Efficacy of Hot Tea Infusion vs. Ethanolic Extract of Moringa oleifera for the Simultaneous Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver, Hyperlipidemia, and Hyperglycemia in a Murine Model Fed with a High-Fat Diet.

Moringa oleifera (MO) is a native tree of Asia and is cultivated in some areas of Mexico as part of traditional horticulture. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of MO infusion vs. MO ethanolic extract for the simultaneous treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD), hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia in a murine model fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). BALB/c mice were fed a balanced diet (healthy control) or an HFD for 6 months. With this, the NAFLD model was established before starting a therapeutic intervention with MO for two months. The phytochemical analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance in 1H and 13C experiments showed signals for pyrrole alkaloids and triterpenes as the main constituents of the extract and infusion preparation. A significant reduction of SGPT, SGOT, lipids, urea, and glucose in blood among NAFLD groups treated with MO (infusion or extract) was found, when compared to the NAFLD-placebo group. Steatosis and liver inflammation were found to be decreased in the MO groups, as infusion or ethanolic extract. Infusion produced a better therapeutic effect than the extract in all parameters, except glycemic control, where the extract was better. As an additional finding, it is noteworthy that treatment with MO, particularly through infusion, resulted in improved motor activity. Moreover, a reduction in anxiety-like behavior was observed exclusively with the administration of infusion. These observations provide valuable insights into the potential broader effects of Moringa oleifera beyond the primary aim of the study.

Relationship of vitamin D intake and sun exposure with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D in schoolchildren with obesity

The obesity worldwide has produced an increase in obesity-related diseases and can be associated with low concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D. Also obesity and low physical activity can decrease sun exposure, so the aim was to correlate vitamin D intake with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels and to assess sun exposure habits in schoolchildren with obesity. Materials and methods. A correlational study was performed from January 2017 to January 2018 on 103 children between 6-12 years of age, with a body mass index ≥+2SD for age and sex, according to the World Health Organization. Blood samples were taken to determine the serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D, a nutritional survey to determine the vitamin D intake and a sun exposure questionnaire were applied. A Spearman correlation coefficient analysis was performed. Results. Forty-seven percent of the children were girls. The median years of age was 10. The median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels were 35.5 ng/mL, 74.8% had sufficient levels, 25.2% had insufficient levels. The median vitamin D intake was 214.7IU in boys and 231.9IU in girls. Regarding sun exposure, most of the children had excessive levels of sun exposure and inadequate sun protection practices. A positive correlation between vitamin D intake and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D was identified only in boys (rho=0.276, p=0.041). Conclusion. A positive correlation between vitamin D intake and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels was found in obese boys and excessive levels of sun exposure with inadequate sun protection practices in boys and girls(AU)

La obesidad se le ha asociado con distintas comorbilidades, bajas concentraciones séricas de 25-hidroxivitamina-D, sedentarismo que a su vez podría comprometer la exposición solar; por tanto, el objetivo fue relacionar la ingesta de vitamina D con los niveles séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina-D y determinar los hábitos de exposición solar en escolares con obesidad. Materiales y métodos. Estudio correlacional realizado de enero 2017 a enero 2018, en 103 niños entre 6 y 12 años, con un índice de masa corporal ≥+2DE para edad y sexo, según la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se extrajo muestras sanguíneas para determinar las concentraciones séricas de 25-hidroxivitamina-D, se aplicó una encuesta nutricional para determinar la ingesta de vitamina D y un cuestionario de exposición solar. Se realizó un análisis del coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. Resultados. El 47% de los sujetos eran niñas. La mediana de edad fue de 10. La mediana de los niveles séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina-D fue de 35,5 ng/mL, el 74,8% tenía niveles suficientes, el 25,2% tenía niveles insuficientes. La mediana de la ingesta de vitamina D fue de 214,7UI en niños y de 231,9UI en niñas. Con respecto a la exposición solar, la mayoría de los niños presentaban una exposición excesiva y prácticas inadecuadas de protección solar. Se identificó una correlación positiva entre la ingesta de vitamina D y la 25-hidroxivitamina-D sérica en los niños (rho=0,276, p=0,041). Conclusión. Se identificó una correlación positiva entre la ingesta de vitamina D y los niveles séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina-D en niños obesos y exposición excesiva con prácticas inadecuadas de protección solar en niños y niñas(AU)

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D correlates with systolic blood pressure in obese male schoolchildren.

