Consumption effect of a synbiotic beverage made from soy and yacon extracts containing Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 on the intestinal polyamine concentrations in elderly individuals.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a synbiotic beverage made from soy and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) extracts containing Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 on healthy elderly individuals' intestinal polyamine concentrations. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial has been conducted with twenty-nine volunteers (over 65years of age) who either had a daily intake of 150mL of synbiotic (synbiotic group - S) or placebo (placebo group - P) beverages. Both had the same nutrient composition, except that a probiotic culture was added to the synbiotic beverage. Total experiment time was 8weeks, which was divided into 3 consecutive phases: a prefeeding period (2weeks), followed by a feeding period (4weeks) and a postfeeding period (2weeks). Stool samples were collected at 3 time periods. Fecal concentrations of polyamines, putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD) and spermidine (SPD) that were obtained during the synbiotic and placebo consumption period were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those found during the pre-consumption baseline level period. No significant differences in the number of bifidobacteria, clostridia, or enterobacteria were observed in any of the two groups at the three time periods. Similarly, no significant effect on the production of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) was induced by the synbiotic or placebo beverages consumption. The results herein indicate that both the synbiotic and the placebo beverage consumption have increased polyamines levels, which are often reduced in elderly individuals, without influencing inflammatory responses. In addition, both placebo and synbiotic beverages seems to contribute by maintaining increased polyamines levels.

Probiotic Soy Product Supplemented with Isoflavones Improves the Lipid Profile of Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Several studies have demonstrated that specific probiotics affect the host's metabolism and may influence the cardiovascular disease risk. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an isoflavone-supplemented soy product fermented with Enterococcus faecium CRL 183 and Lactobacillus helveticus 416 on cardiovascular risk markers in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects. DESIGN: Randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial Setting: São Paulo State University in Araraquara, SP, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 49 male healthy men with total cholesterol (TC) >5.17 mmol/L and <6.21 mmol/L Intervention: The volunteers have consumed 200 mL of the probiotic soy product (group SP-10(10) CFU/day), isoflavone-supplemented probiotic soy product (group ISP-probiotic plus 50 mg of total isoflavones/100 g) or unfermented soy product (group USP-placebo) for 42 days in a randomized, double-blind study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lipid profile and additional cardiovascular biomarkers were analyzed on days 0, 30 and 42. Urine samples (24 h) were collected at baseline and at the end of the experiment so as to determine the isoflavones profile. RESULTS: After 42 days, the ISP consumption led to improved total cholesterol, non-HDL-C (LDL + IDL + VLDL cholesterol fractions) and electronegative LDL concentrations (reduction of 13.8%, 14.7% and 24.2%, respectively, p < 0.05). The ISP and SP have prevented the reduction of HDL-C level after 42 days. The C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels were not improved. The equol production by the ISP group subjects was inversely correlated with electronegative LDL concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a regular consumption of this probiotic soy product, supplemented with isoflavones, could contribute to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in moderately hypercholesterolemic men, through the an improvement in lipid profile and antioxidant properties.

Effects of a ferment soy product on the adipocyte area reduction and dyslipidemia control in hypercholesterolemic adult male rats.

BACKGROUND: Available data on the effects of a fermented soy product enriched with Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus Jugurti on circulating lipids and adiposity are not completely settled. This study aimed to observe the effects of a fermented soy product enriched with Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus Jugurti on central obesity and dyslipidemia control in Wistar adult male rats. METHODS: Over a period of 8 weeks, animals had "ad libitum" food intake and water consumption as well as body weight and food consumption was monitored. The animals were assigned to four different experimental groups: Control Group (C); Control + Fermented Product Group (CPF); Hypercholesterolemic diet group (H); and Hypercholesterolemic + Fermented Product Group (HPF). The HPF and CPF groups received an intragastric administration of 1 ml of fermented product daily. After the experimental period the animals were killed by decapitation, blood was collected to measure cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol plasma concentration. Adipocyte circumference, lipolysis and lipogenis rates were measures using epididymal and retroperitoneal white adipose tissues. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that 1 ml/day/rat of the fermented soy product promoted important benefits such as reduced cholesterolemia in hypercholesterolemic diet group and the adipocyte circumference in both control and hypercholesterolemic diet group. CONCLUSION: The fermented soy product enriched with Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus Jugurti decreased circulating lipids levels and reduced adipocyte area in rats.

