Enhancing the Bioavailability and Bioactivity of Curcumin for Disease Prevention and Treatment.

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic component from Curcuma longa roots, is the main bioactive component of turmeric spice and has gained increasing interest due to its proposed anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering effects, in addition to its thermogenic capacity. While intake from dietary sources such as curry may be sufficient to affect the intestinal microbiome and thus may act indirectly, intact curcumin in the body may be too low (<1 microM) and not sufficient to affect signaling and gene expression, as observed in vitro with cultured cells (10-20 microM). Several strategies can be envisioned to increase curcumin levels in the body, such as decreasing its metabolism or increasing absorption through the formation of nanoparticles. However, since high curcumin levels could also lead to undesired regulatory effects on cellular signaling and gene expression, such studies may need to be carefully monitored. Here, we review the bioavailability of curcumin and to what extent increasing curcumin levels using nanoformulations may increase the bioavailability and bioactivity of curcumin and its metabolites. This enhancement could potentially amplify the disease-preventing effects of curcumin, often by leveraging its robust antioxidant properties.

Agreement and diagnostic differences among three definitions of sarcopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: There is neither a gold standard definition nor a universal consensus to diagnose sarcopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Thus, we aimed to compare the prevalence of sarcopenia and the agreement and discrepancies between European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP1), EWGSOP2, and Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Biomarkers Consortium Sarcopenia Project (FNIH) definitions in chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to assess muscle mass by quantifying appendicular lean mass (ALM) adjusted for squared height (ALM/ht2) or for body mass index (ALMBMI). Muscle function was evaluated by handgrip strength. Subjective Global Assessment was used to assess the nutrition status. RESULTS: This cross-sectional study included 103 outpatients (mean age, 50.6 ± 11.3 years; 33.0% with compensated cirrhosis). Sarcopenia prevalence was 8.7%, 9.7%, and 9.7%, according to EWGSOP1, EWGSOP2, and FNIH definitions, respectively. There was neither a sex- nor a liver disease severity-specific difference in the prevalence of sarcopenia between the criteria applied. Sixteen (15.5%) patients fulfilled at least one of these criteria, and 3 out of 16 (18.8%) simultaneously had sarcopenia by consensus of the three criteria. Sarcopenic obesity was identified in 9 out of 16 (56.3%) patients, and 6 out of 9 (66.7%) of these only met FNIH consensus. CONCLUSIONS: In patients without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis, and with chronic hepatitis C, the agreement between EWGSOP1 and EWGSOP2 classifications was substantial for sarcopenia diagnosis. Concerning EWGSOP and FNIH criteria, a fair agreement and limited overlap were found in these patients.

The Dose-Dependent Effect of Curcumin Supplementation on Inflammatory Response and Gut Microbiota Profile in High-Fat Fed C57BL/6 Mice.

SCOPE: The prevalence of obesity has increased, with excessive consumption of high-fat foods being one of the primary causes. Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from Curcuma longa L., exhibits anti-inflammatory activity.  The study aims to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation in different doses on the biochemical profile, inflammatory response, and gut microbiota profile in mice that are fed with high-fat diet (HFD). METHODS AND RESULTS: C57BL/6 male mice are fed a standard diet, or a HFD with or without different doses of curcumin (50, 250, and 500 mg kg-1 of body weight). Throughout the experimental period, food intake and body weight are assessed weekly. At euthanasia, blood, stool, and tissue samples are collected for biochemical, histological, and molecular analyses. Curcumin increases the IL-10 protein expression in the white adipose tissue. In the liver, there is a reduction in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and an increase in IL-10 gene expression. Also, curcumin promotes the growth of butyrogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium clusters IV and XIVa. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that curcumin has the potential to improve the inflammatory response and modulate healthy gut microbiota. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of curcumin as a preventive and effective strategy for obesity.

Bioactive dietary components-Anti-obesity effects related to energy metabolism and inflammation.

