In vivo antitumor activity of Euphorbia lathyris ethanol extract in colon cancer models.

Euphorbia lathyris seeds have been used to treat various medical conditions. We previously reported that ethanolic extract from the defatted seed of Euphorbia lathyris (EE) (variety S3201) possesses a potent in vitro antitumor activity against colon cancer (CRC) cell lines. However, the effects of EE on CRC in vivo models and its possible preventive activity have not been elucidated. The aim of this study is to develop an in vivo study to corroborate its efficacy. For this purpose, two tumor induction models have been developed. In orthotopic xenograft model, it has been shown that EE reduces tumor size without hematological toxicity. The ethanolic extract induced an intense apoptosis in tumors mediated by caspase 3. Using the Azoxymethane/Dextran Sulfate Sodium model, a reduction of dysplastic polyps has been demonstrated, showing its preventive power. Furthermore, EE promoted the presence of an eubiotic microbiotal environment in the mucosa of the colon and induced an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity. This fact was accompanied by a modulation of cytokine expression that could be related to its protective mechanism. Therefore, although further experiments will be necessary to determine its applicability in the treatment of CRC, ES could be a new prevention strategy as well as treatment for this type of tumor, being a powerful candidate for future clinical trials.

Influence of the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on the cardiometabolic risk in peri and menopausal women. The Flamenco project.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with reduced morbidity from cardiovascular diseases in the general population. The aim of this study was to assess whether different degrees of adherence to the MD were associated with the cardiometabolic risk in peri and menopausal women. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study included 198 peri and menopausal women participating in the Flamenco project. Validated questionnaires were used to assess menopause health-related quality of life and degree of adherence to the MD (low, medium and high). The following cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed: fat mass percentage, waist circumference, blood pressure and resting heart rate, plasma markers (total cholesterol, high and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C and LDL-C, respectively], total cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, C-reactive protein and fasting glucose), Physical activity levels and smoking status. The degree of adherence to the MD among the study sample was 27%, 40% and 30% for low, medium and high adherence, respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, women with a high adherence to the MD showed lower plasma total cholesterol (p = 0.025), resting heart rate (p = 0.005), LDL-C (p = 0.019), triglycerides (p = 0.046) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.009) compared to those with a low adherence. Likewise women with high adherence to the MD showed lower total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (p = 0.020) compared to those with a medium adherence. The high MD adherence group also showed lower clustered cardiometabolic risk (p = 0.004). Moreover, when analysing specific MD components, whole grain cereals, pulses (both p < 0.05) and red wine (p < 0.01) consumption were inversely associated with the clustered cardiometabolic risk. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that a high but not medium adherence to the MD is associated with a cardioprotective effect in peri and menopausal women. As a low percentage of the sample showed a high adherence to the MD, future research aimed at increasing the adherence to this dietary pattern for a better cardiometabolic status during peri and menopause is warranted.

The associations between physical fitness and cardiometabolic risk and body-size phenotypes in perimenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between physical fitness and body-size phenotypes, and to test which aspects of physical fitness show the greatest independent association with cardiometabolic risk in perimenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study involved 228 women aged 53±5years from southern Spain. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Physical fitness was assessed by means of the Senior Fitness Test Battery (additionally including handgrip strength and timed up-and-go tests). Anthropometry, resting heart rate, blood pressure and plasma markers of lipid, glycaemic and inflammatory status were measured by standard procedures. The harmonized definition of the 'metabolically healthy but obese' (MHO) phenotype was employed to classify individuals. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of the MHO phenotype was 13% but was 43% among the obese women. Apart from traditional markers, metabolically healthy non-obese women had lower levels of C-reactive protein than women with the other phenotypes (p<0.001), and levels of glycosylated haemoglobin were lower in MHO women than in metabolically abnormal non-obese women (overall p=0.004). Most of the components of physical fitness differed with body-size phenotypes. The 6-min walk and the back-scratch tests presented the most robust differences (both p<0.001). Moreover, the women's performance on the back-scratch (ß=0.32; p<0.001) and the 6-min walk (ß=0.22; p=0.003) tests was independently associated with the clustered cardiometabolic risk. The back-scratch test explained 10% of the variability (step 1, p<0.001), and the final model, which also included the 6-min walk test (step 2, p=0.003), explained 14% of the variability. CONCLUSION: Low upper-body flexibility was the most important fitness indicator of cardiometabolic risk in perimenopausal women, but cardiorespiratory fitness also played an important role.

