Short-term effects of a hypocaloric diet with low glycemic index and low glycemic load on body adiposity, metabolic variables, ghrelin, leptin, and pregnancy rate in overweight and obese infertile women: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is related to hormonal disorders that affect the reproductive system. Low-glycemic index (LGI) diets seem to exert a positive effect on weight loss and on metabolic changes that result from obesity. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of a hypocaloric diet with an LGI and low glycemic load on anthropometric and metabolic variables, ghrelin and leptin concentrations, and the pregnancy rate in overweight and obese infertile women who were undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). DESIGN: The study was a randomized block-design controlled trial in which we analyzed 26 overweight or obese infertile women. Patients were assigned to a hypocaloric LGI-diet group or a control group and followed the protocol for 12 wk. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, serum lipids, reproductive hormones, leptin, acylated ghrelin, number of oocytes retrieved in the IVF cycle, and pregnancy rate were determined. RESULTS: There were greater reductions in body mass, BMI, percentage of body fat, waist:hip ratio, and leptin in the LGI-diet group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Despite a change of 18% in mean values, there was no significant increase in acylated ghrelin concentrations in the LGI group compared with the control group (P = 0.215). The LGI-diet group had 85.4% more oocytes retrieved than did the control group (7.75 ± 1.44 and 4.18 ± 0.87, respectively; P = 0.039) in the IVF cycle. Three patients (21.4%) in the LGI group experienced a spontaneous pregnancy during the follow-up, which generated 3 live births. CONCLUSIONS: The hypocaloric LGI diet promoted a decrease in BMI, percentage of body fat, and leptin concentrations, which improved oocyte development and pregnancy rate. These results support the clinical recommendation to advise overweight and obese women to lose weight through a balanced diet before being submitted for treatment with assisted reproduction technologies. A hypocaloric diet combined with LGI foods seems to be beneficial for these patients, but additional studies are required before this treatment is recommended. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02416960.

Ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin levels in Gaucher disease type I patients on enzyme replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND: Gaucher disease type I (GD type I) is characterized by clinical heterogeneity and is associated with metabolic abnormalities such as increased basal metabolic rate. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin levels in patients with GD type I on enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of patients with GD type I (n = 15), matched for sex, age and BMI with healthy controls. The levels of glucose, insulin, ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin were assessed in both groups. Insulin resistance was defined by the index HOMA-IR. RESULTS: Eight patients had adequate weight, seven were overweight (4 preobese, 3 obese class I). Eight patients presented metabolic syndrome, five of whom with insulin resistance. The median levels of ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin of the patients did not differ from those of the controls. Ghrelin and adiponectin levels were correlated with each other; inversely correlated with BMI, waist circumference and triglyceride levels; and directly correlated with HDL-cholesterol. Leptin levels were inversely correlated with LDL-cholesterol and directly correlated with BMI, waist circumference, enzyme dosage, triglycerides, insulin, and HOMA-IR. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome and overweight appear to be common in patients with GD type I on ERT. As leptin was strongly associated with insulin and HOMA index, it could become a biomarker to assess early evidence of insulin resistance in patients with GD. Further studies are needed to investigate the associations found.

Assessment of Basal Metabolic Rate and Nutritional Status in Patients with Gaucher Disease Type III.

UNLABELLED: Gaucher disease type III (GD III) is a rare form of GD characterized by neurological involvement and severe systemic disease. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status and energy metabolism of patients with GD III. METHODS: The basal metabolic rate (BMR, measured by indirect calorimetry) and anthropometric parameters (height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and arm circumference) of three patients with GD III (p.L444P/L444P genotype) were assessed at different time points. The clinical severity of GD was assessed by means of physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging findings, and the severity scores proposed by Zimran (SSI) and Davies (SSNI). RESULTS: The measured BMR of patients 1 (age 14 years, not on enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), SSI score 33, SSNI score 14.5), 2 (age 17 years, on ERT, SSI score 33, SSNI score 16), and 3 (age 20 years, on ERT, SSI score 33, SSNI score 7.5) was, respectively, 47%, 72%, and 15% higher than that estimated by the Harris-Benedict equation. Patients with a more severe phenotype had more marked hypermetabolism. Patients 1 and 2 had BMI-for-age z scores of -1.09 and -1.39, respectively, and height-for-age z scores of -4.27 and -3.02, respectively; patient 3 had a BMI of 24.7 kg/m(2). CONCLUSION: All three patients showed hypermetabolism; however, the two patients with the highest BMR had more severe GD and were malnourished. Additional studies are warranted to assess whether hypermetabolism may be a biomarker of disease severity in GD.

