Effects of coconut oil associated with a physical exercises program on body composition and lipid profile / Efeitos do óleo de coco associado com um programa de exercícios físicos sobre a composição corporal e perfil lipídico

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evalute the effects of supplementation of coconut oil associated with a physical exercise program on body composition and lipid profile in normolipid eutrophic women. The sample was composed of 20 women randomized divided into two groups, supplemented exercise group with 13 mL/day of coconut oil (GES, n= 10) and unsuppemented exercie group with coconut oil (GEU), n= 10). Perimeters measurements of central adiposity, fat (%), fat mass, lean mass, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and triglycerides concentrations were evaluated in the beginning and in the final of 12 weeks of intervention. For intragroup and intergroup comparisons was used dependentes and independentes sample t-test. The results showed that 12 weeks of intervention modified the central adiposity in the GES group, decreased 2,6% the waist cincunference compared to GEU group (p<0.05). The fat (%), fat mass and lean mass did not change after 12 weeks of intervention between GES and GEU groups (p>0.05). In the comparation of lipid profile between groups, GES group decreased 3% the LDL-c while the GEU group increased 13.7% the total cholesterol and 14.2% the LDL-c concentration (p<0.05). In conclusion, coconut oil associated with a physical exercise program did not modify the body composition and attenuate the changes in the lipid profile in normolipid eutrophic women.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da suplementação de óleo de coco associado com um programa de exercícios físicos sobre a composição corporal e perfil lipídico em mulheres eutróficas normolipidicas. A amostra foi composta de 20 mulheres divididas aleatoriamente em 2 grupos, grupo exercício suplementado com 13 mL/dia de óleo de coco (GCO; n=10) e grupo exercício não suplementado com óleo de coco (GSO; n=10). Foram avaliados medidas perimétricas de adiposidade central, gordura (%), massa gorda, massa magra, níveis séricos de colesterol total, LDL-c, HDL-c e triglicérides no início e no final de 12 semanas de intervenção. Para as comparações intragrupos e entre os grupos foi utilizado o teste T para amostras dependentes e independentes. Os resultados mostraram que 12 semanas de intervenção modificou a adiposidade central no grupo GCO, diminuindo 2,6% a circunferência da cintura comparado ao grupo GSO (p<0,05). A gordura (%), massa gorda e massa magra não se modificaram após 12 semanas de intervenção nos grupos GCO e GSO (p<0,05). Na comparação do perfil lipídico entre os grupos, o grupo GCO diminui 3% o LDL-c enquanto que o grupo GSO aumentou 13,7% o colesterol total e 14,2% o LDL-c (p<0,05). Em conclusão, o óleo de coco associado com um programa de exercício físico aeróbico não modifica a composição corporal e atenua as alterações no perfil lipídico em mulheres eutróficas normolipidicas.

Beneficial effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on insulin signaling cascade, dyslipidemia, and body adiposity of diet-induced obese rats

Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) has been indicated as an efficient medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2. It remains unclear if its effects are due to an improvement of the insulin signaling cascade, especially in obese subjects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of GbE on insulin tolerance, food intake, body adiposity, lipid profile, fasting insulin, and muscle levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B), and protein kinase B (Akt), as well as Akt phosphorylation, in diet-induced obese rats. Rats were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) or a normal fat diet (NFD) for 8 weeks. After that, the HFD group was divided into two groups: rats gavaged with a saline vehicle (HFD+V), and rats gavaged with 500 mg/kg of GbE diluted in the saline vehicle (HFD+Gb). NFD rats were gavaged with the saline vehicle only. At the end of the treatment, the rats were anesthetized, insulin was injected into the portal vein, and after 90s, the gastrocnemius muscle was removed. The quantification of IRS-1, Akt, and Akt phosphorylation was performed using Western blotting. Serum levels of fasting insulin and glucose, triacylglycerols and total cholesterol, and LDL and HDL fractions were measured. An insulin tolerance test was also performed. Ingestion of a hyperlipidic diet promoted loss of insulin sensitivity and also resulted in a significant increase in body adiposity, plasma triacylglycerol, and glucose levels. In addition, GbE treatment significantly reduced food intake and body adiposity while it protected against hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in diet-induced obesity rats. It also enhanced insulin sensitivity in comparison to HFD+V rats, while it restored insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation, increased IRS-1, and reduced PTP-1B levels in gastrocnemius muscle. The present findings suggest that G. biloba might be efficient in preventing and treating obesity-induced insulin signaling impairment.

