Murici (Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth and verbascifolia (L.)) and Tapereba (Spondias mombin) Improve Hepatic and Inflammatory Biomarkers in High-Fat-Diet Rats.

The present study investigated the effects of murici and tapereba on improving hepatic and inflammatory biomarkers in high-fat-diet rats. Female Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 10/group): control (CON), high-fat diet (HF), murici drink + high-fat diet (Mu-HF), tapereba drink + high-fat diet (Tap-HF), and murici and tapereba blend drink + high-fat diet (MT-HF). Drinks were offered daily for 60 days, following which body and liver weights, hepatosomatic indexes, serum parameters, inflammatory profile, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ORAC) were analyzed. The cell death of hepatic cells was evaluated using flow cytometry. It was observed that weight gain was similar among the groups, while glycemia was lower in the MT-HF group. A high-fat diet increased the concentration of cholesterol total, ALT, IL-1ß (in plasma and liver), and TNF-α (in the liver), and this was reduced by treatment with the fruit-based beverages. The other evaluated parameters showed no statistically significant difference. Compared to the CON and HF groups, the groups that received the drinks had higher cellular antioxidant activity and reduced oxidative stress, lipid oxidation, and development of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1ß. A high-fat diet induced higher cell death in hepatic tissue, which was prevented by the murici, tapereba, and the fruit-blend drinks. The consumption of murici, tapereba, and fruit-blend-based beverages showed beneficial effects on liver metabolism; therefore, they may serve as a nutritional approach for preventing and treating non-alcoholic liver disease.

Effect of grape juice, red wine and resveratrol solution on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepactic function and lipid profile in rats feds with high-fat diet.

The objective was to investigate the role of consumption of grape juice (GJ), red wine (RW) or resveratrol solution (RS) on rats treated with a high-fat diet (HFD). Among the drinks offered, GJ had lower content of polyphenols and trans-resveratrol. Nevertheless, GJ showed similar content of anthocyanin and antioxidant activity to RW, although higher than RS. In rats treated with HFD, consumption of GJ presented best antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, reducing glutathione peroxidase and interleukin-6 serum levels. In addition, GJ promoted better levels of cholesterol and liver markers. On the other hand, RW aggravated the oxidizing effect of HFD, increasing catalase activity and interleukin-6 level. Already, RS showed no benefit in animals. Thus, GJ minimized the effects of HFD on oxidative stress and inflammation beyond promoted better levels of lipid profile and liver biomarkers. However, consumption of RS showed no benefit and RW revealed a pro-oxidant effect, as did HFD. [Figure: see text].

Composition of breast milk of lactating adolescents in function of time of lactation.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the composition of breast milk of lactating adolescents in function of lactation time. METHODS: We followed 51 lactating adolescents, between the 6th and 14th weeks postpartum (WPP). The determination of fat, protein and lactose in milk were conducted, respectively, by the methods of Lucas, Lowry and Perry & Doan. Micronutrients were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data was presented by the mean and standard error. ANOVA with repeated measures was used and Tukey as post test. It was accepted a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction (P<0.05) in protein content during the postpartum weeks studied (6th: 16.6 ± 1.1; 10th: 13.7 ± 1.0; 14th WPP: 12.3 ± 1.1 g/day). The lactose (6th: 60.2 ± 1.9; 10th: 60.4 ± 2.6; 14th WPP: 65.1 ± 4.0 g/day) and fat (6th: 41.6 ± 3.3; 10th: 36.2 ± 3.4; 14th WPP: 31.5 ± 9.0 g/day) concentration remained unaffected. The zinc concentration in the breast milk was lower than that is commonly found in literature (mean 1.16 mg/day). The copper, iron, calcium and phosphorus concentration was sufficient to meet the needs of the infants between 0 and 6 months old. CONCLUSION: The lactation period did not influence the concentration of micronutrients, lactose and lipids, but there is a reduction on protein of the breast milk. In spite of the reducing concentration of protein, it is sufficient to meet the needs of infants from 0 to 6 months old.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la composición de la leche materna de lactantes adolescentes en función del tiempo de la lactancia. Métodos: Se siguieron 51 adolescentes lactantes, entre la semana 6 y 14 después del parto (WPP). Se llevaron a cabo la determinación de grasa, proteína y lactosa de la leche, respectivamente, por los métodos de Lucas, Lowry y Perry & Doan. Los micronutrientes se determinaron por espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. Los datos fueron presentados por la media y el error estándar. ANOVA con medidas repetidas se utilizó Tukey como prueba post. Se aceptó un nivel de significación del 5%. Resultados: Se observó una reducción significativa (P.

Seric ion level and its relationship with the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in young women.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the seric ions level and its relationship with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms in young women. METHOD: Ninety-three volunteers were monitored for three months. The nutritional status evaluation was based on BMI. Three "maps of daily symptoms" were used to investigate the frequency of the SPM symptoms. The biochemical evaluation was done in the first month in the luteal phase. The levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium were determined by colorimetric methods. The hemoglobin and hematocrit concentration were determined by conventional methods. RESULTS: The symptoms like anxiety (1,13; 0,81; 0,66), edema (0,99; 0,51; e 0,22), depression (0,58; 0,36; 0,20) and mastalgia (0,56; 0,35; 0,09) were the most evident in the menstrual than luteal and follicular phase. A small number of volunteers presented hypocalemia (1,4%), hyponatremia (4,22%) and hypernatremia (7,04%). However, the higher number of the volunteers presented lower calcium level (83,09%). The frequency of anemic women was high (24%). Significant associations (P < 0.05) were observed between the anxiety symptom and sodium (r = 0,2630); and magnesium and depression (r = 0,2508) and nauseas (r = 2882). CONCLUSIONS: The anemia and hypocalcemia is a important nutritional problem. The regulation of the calcium serum level seems to be affected in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and the sodium and magnesium ions influence some psychological (anxiety and depression) and gastrointestinal (nausea and constipation) symptoms.

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el nivel de iones séricos y su relación con el síndrome premenstrual (PMS) Los síntomas en las mujeres jóvenes. Método: Noventa y tres voluntarios fueron monitoreados durante tres meses. La evaluación del estado nutricional se basa en el índice de masa corporal. Tres "mapas de síntomas diarios" se utilizaron para investigar la frecuencia de los síntomas de SPM. La evaluación bioquímica se realizó en el primer mes de la fase lútea. Los niveles de sodio, de potasio, de calcio, de magnesio se determinaron por métodos colorimétricos. La concentración de hemoglobina y hematocrito se determinaron por métodos convencionales. Resultados: Los síntomas como la ansiedad (1,13, 0,81, 0,66), edema (0,99, 0,51, 0,22 e), depresión (0,58, 0,36, 0,20) y la mastalgia (0,56; 0,35; 0,09) fueron los más evidentes en el ciclo menstrual de lútea y la fase folicular. Un pequeño número de voluntarios presentó hipocalemia (1,4%), hiponatremia (4,22%) y la hipernatremia (7,04%). Sin embargo, el mayor número de los voluntarios presentó menor nivel de calcio (83,09%). La frecuencia de las mujeres anémicas fue alta (24%). Se encontraron asociaciones significativas (P.