Sympatho-Vagal Imbalance is Associated with Sarcopenia in Male Patients with Heart Failure / Desequilíbrio Simpático-Vagal está Associado com Sarcopenia em Pacientes do Sexo Masculino com Insuficiência Cardíaca

Abstract Background: Resting sympathetic hyperactivity and impaired parasympathetic reactivation after exercise have been described in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the association of these autonomic changes in patients with HF and sarcopenia is unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of autonomic modulation on sarcopenia in male patients with HF. Methods: We enrolled 116 male patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%. All patients underwent a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Maximal heart rate was recorded and delta heart rate recovery (∆HRR) was assessed at 1st and 2nd minutes after exercise. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was recorded by microneurography. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure body composition and sarcopenia was defined by the sum of appendicular lean muscle mass (ALM) divided by height in meters squared and handgrip strength. Results: Sarcopenia was identified in 33 patients (28%). Patients with sarcopenia had higher MSNA than those without (47 [41-52] vs. 40 [34-48] bursts/min, p = 0.028). Sarcopenic patients showed lower ∆HRR at 1st (15 [10-21] vs. 22 [16-30] beats/min, p < 0.001) and 2nd min (25 [19-39] vs. 35 [24-48] beats/min, p = 0.017) than non-sarcopenic. There was a positive correlation between ALM and ∆HRR at 1st (r = 0.26, p = 0.008) and 2nd min (r = 0.25, p = 0.012). We observed a negative correlation between ALM and MSNA (r = -0.29, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Sympatho-vagal imbalance seems to be associated with sarcopenia in male patients with HF. These results highlight the importance of a therapeutic approach in patients with muscle wasting and increased peripheral sympathetic outflow.

Resumo Fundamento: Hiperatividade simpática de repouso e uma reativação parassimpática diminuída pós-exercício têm sido descritas em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC). No entanto, a associação dessas alterações autonômicas em pacientes com IC sarcopênicos ainda não são conhecidas. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto da modulação autonômica sobre sarcopenia em pacientes com IC do sexo masculino. Métodos: Foram estudados 116 pacientes com IC e fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda inferior a 40%. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao teste de exercício cardiopulmonar máximo. A frequência cardíaca máxima foi registrada, e o delta de recuperação da frequência cardíaca (∆RFC) foi avaliado no primeiro e no segundo minuto após o exercício. A atividade nervosa simpática muscular (ANSM) foi registrada por microneurografia. A Absorciometria Radiológica de Dupla Energia foi usada para medir composição cpororal, e a sarcopenia definida como a soma da massa muscular apendicular (MMA) dividida pela altura em metros ao quadrado e força da mão. Resultados: A sarcopenia foi identificada em 33 pacientes (28%). Os pacientes com sarcopenia apresentaram maior ANSM que aqueles sem sarcopenia - 47 (41-52) vs. 40 (34-48) impulsos (bursts)/min, p = 0,028). Pacientes sarcopênicos apresentaram ∆RFC mais baixo no primeiro [15 (10-21) vs. 22 (16-30) batimentos/min, p < 0,001) e no segundo [25 (19-39) vs. 35 (24-48) batimentos/min, p = 0,017) minuto que pacientes não sarcopênicos. Observou-se uma correlação positiva entre a MMA e a ANSM (r = -0,29; p = 0,003). Conclusão: Um desequilíbrio simpático-vagal parece estar associado com sarcopenia em pacientes com IC do sexo masculino. Esses resultados destacam a importância de uma abordagem terapêutica em pacientes com perda muscular e fluxo simpático periférico aumentado.

Avaliação da densidade mineral óssea em crianças com dermatite atópica moderada ou grave / Bone mineral density in children with moderate or severe atopic dermatitis

