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Abstract Background Older adults are reported to have sub-optimal B vitamin status; targeted food-based solutions may help to address this. The objectives of the OptiAge food intervention study were to develop and investigate the effectiveness of a B vitamin-fortified drink in improving B vitamin biomarkers in older Irish adults with a primary outcome of change in the B vitamin biomarker status. Methods A double-blinded randomised controlled trial was performed in parallel at University College Dublin and Ulster University. Participants aged > 50 years were recruited following screening for exclusion criteria (i.e. taking medications known to interfere with B vitamin metabolism, supplements containing B vitamins, consuming > 4 portions of B vitamin-fortified foods per week or diagnosed with gastrointestinal, liver or pulmonary disease). Recruited participants meeting the inclusion criteria were randomised (by sex and study centre) to receive daily for 16 weeks either B vitamin-fortified or placebo drinks as developed by Smartfish, Norway. Each B vitamin-fortified drink (200 ml) contained 200 µg folic acid, 10 µg vitamin B12, 10 mg vitamin B6 and 5 mg riboflavin, while the placebo was an identical, isocaloric formulation without added B vitamins. Fasting blood samples were collected pre- and post-intervention which were used to measure the primary outcome of change in B vitamin biomarker levels. Results A total of 95 participants were randomised, of which 81 commenced the trial. Of these, 70 completed (37 in the active and 33 in the placebo groups). Intention to treat (ITT) analysis of the B vitamins demonstrated a significant improvement in all B vitamin biomarkers in the active compared to placebo groups: p

ABSTRACT Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a syndrome caused by the progressive reduction of renal function. This study aimed to systematically examine the effects of supplementation with probiotics in the treatment of CKD. Searches were carried out on databases MEDLINE (PubMed), SciELO, Cochrane, and Clinical Trials. Two independent reviewers selected the studies from which data was extracted. The search included papers written in English and Portuguese published in the 2012-2016 period describing randomized clinical trials. Eight of the 82 eligible articles met the inclusion criteria. Sample size ranged from 18 to 101 individuals with CKD. The duration of the included studies varied from four to 24 weeks. Most of the included articles reported positive effects in renal function and decreased levels of urea, blood urea nitrogen, ammonia, plasma p-cresol, p-cresyl sulfate, and indoxyl sulfate.

Background: The maternal cardiovascular system undergoes progressive adaptations throughout pregnancy, causing blood pressure fluctuations. However, no consensus has been established on its normal variation in uncomplicated pregnancies. Objective: To describe the variation in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels during pregnancy according to early pregnancy body mass index (BMI). Methods: SBP and DBP were measured during the first, second and third trimesters and at 30-45 days postpartum in a prospective cohort of 189 women aged 20-40 years. BMI (kg/m2) was measured up to the 13th gestational week and classified as normal-weight (

