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Introdução: Estudos sugerem forte associação da exposição intrauterina e pós-natal a dietas hiperlipídicas e complicações cardiovasculares. Objetivo: avaliar efeitos da exposição a dieta hiperlipídica no período perinatal e pós desmame sobre indicadores de risco cardiometabólico e alterações histomorfometrica aórtica em ratos. Metodologia: Ratas Wistar gestantes foram separadas em grupos: controle (n=3) e hiperlipídica (n=3). No 21º dia descendentes foram divididos em subgrupos (n=6) de acordo com a manipulação nutricional: grupo (CC) formado por animais que consumiram dieta controle, grupo (CH) formado por animais que a mãe consumiu dieta controle e após o desmame os descendentes consumiram dieta hiperlipídica, grupo (HH) formado por descendentes que consumiram apenas dieta hiperlipídica e grupo (HC) formado por animais que a mãe consumiu dieta hiperlipídica e após o desmame os descendentes consumiram dieta controle. No 60º dia índices aterogênicos, proteína C reativa e histomorfometria da aorta dos descendentes foram avaliados. Resultados: Grupo CH apresentou maior razão colesterol total / HDL-colesterol e colesterol não-HDL / HDL-colesterol (coeficiente aterogênico) em comparação ao grupo CC (p < 0,01). Espessura da aorta dos grupos CH e HH foram maiores que CC e HC (p < 0,01). As lamelas elásticas do grupo HH apresentaram maior espessura em comparação a HC e CC (p < 0,001). A quantidade de lamelas elásticas foi maior nos grupos CH e HH em comparação a CC e HC (p < 0, 01). Conclusão: exposição a dieta hiperlipídica nos períodos perinatal e pós desmame aumentou o risco cardiometabólico e alterou a histomorfometria aórtica em ratos.

The aim of this systematic review was to explore and discuss the literature concerning the effects of hypoxia or anoxia during the perinatal period on the serotoninergic network in rodents, through mechanisms that lead to changes in serotonergic neurons, levels, segments of central nervous system affected, 5-HT transporter, and 5-HT receptor.Literature searches were performed in Embase, Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, and SCOPUS, from April to July 2021, with a total of 1045 published studies found. Using a predefined protocol, as registered on the CAMARADES website, 10 articles were included in this review. The PRISMA statement was used for reporting this systematic review. The internal validity was assessed using the SYRCLE's risk of bias tool.Our main findings show that hypoxia in the first days of postnatal life led to a disturbance in the serotonergic system with reduced in 5-HT fibers, reduced brain levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA, reduced SERT protein expression, and reduced receptor 5-HTHypoxia at the beginning of an animal's life leads to modification of the serotonergic components associated with putative mechanisms that include cell damage and neuroinflammation.

Objective To analyze the results of prospective studies on the presence of sarcopenia and its association with cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic renal disease. Methods This study used the PRISMA protocol for systematic review. The systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was recorded in the prospective record of systematic reviews by PROSPERO International: CRD42019120391. Data sources: MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS from December 2018 to April 20, 2019, with the survey results updated in January 2021. Data analysis: Random effect models were calculated to compare the results due to high heterogeneity identified. Results The survey identified 951 studies. Of these, 392 were removed by duplicates and 559 references were selected for analysis. In the stage of evaluating titles and abstracts, 555 articles were excluded because they did not include inclusion criteria related to the population and study design, leaving 4 articles that were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. A meta-analysis identified that the presence of sarcopenia increased the risk of mortality by 143%. Conclusion(s) The meta-analysis identified the influence of sarcopenia on mortality in non-dialysis-dependent chronic renal disease.

Aim: To analyze the effects of exposure to a high-fat diet during the perinatal period and after weaning on white adipose tissue accumulation and gene expression of TNF- α and NF- κB.Method: Wistar female rats were fed with high-fat (H) or control (C) diet during pregnancy and lactation. The offspring were allocated into four groups: Control Control (CC), offspring of mothers GC, fed a control diet after weaning; Control High-fat (CH), offspring of mothers GC, fed a hight-fat diet after weaning; High-fat Control (HC), offspring of mothers GH, fed with control diet after weaning; and High-fat High-fat (HH), offspring of mothers GH, fed a H diet after weaning.Results: HH and HC groups showed increased body weight compared to CC group and increases in caloric intake, larger amount of white adipose tissue and adipocyte size compared to CC and CH groups. The HH and CH groups showed higher NF-kB expression in white adipose tissue compared to the CC and HC groups, and the HH group also showed higher TNF- α expression. In the hypothalamus, the HH and HC groups exhibited higher TNF- α expression compared to the CC and CH groups.Conclusion: Perinatal and post-weaning exposure to the high-fat diet increases the amount of white adipose tissue, adipocyte size, and expression of the inflammatory genes TNF-α and NF-kB.

Background: Green tea, obtained from the plant Camellis sinensis, is one of the oldest drinks in the world and contains numerous bioactive compounds. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of green tea in preventing obesity and cardiovascular diseases that may be related to the reduction of lipid levels. Aim: This study aimed to evidence, through a systematic review, the therapeutic potential of green tea on the lipid profile in preclinical studies in obese animals and clinical studies in obese individuals. Methods: This systematic review follows the recommendations of the preferred report items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The electronic databases, PubMed (Medline), Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science were consulted. Articles from January 2009 to December 2019 were selected. Results: This search resulted in twenty-nine articles were included cirtically reviewed. In experimental studies, green tea administration has been shown to reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in animals exposed to obesity-inducing diet. In humans’ studies green tea was not shown to be effective for obese lipid control. Because supplementation with green tea extract reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein for three months at a specific dose. Conclusion: Therefore, green tea appears to act as a protective agent for dyslipidemia in obesity-induced animals. In human studies, green tea has not been shown to be effective in controlling obese lipids.

This systematic review examined the effects of paternal exposure to a high-fat diet on the likelihood of offspring developing health consequences, including metabolic conditions. While the connection between a mother’s diet and offspring health has been well established, our understanding of whether offspring health is affected by a father’s diet remains limited. This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) recommendations. The PubMed, Scopus, and Embase electronic databases were searched using combinations of the MESH terms: obesogenic diet, high-fat diet, cafeteria diet, paternal diet, parental diet, programming, paternal effects, and paternal programming. Sixteen studies were selected after assessing articles for eligibility criteria. The main outcomes concerning offspring health related to metabolic disorders. The offspring of fathers exposed to a high-fat diet displayed elevated gene expression and serum levels of leptin, decreased gene expression and serum levels of adiponectin, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, changes in the transcriptome of pancreatic islet tissues, increased triglycerides, and increased expression of lipogenic genes. The available evidence suggests that paternal exposure to a high-fat diet may induce harmful effects on the health of offspring.

