Ten-week lifestyle changing program reduces several indicators for metabolic syndrome in overweight adults

We aim to investigate the effectiveness of a 10-week lifestyle intervention focusing on physical activity and high fiber intake for reducing indicators for metabolic syndrome in overweight-obese individuals. A prospective study of 50 overweight (OW) adults (22 in the general educational group - G1; 28 in the high fiber nutrition group - G2) was performed. Both groups were offered dietary counseling and supervised exercise. Clinical, anthropometric, dietary and plasma biochemical tests were performed at baseline - time 0 (T0) and after 10 weeks - time 1 (T1). Both groups improved their dietary quality, but only G2 presented higher intake of fruit and vegetables (servings/day), higher plasma beta-carotene levels and a 24% reduction of MetS incidence. Additionally G2 showed greater reductions in body fat (4%), and waist circumference (7%), obesity class III (2%) and obesity class II (14%) rate. Lifestyle intervention, including a high dietary fiber intake, improved healthy eating index and decreased body fat composition and plasma lipid concentrations leading to MetS incidence reduction.

Associação da pressão arterial diastólica com o tempo acumulado de trabalho entre motoristas e cobradores

Pela técnica de regressão linear múltipla, estudou-se a relação existente entre pressão arterial diastólica e as variáveis tempo total acumulado de trabalho como condutor de veículos coletivos urbanos e idade, em uma população de 839 motoristas e cobradores, usuários de um serviço de saúde ocupacional da cidade de Campinas, Estado de São Paulo (Brasil). Os principais resultados encontrados foram associação positiva entre a pressão arterial diastólica e o tempo acumulado de trabalho, bem como existência de uma interação entre esta variável e a idade dos condutores.

Effects of methadone on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in dogs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Tratamento dietético da hiper-homocisteinemia na doença arterial periférica

A homocisteína está envolvida na gênese da aterosclerose e, assim, é considerada um importante e prevalente fator de risco na doença arterial periférica. O estado nutricional vitamínico deficiente, em especial do folato, é a principal causa de hiper-homocisteinemia nesses casos. Embora ainda não haja consenso sobre a dose exata e a forma de utilização do folato em suplementos e sobre adequação alimentar ou fortificação de cereais para o tratamento da hiper-homocisteinemia, diversos estudos realizados em pacientes com doença vascular periférica mostraram que o folato, isoladamente, pode reduzir as concentrações de homocisteína, bem como a concentração de alguns marcadores biológicos do processo de aterosclerose. No entanto, estudos recentes não comprovaram esse benefício sobre o processo inflamatório associado à hiper-homocisteinemia. Desta forma, embora a utilização isolada do folato seja uma terapêutica custo-efetiva no controle da hiper-homocisteinemia, seu impacto na evolução das doenças arteriais ainda persiste inconclusivo. Esta revisão abordará os efeitos obtidos com as diversas formas de utilização do folato no tratamento da hiper-homocisteinemia.

Concentração de homocisteína em pacientes portadores de doença arterial periférica atendidos em um serviço público de saúde

Contexto: Estudos recentes indicam que a concentração elevada de homocisteína é um fator de risco importante e prevalente para doença vascular aterosclerótica coronariana, cerebral e periférica. Objetivo: Tendo em vista a escassez de informações relacionadas à hiper-homocisteinemia em doença arterial periférica (DAP) no Brasil e as peculiaridades de nossa população, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a frequência de hiper-homocisteinemia em amostra dessa população em um ensaio clínico com indivíduos portadores e não portadores de DAP atendidos em um serviço público brasileiro. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo ensaio clínico caso-controle com 40 indivíduos portadores de DAP confirmada por Doppler ultrassom (grupo DAP) em comparação com 20 indivíduos voluntários sem DAP (grupo-controle). Resultados: A DAP predominante foi a isquemia crônica de membros (75%). As concentrações plasmáticas medianas de homocisteína de jejum foram significantemente maiores no grupo DAP do que no grupo-controle (16,7 versus 12,9 µmol/L, p = 0,001), tanto nos homens (18,9 versus 14,0 µmol/L, p = 0,005) quanto nas mulheres (13,9 versus 11,2 µmol/L, p = 0,025). Quanto à proporção de indivíduos com hiper-homocisteinemia, observou-se tendência a uma maior frequência no grupo DAP (60%) em relação ao grupo-controle (30%) (p = 0,054). Nos indivíduos com idade inferior a 60 anos foram encontrados valores medianos de homocisteína significantemente mais elevados no grupo DAP (p = 0,041). Conclusões: A hiper-homocisteinemia é um fator de risco importante e foi encontrada em 60% dos indivíduos portadores de DAP atendidos em um serviço público no Brasil.

