Lycopene and Tomato Sauce Improve Hepatic and Cardiac Cell Biomarkers in Rats.

This study evaluated the effects of tomato sauce and lycopene on hepatic and cardiac cell biomarkers in rats fed a high-fat diet. Animals were split into five groups: control group, high-fat group (HG), high-fat tomato sauce group, high-fat lycopene 2 mg, and high-fat lycopene 4 mg. Food and water were offered ad libitum, whereas tomato sauce and lycopene (2 and 4 mg/day) were offered daily for 60 days. Body, heart, and liver weights, cardiosomatic and hepatosomatic indices, and serum parameters were also analyzed in rats. The animals' hearts and liver were processed, and cells were examined by flow cytometry. Results showed that the groups receiving tomato sauce and lycopene had lower glycemia. The serum concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hepatic enzymes, and tumor necrosis factor-α did not change upon treatment. Tomato sauce and lycopene supplementation did not increase interleukin-1ß in response to a high-fat diet. Cell cycle analysis of cardiac and liver cells showed a lower percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase and an increase in the G2/M phase in HG. Both lycopene and tomato sauce reversed this effect. Both lycopene and tomato sauce reversed this effect and prevented high-fat diet-stimulated cardiac and liver cell death. Supplementation of tomato sauce and lycopene showed beneficial effects on cardiac and liver cell metabolism; therefore, it is suggested as a nutritional approach for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis.

ANEMIA IN PREGNANCY: IMPACT ON WEIGHT AND IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANEMIA IN NEWBORN.

INTRODUCTION: nutritional deficiencies are still a common problem during pregnancy causing anemia. Gestational anemia is still considered a public health problem in Brazil, because it is hazardous to both mother and fetus, and is associated with increased risk of maternal-fetal morbidity, as well as the nutritional status of child. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the frequency of maternal gestational anemia in newborns and its relation to the nutritional status of the child at birth. METHODS: anthropometric data of pregnant women and their newborns were obtained. Blood was collected from pregnant women and the umbilical cord of newborns for analysis of hemoglobin, hematocrit, RDW, iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation index in automatic devices. The results are presented such as the arithmetic mean and the standard deviation. GraphPadinStat Software version 3.0 was used, with a maximum significance level of 5%. RESULTS: the frequency of maternal anemia was 53.7%, and 32.6% in newborns. Half the newborns were anemic children of anemic mothers. 79.3% of the anemic pregnant women had mild anemia and in 20.7% moderate. The average concentration of hemoglobin and hematocrit was lower in anemic pregnant women (9.7 ± 0.9 g/dL and 29.8 ± 3.2%) compared with non-anemic (11.9 ± 0.7 g/ dL and 36.5 ± 2.7%). The maternal iron was positively correlated with ferritin (r = 0.3889, p = 0.01) from umbilical cord blood. The newborns' weight, length and head circumference of anemic mothers were 3 375.9 ± 506,9 g, 51.2 ± 1.7 cm and 34.5 ± 1.5 cm, respectively, while of nonanemic mothers were 3 300.2 ± 458,4 g, 50.3 ± 2.0 cm and 34.2 ± 2.0 cm, respectively. There were no significant correlations between maternal hemoglobin, iron and ferritin with weight, length and head circumference of newborns. CONCLUSION: the results of this study show that maternal iron deficiency anemia (mild to moderate) can affect the blood profile and iron concentrations in umbilical cord blood of newborns, but without interfering with the child's anthropometric parameters.

Introducción: la anemia gestacional todavía se considera un problema de salud pública en Brasil y se asocia con un mayor riesgo de morbilidad materno-fetal y el estado nutricional de los niños en el período posparto. Objetivo: evaluar la frecuencia de la anemia gestacional materna en recién nacidos y su relación con el estado nutricional del niño al nacer. Métodos: se obtuvieron datos antropométricos de las mujeres embarazadas y los recién nacidos. Se recogieron muestras de sangre de mujeres embarazadas y de cordón umbilical de los recién nacidos para su posterior análisis de hemoglobina, hematocrito, ADE, hierro, ferritina e índice de saturación de transferrina en dispositivos automatizados. Los resultados se presentan como media y la desviación estándar. Fue utilizado el software GraphPadinStat®, versión 3.0 y se aceptó un nivel de significación del 5%. Resultados: la frecuencia de anemia materna era de 53,7% y 32,6% en los recién nacidos. La mitad de los recién nacidos eran niños anémicos de madres anémicas. De las mujeres embarazadas con anemia, el 79,3% tenían anemia leve y el 20,7% moderada. La concentración media de hemoglobina y hematocrito fue menor en las mujeres embarazadas con anemia (9,7 ± 0,9 g/ dl y 29,8 ± 3,2%) en comparación con las no anémicas (11,9 ± 0,7 g/dl y 36,5 ± 2,7%), como se esperaba. El nivel de hierro de la madre se correlacionó positivamente con ferritina (r = 0,389; p = 0,01) a partir de la sangre del cordón umbilical. El peso, la longitud y la circunferencia de la cabeza de los niños nacidos de madres anémicas fueron: 3.375,9 ± 506,9 g, 51,2 ± 1,7 cm y 34,5 ± 1,5 cm, respectivamente, mientras que entre los recién nacidos de madres no anémicas fueron: 3.300,2 ± 458,4 g, 50,3 ± 2,0 cm y 34,2 ± 2,0 cm, respectivamente. No se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre la hemoglobina, el hierro y la ferritina de la madre, y el peso, la longitud y la circunferencia de la cabeza de los recién nacidos. Conclusión: la frecuencia de anemia leve es elevada tanto en la madre como en el nenonato. Sin embargo, no influye en los parámetros antropométricos del recién nacido.