IntroductionIn this systematic review, we analysed studies that assessed the brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity in the high-fat/cafeteria diet model of obesity in rats.Material and methodsScopus, PubMed, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases were searched from January 2017 to November 2017. Using specific combinations of medical subject heading (MeSH) descriptors, seven papers remained after the inclusion and exclusion criteria.ResultsMost papers showed an increase in BAT thermogenesis in rodents fed high-fat/cafeteria diet. Some studies did not mention the diet composition or housing temperature, and the most of them investigated the thermogenesis superficially, being limited to the analysis of the UCP 1 expression.ConclusionsDespite the consolidated use of high-fat/cafeteria diets as a model to induce obesity, the identification of the energy expenditure arm has been slow, especially the direct quantitative assessment of the contribution of BAT to the increase in metabolic rate in rats fed a cafeteria/high-fat diet.

Exposure to the hight-fat diet may alter the control of food intake promoting hyperphagia and obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of this diet on dopamine receptors (drd1 and drd2), proopiomelanocortin (pomc), neuropeptideY (npy) genes expression, and preference food in adult rats. Wistar female rats were fed a hight-fat or control diet during pregnancy and lactation. The offspring were allocated into groups: Lactation – Control (C) and High-fat (H). Post-weaning – Control Control (CC), offspring of mothers C, fed a control diet after weaning; Control Hight-fat (CH), offspring of mothers C, fed a hight-fat diet after weaning; Hight-fat Control (HC), offspring of mothers H, fed with control diet after weaning; and Hight-fat Hight-fat (HH), offspring of mothers H, fed a H diet after weaning. The groups CH and HH presented greater expression of drd1 in comparison to the CC. The drd2 of CH and HC presented higher gene expression than did CC. HH presented higher pomc expression in comparison to the other groups. HC also presented greater expression in comparison to CH. The npy of HH presented greater expression in relation to CH and HC. HH and HC have had a higher preference for a high-fat diet at 102º life’s day. The high-fat diet altered the gene expression of the drd1, drd2, pomc and npy, and influencing the food preference for high-fat diet. Resumo A exposição à dieta hiperlipídica pode alterar o controle da ingestão de alimentos, promovendo hiperfagia e obesidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos dessa dieta sobre a expressão gênica dos receptores de dopamina (drd1 e drd2), da proopiomelanocortina (pomc) e neuropeptídeo Y (npy), e preferência alimentar em ratos adultos. Ratas Wistar foram alimentadas com uma dieta hiperlipídica ou controle durante a gestação e lactação. Os descendentes foram alocados em grupos: Lactação – Controle (C) e Hiperlipídica (H). Pós-desmame – Controle Controle (CC), descendentes das genitoras do grupo controle e alimentados com dieta controle após o desmame; Controle Hiperlipídica (CH), descendentes das genitoras do grupo controle e alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica após o desmame; Hiperlipídica Controle (HC), descendentes das genitoras do grupo hiperlipídica e alimentados com dieta controle após o desmame; Hiperlipídica Hiperlipídica (HH), descendentes das genitoras do grupo hiperlipídica e alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica após o desmame. Os grupos CH e HH apresentaram maior expressão de drd1 em comparação ao CC. O drd2 de CH e HC apresentou maior expressão gênica que o CC. HH apresentou maior expressão de pomc em comparação com os outros grupos. O HC também apresentou maior expressão de pomc em comparação ao CH. O npy do HH apresentou maior expressão em relação ao CH e HC. HH e HC tiveram uma preferência maior por uma dieta rica em gordura no 102º dia de vida. A dieta hiperlipídica alterou a expressão gênica dos drd1, drd2, pomc e npy e influenciou na preferência alimentar pela dieta hiperlipídica.

Aim Obesity during pregnancy is one of the most established risk factors for negative long-term programming. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of maternal consumption of a high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation on the weight gain, visceral adipose tissue and cholesterolemia in neonatal rats. Methods Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to the mother's diet during pregnancy and lactation: Control group (CG, n = 12) were the offspring of rats fed a standard diet (4% lipid) and the Test group (TG, n = 12) were pups rats fed on a high fat diet (23% lipid). The weight of the animals was measured on alternate days until the 22nd day of life, when collected visceral adipose tissue and blood were collected for biochemical analysis. For statistical analysis the Student t test, Sidak´s teste and two way ANOVA was used, with p

