the mean limitation in usual activities and the frequency of re-evaluation at the ED for pain. Data were recorded through a questionnaire, completed by caregivers and collected by the researchers mainly through a telephone interview. The primary endpoint was evaluated as the ratio between the number of children who took at least one analgesic dose and the total enrolled children, while Χ2 or Fisher's exact tests were used to assess secondary outcomes. RESULTS: During the study period, 213 patients, mean age 10 years (IQR: 8-13), were enrolled. Among them, 137 (64.3%) did not take any analgesic during follow-up. Among children who were administered analgesia, 22 (28.9%) received it only on the first day, and 47 (61.8%) for less than 5 days. One hundred and sixty one patients (75.6%) did not report any limitation in usual activities because of pain. The administration of analgesia was not related to the child's age, gender or fracture site. Displaced fractures were associated with significantly more frequent analgesia being taken (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 21.0). CONCLUSION: Although some studies recommend scheduled analgesic treatment after discharge for bone fractures, this study would suggest analgesia on demand in children with non-displaced fractures, limiting scheduled analgesia to children with displaced fractures.

An adolescent with recurrent ankle swelling.

A 14-year-old girl was admitted to our institute with a history of intermittent bilateral ankle swelling, and moderate but progressively worsening pain which has lasted for 2 years.The patient's history was unremarkable. She did not take medications and was not involved in any sports activity. She reported no fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, weight loss, travels abroad or previous infections. She reported moderate pain at night, associated with a sense of heaviness, tightness and general discomfort, and with no response to ibuprofen.Physical examination was remarkable only for bilateral ankle non-pitting oedema, more evident on the left leg, with a thickened skinfold at the base of the second toe, and without redness, swelling or skin warming.The patient had been previously examined, and her foot and ankle X-rays, ultrasound (US) and MRI were all negative. Blood tests (white cell count, C reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, albumin, antinuclear antibodies, creatinine, transaminase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, thyroid function and glucose) and urinalysis were in the normal range. Her ocular assessment and echocardiogram were also normal.

Phenotypic Variations of Oleispira antarctica RB-8(T) in Different Growth Conditions.

The peculiar biotechnological applications of Oleispira spp. in the natural cleansing of oil-polluted marine systems stimulated the study of the phenotypic characteristics of the Oleispira antarctica RB-8(T) strain and modifications of these characteristics in relation to different growth conditions. Bacterial abundance, cell size and morphology variations (by image analysis) and hydrocarbon degradation (by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, GC-FID) were analysed in different cultures of O. antarctica RB-8(T). The effects of six different hydrocarbon mixtures (diesel, engine oil, naval oil waste, bilge water, jet fuel and oil) used as a single carbon source combined with two different growth temperatures (4° and 15 °C) were analysed (for 22 days). The data obtained showed that the mean cell volume decreased with increasing experimental temperature. Three morphological bacterial shapes were identified: spirals, rods and cocci. Morphological transition from spiral to rod and coccoid shapes in relation to the different substrates (oil mixtures) and/or growth temperatures was observed, except for one experimental condition (naval oil waste) in which spiral bacteria were mostly dominant. Phenotypic traits and physiological status of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria showed important modifications in relation to culture conditions. These findings suggest interesting potential for strain RB-8(T) for ecological and applicative purposes.

Impact of combining acerola by-product with a probiotic strain on a gut microbiome model.

In this study, we first investigated the survival of three probiotic strains, individually and combined with acerola by-product during simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Next, we investigated the effects of acerola by-product combined with Bifidobacterium longum BB-46 on a gut microbiota model (SHIME®). Chemical composition, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity of the acerola by-product and microbial counts, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), ammonium ions ( NH4+ ) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) analysis of the SHIME® samples were performed. Acerola by-product revealed high protein and fibre, reduced lipid contents, and showed to be an excellent source of total phenolic compounds with high in vitro antioxidant activity. A decreased amount of NH4+ in the ascending colon and an increase (p < .05) in SCFAs were observed in the three regions of colon during treatment with BB-46 and acerola by-product. BB-46 combined with acerola by-product showed positive effects on the gut microbiota metabolism in SHIME® model.

Physicochemical variability of cambuci fruit (Campomanesia phaea) from the same orchard, from different locations and at different ripening stages.