Obesity is the result of the long-term energy imbalance between the excess calories consumed and the few calories expended. Reducing the intake of energy dense foods (fats, sugars), and strategies such as fasting and caloric restriction can promote body weight loss. Not only energy in terms of calories, but also the specific composition of the diet can affect the way the food is absorbed and how its energy is stored, used or dissipated. Recent research has shown that bioactive components of food, such as polyphenols and vitamins, can influence obesity and its pathologic complications such as insulin resistance, inflammation and metabolic syndrome. Individual micronutrients can influence lipid turnover but for long-term effects on weight stability, dietary patterns containing several micronutrients may be required. At the molecular level, these molecules modulate signaling and the expression of genes that are involved in the regulation of energy intake, lipid metabolism, adipogenesis into white, beige and brown adipose tissue, thermogenesis, lipotoxicity, adipo/cytokine synthesis, and inflammation. Higher concentrations of these molecules can be reached in the intestine, where they can modulate the composition and action of the microbiome. In this review, the molecular mechanisms by which bioactive compounds and vitamins modulate energy metabolism, inflammation and obesity are discussed.

Comparison of ultrasound with computed tomography to measure skeletal muscle mass in critically ill patients: A prospective study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Therapy and nutritional status directly interfere in the clinical evolution of critically ill patients, in reducing morbidity and mortality, by maintaining the functional integrity of the gastrointestinal tract, decreasing the catabolic response, besides contributing to the reduction of hospitalization time resulting in less treatment cost. Critical patients and trauma victims suffer early changes in the quantity and quality of muscle mass. Tools to identify the groups most susceptible to these complications are necessary so that interventions can minimize the deleterious effects of malnutrition in critically ill patients. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The aim of the present study is to measure muscle mass loss by measuring the thickness of the rectus femoris muscle by bedside ultrasound in critically ill patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a university hospital. Information will be collected regarding the length of hospital and ICU stay, the reason for admission, anthropometric data at admission and during hospitalization, energy needs, nutritional therapy used, and fasting time. This is a prospective, observational study that will be carried out in a single center in an ICU of a tertiary university hospital. The study population will undergo 3 tomographic images and 3 ultrasounds of the rectus femoris of each patient at different times. We propose, unprecedentedly, performing a validation study of ultrasound with the gold standard Computed tomography to evaluate the musculature of critically ill patients victims of traumatic brain injury. The results got will texto be fundamental for the development of new fields of investigation and certainly contribute to the discovery of a new approach to treat sarcopenia in critically ill patients. The Research Ethics Committee approved the study and all patients included will sign an informed consent form. (Clinical Record: RBR-2bzspnz).

Dietary Protein Restriction Improves Metabolic Dysfunction in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome in a Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Dietary restriction (DR) reduces adiposity and improves metabolism in patients with one or more symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Nonetheless, it remains elusive whether the benefits of DR in humans are mediated by calorie or nutrient restriction. This study was conducted to determine whether isocaloric dietary protein restriction is sufficient to confer the beneficial effects of dietary restriction in patients with metabolic syndrome. We performed a prospective, randomized controlled dietary intervention under constant nutritional and medical supervision. Twenty-one individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned for caloric restriction (CR; n = 11, diet of 5941 ± 686 KJ per day) or isocaloric dietary protein restriction (PR; n = 10, diet of 8409 ± 2360 KJ per day) and followed for 27 days. Like CR, PR promoted weight loss due to a reduction in adiposity, which was associated with reductions in blood glucose, lipid levels, and blood pressure. More strikingly, both CR and PR improved insulin sensitivity by 62.3% and 93.2%, respectively, after treatment. Fecal microbiome diversity was not affected by the interventions. Adipose tissue bulk RNA-Seq data revealed minor changes elicited by the interventions. After PR, terms related to leukocyte proliferation were enriched among the upregulated genes. Protein restriction is sufficient to confer almost the same clinical outcomes as calorie restriction without the need for a reduction in calorie intake. The isocaloric characteristic of the PR intervention makes this approach a more attractive and less drastic dietary strategy in clinical settings and has more significant potential to be used as adjuvant therapy for people with metabolic syndrome.

Beneficial effects of eugenol supplementation on gut microbiota and hepatic steatosis in high-fat-fed mice.

