Development of a malnutrition model in mice: Comparative evaluation of food restriction percentage and different diets.

Malnutrition is a complicated illness that affects people worldwide and is linked to higher death rates, a heightened vulnerability to infections, and delayed cognitive development. Experimental models have been constructed to comprehend the mechanisms associated with hunger. In this regard, the current study used two different types of food aiming to validate a murine model of malnutrition based on dietary restriction. The study was conducted with fifty-six Swiss male mice (eight-week-old) divided into eight groups (n=7 each) and fed the following experimental diets (10 weeks): Standard Diet (ST) ad libitum; ST 20% dietary restriction; ST 40% dietary restriction; ST 60% dietary restriction; AIN93-M diet ad libitum; AIN93-M 20% dietary restriction; AIN93-M 40% dietary restriction; AIN93-M 60% dietary restriction. Body, biochemical, and histological parameters were measured, and the restriction effects on genes related to oxidative stress (GPX1 and GPX4) in epididymal adipose tissue were evaluated. The results obtained showed that 20%, 40%, and 60% of dietary restrictions were able to reduce body weight when compared to controls, highlighting the accentuated weight loss in animals with 60% restrictions, especially those fed with AIN-93 M, which showed physical changes such as whitish skin and dull coat, voracious eating, and hunched posture. The present animal model also showed biochemical changes with hypoalbuminemia, as well as histological epididymal adipose tissue modulation. The presence of increased oxidative stress was observed when evaluating the GPX4 gene. Given the results, 60% food restriction using the AIN93-M diet was the best protocol for inducing malnutrition.

Food insecurity and academic performance in Spanish adolescents: Results from the EHDLA study.

Introduction: Food insecurity is a growing global issue that affects both developed and developing nations, and mounting evidence suggests that decreased consumption of healthy foods has been linked to lower academic performance in adolescents. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between food insecurity and academic performance in a sample of Spanish adolescents aged 12-17 years from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain). Methods: The present study analyzed data from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities study, which included a sample of 777 adolescents (55.3 % girls). The Spanish Child Food Security Survey Module was used to assess food insecurity, and academic performance was evaluated using school records provided by the schools. Linear regression models (fitted by robust methods) were used to compare the relationships between food insecurity status and academic performance-related indicators. Results: Adolescents with the highest levels of food insecurity reported the lowest academic performance in language (mean [M] = 4.7; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 3.6 to 5.7), math (M = 4.6; 95 % CI 3.5 to 5.8), foreign language (M = 4.8; 95 % CI 3.8 to 5.8), and grade point average (M = 5.7; 95 % CI 4.9 to 6.5). Conversely, adolescents with the lowest levels of food insecurity reported the highest academic performance in language (M = 6.2; 95 % CI 6.0 to 6.5), math (M = 5.9; 95 % CI 5.5 to 6.2), foreign language (M = 6.2; 95 % CI 5.9 to 6.4), and grade point average (M = 6.7; 95 % CI 6.5 to 6.9) compared to those with higher food security. Conclusions: Living in a more food-insecure household could explain the lower academic performance of adolescents. Food insecurity should always be on the agenda of public policies. The availability of quality basic food essentials must be ensured in permanently satisfactory quantities without compromising access to other fundamental needs.

Seguridad alimentaria, subalimentación y canasta alimentaría en el contexto de las políticas públicas en Venezuela. Período2017-2022 / Food security, undernourishment and food basket in thecontext of public policies in Venezuela. Period 2017-2022

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizarla relación entre los indicadores de seguridad alimentaria,subalimentación y costo de la canasta alimentaria en el contextode las políticas públicas en materia alimentaria en Venezuela,durante el periodo comprendido entre 2017 y 2022. Para ello, sellevó a cabo un análisis exhaustivo de los datos disponibles sobrela seguridad alimentaria en Venezuela, incluyendo informaciónsobre la subalimentación, y el costo de la canasta alimentaria.Asimismo, se analizaron las políticas públicas implementadas enel país en materia alimentaria durante el periodo de estudio, conel fin de entender su impacto en los indicadores de seguridadalimentaria. Ninguna de las asociaciones estudiadas resultó sersignificativa a nivel estadístico (p>0,05), por lo que, aunqueteóricamente existe una relación entre estos indicadores en elperíodo estudiado, el carácter multidimensional prevalece y hacecompleja la posibilidad de comparaciones. Se identificaron laspolíticas públicas que requieren mejoras o ajustes para proteger laseguridad alimentaria del venezolano. Estos resultados obtenidospodrán ser de utilidad para los responsables de la toma dedecisiones en el país, así como para los investigadores yprofesionales interesados en el tema de la seguridad alimentariay la nutrición

