Microbiological profile and nutritional quality of raw foods for neutropenic patients under hospital care

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze and compare the microbiological profile and vitamin C content of raw and cooked foods destined for neutropenic inpatients. METHODS: Three vegetables and nine fruits, raw and boiled, washed and sanitized were examined. Heat-tolerant coliforms and coagulase-positive staphylococci were counted and the presence of Salmonella spp was investigated. The vitamin C content was analyzed by a colorimetric reaction. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used for statistical analysis and the nonparametric Wilcoxon test was used to compare the mean vitamin C values of the cooked and raw foods. The Spearman correlation test was applied to determine the associations between the parameters evaluated RESULTS: Salmonella spp was absent in all samples and the populations of coagulase-positive staphylococci and heat-tolerant coliforms were below the minimum detectable limits of the methods employed (< 100 colony forming units (CFU)/g and < 3 most probable number (MPN)/g, respectively). There was a significant loss of vitamin C in the cooked foods, 38.9% on average, compared to the raw foods, a loss that was positively correlated with cooking time. CONCLUSION: The fresh fruits and vegetables properly sanitized in this study had a microbiological profile consistent with that required by Brazilian law. Furthermore, the nutritional value of the neutropenic diet is diminished, at least in terms of the vitamin C content.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis and anthropometry for the determination of body composition in rats: effects of high-fat and high-sucrose diets

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the impedance of Wistar rats treated with high-fat and high-sucrose diets and correlate their biochemical and anthropometric parameters with chemical analysis of the carcass. METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were fed a standard (AIN-93), high-fat (50% fat) or high-sucrose (59% of sucrose) diet for 4 weeks. Abdominal and thoracic circumference and body length were measured. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to determine resistance and reactance. Final body composition was determined by chemical analysis. RESULTS: Higher fat intake led to a high percentage of liver fat and cholesterol and low total body water in the High-Fat group, but these changes in the biochemical profile were not reflected by the anthropometric measurements or bioelectrical impedance analysis variables. Anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance analysis changes were not observed in the High-Sucrose group. However, a positive association was found between body fat and three anthropometric variables: body mass index, Lee index and abdominal circumference. CONCLUSION: Bioelectrical impedance analysis did not prove to be sensitive for detecting changes in body composition, but body mass index, Lee index and abdominal circumference can be used for estimating the body composition of rats.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a impedância de ratos tratados com dietas ricas em lipídeos e sacarose por meio do método da bioimpedância elétrica e correlacionar com a análise direta da carcaça, os parâmetros bioquímicos e antropométricos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 24 ratos machos (Wistar), os quais foram alimentados com dieta padrão, rica em lipídeos ou rica em sacarose por 4 semanas. O grupo-controle recebeu dieta padrão AIN-93; o hiperlipídico, dieta contendo 50% de lipídeos, dos quais 70% eram gordura saturada; e o grupo com rico em sacarose foi alimentado com maior proporção de carboidratos simples, sem alteração na quantidade total. RESULTADOS: A maior ingestão de lipídeos levou a um aumento da porcentagem de gordura hepática e de colesterol e reduziu a quantidade de água corporal total no grupo hiperlipídico, contudo essas alterações no perfil bioquímico não se refletiram em mudanças antropométricas ou alterações nos parâmetros da bioimpedância elétrica. Mudanças na antropometria e bioimpedância elétrica não foram observadas no grupo com rico em sacarose. No entanto, uma associação positiva foi observada entre a gordura da carcaça e três parâmetros antropométricos, ou seja, índice de massa corporal, índice de Lee e circunferência abdominal. CONCLUSÃO: A impedância bioelétrica não se mostrou sensível em detectar mudanças na composição corporal, entretanto observou-se que parâmetros antropométricos - índice de massa corporal, índice de Lee e circunferência do abdômen - podem ser utilizados para estimar a composição corporal em ratos.

Effect of methionine load on homocysteine levels, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in rats receiving ethanol / Efeito da carga de metionina nos níveis de homocisteína, peroxidação lipídica e dano ao DNA em ratos que receberam etanol

Changes in the metabolism of methionine can cause hyperhomocysteinemia, inducing a triad of atherosclerosis, hypertension, and increased oxidative stress. The generation of free radicals and oxidative damage to DNA is important in the liver damage caused by ethanol. In this study, the effect of methionine overload associated or otherwise with acute administration of ethanol on homocysteine values, damage to DNA, lipoperoxidation and vitamin E was evaluated. Thirty rats were divided into 3 groups: Group Ethanol 24 hours (EG24), Group Methionine 24 hours (MG24), and Group Methionine and Ethanol 24 hours (MEG24). TBARS, vitamin E, GS and, homocysteine values were determined and the Comet assay was carried out. Increased GSH, vitamin E and homocysteine levels were observed for MEG24, and increased TBARS were observed in EG24. The Comet assay showed an increase in DNA damage in EG24 and DNA protection in MEG24. The administration of ethanol decreased antioxidant levels and increased TBARS, indicating the occurrence of oxidative stress with possible DNA damage. The combination of methionine and ethanol had a protective effect against the ethanol-induced damage, but increased the levels of homocysteine.

Alterações no metabolismo da metionina podem ocasionar hiper-homocisteinemia, quadro indutivo de aterosclerose, hipertensão e aumento do estresse oxidativo. A geração de radicais livres e dano oxidativo ao DNA são importantes na injúria hepática provocada pelo etanol. Neste estudo avaliaram-se os efeitos da sobrecarga de metionina associada ou não à administração aguda de etanol sobre valores de homocisteína, dano ao DNA, lipoperoxidação e vitamina E. Foram utilizados 30 ratos Wistar distribuídos em 3 Grupos: Grupo Etanol 24 horas (GE24), Grupo Metionina 24 horas (GM24) e Grupo Metionina e Etanol 24 horas (GME24). Realizaram-se determinações hepáticas de SRATB, vitamina E, GSH, homocisteína e Teste do Cometa e determinações plasmáticas de GSH e homocisteína. Valores aumentados de GSH, vitamina E e homocisteína foram observados para o GME24, e de SRATB no GE24. O Teste do Cometa mostrou aumento do dano ao DNA no GE24 e proteção ao DNA no GME24. A administração de etanol diminuiu os níveis de antioxidantes e aumentou o de SRATB, indicando ocorrência de estresse oxidativo, podendo ocasionar dano ao DNA. A presença da metionina associada com o etanol agiu como protetora contra os danos do etanol, mas aumentou os níveis de homocisteína.