Audiological Findings in Patients with OculoAuriculo-Vertebral Spectrum

Introduction Oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum, also referred to as Goldenhar syndrome, is a condition characterized by alterations involving the development of the structures of the first and second branchial arches. The abnormalities primarily affect the face, the eyes, the spine, and the ears, and the auricular abnormalities are associated with possible hearing loss. Objective To analyze the audiological findings of patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum through liminal pure-tone audiometry and speech audiometry test. Methods Cross-sectional study conducted on 10 patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum and clinical findings on at least two of the following areas: orocraniofacial, ocular, auricular, and vertebral. All patients underwent tonal and vocal hearing evaluations. Results Seven patients were male and three were female; all had ear abnormalities, and the right side was the most often affected. Conductive hearing loss was the most common (found in 10 ears), followed by sensorineural hearing loss (in five ears), with mixed hearing loss in only one ear. The impairment of the hearing loss ranged frommild to moderate, with one case of profound loss. Conclusions The results show a higher frequency of conductive hearing loss among individuals with the oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum phenotype, especially moderate loss affecting the right side. Furthermore, research in auditory thresholds in the oculoauriculo- vertebral spectrum is important in speech therapy findings about the disease to facilitate early intervention for possible alterations. .

The Effects of a High Fat Diet Containing Diacylglycerol on Bone in C57BL/6J Mice

PURPOSE: In epidemiologic and animal studies, a high fat diet (HFD) has been shown to be associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) and a higher risk of osteoporotic fractures. Meanwhile, consuming a HFD containing diacylglycerol (DAG) instead of triacylglycerol (TAG) is known to offer metabolically beneficial effects of reductions in body weight and abdominal fat. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a HFD containing DAG (HFD-DAG) on bone in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n=39) were divided into three weight-matched groups based on diet type: a chow diet group, a HFD containing TAG (HFD-TAG) group, and a HFD-DAG group. After 20 weeks, body composition and bone microstructure were analyzed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and micro-computed tomography. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR of bone marrow cells were performed to investigate the expressions of transcription factors for osteogenesis or adipogenesis. RESULTS: The HFD-DAG group exhibited lower body weight, higher BMD, and superior microstructural bone parameters, compared to the HFD-TAG group. The HFD-DAG group showed increased expression of Runx2 and decreased expression of PPARgamma in bone marrow cells, compared to the HFD-TAG group. The HFD-DAG group also had lower levels of plasma glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, and triglyceride than the HFD-TAG group. CONCLUSION: Compared to HFD-TAG, HFD-DAG showed beneficial effects on bone and bone metabolism in C57BL/6J mice.

A study on the short-term effect of cafeteria diet and pioglitazone on insulin resistance and serum levels of adiponectin and ghrelin

The interaction between ghrelin and adiponectin is still controversial. We investigated the effect of cafeteria diet and pioglitazone on body weight, insulin resistance, and adiponectin/ghrelin levels in an experimental study on male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into four groups of 6 rats each, and received balanced chow with saline (CHOW-O) or pioglitazone (CHOW-P), or a cafeteria diet with saline (CAFE-O) or pioglitazone (CAFE-P). The chow/cafeteria diets were administered for 35 days, and saline/pioglitazone (10 mg·kg body weight-1·day-1) was added in the last 14 days prior to euthanasia. CAFE-O animals had a higher mean final weight (372.5 ± 21.01 g) than CHOW-O (317.66 ± 25.11 g, P = 0.017) and CHOW-P (322.66 ± 28.42 g, P = 0.035) animals. Serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher in CHOW-P (55.91 ± 20.62 ng/mL) than in CHOW-O (30.52 ± 6.97 ng/mL, P = 0.014) and CAFE-O (32.54 ± 9.03 ng/mL, P = 0.027) but not in CAFE-P. Higher total serum ghrelin levels were observed in CAFE-P compared to CHOW-P animals (1.65 ± 0.69 vs 0.65 ± 0.36 ng/mL, P = 0.006). Likewise, acylated ghrelin levels were higher in CAFE-P (471.52 ± 195.09 pg/mL) than in CHOW-P (193.01 ± 87.61 pg/mL, P = 0.009) and CAFE-O (259.44 ± 86.36 pg/mL, P = 0.047) animals. In conclusion, a cafeteria diet can lead to a significant weight gain. Although CAFE-P animals exhibited higher ghrelin levels, this was probably related to food deprivation rather than to a direct pharmacological effect, possibly attenuating the increase in adiponectin levels.

