Dietary intake and blood lipid profile in overweight and obese schoolchildren

Abstract. Background: The high blood lipid levels and obesity are one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, and the atherosclerotic process begins in childhood. Some environmental factors are supposed to be involved in this relationship, such as dietary factors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary intake and blood lipids levels in overweight and obese schoolchildren. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study with 147 overweight and obese schoolchildren in Botucatu city, Brazil. The anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference and skinfolds), pubertal staging evaluation and biochemical tests were taken in all children. Three 24h-recall were applied in order to estimate the dietary intake and its relationship with blood lipid levels. The Student t test and multiple linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was assessed at the level of 0.05. The data were processed in SAS software (version 9.1.3; SAS Institute). Results: At this study, 63% of children were obese (body mass index higher than 95§ssup§th§esup§ percentile) and 80% showed high body fat percentage. The percentage of children with abnormal total cholesterol and triglycerides was 12% and 10%, respectively, and 28% presented at least one abnormal lipid levels. The average values of anthropometric measurements were higher in children with elevated lipid levels. Total cholesterol levels were positively related to full-fat dairy products and triglycerides levels to saturated fat percentage. Conclusions: Saturated fat was positively associated with elevated lipid levels in overweight and obese schoolchildren. These results reinforce the importance of healthy dietary habits since childhood in order to reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. © 2012 Rinaldi et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Tocopherol content and fatty acid profile in soybean oil supplemented with salvia extract (Salvia officinalis L.) during heating

This paper aimed to assess the tocopherol content and evaluate the fatty acid profile in soybean oil supplemented with salvia extract during heating, so as to verify the isolated and synergistic effect of natural and synthetic antioxidants. In order to obtain the extract, the lyophilized and crushed salvia was subjected to extraction by ethyl alcohol for 30 min, with a 1:20 salvia:ethyl alcohol ratio, under continuous agitation. Afterwards, the mixture was filtered and the supernatant was subjected to the rotary evaporator at 40 °C. Later the control treatments, ES (3000 mg kg-1 salvia extract), TBHQ (50 mg kg-1), and mixture (ES+50 mg kg-1 TBHQ) were prepared and subjected to 180 °C for 20 h. Samples were taken in time intervals 0, 10, and 20 h and analysed in terms of tocopherol content and fatty acid profile. Regarding the tocopherol and fatty acid profile analysis, it was found that the extract proved efficient in oil protection, when added isolated to soybean oil subjected to thermo oxidation. According to the results, salvia extract is a viable alternative that might be applied in industrialized processing of oils as natural antioxidant.

In vitro evaluation of the safety profile of cosmeceuticals containing growth factors and their analogues

Introduction: Aging skin is a condition that affects (or will affect) all people, and its treatment is considered a clinical challenge. Growth factors and their analogues are emerging as a promising therapeutic option. Objectives: To evaluate the safety profile of some dermocosmetic products with formulations based on growth factors - or their analogs intended for that purpose - using in vitro human skin cell culture models. Methods: Two types of cell cultures were studied, and the effects of the study products on the proliferation of melanoma cells and normal human fibroblasts were evaluated. Results: No significant morphological alterations were found in the cultured human melanoma, and no significant decrease in the number of healthy cells was verified in the normal fibroblasts culture. In some cases there was even a proliferation of those cells. Conclusions: These preliminary data demonstrate that cosmeceutical products containing growth factors as an active principle can be considered safe for topical application.

Assessment of the chemical profile, polyphenol content and antioxidant activity in extracts of Psidium Guajava L. fruits

Fruits and vegetables that are rich in polyphenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, may be used to benefit human health by reducing the incidence of cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated the antioxidant activity of guava, a fruit widely available in Brazil, possibly due to the presence of these polyphenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to analyze the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of various guava extracts, assay their antioxidant activity and record the chromatographic profiles of these extracts, to determine a simple and low way of extracting these compounds efficiently from guava. The results confirmed the presence of polyphenols in guava, including flavonoids, and its antioxidant activity. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the 70% ethanol (by volume) was the most effective solvent to extract these compounds from the fruit, among those tested.