Due to the increase in the prevalence of obesity, new therapies have emerged and eugenol has been shown to be beneficial in metabolic changes and gut microbiota. This study aimed to investigate the effects of eugenol on gut microbiota, hepatic lipid accumulation, body weight, adipose tissue weight, lipid and glycemic profile in mice fed a high-fat diet. Forty C57BL/6 male mice were divided into standard diet (SD), high-fat diet (HFD), standard diet with eugenol (SDE) and high-fat diet with eugenol (HFDE). The dose used of eugenol was 500 mg kg-1 for 8 weeks. Eugenol did not prevent weight gain, but it was effective in preventing hepatic lipid accumulation evidenced by the presence of fat droplets in the HFD group and absence in the HFDE group. An improvement in the gut microbiota profile was observed, proved by an increase in the Actinobacteria phylum in the treated groups and a reduction of Proteobacteria phylum in the HFDE group. Despite not preventing weight gain, eugenol appeared to have a protective effect on hepatic lipid accumulation and beneficially modulate the gut microbiota in mice fed with HFD.

Relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic, binge eating, and mental suffering in health professionals in Brazil: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The high levels of anxiety, stress, and depression produced by the global Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic could trigger eating disorders. Health professionals are more exposed to these changes due to their work environment. Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of binge eating disorder and psychiatric disorders in Brazilian health professionals. Methods: This descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study interviewed 219 Brazilian health professionals between June and October 2020 using an online questionnaire. The 7-Item Binge Eating Disorder Screener was used to diagnose binge eating disorder. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire was used to assess psychiatric disorders. The statistical analysis included calculation of absolute frequency, relative frequency, mean and standard deviation. Contingency coefficient C was used to determine the association between the variables. Results: A total of 35 (16%) participants reported symptoms related to binge eating disorder, while 131 (59.8%) reported psychiatric symptoms. There was an association between binge eating disorder, psychiatric disorders, and body mass index. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the onset of psychiatric disorders and binge eating disorders in these professionals and that elevated body mass index is directly associated with these disorders.

Eficácia e segurança de mudanças no estilo de vida na Esteatose Hepática não Alcoólica: revisão rápida de evidências / Effectiveness and safety of lifestyle modifications for Nonalcoholic Hepatic Steatosis: rapid response review of evidence

Tecnologia: Intervenção de mudança no estilo de vida (dieta, exercícios). Indicação: doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA). Pergunta clínica: Intervenções de mudança no estilo de vida, comparados a nenhum tratamento ou placebo, são eficazes no tratamento de DHGNA para modificar indicadores metabólicos, reduzir mortalidade e prevenir complicações relacionadas à esteatose hepática? Métodos: Foi feito levantamento bibliográfico na base de dados PUBMED, seguindo estratégias de buscas predefinidas. As revisões sistemáticas foram avaliadas com a ferramenta "AMSTAR 2 - Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews version 2". Resultados: Foram selecionadas 4 revisões sistemáticas, que atendiam aos critérios de inclusão. Conclusão: As evidências disponíveis não são suficientes para confirmar ou refutar que as modificações do estilo de vida têm efeitos benéficos de longo prazo sobre a DHGNA. Protocolos com dieta mediterrânea, jejum intermitente ou exercícios aeróbicos são benéficos para reduzir parâmetros metabólicos em pessoas com DHGNA

Technology: Lifestyle change intervention (diet, exercise). Indication: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Clinical question: Are lifestyle change interventions, compared to no treatment or placebo, effective in NAFLD treatment to modify metabolic indicators, reduce mortality and prevent complications related to hepatic steatosis? Methods: A bibliographic survey was carried out in the PUBMED database, following predefined search strategies. Systematic reviews were evaluated using the tool "AMSTAR 2 - Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews version 2". Results: 4 systematic reviews that met the inclusion criteria were selected. Conclusion: The available evidence is not sufficient to confirm or refute that lifestyle modifications have long-term beneficial effects on NAFLD. Protocols such as a Mediterranean diet, intermittent fasting, or aerobic exercise are beneficial in reducing metabolic parameters in people with NAFLD

Should we use ferritin in the diagnostic criteria of iron deficiency in heart failure patients?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Iron deficiency (ID) is a common comorbidity in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) and is associated with worse prognosis. We aimed at comparing the currently European Society of Cardiology (ESC) criterion for diagnosis of ID (ferritin < 100 µg/L or ferritin 100-299 µg/L with transferrin saturation [TSAT] < 20%) with either isolated low TSAT or isolated low ferritin on survival, in a cohort of HF patients. METHODS: This was an observational prospective study, investigating ambulatory patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (n = 108). All patients were assessed for clinical aspects and iron indexes. The primary endpoint was all-cause death. RESULTS: Abnormal iron status was observed in 50 (46%) of patients. During the median follow-up time of 857.5 [647-899] days, 31 patients died (29%). In univariate analyses ESC-criterion (p = 0.022) and isolated TSAT <20% (p = 0.002), but not isolated ferritin <100 µg/L (p = 0.439), were significantly related to an increased risk of all-cause death. However, in multivariate analyses only TSAT <20% (HR = 2.3; [95% CI: 1.11-4.85]; p = 0.026) was independently related to all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that diagnosis of ID based on isolated TSAT <20% identifies HF patients with worse prognosis, while ferritin was not associated with mortality risk, suggesting that ferritin should not be taken into account for evaluation of clinical impact of ID in HF patients.

