Coconut oil: an overview of cardiometabolic effects and the public health burden of misinformation

ABSTRACT Recent data from meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) suggest that dietary intake of coconut oil, rich in saturated fatty acids, does not result in cardiometabolic benefits, nor in improvements in anthropometric, lipid, glycemic, and subclinical inflammation parameters. Nevertheless, its consumption has surged in recent years all over the world, a phenomenon which can possibly be explained by an increasing belief among health professionals that this oil is as healthy as, or perhaps even healthier than, other oils, in addition to social network misinformation spread. The objective of this review is to present nutritional and epidemiological aspects related to coconut oil, its relationship with metabolic and cardiovascular health, as well as possible hypotheses to explain its high rate of consumption, in spite of the most recent data regarding its actual effects.

Obesity, diabetes, and cancer: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and potential interventions

ABSTRACT The proportion of deaths attributable to cancer is rising, and malignant neoplasms have become the leading cause of death in high-income countries. Obesity and diabetes are now recognized as risk factors for several types of malignancies, especially endometrial, colorectal, and postmenopausal breast cancers. Mechanisms implicated include disturbances in lipid-derived hormone secretion, sex steroids biosynthesis, hyperinsulinemia, and chronic inflammation. Intentional weight loss is associated with a mitigation of risk for obesity-related cancers, a phenomenon observed specially with bariatric surgery. The impact of pharmacological interventions for obesity and diabetes is not uniform: while metformin seems to protect against cancer, other agents such as lorcaserin may increase the risk of malignancies. However, these interpretations must be carefully considered, since most data stem from bias-prone observational studies, and high-quality randomized controlled trials with appropriate sample size and duration are needed to achieve definite conclusions. In this review, we outline epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of the relationship between obesity, diabetes, and malignancies. We also highlight pieces of evidence regarding treatment effects on cancer incidence in these populations.

Brazilian evidence-based guideline for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in adult individuals with overweight or obesity: A joint position statement from the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM), Brazilian Society of Hepatology (SBH), and Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (Abeso)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is one of the most common hepatic diseases in individuals with overweight or obesity. In this context, a panel of experts from three medical societies was organized to develop an evidence-based guideline on the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of MASLD. Material and methods: A MEDLINE search was performed to identify randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, cohort studies, observational studies, and other relevant studies on NAFLD. In the absence of studies on a certain topic or when the quality of the study was not adequate, the opinion of experts was adopted. Classes of Recommendation and Levels of Evidence were determined using prespecified criteria. Results: Based on the literature review, 48 specific recommendations were elaborated, including 11 on screening and diagnosis, 9 on follow-up, 14 on nonpharmacologic treatment, and 14 on pharmacologic and surgical treatment. Conclusions: A literature search allowed the development of evidence-based guidelines on the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of MASLD in individuals with overweight or obesity.

Relationships between adiponectin levels, the metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes: a literature review

ABSTRACT Elevated hepatic glucose production, impaired insulin secretion, and insulin resistance - abnormalities of glucose metabolism typically found in subjects with obesity - are major factors underlying the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (DM2) and the metabolic syndrome (MS). Adiponectin is a major regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis via its insulin-sensitizing properties, and lower levels seems to be associated with the development of DM2 and MS. The purpose of this review is to clarify the mechanisms whereby adiponectin relates to the development of DM2 and MS and the association between polymorphisms of the adiponectin gene, circulating levels of the hormone, and its relationships with DM2. In addition, the impact of dietary lipids in the circulating levels of adiponectin will be addressed. According to the literature, circulating adiponectin levels seem to decrease as the number of MS components increases. Lower adiponectin concentrations are associated with higher intra-abdominal fat content. Therefore, adiponectin could link intra-abdominal fat with insulin resistance and development of MS. Therapeutic strategies that target the MS and its components, such as lifestyle modification through physical activity and weight loss, have been shown to increase adiponectin concentrations. Possible roles of diets containing either low or high amounts of fat, or different types of fat, have been analyzed in several studies, with heterogeneous results. Supplementation with n-3 PUFA modestly increases adiponectin levels, whereas conjugated linoleic acid supplementation appears to reduce concentrations when compared with unsaturated fatty acid supplementation used as an active placebo.

