Relationship between selenium status and biomarkers of oxidative stress in Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Crohn disease (CD) is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation and various factors involved in its pathogenesis including oxidative stress. The oxidative stress in CD may compromise antioxidant nutrients, such as selenium. The aim of this study was to assess the status of selenium and its relationship with markers of oxidative stress in patients with CD in comparison to controls. METHODS: The study included 47 patients with CD (20 with active disease and 27 in remission) and 25 healthy individuals. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of plasma and erythrocyte selenium concentrations using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Selenoprotein P (SepP) was evaluated by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx1) activity was assessed by using an automatic biochemistry analyzer, and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was measured. Comparative analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. For correlations, Pearson's coefficient test was used. The determinants for CD and lipid peroxidation were indicated by odds ratio. RESULTS: Plasma and erythrocyte selenium levels and SepP concentrations were lower in the CD patient groups than in the healthy group. GPx1 activity and the concentration of TBARS were significantly higher in the CD groups. In the univariate analysis, plasma and erythrocyte selenium and TBARS were associated with CD. CONCLUSION: Patients with CD have impaired selenium status, which is related to the increased oxidative stress observed in these patients.

Zinc gluconate supplementation impacts the clinical improvement in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the mucous membrane of the colon. The pathogenesis is not clear, but there is evidence of a complex interaction between genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. In this regard, we highlight the role of zinc in the immune system and probable control of the disease. This study evaluated the effect of zinc supplementation on the inflammatory response in patients with ulcerative colitis. A blind interventional study involving 41 patients of both sexes, who underwent either zinc gluconate supplementation (n = 23), or treatment with a placebo (corn starch) (n = 18). Patients were evaluated for dietary zinc intake, plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations, and serum levels of Th1/Th2/Th17 type cytokines at baseline (T0) and 30 (T1) and 60 (T2) days after intervention. Patients in the zinc supplementation group had a lower probability of having an adequate zinc intake than placebo. In this same group, there was a significant difference between plasma zinc concentrations (T1 in relation to T0, T2 in relation to T1, and T2 in relation to T0) and erythrocyte zinc (T1 in relation to T0 and T2 in relation to T1). Zinc supplementation resulted in significant changes in the concentrations of IL-2 and IL-10 without differences in the other interleukins. Zinc gluconate intervention in patients with ulcerative colitis improves the nutritional status of this mineral in these patients and positively influences their clinical outcome, reinforcing the role of zinc as an important dietary component in disease control.

Efeito de prebióticos e probióticos na microbiota intestinal e nas alterações metabólicas de indivíduos obesos / Effect of prebiotics and probiotics on the gut microbiota and metabolic changes in obese individuals

Currently, the growing prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities is a major public health problem. The intestine is a complex organ that has been increasingly studied in obesity because of its ability to signal pathways involved in the pathophysiology of this disease. OBJECTIVES: This review aimed to clarify the main effects of probiotics and prebiotics on the intestinal microbiota and metabolic abnormalities of obese subjects. Data source: The survey of articles was conducted at PubMed database using the following keywords: 'obesity', 'gut microbiota', 'probiotic' and 'prebiotic' involving scientific works published between 2009 and 2014. Data synthesis: We found that the intestinal microbiota can be modulated by diet, and it acts on the control of food intake by interacting with receptors and enzymes that interfere in the metabolic changes arising from obesity and in the modulation of the inflammatory response. Animal research has shown positive results with the use of prebiotics and probiotics as adjuncts in the treatment of obesity; however, results with humans still present controversial data. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of the relationship between diet, microbiota and immune system shows that a better understanding of the role of microbiota in obesity leads to new perspectives in the development of therapies for this disease

A crescente prevalência da obesidade e suas comorbidades tem sido um dos principais problemas de saúde pública atualmente. O intestino é um órgão complexo, cada vez mais estudado na obesidade pela sua capacidade de sinalizar vias metabólicas envolvidas na fisiopatologia dessa doença. OBJETIVO: Esclarecer os principais efeitos de probióticos e prebióticos nas alterações metabólicas e da microbiota intestinal de indivíduos obesos. Fonte de dados: O levantamento dos artigos foi realizado na base de dados Pubmed, utilizando os descritores: obesity, gut microbiota, probiotic e prebiotic envolvendo publicações no período de 2009 a 2014. Síntese dos dados: Constatou-se que a microbiota intestinal pode ser modulada pela dieta e atuar no controle da ingestão alimentar interagindo com receptores e enzimas que interferem nas alterações metabólicas decorrentes da obesidade e na modulação da resposta inflamatória. Pesquisas com animais mostraram resultados positivos do uso de prebióticos e probióticos como coadjuvantes no tratamento da obesidade, contudo, os resultados com humanos ainda apresentam dados controversos. CONCLUSÕES: Evidências da relação entre dieta, microbiota e sistema imune demonstram que a melhor compreensão do papel da microbiota na obesidade leva a novas perspectivas no desenvolvimento de terapias para a obesidade

Parameters of metabolic syndrome and its relationship with zincemia and activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in obese women.

Alterations in antioxidant defense in obese people with metabolic syndrome can contribute to oxidative stress. This study assessed the relationship between the parameters of metabolic syndrome and the zincemia, activity of superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase enzymes in obese women. Seventy-three premenopausal women, aged between 20 and 50 years, were divided into two groups: case group, composed of obese (n=37), and control group, composed of no obese (n=36). Analyses of zinc intake, parameters of metabolic syndrome, plasma, and erythrocyte zinc, and activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were carried out. The mean values of body mass index of obese women and control group were 34.5±3.4 and 21.7±1.9 kg/m2, respectively (p<0.05). In the study, body mass index, waist circumference, and zinc intake were higher in obese women than control group (p<0.05). The plasma zinc and activity of superoxide dismutase did not show significant differences between obese and controls (p>0.05). The values of erythrocyte zinc was 36.4±15.0 µg/gHb and 45.4±14.3 µg/gHb and of glutathione peroxidase was 46.4±19.4 U/gHb and 36.7±13.6 U/gHb in obese women and controls, respectively (p<0.05). The study shows that there are alterations in biochemical parameters of zinc in obese women, with low zinc concentrations in erythrocytes. Regression analysis demonstrates that the erythrocyte zinc and activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme is influenced by components of the metabolic syndrome, and the plasmatic glucose, body mass index, and waist circumference have a negative correlation with this enzyme.