In vitro assessment of dentin erosion after immersion in acidic beverages: Surface profile analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry study

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of some acidic drinks on dentin erosion, using methods of surface profile (SP) analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). One hundred standardized dentin slabs obtained from bovine incisor roots were used. Dentin slabs measuring 5x5 mm were ground flat, polished and half of each specimen surface was protected with nail polish. For 60 min, the dentin surfaces were immersed in 50 mL of 5 different drinks (Gatorade®, Del Valle Mais orange juice®, Coca-Cola®, Red Bull® and white wine), 20 blocks in each drink. The pH of each beverage was measured. After the erosive challenge, the nail polish was removed and SP was analyzed. The mineral concentration of dentin surfaces was determined by means of EDXRF. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). SP analysis showed that Red-Bull had the highest erosive potential (p<0.05). EDXRF results exhibited a decrease in phosphate in the groups immersed in Red-Bull, orange juice and white wine (p<0.05), and no significant difference in calcium content between the reference surface and eroded surface. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that all studied beverages promoted erosion on root dentin and Red Bull had the highest erosive potential. There was no correlation between pH of beverages and their erosive potential and only the P content changed after erosive challenge.

Biocompatible microemulsion modifies the pharmacokinetic profile and cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic with a broad antitumor spectrum. However, the clinical use of DOX is limited because of its cardiotoxicity, a dose-dependent effect. Colloidal drug delivery systems, such as microemulsions (MEs), allow the incorporation of drugs, modifying the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile and toxic effects. In this study, we evaluated the PK profile and cardiotoxicity of a new DOX ME (DOX-ME). The PK profile of DOX-ME was determined and compared with that of the conventional DOX after single-dose administration (6mg/kg, intravenous) in male Wistar rats (n = 12 per group). The cardiotoxicity of DOX formulations was evaluated by serum creatine kinase MB (CKMB) activity in both animal groups before and after drug administration. The plasma DOX measurements were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, and the CKMB levels were assayed using the CKMB Labtest® kit. The ME system showed a significant increase in plasma DOX concentrations and lower distribution volume when compared with conventional DOX. Serum CKMB activity increased after conventional DOX administration but was unchanged in the DOX-ME group. These results demonstrate modifications in drug access to susceptible sites using DOX-ME. DOX-ME displayed features that make it a promising system for future therapeutic application. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tumor-associated macrophages and the profile of inflammatory cytokines in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate and characterize macrophage populations (M1/M2) in the tumor microenvironment of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). The relationship between macrophages and clinicopathological factors, such as survival data, lymph node metastasis, tumoral proliferation, and WHO histological grading are also analyzed. Materials and methods: The samples consisted of surgically excised specimens from patients with non-metastatic and metastatic OCSCC and normal oral mucosa (control). Immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate macrophage populations and the expression of pro- (IL-12, IL-23, and INF-γ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and TGF-β) cytokines. The level required for statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: The data showed a predominance of M2 phenotype (high percentage of IL-10+TGF-β+) macrophages in the tumor microenvironment of OCSCC. A higher percentage of macrophages expressing TGF-β was seen in the OCSCC group when compared with healthy individuals. The assessment of mRNA expression also presented a greater expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines TGFβ and IL10 in OCSCC when compared with the control group. The percentage of macrophages, demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, was significantly higher in the metastatic OCSCC group than in the non-metastatic and control groups. The log-rank test also showed that the mean survival time for patients with high levels of macrophages was less (44 months) when compared with patients with a low percentage of such cells (93 months). Conclusion: A predominance of the M2 phenotype in the tumor microenvironment of OCSCC could contribute to local immunosuppression, via TGF-β production, and consequently greater lymph node involvement and reduced patient survival time. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pharmacokinetic Profile of A New Diclofenac Prodrug without Gastroulcerogenic Effect

