Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) supplementation increases butyrate synthesis and reduces inflammatory cells, attenuating the formation of aberrant crypt foci in BALB/c mice induced to pre-neoplastic lesions.

The development of colorectal cancer involves some morphological changes, and in the initial stage, pre-neoplastic lesions called aberrant crypt foci (ACF) appear. Thus, an intervention with sources of bioactive compounds such as Hibiscus sabdariffa L., rich in phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, could attenuate the risk of developing these lesions due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 5% and 10% supplementation of dehydrated H. sabdariffa calyces (DHSC) during the development of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced preneoplastic lesions in male BALB/c mice. The characterization of DHSC was carried out. The in vivo experiment lasted 12 weeks, and the animals were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups: the control group (CON) and the supplemented groups with 5% DHSC and 10% DHSC. The activities of liver enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase were determined. In addition, ACF, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), presence of inflammatory infiltrates, goblet cells and leukocytes in the colonic mucosa were quantified. There was a significant reduction in ACF and the presence of inflammatory infiltrates in the colon of animals in groups 5DHSC and 10DHSC. In addition, the 10DHSC group showed an increase in the activity of the catalse enzyme, in the production of butyrate and in the presence of NK cells in the colon, in addition to more hypertrophied goblet cells. Based on these findings, it is suggested that DHSC supplementation may be recommended to attenuate cellular responses in the early stage of preneoplastic lesions.

Methodological aspects of dietary quality assessment in Brazil: systematic review. / Aspectos metodológicos da avaliação da qualidade da dieta no Brasil: revisão sistemática.

This systematic review analyzes the methodologies of Brazilian studies that have used indices to evaluate dietary quality. A systematic search was performed of electronic databases (Lilacs, Medline, SciELO and Scopus) with no restriction on the year of publication of the studies. Original, Brazilian articles were selected that assessed dietary quality using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) or its revised versions. The descriptors were as follows: dietary quality; healthy eating index; and dietary quality index. Atotal of 45 articles were selected, of which 60% analyzed dietary quality using an instrument called the Healthy Eating Index and the rest used an index of dietary quality. Of the analyzed studies, 68.9% classified dietary quality. Most of the studies used ten items to evaluate dietary quality and were not standardized regarding methodologies. A total of 33.3% of the studies related the index to socioeconomic and demographic factors, food items and health conditions. Differences in terms of nomenclature and methodologies made it difficult to compare these studies of dietary quality.

Aspectos metodológicos da avaliação da qualidade da dieta no Brasil: revisão sistemática / Methodological aspects of dietary quality assessment in Brazil: systematic review

Resumo Esta revisão sistemática objetivou analisar metodologias de estudos brasileiros que utilizam índices para avaliação da qualidade da dieta. Realizou-se busca sistemática em bases eletrônicas de dados (Lilacs, Medline, SciELO e Scopus), sem fazer restrição ao ano de publicação dos estudos. Foram selecionados artigos originais, nacionais, que avaliassem a qualidade da dieta pelo Healthy Eating Index (HEI) ou suas versões revisadas. Utilizou-se os descritores: qualidade da dieta, índice de alimentação saudável, índice de qualidade da dieta e respectivos termos em inglês. Foram selecionados 45 artigos, dos quais, 60% analisaram a qualidade da dieta por instrumento denominado índice de alimentação saudável e o restante por índice de qualidade da dieta. Dos estudos analisados, 68,9% classificaram a qualidade da dieta. A maioria dos estudos utilizou 10 itens para avaliação da qualidade da dieta e não apresentaram padronização quanto às metodologias. Dos estudos, 33,3% relacionaram o índice com fatores socioeconômicos e demográficos, itens alimentares e condições de saúde. Diferenças de nomeação e metodologias dificultam comparações entre os estudos de avaliação da qualidade da dieta.

