Impact of maternal stress on metabolism and penile morphology in young offspring rats.

Exposure to prolonged stress in pregnancy and/or lactation can lead to the future development of diseases. We aimed to study the effects of maternal stress on the biometry, metabolism, and penile morphology of young Wistar rats. Animals were divided into two experimental groups: Control Group (C) - pups from control mothers, without any intervention (n=5); and Chronic Stress Group (S) - pups from mothers who suffered variable stress in the third week of pregnancy (14th to 21st day; n=5). Food intake and body mass of the pups (n=10, in the C group and n=9 in the S group) were checked; at euthanasia (three months old), fat deposits and penis were removed. At birth and weaning, S animals were lighter than C animals, [-33.72% (p=0.0422) and -17.07% (p=0.0018)], respectively. However, the final body mass and body mass delta showed no differences. Food intake and fat deposits also did not differ. However, the S group was hyperglycemic at 30 and 60 days of life [+20.59% (p=0.0042) and +14.56% (p=0.0079), respectively], despite the glycemia measured at 90 days showing no difference between groups. Penile areas and surface densities of the corpora cavernosa components were similar between groups. The results indicate that maternal stress is an important metabolic programmer, which generates low birth weight and accelerated recovery of body mass after birth (catch-up). However, in an early analysis (90 days of life), exposure to gestational stress did not change the morphology of the offspring's penis in adulthood.

Impact of Brazil Nut (Bertholletia excelsa, H.B.K.) Supplementation on Body Composition, Blood Pressure, and the Vascular Reactivity of Wistar Rats When Submitted to a Hypersodium Diet.

Introdution: Endothelium integrity is a key that maintains vascular homeostasis but it can suffer irreversible damage by blood pressure changes, reflecting an imbalance in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa, H.B.K.) (BN) supplementation (10% in chow, wt/wt) on the vascular reactivity of Wistar rats during chronic exposure to a sodium overload (1% in water).Methods: First, male Wistar rats were allocated into two groups: Control Group (CG) and the Hypersodic Group (HG) for 4 weeks. Afterward, the CG was divided into the Brazil Nut Group (BNG) and the HG Group into the Hypersodic Brazil Nut Group (HBNG) for a further 8 weeks, totaling 4 groups. Blood pressure was measured during the protocol. At the end of the protocol, the vascular reactivity procedure was performed. Glucose, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, and platelet aggregation were analyzed in the serum. Body composition was determined by the carcass technique.Results: The groups that were supplemented with the BN chow presented less body mass gain and body fat mass, together with lower serum glucose levels. The HG Group presented an increase in blood pressure and a higher platelet aggregation, while the BN supplementation was able to blunt this effect. The HG Group also showed an increase in contractile response that was phenylephrine-induced and a decrease in maximum relaxation that was acetylcholine-induced when compared to the other groups.Conclusion: The BN supplementation was able to prevent an impaired vascular function in the early stages of arterial hypertension, while also improving body composition, serum glucose, and platelet aggregation.

Beverages Rich in Resveratrol and Physical Activity Attenuate Metabolic Changes Induced by High-Fat Diet.

Consumption of saturated fat causes deleterious effects on health, which could be minimized through physical activity and foods with functional characteristics consumption. The aim of the study was to evaluate the beverage rich in resveratrol consumption and physical exercise in gut microbiota, body composition, lipid peroxidation, interleukin-6 (IL6) concentration and systolic blood pressure (SBP) of rats to the high-fat diet. Wistar rats were fed with control diet, high-fat diet (HFD), HFD and 15 mL solution of resveratrol, HFD and 15 mL of grape juice, HFD and 10 mL of red wine. All animals performed the physical training protocol five days a week. Grape juice and red wine composition were analyzed, SBP, body mass, consumption, adiposity and body composition, gut microbiota, lipid peroxidation and inflammation were evaluated. The grape juice (114.8 ± 22.5 mmHG) and red wine (129 ± 15.8 mmHg) groups showed lower SBP when compared to HFD (216.8 ± 20.6 mmHg) (p < 0.0001). The grape juice group (GJG) (39.1 ± 7) had a higher number of microbiota bands DNA when compared to the other groups (p = 0.002). The GJG (33.7 ± 6.7 pg/mL) presented lower concentration IL6 when compared to high-fat group (47.3 ± 16 pg/mL) (p = 0.003). GJG (4.7 ± 1.2 nmol/L) presented a lower concentration of TBARS when compared to control group (6.1 ± 1.4 nmol/L) and resveratrol group (6.6 ± 0.9 nmol/L), and the red wine group (7.4 ± 1.2 nmol/L) had a higher concentration of TBARS when compared to control group and GJG (p = 0.0001). The consumption of these beverages, especially grape juice, together with physical exercise, was able to promote beneficial changes even in the presence of a HFD.

