Zinc Plasma Status and Sensory Perception in Nondialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between zinc plasma levels and sensory perception in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 21 nondialysis CKD patients (11 men, 51.1 ± 7.1 years, body mass index 27.9 ± 7.1 kg/m2, estimated glomerular filtration rate 32.7 ± 19.9 mL/min) and 22 non-CKD volunteers (10 men, 49.8 ± 8.3 years, body mass index 28.5 ± 5.4 kg/m2) was conducted. Blood samples were collected to obtain plasma for zinc analysis. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters, as well as food intake and salivary flow rate, were also evaluated. Taste sensory perception for sweet, acidic, bitter, and salty flavors was determined by the "three-drop method," with 4 concentrations of the 4 basic tastes. RESULTS: As expected, zinc plasma levels were significantly lower in CKD patients (70.1 ± 19.2ug/dL) when compared with the control group participants (123.2 ± 24.6 µg dL) (P ˂ .0001). The bitter taste perception was lower in the CKD group (p˂0.0001). Our findings showed that sensitivity to sour (P = .047), salty (P = .03), and bitter tastes was significantly lower in participants with lower zinc plasma levels. Also, bitter taste sensitivity was lower in participants with less zinc intake (P = .038). When grouping control subjects and CKD patients, significant correlations were observed between zinc plasma levels and the number of correct answers for bitter taste (r = 0.49, P = .001), number of correct answers for salty taste (r = 0.30, P = .048), and total score of correct answers (r = 0.30, P = .044). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced zinc plasma levels in nondialysis CKD patients may be associated with lower perception of bitter, sour, and salty tastes and strategies to restore these levels are crucial due many factors, including food preferences and intake.

[Birth weight and factors associated with the prenatal period: a cross-sectional study in a maternity hospital of reference]. / Peso ao nascer e fatores associados ao período pré-natal: um estudo transversal em hospital maternidade de referência.

This study examined factors related to birth weight in a maternity hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It is a descriptive, sectional study conducted in the Herculano Pinheiro Maternity Hospital (HMHP) in Rio de Janeiro between December 2008 and February 2009, with postpartum mothers between 20 and 34 years of age. The chi-square test, the Student's t test and the logistical regression model were applied. 14.6% of the infants had low birth weight (less than 2500 g). There was a negative correlation between birth weight and smoking habits of the mother. The pre-pregnancy weight, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and number of pre-natal visit variables were positively associated with birth weight. Multiple regression analysis indicated maternal age as being a risk factor for low birth weight. The conclusion reached is that the marital status situation, where this was perceived as an important variable, as well as the number of prenatal visits, which in group analysis showed no statistical significance, deserve further investigation together with other studies.

Peso ao nascer e fatores associados ao período pré-natal: um estudo transversal em hospital maternidade de referência / Birth weight and factors associated with the prenatal period: a cross-sectional study in a maternity hospital of reference

O presente estudo analisou fatores relacionados ao peso ao nascer em um hospital maternidade do município do Rio de Janeiro. Trata-se de estudo seccional, descritivo, conduzido no Hospital Maternidade Herculano Pinheiro (HMHP), Rio de Janeiro, entre dezembro de 2008 e fevereiro de 2009, com puérperas entre 20 e 34 anos. Foram aplicados os testes de Qui-quadrado, t de student e modelo de regressão logística. Dos recém-nascidos, 14,6% tinham baixo peso ao nascer (inferior à 2500g). Encontrou-se correlação negativa entre o peso ao nascer e o hábito de fumar da mãe. As variáveis peso pré-gestacional, índice de massa corporal pré-gestacional materno e número de consultas no pré-natal apresentaram associação positiva com o peso ao nascer. A análise múltipla indicou a idade materna como fator de risco para o baixo peso ao nascer. Conclui-se que a situação sobre o estado civil, onde este se apresentou como uma variável importante, assim como o número de consultas pré-natal que na análise do grupo não apresentou significado estatístico, merece maior investigação com outros estudos.

This study examined factors related to birth weight in a maternity hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It is a descriptive, sectional study conducted in the Herculano Pinheiro Maternity Hospital (HMHP) in Rio de Janeiro between December 2008 and February 2009, with postpartum mothers between 20 and 34 years of age. The chi-square test, the Student's t test and the logistical regression model were applied. 14.6% of the infants had low birth weight (less than 2500g). There was a negative correlation between birth weight and smoking habits of the mother. The pre-pregnancy weight, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and number of pre-natal visit variables were positively associated with birth weight. Multiple regression analysis indicated maternal age as being a risk factor for low birth weight. The conclusion reached is that the marital status situation, where this was perceived as an important variable, as well as the number of prenatal visits, which in group analysis showed no statistical significance, deserve further investigation together with other studies.

Compostos fenólicos: possíveis aplicações na doença renal crônica / Phenolic compounds: possible applicability in chronic kidney disease

Phenolic compounds or polyphenols are bioactive compounds widely distributed in many foods such as fruits, vegetables, tea and wine. Several studies indicate the important role of these compounds in the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, polyphenols may be considered pharmacological agents capable of combating oxidative stress owing to reduced formation of reactive oxygen species and inflammation. The imbalance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant capacity is a common feature in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with progression of disease, and is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality in these patients. Although scarce, some studies have shown the benefits of using phenolic compounds in patients with chronic kidney disease and, therefore, the present review discusses the possible applicability of phenolic compounds in this population.

Los compuestos fenólicos o polifenoles son compuestos bioactivos ampliamente distribuidos en muchos alimentos, tales como frutas, legumbres, verduras, tés y vino. Varios estudios indican el importante papel de estos compuestos en la prevención de enfermedades crónicas, tales como cáncer y enfermedades cardiovasculares. Además, debido a sus propiedades anti-inflamatorias y antioxidantes, los polifenoles pueden ser considerados agentes farmacológicos capaces de combatir el estrés oxidativo, debido a la reducción de la formación de especies reactivas del oxígeno o radicales libres. El desequilibrio entre la producción de radicales libres y la capacidad antioxidante es una característica común de los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (DRC) y está relacionado con la progresión de la lesión renal, además de que se considera un factor de riesgo para las enfermedades cardiovasculares, la principal causa de mortalidad en estos pacientes. Aunque sean escasos, algunos estudios han demostrado los beneficios de la utilización de compuestos fenólicos en los pacientes con DRC y, por lo tanto, la presente revisión pretende debatir la posible aplicabilidad de los compuestos fenólicos en esta población.

Os compostos fenólicos ou polifenóis são compostos bioativos amplamente distribuídos em diversos alimentos, como frutas, legumes, verduras, chás e vinho. Diversos estudos apontam o importante papel destes compostos na prevenção de doenças crônicas, como câncer e doenças cardiovasculares. Além disso, em virtude de suas habilidades anti-inflamatórias e antioxidantes, os polifenóis podem ser considerados agentes farmacológicos capazes de combater o estresse oxidativo devido à redução na formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio ou radicais livres. O desequilíbrio entre a produção de radicais livres e a capacidade antioxidante é uma característica comum nos pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) e está associado à progressão da lesão renal, além de ser considerado um fator de risco para doenças cardiovasculares, a principal causa de mortalidade nestes pacientes. Apesar de escassos, alguns trabalhos têm mostrado os benefícios do uso dos compostos fenólicos nos pacientes com DRC e, portanto, a presente revisão pretende discutir a possível aplicabilidade dos compostos fenólicos nesta população.