Objetivo: Determinar o impacto da Dermatite Atópica (DA) no estado nutricional e metabolismo ósseo em crianças.Métodos: Quarenta e nove crianças com DA moderada ou grave (4-12 anos) e 48 crianças saudáveis foram avaliadas por z-escore altura/idade, z-escore peso/idade, z-escore IMC, duração e gravidade da doença, uso de Glicocorticoides (GC) tópico e parâmetros ósseos. Conteúdo mineral ósseo (CMO), densidade mineral óssea (DMO) e z-escores foram medidos por absormetria de dupla emissão de raios-X (DXA). Níveis séricos de cálcio, fósforo, fosfatase alcalina, cortisol e telopeptídeo carboxiterminal do colágeno tipo 1 (CTX), e níveis plasmáticos de 25 hidroxivitamina D (25OHD) e hormônio da paratireoide (PTH), foram determinados.Resultados: Crianças com DA apresentaram menor altura para idade quando comparadas às crianças controle (p = 0,007). Menor CMO em coluna lombar [16,5 (6,4) vs. 19,8 (8,3)g, p = 0,027] e fêmur total [12,2 (4,0) vs. 14,2 (5,0)g, p = 0,029] foi encontrado em crianças com DA. Níveis de CTX foram menores em pacientes com DA [1,36 (0,59) vs. 1,67 (0,79)ng/mL, p = 0,026] e tendência a níveis mais baixos de fosfatase alcalina foi observada em crianças com DA [228 (75,3) vs. 255 (70,7) ng/mL, p = 0,074]. Crianças com DA apresentaram níveis mais baixos de cortisol que crianças saudáveis [9,06 (4.8) 10,57 vs. (4,9), p = 0,061], sem diferença significante.Conclusões: Redução em altura para idade, remodelamento ósseo e conteúdo mineral ósseo em crianças com DA moderada ou grave poderia estar associada a fatores incluindo determinantes genéticos, baixa exposição solar, inflamação crônica e uso crônico do GC tópico.

Objective: To determine the impact of atopic dermatitis (AD) on nutritional status and bonemetabolism parameters in children. Methods: Forty-nine children with moderate to severe AD (4-12 years old) and 48 healthy children were assessed using height/age z-scores, weight/agez-scores, body mass index z-scores, disease activity and severity, topical use of glucocorticoids (GC), and bone parameters. Bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), andz-scores were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Serum levels ofcalcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, cortisol, and carboxy terminal telopeptide of type1 collagen (CTX), and plasma levels of 25 hidroxy vitamin D (25OHD) and parathyroid hormone,were determined. Results: AD children presented lower height/age z-score, as compared tocontrols (p = 0.007). Lower BMC at lumbar spine [16.5(6.4) vs. 19.8(8.3)g, p = 0.027] and totalfemur [12.2(4.0) vs. 14.2 (5.0) g, p = 0.029] was found in AD children. CTX levels were lower in ADpatients, as compared to healthy children [1.36(0.59) vs. 1.67(0.79)ng/mL, p = 0.026] and a trendto lower levels of alkaline phosphatase was observed in AD children [228(75.3) vs. 255 (70.7) ng/mL, p = 0.074]. Children with AD presented lower levels of serum cortisol in comparison to thehealthy group [9.06(4.8) vs. 10.57(4.9), p = 0.061], without statistical significance. Conclusions: Reduced height for age, BMD, and bone turnover in children with moderate to severe AD couldbe associated with genetic determinants, insufficient sun exposure, chronic inflammation, andchronic use of topical GC.

The impact of asymptomatic vertebral fractures on quality of life in older community-dwelling women: the São Paulo Ageing & Health Study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of asymptomatic vertebral fractures on the quality of life in older women as part of the Sao Paulo Ageing & Health Study. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 180 women 65 years of age or older with or without vertebral fractures. The Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis was administered to all subjects. Anthropometric data were obtained by physical examination, and the body mass index was calculated. Lateral thoracic and lumbar spine X-ray scans were obtained to identify asymptomatic vertebral fractures using a semi-quantitative method. RESULTS: Women with asymptomatic vertebral fractures had lower total scores [61.4(15.3) vs. 67.1(14.2), p = 0.03] and worse physical function domain scores [69.5(20.1) vs. 77.3(17.1), p = 0.02] for the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis compared with women without fractures. The total score of this questionnaire was also worse in women classified as obese than in women classified as overweight or normal. High physical activity was related to a better total score for this questionnaire (p = 0.01). Likewise, lower physical function scores were observed in women with higher body mass index values (p<0.05) and lower physical activity levels (p,0.05). Generalized linear models with gamma distributions and logarithmic link functions, adjusted for age, showed that lower total scores and physical function domain scores for the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis were related to a high body mass index, lower physical activity, and the presence of vertebral fractures (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Vertebral fractures are associated with decreased quality of life mainly physical functioning in older community-dwelling women regardless of age, body mass index, and physical activity. Therefore, the results highlight the importance of preventing and controlling asymptomatic vertebral fractures to reduce their impact on quality of life among older women.