Chromatographic profile and bioactive compounds found in the composition of pupunha oil (Bactris gasipaes Kunth): implications for human health / Perfil cromatográfico e compostos bioativos presentes na composição do óleo de pupunha (Bactris gasipaes Kunth): implicações para a saúde humana

ABSTRACT Objective The presence of dietary bioactive compounds in the human diet becomes a major factor in combating the etiology of different pathologies. Thus, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate the fatty acids profile, cardiovascular functionality indices, bioactive compounds and spectroscopic pattern of peach palm oil (pupunha oil) and their impact on human health. Methods The oil was obtained by soxhlet extraction; the oil yield and qualities were determined according to the standards of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. For the fatty acids profile, the practical recommendations of the American Oil Chemists' Society and of the International Organization for Standardization were followed. Total carotenoids and polyphenols were determined by spectrophotometry; the composition of the chemical groups was determined by infrared spectroscopy. The anti-atherogenic, antithrombogenic and hypocholesterolemic indices were obtained using mathematical models. Results The results showed good quality oil based on acid and peroxyde indices (2.45±0.33mg KOH g-1 and 5.47±1.05mEq kg-1). The main fruit bioactive compound was β-carotene (832.4±0.64µg/100g). The chromatographic profile showed a high saturated fatty acid content (53.74%); unsaturated (46.25%); fats were monounsaturated (39.66%) and polyunsaturated (6.59%). The antiatherogenic, antithrombogenic and hypocholesterolemic indices were, on average, 1.10, 2.04 and 0.84, respectively. The spectroscopic profile exhibited bands with variation from 2918.8cm-1 to 714cm-1. Conclusion The results indicate that the consumption of isolated lipid content of the pupunha palm oil provides health protection with emphasis on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

RESUMO Objetivo A presença de fontes alimentares ricas em compostos bioativos na dieta humana torna-se fator preponderante no combate à etiologia de diversas patologias. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o perfil de ácidos graxos, índices de funcionalidade cardiovasculares, compostos bioativos e padrão espectroscópico do óleo da pupunha vermelha e suas implicações para a saúde humana. Métodos O óleo foi obtido por extração via soxhlet; seu rendimento e qualidade foram determinados segundo as normas da Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Para o perfil de ácidos graxos, seguiram-se as recomendações práticas da American Oil Chemists' Society e da International Organization for Standardization. Os carotenoides e polifenóis totais foram estipulados por espectrofotometria; a constituição de grupos químicos, por espectroscopia de infravermelho. Os índices antiaterogênico, antitrombogênico e hipocolesterolêmico foram obtidos por modelos matemáticos. Resultados Os resultados evidenciaram um óleo com boa qualidade, com base nos índices de acidez e peróxido (2,45±0,33mg KOH g-1 e 5,47±1,05mEq kg-1). O principal composto bioativo desse fruto foi o β-caroteno (832,4±0,64µg/100g). O perfil cromatográfico revelou um elevado teor de ácidos graxos saturados (53,74%); os insaturados (46,25%) se mostraram distribuídos em monoinsaturados (39,66%) e poli-insaturados (6,59%). Os índices de antiaterogênico, antitrombogênico e hipocolesterolêmico foram, em média, respectivamente 1,10; 2,04 e 0,84. O perfil espectroscópico apresentou destaques com variação de 2918,8cm-1 a 714cm-1. Conclusão Os resultados indicam que o consumo do conteúdo lipídico isolado da pupunha atua na proteção da saúde, em especial para a prevenção de agravos cardiovasculares.

Quality of Life of Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Receiving High-Dose Cisplatin Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck before and during treatment with high-dose cisplatin and radiotherapy. METHODS: This was an observational and longitudinal prospective study conducted from June 2011 to March 2013 at the clinical oncology ambulatory unit of a public teaching hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire was used to measure the QOL of patients before and after each chemotherapy cycle with high-dose cisplatin (80-100 mg/m(2), three cycles) and radiotherapy (2 Gy, 5 days/week for 7 weeks). Data were analyzed using Student t tests, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients completed the three cycles of treatment. The study population consisted primarily of white men with a mean age older than 50 years, who had a partner, a low education level, and who were heavy smokers and drinkers, Karnofsky Performance Status of 90% to 100%, pharynx tumors, and stage IV cancer, classified as T4 and N2 stages; the minority of them required interventions such as a feeding tube and tracheostomy. We observed a reduction in QOL after treatment initiation; this reduction was significant after the second chemotherapy cycle and the sixth week of radiotherapy. The abilities to taste, swallow, salivate, and participate in activities and recreation were affected significantly. We also observed a significant improvement in pain and anxiety resulting from the chemoradiation. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers need to be aware of the affected domains to provide improved QOL, well-being, and security to cancer patients who are receiving this type of treatment.

Combined resistance and aerobic exercise is better than resistance training alone to improve functional performance of haemodialysis patients--results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the effects of combined resistance and aerobic exercise with a resistance programme alone on functional performance among haemodialysis patients. DESIGN: The design was a randomized controlled trial. SETTING: The setting was the dialysis unit of a Brazilian university hospital. PATIENTS: Haemodialysis patients were assigned to one kind of intervention or another. INTERVENTION: The patients were assigned to receive the resistance exercise combined with an aerobic training or to maintain an ongoing resistance programme alone for a period of 10 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The functional performance of patients was assessed before and after the intervention through the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). The difference over time of the 6MWT was compared between the groups through two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were allocated for each group of intervention. The difference in distance walked before and after intervention in the combined training group was of +39.7 ± 61.4 m, and the difference in the resistance training group was of -19.2 ± 53.9 m, p = 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: Although the best protocol of exercise for patients on dialysis is not yet clear, in our sample of haemodialysis patients the combination of aerobic and resistance training was more effective than resistance training alone to improve functional performance.