The effects of artificial- and stevia-based sweeteners on lipid profile in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized clinical trials.

It has been posited that Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) intake may affect lipid profile. However, its proven effects on lipid profile are unclear, as clinical studies on this topic have produced inconsistent results. To fill this gap in knowledge, this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) sought to evaluate the effects of artificial- and stevia-based sweeteners consumption on lipid profile markers. To identify eligible RCTs, a systematic search up to April 2021 was completed in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and EMBASE, using relevant keywords. A random-effect model was utilized to estimate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence (95% CI) for TG, TC, and LDL. On the other hand, a fixed-effect model was used to estimate the WMD and 95% CI for HDL. Fourteen RCTs were included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled analysis revealed that NNS did not affect TG (WMD:-1.31, 95% CI:-5.89, 3.27 mg/dl), TC (WMD:-2.27,95% CI:-7.61,3.07 mg/dl), LDL (WMD:1,95% CI: -2.72, 4.71 mg/dl), and HDL (WMD:0.06, 95% CI:-0.62,0.73 mg/dl). Subgroup analysis showed that NNS may be related to a small, but statistically significant, increase in LDL (WMD:4.23, 95% CI:0.50,7.96 mg/dl) in subjects with normal levels of LDL (<100 mg/dl). We found that consumption of artificial- and stevia-based sweeteners is not associated with lipid profile changes in adults. This study has been registered at PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021250025).

Biosensing Test-Bed Using Electrochemically Deposited Reduced Graphene Oxide.

The development of an efficient test-bed for biosensors requires stable surfaces, capable of interacting with the functional groups present in bioentities. This work demonstrates the formation of highly stable electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) thin films reproducibly on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates using a reliable technique through 60 s chronoamperometric reduction of a colloidal suspension maintained at neutral pH containing graphene oxide in deionized water. Structural optimization and biocompatible interactions of the resulting closely packed and uniformly distributed ERGO flakes on ITO surfaces (ERGO/ITO) are characterized using various microscopic and spectroscopic tools. Lipase enzyme is immobilized on the ERGO surface in the presence of ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbodimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide for the detection of triglyceride in a tributyrin (TBN) solution. The ERGO/ITO surfaces prepared using the current technique indicate the noticeable detection of TBN, a source of triglycerides, at a sensitivity of 37 pA mg dL(-1) cm(-2) in the linear range from 50 to 300 mg dL(-1) with a response time of 12 s. The low apparent Michaelies-Menten constant of 0.28 mM suggests high enzyme affinity to TBN. The currently developed fast, simple, highly reproducible, and reliable technique for the formation of an ERGO electrode could be routinely utilized as a test bed for the detection of clinically active bioentities.

Efeito de 12 semanas de treinamento com pesos sobre a força muscular, composição corporal e triglicérides em homens sedentários / 12-week resistance training effect on muscular strength, body composition and triglycerides in sedentary men

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o efeito de 12 semanas de treinamento com pesos (TP) sobre a força muscular, composição corporal e triglicérides em homens sedentários. Para tanto, 14 homens saudáveis e sedentários foram separados aleatoriamente, de forma balanceada, em grupo experimental (GE = 29 ± 1 anos; 180,0 ± 3,0cm; 80,5 ± 1,8kg) e grupo controle (GC = 27 ± 1 anos; 170,0 ± 2,0cm; 76,2 ± 0,9kg). O GE foi submetido a um protocolo de TP durante 12 semanas, com frequência de três vezes por semana. O programa de TP foi composto por 10 exercícios executados em duas séries de 10-20 repetições. Medidas de massa corporal, estatura, espessura de dobras cutâneas e triglicérides foram realizadas antes e após o período de intervenção. Adicionalmente, o teste de uma repetição máxima (1RM) foi aplicado nos exercícios supino em banco horizontal e mesa extensora, nos período pré, após seis e 12 semanas de acompanhamento. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas (P < 0,05) após as 12 semanas de TP apenas no GE para o somatório das dobras cutâneas, ao passo que a massa corporal e os triglicérides não sofreram alterações nesse período. Com relação aos valores de força muscular, identificou-se aumento significativo (P < 0,05) no GE em ambos os exercícios entre o primeiro e o segundo teste de 1RM e entre o segundo e o terceiro. Conclui-se, portanto, que 12 semanas de TP foram suficientes para aumentar a força muscular e reduzir o somatório de dobras cutâneas sem, contudo, alterar os valores de triglicérides e massa corporal.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of resistance training on muscle strength, body composition and triglycerides in sedentary men. Fourteen healthy men were randomly divided into experimental (EG = 29 ± 1 yrs; 180.0 ± 3.0 cm; 80.5 ± 1.8 kg) and control (CG = 27 ± 1 yrs; 170.0 ± 2.0 cm; 76.2 ± 0.9 kg) groups. The EG subjects participated in a resistance training protocol during 12 weeks, three times per week. The program of resistance training included 10 exercises performed in two sets of 10-20 repetitions. Body mass, height, skinfold thickness and triglycerides were measured before and after the 12 weeks of intervention. One maximal repetition test (1RM) was done to measure muscle strength. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed on the sum of skinfolds only in EG after the resistance training, while body mass and triglycerides did not change in neither groups. Muscle strength increased (P<0.05) in both exercises performed between the first and the second and between the second and the third 1-RM tests. Therefore, 12 weeks of resistance training were enough to improve muscle strength and sum of skinfolds, but without promoting any changes in triglycerides and body mass.