Effects of imiglucerase on the growth and metabolism of Gaucher disease type I patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Gaucher disease (GD) type I is the most common type of GD. Its main clinical manifestations are hepatosplenomegaly as well as bone and hematological abnormalities. The objective of the present study was to perform a literature review on the growth and metabolism of GD type I patients. METHODS: We searched Pubmed and Scielo.br databases with predetermined study limits: case series (n≥5), clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with alglucerase or imiglucerase. The outcomes of interest were the following: growth and development, weight, height, malnutrition, overweight, obesity, basal metabolism, hypermetabolism, insulin resistance, and diabetes. A total of 175 articles were found, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria; these articles were grouped into three central themes: 1) growth of children and adolescents before and after ERT; 2) metabolic changes that remained during ERT; and 3) changes in metabolic status resulting from the treatment. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The articles included in the present literature review are very heterogeneous, which hinders the analysis of data. They indicated that GD patients usually show low weight and height before ERT, which are improved with treatment in children and adolescents. Studies evaluating the energy metabolism by indirect calorimetry have indicated that the disease is associated with hypermetabolism. In adults, some changes in energy metabolism remain on ERT, and alterations, such as insulin resistance, seem to be associated with the treatment. It is not clear which are the required doses of imiglucerase for obtaining an adequate cost-effective relation, as well as the advisable therapeutic measures to avoid possible long-term adverse effects related to ERT. CONCLUSIONS: ERT tends to normalise the growth of children and adolescents with GD type I, it seems to cause a partial response in relation to some metabolic changes associated with the disease, and it can causes metabolic changes such as weight gain in adult patients. Therefore, additional research is necessary.

Prevalence of overweight in children of obese patients: a dietary overview.

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that eating habits established during childhood related to food intake persist when the child becomes an adult. Parental obesity is positively associated with the development of obesity in the offspring, who tend to become sick and obese young adults during the reproductive phase and end up looking for bariatric surgery in order to reverse the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) already established. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 40 children aged 0 to 10 years, whose mothers underwent bariatric surgery at the Center of Morbid Obesity, Hospital São Lucas, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (COM HSL PUCRS). RESULTS: Among these children, 45 % were overweight and 16 had high waist circumference values. The total energy intake and sodium consumption were above the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for the age group, while dietary fiber and potassium intakes were below DRIs. Obese children had higher percentage of lipid caloric intake (28.3 vs. 25.3 %, p < 0.025), while the non-obese group tended to have an increased consumption of carbohydrate (62.6 vs. 60 %, p < 0.066) when compared to the respective DRIs. The presence of NCDs in children's relatives was 100 %. CONCLUSIONS: There is probably a significantly higher prevalence of obesity among children of morbidly obese parents when compared to the general child population. Since the familial aggregation of NCDs was absolute, these results point to the need for careful evaluation when dealing with children. However, further studies with a larger number of individuals are needed to confirm these results.

Gaucher disease type I: assessment of basal metabolic rate in patients from southern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Gaucher disease (GD) is characterized by clinical heterogeneity and is associated with metabolic abnormalities such as increased resting energy expenditure. OBJECTIVES: To assess the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of patients with GD type I followed at the Gaucher Disease Reference Center of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients (male=6) and 14 healthy controls matched by gender, age and body mass index (BMI) were included in the study. The nutritional status of patients was assessed by BMI. The BMR was measured by indirect calorimetry. In two patients, it was possible to perform BMR in the pre- and the post-treatment periods. RESULTS: Mean age and BMI of patients and controls were, respectively, 32.8 ± 17.6 and 32.1 ± 16.6 years and 23.3 ± 3.1 and 22.4 ± 3.1 kg/m(2). Twelve patients were receiving enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with imiglucerase (mean duration of treatment=5.2 ± 4.3 years; mean dosage of imiglucerase=24.2 ± 7.3 UI/kg/inf). Five patients (36%) were overweight, and nine (64%) were normal weight. Mean BMR of patients on ERT was 27.1% higher than that of controls (p=0.007). There was no difference between the BMR of patients on ERT and not on ERT (n=4) (p=0.92). Comparing the BMR of patients on ERT and their controls with the BMR estimated by the Harris-Benedict equation, the BMR of patients was 6.3% higher than the estimated (p = 0.1), while the BMR of their controls was 17.0% lower than the estimated (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Most treated GD type I patients were normal weight. The patients including those on ERT showed higher BMR when compared to controls. Imiglucerase is probably unable to normalize the hypermetabolism presented by GD type I patients. Additional studies should be performed to confirm our findings.

