Effects of chromium picolinate supplementation in type 2 diabetic patients / Efeitos da suplementação com picolinato de cromo em pacientes portadores de Diabetes mellitus tipo 2

The effects of chromium picolinate in Type 2 diabetic patients are investigated. Seventeen Type 2 diabetic patients were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received fiber-rich hypocaloric diet and chromium picolinate whereas the control group received fiber-rich hypocaloric diet and placebo. The chromium picolinate was offered twice a day at the dose of 100 µg. Anthropometric data such as blood pressure, fasting glycemia and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured and these parameters were evaluated again after 90 days. No difference was reported in rates of body weight, waist, hip, body mass index, blood pressure and fasting glycemia (Control vs. Experimental groups) after treatment. However, a decrease (p = 0.0405) of HbA1c occurred in the experimental group when the pre-and post-treatment rates were compared. HbA1c data showed that chromium picolinate improved the glycemic control in Type 2 diabetes.

Neste estudo investigamos os efeitos do picolinato de cromo em pacientes portadores de Diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Para alcançar este objetivo 17 pacientes foram aleatoriamente divididos em 2 grupos. O grupo Experimental recebeu dieta hipocalórica rica em fibras e picolinato de cromo enquanto o grupo Controle recebeu dieta hipocalórica rica em fibras e placebo. Picolinato de cromo foi oferecido na dose de 100 µg, 2 vezes ao dia. Avaliamos os dados antropométricos, pressão arterial, glicemia de jejum e hemoglobina glicada A1c (HbA1c), sendo estes parâmetros reavaliados após 90 dias. Os resultados de peso, cintura, quadril, índice de massa corpórea, pressão arterial e glicemia de jejum, antes e após o tratamento não foram diferentes (Controle vs. Experimental). Contudo, houve redução (p = 0,0405) da HbA1c no grupo Experimental, ao compararmos os valores antes e após o tratamento. Portanto, a partir dos dados de HbA1c foi possível evidenciar que o picolinato de cromo melhora o controle glicêmico no Diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

Oxidative stress parameters as biomarkers of risk factor for diabetic foot among the patients with type 2 diabetes

The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma levels of carbonylated proteins, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduced protein thiols could be suitable biomarkers of risk factors for diabetic foot. Individuals with type 2 diabetes with normal protective sensation (normal foot group) vs. loss of protective sensation and/or signs of peripheral arterial disease and/or foot deformities and/or history of ulcers and/or neuropathic fractures and/or amputation (diabetic foot group) were compared. The diabetic foot group showed higher carbonylated protein levels (P = 0.0457) and lower levels of TAC (P = 0.0148) and reduced protein thiols (P = 0.0088), compared with the normal foot group. In general, several other parameters of risk of diabetes complication (blood levels of glycated hemoglobin, glucose and cholesterol, duration of diabetes, body mass index and waist circumference) showed a tendency of higher values in the diabetic foot group. The results suggest that the plasma levels of carbonylated proteins, TAC and reduced protein thiols could furnish information about the risk of diabetic foot, considering that the changes in these biomarkers were associated with the loss of sensitivity and foot ulcerations.

Comparative performance of lab tests and blood testing device to monitor glucose, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in type 2 diabetic patients / Desempenho comparativo de testes de laboratório e de dispositivos de teste de sangue para monitorar glicose, colesterol total e triglicérides em pacientes diabéticos tipo 2

The performance of lab tests (LT) and blood testing devices (BTD) to monitor glycemia vs. glycated hemoglobin A1c (A1c) were compared. In addition, the performance of blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol measured by LT and BDT were compared. All parameters were measured based on the same blood samples from overnight fasted type 2 diabetic patients (T2DP). Linear regression analysis was used for all comparisons. The results showed that A1c correlated better with LT-glucose (r = 0.58) than BTD-glucose (r = 0.42). Moreover, LT vs. BTD showed r values of 0.90, 0.82 and 0.92 for glucose, TC and triacylglycerol, respectively. It was concluded that the performance of LT-glucose was better than BDT-glucose. Moreover, since triacylycerol and TC measured by BTD correlated better with LT compared to BDT-glucose vs. LT-glucose, the inclusion of BTD-TC and BTD-triacylglycerol for detecting and monitoring hyperlipidemia in T2DP should be considered.