Gastrotoxicity is a major problem for long-term therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). DICCIC (1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)indolin-2-one) is a new diclofenac prodrug, which has proven anti-inflammatory activity without gastroulcerogenic effect. The aim of this work was to compare the pharmacokinetic profiles of diclofenac from DICCIC (7.6 mg/kg equivalent to 8.1 mg/kg diclofenac) and diclofenac (8.1 mg/kg) administration in Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g (n=20). The doses were calculated by interspecific allometric scaling based on the 2 mg/kg from diary human dose of diclofenac. Blood samples were collected in heparinized tubes via the femoral artery through the implanted catheter. The plasma was separated and quantitation was made in a HPLC system with a UV-Vis detector. The confidence limits of the bioanalytical method were appropriate for its application in a preclinical pharmacokinetic study. The AUC of diclofenac from DICCIC (53.7± 5.8 ug/mL.min) was significantly less (Mann Whitney test, p<0.05) than that of diclofenac from diclofenac administration (885.9 ± 124,8 ug/mL.min). Terminal half-life of diclofenac from DICCIC (50.1 ± 17.2 min) was significantly less (Mann Whitney test, p<0.05) than that of diclofenac from diclofenac administration (247.4 ± 100.9 min). Still the parameters clearance and distribution volume were calculated for diclofenac from diclofenac, whose results were 9.2 ±1.2 mL/min.kg and 3.3 ±1.2 L/kg, respectively. The results of DICCIC from DICCIC administration were 108.9 ± 19.6 mL/min.kg and 7.8 ± 2.4 L/kg for clearance and distribution volume, respectively. The pharmacokinetic profile demonstrated that there was an increase in diclofenac elimination and a lower exposure to diclofenac with administration of DICCIC compared to diclofenac. © 2013 Bentham Science Publishers.

Biochemical profile of the Pêga donkey (Equus asinus) breed: influence of age and sex

Inappropriate reference limits increase the risks of unnecessary investigations and diagnostic failures. Species, breed, environment, handling, and physiologic stage can influence serum biochemical variables. This study aimed to establish serum biochemical reference intervals of Pêga donkeys and the influence of age and sex on these variables. Samples were taken from 110 donkeys (79 females and 31 males; 8 under 1 year, 33 between 1 and 3 years, and 69 over 3 years old). There were no differences for creatine kinase (CK), albumin, urea, and magnesium among age groups. Animals under 1 year old had the lowest aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, triglycerides, total calcium, and chloride means; lower indirect bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and sodium levels than over 3-year-old group and the highest phosphorus, glucose, cholesterol, ionized calcium, and alkaline phosphatase (AP) values. Total protein increased with age. The group from 1 to 3 years had higher potassium than up to 1-year-old group. Animals over 3 years old had the highest means of direct and total bilirubin. ALT, CK, GGT, direct and total bilirubin, urea, triglycerides, sodium, potassium, and chloride levels did not differ between genders. Females had higher AST, total protein, total calcium, and indirect bilirubin levels. Males showed greater AP, albumin, phosphorus, glucose, creatinine, cholesterol, magnesium, and ionized calcium values. Discrepancies among present results and previous studies show influencing factors on biochemical profile of donkeys and reinforce the importance of establishment of specific reference intervals. This study is useful in clinical routine and as basis to other scientific researches with Pêga donkeys. © 2013 Springer-Verlag London.

Antifungal Efficacy during Candida krusei Infection in Non-Conventional Models Correlates with the Yeast In Vitro Susceptibility Profile

The incidence of opportunistic fungal infections has increased in recent decades due to the growing proportion of immunocompromised patients in our society. Candida krusei has been described as a causative agent of disseminated fungal infections in susceptible patients. Although its prevalence remains low among yeast infections (2-5%), its intrinsic resistance to fluconazole makes this yeast important from epidemiologic aspects. Non mammalian organisms are feasible models to study fungal virulence and drug efficacy. In this work we have used the lepidopteran Galleria mellonella and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as models to assess antifungal efficacy during infection by C. krusei. This yeast killed G. mellonella at 25, 30 and 37°C and reduced haemocytic density. Infected larvae melanized in a dose-dependent manner. Fluconazole did not protect against C. krusei infection, in contrast to amphotericin B, voriconazole or caspofungin. However, the doses of these antifungals required to obtain larvae protection were always higher during C. krusei infection than during C. albicans infection. Similar results were found in the model host C. elegans. Our work demonstrates that non mammalian models are useful tools to investigate in vivo antifungal efficacy and virulence of C. krusei. © 2013 Scorzoni et al.