NaF treatment increases TNF-alpha and resistin concentrations and reduces insulin signal in rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Changes in the stiffness of demineralized dentin following application of tooth whitening agents

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influência do exercício aeróbio na renina de portadores de hipertensão arterial com sobrepeso

FUNDAMENTO: A atividade do sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona tem relação direta com sobrepeso e sedentarismo, e essas variáveis se associam à hipertensão arterial (HA). O exercício aeróbio propicia melhor controle da pressão arterial (PA) por agir nos mecanismos da regulação pressórica, dentre eles, a atividade de renina plasmática (ARP). OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência do exercício aeróbio sobre ARP em portadores de HA com sobrepeso. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados níveis pressóricos, bioquímicos e antropométricos pré e pós-treinamento de 16 semanas, três vezes por semana, a 60%-80% da frequência cardíaca máxima. Os dados foram expressos em média ± desvio padrão ou mediana e intervalo interquartílico, e analisados pelo teste t, Mann-Withney e ANOVA (p < 0,05). RESULTADOS: Vinte indivíduos apresentaram média de idade de 57 ± 7,0 anos e índice de massa corpórea de 30 ± 3,5 kg/m². O treinamento aeróbio promoveu a redução da porcentagem de gordura corporal (35 ± 7,8 para 30 ± 5,6 %), da frequência cardíaca (FC) (80 ± 10,4 para 77 ± 8,5 bpm) e da pressão de pulso (PP) (50 ± 11,8 para 46 ± 10,0 mmHg) na amostra geral (p < 0,05), sem redução da ARP, que variou de 0,8 (0,45-2,0) a 1,45 (0,8-2,15) ηg/ml/h (p = 0,055). No grupo com redução da circunferência abdominal (CA) (n = 8) houve redução da PA sistólica e PP (p < 0,05). No grupo sem redução da CA, nenhuma das variáveis pressóricas apresentou alteração. A ARP não se associou com nenhuma variável estudada. O efeito do treinamento aeróbio associou-se à redução da PP na casuística total e à redução da PA sistólica no subgrupo com redução da CA. CONCLUSÃO: O treinamento aeróbio não reduziu a ARP em hipertensos com sobrepeso.

Interaction between supraoptic nucleus and septal area in the control of water, sodium intake and arterial blood pressure induced by injection of angiotensin II