Comparou-se a performance de avaliação da glicemia através de dosagens laboratoriais (DL) ou dispositivo para teste de sangue capilar (DTSC) vs. hemoglobina glicada A1c (A1c). Comparou-se ainda a performance de avaliação da glicemia, colesterol total (CT) e triacilglicerol (DL vs. DTSC). Avaliou-se estes parametros a partir das mesmas amostras de sangue coletadas em pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 (PDT2) em jejum noturno, sendo as comparações realizadas através de análise de regressão linear. A A1c correlacionou-se melhor com a glicemia-DL (r = 0,58) em relação a glicemia-DTSC (r = 0,42). Comparou-se DL vs. DTSC obtendo se r = 0,90, 0,82 e 0,92 para glicemia, CT e triacilglicerol, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que houve melhor performance da glicose-DL em relação a glicose-DTSC. Além disso, considerando que o triacilglicerol e TC avaliado através de DTSC correlaciona-se melhor com DL em comparação a DTSC-glicose vs. DL-glicose, a inclusão de DTSC-TC e DTSC-triacilglicerol visando detectar e monitorar hyperlipidemia in PDT2 deve ser considerada.

Effects of depomedroxyprogesterone acetate on the development and maintenance of Candida albicans in the vagina of oophorectomized Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) / Efeitos do acetato de depomedroxyprogesterone sobre o desenvolvimento e manutenção de Candida albicans na vagina de ooforectomizado ratos Wistar ( Rattus norvegicus )

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) on the development and maintenance of Candida albicans in the vagina of oophorectomized Wistar rats. The animals were divided into negative control groups (NCG), which received injections of sterile saline; positive control groups (PCG), which were given injections of estradiol valerate; and progesterone groups (PG), which were given injections of Depo-Provera®. After one week of hormonal induction, vaginal infection by C. albicans was induced in all the groups and detected by vaginal yeast culture and Papanicolaou smear. In addition, scanning and transmission electron microscopy images were obtained to confirm the vaginal infection by yeast in PG. A difference in progesterone levels in PG was observed between the basal level and after hormonal induction (P<0.0001). In this group, 100 percent of the rats acquired vaginal infection in the first week, but did not maintain it until the third week. The pharmaceutical brand of DMPA was effective for inducing the metestrus or diestrus phase of the estrous cycle in rats, similar to the use of pure progesterone. In contrast to estrogen treatment, progesterone alone could not support an experimental vaginal infection by C. albicans for any significant period of time.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar os efeitos do acetato de depomedroxyprogesterona (ADMP) no desenvolvimento e manutenção de Candida albicans na vagina de ratas Wistar ooferectomizadas. Os animais foram divididos em grupos controle negativos (GCN), que receberam injeções de salina estéril; grupos controle positivos (GCP), que receberam injeções de valerato de estradiol; e grupos progesterona (GP), nos quais foram feitas injeções de Depo-Provera®. Após uma semana da aplicação hormonal, foi induzida a infecção vaginal por C. albicans em todos os grupos, detectada por cultura para leveduras vaginais e esfregaço de Papanicolaou. Foram feitas ainda imagens por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e transmissão para confirmar a infecção pela levedura no GP. Foram observados diferentes níveis de progesterona em GP, entre os valores basais e após a indução hormonal (P<0,0001). Neste grupo, 100,0 por cento das ratas contraíram a infecção vaginal na primeira semana, mas não a mantiveram até a terceira semana. A forma farmacêutica de ADMP foi efetiva em induzir as fases de metaestro e diestro do ciclo estral das ratas, da mesma forma que usando progesterona pura. Em contraste com o que ocorre no tratamento com estrógeno, a progesterona não pôde manter a infecção vaginal experimental por C. albicans por um período significativo de tempo.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Kaingang native americans in southern Brazil

The aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and obesity among a Brazilian indigenous population. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2008 among Kaingang native Americans from the central region of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Eighty two of the inhabitants aged 15 or older were selected. Height, weight, blood pressure, waistline circumference, and hip circumference were measured. After fasting, the blood was collected for the measurement of glucose, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, total cholesterol, AI and B apolipoprotein, and hemoglobin. The prevalences found were: fasting hyperglycemia (9.8 percent), hypercholesterolemia (4.9 percent), reduced HDL cholesterol (13.4 percent), hypertriglyceridemia (11 percent), abdominal obesity (37.8 percent), generalized obesity (26.8 percent), arterial hypertension (26.8 percent), and anemia (46.3 percent). The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among the Kaingang was 11 percent, all in females 20 to 49 years of age. The results suggested that the changes in the indigenous lifestyle, especially in eating habits and physical activity, have occurred.