The Influence of Exogenous Fat and Water on Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density in Healthy Volunteers

PURPOSE: Changes in human body composition can affect the accuracy of spine bone mineral density (BMD) measurements. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether fat and water in the soft tissue of the abdomen influence lumbar spine BMD measurements obtained using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Duplicate BMD measurements were carried out on healthy volunteers (10 men and 10 women) and the Hologic anthropomorphic spine phantom had on the same day before and after placement of following 3 materials in the abdominal area: lard 900 g, 1.5 cm thick; oil 1.4 liters in a vinyl bag; and water 1.2 liters in a vinyl bag. RESULTS: In the case of human participants, following the placement of exogenous water to mimic extracellular fluid (ECF), there was a significant decrease in lumbar spine BMD (-0.012 g/cm2, p=0.006), whereas the placement of exogenous lard and oil to mimic abdominal fat produced a slight increase in lumbar spine BMD (0.006 g/cm2, p=0.301; 0.008 g/cm2, p=0.250, respectively). The average percentage of lumbar spine BMD change with and without exogenous lard, oil, and water showed increase of 0.51%, and 0.67%, and decrease of 1.02%, respectively. Using the phantom, BMD decreased with the placement of both lard (-0.002 g/cm2, p=0.699) and water (-0.006 g/cm2, p=0.153); however, there was no difference in BMD after oil placement. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that in cases where changes in fat and ECF volume are similar, ECF exerts a greater influence than fat on DXA lumbar BMD measurements.

Study on cow ghee versus soybean oil on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)-anthracene induced mammary carcinogenesis & expression of cyclooxygenase-2 & peroxisome proliferators activated receptor- γ in rats.

Background & objectives Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women; dietary fat is the one of the factors that influences its incidence. In the present study we investigated the effect of feeding cow ghee versus soybean oil on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced mammary cancer in rat and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and peroxisome proliferators activated receptor- γ (PPAR-γ) in mammary gland. Methods Two groups of 21 day old female rats (30 each) were fed for 44 wk diet containing cow ghee or soybean oil (10%). The animals were given DMBA (30mg/kg body weight) through oral intubation after 5 wk feeding. Another two groups (8 each) fed similarly but not given DMBA served as control for the gene expression study. Results In DMBA treated groups, the animal fed soybean oil had higher tumour incidence (65.4%), tumour weight (6.18 g) and tumour volume (6285 mm3) compared to those fed cow ghee (26.6%, 1.67 g, 1925 mm3, respectively). Tumour latency period was 23 wk on soybean oil compared to 27 wk on cow ghee. Histological analysis of tumours showed that the progression of carcinogenesis was more rapid on soybean oil than on cow ghee. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 was observed only in DMBA treated rats and it was significantly less on cow ghee than on soybean oil. The expression of PPAR-γ was significantly more on cow ghee than on soybean oil. Interpretation & conclusions Our results show that dietary cow ghee opposed to soybean oil attenuates mammary carcinogenesis induced by DMBA; and the effect is mediated by decreased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and increased expression of PPAR-γ in the former group.

Coriandrum sativum L. aqueous extract mitigates high fat diet induced insulin resistance by controlling visceral adiposity in C57BL/6J Mice / Coriandrum sativum L. extracto acuoso mitiga dieta rica en grasas de alta resistencia a la insulina inducida por el control de la adiposidad visceral en ratones C57BL/6J

This study investigates the effect of dietary supplementation with Coriandrum sativum L. seed aqueous extract (CS) to a high fat diet (HFD), for induced insulin resistance (IR) C57BL/6J mice. Changes in body weight, food intake, feed efficiency ratio, fasting blood glucose (FBG), plasma insulin, fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI), plasma and hepatic triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and, plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels were evaluated in control and treated groups. Also, the diameter, surface area and number of adipocytes and, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and intraperitoneal insulin response test (IPRTT) were performed. CS supplementation (1 percent and 3 percent w/w) to HFD fed mice (for 12 weeks) significantly prevented HFD induced increment in body weight gain, food intake, feed efficiency, FBG, plasma insulin, FIRI, plasma and hepatic TG and TC and, plasma FFA, adipocyte diameter and surface area along with decrement in adipocyte number. Also, improved responses were recorded in the IPGTT and IPRTT in CS supplemented HFD fed mice. These set of changes were comparable to the rosiglitazone (0.05 percent) supplemented HFD fed mice. Our findings suggest that CS improves insulin sensitivity primarily by mitigating plasma and tissue lipids and, adipocyte hypertrophy.

