Association between visceral/subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio and plasma inflammatory markers and score for cardiovascular risk prediction in a Brazilian cohort: Pró-Saúde Study.

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with various metabolic disorders, and adipokines, secreted by adipose tissue, are involved in their pathogenesis. This study investigated associations between VAT/subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) ratio, inflammatory markers, and cardiovascular (CV) risk-score in adults. Plasma levels of adipokines, plasma lipid profile, blood pressure, and body composition (using dual-emission x-ray absorptiometry) were determined. CV risk-score based on the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) score was calculated in a sample of 309 Brazilian civil servants aged <60 years. Participants' VAT/SAT ratio were categorized into quartiles. Among males, plasma leptin (2.8 ng/mL) and C reactive protein (CRP) (0.2 mg/dL) (P<0.05) levels were higher at P75 and P50 than P5, and the highest calculated CV risk-score was observed at P75 (7.1%). Among females, higher plasma adiponectin levels were observed at P25 (54.3 ng/mL) compared with P75 (36 ng/mL) (P<0.05). Higher plasma CRP levels were observed at P75 (0.4 mg/dL) compared with P5 (0.1 mg/dL) (P<0.05). Higher CV risk-score was observed at P75 (2.0%) compared with P5 (0.7%). In both sexes, VAT and VAT/SAT ratio were directly associated with plasma leptin, CRP, and CV risk-score, and inversely associated with adiponectin; SAT was directly associated with plasma leptin and CRP (P<0.01); interleukin (IL)-10 and CRP were directly associated with adiponectin and leptin, respectively (P<0.05). Among men only, IL-10 (inversely) and CRP (directly) were associated with CV risk-score (P=0.02). Our results strengthened the relevance of the VAT/SAT ratio in cardiovascular risk.

Association between visceral/subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio and plasma inflammatory markers and score for cardiovascular risk prediction in a Brazilian cohort: Pró-Saúde Study

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with various metabolic disorders, and adipokines, secreted by adipose tissue, are involved in their pathogenesis. This study investigated associations between VAT/subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) ratio, inflammatory markers, and cardiovascular (CV) risk-score in adults. Plasma levels of adipokines, plasma lipid profile, blood pressure, and body composition (using dual-emission x-ray absorptiometry) were determined. CV risk-score based on the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) score was calculated in a sample of 309 Brazilian civil servants aged <60 years. Participants' VAT/SAT ratio were categorized into quartiles. Among males, plasma leptin (2.8 ng/mL) and C reactive protein (CRP) (0.2 mg/dL) (P<0.05) levels were higher at P75 and P50 than P5, and the highest calculated CV risk-score was observed at P75 (7.1%). Among females, higher plasma adiponectin levels were observed at P25 (54.3 ng/mL) compared with P75 (36 ng/mL) (P<0.05). Higher plasma CRP levels were observed at P75 (0.4 mg/dL) compared with P5 (0.1 mg/dL) (P<0.05). Higher CV risk-score was observed at P75 (2.0%) compared with P5 (0.7%). In both sexes, VAT and VAT/SAT ratio were directly associated with plasma leptin, CRP, and CV risk-score, and inversely associated with adiponectin; SAT was directly associated with plasma leptin and CRP (P<0.01); interleukin (IL)-10 and CRP were directly associated with adiponectin and leptin, respectively (P<0.05). Among men only, IL-10 (inversely) and CRP (directly) were associated with CV risk-score (P=0.02). Our results strengthened the relevance of the VAT/SAT ratio in cardiovascular risk.

The impact of non-surgical periodontal treatment on serum levels of long chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids: a pilot randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our group recently found higher levels of serum long chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) in patients with chronic periodontitis compared to controls. However, the effect of periodontal treatment on LC-PUFA serum levels has not been investigated. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of periodontal treatment on LC-PUFA serum levels. A secondary aim was to assess the effect of dietary ω-3 supplementation on clinical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The test group was composed of 10 patients with generalized chronic periodontitis (mean age 44 ± 6.4 years) treated with scaling and root planing associated with 4 mo of ω-3 supplementation eicosapetaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 3 g/d. The placebo group was composed of 11 patients (47.9 ± 10.5 years) that received scaling and root planing plus placebo. The periodontal examination included probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing and visible plaque index. Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), EPA, DHA and arachidonic acid (AA) were detected using gas chromatograph. RESULTS: In the placebo group, all LC-PUFAs levels reduced significantly (DHA, DPA and AA, p = 0.004; EPA, p = 0.008). In the test group, only DPA and AA showed a significant reduction (p = 0.005). Moreover, a significant decrease in the ratios AA/EPA and AA/DHA (p = 0.005) was observed in the test group. CONCLUSION: Non-surgical periodontal treatment reduced significantly the serum levels of all analyzed LC-PUFAs except those presented in the supplementation. The ω-3 dietary supplementation had no effect on clinical outcome of treatment.

