Restorative effects of (+)-epicatechin in a rodent model of aging induced muscle atrophy: underlying mechanisms.

Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalized age-related skeletal muscle (SkM) disorder characterized by the accelerated loss of muscle mass (atrophy) and function. SkM atrophy is associated with increased incidence of falls, functional decline, frailty and mortality. In its early stage, SkM atrophy is associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and proteasome-mediated protein degradation. These processes also link to the activation of atrophy associated factors and signaling pathways for which, there is a lack of approved pharmacotherapies. The objective of this study, was to characterize the capacity of the flavanol (+)-epicatechin (+Epi) to favorably modulate SkM mass and function in a rat model of aging induced sarcopenia and profile candidate mechanisms. Using 23 month old male Sprague-Dawley rats, an 8 weeks oral administration of the +Epi (1 mg per kg per day in water by gavage) was implemented while control rats only received water. SkM strength (grip), treadmill endurance, muscle mass, myofiber area, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, troponin, α-actin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and atrophy related endpoints (follistatin, myostatin, NFκB, MuRF 1, atrogin 1) were quantified in plasma and/or gastrocnemius. We also evaluated effects on insulin growth factor (IGF)-1 levels and downstream signaling (AKT/mTORC1). Treatment of aged rats with +Epi, led to significant increases in front paw grip strength, treadmill time and SkM mass vs. controls as well as beneficial changes in makers of myofiber integrity. Treatment significantly reversed adverse changes in plasma and/or SkM TNF-α, IGF-1, atrophy and protein synthesis related endpoints vs. controls. In conclusion, +Epi has the capacity to reverse sarcopenia associated detrimental changes in regulatory pathways leading to improved SkM mass and function. Given these results and its recognized safety and tolerance profile, +Epi warrants consideration for clinical trials.

Improving Cardiovascular Risk in Postmenopausal Women with an (-)-Epicatechin-Based Nutraceutical: A Randomly Assigned, Double-Blind vs. Placebo, Proof-of-Concept Trial.

BACKGROUND: Age-adjusted rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are higher in men than in women. CVD risk-factor outcomes are underrecognized, underestimated, and undertreated in women because the clinical expressions in women differ from those of men. There are no universally accepted recommendations on what to do in women when the values of fasting glucose, blood pressure, and lipids are only slightly altered or at borderline values. We reported the positive effects on CVD risk markers using cacao by-products, showing that alternative approaches can be used to prevent cardiovascular disease in women. The objective was to evaluate the changes in lipoprotein subfractions induced by three months of treatment with an epicatechin-enriched cacao supplement. METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study was developed to evaluate the effects of 3 months of treatment with an (-)-epicatechin-enriched cacao supplement on lipoprotein subfractions. RESULTS: The usual screening workshop for postmenopausal women could be insufficient and misleading. Assessing the effect of a (-)-epicatechin-enriched cacao supplement employing a lipoprotein subfractionation profile analysis suggests a decrease in cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSIONS: A simple, low-cost, safe (-)-epicatechin-enriched cacao supplement product can improve the cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.

El VIH y la opresión de los hombres seropositivos con identidades no heteronormativas en Chiapas, México / O HIV e a opressão de homens soropositivos com identidades não-heteronormativas em Chiapas, México / Aids and non-heteronormative HIV-positive men's oppression in Chiapas, Mexico

Resumen A partir de seis entrevistas a hombres con VIH (HV) con identidades no heteronormativas, este artículo explora los cambios y continuidades, después del diagnóstico, en sus sexualidades y expresiones de género. Se focalizó la atención en los condicionamientos estructurales a estas experiencias. Para el análisis, se retomaron elementos de la construcción de género de y la teoría de la estructuración. Se recurre al método de comparación constante, para formar categorías con los patrones encontrados. Los resultados destacan que la opresión estructural a las prácticas sexuales y expresiones de género, se incrementa con la agudización de necesidades materiales y de apoyo, espiritual y psicológico.

Resumo Com base em seis entrevistas com homens com HIV (HH), com identidades não-heteronromativas, este estudo explora as mudanças e continuidades em sua sexualidade e expressões de gênero após o diagnóstico, focalizando as condições estruturais dessas experiências. Elementos de construção de gênero e a teoria de estruturação foram usados na análise. Usando o método de comparação constante para formar categorias com os padrões encontrados. Os resultados mostram que a opressão estrutural das práticas sexuais e expressões de gênero aumentam com o agravamento das necessidades materiais e de apoio espiritual e psicológico.

Abstract Based on six interviews with men with HIV (MH) that have non-heteronormative identities, this study explores transformations and continuities in their sexuality and gender expressions after the diagnosis. The focus was on the structural conditioning of this experience. For the analysis, elements of the construction of gender and the theory of structuring were used. The constant comparison method is used to form categories within patterns found. The results highlight that the structural oppression of sexual practices and gender expressions increases with the exacerbation of material needs and for spiritual and psychological support.