Introdução: Definido como uma proliferação descontrolada de células malignas, o câncer colorretal (CCR) é um dos tumores malignos mais comuns, e a terceira causa de mortes relacionadas ao câncer. Várias estratégias têm sido estudadas para auxiliar na prevenção e no tratamento coadjuvante dos sintomas do CCR, entre elas a ingestão de probióticos, prebióticos ou simbióticos. Probióticos são microrganismos vivos, que quando administrados em quantidade adequada afetam beneficamente o hospedeiro. Os probióticos são comumente encontrados em alimentos fermentados como em iogurtes por exemplo, ou na forma de suplementos que contém culturas microbianas vivas. Prebióticos são componentes alimentares não digeríveis que afetam beneficamente o hospedeiro, estimulando seletivamente a multiplicação ou atividade de populações microbianas desejáveis no cólon. Já, os simbióticos consistem na associação de probióticos e prebióticos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi definir a validade do uso dos probióticos, prebióticos ou simbióticos como coadjuvantes no tratamento do CCR por meio de uma revisão sistemática da literatura. Métodos: Foi realizada uma pesquisa nas bases de dados PUBMED, SCIELO, COCHRANE e CLINICAL TRIALS. Os termos de busca foram: “colorectal cancer AND probiotics”, “colorectal cancer AND prebiotics”. Resultados: Dos 68 artigos elegíveis, 14 foram revisados, com publicação entre 2012 e 2017, escritos no idioma inglês, português ou espanhol. O número amostral variou de 38 a 310 pacientes, com idade entre 18 e 75 anos, a duração do tratamento foi de 3 dias a 3 meses. Em 3 dos estudos foram utilizados simbióticos, em 1 prebióticos, e em 10 probióticos. As cepas de probióticos continham entre 1 e 10 substâncias, prebióticos 4 substâncias e os simbióticos entre 5 e 8. Conclusão: O trabalho possibilitou o reconhecimento dos principais microrganismos que vem sendo estudados no tratamento concomitante do CCR. A maioria dos estudos analisados mostrou efeitos benéficos na diminuição da proteína C reativa, da incidência e severidade da diarreia, risco de complicações pós-operatórias como sepse, ventilação mecânica e vazamento da anastomose, além de propiciar uma recuperação da função intestinal mais rápida. A presente revisão sistemática ressalta a importância dos pré e probióticos concomitante aos tratamentos de CCR, porém o número limitado de artigos dificulta a generalização dos resultados obtidos, sendo necessários futuros estudos de longa duração para elucidar melhor esta relação. Palavras-chave: Neoplasias colorretais; microbiota; terapias coadjuvantes

Introdução: Definido como uma proliferação descontrolada de células malignas, o câncer colorretal (CCR) é um dos tumores malignos mais comuns, e a terceira causa de mortes relacionadas ao câncer. Várias estratégias têm sido estudadas para auxiliar na prevenção e no tratamento coadjuvante dos sintomas do CCR, entre elas a ingestão de probióticos, prebióticos ou simbióticos. Probióticos são microrganismos vivos, que quando administrados em quantidade adequada afetam beneficamente o hospedeiro. Os probióticos são comumente encontrados em alimentos fermentados como em iogurtes por exemplo, ou na forma de suplementos que contém culturas microbianas vivas. Prebióticos são componentes alimentares não digeríveis que afetam beneficamente o hospedeiro, estimulando seletivamente a multiplicação ou atividade de populações microbianas desejáveis no cólon. Já, os simbióticos consistem na associação de probióticos e prebióticos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi definir a validade do uso dos probióticos, prebióticos ou simbióticos como coadjuvantes no tratamento do CCR por meio de uma revisão sistemática da literatura. Métodos: Foi realizada uma pesquisa nas bases de dados PUBMED, SCIELO, COCHRANE e CLINICAL TRIALS. Os termos de busca foram: “colorectal cancer AND probiotics”, “colorectal cancer AND prebiotics”. Resultados: Dos 68 artigos elegíveis, 14 foram revisados, com publicação entre 2012 e 2017, escritos no idioma inglês, português ou espanhol. O número amostral variou de 38 a 310 pacientes, com idade entre 18 e 75 anos, a duração do tratamento foi de 3 dias a 3 meses. Em 3 dos estudos foram utilizados simbióticos, em 1 prebióticos, e em 10 probióticos. As cepas de probióticos continham entre 1 e 10 substâncias, prebióticos 4 substâncias e os simbióticos entre 5 e 8. Conclusão: O trabalho possibilitou o reconhecimento dos principais microrganismos que vem sendo estudados no tratamento concomitante do CCR. A maioria dos estudos analisados mostrou efeitos benéficos na diminuição da proteína C reativa, da incidência e severidade da diarreia, risco de complicações pós-operatórias como sepse, ventilação mecânica e vazamento da anastomose, além de propiciar uma recuperação da função intestinal mais rápida. A presente revisão sistemática ressalta a importância dos pré e probióticos concomitante aos tratamentos de CCR, porém o número limitado de artigos dificulta a generalização dos resultados obtidos, sendo necessários futuros estudos de longa duração para elucidar melhor esta relação. Palavras-chave: Neoplasias colorretais; microbiota; terapias coadjuvantes