Avaliação e tratamento da hiperglicemia em pacientes graves / Assessment and treatment of hyperglycemia in critically ill patients

A hiperglicemia é um problema frequentemente encontrado em pacientes graves em ambiente de terapia intensiva. Sua presença se associa ao aumento da morbidade e da mortalidade, independentemente da causa da admissão (infarto agudo do miocárdio, condição após cirurgia cardiovascular, acidente vascular cerebral e sepse). Entretanto, permanecem muitas dúvidas com relação à fisiopatologia e, particularmente, em relação ao tratamento da hiperglicemia no paciente graves. Na prática clínica, devem ser levados em consideração diversos aspectos para o controle desses pacientes, inclusive os alvos de glicemia, o histórico de diabetes mellitus, a via de nutrição (enteral ou parenteral) e o equipamento de monitoramento disponível, o que aumenta substancialmente a carga de trabalho dos profissionais envolvidos nesse tratamento. Esta revisão descreveu a epidemiologia, a fisiopatologia, o tratamento e o monitoramento da hiperglicemia no paciente adulto grave.

Hyperglycemia is a commonly encountered issue in critically ill patients in the intensive care setting. The presence of hyperglycemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, regardless of the reason for admission (e.g., acute myocardial infarction, status post-cardiovascular surgery, stroke, sepsis). However, the pathophysiology and, in particular, the treatment of hyperglycemia in the critically ill patient remain controversial. In clinical practice, several aspects must be taken into account in the management of these patients, including blood glucose targets, history of diabetes mellitus, the route of nutrition (enteral or parenteral), and available monitoring equipment, which substantially increases the workload of providers involved in the patients' care. This review describes the epidemiology, pathophysiology, management, and monitoring of hyperglycemia in the critically ill adult patient.

Pré-diabetes: diagnóstico, avaliação de complicações crônicas e tratamento / Prediabetes: diagnosis, evaluation of chronic complications, and treatment

O diabetes melito do tipo 2 (DM2) é responsável por 90% dos casos de diabetes e está associado a complicações micro e macrovasculares de elevada morbimortalidade. Os indivíduos com maior risco de desenvolvimento de DM incluem aqueles com glicemia de jejum alterada (GJA) e tolerância diminuída à glicose (TDG) e especialmente aqueles com as duas condições combinadas. Esses indivíduos fazem parte de um grupo hoje conhecido como pré-diabetes. Aproximadamente 25% dos indivíduos com pré-diabetes desenvolverão DM2 em três a cinco anos. A hiperglicemia, na ausência de DM, também foi associada ao aumento no risco de doença cardiovascular. Estudos demonstraram que mudanças no estilo de vida e intervenções medicamentosas são efetivas em retardar ou prevenir o DM2 em pacientes com pré-diabetes. GJA e TDG estão associadas ao desenvolvimento de DM2 e, apesar das controvérsias, a maioria dos estudos epidemiológicos reforça a importância dessas duas condições também no desenvolvimento de doença micro e macrovascular. Assim, intervenções em pacientes com pré-diabetes são importantes na prevenção primária do DM2 e de suas complicações crônicas.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus accounts for 90% of diabetes cases and is associated with macro- and microvascular complications of high morbidity and mortality. Individuals with increased risk for type 2 diabetes include those with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and especially those with combined IFG and IGT. These individuals are part of a group known as prediabetes patients. Approximately 25% of individuals with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes in three to five years. Hyperglycemia, in the absence of diabetes, is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that changes in lifestyle and drug interventions are effective in delaying or preventing type 2 diabetes in patients with prediabetes. Metformin is the drug of choice when medical treatment is warranted. IGT and IFG are associated with type 2 diabetes and, despite controversy, most studies reinforce the importance of these conditions in the development of micro- and macrovascular disease. Thus, therapeutic interventions in patients with prediabetes are important in primary prevention of type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications.

Hypertension is the main determinant behind the association between metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease in subjects with different degrees of glucose tolerance / A hipertensão é o principal determinante da associação entre síndrome metabólica e doença renal crônica em indivíduos com diferentes graus de tolerância à glicose

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health problem. It is still controversial if the metabolicsyndrome (MS) is associated with CKD.Methods: Cross-sectional study of individuals at high risk of developing diabetes at the endocrine outpatient clinic of Hospitalde Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Fasting and 2h-plasma glucose levels, A1c, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, andurinary albumin excretion were measured. MS was defined as the presence of three out of five of the following factors: hypertension,low HDL-cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, elevated plasma glucose, and high waist circumference. Glomerularfiltration rate (GFR) was estimated by the Modified Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation and insulin resistance wasmeasure using the Homeostasis Model of Assessment - Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Correlation analyses were performedbetween each MS components and the GFR.Results: CKD was present in 20.9% of the subjects. GFR was lower in subjects with MS compared with those without MS(P =0.019). Estimated GFR decreased with the increasing number of MS criteria (mean ± SD; zero or one criterion103.09±9.5 vs. two criteria 99.14±21.2 vs. three criteria 90.9±21.1 vs. four criteria 91.0±19.4 vs. five criteria 80.9±23.5mL/min per 1.73m2; P =0.053). Only systolic arterial blood pressure was related to eGFR (r = 0.280; P =0.003).Discussion: According to our data, the previously described association between MS and decreased renal function wasconfirmed, mostly determined by the hypertension criterion.Conclusion: These data suggest that the relationship between MS and CKD is driven mostly by abnormalities in blood pressurehomeostasis.

