Neuroinflammatory responses following zinc or branched-chain amino acids supplementation in obese rats.

The excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators, characteristic of obesity, leads to neuroinflammation. Zinc (Zn) and the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are supplements known for their immunomodulatory properties. Our goal was to evaluate if Zn or BCAA supplementation can affect long-term recognition memory and neuroinflammatory parameters of obese rats after a high-fat diet (HFD). Three-month-old Wistar rats were divided into six groups: Standard diet (SD) + vehicle; SD + Zn; SD + BCAA; High-fat diet (HFD) + vehicle; HFD + Zn; and HFD + BCAA. Diets were administrated for 19 weeks, Zn (1,2 mg/kg/day) or BCAA (750 mg/kg/day) supplementation was conducted in the last 4 weeks. Long-term recognition memory was evaluated by the novel object recognition test. IL-1ß immunoreactivity in the cortex and hippocampus, and IL-6 levels in the cortex tissue were assessed. Astrogliosis were evaluated through GFAP + cell count and morphological analysis (Sholl Method). Zn supplementation improved object recognition memory in HFD-fed rats, which was not observed following BCAA supplementation. The levels of IL-6 in the cerebral cortex were higher after HFD, which was not diminished after neither supplementation. Obesity also led to increased IL-1ß immunoreactivity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, which was reduced by Zn. BCAA supplementation also diminished IL-1ß immunoreactivity, but only in the hippocampus. We also showed that astrocyte reactivity caused by HFD is area-dependent, being the cerebral cortex more susceptible to the diet. Even though BCAA and Zn can affect IL-1ß immunoreactivity and astrocyte morphology, only Zn improved memory. Future studies are needed to clarify the pathways by which Zn improves cognition in obesity.

Food Selection of Cafeteria Diet Affects Memory Dysfunction Related to Obesity.

Cafeteria diet (CAF) mimics human Western diet and has been used in animal models to study obesity. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that our CAF model induces metabolic disorder related to obesity and affects recognition memory in Wistar rats. We also compared the intake of two different soft drinks, as part of the CAF, on recognition memory. Our results demonstrate that CAF-fed rats increased weight gain and visceral adiposity, and exhibited hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, high leptin and low insulin plasma levels. Moreover, CAF animals showed higher lipid peroxidation in the liver and developed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Surprisingly, the group fed with cola-based soft drinks presented an improvement in recognition memory, whereas animals fed with orange-based soft drinks showed worse performance in this task. Our data indicates that CAF induces obesity and affects recognition memory, but the composition of the diet interfere when the neurological function is evaluated.

Zinc Supplementation Decreases Obesity-Related Neuroinflammation and Improves Metabolic Function and Memory in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of zinc (Zn) supplementation on metabolic and neuroinflammatory parameters in cafeteria diet (CAF)-induced obesity in Wistar rats. METHODS: Animals were divided into four groups: control diet (CT); CT+Zn; CAF; CAF+Zn. The diet was administered for 20 weeks; Zn treatment (10 mg/kg/d) started at week 16 and it was conducted until the end of the diet protocol. Weight gain, visceral fat, and plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, insulin, TNF-α, and IL-6, as well as homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, were assessed. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) expression in the cerebral cortex and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were evaluated. Memory was assessed by the novel object recognition test. RESULTS: CAF diet increased weight gain, visceral fat, and plasma glucose, triglyceride, and TNF-α levels. Zn reversed the hyperglycemia caused by CAF diet and reduced IL-6 levels. In the cerebral cortex, GFAP was similar between groups; Iba-1 was increased by CAF diet but reduced in the CAF+Zn group. Zn reduced CAF-dependent TLR-4 increase in the hippocampus but not in the cerebral cortex. CAF-fed animals showed impaired recognition memory, whereas Zn reversed it. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that Zn partially reverted obesity-related metabolic dysfunction and reduced neuroinflammation and memory deficit caused by CAF diet.

Kinematic evaluation of the classical ballet step "plié".

