Effect of fish oil intake on glucose levels in rat prefrontal cortex, as measured by microdialysis

Background: Brain glucose sensing may contribute to energy homeostasis control. the prefrontal cortex (PFC) participates in the hedonic component of feeding control. As high-fat diets may disrupt energy homeostasis, we evaluated in male Wistar rats whether intake of high-fat fish-oil diet modified cortical glucose extracellular levels and the feeding induced by intracerebroventricular glucose or PFC glucoprivation.Methods: Glucose levels in PFC microdialysates were measured before and after a 30-min meal. Food intake was measured in animals receiving intracerebroventricular glucose followed, 30-min. later, by 2-deoxy-D-glucose injected into the PFC.Results: the fish-oil group showed normal body weight and serum insulin while fat pads weight and glucose levels were increased. Baseline PFC glucose and 30-min. carbohydrates intake were similar between the groups. Feeding-induced PFC glucose levels increased earlier and more pronouncedly in fish-oil than in control rats. Intracerebroventricular glucose inhibited feeding consistently in the control but not in the fish-oil group. Local PFC glucoprivation with 2-DG attenuated glucose-induced hypophagia.Conclusions: the present experiments have shown that, following food intake, more glucose reached the prefrontal cortex of the rats fed the high-fat fish-oil diet than of the rats fed the control diet. However, when administered directly into the lateral cerebral ventricle, glucose was able to consistently inhibit feeding only in the control rats. the findings indicate that, an impairment of glucose transport into the brain does not contribute to the disturbances induced by the high-fat fish-oil feeding.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Federal de São Paulo Unifesp, Dept Fisiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo Unifesp, Dept Fisiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Metabolomics applied to maternal and perinatal health : a review of new frontiers with a translation potential

The prediction or early diagnosis of maternal complications is challenging mostly because the main conditions, such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes mellitus, are complex syndromes with multiple underlying mechanisms related to their occurrence. Limited advances in maternal and perinatal health in recent decades with respect to preventing these disorders have led to new approaches, and “omics” sciences have emerged as a potential field to be explored. Metabolomics is the study of a set of metabolites in a given sample and can represent the metabolic functioning of a cell, tissue or organism. Metabolomics has some advantages over genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, as metabolites are the final result of the interactions of genes, RNAs and proteins. Considering the recent “boom” in metabolomic studies and their importance in the research agenda, we here review the topic, explaining the rationale and theory of the metabolomic approach in different areas of maternal and perinatal health research for clinical practitioners. We also demonstrate the main exploratory studies of these maternal complications, commenting on their promising findings. The potential translational application of metabolomic studies, especially for the identification of predictive biomarkers, is supported by the current findings, although they require external validation in larger datasets and with alternative methodologies

The food patterns of a multicenter cohort of Brazilian nulliparous pregnant women

Assessment of human nutrition is a complex process, in pregnant women identify dietary patterns through mean nutrient consumption can be an opportunity to better educate women on how to improve their overall health through better eating. This exploratory study aimed to identify a posteriori dietary patterns in a cohort of nulliparous pregnant women. The principal component analysis (PCA) technique was performed, with Varimax orthogonal rotation of data extracted from the 24-h dietary recall, applied at 20 weeks of gestation. We analysed 1.145 dietary recalls, identifying five main components that explained 81% of the dietary pattern of the sample. Dietary patterns found were: Obesogenic, represented by ultra-processed foods, processed foods, and food groups rich in carbohydrates, fats and sugars; Traditional, most influenced by natural, minimally processed foods, groups of animal proteins and beans; Intermediate was similar to the obesogenic, although there were lower loads; Vegetarian, which was the only good representation of fruits, vegetables and dairy products; and Protein, which best represented the groups of proteins (animal and vegetable). The obesogenic and intermediate patterns represented over 37% of the variation in food consumption highlighting the opportunity to improve maternal health especially for women at first mothering

Profile of calories and nutrients intake in a Brazilian multicenter study of nulliparous women

Objective: To assess the calorie intake and nutritional content of the maternal diet in regions with different culinary traditions and typical foods, and to understand the nutritional profile so as to provide information about the consumption of this population and promote maternal and perinatal health. Methods: From a cohort of 1145 pregnant women with diverse socio-backgrounds we analyzed the dietary characteristics profile according to three guidelines and compared the differences between regions of Brazil. Results: Women from the northeast had the lowest level of income, occupation, education, and age (P < 0.001). Intakes of unprocessed/minimally processed foods and processed foods were more prevalent in women from the northeast than in southern/southeastern women (P < 0.001). The consumption of dairy products and vegetables was less than the recommended intake, with lower intake in southern/southeastern women (P < 0.001). This study showed a lower consumption of dairy and vegetables, with a shortfall of vitamins K and D, iron, calcium, folate, magnesium, and chromium from natural and fortified foods. We observed a greater consumption of unprocessed or minimally processed food in women from the northeast of Brazil. Conclusion: Our findings indicate the importance of differentiating the source of calorie intake between regional nutritional guidance and the diversity of local cuisine