Micronutrients and bioactive compounds in the immunological pathways related to SARS-CoV-2 (adults and elderly).

The new coronavirus pandemic is affecting the entire world with more than 25 million confirmed cases in August 2020 according to the World Health Organization. It is known that the virus can affect several tissues and can progress to a respiratory failure in severe cases. To prevent the progression to this stage of the disease and minimize all the damage caused by coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) the immune system must be in its integrity. A healthy nutritional status are fundamental to efficient immunological protection and consequently a good response to SARS-CoV-2. Micronutrients and bioactive compounds perform functions in immune cells that are extremely essential to stop SARS-CoV-2. Their adequate consumption is part of a non-pharmacological intervention to keep the immune system functioning. This review has as main objective to inform how micronutrients and bioactive compounds could act in the essential immunological pathways could stop SARS-CoV-2, focusing on the functions that have already established in the literature and transposing to this scenario.

Avaliação de risco cardiovascular e síndrome metabólica em mulheres com câncer de mama em uso de tamoxifeno / Evaluation of cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome in women with breast cancer using tamoxifen

Introdução: O câncer de mama é o segundo tipo de câncer mais comum no mundo e o mais comum entre as mulheres. Além disso, a doença cardiovascular é a causa mais comum de morte em mulheres. Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores de risco cardiovascular e de síndrome metabólica em mulheres com câncer de mama em uso de tamoxifeno. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com mulheres com diagnóstico prévio de câncer de mama. Para o diagnóstico da síndrome metabólica, foram utilizados os critérios da American Heart Association (2009). O risco cardiovascular foi avaliado pelo escore de risco de Framingham. Resultados: A frequência da síndrome metabólica é de 75% (n=24) dos participantes do estudo. A avaliação do risco cardiovascular mostrou que 18,7% (n=6) e 21,9% (n=7) das participantes apresentavam risco intermediário a alto, respectivamente. Conclusão: Conclui-se que mulheres em tratamento para câncer de mama apresentam alta prevalência de síndrome metabólica e fatores de risco cardiovascular, aumentando a mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares neste grupo.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world and the most common type among women. In addition, the cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in women. Objective: The objective was to assess cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in women with breast cancer using tamoxifen. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with women with a previous breast cancer diagnosis. For metabolic syndrome diagnosis, the criteria established by the American Heart Association (2009) were used. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Framingham Risk Score Results: The frequency of metabolic syndrome is 75% (n=24) of the study participants. The cardiovascular risk assessment showed that 18.7% (n=6) and 21.9% (n=7) of the participants were at intermediate to high risk, respectively Conclusion: It is concluded that women undergoing breast cancer treatment have a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors, increasing mortality from cardiovascular diseases in this group

Effects of red wine, grape juice and resveratrol consumption on bone parameters of Wistar rats submitted to high-fat diet and physical training / Efectos del consumo de vino rojo, jugo de uva y reservatrol sobre los parámetros óseos de las ratas Wistar presentadas con dieta rica en grasas y entrenamiento físico