Extensive impact of saturated fatty acids on metabolic and cardiovascular profile in rats with diet-induced obesity: A canonical analysis

Background: Although hypercaloric interventions are associated with nutritional, endocrine, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders in obesity experiments, a rational distinction between the effects of excess adiposity and the individual roles of dietary macronutrients in relation to these disturbances has not previously been studied. This investigation analyzed the correlation between ingested macronutrients (including sucrose and saturated and unsaturated fatty acids) plus body adiposity and metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular effects in rats with diet-induced obesity. Methods: Normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats were submitted to Control (CD; 3.2 Kcal/g) and Hypercaloric (HD; 4.6 Kcal/g) diets for 20 weeks followed by nutritional evaluation involving body weight and adiposity measurement. Metabolic and hormonal parameters included glycemia, insulin, insulin resistance, and leptin. Cardiovascular analysis included systolic blood pressure profile, echocardiography, morphometric study of myocardial morphology, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) protein expression. Canonical correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between dietary macronutrients plus adiposity and metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular parameters. Results: Although final group body weights did not differ, HD presented higher adiposity than CD. Diet induced hyperglycemia while insulin and leptin levels remained unchanged. In a cardiovascular context, systolic blood pressure increased with time only in HD. Additionally, in vivo echocardiography revealed cardiac hypertrophy and improved systolic performance in HD compared to CD; and while cardiomyocyte size was unchanged by diet, nuclear volume and collagen interstitial fraction both increased in HD. Also HD exhibited higher relative β-MHC content and β/α-MHC ratio than their Control counterparts. Importantly, body adiposity was weakly associated with cardiovascular effects, as saturated fatty acid intake was directly associated with most cardiac remodeling measurements while unsaturated lipid consumption was inversely correlated with these effects. Conclusion: Hypercaloric diet was associated with glycemic metabolism and systolic blood pressure disorders and cardiac remodeling. These effects directly and inversely correlated with saturated and unsaturated lipid consumption, respectively. © 2013 Oliveira Junior et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Effects of β-glucan extracted from Agaricus blazei on the expression of ERCC5, CASP9, and CYP1A1 genes and metabolic profile in HepG2 cells

The polysaccharide β-glucan has biological properties that stimulate the immune system and can prevent chronic pathologies, including cancer. It has been shown to prevent damage to DNA caused by the chemical and physical agents to which humans are exposed. However, the mechanism of β-glucan remains poorly understood. The objective of the present study was to verify the protective effect of β-glucan on the expression of the genes ERCC5 (involved in excision repair of DNA damage), CASP9 (involved in apoptosis), and CYP1A1 (involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics) using real-time polymerase chain reaction and perform metabolic profile measurements on the HepG2 cells. Cells were exposed to only benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), β-glucan, or a combination of B[a]P with β-glucan. The results demonstrated that 50 μg/mL β-glucan significantly repressed the expression of the ERCC5 gene when compared with the untreated control cells in these conditions. No change was found in the CASP9 transcript level. However, the CYP1A1 gene expression was also induced by HepG2 cells exposed to B[a]P only or in association with β-glucan, showing its effective protector against damage caused by B[a]P, while HepG2 cells exposed to only β-glucan did not show CYP1A1 modulation. The metabolic profiles showed moderate bioenergetic metabolism with an increase in the metabolites involved in bioenergetic metabolism (alanine, glutamate, creatine and phosphocholine) in cells treated with β-glucan and to a lesser extent treated with B[a]P. Thus, these results demonstrate that the chemopreventive activity of β-glucan may modulate bioenergetic metabolism and gene expression. © 2013 The Author(s).