Abstract This systematic review analyzes the methodologies of Brazilian studies that have used indices to evaluate dietary quality. A systematic search was performed of electronic databases (Lilacs, Medline, SciELO and Scopus) with no restriction on the year of publication of the studies. Original, Brazilian articles were selected that assessed dietary quality using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) or its revised versions. The descriptors were as follows: dietary quality; healthy eating index; and dietary quality index. Atotal of 45 articles were selected, of which 60% analyzed dietary quality using an instrument called the Healthy Eating Index and the rest used an index of dietary quality. Of the analyzed studies, 68.9% classified dietary quality. Most of the studies used ten items to evaluate dietary quality and were not standardized regarding methodologies. A total of 33.3% of the studies related the index to socioeconomic and demographic factors, food items and health conditions. Differences in terms of nomenclature and methodologies made it difficult to compare these studies of dietary quality.

B vitamins related to homocysteine metabolism in adults celiac disease patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The only treatment for celiac disease is the gluten-free diet. Few studies have assessed the nutritional adequacy of this diet, especially of B vitamins related to homocysteine metabolism. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status and serum concentrations of B vitamins involved in homocysteine metabolism, and to determine whether the dietary intake of these vitamins are meeting Dietary Reference Intakes in celiac patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 20 celiac patients (36.3 ± 13.7 years old; 65% women), following strict gluten-free diet (GFD) and 39 healthy controls matched by sex and age. The dietary intake was assessed by 3-day food records, and serum concentrations of homocysteine and vitamins B6, B12, and folate were determined after overnight fasting. Comparisons between the two groups were performed by Student's t test or Mann-Whitney U-test, for continuous variables. Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables. An alpha level of 5% were considered significant. RESULTS: Celiac patients had lower serum folate concentrations (7.7 ± 3.5 ng/mL, P < 0.05) than controls. All celiac patients had folate intake below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) (130.8 ± 53.6 µg/d). However, only a small proportion of celiac patients had hyperhomocysteinemia. CONCLUSIONS: Celiac patients treated with GFD presented inadequacy of dietary folate intake and low-serum concentrations of folate, suggesting that more attention should be given to the quality of the nutrients offered by the GFD, as it constitutes a lifelong treatment.

Women with metabolic syndrome improve antrophometric and biochemical parameters with green banana flour consumption / Las mujeres con síndrome metabólico mejoran los parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos con el consumo de «green banana flour»

Background: Consumption of green banana flour (GBF) may promote health benefits, such as, decreased appetite, weight loss, glycemic control, intestinal function and lipid profile improvement, aging delay, cancer and heart disease prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of green banana flour consumption on anthropometric and biochemical parameters in overweight women. Methods: The glycemic index of flour in the study was determined. The effects of consumption of 20 g of green banana flour/day on weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, waist and hip circumference, body composition, hemoglobin, lipid profile, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, liver function and energy intake were evaluated in 25 overweight women for 45 days. Results: The glycemic index of the flour under study was classified as low. Reduction (p < 0.05) in systolic blood pressure, hip circumference and fasting glucose levels were found in women who had metabolic syndrome criteria. Conclusions: Consumption of green banana flour (20 g/day) for 45 days did not promote weight loss or changes in body composition in overweight women. It was noted, however, decreased hip circumference. Significant health parameter improvements were also noted in individuals with metabolic syndrome, which showed a reduction in systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose (AU)