En este estudio se investigó el efecto de un extracto acuoso de semillas de Coriandrum sativum L. (CS), adicionado a una dieta con alto contenido graso en ratones C57BL/6J, con resistencia a la insulina inducida. Los cambios en el aumento de peso corporal, consumo de alimento, eficiencia alimenticia, glicemia, insulina plasmática, índice de resistencia a la insulina, triglicéridos hepáticos y plasmáticos, colesterol total y concentración plasmática de ácidos grasos libres, fueron evaluados en grupos control y tratados. Adicionalmente se controló, el diámetro, superficie y número de adipocitos, prueba de tolerancia a la glucosa intraperitoneal y la prueba de respuesta de la insulina por vía intraperitoneal. La adición de CS (1 por ciento y 3 por ciento w / w) a la dieta con alto contenido graso a ratones (12 semanas) previno de manera significativa el incremento de peso, la ingesta de alimentos, la eficiencia alimenticia, FBG, la insulina plasmática, FIRI, los triglicéridos hepáticos y plasmáticos, el colesterol total, ácidos grasos libres plasmáticos, el diámetro de los adipocitos y la superficie junto con el decremento en el número de los adipocitos. Además, mejoras de la respuesta se registraron en el IPGTT y IPRTT. Este conjunto de cambios fue comparable al obtenido con rosiglitazona (0,05 por ciento), adicionada a la dieta con alto contenido graso. Estos hallazgos sugieren que el CS mejora la sensibilidad a la insulina principalmente por la mitigación de los lípidos del plasma, del tejido y la hipertrofia del adipocito.

Flaxseed, olive and fish oil influence plasmatic lipids, lymphocyte migration and morphometry of the intestinal of Wistar rats / Óleo de linhaça, oliva e peixe influenciam os lipídios plasmáticos, migração de linfócitos e morfometria intestinal de ratos Wistar

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effect of flaxseed, olive and fish oil on the lipid profile, preservation of villosities and lymphocyte migration in the intestinal mucosa of Wistar rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar male rats were divided into four groups, which received the AIN-93M diet, with changes only to their lipid source: flaxseed, olive, fish, and soy oil (control group). The serum was separated for the biochemical parameter analysis. A histological evaluation was performed in the ileal portion. RESULTS: The group which was fed fish oil presented lower values when compared to the other treatments for Total Cholesterol, High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Triacylglycerol (p<0.05). The animals treated with fish and olive oils presented better intestinal villosities preservation. Less deposition of lymphocytes was observed in the flaxseed group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that flaxseed, olive and fish oils present different responses than soy oil for the intestinal mucosa preservation and lymphocyte proliferation in Wistar rats.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito dos óleos de linhaça, oliva e peixe no perfil lipídico, preservação das vilosidades e migração de linfócitos na mucosa intestinal de ratos Wistar. MÉTODOS: Trinta ratos Wistar foram divididos em quarto grupos e receberam dieta AIN-93M, modificando para cada grupo apenas a fonte lipídica: óleo de linhaça, oliva, peixe e soja ( grupo controle). O soro foi separado para análise dos parâmetros bioquímicos. A análise histológica foi realizada na porção ileal. RESULTADOS: O grupo que recebeu óleo de peixe apresentou menores valores de colesterol total, lipoproteína de alta densidade e triacilglicerol (p<0.05). Os animais tratados com óleo de peixe e oliva apresentaram melhor preservação das vilosidades intestinais. Menor deposição de linfócitos foi observado no grupo tratado com óleo de linhaça (p<0.001). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo demonstrou que os óleos de linhaça, oliva e peixe apresentam diferentes respostas em relação ao óleo de soja na preservação da mucosa intestinal e proliferação de linfócitos em ratos Wistar.