Introduction: Introduction: childhood obesity is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases. We aimed to examine the relation between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and blood pressure in obese schoolchildren. Material and methods: a cross-sectional study in school-age children with obesity. The serum levels of 25(OH)D were measured and classified as sufficient or insufficient/deficient. Blood pressure was measured. Normal values were considered < 90th percentile, elevated blood pressure ≥ 90th to < 95th percentiles, and hypertension ≥ 95th percentile, according to blood pressure reference tables specific for age, sex, and height. A Pearson correlation was performed. Results: a total of 256 obese schoolchildren (123 [48.0 %] females and 133 [51.9 %] males) were evaluated. The prevalence rates of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were 23.4 %, 52.3 %, and 24.2 %, respectively. Normal blood pressure was observed in 101 (39.4 %) children; the frequencies of elevated blood pressure and hypertension were 10.9 % and 49.6 %, respectively. A moderate inverse correlation of 25(OH)D levels with systolic blood pressure levels (r = -0.54, p = 0.03) was observed. When analyzed by sex, a significantly high inverse correlation between 25(OH)D levels and systolic blood pressure was observed in males (r = -0.85 and p ≤ 0.001). No significant correlation was found in females (systolic r = -0.16 and p = 0.67; diastolic r = -0.15 and p = 0.812). When performing the multiple regression analysis, the 25(OH)D levels and BMI were the significant predictors for systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: we identified an inverse correlation between 25[OH]D levels and systolic blood pressure in male schoolchildren with obesity.

Introducción: Introducción: la obesidad infantil se asocia con un mayor riesgo de desarrollar enfermedades crónicas. El objetivo fue analizar la relación entre los niveles séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina D (25[OH]D) y la presión arterial (PA) en escolares obesos. Material y métodos: estudio transversal en niños en edad escolar con obesidad. Los niveles séricos de 25(OH)D se clasificaron como suficientes e insuficientes/deficientes. Los valores de PA se clasificaron como normales si < percentil 90, presión elevada entre los percentiles ≥ 90 y < 95, e hipertensión si ≥ percentil 95, de acuerdo con las tablas de referencia de la PA, específicas para cada edad, sexo y altura. Se realizaron una correlación de Pearson y una regresión múltiple. Resultados: se evaluaron 256 escolares obesos (123 [48,0 %] mujeres y 133 [51,9 %] hombres). La frecuencia de la deficiencia, insuficiencia y suficiencia de vitamina D fue del 23,4 %, 52,3 % y 24,2 %, respectivamente. Se observó una PA normal en 101 (39,4 %) niños; las frecuencias de la PA elevada y la hipertensión fueron del 10,9 % y 49,6 %, respectivamente. Se observó una correlación inversa moderada de los niveles de 25(OH)D con los niveles de presión arterial sistólica (PAS) (r = -0,54; p = 0,03). Cuando se analizó por sexos, se observó una correlación inversa entre los niveles de 25(OH)D y la PAS en los niños (r = -0,85; p ≤ 0,001). No se encontró ninguna correlación significativa en las niñas (sistólica, r = -0,16; p = 0,67; diastólica, r = -0,15; p = 0,812). Al realizar el análisis de regresión múltiple, los niveles de 25(OH)D y el IMC fueron predictores significativos de la PAS. Conclusiones: identificamos una correlación inversa entre los niveles de 25[OH]D y la PAS en niños escolares con obesidad.