Incidence of cardiovascular risk factors in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a 3-year follow-up cohort.

Objectives To evaluate the incidence and variability of traditional coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors in a cohort of lupus patients and to investigate if prednisone use predicts an increase in the number of risk factors. Methods A total of 151 women, 37.8 ± 11.1 (mean ± SD) years old at baseline, were reevaluated after a median period of 39 (interquartile range 36.5-42.0) months. The cumulative incidence of traditional risk factors, the incidence rate (with 95% confidence interval) of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia, and the frequency of the risk factors' disappearance were calculated. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and Framingham risk score (FRS) were computed. Logistic regression was used to investigate if maximum or cumulative prednisone dose used during follow-up predicted an increase in the cardiometabolic risk factors' number. Results The cumulative incidence of risk factors varied from 39.1% (abdominal obesity) to zero (smoking), and the incidence rate varied from 133.2 (87.8-178.6) per 1000 person-years (dyslipidemia) to 10.4 (1.3-19.5) per 1000 person-years (diabetes). The cumulative incidence for MetS was 18.8%, and 11.7% of 143 patients with low FRS at baseline (T1) were classified in the high-risk category at the end of the study (T2). Dyslipidemia was the most variable risk factor, with 43.5% disappearance at T2. The maximum prednisone dose used during follow-up was borderline ( p = 0.050) for prediction of an increase in the number of cardiometabolic risk factors in an adjusted model for antimalarial use, modified Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and age. Conclusion The authors described high incidence and variability of CAD risk factors in female lupus patients, with higher prednisone dose being borderline for an increase in the number of cardiometabolic risk factors.

Furosemide continuous rate infusion diluted with 5% dextrose in water or hypertonic saline in normal adult dogs: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the short-term safety and diuretic efficacy of furosemide constant rate infusion (CRI) diluted with 5% dextrose in water (D5W) compared to dilution with 2.4% hypertonic saline in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: Six healthy dogs. METHODS: Dogs were studied in a randomized, blinded, crossover manner. Furosemide 3.3mg/kg was diluted to 2.2mg/mL with either 1.5mL/kg D5W for the DEX method or with 1.0mL/kg D5W and 0.5mL/kg of 7.2% hypertonic saline for the H-SAL method. After a 0.66mg/kg furosemide IV bolus, the infusion rate was 0.3 mL/kg/hr for 5 h such that both methods delivered 0.66 mg/kg/hr (total 3.3mg/kg) furosemide in equal volume for the study duration. Urine output, water intake, central venous pressure (CVP), physical parameters, furosemide concentrations, blood and urine electrolytes, and urine aldosterone to creatinine ratio (UAldo:C) were evaluated. RESULTS: Measured variables were not different between methods but showed changes over time consistent with diuresis. Mean CVP decreased over time similarly for both methods. Plasma furosemide and urine concentrations were stable and not different between methods. Both furosemide CRI methods showed an increase in the UAldo:C, however, the rise was greater for DEX than for H-SAL. CONCLUSIONS: Diuresis was similar for both furosemide CRI methods; however, the H-SAL method induced less renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation than the DEX method. The absence of intravascular volume expansion based on CVP suggests that dilution of a furosemide CRI with 2.4% hypertonic saline may be well tolerated in heart failure.

Estimate of dietary exposure to sulphites using Brazilian students as a sample population.

In Brazil, there is neither a register of the use of sulphites by the food industry nor is research being undertaken on their dietary exposure to the population. The objective of the work reported here was to estimate the dietary exposure to sulphites in two different groups of high school students, a fee-paying school group and a state school group. The data were collected through a 24-hour dietary recall, which provided estimates of sulphited foods and beverages in the diet. The Maximum Permitted Level (MPL), established by the Brazilian legislation for each of the sulphited food and beverages, was used to measure the dietary exposure to this additive. On this basis none of the students could have exceeded the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0.70 mg SO2/kg bw/day, with a average dietary exposure of 0.07 mg SO2/kg bw/day (p<0.001), with no significant statistical difference (p=0.643) between fee-paying and state school students. Highly exposed consumers (dietary exposure to more than 50% of the ADI, or either, 0.35 mg SO2/kg bw/day, to the maximum of 0.52 mg SO2/kg bw/dia) represented 4.5% of the researched samples and reached these levels of intake due to a consumption beyond 500 ml/day of industrialized packaged fruit juices, and, in the fee-paying school, for associating its consumption with alcoholic beverages like beer and wine.