Background: sarcopenic obesity (SO) decreases functional capacity, favors loss of autonomy, and is associated with increased mortality in the elderly. The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity differs according to the chosen diagnostic method and/or the population studied. Objective: to identify sarcopenic obesity in community-dwelling elderly women using different diagnostic methods. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study involving 138 elderly women enrolled in an Open University of the Third Age. Sarcopenia was defined according to three criteria: a skeletal muscle index (SMI) ≤ 6.42 kg/m²; reduced muscle strength, defined by handgrip strength (HS)20 kg/f; and reduced physical performance, determined by a usual gait speed (GS)0.8 m/s. Obesity was diagnosed when body mass index (BMI)28 kg/m², waist circumference (WC)88 cm, total body fat percentage (TBF%) determined by bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) ≥ 38%, and value for triceps skinfold (TS) ≥ 85th percentile. Sarcopenic obesity is the coexistence of sarcopenia and obesity. Results: the prevalence of sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia was 14.5% and 3.6%, respectively. The highest prevalence of obesity was found using WC (69.6%) and TBF% (52.9%) (p0.001). The highest prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was found using TBF% (9.4%) and WC (6.5%) (p0.001). Sarcopenic obesity according to BMI was only 0.7%. Conclusion: the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was high and depended on the diagnostic criteria applied. The association of TBF% with the diagnosis of sarcopenia was the method that identified the highest prevalence of sarcopenic obesity.Antecedentes: la obesidad sarcopénica (SO) disminuye la capacidad funcional, favorece la pérdida de autonomía y se asocia a mayor mortalidad en los ancianos. La prevalencia de la obesidad sarcopénica difiere según el método de diagnóstico elegido y/o la población estudiada. Objetivo: identificar la obesidad sarcopénica en mujeres ancianas que viven en la comunidad utilizando diferentes métodos de diagnóstico. Métodos: este es un estudio transversal en el que participaron 138 mujeres ancianas inscritas en una Universidad Abierta de la Tercera Edad. La sarcopenia se definió de acuerdo con tres criterios: un índice de músculo esquelético (SMI) ≤ 6.42 kg/m²; fuerza muscular reducida, definida por una fuerza de empuñadura (HS)20 kg/f, y rendimiento físico reducido, determinado por una velocidad de marcha habitual (GS)0,8 m/s. La obesidad se diagnosticó si: índice de masa corporal (IMC)28 kg/m², perímetro de la cintura (WC)88 cm, porcentaje de grasa corporal total (TBF%) determinado por análisis de impedancia bioeléctrica (BIA) ≥ 38%, y valor de pliegue cutáneo del tríceps (TS) ≥ percentil 85. La obesidad sarcopénica es la coexistencia de sarcopenia y obesidad. Resultados: la prevalencia de la sarcopenia y la sarcopenia severa fue del 14,5% y 3,6%, respectivamente. La mayor prevalencia de obesidad se encontró mediante el WC (69,6%) y el porcentaje de TBF (52,9%) (p0,001). La prevalencia más alta de obesidad sarcopénica se encontró utilizando el % de TBF (9,4%) y el WC (6,5%) (p0,001). La obesidad sarcopénica según el IMC fue solo del 0,7%. Conclusión: la prevalencia de la obesidad sarcopénica fue alta y dependió de los criterios diagnósticos aplicados. La asociación del TBF% con el diagnóstico de sarcopenia fue el método que identificó la prevalencia más alta de obesidad sarcopénica.

Introduction Understanding associations between food preferences and maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation could inform efforts to understanding the obesity mechanisms and provide insight to prevent it. Objective: To identify studies that investigated the effects of nutritional interventions during the pregnancy and lactation on the food preferences of offspring. Method: The review was conducted with search for articles in the databases: Scopus, Pubmed, Medline, LILACS, Scielo and Science Direct. Exclusion criteria were used: reviews, human studies, studies with drugs or other substances not related to food. Results: At the end of the search in the databases, 176 references were found. After use the exclusion criteria, reading the titles, abstracts and full articles, were selected 11 articles to compose the review. Conclusion: The selected studies suggested that unbalanced nutrition in early life alters the food preference and neural components related to the consumption of fatty and sugary foods in offspring rodents. Resumo Introdução O entendimento das associações entre as preferências alimentares e nutrição materna durante a gravidez e lactação poderia colaborar para a compreensão dos mecanismos da obesidade e fornecer informações para prevenir essa infermidade. Objetivo: Identificar estudos que investigaram os efeitos das intervenções nutricionais durante a gravidez e lactação em preferências alimentares dos descendentes. Método: A revisão foi conduzida com busca de artigos nas bases de dados: Scopus, Pubmed, Medline, Lilacs, Scielo e Science Direct. Os critérios de exclusão utilizados: revisões, estudos em humanos, estudos com drogas ou outras substâncias não-alimentares. Resultados: No final da pesquisa nas bases de dados, 176 referências foram encontradas. Depois de usar os critérios de exclusão, lendo os títulos, resumos e artigos completos, 11 artigos foram selecionados para compor a revisão. Conclusão: Os estudos selecionados sugeriram que a nutrição desequilibrada no início da vida altera a preferência alimentar e componentes neurais relacionadas com o consumo de alimentos gordurosos e açucarados em prole de roedores.

O chá verde é considerado a segunda bebida mais popular e saudável desde a Antiguidade, perdendo apenas para a água. Dessa forma, o presente estudo tem como objetivo realizar uma prospecção tecnológica sobre as patentes que abordam as propriedades terapêuticas do chá verde para a saúde humana. As buscas foram realizadas por meio das bases de dados de patentes, Espacenet, INPI e Patentscope, em junho de 2018, com a palavra green tea e o código A61K36/82. Quanto ao número de depósitos de patentes por ano, é possível notar um aumento (mesmo com algumas oscilações) desse número ao longo dos anos. A Coreia do Sul, os EUA e a China são os países com maior número de patentes. Em relação às aplicações terapêuticas das patentes desenvolvidas do chá verde, nota-se que o tratamento dermatológico é o que mais se destaca, seguido do tratamento para excesso de peso e tratamento de doenças metabólicas.

INTRODUCTION: Low handgrip strength (HS) is associated with cardiometabolic alterations that have affected people with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed in adults receiving antiretroviral treatment. HS was evaluated using a dynamometer and divided by body weight to obtain the relative strength. The association between relative HS and overweight, increased waist circumference (WC), high body fat percentage, glycemia, and lipid ratios were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Low relative HS was identified in 35% of participants and associated with increased WC (odds ratio = 9.7; 95% confidence interval = 2.8-33.0). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of low HS was high and associated with increased WC.

The amino acid tryptophan (2-Amino-3-(lH-indol-3-yl)-propanoic acid; Trp) is a precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) that performs various brain functions. The administration of Trp is used in experimental studies to manipulate the serotonergic system, however the dose of Trp required to raise brain 5-HT levels is controversial. The aim of this study was to systemically review the effect of the administration of different doses of Trp on cerebral 5-HT levels. Two independent authors conducted a systematic review in the electronic databases. Twenty-five studies were included in the present review. Trp was administered orally, intraperitoneally or subcutaneous in adult animals. The brain 5-HT levels elevated after Trp administration in different intensities, dependent of the brain region evaluated and the time of administration. Further studies are needed to assess the dose-response of Trp administration to brain 5-HT levels.

Introduction: The sarcopenia is a negative aspect for the health of the elderly, increased the risk for disease and mortality. Additionally can contributes greatly to functional reducing capacity and quality of life. Objective: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia in institutionalized elderly. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted with 216 elderly people, aged ≥ 60 years, of both sexes, residents in long-term care facilities in Salvador-Bahia, Brazil. To identify sarcopenia was used the skeletal muscle Index. Covariates were considered: gender, age, time of institutionalization, type of institution, body mass index and functional capacity. The Association between sarcopenia and covariates was evaluated using the Poisson regression model with robust variance. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly was 72.2% and this condition was associated with male sex (PR = 1,33; CI 95% = 1,08-1,65), thinness (PR = 1,29; CI 95% = 1,16-1,43) and obesity (PR = 0,37; CI 95% = 0,23-0,61). Conclusion: The prevalence of sarcopenia was high among the elderly living in long-term institutions, especially among men. Elderly with thinness showed greater impairment of muscle reserves, while the state of obesity was protective.

