Markers of oxidative stress in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

During the postmenopausal period, there are metabolic alterations that predispose individuals to metabolic syndrome (MS), oxidative stress (OS), and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to compare the concentrations of OS markers in postmenopausal women with and without MS. Malondialdehyde, carbonyl groups, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were quantified. We conducted a cross-sectional study: Group 1 (n = 42) included women without MS, and Group 2 (n = 58) comprised women with MS. Participants' age was similar between groups. Glucose, insulin, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, triglycerides, uric acid, and body mass index were significantly lower in postmenopausal women without MS. OS markers were significantly lower in Group 1 vs. Group 2: malondialdehyde, 31.32 ± 14.93 vs. 40.27 ± 17.62 pmol MDA/mg dry weight (p = .01); protein carbonylation, 6325 ± 1551 vs. 7163 ± 1029 pmol PC/mg protein (p = .0003); and TAC, 1497 ± 297.3 vs. 1619 ± 278.8 pmol Trolox equivalent/mg protein (p = .041). OS markers were significantly higher in postmenopausal women with MS. Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Oxidative stress has been implicated in numerous disease processes; however, information on the relationship between oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women remains limited.What do the results of this study add? Our results indicate that in postmenopausal Mexican women, oxidative stress markers were significantly lower in those without metabolic syndrome, whereas total antioxidant capacity was higher in those with metabolic syndrome, which could be explained as an antioxidant defense mechanism capable of neutralising excess oxidative damage markers.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study is of interest to a broad audience because it compares the concentrations of oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women with and without metabolic syndrome. Our study could support intervention with supplements or foods rich in antioxidants as lifestyle modifications in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

The Medical Training Evaluation Questionnaire (MeTrE-Q): a multidimensional self-report instrument for assessing the quality of midwifery students' education.

This study aims to understand the factors that can hinder Italian midwifery students' educational process, what messages are given to students during their clinical practice, and how students interact with tutors and other professionals. Seven hundred and eighty Italian students of midwifery were asked to answer an Internet-based questionnaire regarding their own opinions concerning their theoretical-practical formative path. For male Italian students, satisfaction is lower than female students as well as for students from Southern than Northern Italy. Students are dissatisfied with the quality of their academic and practical training, particularly regarding recognising their professional role and their relationship with tutors. Based on these data, it is essential to design a formative path for midwives that considers students' opinions and the positive experiences of other countries.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Several studies underscore the poor preparation of students for learning in clinical settings. The current reality of the Italian academic path in most universities disregards midwifery students' expectations and formative needs.What do the results of this study add? For male Italian students, satisfaction is lower than for female students and students from Southern than Northern Italy. Students are dissatisfied with the quality of their academic and practical training, particularly regarding recognising their professional role and their relationship with tutors.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? It is essential to design a formative path for midwives that considers students' opinions and other countries' positive experiences.

Intensive Medical Nutrition Therapy Alone or with Added Metformin to Prevent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among High-Risk Mexican Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of intensive medical nutrition therapy (MNT) plus metformin in preventing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among high-risk Mexican women. An open-label randomized clinical trial was conducted. Inclusion criteria were pregnant women with three or more GDM risk factors: Latino ethnic group, maternal age >35 years, body mass index >25 kg/m2, insulin resistance, and a history of previous GDM, prediabetes, a macrosomic neonate, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes. Women before 15 weeks of gestation were assigned to group 1 (n = 45): intensive MNT-plus metformin (850 mg twice/day) or group 2 (n = 45): intensive MNT without metformin. Intensive MNT included individual dietary counseling, with ≤50% of total energy from high carbohydrates. The primary outcome was the GDM incidence according to the International Association of Diabetes Pregnancy Study Groups criteria. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics and adverse perinatal outcomes between the groups. The GDM incidence was n = 11 (24.4%) in the MNT plus metformin group versus n = 7 (15.5%) in the MNT without metformin group: p = 0.42 (RR: 1.57 [95% CI: 0.67-3.68]). There is no benefit in adding metformin to intensive MNT to prevent GDM among high-risk Mexican women. Clinical trials registration: NCT01675310.

Suplementos nutricionales para prevención de diabetes mellitus gestacional: lecciones aprendidas basadas en la evidencia.