Influência da diferença cátion-aniônica da dieta sobre o balanço de cálcio, fósforo e magnésio em ovinos / Influence of the dietary cation-anion difference on calcium, phosphorus and magnesium balance in sheep

O efeito do balanço cátion-aniônico da dieta (BCAD) no balanço macromineral (cálcio, fósforo e magnésio), no pH urinário e fecal, na concentração sérica de cálcio, fósforo e magnésio foi estudado utilizando-se 16 carneiros machos, da raça Santa Inês, por um período de 26 dias, sendo sete de adaptação. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos. Para a manipulação do BCAD foram adicionados cloreto de cálcio e bicarbonato de sódio, obtendo-se os seguintes tratamentos: -12; +30; +76 e +133mEq/kg MS da ração. Não foram encontradas diferenças (P>0,10) no pH fecal, pH urinário, balanço de fósforo e magnésio. Com o aumento do BCAD houve decréscimo da absorção e retenção de cálcio, e aumento da excreção fecal. A manipulação do BCAD interferiu no metabolismo de macrominerais, principalmente no de cálcio.

Boas práticas de fabricação e aplicação da análise de perigos e pontos críticos de controle no processamento de água de coco / Practices of making and application from the analysis of dangers and control critics points in the coconut water processing

As características de baixa acidez da água de coco (pH > 4,5 e atividade de água próximo de 1,0), aliada ao seu crescente consumo, a tornam um produto passível de problemas de saúde pública. Deste modo, a aplicação do Sistema de Análise de Perigos e Pontos Críticos de Controle (APPCC) é fundamental para garantir a segurança alimentar desse produto. Esse estudo teve por objetivo aplicar o sistema APPCC para água de coco natural, congelada, e para aquelas obtidas pelos processos de descontaminação por luz ultravioleta (UV), esterilização Ultra High Temperature (UHT) e pasteurização. A implementação do programa de Boas Práticas de Fabricação é essencial para todas as formas de apresentação do produto, sobretudo para a água de coco natural, cuja garantia da qualidade concentra-se no manuseio higiênico da matéria-prima e processo. Foram estabelecidos pontos críticos de controle (PCC) para as etapas de filtração em membranas no sistema de descontaminação por UV, nas etapas de pasteurização, esterilização (produto e embalagem) e armazenamento refrigerado daqueles produtos que dependem de cadeia de frio. Face às características intrínsecas do produto, à presença de perigos na matéria-prima e ao crescente consumo de água de coco no país, é necessário um maior rigor na produção, comercialização, distribuição deste produto; além de maiores estudos sobre a segurança alimentar em toda a cadeia produtiva.

Boas práticas agrícolas e aplicação do sistema APPCC no cultivo e processamento industrial do café obtido pela via seca / Good agricultural practices and application the HACCP in the processing of roasted and milled coffee

O Brasil é o maior produtor e exportador mundial de café. A maior parte do café brasileiro é exportado como café verde (ou crú) e é adquirido e apreciado no país principalmente como café torrado e moído. Há uma preocupacção mundial crescente com relação a segurança e qualidade dos alimentos. O sistema de análises de Perigos e Pontos Críticos de Controle (APPCC) tem sido indicado como o método mais eficiente para garantir a qualidade e segurança alimentar. Assim sendo, o objetivo foi aplicar o referido sistema no processo de obtenção do café torrado e moído, produzido por via seca, no Brasil. As etapas de secagem, armazenamento e transporte foram consideradas os pontos críticos de controle devido à possibilidade de contaminação com ocratoxina. Além disso, a etapa de torração foi relacionada com a perda de qualidade do produto final. Medidas de controle e limites críticos foram indicados e dependem principalmente de conhecimentos de pós-colheita do produto.

Duplication of the chromosome number of diploid Brachiaria brizantha plants using colchicine.

Some species of Brachiaria, generally tetraploid apomictic varieties, have become important forage grasses in the tropics. Breeding of Brachiaria depends on compatibility with the available apomitic tretraploid cultivars. This paper describes a procedure for chromosome duplication of two Bracharia brizantha diploid sexual accessions, using colchicine treatment of basal segments of in-vitro-grown plants. Explants were cultured on a medium containing 1 mg/l naphthaleneacetic acid, 3 mg/l kinetin and 0.01% colchicine for 48 h and transferred to the same medium without colchicine until shoot regeneration occurred. Regenerated plants were screened by flow cytometry, and chromosome number duplication was confirmed by cytological analysis of root tips.

