Acute effects of isocaloric meals with different fiber and antioxidant contents on inflammatory markers in healthy individuals.

Chronic inflammation contributes to the pathophysiology of many chronic diseases. Dietary fibers and antioxidants may exert anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to determine whether meals with different fibers and antioxidants may elicit a different response in inflammatory markers in healthy volunteers. On 3 separate days, subjects (n = 8) consumed one of three isocaloric meals with different antioxidant (vitamin E, selenium and ß-carotene) and fiber content (high, intermediate and low) in a randomized crossover design. Blood samples were collected at different times: 0 min (before the meal), and 30 and 240 min after the meal. Plasma interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, glucose and insulin content were evaluated at each time point. There were no significant differences for any of the parameters at baseline. Furthermore, plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 were unchanged at the 30- and 240-min time points whatever meal consumed. Moreover, the cytokine responses to glucose and insulin intake were not significantly different between experimental conditions. In conclusion, isocaloric meals with different fiber, ß-carotene, vitamin E and selenium contents do not acutely affect inflammatory markers in healthy young males.

An experimental model for resistance exercise in rodents.

This study aimed to develop an equipment and system of resistance exercise (RE), based on squat-type exercise for rodents, with control of training variables. We developed an operant conditioning system composed of sound, light and feeding devices that allowed optimized RE performance by the animal. With this system, it is not necessary to impose fasting or electric shock for the animal to perform the task proposed (muscle contraction). Furthermore, it is possible to perform muscle function tests in vivo within the context of the exercise proposed and control variables such as intensity, volume (sets and repetitions), and exercise session length, rest interval between sets and repetitions, and concentric strength. Based on the experiments conducted, we demonstrated that the model proposed is able to perform more specific control of other RE variables, especially rest interval between sets and repetitions, and encourages the animal to exercise through short-term energy restriction and "disturbing" stimulus that do not promote alterations in body weight. Therefore, despite experimental limitations, we believe that this RE apparatus is closer to the physiological context observed in humans.

Does Branched-Chain Amino Acids Supplementation Modulate Skeletal Muscle Remodeling through Inflammation Modulation? Possible Mechanisms of Action.

Skeletal muscle protein turnover is modulated by intracellular signaling pathways involved in protein synthesis, degradation, and inflammation. The proinflammatory status of muscle cells, observed in pathological conditions such as cancer, aging, and sepsis, can directly modulate protein translation initiation and muscle proteolysis, contributing to negative protein turnover. In this context, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), especially leucine, have been described as a strong nutritional stimulus able to enhance protein translation initiation and attenuate proteolysis. Furthermore, under inflammatory conditions, BCAA can be transaminated to glutamate in order to increase glutamine synthesis, which is a substrate highly consumed by inflammatory cells such as macrophages. The present paper describes the role of inflammation on muscle remodeling and the possible metabolic and cellular effects of BCAA supplementation in the modulation of inflammatory status of skeletal muscle and the consequences on protein synthesis and degradation.

Avaliação do potencial alcalinizante das águas minerais comercialmente disponíveis em território brasileiro / Alkalizing potential evaluation of commercially available mineral waters in Brazil

OBJECTIVE:To characterize the profile of commercially available mineral waters in Brazil (from national and international sources) by calculating the potential renal acid load (PRAL). METHODS: We evaluated 308 commercially available mineral waters in the five Brazilian macro regions. The content of sulfate, chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium from mineral waters were obtained to calculate the PRAL, using Remers & Manz formula, adapted for mineral waters. RESULTS: From the 308 mineral waters collected, 256 were included in this analysis. We found a great variability in the composition of mineral waters according to the source and country of origin. All the components analyzed were present in greater quantities in the mineral waters from international sources and differed significantly from the values found in the mineral waters from Brazilian sources, with the exception of potassium and sodium (Mg: 1,9 vs 6,8, p=0,0008; Ca: 5,78 vs 32,9, p=0,001; SO4: 0,9 vs 13, p<0,0001; Cl: 1,49 vs 12, p=0,0019, mineral waters from Brazilian sources versus international sources, respectively). The PRAL value of mineral waters from Brazilian sources was also statistically different (-0,39 vs -1,39; p=0,0025). The potential basifying / acidifying effects of the mineral water evaluated by PRAL did not correlate with the pH value. The magnesium and bicarbonate content were the major predictors of a negative PRAL - the higher the content thereof, lower the PRAL. CONCLUSION: The mineral waters from Brazilian sources have a low grade of mineralization and the vast majority (n=201) have a PRAL value considered neutral

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar o perfil de águas minerais comercialmente disponíveis em território brasileiro (provenientes de fontes nacionais e internacionais) através do cálculo do potencial de carga ácida renal (PRAL). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 308 águas minerais comercialmente disponíveis nas cinco macrorregiões brasileiras. O conteúdo de sulfato, cloreto, sódio, potássio, magnésio e cálcio das águas minerais foram obtidos para cálculo do PRAL, que foi realizado através da fórmula de Remer e Manz, adaptada para águas minerais. RESULTADOS: Das 308 águas minerais coletadas, foram incluídas 256 nesta análise. Foi encontrada uma grande variabilidade na composição das águas minerais de acordo com a fonte de extração e país de origem. Todos os componentes analisados apresentaram-se em maior quantidade nas águas minerais de fontes internacionais e diferiram significantemente dos valores encontrados nas águas minerais de fontes brasileiras, com exceção do potássio e sódio (Mg: 1,9 vs 6,8, p=0,0008; Ca: 5,78 vs 32,9, p=0,001; SO4: 0,9 vs 13, p<0,0001; Cl: 1,49 vs 12, p=0,0019, fontes brasileiras versus fontes internacionais, respectivamente). O valor de PRAL das águas minerais de fontes brasileiras também foi diferente (-0,39 vs -1,39; p=0,0025). O potencial alcalinizante/ acidificante das águas minerais avaliado pelo PRAL não esteve correlacionado com o valor de pH. O magnésio e bicarbonato apresentaram-se como os principais preditores negativos do PRAL ­ quanto maior o teor destes, menor o PRAL. CONCLUSÃO: As águas minerais de fontes brasileiras possuem baixo grau de mineralização e a maioria (n=201) com valor de PRAL considerado neutro

A two-dimensional electrophoretic profile of the proteins secreted by Herbaspirillum seropedicae strain Z78.

Herbaspirillum seropedicae is an endophytic bacterium that associates with rice, sugarcane and other economically important crops. Secreted proteins play a key role in the plant-bacterial interaction. Using 2D electrophoresis and peptide mass fingerprint mass spectrometry, 63 protein spots representing 41 different secreted proteins were identified during growth of H. seropedicae under nitrogen-sufficient conditions. In silico analysis showed that 25.4% of the proteins had signal peptides and 15.9% were predicted to be non-classically secreted. Among the most abundant were flagellar components and ABC-type transport system proteins. Nine secreted proteins had also been identified in the cellular proteome, suggesting that they also play a role in the extracellular environment. No type III secreted proteins were detected by comparison of the wild type strain with an hrcN mutant strain.

A two-dimensional proteome reference map of Herbaspirillum seropedicae proteins.

Herbaspirillum seropedicae is an endophytic diazotroph associated with economically important crops such as rice, sugarcane, and wheat. Here, we present a 2-D reference map for H. seropedicae. Using MALDI-TOF-MS we identified 205 spots representing 173 different proteins with a calculated average of 1.18 proteins/gene. Seventeen hypothetical or conserved hypothetical ORFs were shown to code for true gene products. These data will support the genome annotation process and provide a basis on which to undertake comparative proteomic studies.