INTRODUCTION: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects between 5 and 40% of pregnant women. Recently different interventions with nutritional supplements have been evaluated for prevention of GDM. AIM: To perform a synthesis of the evidence on the efficacy of nutritional supplements (myo-inositol, probiotics, and vitamin D) in the prevention of GDM. METHODS: A systematic search in PubMed and Cochrane library was performed, including systematic reviews of randomized clinical trials (RCTs), published in English or Spanish until May 2020, using the keywords: "prevention", "gestational diabetes", "hyperglycemia and pregnancy", "supplementation", "probiotics", "myo-inositol" and "vitamin D". RESULTS: 10 systematic reviews that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Myo-inositol supplementation compared to placebo decreased the incidence of GDM (RR: 0.44 [0.27-0.87]; five RCTs), low quality of evidence. Although the supplementation with vitamin D or probiotics during pregnancy could reduce the incidence of GDM the evidence is limited. CONCLUSIONS: Myo-inositol supplementation is effective for prevention of GDM in high-risk women. Supplementation with vitamin D or probiotics probably decreases the incidence of GDM.

INTRODUCTION: La diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) afecta a entre el 5 y el 40% de mujeres embarazadas. Recientemente se han evaluado diferentes intervenciones con suplementos nutricionales para prevenir la DMG. OBJETIVO: Realizar una síntesis de la evidencia sobre eficacia de suplementos nutricionales (mioinositol, probióticos y vitamina D) para prevenir DMG. MÉTODO: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en PubMed y la biblioteca Cochrane, se incluyeron revisiones sistemáticas de estudios clínicos aleatorizados (ECAs), publicados en idioma inglés o español hasta mayo de 2020; se utilizaron las palabras clave: "prevención", "diabetes gestacional", "hiperglicemia y embarazo", "suplementación", "probióticos", "mio-inositol" y "vitamina D". RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 10 revisiones sistemáticas que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. La suplementación con mioinositol comparado con placebo disminuyó la incidencia de DMG (RR: 0.44; IC 95%: 0.27-0.87; cinco ECAs). Si bien la suplementación con vitamina D o probióticos durante el embarazo podría disminuir la incidencia de DMG, la evidencia es limitada. CONCLUSIONES: La suplementación con mioinositol es efectiva para prevenir DMG en mujeres de alto riesgo. La suplementación con vitamina D o probióticos probablemente disminuye la incidencia de DMG.

Impacto de la suplementación con ácidos grasos omega-3 en el embarazo y la reducción del riesgo de parto pretérmino.

Preterm labor accounts for more than 85% of perinatal morbidity, frequently requiring intensive care and presenting complications that can have consequences throughout the individual's life. More than half of preterm delivery cases have unknown causes and therefore no clear preventable etiology. From observation in epidemiological studies that demonstrated longer pregnancies in populations with high consumption of marine oils, attempts have been made to define the benefit of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) prevention in premature childbirth through randomized clinical trials, as well as its preventive value. This review discusses the relationship between prenatal supplementation of n-3 long chain PUFA during pregnancy and the incidence of preterm delivery.

El parto prematuro protagoniza más del 85% de la morbilidad perinatal, requiere con frecuencia cuidados intensivos y presenta complicaciones que pueden tener consecuencias a lo largo de la vida del individuo. Más de la mitad de los casos de parto pretérmino tienen causas desconocidas y por lo tanto ninguna etiología clara prevenible. Desde la observación en estudios epidemiológicos que demostraron embarazos más largos en poblaciones con alto consumo de aceites marinos se ha tratado de definir por medio de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados el beneficio de suplementos de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados omega-3 (AGPI n-3) prevenir el parto prematuro, así como su valor preventivo. Esta revisión discute la relación entre la suplementación prenatal de n-3 de cadena larga durante el embarazo y la incidencia de parto prematuro.

Uso de mioinositol más Bifidobacterium lactis y Lactobacillus rhamnosus para la prevención de diabetes mellitus gestacional en mujeres mexicanas.

AIM: To compare the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in women with three or more risk factor to developing GDM supplemented with myo-inositol plus probiotics versus women care without supplementation. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, group 1, women with supplementation (myo-inositol 2g plus Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus 5x108 UFC, twice per day, from 12-14 to 28 weeks of gestation; group 2, women with prenatal care without supplementation, matched by age and body mass index (BMI). The primary outcome was the incidence of GDM using the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria. RESULTS: Group 1 n=48, group 2 n=96. There were no significant baseline differences between groups in age, BMI and number of risk factors. The incidence of GDM in group 1 was n=14 (29.2%), and for group 2 n=46 (47.9%); RR: 0.61 (95% CI: 0.37-0.99; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation from 12-14 weeks of gestation with myo-inositol plus probiotics decrease the incidence of GDM in Mexican women.