Lack of alignment between the lowerlimb structures, such as the hips, knees, and longitudinal arches of the feet, has been described as an important predisposing factor in musculoskeletal injury among classical ballet dancers. However, no studies were found that analyzed basic ballet movements with quantification of objective criteria of the movements. The purposes of this study were: 1. to establish a methodology to quantify, using kinematic evaluation, the technical criteria that guide the correct execution of all phases of the plié (simultaneous flexion of the hips, knees, and ankle joints); and 2. to explore whether experienced ballet dancers respect those criteria when performing the plié. The technical criteria considered were the following: 1. midfoot stability; 2. pelvic positioning in a neutral alignment; 3. pelvic stability, represented by pelvic angle variation; and 4. vertical alignment of the knee joint with the second toe of the ipsilateral foot. Twenty dancers from Porto Alegre, Brazil, with 18 years of uninterrupted ballet training, were filmed while performing plié using four synchronized cameras. The descriptive statistical analysis involved calculating the median, minimum, and maximum of each of the technical criteria. Results showed that for criterion 1, the 20 dancers showed great stabilization of the midfoot; for criteria 2 and 3, 18 dancers displayed pelvic instability tending toward retroversion throughout execution of the plié; and for criterion 4, 13 dancers presented with medial misalignment of the knees at all phases of the plié. Using these criteria, it was possible to characterize the plié from a kinematic point of view.

Dynamic evaluation method of lower limbs joint alignment (MADAAMI) for dancers during the plié / Método de avaliação dinâmica do alinhamento articular dos membros inferiores (MADAAMI) de bailarinos durante o plié / Método de evaluación dinámica del alineamiento articular de las extremidades inferiores (MADAAMI) de bailarines durante el plié

Abstract In classical ballet, the joint misalignments during the plié can generate various injuries. To evaluate potential misalignments during the plié the aim of this study was to present a method for dynamic evaluation of lower limb alignment articulation (called MADAAMI). MADAAMI was validated by 12 experts, and for the evaluation of its reproducibility and for agreement with 3D kinematics, 20 dancers were assessed using a video recording of their plié. For statistical analysis we used the Kappa coefficient (k) (p < 0.05) and percentage agreement (C). We conclude that MADAAMI had satisfactory reproducibility and intra-rater agreement with 3D kinematics (k > 0.40 and C > 80%), and it is a suitable and valid method for use by the same examiner.

Resumo No ballet clássico, os desalinhamentos articulares durante o passo plié podem gerar várias lesões. Para avaliar esses possíveis desalinhamentos durante a sua execução, o objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar um Método de Avaliação Dinâmica do Alinhamento Articular dos Membros Inferiores (chamado MADAAMI). O MADAAMI foi validado por 12 especialistas e, para a avaliação da sua reprodutibilidade e da sua concordância com a análise cinemática 3D, 20 dançarinos foram avaliados através de uma gravação de vídeo em que executavam o plié. Para a análise estatística foi usado o coeficiente Kappa (k) (p<0,05) e o percentual de concordância (C). Concluímos que o MADAAMI teve reprodutibilidade intra-avaliador e concordância com a análise cinemática 3D satisfatórias (k>0,40 e C>80%) e se caracterizou como um método adequado e válido para uso por um único examinador.

Resumen En ballet clásico, los desajustes articulares durante el plié pueden generar diversas lesiones. Para evaluar esos posibles desajustes durante el plié, el objetivo de este trabajo fue presentar un método para la evaluación dinámica de la alineación de las extremidades inferiores (conocido como MADAAMI). MADAAMI fue validado por 12 expertos y para la evaluación de su reproducibilidad y de su concordancia con la cinemática en 3D se evaluó a 20 bailarines mediante grabaciones de vídeo durante el plié. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el coeficiente de kappa (k) (p <0,05) y el acuerdo de porcentaje (C). Se concluyó que MADAAMI cuenta con reproducibilidad intraevaluador, que la concordancia con la cinemática en 3D fue satisfactoria (k > 0,40 y C > 80%), y que es un método adecuado y válido para su uso por el mismo examinador.