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

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.

Oral mucositis and microbial status in acute lymphoblastic leukemia subjects undergoing high-dose chemotherapy

Aim: To assess oral microbial status in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and to unravel possible associations between nosocomial pathogens and the establishment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (CIOM). Methods: Oral mucosa, saliva, and peripheral blood samples were collected from 46 ALL subjects one day prior to chemotherapy (D0) and 2 weeks after treatment initiation (D14). Clinical intraoral inspection was performed by a single practitioner, with mucositis classification performed according to the WHO oral toxicity scale. Blood components were quantified by automatic flow cytometry, while oral Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction with species-specific primers. Associations among bacteria and clinical findings were determined by Fisher's Exact test, longitudinal bacterial changes by paired Macnemar, and correlations among blood parameters and mucositis status or bacteria via Mann-Whitney. Results: S. aureus displayed higher detection rates at D14 (p < 0.05) and was positively associated with mucositis, adoption of a non-solid diet (all p < 0.001), nausea and fever (all p < 0.05). Conversely, P. aeruginosa did not correlate to CIOM clinical parameters. At the systemic standpoint, lower hemoglobin levels associated with CIOM and fever events (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: The study evidences S. aureus as a potential pathogen in ALL-CIOM, reaffirming microbial control as an important preventive measure during high-dose immunosuppressive therapy. The weight of non-white-blood-cell parameters should be validated as novel CIOM biomarkers in prospective research

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.

The effects of coconut oil on the cardiometabolic profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Despite having a 92% concentration of saturated fatty acid composition, leading to an apparently unfavorable lipid profile, body weight and glycemic effect, coconut oil is consumed worldwide. Thus, we conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to analyze the effect of coconut oil intake on different cardiometabolic outcomes. METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, and LILACS for RCTs conducted prior to April 2022. We included RCTs that compared effects of coconut oil intake with other substances on anthropometric and metabolic profiles in adults published in all languages, and excluded non-randomized trials and short follow-up studies. Risk of bias was assessed with the RoB 2 tool and certainty of evidence with GRADE. Where possible, we performed meta-analyses using a random-effects model. RESULTS: We included seven studies in the meta-analysis (n = 515; 50% females, follow up from 4 weeks to 2 years). The amount of coconut oil consumed varied and is expressed differently among studies: 12 to 30 ml of coconut oil/day (n = 5), as part of the amount of SFAs or total daily consumed fat (n = 1), a variation of 6 to 54.4 g/day (n = 5), or as part of the total caloric energy intake (15 to 21%) (n = 6). Coconut oil intake did not significantly decrease body weight (MD -0.24 kg, 95% CI -0.83 kg to 0.34 kg), waist circumference (MD -0.64 cm, 95% CI -1.69 cm to 0.41 cm), and % body fat (-0.10%, 95% CI -0.56% to 0.36%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (MD -1.67 mg/dL, 95% CI -6.93 to 3.59 mg/dL), and triglyceride (TG) levels (MD -0.24 mg/dL, 95% CI -5.52 to 5.04 mg/dL). However, coconut oil intake was associated with a small increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (MD 3.28 mg/dL, 95% CI 0.66 to 5.90 mg/dL). Overall risk of bias was high, and certainty of evidence was very-low. Study limitations include the heterogeneity of intervention methods, in addition to small samples and short follow-ups, which undermine the effects of dietary intervention in metabolic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Coconut oil intake revealed no clinically relevant improvement in lipid profile and body composition compared to other oils/fats. Strategies to advise the public on the consumption of other oils, not coconut oil, due to proven cardiometabolic benefits should be implemented. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018081461.