Introduction: The main changes in the body composition refer to the increase of adipose tissue and/or the decrease of muscular mass, and these changes have effect in many clinical outcomes. Sarcopenic obesity (SO) consists of the presence of excessive adipose tissue and deficit of muscular mass simultaneously. People with SO may have synergistic effect due to obesity and sarcopenia, with increases cardiovascular risk more than obesity itself. Objective: To describe the findings in the literature about the association between SO and risk factors and/or cardiometabolic disease (CMD) or cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: An electronic search was done on the following databases: MEDLINE, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS and Web of Science, using the matching expressions and Boolean operators: “obesity sarcopenic” OR “sarcopenic obesity”, in the titles of the studies, AND “cardiometabolic disease” OR “cardiovascular disease” OR “metabolic syndrome” OR “insulin resistance”, in the abstract. Results: Most of studies are cross-sectional and present many different diagnosis criteria for SO. It was possible to verify the association of the SO and the risk factors and/or CMD or CVD. Conclusion: SO is associated with risk factors and/or CMD or CVD. The lack of a consensus about this definition jeopardizes the effective clinical practice and the research about the subject

INTRODUÇÃO: O hiperparatireoidismo secundário (HPT2) é uma complicação comum e precoce em pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC). Estudos têm sugerido que os altos níveis de paratormônio (PTH) podem exercer efeitos deletérios no estado nutricional de pacientes com DRC. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o estado nutricional de pacientes com DRC em diálise peritoneal contínua (DPC) com e sem HPT2. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é comparar o estado nutricional de pacientes com DRC em diálise peritoneal contínua (DPC) com e sem HPTS. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 74 pacientes, entre adultos e idosos, divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com os níveis de PTH. No grupo 1 (n = 18) os níveis de PTH eram maiores do que 300 pg/mL e, no grupo 2, menores ou iguais a 300 pg/mL. O estado nutricional dos pacientes foi avaliado através da antropometria, exames bioquímicos e avaliação subjetiva global (ASG). O consumo alimentar foi avaliado através do registro alimentar de 3 dias. Foram coletados também dados clínicos, como cálcio e fósforo séricos, e a presença de inflamação foi avaliada através da dosagem de proteína C reativa ultrassensível (PCR US). RESULTADOS: A média de idade da população estudada foi de 54,97 ± 17,06 anos, com predominância de pacientes adultos (58,1%) e do sexo feminino (56,8%). O tempo de DPC expresso em mediana foi de 17 meses (7,75-33). Através da ASG, demonstrou-se prevalência de 36,5% de desnutridos na população. Na análise de diferença entre os grupos, em relação à antropometria, indicadores bioquímicos e ASG, bem como ingestão alimentar, não foram evidenciadas diferenças entre os grupos estudados. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve diferenças no estado nutricional e na ingestão alimentar entre os pacientes com e sem HPT2.

FUNDAMENTO: A obesidade androgênica está associada a um risco maior de distúrbios metabólicos, favorecendo assim a ocorrência de doenças cardiovasculares e outras morbidades. OBJETIVO: Verificar a influência da área de tecido adiposo visceral (ATAV), medida pela tomografia computadorizada, sobre alterações metabólicas em adultos e idosos. MÉTODOS: Tomografias computadorizadas e valores de lipoproteínas: o colesterol total e frações, os triglicérides, a glicemia e o ácido úrico foram obtidos de 194 indivíduos estratificados por sexo, grupo etário e massa corporal, e analisados utilizando os testes de correlação e de média. RESULTADOS: Os idosos apresentaram maiores valores da ATAV, glicemia, ácido úrico e colesterol total. As maiores correlações foram encontradas entre a ATAV, os triglicérides e o VLDL-c (r > 0,5; p < 0,01), em ambos os grupos etários. A média da área de tecido adiposo visceral mostrou-se sempre mais elevada quando os valores de triglicérides e de glicemia estavam alterados, em ambos os grupos etários. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria dos exames apresentou forte correlação com a ATAV considerada de risco para alterações metabólicas. Em idosos, a área de tecido adiposo visceral de risco parece ser superior a de adultos. BACKGROUND: Androgenic obesity is associated with a higher risk of metabolic disorders, thus favoring the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and other morbidities. OBJECTIVE: To verify the influence of the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area, measured by computed tomography (CT), on the metabolic alterations in adult and elderly individuals. METHODS: CT results and lipoprotein levels, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, glycemia and uric acid levels, were obtained from 194 individuals stratified by sex, age group and body mass and analyzed using the tests of correlation and means. RESULTS: The elderly individuals presented higher VAT area, glycemia, uric acid and total cholesterol levels. The most important correlations were observed between VAT area, triglycerides (TG) and VLDL-c (r > 0.5; p < 0.01), in both age groups. The mean VAT area was always higher when TG and glycemia levels were altered, in both age groups. CONCLUSION: Most tests showed a strong correlation with VAT area, which was considered as risk for metabolic alterations. In elderly individuals, the risk VAT area seems to be higher than that of adult individuals. FUNDAMENTO: La obesidad androgénica está asociada a un riesgo mayor de disturbios metabólicos, favoreciendo así la ocurrencia de enfermedades cardiovasculares y otras morbilidades. OBJETIVOS: Verificar la influencia del área de tejido adiposo visceral (ATAV), medida por la tomografía computarizada, sobre alteraciones metabólicas en adultos y adultos mayores. MÉTODOS: Tomografías computarizadas y valores de lipoproteínas: el colesterol total y fracciones, los triglicéridos, la glucemia y el ácido úrico se obtuvieron de 194 individuos estratificados por sexo, grupo de edad y masa corporal, y se analizaron utilizando las pruebas de correlación y de promedio. RESULTADOS: Los adultos mayores presentaron mayores valores de la ATAV, glucemia, ácido úrico y colesterol total. Las mayores correlaciones se encontraron entre la ATAV, los triglicéridos y el VLDL-c (r > 0,5; p < 0,01), en ambos grupos de edad. La media del área de tejido adiposo visceral se evidenció siempre más elevada cuando los valores de triglicéridos y de glucemia estaban alterados, en ambos grupos de edad. CONCLUSIÓN: La mayoría de los exámenes presentó fuerte correlación con la ATAV considerada de riesgo para alteraciones metabólicas. En adultos mayores, el área de tejido adiposo visceral de riesgo parece ser superior a la de adultos.