OBJETIVO: Comparar la incidencia de diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) en mujeres con tres o más factores de riesgo para desarrollar DMG suplementadas con mioinositol más probióticos versus mujeres sin suplementación.­. MATERIAL Y ­MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, grupo 1, mujeres con suplementación (mioinositol 2 g más Bifidobacterium lactis y Lactobacillus rhamnosus 5x108unidades formadoras de colonias, dos veces al día, de las 12-14 hasta las 28 semanas de gestación); grupo 2, mujeres con control prenatal habitual sin suplementación, pareadas por edad e índice de masa corporal (IMC). El resultado primario fue la incidencia de DMG utilizando los criterios de la Asociación Internacional de Grupos de Estudio de Diabetes y Embarazo. RESULTADOS: Grupo 1, n = 48, y grupo 2 n = 96. No hubo diferencias significativas en características basales como edad, IMC, y numero de factores de riesgo entre los grupos. La incidencia de DMG en el grupo 1 fue n = 14 (29.2%) y en el grupo 2 n = 46 (47.9%); RR: 0.61 (IC 95%: 0.37-0.99; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONES: La suplementación desde las 12-14 semanas de gestación con mioinositol más probióticos disminuye la incidencia de DMG en mujeres mexicanas.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Mexican Pregnant Women: Is Supplementation with ≤400 IU/day Enough?

Controversy remains surrounding vitamin D routine supplementation in healthy pregnancy, and the doses are unclear. The aim of this study was to describe maternal vitamin D status throughout pregnancy in a group of Mexican women and evaluate the effect of frequently prescribed doses of vitamin D3 on longitudinal 25-OH-D concentrations, adjusting for obesity, season, and other factors. We conducted a cohort study (Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-INPer) (2017-2020)) of healthy pregnant women without complications. Pregestational overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥ 25), vitamin D3 supplementation (prescribed by physician; 0-250, 250-400, and >400 IU/day), and serum 25-OH-D concentrations (ELISA) were evaluated in each trimester of pregnancy. Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency was computed (<20 and <30 ng/mL, respectively). We studied 141 adult women; 58.5% had pregestational obesity or overweight. In the first trimester, 45.8% of the women were supplemented with vitamin D3; 51.4% had vitamin D insufficiency and 37.3%, deficiency. In the third trimester, 75.4% of the women were supplemented, and 20% of them still had deficiency. The final general mixed linear model showed that 25-OH-D significantly increased throughout pregnancy (p < 0.001); the highest increase was observed in the third trimester in women with doses >400 IU/day of vitamin D3 (+4 ng/mL, 95% CI: 1.72-8.11 ng/mL). In winter/autumn, 25-OH-D concentrations were also lower (p ≤ 0.05). In this group of pregnant Mexican women, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was high. A higher increase in 25-OH-D concentrations during pregnancy was observed when the women were supplemented with >400 IU/day. Common supplementation doses of 250-400 IU/day were insufficient for achieving an adequate maternal vitamin D status.

Diet and Nutritional Interventions with the Special Role of Myo-Inositol in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Management. An Evidence-Based Critical Appraisal.

BACKGROUND: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), defined as glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy, represents one of the most common maternal-fetal complications during pregnancy and it is associated with poor perinatal outcomes. To date, GDM is a rising condition over the last decades coinciding with the ongoing epidemic of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to discuss the role of diet and nutritional interventions in preventing GDM with the explanation of the special role of myo-inositol (MI) in this matter. METHODS: We performed an overview of the most recent literature data on the subject with particular attention to the effectiveness of diet and nutritional interventions in the prevention of GDM with the special role of MI. RESULTS: Nutritional intervention and physical activity before and during pregnancy are mandatory in women affected by GDM. Moreover, the availability of insulin-sensitizers such as different forms of inositol has dramatically changed the scenario, allowing the treatment of several metabolic diseases, such as those related to glucose dysbalance. Although the optimal dose, frequency, and form of MI administration need to be further investigated, diet supplementation with MI appears to be an attractive alternative for the GDM prevention as well as for the reduction of GDM-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: More studies should be conducted to prove the most effective nutritional intervention in GDM. Regarding the potential effectiveness of MI, further evidence in multicenter, randomized controlled trials is needed to draw firm conclusions.