Introdução: A Doença Renal Crônica (DRC) é um problema de saúde pública. Ainda é controversa a existência de associa-ção entre a presença de Síndrome Metabólica (SM) e DRC.Métodos: Indivíduos com risco aumentado para o desenvolvimento de diabete melito acompanhados no ambulatório deEndocrinologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre foram analisados em um estudo transversal. Pacientes foram submetidosao Teste de Tolerância Oral à Glicose, e hemoglobina glicada (A1c), insulina, colesterol, triglicerídeos, creatinina eexcreção urinária de albumina foram medidos. A presença de SM era baseada na presença de três entre os cinco critérios aseguir: hipertensão, níveis séricos de colesterol HDL diminuídos, níveis aumentados de triglicerídeos, hiperglicemia e circunferênciaabdominal aumentada. A taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) foi calculada pela equação do Modified Diet in RenalDisease (MDRD) e a resistência insulínica, pelo Homeostasis Model of Assessment – Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).Análises de correlação foram feitas entre cada componente da SM e a TFG.Resultados: DRC esteve presente em 20,9% dos indivíduos. Níveis diminuídos de TFG foram observados em pacientescom SM comparados com aqueles sem SM (P=0,019). TFG diminuiu com o aumento no número de critérios para SM (mé-dia±DP; 0 e 1 critério 103,09±9,5; vs. 2 critérios 99,14±21,2; vs. 3 critérios 90,9±21,1; vs. 4 critérios 91,0±19,4; vs. 5 crité-rios 80,9±23,3 ml/min; P=0,053). Apenas pressão arterial sistólica mostrou-se relacionada com a TFG (r=0,280; P=0,003).Discussão: Nosso trabalho confirmou a associação entre a presença de Síndrome Metabólica e TFG diminuída descritapreviamente por outros estudos, tendo, neste presente estudo, a hipertensão como o principal determinante desta relação.Conclusão: Nossos achados sugerem que a relação existente entre a presença de SM e o desenvolvimento de DRC é determinadaprincipalmente por anormalidades na homeostase pressórica.

Medida da cintura e razão cintura/quadril e identificação de situações de risco cardiovascular: estudo multicêntrico em pacientes com diabetes melito tipo 2 / Waist measure and waist-to-hip ratio and identification of clinical conditions of cardiovascular risk: multicentric study in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

A obesidade abdominal está associada à presença de doenças cardiovasculares. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar, em pacientes com diabetes melito tipo 2 (DM2), o desempenho de duas medidas de obesidade abdominal, medida da circunferência da cintura e razão cintura/quadril (RCQ) na identificação de situações clínicas que representam risco cardiovascular: cardiopatia isquêmica, HAS, dislipidemia, obesidade e nefropatia diabética. Foi realizado um estudo transversal multicêntrico com 820 pacientes com DM2. A medida da cintura apresentou uma forte correlação com o índice de massa corporal (IMC), em homens (r= 0,814; P< 0,05) e em mulheres (r= 0,770; P< 0,05). Já a correlação da RCQ com o IMC foi fraca (homens: r= 0,263, P< 0,05; mulheres: r= 0,092, P< 0,05). Apenas cintura se correlacionou com as medidas da pressão arterial sistólica (r= 0,211, P< 0,05 para homens; r= 0,224, P< 0,05 para mulheres). Na análise das áreas sob as curvas ROC, a cintura foi superior à RCQ para identificação de obesidade e HAS, tanto em homens como em mulheres, e para a dislipidemia em homens. Em conclusão, a circunferência da cintura está mais associada a situações de risco cardiovascular do que a RCQ.

Abdominal obesity is associated with cardiovascular disease. This study aims to compare two measures of abdominal obesity [waist and wais-to-hip ratio (WHR)] in patients with DM2 to identify cardiovascular risk factors: ischemic cardiopathy, hypertension, dislipidemia, obesity and diabetic nephropathy. A multicentric study was performed in 820 patients with type 2 DM. Waist circumference strongly correlated with body mass index (BMI), for men (r= 0.814; P< 0.05) and women (r= 0.770; P< 0.05). On the other hand, WRH was weakly correlated (r= 0.263, P< 0.05 for men; r= 0.092, P< 0.05 for women). Only waist circumference correlated with systolic pressure (r= 0.211, P< 0.05 for men; r= 0,224, P< 0.05 for women). ROC curve analysis demonstrated the superiority of waist circumference measurement compared to WHR regarding obesity and hypertension for men and women, and dyslipidemia for men. In conclusion, waist circumference is better correlated with cardiovascular risk factor than WRH.

