High-fat, high-sucrose, and combined high-fat/high-sucrose diets effects in oxidative stress and inflammation in male rats under presence or absence of obesity.

The study examines the influence of three types of hypercaloric diets on metabolic parameters, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress in experimental model. Male Wistar rats (n = 40) were randomized in control (C), high-sucrose (HS), high-fat (HF), and high-fat with sucrose (HFHS) for 20 weeks. Nutritional, metabolic, hormonal, and biochemical profiles, as well as histological analysis of adipose and hepatic tissues were performed. Inflammation and oxidative stress were determined. HF model caused obesity and comorbidities as glucose intolerance and arterial hypertension. In relation to hormonal and biochemical parameters, there was no significant difference between the groups. All groups showed increased deposition of fat droplets in the hepatic tissue, even though adipocyte areas were similar. Biomarkers of oxidative stress in serum and adipose tissues were similar among the groups. HF model was effective in triggering associated obesity and comorbidities in male rats, but all hypercaloric diets were unable to promote oxidative stress and inflammation.

Bauhinia forficata link extract attenuates insulin resistance by preserving glucose uptake in gastrocnemius muscle.

Bioactive metabolites from Bauhinia forficata Link (Bf extract) hold therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but the mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to test the extract from Bf leaves obtained by decoction on the prevention of T2DM in vivo. The Bf extract was tested on a streptozotocin-induced T2DM mouse model fed on a high-fat diet. The insulin resistance was attenuated in T2DM animals supplemented with Bf extract, which indicates glucose intolerance reduction and p-AKT/AKT ratio preservation in the gastrocnemius muscle. These observations suggested that Bf extract enhanced glucose uptake. Nevertheless, there was no preservation in ß-cell insulin secretion in Bf extract-treated T2DM mice. Interestingly, the Bf extract reduced body weight gain without affecting total energy intake. Hence, Bf extract has a hypoglycemic effect which could attenuate the development of insulin resistance.

High-Fat and Combined High-Fat and Sucrose Diets Promote Cardiac Oxidative Stress Independent of Nox2 Redox Regulation and Obesity in Rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Oxidative stress is associated with cardiometabolic alterations, and the involvement of excess glucose and fatty acids has been demonstrated in this process. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different hypercaloric diets on cardiac oxidative stress. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: control (C), high-sucrose (HS), high-fat (HF), and high-fat with sucrose (HFS). Nutritional assessment, food profiles, histological analysis, comorbidities, and cardiovascular characteristics were determined. Cardiac oxidative stress was analyzed by malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonylated proteins, and the cardiac protein expression levels of type 1 angiotensin receptor (AT-1), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (Nox2), superoxide dismutase (SOD 1 e 2), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) were determined by western blot. RESULTS: The HF group showed an increase in adiposity; however, it did not present adipocyte hypertrophy and comorbidities. Cardiac MDA and carbonylated protein levels were higher in the HF and HFS compared with the C group. The levels of oxidant and antioxidant proteins showed no difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: HF and HFS dietary interventions promoted cardiac oxidative stress, in the presence and absence of obesity, respectively. However, this process was neither mediated by the pro-oxidants AT1 and Nox2, nor by the quantitative reduction of antioxidant enzymes.

Insuficiência cardíaca: relação entre parâmetros antropométricos, composição corporal e integridade celular / Heart failure: correlation between anthropometric parameters, body composition and cell integrity

Fundamentos: O conhecimento do ângulo de fase e seu uso como determinante prognóstico em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca ainda é escasso. Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre indicadores antropométricos, função cardíaca e integridade celular em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção reduzida. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal que avaliou pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção reduzida por meio da antropometria e da bioimpedância elétrica. Foram empregados os testes do Qui-quadrado e teste t de student para analisar as diferenças e a correlação linear de Pearson para avaliar associação, adotando p < 0,05 para indicar significância estatística.Resultados: Foram avaliados 41 indivíduos, com idade entre 30-74 anos, sendo 34 homens (82,9%). O ângulo de fase mostrou-se com maior média entre as mulheres (7,1°), porém houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os sexos apenas para as médias do percentual de gordura. O ângulo de fase correlacionou-se com o índice de massa corporal (r = 0,44; p = 0,004) e houve uma tendência na correlação do ângulo de fase com a razão cintura/estatura (r = 0,29; p = 0,06) e fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (r = 0,29; p = 0,07). Conclusões: O ângulo de fase apresentou boa correlação com o índice de massa corporal e mostrou uma tendência de correlação com a fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, sustentando o paradoxo da obesidade e a importância prognóstica deste marcador. Ressalta-se ainda, a necessidade de novos estudos sobre a aplicabilidade do ângulo de fase no prognóstico nesta população

Background: Knowledge about phase angle and its use as a prognostic determinant in patients with heart failure is still scarce. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between anthropometric indicators, cardiac function and cell integrity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Chi-square test and Student's t test were used to analyze differences, and Pearson's linear correlation was used to evaluate associations, using p < 0.05 to indicate statistical significance. Results: We evaluated 41 subjects aged 30-74 years, of which 34 were men (82.9%). Mean phase angle was higher among women (7.1%), but significant differences between men and women were found only for body fat percentage. Phase angle correlated with body mass index (r = 0.44, p = 0.004) and there was a trend of correlation of the phase angle with waist-to-height ratio (r = 0.29, p = 0.06) and the left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.29, p = 0.07). Conclusions: Phase angle showed a good correlation with body mass index and showed a trend of correlation with the left ventricular ejection fraction, supporting the obesity paradox and the prognostic importance of this marker. Further studies on the applicability of the phase angle in the prognosis of these patients are still needed