Introducción: El consumo de «green banana flour» (GBF) puede contribuir para la salud como, por ejemplo, aumento en las sensaciones de saciedad , pérdida de peso , control de la glucemia y mejora de la función intestinal y el perfil lipídico, retraso del envejecimiento y la prevención del cáncer y de las enfermedades del corazón. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar los efectos del consumo de GBF sobre los parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos de las mujeres con exceso de peso. Métodos: Se determinó el índice glucémico de la harina en el estudio. Los efectos del consumo diario de 20 g de GBF en peso, índice de masa corporal (IMC), presión arterial, circunferencia de la cintura y de la cadera, la composición corporal, los niveles de hemoglobina, glucosa e insulina, resistencia insulínica, en la función del hígado y la ingesta alimentaria se evaluaron en 25 mujeres con exceso de peso durante 45 días. Resultados: El índice glucémico de harina estudiada fue clasificado como bajo. Fue encontrado reducción (p < 0,05) en la presión arterial sistólica, en la circunferencia de la cadera y en la glicemia en mujeres que tenían los criterios de síndrome X metabólico. Conclusiones: El consumo de harina de plátano sin madurar durante 45 días no promueve la pérdida de peso o los cambios en la composición corporal en mujeres con sobrepeso. Sin embargo, hubo una reducción de la circunferencia de la cadera. Se observó también una mejoría significativa en importantes factores de salud en mujeres con síndrome X metabólico, tales como una reducción en la presión arterial sistólica y de la glucemia (AU)

Flaxseed, olive and fish oil influence plasmatic lipids, lymphocyte migration and morphometry of the intestinal of Wistar rats / Óleo de linhaça, oliva e peixe influenciam os lipídios plasmáticos, migração de linfócitos e morfometria intestinal de ratos Wistar

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effect of flaxseed, olive and fish oil on the lipid profile, preservation of villosities and lymphocyte migration in the intestinal mucosa of Wistar rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar male rats were divided into four groups, which received the AIN-93M diet, with changes only to their lipid source: flaxseed, olive, fish, and soy oil (control group). The serum was separated for the biochemical parameter analysis. A histological evaluation was performed in the ileal portion. RESULTS: The group which was fed fish oil presented lower values when compared to the other treatments for Total Cholesterol, High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Triacylglycerol (p<0.05). The animals treated with fish and olive oils presented better intestinal villosities preservation. Less deposition of lymphocytes was observed in the flaxseed group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that flaxseed, olive and fish oils present different responses than soy oil for the intestinal mucosa preservation and lymphocyte proliferation in Wistar rats.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito dos óleos de linhaça, oliva e peixe no perfil lipídico, preservação das vilosidades e migração de linfócitos na mucosa intestinal de ratos Wistar. MÉTODOS: Trinta ratos Wistar foram divididos em quarto grupos e receberam dieta AIN-93M, modificando para cada grupo apenas a fonte lipídica: óleo de linhaça, oliva, peixe e soja ( grupo controle). O soro foi separado para análise dos parâmetros bioquímicos. A análise histológica foi realizada na porção ileal. RESULTADOS: O grupo que recebeu óleo de peixe apresentou menores valores de colesterol total, lipoproteína de alta densidade e triacilglicerol (p<0.05). Os animais tratados com óleo de peixe e oliva apresentaram melhor preservação das vilosidades intestinais. Menor deposição de linfócitos foi observado no grupo tratado com óleo de linhaça (p<0.001). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo demonstrou que os óleos de linhaça, oliva e peixe apresentam diferentes respostas em relação ao óleo de soja na preservação da mucosa intestinal e proliferação de linfócitos em ratos Wistar.

Flaxseed, olive and fish oil influence plasmatic lipids, lymphocyte migration and morphometry of the intestinal of Wistar rats.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effect of flaxseed, olive and fish oil on the lipid profile, preservation of villosities and lymphocyte migration in the intestinal mucosa of Wistar rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar male rats were divided into four groups, which received the AIN-93M diet, with changes only to their lipid source: flaxseed, olive, fish, and soy oil (control group). The serum was separated for the biochemical parameter analysis. A histological evaluation was performed in the ileal portion. RESULTS: The group which was fed fish oil presented lower values when compared to the other treatments for Total Cholesterol, High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Triacylglycerol (p<0.05). The animals treated with fish and olive oils presented better intestinal villosities preservation. Less deposition of lymphocytes was observed in the flaxseed group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that flaxseed, olive and fish oils present different responses than soy oil for the intestinal mucosa preservation and lymphocyte proliferation in Wistar rats.