Comparative Analysis of the GH/IGF-1 Axis during the First Sixth Months in Children with Low Birth Weight.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relation between alterations in the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis during the first 6 months of life and weight in children born in the lower-middle São Francisco region. METHODS: This is an analytical cohort and exploratory. Thirty children, were formed two groups, one of low birth weight children (LBW, n = 15) and another of normal weight (NBW = 15) were initially identified in a hospital and reapproached at 3 and 6 months of age. Birth weight and alterations in GH/IGF-1 curves were measured at birth and the third and sixth months of life. RESULTS: Weight gain during the 6 months of follow-up in newborns with a low birth weight was greater compared to newborns with a normal birth weight. All children who were born with a low birth weight had an altered GH/IGF-1 curve at birth (p = 0.002). Most newborns with a low birth weight maintained the alteration in the GH/IGF-1 curve at the third month of life (p = 0.027). Regarding the GH/IGF-1 curve at the sixth month, alteration persisted in greater proportion among children with a low birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in insulin resistance markers, demonstrated by increased GH without a proportional increase in IGF-1, were observed to be significant in children with a low birth weight with greater adiposity in this group which may increase the risk of metabolic diseases in later life.

Secondary Hyperparathyroidism, Bone Density, and Bone Turnover After Bariatric Surgery: Differences Between Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery may lead to metabolic bone disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we compared the prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), impact on bone mass and turnover markers, and serum leptin after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in 117 patients (91% female, 51% RYGB, age 41.8 ± 6.7 years, time of surgery 4.3 ± 3.4 years) at different times (1-2 years, > 2 and < 5 years and ≥ 5 years). Body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and bone parameters (PTH, serum calcium, 25OHD, alkaline phosphatase (AP), C-telopeptide (CTX)) were analyzed. RESULTS: Prevalence of SHPT (PTH ≥ 65 pg/ml) was 26%, RYGB > SG (18.4% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.039), despite similar 25OHD and calcium levels. Mean PTH, CTX, and AP were higher in RYGB vs. SG (61.3 ± 29.5 vs 49.5 ± 32.3 pg/ml, p = 0.001; 0.596 ± 0.24 vs. 0.463 ± 0.23 ng/ml; 123.9 ± 60.8 vs. 100.7 ± 62.0 U/l). There were 13.5% decreases in femoral neck BMD in all patients, over the study period. In the last group, the RYGB group showed greater bone loss in total body BMD (1.016 vs. 1.151 g/cm2, - 8.1%, p = 0.003) and total femur BMD (1.164 vs. 1.267 g/cm2, - 11.7%, p = 0.007). Mean leptin was lower in the RYGB vs. SG group, with no correlation with BMD in any site. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a more deleterious role of RYGB on bone remodeling up to 5 years postoperatively in comparison with SG.

Blockade of Opiodergic System During Early Weaning Reverts Feeding Behavior Altered Patterns.

Adverse experiences that occur during the early stages of life can have permanent repercussions in adulthood. Among these experiences, early weaning is one that can alter the molecular, cellular, and behavior patterns in later life. Centered on this fact, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of early weaning at 15 days of life of Wistar rats on their feeding behavior and if the opioidergic system blockade would cause a reversal of these outcomes. Experimental groups were formed based on the weaning period of each litter. On postnatal day 15, the group D15 was weaned and, on postnatal day 30 (natural weaning), the group D30 was weaned. The rats weaned on postnatal day 15, and administered subcutaneous Naltrexone (3 mg/kg) were from group D15 + NTX. Those weaned at 15 days of age exhibited higher depressive-like behavior, lesser reactivity time to sucrose, and higher intake of palatable food than the control group. The Naltrexone administration was observed to reverse some outcomes, such as increasing the reactivity time to sucrose and decreasing the quantity of palatable food consumed, to levels similar to those of the control group. Together, the findings of the present study are indicative of the vital role played by the opioidergic system in inducing the changes noted in the eating behavior patterns during adulthood, post early weaning.

Early life stress induced by maternal separation during lactation alters the eating behavior and serotonin system in middle-aged rat female offspring.