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isolated vitamin B6 (VB6) supplementation on experimental hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhe) induced by homocysteine thiolactone (HcyT). Methods: Fifteen male Wistar rats were divided into three groups according to their treatment. Animals received water and food ad libitum and an intragastric probe was used to administer water for 60 days (groups: CB6, HcyT, and HB6). On the 30th day of treatment, two groups were supplemented with VB6 in the drinking water (groups: CB6 and HB6). After 60 days of treatment, homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine, and hydrogen peroxide concentration, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) immunocontent, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and GST activities were measured. Results: The HcyT group showed an increase in Hcy concentration (62%) in relation to the CB6 group. Additionally, GST immunocontent was enhanced (51%) in the HB6 group compared to the HcyT group. Also, SOD activity was lower (17%) in the HB6 group compared to the CB6 group, and CAT activity was higher in the HcyT group (53%) compared to the CB6 group. Ejection fraction (EF) was improved in the HB6 group compared to the HcyT group. E/A ratio was enhanced in the HB6 group compared to the CB6 group. Correlations were found between CAT activity with myocardial performance index (MPI) (r = 0.71; P = 0.06) and E/A ratio (r = 0.6; P = 0.01), and between EF and GST activity (r = 0.62; P = 0.02). Conclusions: These findings indicate that isolated VB6 supplementation may lead to the reduction of Hcy concentration and promotes additional benefits to oxidative stress and heart function parameters. Keywords: Homocysteine; oxidative stress; vitamin B6.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isolated vitamin B6 (VB6) supplementation on experimental hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhe) induced by homocysteine thiolactone (HcyT). Methods: Fifteen male Wistar rats were divided into three groups according to their treatment. Animals received water and food ad libitum and an intragastric probe was used to administer water for 60 days (groups: CB6, HcyT, and HB6). On the 30th day of treatment, two groups were supplemented with VB6 in the drinking water (groups: CB6 and HB6). After 60 days of treatment, homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine, and hydrogen peroxide concentration, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) immunocontent, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and GST activities were measured. Results: The HcyT group showed an increase in Hcy concentration (62%) in relation to the CB6 group. Additionally, GST immunocontent was enhanced (51%) in the HB6 group compared to the HcyT group. Also, SOD activity was lower (17%) in the HB6 group compared to the CB6 group, and CAT activity was higher in the HcyT group (53%) compared to the CB6 group. Ejection fraction (EF) was improved in the HB6 group compared to the HcyT group. E/A ratio was enhanced in the HB6 group compared to the CB6 group. Correlations were found between CAT activity with myocardial performance index (MPI) (r = 0.71; P = 0.06) and E/A ratio (r = 0.6; P = 0.01), and between EF and GST activity (r = 0.62; P = 0.02). Conclusions: These findings indicate that isolated VB6 supplementation may lead to the reduction of Hcy concentration and promotes additional benefits to oxidative stress and heart function parameters. Keywords: Homocysteine; oxidative stress; vitamin B6.

