Triglyceride-glucose index is associated with poor sleep quality in apparently healthy subjects: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the association between the triglyceride glucose index (TyG index) and sleep quality and to establish a cut-off value for the TyG index based on the prevalence of subjects with insulin resistance (IR). Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study involved Brazilian health professionals (20-59 years). A total of 138 subjects answered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality questionnaire to evaluate sleep quality. They were categorized into two groups: good sleep quality (global score ≤ 5 points) and poor sleep quality (global score ≥ 6 points). Also, we classified the subjects as having a high (>8.08 or >4.38) or low TyG index (≤8.08 or ≤4.38). Results: The majority of the subjects (70%) with high TyG index values (>8.08 or >4.38) reported poor sleep quality (p ≤ 0.001). Those with poor sleep quality had a 1.44-fold higher prevalence of IR (TyG index >8.08 or >4.38) compared to those with good sleep quality, regardless of sex, total cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio, insulin, complement C3, CRP, and adiponectin (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Our data showed a positive and significant association between the TyG index and poor sleep quality. Thus, these findings support the association between poor sleep quality and IR.

Determinants of poor sleep quality in adults during the coronavirus disease pandemic: COVID-Inconfidentes, a population-based study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely affected the health of the global population, with sleep quality being one of the affected parameters. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate sleep quality and its associated factors in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: A population-based cross-sectional serological survey of 1,762 adults in the Iron Quadrangle region of Brazil. METHODS: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess sleep quality. Sociodemographic variables, health conditions, health-related behaviors, anxiety, vitamin D levels, weight gain/loss, and pandemic characteristics were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses using Poisson regression with robust variance were performed to identify factors associated with sleep quality. RESULTS: More than half of the participants reported poor sleep quality (52.5%). Multivariate analysis revealed that the factors associated with poor sleep quality included living alone (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.73), anxiety disorder (PR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.08-1.62), 5.0% weight loss (PR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.02-1.44), 5.0% weight gain (PR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.03-1.55), vitamin D deficiency (PR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.01-1.35), and COVID-19 symptoms (PR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.10-1.52). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that more than half of the participants experienced poor sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors associated with poor sleep quality included vitamin D deficiency and weight changes related to the pandemic.

Polyphenols for improvement of inflammation and symptoms in rheumatic diseases: systematic review

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Rheumatic diseases (RDs) are a group of pathological conditions characterized by inflammation and functional disability. There is evidence suggesting that regular consumption of polyphenols has therapeutic effects capable of relieving RD symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize data from randomized controlled trials on administration of polyphenols and their effects on RD activity. DESIGN AND SETTING: Systematic review conducted at Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in the databases PubMed (Medline), LILACS (BVS), IBECS (BVS), CUMED (BVS), BINACIS (BVS), EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library and in the grey literature. The present study followed a PRISMA-P checklist. RESULTS: In total, 646 articles were considered potentially eligible, of which 33 were then subjected to complete reading. Out of these, 17 randomized controlled trials articles were selected to form the final sample. Among these 17 articles, 64.71% assessed osteoarthritis (n = 11), 23.53% rheumatoid arthritis (n = 4), 5.88% rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia (n = 1) and 5.88% osteoarthritis and rheumatoid (n = 1). Intake of polyphenol showed positive effects in most of the studies assessed (94.12%): it improved pain (64.70%) and inflammation (58.82%). CONCLUSION: Polyphenols are potential allies for treating RD activity. However, the range of polyphenol sources administered was a limitation of this review, as also was the lack of information about the methodological characteristics of the studies evaluated. Thus, further primary studies are needed in order to evaluate the effects of polyphenol consumption for reducing RD activity. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTER: PROSPERO - CRD42020145349.

Farinha de banana verde não altera perfillipídico e inflamatório de mulheres comexcesso de peso / Green banana flour does not alter lipid and inflammatory profile of womenoverweight

A prevalência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, como as dislipidemias, o excesso de peso e as complicações relacionadasao estado inflamatório têm aumentado em todo o mundo. Neste cenário, produtos alimentícios com alegaçõesbenéficas no tratamento e/ou prevenção destas condições surgem como promessas, muitas vezes, sem respaldo científico.A farinha de banana verde (FBV) tem ganhado espaço na mídia como uma possível promotora de efeitos positivos àsaúde, mas não existem estudos controlados sobre seus reais efeitos em humanos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisaros impactos do consumo da FBV no peso corporal, perfil lipídico, parâmetros inflamatórios e no consumo alimentar demulheres adultas com excesso de peso. Foi realizado um estudo de intervenção no qual 25 mulheres adultas com excessode peso consumiram, diariamente, 20g de FBV, durante 45 dias. O protocolo do estudo incluiu avaliações antropométricas,de composição corporal, consumo alimentar, perfil lipídico e determinação de parâmetros inflamatórios séricos. A idademédia das participantes foi 34 anos, com Índice de Massa Corporal médio de 27,7 kg/m². O consumo da FBV não alterouo peso, a composição corporal, o perfil lipídico e os parâmetros inflamatórios. Houve aumento na ingestão de fibras (varia-ção no consumo mediano de 12,72g para 14,16g; p=0,031), embora a necessidade nutricional deste nutriente não tenhasido alcançada (25g/dia). O consumo isolado da FBV não promoveu alterações corporais e metabólicas significativas. Aadoção de medidas isoladas oferece efeitos limitados e deve ser desencorajada como única forma de melhora da saúde.

