Poor diet quality is associated with biochemical parameters of protein nutritional status after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

OBJECTIVE: To assess diet quality and its association with body and biochemical parameters in patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS: Prospective observational study with individuals of both sexes subjected to RYGB. Body composition, biochemical parameters, and diet quality were assessed before and six months after RYGB. Diet quality was assessed by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Data were analyzed by the paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, with a significance level of 5%. Spearman's correlation and simple linear regression were performed between variables. RESULTS: The final sample included 34 patients. Their diet was classified as poor before and 6 mo after RYGB. BMI, fat mass, fat-free mass, waist perimeter, serum total protein, transthyretin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and C-reactive protein decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Variations in the HEI score and caloric intake were associated with serum albumin and transthyretin (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Poor diet quality was present before and six months after RYGB, and the study data suggest that poor diet quality is associated to a risk of loss of lean body mass and visceral protein six months after RYGB.

Dynamic Changes in Adiponectin and Resistin Drive Remission of Cardiometabolic Risk Biomarkers in Individuals with Obesity Following Bariatric Surgery.

The remission of obesity-related diseases following bariatric surgery appears to result from the reorganization of metabolic and hormonal pathways involving adipokines. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between changes in body adiposity and serum adipokine levels, as well as the association between variations in adiponectin or resistin levels and cardiometabolic risk blood biomarkers before and after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. A longitudinal and prospective study was conducted with bariatric surgery patients. Anthropometric, body composition and blood biochemical parameters were measured before and at 2 and 6 months post-surgery. The data were analyzed using ANOVA, Pearson or Spearman correlation, and simple linear regression with a significance level of p < 0.05. Among 36 mostly female patients aged 30 to 39 years, significant reductions in body weight (-26.8%), fat mass (-50%), waist circumference (-18%) and waist-to-height ratio (-22%) were observed post-surgery. Serum adiponectin levels increased (+107%), while resistin (-12.2%), TNF-α (-35%), and PAI-1 (-11.1%) decreased. Glucose, insulin, CRP, cholesterol, LDL-c, triglycerides, and vitamin D also decreased. Waist circumference variation showed a positive correlation with PAI-1 and TNF-α and a negative correlation with adiponectin. The total fat mass showed a positive correlation with PAI-1. Adiponectin variation correlated negatively with glucose, resistin, and CRP but positively with HDL-c. Resistin showed a positive correlation with insulin and CRP. In conclusion, 6 months post-bariatric surgery, reducing abdominal adiposity had a more significant impact on serum adipokine levels than total fat mass. Adiponectin increase and resistin decrease acted as endocrine mediators driving the remission of cardiometabolic risk biomarkers in individuals with obesity following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Factors Associated with the Nutritional Status of Women with Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer in a Brazilian High Complexity Oncology Center.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer poses a significant public health concern owing to its high prevalence and the risk of mortality associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of women with non-metastatic breast cancer and to identify factors associated with it. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a High Complexity Oncology Assistance Center in the southeast region of Brazil, with the aim of assessing the nutritional status in women undergoing treatment for stage I, II, or III breast cancer. Patients in palliative care or undergoing reconstructive surgery were excluded. Data collection took place between June 2022 and March 2023 and included questionnaires, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and anthropometric assessments. Nutritional status was assessed using measures such as BMI and skinfold thickness, while nutritional risk was assessed using the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) tool. RESULTS: Significant associations were found between nutritional risk and educational level (p = 0.03) and BMI (p = 0.01). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between educational level and nutritional risk, indicating that lower educational level was associated with higher odds of nutritional risk (OR = 4.59; 95% CI = 1.01-21.04; p = 0.049). In addition, regarding BMI, it was observed that a BMI above 20.5 kg/m2 was associated with a higher likelihood of nutritional risk (OR = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.01-0.89; p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: It is crucial to consider the nutritional status of breast cancer patients, alongside clinical factors, to offer comprehensive and personalized care. Gaining insight into the sociodemographic variables linked to nutritional risk can significantly contribute to our understanding of breast cancer. This knowledge, in turn, can aid in identifying effective strategies for public policy, health promotion, and prevention efforts aimed at tackling this condition.