Reduced Food Intake is the Major Contributor to the Protective Effect of Rimonabant on Islet in Established Obesity-Associated Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE: Although the presence of cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor in islets has been reported, the major contributor to the protective effect of rimonabant on islet morphology is unknown. We determined whether the protective effect of rimonabant on pancreatic islet morphology is valid in established diabetes and also whether any effect was independent of decreased food intake. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After diabetes was confirmed, Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, aged 32 weeks, were treated with rimonabant (30 mg/kg/d, rimonabant group) for 6 weeks. Metabolic profiles and islet morphology of rats treated with rimonabant were compared with those of controls without treatment (control group), a pair-fed control group, and rats treated with rosiglitazone (4 mg/kg/d, rosiglitazone group). RESULTS: Compared to the control group, rats treated with rimonabant exhibited reduced glycated albumin levels (p<0.001), islet fibrosis (p<0.01), and improved glucose tolerance (p<0.05), with no differences from the pair-fed control group. The retroperitoneal adipose tissue mass was lower in the rimonabant group than those of the pair-fed control and rosiglitazone groups (p<0.05). Rimonabant, pair-fed control, and rosiglitazone groups showed decreased insulin resistance and increased adiponectin, with no differences between the rimonabant and pair-fed control groups. CONCLUSION: Rimonabant had a protective effect on islet morphology in vivo even in established diabetes. However, the protective effect was also reproduced by pair-feeding. Thus, the results of this study did not support the significance of islet CB1 receptors in islet protection with rimonabant in established obesity-associated type 2 diabetes.

O tratamento com isoflavonas mimetiza a ação do estradiol no acúmulo de gordura em ratas ovariectomizadas / Treatment with isoflavones replaces estradiol effect on the tissue fat accumulation from ovariectomized rats

OBJETIVO: As isoflavonas (ISO) presentes na soja são consideradas fitoestrógenos. A administração de fitoestrógenos tem efeito benéfico nos distúrbios da pós-menopausa que são caracterizados pela suspensão da função ovariana com declínio da secreção de estrogênio e conseqüentes desajustes histomorfológicos e metabólicos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o efeito da suplementação com ISO sobre a espessura do endométrio uterino, o acúmulo de gordura tecidual, o colesterol HDL e a glicose plasmática de ratas ovariectomizadas (OVX). MÉTODOS: Ratas Wistar com 60 dias de vida sofreram cirurgia bilateral para retirada dos ovários. Após o período de 8 dias de recuperação foram divididas em três grupos: falso operada (GC), OVX não-tratadas com ISO (GI) e as OVX suplementadas com ISO (GII). Foram retirados e pesados o útero, as gorduras uterinas e retroperitoneais. Também foram coletadas amostras de sangue para dosagem da concentração de HDL e glicose. RESULTADOS: A OVX promoveu atrofia do endométrio, diminuição do peso do útero e diminuição do HDL. O tratamento com ISO promoveu diminuição dos estoques de gorduras uterina e retroperitoneal, aumento de HDL e redução da glicemia, porém não teve efeito uterotrófico. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados do presente estudo mostram que o tratamento com ISO promove redução da adiposidade, o que pode estar relacionado à redução da lipogênese e ao aumento da lipólise.

OBJECTIVE: Isoflavones (ISO) present in soybean are named phytoestrogens because they show estrogen effect. The use of isoflavones has beneficial effect in disturbance of post-menopause, which is characterized by ovarian function suppression. Decreasing of estrogen secretion and consequent morphologic and metabolic disarrangements are observed in female hormonal decline. The aim of present work was to investigate the effect of ISO on the fat accretion of uterin endometric tissue, and HDL and glucose blood concentration from ovariectomized rats (OVX). METHODS: Female Wistar rats with 60 days-old were submitted a surgery to remove bilaterally the ovarium. After 8-day recovery period the animals were distributed into three groups: sham operate (GC); OVX ISO untreated (GI) and OVX supplemented with ISO (G II). Total uterus mass, uterus fat and retroperitoneal fat pad, were removed, washed and weighted. Samples of uterus were histological processed to measure endometrium thickness. Blood samples were also collected to analyze the concentration of HDL and glucose. The OVX caused endometric atrophy, decrease of uterus weight and HDL reduction. The treatment with ISO provoked decrease of uterin and retroperitoneal fat pad. HDL increase and glycemia reduction were also observed. However, there was no uterotrophic effect. CONCLUSIONS: ISO treatment causes decrease in tissue fat accretion from ovariectomized rats.