Annatto-Enriched Egg Improves the Perception of Satiety in Healthy Adults-Randomized Clinical Trial: EGGANT Study.

Diet is one of the factors that prevents the development and death from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). It has been proposed that diets high in protein, which increase satiety, and with a high content of antioxidants, help reduce cardiovascular risk factors. The egg is one of the foods that produces greater satiety and provides antioxidants. In addition, due to its lipophilic matrix, it could improve the bioavailability of other dietary antioxidants such as Annatto. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of egg and annatto-enriched egg consumption on satiety markers and CVD risk factors in healthy adults from Colombia. METHODS: A parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted, where one hundred and five (n = 105) men and women, divided into three groups, consumed daily for 8 weeks: (a) two eggs (egg group), or (b) two eggs with annatto (egg + annatto group), or (c) two egg whites (placebo group). RESULTS: The three groups were similar in gender distribution. No significant changes were found over time (before vs. after) in any of the groups nor between the groups in anthropometric variables, physical activity, eating profile, and ghrelin as an objective marker of satiety. In the egg + annatto group, subjective satiety increased (effect size 0.431; p < 0.05) after consumption. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy adults, the intake of two eggs, or two eggs with annatto daily for 8 weeks, did not result in significant changes in ghrelin; but eggs with annatto tend to increase the perception of satiety.

Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Consumption of Colombian Agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) on Insulin Resistance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Markers of Oxidation and Inflammation, Between Men and Women with Metabolic Syndrome.

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a constellation of related factors that increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Vaccinium meridionale Swartz contains polyphenols that could modulate some components of MS. Epidemiological and intervention studies have shown differences between men and women in MS components and antioxidant capacity. The objective of this study is to compare between men and women with MS the effects of agraz consumption on insulin resistance, antioxidant capacity, and markers of oxidation and inflammation. Men and women diagnosed with MS according to the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were recruited in a double-blind, crossover study of 12 weeks. Participants were assigned to consume agraz nectar or placebo over 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of washout, they were switched to the alternative treatment. At the end of each period, the components of the MS, insulin resistance, antioxidant capacity, and some oxidative (oxidized low-density lipoprotein [oxLDL]; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and inflammatory (high-sensitive C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) markers were evaluated. After consuming agraz, there was a tendency to increase the levels of antioxidants and to reduce the levels of hs-CRP in both genders. In addition, women who increased their serum phenols after consuming agraz had a significant reduction in insulin resistance, which was different from the results in men. Regarding men, those who increased their serum antioxidant capacity after consuming agraz had a better effect on the reduction of oxLDL levels that was significant compared to women. There are important differences between genders in the effects of agraz consumption in adults with MS.

Effect of Agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) on High-Density Lipoprotein Function and Inflammation in Women with Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with low-grade inflammation and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) dysfunction. Polyphenol-rich foods may improve these alterations. Agraz is a fruit rich in polyphenols (mainly anthocyanins); however, there is limited information about its effects on human health. We evaluated the effects of agraz consumption as compared to placebo on HDL function and inflammation in women with MetS. Forty volunteers (25⁻60 years) were included in this double-blind crossover study. Women consumed agraz or placebo over 4 weeks; separated by a 4-week washout period. HDL function (apoliprotein-A1; paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity; cholesterol efflux capacity), oxidative stress (myeloperoxidase (MPO), advanced oxidation protein products) and inflammatory markers (serum cytokines/chemokines and peripheral blood mononuclear cell nuclear factor-kB) were measured after each period. Compared to placebo, agraz consumption did not significantly change any of the biomarkers measured. Interestingly, only after agraz period there were significant positive correlations between PON1 activities and cholesterol efflux. Additionally, there were significant inverse correlations between changes in inflammatory markers and HDL function markers and positive correlations with oxidative markers. Although polyphenol-rich foods have been shown to be beneficial for certain conditions; polyphenol-rich agraz fruit consumption did not impact inflammation and HDL function in the current study of women with MetS.