Introduction: A high prevalence of overweight, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia has been reported following liver transplantation (LT). Although these conditions are known to induce an increased risk for cardiovascular events, which are among the major causes of death in post-LT patients, much debate remains in the literature regarding the applicability of different nutritional assessments methods to this population. Objective: To assess the nutritional status, lipid profile, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and dietary intake adequacy in the post-LT period. Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients after a maximum of 2 years post-LT, involving the assessment of body mass index (BMI), percent weight loss, arm (AC) and arm muscle circumference (AMC), triceps skinfold (TSF), neck (NC) and waist (WC) circumference, lipid profile, HOMA-IR and percent adequacy of dietary intake. Results: In the group of 36 patients, 61.1% were male, mean age 53.2 years (± 10.6). Severe weight loss was noted in 66.7% of patients. Most individuals were eutrophic according to BMI, AC and AMC, while TSF showed malnutrition, NC demonstrated overweight and WC showed metabolic risk. Dyslipidemia was diagnosed in 87.5% of patients, and insulin resistance in 57% of the patients. Most patients had adequate dietary intake, although the time since transplant was positively correlated with AC (r = 0.353; p = 0.035) and negatively correlated with vitamin A intake (r = - 0.382; p = 0.022), with the caloric adequacy (r = -0.338; p = 0.044) and vitamin A adequacy (r = -0.382; p = 0.021). Conclusion: Although anthropometry provided somewhat variable nutritional diagnoses, when combined with biochemical tests, findings showed the prevalence of cardiovascular risk. As such, patients should be provided with transdisciplinary assistance, and strategies should be developed so as to reduce the risk factors recorded in this population.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism associated with high blood levels of phenylalanine (Phe). A Phe-restricted diet supplemented with L-amino acids is the main treatment strategy for this disease; if started early, most neurological abnormalities can be prevented. The healthy human gut contains trillions of commensal bacteria, often referred to as the gut microbiota. The composition of the gut microbiota is known to be modulated by environmental factors, including diet. In this study, we compared the gut microbiota of 8 PKU patients on Phe-restricted dietary treatment with that of 10 healthy individuals. The microbiota were characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing using the Ion Torrent™ platform. The most dominant phyla detected in both groups were Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. PKU patients showed reduced abundance of the Clostridiaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Lachnospiraceae families, Clostridiales class, Coprococcus, Dorea, Lachnospira, Odoribacter, Ruminococcus and Veillonella genera, and enrichment of Prevotella, Akkermansia, and Peptostreptococcaceae. Microbial function prediction suggested significant differences in starch/glucose and amino acid metabolism between PKU patients and controls. Together, our results suggest the presence of distinct taxonomic groups within the gut microbiome of PKU patients, which may be modulated by their plasma Phe concentration. Whether our findings represent an effect of the disease itself, or a consequence of the modified diet is unclear.

INTRODUÇÃO: Vários estudos têm apontado Ilex paraguariensis (erva-mate) como coadjuvante no manejo da obesidade. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar ingestão alimentar, peso corporal, volume da diurese, quantidade de gordura abdominal, triglicérides e colesterol total plasmáticos de ratos Wistar machos tratados com extrato aquoso de Ilex paraguariensis. MÉTODOS: Formaram-se dois grupos de seis animais cada, um controle e outro tratado. O tratado recebia extrato de Ilex paraguariensis e o controle, água para hidratação. Todos receberam ração padrão. Para o preparo do extrato da erva, misturava-se 1 L de água aquecida à 80 ºC e 70 g de erva-mate. Em 15 minutos, essa mistura era coada. Após 8 semanas, os animais foram colocados em gaiolas metabólicas para avaliar a ingestão alimentar e hídrica e o volume de diurese e fezes. Nesse período, foi aferido o peso, foram coletadas amostras de sangue para quantificar triglicérides e colesterol e a gordura abdominal foi dissecada após a morte dos animais. Na análise estatística, foi utilizado o teste t de Student para o tratamento de todos os resultados, e P < 0,05 foi considerado significativo. RESULTADOS: Ingestão alimentar e hídrica, diurese, fezes e peso dos animais não apresentaram qualquer diferença significativa, assim como os níveis de triglicérides. A quantidade de gordura abdominal, assim como os níveis de colesterol, foi significativamente menor nos animais tratados. CONCLUSÃO: O extrato da erva-mate parece ter influência sobre o metabolismo dos lipídios sem interferir no peso corporal nem na ingestão alimentar e hídrica.