Antitumor effect of selenium-rich Brazil nuts and selenomethionine dietary supplementation on pre-existing 4T1 mammary tumor growth in mice.

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient known to play an important role in the antioxidant system that can potentially influence tumor growth. We aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Se supplementation after detection of 4T1 mammary tumor growth in BALB/c mice. Thirty female mice received subcutaneous inoculation of 4T1 cells. After five days, all animals presenting palpable tumors were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group (Se-control) receiving a diet with adequate Se (0.15 mg/kg) and two other groups that received Se-supplemented diets (1.4 mg/kg of total Se) with either Brazilian nuts (Se-Nuts) or selenomethionine (SeMet). Data were assessed by either One or Two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD or Bonferroni's post hoc tests, respectively. Both Se-supplemented diets reduced tumor volume from the thirteenth day of feeding compared with the Se-adequate (control) diet (p < 0.05). The SeMet group presented a higher Se blood concentration (p < 0.05) than the Se-control group, with the Se-Nuts group presenting intermediate values. Selenoprotein P gene expression in the liver was higher in the Se-Nuts group than in the Se-control group (p < 0.05), while the SeMet group presented intermediate expression. Dietary Se supplementation, starting after detection of 4T1 palpable lesions, reduced tumor volume in mice.

Fatty acids composition and in vivo biochemical effects of Aleurites moluccana seed (Candlenut) in obese wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Candlenut (CN) has been used indiscriminately for weight loss. In vivo effects of CN in different doses are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of CN ingestion in obese rats. DESIGN: Thirty animals (obese and non-obese) received one of three different types of treatments: placebo, CN ingestion in a popular therapeutic regimen (8 days with oral administration of 0.2 mg/kg followed by 20 days with doses of 0.4 mg/kg), and ingestion of a doubled popular dose-called 2CN. Treatment was maintained for 28 days. RESULTS: The fatty acid profile of CN indicated mainly linolelaidic and palmitoleic acids. Rats receiving CN and 2CN showed reduced plasmatic levels of glucose and lipoproteins (p < 0.05). A dose-dependent carcass fat reduction was observed (p < 0.05). Blood levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) reduced with CN and increased with 2CN doses (p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the atherogenic index remained similar among all treatments (p > 0.05). Hepatic vacuolation decreased with CN, but the 2CN dose produced mononuclear leucocyte infiltrate. CONCLUSIONS: Although CN presented beneficial effects on the metabolism of rats, it also caused increased risk of liver damage.

Benefits of Fish Oil Consumption over Other Sources of Lipids on Metabolic Parameters in Obese Rats.

This study evaluated the effect of the consumption of different levels and sources of lipids on metabolic parameters of Wistar rats. Animals were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) containing 20% of lard for 12 weeks to cause metabolic obesity. Subsequently, the animals were divided into six groups and were fed diets with lipid concentrations of 5% or 20% of lard (LD), soybean oil (SO) or fish oil (FO), for 4 weeks. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (two-way) followed by Tukey post hoc test (p < 0.05). The groups that consumed FO showed less weight gain and lower serum levels of triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterol and fractions, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, atherogenic index, less amount of fat in the carcass, decreased Lee index and lower total leukocyte counting (p < 0.05). These same parameters were higher in LD treatment (p < 0.05). In the concentration of 20%, carcass fat content, blood glucose levels, as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) decreased in FO groups (p < 0.05). The SO group had intermediate results regarding the other two treatments (FO and LD). We concluded that fish oil intake was able to modulate positively the metabolic changes resulting from HFD.

Exercise and Beta-Glucan Consumption (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Improve the Metabolic Profile and Reduce the Atherogenic Index in Type 2 Diabetic Rats (HFD/STZ).

Physical activity and the ingestion of dietary fiber are non-drug alternatives commonly used as adjuvants to glycemic control in diabetic individuals. Among these fibers, we can highlight beta-glucans. However, few studies have compared isolated and synergic effects of physical exercise and beta-glucan ingestion, especially in type 2 diabetic rats. Therefore, we evaluated the effects beta-glucan (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) consumption, associated or not to exercise, on metabolic parameters of diabetic Wistar rats. The diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced by high-fat diet (HFD) associated with a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ-35 mg/kg). Trained groups were submitted to eight weeks of exercise in aquatic environment. In the last 28 days of experiment, animals received 30 mg/kg/day of beta-glucan by gavage. Isolated use of beta-glucan decreased glucose levels in fasting, Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), the atherogenic index of plasma. Exercise alone also decreased blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and renal lesions. An additive effect for reducing the atherogenic index of plasma and renal lesions was observed when both treatments were combined. It was concluded that both beta-glucan and exercise improved metabolic parameters in type 2 (HFD/STZ) diabetic rats.

Adaptation to physical training in rats orally supplemented with glycerol.

