Effects of a moderate iron overload and its interaction with yacon flour, and/or phytate, in the diet on liver antioxidant enzymes and hepatocyte apoptosis in rats.

The effect of moderate Fe overload in the diet and its interaction with phytate, and/or yacon flour (YF), recognized as an inhibitor, and facilitator, of Fe absorption, respectively, was evaluated in healthy rats. For this purpose the following parameters were analyzed: (1) apparent iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) absorption; (2) blood Fe; (3) blood lipids (cholesterol, tryacylglicerol); (4) blood AST and ALT; (5) liver histology (histopathology, hemosiderin depots, apoptosis index; (6) liver fatty acid incorporation; (7) liver antioxidant enzyme activity. Moderate Fe overload may cause change in some liver markers (hemosiderin depots, apoptosis index and GPx) and blood lipids (total cholesterol and VLDL) and the interaction with yacon flour, and phytate, in the Fe overloaded diets may exert a protective effect on these alterations.

Dietary iron overload: short- and long-term effects on cecal morphometry in growing rats.

In animal models, Fe overload is associated with organ oxidative stress and tissue injury. In this context, luminal Fe may affect the mucosal barrier and function or generate a pathological milieu in the intestine that triggers epithelial cell stress. Here, we hypothesized that increased liver Fe levels resulting from dietary Fe overload may be associated with architectural changes in the cecal mucosa. Weanling male Wistar rats (n=7-10/group) were fed diets (modified from AIN-93G) containing adequate or supplemental Fe (approximately 10 times the recommended levels) for 4 and 12 wk. At euthanasia, the blood Hb was determined, and Fe analyses were performed in stool and liver samples using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Cecal tissue was collected for histological and morphometric analysis. No significant differences were observed in the blood Hb or Hb Fe pool between groups in either period. Iron overload led to a higher fecal Fe excretion, whereas the liver Fe was increased only after 12 wk when compared with controls. After 4 wk, the consumption of Fe-overloaded diets resulted in changes in the mucosal architecture of the cecum, which were intensified after 12 wk. At this time, these changes were significantly correlated with the hepatic Fe content. These findings suggest that changes in the cecal mucosa may have occurred as a result of oxidative stress caused by excessive amounts of Fe in the intestinal lumen. The consequences of these effects on the intestinal absorption and its implications for liver Fe homeostasis should be considered in future studies.

Biodisponibilidade de minerais em ratos alimentados com frutanos do tipo inulina / Mineral bioavailability in rats fed inulin-type fructans

Neste estudo foi avaliado o efeito de frutanos do tipo inulina (FTI) na biodisponibilidade de minerais em ratos, com particular enfoque para o Ca e o Fe. Foram realizados dois ensaios: no primeiro utilizou-se um modelo fatorial 2×2×2, com dois níveis de Fe (0 e 35 mg/kg), Ca (0 e 5 g/kg) e FTI (0 e 100 g/kg) nas rações; no segundo, utilizou-se um modelo de repleção de Hb em ratos anêmicos. As fontes de FTI foram a Raftilose P95 (ensaios 1 e 2), fonte purificada, e a farinha de yacón (FY; ensaio 2); os sais de Fe utilizados foram o Fe4(P2O7)3 (ensaios 1 e 2) e o FeSO4 microencapsulado com alginato (ensaio 2). No primeiro ensaio foram avaliados parâmetros bioquímicos de Fe, concentração de minerais nos ossos, fígado e baço, e parâmetros de resistência e histomorfometria óssea. Após 33 d, não foram observados efeitos na retenção óssea de Ca, porém observou-se maior volume trabecular ósseo e parâmetros histomorfométricos de formação óssea nos animais deficientes em Fe alimentados com os FTI. No segundo ensaio foram determinados parâmetros hematológicos, de biodisponibilidade de Fe, e parâmetros intestinais (balanço mineral; pH, ácidos graxos de cadeia curta e espécies de Fe no conteúdo intestinal). A FY recuperou os animais da deficiência de Fe mais rapidamente do que a Raftilose. Esse efeito ocorreu em função de alterações intestinais provocadas pelo aumento da fermentação desses carboidratos, que afetou a solubilidade do Fe da dieta. Concluiu-se que os FTI aumentaram a biodisponibilidade de minerais, possivelmente por influência da concentração do mineral e pelas interações entre os minerais presentes na ração, pelo tempo de ensaio, pela matriz alimentar, e pelo modelo experimental utilizado.