Osteoporosis and Hepatic Steatosis: 2 Closely Related Complications in Short-Bowel Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis has scarcely been prospectively investigated in short-bowel syndrome (SBS). This prospective study was designed to evaluate incretins, adipokines, bone mass, and lipid deposits from marrow adipose tissue (MAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and liver (IHLs). METHODS: The study comprised 2 groups matched by gender, height, and age: the control group (CG) (9 males, 9 females) and the SBS group (SBSG) (6 males, 5 females). The SBSG was evaluated twice in an interval of 1 year (SBSG0 and SBSG1 ). The biochemical evaluation included incretins, leptin, and adiponectin. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance were, respectively, used to measure BMD and lipid deposits. RESULTS: Bone mineral density (BMD) was lower in the SBSG than in the CG, but there was no difference between SBSG0 and SBSG1 . There was no difference in MAT, SAT, and VAT, but IHL was lower in CG than in SBSG0 and SBSG1 . A negative correlation between MAT and third lumbar vertebrae BMD was found in the CG but not in SBSG0 or SBSG1 . There was a negative association between IHL and bone mass considering all participants (CG and SBSG0 ) (R2 = 0.38; P < .05). CONCLUSION: Appropriate nutrition assistance recovers body composition, reverts the relationship of bone mass and MAT, and mitigates bone loss in SBS. In spite of this, osteoporosis seems to be an early and persistent complication in SBS. Curiously, SBS seems to be a highly vulnerable condition for the development of hepatic steatosis and shows an association between bone mass and IHL.

Curcuma supplementation in high-fat-fed C57BL/6 mice: no beneficial effect on lipid and glucose profile or prevention of weight gain.

PURPOSE: This experimental study investigated the effects of curcuma supplementation on weight gain, Body Adiposity Index, glucose and lipid profile, and liver and pancreas histology in C57BL/6 mice fed with a high-fat diet. METHODS: 40 animals were separated into four groups: standard diet (SD), standard diet plus curcuma (SD + C), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet plus curcuma (HFD + C). Curcuma dose was 8 mg/animal/day. Histological and biochemical analyses were performed at the end of the experimental period. RESULTS: Curcuma prevented weight gain, despite a higher food intake, and increased brown adipose tissue weight only in mice receiving standard diet. However, these changes were not observed in HFD + C group. The groups that received curcuma (SD + C and HFD + C) showed a pancreas with diffuse macro- and microgoticular steatosis. CONCLUSIONS: Curcuma supplementation did not prevent weight gain or improved glucose and lipid profile in mice receiving high-fat diet. Furthermore, there was evidence of possible curcuma toxicity in the pancreas of C57BL/6 mice. The implications of these findings on humans still need to be investigated.

Measured energy content of frequently purchased restaurant meals: multi-country cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the energy content of frequently ordered meals from full service and fast food restaurants in five countries and compare values with US data. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey. SETTING: 223 meals from 111 randomly selected full service and fast food restaurants serving popular cuisines in Brazil, China, Finland, Ghana, and India were the primary sampling unit; 10 meals from five worksite canteens were also studied in Finland. The observational unit was frequently ordered meals in selected restaurants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Meal energy content, measured by bomb calorimetry. RESULTS: Compared with the US, weighted mean energy of restaurant meals was lower only in China (719 (95% confidence interval 646 to 799) kcal versus 1088 (1002 to 1181) kcal; P<0.001). In analysis of variance models, fast food contained 33% less energy than full service meals (P<0.001). In Finland, worksite canteens provided 25% less energy than full service and fast food restaurants (mean 880 (SD 156) versus 1166 (298); P=0.009). Country, restaurant type, number of meal components, and meal weight predicted meal energy in a factorial analysis of variance (R2=0.62, P<0.001). Ninety four per cent of full service meals and 72% of fast food meals contained at least 600 kcal. Modeling indicated that, except in China, consuming current servings of a full service and a fast food meal daily would supply between 70% and 120% of the daily energy requirements for a sedentary woman, without additional meals, drinks, snacks, appetizers, or desserts. CONCLUSION: Very high dietary energy content of both full service and fast food restaurant meals is a widespread phenomenon that is probably supporting global obesity and provides a valid intervention target.