Dietary Intervention Associated With Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training Leads to Changes in the Inflammatory Profile in Visceral Adipose Tissue but Not in Skeletal Muscle in Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

This study aimed to determine the concentrations of inflammatory markers in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and skeletal muscle, and changes in body mass and adipocyte size in diet-induced obese rats after moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and/or dietary intervention. After 8 weeks of obesity induction through a high-fat diet (HFD) consumption, twenty diet-induced obese male Wistar rats were divided into four groups as follows: (i) control rats fed with HFD (HFD-SED), (ii) obese rats fed with HFD and submitted to MICT (HFD-MICT), (iii) obese rats that were submitted to a nutritional intervention by switching HFD to chow diet (CD-SED), and (iv) obese rats that were submitted to MICT and nutritional intervention (CD-MICT). All the animals in the training groups were submitted to MICT, with an intensity of 50-85% of V max , 60 min/day, 3 days/week for 8 weeks. Gastrocnemius muscle (GAST) and mesenteric adipose tissue (mWAT) were collected to quantify tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 using ELISA. The body mass was recorded before and after the experimental protocols, and the adipocyte morphology was assessed using histological analysis. The results showed that HFD-SED had higher body mass, higher concentrations of inflammatory markers in mWAT, and higher increase in adipocyte size. The CD-SED and CD-MICT groups presented with reduced body mass, relative weight of mWAT, and adipocyte size. Moreover, the inflammatory markers in mWAT were reduced after dietary intervention (TNF-α), MICT (IL-10 and TNF-α), or both interventions combined (IL-6 and TNF-α). In contrast, there was no reduction in GAST-relative weight or concentrations of inflammatory markers for any treatment. Finally, we concluded that 8 weeks of dietary intervention alone and combined with MICT were effective in reducing some of the deleterious effects caused by obesity.

Dietary Intervention, When Not Associated With Exercise, Upregulates Irisin/FNDC5 While Reducing Visceral Adiposity Markers in Obese Rats.

Obesity is an epidemic disease and the expansion of adipose tissue, especially visceral fat, promotes the secretion of factors that lead to comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, diet and exercise have been proposed as an intervention to reverse these complications. An adipocytokine, known as irisin, mediates the beneficial effects of exercise. It has been proposed as a therapeutic potential in controlling obesity. In view of the above, this paper attempts to determine the modulation of irisin, visceral adiposity and biochemical markers in response to dietary intervention and aerobic exercise. To do this, 52 diet-induced obese male Wistar rats were divided into the following four groups: high-fat diet and exercise (HFD-Ex); HFD-Sedentary (HFD-Sed); chow-diet and exercise (CD-Exercise); and CD-Sed. The exercise-trained group performed a treadmill protocol for 60 min/day, 3 days/week for 8 weeks. Body mass (BM), body fat (BF), fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM) were analyzed. Mesenteric (MES), epididymal (EPI), and retroperitoneal (RET) adipose tissue was collected and histological analysis was performed. Biochemical irisin, triglycerides, glucose, insulin and inflammatory markers were determined and, FNDC5 protein expression was analyzed. In this study, the diet was the most important factor in reducing visceral adiposity in the short and long term. Exercise was an important factor in preserving muscle mass and reducing visceral depots after a long term. Moreover, the combination of diet and exercise can enhance these effects. Diet and exercise exclusively were the factors capable of increasing the values of irisin/FNDC5, however it did not bring cumulative effects of both interventions. Prescriptions to enhance the obesity treatments should involve reducing visceral adiposity by reducing the fat content in the diet associated with aerobic exercise.

Synergic effects of ultrasound and laser therapies on mesentery for management of obesity and diabetes in rats.

Nowadays, the mesentery as a new organ was discovered. Mesenteric events may play an important role in the pathophysiology of several diseases. The aim of our study was investigate the synergic effects of ultrasound (US) and laser therapies on mesentery in obese-hyperglycemic rats. The 25 male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups. Obese nondiabetic (OND) group: obese rats without diabetes and no treatment conditions; SHAM group: obese-hyperglycemic rats treated with placebo; US group: obese-hyperglycemic rats treated with US; LASER group: obese-hyperglycemic rats treated with laser and; US+LASER group: obese-hyperglycemic rats treated with US plus laser. An animal model of type 2 diabetes based on a hyperlipidemic diet combined with a low dose of streptozotocin was used in this study. Body mass and biochemical measurements were performed. GOT and GPT level showed a significant reduction in the treated groups than SHAM. The total cholesterol, triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels showed significantly lower values for the US+LASER group. There was also reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases evidenced by Castelli index in the treated groups than SHAM. This study showed that the US and laser treatment on mesentery resulted to an improvement in biochemical measurements of the obese-hyperglycemic rats, especially the total cholesterol, triglycerides and VLDL levels.

