Whey And Soy Protein Supplements Changes Body Composition In Patients With Crohn's Disease Undergoing Azathioprine And Anti-tnf-alpha Therapy.

Crohn´s disease (CD) is a chronic transmural inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract of unknown cause. Malnutrition associated with active CD has been reduced although obesity has increased. Dietary strategies such as those with high-protein have been proposed to reduce body fat. This study compares the effects of two supplements on the nutritional status of CD patients. 68 CD patients were randomized in two groups: whey protein group (WP) and soy protein group (SP). Using bioimpedance analysis, anthropometry and albumin and pre-albumin dosages the nutritional status was measured before starting the intervention and after 8 and 16 weeks. The disease activity was determined by Crohn's Disease Activity Index and serum C-reactive protein dosage and dietary intake by 24h dietary recalls. Forty-one patients concluded the study and both supplements changed body composition similarly. Triceps skin fold thickness (p< 0.001) and body fat percentage (p=0.001) decreased, whereas mid-arm muscle circumference (p=0.004), corrected arm muscle area (p=0.005) and body lean percentage (p=0.001) increased. For Crohn's disease patients undergoing anti TNF-alpha and azatioprine therapies, supplementation with whey and soy proteins changes body composition through reduction of body fat and thus contributes to control inflammation.311603-161

Levodopa-refractory hyperprolactinemia and pituitary findings in inherited disorders of biogenic amine metabolism

Elevated serum prolactin concentrations occur in inherited disorders of biogenic amine metabolism because dopamine deficiency leads to insufficient inhibition of prolactin secretion. This work from the International Working Group on Neurotransmitter Related Disorders (iNTD) presents the results of the first standardized study on levodopa-refractory hyperprolactinemia (LRHP; &gt;1000 mU/L) and pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in patients with inherited disorders of biogenic amine metabolism. Twenty-six individuals had LRHP or abnormal pituitary findings on MRI. Tetrahydrobiopterin deficiencies were the most common diagnoses (n = 22). The median age at diagnosis of LRHP was 16 years (range: 2.5-30, 1st-3rd quartiles: 12.25-17 years). Twelve individuals (nine females) had symptoms attributed to hyperprolactinemia: menstruation-related abnormalities (n = 7), pubertal delay or arrest (n = 5), galactorrhea (n = 3), and decreased sexual functions (n = 2). MRI of the pituitary gland was obtained in 21 individuals; six had heterogeneity/hyperplasia of the gland, five had adenoma, and 10 had normal findings. Eleven individuals were treated with the dopamine agonist cabergoline, ameliorating the hyperprolactinemia-related symptoms in all those assessed. Routine monitoring of these symptoms together with prolactin concentrations, especially after the first decade of life, should be taken into consideration during follow-up evaluations. The potential of slow-release levodopa formulations and low-dose dopamine agonists as part of first-line therapy in the prevention and treatment of hyperprolactinemia should be investigated further in animal studies and human trials. This work adds hyperprolactinemia-related findings to the current knowledge of the phenotypic spectrum of inherited disorders of biogenic amine metabolism

Happiness around the world: A combined etic-emic approach across 63 countries.

What does it mean to be happy? The vast majority of cross-cultural studies on happiness have employed a Western-origin, or "WEIRD" measure of happiness that conceptualizes it as a self-centered (or "independent"), high-arousal emotion. However, research from Eastern cultures, particularly Japan, conceptualizes happiness as including an interpersonal aspect emphasizing harmony and connectedness to others. Following a combined emic-etic approach (Cheung, van de Vijver & Leong, 2011), we assessed the cross-cultural applicability of a measure of independent happiness developed in the US (Subjective Happiness Scale; Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999) and a measure of interdependent happiness developed in Japan (Interdependent Happiness Scale; Hitokoto & Uchida, 2015), with data from 63 countries representing 7 sociocultural regions. Results indicate that the schema of independent happiness was more coherent in more WEIRD countries. In contrast, the coherence of interdependent happiness was unrelated to a country's "WEIRD-ness." Reliabilities of both happiness measures were lowest in African and Middle Eastern countries, suggesting these two conceptualizations of happiness may not be globally comprehensive. Overall, while the two measures had many similar correlates and properties, the self-focused concept of independent happiness is "WEIRD-er" than interdependent happiness, suggesting cross-cultural researchers should attend to both conceptualizations

Cellular immunity to BCG in Crohn's disease : effect of bovine milk proteins enriched with TGF-beta