Short bowel syndrome: influence of nutritional therapy and incretin GLP1 on bone marrow adipose tissue.

Energy deprivation leads to a decrease in white adipose tissue and bone mineral density (BMD), while simultaneously inducing the expansion of marrow adipose tissue (MAT). In short bowel syndrome (SBS), parenteral nutrition mitigates the deterioration of nutritional status, including decreases in MAT. Osteoporosis is, however, a frequent complication of SBS. The objective of our study here was to evaluate the association of fat deposit sites (subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues: intrahepatic lipid (IHL) and MAT) and the incretin glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) with BMD in individuals with SBS. MAT was negatively correlated with lumbar spine BMD in normal individuals, but not in those in the SBS group, who otherwise showed a positive correlation between MAT and GLP1. In addition, in individuals with SBS, IHL was negatively associated with lumbar spine BMD and positively associated with C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (a serum biomarker of bone turnover). Caloric maintenance in individuals with SBS, therefore, seems to positively affect the relationship between MAT and BMD, which may be modulated, at least in part, by GLP1.

Energy intake in short bowel syndrome: assessment by 24-h dietary recalls compared with the doubly labelled water method.

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) represents a serious intestinal absorption disorder, and patients may be prone to severe malnutrition. Dietetic therapy is critically important both for immediate prognosis and successful long-term rehabilitation. To maintain energy balance, an accurate assessment of energy intake is required. Our objective was to compare energy intake (EI) assessed by 24-h dietary recalls (EIrecall), a standard clinical assessment, with the total energy expenditure measured by the doubly labelled water (TEEdlw) method in SBS patients and matched controls. A total of twenty-two participants (eleven each in the SBS and control groups (CG), six female and five male) were evaluated; CG were matched to SBS patients on the basis of age, BMI and sex. TEE was measured by DLW and compared with EI determined by four 24-h dietary recalls using the USDA Automated Multiple-Pass Method. Bland-Altman plots and paired Student's t test were used to compare EIrecall with TEEdlw (P<0·05). Participants' mean age was 53 (sd 8) years. TEEdlw (7·85 (SD 1·16) MJ/d, 0·14 (SD 0·02) MJ/kg per d) was significantly lower (P=0·014) compared with EIrecall (11·07 (SD 3·45) MJ/d, 0·21 (SD 0·08) MJ/kg per d) in the SBS group. On the other hand, in the CG group TEEdlw (10·02 (SD 1·86) MJ/d, 0·18 (SD 0·03) MJ/kg per d) was significantly higher (P=0·001) compared with EIrecall (7·19 (SD 1·68) MJ/d, 0·13 (SD 0·03) MJ/kg per d). In SBS patients, reported EI is higher than DLW-measured EI. Therefore, providing or prescribing energetic intake based on EIrecall without accounting for potential malabsorption-related losses can compromise the energy needs in SBS patients and affect nutritional status in the long term.

Sessão de Tai Chi Chuan promove hipotensão pós-exercício e redução da sobrecarga cardiovascular em idosos hipertensos / Tai Chi Chuan session promotes post-exercise hypotension and reduces cardiac overload in elderly hypertensive patients

