AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ABOUT NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTIONS.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyze the scientific evidence of nutritional interventions performed in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review was conducted in the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS, Google Scholar, PubMed, PsycINFO and Periódicos CAPES databases, using a search strategy to identify studies published between January 2003 and March 2018, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Were included studies that described nutritional interventions in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and assessed autistic behavior and/or gastrointestinal symptoms. We excluded other review articles and studies that did not include a control group in the research design. The studies were reviewed for descriptive information, and the quality of evidence was assessed through the GRADE system. DATA SYNTHESIS: 18 studies were included in the review, being 16 randomized clinical trials, 1 case-control study and 1 open-label trial. As a result, the implementation of a gluten-free and casein-free diet was the most used intervention among the studies. Of the total, 10 studies showed a positive association of intervention with the evaluated results, while 8 did not find of a significant association. CONCLUSIONS: Although some authors report progress in the symptoms associated with autism in individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder undergoing nutritional interventions, there is little scientific evidence to support the use of nutritional supplements or dietary therapies in children and adolescents with autism.

Autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review about nutritional interventions / Transtorno do espectro autista: uma revisão sistemática sobre intervenções nutricionais

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify and analyze the scientific evidence of nutritional interventions performed in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Data sources: A systematic review was conducted in the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS, Google Scholar, PubMed, PsycINFO and Periódicos CAPES databases, using a search strategy to identify studies published between January 2003 and March 2018, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Were included studies that described nutritional interventions in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and assessed autistic behavior and/or gastrointestinal symptoms. We excluded other review articles and studies that did not include a control group in the research design. The studies were reviewed for descriptive information, and the quality of evidence was assessed through the GRADE system. Data synthesis: 18 studies were included in the review, being 16 randomized clinical trials, 1 case-control study and 1 open-label trial. As a result, the implementation of a gluten-free and casein-free diet was the most used intervention among the studies. Of the total, 10 studies showed a positive association of intervention with the evaluated results, while 8 did not find of a significant association. Conclusions: Although some authors report progress in the symptoms associated with autism in individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder undergoing nutritional interventions, there is little scientific evidence to support the use of nutritional supplements or dietary therapies in children and adolescents with autism.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar e analisar as evidências científicas de intervenções nutricionais realizadas em crianças e adolescentes com Transtorno do Espectro Autista. Fontes de dados: Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática nas bases de dados MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS, Google Acadêmico, PubMed, PsycINFO e Periódicos CAPES utilizando estratégia de busca abrangente para identificar estudos publicados entre janeiro de 2003 e março de 2018, em língua portuguesa, inglesa e espanhola. Foram incluídos estudos que descreveram intervenções nutricionais em crianças e adolescentes com Transtorno do Espectro Autista e avaliaram sintomas comportamentais e/ou sintomas gastrintestinais, sendo excluídos artigos de revisão e estudos que não incluíram um grupo controle em seu delineamento. Os estudos foram examinados para obter informações descritivas, e a qualidade de evidência foi avaliada por meio do Sistema GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Síntese dos dados: Dezoito estudos foram incluídos na revisão (16 ensaios clínicos randomizados, um estudo de caso-controle e um ensaio clínico aberto). As intervenções e os resultados variaram, entretanto a implementação de uma dieta livre de glúten e caseína foi a intervenção mais utilizada entre os estudos. Do total, dez estudos encontraram associação positiva entre intervenção e resultados avaliados, enquanto oito não encontraram associação significativa. Conclusões: Embora alguns autores exponham progressos nos sintomas associados ao autismo em indivíduos com esse transtorno submetidos a intervenções nutricionais, há poucas evidências científicas para apoiar o uso destas em crianças e adolescentes com autismo.

Inclusion complexes of red bell pepper pigments with ß-cyclodextrin: preparation, characterisation and application as natural colorant in yogurt.

This work aimed to prepare inclusion complexes between red bell pepper pigments and ß-cyclodextrin using two different procedures (i.e., magnetic stirring and ultrasonic homogenisation), to characterise the prepared inclusion complexes and to evaluate the colour stability of a selected complex added to yogurt. The mass ratio of extract to ß-cyclodextrin was 1:4. The formed extract: ß-cyclodextrin complexes and a physical mixture of extract and ß-cyclodextrin were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, particle size distribution and Zeta potential. The obtained data showed that ultrasonic homogenisation resulted in better yield and inclusion efficiency compared to magnetic stirring. The yogurt with the added complex produced by ultrasonic homogenisation showed slower variations for the a(∗) (redness) and b(∗) (yellowness) indices compared to yogurt with added extract, indicating a higher protection of the colour during storage.