Interval aerobic training combined with strength-endurance exercise improves metabolic markers beyond caloric restriction in Zucker rats.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of interval aerobic training combined with strength-endurance exercise (IASE) and caloric restriction (CR) on body composition, glycaemic and lipid profile and inflammatory markers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-two Zucker diabetic fatty rats were randomised into 4 groups (sedentary + CR; sedentary + adlibitum; IASE + CR; and IASE + adlibitum). Training groups conducted an IASE programme in the same session, 5 days/week for 2 months. Body weight, fat and muscle mass and body water were measured using a body composition analyser. Plasma total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, insulin, adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 and 10 were measured. Blood fasting and postprandial glucose were assessed. Body weight was lower in the CR compared to the adlibitum groups (p < 0.001). Fat mass was lower in the CR compared to the adlibitum (p < 0.05) and in the IASE compared to the sedentary groups (p < 0.001), but IASE increased lean mass (p < 0.001). Triglycerides were lower in the CR compared to the adlibitum groups (p < 0.001) whereas total and LDL-cholesterol and fasting glucose were reduced only in the IASE groups (all, p < 0.001). Phospholipids decreased in the CR compared to the adlibitum (p < 0.05) and the IASE compared to the sedentary groups (p < 0.001). The area under the curve after oral glucose tolerance test, insulin and homoeostatic model assessment were lower in the IASE and the CR compared to the sedentary and adlibitum groups, respectively (all, p < 0.001). Adiponectin was lower in the CR groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Overall, IASE as well as CR were both useful interventions, especially when combined. However, IASE showed greater improvements on body composition, inflammatory and glycaemic profile than CR did.

Stanozolol Decreases Bone Turnover Markers, Increases Mineralization, and Alters Femoral Geometry in Male Rats.

Stanozonol (ST) is a synthetic derivative of testosterone; it has anabolic/androgenic activity, increasing both the turnover of trabecular bone and the endocortical apposition of bone. The present study aimed to examine the effects of ST on bone status in rats by bone mineral content, markers of formation and resorption, bone density, and structural and microarchitectural parameters. Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into two experimental groups corresponding to placebo or ST administration, which consisted of weekly intramuscular injections of 10 mg/kg body weight of ST. Plasma parameters were analyzed by immunoassay. Bone mineral content was determined by spectrophotometry. Bone mineral density (BMD) and structural parameters were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and trabecular and cortical microarchitecture by micro-computed tomography. Plasma Ca, Mg, and alkaline phosphatase were higher, and urinary Ca excretion, corticosterone, and testosterone concentrations lower in the ST group. Femur Ca content was higher and P content was lower in the ST, whereas osteocalcin, aminoterminal propeptides of type I procollagen, and C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen were lower. Total cross-sectional, trabecular, and cortical/subcortical areas were lower in the ST. No differences were observed on BMD and area parameters of the diaphysis as well as on trabecular and cortical microarchitecture. The use of ST increases bone mineralization, ash percentage, and Ca and Mg content in femur. In spite of an absence of changes in BMD, geometric metaphyseal changes were observed. We conclude that ST alters bone geometry, leads to low bone turnover, and thus may impair bone quality.

High-intensity Exercise Modifies the Effects of Stanozolol on Brain Oxidative Stress in Rats.

We analyzed the effects of high-intensity exercise (HIE) and anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) on brain redox status. 40 male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in 4 experimental groups (n=10) with or without HIE and with or without weekly Stanozolol administration. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) and protein carbonyl content (PCC) were assessed. Total superoxide dismutase (tSOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured. Finally, protein expression levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, Quinone 1 (NQO1), NF-E2-Related Factor 2 (Nrf2), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), nuclear factor kappa ß p65 (NF-κß) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 were determined. Brain PCC concentrations were lower in the HIE groups compared to the untrained controls, whereas CAT activity was higher (both, p<0.01). Both HIE and AAS groups exhibited higher expression levels of GFAP and GPx, but lower NQO1 levels (all, p<0.05). There were increased expression levels of NF-κß in the AAS groups (p<0.01). In addition, there was increased expression of Nrf2 in the HIE groups (p<0.001). HIE*AAS interactions were found on TBARs content and GFAP expression, with HIE downregulating and upregulating AAS-mediated increases in TBARs and GFAP, respectively (p<0.05). Overall, HIE appeared to reduce the AAS-mediated negative effect on brain redox status.

