Dysfunctional eating behavior in fibromyalgia and its association with serum biomarkers of brain plasticity (BDNF and S100B): an exploratory study

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess disordered eating, hunger and satiety perceptions in women with fibromyalgia (FM) compared to healthy controls (HC) and their association with biomarkers of brain plasticity (brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B)). Subjects and methods: Cross-sectional exploratory study. The sample included FM (n = 20) and HC (n = 19), matched to age and waist perimeter. Dysfunctional eating was assessed through the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and Eating Disorders Examination with a questionnaire. Hunger and satiety levels were rated by a Numerical Scale. Serum leptin, S100B and BDNF were analyzed. Results: The MANCOVA analysis showed that the mean of Emotional Eating rates was 30.65% higher in FM compared to HC ( p = 0.015). Eating, shape and weight concerns were 77.77%, 57.14% and 52.22% higher in FM ( p = <0.001) compared to HC, respectively. Moreover, the FM group reported higher scores for feeling of hunger "[5.2 (±2.9) vs. 4.8 (±2.0); p = 0.042] and lower scores for satiety [7.0 (±1.7) vs . 8.3 (±1.0); p = 0.038]. In the FM group, serum BDNF was negatively associated with hunger (r = - 0.52; p = 0.02), while S100B was positively associated with hunger scores (r = 0.463; p = 0.004). Conclusion: The present findings support the hypothesis that the association between FM and obesity can be mediated by a hedonistic pathway. Further research is needed.

Distinct aspects of pain catastrophizing according to chronic pain syndromes

Introduction: Catastrophizing is the tendency to magnify the threat value of pain and has been associated with measures of physical and psychological disability among individuals with several pain conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pain catastrophizing is differentially associated with distinct pain syndromes. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including 158 patients (40 with fibromyalgia, 25 with myofascial pain syndrome, 33 with chronic tensional type headache, 33 with endometriosis, and 27 with knee osteoarthritis) and 93 healthy subjects. The recruitment procedure occurred in concurrence with randomized controlled trials. Participants answered the following instruments: Brazilian Portuguese Pain-Catastrophizing Scale, Beck Depression Inventory II, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, visual analogue scale for pain, as well as a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: For the total pain catastrophizing score, patients with endometriosis had significantly more catastrophizing thoughts than knee osteoarthritis (p < 0.05). Healthy participants had lower scores than any clinical group. More interestingly were the dimensions of pain catastrophizing, which showed significant differences in more than two groups, especially magnification scores, since these scores were able to discriminate, in a particular way, the majority of clinical samples from each other. We also observed differences between rumination, magnification and helplessness scores in all groups, suggesting that the characteristics of pain catastrophizing are distinct according to the pain disorder. Conclusions: The results suggest that dimensions of pain catastrophizing differ between pain syndromes. Therefore, it is important that researchers and clinicians focus on cognitive and emotional aspects of pain perception to have more successful interventions.

Fasting ghrelin but not PYY(3-36) is associated with insulin-resistance independently of body weight in Wistar rats / A grelina, mas não PYY(3-36), está associada com a resistência à insulina independente do peso corporal em ratos Wistar

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between insulin-resistance and fasting levels of ghrelin and PYY in Wistar rats. Materials and methods: A total of 25 male Wistar rats, weighing 200-300 g, was included in this study. The animals were maintained in cages with a 12/12h light-dark cycle and fed standard chow and water ad libitum. After 12-h overnight fasting, ghrelin, PYY, insulin and glucose values were determined. Insulin resistance was assessed by means of the HOMA-IR, which was ranked and the median was used as a cut-off value to categorize insulin-resistance. HOMA-IR values equal and above 2.62 were considered insulin-resistant (IR) while values below 2.62 were considered insulin sensitive (IS). Differences between means were determined using the Student t-test. Multiple regression and Pearson’s correlation test were used to evaluate the association between variables. Results: HOMA-IR median IQ range values for IS and IR groups were, respectively, 1.56 (0.89 – 2.16) vs. [4.06 (3.50 – 4.61); p < 0.001]. The IR group presented increased levels of fasting ghrelin, PYY and insulin respectively: [50.35 (25.99 – 74.71) pg/mL vs. 12.33 (8.77 – 15.89) pg/mL; p = 0.001]; [54.38 (37.50 – 71.26) pg/mL vs. 33.17 (22.34 – 43.99) pg/mL; p = 0.016]; [18.04 (14.48 – 21.60) uU/mL vs. 7.09 (4.83 – 9.35) uU/mL; p = 0.001]. Ghrelin, but not PYY, correlated linearly and positively with HOMA-IR: ghrelin vs. HOMA-IR (r = 0.52; p = 0.008), and PYY vs. HOMA-IR (r = 0.22; p = 0.200). This correlation was independent of body weight. Conclusion: Fasting ghrelin and PYY serum levels are increased in lean, relatively insulin resistant Wistar rats, and this increase is independent of weight. .