Beta-carotene reduces the ductular (oval) cell reaction in the liver of Wistar rats submitted to the resistant hepatocyte model of carcinogenesis.

The morphology of livers of Wistar rats treated with beta-carotene (BC), vitamin A (VA, retinol acetate) or corn oil (CO, controls) and submitted to the resistant hepatocyte model of carcinogenesis was studied. Preneoplastic lesions (PNL) were smaller and less numerous in the BC group. The latter group also presented fewer placental glutathione-S-transferase (GST-P) positive and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) distinguishable PNL, with smaller mean areas and smaller mean areas of the liver occupied by PNL. Clear cell foci predominated in BC livers. In picrosirius-stained liver sections, fibrosis, whether or not accompanying the bile ductular cells, surrounded only 16.67% of PNL in the BC group, as compared to 35.71% in the VA group and 87.72% in the CO group. Moreover, the ductular cell reaction was smaller in the BC group. Smooth muscle actin-positive cells surrounded some PNL, mostly in CO rats, and less frequently in the VA and BC groups. Examination by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that cells with nuclei similar to those of perisinusoidal cells, devoid of cytoplasmic fat globules, probably represented myofibroblasts derived from Ito cells and accompanied the ductular cell reaction. On the basis of these results, we suggest that BC reduced not only the PNL but also the ductular (oval) cell reaction in this experimental model.

[Ways of prevention and control of urinary hospital infections in the hospitals of the city of Saint Paul]. / Medidas de prevenção e controle de infecções urinarias hospitalares em hospitais da cidade de São Paulo.

Theorectical knowledge and practical ability of nurses and nursing auxiliaries regarding methods of prevention and control of hospital acquired urinary tract acquired infection are studied in 29 hospitals of São Paulo. For this it was filled a form with questions constructed with questions for the correct form of prevention and control of urinary tract acquired infection, particularly those that were published for the CDC guidelines of the prevention and control of the Center of Disease Control (CDC). We also studied the possible effects of the infection control Department on the Theoretical Knowledge and practical ability of nurses and nursing auxiliaries regarding infection control measures.

beta-carotene inhibits persistent and stimulates remodeling gamma GT-positive preneoplastic lesions during early promotion of hepatocarcinogenesis.

The inhibitory effects of beta-carotene or vitamin A on preneoplastic lesions induced in rats were compared, when specifically administered during early promotion of hepatocarcinogenesis. Initiation was performed by diethylnitrosamine. During the selection/promotion period 2-acetylaminofluorene was administered, and a partial hepatectomy was performed. Afterwards, the rats were divided into 3 groups. To two groups, beta-carotene or vitamin A were given for five weeks. Another group served as control and received corn oil. At the end of the study, beta-carotene reduced the incidence and total number of hepatocyte nodules. Vitamin A rats exhibited a lower number of nodules, but the incidence was 100%. Moreover, beta-carotene reduced the total number of gamma GT-positive preneoplastic lesions, as well as the morphometric parameters of persistent gamma GT-positive lesions. In contrast, morphometric parameters of persistent lesions remained almost unaffected in vitamin A animals. Furthermore, beta-carotene significantly increased the number of remodeling gamma GT-positive preneoplastic lesions. Vitamin A administration, however, resulted only in a small increase in the number of remodeling lesions. These results suggest that the inhibitory effects of beta-carotene during early promotion of hepatocarcinogenesis can be attributed not only to an inhibitory effect on persistent lesions, but also to a striking stimulatory activity on remodeling gamma GT-positive lesions.

Stereochemical isomers composition and vitamin A value of Brazilian palm oils.

Carotenoids pigments in crude and refined oils from Brazilian palm were analyzed. Beta-carotene was the principal fraction detected in all samples, varying from 142.6 micrograms/g to 314.25 micrograms/g in crude palm oils; from 132.55 micrograms/g to 612.16 micrograms/g in Brazilian palm kernels; and from 139.4 to 168.90 micrograms/g in refined palm oils. Alfa-carotene levels were 44.67 micrograms/g and 125.32 micrograms/g in the crude palm oil; 85.99 micrograms/g to 240.99 in palm kernel and 52.22 to 63.91 micrograms/g in refined palm oils. All-trans beta-carotene was the most important isomer; 9-cis and 13-cis alfa and beta-carotenes were also found. Vitamin A values were 2,065 and 10,255 RE in 100 g sample.

