Determination of non-sugar sweetener intake in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Chile / Determinación de la ingesta de edulcorantes no azucarados en adultos con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 en Chile

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) treatment aims for glycemic control through insulin therapy, carbohydrate intake, and physical activity. Non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) are used to reduce sugar consumption and weight control. It is unlikely that children with type 1 diabetes exceed the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for different NSS, but it is not known what happens to the NSS intake of adults with T1D in Chile. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the consumption of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS), considering the proportion of users, the intake level relative to the ADI, and the differences in intake according to sex in a sample of adults with T1D in Chile. METHODS: In this descriptive study, 32 adults diagnosed with T1D were recruited. NSS consumption was assessed via a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Statistical analysis included t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: All individuals consumed NSS. Sucralose, steviol glycosides, acesulfame K, and aspartame were NSS most frequently consumed. Although the average daily NSS intake was 241.4 mg, within acceptable limits. Steviol glycosides had the highest percentage of acceptable daily intake (9.9%). Beverages were the primary sources of NSS, contributing 91% of acesulfame K, 86% of aspartame, and 29% of sucralose consumed during the day. High NSS consumers had a higher obesity proportion, while low consumers had more overweight individuals. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals widespread NSS consumption in adults with T1D, emphasizing the need for continued research and monitoring to understand the long-term implications of NSS use in this population.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El tratamiento de la diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM1) busca el control glucémico a través de la terapia con insulina, la ingesta de carbohidratos y la actividad física. Los edulcorantes no azucarados (ENA) se utilizan para reducir el consumo de azúcar y el control del peso corporal. Hay pocas posibilidades de que los niños con diabetes tipo 1 excedan la ingesta diaria aceptable (IDA) de los diferentes ENA, pero no se sabe que ocurre con la ingesta de ENA de los adultos con DM1 en Chile. OBJETIVO: Estimar el consumo de ENA, considerando la proporción de usuarios, el nivel de ingesta relativo a la IDA y las diferencias en la ingesta según el sexo en una muestra de adultos con DM1 en Chile. MÉTODOS: En este estudio descriptivo se reclutaron 32 adultos diagnosticados con DM1. El consumo de ENA se evaluó mediante un Cuestionario de Frecuencia Alimentaria. El análisis estadístico incluyó pruebas t, U de Mann-Whitney y exacta de Fisher. RESULTADOS: Todos los individuos consumieron ENA. Sucralosa, glucósidos de esteviol, acesulfame K y aspartame fueron los ENA más frecuentemente consumidos. Aunque la ingesta diaria promedio de ENA fue de 241.4 mg, se mantuvo dentro de los límites aceptables. Los glucósidos de esteviol presentaron el mayor porcentaje de ingesta diaria aceptable (9.9%). Las bebidas fueron las principales fuentes de ENA, contribuyendo con el 91% del acesulfame K, el 86% del aspartame y el 29% de la sucralosa consumidos durante el día. Los altos consumidores de ENA presentaban una mayor proporción de obesidad, mientras que los bajos consumidores tenían más individuos con sobrepeso. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio revela un consumo generalizado de ENA en individuos adultos con DM1, enfatizando la necesidad de continuar la investigación y la monitorización para comprender las implicaciones a largo plazo del uso de ENA en esta población.

ROS and ERK Pathway Mechanistic Approach on Hepatic Insulin Resistance After Chronic Oral Exposure to Cadmium NOAEL Dose.