Interaction between orexin A and cannabinoid system in the lateral hypothalamus of rats and effects of subchronic intraperitoneal administration of cannabinoid receptor inverse agonist on food intake and the nutritive utilization of protein.

Crosstalk may occur between cannabinoids and other systems controlling appetite, since cannabinoid receptors are present in hypothalamic circuits involved in feeding regulation, and likely to interact with orexin. In this study, an immunohistochemical approach was used to examine the effect of the intracerebroventricular administration of cannabinoid receptor inverse agonist AM 251 on orexin neuropeptide in the hypothalamic system. AM-activated neurons were identified using c-Fos as a marker of neuronal activity. The results obtained show that AM 251 decreases orexin A immunoreactivity, and that it increases c-Fos-immunoreactive neurons within the hypothalamus when compared with the vehicle-injected control group. We also studied the effects of subchronic intraperitoneal administration of AM 251 on food intake, body weight, and protein utilization. The administration of AM 251 at 1, 2, or 5 mg/kg led to a significant reduction in food intake, along with a significant decrease in the digestive utilization of protein in the groups injected with 1 and 2 mg/kg. There was a dose-related slowdown in weight gain, especially at the doses of 2 and 5 mg/kg, during the initial days of the trial. The absence of this effect in the pair-fed group reveals that any impairment to digestibility was the result of administering AM 251. These data support our conclusion that hypothalamic orexigenic neuropeptides are involved in the reduction of appetite and mediated by the cannabinoid receptor inverse agonist. Furthermore, the subchronic administration of AM 251, in addition to its effect on food intake, has significant effects on the digestive utilization of protein.

El entrenamiento de fuerza reduce la acidosis metabólica y la hipertrofiahepática y renal consecuentes del consumo de una dieta hiperproteica en ratas / Resistance training reduces the metabolic acidosis and hepatic and renal hypertrophy caused by the consumption of a high protein diet in rats

Introducción: El consumo de dietas hiperproteicas (HP) podría tener un efecto adverso sobre la acidosis metabólica y la salud hepática y renal. Sin embargo, existen pocos estudios que analicen los efectos del entrenamiento de fuerza sobre los parámetros sensibles de ser alterados por dichas dietas. Material y métodos: Un total de 32 ratas Wistar adultas fueron distribuidas de forma aleatoria en 4 grupos experimentales (n = 8): dieta normoproteica o HP, con o sin entrenamiento de fuerza. Las dietas estuvieron basadas en un hidrolizado de proteína de lactosuero (whey). Tras90 días de diseño experimental los animales fueron sacrificados para los posteriores análisis. Resultados y discusión: El consumo de una dieta HP provocó acidosis metabólica (hipercalcemia e hipocitraturia urinarias, acidificación del pH urinario y niveles elevados de urea plasmática), (P < 0,05), e incremento delpeso de hígado y riñón (P < 0,001). Así mismo, tras el consumo de dicha dieta HP, se redujeron los depósitos de tejido adiposo y los niveles plasmáticos de colesterol y triglicéridos (P < 0,05). El entrenamiento de fuerza mostró un efecto tamponador protector especialmente significativo en la reducción del peso del hígado, riñones, niveles de urea plasmática y triglicéridos plasmáticos y hepáticos(P < 0,001). Conclusiones: El entrenamiento de fuerza redujo la acidosis metabólica y la hipertrofia hepática y renal ocasionada por la ingesta de una dieta HP en ratas a la vez que mejoró el perfil lipídico plasmático y hepático (AU)

