Impact of Brazil Nut (Bertholletia excelsa, H.B.K.) Supplementation on Body Composition, Blood Pressure, and the Vascular Reactivity of Wistar Rats When Submitted to a Hypersodium Diet.

Introdution: Endothelium integrity is a key that maintains vascular homeostasis but it can suffer irreversible damage by blood pressure changes, reflecting an imbalance in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa, H.B.K.) (BN) supplementation (10% in chow, wt/wt) on the vascular reactivity of Wistar rats during chronic exposure to a sodium overload (1% in water).Methods: First, male Wistar rats were allocated into two groups: Control Group (CG) and the Hypersodic Group (HG) for 4 weeks. Afterward, the CG was divided into the Brazil Nut Group (BNG) and the HG Group into the Hypersodic Brazil Nut Group (HBNG) for a further 8 weeks, totaling 4 groups. Blood pressure was measured during the protocol. At the end of the protocol, the vascular reactivity procedure was performed. Glucose, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, and platelet aggregation were analyzed in the serum. Body composition was determined by the carcass technique.Results: The groups that were supplemented with the BN chow presented less body mass gain and body fat mass, together with lower serum glucose levels. The HG Group presented an increase in blood pressure and a higher platelet aggregation, while the BN supplementation was able to blunt this effect. The HG Group also showed an increase in contractile response that was phenylephrine-induced and a decrease in maximum relaxation that was acetylcholine-induced when compared to the other groups.Conclusion: The BN supplementation was able to prevent an impaired vascular function in the early stages of arterial hypertension, while also improving body composition, serum glucose, and platelet aggregation.

Assessments of body composition and bone parameters of lactating rats treated with diet containing flaxseed meal (Linum usitatissinum) during post-weaning period.

INTRODUCTION: There are few studies on body composition and the effects of diet on weight postpartum women. The aim was to evaluate the body composition and bone parameters in lactating rats treated with diet containing flaxseed flour during postweaning period. METHODS: After weaning, the lactating rat were divided in control (n = 6) and experimental (F, n = 6) group, treated with 25% flaxseed flour diet. After 30 days, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, serum analysis, organs and intra-abdominal fat mass, femur and lumbar vertebra parameters were determined. RESULTS: The groups showed similar food intake, body mass and bone parameters. While F group showed the following: lower body (-5%), gonadal (-17%), mesenteric (-23%) and intra-abdominal (-6%) fat mass. Increase of HDL-cholesterol (+10%) and lower glucose (-15%), triglycerides (P < 0.05, -37%) and cholesterol (P < 0.05, -21%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the effects of flaxseed for control of adiposity and to maintain a healthy biochemical profile during the postnatal period.

Introducción: Hay pocos estudios sobre la composición corporal y los efectos de la dieta en mujeres en el periodo postparto. El objetivo consistió en evaluar la composición corporal y los parámetros óseos en ratas lactantes tratadas con dietas a base de linaza durante el periodo de destete. Métodos: Después del destete, las ratas lactantes fueron divididas en un grupo de control (n = 6) y un grupo experimental (F, n = 6), tratadas con una dieta a base de harina de lino al 25%. Al cabo de 30 días, se midieron los parámetros corporales mediante absorciometría de rayos X de doble energía, se realizó un análisis sérico, y se evaluó órganos y masa grasa intra-abdominal así como los parámetros en fémur y vértebras lumbares. Resultados: El grupo mostró una ingesta alimenticia similar, así como parámetros óseos y de masa corporal. Mientras que el grupo F mostró los porcentajes siguientes en masa grasa: parte inferior del cuerpo (-5%), gonadal (-17%), mesentérica (-23%) e intra-abdominal (-6%). Aumento de HDL-colesterol (+10%) y disminución de glucosa (-15%), triglicéridos (P < 0,05, -37%) y colesterol (P < 0,05, -21%). Conclusiones: Los resultados destacan los efectos del lino para el control de la adiposidad y para mantener un perfil bioquímico sano durante el periodo postnatal.