Cadmium is a critical toxic agent in occupational and non-occupational settings and acute and chronic environmental exposure situations that have recently been associated with metabolic disease development. Until now, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of cadmium has not been studied regarding insulin resistance development. Therefore, we aimed to monitor whether chronic oral exposure to cadmium NOAEL dose induces insulin resistance in Wistar rats and investigate if oxidative stress and/or inflammation are related. Male Wistar rats were separated into control (standard normocalorie diet + water free of cadmium) and cadmium groups (standard normocalorie diet + drinking water with 15 ppm CdCl2). At 15, 30, and 60 days, oral glucose tolerance, insulin response, and insulin resistance were analyzed using mathematical models. In the liver glycogen, triglyceride, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, cadmium, zinc, metallothioneins, and redox balance were quantified. Immunoreactivity analysis of proteins involved in metabolic and mitogenic insulin signaling was performed. The results showed that a cadmium NOAEL dose after 15 days of exposure causes ROS and mitogenic arm of insulin signaling to increase while hepatic glycogen diminishes. At 30 days, Cd accumulation accentuated ROS production, hepatic triglyceride overaccumulation, and mitogenic signals that develop insulin resistance. Finally, inflammation and lipid peroxidation appear after 60 days of Cd exposure, while lipids and carbohydrate homeostasis deteriorate. In conclusion, environmental exposure to cadmium NAOEL dose causes hepatic Cd accumulation and ROS overproduction that chronically declines the antioxidant defense, deteriorates metabolic homeostasis associated with the mitogenic pathway of insulin signaling, and induces insulin resistance.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity study of anti-obesity herbal granules in Sprague Dawley rats.

Toxicological studies are essential for developing novel medications in pharmaceutical industries including ayurvedic preparation. Hence, the present study is aimed to evaluate acute and 28-days repeated dose oral toxicity of anti-obesity polyherbal granules (PHG) in Sprague Dawley rats by OECD guidelines No 425 and 407, respectively. In an acute oral toxicity study, a single dose of 2 g/kg PHG was administered to rats and mortality, body weight, and clinical observations were noted for fourteen days. However, in the subacute oral toxicity study, the PHG was administered orally at doses of 0.3, 0.5 and 1 g/kg daily for 28 days to rats. Food intake and body weight were recorded weekly. On the 29th day, rats were sacrificed and subjected to haematological, biochemical, urine, necropsy, and histopathological analysis. In an acute oral toxicity study, no treatment-related, mortality, behavioral changes, and toxicity were found throughout fourteen days. Likewise, in the sub-acute toxicity study, no mortality and toxic effects were found in haematology, biochemical, urine, necropsy and histopathological analysis in rats for 28 days of treatment with PHG. Based on these results, the LD50 of PHG was found to be greater than 2 g/kg and the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of PHG for rats was found to be 0.5 g/kg/day. Thus, anti-obesity polyherbal granules showed a good safety profile in animal studies and can be considered an important agent for the clinical management of obesity.

Can the intake of synthetic food colour Amaranth (INS 123) put the health of Brazilian consumers at risk?

Amaranth is a synthetic red azo dye approved in several countries such as Canada, Australia and Brazil, but banned in the United States. There are few studies evaluating the exposure of the general population to this food colouring substance, in Brazil, specifically, there are virtually no data on its intake. This study aimed to estimate the Theoretical Maximum Daily Intake (TMDI) of the Brazilian population and to quantify Amaranth in foods that contribute the most to its consumption. Data on the presence of Amaranth were correlated with consumption data from National Household Budget Surveys carried out in 2008/2009 and 2017/2018, among people aged ten or older. The results show that the mean TMDI (mg/day) of Amaranth does not exceed the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) in any population group, it, however, may get as high as 66% of the ADI among teenagers. For the TMDI balanced by the prevalence of food consumption, that is, considering consumers only (eaters only, rather than the population mean), results show that the amounts can exceed the ADI in all population groups studied. The intake of Amaranth is higher among the younger population (adolescents) reaching up to three times the ADI in the worst-case scenario. The food groups which contribute the most to the intake of Amaranth, are 'juices/artificial juices/reconstituted powdered juice mixes' and 'soft drinks'. Laboratory tests of powdered fruit mixes and soft drinks sold in the city of Porto Alegre (Brazil) show that 17 out of 20 samples tested exceeded the limit set by Brazilian regulations (5 mg/100 mL in the final product). Results show that the intake of Amaranth by the different Brazilian populations may pose a health hazard to several population groups.