Roux-en-y gastric bypass reduces body parameters but does not alter diet quality during six months follow-up

Backgroung: the diet quality contributes for the success of weight loss treatment after bariatric surgery. Objective: to evaluate weight loss, body parameters and diet quality during the short-term (6 months) follow-up of subjects undergoing Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB). Methods: prospective and observational study, carried out with adult patients, of both sexes, submitted to RYGB. Weight, BMI, percentage of total weight loss (%TWL), waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM) and diet quality were evaluated before (T0), and approximately in the second (T1) and sixth month (T2) after RYGB. Diet quality was assessed by the Healthy Eating Index. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman's test, with 5% significance level. Results: the final sample consisted of 18 patients, (89% female). %TWL was 16.2% at T1 and 26.7% at T2. There was a significant reduction in weight, BMI, WC, FM, FFM (p<0.001), in total daily calorie intake (p=0.017), and in total fat consumption (p=0.009) over the course of the evaluated moments. The diet was classified as low quality, mainly due to the low intake of cereals, roots, tubers, fruits, vegetables, legumes, meat, eggs, milk and derivatives, not differing between the evaluated moments (p>0.05). Conclusion: in the present study, despite adequate weight loss and reduction of body parameters, subjects submitted to RYGB showed a low diet quality during the follow-up, indicating the maintenance of inadequate eating habits

Introdução: a qualidade da dieta contribui para o sucesso do tratamento da perda de peso após a cirurgia bariátrica. Objetivo: avaliar a perda de peso, parâmetros corporais e a qualidade da dieta durante seis meses acompanhamento de participantes submetidos ao Bypass Gástrico (BG). Método: estudo observacional e prospectivo, realizado com pacientes adultos, de ambos os sexos, submetidos ao BG. Peso, IMC, percentual de perda de peso (%PP), circunferência da cintura, massa gorda, massa magra e a qualidade da dieta foram avaliados antes (T0) e aproximadamente no segundo (T1) e sexto (T2) meses após a cirurgia. A qualidade da dieta foi avaliada pelo Indice da Qualidade da dieta. Os dados foram analisados pela ANOVA de medidas repetidas ou teste de Friedman, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultado: a amostra final foi composta por 18 pacientes (89% mulheres). O %PP foi de 16,2% em T1 e 26,7% em T2. Peso, IMC, circunferência da cintura, massa gorda, massa magra (p<0,001), ingestão calórica diária (p=0,017) e de gordura (p=0,009) reduziram ao longo dos períodos. A dieta foi classificada como de baixa qualidade, principalmente pelo baixo consumo de alimentos dos grupos de cereais, raízes, tubérculos, frutas, vegetais, legumes, carnes, ovos, leite e derivados, não diferindo ao longo dos momentos avaliados (P>0,05). Conclusão: no presente estudo, apesar da adequada perda de peso e redução dos parâmetros corporais, participantes mostraram uma baixa qualidade da dieta durante o acompanhamento, indicando a manutenção de hábitos alimentares inadequados

Body fat estimated by equations based on anthropometric parameters correlates with bioelectrical impedance in patients undergoing bariatric surgery / Gordura corporal estimada por equações baseadas em parâmetros antropométricos correlaciona-se com a bioimpedância elétrica em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica

Introduction: predictive equations to estimate body fat based on simple anthropometric parameters are easy to use in the clinical practice.Objective: to evaluate the relationship between predictive equations based on anthropometric parameters and bioelectrical impedance to estimate body fat in individuals undergoing bariatric surgery.Methods: a prospective and longitudinal study carried out with individuals undergoing bariatric surgery. Body weight, body mass index, waist circumference and body fat percentage estimated by anthropometric parameters and by impedance were evaluated at three moments, one month before, two and six months after surgery. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA for repeated measures with Holm-Sidak ́s post hoc or Friedman test with Tukey ́s post hoc, and Pearson or Spearman correlations, according to data distribution. Significance level adopted 5%.Results: twenty-five subjects composed the final sample. All anthropometric parameters reduced significantly over time (p<0.001). Except for Lean et al equation before surgery, the body fat percentage estimated by other formulas showed a strong correlation with impedance in all moments, with the highest correlation strength observed in Gómez-Ambrosi et al. equation.Conclusion: in the present study, the equations used showed a good correlation with bioelectrical impedance, and the Gómez-Ambrosi et al. equation as a better option to the use of bioimpedance to assess changes in body fat percentage of patients undergoing bariatric surgery for the treatment of severe obesity.