Proinflammatory profile of in vitro monocytes in the ageing is affected by lymphocytes presence

Background: Aging is associated with complex and constant remodeling of the immune function, resulting in an increasing susceptibility to infection and others diseases. The infections caused by Gram-negative microorganisms, present in nursing homes and hospitals, constitute one of the most common infections in the elderly, and are mainly combated by innate immune cells. Although the functions of innate immunity seem more preserved during aging than of adaptive immune mechanisms, two systems operate in an integrated way in the body, so that injury in one part of the immune system inevitably affects the other as they are part of a defensive network. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro production of proinflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, CXCL-8 and MCP-1) and anti-inflammatory (TGF-β and IL-10) cytokines by monocytes, stimulated or not (basal) with lipopolysaccharide, from healthy young and elderly subjects. By means of PBMCs, we also studied if cytokine profile is altered in these different patient groups, in the presence of lymphocytes, under the same experimental conditions.Results: The monocytes from elderly presented higher basal production of TNF-α, MCP-1 and lower of TGF-β than young monocytes. PBMC showed similar cytokines production, irrespective age or stimulation presence. In the presence of lymphocytes, the spontaneous production of IL-10 was higher and of TGF-β was lower than monocytes, regardless of age. After LPS-stimulation, the presence of lymphocytes resulted in increased IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1 and IL-10 and decreased CXCL-8 and TGF-β in comparison to pure culture of monocytes from young patients. With age, the same differences were observed, except for CXCL-8 and TGF-β which production was the same between monocytes and PBMC stimulated with LPS.Conclusion: These findings reinforce the systemic state of inflamm-aging frequently reported in elderly and considered a factor of susceptibility to numerous diseases. Still, the cytokine production from just monocytes of the elderly showed alterations, while in the lymphocyte presence not, suggesting an immunomodulator role of lymphocytes on monocytes. In addition, the differences between the production patterns by LPS-stimulated PBMC between young and elderly volunteers can be related with an imbalance in response against Gram-negative bacteria in throughout life. © 2013 Pinke et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Magnetic field profile of a mesoscopic SQUID-shaped superconducting film

Using a genuinely tridimensional approach to the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory, we have studied the local magnetic field profile of a mesoscopic superconductor in the so-called SQUID geometry, i.e., a square with a hole at the center connected to the outside vacuum through a very thin slit. Our investigation was carried out in both the Meissner and the mixed state. We have also studied the influence of the temperature on the space distribution of the local magnetic field. © 2013 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Diabetic rats exercised prior to and during pregnancy: Maternal reproductive outcome, biochemical profile, and frequency of fetal anomalies

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise prior to or during pregnancy on maternal reproductive outcome, biochemical profile, and on fetal anomaly frequency in a rat pregnancy model utilizing chemically induced diabetes. Wistar rats (minimum n = 11 animals/group) were randomly assigned the following groups: group 1 (G1), sedentary, nondiabetic; G2, nondiabetic, exercised during pregnancy; G3, nondiabetic, exercised prior to and during pregnancy; G4, sedentary, diabetic; G5, diabetic, exercised during pregnancy; and G6, diabetic, exercised prior to and during pregnancy. A swimming program was utilized for moderate exercise. On day 21 of pregnancy, all rats were anesthetized to obtain blood for biochemical measurements. The gravid uterus was weighed with its contents, and the fetuses were analyzed. The nondiabetic rats exercised prior to pregnancy presented a reduced maternal weight gain. Besides, G2 and G3 groups showed decreased fetal weights at term pregnancy, indicating slight intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In the diabetic dams, the swimming program did not have antihyperglycemic effects. The exercise applied only during pregnancy caused severe IUGR, as confirmed by reduced fetal weight mean, fetal weight classification, and ossification sites. Nevertheless, exercise was not a teratogenic factor and improved the rats' lipid profiles, demonstrating that the exercise presented possible benefits, but there are also risks prior and during pregnancy, especially in diabetic pregnant women. © The Author(s) 2012.