Screening level intake estimates of low and no-calorie sweeteners in Argentina, Chile, and Peru.

As obesity rates increase, several countries in Latin America have implemented strategies to curb the consumption of sugars, resulting in reformulations of products with low and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS). The increased availability of LNCS-containing products raises concerns about the potential risk of exceeding the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Information on the intake of LNCS among Latin American countries are limited by the lack of publicly available national consumption data. Using the Budget Method, screening level intake estimates of six LNCS (acesulfame potassium, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, steviol glycosides, and sucralose) were derived for Argentina, Chile, and Peru based on national sales data and product labels. Four tiered assessments were conducted where assumption of LNCS use ranged from the most conservative Tier 1 to the more refined yet conservative LNCS use and concentrations in subsequent tiers. The estimated intakes, applicable to the total population as well as children, were below their ADIs for all tiers. For Tier 2 where average LNCS concentrations were assumed present in all LNCS-containing products, intakes were <60% of the ADI. Estimates for the more refined tiers were comparable to published estimates based on select subpopulations in these countries, validating the approach used in this study.

Residual nitrite in processed meat products in Costa Rica: Method validation, long-term survey and intake estimations.

Ingestion of high amounts of nitrite due processed meat consumption could produce negative effects in human health. Here, we investigate long-term residual sodium nitrite content in processed meat products in Costa Rica to provide the first estimations of nitrite daily intake. An extensively validated analytical procedure was applied for the long-term analysis of 1350 samples from 2014 to 2018. Mean residual sodium nitrite concentration was 76.5 mg kg-1, ranging from < 11 to 278.0 mg kg-1. Significant differences among product and meat types were found, but no temporal differences were observed. Nitrite daily intake was estimated in 0.0122 ± 0.0039 mg kg-1 bw-1 d-1, which accounts for 17.4% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI). This information underlies the importance of studying residual nitrite kinetics in processed meat products as well as establishing long-term programs for the accurate estimation of nitrite daily intake rates.

Environmental and health risk assessment of agricultural areas adjacent to uranium ore fields in Brazil.

To investigate the risks posed by trace and rare earth elements (REEs) in two tropical uranium ore fields, metal concentrations from 50 vegetable samples (corn and soybean) and their corresponding agricultural soils were evaluated in a U mining area and a U-rich coal mining area in Brazil. Samples from both areas had metal concentrations (REE: La to Lu, and trace elements: As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, Cr, Mn, Zn, Ba, U, Sr) that were higher than the guidelines proposed by the Brazilian environmental agency. Soils from the U mining area (Poços de Caldas) generally had higher contents of trace elements than the coal mining area (Figueira), with the exception of Ni and Cr, indicating a higher risk of pollution, which was confirmed by a pollution load index that was greater than unity. For both sites, concentrations of uranium in the soil and plants, its hazard quotients and the soil contamination factor were higher in agricultural fields closer to the mines, indicating that contamination and the consequent risks to human health were distance dependent. REE concentrations averaged 52.8 mg kg-1 in the topsoils and 0.76 mg kg-1 in the grains for Figueira, whereas higher values of 371 mg kg-1 (topsoils) and 0.9 mg kg-1 (grains) were found in Poços de Caldas. Based upon corn and soybean consumption, the estimated intake dose of the REE was lower than the intake dose predicted to be problematic for human health for both sites, indicating limited risk related to the ingestion of REE.

Intake of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners in Chilean Children after Enforcement of a New Food Labeling Law that Regulates Added Sugar Content in Processed Foods.

