HIGH-FAT DIET ELICITS SEX-BASED DIFFERENCES IN LIVER INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES AND REDOX HOMEOSTASIS.

Sex differences in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have been reported. Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the progression of MASLD. Thus, we aimed to evaluate liver redox homeostasis and inflammation in male and female rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Male and female Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: standard chow diet (SCD) or HFD during 12 weeks. HFD groups of both sexes had higher hepatocyte injury, with no differences between the sexes. Portal space liver inflammation was higher in females-HFD compared to females-SCD, whereas no differences were observed in males. Lobular and overall liver inflammation were higher in HFD groups, regardless of sex. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß levels were higher in males-HFD compared to males-SCD, but no differences were observed in females. Catalase activity was higher in males compared to females, with no differences between the SCD and HFD groups of both sexes. Glutathione peroxidase activity was higher in females compared to males, with no differences between the SCD and HFD groups in both sexes. Lipid peroxidation was higher in males-HFD compared to SCD, while no differences were observed in females. Furthermore, both cytoplasmic and nuclear NRF2 staining were lower in the HFD group compared to the SCD group in males. However, female-HFD exhibited reduced nuclear NRF2 staining compared to the female-SCD group. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that while both male and female rats developed MASH after 12 weeks of HFD, the alterations in inflammatory cytokines and redox balance were sexually dimorphic.

Are sleep time and quality associated with inflammation in children and adolescents? A systematic review.

Sleep restriction in children can trigger the development of problems such as impaired cognition, behavioral problems, cardiovascular problems, and obesity. In addition, the inflammatory profile of children can also be influenced by sleep restriction. The aimed to review and analyze the association between time and sleep quality with inflammatory biomarkers in children and adolescents. Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus) were searched from August 30, 2022. The search strategy used the following descriptors: children and adolescents; sleep, and inflammatory profile. This review protocol is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020188969). We obtained 2.724 results of articles with potentially relevant titles. Sixteen percent of the articles were excluded because they were duplicates, 84.3% were excluded after reading the title, and 0.9% were studied from systematic reviews or textbooks (0.9%). Accelerometers are the most commonly used method for the objective measurement of sleep time, while the PSQI questionnaire is the most commonly used subjective method to measure sleep quality. The results indicated an inconsistent association between sleep time and CRP in the literature. Sixty percent of studies used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for subjective assessment of sleep quality and possible sleep disorders. However, only one retrieved study showed significant association between sleep quality and CRP. Thus, sleep time does not present significant association with inflammatory biomarkers; whereas, poor sleep quality shows positive association with CRP with a lower magnitude.

Effect of virgin coconut oil on body weight, white fat depots, and biochemical and morphological parameters in mice fed standard or high-fat diets.

This study investigated the effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) on body weight, white fat depots, and biochemical and morphological parameters in male Swiss mice fed standard (SD) or high-fat (HFD) diets. Thirty-three adult animals were assigned to one of four groups, as follows: SD, SD plus VCO (SDCO), HFD, and HFD plus VCO (HFDCO). VCO had no effects on the Lee index, subcutaneous fat, periepididymal fat, retroperitoneal fat, area under the curve for glucose, or pancreas weight, all of which were increased by HFD. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in the SDCO group compared with the SD group and decreased in the HFDCO group compared with the HFD group. VCO increased total cholesterol only in the SDCO group compared with the SD group, with no differences between the HFD and HFDCO groups. In conclusion, low-dose VCO supplementation did not improve obesity, had no effects on hepatic or renal function, and had beneficial effects on the lipid profile only in animals fed HFD.

Evaluation of the relationship between nutritional status, levels of physical activity and physical strength in adolescents.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The study aimed at evaluating the relationship among anthropometric measurements, levels of physical activity and physical fitness in schoolchildren. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in public schools, with 173 adolescents from 10 to 17 years of age. Socioeconomic data were obtained by a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measures were assessed and classified according to Body Mass Index (BMI)/age and Waist Circumference (WC). The long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess the level of physical activity, while the physical fitness level was assessed using the Projeto Esporte Brasil (PROESP) test protocol. RESULTS: 72,3% of the adolescents were eutrophic and 24.3% were overweight and 22.6% were at high risk for cardiovascular disease, with no statistical difference between the sexes (p > 0.05). 53.8% were physically inactive, regardless of sex and nutritional status. 86.1% of the adolescents showed low physical fitness, more significantly for sit-and-reach andsquare tests of females. BMI was directly correlated with physical fitness in the assessment ofupper limb power and agility (medicine ball throw and square test) and indirectly with aerobic capacity and lower limb power (abdominal resistance, horizontal jump and general resistance). The opposite was observed in the correlation of endurance (abdominal and general) and medicine ball throw with WC. Also, there was a likely visceral obesity and consequent cardiovascular risk in females more than in males. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reinforce the connection between physical activity and the presence of overweight and obesity in adolescents and also the need to effectively intervene in this groupin order to ensure the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases in adulthood.

