Supplementation on Control of Metabolic Variables: A Systematic Review

Abstract Chromium picolinate is widely used as a supplement to improve glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and lipid profile. Its actions, however, extend beyond these metabolic changes, as it has positive effects in the clinical setting of cardiovascular disease, shows anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and even modulates behavior patterns, such as in depression and anxiety. In view of the numerous possible applications of chromium picolinate, understanding the therapeutic properties of this supplement becomes necessary. Thus, the aim of this review is clarify and identify the applications of chromium picolinate, as well as its effectiveness under several clinical conditions. A systematic review was performed during July and September of 2015 through a search on PubMed, Web of Knowledge and SciElo databases using the keywords 'chromium picolinate' and 'supplementation'. Articles selected were published between 2005 and 2015 and written in English, Portuguese and Spanish. The search resulted in 361 articles (Web of Knowledge: 245, Pubmed: 115, SciElo: 1) and after inclusion and exclusion criteria was applied, 12 articles were selected to analyze by reading the full text. Articles reviewed demonstrate that chromium picolinate has a positive action in glucose control, oxidative stress, lipid profile, protein synthesis, binge eating disorder and cognitive decline, although some studies showed absence of effect. Also, a difference was observed in dosage of the supplementation among different samples and there was a largely variable time of treatment. Chromium picolinate supplementation appears to positively contribute to the improvement of metabolic control and health, and could potentially be used as an auxiliary therapy in several diseases

DOR TORÁCICA NO INFARTO AGUDO DO MIOCÁRDIO: PERCEPÇÕES E SIGNIFICAÇÕES DO PACIENTE FRENTE À SENSAÇÃO DE MORTE IMINENTE

Objetivo: Desvelar o significado da dor torácica no paciente infartado, bem como caracterizar as sensações, sentimentos e percepções oriundos da dor torácica causada pelo Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio (IAM) frente à sensação de morte possível de ser vivenciada neste momento.Método: Pesquisa com delineamento qualitativo descritivo exploratório, tendo como cenário a Unidade de Hemodinâmica do Hospital da Cidade de Passo Fundo. Como sujeitos da pesquisa, foram entrevistados 10 pacientes acometidos pelo IAM e que passaram por procedimento de angioplastia transluminal percutânea. O estudo contou com o processo metodológico do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo (DSC) para análise e apresentação dos dados.Resultados: O estudo foi composto por 6 homens e 4 mulheres, com idades entre 40 à 74 anos. No que tange a religiosidade, 9 eram católicos e 1 evangélico.  A maior prevalência de doenças de base foi Hipertensão Arterial, Diabetes Mellitus e Dislipidemias. Os resultados mostraram que de forma unânime os pacientes apontaram que pensavam que o desfecho daquele quadro seria a morte, frente a nunca terem vivenciado um momento como aquele.Conclusões: Com este estudo, pode-se ter uma ampla visão do que o  assunto pode trazer na vida do paciente. O forte simbolismo que o coração emprega na vida social, cultural e religiosa da população faz com que o IAM traga a tona sentimentos de medo e angústia que levam a sensação de morte iminente, frente à impressão de que o órgão principal da vida está entrando em falência

Creatine supplementation: a novel role in antioxidant system in exercise and in chronic diseases

The effects of creatine supplementation related to ergogenic action which increases maximum strength and body mass has been extensively revised. In the least years it has been hypothesized a novel function of creatine as antioxidant agent. There are few data of this amine on oxidative stress and its role in antioxidant system. A small amount of studies in vitro and in vivo showed  promising results related to indirect antioxidant effect, which evaluated  the isolated supplementation protocols or added to standard diet. Creatine supplementation seems to exert positive effect on health, mainly in exercise conditions due to the ergogenic action. Furthermore, some evidences suggest that the supplementation might have positive effects on energy metabolism and functional capacity in chronic degenerative diseases. Expressive results were observed in Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, in which the creatine might acts as neuroprotective agent, neutralizing the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species action. The modulation of mitochondrial creatine kinase seems to play an important role in reactive oxygen species production, such as radical anion superoxide. This review aims to show the scientific evidences about antioxidant effect of creatine supplementation, when utilized alone or associated with physical exercise, in health individuals and in patients with chronic degenerative diseases

Apuntes al método científico en el siglo XXI desde una perspectiva jurídica

Introducción: El método científico y su aplicabilidad en el mundo contemporáneo es una solución eficaz a corto y mediano plazo de los problemas teórico- práctico que enfrenta la sociedad hoy. Las investigaciones jurídicas encuentran en este método un instrumento eficaz y eficiente para lograr sus resultados. Objetivo:  analizar teóricamente los principales aspectos relativos al método científico y su aplicabilidad al entorno de las investigaciones jurídicas, con énfasis en los criterios doctrinales más trascendentes. Métodos científicos:  Esta investigación, de corte cualitativa, se auxilió de los métodos analítico y deductivo y la técnica de análisis de documentos. Todos en su conjunto lograron permitir sistematizar los principales criterios teóricos relativos al método científico, luego de una amplia revisión bibliográfica y deducir su aplicación al mundo del derecho. Conclusiones: El método científico es el estudio empírico controlado, crítico y sistemático de hipótesis que intentan explicar presuntas relaciones entre varios fenómenos.  El método científico es un proceso objetivo, sistemático y controlado cuyas etapas son: 1) definición del problema, 2) formulación de hipótesis, 3) recogida y análisis de datos, 4) confirmación o rechazo de hipótesis, 5) resultados, 6) conclusiones. Se encuentra cuatro perspectivas del método científico aplicado al campo jurídico: Concepción filosófica del método jurídico, concepción metodológica del derecho, concepción histórico-crítica y concepción estricta. Las investigaciones jurídicas encuentran en el método científico un instrumento eficiente para sus resultados

Aerobic training reduces oxidative stress in skeletal muscle of rats exposed to air pollution and supplemented with chromium picolinate

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of chromium picolinate (CrPic) supplementation associated with aerobic exercise using measures of oxidative stress in rats exposed to air pollution. Methods: Sixty-one male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups: residual oil fly ash (ROFA) exposure and sedentary (ROFA-SED); ROFA exposure, sedentary and supplemented (ROFA-SED-CrPic); ROFA exposure and trained (ROFA-AT); ROFA exposure, supplemented and trained (ROFA-AT-CrPic); sedentary (Sal-SED); sedentary and supplemented (Sal-SED-CrPic); trained (Sal-AT); and supplemented and trained (Sal-AT-CrPic). Rats exposed to ROFA (air pollution) received 50 µg of ROFA daily via intranasal instillation. Supplemented rats received CrPic (1 mg/kg/day) daily by oral gavage. Exercise training was performed on a rat treadmill (5×/week). Oxidative parameters were evaluated at the end of protocols. Results: Trained groups demonstrated lower gain of body mass (P < .001) and increased exercise tolerance (P < .0001). In the gastrocnemius, trained groups demonstrated increased SOD activity (P < .0001) and decrease levels of TBARS (P = .0014), although CAT activity did not differ among groups (P = .4487). Conclusion: Air pollution exposure did not lead to alterations in oxidative markers in lungs and heart, and exercise training was responsible for decreasing oxidative stress of the gastrocnemius