The effect of weight reduction on antioxidant enzymes and their association with dietary intake of vitamins A, C and E

ABSTRACT Objective: Our goal was to assess the effects of weight loss on antioxidant enzymes of red blood cells and it's relation with vitamins A, E and C intake in 30 obese women. Subjects and methods: General information, anthropometric measurements, 3-day food recall, and fasting blood samples were collected from 30 obese women at the beginning of the study and after 3 months intervention. Weight loss was set at about 10% of their weight before the intervention. Results: Glutathione reductase and catalase activities showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) after weight reduction, but no significant changes were seen in the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. There was a positive linear correlation between daily vitamin C intake with superoxide dismutase enzyme after intervention (P = 0.004, r = 0.507). There was a negative linear correlation between vitamin E intake and glutathione peroxidase activity before intervention (P = 0.005, r = -0.5). A negative correlation was found between daily vitamin A intake and glutathione reductase enzyme before and after intervention (r = -0.385, r = -0.397, P < 0.05) respectively. No significant correlation was observed between vitamins A, C, E amounts and catalase activity. Conclusions: Ten percent weight reduction can have a significant role in increasing antioxidant enzymes activities, especially glutathione reductase, and catalase enzymes in obese women. However, it is important to take into consideration a balanced amount of certain nutrients while administering a diet with limited energy. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(7):744-9 Keywords Obesity; enzymic antioxidants; weight reduction RESUMO Objetivo: Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da perda de peso sobre as enzimas antioxidantes de eritrócitos, e a relação destas com a ingestão das vitaminas A, E e C. Sujeitos e métodos: Foram coletadas informações gerais e medidas antropométricas, registro alimentar de três dias e amostras de sangue em jejum de 30 mulheres obesas no início do estudo e depois de três meses da intervenção. A perda de peso determinada antes da intervenção foi de 10% do peso. Resultados: As atividades da glutationa redutase e da catalase mostraram aumento significativo (P < 0,01) depois da perda de peso, mas não houve mudanças significativas nas atividades da superóxido dismutase e da glutationa peroxidase. Foi observada uma correlação linear positiva entre a ingestão diária de vitamina C e a enzima superóxido dismutase após a intervenção (P = 0,004, r = 0,507). Houve uma correlação linear negativa entre a ingestão de vitamina E e a atividade da glutationa peroxidase antes da intervenção (P = 0,005, r = -0,5). Foi observada uma correlação negativa entre a ingestão diária de vitamina A e a enzima glutationa redutase antes e depois da intervenção (r = -0,385, r = -0,397, P < 0,05), respectivamente. Não foram observadas correlações significativas entre as vitaminas A, C, E e os níveis e a atividade da catalase. Conclusões: Uma redução de 10% no peso pode ter um papel significativo no aumento da atividade das enzimas antioxidantes, especialmente na glutationa redutase e catalase em mulheres obesas. Entretanto, é importante levar em consideração uma ingestão equilibrada de certos nutrientes ao se recomendar uma dieta com níveis de energia restritos. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(7):744-9 Descritores Obesidade; enzimas antioxidantes; redução de pes

How accessibility influences citation counts: The case of citations to the full text articles available from ResearchGate

It is generally believed that the number of citations to an article can positively be correlated to its free online availability. In the present study, we investigated the possible impact of academic social networks on the number of citations. We chose the social web service “ResearchGate” as a case. This website acts both as a social network to connect researchers, and at the same time, as an open access repository to publish post-print version of the accepted manuscripts and final versions of open access articles. We collected the data of 1823 articles published by the authors from four different universities. By analyzing these data, we showed that although different levels of full text availability are observed for the four universities, there is always a significant positive correlation between full text availability and the citation count. Moreover, we showed that both post-print version and publisher’s version (i.e., final published version) of the archived manuscripts receive more citations than non-OA articles, and the difference in the citation counts of post-print manuscripts and publisher’s version articles is nonsignificant

First Seizure Due to a Ruptured Brain Dermoid Cyst

Introduction: first seizure is an unpleasant experience, the underlying cause and probability of recurrence is critical for the patient. Case: A 72 years old female was brought to our emergency department with a complaint of first seizure. Her daughter stated that she had had a tonic colonic generalized seizure that lasted about 10 seconds. She was complaining of a headache at the time of arrival in the ED, and the seizure had ended. The physical examination was normal and she had no past medical history. Spiral axial brain CT scanning demonstrated a sharp, round lesion with peripheral calcification near the pineal gland which compressed the third ventricle. Multiple nodules with fat density were seen in the subarachnoid space. Phenytoin was started for seizure prophylaxis and a neurosurgery consultation was requested. Tumor was completely reacted. Conclusion: This is a rare case of dermoid cyst near the pineal which compressed the third ventricle and caused midline shift and hydrocephaly. The cause of seizure may be the cyst rupturing. Complete cyst resection is the preferred treatment

WEIGHT LOSS REDUCES C- REACTIVE PROTEIN AND FIBRINOGEN LEVELS IN OBESE WOMEN

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; BACKGROUND: obesity is one of the most important risk factors in chronic diseases, like coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus. It is believed that elevated levels of C- reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We examined the hypothesis that weight loss would reduce plasma CRP and fibrinogen levels in obese women. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: Body weight, fasting glucose, insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high- density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low- density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and acute phase proteins were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of weight loss regimen in 29 obese women.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: Weight, BMI, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride had significant reductions. HDL-C had increased significantly. No significant changes were observed in LDL-C and insulin concentrations. Plasma acute phase proteins levels decreased significantly. &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: Weight loss may represent an important intervention to reduce acute phase protein levels, which may mediate its cardioprotective effects in obese women. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: Obesity, weight loss, acute phase proteins, cardiovascular disease, women.</p