Modelo: Estudo intervencional, prospectivo e quantitativo. Objetivo: Analisar o comportamento da pressão arterial (PA) e duplo produto (DP) de idosos hipertensos, após uma sessão de Tai Chi Chuan (TCC). Métodos: Participaram do estudo 20 idosos hipertensos em que as variáveis hemodinâmicas foram medidas pré-sessão de TCC e sessão controle (sem exercício), e monitorada durante 60 minutos após término da sessão de TCC e controle. Foi respeitado um intervalo de 7 dias entre uma sessão e outra. Resultados: Após término da sessão de TCC, a frequência cardíaca permaneceu elevada por 30 minutos retornado aos valores pré-exercício a partir do 40° minuto. Observou-se redução significativa da pressão arterial média (PAM) a partir do 10° minuto, e redução significativa da pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD) a partir do 20° minuto até o 60° minuto após sessão de TCC (p<0,001). Houve redução em relação aos valores pré-exercício de aproximadamente -22/-18 mmHg para PAS e PAD respectivamente (p<0,001). Observou-se redução significativa do duplo produto (DP) a partir do 30° minuto, continuando a reduzir até o 60° minuto após TCC (p<0,001). A magnitude de redução do DP comparado ao momento pré-exercício foi na ordem de 1675 (p<0,001). Conclusão: Esses achados sugerem que única sessão de TCC promove hipotensão pós-exercício (HPE) e reduz a sobrecarga cardíaca em idosos com HAS. (AU)

Design: Interventional study, prospective and quantitative study. Objective: To determine blood pressure and double product values of elderly hypertensive patients, after a single Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) session. Methods: Twenty elderly hypertensive patients participated in the study, in which the hemodynamic variables were measured pre-TCC session and control session (without exercise), and monitored for 60 minutes after the end of both sessions. Each session had an interval of 7 days. Results: The results showed that at the end of the TCC, the heart rate remained elevated for 30 minutes, returning to pre-exercise values from the 40th minute. Significant reduction in mean blood pressure (MBP) from the 10th minute, and significant reduction in systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure from the 20th minute to the 60th minute after TCC session (p<0.001) were observed. A magnitude reduction compared to pre-exercise was around -22 / -18 mmHg for SBP and DBP respectively (p<0.001). Significant reduction of the DP was observed from the 30th minute, and reduced until the 60th minute after TCC (p<0.001). The magnitude of DP reduction compared to pre-exercise was around -1675 (p<0.01). Conclusions: These findings show that single TCC session promotes post-exercise hypotension (PEH) and reduces cardiac overload in elderly hypertensive patients. (AU)

Overweight postmenopausal women with different plasma estradiol concentrations present with a similar pattern of energy expenditure and substrate oxidation rate before and after a fatty meal challenge.

Menopause-related withdrawal of ovarian estrogens is associated with reduced energy metabolism and overall impairment of substrate oxidation. Estradiol's withdrawal after menopause is associated with a reduction in energy metabolism and impaired substrate oxidation, which contributes to weight gain and visceral fat accumulation. Here we aimed to investigate the association between plasma estradiol concentrations and energy expenditure (EE)/substrate oxidation in a group of overweight postmenopausal women before and after a fatty meal challenge. Women were divided into three groups according to their plasma estradiol concentrations (E2): group 1 - E2 ≤ 39, group 2 - 40 ≤ E2 ≤ 59, and group 3 - E2 ≥ 60 pg/mL. VO2 and VCO2 volumes were collected following indirect calorimetry 5 h following a single lipid overload meal (1100 kcal, 72% of fat). For comparisons between groups and within the same group, a linear regression model with mixed effects was applied (P < 0.05). Forty-four women aged 55 ± 0.7 years-old, 8 ± 1.1 years following menopause, with a BMI of 30.5 ± 0.5 kg/m2, and 41.9 ± 0.7% of body fat were enrolled the study. Plasma E2 concentrations were: group 1 - 30.4 ± 1.9, group 2 - 46.9 ± 1.5, and group 3 - 91.3 ± 12.0 pg/mL (P < 0.0001). EE at baseline and in the resting state was 1320 ± 24.3 kcal/d, and increased to 1440 ± 27.0 kcal/d 30 min following ingestion of the fatty meal (P < 0.0001), and rose again to an average of 1475 ± 30.3 kcal/d at the completion of experiment (P < 0.0001). Carbohydrate oxidation (Chox) was 0.155 ± 0.01 g/min at resting, maintained as 0.133 ± 0.00 g/min 30 min after ingestion of the fatty meal, and was 0.123 ± 0.01 g/min at the end of the testing period. Lipid oxidation (Lipox) was 0.041 ± 0.003 g/min at resting, increasing to 0.054 ± 0.003 g/min at 30 min (P = 0.01), and reaching 0.063 ± 0.003 g/min at the end of the experiment (P < 0.0001). There was no difference between groups for EE, Chox or Lipox. Our data suggest that EE and substrate oxidation were modulated following a lipid-meal challenge equally in all groups and this did not differ with plasma E2 concentrations.