EL objective of this study is to analyzethe relationship between the indicators of food security,undernourishment and the cost of the food basket in thecontext of public policies on food in Venezuela, during theperiod between 2017 and 2022. For this, an exhaustive analysisof the available data on food security in Venezuela wascarried out, including information on undernourishment, andthe cost of the food basket. Likewise, the public policiesimplemented in the country regarding food during the studyperiod were analyzed, in order to understand their impacton food security indicators. None of the associations studiedturned out to be statistically significant (p>0.05), therefore,although theoretically there is a relationship between theseindicators in the period studied, the multidimensional natureprevails and makes comparability complex. Public policies that require improvements or adjustments to protect Venezuelanfood security were identified. These results obtained may beuseful for those responsible for decision-making in the country,as well as for researchers and professionals interested in thesubject of food security and nutrition.

Colostrum traits and newborn body weight and growth: comparison between single and twin underfed sheep pregnancies.

Maternal nutrition during gestation plays an important role in colostrum production, postnatal growth, and survival of newborn lambs, especially in twin gestations. This research aimed to investigate the effects of chronic natural undernutrition on colostrum traits and early lamb's postnatal growth born from single and twin sheep pregnancies developed in a restrictive prairie, representative of southern Patagonia. Single- and twin-bearing ewes (n = 20 per group) were maintained grazing in a natural pasture. At 140 days of gestation, ewes were placed in individual pens for lambing control. Colostrum was collected immediately after delivery and at 12, 24, and 36 h postpartum, for determination of yield and composition. Maternal blood was obtained at 140 days of gestation and at lambing for plasma glucose, progesterone, 17ß-estradiol, and IgG determination. Newborn lamb blood for determining glycaemia and IgG was collected at birth and at 12, 24, 36, and 120 h after birth. Lamb mortality and growth was assessed from birth until 30 days of life. No differences were observed in progesterone and 17ß-estradiol. There were no differences in colostrum yields and fat components, however single- had higher values of protein and lactose than twin-bearing ewes (p < 0.05 for both). Singletons had higher glycaemia than twins at 12 h postpartum (102.2 ± 32.8 vs. 73.4 ± 29.9 mg/dL, p < 0.05). Colostrum IgG content was similar at delivery but higher in single ewes at 12 and 24 h, reaching a similar values at 36 h (4.7 ± 9.7 and 5.8 ± 7.7 mg/mL in single and twin pregnancies, respectively). Newborn IgG was higher in singletons compared to twins at least until 48 h of life. Lams body weight was always superior in singleton than twins from birth until 30 days of life. Mortality did not differ during the first week of life, but it increased significantly only in twins until day 30 of life. Undernourishment in pregnant ewes affected colostrum quantity and quality, resulting in a lower postnatal growth and a higher mortality in twins. Alternative managements favoring fetal growth, birth weight and neonatal viability in twin sheep pregnancies are needed, when flocks are breed under harsh environments.

Nutrición clínica o clínica de la nutrición / Clinical Nutrition or Nutrition Clinic