OBJETIVO: Investigou-se os efeitos do tratamento com triptofano sobre o consumo alimentar em ratos adultos, submetidos ou não a desnutrição precoce. MÉTODOS: Sessenta e quatro ratos Wistar machos foram divididos em nutridos (n=32, caseína=17%) e desnutridos (n=32, caseína=8%), de acordo com a dieta materna empregada no período de lactação. Após o desmame, todos os ratos receberam dieta com 23% de proteína. Pesos corporais foram avaliados no sétimo, vigésimo primeiro e septuagésimo dias de vida. Aos setenta dias de idade, cada grupo nutricional foi dividido em subgrupos: Nutrido-Salina (n=16) e Nutrido-Triptofano (n=16), Desnutrido-Salina (n=16) e Desnutrido-Triptofano (n=16). Os grupos receberam diariamente 1,0mL/100g de triptofano, na dose de 50mg/kgP ou salina (0,9%NaCl), durante 14 dias. Neste período foram realizados os estudos dos parâmetros do comportamento alimentar. Posteriormente obteve-se a média do consumo alimentar relativo e a média do ganho de peso relativo. As análises estatísticas foram feitas utilizando os testes t Student e ANOVA seguido de Tukey, com pOBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of tryptophan on the eating behavior of adult rats submitted or not to early malnutrition. METHODS: Sixty-four male Wistar rats were divided into nourished (n=32, casein=17%) and malnourished (n=32, casein=8%) according to the diet given to the dam during lactation. After weaning, all rats were fed a diet with a protein content of 23%. The rats were weighed on day 7, day 21 and day 70 after birth. On day 70 after birth, each nutritional group was divided into 4 subgroups: nourished-saline (n=16), nourished-tryptophan (n=16), malnourished-saline (n=16) and malnourished-tryptophan (n=16). The tryptophan groups were given 1.0mL/100g of tryptophan for 14 days, at a dosage of 50mg/kgw of body weight and the saline groups were given 1.0mL/100g of 0.9% NaCl, also for 14 days. The eating behavior parameters were assessed during this period. The mean relative food intake and mean relative weight gain were then determined. The statistical analyses were done by the Student's t-test and ANOVA, followed by the Tukey test, with p

OBJETIVO: Identificar a ocorrência de desnutrição, inflamação e outros fatores de risco para doença cardiovascular em pacientes sob diálise peritoneal. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, envolvendo 61 pacientes em duas unidades de diálise em Salvador (BA). O estado nutricional foi avaliado por meio da Avaliação Subjetiva Global. Realizou-se a dosagem de proteína C reativa ultrassensível para determinar inflamação. Foram estudados fatores de risco tradicionais para doença cardiovascular, como gênero, idade, etilismo, tabagismo, sedentarismo, hipertensão, diabetes, dislipidemia e hábitos alimentares e fatores não tradicionais, como alterações no metabolismo de cálcio, fósforo e anemia. RESULTADOS: Nessa população, 36,0% dos pacientes encontravam-se desnutridos e 49,2% com processo inflamatório. Desnutrição e inflamação foram evidenciadas em 21,3% dos pacientes. O grupo de pacientes desnutridos apresentou níveis maiores de proteína C reativa ultrassensível do que o de pacientes com bom estado nutricional (p=0,04). A elevada ocorrência dos outros fatores risco para doença cardiovascular também foi observada na população. CONCLUSÃO: A desnutrição ainda é frequente nos pacientes sob diálise peritoneal, assim como a inflamação. Pacientes desnutridos apresentam maiores níveis séricos de proteína C reativa ultrassensível do que aqueles com bom estado nutricional. Observa-se que muitos dos fatores de risco evidenciados na população estudada são passíveis de terapêutica.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the occurrence of malnutrition, inflammation and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. METHODS: This is a crosssectional study comprising 61 patients from two dialysis units in Salvador (Bahia, Brazil). Nutritional status was determined by the global subjective assessment and inflammation by the ultra sensitive creactive protein levels. Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as gender, age, consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking, inactivity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and food habits, as well as nontraditional factors such as disturbed calcium and phosphorus metabolism and anemia, were investigated. RESULTS: Malnutrition was found in 36.0% of the patients in the population under study whereas inflammation was present in 49.2% of them. Patients with both malnutrition and inflammation were shown to comprise 21.3% of the sample. Ultra sensitive creactive protein levels were found to be higher (p=0.04) in malnourished patients than in those with good nutritional status. High rates of other risk factors for cardiovascular disease were also observed in this population. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition and inflammation are still common among patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Ultra sensitive creactive protein levels were found to be higher among malnourished patients than in well-nourished patients. Many of the risk factors found in the studied population are treatable.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ingestion of micronutrients in elderly living in nursing homes. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted with 216 individuals of both sexes, age equal or greater than 60 years, living in nursing homes for elderly in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Direct weighing of the food was used to get food intake, and prevalence of inadequacy was obtained using the software Multiple Source Method (MSM) and evaluated by estimated average requirement (EAR). Results: A high prevalence of inadequate intake of micronutrients was observed, being over 90% for vitamins E, folate, pyridoxine and calcium, in both sexes and between 50 and 70% for selenium, retinol, riboflavin, cyanocobalamin and vitamin C. Conclusion: The high prevalence of inadequate intake of micronutrients in elderly living on nursing homes observed in this study may be used for planning public health strategies aiming to improve the nutritional context of this population and their quality of life, reducing the costs of health care.