BACKGROUND: The present study evaluated the variability of cambuci fruit (Campomanesia phaea) cultivated in São Paulo State in the towns of Mogi das Cruzes, Paraibuna, Paranapiacaba and Rio Grande da Serra, and characterized it at different maturity stages with respect to size, firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, phenolic content, ethylene production, respiration rate and in vitro antioxidant capacity. RESULTS: Ripe fruit from the same locality, Paraibuna, showed large variations in size and acidity. Ripe fruit from different towns showed significant variation of total phenolics and, consequently, variation in antioxidant capacity. During maturation, the phenolic content and firmness decreased from unripe to ripe stages. The total soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio can be used as a parameter to differentiate cambuci at different maturity stages. However, the decrease in firmness combined with the absence of an ethylene climacteric peak does not allow us to conclude whether cambuci is climacteric or non-climacteric. CONCLUSION: Genetic and soil composition studies are needed to assess the reasons for the differences found among fruit from the same location, as well as the variability among fruit harvested in four localities. The best parameters for assessing the maturity stages of cambuci comprise the rounding of its corners and its firmness because the more mature the pulp, the softer is the fruit. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Antioxidant effects of proanthocyanidin-rich natural extracts from grape seed and cupuassu on gastrointestinal mucosa.

BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal tract (GI) is constantly exposed to reactive species released by the GI tract itself, and those present in food and beverages. Phenolic compounds may help in protecting the GI tract against damage produced by the reactive species. In this paper we have analyzed the effects of a grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in two different intestinal cell types: the absorptive cell line Caco-2 and the enteroendocrine cell line STC-1. RESULTS: We show that GSPE prevents tert-butylhydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in both cell lines, and that the effects are dose and time dependent. We have also analyzed whether GSPE has any in vivo effect, and found that 25 mg kg(-1) body weight cannot counteract the increase in intestinal ROS induced by the cafeteria diet. However, an acute (1 h) treatment of 1 g GSPE kg(-1) body weight reduced ROS in fasted animals and also decreased ROS induction by food. These effects were found only after a short-term treatment. Furthermore, we have compared the in vitro GSPE effects with those of another proanthocyanidin-rich extract from cupuassu seeds, though it has compounds with different structures. Cupuassu extract also shows antioxidant effects in both cell types, which suggests different mechanisms from those of GSPE. CONCLUSION: Natural proanthocyanidin-rich extracts have an antioxidant effect in the GI tract, acting on absorptive cells and enterohormone-secreting cells, although the effects depend on the dose and period of treatment. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Metaproteomics and metabolomics analyses of chronically petroleum-polluted sites reveal the importance of general anaerobic processes uncoupled with degradation.

Crude oil is one of the most important natural assets for humankind, yet it is a major environmental pollutant, notably in marine environments. One of the largest crude oil polluted areas in the word is the semi-enclosed Mediterranean Sea, in which the metabolic potential of indigenous microbial populations towards the large-scale chronic pollution is yet to be defined, particularly in anaerobic and micro-aerophilic sites. Here, we provide an insight into the microbial metabolism in sediments from three chronically polluted marine sites along the coastline of Italy: the Priolo oil terminal/refinery site (near Siracuse, Sicily), harbour of Messina (Sicily) and shipwreck of MT Haven (near Genoa). Using shotgun metaproteomics and community metabolomics approaches, the presence of 651 microbial proteins and 4776 metabolite mass features have been detected in these three environments, revealing a high metabolic heterogeneity between the investigated sites. The proteomes displayed the prevalence of anaerobic metabolisms that were not directly related with petroleum biodegradation, indicating that in the absence of oxygen, biodegradation is significantly suppressed. This suppression was also suggested by examining the metabolome patterns. The proteome analysis further highlighted the metabolic coupling between methylotrophs and sulphate reducers in oxygen-depleted petroleum-polluted sediments.

Aqueous extract of Rosmarinus officinalis L. inhibits neutrophil influx and cytokine secretion.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. phenolic compounds have attracted considerable attention because of their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, including its ability to treat inflammatory disorders. In this work, we investigated the in vivo and in vitro effects of R. officinalis aqueous extract on neutrophil trafficking from the blood into an inflamed tissue, on cell-derived secretion of chemical mediators, and on oxidative stress. Anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carrageenan-induced inflammation in the subcutaneous tissue of male Wistar rats orally treated with the R. officinalis extract (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg). The leukocyte influx (optical microscopy), secretion of chemical mediators (prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), TNF-α, interleukin 6 (IL-6), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and the anti-oxidative profile (super oxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) spectrophotometry) were quantified in the inflamed exudate. N-Formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine-induced chemotaxis, lipopolysaccharide-induced NO2 (-) production (Greiss reaction), and adhesion molecule expression (flow cytometry) were in vitro quantified using oyster glycogen recruited peritoneal neutrophils previous treated with the extract (1, 10, or 100 µg/mL). Animals orally treated with phosphate-buffered saline and neutrophils incubated with Hank's balanced salt solution were used as control. R. officinalis extract oral treatment caused a dose-dependent reduction in the neutrophil migration as well as decreased SOD, TBARS, LTB4, PGE2, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in the inflamed exudate. In vitro treatment with R. officinalis decreased neutrophil chemotaxis, NO2 (-) production, and shedding of L-selectin and ß2 integrin expressions. Results here presented show that R. officinalis aqueous extract displays important in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory actions by blocking pathways of neutrophil migration and secretion, suggesting its therapeutic application to acute inflammatory reactions.

Mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic reticulum abnormalities in cancer cachexia: altered energetic efficiency?

BACKGROUND: Cachexia is a wasting condition that manifests in several types of cancer, and the main characteristic is the profound loss of muscle mass. METHODS: The Yoshida AH-130 tumor model has been used and the samples have been analyzed using transmission electronic microscopy, real-time PCR and Western blot techniques. RESULTS: Using in vivo cancer cachectic model in rats, here we show that skeletal muscle loss is accompanied by fiber morphologic alterations such as mitochondrial disruption, dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum and apoptotic nuclei. Analyzing the expression of some factors related to proteolytic and thermogenic processes, we observed in tumor-bearing animals an increased expression of genes involved in proteolysis such as ubiquitin ligases Muscle Ring Finger 1 (MuRF-1) and Muscle Atrophy F-box protein (MAFBx). Moreover, an overexpression of both sarco/endoplasmic Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA1) and adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT1), both factors related to cellular energetic efficiency, was observed. Tumor burden also leads to a marked decreased in muscle ATP content. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to muscle proteolysis, other ATP-related pathways may have a key role in muscle wasting, both directly by increasing energetic inefficiency, and indirectly, by affecting the sarcoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial assembly that is essential for muscle function and homeostasis. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The present study reports profound morphological changes in cancer cachectic muscle, which are visualized mainly in alterations in sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. These alterations are linked to pathways that can account for energy inefficiency associated with cancer cachexia.

Preoperative optimization of cardiac valve patients' expectations: Study protocol of the randomized controlled ValvEx-trial.

Introduction: Complete recovery after surgery depends on psychological factors such as preoperative information, expectations, and surgery-associated anxiety. Prior studies have shown that even a short preoperative psychological intervention aiming at optimized expectations (EXPECT) can improve postoperative outcomes in coronary artery bypass patients. However, this intervention may benefit only a small subgroup of heart surgery patients since implementing preoperative psychological interventions into the daily clinical routine is difficult due to the additional time and appointments. It is unclear whether the EXPECT intervention can be shortened and whether heart valve patients would also benefit from interventions that optimize patients' expectations. The multicenter ValvEx trial aims (i) to adapt an effective preoperative psychological intervention (EXPECT) to make it brief enough to be easily integrated into the preoperative routine of heart valve patients and (ii) to examine if the adapted preoperative psychological intervention improves the subjectively perceived illness-related disability (PDI) up to 3 months after surgery. Materials and analysis: In two German university hospitals, N = 88 heart valve patients who undergo heart surgery are randomized into two groups [standard of care (SOC) vs. standard of care plus interventional expectation manipulation (SOC and EXPECT)] after baseline assessment. Patients in the EXPECT group additionally to standard of care participate in the preoperative psychological intervention (30-40 min), focusing on optimizing expectations and have two booster-telephone calls (4 and 8 weeks after the surgery, approx. 15 min). Both groups have assessments again on the evening before the surgery, 4 to 6 days, and 3 months after the surgery. Discussion: The trial demonstrates excellent feasibility in the clinical routine and a high interest by the patients. Ethics and dissemination: The Ethics Committees of the Department of Medicine of the Philipps University of Marburg and the Department of Medicine of the University of Giessen approved the study protocol. Study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at congresses. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04502121.

Potential dietary sources of ellagic acid and other antioxidants among fruits consumed in Brazil: jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg).