Introduction: intake of diets with high saturated fat may produce deleterious effects on bone mineralization. Lifestyle changes help reduce the bone loss observed in osteoporosis. Resveratrol, present in grape juice and red wine, has osteogenic and osteoinductive effects, being potentially beneficial for bone health. Objective: to evaluate the effects of red grape juice, red wine and resveratrol consumption on bone parameters in Wistar rats submitted to a high-fat diet and physical training. Method: female Wistar rats, with 90 days of age, were divided into five groups and followed up for 60 days: a) control group; b) high-fat group; c) grape juice group; d) red wine group; and e) resveratrol group. The different groups of animals performed a physical training protocol. Animal's weight and consumption were monitored weekly. After 60 days, femoral dimensions, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were evaluated. Results: there was no difference in body mass; however, all groups consuming the high-fat diet had higher consumption (p < 0.05). RWG presented a greater distance between the epiphyses, femoral mass and BMC (p < 0.05). RWG and RG presented greater mean diaphysis point width and BMD (p < 0.05). Conclusion: the results suggest that the bioactive compounds present in red wine and resveratrol solution together with regular exercise were able to promote beneficial effects on bone health, even when associated with a high saturated fat diet

Introducción: el consumo de dietas ricas en grasas saturadas puede producir efectos nocivos sobre la mineralización ósea. Los cambios en el estilo de vida ayudan en la reducción de la pérdida ósea que se produce en la osteoporosis. El resveratrol, presente en el zumo de uva y el vino tinto, tiene efectos osteogénicos y osteoinductores, y es potencialmente beneficioso para la salud ósea. Objetivo: evaluar los efectos del consumo de zumo de uva roja, vino tinto y resveratrol sobre los parámetros óseos en ratas sometidas a una dieta alta en grasa y entrenamiento físico. Métodos: ratas Wistar, hembras, con 90 días, fueron divididas en cinco grupos y monitorizadas durante 60 días: a) grupo de control; b) grupo hiperlipidemia; c) grupo zumo de uva roja; d) grupo de vino tinto; y e) grupo de resveratrol. Los distintos grupos de animales fueron sometidos a un protocolo de entrenamiento físico. El peso y el consumo de los animales se monitorizaron semanalmente. Después de 60 días, se evaluaron el tamaño del fémur, la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) y el contenido mineral óseo (CMO). Resultados: no hubo diferencias en el consumo, sin embargo, todos los grupos que consumieron la dieta rica en grasas tenían un mayor consumo (p < 0,05). GV tenía una mayor distancia entre las epífisis, mayor tamaño del fémur y un mayor CMO (p < 0,05). SGS y GR tenía mayor anchura media de diáfisis y una mayor DMO (p < 0,05). Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren que los compuestos bioactivos presentes en el vino tinto y la solución de resveratrol, combinados con el ejercicio físico regular, fueron capaces de promover efectos beneficiosos sobre la salud ósea, incluso cuando se asocian con una dieta alta en grasas saturadas

Effects of red wine, grape juice and resveratrol consumption on bone parameters of Wistar rats submitted to high-fat diet and physical training.

INTRODUCTION: intake of diets with high saturated fat may produce deleterious effects on bone mineralization. Lifestyle changes help reduce the bone loss observed in osteoporosis. Resveratrol, present in grape juice and red wine, has osteogenic and osteoinductive effects, being potentially beneficial for bone health. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effects of red grape juice, red wine and resveratrol consumption on bone parameters in Wistar rats submitted to a high-fat diet and physical training. METHOD: female Wistar rats, with 90 days of age, were divided into five groups and followed up for 60 days: a) control group; b) high-fat group; c) grape juice group; d) red wine group; and e) resveratrol group. The different groups of animals performed a physical training protocol. Animal's weight and consumption were monitored weekly. After 60 days, femoral dimensions, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were evaluated. RESULTS: there was no difference in body mass; however, all groups consuming the high-fat diet had higher consumption (p < 0.05). RWG presented a greater distance between the epiphyses, femoral mass and BMC (p < 0.05). RWG and RG presented greater mean diaphysis point width and BMD (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: the results suggest that the bioactive compounds present in red wine and resveratrol solution together with regular exercise were able to promote beneficial effects on bone health, even when associated with a high saturated fat diet.