Parejas heterosexuales serodiscordantes en Chiapas, México. La influencia del género en la expresión de la agencia / Heterosexual HIV-Discordant Couples in Chiapas, Mexico. The Influence of Gender in Agency Expression

Resumen Hombres y mujeres heterosexuales con Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH) enfrentan desafíos personales (e.g. miedo a contagiar a otros y al rechazo) y sociales (el rechazo real). Para una persona con VIH (PV), estos son obstáculos en el desarrollo de su vida, especialmente si al formar una pareja, la otra persona no tiene el virus. A partir del supuesto de que las personas no carecen de poder para enfrentar y, ocasionalmente, transformar estructuras sociales, se elaboró este trabajo con el objetivo de explorar y comparar las estrategias seguidas por dos hombres y dos mujeres con VIH, en la formación de pareja, con personas que no tenían reporte (pareja serodiscordante). Los resultados destacan diferencias en las estrategias. Las dos mujeres experimentaron su sexualidad con hombres sin VIH. Sin embargo, ocultaron su diagnóstico a los hombres correspondientes. Tuvieron más dificultades, que los dos hombres, en su afán por mantener una relación de pareja estable. Además, han estado expuestas a riesgos de embarazo no deseado y violencia por ocultar el diagnóstico. Los hombres recurrieron al enamoramiento, para sostener una relación, donde la pareja correspondiente conoció, por información que ellos mismos les proporcionaron, su diagnóstico. Los resultados destacan que hay una inequidad en la disponibilidad de esquemas y recursos, entre hombres y mujeres. Frente al desafío de formar pareja y vivir la sexualidad, después del diagnóstico, las inequidades se reflejan en más dificultades y riesgos en las mujeres.

Abstract: Heterosexual men and women with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) face personal challenges (e.g. fear of infecting others and rejection) and social ones (real rejection). For a person with HIV (VP), these are obstacles in the development of their life, especially if forming a couple, where the other person does not have the virus. Based on the assumption that people do not lack the power to confront and occasionally transform social structures, this study was carried out in order to explore and compare the strategies followed by two men and two women with HIV, in forming couples, with people who did not have it (HIV-discordant couple). The results highlight differences in strategies.Although the two women experienced their sexuality with men without HIV, to do so, they hid their diagnosis from their prospective partners. They had more difficulties than the two men, in their eagerness to maintain a stable couple relationship. In addition, they were exposed to risks of unwanted pregnancy and violence, for hiding the diagnosis.The men resorted to falling in love, to sustain a relationship, where the corresponding partner knew their diagnosis, from information that the men themselves gave them. The results highlight that there is inequity in the availability of schemes and resources, between men and women. Faced with the challenge of forming a couple and living their sexuality after the diagnosis, inequities are reflected in more difficulties and risks for women.

La agencia de personas con VIH (PV) que viven en zonas empobrecidas de Chiapas, México / The agency of people living with HIV, living in impoverished areas of Chiapas in Mexico

Resumen Este trabajo tiene por objetivo identificar las dimensiones de la agencia (presente, pasado y futuro) de personas con VIH (PV) en comunidades de Chiapas, México. La agencia es la capacidad para responder a los desafíos que se suscitan en la vida con los recursos que se disponen. Se realizaron 20 entrevistas (12 hombres y 8 mujeres) a personas que viven con el virus (PV) que habían recibido el diagnóstico al menos un año antes de la entrevista; rango de edad 21 a 59 años. Se siguió un guión de preguntas abiertas. Resultados: las PV, participan en la familia extensa para cubrir necesidades que trae el padecimiento. Discusión: Las PV no carecen de poder para enfrentar los desafíos relacionados con la salud y el estigma asociado al VIH.

Abstract This paper aims to identify the dimensions of the agency (present past and future) in people with HIV (PV) in communities of Chiapas/México. The agency is the capacity to respond to the challenges that arise in life with resources that are available. Twenty interviews were conducted (12 men and 8 women) to people that lve with the virus (PV) who had received the diagnosis at least one year earlier with an age range from 21 to 59 years. A script of open questions followed. Results: PV participate within the extended family to meet the needs of the disease. Discussion: People with HIV do not lack the power to address health challenges and HIV-related stigma.

Concepciones culturales sobre el dengue en contextos urbanos de México / Cultural conceptions on dengue in urban contexts in Mexico

OBJETIVO: Explorar las dimensiones conceptuales del dengue en contexto urbano, a fin de generar hipótesis sobre actitudes comunitarias relacionadas a campañas preventivas. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal exploratorio realizado entre marzo y abril de 2003 con 130 personas seleccionadas por muestreo propositivo en tres municipios con distintas prevalencias de dengue en México. Se aplicaron entrevistas semiestructuradas mediante técnicas de listados libres, sorteo de montones y triadas. Se indagaron términos asociados al dengue y grupos de dimensiones conceptuales. Se aplicó análisis de consenso mediante factorización de componentes principales y análisis dimensional mediante conglomerados jerárquicos y escalas multidimensionales. RESULTADOS: El modelo de consenso mostró alta homogeneidad en las concepciones del dengue (valores de 14.5 y 13.5 en los contextos de más prevalencia y de 5.4 en el de menor prevalencia). Las dimensiones comunes en las concepciones fueron: medidas de prevención, síntomas, causas y reservorios de Aedes aegypti (valor de verosimilitud: stress<0.28). En los tres contextos, predominó una concepción de la prevención basada en acciones públicas de autoridades sanitarias, mientras que las acciones individuales y comunitarias casi no se mencionaron. En la concepción también apareció una dimensión moral basada en una noción de higiene como mecanismo diferenciador de la comunidad cercana (limpia) frente a personas y comunidades externas (sucias y enfermas). CONCLUSIONES: Las concepciones culturales del dengue desfavorecen la participación comunitaria autogestiva en las campañas preventivas verticales y generan barreras para la modificación de prácticas comunitarias e individuales de prevención y control.