Introducción: El diagnóstico de la desnutrición ha tenido un complejo proceso histórico y su concepto ha transitado por numerosas tentativas para definirla. La palabra desnutrición y especialmente el término malnutrición crean bastante confusión entre los estudiosos del tema. En la última década han surgido consensos variados para clasificar la desnutrición asociada a las enfermedades unida a la carga que representan el sobrepeso y obesidad en la presencia de enfermedades crónicas y agudas. Objetivo: Conocer cómo las nuevas tecnologías mejoran el conocimiento de los trastornos nutricionales mediante la descripción e integración de sus compartimentos corporales, pero no están al alcance de los equipos de salud ni de los pacientes en los diversos escenarios de trabajo. Desarrollo: La nutrición constituye una ciencia integrada por un conjunto de disciplinas científicas que transitan desde las ciencias exactas, hasta las ciencias políticas. La aplicación del método clínico como una modalidad del método científico obliga a considerar a la nutrición también con esta visión y no como la última opción del médico en una intervención diagnóstica o terapéutica, contaminada por mitos, tabúes y prejuicios culturales. La medicina clínica proporciona competencias duras adquiridas en forma de conocimientos y habilidades a lo largo de la formación preprofesional y de postgrado, que unidas a la competencias blandas garantizarán una labor exitosa incluidos los entornos culturales hostiles, tóxicos y /o caóticos. Conclusiones: Existen tendencias a seguir patrones y guías de sociedades de países con grandes recursos financieros y tecnológicos para la investigación, que no siempre en están en consonancia con nuestras realidades. La aparición de la pandemia COVID-19, ha planteado nuevos desafíos y serias amenazas tanto para las personas, como a los sistemas de salud de forma global que afectó de manera importante a los pacientes ancianos, con cáncer y enfermedades crónicas junto al choque de la pandemia de la obesidad con la del Coronavirus(AU)

Introduction: The diagnosis of malnutrition has had a difficult historical process and its concept has gone through numerous attempts to define it. The word undernourishment and especially the term malnutrition creates a lot of confusion among scholars of the subject. In the last decade, various consensuses have emerged to classify malnutrition associated with diseases together with the burden represented by overweight and obesity in the presence of chronic and acute diseases. Objective: To identify how new technologies improve knowledge of nutritional disorders through the description and integration of their body compartments, but they are not available to health teams or patients in various work settings. Findings: Nutrition is a science made up of a set of scientific disciplines that range from exact sciences to political sciences. The application of the clinical method as a modality of the scientific method makes it necessary to consider nutrition also with this vision and not as the last option of the doctor in a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention, contaminated by myths, taboos and cultural prejudices. Clinical medicine provides hard skills acquired in the form of knowledge and skills throughout pre-professional and postgraduate training, which together with soft skills will guarantee successful work, including hostile, toxic and/or chaotic cultural environments. Conclusions: There are tendencies to follow patterns and guides of societies in countries with great financial and technological resources for research, which are not always in line with our realities. The appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic has posed new challenges and serious threats to both people and health systems globally, significantly affecting elderly patients, those with cancer and chronic diseases, along with the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, obesity with that of the Coronavirus(AU)

Malnutrición en una población de escolares en Santiago, República Dominicana / Malnutrition of an elementary school population in Santiago, Dominican Republic

Introducción: la malnutrición infantil representa uno de los problemas de salud pública más importantes de la República Dominicana (RD) y el mundo. A pesar de esto, actualmente, no existen estudios en la RD que describa el estado nutricional en los niños de la escuela primaria. Material y métodos: este estudio transversal describió las principales variables antropométricas en niños de 1ero a 6to de primaria en Santiago, RD, además de determinar la relación existente entre la antropometría y variables sociodemográficas. Resultados: de los 2,271 estudiantes estudiados, la media del peso fue 33,2 ± 11,4 kg, la talla fue 1,36 ± 0,13 m. La media del percentil fue 65,33 %. El 3.92 % (n=89) estuvo en bajo peso, el 17.57 % (n=399) estuvo en sobrepeso y el 22.94 % (n=521) estuvo en obesidad. Conclusión: el sobrepeso y la obesidad infantil fueron los trastornos más comunes en zonas rurales y urbanas, y tanto en centros privados como públicos

Introduction: Child malnutrition represents one of the most important public health issues in the Dominican Republic (DR) and the whole world. Despite this reality, there are currently no studies in the DR that describe the nutritional status in primary school children. Material and method: This cross-sectional study described the main anthropometric variables in children from elementary schools in Santiago, RD, in addition to determining the relationship between anthropometry status and some sociodemographic variables. Results: 2,271 participants were analyzed; the mean weight was 33.2 ± 11.4 kg, height was 1.36 ± 0.13 m. The mean percentile was 65.33%. 3.92% (n=89) were underweight, 17.57% (n=399) were overweight, and 22.94% (n=521) were obese. Conclusion: Childhood overweight and obesity was the most prevalent disorder, both in rural and urban areas, and both in private and public centers

How intrauterine growth restriction due to nutritional stress changes the function of key proteins in brain serotonin metabolism during development.

