Omega 3 Fatty Acids Supplementation and Oxidative Stress in HIV-Seropositive Patients. A Clinical Trial.

HIV-seropositive patients show high incidence of coronary heart disease and oxidative stress has been described as relevant key in atherosclerosis development. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of omega 3 fatty acids on different markers of oxidative stress in HIV-seropositive patients. We performed a randomized parallel controlled clinical trial in The Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, a public health hospital. 70 HIV-seropositive patients aged 20 to 55 on clinical score A1, A2, B1 or B2 receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were studied. They were randomly assigned to receive omega 3 fatty acids 2.4 g (Zonelabs, Marblehead MA) or placebo for 6 months. At baseline and at the end of the study, anthropometric measurements, lipid profile, glucose and stress oxidative levels [nitric oxide catabolites, lipoperoxides (malondialdehyde plus 4-hydroxialkenals), and glutathione] were evaluated. Principal HAART therapy was EFV/TDF/FTC (55%) and AZT/3TC/EFV (15%) without difference between groups. Treatment with omega 3 fatty acids as compared with placebo decreased triglycerides (-0.32 vs. 0.54 mmol/L; p = 0.04), but oxidative stress markers were not different between groups.

[Breast feeding and systemic blood pressure in infants]. / La alimentación al seno materno y la presión arterial sistémica en el lactante.

INTRODUCTION: Blood pressure levels in childhood influence these levels in adulthood, and breastfeeding has been considered such as a cardioprotective. We evaluated the association between blood pressure levels and feeding type in a group of infants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study in term infants with appropriate weight at birth, to compare blood pressure levels in those children with exclusively breastfeeding, mixed-feeding and formula feeding. The comparison of groups was performed using ANOVA and multiple regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with mean arterial blood pressure levels. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: We included 20 men and 24 women per group. Infant Formula Feeding had higher current weight and weight gain compared with the other two groups (p < 0.05). Systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure levels, as well as respiratory and heart rate were higher in the groups of exclusively formula feeding and mixed-feeding than in those with exclusively breastfeeding (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis identified that variables associated with mean blood pressure levels were current body mass index, weight gain and formula feeding. CONCLUSIONS: Infants in breastfeeding show lower blood pressure, BMI and weight gain.

Daytime sleepiness and quality of life: are they associated in obese pregnant women?

OBJECTIVE: To know the relationship between daytime sleepiness and quality of life during pregnancy according to the weight gain and baseline weight. METHODS: We studied 216 pregnant women (108 obese and 108 non-obese). At first and third trimester of pregnancy they completed the 12-item short-form health survey (SF-12) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Furthermore, in both visits, we evaluated blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and reviewed all medical charts to identify pregnancy complications. RESULTS: Weight gain and mental component of quality of life (MCS-12) in both trimesters were lower in the obese group, whereas ESS was higher. The physical component of quality of life (PCS-12) was only lower in the same group at third trimester. Those women with ESS ≥ 10 at third trimester showed a higher baseline BMI and ESS score, but lower MCS-12 and PCS-12 at third trimester. Baseline and final BMI were positively associated with ESS at third trimester, whereas PCS-12 value in both trimesters was negatively related. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity at the beginning of pregnancy but not weight gain was related to low quality of life and daytime sleepiness at the third trimester of gestation. High BMI but low PCS-12 during pregnancy was associated with daytime sleepiness.

Renal function, renal volume, and blood pressure in infants with antecedent of antenatal steroids.

Steroids have been used for more than 20 years in preterm infants to induce pulmonary maturity; however, some long-term effects have been reported, such as insulin resistance and elevation of blood pressure. The aim of our study was to compare renal volume, renal function, and blood pressure in infants between 12-36 months of age with and without antecedent of antenatal steroid treatment. This was a cross-sectional study comprised of three groups of infants (n = 30, respectively): preterm infants with and without antecedent of receiving antenatal steroids, respectively, and full-term infants. Blood pressure, renal volume, glomerular filtration rate, and tubular function were measured. Blood pressure and cystatin C levels and glomerular filtration rate were higher in both groups of preterm infants than in the control group (p < 0.01). However, no difference in any of the tested variables between the steroid and non-steroid group of preterm infants. Renal volume was similar in preterm and control infants. Based on these results, we conclude that prematurity independent of antenatal steroid use is associated with higher cystatin C and blood pressure levels and a higher glomerular filtration rate in infants between 12-36 months of age.

Catch-up growth in infants born small for gestational age--a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies correlate low birth weight and the subsequent development of diabetes mellitus (DM). Early changes in insulin resistance in infants with catch-up growth (CUG) have not been evaluated in our population. AIM: To identify dietary and metabolic features associated with CUG in infants born small for gestational age (SGA) at 1 year old. METHODS: In a cohort study of 88 term infants (44 SGA and 44 appropriate for gestational age [AGA]), breastfeeding and weaning age were registered. Anthropometric measurements, glucose, insulin, and leptin concentrations were measured at birth and at 1 year old. RESULTS: A history of DM in a second-degree relative (p = 0.01) and complementary breastfeeding (p = 0.0003) were higher in SGA compared to AGA infants. Ten (13.6%) infants showed CUG in length and weight combined. They had lower weight, glucose, IR index, and leptin concentrations at birth than those without CUG. After logistic regression analysis for factors related to weight CUG, gender, weaning age, birth weight and leptin concentration at birth were included in the model (R2 = 0.31; p = 0.00004). CONCLUSIONS: Female gender, early weaning, lower birth weight, and lower leptin concentration at birth are related to weight CUG in Mexican infants.