Background/Aims: Neonatal malnutrition induces metabolic and endocrine changes that have beneficial effects on the neonatal in the short term but, in the longer term, these alterations lead to maladaptations. We investigated the effect of neonatal malnutrition on immune responses in adult rats submitted or not to an aggressiveness test. Methods: Male Wistar rats were distributed to one of two groups according to their mothers’ diet during lactation: the well-nourished group (group C, n = 42, receiving 23% of protein) and the malnourished group (group MN, n = 42, receiving 8% of protein). After weaning, all rats received normoproteic diet. Ninety days after birth, each group was subdivided into three subgroups: control rats (n = 14, respectively), aggressive rats (n = 14, respectively) and rats receiving foot shock (FS; n = 14, respectively). Plasma corticosterone concentration was measured after FS sessions. Leukocyte counts and humoral immunity were evaluated. Results: In neonatal malnourished animals, FS-induced stress reduced plasma corticosterone concentration. Intraspecific aggressiveness induced alterations in leukocyte counts and antibody titers 7 and 15 days after immunization. Neonatal malnourished animals showed no changes in the immune parameters evaluated. Conclusions: Expression of intraspecific aggressiveness activates the immune system. Neonatal malnutrition seems to have a long-lasting effect on components of both neuroendocrine and immune functions.

considering the frequent consumption of fat-rich diets by women of reproductive age, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of maternal consumption of a high-fat diet during the perinatal and/ or post-weaning period on the liver parameters and lipid metabolism of young rats.Wistar female rats were fed a high-fat (H) or control (C) diet during pregnancy and lactation. The offspring were allocated to four groups: Control Control (CC, n = 11), offspring fed a control diet after weaning; Control High-fat (CH, n = 10), offspring fed a high-fat diet after weaning; High-fat High-fat (HH, n = 10), offspring of mothers H fed a high-fat diet after weaning; and High-fat Control (HC, n = 9), offspring of mothers H fed with control diet after weaning.the food intake did not differ among the groups, however, the relative weight of the adipose tissue was higher in animals from the HC, HH and CH groups (p ≤ 0.005). Liver steatosis was found in the CH and HH animals, which also exhibited hypercholesterolemia (p ≤ 0.05). The levels of the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were higher in the HH group, and the LDL level was higher in the CH group compared to the CC. The consumption of an obesogenic diet during critical periods of development may contribute to the occurrence of visceral obesity, liver steatosis and hypercholesterolemia in adult rats, even in the absence of changes in dietary intake.Objetivo: teniendo en cuenta el consumo frecuente de dietas ricas en grasas por las mujeres en edad reproductiva, el objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar los efectos del consumo materno de una dieta alta en grasas durante el periodo perinatal y/o post-destete en el higado y el metabolismo de los lipidos en ratas jovenes. Métodos: ratas hembra Wistar fueron alimentadas durante el embarazo y la lactancia con un alto contenido de grasa (H) o de control (C). La descendencia se asigno a cuatro grupos: Control (CC, n = 11), descendencia alimentada con una dieta de control despues del destete; Control de dieta alta en grasa (CH, n = 10), crias alimentadas con una dieta alta en grasas despues del destete; Alta en grasas de alta en grasa (HH, n = 10), hijos de madres H alimentados con una dieta alta en grasas despues del destete; y Control de alta en grasa (HC, n = 9), hijos de madres H alimentados con dieta de control tras el destete. Resultados y discusión: la ingesta de alimentos no difirio entre los grupos; sin embargo, el peso relativo del tejido adiposo fue mayor en los animales de los grupos HC, HH y CH (p ≤ 0,005). La esteatosis hepatica se encontro en los CH y HH, que tambien presentaban hipercolesterolemia (p ≤ 0,05). Los niveles de las enzimas hepaticas alanina aminotransferasa (ALT) y gamma-glutamil transpeptidasa (GGT) fueron mayores en el grupo de HH, y el nivel de LDL fue mayor en el grupo CH en comparacion con el CC. El consumo de la dieta propicio la obesidad durante los periodos criticos del desarrollo y puede contribuir a la aparicion de obesidad visceral, esteatosis hepatica e hipercolesterolemia en ratas adultas, incluso en ausencia de cambios en la ingesta dietetica.

The malnutrition found in oncology patients is the main responsible for the increase in morbimortality and worsening of their quality of life. Currently, the assessment of malnutrition is performed by subjective and objective methods, or the combination of them. Although these methods are routinely applied and their association is very common in clinical practice, there are few studies on the agreement between them. Thereby, this study aims to compare different methods for nutritional status assessment in surgical oncology patients.173 oncology patients, admitted for surgery, were submitted to an anthropometric evaluation and answered a SGA, PG-SGA and NRS-2002. Kappa test was used to evaluated the level of concordance between the methods.Poor concordance were observed between BMI and NRS-2002 (K=0,286), SGA (K=0,372) and PGSGA (K=0,173). Among the subjective methods, the best results were found for SGA and PG-SGA (K=0,690), and the lowest between NRS-2002 and both others (SGA: K=0,345; PG-SGA: K=0,322).The poor concordance found between objective and subjective methods reinforces the importance of associating indicators in the nutritional assessment of this population Despite of the poor concordance found between the nutritional status assessment methods investigated in this study, patients who had greater depletion of body stores were also diagnosed with a higher degree of malnutrition by subjective methods.Introducción y objetivos: La desnutrición en el paciente oncológico es responsable por el aumento de la morbilidady la mortalidady produce una disminución de su calidad de vida. En la actualidad, la identificación de la desnutrición se lleva a cabo por medio de métodos subjetivos y objetivos o por la unión de ambos. A pesar de la asociación de estos métodos como examen de rutina en la práctica clínica, son muy pocos los trabajos que evalúan la concordancia entre ellos. De ese modo, el objetivo de este estudio fue comparar diferentes métodos para evaluar el estado nutricional de los pacientes oncológicos quirúrgicos. Métodos: Se analizaron 173 pacientes oncológicos, ingresados para cirugía, se sometieron a una evaluación antropométrica y respondieron a SGA, PG-SGA y NRS- 2002. Se utilizó el test Kappa para evaluar el nível de concordancia entre los métodos. Resultados: Baja concordancia entre el IMC con el NRS-2002 (K=0,286), ASG(K=0,372) y ASG-PPP (K=0,173) fue identificado. Entre los métodos subjetivos, los resultados fueron mejores com ASG y ASG-PPP (K=0,690) y menor entre el NRS-2002 y los otros (ASG: K=0,345; ASG-PPP: K=0,322). Conclusión: Los resultados demostraron baja concordancia entre los métodos objetivos y subjetivos, lo que refuerza La importancia de la asociación de los indicadores en la evaluación nutricional de esta población. Aunque se ha encontrado baja concordancia entre los métodos de evaluación nutricional empleados en este estudio, los pacientes que presentaron una mayor reducción de las reservas corporales, fueron diagnosticados com un mayor grado de mal nutrición por los métodos subjetivos.