This review aimed to describe and comment on how experimental intrauterine nutritional stress in animals produced some changes in tryptophan-5-hydroxylases (TPH) 1 and 2 in the brain and other key proteins such as plasma albumin, and how the intrauterine nutritional stress could produce long-lasting alterations in serotonin function in the brain of human infants.

El objetivo de esta revisión es describir y comentar cómo el estrés nutricional intrauterino experimental en animales produjo algunos cambios en las triptófano-5-hidroxilasas 1 y 2 en el cerebro y en otras proteínas clave, como la albúmina plasmática, y de qué manera el estrés nutricional intrauterino podría producir alteraciones duraderas en la función de la serotonina en el cerebro de lactantes.

Quality by Design Approach for the Development of Liposome Carrying Ghrelin for Intranasal Administration.

The therapeutic use of peptides has increasingly recognized in the development of new therapies. However, the susceptible enzymatic cleavage is a barrier that needs to overcome. Nose-to-brain delivery associated with liposomes can protect peptides against biodegradation and improve the accessibility to brain targets. The aim was to develop a liposomal formulation as ghrelin carrier. The quality by design (QbD) approach was used as a strategy for method development. The initial risk assessments were carried out using a fishbone diagram. A screening design study was performed for the critical material attributes/critical process parameters (CMAs/CPPs) on critical quality attributes (CQAs). Liposomes were obtained by hydrating phospholipid films, followed by extrusion or homogenization, and coated with chitosan. The optimized liposome formulation was produced by high-pressure homogenization coated with chitosan, and the resulted were liposomes size 72.25 ± 1.46 nm, PDI of 0.300 ± 0.027, the zeta potential of 50.3 ± 1.46 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 53.2%. Moreover, chitosan coating improved performance in ex vivo permeation and mucoadhesion analyzes when compared to the uncoated liposome. In this context, chitosan coating is essential for the performance of the formulations in the ex vivo permeation and mucoadhesion analyzes. The intranasal administration of ghrelin liposomes coated with chitosan offers an innovative opportunity to treat cachexia.

Índice de riesgo nutricional geriátrico en pacientes hospitalizados por enfermedades vasculares periféricas / Geriatric nutritional risk indexes in patients hospitalized due to peripheral vascular diseases

Introducción: El índice de riesgo nutricional geriátrico es un instrumento simple y exacto que permite identificar a pacientes hospitalizados con este riesgo. Objetivo: Valorar la prevalencia de riesgo nutricional en pacientes ingresados por presentar una enfermedad vascular. Métodos: Se evaluaron de forma transversal 102 pacientes mayores de 18 años (65 % hombres) ingresados de forma consecutiva entre octubre y diciembre de 2018 en el Instituto Nacional de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular en La Habana Cuba, independientemente de la enfermedad de base y que estuvieran de acuerdo en participar en el estudio. La variable principal de salida fue la proporción de pacientes con riesgo nutricional: riesgo alto (< 82), moderado (82-92), bajo (93-98) y sin riesgo (> 98); las variables secundarias resultaron la edad, el sexo, el índice de masa corporal y la concentración de albúmina. Resultados: El 12,9 por ciento (intervalo de confianza 95 por ciento: 6,2-19,6); el 16,8 por ciento (9,4-24,2) y el 22,8 por ciento (14,5-31,3) de los pacientes presentaron un riesgo nutricional alto, moderado y ligero, respectivamente. Solo el 47,5 por ciento (37,6-57,4), de los pacientes no presentó riesgo nutricional. La edad y el sexo no mostraron correlación con el riesgo nutricional; la concentración de albúmina y el índice de masa corporal y el índice de riesgo nutricional sí se asociaron de forma importante (R2: 0,98 y 0,59, respectivamente). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de pacientes con riesgo nutricional es elevada en el ámbito hospitalario y puede evaluarse por intermedio del índice de riesgo nutricional geriátrico(AU)

