α-Tocopherol influences glycaemic control and miR-9-3 DNA methylation in overweight and obese women under an energy-restricted diet: a randomized, double-blind, exploratory, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Excess weight is a strong risk factor for the development of dysglycaemia. It has been suggested that changes in the metabolism microRNAs, small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, could precede late glycaemic changes. Vitamin E in turn may exert important functions in methylation and gene expression processes. This study aimed to determine the effect of α-tocopherol on glycaemic variables and miR-9-1 and miR-9-3 promoter DNA methylation in overweight women. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, exploratory, placebo-controlled study was conducted in overweight and obese adult women (n = 44) who ingested synthetic vitamin E (all-rac-α-tocopherol), natural source vitamin E (RRR-rac-α-tocopherol) or placebo capsules and were followed up for a period of 8 weeks. Supplemented groups also received dietary guidance for an energy-restricted diet. An additional group that received no supplementation and did not follow an energy-restricted diet was also followed up. The intervention effect was evaluated by DNA methylation levels (quantitative real-time PCR assay) and anthropometric and biochemical variables (fasting plasma glucose, haemoglobin A1C, insulin, and vitamin E). RESULTS: Increased methylation levels of the miR-9-3 promoter region (P < 0.001) and reduced haemoglobin A1C (P < 0.05) were observed in the natural source vitamin E group after intervention. Increased fasting plasma glucose was observed in the synthetic vitamin E group, despite the significant reduction of anthropometric variables compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: α-Tocopherol from natural sources increased methylation levels of the miR-9-3 promoter region and reduced haemoglobin A1C in overweight women following an energy-restricted diet. These results provide novel information about the influence of vitamin E on DNA methylation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02922491. Registered 4 October, 2016.

Prevalência e fatores associados ao baixo nível de atividade física entre estudantes universitários de uma universidade pública da região Nordeste - Brasil / Prevalence and factors related to low level physical activity among university students in a public university in the northeast region of Brazil

Os baixos níveis de atividade física estão relacionados com o aumento da ocorrência de doenças crônicas e a redução da qualidade de vida da população. Este estudo buscou estimar a prevalência de baixo nível de atividade física entre estudantes de graduação da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, bem como encontrar fatores associados a esta condição. Trata-se de um estudo seccional estratificado por Centro, com partilha proporcional em função do ano de ingresso, do curso e do turno de estudo. A coleta de dados ocorreu no período no primeiro semestre de 2007, com a participação de 1.503 estudantes. Foram investigadas questões relativas a dados pessoais, caracterização socioeconômica, estilo de vida e saúde, avaliação nutricional e atividade física. Para mensurar nível de atividade física utilizou-se a versão longa IPAQ. A prevalência observada de baixo nível de atividade física foi de 31,2 por cento. Os estudantes com maior tempo de ingresso na universidade, os que estudam no período noturno e aqueles que passam menos tempo na universidade tiveram maior prevalência de baixo nível de atividade física. Também maior renda e classe social mostraram-se associados a maior prevalência de baixa atividade física. Considerando os riscos do baixo nível de atividade física para saúde e a importância da fase universitária como uma transição da etapa adolescente para a vida adulta, faz-se necessário o incentivo à prática de atividades físicas na universidade como medida preventiva para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e para a melhoria da qualidade de vida na fase adulta e na velhice.

Low levels of physical activity are related to an increase in chronic diseases and a decrease in the population's quality of life. This study aimed to estimate insufficient physical activity among undergraduate students of Universidade Federal da Paraíba (Federal University of Paraíba), and to find factors associated with such condition. A center-stratified cross-sectional sampling study was carried out, using a proportionate share as a function of the year they started the program, type of program chosen, and time of the day they attended classes. Data were collected along the first semester of 2007 and 1,503 students were enrolled in the study. Issues concerning personal data, socioeconomic condition, lifestyle and health, nutritional assessment, and physical activity were investigated. The long version IPAQ was used to measure the level of physical activity. The prevalence observed for low level physical activity was 31.2 percent. Students who entered university much earlier, those who attended classes in the evening, and students who spent less time at the university showed the highest prevalence of low level physical activity. Also, family income and social class were associated with a high prevalence of low level physical activity. Taking into account the risks to health resulting from insufficient physical activity and the significance of the college years as a transition from adolescence to adulthood, physical activities at the university should be encouraged as a preventive measure against non-transmissible chronic diseases and to improve quality of life along adult and senior life.