Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp dietary intake improves cellular antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of serum in healthy women.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of açai pulp (Euterpe oleracea Martius) intake on the prevention of oxidative damage by measuring the activity of antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of protein oxidation in women. METHODS: A nutritional intervention study was conducted with thirty-five healthy women who were asked to consume 200 g/d of açai pulp for 4 wk. Blood samples were collected, and blood pressure and anthropometric parameters were measured before and after the experimental period. Antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, production of reactive oxygen species, and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated in polymorphonuclear cells. Serum concentration of protein carbonyl and sulfhydryl groups were also determined. RESULTS: The açai intake increased catalase activity, total antioxidant capacity, and reduced the production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, it reduced serum concentration of protein carbonyl and increased total serum sulfhydryl groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the antioxidant benefit of dietary açai for the healthy women included in the present study, and may increase understanding of the beneficial health properties of this fruit.

Metabolic syndrome components can predict C reactive protein concentration in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is suggested to be associated with a low grade inflammation state, but the relationship between inflammation biomarkers and the components of metabolic syndrome in adolescents are still lacking. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) serum concentrations and metabolic syndrome components in adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional population based study was conducted. Anthropometric, biochemical and clinical data were collected from 524 adolescents (11-15 years old) randomly sampled from school population of Alegre city, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Data were analyzed by STATA version 9.0. RESULTS: Adolescents with higher values for BMI (p = 0.001) and higher body fat percentage (p = 0.003) had higher CRP concentrations than those with lower BMI and body fat percentage. CRP concentrations was directly correlated with BMI (r = 0.17, p = 0.0001), waist circumference (r = 0.15, p = 0.0005), HDL-c (r = 0.13, p = 0.003), fasting insulin (r = 0.12, p = 0.003) and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.11, p with = 0.01). In the multiple linear regression analysis BMI (r = 0.05, p = 0.002), fasting glucose (r = -0.01, p = 0.003) and HDL-c (r = 0.017, p < 0.001) were associated to CRP concentrations after adjusting for the other components of MS. CONCLUSION: The association found between individual components of MS and CRP concentrations suggests that inflammation might be an early event in the development of metabolic disorders in adolescents.

Antecedentes: El síndrome metabólico (SM) se sugiere que está asociada con un estado de inflamación crónica de bajo grado, pero la relación entre biomarcadores de inflamación crónica de bajo grado, pero la relación entre biomarcadores de inflamación y los componentes del síndrome metabólico en adolescentes son escasos. Objetivo: Investigar la asociación entre las concentraciones séricas de proteína C reactiva (CRP) y los componentes del síndrome metabólico en adolescentes. Metodología: Hemos realizado una población basada en estudio de corte transversal. Los datos antropométricos, bioquímicos y clínicos se obtuvieron de 524 adolescentes (11-15 años de edad) seleccionados al azar de la población escolar de la ciudad Alegre, Espírito Santo, Brasil. Los datos fueron analizados por STATA versión 9.0. Resultados: Los adolescentes, con valores más altos de IMC (p = 0,001) y mayor porcentaje de grasa corporal (p = 0,003) tuvieron mayores concentraciones de PCR que aquellos con menor IMC y porcentaje de grasa corporal. Las concentraciones de PCR se correlacionó directamente con el IMC (r = 0,17, p = 0,0001), la circunferencia de la cintura (r = 0,15, p = 0,0005), HDL-c (r = 0,13, p = 0,003), la insulina en ayunas (r = 0,12, p = 0,009) y la presión arterial sistólica (r = 0,11, p = a 0,01). En el análisis de regresión lineal múltiple IMC (r = 0,05, p = 0,002), la glucosa en ayunas (r = -0,01, p = 0,003) y HDL-c (r = 0,017, p < 0,001) se asociaron a las concentraciones de PCR después de ajustar por los otros componentes de SM. Conclusión: La asociación encontrada entre los componentes individuales de SM y las concentraciones de PCR sugiere que la inflamación podría ser un evento temprano en el desarrollo de trastornos metabólicos en los adolescentes.

Antioxidant vitamins and cytokines are altered in breast cancer.

A case-control study was conducted to assess the levels of α-tocopherol, retinol, and ß-carotene in different tissues and the genetic expression of inflammatory mediators in women with breast cancer. The study included 51 women divided into two groups: case (n = 25) and benign breast disease (n = 26). We evaluated the dietary intake of α-tocopherol, retinol, and ß-carotene and measured plasma and tissue concentrations of these compounds and the inflammatory mediators IL-8, IL-10, and IFNγ. The benign breast disease group showed greater ingestion of α-tocopherol (P = 0.04) and ß-carotene (P = 0.011). The concentration of tissue α-tocopherol was reduced in the case group (P = 0.005). The expression of IL-10, IL-8, and IFNγ increased by 231.0, 49.1, and 57.5%, respectively in the case group. The results show that antioxidant nutrients possibly exert biological effects in preventing breast cancer and the immune response is activated in the course of the disease, given the increased expression of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory compounds with the aid of food.