Plasma metabolic signatures of healthy overweight subjects challenged with an oral glucose tolerance test

Insulin secretion following ingestion of a carbohydrate load affects a multitude of metabolic pathways that simultaneously change direction and quantity of interorgan fluxes of sugars, lipids and amino acids. In the present study, we aimed at identifying markers associated with differential responses to an OGTT a population of healthy adults. By use of three metabolite profiling platforms, we assessed these postprandial responses of a total of 202 metabolites in plasma of 72 healthy volunteers undergoing comprehensive phenotyping and of which half enrolled into a weight-loss program over a three-month period. A standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) served as dietary challenge test to identify changes in postprandial metabolite profiles. Despite classified as healthy according to WHO criteria, two discrete clusters (A and B) were identified based on the postprandial glucose profiles with a balanced distribution of volunteers based on gender and other measures. Cluster A individuals displayed 26% higher postprandial glucose levels, delayed glucose clearance and increased fasting plasma concentrations of more than 20 known biomarkers of insulin resistance and diabetes previously identified in large cohort studies. The volunteers identified by canonical postprandial responses that form cluster A may be called pre-pre-diabetics and defined as “at risk” for development of insulin resistance. Moreover, postprandial changes in selected fatty acids and complex lipids, bile acids, amino acids, acylcarnitines and sugars like mannose revealed marked differences in the responses seen in cluster A and cluster B individuals that sustained over the entire challenge test period of 240 min. Almost all metabolites, including glucose and insulin, returned to baseline values within this timeframe, except a variety of amino acids and here those that have been linked to diabetes development. Analysis of the corresponding metabolite profile in a fasting blood sample may therefore allow for early identification of these subjects at risk for insulin resistance without the need to undergo an OGTT

Conjugated Linoleic Acid Combined with Physical Activity Reduces Body Fat Accumulation But Does Not Modify Lean Body Mass in Male and Female Wistar Rats

Several biological and clinical studies have suggested that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) prevents body fat accumulation and increases lean body mass. CLA is available as a concentrated dietary supplement and is purported to provide the aforementioned benefits for people who perform physical activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a CLA-supplemented diet combined with physical activity on the body composition of Wistar rats. Two groups of Wistar rats of both sexes, between 45 and 60 days old, were fed a diet containing 5.5% soybean oil (control group) or a CLA-supplemented diet (0.5% CLA and 5.0% soybean oil) (test group). Half the rats in both groups were assigned to exercise by running on a treadmill. The biochemical and anatomical body compositions were analyzed. In both groups, CLA had no effect on the dietary consumption or the weight of the liver, heart, and lungs. However, it did influence the overall weight gain of exercised male rats and the chemical and anatomical body composition in exercised and sedentary rats of both sexes. The results confirm that a CLA-supplemented diet with and without physical activity reduced body fat accumulation in rats of both sexes. However, there is no evidence of an increase in the lean body mass of the exercised rats.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao PauloFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paul

Polifenóis de cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) e cambuci (Campomanesia phaea Berg.): bioatividades na obesidade induzida por dieta e suas alterações metabólicas.