We investigated the effects of injection into the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of losartanand PD 123319 (nonpeptide AT(1) and AT(2)- angiotensin II [ANG II] receptor antagonists, respectively); d(CH2)(5)-Tyr(Me)-AVP (AVPA; an arginine-vasopressin [AVP] V-1 receptor antagonist), FK 409 (a nitric oxide [NO] donor), and N-W-mtro-(L)-arginine methyl ester ((L)-NAME; an NO synthase inhibitor) oil water intake, sodium chloride 3% (NaCl) intake and arterial blood pressure induced by injection of ANG 11 into the lateral septal area (LSA). Mate Holtzman rats (250-300 g) were implanted with cannulae into SON and LSA unilaterally. The drugs were injected in 0.5 mul over 30-60 s. Controls were injected with a similar volume of 0.15 M NaCl. ANG II was injected at a dose of 10 pmol. ANG II antagonists and AVPA were injected at doses of 80 nmol. FK 409 and (L)-NAME were injected at doses of 20 and 40 mug, respectively. Water and NaCl intake was measured over a 2-h period. Prior administration of losartan into the SON decreased water and NaCl intake induced by injection of ANG II. While there was a decrease in water intake, ANG II-induced NaCl intake was significantly increased following injection of AVPA. FK 409 injection decreased water intake and sodium intake induced by ANG II. L-NAME alone increased water and sodium intake and induced a pressor effect. (L)-NAME-potentiated water and sodium intake induced by ANG II. PD 123319 produced no changes in water or sodium intake induced by ANG II. The prior administration of losartan or AVPA decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP) induced by ANG II. PD 123319 decreased the pressor effect of ANG II to a lesser degree than losartan. FK 409 decreased the pressor effect of ANG II while (L)-NAME potentiated it. These results suggest that both ANG II AT, and AVP V, receptors and NO within the SON may be involved in water intake, NaCl intake and the pressor response were induced by activation of ANG II receptors within the LSA. These results do not support the involvement of LSA AT(2) receptors in the mediation of water and NaCl intake responses induced by ANG II, but influence the pressor response. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cardiovascular responses to microinjection of L-glutamate into the NTS in AV3V-lesioned rats

The excitatory amino acid L-glutamate injected into the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) in unanesthetized rats similar to peripheral chemoreceptor activation increases mean arterial pressure (MAP) and reduces heart rate. In this study, we investigated the effects of acute (I day) and chronic (15 days) electrolytic lesions of the preoptic-periventricular tissue surrounding the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V region) on the pressor and bradycardic responses induced by injections of L-glutamate into the NTS or peripheral chemoreceptor activation in unanesthetized rats. Male Holtzman rats with sham or electrolytic AV3V lesions and a stainless steel cannula implanted into the NTS were used. Differently from the pressor responses (28 +/- 3 mm Hg) produced by injections into the NTS of sham-lesioned rats, L-glutamate (5 nmol/ 100 nl) injected into the NTS reduced MAP (-26 +/- 8 mm Hg) or produced no effect (2 7 turn Hg) in acute and chronic AV3V-lesioned rats, respectively. The bradycardia to L-glutamate into the NTS and the cardiovascular responses to chemoreflex activation with intravenous potassium cyanide or to baroreflex activation with intravenous phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside were not modified by AV3V lesions. The results show that the integrity of the AV3V region is essential for the pressor responses to L-glutamate into the NTS but not for the pressor responses to chemoreflex activation, suggesting dissociation between the central mechanisms involved in these responses. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of AV3V lesion on pilocarpine-induced pressor response and salivary gland vasodilation