After enforcement of a new food labeling law in 2016, Chile exhibits a greater offer to reduced sugar products with addition of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS). Many of these products are consumed by children, who are at greater risk of reaching the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of these food additives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake levels of NNS in Chilean schoolchildren after the enactment of the aforementioned law. A total of 250 Chilean children 6-12 years old were surveyed. NNS intake was assessed through a food frequency questionnaire. All children evaluated consumed at least one NNS during the previous month. Sucralose had the highest consumption frequency reaching 99.2%, followed by acesulfame-K (92.8%), stevia (86.0%), and aspartame (85.2%). Aspartame showed the highest median intake, which came mainly from beverages (96%). No children exceeded the ADI of any NNS. Smaller children exhibited a higher body weight-adjusted intake of sucralose, acesulfame-K, stevia, and aspartame (p < 0.05). In Chile, a wide range of processed foods with NNSs is available and all schoolchildren evaluated consumed at least one product containing NNS. However, this consumption does not exceed defined ADIs for any of the six sweeteners authorized for food use in Chile.

Bisphenol A exposure is involved in the development of Parkinson like disease in Drosophila melanogaster.

The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease has not been fully clarified yet but its cause is known to be multifactorial. One of these factors is oxidative stress induced by exposure to environmental toxifiers. We studied the effect of Bisphenol A (BPA) at concentrations of 0.5 mM and 1 mM, the concentration of 1 mM corresponding to Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) for humans in adult Drosophila melanogaster. The BPA induced oxidative stress was established by increased levels of malondialdehyde, reactive species, and decreased activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, and detoxificant enzyme glutathione-S-transferase. Associated with oxidative stress, there was a reduction of acetylcholinesterase activity and a reduction of dopamine levels, which are related to the decreased locomotion activity as observed in negative geotaxis, open field and equilibrium behaviors in group exposed to 1 mM of BPA. Oxidative stress also impaired mitochondrial and cellular metabolic activity in the head causing an increase in the mortality of flies exposed to both BPA concentrations. Therefore, BPA induced Parkinsonian-like changes in flies and it is possible that the oxidative stress is closely related to this effect, providing new insights for future studies.

Residues of legacy organochlorine pesticides and DDT metabolites in highly consumed fish from the polluted Guanabara Bay, Brazil: distribution and assessment of human health risk.

Organochlorine (OCP) pesticides were determined in samples of sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis), whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), and mullet (Mugil liza) from Guanabara Bay (state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). OCP concentrations and fish consumption were linked with acceptable daily intake values in order to assess the human health risk for the Brazilian population. The total concentrations of OCPs (Σ OCP) was 6.6 ng/g f.w., 7.5 ng/g f.w., and 2.8 ng/g f.w. for sardines, corvina, and mullet, respectively. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) among the species related to o,p'-DDD and o,p'-DDT concentrations. Both DDT-related compounds were 5 and 76 times more abundant in sardines than in whitemouth croaker and mullet. Newly discovered DDT metabolite, o-Cl-DDMU, was frequently detected in the fish. None of the samples exceeded the maximum limits for acceptable levels of OCP residues. According to the data of average intake of Brazilian population, none of three species exceeded toxicological parameter. The investigated fishes are considered as safe for human consumption in regard to exposure of the studied OCPs. However, fish may be a intake source of OCP metabolites such as o-Cl-DDMU whose toxicity is still unknown.

Fast and simple method of simultaneous preservative determination in different processed foods by QuEChERS and HPLC-UV: Method development, survey and estimate of daily intake.

A fast and simple method, which employs QuEChERS and HPLC-UV, was developed to determine preservatives in processed foods from different classes. The method showed correlation coefficients above 0.99, LOQs between 0.13 and 0.33 mg kg-1 and recoveries between 91 and 107%, with RSD ≤ 5.3%. Levels of preservatives were up to 2040 mg kg-1 for benzoates, up to 3185 mg kg-1 for sorbates and up to 452 mg kg-1 for methylparaben. Only four out of 82 samples under analysis were above the maximum level allowed by the legislation. Additionally, daily intakes of preservatives were estimated. Regarding benzoates, relatively high intakes were estimated (25% of the acceptable daily intake - ADI) in comparison with sorbates (5% of ADI) and parabens (<1% of ADI), when mean consumption is considered. This method is a good alternative to determining preservatives in different food samples.

Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity and Subacute Toxicity of a Quercus crassifolia Polyphenolic Bark Extract for its Potential Use in Functional Foods.

Oak wood is used in barrels for wine aging. During aging, polyphenols are transferred from the barrels to the liquid. Although the bioactivity of oak polyphenols in wines has been extensively studied, no investigation exists on their toxicological properties, which limits their use as functional safe ingredients for other products. In this work, the chemical composition of a polyphenolic extract of Quercus crassifolia bark (QCBe) was studied by GC-MS. Its antibacterial properties on probiotic and pathogenic bacteria and its subacute-oral toxicity were determined as a way to understand the potential impact from its addition to fermented food as a functional ingredient. QCBe shows a selective inhibition of Escherichia coli compared with Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophylus. According to the toxicity evaluation, the subacute no-observed-adverse-effect-level was achieved at 11 mg/kg bw/day, whereas the subacute lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level for kidney damage was at 33 mg/kg bw/day. These results suggest that, given the fact an adverse effect was observed after subacute administration of this extract, further longer term toxicological studies are needed to provide sufficient safety evidence for its use in humans. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Mexico's yogurt market is growing which creates opportunities for the development of some yogurt products as functional foods. As a first step to evaluate its potential use in yogurt formulation, the antibacterial effect of a Quercus crassifolia polyphenolic extract (QCBe) on probiotic bacteria and its subacute-oral toxicity in rats were studied. A low inhibition on probiotic bacteria growth was observed after QCBe addition to Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophylus cultures. Exposure to QCBe for a subacute duration resulted in renal injury in rats at dosages greater than or equal to 33 mg/kg/bw/day. This adverse effect indicates the importance of performing further long-term toxicological assessments prior to the addition of QCBe to a food like yogurt, which is regularly eaten by consumers.

Ecotoxicological effect of fipronil and its metabolites on Folsomia candida in tropical soils.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of the fipronil and its metabolites, fipronil sulfone and fipronil desulfinyl on Folsomia candida. Three types of soils were used to perform the ecotoxicological tests, two natural soils (Oxisol and Entisol), and an artificial substrate (Tropical Artificial Soil). The treatments consisted of increasing doses of a veterinary medicinal product with active ingredient based on fipronil, and of its two main metabolites, fipronil sulfone and fipronil desulfinyl. The doses of fipronil were 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.15, 0.30, 0.60, and 1.00 mg kg-1 of the active ingredient. For fipronil sulfone and fipronil desulfinyl the doses tested were: 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.15, 0.30, 0.60, 1.00, and 5.00 mg kg-1. The effects of toxicity on F. candida were evaluated by survival and reproduction tests, based on the methods described by ISO 11267. There was a completely randomized design, with six replicates for the fipronil tests and eight for the metabolites. We show that fipronil and its metabolites, even at very low concentrations, are toxic to F. candida. Reduction of reproduction can be observed at concentrations of 0.15 mg kg-1. There was little difference in toxicity (LC50 and EC50) between fipronil and its metabolites. Rather, differences were related more to soil type, where the artificial soil was more sensitive than the two natural soils (Oxisol and Entisol). We conclude that it is important to perform ecotoxicological tests in natural soils, in order to generate more realistic representations of veterinary drug toxicity on the environment.