Obesity and overweight have reached epidemic proportions and their prevalence has increased dramatically in the last decades worldwide. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in the incidence of obesity-associated metabolic alterations including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular complications, and certain types of cancer. Evidences suggest that bioactive compounds present in fruit and vegetables, including polyphenols (or phenolic compounds), may exert beneficial effects against the development of obesity and associated alterations. Brazil is the world\'s third largest fruit producer and the seventh largest producer of tropical fresh fruits; however, only a few of them are being exploited commercially, perhaps due to the limited amount of information available about their chemical composition, and biochemical, nutritional and functional properties. Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) and cambuci (Campomanesia phaea Berg.) are fruit species of the Myrtaceae family growing in the regions of the Brazilian Cerrado and Atlantic Coastal Forest biomes, respectively. Cagaita and cambuci fruits are used in various typical preparations, mainly jams, jellies, ice-cream, and liqueurs; whereas both fruit and leaves are used as popular alternative medicine by local communities to treat various disturbs such as diarrhea, diabetes, and jaundice. Previous studies have demonstrated the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential from cagaita and cambuci polyphenols in in vitro assays. Thus, in the present study, we investigated whether the administration of polyphenol-rich extracts from cagaita and cambuci, at two different doses, protect mice from diet-induced obesity and associated alterations. Two biological models, preventive and therapeutic, were designed for cagaita, and preventive for cambuci. For the preventive protocols, C57BL/6J mice fed either with a chow or a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diets were daily treated by gavage with water or polyphenols-rich extracts at two doses for 8 weeks. The findings demonstrate that polyphenols from cagaita prevented body weight and fat mass gains, attenuated fasting hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, and reduced hepatic lipid accumulation. On the other hand, polyphenols from cambuci showed absence of changes in body weight and adiposity; however, an attenuation of adipose tissue inflammation was observed for both doses tested. Additionally, polyphenols from cambuci were effective in ameliorating glucose tolerance, as well as reducing fasting hyperglycemia, and improving dyslipidemia. For the therapeutic protocol, C57BL/6J obese mice induced by the intake of a HFHS diet for six weeks were treated with polyphenols from cagaita at two doses by oral gavage for further 8 weeks. Polyphenols from cagaita improved glucose homeostasis and attenuated dyslipidemia in obese mice, without affecting body weight and adiposity. Mechanistically, these beneficial actions seem to be mediated, at least in part, through a reduction in hepatic inflammation. In conclusion, polyphenols from cagaita and cambuci have a potential protective role in diet-induced obesity and their metabolic alterations.A obesidade é considerada uma das grandes epidemias do século XXI, devido ao aumento de sua prevalência nos últimos anos e às diversas co-morbidades decorrentes destas alterações metabólicas como diabetes mellitus tipo 2, doenças cardiovasculares e alguns tipos de câncer. Evidências sugerem que compostos bioativos presentes em frutas e vegetais, incluindo os polifenóis (ou compostos fenólicos), podem exercer efeitos benéficos contra o desenvolvimento de obesidade e suas alterações associadas. O Brasil é o terceiro produtor mundial de frutas e o sétimo na produção de frutas tropicais, no entanto, um grande número de espécies frutíferas nativas permanece inexplorado em relação a seu potencial nutricional e funcional. Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) e cambuci (Campomanesia phaea Berg.) são espécies frutíferas originárias das regiões do Cerrado e da Mata Atlântica, respectivamente, cujos frutos são usados na elaboração de diversos produtos alimentícios, e frutos e folhas de cagaita são usados na medicina popular. Estudos prévios têm demonstrado o potencial antioxidante e antidiabético in vitro dos polifenóis de ambas as frutas. Neste contexto, no presente estudo, foi investigado se a administração de extratos ricos em polifenóis de cagaita e cambuci, em duas doses diferentes, protegem camundongos de obesidade induzida por dieta a suas alterações associadas. Dois modelos biológicos, preventivo e terapêutico, foram desenvolvidos para cagaita, e preventivo para cambuci. Para os protocolos preventivos, foram usados camundongos da linhagem C57BL/6J alimentados com dieta rica em gorduras e sacarose (high-fat high-sucrose diet, HFHS), aos quais foram administrados água (controle) ou extratos ricos em polifenóis por gavagem em duas doses por 8 semanas. Os resultados demonstraram diferentes efeitos para os dois extratos. Os polifenóis de cagaita preveniram ganho de peso corporal e adiposidade, atenuaram hiperglicemia de jejum e dislipidemia, e reduziram acumulação de lipídeos hepáticos. Por outro lado, polifenóis de cambuci não contribuíram na prevenção do ganho de peso corporal e adiposidade, no entanto, foi observada uma atenuação na inflamação do tecido adiposo, em ambas as doses avaliadas. Adicionalmente, polifenóis de cambuci melhoraram a tolerância à glicose, assim como reduziram a hiperglicemia de jejum e atenuaram a dislipidemia. Para o protocolo terapêutico, camundongos da linhagem C57BL/6J foram induzidos à obesidade pela ingestão da dieta alta em gorduras e sacarose por 6 semanas e posteriormente foram tratados com polifenóis de cagaita, em duas doses, por gavagem por 8 semanas. Os polifenóis de cagaita melhoraram a homeostase glicêmica e atenuaram a dislipidemia em camundongos obesos, sem afetar peso corporal e adiposidade. Estes benefícios aparentam ser mediados, ao menos em parte, através da uma redução da inflamação hepática. Em conclusão, polifenóis de cagaita e cambuci têm um papel protetor potencial em obesidade induzida por dieta e suas alterações metabólicas