This study evaluated the effect of inulin-type fructans (ITF) on mineral bioavailability in rats, focusing mainly on Ca and Fe. Two experiments were carried out: the first one considered a 2×2×2 factorial model using two levels of Fe (0 and 35 mg/kg), Ca (0 and 5 g/kg) and ITF (0 and 100 g/kg) in the diets; the second experiment considered a Hb repletion model in anemic rats. Raftilose P95 (experiments 1 and 2; purified source) and yacon flour (YF; experiment 2) were used as ITF sources; the Fe salts used were Fe4(P2O7)3 (experiments 1 and 2) and microencapsulated FeSO4 with alginate (experiment 2). In the first experiment, Fe biochemical parameters, mineral concentration in the bones, liver and spleen, bone strength and histomorphometrical parameters were evaluated. After 33 d, no effects on bone retention were observed, but a larger bone volume and larger bone-formation parameters were observed on Fe-deficient animals fed with ITF. In the second experiment, hematological, Fe bioavailability and intestinal parameters (mineral balance, pH, short-chain fatty acids and Fe species in the intestinal content) were determined. Fe-deficient animals fed with YF recovered more rapidly than those fed with Raftilose. This effect took place as a function of intestinal alterations caused by the increased fermentation of these carbohydrates, which affected dietary Fe solubility. It can be concluded that ITF increased the bioavailability of minerals, possibly due to the influence of mineral concentration and interactions between minerals in the diet, experiment duration, food matrix and experimental model used.

Prebióticos y su efecto en la biod sponibilidad del calcio / Prebiotics and their effect on calcium bioavailability

En la búsqueda de medidas de prevención de enfermedades crónicas no trasmisibles, se piensa en los prebióticos como una forma efectiva, saludable y relativamente barata para la optimización de la absorción de Ca. El aumento de la expectativa de vida de la población y el incremento de enfermedades como la osteoporosis traen graves consecuencias a la salud del individuo, acarreando importantes desembolsos económicos. En esta revisión se condensa el conocimiento presente sobre el efecto fisiológico del consumo de carbohidratos prebióticos y su posible interferencia en la biodisponibilidad del Ca, como también las posibilidades de su empleo en estrategias para combatir las deficiencias del mineral. Se elaboró una recopilación de los estudios originales realizados con mayor impacto en el tema, dando preferencia a los publicados en los últimos 6 años. Utilizamos las bases de datos PubMed, Lilacs e SciELO, usando las palabras claves calcio, prebióticos e probióticos.

The increased life expectancy and prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases have serious health and economic consequences on the population. Among the useful tools for preventing osteoporosis, prebiotics are thought to be an effective, healthy and relatively cheap way of optimizing calcium absorption. The objective of this review was to summarize the present knowledge on the physiological effects of prebiotic carbohydrate consumption and its possible interference with calcium bioavailability. The possibility of using prebiotics to fight calcium deficiency was also assessed. The keywords calcium, prebiotics and probiotics were used to search the PubMed, Lilacs and SciELO databases for the most significant original studies on the subject published in the last 6 years.

Hemoglobin regeneration efficiency in anemic rats: effects on bone mineral composition and biomechanical properties.

This study reports the effects of dietary iron (Fe) deficiency and recovery on bone mineral composition and strength in anemic rats submitted to a hemoglobin (Hb) repletion assay. Weanling male Wistar rats were fed a low-Fe diet (12 mg/kg) for 15 days followed by 2 weeks of Fe repletion with diets providing 35 mg Fe/kg as either ferrous sulfate (n = 8) or ferric pyrophosphate (FP; n = 12). At final day of each period (depletion and repletion), Fe-adequate animals were also euthanized. Iron status (blood Hb, Hb Fe pool, Hb regeneration efficiency), tibia mineral concentrations (Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Zn) and biomechanical properties were evaluated. Iron-deficient rats had lower tibia Fe and Mg levels and bone strength when compared to controls. Yield load and resilience were positively related to tibia Mg levels (r = 0.47, P = 0.02 and r = 0.56, P = 0.004, respectively). Iron repletion did not recover tibia Mg concentrations impaired by Fe deficiency. Moreover, bone elastic properties were negatively affected by FP consumption. In conclusion, bone mineral composition and strength were affected by Fe deficiency, whereas dietary Fe source influenced tibia Mg and resistance in the period during which rats were recovering from anemia.

Effects of dietary lipid composition and inulin-type fructans on mineral bioavailability in growing rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study reports the effects of feeding with a combination of inulin-type fructans (ITF) and fish oil (FO) on mineral absorption and bioavailability as part of a semipurified diet offered to rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (n = 24) were fed a 15% lipid diet (soybean oil [SO] or a 1:0.3 fish:soybean oil mixture [FSO]) and diets containing the same sources of lipids supplemented with 10% ITF (Raftilose Synergy 1) ad libitum for 15 d. Feces and urine were collected for mineral analyses during the last 5 d of the test period. Fatty acid composition was determined in liver and cecal mucosa homogenates. Liver and bone mineral analyses were performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Bone biomechanical analyses were evaluated by a 3-point bending test. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, ITF-fed rats had enlarged ceca and a significant decrease in cecal content pH (P < 0.001). The apparent mineral absorption was improved in these rats, and this effect was enhanced by dietary combination with FO for all minerals except for magnesium. Addition of ITF to the diet resulted in higher bone mineral content (calcium and zinc) and bone strength, but increased bone mineral content was only statistically significant in FO-fed animals. A decrease in liver iron stores (P = 0.015) was observed in rats fed FO, considering that ITF consumption returned to levels comparable to the SO control group. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the positive influence of ITF on mineral bioavailability, which was potentiated by addition of FO to the diet.