Introdução: Objetivos: analisar o consumo alimentar e os fatores associados ao estado nutricional de crianças menores de dois anos de vida.Método: Estudo de corte transversal realizado com uma amostra de 344 lactentes menores de dois anos de idade e suas respectivas mães, acompanhadas em Unidades de Saúde da Família. As variáveis sociodemográficas, antropométrica das mães e dos lactentes e o consumo alimentar dessas crianças foram avaliadas por meio de questionário estruturado. A força de associação entre as variáveis dependente e as independentes foi avaliada pelo odds ratio, tanto na análise univariada quanto na múltipla, com nível de significância de 5%.Resultados: A prevalência do estado nutricional inadequado foi de 38,08%. Observou que 29,09% das crianças menores de seis meses de idade não chegaram a receber leite materno de forma exclusiva ou o tempo de oferta foi inferior a 30 dias. Notou-se o consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados, principalmente, do suco industrializado no último mês [OR:1,96, IC 95%: 1,05-3,65], baixa ingestão de frutas e o hábito de comer assistindo televisão nos lactentes maiores de seis meses. Após ajuste para variáveis de confusão, permaneceram associadas ao estado nutricional: anemia gestacional [OR: 3,58 IC: 1,46-8,77] e trabalho materno [OR, 0,38, IC 95%: 0,18-0,80].Conclusão: A presença do estado nutricional inadequado, caracterizado pelo baixo ou excesso de peso, associou-se ao fato de a mãe trabalhar e à anemia gestacional. Ademais, constatou-se a participação precoce de alimentos ultraprocessados na alimentação das crianças menores de 24 meses de idade, substituindo alimentos considerados naturais e saudáveis, evidenciando assim práticas alimentares inadequadas frente às recomendações para a faixa etária.

Atherogenic index of plasma is reduced during follow-up among Roux-in-Y gastric bypass patients

ABSTRACT Atherogenic index of plasma is a marker used to assess risk of cardiovascular diseases. The present study evaluated plasma atherogenic index in individuals before and after bariatric surgery. Individuals were evaluated at three time points: before surgery (T0), in the 2nd (T1) and 6th (T2) months post-surgery. Anthropometric (body mass index, waist circumference, fat and lean mass) and biochemical parameters (lipid profile, glucose and C-reactive protein), and atherogenic index of plasma, calculated by the formula [=log (serum triglycerides concentration/HDL cholesterol)], were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman test according to data distribution. The level of significance was 5%. Thirty-four patients agreed to participate. A significant reduction was observed in all anthropometric parameters in women and men (p<0.05). Atherogenic index of plasma reduced significantly in all time points in women; there was a significant reduction only between periods T0 and T2 (p<0.05) in men. A reduction in the classification for risk in cardiovascular diseases, with high risk in T0 (0.441±0.13) to moderate risk at T1 (0.204±0.22) and low risk at T2 (0.041±0.16) was observed in men. In women, the risk remained low (<0.11) in all periods. Bariatric surgery reduced the atherogenic index of plasma during the 6-month follow-up, suggesting a reduction in cardiovascular risk.

RESUMEN El índice aterogénico plasmático es un marcador que se utiliza para evaluar el riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares. El presente trabajo evaluó el índice aterogénico plasmático de pacientes antes y después de la cirugía bariátrica. Los individuos fueron evaluados en tres momentos: antes de la cirugía (T0), el segundo (T1) y el sexto (T2) meses después de la cirugía. Se evaluaron parámetros antropométricos (índice de masa corporal, circunferencia de cintura, masa grasa y masa magra), parámetros bioquímicos (perfil lipídico, glucosa y proteína C reactiva) y el índice aterogénico plasmático, calculado mediante la fórmula [= log (concentración sérica de triglicéridos / colesterol HDL)]. Los datos se analizaron mediante el ANOVA de medidas repetidas o el Test de Friedman según la distribución de los datos. Nivel de significancia adoptado 5%. Treinta y cuatro pacientes aceptaron participar en el estudio. Se observó una reducción significativa en todos los parámetros antropométricos en ambos sexos (p<0.05). En las mujeres, el índice aterogénico plasmático disminuyó significativamente en todos los períodos. En los hombres, hubo una reducción significativa en el índice aterogénico plasmático solo entre T0 y T2 (p<0.05), aunque se observó una reducción en la clasificación de riesgo para enfermedades cardiovasculares de alto riesgo en T0 (0.441±0.13) para moderadas riesgo en T1 (0.204±0.22) y riesgo bajo en T2 (0.041±0.16). En las mujeres, el riesgo se mantuvo bajo (<0.11) en todos los períodos. La cirugía bariátrica redujo la PIA durante el seguimiento de 6 meses, lo que sugiere una reducción del riesgo cardiovascular.