Stressful events occurring during early life have been related to behavioral and neurochemical disturbances. Maternal separation during the first two weeks of life is a traumatic event that strongly affects the feeding behavior and serotonergic system of the progeny in adulthood. As this system modulates the feeding behavior, the present study aimed at investigating the effects of maternal separation-induced stress on both the feeding behavior and serotonergic system of the middle-aged female rats by manipulating this system using fluoxetine, a selective serotonin transporter inhibitor. Lactating Wistar rats were separated from their litters from postnatal day 2 (PND 2) to PND 14 for 3 h in the dark phase of the circadian cycle. The maternally separated (MS) and control (C) groups were distinguished from each other based on the incidence or absence of maternal separation (early life stress). All the analyses were done on the female offspring from one-year of age. Maternal separation anticipated the satiety point in these females. This anticipation was linked to lower food intake, meal duration and meal size. These results mirrored the effects of fluoxetine in the control animals. Furthermore, maternal separation was associated with 5ht1b serotonin receptor hyperexpression in the hypothalamus. These findings demonstrate that maternal separation has long-lasting effects on the eating behavior and serotonergic system and that this system could be responsible for mediating these behavioral outcomes.

Is Caffeine Recommended Before Exercise? A Systematic Review To Investigate Its Impact On Cardiac Autonomic Control Via Heart Rate And Its Variability.

Evaluating different doses of caffeine (CAF) on heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) during and following exercise in order to assess its impact on autonomic control. We intended to evaluate the influence of CAF as a supplement before exercise on HRV through a systematic review. Manuscripts were selected based on electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases from 2010 to 2019 and followed the protocol Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA). Blind randomized designs and controlled trials that reported the influence of CAF on HRV during exercise and during recovery from exercise, with strength of evidence assessed using the GRADE system; the search for the studies was organized using the PICOS strategy. A total of 1797 articles were recognized, following the screening and eligibility stages, 9 studies continued to the final sample. Six studies reported that the combination of CAF supplementation with physical exercise exhibited higher HR when compared to the placebo group during post-exercise recovery; additionally, prolonged activation of sympathetic cardiac control and delayed parasympathetic reactivation following exercise was observed. However, three studies demonstrated no CAF influence when using similar doses. This review observed equivocal results in HR and HRV recovery following exercise with the presence of CAF consumption. These findings cannot confirm the cardiac autonomic changes observed where entirely due to the influence of CAF, and further studies should be performed to better understand this relationship.KEY TEACHING POINTSCAF increased HR during exercise and throughout the recovery period.CAF prolonged post exercise sympathetic activity.CAF delayed vagal reactivation.Deviations in HRV and HR are dependent on the combination of three main factors: CAF dosage, type of exercise, and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Flavonoids as Therapeutic Agents in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Evidences.

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are considered the most common neurodegenerative disorders, representing a major focus of neuroscience research to understanding the cellular alterations and pathophysiological mechanisms involved. Several natural products, including flavonoids, are considered able to cross the blood-brain barrier and are known for their central nervous system-related activity. Therefore, studies are being conducted with these chemical constituents to analyze their activities in slowing down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. The present systematic review summarizes the pharmacological effects of flavonoids in animal models for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. A PRISMA model for systematic review was utilized for this search. The research was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, BIREME, and Science Direct. Based on the inclusion criteria, 31 articles were selected and discussed in this review. The studies listed revealed that the main targets of action for Alzheimer's disease therapy were reduction of reactive oxygen species and amyloid beta-protein production, while for Parkinson's disease reduction of the cellular oxidative potential and the activation of mechanisms of neuronal death. Results showed that a variety of flavonoids is being studied and can be promising for the development of new drugs to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, it was possible to verify that there is a lack of translational research and clinical evidence of these promising compounds.

Undernutrition during pregnancy and lactation increases the number of fos-cells in the reward system in response to a 5-HT6 receptor agonist in male adolescent rats.