Dietary iron supplementation does not aggravate experimental malaria in young rats.

The hypotheses that iron-deficient hosts are less susceptible to severe malaria and that iron supplementation aggravates infection have been supported by some clinical and experimental evidence. In the present study, the course of Plasmodium berghei infection was monitored in an experimental model of dietary iron deficiency and iron supplementation. Weanling Wistar rats were fed purified diets with different iron concentrations: 20 mg/kg (Group D, n = 24), 50 mg/kg (Group N, n = 24) and 100 mg/kg (Group S, n = 12). After 15 d, rats from Group D were anemic (mean hemoglobin 81 g/l). The next day, 12 rats from Group D (thereafter Group DS) and 12 rats from Group N (thereafter Group NS) were transferred to the same iron-supplemented diet as in Group S, whereas the remaining animals (Groups D, N and S) were maintained on the original diets for further 14 d. At that time, 9 rats from each group were inoculated intraperitoneally with 10(6) erythrocytic parasites (P. berghei ANKA strain), whereas 3 rats from each group remained as noninfected controls. All animals were killed 14 d after inoculation, when significantly lower levels of hemoglobin, serum iron and percent transferrin saturation were found in infected animals from Group D compared with all other groups. However, the time course of parasitemias was similar in all groups. These data indicate that the development of P. berghei was neither suppressed by iron deficiency nor enhanced by iron supplementation in this model. Furthermore, iron repletion during infection did produce a noticeable improvement of hematological variables in previously iron-deficient animals.

Alimentaçäo de bezerros com extrato hidrossolúvel de soja. II. Produçäo de anticorpos e distúrbios intestinais / Feeding calves with soybean hydrosoluble extract. II. Antibody production and effects upon intestinal villosity

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a substituiçäo total do sucedâneo lácteo à base de proteína de leite (SL) por extrato hidrossolúvel de soja (EHS) na alimentaçäo de bezerros Holandeses machos, com idade média inicial de cinco dias. Os bezerros alimentados com EHS a partir do 5§ dia de vida apresentaram, com o desenvolver do experimento, perda de peso pronunciada, diarréia, letargia, caquexia e, nos estágios terminais, desidrataçäo e hipoproteinemia. Apresentaram, ainda, atrofia das vilosidades intestinais e produçäo de anticorpos no soro contra a proteína do EHS, indicaçäo de que os bezerros estavam padecendo de uma reaçäo alérgica à proteína de soja, enquanto os bezerros do grupo-controle apresentaram-se com desenvolvimento corporal normal. Os bezerros alimentados com EHS apresentaram diminuiçäo visível das gorduras presentes no tecido subcutâneo, omento, epíplon e da gordura peri-renal. No abomaso, a principal alteraçäo verificada foi a falta de formaçäo do coágulo do EHS ingerido

Mycoflora, aflatoxigenic species and mycotoxins in freslhly harvested corn (Zea mays L.): a preliminary study

A micoflora, a ocorrência de espécies aflatoxigênicas e das aflatoxinas B1, B2, G1 e G2, zearalenona e ocratoxina A foram verificadas em amostras de milho recém-colhido coletadas em diferentes localidades do Estado de Säo Paulo durante 1992. A invasäo de gräos por fungos pertencentes aos gêneros potencialmente micotoxigênicos Fusarium spp. e Penicillium spp. foi elevada. Aspergillus também foi isolado mas a sua incidência foi menor comparada à dos outros dois gêneros mencionados. As espécies de Aspergillus detectadas foram: A. versicolor, A. flavus, A. niger, A. alutaceus, A. wentii, Eurotium chevalieri, Eurotium rubrum, Eurotium amstelodami and Eurotium repens. Oito espécies de Penicillium foram isoladas a saber: P. variabile, P. funiculosum, P. citrinum, P. pinophilum, P. brevicompactum, P. canescens, P. raistrikii and P. spinulosum. Embora fungos potencialmente toxigênicos tenham sido isoladas, zearalelona produzida por Fusarium spp.) e ocratoxina A (produzida por Aspergillus spp. e Penicillium spp.) näo foram encontrados nos gräos. Das dezessete cepas de A. flavus isoladas quatro eram produtoras das aflatoxinas B1 ou B1 e B2. A presença de cepas näo toxigênicas, condiçöes climáticas desfavoráveis, interaçäo entre espécies fúngicas e variedades resistentes de milho säo alguns dos fatores que isoladamente ou interagindo com outros podem explicar a ausência das micotoxinas estudadas em milho cozido em 1992 no Estado de Säo Paulo