A prospective, multicentre, cohort study to assess the incidence of dengue illness in households from selected communities in Brazil (2014-2018).

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of dengue infection across geographically distinct areas of Brazil. METHODS: This prospective, household-based, cohort study enrolled participants in five areas and followed them up for up to 4 years (2014-2018). Dengue seroprevalence was assessed at each scheduled visit. Suspected dengue cases were identified through enhanced passive and active surveillance. Acute symptomatic dengue infection was confirmed through reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction in combination with an antigenic assay (non-structural protein 1) and serology. RESULTS: Among 3300 participants enrolled, baseline seroprevalence was 76.2%, although only 23.3% of participants reported a history of dengue. Of 1284 suspected symptomatic dengue cases detected, 50 (3.9%) were laboratory-confirmed. Based on 8166.5 person-years (PY) of follow-up, the incidence of laboratory-confirmed symptomatic infection (primary endpoint) was 6.1 per 1000 PY (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.5, 8.1). Incidence varied substantially in different years (1.8-7.4 per 1000 PY). The incidence of inapparent primary dengue infection was substantially higher: 41.7 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 31.1, 54.6). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings, highlighting that the incidence of dengue infection is underestimated in Brazil, will inform the design and implementation of future dengue vaccine trials. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01751139.

High-Intensity Interval Training Does Not Change Vaspin and Omentin and Does Not Reduce Visceral Adipose Tissue in Obese Rats.

This study aimed to determine the expression of omentin and vaspin, inflammatory markers, body composition, and lipid profile in diet-induced obese rats and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups: untrained normal diet, trained normal diet (T-ND), untrained high-fat diet (Unt-HFD), and trained high-fat diet (T-HFD). For the animals of the Unt-HFD and T-HFD groups, a high-fat diet was offered for 4 weeks. After that, all the animals in the T-ND and T-HFD groups were submitted to HITT, three times per week, for 10 weeks (2 weeks of adaptation and 8 weeks of HIIT). Muscle (gastrocnemius), liver, epididymal adipose tissue, retroperitoneal adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and serum were collected to analyze TNF-α, IL-6, PCR, IL-8, IL-10, IL-4, vaspin, and omentin. A body composition analysis was performed before adaptation to HIIT protocol and after the last exercise session using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Omentin and vaspin in the VAT were quantified using Western blotting. The results showed that, when fed a high-fat diet, the animals obtained significant gains in body fat and elevated serum concentrations of vaspin and blood triglycerides. The HIIT was able to minimize body fat gain but did not reduce visceral fat despite the increase in maximum exercise capacity. Moreover, there was a reduction in the serum levels of adiponectin, IL-6, and IL-10. Finally, we concluded that, although the training protocol was able to slow down the weight gain of the animals, there was no reduction in visceral fat or an improvement in the inflammatory profile, including no changes in omentin and vaspin.

Dengue Infection in Children in Fortaleza, Brazil: A 3-Year School-Based Prospective Cohort Study.

Dengue is endemic in Brazil. The dengue surveillance system's reliance on passive reporting may underestimate disease incidence and cannot detect asymptomatic/pauci-symptomatic cases. In this 3-year prospective cohort study (NCT01391819) in 5- to 13-year-old children from nine schools in Fortaleza (N = 2,117), we assessed dengue virus (DENV) infection seroprevalence by IgG indirect ELISA at yearly visits and disease incidence through active and enhanced passive surveillance. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and DENV IgM/IgG capture ELISA were used for diagnosis. We further characterized confirmed and probable cases with a plaque reduction neutralization test. At enrollment, 54.1% (95% CI: 46.6, 61.4) of children were DENV IgG positive. The annual incidence of laboratory-confirmed symptomatic dengue cases was 11.0 (95% CI: 7.3, 14.7), 18.1 (10.4, 25.7), and 10.2 (0.7, 19.7), and of laboratory-confirmed or probable dengue cases with neutralizing antibody profile evocative of dengue exposure was 13.2 (6.6, 19.9), 18.7 (5.3, 32.2), and 8.4 (2.4, 19.2) per 1,000 child-years in 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively. By RT-qPCR, we identified 14 DENV-4 cases in 2012-2013 and seven DENV-1 cases in 2014. During the course of the study, 32.8% of dengue-naive children experienced a primary infection. Primary inapparent dengue infection was detected in 20.3% (95% CI: 13.6, 29.1) of dengue-naive children in 2012, 8.7% (6.9, 10.9) in 2013, and 5.1% (4.4, 6.0) in 2014. Our results confirmed the high dengue endemicity in Fortaleza, with active and enhanced passive surveillance detecting three to five times more cases than the National System of Disease Notification.