Introduction: The Geriatric nutritional risk index is a simple and accurate instrument that allows identifying hospitalized patients with this risk. Objective: To assess the prevalence of nutritional risk in patients admitted for presenting a vascular disease. Methods: There were evaluated in cross-sectional way 102 patients older than 18 years (65% male) admitted consecutively from October to December, 2018 at the National Institute of Angiology and Vascular Surgery in Havana, Cuba, regardless of the underlying disease and who agreed to participate in the study. The main variable was the proportion of patients with nutritional risk: high risk (<82), moderate (82-92), low (93-98) and without risk (>98); secondary variables were age, sex, body mass index and the concentration of albumin. Results: The 12.9 percent (95 percent confidence interval: 6,2-19,6); the 16.8 percent (9,4-24,2) and the 22.8 percent (14,5-31,3) of the patients had high, moderate, and light nutritional risks, respectively. Only 47.5 percent (37,6-57,4) of the patients did not present nutritional risk. The age and sex showed no correlation with the nutritional risk; the concentration of albumin and body mass index and the index of nutritional risk were significantly associated (R2: 0.98 and 0.59, respectively). Conclusions: The prevalence of patients with nutritional risk is high in the hospital scope and it can be evaluated through the geriatric nutritional risk index(AU)

Comparison between Experience-Based and Household-Undernourishment Food Security Indicators: A Cautionary Tale.

Food security is a multi-dimensional concept that requires multiple indicators to measure it correctly; however, single food security indicators are often used individually or interchangeably. The misinterpretation of individual food security indicators can have important implications for policy design and implementation. The general objective of this paper is to show the discrepancies that may arise when using two different food security indicators that operate in the same dimension of the food security concept and yield the same outcome (food security status of the household) in three of the scenarios that they might be used: (1) for measuring the prevalence of food insecurity, (2) for understanding its drivers, and (3) for estimating the potential impact of a policy. The specific objectives of this paper are (1) to measure and compare the prevalence of food insecurity in a country using the Latin America Food Security Scale (ELCSA, by its acronym in Spanish) and the household undernourishment indicator, (2) to compare the factors associated with households' food security status using the two indicators, and (3) to assess the potential use of the two indicators for ex ante policy analysis. Data for the study comes from the 2011 Survey of Living Standards from Guatemala, which collected all the data for estimating the ELCSA and the household level data required for calculating the household undernourishment indicator. Our results indicate considerable differences in the estimated prevalence of food insecurity at the national and regional levels using the two alternative indicators, with ELCSA resulting in higher estimates. Logistic regression models estimated to assess and identify household food insecurity drivers also found large differences in both the direction and magnitude of factors affecting food insecurity using the alternative food security indicators. Finally, the magnitude of the simulated impact of a cash transfer policy varied depending on the food indicator used.

Breast Milk Content of Vitamin A and E from Early- to Mid-Lactation Is Affected by Inadequate Dietary Intake in Brazilian Adult Women.

Our aims were to investigate vitamin A and E status during lactation and the determinants of breast milk content for the appropriate nutrition of the infant in a study with nursing Brazilian women. We hypothesized that both inadequate intake and the lipoprotein distribution of vitamin A and E during lactation could have an impact on their breast milk levels from early- to mid-lactation. Nineteen adult lactating women participated in this longitudinal observational study, in which dietary records, blood and mature breast milk samples were collected for the analysis of vitamin A and E, and carotenoids in early- (2nd to 4th week) and mid-lactation (12th to 14th week). Nutrient intake was balanced by the Multiple Source Method (MSM), and the intake of vitamin A and E was inadequate in 74 and 100% of the women, respectively. However, these results were not reflected in low serum concentrations of retinol and only 37% of the volunteers were vitamin E deficient according to the blood biomarker. As lactation progressed, vitamin A and E status worsened, and this was clearly observed by the decrease in their content in breast milk. The reduced content of vitamin A and E in the breast milk was not related to their distribution in lipoproteins. Taken together, the contents of vitamin A and E in breast milk seemed to be more sensitive markers of maternal nutrition status than respective blood concentrations, and dietary assessment by the MSM in early lactation was sensitive to indicate later risks of deficiency and should support maternal dietary guidance to improve the infant's nutrition.