Time of physical exercise practice after injury in cervical spinal cord-injured men is related to the increase in insulin sensitivity.

OBJECTIVES: Physical exercise has an important role in reducing body fat, risk of chronic disease and systemic inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine serum leptin and insulin concentrations and their relationship to the time of physical exercise after injury in men with cervical spinal cord injury (c-SCI). METHODS: c-SCI subjects with lesion level in C5-C7 (n=25) were divided into two groups: physically active (PA, n=13; those who practiced physical exercise for at least 3 months, three times per week or more, for a total minimum of 150 min of physical activity per week) and non-physically active (N-PA, n=9). Body composition was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Blood samples were obtained 12 h after an overnight fast to measure insulin and leptin in serum, and glucose and C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma, by validated methods. RESULTS: Comparing the PA and N-PA group, the first presented lower: total body mass (-13%), body mass index (-16%), fat mass (kg -39%, FM% -30%), CRP (-23%), serum insulin (-61%), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA, -35%) and serum leptin (-62%; P<0.05). Both serum insulin (r=-0.561; P<0.05) and HOMA (r=-0.591; P<005) were inversely proportional to the time of practice of physical activity after injury. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that exercise was able to reduce fat mass and increase insulin sensitivity, decreasing plasma levels of risk factors in c-SCI subjects.

Maternal prolactin inhibition during lactation affects physical performance evaluated by acute exhaustive swimming exercise in adult rat offspring.

Maternal prolactin inhibition at the end of lactation programs for metabolic syndrome and hypothyroidism in adult offspring, which could negatively affect exercise performance. We evaluated the effects of maternal hypoprolactinemia in late lactation on physical performance in adult progeny. Lactating Wistar rats were treated with bromocriptine (BRO, 1 mg per day) or saline on days 19, 20, and 21 of lactation and offspring were followed until 180 days old. Physical performance was recorded in untrained rats at 90 and 180 days by an acute exhaustive swimming test (exercise group-Ex). At day 90, BRO offspring showed higher visceral fat mass, higher plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lower total antioxidant capacity, higher liver glycogen, lower glycemia, and normal insulinemia. Although thyroid hormones (TH) levels were unchanged, mitochondrial glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (mGPD) activity was lower in muscle and in brown adipose tissue (BAT). At this age, BRO-Ex offspring showed higher exercise capacity, lower blood lactate, higher serum T3, and higher muscle and BAT mGPD activities. At day 180, BRO offspring showed central obesity, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, and lower EDL (extensor digitorum longus) muscle glycogen with unaltered plasma oxidative stress markers. This group showed no alteration of exercise capacity or blood lactate. After exercise, EDL and liver glycogen were lower, while T3 levels, BAT and muscle mGPD activities were normalized. Liver glycogen seem to be related with higher exercise capacity in younger BRO offspring, while the loss of this temporary advantage maybe related to the hypothyroidism and insulin resistance developed with age.

Role of NF-kappaB in the rescue of multiple myeloma cells from glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis by bcl-2.

The molecular mechanisms by which multiple myeloma (MM) cells evade glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis have not been delineated. Using a human IgAkappa MM cell line (ARP-1), we found that dexamethasone (Dex)-induced apoptosis is associated with decreased NF-kappaB DNA binding and kappaB-dependent transcription. Both nuclear p50:p50 and p50:p65 NF-kappaB complexes are detected in ARP-1 cells by supershift electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Dex-mediated inhibition of NF-kappaB DNA binding precedes a notable increase in annexin V binding, thereby indicating that diminished NF-kappaB activity is an early event in Dex-induced apoptosis. Overexpression of bcl-2 in ARP-1 cells prevents Dex-mediated repression of NF-kappaB activity and apoptosis. Sustained NF-kappaB DNA binding is also observed in two previously characterized Dex-resistant MM cell lines (RPMI8226 and ARH-77) that express moderate levels of endogenous bcl-2 and IkappaBalpha proteins. In addition, enforced bcl-2 expression in ARP-1 cells did not prevent the augmentation of IkappaBalpha protein by Dex. We also noted a possible association between Dex-mediated downregulation of NF-kappaB in freshly obtained primary myeloma cells and the patients' responsiveness to glucocorticoid-based chemotherapy. Collectively, our data suggest that the protective effects of bcl-2 in MM cells act upstream in the NF-kappaB activation-signaling pathway and the potential use of NF-kappaB as a biomarker in progressive MM.