Mean arterial blood pressure : potential predictive tool for preeclampsia in a cohort of healthy nulliparous pregnant women

Background: Prediction of preeclampsia is a challenge to overcome. The vast majority of prospective studies in large general obstetric populations have failed in the purpose of obtain a useful and effective model of prediction, sometimes based on complex tools unavaible in areas where the incidence of preeclampsia is the highest. The goal of this study was to assess mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) levels at 19–21, 27–29 and 37–39 weeks of gestation and performance of screening by MAP for the prediction of preeclampsia in a Brazilian cohort of healthy nulliparous pregnant women. Methods: This was a cohort approach to a secondary analysis of the Preterm SAMBA study. Mean arterial blood pressure was evaluated at three different time periods during pregnancy. Groups with early-onset preeclampsia, late-onset preeclampsia and normotension were compared. Increments in mean arterial blood pressure between 20 and 27 weeks and 20 and 37 weeks of gestation were also calculated for the three groups studied. The accuracy of mean arterial blood pressure in the prediction of preeclampsia was determined by ROC curves. Results: Of the 1373 participants enrolled, complete data were available for 1165. The incidence of preeclampsia was 7.5%. Women with early-onset preeclampsia had higher mean arterial blood pressure levels at 20 weeks of gestation, compared to the normotensive group. Women with late-onset preeclampsia had higher mean arterial blood pressure levels at 37 weeks of gestation, than the normotensive groups and higher increases in this marker between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation. Based on ROC curves, the predictive performance of mean arterial blood pressure was higher at 37 weeks of gestation, with an area under the curve of 0.771. Conclusion: As an isolated marker for the prediction of preeclampsia, the performance of mean arterial blood pressure was low in a healthy nulliparous pregnant women group. Considering that early-onset preeclampsia cases had higher mean arterial blood pressure levels at 20 weeks of gestation, future studies with larger cohorts that combine multiple markers are needed for the development of a preeclampsia prediction model

Incidence and risk factors for preeclampsia in a cohort of healthy nulliparous pregnant women : a nested case-control study

The objective of this study is to determine the incidence, socio-demographic and clinical risk factors for preeclampsia and associated maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes. This is a nested case-control derived from the multicentre cohort study Preterm SAMBA, in fve diferent centres in Brazil, with nulliparous healthy pregnant women. Clinical data were prospectively collected, and risk factors were assessed comparatively between PE cases and controls using risk ratio (RR) (95% CI) plus multivariate analysis. Complete data were available for 1,165 participants. The incidence of preeclampsia was 7.5%. Body mass index determined at the frst medical visit and diastolic blood pressure over 75mmHg at 20 weeks of gestation were independently associated with the occurrence of preeclampsia. Women with preeclampsia sustained a higher incidence of adverse maternal outcomes, including C-section (3.5 fold), preterm birth below 34 weeks of gestation (3.9 fold) and hospital stay longer than 5 days (5.8 fold) than controls. They also had worse perinatal outcomes, including lower birthweight (a mean 379g lower), small for gestational age babies (RR 2.45 [1.52–3.95]), 5-minute Apgar score less than 7 (RR 2.11 [1.03–4.29]), NICU admission (RR 3.34 [1.61–6.9]) and Neonatal Near Miss (3.65 [1.78–7.49]). Weight gain rate per week, obesity and diastolic blood pressure equal to or higher than 75mmHg at 20 weeks of gestation were shown to be associated with preeclampsia. Preeclampsia also led to a higher number of C-sections and prolonged hospital admission, in addition to worse neonatal outcomes

Panorama da ocorrência de resíduos de medicamentos veterinários em leite no Brasil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar um panorama sobre a ocorrência de resíduos de medicamentos veterinários em leite no Brasil, compilando tanto os publicados por autoridades governamentais quanto por instituições acadêmicas. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica. Esta pesquisa identificou 35 publicações sobre monitoramentos de resíduos de medicamentos veterinários em leite no país, das quais 34 apresentaram dados sobre o monitoramento de resíduos de antimicrobianos e 10 sobre a ocorrência de resíduos de antiparasitários. Quanto ao número de ocorrências de resíduos de antimicrobianos no leite, os beta-lactâmicos e as tetraciclinas foram os responsáveis pela maior incidência de amostras com resultados acima dos limites de detecção dos métodos empregados. 4 das 9 referências encontradas sobre monitoramentos de anfenicóis apresentaram a ocorrência de cloranfenicol e florfenicol. Apenas três referências apresentaram a ocorrência de amostras com teores acima do Limite Máximo de Resíduos (LMR), cujos analitos foram a benzilpenicilina, da classe dos beta-lactâmicos e o aminoglicosídeo estreptomicina/diidroestreptomicina. Apenas 7 (20,0%) das referências avaliadas apresentaram resultados insatisfatórios para antimicrobianos com relação à legislação brasileira. Com relação aos antiparasitários, 5 de 10 referências (50,0%) apresentaram resultados acima do LMR