Mapping Research in the Obesity, Adipose Tissue, and MicroRNA Field: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Recent studies have investigated the control of adipose tissue expansion and inflammatory process by microRNAs (miRNAs). These two processes are of great interest because both are associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, despite the great relevance of the role of miRNAs in obesity and adipose tissue, no qualitative and quantitative analysis on the subject has been performed. Thus, we aimed to examine global research activity and current trends with respect to the interaction between obesity, adipose tissue and miRNAs through a bibliometric analysis. This research was performed on the Scopus database for publications containing miRNA, obesity, and adipose tissue keyword combinations. In total, 898 articles were analyzed and the most frequently occurring keywords were selected and clustered into three well-defined groups. As a result, first group of keywords pointed to the research area on miRNAs expressed in obesity-associated diseases. The second group demonstrated the regulation of the adipogenesis process by miRNAs, while the third group highlighted brown adipose tissue and thermogenesis as one of the latest global research trends related to the theme. The studies selected in this paper describe the expression and performance of different miRNAs in obesity and comorbidities. Most studies have focused on identifying miRNAs and signaling pathways associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. Thus, the miRNA profile for these diseases may be used as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the prevention and treatment of obesity-associated diseases.

Benefits of resistance training on body composition and glucose clearance are inhibited by long-term low carbohydrate diet in rats.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Regular exercise training is effective to altering many markers of metabolic syndrome and its effects are strongly influenced by the type of consumed diet. Nowadays, resistance training (RT) has been frequently associated with low-carbohydrate high-fat diet (LCD). After long term these diets causes body weight (BW) regain with deleterious effects on body composition and metabolic risk factors. The effects of RT associated with long-term LCD on these parameters remain unexplored. We aimed to investigate the effects of RT when associated with long-term LCD on BW, feed efficiency, body composition, glucose homeostasis, liver parameters and serum biochemical parameters during BW regain period in rats. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with LCD (LC groups) or standard diet (STD) (ST groups). After 10 weeks-diet animals were separated into sedentary (Sed-LC and Sed-ST) and resistance-trained (RT-LC and RT-ST) groups (N = 8/group). RT groups performed an 11-week climbing program on a ladder with progressive load. Dual x-ray absorptiometry, glucose tolerance tests and insulin tolerance tests were performed at weeks 10 and 20. Liver and serum were collected at week 21. RESULTS: RT reduced feed efficiency, BW gain, liver fat and total and LDL cholesterol, and improved body composition and glucose clearance in animals fed on STD. In those fed with LCD, RT reduced caloric intake, BW regain, liver fat and serum triglycerides levels. However, improvement in body composition was inhibited and bone mineral density and glucose clearance was further impaired in this association. CONCLUSIONS: The LCD nullifies the beneficial effects of RT on body composition, glucose homeostasis and impairs some health parameters. Our results do not support the association of RT with LCD in a long term period.

Endothelial Dysfunction and Inflammation Precedes Elevations in Blood Pressure Induced by a High-Fat Diet.

BACKGROUND: Obesity leads to a chronic inflammatory state, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. OBJECTIVE: To establish the time-course of events regarding inflammatory markers, endothelial dysfunction, systolic blood pressure (SBP) in obesity in only one experimental model. METHODS: We fed male Wistar rats (eight-week age) with a standard diet (Control - CT, n = 35), or palatable high-fat diet (HFD, n = 35) for 24 weeks. Every six weeks, 7 animals from each group were randomly selected for euthanasia. SBP and serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, adiponectin and nitric oxide were determined. Endothelial and vascular smooth muscle functions were determined in dissected aorta and lipid peroxidation was measured. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines began to increase after six weeks of a high-fat diet, while those of the anti-inflammatory cytokine adiponectin decreased. Interestingly, the endothelial function and serum nitric oxide began to decrease after six weeks in HFD group. The SBP and lipid peroxidation began to increase at 12 weeks in HFD group. In addition, we showed that total visceral fat mass was negatively correlated with endothelial function and positively correlated with SBP. CONCLUSION: Our results show the time-course of deleterious effects and their correlation with obesity.