Differential Effects of High-carbohydrate and High-fat Diet Composition on Muscle Insulin Resistance in Rats

This study was conducted to evaluate whether the composition of carbohydrate or fat diet affects insulin resistance by measuring the muscle glucose transport rate. Both high-sucrose and high-starch diet with or without high-fat decreased insulin-stimulated glucose transport, but there were no significant differences among groups. Calorie intake in both high-sucrose and high-starch diet groups was higher than in chow group. The high-fat high-sucrose diet induced decrease in insulin-stimulated glucose transport was partially improved by supplement with fish oil. Calorie intake in high-fat high-sucrose and fish oil supplemented groups was higher than in chow group. The decreased insulin-stimulated glucose transport was accompanied by the increase in visceral fat mass, plasma triglyceride and insulin levels. These changes were improved by the supplement with fish oil. These results demonstrate that the composition of fat in diet is clearly instrumental in the induction of muscle insulin resistance. However, in high carbohydrate diet, it is likely that the amount of calorie intake may be a more important factor in causing insulin resistance than the composition of carbohydrate. Thus, the compositions of carbohydrate and fat in diet differentially affect on muscle insulin resistance.

Impact of quality of dietary fat on serum cholesterol and coronary heart disease: Focus on plant sterols and other non-glyceride components.

Elevated serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is a strong risk factor for coronary heart disease; dietary as well as therapeutic regimens target reduction of serum LDL cholesterol to decrease the morbidity and mortality of coronary heart disease. The fatty acid composition of dietary fat has a marked impact on serum LDL cholesterol and other risk factors of dietrelated chronic diseases (metabolic syndrome, diabetes and coronary heart disease). Besides fatty acids, which constitute >95% of their content, fats in foods contain other fat-soluble chemicals collectively called non-glyceride components. Sterols are a major part of the non-glyceride components of fats in plant foods and get concentrated in vegetable oils. Current evidence suggests that properly solubilized plant sterols or stanols incorporated in ester or free form in various food formulations effectively restrict the absorption of both dietary and biliary cholesterol causing 10%–14% reduction in serum LDL cholesterol in normal, hyperlipidaemic and diabetic subjects. The carotenoid-lowering effect of foods enriched with plant sterols can be corrected by increasing the intake of foods rich in carotenoids. The use of foods enriched with plant sterols as a part of a heart-healthy diet is recommended only after consulting a clinician. Recent studies strongly suggest that even smaller amounts of sterols available from natural plant foods and vegetable oils are important dietary components for lowering serum LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, some of the other non-glyceride components of food fats have one or more of the following functions—vitamin activity, serum LDL cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant activity. Since the hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of a combination of the non-glyceride components may be more than their individual effects, increasing dietary plant sterols and nonglyceride components from natural plant foods and vegetable oils could provide an additional dietary means for prevention/ correction of dyslipidaemia and increasing the antioxidant potential of human diets. The food-based dietary guidelines recommended to ensure an optimal fat quality in the diet of Indians provide high levels of natural plant sterols and other health-promoting non-glyceride components in addition to adequate absolute levels of individual fatty acids and their optimal balance. National policies to promote these dietary guidelines may contribute to the prevention of coronary heart disease and other diet-related chronic diseases.

Modulatory effects of rutin on biochemical and hematological parameters in hypercholesterolemic Golden Syrian hamsters

Flavonoids have been reported to exhibit several pharmacological properties, mainly in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we observed that rutin, a known glycosylated flavonoid isolated from Dimorphandra mollis, had a lowering effect on plasma triglyceride levels of diet-induced hypercholesterolemic Golden Syrian hamsters, but did not change total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Moreover, high-fat or rutin supplemented diets showed no immunotoxic effects, since no significant changes were observed on total white blood cells, granulocytes and mononuclear cells, as well as on the neutrophil apoptosis degree, when compared to untreated animals. Therefore, rutin seems to be a selective and non-toxic modulator of hypercholesterolemia, which can be promising for the development of new drugs.