Edulcorantes no nutritivos: consumo de los niños y adolescentes, y alimentos que los aportan / Non-nutritive sweeteners: children and adolescent consumption and food sources

La disponibilidad de alimentos y bebidas con edulcorantes no nutritivos (ENN) aumentó en años recientes. Objetivos: Estimar el consumo de ENN en niños y adolescentes de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, la prevalencia de ingesta superior a la admisible y los principales alimentos y bebidas aportadores. Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de información recolectada en la Primera Encuesta Alimentaria y Nutricional de la ciudad de Buenos Aires realizada en 2011 que incluyó 2664 niños y adolescentes de 2 a 18 años. El consumo se evaluó mediante recordatorio de 24 horas. El contenido de ENN en alimentos y bebidas se obtuvo del rotulado nutricional. Se calculó la ingesta total de cada ENN y la adecuación a la ingesta diaria admisible (IDA) establecida por FAO/OMS. Resultados: El 44% de los preescolares, 53% de escolares y 51% de los adolescentes consumieron alimentos con ENN. Ningún niño presentó un consumo superior a la IDA de aspartamo, acesulfame-K y sucralosa. El 0,3% de los preescolares superó la IDA de sacarina, el 1% de preescolares, 0,9% de escolares y el 0,1% de los adolescentes superaron la IDA de ciclamato, debido al consumo de jugos concentrados para diluir. Las bebidas aportaron el 67% del ciclamato, el 91% del acesulfame-K y el 96% del aspartamo. Los edulcorantes de mesa aportaron el 30% del ciclamato y el 32% de la sacarina. Conclusión: El consumo de alimentos con ENN es usual en la población infanto juvenil, principalmente a partir de bebidas. Menos del 1% de los niños supera la IDA de ciclamato y sacarina.

The availability of food and beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) has increased in recent years. Objectives: To estimate NNSs consumption among children and adolescents in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, the prevalence of a daily intake higher than acceptable, and the main food and beverages contributing to it. Material and methods: Descriptive study about the information collected in the First Food and Nutritional/Nutrition Survey of Buenos Aires City, which was conducted in 2011 and included 2664 children and adolescents aged 2-18 years. Consumption was assessed by means of a 24-hour recall. NNSs content in food and beverages was obtained from nutrition facts labels. The total dietary intake for each NNSs and the adequacy to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO). Results: Forty four percent of preschoolers, 53% of school children, and 51% of adolescents have had food with NNSs. No child was exposed to a consumption of aspartame, acesulfameK, and sucralose higher than the ADI. Saccharin consumption was higher than the ADI in 0.3% of preschoolers while cyclamate consumption was higher than the ADI in 0.9% of school children and 0.1% of adolescents, due to the consumption of concentrated juice, to be diluted with water. Beverages provided 67% of cyclamate, 91% of acesulfameK, and 96% of aspartame. Table-top sweeteners provided 30% of cyclamate and 32% of saccharin. Conclusion: Consumption of food and beverages with NNSs is usual among children and adolescents, mainly from beverages. Less than 1% of children are exposed to a consumption of cyclamate and saccharin higher than the ADI.

Non-nutritive sweeteners: children and adolescent consumption and food sources. / Edulcorantes no nutritivos: consumo de los niños y adolescentes, y alimentos que los aportan.

The availability of food and beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) has increased in recent years. OBJECTIVES: To estimate NNSs consumption among children and adolescents in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, the prevalence of a daily intake higher than acceptable, and the main food and beverages contributing to it. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study about the information collected in the First Food and Nutritional/Nutrition Survey of Buenos Aires City, which was conducted in 2011 and included 2664 children and adolescents aged 2-18 years. Consumption was assessed by means of a 24- hour recall. NNSs content in food and beverages was obtained from nutrition facts labels. The total dietary intake for each NNSs and the adequacy to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO). RESULTS: Forty four percent of preschoolers, 53% of school children, and 51% of adolescents have had food with NNSs. No child was exposed to a consumption of aspartame, acesulfameK, and sucralose higher than the ADI. Saccharin consumption was higher than the ADI in 0.3% of preschoolers while cyclamate consumption was higher than the ADI in 0.9% of school children and 0.1% of adolescents, due to the consumption of concentrated juice, to be diluted with water. Beverages provided 67% of cyclamate, 91% of acesulfameK, and 96% of aspartame. Table-top sweeteners provided 30% of cyclamate and 32% of saccharin. CONCLUSION: Consumption of food and beverages with NNSs is usual among children and adolescents, mainly from beverages. Less than 1% of children are exposed to a consumption of cyclamate and saccharin higher than the ADI.