Qualitative feed restriction on productive performance and lipid metabolism in broiler chickens / Restrição alimentar qualitativa sobre o desempenho produtivo e o metabolismo lipídico em frango de corte

A trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of qualitative restriction at different rearing phases on liver fatness and plasma triglycerides without impairing the productive performance of broiler chickens. One hundred and seventy-six male chicks were randomly assigned to four treatments and reared in battery brooders (16 pens with 11 birds each) from 1 to 49-day-old. In the control group, chicks were fed a starter diet (1 to 28-day-old) with 3,300kcal ME/kg of diet and 22.5 percent CP; grower diet (29 to 42-day-old) 3,300kcal ME/kg of diet and 18.2 percent CP; and the finisher diet (43 to 49-day-old) 3,300kcal ME/kg and 18.2 percent CP. Three restrict groups were fed a low 2,800kcal ME/kg of diet and 24 percent CP from 7 to 14-day-old (treatment 1); from 7 to 21-day-old (treatment 2); and from 22 to 35-day-old (treatment 3). All treatments were fed control diet before and after the feed restriction period. Feed intake was not affected during the feed restriction period; nevertheless, weight gain was lower (P<0.05) for chicks fed restricted diet from 7 to 21 and from 21 to 35-day-old. At the end of each restriction period, scores of liver for fatty infiltration were higher in restricted birds compared to control birds, although no changes were detected in plasma triglyceride levels. On the 49th day of age, less intracellular fatty infiltration was observed in the liver of previously restricted birds compared to control birds, and weight gain was also lower in the restricted groups. Moreover, triglyceride plasma levels were similar among treatments, but decreased in 12-hour-fasted broilers compared to non-fasted birds. The low energy:protein ratio diet affected weight gain and fatty infiltration in the liver, but had no effect on plasma levels of triglycerides

Aplicou-se restrição alimentar qualitativa em frangos de corte, em diferentes fases do crescimento, para reduzir a infiltração gordurosa do fígado e os triglicerídeos plasmáticos, sem influir nas respostas produtivas. Distribuíram-se aleatoriamente 176 pintos machos em quatro tratamentos. As aves foram alojados em baterias (16 gaiolas com 11 aves cada) e foram criados de 1 a 49 dias de idade. No grupo controle as aves foram alimentadas com dieta inicial (1-28 dias) com 3.300kcal EM/kg/dieta e 22,5 por cento de proteína bruta (PB; dieta de crescimento (29-42 dias) com 3.300kcal EM/kg/dieta e 20,9 por cento de PB; dieta de acabamento (43-49 dias de idade) 3.300kcal EM/kg/dieta e 18,2 por cento de PB. As aves nos três grupos sob restrição foram alimentadas com dieta com 2.800kcal de EM/kg/dieta e 24 por cento de PB de 7 aos 14 dias de idade (tratamento 2), de 7 aos 21 dias de idade (tratamento 2) e de 22 aos 35 dias de idade (tratamento 3). Todas as aves dos tratamentos sob restrição foram alimentadas com a dieta controle antes e depois do período de restrição alimentar. Ao final de cada período de restrição foi observada uma maior infiltração gordurosa no fígado (representado pela composição química e escore histológico). Também não houve diferenças entre os triglicerídeos plasmáticos, quando comparado com o controle. Aos 49 dias de idade, o ganho de peso total e a infiltração gordurosa no fígado, foram menores nos grupos restritos. Os níveis de triglicérides plasmáticos, entretanto, foram semelhantes entre os tratamentos, mas reduziram nas aves com aplicação de jejum de 12 horas, quando comparados com aves sem jejum. A baixa relação energia/proteína da dieta afetou o ganho de peso e a infiltração gordurosa no fígado, mas não alterou os valores de triglicérides plasmáticos