Bioimpedance phase angle is associated with serum transthyretin but not with prognostic inflammatory and nutritional index during follow-up of women submitted to bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Phase angle (PhA) has been used as a prognostic indicator in several clinical situations. However, the use of PhA as a prognostic tool in bariatric patients is less known. The aim of this study was to evaluate PhA as a prognostic index and its correlation with the prognostic inflammatory and nutritional index (PINI) during follow-up of women subjected to bariatric surgery. METHODS: Twenty female volunteers were studied. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), PhA, and biochemical components of PINI [serum C-reactive protein, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, albumin, and transthyretin (TTR) concentrations] were evaluated at three time points: before (T0) and approximately 2-3 (T1) and 6 (T2) months after surgery. One-way repeated measures ANOVA or the Friedman test with Tukey's post hoc test was used depending on data normality. The associations between PhA and the other parameters were evaluated using Spearman's (nonparametric data) or Pearson's (parametric data) correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Phase angle reduction was accompanied by a significant decrease in body weight and BMI at T1 (P < 0.05), but not at T2 (P > 0.05). PINI indicated low-risk complications during the preoperative period and no risk during the postoperative period (T1 and T2). No significant correlation was observed between PhA and PINI (P > 0.05). Regarding its association with the biochemical components of PINI, lower PhA values were significantly correlated with lower serum TTR concentrations (r = 0.633, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Phase angle was not associated with PINI, although lower values were correlated with lower serum TTR, suggesting that PhA reduction is associated with an increased nutritional risk.

Health academy program: association of nutritional knowledge and anthropometric parameters / Programa academia da saúde: associação do conhecimento nutricional e parâmetros antropométricos

Excess weight is strongly associated with the development of chronic non-communicable diseases. Public policies in primary health care should be taken for combating and preventing such diseases, for example, the Health Academy Program. Although the Health Academy Program's goal is to promote health in different approaches, such as physical exercise, eating and behavior, information and knowledge about food and nutrition does not necessarily result in better indicators of nutritional status. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the nutritional status and its association with the nutritional knowledge of volunteers assisted by the Health Academy Program. Ninety-two subjects were submitted to anthropometric evaluation (weight, height, body mass index and waist circumference) and nutritional knowledge, using a Nutritional Knowledge Scale. Excess weight was found in 65% of the subjects and 70% of them presented an increased risk for development of cardiovascular diseases. Most of the subjects presented moderate nutritional knowledge, disregarding nutritional status, and a high amount knowledge was seen only in overweight subjects. No significant association between the analyzed parameters was found. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that most of the subjects evaluated had an increased risk for development of diseases associated to excess bodyweight, and also that nutritional knowledge was not significantly related to anthropometric parameters.

O excesso de peso está fortemente associado com o desenvolvimento das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. As políticas públicas na atenção primária em saúde devem ser priorizadas para o combate e prevenção dessas doenças, destacando o Programa Academia da Saúde. Embora o programa objetive promover a saúde sob os diferentes eixos, como o exercício físico, a alimentação e o comportamento, ter acesso e conhecimento sobre alimentação e nutrição não resulta necessariamente em melhores indicadores do estado nutricional. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o estado nutricional e sua associação com o conhecimento sobre alimentação e nutrição de participantes do Programa Academia da Saúde na cidade de Vitória-ES. Noventa e dois voluntários foram submetidos à avaliação antropométrica ­ peso, altura, índice de massa corporal e circunferência da cintura ­ e do conhecimento nutricional, por meio de uma Escala de Conhecimento Nutricional. O excesso de peso foi observado em 65% dos participantes e 70% apresentaram risco aumentado para o desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares. Um moderado conhecimento nutricional foi observado na maioria dos participantes, independentemente do estado nutricional, e um alto conhecimento apenas em indivíduos com excesso de peso. Não foi observada nenhuma associação significativa entre os parâmetros analisados. Concluiu-se que a maior parte dos participantes avaliados apresentou risco aumentado para o desenvolvimento de doenças relacionadas ao excesso de gordura corporal, e que o conhecimento nutricional não se associou de forma significativa com os parâmetros avaliados.