Análise dos critérios de definição da síndrome metabólica em pacientes com diabetes melito tipo 2 / Analysis of the criteria used for the definition of metabolic syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

O objetivo deste estudo é comparar em pacientes com diabetes melito tipo 2 (DM2) a proporção de síndrome metabólica de acordo com a definição da Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) e a do National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), e analisar qual se associa mais à presença das complicações do DM2. Foram avaliados 753 pacientes com DM2 em atendimento ambulatorial, quanto a parâmetros étnicos, antropométricos, laboratoriais e presença das complicações: nefropatia diabética, cardiopatia isquêmica, acidente vascular cerebral, retinopatia diabética e vasculopatia periférica. A resistência insulínica foi estimada através do HOMA-IR. A síndrome metabólica esteve presente em 671 (89 por cento) e 657 (87 por cento) dos pacientes utilizando a definição da OMS e do NCEP, respectivamente. No grupo total, houve uma concordância moderada entre as duas definições (k= 0,54; IC 95 por cento 0,49­0,59), porém foi melhor para negros (k= 0,69; IC 95 por cento 0,6­0,78) do que para brancos (k= 0,54; IC 95 por cento 0,48­0,6) e mulatos (k= 0,26; IC 95 por cento 0,09­0,43). Pacientes com síndrome metabólica pela definição do NCEP apresentaram valores de HOMA-IR maiores que os pacientes sem síndrome metabólica (p= 0,001). Esta diferença não foi encontrada utilizando a definição da OMS (p= 0,152). A proporção das complicações do DM2 foi semelhante nas duas definições. Em conclusão, em relação ao risco de complicações, as duas definições são equivalentes. Entretanto, existe variação na concordância entre as duas definições de acordo com a etnia.

The aim was to compare in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) definitions, and to analyze the association between them and the complications of DM2. Patients with DM2 (n= 753) were evaluated for ethnics, anthropometrics and laboratory parameters and for the presence of DM2 complications: diabetic nephropathy, coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetic retinopathy and peripheral vascular disease. Insulin resistance was estimated using the HOMA index. Metabolic syndrome was found in 671 (89 percent) and 657 (87 percent) patients using the WHO definition and the NCEP definition, respectively. In the total group, there was a moderate agreement between the two definitions (k= 0.54; 95 percent CI 0.49­0.59), although, it was better for black patients (k= 0.69; 95 percent CI 0.60­0.78) than white (k= 0.54; 95 percent CI 0.48­0.6) or mulattos patients (k= 0.26; 95 percent CI 0.09­0.43). Patients with metabolic syndrome using the NCEP criteria had higher HOMA-IR values compared to those without metabolic syndrome (p= 0.001). This differentiation was not seen using the WHO definition (p= 0.152). The proportion of diabetic complications was similar for both definitions. In conclusion, regarding the risk of diabetic complications both definitions are equivalent. However, there are some ethnic differences in the agreement between the two definitions.

Hipertricose ciliar adquirida em SIDA / Acquired hyperthrichosis of the eyelashes in AIDS

A hipertricose ciliar adquirida tem sido relatada em pacientes com SIDA. Para explicar tal associacao, varias etiologias sao propostas: hiperinterferonemia, desnutricao, drogas, imunossupressao, altos niveis de zinco, intolerancia a zidovudina e infeccao pelo HIV. Nenhuma delas tem entretanto evidencias suficientes para excluir as demais. O uso da hipertricose ciliar como sinal semiologico da SIDA, bem como o esclarecimento sobre a sua verdadeira etiologia, necessitam de estudos complementares

Hipertricose ciliar: sinal semiológico da síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida? / Hypertrichosis of the eyelashes: could it be a semiologic sign of AIDS?

Com o objetivo de verificar a existência de hipertricose ciliar em pacientes sidéticos e sua possível utilidade como sinal semiológico, foi conduzido estudo de caso-controle com vinte e três pacientes sidéticos e 23 controles. A média e desvio-padräo do comprimento dos cílios nos casos foi de 8,543 +/- 1,678 mm e nos controles de 7,465 +/- 1,672 mm. A diferença foi de 1,078 mm (p=0,032). Apesar da diferença existir e ser estatisticamente significativa, a utilidade da hipertricose ciliar como sinal semiológico ainda é de discutível significado prático