Os flavonóides possuem diversas propriedades farmacológicas, principalmente nas doenças cardiovasculares e inflamatórias. No presente estudo, observamos que a rutina, um conhecido flavonóide glicosilado isolado da Dimorphandra mollis, diminuiu o nível de triglicerídeos plasmáticos em hamsters Golden Syrian hipercolesterolêmicos sem alterar os níveis de colesterol total e colesterol HDL. Além disso, observamos que dietas hipercolesterolêmicas ou suplementadas com rutina não apresentaram efeito imunotóxico, uma vez que nenhuma alteração significativa foi observada nos leucócitos totais, granulócitos e células mononucleares, bem como no grau de neutrófilos em apoptose, quando comparado com animais não tratados. Portanto, a rutina parece ser um modulador seletivo e não tóxico da hipercolesterolemia, o que pode ser promissor para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos.

Effects of high-carbohydrate and high fat diet on formation of foam cells and expression of TNF-alpha in Rattus novergicus.

AIM: to examine the role of high carbohydrate and high fat diet on formation of foam cells and expression of TNFalpha, an early stage of atherosclerosis. METHOD: three months old male Rattus Novergicus strain Wistar were allocated into 3 groups, normal diet group (GI, n=8), high carbohydrate diet group (GII, n=8), and high fat diet group (G III, n=8). Those groups received an isoenergetic diet but contained different percentage of carbohydrate and fat for 12 weeks. The rest of the food was measured daily to calculate the calorie intake. The body weight was measured weekly. At the end of study, blood samples were taken using cardiac puncture to examine lipid profiles and random blood sugars. RESULTS: levels of blood glucose significantly increased in GII compared to the GI (281.87 +/- 39.66 mg/dl vs 192.5 +/- 1.4 mg/dl, p=0.002). Group II and G III showed increased of triglyseride compared to GI (138.0 +/- 47.15 vs 85.5 +/-20.3, p=0.02; 163.62 +/- 41.77 vs 85.5 +/- 20.3, p=0.00, respectively). Level of LDL significantly increased in G III compared to GI (72 +/- 35.6 vs 27.0 +/- 8.9, p=0.00). No statistical difference in level of HDL among the three groups. Level of TNFalpha significantly increased in GII and G III compared to GI (19.13 +/- 3.68 vs 2.5 +/- 1.4, p=0.00; 23.6 +/- 5.58 vs 2.5 +/- 1.4, p=0.00, respectively). The number of foam cells was significantly increased in GII and G III compared to GI (7.18 +/- 5.28 vs 1.2 +/- 1.4, p=0.00; 9.91 +/- 6.26 vs 1.2 +/- 1.4, p=0.00, respectively). The foam cell had strong correlation with triglyseride level and TNFalpha (r=0.696, p=0.00; r=0.618, p=0.00, respectively). CONCLUSION: this result shows that high carbohydrate and high fat diet potentially increase the risk factor of atherosclerosis. Both diets induced the inflammatory process and increase foam cells formation, are in the early stage of atherosclerosis.

Influências de dietas ricas em ácidos graxos saturados e insaturados sobre o miocárdio de ratos / Influences of rich in saturated and unsaturated fatty acids diets in rat myocardium

OBJETIVOS: O estudo avaliou a influência de dietas ricas em ácidos graxos saturados (AGS) e ácidos graxos insaturados (AGI) sobre a função mecânica, a morfologia e o estresse oxidativo do miocárdio de ratos. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar com 60 dias de idade foram alimentados com dieta padrão (n = 8) ou dietas ricas em AGS (n = 8) ou AGI (n = 8) durante 60 dias. A função mecânica foi avaliada em músculo papilar isolado do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) por meio de contrações isométrica e isotônica, em condição basal (1,25 mM de cálcio), após elevação da concentração extracelular de cálcio para 5,2 mM e estimulação beta-adrenérgica com isoproterenol 1,0 µM. Fragmentos do VE foram usados para estudo de estresse oxidativo e microscopias óptica e eletrônica. RESULTADOS: As dietas suplementadas com AGS e AGI não alteraram a função mecânica do músculo cardíaco. Entretanto, ambas provocaram estresse oxidativo, com aumento do hidroperóxido de lipídio e redução da concentração de superóxido dismutase. A dieta AGI diminuiu a expressão da catalase e a AGS reduziu a quantidade de glutationa peroxidase miocárdica. Ambas as dietas promoveram discretas alterações morfológicas visualizadas ultra-estruturalmente, como depósitos lipídicos e lesões das membranas celulares. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados sugerem que dietas enriquecidas com AGS e AGI não acarretam alteração da função mecânica do músculo cardíaco isolado, mas causam discretas lesões estruturais e estresse oxidativo no miocárdio.