Undernutrition promotes morphofunctional adaptations in neuroanatomical circuits, leading to behavioural changes. Adolescence is a period of vulnerability for these adaptations, such as the control of food intake and the serotonergic system. The serotonergic system is capable of promoting satiety. However, its role in hedonic control has not been fully elucidated. The involvement of the 5-HT6 receptor in motivational feeding behaviours was recently observed. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of a 5-HT6 receptor agonist on food intake and neuronal activation in areas of the reward system in adolescent rats subjected to perinatal protein undernutrition. Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to nutritional manipulation during gestation and lactation. It has been observed that undernourished animals present greater neuronal activation in response to the 5HT-6 receptor agonist in areas of the food reward system.

Low protein diet during gestation and lactation increases food reward seeking but does not modify sucrose taste reactivity in adult female rats.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional deficiencies during neural development may lead to irreversible changes, even after nutritional rehabilitation, promoting morphological and functional adaptations of structures involved with various behaviours including feeding behaviour. However, the ability of the exposure low protein diet during gestation and lactation to affect the hedonic component of food intake is still poorly understood, especially in females. METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to the diet offered to the dams during pregnancy and lactation: control female (CF; diet with 17% protein, n=7) and low protein female (LPF; diet with 8% protein, n=7). The following parameters were evaluated: (a) body weight during weaning, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 days of life; (b) standard diet intake from 110 to 132 days of life; (c) fat diet and consumption of simple carbohydrates (HFHS) for 1h at 145 days of life; (d) incentive runway task 60 days after 82 days of life; (e) taste reactivity at 90 days of life; and (f) neuronal activation in the caudate putamen, amygdala, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus under stimulus HFHS at 145 days of life. RESULTS: The exposure, a low protein diet during gestation and lactation, decreased the body weight throughout the study period from weaning to 90 days of life. However, there was no significant change in the body weight of low protein females from 110 to 132 days of life compared with the control females. There was an increase in the rate of the search for reward and reduced the latency of the perception of bitter taste. The exposure, a low protein diet during gestation and lactation, also promoted hypophagy in adult females compared with control animals. The low protein female had increased HFHS diet consumption compared with the control. Undernutrition increased neuronal activation in response to HFHS diet consumption compared with female controls in the amygdala and in the caudate putamen. CONCLUSION: Females subjected to the exposure, a low protein diet during gestation and lactation, exhibit hypophagy on a standard diet but a higher consumption of a diet rich in lipids and simple carbohydrates. And also were more motivated by the pursuit of reward and reduced latency of the bitter taste reactivity, and increased the number of immunoreactive cells c-fos protein activated in the caudate putamen, amygdala and paraventricular nucleus.

Short- and long-term effects of a maternal low-energy diet ad libitum during gestation and/or lactation on physiological parameters of mothers and male offspring.

PURPOSE: To investigate the short- and long-term effects of a maternal low-energy diet ad libitum during gestation and/or lactation on mothers and their offspring. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups according to their mother's diet: control [C (19.0% protein, 63.0% carbohydrates and 18.0% lipids, total energetic value (TEV) = 3.5 kcal/g) during gestation and lactation], low-energy diet (18% protein, 64% carbohydrates and 18% lipids, TEV = 2.3 kcal/g) during gestation (LE-G), low-energy diet during lactation (LE-L) and low-energy diet during gestation and lactation (LE-GL). Additional crude fibers (10% more purified cellulose and soluble fiber) and water (approximately 30% greater moisture) were added to the LE diet to decrease TEV. Mother's body weight, food intake and energy intake were recorded daily. Birth weight, growth rate, ontogeny of reflexes, physical features and biochemical parameters at 150 days old were evaluated in male offspring. RESULTS: Maternal low-energy diet during gestation did not affect maternal body weight and food intake. Physical features did not change but reflex ontogeny was delayed in pups from LE dams. LE-G offspring recovered body size (weight and length) while animals LE-L and LE-GL recovered their body length but remained lighter until adult life even with no change of food intake. LE-G and LE-GL showed lower plasma triglycerides and very-low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL). LE-L offspring showed hypertriglyceridemia, high VLDL-c and reduced glycaemia. CONCLUSION: Maternal low-energy diet shows discernible short- and long-term effects on offspring, and this is dependent on the time of perinatal period.

Perinatal undernutrition stimulates seeking food reward.