Introduction: High protein (HP) diet consumption may adversely affect metabolic acidosis and hepatic and renal health. Despite such potentially adverse effect, there are only few studies analyzing the effects of resistance training on the parameters that could be altered by such diets. Material and methods: A total of 32 adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in 4 experimental groups(n = 8): normoprotein or HP diets, with or without resistance training. Diets were based on a whey protein hydrolyzate, and the experimental period lasted for 90days. Results and discussion: Consumption of HP diets and resistance training significantly affected food intake, body composition and plasmatic levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. Consumption of HP diets led to a considerable increase in liver and kidney weight (P < 0.001),urinary volume and acidity, as well as in the urinary excretion of Ca, with a parallel reduction in the urinary excretion of citrate (P < 0.05). The buffering action of resistance training on such diet-induced alterations was especially evident in the levels of hepatic and plasma triglycerides, plasmatic urea, and in liver and kidney weight (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Resistance training had a protective action against alterations of hepatic and renal health status and some metabolic parameters like hepatic and plasma triglycerides (AU)

[Resistance training reduces the metabolic acidosis and hepatic and renal hypertrophy caused by the consumption of a high protein diet in rats]. / El entrenamiento de fuerza reduce la acidosis metabólica y la hipertrofia hepática y renal consecuentes del consumo de una dieta hiperproteica en ratas.

INTRODUCTION: High protein (HP) diet consumption may adversely affect metabolic acidosis and hepatic and renal health. Despite such potentially adverse effect, there are only few studies analyzing the effects of resistance training on the parameters that could be altered by such diets. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 32 adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in 4 experimental groups (n = 8): normoprotein or HP diets, with or without resistance training. Diets were based on a whey protein hydrolyzate, and the experimental period lasted for 90 days. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Consumption of HP diets and resistance training significantly affected food intake, body composition and plasmatic levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. Consumption of HP diets led to a considerable increase in liver and kidney weight (P < 0.001), urinary volume and acidity, as well as in the urinary excretion of Ca, with a parallel reduction in the urinary excretion of citrate (P < 0.05). The buffering action of resistance training on such diet-induced alterations was especially evident in the levels of hepatic and plasma triglycerides, plasmatic urea, and in liver and kidney weight (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Resistance training had a protective action against alterations of hepatic and renal health status and some metabolic parameters like hepatic and plasma triglycerides.

El método de autoaprendizaje, dirigido por un equipo docente, como vía de adquisición de competencias en alumnos internos del departamento de Fisiología / Independent study, guided by teaching staff, as a means of acquiring skills by students in the Physiology department

Nuestro objetivo consiste en fomentar, entre alumnos internos del Departamento de Fisiología, elautoaprendizaje, el trabajo autónomo y en equipo, espíritu crítico y habilidad para buscar y analizarinformación. A la vez se pretende iniciar a estos alumnos en los sistemas de transferencia deresultados de la investigación básica a la investigación aplicada.Para ello a los alumnos se les proporciona materiales que contienen información sobre las materiasobjeto de aprendizaje y enlaces a diferentes sitios webs de interés relacionados con el tema. En ellos sepromueve la exposición de trabajos y la participación en jornadas especializadas.El uso de estos materiales bajo supervisión del profesorado, ha permitido la mejora del conocimientoen Fisiología y la creación de equipos especializados en diferentes aspectos de la Fisiología. Además,la transferencia de información entre alumnos, ha propiciado que puedan adquirir una visión clara yamplia sobre qué es un trabajo de investigación básica o un trabajo de investigación aplicada, así comola importancia del trabajo en equipo, lo que ha posibilitado que pudieran diseñar pequeñosexperimentos y estudiar su aplicabilidad.Al final del periodo de formación, los alumnos demostraron haber adquirido las competenciasgenéricas CG1, CG3, CG5, CG6, CG11, CG13 y CG15 incluidas en la ficha Verifica para el Grado enFarmacia, así como las competencias específicas para el módulo 5 (Medicina y Farmacología)CEM5.8, CEM5.9 y CEM5.11, concluyendo así que la aplicación de métodos de enseñanza basadosen el autoaprendizaje (bajo supervisión de equipos docentes) constituye una excelente herramientapara la promoción de la adquisición de competencias generales y específicas en el Grado en Farmacia(AU)