Phosphine fumigation of stored in-shell peanuts for the control of A. flavus. link/A. parasiticus speare growth and aflatoxin production

Amendoim em casca recém-colhido com conteúdos de umidade na faixa de 12,8 a 16,9, foi trilhado e ensacado em sacarias de poliestireno trançado. Em um armazém, duas pilhas, de 40 sacos cada uma, foram formadas sendo que uma delas foi fumigada com fosfina durante 7 dias aplicando-se 3,0 g/m inicialmente e após 24 horas. Aspergillus flavus/A. parasiticus näo foram detectados na pilha tratada, imediatamente após o tratamento. Aflatoxinas foram encontradas no topo (20 mg/kgB1, 16mg/kbB2) e na base (24 mg/kg B1, 5mg/kg B2) da pilha näo fumigada. Um mês após a fumigaçäo, a percentagem de gräos infectados com A. flavus/A. parasiticus foi aproximadamente de 8 a 3 vezes superior na base e no meio da pilha näo fumigada em relaçäo as camadas correspondentes da pilha näo tratada (270 mg-600 mg/kg B1, 18-92 mg/kg B2). Por outro lado contaminaçäo com aflatoxinas foi evidenciado na camada superior da pilha tratada (340 mg/kg B1 e 51 mg/kg B2) e da näo tratada (1200 mg/kg B1, 220 mg/kg B2). Os resultados indicam que a fosfina pode afetar o desenvolvimento de A. flavus/A. parasiticus e produçäo de aflatoxinas em amendoim armazenado em sacarias com teores de umidade acima dos limites recomendáveis em armazém. Estudos adicionais devem ser realizados para esclarecer alguns pontos que ficaram em dúvida

A comparison of beta-carotene and vitamin A effects on a hepatocarcinogenesis model.

The effects of beta-carotene (beta C) or vitamin A (VA) administration for 8 consecutive weeks were compared in male Wistar rats submitted to the resistant hepatocyte model (RH model) of hepatocarcinogenesis. Animals treated with corn oil (CO), instead of carotenoid or retinoid, served as controls. At the end of the study, beta C treatment resulted in a substantial reduction in the hepatocyte nodule incidence, total number of nodules and in the nodule multiplicity, as well as in the number and size of hepatic gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma GT)-positive foci. In contrast, animals administered with VA presented a 100% nodule incidence and only a moderate decrease in the total number of hepatocyte nodules. These showed to be in the great majority larger than nodules observed after beta C treatment. Moreover, VA administration resulted in similar number and size of gamma GT-positive foci than controls. In addition, the hepatic concentrations of total VA increased in both, beta C and VA treated animals. However, as expected, increases in the hepatic carotenoid concentrations could be only observed after beta C application. Therefore, changes in the hepatic levels of beta C, and not of VA, resulted in appreciable inhibitory effects on preneoplastic lesions of the liver. The evidence implies that the chemopreventive property of beta C is unrelated to its provitamin A activity.

Alimentaçäo de bezerros com extrato hidrossolúvel de soja. I. Desenvolvimento e digestibilidade / Feeding calves with hydrosoluble soybean extract. I. Performance and digestibility

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a substituiçäo total do sucedâneo lácteo à base de proteína de leite (SL) por extrato hidrossolúvel de soja (EHS) na alimentaçäo de bezerros holandeses machos, com idade média inicial de cinco dias. O experimento constou de três tratamentos, conduzidos durante o período de aleitamento dos animais (5§ ao 90§ dia de vida dos animais). O tratamento I consistiu no fornecimento de SL do 5§ ao 90§ dia de idade dos bezerros. No tratamento II foi fornecido SL até o 29§ dia de idade e do 30§ ao 90§ dia, EHS. No tratamento III foi fornecido EHS a partir do 5§ dia de idade. Após este período, os bezerros foram desaleitados e continuaram a receber feno e raçäo da mesma forma que no período de aleitamento, até os 180 dias de idade. No período de aleitamento, os animais do tratamento II apresentaram significativamente (P<0,05) menor consumo de alimentos, menores coeficientes de digestäo aparente dos nutrientes e ganho de peso diário inferior ao dos animais do tratamento I. No tratamento III os bezerros apresentaram, com o desenvolver do experimento, perda de peso, sinais de debilidade no estado corpóreo e foram sacrificados

