52 research outputs found

    Effects of Dietary Restriction on Cancer Development and Progression

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    The effects of caloric restriction on tumor growth and progression are known for over a century. Indeed, fasting has been practiced for millennia, but just recently has emerged the protective role that it may exert toward cells. Fasting cycles are able to reprogram the cellular metabolism, by inducing protection against oxidative stress and prolonging cellular longevity. The reduction of calorie intake as well as short- or long-term fasting has been shown to protect against chronic and degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular pathologies, and cancer. In vitro and in vivo preclinical models showed that different restriction dietary regimens may be effective against cancer onset and progression, by enhancing therapy response and reducing its toxic side effects. Fasting-mediated beneficial effects seem to be due to the reduction of inflammatory response and downregulation of nutrient-related signaling pathways able to modulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. In this chapter, we will discuss the most significant studies present in literature regarding the molecular mechanisms by which dietary restriction may contribute to prevent cancer onset, reduce its progression, and positively affect the response to the treatments

    Obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance

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    Impacto hormonal e inflamatório de diferentes composições dietéticas: ênfase em padrões alimentares e fatores dietéticos específicos

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    A adoção de um padrão alimentar saudável, caracterizado pelo consumo de frutas, hortaliças, carnes magras, lácteos desnatados, frutos secos e moderada ingestão de óleos vegetais e álcool, é um fator determinante para um menor risco de doenças crônicas como a obesidade, a síndrome metabólica e as doenças cardiovasculares. Esse efeito benéfico pode ser explicado, pelo menos em parte, por seu papel modulador sobre biomarcadores da sensibilidade insulínica, da aterogênese, bem como os de inflamação e de função endotelial. Por outra parte, a ingestão de componentes específicos da dieta como os ácidos graxos insaturados (oleico e alfa-linolênico) e os micronutrientes com propriedades antioxidantes (vitaminas A, E e C; selênio e zinco) vêm sendo discutida, em razão de sua potencial ação protetora perante a ocorrência das doenças crônicas e possíveis benefícios na regulação hormonal, metabólica e inflamatória que esses fatores dietéticos podem proporcionar dentro de um tratamento nutricional para a obesidade e a síndrome metabólica.Healthy dietary pattern, characterized by the consumption of fruits, vegetables, white meats, skim dairy products, nuts and moderate intake of vegetable oils and alcohol, is an important factor for a lower risk of chronic disease such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. This beneficial effect can be explained, at least partially, by its modulating role on biomarkers of insulin sensitivity and atherosclerosis as well as of inflammation and endothelial function. On the other hand, the intake of specific dietary factors, such as unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and alpha-linolenic) and micronutrients with antioxidant properties (vitamins A, E and C; selenium, zinc) has been discussed, due to its potential protector action due to chronic disease occurrence and its possible profits in hormonal, metabolic and inflammatory regulations that these dietetic factors can provide within a nutritional treatment to obesity and metabolic syndrome

    Consumption of branched-chain amino acids is inversely associated with central obesity and cardiometabolic features in a population of Brazilian middle-aged men: Potential role of leucine intake

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    To assess the potential associations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) consumption with central obesity (CObesity) and cardiometabolic risk factors in a population of Brazilian middle-aged men. Special attention was given to leucine intake. Cross-sectional study. Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil. Two-hundred ninety-six middle-aged men (Age: 50.5 ± 5.0 years; Body mass index: 25.8 ± 3.5 kg/m2). Anthropometry, lifestyle features, blood biochemical parameters were assessed and dietary intake was estimated by a food frequency questionnaire. Participants were classified by the occurrence of CObesity, hypertriglyceridemia (HTG), hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype (HWP) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Subjects in the BCAA highest tertile (≥0.17 g/kg/d) presented lower occurrence of CObesity (36.0% vs 72.4%, P<0.01, z=−5.10), HTG (17.0% vs 30.6% P<0.032, z=−2.32), HWP (23.0% vs 46.9%, P<0.01, z=−3.57) and MetS (19.0% vs 34.7%, P<0.01, z=−2.57). They also exhibited lower values for Castelli index (total cholesterol:HDL-c) and triglycerides: HDL-c ratio than those in the first tertile, regardless of interfering factors (i.e. habitual physical activity, work position, smoking habit, and energy intake). Interestingly, leucine consumption showed similar associations with cardiometabolic risk factors, as compared to BCAA consumption (P<0.05). BCAA consumption was cross-sectionally and negatively associated with relevant cardiometabolic risk factors in a population of Brazilian middle-aged men. The content of leucine in BCAA consumption may have contributed to such relationship

    MTHFR and MTR Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer in Brazilian Women

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    Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer, and mortality rates remain high among Brazilian women. However, the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in one-carbon metabolism genes in breast cancer in Brazilian women is less clear. We aimed examine the association between the SNPs, in two genes in one-carbon metabolism alone and in cumulation, and the risk of breast cancer in an Brazilian population based case-control study of 257 breast cancer cases and 177 controls. Our hypothesis was woman who carries more risk genotypes has a higher susceptibility for developing breast cancer. Genotyping for MTHFR C677T and MTR A2756G polymorphisms were performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) method. Our results in population studied indicated that 677 CgtT and 2756 AgtG substitution does not appear to influence the risk of breast cancer. The cumulative effect was not observed with the OR being gradually elevated with increasing number of risk genotypes. However, larger studies are needed to further examine this interactions in this pathway and breast cancer risk in Brazilian women, as well in women of others nationalities
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