Effects of processing on the availability of carotenoids, total phenolics and antioxidant activity in four cultivars of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) biofortified

A batata doce (Ipomoea batatas Lam) é um alimento considerado rica fonte de carboidratos, fibras, minerais, vitaminas e também antioxidantes como carotenóides, compostos fenólicos e antocianinas que contribuem na pigmentação natural das raízes de diferentes cultivares e cuja bioatividade tem sido associada com a proteção de células e tecidos no organismo prevenindo e reduzindo o risco de doenças crônicas. Recentemente tem sido despertado interesse pelo desenvolvimento de raízes de batata doce de polpa alaranjada, ricas fontes de carotenóides, como estratégia aliada na solução dos problemas de deficiência de vitamina A no mundo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as concentrações de compostos carotenóides individuais, compostos fenólicos totais e a atividade antioxidante de raízes de quatro cultivares de batata doce biofortificadas cruas e processadas mediante quatro tratamentos térmicos comuns, usando as técnicas de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, ensaios Folin- Ciocalteu, DPPH e ABTS, respectivamente. Adicionalmente foram feitos medições dos parâmetros de cor usando o sistema Hunter de medida na matéria prima. Todos os cultivares avaliados apresentaram altos teores de carotenóides, com predominância do All-trans--caroteno, sugerindo alta atividade estimada de vitamina A. O cultivar CNPH 1194 apresentou teores consideráveis de carotenóides. Os compostos fenólicos totais variaram entre os cultivares e os processamentos. Os tratamentos térmicos favoreceram, na maioria dos casos, diminuição significativa dos compostos bioativos avaliados, bem como da atividade antioxidante, sendo que a estabilidade destes compostos aparentou ser um fator dependente do cultivar. Houve correlações significativas entre os valores de cor instrumental e os carotenóides, assim como entre os compostos bioativos e a atividade antioxidante dos diferentes cultivares a níveis de 1 e 5%.Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) is rich in carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, vitamins and also antioxidants such as carotenoids, phenolic compounds and anthocyanins which provide cultivars with distinctive flesh colors. Recent epidemiological evidence suggests that antioxidants have health-promoting properties that may reduce the risk associated with chronic diseases. It has been recently awakened interest in the development of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, rich sources of carotenoids, such as an intervention strategy of combating vitamin A deficiency in the world. This study was conducted to evaluate the accumulation of individual carotenoids, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of roots of four cultivars of sweet potato biofortified raw and processed through four common heat treatments. Techniques of HPLC, Folin- Ciocalteu, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydazyl) and ABTS assays, respectively were used. In addition measurements were made of color parameters using the Hunter system in raw material. All cultivars evaluated have high levels of carotenoids, predominantly All-trans--carotene, suggesting a high estimated vitamin A activity. The cultivar CNPH 1194 showed significant levels of carotenoids. The total phenolic compounds varied among cultivars and heat treatments. The heat treatments favored in most cases a significant decrease in bioactive compounds as well as the antioxidant activity and stability of these compounds appeared to be a factor dependent on the cultivar. There were significant correlations between the values of instrumental color and carotenoids, and bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of cultivars to levels of 1 and 5%

"Research that allows update the physical and geoeconomic homogenous zones of the 8-03 Planning Unit of the City of Montería"