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a associação entre a resistência à insulina e os níveis de grelina e PYY em jejum em ratos Wistar. Materiais e métodos: Um total de 25 ratos Wistar machos, pesando 200-300 g, foi usado neste estudo. Os animais foram mantidos em gaiolas com um ciclo de luz escuro de 12/12h e alimentados com ração padrão e água ad libitum. Depois de um jejum de 12h, os valores de grelina, PYY, insulina e glicose foram determinados. A resistência à insulina foi avaliada pelo HOMA-IR que foi ordenado e a mediana utilizada como valor de corte para categorizar a resistência à insulina. Os valores de HOMA-IR iguais ou acima de 2,62 foram considerados resistentes à insulina (RI), enquanto valores abaixo de 2,62 foram considerados sensíveis (SI). As diferenças entre as médias foram determinadas usando-se o teste t de Student. A análise de regressões múltiplas e o teste de correlação de Pearson foram usados para se avaliar a associação entre as variáveis. Resultados: A mediana e a variação IQ do HOMA-IR para os grupos RI e SI foram, respectivamente, 1,56 (0,89 – 2,16) contra [4,06 (3,50 – 4,61); p < 0,001]. O grupo RI apresentou níveis aumentados de grelina, PYY e insulina em jejum, respectivamente, [50,35 (25,99 – 74,71) pg/mL contra 12,33 (8,77 – 15,89) pg/mL; p = 0,001]; [54,38 (37,50 – 71,26) pg/mL contra 33,17 (22,34 – 43,99) pg/mL; p = 0,016]; [18,04 (14,48 – 21,60) uU/mL contra 7,09 (4,83 – 9,35) uU/mL; p = 0.001]. A grelina, mas não PYY, se correlacionou de forma linear e positiva com o HOMA-IR: a grelina contra HOMA-IR (r = 0,52; p = 0,008), e PYY contra HOMA-IR (r = 0,22; p = 0,200). Essa correlação foi independente do peso corporal. Conclusão: Os níveis séricos de jejum de grelina ...

Dieta DASH na redução dos níveis de pressão arterial e prevenção do acidente vascular cerebral / DASH diet in reducing blood pressure and preventing stroke

Objetivos: Revisar a literatura científica buscando apurar o papel da dieta DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) na redução dos níveis de pressão arterial e na prevenção do acidente vascular cerebral.Fonte de dados: Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa da literatura, utilizando as bases de dados Medline/PubMed, LILACS e SciELO. Buscaram-se artigos nos idiomas português e inglês, utilizando-se os descritores: acidente vascular cerebral/stroke, dieta/diet, hipertensão/hypertension e prevenção/prevention. Foram selecionados trabalhos em adultos humanos.Síntese dos dados: O acidente vascular cerebral é a principal causa de incapacidade no mundo e a principal causa de morte no Brasil. Uma alimentação saudável está entre as modificações no estilo de vida recomendadas para prevenção e tratamento dos principais fatores de risco para este agravo. Estudos mostram que a adoção da dieta DASH é capaz de reduzir substancialmente a pressão arterial, tornando esta dieta uma boa alternativa na prevenção e tratamento da hipertensão e, consequentemente, do acidente vascular cerebral.Conclusões: As evidências disponíveis sugerem que modificações no estilo de vida, incluindo a adoção de uma dieta tipo DASH, são estratégias eficazes no controle da hipertensão arterial e na redução de eventos cardiovasculares, como o acidente vascular cerebral.

Aims: To review the scientific literature in order to establish the role of DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) in reducing blood pressure and preventing stroke. Source of data: We conducted a narrative review of the literature using Medline/PubMed, LILACS and SciELO databases. We searched for articles in Portuguese and English, using the keywords: acidente vascular cerebral/stroke, dieta/diet, hipertensão arterial /hypertension and prevenção/prevention. We selected studies in adult humans.Summary of the findings: Stroke is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the leading cause of death in Brazil. A healthy diet is among the changes in lifestyle recommended for prevention and treatment of major risk factors for this disease. Studies show that adoption of DASH diet can substantially reduce blood pressure, making this diet a good alternative in the prevention and treatment of hypertension and consequently stroke. Conclusions: The available evidences suggest that changes in lifestyle , including the adoption of aDASH type diet , are effective strategies in controlling hypertension and reducing cardiovascular events as stroke.