Our goal is to motivate students of physiology in the area of independent study, working alone and ingroups, enabling them to develop a critical spirit and skills, and to be capable of seeking and analyzinginformation. At the same time, we seek to introduce these students to the systems of transferringresults from basic to applied research. For this purpose, the students were provided with materialscontaining information on subjects appropriate for independent study, and links to various websites ofinterest related to the subject. The teaching staff promoted the presentation of students’ projects, andencouraged them to participate in specialized workshops. The use of these materials, under theteachers’ supervision, has led to the students acquiring greater knowledge of physiology, and to thecreation of teams specialized in diverse aspects of the subject. Moreover, the transfer of informationamong students has made it possible for them to acquire a keen, broad-ranging view of what isinvolved in a basic or applied research project, and to understand the importance of working as part ofa team. Thus, the students designed small-scale experiments and studied their applicability.By the end of this training period, the students showed they had acquired the generic skills 1, 3, 5, 6,11, 13 and 15 required to be awarded a Degree in Pharmacy, as well as the specific skills necessary forModule 5 (Medicine and Pharmacology), numbers 5.8, 5.9 and 5.11. Accordingly, it can be concludedthat the application of teaching methods based on independent study (under the supervision ofteaching staff) constitutes an excellent tool for promoting students’ acquisition of general and specificskills as part of their studies for the Pharmacy Degree(AU)

Efectos de la intervención nutricional y de otros hábitos de vida en el metabolismo lipídico de pacientes con patología vascular, periférica (fontaine grado ii) / Effetcs of nutritional intervention and lifestyles on lipid metabolism of patients with peripheal vascular disease

La enfermedad vascular periférica (EVP) se caracteriza por arteriosclerosis e isquemia de extremidades inferiores que originan la claudicación intermitente. Los pacientes agrupados en el grado 11 de Fontaine tienen más del 75 por ciento de estenosis orgánica en arterias periféricas y presentan alteraciones en la coagulación y en los lípidos plasmáticos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar de forma controlada la influencia de la ingesta de los aceites de oliva virgen, aceite de oliva refinado y sus mezclas con aceite de pescado, junto con un programa de intervención de hábitos de vida que incluyen recomendaciones dietéticas, ejercicio moderado y descenso del consumo de tabaco, sobre la composición lipidica del plasma, en una población de pacientes con EVP durante un período de 15 meses. El estudio se realizó mediante un diseño aleatorio cruzado en el que 24 pacientes ingerían alternativamente, en períodos de 3 meses, los aceite de oliva virgen, oliva refinado y sus mezclas con un suplemento diario de 16 g de aceite de pescado refinado. Además, se incluyó un grupo control con 13 pacientes que no ingerían de forma habitual estos aceites, aunque sí siguieron el programa de intervención nutricional y de hábitos de vida. Se realizó un estudio de ingesta de alimentos y hábitos de vida cada 3 meses, así como de las modificaciones en la composición lipidica del plasma. Los resultados obtenidos indican que la intervención nutricional individualizada de pacientes con patología vascular por arteriosclerosis consigue que los sujetos incorporen a sus hábitos de vida una alimentación cada vez más sana y equilibrada junto con una disminución del consumo de tabaco y aumento del ejercicio físico moderado, lo que provoca una mejora en su calidad de vida. El consumo del aceite de pescado, conjuntamente con el consumo habitual de aceite de oliva, disminuyó significativamente los niveles de TG plasmáticos comparado con el consumo de aceite de oliva exclusivamente (AU)

The role of phytic acid in legumes: antinutrient or beneficial function?

This review describes the present state of knowledge about phytic acid (phytate), which is often present in legume seeds. The antinutritional effects of phytic acid primarily relate to the strong chelating associated with its six reactive phosphate groups. Its ability to complex with proteins and particularly with minerals has been a subject of investigation from chemical and nutritional viewpoints. The hydrolysis of phytate into inositol and phosphates or phosphoric acid occurs as a result of phytase or nonenzymatic cleavage. Enzymes capable of hydrolysing phytates are widely distributed in micro-organisms, plants and animals. Phytases act in a stepwise manner to catalyse the hydrolysis of phytic acid. To reduce or eliminate the chelating ability of phytate, dephosphorylation of hexa- and penta-phosphate forms is essential since a high degree of phosphorylation is necessary to bind minerals. There are several methods of decreasing the inhibitory effect of phytic acid on mineral absorption (cooking, germination, fermentation, soaking, autolysis). Nevertheless, inositol hexaphosphate is receiving increased attention owing to its role in cancer prevention and/or therapy and its hypocholesterolaemic effect.