We evaluated training adaptation and physical performance parameters in rats orally supplemented with glycerol, glucose, or saline, and submitted to moderate aerobic exercise. Thirty male rats were trained for 6 weeks and administered the supplements during the last 4 weeks of the experiment. Animals were distributed in a completely randomized factorial 2 × 3 design (with or without exercise and 3 substrates). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were compared using the Student-Newmann-Keuls test at 5%. Among the trained animals, none of the substances caused differences in the percentages of protein, fat, or water content in the carcass. Compared with the sedentary animals, the trained animals supplemented with saline and glucose showed a higher protein percentage in the carcass. The relative mass of the heart and adrenal glands was higher in the trained animals. Glycerol improved the protein content in non-trained animals and increased the relative adrenal mass in both groups. Glycerol reduced the variation in levels of lactate and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) during the last exercise session. There was no difference between groups regarding the relative mass of the thymus and gastrocnemius or with the diameter of muscle fibers or the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. Supplementation with glycerol was efficient at attenuating variation in AST and lactate levels during exercise.

Metabolic effects of glycerol supplementation and aerobic physical training on Wistar rats.

We evaluated the effects of oral glycerol supplementation on trained rats fed a normal diet. Wistar rats were distributed among 6 groups in a completely randomized 2 × 3 factorial design. The animals were subjected to 6 weeks of aerobic training. In the last 4 weeks, the animals' diet was supplemented with saline, glucose, or glycerol. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Student-Newmann-Keuls test, with values for P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. The change in body mass was lower in the trained groups, and their food and water consumption were higher. Glycerol supplementation resulted in an increase in the levels of triacylglycerol (TAG) and total cholesterol, as well as in the area and diameter of adipocytes. When associated with training, these parameters were similar to those of other trained groups. Levels of low-density lipoprotein + very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased in the trained animals that received glycerol compared with the non-trained ones. Glycerol consumption caused a reduction in food intake and increased the villous:crypt (V:C) ratio. No changes in glycemia, high density lipoproteins, or density of adipocytes were observed. Supplementation with glycerol together with aerobic physical training promoted beneficial metabolic effects. However, in non-trained rats glycerol increased the diameter and area of adipocytes, as well as the levels of TAG and total cholesterol.

Experiência subjetiva de idosas durante exercício em ambiente virtual / Subjective experience of older women during exercise in virtual condition / Experiencia subjetiva de mujeres ancianas durante el ejercicio en el ambiente virtual

Os objetivos desse estudo quali-quantitativo foram verificar as experiências subjetivas relacionadas ao exercício em idosas antes e depois da realização de atividade física em ambientes real e virtual, bem como a preferência pelo ambiente. A amostra foi composta por 20 idosas (71,1±6,5 anos) que executaram sessões de dança nos dois ambientes e responderam ao instrumento Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES) antes e depois da prática. Na situação virtual foi utilizado o jogo Just Dance I do console Wii® da Nintendo. Na situação real, cada participante reproduziu os mesmos movimentos demonstrados pela pesquisadora. Para a análise dos dados da SEES foram utilizados os testes Wilcoxon e Mann-Whitney (p<0,05). Houve redução significativa na pontuação da subescala distress psicológico da SEES após ambas as situações experimentais e aumento no bem-estar positivo apenas em ambiente virtual. A maioria das idosas escolheu o ambiente real como o preferido.

This quali-quantitative study aimed to verify subjective exercise experiences of older women before and after exercise sessions in actual and virtual conditions, as well as, the preferred exercise condition. The sample was composed by 20 older women (71.1±6.5 years-old) who practiced dance sessions in actual and virtual conditions, and answered the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES) before and after the activity. In virtual condition it was used the virtual game Just Dance I from the Nintendo Wii® console. In actual condition participants reproduced the same game movements, as demonstrated by the researcher. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analyses (p<0.05). Significant decrease was observed in the psychological distress score of SEES after both conditions. Increase in positive well being score was found only in the virtual condition. Most of the older women chose the actual condition as the preferred.

Los objetivos de este estudio cuali-cuantitativo fueron evaluar las experiencias subjetivas relacionadas con el ejercicio en mujeres ancianas antes y después de la actividad física en ambientes real y virtual, así como la preferencia por el ambiente. La muestra consistió en 20 mujeres ancianas (71,1 ± 6,5 años) que ejecutaran sesiones de danza en ambos ambientes y responderán al instrumento Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES) antes y después de la práctica. En la situación virtual fue empleado el juego Just Dance I de la consola Nintendo® Wii. En la situación real, cada participante reprodujo los mismos movimientos presentados por el investigador. Para el análisis de los datos de la SEES se utilizó las pruebas de Wilcoxon y Mann-Whitney (p <0,05). Hubo reducción significativa en la puntuación de la subescala distress psicológico de la SEES después de ambas las situaciones experimentales y aumento del bienestar positivo sólo en el ambiente virtual. La mayoría de las mujeres eligieron el ambiente real como el favorito.