Performance of ß-carotene-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers under dynamic in vitro digestion system: Influence of the emulsifier type.

A better understanding of how emulsifier type could differently influence the behavior of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) under the gastrointestinal digestion process, as well as at the cellular level, is of utmost importance for the NLC-based formulations' optimization and risk assessment in the food field. In this study, NLC composed by fully hydrogenated soybean and high-oleic sunflower oils were prepared using soy lecithin (NLC Lß) or Tween 80 (NLC Tß) as an emulsifier. ß-Carotene was entrapped within NLC developed as a promising strategy to overcome ß-carotene's low bioavailability and stability. The effect of emulsifier type on the digestibility of ß-carotene-loaded NLC was evaluated using an in vitro dynamic digestion model mimicking peristalsis motion. The influence of ß-carotene-loaded NLC on cell viability was assessed using Caco-2 cells in vitro. NLC Tß remained stable in the gastric compartment, presenting particle size (PS) similar to the initial NLC (PS: 245.68 and 218.18 nm, respectively), while NLC Lß showed lower stability (PS > 1000 nm) in stomach and duodenum phases. NLC Tß also provided high ß-carotene protection and delivery capacity (i.e., ß-carotene bioaccessibility increased 10-fold). Based on the results of digestion studies, NLC Tß has shown better physical stability during the passage through the in vitro dynamic gastrointestinal system than NLC Lß. Moreover, the developed NLC did not compromise cell viability up to 25 µg/mL of ß-carotene. Thus, the NLC developed proved to be a biocompatible structure and able to incorporate and protect ß-carotene for further food applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The findings of this study hold significant implications for industrial applications in terms of developing nanostructured lipid carriers from natural raw materials widely available and used to produce other lipid-based products in the food industry, as an alternative to synthetic ones. In this respect, the ß-carotene-loaded NLC developed in this study would find a great industrial application in the food industry, which is in constant search to develop functional foods capable of increasing the bioavailability of bioactive compounds.

ß-lactoglobulin micro- and nanostructures as bioactive compounds vehicle: In vitro studies.

ß-Lactoglobulin (ß-Lg) is known to be capable to bind hydrophilic and hydrophobic bioactive compounds. This research aimed to assess the in vitro performance of ß-Lg micro- (diameter ranging from 200 to 300 nm) and nano (diameter < 100 nm) structures associated to hydrophilic and hydrophobic model compounds on Caco-2 cells and under simulated gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. Riboflavin and quercetin were studied as hydrophilic and hydrophobic model compounds, respectively. Cytotoxicity experiment was conducted using in vitro cellular model based on human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells. Moreover, the digestion process was simulated using the harmonized INFOGEST in vitro digestion model, where samples were taken at each phase of digestion process - oral, gastric and intestinal - and characterized in terms of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), surface charge by dynamic light scattering (DLS); protein hydrolysis degree by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBSA) assay and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; and bioactive compound concentration. Caco-2 cell viability was not affected up to 21 × 10-3 mg mL-1 of riboflavin and 16 × 10-3 mg mL-1 quercetin on ß-Lg micro- and nanostructures. In the oral phase, ß-Lg structures' particle size, PDI and surface charge values were not changed comparing to the initial ß-Lg structures (i.e., before being subjected to in vitro GI digestion). During gastric digestion, ß-Lg structures were resistant to proteolytic enzymes and to acid environment of the stomach - confirmed by TNBSA and native gel electrophoresis. In vitro digestion results indicated that ß-Lg micro- and nanostructures protected both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds from gastric conditions and deliver them to target site (i.e., intestinal phase). In addition, ß-Lg structures were capable to enhance riboflavin and quercetin bioaccessibility and bioavailability potential compared to bioactive compounds in their free form. This study indicated that ß-Lg micro- and nanostructures were capable to enhance hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds bioavailability potential and they can be used as oral delivery systems.

Effects of a progressive resistance exercise program with high-speed component on the physical function of older women with sarcopenic obesity: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Background Sarcopenic obesity is associated with disability in older people, especially in women. Resistance exercises are recommended for this population, but their efficacy is not clear. Objective To evaluate the effects of a progressive resistance exercise program with high-speed component on the physical function of older women with sarcopenic obesity. Method Twenty-eight women 65 to 80 years old, with a body mass index ≥30kg/m2 and handgrip strength ≤21kg were randomly allocated to two groups. The experimental group underwent a 10-week resistance exercise program designed to improve strength, power, and endurance of lower-limb muscles, with open chain and closed chain exercises. The control group had their health status monitored through telephone calls. The primary outcomes were lower limb muscle performance measured by knee extensor strength, power and fatigue by isokinetic dynamometry, and mobility measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery and by gait velocity. The secondary outcome was health-related quality of life assessed by the SF-36 Questionnaire. Results The average rate of adherence was 85%, with few mild adverse effects. There were no significant between-group differences for any of the outcomes. Conclusion In this study, a progressive resistance exercise program with high-speed component was not effective for improving the physical function of older women with sarcopenic obesity.