The prevalence of chronic diseases such as dyslipidemia, overweight and complications related to the inflammatory statehave increased worldwide. In this scenario, food products which claim to be beneficial in the treatment and/or preventionof these conditions arise as promises often having no scientific support. The green banana flour (GBF) has gained mediaattention as a possible promoter of beneficial health effects. However, there are no controlled studies on their real effectsin human studies. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of consumption of GBF in body weight, lipid profile,inflammatory parameters and food consumption in adult overweight women. An intervention study in which 25 adultoverweight women consumed daily 20g of GBF during 45 days was carried out. The study protocol included anthropometricmeasurements, body composition, food intake, lipid profile and determination of serum inflammatory parameters. The meanage of participants was 34 years, with Body Mass Index of 27.7 kg/m². The consumption of FBV did not alter weight, bodycomposition, lipid profile and inflammatory parameters. There was an increase in fiber intake (variation in median intakeof 12,72g to 14,16g; p=0,031), although it has not achieved the needs of this nutrient (25g/day). Isolated consumption ofFBV did not cause significant bodily and metabolic changes. The adoption of individual measures offer limited effects andshould be discouraged as the only way of improving health.

Relation between uric acid and metabolic syndrome in subjects with cardiometabolic risk / Relação entre ácido úrico e síndrome metabólica em uma população com risco cardiometabólico

Objective To identify possible relations between serum uric acid levels and metabolic syndrome and its components in a population with cardiometabolic risk. Methods This cross-sectional study included 80 subjects (46 women), with mean age of 48±16 years, seen at the Cardiovascular Health Program. Results The prevalence of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome was 6.3% and 47.1%, respectively. Uric acid level was significantly higher in individuals with metabolic syndrome (5.1±1.6mg/dL), as compared to those with no syndrome or with pre-syndrome (3.9±1.2 and 4.1±1.3mg/dL, respectively; p<0.05). The uric acid levels were significantly higher in men presenting abdominal obesity, and among women with abdominal obesity, lower HDL-c levels and higher blood pressure (p<0.05). Conclusion Uric acid concentrations were positively related to the occurrence of metabolic syndrome and its components, and there were differences between genders. Our results indicate serum uric acid as a potential biomarker for patients with cardiometabolic risk. .

Objetivo Identificar as possíveis relações da concentração sérica de ácido úrico com a síndrome metabólica e seus componentes em uma população com risco cardiometabólico. Métodos Estudo transversal que incluiu 80 indivíduos (46 mulheres), com média de idade de 48±16 anos, atendidos pelo Programa de Atenção à Saúde Cardiovascular. Resultados As prevalências de hiperuricemia e de síndrome metabólica foram 6,3% e 47,1%, respectivamente. A concentração de ácido úrico foi significantemente maior entre os sujeitos com síndrome metabólica (5,1±1,6mg/dL), comparada a daqueles sem a síndrome ou com pré-síndrome (3,9±1,2 e 4,1±1,3mg/dL, respectivamente; p<0,05). A concentração de ácido úrico foi maior entre homens com obesidade abdominal, e entre mulheres com obesidade abdominal, menores concentrações de HDL-c e maior pressão arterial (p<0,05). Conclusão As concentrações de ácido úrico foram positivamente relacionadas com a ocorrência de síndrome metabólica, bem como de seus componentes, para os quais foram observadas diferenças entre os sexos. Nossos resultados indicam a importância do ácido úrico como biomarcador em pacientes com risco cardiometabólico. .

Qualidade proteica e eficiência alimentar de farinhas integrais de linhaça obtidas de sementes cruas e submetidas a tratamento térmico / Protein and food qualities of brown flaxseed whole flour from the raw and heat–treated seeds

A linhaça é uma oleaginosa que desperta interesse pelo seu alto teor de compostos bioativos e proteínas, embora pouco se saiba sobre as possíveis interferências desses compostos na sua qualidade proteica. Neste estudo foram avaliadas a qualidade proteica e a concentração de compostos fenólicos e de fibra alimentar em farinhas integrais de linhaça marrom crua e submetida ao tratamento térmico (150oC por 15 minutos). A qualidade proteica foi analisada em ratos Wistar recém-desmamados. Houve aumento de 2,4% no teor de fenólicos totais e redução de 10% e 80%, respectivamente, nos teores de hexafosfato e pentafosfato demioinositol, quando a semente foi exposta ao tratamento térmico. O ganho de peso dos animais, o Coeficientede Eficiência Alimentar, o Coeficiente de Eficiência Proteica e a Razão Proteica Líquida foram menores nos animais alimentados com dietas contendo linhaça, em comparação à caseína, porém, o tratamento térmico não interferiu na qualidade proteica da linhaça. Estudos futuros poderão esclarecer se o tratamento térmico utilizado não foi suficiente para inativar os fatores antinutricionais que afetam a digestibilidade das proteínas desse alimento.

Flaxseed is an oilseed that arises concerns for its high contents of bioactive compounds and proteins,although little is known about the presumable interference of these compounds in its protein quality. Thisstudy evaluated the protein quality, and the concentration of phenolic compounds and of dietary fiber inraw and heat-treated (150oC for 15 minutes) brown flaxseed whole flour. The protein quality was analyzedin weaned Wistar rats. When the seeds were exposed to heat treatment, an increase of 2.4% in the totalphenolic contents and reductions of 10% and 80% were observed in the myo-inositol hexaphosphate andpentaphosphate contents, respectively. The weight gain of animals, the Food Efficiency Ratio, the ProteinEfficiency Ratio and the Net Protein Ratio were lower in animals fed with flaxseed-containing diets,when compared with the casein diet, however the heat treatment did not affect the protein quality offlaxseed. Further studies might clarify whether the used heat treatment was not sufficient to inactivate theantinutritional factors that affect the protein digestibility of this food.