Biodisponibilidade de minerais em ratos alimentados com frutanos do tipo inulina / Mineral bioavailability in rats fed inulin-type fructans

Neste estudo foi avaliado o efeito de frutanos do tipo inulina (FTI) na biodisponibilidade de minerais em ratos, com particular enfoque para o Ca e o Fe. Foram realizados dois ensaios: no primeiro utilizou-se um modelo fatorial 2×2×2, com dois níveis de Fe (0 e 35 mg/kg), Ca (0 e 5 g/kg) e FTI (0 e 100 g/kg) nas rações; no segundo, utilizou-se um modelo de repleção de Hb em ratos anêmicos. As fontes de FTI foram a Raftilose P95 (ensaios 1 e 2), fonte purificada, e a farinha de yacón (FY; ensaio 2); os sais de Fe utilizados foram o Fe4(P2O7)3 (ensaios 1 e 2) e o FeSO4 microencapsulado com alginato (ensaio 2). No primeiro ensaio foram avaliados parâmetros bioquímicos de Fe, concentração de minerais nos ossos, fígado e baço, e parâmetros de resistência e histomorfometria óssea. Após 33 d, não foram observados efeitos na retenção óssea de Ca, porém observou-se maior volume trabecular ósseo e parâmetros histomorfométricos de formação óssea nos animais deficientes em Fe alimentados com os FTI. No segundo ensaio foram determinados parâmetros hematológicos, de biodisponibilidade de Fe, e parâmetros intestinais (balanço mineral; pH, ácidos graxos de cadeia curta e espécies de Fe no conteúdo intestinal). A FY recuperou os animais da deficiência de Fe mais rapidamente do que a Raftilose. Esse efeito ocorreu em função de alterações intestinais provocadas pelo aumento da fermentação desses carboidratos, que afetou a solubilidade do Fe da dieta. Concluiu-se que os FTI aumentaram a biodisponibilidade de minerais, possivelmente por influência da concentração do mineral e pelas interações entre os minerais presentes na ração, pelo tempo de ensaio, pela matriz alimentar, e pelo modelo experimental utilizado

This study evaluated the effect of inulin-type fructans (ITF) on mineral bioavailability in rats, focusing mainly on Ca and Fe. Two experiments were carried out: the first one considered a 2×2×2 factorial model using two levels of Fe (0 and 35 mg/kg), Ca (0 and 5 g/kg) and ITF (0 and 100 g/kg) in the diets; the second experiment considered a Hb repletion model in anemic rats. Raftilose P95 (experiments 1 and 2; purified source) and yacon flour (YF; experiment 2) were used as ITF sources; the Fe salts used were Fe4(P2O7)3 (experiments 1 and 2) and microencapsulated FeSO4 with alginate (experiment 2). In the first experiment, Fe biochemical parameters, mineral concentration in the bones, liver and spleen, bone strength and histomorphometrical parameters were evaluated. After 33 d, no effects on bone retention were observed, but a larger bone volume and larger bone-formation parameters were observed on Fe-deficient animals fed with ITF. In the second experiment, hematological, Fe bioavailability and intestinal parameters (mineral balance, pH, short-chain fatty acids and Fe species in the intestinal content) were determined. Fe-deficient animals fed with YF recovered more rapidly than those fed with Raftilose. This effect took place as a function of intestinal alterations caused by the increased fermentation of these carbohydrates, which affected dietary Fe solubility. It can be concluded that ITF increased the bioavailability of minerals, possibly due to the influence of mineral concentration and interactions between minerals in the diet, experiment duration, food matrix and experimental model used

Amido resistente e suas propriedades físico-químicas / Resistant starch and its physicochemical properties

A partir da década de 80, começou a ser observado que uma fração do amido escapava da digestão no intestino delgado e chegava ao cólon, onde servia de substrato para a flora bacteriana. Essa fração foi denominada amido resistente e, a partir de então, constatou-se que determinados efeitos fisiológicos, inicialmente atribuídos às fibras alimentares, poderiam também ser atribuídos ao amido resistente. Vários fatores podem estar envolvidos na sua formação e eles, por sua vez, afetam a sua resposta fisiológica. Deste modo, torna-se importante o conhecimento dos aspectos físico-químicos envolvidos na formação do amido resistente.

Produtos de panificaçäo com conteúdo calórico reduzido / Breadmaking products with reduced caloric content

Trata-se de revisäo de literatura sobre os tipos de ingredientes desenvolvidos e/ou recomendados para serem utilizados em formulaçöes de produtos de panificaçäo com conteúdo calórico reduzido. Foram identificadas diversas possibilidades de reduçäo do conteùdo calórico de produtos de panificaçäo, cujos ingredientes devem ser testados e combinados, visando a obtençäo de produtos que atendam às demandas do consumidor e às exigências da legislaçäo em vigor