Lifestyle changes in free-living patients with peripheral vascular disease (Fontaine stage II) related to plasma and LDL lipid composition: a 15 month follow-up study.

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is characterized by arteriosclerosis and lower extremity ischemia which cause intermittent claudication. Patients grouped in the Fontaine stage II have more than 75% organic stenosis in their large coronary arteries and exhibit a number of alterations in blood coagulation and plasma lipids. The aim of this study was to evaluate an intervention program of lifestyle habits including dietary recommendations, moderate exercise and decreased smoking in a population of patients with PVD for a period of 15 months, with respect to plasma-lipid and lipoprotein composition as well as LDL susceptibility to peroxidation. These parameters are well known risk indicators of arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease. A total 13 subjects diagnosed with PVD (Fontaine stage II) were selected, while a healthy age-matched group (n=20) was used as a reference. This study design was an uncontrolled trial of lifestyle interventions. The group of patients was examined at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months. Patients smoking one or more packets of cigarettes per day at the beginning of the study (54.2%) decreased smoking by as much as 7.7% 15 months later. In addition, physical activity intensified significantly (walking > 1 km: 13.1-77%) and treadmill running increased over the study period while the energy intake decreased by 10%. The percentage of saturated fat in the diet decreased by 10% while the intake of polyunsaturated fat rose, and monounsaturated-fat intake showed a parallel trend to increase; the average intake of cholesterol also fell by 10% and plasma triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol showed a trend to decrease and increase, respectively. No permanent changes in LDL lipid fractions for patients were detected during the follow-up period and no differences between patients and the age-matched reference group were found. The macrophage uptake of plasma-oxidized LDL was significantly higher in patients than in the reference group and no differences due to the intervention period were detected. In conclusion, the education in lifestyle and nutritional habits of patients with PVD led to reduced energy intake parallel with augmented physical activity as well to a fall in plasma triglycerides and a rise in HDL-cholesterol, which are good indicators of a reduced risk of vascular and myocardial complications.

Extra-virgin olive oil increases the resistance of LDL to oxidation more than refined olive oil in free-living men with peripheral vascular disease.

Patients with peripheral vascular disease (Fontaine stage II) are characterized by ischemia of the lower extremities, atherosclerosis and alteration of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. A randomized, two-period, crossover design was used to compare the effects of extra-virgin (VO) and refined olive (RO) oils on plasma lipids and lipoprotein composition and LDL oxidation susceptibility in free-living men with peripheral vascular disease. The oils differed in their antioxidant profile (alpha-tocopherol: 300 vs. 200 mg/kg; phenolic compounds 800 vs. 60) and concentration but not in their fatty acid composition. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups. The first group (n = 12) received VO with which to freely cook all meals for 3 mo, followed by a 3-mo wash-out period; they then received RO for the final 3 mo. The second group (n = 12) consumed the oils in the opposite order. Energy, fat, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and alpha-tocopherol intakes were not different when patients consumed the two oils. Profiles of the major fatty acids in plasma and LDL were not different after consumption of VO and RO. The slope of the line for LDL oxidation vs. the line for copper concentration was significantly higher after the intake of RO than after the intake of VO. Total LDL taken up by macrophages was significantly greater when the men consumed RO rather than VO. We suggest that antioxidants present in VO may protect LDL against oxidation more than does RO in men with peripheral vascular disease.

[Evaluation of the body composition by anthropometry and bioelectric impedance in a group of elderly patients recovering from cerebrovascular accidents]. / Evaluación de la composición corporal por antropometría e impedancia bioeléctrica en un grupo de ancianos en recuperación de accidentes cerebrovasculares.

Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance and anthropometry in 25 subjects, 13 men and 12 women aged 68 +/- 9 with approximately 1 year of recovering from stroke. Most of them with a high independence in their diary activities. The main purpose of this study is to know the body composition of elderly patients with this pathology and how affects the two compartments, fat mass and fat free mass when they are measured by two different techniques anthropometry and BIA. Body Mass Index was higher in women than in men and correlation coefficient (r = 0.6) with body fat per cent was similar with both methods: BIA and anthropometry. The body fat per cent values obtained by BIA showed the same trend to be lower for men than for women and in general were higher than the anthropometric values; the high correlation between the body fat per cent by anthropometry and by BIA support this tendency (r = 0.748, p < 0.01). The comparative studies of ours results in elderly subjects recovered from stroke and the literature data in healthy elderly subjects suggests that this pathology do not lean to important changes in body composition. However, further research is necessary to confirm these results.

Influence of dietary fish on fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane in coronary heart disease patients.

This study examines the effects of dietary fish oil on the fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane in persons with coronary heart disease. Thirty men with myocardial infarction were studied during three consecutive periods, during which they consumed 1) their habitual diet, 2) a diet specially designed to prevent ischaemic cardiopathy, and 3) a diet rich in polyunsaturated fat, in which fish was substituted for meat. At the end of each diet, fatty acid concentrations in the erythrocyte membrane were measured, and a 48 h recall dietary questionnaire was used to determine the types of foods consumed. Despite the increase in the intake of (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), the fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane failed to reflect the greater dietary supply of eicosapentaenoic acid, and showed increased concentrations of stearic (C16) and palmitic (C18) acid. The increase in dietary (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids markedly increased 22:4 (n-6), 22:5 (n-6), 22:5 (n-3) and 22:6 (n-3) fatty acids.

Influence of dietary supplementation with fish on plasma fatty acid composition in coronary heart disease patients.

The effects of dietary supplementation with fish on plasma fatty acid levels were studied in 20 coronary heart disease patients who had suffered acute myocardial infarction. The study was divided into three periods: hospital admission, after 8 weeks on a heart-healthy diet designed for patients with ischemic heart disease, and after 4 weeks on an n-3 fatty acid-supplemented diet in which red meat was replaced with lean and fatty fish. At the end of each period, the subjects responded to a 48-hour recall questionnaire, so that we could assess their compliance with the diet, and blood samples were collected for the determination of plasma fatty acids. Stearic fatty acid was significantly decreased after the fish diet. n-7 and n-9 fatty acids showed no significant changes throughout the study. At the end of the 4-week period when the fish diet was consumed, linoleic acid and its long-chain derivative docosapentaenoic acid (22:5 n-6) were significantly increased. The most notable changes in n-3 series fatty acids at the end of the third period were the significant decrease in linolenic acid and the significant increase in its long-chain derivatives eicosapentaenoic (20:5 n-3) and docosahexaneoic acid (22:6 n-3). These changes in plasma fatty acid levels may have beneficial effects on coronary heart disease.

Influence of dietary fat on the lipid composition of perirenal adipose tissue in rats.

The influence of dietary fat on the composition of perirenal adipose tissue was studied in Wistar rats fed three experimental semisynthetic, isocaloric diets containing different qualities of fat (olive oil, butter and medium chain triglycerides + corn oil). Under these experimental conditions, the saturation index reflects the percentage of fatty acids supplied by each diet; this index was highest in animals fed the diet containing butter and lowest in the group in which olive oil was the dietary fat source. The amount of linoleic acid (the major component of the diunsaturation index) supplied by the diet is directly paralleled by levels of this fatty acid in perirenal adipose tissue, whereas the monounsaturation index in adipose tissues, considered an indicator of the dietary supply of monounsaturated fatty acids in the rat, failed to show a clearly proportional relationship between intake and perirenal adipose tissue levels.

Nutritional availability of magnesium and calcium in magnesium-supplemented diets.

The nutritive utilization of magnesium and calcium was studied using two different formulations of Mg: MgCO3 and an organic dietary Mg preparation. The influence of supplementation with the latter was also studied. The dietary organic magnesium did not modify food intake, which remained adequate in all animals used in the present experiments. Magnesium in both inorganic compound and organic preparation form was well absorbed; furthermore, absorption levels of the latter remained quite stable throughout the different experimental periods. Mg balance in both muscle and femur was similar in all groups studied. Digestive utilization of Ca and Ca content in the longissimus dorsi were higher in animals fed the organic Mg preparation while Ca levels in blood and femur were not affected.