Phytomodulatory proteins isolated from Calotropis procera latex promote glycemic control by improving hepatic mitochondrial function in HepG2 cells.

The medicinal uses of Calotropis procera are diverse, yet some of them are based on effects that still lack scientific support. Control of diabetes is one of them. Recently, latex proteins from C. procera latex (LP) have been shown to promote in vivo glycemic control by the inhibition of hepatic glucose production via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Glycemic control has been attributed to an isolated fraction of LP (CpPII), which is composed of cysteine peptidases (95%) and osmotin (5%) isoforms. Those proteins are extensively characterized in terms of chemistry, biochemistry and structural aspects. Furthermore, we evaluated some aspects of the mitochondrial function and cellular mechanisms involved in CpPII activity. The effect of CpPII on glycemic control was evaluated in fasting mice by glycemic curve and glucose and pyruvate tolerance tests. HepG2 cells was treated with CpPII, and cell viability, oxygen consumption, PPAR activity, production of lactate and reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial density and protein and gene expression were analyzed. CpPII reduced fasting glycemia, improved glucose tolerance and inhibited hepatic glucose production in control animals. Additionally, CpPII increased the consumption of ATP-linked oxygen and mitochondrial uncoupling, reduced lactate concentration, increased protein expression of mitochondrial complexes I, III and V, and activity of peroxisome-proliferator-responsive elements (PPRE), reduced the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased mitochondrial density in HepG2 cells by activation of AMPK/PPAR. Our findings strongly support the medicinal use of the plant and suggest that CpPII is a potential therapy for prevention and/or treatment of type-2 diabetes. A common epitope sequence shared among the proteases and osmotin is possibly the responsible for the beneficial effects of CpPII.

Effect of an aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco on the adiposity of Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet / Efecto del extracto acuoso de Chrysobalanus icaco sobre la adiposidad de ratas Wistar alimentadas con una dieta alta en grasas

OBJECTIVE: the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Chrysobalanus icaco on adiposity and its mechanism of action in the gene and protein expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a key enzyme in lipogenesis. METHOD: Wistar rats were divided into a regular or control group (CG) and a high-fat diet (HFD) group. HFD was treated with saline or aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) for four weeks. Body weight and food intake were assessed. Subcutaneous, retroperitoneal and periepididymal adipose tissue samples were collected and weighed. Adipocytes from periepididymal tissue were isolated and analyzed. The gene and protein expression of ACC in subcutaneous tissue was determined. RESULTS: AECI showed no effect on intake or body weight. However, the weight of the fat pads and the gene and protein expression of ACC were lower, and glucose tolerance was improved. CONCLUSION: the aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco proved beneficial for the treatment of obesity, preventing fat storage and improving glycemic homeostasis

OBJETIVO: el objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los efectos del extracto acuoso de Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) en la adiposidad y su mecanismo de acción en la expresión génica y proteica de la acetil-CoA-carboxilasa (ACC), una enzima clave para la lipogénesis. MÉTODOS: se usaron ratones macho Wistar que se asignaron a una dieta estándar de control (CG) o a una rica en grasa (HFD). La HFD se trató con solución salina o con extracto acuoso de Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) durante cuatro semanas. Se evaluaron el peso corporal y el consumo alimentario. Se aislaron y analizaron muestras de tejido adiposo subcutáneo, retroperitoneal y periepididímico. Se determinó la expresión génica y proteica de ACC en el tejido subcutáneo. RESULTADOS: el AECI no mostró ningún efecto sobre la ingesta de alimento y tampoco sobre el peso corporal. Sin embargo, el tratamiento con AECI redujo el peso de los tejidos adiposos y la expresión génica y proteica de ACC, y mejoró también la tolerancia a la glucosa. CONCLUSIÓN: Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) resultó ser beneficioso para el tratamiento de la obesidad, previniendo el almacenamiento de grasa y mejorando la homeostasis glucémica

Effect of an aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco on the adiposity of Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet.