Serotonin plays a role at the pathophysiology of depression in humans and in experimental models. The present study investigated the depressive behavior and the weigh evolution in adult rats (60 days) treated from the 1st to the 21st postnatal day with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (10 mg/kg, sc, daily). The depressive behavior was induced by the forced swim test (FST). The animals were submitted to two sessions of FST: 1st session for 15 min and the 2nd session 24h later, for 5 min. During the 2nd session the Latency of the Attempt of Escape (LAE) and Behavioral Immobility (BI) were appraised. The Fluoxetine group when compared to the Control group, showed an increase in LAE and a decrease in BI. The neonatal administration of fluoxetine reduced the depressive behavior in adult rats, possibly by increase in the brain serotonergic activity. This alteration can be associated to process of neuroadaptation.Estudos em humanos e em modelos experimentais demonstram que a serotonina (5-HT) participa da fisiopatologia da depressão. O presente estudo investigou o comportamento depressivo e a evolução ponderal de ratos adultos jovens (60 dias) tratados do 1º ao 21º dia pós-natal com fluoxetina, um inibidor seletivo de recaptação da serotonina, (10 mg/kg, sc, diariamente). A depressão experimental foi induzida através do teste de nado forçado (NF). Os animais foram submetidos a duas sessões de NF, a primeira por 15 min e a segunda após 24 h, por 5 min. Durante os 5 min de NF a latência da tentativa de fuga (LTF) e o tempo de imobilidade (TI) foram avaliados. O grupo tratado com fluoxetina apresentou aumento da LTF e redução do TI comparado ao controle. A administração neonatal de fluoxetina reduziu o comportamento depressivo em ratos adultos, possivelmente em função do aumento da atividade serotoninérgica cerebral. Esta alteração poderá estar relacionada a processos neuroadaptativos.

The effect of the malnutrition during suckling on the aggressiveness was investigated in adult rats treated or not with citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The animals were divided into two groups according to the diet used: nourished group-- the rats received the control diet with 23% protein during the life; and malnourished group-- the rats had its mothers submitted to diet with 7.8% protein during suckling. At 120 days of age, each group was sub-divided according to the treatment: acute -- consisting a single i.p. injection of saline solution or 20-mg/Kg citalopram; chronic -- consisting the single injections (1 per day during 14 days) of saline or 20 mg/Kg citalopram. The acute or chronic treatment with SSRI reduces aggressive response in nourished rats, but not in malnourished ones. Thus, the malnutrition during the critical period of brain development seems to induce durable alterations in the function of the serotoninergic neurotransmission O efeito da desnutrição durante a lactação sobre a agressividade foi investigado em ratos adultos tratados ou não com citalopram, um inibidor seletivo da recaptação de serotonina (ISRS). Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a dieta: grupo nutrido-- ratos que receberam toda a vida dieta controle (23% de proteína); e grupo desnutrido-- ratos que tiveram suas mães submetidas a dieta com 7,8% de proteína na lactação. Aos 120 dias de idade, cada grupo foi sub-dividido conforme o tratamento: agudo -- consistindo de injeção única i.p. de solução salina ou 20mg/Kg de citalopram; crônico - consistindo de injeções únicas (1 por dia durante 14 dias) de salina ou 20mg/Kg de citalopram. O tratamento agudo ou crônico com ISRS reduziu a resposta agressiva nos ratos nutridos, mas não nos desnutridos. Assim, a desnutrição durante o período crítico de desenvolvimento do cérebro parece acarretar alterações duradouras na função da neurotransmissão serotoninérgica.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162240.].

As a common problem in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), anemia affects 25-63% of the elderly. The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of anemia and its associated factors in the institutionalized elderly. The cross-sectional study was carried out with three hundred thirteen individuals aged ≥ 60 years, of both genders, living in long-term care facilities for the elderly in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Poisson regression (PR) with robust variance estimates was used to assess the factors related to anemia. The prevalence of anemia was 38%. Mild anemia was predominant in both genders (male: 26.8%; female: 21.1%), as normocytic and normochromic anemia, with no anisocytosis (69.75%). Anemia was associated with thinness (PR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.04-2.72) and with moderate (PR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.07-3.63) and total (PR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.34-5.07) dependence in the final model. Severe dependence exhibited borderline significance (PR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.00-3.77). The prevalence of anemia was high in the institutionalized elderly in both genders, with characteristics suggesting chronic diseases as the causal factor, and the frequency of occurrence was higher in thinness elderly with moderate to total dependence.

The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the long-term effects of a perinatal palatable high-fat diet on the food intake and cholesterol profile of adult rats. Male Wistar rats (aged 22 days) were divided into two groups according to their mother's diet during gestation and lactation (C (p), n = 10; pups from control mothers; and HL(p) n = 10; pups from mothers fed a palatable high-fat diet). At the 76th day, pups were housed individually for 14 days, and daily food consumption was determined during a period of 6 days. Blood from 100-day-old rats was sampled by cardiac puncture. Fasting (12 h) serum glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides (TG), and VLDL-C levels were determined. The measurement of food intake was higher in the animals submitted to a hyperlipidic diet during the perinatal period. Serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, VLDL-C and glycemia were increased in the HL(p) group compared to the control group. Our findings show that an early life environment with a high-fat diet can contribute to metabolic disease in later life.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common and early complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Studies have suggested that high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) may have deleterious effects on the nutritional status of patients with CKD. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the nutritional status of CKD patients in continuous peritoneal dialysis (CPD) with and without SHPT.The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional status of CKD patients in continuous peritoneal dialysis (CPD) with and without SHPT.74 patients were evaluated, including adults and seniors, divided into two groups according to PTH levels. In group 1 (n = 18) levels of PTH higher than 300 pg/mL and in group 2 less than or equal to 300 pg/mL. The nutritional status of patients was assessed by anthropometry, biochemical and subjective global assessment (SGA). Food intake was measured by food record for 3 days. We also collected clinical data, such as calcium and serum phosphorus, and the presence of inflammation was assessed by measuring C-reactive protein ultra-sensitive (CRP US).The average age of the population studied was 54.97 ± 17.06 years, with predominance of adult patients (58.1%) and females (56.8%). The time of CPD expressed in median was 17 months (7.75-33). Through ASG, it was shown a prevalence of 36.5% of the population undernourished. In the analysis of difference between the groups in relation to anthropometry, biochemical indicators and ASG as well as food intake, there were no differences between the groups.There were no differences in nutritional status and dietary intake between patients with and without SHPT.