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the content of ellagic acid in fruits consumed by the Brazilian population, including native ones; (2) to further characterize rich sources in relation to ascorbic acid, phenolics contents and in vitro antioxidant capacity; and (3) to study the distribution and effect of ripening stage on ellagitannins content of jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba). The content of free ellagic acid and ellagic acid derivatives such as ellagitannins was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Ellagic acid was detected in 10 out of a total of 35 fruits analyzed. The content of free ellagic acid in fruits varied from 0.0028 to 0.085 g kg(-1) (FW) and total ellagic acid varied from 0.215 to 3.11 g kg(-1) (FW). All the seven fruits belonging to the Myrtaceae family evaluated in this study presented high contents of ellagitannins in their composition, with jabuticaba, grumixama and cambuci (all native from Brazil) showing the highest total ellagic acid contents. Jabuticaba, the most consumed in Brazil among those and already adapted to commercial plantations, contained concentrated phenolics compounds, including ellagitannins, in the peel. Anthocyanins (cyanidin derivatives) increased significantly through ripening of jabuticaba and were not present in the pulp or seeds. Samples collected from three different locations during summer, winter and spring had total ellagic contents varying from 1.88 to 3.31 g kg(-1) (FW). The decrease in ellagic acid content with ripening was more accentuated for pulp (eight times) compared to seeds (2.3 times) and peel (2.0 times). CONCLUSION: These results showed the potential of jabuticaba as dietary source of ellagic acid and reinforced consumption of the whole fruit by the population.

Bioactive compounds and phenolic-linked functionality of powdered tropical fruit residues.

Tropical fruit residues consisting of seeds, peels and residual pulp generated as by-products of fruit processing industry were investigated for bioactive compounds, the in vitro antioxidant capacity as well as alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities. Cyanidin, quercetin, ellagic acid (EA) and proanthocyanidins were found in acerola, jambolan, pitanga and cajá-umbu residue powders. Acerola powder had the highest phenolic content (8839.33 mg catechin equivalents (CE)/100 g) and also high-ascorbic acid (AA) concentration (2748.03 mg/100 g), followed by jambolan and pitanga. The greatest 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition was observed for jambolan (436.76 mmol Trolox eq/g) followed by pitanga (206.68 mmol Trolox eq/g) and acerola (192.60 mmol Trolox eq/g), while acerola had the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay result (7.87 mmol Trolox eq/g). All fruit powders exhibited enzymatic inhibition against alpha-amylase (IC50 ranging from 3.40 to 49.5 mg CE/mL) and alpha-glucosidase (IC50 ranging from 1.15 to 2.37 mg CE/mL). Therefore, acerola, jambolan and pitanga dried residues are promising natural ingredients for food and nutraceutical manufacturers, due to their rich bioactive compound content.

Characterization of Five Psychrotolerant Alcanivorax spp. Strains Isolated from Antarctica.

Five psychrotolerant Alcanivorax spp. strains were isolated from Antarctic coastal waters. Strains were screened for molecular and physiological properties and analyzed regarding their growth capacity. Partial 16S rDNA, alk-B1, and P450 gene sequencing was performed. Biolog EcoPlates and the API 20E test were used to evaluate metabolic and biochemical profiles. Bacterial growth in sodium acetate was determined at 4, 15, 20, and 25 °C to evaluate the optimal temperature. Furthermore, the ability of each strain to grow in a hydrocarbon mixture at 4 and 25 °C was assayed. Biosurfactant production tests (drop-collapse and oil spreading) and emulsification activity tests (E24) were also performed. Concerning results of partial gene sequencing (16S rDNA, alk-B1, and P450), a high similarity of the isolates with the same genes isolated from other Alcanivorax spp. strains was observed. The metabolic profiles obtained by Biolog assays showed no significant differences in the isolates compared to the Alcanivorax borkumensis wild type. The results of biodegradative tests showed their capability to grow at different temperatures. All strains showed biosurfactant production and emulsification activity. Our findings underline the importance to proceed in the isolation and characterization of Antarctic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial strains since their biotechnological and environmental applications could be useful even for pollution remediation in polar areas.

Effect of free or protein-associated soy isoflavones on the antioxidant status in rats.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic ingestion of free and protein-associated soy isoflavones on the antioxidant status in male Wistar rats. Free isoflavone (iso), protein-associated soy isoflavone (iso + prot) and soy protein (prot) extracts were administered for 30 days by gavage to the rats at a dosage of 1 mg aglycone isoflavones per 200 g body weight, adjusted daily, and the prot group was given the same concentration of soy protein received by the iso + prot group. Antioxidant capacity of plasma, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in plasma, erythrocytes and tissues and gene expression levels in liver and kidney were evaluated. RESULTS: Chronic ingestion of free but not of protein-associated soy isoflavones nor of solely soy protein increased plasma antioxidant capacity and GPx activity in erythrocytes. Soy protein increased CAT activity and gene expression in liver. SOD activity in erythrocytes was increased by all treatments. CONCLUSION: The overall results confirm that dietary soy isoflavones have a positive effect on antioxidant status, enhancing antioxidant capacity of plasma and antioxidant enzymes in various tissues, but the effects are dependent on the form of administration and on a complex mechanism of antioxidant status balance on the organism.