OBJECTIVES: To study the influence of saturated (SFA) and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) rich diets on mechanical function, morphology and oxidative stress in rat myocardium. METHODS: Male, 60-day-old Wistar rats were fed a control (n=8), a SFA (n=8), or a UFA-rich diet (n=8) for sixty days. Mechanical function was studied in isolated left ventricle papillary muscle under isometric and isotonic contractions, in basal conditions (1.25mM calcium chloride) and after 5.2mM calcium chloride and beta-adrenergic stimuli with 1.0µM isoproterenol. Left ventricle fragments were used to study oxidative stress and morphology under light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: SFA and UFA-rich diets did not change myocardium mechanical function. Both diets caused oxidative stress, with high lipid hydroperoxide and low superoxide-dismutase concentrations. UFA rich diet decreased catalase expression and SFA rich diet decreased the amount of myocardial glutathione-peroxidase. Both diets promoted light ultrastructural injuries such as lipid deposits and cell membrane injuries. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that SFA and UFA rich diets do not alter isolated muscle mechanical function, but promote light myocardial morphological injuries and oxidative stress.

Behavioral changes induced by cocaine in mice are modified by a hyperlipidic diet or recombinant leptin

The objective of the present study was to determine if the acute behavioral effects of cocaine acutely administered intraperitoneally (ip) at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg on white male CF1 mice, 90 days of age, would be influenced by leptin acutely administered ip (at doses of 5, 10 and 20 æg/kg) or by endogenous leptin production enhanced by a high-fat diet. The acute behavioral effects of cocaine were evaluated in open-field, elevated plus-maze and forced swimming tests. Results were compared between a group of 80 mice consuming a balanced diet and a high-fat diet, and a group of 80 mice fed a commercially available rodent chow formula (Ralston Purina) but receiving recombinant leptin (rLeptin) or saline ip. Both the high-fat-fed and rLeptin-treated mice showed decreased locomotion in the open-field test, spent more time in the open arms of the elevated plus-maze and showed less immobility time in the forced swimming test (F(1,68) = 7.834, P = 0.007). There was an interaction between diets and cocaine/saline treatments in locomotion (F(3,34) = 3.751, P = 0.020) and exploration (F(3,34) = 3.581, P = 0.024). These results suggest that anxiolytic effects and increased general activity were induced by leptin in cocaine-treated mice and that low leptin levels are associated with behavioral depression. Chronic changes in diet composition producing high leptin levels or rLeptin treatment may result in an altered response to cocaine in ethologic tests that measure degrees of anxiety and depression, which could be attributed to an antagonistic effect of leptin.

Experimental model to induce obesity in rats

The etiology of obesity is multifactorial and is becoming a problem of public health, due to its increased prevalence and the consequent repercussion of its comorbidities on the health of the population. The great similarity and homology between the genomes of rodents and humans make these animal models a major tool to study conditions affecting humans, which can be simulated in rats. Obesity can be induced in animals by neuroendocrine, dietary or genetic changes. The most widely used models to induce obesity in rats are a lesion of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) by administering monosodium glutamate or a direct electrical lesion, ovariectomy, feeding on hypercaloric diets and genetic manipulation for obesity.

A obesidade tem etiologia multifatorial e está se tornando um problema de saúde pública devido ao aumento da sua prevalência e a conseqüente repercusão das suas comorbidades na saúde da população. A grande similaridade e homologia entre os genomas dos roedores e dos humanos tornam esses modelos animais uma importante ferramenta para o estudo de condições que afetam os humanos e que podem ser simuladas em ratos. A obesidade pode ser induzida em animais com alterações neuroendócrinas, dietéticas ou genéticas. Os modelos mais utilizados para indução de obesidade em ratos são lesão do núcleo hipotalâmico venteromedial (VMH) através da administração de glutamato monossódico ou lesão elétrica direta, ooforectomia, alimentação com dietas hipercalóricas e manipulação genética para obesidade.