[Nutritional strategies for controlling iron deficiency anemia]. / Intervenções nutricionais na anemia ferropriva.

This review was elaborated in order to contribute to the planning of strategies for controlling iron deficiency anemia in developing countries. The need for intervention should be determined by the degree of iron deficiency in the individual group and knowledge of its effects on quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. The most frequent approach is to provide iron supplementation during pregnancy, lactation, and early childhood as a basic primary healthcare measure. Fortification and dietary modification are complementary approaches, and should be developed.

Effect of dietary iron on the course of Plasmodium berghei malaria in young rats.

Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that iron-deficient hosts are less susceptible to severe malaria and that iron supplementation aggravates infection. In the present study, 60 weanling Wistar rats were fed standard diets with different iron concentrations: 21 mg/kg (group 1), 45 mg/kg (group 2) and 113 mg/kg (group 3). Ferrous sulfate (FeSO4 x 7H2O) was added to the normal-iron and iron-supplemented diets (groups 2 and 3, respectively). Data are reported as mean +/- SEM. After 16 days of regimen, eight rats from each group were killed to measure serum iron concentration (SI) and transferrin saturation capacity (TSC). At this moment, rats from group 1 were underweight and their dietary intake was significantly lower than that of animals from the other groups. Severe iron deficiency (SI = 49.2 +/- 4.5 micrograms/100 ml and TSC = 8.3 +/- 0.7%) was observed in rats from group 1, while the animals from the other groups were iron-sufficient (group 2: SI = 186.5 +/- 28.5 micrograms/100 ml and TSC = 27.3 +/- 3.4%; group 3: SI = 137.3 +/- 18.2 micrograms/100 ml and TSC = 21.3 +/- 2.3%). Nine animals from each group were then infected with the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, whereas three animals from each group were used as noninfected controls. Parasitemias (% of infected red blood cells) peaked 7 days post-infection in animals from groups 2 and 3 (mean values of 2.4% and 1.7%, respectively), but in animals from group 1 parasitemias increased until the 9th day post-infection (mean at peak, 2.3%) and parasite clearance was significantly slower than in the other groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of dietary iron on the course of Plasmodium berghei malaria in young rats

Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that iron-deficient hosts are less susceptible to severe malaria and that iron supplementation aggravates infection. In the present study, 60 weanling Wistar rats were fed standard diets with different iron concentrations: 21 mg/kg (group 1), 45 mg/kg (group 2) and 113 mg/kg (group 3). Ferrous sulfate (FeSO4 x 7H2O) was added to the normal-iron and iron-supplemented diets (groups 2 and 3, respectively). Data are reported as mean +/- SEM. After 16 days of regimen, eight rats from each group were killed to measure serum iron concentration (SI) and transferrin saturation capacity (TSC). At this moment, rats from group 1 were underweight and their dietary intake was significantly lower than that of animals from the other groups. Severe iron deficiency (SI = 49.2 +/- 4.5 micrograms/100 ml and TSC = 8.3 +/- 0.7 per cent ) was observed in rats from group 1, while the animals from the other groups were iron-sufficient (group 2: SI = 186.5 +/- 28.5 micrograms/100 ml and TSC = 27.3 +/- 3.4 per cent ; group 3: SI = 137.3 +/- 18.2 micrograms/100 ml and TSC = 21.3 +/- 2.3 per cent ). Nine animals from each group were then infected with the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, whereas three animals from each group were used as noninfected controls. Parasitemias ( per cent of infected red blood cells) peaked 7 days post-infection in animals from groups 2 and 3 (mean values of 2.4 per cent and 1.7 per cent , respectively), but in animals from group 1 parasitemias increased until the 9th day post-infection (mean at peak, 2.3 per cent ) and parasite clearance was significantly slower than in the other groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)