En la ciudad de Montería se encuentra un sector al nor-oriente de la zona urbana con uso del suelo residencial predominante, la cual ha tenido un notable desarrollo en los últimos años. En el año 2013, cuando se realizó la más reciente actualización catastral, se registró que el uso del suelo de una gran cantidad de los predios de la zona perteneciente a la unidad de planeación 8-03, era el de lotes urbanizados no edificados o de lotes urbanizables no urbanizados, con valores asociados a esas condiciones. Con la investigación adelantada se pudo actualizar las zonas homogéneas físicas y geoeconómicas de la unidad de planeación 8-03 de la ciudad de Montería, en donde se verificaron las distintas variables que componen las zonas físicas según la metodología propuesta por el Instituto Geográfico Agustín Codazzi, como son: Norma de Uso del Suelo, Uso del Suelo Actual, Tipificación, Servicios Públicos, Vías, Topografía y se generaron dos tipos de valores: valor por metro cuadrado del terreno en predios en condición de no propiedad horizontal empleando la metodología del IGAC y el valor integral de las unidades privadas de los predios sometidos bajo el régimen de propiedad horizontal, teniendo en cuenta las características constructivas (número de pisos, disponibilidad de áreas comunes sociales y ascensores) y vetustez (menores a 5 años, de 6 a 10 años y mayores a 10 años de construcción) de las mismas, a través del estudio del mercado inmobiliario presente en la zona de estudio (investigación indirecta) y encuestas realizadas a peritos conocedores del mismo (investigación directa).In the city of Montería there is a sector to the north-east of the urban area with predominant residential land use, which has had a notable development in recent years. In 2013, when the most recent cadastral update was carried out, it was recorded that the land use of a large number of properties in the area belonging to planning unit 8-03, was that of unbuilt urbanized lots or Undeveloped urbanizable lots, with values associated with these conditions. With the advanced research, it was possible to update the homogeneous physical and geoeconomic areas of the planning unit 8-03 of the city of Montería, where the different variables that make up the physical areas were verified according to the methodology proposed by the Agustín Codazzi Geographical Institute. such as: Land Use Norm, Current Land Use, Typification, Public Services, way conditions, Topography and two types of values were generated: value per square meter of land in properties in non-horizontal property condition using the IGAC methodology and the integral value of the private units of the properties submitted under the horizontal property regime, taking into account the construction characteristics (number of floors, availability of common social areas and elevators) and old age (less than 5 years, 6 to 10 years and more than 10 years of construction) of them, through the study of the real estate market present in the study area (research indirect) and surveys carried out to experts familiar with it (direct investigation)

Stability of Carotenoids, Total Phenolics and In Vitro Antioxidant Capacity in the Thermal Processing of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam.) Cultivars Grown in Brazil

Intervention strategies regarding the biofortification of orange-fleshed sweet potato, which is a rich source of carotenoids for combating vitamin A deficiency, are being developed in Brazil. This study was conducted to evaluate the concentrations of individual carotenoids, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in the roots of four biofortified sweet potato cultivars that were raw or processed by four common heat treatments. HPLC, Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH and ABTS assays were used. All cultivars showed high levels of carotenoids in raw roots, predominantly all-trans-beta-carotene (79.1-128.5 mg.100 g(-1) DW), suggesting a high estimated vitamin A activity. The CNPH 1194 cultivar reported carotenoids values highest than those of other cultivars (p < 0.05). The total phenolic compounds varied among cultivars and heat treatments (0.96-2.05 mg.g(-1) DW). In most cases, the heat treatments resulted in a significant decrease in the carotenoids and phenolic compounds contents as well as antioxidant capacity. Processing of flour presented the greatest losses of major carotenoids and phenolics. The phenolic compounds showed more stability than carotenoids after processing. There were significant correlations between the carotenoids and phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Fundacao de Estudos Agrarios Luiz de Queiroz (FEALQ

The Role of Black Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the Control of Hypercholesterolemia in Rats

Cardiovascular disease is a serious public health problem; it is the first ""cause of death"" in Brazil and in developed countries. Thus, it is essential to search for alternative sources such as some functional foods to prevent and control the risks of this disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lipidemic parameters in hypercholesterolemic rats fed diets containing black rice variety IAC 600 or unrefined rice. Adult male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus var. albinos) were used, weighing about 200-220 g. The animals were divided into four groups: the first received a control casein diet, the second received hypercholesterolemic diet, and the other two groups, after induction of hypercholesterolemia, received the test diets, the first containing 20% black rice and the second 20% unrefined, for 30 days. It was observed that diet containing black rice reduced the level of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein. For high-density lipoprotein values, the diet that provided an increase in the levels was the black rice. The diet containing black rice was more effective in controlling the lipidemia in rats compared with the whole rice diet.1361355136