Caloric restriction and refeeding promoted different metabolic effects in fat depots and impaired dyslipidemic profile in rats.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of severe caloric restriction and refeeding with a high-fat diet on lipid uptake by visceral adipose fat and lipid profile in rats. METHODS: Rats were assigned to six groups: a chow diet (C), a high-fat diet (H), severe caloric restriction (SC and SH), and severe caloric restriction plus refeeding (SC-r and SH-r) during 8 wk. All animals were killed by decapitation 4 h after intragastric administration of [1-14C] triolein ( approximately 0.5 g, 0.3 muCi/rat). Liver; visceral retroperitoneal (RET), epididymal (EPI), and omental (VIS) white adipose tissues; brown adipose tissue; and intestine were immediately removed and weighed. The whole intestine was withdrawn and homogenized to determine lipid uptake. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triacylglycerol in plasma were determined enzymatically. RESULTS: The SC and SH groups showed reduced visceral adiposity, although this effect was more evident in the SC group. The SC group had greater lipid absorption in the VIS than the C group. The SH treatment increased RET and VIS lipid uptake in relation to the H group. The SH-r treatment increased RET and VIS adiposity. HDL cholesterol decreased with caloric restriction in the SC and SH groups. The SH-r treatment did not increase HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSION: Severe caloric restriction decreased visceral adiposity even in rats in the H group but did not reduce the risk of development of dyslipidemia. Therefore, food restriction plus refeeding with a high-fat diet increase the risk of development of visceral adiposity and dyslipidemia.

Dieta hiperlipídica e capacidade secretória de insulina em ratos / High-fat diet and secretory capacity of insulin in rats

OBJETIVOS: Este estudo investigou, em ratos, os efeitos da administração crônica de uma dieta hiperlipídica palatável sobre: ganho de peso, adiposidade, conteúdos de glicogênio hepático e muscular, glicemia e insulinemia, morfologia do pâncreas e secreção de insulina por ilhotas isoladas, incubadas in vitro. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar machos (21 dias de idade) foram alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica palatável ou com dieta padrão, durante 15 semanas. Peso corporal e consumo de ração foram avaliados diariamente, glicose e insulina plasmática foram avaliadas semanalmente. Após o sacrifício, pâncreas, fígado, gastrocnêmio e tecidos adiposos foram coletados e pesados. Cortes do pâncreas foram analisados por microscopia ótica comum. Insulina plasmática e a secretada por ilhotas isoladas, após incubação na presença de diferentes concentrações de glicose, foram avaliadas por radioimunoensaio. RESULTADOS: A dieta hiperlipídica palatável aumentou a adiposidade, a percentagem do ganho de peso corporal e o conteúdo do glicogênio hepático, quando comparada à dos animais alimentados com dieta padrão. Glicemias e insulinemias de jejum não diferiram entre os grupos. A secreção de insulina das ilhotas isoladas dos ratos aumentou, nos tratados com dieta hiperlipídica, apenas em presença de concentrações fisiológicas de glicose (G= 8,3mM). A dieta hiperlipídica reduziu o tamanho do pâncreas, mas aumentou o número de células beta. Além disso, o lúmen dos vasos sangüíneos pancreáticos apresentou-se reduzido, quando comparado aos controles. CONCLUSÃO: A obesidade provocada pela dieta hiperlipídica não alterou os níveis de glicose e insulina de jejum desses animais. Apesar das alterações morfológicas do pâncreas, a manutenção da normoglicemia dos ratos tratados com dieta hiperlipídica, provavelmente, deveu-se à capacidade preservada de suas ilhotas em secretar insulina.

Efeitos da dieta hiperlipídica e do treinamento de natação sobre o metabolismo de recuperação ao exercício em ratos / Effects of a high-fat diet and swimming moderate training on postexercise metabolism in male adult rats

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos interativo e respectivo do treinamento fÍsico moderadode natação e da dieta hiperlipídica sobre o metabolismo de carboidratos e lipídeos no período de recuperação ao exercício em ratos machos adultos. Os animais foram divididos em sedentários (S) e treinados (T). O treinamento consistiu de natação a 90 min/dia, cinco dias/semana. Cada grupo foi subdividido em dieta padrão normocalórica (N) e dieta hipercalórica/hiperlipídica (H). Depois de oito semanas, os animais dos quatro grupos (SN, TN, SH e TH) foram sacrificados em repouso ou uma e duas horas após o exercício. A dieta hipercalórica (grupo SH vs. SN) aumentou o peso dos tecidos adiposos brancos, a glicemia, a concentração plasmática de triglicerídeos e de colesterol total e diminuiu o conteúdo de glicogínio. Por outro lado, o treinamento moderado de natação (grupo TN vs. SN) diminuiu o peso dos tecidos adiposos brancos e melhorou o metabolismo de carboidratos, aumentando o conteúdo de glicogínio. Quando associados (grupo TH vs. SH e TN), o treinamento não foi capaz de reverter os efeitos da dieta para o peso dos tecidos adiposos brancos, conteúdo de glicogínio e glicemia. Com relação ao período de recuperação, concluímos que os efeitos benéficos do treinamento em promover uma rápida recuperação dos substratos endógenos, principalmente reposição de glicogínio, são prejudicados pela dieta hiperlipídica associada ao treinamento.