Case Report: Somatic Symptoms Veiling Gender Dysphoria in an Adolescent.

Background: Somatic symptom disorder is common in children and adolescents; usually, it is an expression of a mental health problem or other conditions that lead to psychosocial impairment and suffering. Among these, in pubertal age, gender dysphoria should be considered. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 15-year-old girl admitted to the hospital because of a 2-month history of scattered arthralgia and myalgia, headache, and fatigue, with repeated visits to the emergency room. The physical exam was unremarkable, except for step walking and pain. Repeated diagnostic tests were normal, and consecutive psychological interviews disclosed intense suffering due to a gender incongruence. Referral to the hospital gender service was offered and refused by the parents. Conclusions: In pubertal age, gender dysphoria may be expressed through somatoform symptoms. Diagnosis is challenging to accept for the parents even in the presence of adequate multi-disciplinary hospital services.

Postprandial glucose-lowering effect of cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC) fruit juice in dysglycemic subjects with metabolic syndrome: An exploratory study.

Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC) is an ellagitannin-containing Myrtaceae fruit from Cerrado biome. This fruit seems to be a promising candidate for an adjuvant in glucose regulation in healthy subjects. However, it is not known whether cagaita juice would have the same effect on dysglycemic subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, the present work aimed to evaluate the effect of cagaita fruit juice on postprandial glycemia in dysglycemic subjects with MetS, and whether cagaita ellagitannins could be metabolized to urolithins. To evaluate glycemic effects, two different meals were consumed by volunteers (n = 12) with a 1-week interval among them. The first one consisted of white bread (50 g) plus water (300 mL) as a control; the second one, white bread (50 g) plus clarified cagaita juice (300 mL). Bioavailability was assessed in 24 h urine, after the consumption of a single amount of 300 mL of cagaita juice by healthy (n = 16) and MetS subjects (n = 7). The results showed that dysglycemic subjects with MetS presented a 53% reduction of incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of glucose, 38% reduction of insulin, 78% reduction of GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), and 58% reduction of C-peptide (p < 0.05), after the consumption of cagaita juice along with bread, in comparison to control water. However, both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and glucagon were not affected by cagaita juice ingestion. Concerning bioavailability, it was observed, for the first time, the metabolization of cagaita ellagitannins to urolithins by healthy and dysglycemic individuals with MetS, with a prevalence of metabotype B in both groups (44% and 42%, respectively), followed by metabotype A (37% and 29%, respectively), and metabotype 0 (19% and 29%, respectively).

Phenolic compounds from jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) ameliorate intestinal inflammation and associated endotoxemia in obesity.

Jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) is a Brazilian native fruit belonging to the Myrtaceae family. Previously it was demonstrated that phenolic-rich extracts from jaboticaba (PEJ) possess health-beneficial properties in diet-induced obesity; however, whether PEJ modulates the obesity-associated intestinal inflammatory status remains unclear. Thus, male C57BL/6J obese mice were fed a high-fat-sugar (HFS) diet and received PEJ at two doses, 50 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg body weight (BW) (PEJ1 group), and 100 mg GAE/kg BW (PEJ2 group), or water (HFS group) by oral gavage for 14 weeks. PEJ groups presented a reduced body weight gain and adiposity and were protected against insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. In addition, PEJ prevented metabolic endotoxemia linked to an attenuation of the HFS diet-induced intestinal inflammation via down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), membrane transporter toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the colon. These anti-inflammatory effects appear to be involved, at least in part, with an inhibition of the colonic inflammasome pathway of obese mice.

Long-term supplementation with phenolic compounds from jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) reduces adiposophaty and improves glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism.

Obesity is a critical public health problem worldwide that has been associated to non-communicable diseases (NCD), such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM), non-alcoholic fatty lipid diseases (NAFLD) and inflammatory diseases. Polyphenols from several food sources have been studied as one option against these health problems. Sabara jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) is a Brazilian berry rich in ellagic acid derivatives and anthocyanins. Here we investigated the effects of a phenolic-rich extract from Sabara jaboticaba (PEJ) in a diet-induced obesity animal model. PEJ at two doses, 50 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg body weight (BW) and 100 mg GAE/kg BW, were administered by daily gavage to obese C57BL/6J mice for 14 weeks. PEJ prevented the excessive body weight and adiposity, adipocyte hypertrophy, inflammation, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia, and hepatic lipid accumulation, as well as increased energy expenditure. In conclusion, polyphenols from Sabara jaboticaba presented several powerful therapeutic properties relevant for fighting obesity and associated health problems.