Endothelial Dysfunction and Inflammation Precedes Elevations in Blood Pressure Induced by a High-Fat Diet / Disfunção Endotelial e Inflamação Precedem a Elevação da Pressão Arterial Induzida por Dieta Hiperlipídica

Abstract Background: Obesity leads to a chronic inflammatory state, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. Objective: To establish the time-course of events regarding inflammatory markers, endothelial dysfunction, systolic blood pressure (SBP) in obesity in only one experimental model. Methods: We fed male Wistar rats (eight-week age) with a standard diet (Control - CT, n = 35), or palatable high-fat diet (HFD, n = 35) for 24 weeks. Every six weeks, 7 animals from each group were randomly selected for euthanasia. SBP and serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, adiponectin and nitric oxide were determined. Endothelial and vascular smooth muscle functions were determined in dissected aorta and lipid peroxidation was measured. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines began to increase after six weeks of a high-fat diet, while those of the anti-inflammatory cytokine adiponectin decreased. Interestingly, the endothelial function and serum nitric oxide began to decrease after six weeks in HFD group. The SBP and lipid peroxidation began to increase at 12 weeks in HFD group. In addition, we showed that total visceral fat mass was negatively correlated with endothelial function and positively correlated with SBP. Conclusion: Our results show the time-course of deleterious effects and their correlation with obesity.

Resumo Fundamento: A obesidade leva a um estado de inflamação crônica, disfunção endotelial e hipertensão. Objetivo: Estabelecer a sequência de eventos relacionados a marcadores inflamatórios, disfunção endotelial e pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) na obesidade em um modelo experimental. Métodos: Ratos Wistar machos (8 semanas de idade) receberam dieta padrão (Controle - CT, n = 35) ou uma dieta palatável hiperlipídica (DHL, n = 35) por 24 semanas. A cada seis semanas, 7 animais de cada grupo foram aleatoriamente selecionados para eutanásia. Foram determinados a PAS, e níveis séricos de interleucina-6, fator de necrose tumoral-a, proteína C reativa, adiponectina e óxido nítrico. As funções do músculo liso endotelial e vascular foram determinadas na aorta dissecada, e medida a peroxidação lipídica. A significância estatística foi estabelecida em p < 0,05. Resultados: os níveis das citocinas pró-inflamatórias começaram a aumentar após seis semanas de dieta hiperlipídica, enquanto os níveis da citocina anti-inflamatória adiponectina diminuíram. Um resultado interessante foi a redução da função endotelial e do óxido nítrico após seis semanas no grupo DHL. Além disso, mostramos que a massa de tecido adiposo visceral total esteve negativamente correlacionada com função endotelial e positivamente correlacionada com a PAS. Conclusão: Nossos resultados demonstram a progressão temporal dos efeitos deletérios e sua correlação com a obesidade.

Characterization of recent and minimally passaged Brazilian dengue viruses inducing robust infection in rhesus macaques.

The macaque is widely accepted as a suitable model for preclinical characterization of dengue vaccine candidates. However, the only vaccine for which both preclinical and clinical efficacy results were reported so far showed efficacy levels that were substantially different between macaques and humans. We hypothesized that this model's predictive capacity may be improved using recent and minimally passaged dengue virus isolates, and by assessing vaccine efficacy by characterizing not only the post-dengue virus challenge viremia/RNAemia but also the associated-cytokine profile. Ten recent and minimally passaged Brazilian clinical isolates from the four dengue virus serotypes were tested for their infectivity in rhesus macaques. For the strains showing robust replication capacity, the associated-changes in soluble mediator levels, and the elicited dengue virus-neutralizing antibody responses, were also characterized. Three isolates from dengue virus serotypes 1, 2 and 4 induced viremia of high magnitude and longer duration relative to previously reported viremia kinetics in this model, and robust dengue virus-neutralizing antibody responses. Consistent with observations in humans, increased MCP-1, IFN-γ and VEGF-A levels, and transiently decreased IL-8 levels were detected after infection with the selected isolates. These results may contribute to establishing a dengue macaque model showing a higher predictability for vaccine efficacy in humans.

