Quantification of Metal(loid)s in Lubricating Eye Drops Used in the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of metal(loid)s in lubricating eye drops used in the treatment of dry eye disease. The concentrations of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Pb, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, V, and Zn were determined in 19 eye drop samples using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values for the quantified elements ranged from 0.0002-0.0363 (mg/L) and 0.0007-0.1211 (mg/L), respectively. High values of concentrations of Al (2.382 µg/g), As (0.204 µg/g), Ba (0.056 µg/g), Cd (0.051 µg/g), Co (1.085 µg/g), Cr (0.020 µg/g), Cu (0.023 µg/g), Fe (0.453 µg/g), Mg (24.284 µg/g), Mn (0.014 µg/g), Mo (0.046 µg/g), Ni (0.071 µg/g), Pb (0.049 µg/g), Se (0.365 µg/g), V (0.083 µg/g), and Zn (0.552 µg/g) were quantified in samples of eye drops with and without preservatives. The concentrations of As (5 samples) and Cd (3 samples) were higher than those allowed by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia for impurities (parenteral use). The value of Co content (µg/g) in a sample was higher than the value established by the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH Q3D (R2)) in the parenteral route. The daily eye drop instillation exposure (µg/day) was below the values from the parenteral-permitted daily exposure (PDE) set by the ICH Q3D guideline (R2). The presence of heavy metals in eye drops is an alert to regulatory agencies in several countries so that control and inspections can be carried out.

Data on fatty acid profile, optical properties and oxidative stability of sunflower oils used in the treatment of skin wounds.

This dataset describes the analysis of aflatoxins, macroelement and microelement concentration, oxidative stability and fatty acid profile of infant formula milk powder. Gas chromatography (CG) was used to identity 14 fatty acid methyl esters in in five samples of oils. The Racimat 893 method (induction times), Thermogravimetry (TG), Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were used to estimate the oxidative stability of oils. In addition, UV-VIS spectroscopic techniques were employed to obtain graphs of the absorption of each oil. The data presented can be useful in identifying compounds available in oils used to promote wound healing and understand the degradation mechanism.

Exposure to Toxic Metals and Health Risk Assessment through Ingestion of Canned Sardines Sold in Brazil.

The presence of heavy metals in the environment is increasing, which can be a danger to public health. Fish exposed to contaminated environments tend to have higher concentrations of some metals in their tissues. Monitoring these elements remains urgent as it is a matter of global concern. Canned sardines from the Brazilian market were analyzed for elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) of metals and metalloids, including some toxic, using inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry (ICP OES) in two types of sardines (preserved in oil and tomato sauce) from five different brands. The results were compared to limit levels for consumption set by FAO/WHO. Moreover, we assessed the associated risk regarding the elemental intake of these elements through the samples, using the hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR). All samples had unfavorable HQ and HI, primarily due to arsenic content. In the same manner, CR for arsenic was above the proposed limit of 10-4, and cadmium and chromium, which were within the acceptable limit (10-6 to 10-4), require attention. These results show that chronic consumption of canned sardines sold in Brazil is unsafe, and quality surveillance is needed to ensure there is no risk to the population that ingests these products.

Effect of Supplementation with Hydroethanolic Extract of Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Berg.) Leaves and Two Isolated Substances from the Extract on Metabolic Parameters of Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

There are still controversies regarding the correlation between the beneficial effects for health and the administration of isolated compounds or crude extracts in therapeutic applications. Campomanesia xanthocarpa, found in the Brazilian Cerrado, demonstrated beneficial effects in metabolic disorders associated with obesity. We investigated the effects of Campomanesia xanthocarpa hydroethanolic extract and two isolated substances from the extract (S1 and S2) in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) model. Male Swiss mice were divided into five groups: (1) American Institute of Nutrition (AIN-93M) diet, (2) high-fat diet (HF), (3) HF supplemented with C. xanthocarpa hydroethanolic leaf extract at 100 mg/kg (HFE), (4) HF supplemented with S1 at 1 mg/kg (HFS1) and (5) HF supplemented with S2 at 1 mg/kg (HFS2). The HFS1, HFS2 and HFE groups did not present decreasing body weight or visceral adiposity gain. No differences in glycemic and lipid parameters, or in the expression of protein content in two cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10), were observed. Only the HFS1 group displayed decreased food intake. Even though substantial effects such as an improvement in obesity features or the metabolic and histological parameters promoted by S1, S2 and the extract were not observed, further investigations are necessary to evaluate the principal genes and protein expressions involved in regulating food behavior promoted by S1.