The cholinergic agonist pilocarpine injected intraperitoneally (ip) increases mean arterial pressure (MAP) and superior mesenteric (SM) vascular resistance and reduces submandibular/sublingual gland (SSG) vascular resistance. In the present study, we investigated the effects of electrolytic lesions of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region on the changes in MAP, SM, and SSG vascular resistances induced by ip pilocarpine. Male Holtzman rats anesthetized with urethane (1.0 g/kg) and chloralose (60 mg/kg) were submitted to sham or electrolytic AV3V lesions and bad pulsed Doppler flow probes implanted around the arteries. Contrary to sham rats, in 1-h and 2-day AV3V-lesioned rats, pilocarpine (4 mu mol/kg) ip decreased MAP (-41 +/- 4 and -26 4 mm Hg, respectively, vs. sham: 19 +/- 4 mm Hg) and SM (-48 +/- 11 and -45 +/- 10%, respectively, vs. sham: 41 +/- 10%) and hindlimb vascular resistances (-65 +/- 32 and -113 +/- 29%, respectively, vs. sham: 19 +/- 29%). In 7-day AV3V-lesioned rats, pilocarpine produced no changes on MAP and SM and hindlimb vascular resistances. Similar to sham rats, pilocarpine reduced SSG vascular resistance 1 h after AV3V lesions (-46 +/- 6%, vs. sham: -40 +/- 6%), but it produced no effect 2 days after AV3V lesions and increased SSG vascular resistance (37 6%) in 7-day AV3V-lesioned rats. The responses to ip pilocarpine were similar in 15-day sham and AV3V-lesioned rats. The cholinergic antagonist atropine methyl bromide (10 nmol) iv slightly increased the pressor response to ip pilocarpine in sham rats and abolished for 40 min the fall in MAP induced by ip pilocarpine in 1-h AV3V-lesioned rats. The results suggest that central mechanisms dependent on the AV3V region are involved in the pressor responses to ip pilocarpine. Although it was impaired 2 and 7 days after AV3V lesions, pilocarpine-induced salivary gland vasodilation was not altered 1 h after AV3V lesions which suggests that this vasodilation is not directly dependent on the AV3V region. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Role of pressor mechanisms from the NTS and CVLM in control of arterial pressure

In the present study, we investigated the effects of inhibition of the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) with the GABA(A) agonist muscimol combined with the blockade of glutamatergic mechanism in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) with kynurenic acid (kyn) on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and regional vascular resistances. In male Holtzman rats anesthetized intravenously with urethane/chloralose, bilateral injections of muscimol (120 pmol) into the CVLM or bilateral injections of kyn (2.7 nmol) into the NTS alone increased MAP to 186 +/- 11 and to 142 +/- 6 mmHg, respectively, vs. control: 105 +/- 4 mmHg; HR to 407 +/- 15 and to 412 +/- 18 beats per minute (bpm), respectively, vs. control: 352 +/- 12 bpm; and renal, mesenteric and hindquarter vascular resistances. However, in rats with the CVLM bilaterally blocked by muscimol, additional injections of kyn into the NTS reduced MAP to 88 +/- 5 mmHg and mesenteric and hindquarter vascular resistances below control baseline levels. Moreover, in rats with the glutamatergic mechanisms of the NTS blocked by bilateral injections of kyn, additional injections of muscimol into the CVLM also reduced MAP to 92 +/- 2 mmHg and mesenteric and hindquarter vascular resistances below control baseline levels. Simultaneous blockade of NTS and CVLM did not modify the increase in HR but also abolished the increase in renal vascular resistance produced by each treatment alone. The results suggest that important pressor mechanisms arise from the NTS and CVLM to control vascular resistance and arterial pressure under the conditions of the present study.

Lesions of the commissural nucleus of the solitary tract reduce arterial pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

It has been suggested that increased sympathetic activity and arterial chemoreceptors are important for the high blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Electrolytic lesions of the commissural nucleus of the solitary tract (commNTS) abolish (1) the cardiovascular responses to chemoreflex activation with potassium cyanide (KCN) in normotensive rats and (2) the hypertension that follows acute aortic baroreceptor denervation in rats. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effects of electrolytic lesions of the commNTS on basal mean arterial pressure (MAP), baroreflex, and chemoreflex in SHR and in normotensive control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Wistar rats. CommNTS lesions elicited a dramatic fall in MAP to normal levels during the period of Study (from the first to fourth day following lesions) in SHR and almost no changes in WKY and Wistar rats. The pressor responses to chemoreflex activation with KCN tested in the days 1 and 4 after commNTS lesions were abolished in SHR and in normotensive strains. The reflex tachycardia induced by sodium nitroprusside was also attenuated in days 1 and 4 after commNTS lesions in SHR, WKY, and Wistar rats. The data suggest that the integrity of commNTS is important for the maintenance or high blood pressure in SHR and for the reflex responses dependent on sympathetic activation either in SHR or in normotensive strains.