Whey protein improves HDL/non-HDL ratio and body weight gain in rats subjected to the resistance exercise

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of resistance exercise, such as weight-lifting (WL) on the biochemical parameters of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease risk in the rats fed casein (control) or whey protein (WP) diets. Thirty-two male Fisher rats were randomly assigned to sedentary or exercise-trained groups and were fed control or WP diets. The WL program consisted of inducing the animals to perform the sets of jumps with weights attached to the chest. After seven weeks, arteriovenous blood samples were collected for analysis. The WL or WP ingestion were able to improve the lipid profile, reducing the TC and non-HDL cholesterol concentrations, but only WP treatment significantly increased the serum HDL concentrations, thereby also affecting the TC/HDL and HDL/non-HDL ratios. However, WL plus WP was more effective in improving the HDL/non-HDL ratio than the exercise or WP ingestion alone and the body weight gain than exercise without WP ingestion.

Whey protein precludes lipid and protein oxidation and improves body weight gain in resistance-exercised rats.

BACKGROUND: Resistance exercise such as weight-lifting (WL) increases oxidation products in plasma, but less is known regarding the effect of WL on oxidative damage to tissues. Dietary compounds are known to improve antioxidant defences. Whey protein (WP) is a source of protein in a variety of sport supplements and can enhance physical performance. AIM: To evaluate the effect of WL on biomarkers of lipid and protein oxidation, on liver antioxidants and on muscle growth in the absence or presence of WP in rats. METHODS: Thirty-two male Fisher rats were randomly assigned to sedentary or exercise-trained groups and were fed with control or WP diets. The WL programme consisted of inducing the animals to perform sets of jumps with weights attached to the chest. After 8 weeks, arteriovenous blood samples, abdominal fat, liver and gastrocnemius muscle were collected for analysis. RESULTS: WP precludes WL-mediated increases in muscle protein carbonyl content and maintains low levels of TBARS in exercised and sedentary animals. WL reduced liver CAT activity, whereas WP increased hepatic glutathione content. In addition, WL plus WP generated higher body and muscle weight than exercise without WP. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that WP improves antioxidant defences, which contribute to the reduction of lipid and protein oxidation as well as body and muscle weight gain in resistance-exercised rats.

Effect of an aqueous extract of annatto (Bixa orellana) seeds on lipid profile and biochemical markers of renal and hepatic function in hipercholesterolemic rats

Annatto extract is a natural food color obtained from the outer coatings of the seeds of the Annatto tree (Bixa orellana L.). This is the first report in the literature that shows the relationship between the aqueous annatto extract and its influence on lipid profile in animals. Male Fisher rats were divided into three groups (n=12): C group, fed standard diet and water; H group, fed high-lipid diet and water and; HU group, with high-lipid diet and aqueous annatto extract for 60 days. The treatment with annatto extract in animals fed with the high-lipid diet lowered the LDL- and total cholesterol and raised the HDL-cholesterol, suggesting a hypocholesterolemic effect. Neither high-fat diet nor aqueous annatto extract had any significant effect on serum levels of albumin or serum activities of transaminases which suggested that no liver injury was induced.

Extrato de urucum é um corante alimentar natural que é obtido da casca das sementes do urucueiro (Bixa orellana L.). Este é o primeiro trabalho da literatura que mostra a relação entre o extrato aquoso de urucum e sua influência no perfil lipídico de animais. Durante 60 dias, 36 ratos machos Fisher foram divididos em 3 grupos: Grupo C que recebeu uma dieta controle e água; Grupo H que recebeu uma dieta rica em lipídios e água e; Grupo HU que recebeu uma dieta rica em lipídios e extrato aquoso de semente de urucum. O tratamento com extrato de urucum nos animais alimentados com a dieta rica em lipídios abaixou o colesterol total e a fração LDL e aumentou a fração HDL, sugerindo um efeito hipocolesterolemiante. Nem a dieta rica em lipídios, nem o extrato de urucum tiveram algum efeito sobre os níveis séricos de albumina ou sobre a atividade de alanina aminotransferase e aspartato aminotransferase. Este fato sugere que o consumo do extrato não provocou injúria hepática nos animais.

Influência das proteínas do soro sobre enzimas hepáticas, perfil lipídico e formação óssea de ratos hipercolesterolêmicos / Influence of whey protein on liver enzymes, lipid profile and bone formation of hypercholesterolemic rats