Classificação de alimentos NOVA: comparação do conhecimento de estudantes ingressantes e concluintes de um curso de Nutrição / NOVA food classification: comparison of the knowledge among incoming and outgoing Nutrition students

Introdução: A segunda edição do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira utiliza a classificação NOVA de alimentos nas recomendações para uma alimentação saudável. Essa classificação, portanto, desempenha importante papel na formação de nutricionistas. Objetivo: Comparar o conhecimento da classificação NOVA de alimentos entre estudantes ingressantes e concluintes de Nutrição. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado em 2016 com estudantes ingressantes e concluintes de um curso de Nutrição do Mato Grosso do Sul. Questionário contendo 30 alimentos foi aplicado com estudantes que os classificaram em: in natura ou minimamente processado, ingrediente culinário processado, processado ou ultraprocessado. O conhecimento foi avaliado por meio de escore de classificações corretas, global e por grupo alimentar. Para análise comparativa, foi utilizado teste U de Mann-Whitney (significância p≤0,05). Resultados: Participaram 69 estudantes (64% ingressantes). O escore global de classificações corretas foi significativamente maior (p=0,000) nos concluintes (mediana=17) comparado aos ingressantes (mediana=14). O escore de classificações corretas entre ingressantes e concluintes apresentou diferenças significativas para todos os grupos alimentares, excetuando ingredientes culinários (p=0,117). Entre todos estudantes, o grupo ingrediente culinário obteve o menor percentual de acertos (24,1%), e ultraprocessado, obteve o maior percentual (77,8%). Conclusão: Apesar do maior conhecimento dos concluintes em relação aos ingressantes, identificou-se um conhecimento insatisfatório sobre a classificação NOVA em ambos. É importante garantir o aprendizado de estudantes de Nutrição quanto à NOVA, uma vez que esta classificação é central na orientação nutricional da população brasileira e, portanto, passa a ser ferramenta fundamental na atuação do profissional nutricionista. (AU)

Introduction: The second edition of the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian population uses the NOVA food classification for healthy diet recommendations. Therefore, this classification plays an important role in the training of nutritionists. Objective: To compare the knowledge of the NOVA food classification among incoming and outgoing Nutrition students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 involving the incoming and outgoing students of an undergraduate Nutrition course in Mato Grosso do Sul. A questionnaire containing 30 food items was administered to the students, who classified them into: unprocessed or minimally processed, processed culinary ingredients, processed, and ultra-processed food. The students' knowledge was then evaluated using a score of correct classifications, overall and by food group. The Mann­Whitney U test was used for comparative analysis (significant when p≤0,05). Results: A total of 69 students participated (64% were incoming). The overall score of correct classifications was significantly higher (p=0.000) in outgoing students (median=17) than in incoming students (median=14). The score difference of correct classifications between the incoming and outgoing student groups showed significant differences for all food groups, except culinary ingredients (p=0.117). The culinary ingredient group obtained the lowest percentage of correct answers (24.1%), and the ultra-processed food group obtained the highest percentage (77.8%) among all students. Conclusion: Although outgoing students had greater knowledge than incoming students, unsatisfactory knowledge was identified on the NOVA classification in both groups. It is important to assure that the Nutrition students learn about the NOVA classification, since this classification is central to the nutritional guidance of the Brazilian population and, therefore, becomes a fundamental tool in the work of the professional nutritionist. (AU)

Therapeutic Potential of Brazilian Cerrado Campomanesia Species on Metabolic Dysfunctions.

Obesity, in conjunction with other metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, is a feature of metabolic syndrome which is characterized by a pro-inflammatory state and increased oxidative stress. Therefore, antioxidant foods are proposed to prevent and treat these disorders. Medicinal plants are one of the main strategies in this regard. Guavira, a Brazilian Cerrado plant, contains different bioactive compounds with a high antioxidant capacity and without clinical or reproductive toxicity effects. Though there are different varieties of guavira, the principal Brazilian Cerrado guaviras demonstrated hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and hypocholesterolemic actions. There is also a potential antiplatelet agent in C. xanthocarpa, while C. adamantium displayed hypocholesterolemic actions in animal models and human clinical trials. On the other hand, even with a lack of studies related to C. pubescens, it demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and an antioxidant capacity in in vitro studies. Despite the fact that most of the studies were not performed to evaluate pathological conditions specific to obese animal models or obese subjects, guavira demonstrated effects in metabolic disorders that are commonly related to the obesity context, such as cardiovascular disturbances and hyperglycemia status. This suggests that guavira is a potential therapeutic approach to obesity-induced metabolic syndrome.