Proposal of MUAC as a fast tool to monitor pregnancy nutritional status : results from a cohort study in Brazil

Objective: In Brazil, although the assessment of maternal nutritional status is recommended using body mass index (BMI), this is only possible in settings adequately prepared. Midupper arm circumference (MUAC) is another biological variable identified as a tool for rapid assessment of nutritional status that is correlated with BMI. Therefore, we aim to surrogate BMI by MUAC cut-offs for rapid screening of maternal nutritional status starting at midpregnancy. Design: Analysis of the multicentre cohort study entitled ‘Preterm SAMBA’ using an approach of validation of diagnostic test. Setting: Outpatient prenatal care clinics from five tertiary maternity hospitals from three different Brazilian regions. Participants: 1165 pregnant women attending prenatal care services from 2015 to 2018 and with diverse ethnic characteristics who were enrolled at midpregnancy and followed in three visits at different gestational weeks. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, likelihood ratio and accuracy of MUAC being used instead of BMI for the assessment of nutritional status of women during pregnancy. Results: We found a strong correlation between MUAC and BMI, in the three set points analysed (r=0.872, 0.870 and 0.831, respectively). Based on BMI categories of nutritional status, we estimated the best MUAC cut-off points, finding measures according to each category: underweight 30.15 cm (19–21 weeks), >30.60 cm (27–29 weeks) and >30.25 cm (37–39 weeks) per gestational week. Therefore, we defined as adequate between 25.75–28.10 cm (19–21 weeks), 25.75–28.70 cm (27–29 weeks) and 25.75–29.45 cm (37–39 weeks) of MUAC. Conclusion: We conclude that MUAC can be useful as a surrogate for BMI as a faster screening of nutritional status in pregnant women

Head circumference as an epigenetic risk factor for maternal nutrition

Nutrition indicators for malnutrition can be screened by many signs such as stunting, underweight or obesity, muscle wasting, and low caloric and nutrients intake. Those deficiencies are also associated with low socioeconomic status. Anthropometry can assess nutritional status by maternal weight measurements during pregnancy. However, most studies have focused primarily on identifying changes in weight or Body Mass Index (BMI), and their effects on neonatal measures at present time. Whereas head circumference (HC) has been associated with nutrition in the past. When the mother was exposed to poor nutrition and unfavorable social conditions during fetal life, it was hypothesized that the intergenerational cycle was potentially mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. To investigate this theory, maternal head circumference (MHC) was associated with neonatal head circumference (NHC) in pregnant women without preexisting chronic conditions, differentiated by sociodemographic characteristics. A multiple linear regression model showed that each 1 cm-increase in MHC correlated with a 0.11 cm increase in NHC (β95% CI 0.07 to 0.15). Notwithstanding, associations between maternal and neonatal anthropometrics according to gestational age at birth have been extensively explained. Path analysis showed the influence of social status and the latent variable was socioeconomic status. A model of maternal height and head circumference was tested with effects on neonatal HC. The social variable lacked significance to predict neonatal HC in the total sample (p = 0.212) and in the South/Southeast (p = 0.095), in contrast to the Northeast (p = 0.047). This study highlights the potential intergenerational influence of maternal nutrition on HC, suggesting that maternal nutrition may be more relevant in families with major social vulnerability

Planning, implementing, and running a multicentre preterm birth study with biobank resources in Brazil : the preterm SAMBA study

Background. Our aim was to describe the steps in planning, implementing, and running a multicentre cohort study of maternal and perinatal health using a high-quality biobank comprised of maternal serum, plasma, and hair samples collected from five sites in Brazil.The Preterm SAMBA study, conducted by the Brazilian Network for Studies on Reproductive and Perinatal Health, was an innovative approach used to identify women at higher risk for preterm birth. It is also of great importance in the study of other maternal and perinatal complications in the context of Brazil, which is a middle-income country. Methods. We described phases of planning, implementing, and running the Preterm SAMBA study, a multicentre Brazilian cohort study of low-risk nulliparous pregnant women, to validate a set of metabolite biomarkers for preterm birth identified in an external cohort. Procedures and strategies used to plan, implement, and maintain this multicentre preterm birth study are described in detail. Barriers and experience cited in the current narrative are not usually discussed in the scientific literature or published study protocols. Results. Several barriers and strategies were identified in different phases of the Preterm SAMBA study at different levels of the study framework (steering committee; coordinating and local centres). Strategies implemented and resources used in the study are a legacy of the Brazilian Network, aimed at training collaborators in such complex settings. Conclusion. The Brazilian Network for Studies on Reproductive and Perinatal Health has gained some experience in conducting a multicentre cohort study using a resourceful biobank which may be helpful to other research groups and maternal/perinatal health networks that plan on employing a similar approach to a similar background