Fuentes naturales de fitoesteroles y factores de producción que lo modifican / Natural sources of phytosterols and production factors that modify them

Actualmente los fitoesteroles son adicionados a los alimentos industrializados, lo que aumenta su costo y por lo tanto limita su consumo. Este manuscrito tiene como objetivo identificar alimentos que son una fuente natural de fitoesteroles, así como también analizar cómo el ambiente y el manejo productivo modifican su contenido, relacionando estos aspectos con la salud. Los fitoesteroles son compuestos presentes en las plantas con propiedades hipocolesterolémicas, que pueden contribuir a prevenir las enfermedades cardiovasculares. La ingesta diaria estimada de fitoesteroles varía entre 160 y 500 mg/día, sin embargo su acción beneficiosa se logra con consumos de 1500 mg a 2400 mg diarios. Las semillas de oleaginosas y de cereales son las mayores fuentes naturales de fitoesteroles. El amaranto es considerado un pseudocereal y entre los cereales tiene la mayor concentración de fitoesteroles con 178 mg/100 g, valor 5 veces superior al de la harina de trigo. El ambiente modifica el contenido de fitoesteroles de los alimentos, la sequía y temperaturas altas duplican su contenido en las semillas; la fertilización nitrogenada y la fecha de siembra pueden provocar cambios, pero se requieren más estudios al respecto. La selección de genotipos con mayor contenido de fitoesteroles y el estudio de la interacción genotipo ambiente, permitirá la identificación de aquellos genotipos con adaptación local para este carácter. El manejo productivo podrá aumentar la oferta de alimentos naturales ricos en fitoesteroles, contribuyendo a una mayor oferta de alimentos protectores de la salud(AU)

Currently phytosterols are added to processed foods, which increase their cost and therefore limits its use. This manuscript aims to identify foods that are a natural source of phytosterols, as well as analyze how the environment and production management modify its content, linking these aspects with health. Phytosterols are compounds found in plants with hypocholesterolemic properties, which may help prevent cardiovascular diseases. The estimated daily intake of phytosterols varies between 160 and 500 mg/day, but its beneficial effect is achieved with 1,500 to 2,400 mg daily consumption. Oil and cereal seeds are the largest natural sources of phytosterols. Amaranth is considered a pseudocereal and among the cereals has the highest concentration of phytosterols with 178 mg/100 g, value 5 times higher than wheat flour. Environment modifies phytosterol content in food, drought and high temperatures can double their content in seeds; nitrogen fertilization and planting date can cause changes, but more studies are needed. The selection of genotypes with higher phytosterol content and studying the genotype x environment interaction, allow the identification of those genotypes with local adaptation for this character. The production management will increase the supply of natural foods rich in phytosterols, contributing to a greater supply of health protective foods(AU)

Lactoferrin-based nanoparticles as a vehicle for iron in food applications - Development and release profile.

This study aims at developing and characterizing bovine lactoferrin (bLf) nanoparticles as an iron carrier. bLf nanoparticles were characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index (PdI), electric charge (ζ-potential), morphology, structure and stability over time. Subsequently, iron release experiments were performed at different pH values (2.0 and 7.0) at 37°C, in order to understand the release mechanism. bLf (0.2%, w/v) nanoparticles were successfully produced by thermal gelation (75°C for 20min). bLf nanoparticles with 35mM FeCl3 showed an iron binding efficiency value of approximately 20%. The nanoparticles were stable (i.e. no significant variation of size and PdI of the nanoparticles) for 76days at 4°C and showed to be stable between 4 and 60°C and pH2 and 11. Release experiments at pH2 showed that iron release could be described by the linear superposition model (explained by Fick and relaxation phenomenon). On the contrary, the release mechanism at pH7 cannot be described by either Fick or polymer relaxation behaviour. In general, results suggested that bLf nanoparticles could be used as an iron delivery system for future food applications.

Prevalencia da retinopatia da prematuridade em recem-nascidos de muito baixo peso / Prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight infants

Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência da retinopatia da prematuridade (RP) em recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso (RN-MBP) (P<1500g). Métodos: Foram examinados prospectivamente 102 RN-MBP admitidos no BA M-HC (FMUSP), nascidos no período de 01 de janeiro de 1992 a 31 de dezembro de 1993. O mapeamento de retina, com depressäo escleral, foi realizado inicialmente entre 3 a 8 semanas de vida pós-natal e repetido a cada 1 a 4 semanas, até que a vascularizaçäo da retina se completasse ou a RP se estabelecesse. Para a classificaçäo da RP, foram utilizados os critérios da "International Classification of ROP", e, para análise estatística, considerou-se a retinopatia mais grave que o RN apresentou na sua evoluçäo. Resultados: Nesta casuística, verificou-se RP em 29,90 por cento dos casos, em 78,5 por cento dos RN com peso inferior a 1.000g. e em 72,73 por cento dos RN com idade gestacional inferior a 30 semanas...

Evoluçäo dos níveis de pressäo arterial sistêmica no período neonatal em recém-nascidos de termo adequados para a idade gestacional / Evolution of systemic arterial blood pressure during neonatal period in term newborns adequate for gestacional age

Os autores estudaram a evoluçäo dos níveis médios de pressäo arterial sistêmica (PAS) sistólica, média e diastólica em RNT-AIG durante o primeiro mês de vida, utilizando a técnica de oscilometria, com monitor näo invasivo de pressäo arterial. Foi realizado um estudo prospectivo, em que foram acompanhados apenas RN com Apgar de 1§ minuto > 7, sem intercorrências clínicas e sem uso de drogas com possíveis efeitos sobre a PA. Foram medidos os valores de PA sistólica, média e diastólica na 12ª hora de vida e no 3§, 7§, 14§ e 28§ dias de vida. Demonstraram que existe uma elevaçäo dos níveis de PA no RN estatísticamente significante do 1§ ao 3§ dia e entre este e o 7§ dia de vida. A partir da primeira semana de vida, até o final do 1§ mês, essas modificaçöes näo foram significativas.