La disponibilidad de alimentos y bebidas con edulcorantes no nutritivos (ENN) aumentó en años recientes. Objetivos: Estimar el consumo de ENN en niños y adolescentes de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, la prevalencia de ingesta superior a la admisible y los principales alimentos y bebidas aportadores. Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de información recolectada en la Primera Encuesta Alimentaria y Nutricional de la ciudad de Buenos Aires realizada en 2011 que incluyó 2664 niños y adolescentes de 2 a 18 años. El consumo se evaluó mediante recordatorio de 24 horas. El contenido de ENN en alimentos y bebidas se obtuvo del rotulado nutricional. Se calculó la ingesta total de cada ENN y la adecuación a la ingesta diaria admisible (IDA) establecida por FAO/OMS. Resultados: El 44% de los preescolares, 53% de escolares y 51% de los adolescentes consumieron alimentos con ENN. Ningún niño presentó un consumo superior a la IDA de aspartamo, acesulfame-K y sucralosa. El 0,3% de los preescolares superó la IDA de sacarina, el 1% de preescolares, 0,9% de escolares y el 0,1% de los adolescentes superaron la IDA de ciclamato, debido al consumo de jugos concentrados para diluir. Las bebidas aportaron el 67% del ciclamato, el 91% del acesulfame-K y el 96% del aspartamo. Los edulcorantes de mesa aportaron el 30% del ciclamato y el 32% de la sacarina. Conclusión: El consumo de alimentos con ENN es usual en la población infanto juvenil, principalmente a partir de bebidas. Menos del 1% de los niños supera la IDA de ciclamato y sacarina.

Pathophysiological investigations, anxiolytic effects and interaction of a semisynthetic riparin with benzodiazepine receptors.

We have reported Riparin A as a promising antiparasitic molecule ​​against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. This work evaluated the acute oral toxicity of Riparin A and its anxiolytic effects using in vivo models and computational tools. Mice were submitted to acute oral toxicity tests (Guideline OECD 423). Later, anxiety assays with Riparin A (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg: elevated plus maze, light/dark box and marble burying) were performed. Theoretical calculations analyzed interaction of Riparin A with gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors. Only Riparin A at 2000 mg/kg alter body weight, food and water consumption and urine production after 7 and/or 14 days treatment and increased serum triglycerides. There was increase in the time spent in the open arms (TSOA) and number of transitions between compartments (NTC) and decrease in number of hidden balls (NHB) in Riparin A-treated animals at 200 mg/kg (P < 0.05), whose approximate ED50 was 283.1 (156.5-397.1) mg/kg. The functional amide of Riparin A interacted with the GABAA receptor mainly at subunits α2 and ß1 and presented strong interaction with the Asp68 residue, which is part of the pharmacophore group. Riparin A was toxically safe and pharmacologically active for anxiolytic purposes, revealed NOAEL of 200 mg/kg and probably interacts with Asp68 residues of benzodiazepine receptors by hydrogen bonds.

Residue of insecticides in foodstuff and dietary exposure assessment of Brazilian citizens.

The goal of this work is to study the presence of 17 different pyrethroids and chlorpyrifos in animal origin food samples, including chicken, beef, fish, eggs and milk. The samples were analyzed by GC/NCI-MS/MS in order to determine their insecticide concentration levels, the relation between the amount of insecticides and the lipid content, as well as their isomeric composition. Bifenthrin, cypermethrin, cyhalothrin, permethrin, deltamethrin and chlorpyrifos have been detected in real samples. The highest levels find were verified for chlorpyrifos (45.7 µg L-1, 17.5 µg kg-1 ww) and cypermethrin (2.75 µg L-1, 14.7 µg kg-1 ww) in milk and beef, respectively. The estimate of daily intake showed that none of these insecticides exceeded the safety limits of the acceptable daily intake values. A strong correlation between the amount of pesticides and lipid content was found for beef, fish and chicken samples. Regarding the isomers, a predominance of cis isomers in samples contaminated with cypermethrin was verified.