Fenofibrate regulates obesity and lipid metabolism with sexual dimorphism

To determine whether the PPARalpha agonist fenofibrate regulates obesity and lipid metabolism with sexual dimorphism, we examined the effects of fenofibrate on body weight, white adipose tissue (WAT) mass, circulating lipids, and the expression of PPARalpha target genes in both sexes of high fat diet-fed C57BL/6J mice. Both sexes of mice fed a high-fat diet for 14 weeks exhibited increases in body weight, visceral WAT mass, as well as serum triglycerides and cholesterol, although these effects were more pronounced among males. Feeding a high fat diet supplemented with fenofibrate (0.05% w/w) reduced all of these effects significantly in males except serum cholesterol level. Females on a fenofibrate-enriched high fat diet had reduced serum triglyceride levels, albeit to a smaller extent compared to males, but did not exhibit decreases in body weight, WAT mass, and serum cholesterol. Fenofibrate treatment resulted in hepatic induction of PPAR alpha target genes encoding enzymes for fatty acid beta-oxidation, the magnitudes of which were much higher in males compared to females, as evidenced by results for acyl-CoA oxidase, a first enzyme of the beta-oxidation system. These results suggest that observed sexually dimorphic effects on body weight, WAT mass and serum lipids by fenofibrate may involve sexually related elements in the differential activation of PPARalpha.

Olive oil protects against chromosomal aberrations induced by doxorubicin in wistar rat bone marrow cells

There is considerable interest in identifying dietary compounds which have the capacity to protect against chromosomal aberrations induced by antitumor agents. Fatty acids and their constituents are able to act as free radical scavengers. Doxorubicin (DXR) is an important chemotherapeutic agent, that also induces chromosome aberrations. Rat bone marrow cells treated simultaneously with olive oil (10 ml/kg body weight) and DXR (90 mg/kg body weight) developed significantly fewer chromosomal aberrations and abnormal metaphases than those treated with DXR alone.

Differing response of body weight gain to high fat diet treatment in the mouse.

Forty-eight mice maintained on a high fat diet supplement in addition to regular laboratory rodent chow responded differently in terms of body weight gain over a period of six weeks. Eleven mice gained weight that was comparable to body weights of mice given only chow for the same period of time while the others gained significantly higher body weights and became obese despite similar level of energy intakes. The increase in body weight was due to increase in body fat content as noted by carcass analysis. The differential response of the mice to identical dietary treatment in causing obesity or not in mice is discussed.

Influence of partial replacement of butter fat with peanut oil (in infant formula) on erythrocyte fatty acids in infants.

Erythrocyte fatty acid composition was studied in infants fed with three different formulae: formula I containing 20% butter fat; formula II containing 10% butter fat and 10% peanut oil; and formula III containing 10% butter fat and 5% peanut oil with a fat content itself reduced to 15%. The linoleic acid levels were 2.5, 18 and 13% in formula I-III, respectively. Analysis of fatty acids at the time of birth, and 3 and 6 months thereafter, indicated that linoleic acid levels could be improved by supplementation with peanut oil. Arachidonic acid levels (20:4, n-6) did not show a proportional relationship with respect to linoleic acid intake. The other ratio such as triene/tetraene, oleic/linoleic, linoleic/arachidonic and arachidonic/linoleic were all within the normal range, indicating normal desaturase and elongase activity. Thus, our present study suggests that peanut oils could be used for enhancing the linoleic acid levels in infants.

Anti-oxidant effects of curry leaf, Murraya koenigii and mustard seeds, Brassica juncea in rats fed with high fat diet.

Status of lipid peroxidation was studied in rats induced high fat diet and some commonly used spices, viz. Murraya koenigit and Brassica juncea. The study revealed that these species alter the peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) level to a beneficial extent. Histological studies also focus on modulation of hepatic functions to near normal level.

Impact of different coffee preparations and dietary fats on blood lipids

To study the effect of coffee and dietary fats on blood lipids, different preparations of coffee and dietary fats were fed ad-libitum to a group of 6 male albino rats for 30 days. The results revealed that all types of coffee, namely green, roasted, instant, and decaffeinated coffee alter the pattern of blood lipids compared to the control group. The impact of different types of coffee was highly significant when the type of dietary fat was saturated more than with the unsaturated fat. Decaffeinated and roasted coffee had the same effect on serum lipids as other types of coffee preparations