ABSTRACT
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a potent hepatotoxin, capable of generating free radicals that lead to oxidative stress and the inflammation process. Pequi almond oil (PAO) has been reported to possess unsaturated fatty acid and antioxidant compounds related to beneficial effects on oxidation and inflammatory conditions. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of handmade and coldpressed PAO on CCl4-induced acute liver injury. The possible mechanisms underlying the effect on liver injury enzymes, histopathological parameters, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant and detoxification defense systems, as well as inflammatory parameters, were determined. Rats treated with PAO (3 or 6 mL/kg) for 21 days before CCl4 induction (3 mL/kg, 70%) showed significantly decreased levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, milder hepatic lesions and higher levels of serum high-density lipoprotein compared to CCl4 group. Moreover, PAO enhanced antioxidant capacity by increasing hepatic glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities, as well as reducing circulating concentrations of leptin and inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6, leukotrienes -4 and -5 and the tumor necrosis factor receptor. In summary, PAO, especially cold-pressed oil, attenuated the CCl4-induced alterations in serum and hepatic tissue in rats due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Carbon Tetrachloride/toxicity , Inflammation/prevention & control , Liver/drug effects , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Plant Oils/pharmacology , Acute Disease , Animals , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Liver/injuries , Liver/pathology , Male , Plant Oils/chemistry , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effect of processing on the Vitamin A levels of milk that is donated to the Human Milk Bank at the University Maternity Hospital, and to evaluate whether this milk supplies the infants' Vitamin A requirement. METHODS: Sixty milk samples from the Human Milk Bank were divided into two equal portions. One milk portion was extracted prior to processing, while another fraction was subjected to pasteurization and later extracted. The samples were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. Analysis with Student's t test indicated that the difference between mean retinol levels was statistically significant at the p < 0.05 level. RESULTS: The retinol content found in the milk prior to processing was 55.4+/-34.0 microg/100 ml, whereas for the processed milk this level was 36.6+/-26.1 microg/100 ml (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was found that retinol loss occurs during milk processing and that the milk from the Human Milk Bank does not meet infants' Vitamin A requirement.
Subject(s)
Milk, Human/chemistry , Vitamin A/analysis , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Food Handling , Humans , Infant , Nutritional Requirements , Nutritive ValueABSTRACT
OBJETIVOS: Analisar o efeito do processamento sobre os níveis de retinol no leite humano ordenhado, bem como avaliar se o mesmo supre o requerimento nutricional de vitamina A do lactente. MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas 60 amostras de leite humano ordenhado no Banco de Leite Humano da Maternidade Escola Januário Cicco e divididas em duas alíquotas de 5 ml cada, sendo uma não processada termicamente, enquanto a outra foi submetida à pasteurização. As amostras foram analisadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Para a análise estatística, foi utilizado o teste t de Student, sendo a diferença entre as médias considerada significativa quando p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A concentração de retinol encontrado no leite antes da pasteurização foi de 55,4±34,0 µg/100 ml, enquanto que a presente no leite processado foi de 36,6±26,1 µg/100 ml (p < 0,001). Considerando um consumo de 500 ml de leite por dia, observou-se que o leite anterior à pasteurização ofereceu 69,3 por cento das necessidades diárias recomendadas, e o leite processado, 45,8 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: Os níveis de retinol são mais baixos no leite processado termicamente e, nessa concentração, não atingem o requerimento de vitamina A do lactente.
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant , Milk, Human/chemistry , Vitamin A/analysis , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Food Handling , Nutritional Requirements , Nutritive ValueABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine colostrum retinol levels in breastfeeding women from the city of Natal, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and to investigate the relationship between retinol levels in colostrum and child, maternal and socioeconomic variables. METHODS: Forty-two healthy women aged 18 to 39 years were evaluated 48 hours after delivery. Socioeconomic, anthropometric, and dietary data were collected by means of a questionnaire. Body mass index was used to determine nutritional status. The Virtual Nutri software was used to analyze data on daily intake of vitamin A. Retinol levels were determined in 2 ml of colostrum using high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Most women were of low socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. Vitamin A intake was adequate in 55% of the women (mean intake = 1,398.8 micro g RE/day). The mean amount of retinol in colostrum was 93.1 51.1 micro gRE/100 ml. No significant differences were found in terms of milk retinol levels for the variables income (p = 0.503), educational level (p = 0.708) and birth weight (p = 0. 499). However, a statistically significant difference was observed for nutritional status during pregnancy (0.016). CONCLUSION: The lack of influence of socioeconomic factors on colostrum retinol levels suggests the existence of an adaptive mechanism of the mammary gland to maintain adequate retinol levels that meet the infantacute;s daily needs.
Subject(s)
Child Welfare , Colostrum/chemistry , Maternal Welfare , Vitamin A/analysis , Adolescent , Adult , Birth Weight , Child , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Diet Surveys , Female , Health Status Indicators , Humans , Nutritional Status , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Determinar os níveis de retinol no colostro de lactantes moradoras da cidade de Natal (RN) e sua relaçäo com as variáveis socioeconômicas e de saúde materno-infantil. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 42 nutrizes saudáveis, entre 18 e 39 anos, até 48 horas pós-parto. Foram aplicados questionários para a coleta de dados socioeconômicos, antropométricos e dietéticos. O estado nutricional antropométrico foi determinado pelo índice de massa corpórea e os dados de consumo alimentar em vitamina A foram obtidos pelo inquérito dietético de história alimentar, sendo a análise realizada pelo programa Virtual Nutri. Foram coletados 2 ml de colostro, e a determinaçäo do retinol foi realizada por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. RESULTADOS: A maioria das nutrizes apresentou baixa condiçäo socioeconômica e baixo grau de escolaridade. Entre as nutrizes, 55 por cento apresentavam um consumo de vitamina A adequado, com uma média de ingestäo de 1.398,8 ægRE/dia. O valor médio de retinol no colostro foi 93,1+51,1 ægRE/100 ml. Quando relacionado aos níveis de retinol no leite, as variáveis renda (p = 0,503), escolaridade (p = 0,708) e peso ao nascer do bebê (p = 0,499) näo apresentaram diferenças significativas. Entretanto, houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre o nível de retinol no leite e o estado nutricional na gestaçäo (p = 0,016). CONCLUSÄO: A näo-influência de variações socioeconômicas nos níveis de retinol do colostro sugere a existência de um mecanismo de adaptaçäo da glândula mamária na manutençäo dos níveis adequados de retinol para atender às necessidades diárias do lactente