Effect of the intake of liquids rich in polyphenols on blood pressure and fat liver deposition in rats submitted to high-fat diet.

INTRODUCTION: Seeking better quality of life, the number of studies on functional foods and disease prevention is growing fast. Whole red grape juice (WRGJ) and red wine (RW) stand out, which are rich in polyphenols, showing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of WRGJ and RW intake and resveratrol solution (RS) on blood pressure and fat liver deposition of rats fed with high-fat diet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During 60 days, 50 Rattus norvegicus Wistar Albino adults were divided into: control group (CG)--balanced diet, hyperlipidic group (HG), red wine group (RWG), grape juice group (JGG) and resveratrol group (RG)--hyperlipidic diet. Feed and water were offered ad libttum to all groups. WRGJ, RW and RS were offered daily to JG, WG and RG, respectively. Blood pressure was measured using tail plestimograph. The animals were anesthetized, sacrificed and the liver was removed, weighed and fat was extracted using Soxhlet extractor. RESULTS: No difference in weight gain, feed intake, liver weight and diastolic blood pressure among groups was observed. However, systolic blood pressure (mmHg) and liver fat concentration (g%) were lower (p<0.05) in JGG than in HG, WG and RG, but similar to CG. CONCLUSIONS: The daily consumption of WRGJ minimizes the effects of high-fat diet on systolic blood pressure and prevents nonalcoholic fatty infiltration in the liver of animals, which was not observed in the consumption of RW or resveratrol solution.

Introducción: en busca de una mejor calidad de vida, crece el número de estudios sobre alimentos funcionales y la prevención de enfermedades. Destacan el jugo de uva roja (JU) y el vino tinto (VT), que son ricos en polifenoles, y tienen efecto antioxidante y antiinflamatorio. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de la ingesta de JU, VT y solución de resveratrol (SR) sobre la presión arterial y la deposición de grasa hepática en ratas alimentadas con una dieta rica en grasas. Métodos: durante 60 días, 50 adultos de Rattus norvegicus Wistar Albino fueron divididos en grupos: control (GC) - dieta equilibrada y hiperlipídica (GH), vino tinto (GV), jugo de uva (JV) y resveratrol (GR) - dieta rica en grasas. El alimento y el agua se ofrecieron ad libttum a todos los grupos. JU, VT y SR se ofrecen diariamente a la GS, GV y GR, respectivamente. Se midió la presión arterial en la cola mediante manguito inflable. Los animales fueron anestesiados y sacrificados y se les extirpó el hígado, que fue pesado y del cual se extrajo la grasa con el extractor Soxhlet. Resultados: no hubo diferencia en la ganancia de peso, consumo de alimento, peso del hígado y presión arterial diastólica entre los grupos. Sin embargo, la presión arterial sistólica (mmHg) y la concentración de grasa en el hígado (g%) fueron menores (p.

Effect of the "protein diet" and bone tissue.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the hyperproteic diet consumption on bone tissue. METHODS: The study was conducted during sixty days. Twenty eight Wistar albinus rats, adults, originated from Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition were divided in four groups: (n = 7); Control 1 (C1), Control 2 (C2), Hyperproteic 1 (HP1) e Hyperproteic 2 (HP2). The C2 and HP2 groups were submitted to 30% of food restriction. The hyperproteic diet was based on the Atkins diet and prepared to simulate the protein diet. At the end of the study the animals were anesthetized to performer bone densitometry analyses by DEXA and blood and tissue collection. Serum and bone minerals analyses were conducted by colorimetric methods in automated equipment. RESULTS: The total bone mineral density (BMD) of the pelvis and the spine of the food restriction groups (HP2 e C2) were lower (p < 0.05) than C1 e HP1 groups. While the femur BMD of the HP2 was lower (p < 0.05) related to others groups. It had been observed reduction (p < 0.05) in the medium point of the width of femur diaphysis and in bone calcium level in the hyperproteic groups (HP1 e HP2). It was observed similar effect on the osteocalcin level, that presented lower (p < 0.05) in the hyperproteic groups. The insulin level was lower only in HP2 and serum calcium of the HP1 and HP2 groups was lower than C1. CONCLUSION: The protein diet promotes significant bone change on femur and in the hormones levels related to bone synthesis and maintenance of this tissue.