Evaluation of Agraz Consumption on Adipocytokines, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress Markers in Women with Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by increased oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory state. Vaccinium meridionale Swartz (known as "agraz") is a berry rich in polyphenolic compounds with demonstrated antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of agraz consumption on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in women with MetS. Forty women with MetS (47 ± 9 years) were randomly assigned to consume daily either 200 mL of agraz nectar or placebo over four weeks in a double-blind, cross-over design study, separated by a 4-week washout period. Metabolic and inflammatory markers in serum and antioxidant/oxidative stress markers in serum and urine were assessed at the end of each period. Serum antioxidant capacity measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was significantly higher (p = 0.028), while urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was lower (p = 0.041) after agraz consumption, compared to placebo. In conclusion, consumption of agraz during four weeks increased serum antioxidant capacity and decreased a marker of DNA oxidative damage in women with MetS, compared to placebo. These results suggest that agraz consumption may play a protective role in patients with MetS.

Prevalencia de dislipidemias en una institución prestadora de servicios de salud de Medellín (Colombia), 2013 / Prevalence of dyslipidemia in a health services provider institution of Medellin (Colombia), 2013

Introducción: las dislipidemias comprenden un conjunto de alteraciones en las concentraciones de los lípidos sanguíneos, como resultado de variaciones genéticas o secundarias a factores del estilo de vida. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de dislipidemias en individuos atendidos en un laboratorio docente asistencial e investigativo de Medellín, durante el año 2013. Métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en una población de 6 384 sujetos, utilizando información secundaria. Se realizaron medidas de resumen y frecuencia, regresión logística binaria multivariante. Los análisis se realizaron en SPSS 21.0® y Epidat 3.0. Resultados: la prevalencia global de hipertrigliceridemia fue 41,8 %, hipercolesterolemia 46,0 %, colesterol LDL elevado 67,5 %, colesterol HDL bajo 40,4 % y de dislipidemias 74,7 %. Las alteraciones lipídicas presentaron asociación estadística con el sexo y el grupo etario. Conclusión: se encontró una elevada prevalencia de dislipidemias y alteración de todos los índices aterogénicos; los adultos con edad mayor a 44 años y las mujeres son quienes presentan mayor riesgo de dislipidemia; estos son datos importantes porque precisan la población prioritaria para intervenciones posteriores.

Introduction: dyslipidemias include a set of alterations on blood lipid concentrations due to genetic variations and/or secondary to lifestyle factors. Objective: to determine the dyslipidemia prevalence in people attending an Investigative, Teaching and Healthcare Laboratory of Medellín, in 2013. Methods: a cross sectional study was performed in a population of 6,384 people using secondary information. Summary measures and frequency, and multivariate binary logistic regression were performed. All analyzes were performed using SPSS 21.0® and Epidat 3.0. Results: the total prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia was 41.8 %, hypercholesterolemia 46.0 %, high LDL Cholesterol 67.5 %, low HDL Cholesterol 40.4 % and dyslipidemia 74.7 %; lipid abnormalities showed statistical association with sex and age group. Conclusion: A high prevalence of dyslipidemia and alteration of all atherogenic ratios were found; the adults over 44 years and women had increased risk of dyslipidemia, these are important data because it determines which population needs subsequent interventions..

Historia de la micología médica en Colombia, 1930-1970 / History of medical micology in Colombia, 1930-1970

El objetivo general de esta investigación fue comprender algunos de los acontecimientos históricos que posibilitaron la instauración, difusión y apropiación de la micología médica en Colombia entre 1930 y 1970. Para ello se consultaron revistas científicas y tesis en diferentes bibliotecas, centros documentales y archivos históricos de Medellín y de Bogotá. Se incluyen en el informe los diferentes problemas enfrentados por los médicos y el personal de laboratorio para la clasificación taxonómica de los hongos, la relación entre la micología y la dermatología, el desarrollo del estudio de las micosis sistémicas y el papel de algunas personas en la institucionalización de la micología médica.

The overall objective of this research was to understand the events that made possible the creation, diffusion and appropriation of medical mycology in Colombia between 1930 and 1970. It was based on the review of scientific journals and theses in different libraries, archives and documentation centers in Medellin and Bogota. The report includes the different problems faced by physicians and laboratory personnel concerning the classification of fungi, the relationship between dermatology and mycology, the development of the study of systemic mycoses and the role played by some persons in the institutionalization of medical mycology.