Undernourishment and recurrent seizures early in life impair Long-Term Potentiation and alter NMDAR and AMPAR expression in rat hippocampus.

Undernourishment is a global issue, especially in developing countries, affecting newborns and children in a vulnerable period of brain development. Previous studies of undernourishment models suggested a relationship between undernourishment and epilepsy. The exposure to both undernourishment and recurrent seizures early in life appears to have detrimental effects on the developing brain. This study aims to investigate the neurobiological consequences of undernourishment and recurrent seizures exposure early in life, investigating Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) induction and gene expression of NMDA receptor subunits in the hippocampus during adulthood (P60). Animals were exposed to maternal deprivation protocol from P2 to P15 to control food intake in rat pups and Flurothyl-induced seizures from P7 to P10. Electrophysiological records of hippocampal slices were recorded and gene expression of NR1A, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, NR2D and BDNF were investigated. Animals exposed to undernourishment or recurrent seizures failed to promote LTP after stimulation. Furthermore, seizure exposure early in life led to increased expression of hippocampal NR1A, NR2A, NR2B, NR2C and NR2D when compared to controls. Interestingly, when animals were exposed to undernourishment paradigm early in life, this upregulation of NDMA subunits was absent. In conclusion, our study showed impaired LTP after undernourishment and recurrent seizures early in life, together with differential expression of NDMA expression in the hippocampus during adulthood.

Hiponatremia grave en paciente con anorexia nerviosa: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Severe hyponatremia in a patient with anorexia nervosa: case report and review of literature

Electrolyte disorders are a not infrequent alteration in patients with anorexia nervosa. Itsmechanisms are multifactorial, depending on the electrolytic alteration. Hyponatremia is described in 7% of patients and generally does not reach serious values. We present the case of a female patient with difficult-to-manage anorexia nervosa who was hospitalized for hyponatremia with values not described in the literature, with a good final outcome. Literature and the main physiopathological mechanisms are reviewed.

Skeletal muscle: from birth to old age, routes to mechanical and metabolic failure. / Músculo esquelético: del nacimiento a la vejez, rutas hacia la falla mecánica y metabólica.

Skeletal muscle (SM) is the most abundant tissue and the largest reservoir of protein in the body. It transports glucose in an insulin dependent manner by the glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) and contributes in the maintenance of serum amino acids concentration. By its mass and energetic requirements, it is fundamental for the systemic metabolic balance. In the present work, we present the effect of gestational undernourishment (GU) on the mechanical and metabolic properties of SM at birth and in old age in an animal model. Mechanical studies were performed on isolated muscles, while the GLUT4, amino acid transporters LAT2, SNAT2 and insulin receptors (IR) determination were performed on isolated transverse-tubule membranes (TT). The GU in offspring at birth, results in low muscle mass with increased contraction force and resistance to fatigue. However, in two-years old rats, there was muscle hypotrophy and sarcopenia, the force decreased between 50 and 70% in control rats and rats with GU respectively, accompanied by a lower expression of LAT2, SNAT2 and IR in TT. In conclusion, GU irreversibly affects the SM, an effect that could be similar in humans, which help us to understand the events that associate the GU with the metabolic debacle of SM and the metabolic diseases of human adulthood.

Mitotic index and morphological characteristics of ovarian small follicles from goats submitted to nutritionally unbalanced regimens.