Experiments in animals have revealed that perinatal nutritional restriction, which manifests in adulthood, increases food intake and preference for palatable foods. Considering this, we aimed to evaluate the effects of perinatal malnutrition on hedonic control of feeding behavior. In this study, we divided Wistar rats into two groups according to the diet provided to their mothers during pregnancy and lactation: the control group (diet with 17% casein) and low-protein group (diet with 8% casein). We assessed the animals' motivational behavior in adulthood by giving them a stimulus of food reward. We also assessed their neuronal activation triggered by the stimulus of palatable food using FOS protein labeling of neurons activated in the caudate putamen, paraventricular, dorsomedial, ventromedial, and lateral hypothalamic nuclei and amygdala. Evaluation of body weight in malnourished animals showed reduction from the 6th day of life until adulthood. Analysis of feeding behavior revealed that these animals were more motivated by food reward, but they had delays during learning of the task. This finding correlated with the number of c-FOS-immunoreactive neurons, which indicated that malnourished animals had an increase in the number of neurons activated in response to the palatable diet, especially in the amygdala and caudate putamen. The study therefore confirmed our hypothesis that early nutritional insults promote changes in encephalic control mechanisms, especially those related to food intake and search for reward.

Early physical activity minimizes the adverse effects of a low-energy diet on growth and development parameters.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a low-energy diet on rat dams and physical activity in water during the perinatal period on body weight, somatic growth, and neuromotor development. METHODS: Rat dams were fed with control or low-energy diets from the third gestational week. At 8 days old the littermates were either involved or not in aquatic physical activity. The groups were initially divided into normocaloric (C) or low-energy (LE) diets. The study included 52 male pups from primiparous Wistar rats. Exercise in water was carried out with the pups from the age of 8 to 52 days. Four experimental groups were formed: inactive control (IC), active control (AC), inactive low-energy (ILE), and active low-energy (ALE). Somatic growth (tail length (TL), lateral-lateral axis of the skull (LLAS), anterior-posterior axis of the skull (APAS), and longitudinal axis (LA)), maturation of reflexes and neuromotor development of pup locomotion were analyzed along with a biochemical profile. RESULTS: During lactation the body weight range (%) was lower for ILE compared with IC (38%, P < 0.05), as ALE body weight gain was lower (29%, P < 0.05) compared with AC and bigger (17%, P < 0.05) compared with ILE. At 21st day reduced body weight was observed in LE diet groups (IC = 48.62 ± 1.36 g; AC = 48.30 ± 1.03 g; ILE = 30.49 ± 1.60 g; ALE = 39.38 ± 1.06 g, P < 0.05). Compared with control diet, the LE diet delayed somatic growth of pups from 2nd week to end lactation, but the early physical activity in LE group improved some parameters of somatic growth (TL: IC = 68.87 ± 1.00 mm, AC = 68.80 ± 1.10 mm, ILE = 60.21 ± 1.14 mm, ALE = 64.61 ± 0.55 mm; LA: IC = 113.21 ± 1.73 mm, AC = 113.33 ± 1.37 mm, ILE = 99.40 ± 1.67 mm, ALE = 106.76 ± 0.79 mm; APAS: IC = 37.10 ± 0.32 mm, AC: 37.18 ± 0.23 mm, ILE = 34.11 ± 0.33 mm, ALE = 35.84 ± 0.30 mm; LLAS: IC = 18.71 ± 0.24 mm, AC = 19.00 ± 0.16 mm, ILE = 17.10 ± 0.19 mm, ALE = 17.87 ± 0.11 mm, P < 0.05) and reflex ontogeny. Nevertheless, fewer changes were observed in locomotor activity (P > 0.05). At 60 days old, the food intake and measures of murinometrics did not differ among groups, but they had lower glucose levels ILE (IC = 4.14 ± 0.23 mmol/l, AC = 3.70 ± 0.22 mmol/l, ILE = 3.38 ± 0.20 mmol/l, ALE = 4.17 ± 0.09 mmol/l, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Taken together, we suggest that physical activity in water acts as a beneficial factor in LE diets of dams during the perinatal period. Further study is necessary to investigate the role of physical activity for adaptation against adverse nutritional stimuli.