Estado Nutricional y composición de la leche materna en Hierro, Zinc, Folato y Vitamina B12 de madres de bajo nivel socioeconómico de Río de Janeiro / Nutritional status and iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B12 milk composition in mothers of low socioeconomic level in Río de Janeiro

El objetivo del estudio fue verificar si el uso durante el embarazo de suplemento de hierro, folato y vitamina B12 por mujeres brasileñas de bajo nivel socioeconómico es suficiente para lograr un estado nutricional satisfactorio en estos nutrientes durante la amamantación y una composición adecuada de la leche. Como complemento del estudio fue analizado el estado nutricional de las madres y la composición de la leche en relación al zinc. Considerando los valores promedio, el estado nutricional de las madres en relación a los nutrientes estudiados fue adecuado. Sin embargo algunas madres tuvieron índices menores que los normales para mujeres no embarazadas. Estos bajos índices especialmente 30 días después del parto, sugieren que estas madres presentan un estado nutricional inadecuado. La composición de la leche en relación a los nutrientes estudiados fue comparable a la de mujeres bien nutridas de países desarrollados. Las madres que recibieron suplemento de folato durante el embarazo tuvieron niveles más altos en el suero inmediatamente después del parto, que las que no recibieron suplemento. Sin embargo, la composición de la leche no fue afectada. Se concluye que el suplemento recibido fue insuficiente para cubrir las demandas de este período y mantener reservas adecuadas

Iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B12 nutritional status and milk composition of low-income Brazilian mothers.

The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status of low-income Brazilian mothers, who were supplemented with iron and vitamin B12 during pregnancy, in terms of iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B12, in different stages of lactation and to determine the influence of the maternal nutritional status on milk composition. The effect of folate supplementation during pregnancy on folate status of the nursing mothers and milk composition was investigated. The effect of partial weaning on maternal status and milk composition was also studied. In general, the nutritional status of iron, zinc, folate and vitamin B12 of the mothers appears adequate. However, some of the mothers had indices of status lower than normal limits for non-pregnant women. These values, particularly after 30 d post-partum, indicate that these mothers might be at nutritional risk and that the nutrient supplementation received during pregnancy was insufficient to meet demands. There was an increase with the stage of lactation for haematocrit, serum vitamin B12, serum zinc, serum albumin, milk folate and saturation of its binding protein, but there was a decrease for milk protein, total and whey-bound iron and zinc, and lactoferrin. Mothers who took folate supplements during pregnancy had higher serum folate levels immediately after birth than those not taking the supplements but no differences were found at later stages of lactation. Milk composition was not affected. Partial weaning did not affect the maternal nutritional status or the milk composition except for iron which was higher in milk from mothers who were partially breastfeeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Concentration and distribution pattern of selected micronutrients in preterm and term milk from urban Brazilian mothers during early lactation.

The purpose of this study was to assess the concentration and binding pattern of zinc, iron, folate and vitamin B12 in milk of Brazilian women of low socioeconomic status giving birth at term or preterm, during early lactation. Protein, fat, total solids and ash concentrations were also determined. Protein and zinc concentrations decreased significantly as lactation proceeded whereas milk fat and folate increased with the lactation period. Total solids, ash, iron and vitamin B12 remained unchanged. Zinc was present mainly in the whey fraction while less than half of the total iron was present in this fraction, with no significant change due to stage of lactation. Unsaturated folate and vitamin B12 binding capacities and percentage of saturation of the folate binding protein increased with the stage of lactation. The vitamin B12 binding protein was highly unsaturated in all samples. There was no significant difference between term and preterm samples in the parameters investigated. Correlation analysis between milk components indicated significant relationships between total solids and fat, total zinc and whey zinc, folate and total folate binding capacity, unsaturated and total folate binding capacity, and unsaturated and total B12 binding capacity. In general, the nutrient concentrations found in this study are in good agreement with published data on milk composition of women from developed countries, with the possible exceptions of folate, which was lower, and iron, which was higher. The correlation of folate concentration with its binding protein found in this work supports the hypothesis of a regulatory role for folate levels in milk exerted by the folate binding protein in the mammary gland.