Evaluation of embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of the oil extracted from Caryocar brasiliense Cambess pulp in rats.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the maternal, embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of Caryocar brasiliense pulp oil (OPCB), oil widely used in Brazilian cuisine and traditional medicine. Pregnant Wistar female rats were used in this study for three treatment groups (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day) and a control group. The OPCB was administered orally throughout the period of organogenesis of females (6th until the 15th day of gestation). The pregnant females were gross necropsied on d20, followed by maternal and fetus examination, to evaluate the teratogenicity, reproductive and developmental performance of OPCB. The results showed there was no significant statistical difference in the ponderal evolution of the pregnant females, as well as in the behavioral, hematological, biochemical or histopathological data, indicating the absence of maternal toxicity of the oil. The mean number of corpora lutea, implantation and resorption sites, as well as all calculated reproductive rates, also remained statistically similar between the groups, indicating low embryotoxic effects of the tested plant specie. In fetal examination, external anomalies and skeletal abnormalities were observed in all treated and control groups. The NOAEL for maternal toxicity and embryo/fetal development for the OPCB administered by gavage, was 1000 mg/kg/bw/day.

Current research, regulation, risk, analytical methods and monitoring results for nicarbazin in chicken meat: A perspective review.

This review presents up-to-date information about current research on nicarbazin, one of the most used anticoccidials in poultry production. The focus is to elucidate regulation concerning nicarbazin, limits for its residues in food, how maximum residue limits in different countries are calculated regarding edible chicken tissues and the possible implications in human health. Analytical methods to extract and quantify this residue, expressed as dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) are presented and discussed, including qualitative screening and quantitative/confirmatory analytical methods. Monitoring results and occurrence of DNC residues in chicken meat are discussed. Additionally, the causes of eventual chicken meat contamination and possible solutions to reduce or eliminate DNC residue in tissues are also presented. The paper concludes with perspectives, the current state of DNC residue analysis and suggestions for future research, especially considering the gap in the study of residue recycling effect due to continuous chicken litter use.

Effects of the herbicide glyphosate on non-target plant native species from Chaco forest (Argentina).

Agriculture based on transgenic crops has expanded in Argentina into areas formerly occupied by Chaco forest. Even though glyphosate is the herbicide most widely used in the world, increasing evidence indicates severe ecotoxicological effects on non-target organisms as native plants. The aim of this work is to determine glyphosate effects on 23 native species present in the remaining Chaco forests immersed in agricultural matrices. This is a laboratory/greenhouse approach studying acute effects on seedlings after 21 days. A gradient of glyphosate rates (525, 1050, 2100, 4200, and 8400g ai/Ha; recommended field application rate (RFAR) = 2100g ai/Ha) was applied on four-week seedlings cultivated in a greenhouse and response variables (phytotoxicity, growth reduction, and sensitivity to the herbicide) were measured. This gradient of herbicide rates covers realistic rates of glyphosate applications in the crop field and also those that can reach vegetation of forest relicts by off-target drift and overspray. Testing was performed following guidelines for vegetative vigour (post-germination spray). All species showed lethal or sublethal effects after the application of the 25% of RFAR (50% of species showed severe phytotoxicity or death and 70% of species showed growth reduction). The results showed a gradient of sensitivity to glyphosate by which some of the studied species are very sensitive to glyphosate and seedlings died with 25% of RFAR while other species can be classified as herbicide-tolerant. Thus, the vegetation present in the forest relicts could be strongly affected by glyphosate application on crops. Lethal and sublethal effects of glyphosate on non-target plants could promote both the loss of biodiversity in native forest relicts immersed in the agroecosystems and the selection of new crop weeds considering that some biotypes are continuously exposed to low doses of glyphosate.