Fatty acid composition of serum lipid fractions in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the fatty acid composition of serum phospholipid, triglyceride, and cholesterol ester fractions and to analyze the lipid profile of microalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with 72 patients: 37 were normoalbuminuric (urinary albumin excretion rate [UAER] <20 microg/min), and 35 were microalbuminuric (UAER 20-200 microg/min). After 4 weeks of a standardized diet, the fatty acid composition of phospholipid, triglyceride, and cholesterol ester fractions was determined by gas chromatography. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured by enzymatic-colorimetric methods; cholesterol HDL by double precipitation with heparin, MnCl(2), and dextran sulfate; and apolipoprotein B by immunoturbidimetry. RESULTS: Microalbuminuric patients showed a lower proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (24.8 +/- 11.0%), especially of the n-6 family (21.7 +/- 10.5%), in triglyceride fraction than normoalbuminuric patients (34.1 +/- 11.3%, P = 0.001 and 31.4 +/- 11.5%, P < 0.001, respectively). Patients with microalbuminuria also presented higher levels of saturated fatty acids in triglyceride fraction (43.4 +/- 18.0% vs. 34.7 +/- 13.1%, P = 0.022). In the logistic regression analysis, only the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids in triglyceride fraction remained significantly associated with microalbuminuria (odds ratio [OR] 0.92, 95% CI 0.85-0.98, P = 0.019). Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein B levels were similar in normo- and microalbuminuric patients. CONCLUSION: Microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients is associated with low polyunsaturated fatty acid contents in serum triglyceride fraction. This association may represent a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and may contribute to the progression of renal disease.

Effect of a chicken-based diet on renal function and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized crossover trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of replacing red meat with chicken in the usual diet and the effect of a low-protein diet on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), and lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized, crossover, controlled trial was conducted with 28 patients with type 2 diabetes (seven women; mean age 58.1 years): 15 patients were normoalbuminuric (UAER <20 microg/min), and 13 patients were microalbuminuric (UAER 20-200 microg/min). A chicken-based diet (red meat replaced with chicken) and a low-protein diet were compared with the patients' usual diet. Patients followed each diet for 4 weeks with a 4-week washout period between. GFR ((51)Cr-EDTA single-injection technique), 24-h UAER (immunoturbidimetry), apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured after each diet. RESULTS: Normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric patients with diabetes were analyzed separately. In normoalbuminuric patients, GFR after the chicken (101.3 +/- 22.9 ml x min(-1) x 1.73 m(-2)) and low-protein diets (93.8 +/- 20.5 ml x min(-1) x m(-2)) was lower than after the usual diet (113.4 +/- 31.4 ml x min(-1) x 1.73 m(-2); P < 0.05). In microalbuminuric patients, apolipoprotein B levels were lower after the chicken (113.5 +/- 36.0 mg/dl) and low-protein diets (103.5 +/- 40.1 mg/dl) than after the usual diet (134.3 +/- 30.7 mg/dl; P < 0.05). Only the chicken diet reduced UAER (median 34.3 microg/min) compared with the low-protein (median 52.3 microg/min) and usual (median 63.8 microg/min) diets (P < 0.05). Glycemic control and blood pressure did not change after the diets. CONCLUSIONS: A normoproteic diet with chicken as the only source of meat may represent an alternative strategy for treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria.

Perfil do paciente e do tratamento dietético em ambulatório: uma avaliaçäo / Profile of the patient and of the dietetic treatment in the ambulatory: an evaluation

Os autores analisaram 176 pacientes tratados dieteticamente em ambulatório. A obesidade foi encontrada em 152. A dieta foi hipocalórica. A constipaçao intestinal foi encontrada em 41,5 por cento dos 176 pacientes e tratada com inserçao ou incremento de alimentos laxantes, e, quando necessário, com farelo. O funcionamento intestinal normalizou em mais de 50 por cento dos constipados. A perda de peso foi baixa e a duraçao do tratamento curta. Concluíram que na prevençao, através da educaçao e saúde, podem-se buscar caminhos para tentar mudanças no comprtamento alimentar e físico, que poderiam alterar esse quadro.