INTRODUCTION: Objective: the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Chrysobalanus icaco on adiposity and its mechanism of action in the gene and protein expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a key enzyme in lipogenesis. Method: Wistar rats were divided into a regular or control group (CG) and a high-fat diet (HFD) group. HFD was treated with saline or aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) for four weeks. Body weight and food intake were assessed. Subcutaneous, retroperitoneal and periepididymal adipose tissue samples were collected and weighed. Adipocytes from periepididymal tissue were isolated and analyzed. The gene and protein expression of ACC in subcutaneous tissue was determined. Results: AECI showed no effect on intake or body weight. However, the weight of the fat pads and the gene and protein expression of ACC were lower, and glucose tolerance was improved. Conclusion: the aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco proved beneficial for the treatment of obesity, preventing fat storage and improving glycemic homeostasis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los efectos del extracto acuoso de Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) en la adiposidad y su mecanismo de acción en la expresión génica y proteica de la acetil-CoA-carboxilasa (ACC), una enzima clave para la lipogénesis. Métodos: se usaron ratones macho Wistar que se asignaron a una dieta estándar de control (CG) o a una rica en grasa (HFD). La HFD se trató con solución salina o con extracto acuoso de Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) durante cuatro semanas. Se evaluaron el peso corporal y el consumo alimentario. Se aislaron y analizaron muestras de tejido adiposo subcutáneo, retroperitoneal y periepididímico. Se determinó la expresión génica y proteica de ACC en el tejido subcutáneo. Resultados: el AECI no mostró ningún efecto sobre la ingesta de alimento y tampoco sobre el peso corporal. Sin embargo, el tratamiento con AECI redujo el peso de los tejidos adiposos y la expresión génica y proteica de ACC, y mejoró también la tolerancia a la glucosa. Conclusión: Chrysobalanus icaco (AECI) resultó ser beneficioso para el tratamiento de la obesidad, previniendo el almacenamiento de grasa y mejorando la homeostasis glucémica.

Influence of liver transplantation in the nutritional profile of severe cirrhotic patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of liver transplantation in food intake and nutritional status of severe cirrhotic patients. METHODS: The sample consisted of 23 patients who underwent liver transplantation. Three 24-hour dietary recall were applied and anthropometric measurements were collected before and three months after transplantation. The consumption of macronutrients and fat soluble vitamins were also evaluated. The anthropometric data evaluated were body mass index, abdominal circumference, percentage of adequacy of arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness and arm muscle circumference. Related mean comparison tests, comparison of changes in the proportions of categorical variables and correlation of quantitative variables were used in the statistical analysis. Data were considered to be significant when p < 0.05. RESULTS: Most patients were female and aged between 40 and 65 years. The average consumption of calories, proteins, lipids, cholesterol and monounsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher after liver transplantation (p < 0.05). The average of anthropometric parameters did not differ significantly between the evaluated times. There was no significant change in nutrient intake or anthropometric classification after transplantation. Most patients were classified as malnourished or overweight after transplantation, according to some anthropometric parameters. CONCLUSION: Food consumption changed after transplantation. There was no change in the nutritional status from pre- to post-transplant but, in general, most patients had altered nutritional status in both evaluation moments.

Combined treatment with melatonin and insulin improves glycemic control, white adipose tissue metabolism and reproductive axis of diabetic male rats.

AIMS: Melatonin treatment has been reported to be capable of ameliorating metabolic diabetes-related abnormalities but also to cause hypogonadism in rats. We investigated whether the combined treatment with melatonin and insulin can improve insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes during neonatal period and the repercussion of this treatment on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. MAIN METHODS: At the fourth week of age, diabetic animals started an 8-wk treatment with only melatonin (0.2 mg/kg body weight) added to drinking water at night or associated with insulin (NHP, 1.5 U/100 g/day) or only insulin. Animals were then euthanized, and the subcutaneous (SC), epididymal (EP), and retroperitoneal (RP) fat pads were excised, weighed and processed for adipocyte isolation for morphometric analysis as well as for measuring glucose uptake, oxidation, and incorporation of glucose into lipids. Hypothalamus was collected for gene expression and blood samples were collected for biochemical assays. KEY FINDINGS: The treatment with melatonin plus insulin (MI) was capable of maintaining glycemic control. In epididymal (EP) and subcutaneous (SC) adipocytes, the melatonin plus insulin (MI) treatment group recovered the insulin responsiveness. In the hypothalamus, melatonin treatment alone promoted a significant reduction in kisspeptin-1, neurokinin B and androgen receptor mRNA levels, in relation to control group. SIGNIFICANCE: Combined treatment with melatonin and insulin promoted a better glycemic control, improving insulin sensitivity in white adipose tissue (WAT). Indeed, melatonin treatment reduced hypothalamic genes related to reproductive function.