Resting energy expenditure adaptation after short-term caloric restriction in morbidly obese women / Adaptação do gasto energético de repouso após restrição calórica de curto prazo em mulheres com obesidade mórbida

Objective:The objective of this study was to describe changes in the resting energy expenditure, substrate oxidation rate, and body composition in morbidly obese women subjected to short-term caloric restriction. Methods:This was a prospective study that included ten obese women with body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2 and aged between 20-50 years. The participants were hospitalized for eight days and received a controlled conventional low-calorie diet, 1200 kcal/day, for seven days. Body weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, body composition, resting energy expenditure, and substrate oxidation rate were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results:A significant reduction in body weight (p=0.005), body mass index (p=0.005), abdominal circumference (p=0.005), fat mass (p=0.005) and fat-free mass (p=0.008) was observed at the end of the study. There was an average reduction in resting energy expenditure of approximately 124 kcal/day (5%). Substrate oxidation rate did not show statistically significant changes. There was a positive correlation only between body weight reduction and fat-free mass reduction (r=0.753; p=0.012). Conclusion:There was an adaptive response of the resting energy expenditure with short-term energy restriction in morbidly obese women with a 5% reduction in resting energy expenditure and a positive correlation between weight loss and the fat-free mass, which indicates the influence of fat-free mass on the decrease in resting energy expenditure. Therefore, short-term caloric restriction in morbidly obese women led to a decrease in resting energy expenditure and fat-free mass, which suggests a rapid adaptation of energy expenditure.

Objetivo:Descrever as mudanças no gasto energético de repouso, na taxa de oxidação de substrato e na composição corporal em mulheres obesas mórbidas submetidas à restrição calórica de curto prazo. Métodos:Este foi um estudo prospectivo com dez mulheres obesas com índice de massa corporal maior que 40 kg/m2 e idade entre 20-50 anos. As participantes foram hospitalizadas por sete dias consecutivos e receberam uma dieta hipocalórica convencional controlada de 1200 kcal/dia. Peso corporal, índice de massa corporal, circunferência abdominal, composição corporal, gasto energético de repouso e taxa de oxidação de substratos foram avaliados no início e no final do estudo.Resultados:Reduções significativas no peso corporal (p=0,005), índice de massa corporal (p=0,005), circunferência abdominal (p=0,005), massa gorda (p=0,005) e massa livre de gordura (p=0,008) foram observadas no final do estudo. O gasto energético de repouso mostrou redução média de aproximadamente 124 kcal/dia (5%). A taxa de oxidação de substratos não apresentou mudanças estatisticamente significativas. Houve correlação importante apenas entre a redução do peso corporal e a redução da massa livre de gordura (r=0,753, p=0,012). Conclusão:Houve uma resposta adaptativa do gasto energético de repouso com restrição energética em curto prazo em mulheres obesas mórbidas, apresentando redução média de 5% do gasto energético de repouso e correlação entre a perda de peso e a massa livre de gordura, o que indica a influência da mesma na diminuição do gasto energético de repouso. Portanto, a restrição calórica de curto prazo em mulheres obesas mórbidas leva à diminuição no gasto energético de repouso e na massa livre de gordura, sugerindo uma rápida adaptação do gasto energético.

Bone mineral density in short bowel syndrome: correlation with BMI and serum vitamins C, E and K.

OBJECTIVE: Bone loss has been established as a major extra-intestinal complication of short bowel syndrome (SBS). The purpose of this study was to correlate bone mineral density (BMD) with body mass index (BMI), serum vitamin and mineral levels in patients with SBS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 13 patients (8 male and 5 female, 54.7 ± 11.4 years) with SBS (residual small bowel length of 10 to 100 cm). We determined the food ingestion, anthropometry, serum levels of vitamins C, A, D, E and K, as well as serum and urinary levels of phosphorus and calcium. BMD was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: Osteopenia and osteoporosis was diagnosed in all but one SBS patient. Serum levels of vitamin D were low in all volunteers. Sixty-one percent of patients had vitamin E deficiency; hypovitaminosis A and C occurred in one subject. BMI and C, E and K vitamin serum levels correlated with T-score of BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Osteopenia and osteoporosis were common in SBS patients. There was a correlation between BMD and the serum levels of vitamins C, E and K, an indicative that such vitamins may influence bone health.