The objective of this study was to assess the influence of nutritional regimens such as adequate feeding, restricted feeding, and underfeeding-refeeding on the follicle growth and development from caprine ovaries. Goats were divided into three different groups (n = 5 per group). For 24 weeks, goats received elephant grass plus concentrate to provide 1.5 (n = 5) and 0.72 (n = 10) times the energy requirements for maintenance of live weight. Underfed goats were subsequently refed for 6 weeks with the diet of the nourished group (1.5 times the energetic requirements of maintenance). Follicular morphology and morphometry, as well as granulosa cells mitotic index were assessed. Ovarian follicles were classified as small or large preantral follicles, or as small or large antral follicles. Ovarian volume was smaller in animals from both underfed and refed groups than in those animals from fed group. Although no difference in the total number of normal follicles was observed among the nutritional groups, underfed animals presented higher percentages of atretic preantral and small antral follicles when compared with fed animals. Large antral follicles from underfed and refed goats presented a lower mitotic index when compared with fed ones. In conclusion, ovaries from goats challenged with prolonged undernutrition will be functionally compromised, which is characterized by atresia of preantral and small antral follicles and decreased mitotic index of large antral follicles. Refeeding those animals will not recover ovarian function to a same level experienced by goats fed a diet with adequate energy requirements.

Evaluación nutricional y sensorial de un alimento a base de atún y soya enriquecido con vitaminas y minerales / Nutritional and sensorial evaluation of a food with tuna and soya enriched with vitamins and minerals

The objective of this research was to determine the nutritional and sensorial impact of a food with tuna and soya enriched with vitamins and minerals in pre-school children of three communities of Chiapas, Mexico. It is a study of nutritional intervention with a cohorte of six months. The nutritional state of children was determined previuos to the nurishing complement, to the half and at the end of this. The sample was conformed with the children who presented undernourishment problems; they were fed during six months. The level of acceptability of the food was determined with the children in pre-school age of the three communities. Significant evidences (p<0.05) of the high level of acceptability of the food, when comparing the obtained nutritional state at the beginning, half and at the end of the study were detected. Improvement on the health state was observed, when their severe malnutrition normalized.

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el impacto nutricional y sensorial de un alimento a base de atún y soya enriquecido con vitaminas y minerales en preescolares de tres comunidades de Chiapas, México. Estudio de intervención nutricional con una cohorte de seis meses. Se determinó el estado nutricional de los niños previo a la alimentación, a la mitad y al final de ésta; la muestra se conformó con los niños que presentaron problemas de desnutrición inicialmente; a los que se les complementó la alimentación durante seis meses. Se determinó el nivel de agrado del producto, con niños de las tres comunidades. Se encontraron evidencias significativas (p<0.05) de un alto nivel de agrado del alimento, al comparar el estado nutricional obtenido al inicio, a la mitad y al final del estudio, se observó mejoras en el estado salud de los niños, al pasar de desnutrición severa o grave a normal.

Metabolic effects of early protein undernourishment and renourishment in wistar rats / Efeitos metabólicos da subnutrição proteica pré-natal e renutrição em ratos wistar

Malnutrition remains an important public health condition by affecting mostly children. The present study aimed to examine the effects of prenatal protein undernourishment and postnatal renourishment on the metabolism of pre-adult animals. Forty-five male Wistar rats originating from different litters were used. The Nourished (N, n=15) and Undernourished (U, n=30) groups were maintained on proteic and hypoproteic diets (20% and 5% casein, respectively) from the intrauterine phase until the end of the experiment. The Renourished group (R) contained 15 animals, randomly chosen from U group, that consumed the N diet beginning on day 21 (weaning). All groups were maintained until day 60. The experimental data was acquired daily for body weight, feed and water intake, feces and urine excretion. Data analysis was made with the total results and the ratio between them. The U group animals developed uniformly sparse hair late and experienced intense sweating, features that were not observed during the experiment in the R and N animals groups. The R group had the largest weight gain and feed and water intake ratio/weight at experimental period, followed by the N group animals. The final body weight and food intake decreased gradually in the order N-R-U, but none of the other parameters showed a statistical difference between the N and R animals. Compared to groups N and R, the U group animals consumed 90% and 81% more food and water, respectively. Protein undernourishment induced metabolic dysfunction in the U group animals. The similarity in the experimental parameters of the N and R groups suggests that an early feeding correction was effective in reestablishing the organic functions of the R group animals.