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do consumo das proteínas do soro do leite sobre parâmetros do metabolismo lipídico, hepático e renal, a formação óssea e as defesas antioxidantes de ratos submetidos à dieta hipercolesterolemiante. MÉTODOS: Trinta e dois ratos Fisher adultos foram divididos em 4 grupos, recebendo as seguintes dietas: grupo C, dieta padrão; grupo H, dieta hipercolesterolemiante; grupo PS, dieta padrão e proteínas do soro; grupo PSH dieta hipercolesterolemiante e proteínas do soro. A ingestão alimentar e o ganho de peso foram monitorados semanalmente. Após 8 semanas, o sangue dos animais foi coletado para dosagem bioquímica e os animais foram eutanasiados. Foram utilizados os testes estatísticos, análise de variância e o teste de Tukey. RESULTADOS: As proteínas do soro não reduziram o colesterol plasmático de forma significante, e promoveram um aumento na concentração plasmática de triacilgliceróis nos animais hipercolesterolêmicos. No entanto, reduziram a atividade da aspartato aminotransferase e da fosfatase alcalina, assim como a concentração plasmática de creatinina. Não se observou nenhum efeito sobre as defesas antioxidantes avaliadas. As dietas contendo as proteínas do soro geraram ossos mais pesados, com maior diâmetro e comprimento que as dietas contendo caseína. CONCLUSÃO: As proteínas do soro não apresentaram um efeito hipocolesterolemiante significante em ratos. No entanto, impediram de forma significante a ocorrência de alterações nos parâmetros indicadores das funções hepáticas e renais provocadas pela dieta hipercolesterolemiante. Os dados sugerem também que as proteínas do soro afetam positivamente a formação óssea, quando comparados com as dietas contendo caseína como fonte protéica.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of whey protein consumption on the lipid, hepatic and renal metabolism, bone formation and antioxidant defense system of rats given a hypercholesterolemic diet. METHODS: A total of 32 adult Fisher rats were divided into 4 groups: C group, standard diet; H group, hypercholesterolemic diet; WP group, standard diet with whey protein; WPH group, hypercholesterolemic diet with whey protein. Food ingestion and weight gain were monitored weekly. After 8 weeks, blood was collected for biochemical analysis and the rats were killed. The statistical tests analysis of variance and Tukey's test were performed. RESULTS: Whey protein did not lower serum cholesterol significantly and increased serum triglycerides in hypercholesterolemic rats. However, whey protein decreased the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, as well as serum creatinine. The assessed antioxidant defenses were not affected. Diets containing whey protein generated heavier, thicker and longer bones than casein diets. CONCLUSION: Whey proteins did not have a significant hypocholesterolemic effect in rats. On the other hand, they significantly prevented changes in liver and kidney functions brought about by hypercholesterolemic diets. Data also suggest that whey proteins benefit bone formation when compared with casein diets.

Proteínas do soro do leite: composição, propriedades nutricionais, aplicações no esporte e benefícios para a saúde humana / Whey protein: composition, nutritional properties, appications in sports and benefits for human health

As proteínas do soro do leite, também conhecidas como whey protein, são extraídas durante o processo de fabricação do queijo. Possuem alto valor nutricional, contendo alto teor de aminoácidos essenciais, especialmente os de cadeia ramificada. Também apresentam alto teor de cálcio e de peptídeos bioativos do soro. Pesquisas recentes demonstram sua grande aplicabilidade no esporte, com possíveis efeitos sobre a síntese protéica muscular esquelética, redução da gordura corporal, assim como na modulação da adiposidade, e melhora do desempenho físico. Estudos envolvendo a análise de seus compostos bioativos evidenciam benefícios para a saúde humana. Entre esses possíveis benefícios destacam-se seus efeitos hipotensivo, antioxidante e hipocolesterolêmico. Esta revisão buscou trabalhos que trazem avaliação das propriedades funcionais das proteínas do soro, tanto em humanos como em animais. Apesar das evidências apresentadas, novos estudos, assim como o desenvolvimento de novos alimentos enriquecidos com as proteínas do soro, com o intuito de facilitar seu consumo por grandes grupos populacionais, são necessários para verificar sua real eficácia.

The soluble proteins of milk, also known as whey protein, are extracted during the cheese manufacturing process. They have high nutritional value, with high levels of essential amino acids, especially branched chain amino acids. They also have a high level of calcium and whey bioactive peptides. Recent researches have shown their wide application for sports with possible effects on skeletal muscle protein synthesis, reduction of body fat, as well as adiposity modulation, and improved muscle performance. Researches involving the analysis of their bioactive compounds have also shown benefits to human health. Among these benefits, their hypotensive, antioxidant, and hypocholesterolemic effects stand out. This review has searched scientific articles that evaluate the functional properties of whey protein, both in humans and animals. Despite this evidence, new researches, as well as the development of new whey protein-enriched foods to increase their consumption by the population, are necessary to check their real effectiveness.