OBJETIVO: Identificar a ocorrência de desnutrição, inflamação e outros fatores de risco para doença cardiovascular em pacientes sob diálise peritoneal. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, envolvendo 61 pacientes em duas unidades de diálise em Salvador (BA). O estado nutricional foi avaliado por meio da Avaliação Subjetiva Global. Realizou-se a dosagem de proteína C reativa ultrassensível para determinar inflamação. Foram estudados fatores de risco tradicionais para doença cardiovascular, como gênero, idade, etilismo, tabagismo, sedentarismo, hipertensão, diabetes, dislipidemia e hábitos alimentares e fatores não tradicionais, como alterações no metabolismo de cálcio, fósforo e anemia. RESULTADOS: Nessa população, 36,0% dos pacientes encontravam-se desnutridos e 49,2% com processo inflamatório. Desnutrição e inflamação foram evidenciadas em 21,3% dos pacientes. O grupo de pacientes desnutridos apresentou níveis maiores de proteína C reativa ultrassensível do que o de pacientes com bom estado nutricional (p=0,04). A elevada ocorrência dos outros fatores risco para doença cardiovascular também foi observada na população. CONCLUSÃO: A desnutrição ainda é frequente nos pacientes sob diálise peritoneal, assim como a inflamação. Pacientes desnutridos apresentam maiores níveis séricos de proteína C reativa ultrassensível do que aqueles com bom estado nutricional. Observa-se que muitos dos fatores de risco evidenciados na população estudada são passíveis de terapêutica. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the occurrence of malnutrition, inflammation and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. METHODS: This is a crosssectional study comprising 61 patients from two dialysis units in Salvador (Bahia, Brazil). Nutritional status was determined by the global subjective assessment and inflammation by the ultra sensitive creactive protein levels. Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as gender, age, consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking, inactivity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and food habits, as well as nontraditional factors such as disturbed calcium and phosphorus metabolism and anemia, were investigated. RESULTS: Malnutrition was found in 36.0% of the patients in the population under study whereas inflammation was present in 49.2% of them. Patients with both malnutrition and inflammation were shown to comprise 21.3% of the sample. Ultra sensitive creactive protein levels were found to be higher (p=0.04) in malnourished patients than in those with good nutritional status. High rates of other risk factors for cardiovascular disease were also observed in this population. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition and inflammation are still common among patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Ultra sensitive creactive protein levels were found to be higher among malnourished patients than in well-nourished patients. Many of the risk factors found in the studied population are treatable.

Androgenic obesity is associated with a higher risk of metabolic disorders, thus favoring the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and other morbidities.To verify the influence of the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area, measured by computed tomography (CT), on the metabolic alterations in adult and elderly individuals.CT results and lipoprotein levels, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, glycemia and uric acid levels, were obtained from 194 individuals stratified by sex, age group and body mass and analyzed using the tests of correlation and means.The elderly individuals presented higher VAT area, glycemia, uric acid and total cholesterol levels. The most important correlations were observed between VAT area, triglycerides (TG) and VLDL-c (r0.5; p0.01), in both age groups. The mean VAT area was always higher when TG and glycemia levels were altered, in both age groups.Most tests showed a strong correlation with VAT area, which was considered as risk for metabolic alterations. In elderly individuals, the risk VAT area seems to be higher than that of adult individuals.

The repercussion on the immune response of the expression of intraspecific aggressiveness in the face of a stressor agent was investigated in rats. Ninety-day-old animals were divided into three groups: the control group (only immunological measurements were performed), the foot-shock (FS) (animals individually receiving FS), and the intraspecific aggressive response (IAR) group (animals receiving FS and presenting IAR). For immunological measurements, blood samples were collected promptly at 7 and 15 days after FS or IAR. The FS reduced the total leukocyte amount presented. However, aggressiveness triggered not only reduction of the leukocytes, but also lymphocyte decrease and neutrophil increase. Moreover, an elevation in total leukocytes associated with an increase in the humoral immune response was also observed one week after IAR. In this study, the expression of intraspecific aggressiveness in the face of a stressor seemed to activate the immune system and to potentiate the antigen specific humoral response.

Serotonin plays a role at the pathophysiology of depression in humans and in experimental models. The present study investigated the depressive behavior and the weigh evolution in adult rats (60 days) treated from the 1st to the 21st postnatal day with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (10 mg/kg, sc, daily). The depressive behavior was induced by the forced swim test (FST). The animals were submitted to two sessions of FST: 1st session for 15 min and the 2nd session 24h later, for 5 min. During the 2nd session the Latency of the Attempt of Escape (LAE) and Behavioral Immobility (BI) were appraised. The Fluoxetine group when compared to the Control group, showed an increase in LAE and a decrease in BI. The neonatal administration of fluoxetine reduced the depressive behavior in adult rats, possibly by increase in the brain serotonergic activity. This alteration can be associated to process of neuroadaptation. Estudos em humanos e em modelos experimentais demonstram que a serotonina (5-HT) participa da fisiopatologia da depressão. O presente estudo investigou o comportamento depressivo e a evolução ponderal de ratos adultos jovens (60 dias) tratados do 1º ao 21º dia pós-natal com fluoxetina, um inibidor seletivo de recaptação da serotonina, (10 mg/kg, sc, diariamente). A depressão experimental foi induzida através do teste de nado forçado (NF). Os animais foram submetidos a duas sessões de NF, a primeira por 15 min e a segunda após 24 h, por 5 min. Durante os 5 min de NF a latência da tentativa de fuga (LTF) e o tempo de imobilidade (TI) foram avaliados. O grupo tratado com fluoxetina apresentou aumento da LTF e redução do TI comparado ao controle. A administração neonatal de fluoxetina reduziu o comportamento depressivo em ratos adultos, possivelmente em função do aumento da atividade serotoninérgica cerebral. Esta alteração poderá estar relacionada a processos neuroadaptativos.