Exercise and Omentin: Their Role in the Crosstalk Between Muscle and Adipose Tissues in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Rat Models.

This study aims to analyze the effects of resisted, aerobic, and combined exercises on omentin levels in visceral adipose tissue and muscle of rats with experimental diabetes to verify whether these adipokines are related to the glucose pathway and inflammation process in this model. Male Wistar rats received a high-fat diet for 4 weeks and a low dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) to induce experimental diabetes. After inducing diabetes, the animals were divided into 4 experimental groups (n = 10): diabetic control (C); resistance training (RT); aerobic training (AT); and combined training (CT). The groups were exercised for 12 weeks, 3 times/week, where: RT means the stair climbing protocol until exhaustion; AT is the 30 min/day reaching 20 m/min protocol, and CT is the combination of RT and AT. The AT group showed reduced retroperitoneal and mesenteric adipose tissue and abdominal fat deposits. Our study also showed a possible control of blood glucose, as well as decreased Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein, increased circulating adiponectin and increased omentin in visceral adipose tissue. In addition, the AT group affected the glucose pathway by stimulating phosphorylation of Akt in muscle tissue. Omentin also showed a strong positive correlation with adiponectin and a moderate negative correlation with IL-6. Thus, our findings indicated that omentin in type 2 diabetes is changed by AT. Furthermore, increased omentin levels had a close association with the glucose pathway by stimulating phosphorylation of Akt in muscle tissue and with IL-6 in serum, suggesting that omentin is likely to have anti-inflammatory and protective action in experimental diabetes.

Experimental type 2 diabetes induction reduces serum vaspin, but not serum omentin, in Wistar rats.

Vaspin and omentin are adipose tissue adipokines that have often been related to obesity and its comorbidities. The aim of this study was to investigate the behaviour of serum omentin and vaspin in models of type 2 diabetes. To do this, Wistar rats (~200 g) were randomly divided into two groups: a non-diabetic group (n = 6) and a diabetic group fed on a high-fat diet (n = 6) and a low dose of streptozotocin (Sigma® ). All procedures were approved by the Brazilian Ethics Committee. Body weight (BW) and food intake were recorded daily. Tail blood glucose levels were assessed at the end of the diabetes induction period. The insulin tolerance test (ITT) was performed after the diabetes induction period (7 weeks). The serum and tissues (liver, pancreas, and retroperitoneal (RET), epididymal (EPI) and visceral (VIS) white adipose tissues) were immediately removed and weighed. Analyses of levels of insulin, omentin, vaspin, adiponectin and inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 (CXCL8), TNF-α and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum were performed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our results showed that IL-8 and CRP serum levels in the diabetic group were significantly higher than in the non-diabetic group. Vaspin and adiponectin values were lower for the diabetic group than for the non-diabetic group. Omentin, IL-6 and TNF-α values did not differ between the groups. Our results showed that both the metabolism of the adipose tissue and the secretion of adipokines may be affected in diabetic rats. Omentin showed no difference between the groups, although the vaspin values decreased in the diabetic group.

Acute effects of Resistance exercise performed on ladder on energy metabolism, stress, and muscle damage in rats

Abstract AIMS To evaluate the acute effects of a resistance exercise session performed on ladder on energy metabolism, stress, and muscle damage in rats. METHODS Male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in Exercise (E) (n=30) and Control (C) (n = 20) groups. The E group performed a resistance exercise session on a vertical ladder with weights on their tails. Blood samples were collected at rest and after each climb to analyze lactate levels and ten minutes after the last climb to analyze lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and corticosterone levels. RESULTS Blood lactate levels remained stable during exercise. Serum corticosterone, blood glucose, LDH and CK levels increased and glycogen content decreased in the E group, when compared to the C group. CONCLUSION These results suggest that resistance exercise performed on ladder is a model of high-intensity exercise. However, the stabilization of lactate during the session suggests that the aerobic metabolism is an important factor during the intervals between climbs.(AU)