A subnutrição ainda é uma condição importante na saúde pública por afetar principalmente crianças. O presente estudo tem o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da subnutrição pré-natal e renutrição pós-natal no metabolismo de ratos jovens. Quarenta e cinco ratos Wistar machos originados de diferentes ninhadas foram utilizados. O grupo Nutrido (N, n=15) e Subnutrido (U, n=30) foram mantidos sob dieta protéica e hipoprotéica (20% e 5% de caseína, respectivamente) desde a fase intrauterina até o final do experimento. O grupo Renutrido (R) conteve 15 animais aleatoriamente selecionados do grupo U para consumir a dieta protéica a partir do dia 21 pós-natal (desmame). Todos os grupos foram mantidos até o dia 60. Os animais do grupo U desenvolveram pelos tardiamente, uniformemente escassos e sudorese intensa, fato não visto ao longo do experimento nos animais R e N. Os animais R obtiveram o maior ganho de peso, fração ingestão por peso e consumo de água por peso no período experimental, seguido pelo grupo N. O peso corporal final e a ingestão final de alimento ficaram decrescentes na ordem N-R-U, enquanto que para todos os outros parâmetros não houve diferença estatística entre o animal N e R. Comparativamente ao grupo N e R, o grupo U consumiu 90% e 81% a mais de alimento e água, respectivamente. A subnutrição proteica induziu disfunção metabólica nos animais U. A semelhança nos parâmetros experimentais entre o grupo N e R sugere que a correção precoce da alimentação foi eficaz no retorno das funções orgânicas dos animais R.

Infrared LED light therapy influences the expression of fibronectin and tenascin in skin wounds of malnourished rats--a preliminary study.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of infrared (λ 846±20nm) LED irradiation on the expression profile of the extracellular matrix protein components, tenascin and fibronectin on skin wounds induced in well nourished and malnourished rats. Eighteen albino rats (21 days old) were randomly divided into a well-nourished group (standard diet) and a malnourished group (regional basic diet). After receiving the diet for 70 days, skin wounds were created and the animals were subdivided into three groups: well-nourished control (n=6), malnourished control (n=6), and malnourished+LED irradiated (λ 846±20nm, 100mW, 4J/cm(2)) (n=6). The animals were sacrificed 3 and 7 days after injury and histological sections were immunostained for both proteins. They were examined for the presence, intensity, distribution and pattern of immunolabeling. At 3 days, the distribution of tenascin was shown to be greater in the wound bed of malnourished animals compared to the well-nourished group. The intensity and distribution of tenascin was shown to be lower in the malnourished LED irradiated group compared to the malnourished control. There was a significant difference regarding the presence of fibronectin in the malnourished and well-nourished groups after 7 days (p=0.03). The intensity of fibronectin was slight (100%) in the irradiated group and moderate to intense in the malnourished control group. The results of the present study indicate that infrared LED irradiation modulates positively the expression of tenascin and particularly fibronectin.

La dimensión sociosanitaria del hambre: el testimonio de José María Bengoa Lecanda (1913-2010) / The social and sanitary dimension of hunger: the testimony of José María Bengoa Lecanda (1913-2010)

Se analizan algunos de los elementos conceptuales con los que abordó el profesor José María Bengoa Lecanda (1913-2010) la complejidad de factores que están asociados al hambre. Se estudian sus reflexiones sobre la interrelación entre desnutrición, enfermedad y pobreza, así como sus propuestas para romper dicho círculo. Desde los presupuestos de la medicina social, el doctor Bengoa articuló un discurso donde las desigualdades sociales aparecen como uno de los determinantes clave que explican las diferencias socio-sanitarias entre regiones, poblaciones e individuos. El cambio social, con la educación como principal argumento, y la mejora de las condiciones de vida de la población, eran reivindicadas por el doctor Bengoa como las estrategias más adecuadas para abordar la malnutrición en cualquiera de sus manifestaciones(AU)

Some of the conceptual elements through which professor José María Bengoa Lecanda (1913-2010) approached the complexity of factors associated with hunger are analysed. Specifically, his reflections on the interrelation between undernourishment, disease and poverty are studied, as well as his proposals to break said circle. From the assumptions of social medicine, doctor Bengoa articulates a discourse where social inequalities appear as one of the key factors to explain the social and health differences between regions, populations and individuals. Social change, with education as the main argument, and the improvement of life conditions for the population, were claimed by doctor Bengoa as the most appropriate strategies to address malnutrition in any of its forms(AU)