Influence of liver transplantation in the nutritional profile of severe cirrhotic patients / La influencia del trasplante de hígado en el perfil nutricional de pacientes cirróticos graves

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of liver transplantation in food intake and nutritional status of severe cirrhotic patients. Methods: The sample consisted of 23 patients who underwent liver transplantation. Three 24-hour dietary recall were applied and anthropometric measurements were collected before and three months after transplantation. The consumption of macronutrients and fat soluble vitamins were also evaluated. The anthropometric data evaluated were body mass index, abdominal circumference, percentage of adequacy of arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness and arm muscle circumference. Related mean comparison tests, comparison of changes in the proportions of categorical variables and correlation of quantitative variables were used in the statistical analysis. Data were considered to be significant when p < 0.05. Results: Most patients were female and aged between 40 and 65 years. The average consumption of calories, proteins, lipids, cholesterol and monounsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher after liver transplantation (p < 0.05). The average of anthropometric parameters did not differ significantly between the evaluated times. There was no significant change in nutrient intake or anthropometric classification after transplantation. Most patients were classified as malnourished or overweight after transplantation, according to some anthropometric parameters. Conclusion: Food consumption changed after transplantation. There was no change in the nutritional status from pre- to post-transplant but, in general, most patients had altered nutritional status in both evaluation moments (AU)

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue hacer un análisis de las influencias del trasplante de hígado en el consumo alimentario y estado nutricional de pacientes cirróticos graves. Métodos: la muestra fue de 23 pacientes a los que se hizo trasplante de hígado. Se recopilan los datos antropométricos, además de tres recordatorios alimentarios de 24 horas antes y tres meses tras el trasplante. El consumo de macronutrientes y vitaminas liposolubles también fue evaluado. Los datos antropométricos evaluados fueron: índice de masa corporal, circunferencia abdominal, porcentual de adecuación del contorno de cintura, los pliegues cutáneos tricipital y de la circunferencia muscular del brazo. En el análisis estadístico se utilizaron tests de comparación de medias relacionadas, comparación de los cambios en las proporciones de las variables categóricas y la correlación de las variables cuantitativas. Los datos fueron considerados significativos cuando p < 0,05. Resultados: la mayoría de los pacientes estudiados eran del sexo femenino y con edad entre 40 y 65 años. El consumo medio de calorías proteínas, lípidos, colesterol y ácido graso monoinsaturado fue significativamente mayor después del trasplante hepático (p < 0,05). La media de los parámetros antropométricos no difirió significativamente entre los momentos evaluados. No hubo cambio significativo en la ingestión de nutrientes y en la clasificación antropométrica después del trasplante. La mayoría de los pacientes fueron clasificados como desnutridos o con exceso de peso tras el trasplante, de acuerdo con algunos parámetros antropométricos. Conclusión: el consumo alimentario fue modificado después del trasplante. No hubo alteración del estado nutricional del preoperatorio comparado con el postoperatorio, pero de una forma general, la mayoría de los pacientes presentaron alteraciones de su estado nutricional en los dos momentos de la evaluación (AU)

Gastroprotective effects of the essential oil of Hyptis crenata Pohl ex Benth. on gastric ulcer models.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hyptis crenata Pohl ex Benth (Lamiaceae), popularly known as "hortelã-brava" or "hortelã do campo", is widely distributed in the northeast of Brazil. In Brazil, the leaves of this plant have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disturbances, including gastric ulcers. In an attempt to experimentally validate this claimed antiulcerogenic activity, the gastroprotective effects of the essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Hyptis crenata Pohl ex Benth (EOHc) were evaluated in recognized gastric ulcer models in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EOHc was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Swiss male mice (25-30g) were used for the studies. The gastric ulcers were induced by oral administration of absolute ethanol or indomethacin 45min after oral pretreatment with EOHc, vehicle and positive control drugs. One hour after the ulcerative challenges, the stomachs were removed and the area of the lesions was measured. The volume, pH and total acidity of the gastric secretions were determined using the pylorus ligature model. The gastrointestinal motility was measured using gastric emptying and intestinal transit. The ethanol-induced gastric mucus depletion and lipid peroxidation were also analyzed. RESULTS: Our findings are as follows: A significant inhibition of gastric lesions induced by absolute ethanol was observed in the mice pre-treated with EOHc, at a dose of 30 and 100 and 300mg/kg (5.56±1.51, 2.88±0.82 and 1.71±0.54mm(2), respectively) compared to control group (118.03±35.4mm(2)). Also, EOHc (300mg/kg) produced a gastroprotective effect against the gastric lesions induced by indomethacin (16.07±4.68mm(2)) compared to control group (38.64±6.1mm(2)). EOHc pretreatment produced a reduction in the ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation from 3.9±0.22 to 2.4±0.1µmol/mg tissue (EOHc-300mg/kg and control group, respectively). We also observed that EOHc pretreatment decreased the gastric emptying, but did not alter the intestinal transit ratio, ethanol-induced depletion of the gastric wall mucus or secretion parameters (volume, pH and [H(+)]). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that EOHc exerts a gastroprotective effect, indicated by its significant inhibition of gastric lesions in ethanol- and indomethacin-induced ulcer models, which may be associated with its accelerating effect on gastric emptying and reduction in oxidative damages. Our data suggest a potential therapeutic application for EOHc in the treatment of gastric ulcers.