Orientador: Maria Marluce dos Santos VilelaDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias MedicasResumo: A doença de Crohn (DC) é uma doença crônica inflamatória que acomete o trato gastrointestinal (TGI) com repercussão sistêmica. Existe uma interação de agentes patogênicos, tais como a microbiota intestinal e a imunidade de mucosa em indivíduos geneticamente susceptíveis. DC é mediada por uma resposta T helper 1 (Th1). Atualmente, dietas compostas de proteínas de soro de leite bovino enriquecidas com TGF-? poderiam indicar uma alternativa para controlar a doença, já que não são uma opção invasiva, resultando em uma melhoria na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Objetivos: Avaliar a influência da suplementação nutricional oral com proteínas de soro de leite bovino enriquecido com TGF-? durante 16 semanas, na resposta imune celular para o BCG em pacientes com DC. Métodos: Vinte e dois pacientes com DC que estavam em terapia anti-TNF-? e azatioprina participaram de um ensaio clínico, prospectivo, de intervenção nutricional com um concentrado de proteínas de soro de leite bovino enriquecido com TGF- ? durante 16 semanas. Os grupos de comparação sem suplementação nutricional foram compostos por 10 pacientes com DC sob terapia com anti-TNF-? e azatioprina, 11 pacientes em uso apenas de azatioprina e 21 indivíduos normais como controle. A imunidade celular para o BCG foi caracterizada pela proliferação linfocitária (por citometria de fluxo) em cultura de células mononucleares de sangue periférico e a produção de citocinas (IFN-?, TNF-? e IL-6, dosadas por ELISA) em sobrenadante de cultura. Foi realizada a fenotipagem de subpopulações de linfócitos T em sangue periférico e a dosagem de TGF-_ ?2 e TGF- ?3 em soro e plasma por ELISA. Resultados: Em pacientes com DC, a suplementação nutricional com um concentrado de proteínas de soro de leite bovino enriquecido com TGF-? aumentou o percentual de linfócitos T em sangue periférico e a concentração de TGF- ?2 no plasma, após as 16 semanas de intervenção. Os pacientes apresentaram proliferação de subpopulações de linfócitos T (CD4+, CD8+ e TCR ??+) e a produção de IFN-?, TNF-? e IL-6 BCG específicas, que não diferiram no início e no fim da suplementação nutricional. Com relação ao grupo controle normal, os três grupos de pacientes com DC apresentaram menor concentração de IFN-y BCG específica. Conclusão: Assim, conclui-se que, uma dieta baseada em proteínas de soro de leite bovino enriquecido com TGF- ? pode levar a uma imunomodulação sistêmica.Abstract: Crohn's disease (CD) is a inflammatory chronic disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract with systemic repercussion. There is an interaction of pathogens such as enteric microbiota with mucosal immunity in genetically susceptible individuals. CD is mediated by a T-helper 1 (Th1) response. Currently diets containing bovine whey proteins enriched with TGF-? could indicate an alternative for controlling the disease. Objective: To investigate the influence of oral supplementation for 16 weeks with bovine whey proteins enriched with TGF-? on the BCG cellular immune response in patients with Crohn's disease. Methods: Twenty-two CD patients who were under anti-TNF-? and azathioprine therapy took part in a prospective, clinical trial of nutritional intervention with bovine whey proteins enriched with TGF- ? for 16 weeks. As comparison groups without nutritional supplementation, 10 CD patients under anti-TNF-? and azathioprine therapy, 11 CD patients under taking just azathioprine and 21 health controls were selected. The cellular immunity to BCG was evaluated by lymphoproliferation (by flow cytometry) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures and cytokine production (IFN-?, TNF-? and IL-6, by ELISA) on supernatant cultures. Immunophenotyping of T cell subpopulations in peripheral blood and TGF-_ ?2 and TGF- ?3 plasma and serum levels were also evaluated in CD patients. Results: Nutritional supplementation with concentrated whey proteins enriched with TGF- ? increased T lymphocyte percentage in peripheral blood and plasma TGF- ?2 concentration after 16 weeks of intervention in DC patients. They showed BCG-specific proliferation of CD4+, CD8+ and TCRy?+ T lymphocytes and IFN-?, TNF-? and IL-6 production, which were not different between begin and end of the supplementation period. In relation to the healthy controls, all three groups of CD patients had lower BCG-specific IFN-? production. Conclusions: Thus, it is concluded that a diet based on bovine whey proteins enriched with TGF- ? can lead to a systemic immunomodulation.MestradoSaude da Criança e do AdolescenteMestre em Saude da Criança e do Adolescent

Partial chemical and functional characterization of milk whey products obtained by different processes Caracterização parcial química e funcional de produtos de soro de leite obtidos por diferentes processos

Whey protein samples (S-1 to S-5) were tested in vivo and in vitro for nutritional properties and selected bioactivities. Weanling male Wistar rats fed modified AIN-93G (12 g protein.100 g-1) diets for 21 days were used the in vivo studies. The nutritional parameters did not differ among the protein diets tested. Erythrocyte glutathione content was considered high and was higher for S-3, but liver glutathione was the same for all dietary groups. For S-3, cytokine secretion (IL-10 and TNF-&#945;) by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (in RPMI-1640 medium) was higher in the absence of antigen than in the presence of BCG antigen. Interleukin-4 secretion was repressed in all treatments. The IC50, whey protein concentration required to inhibit 50% of the melanoma cell proliferation, was 2.68 mg.mL-1 of culture medium for the S-3 sample and 3.66 mg.mL-1 for the S-2 sample. Based on these results, it was concluded that S-3 (whey protein concentrate enriched with TGF-&#946; and lactoferrin) produced better nutritional and immunological responses than the other products tested.Amostras de proteínas de soro de leite bovino (S-1 a S-5) foram testadas, in vivo e in vitro, para algumas propriedades nutricionais e bioatividades. Para os testes in vivo foram usados ratos da linhagem Wistar alimentados por 21 dias com dieta AIN-93G modificada quanto ao teor de proteína (12 g proteínas.100 g-1 de dieta). Os parâmetros nutricionais medidos não diferiram entre as proteínas do soro de leite administradas através das dietas. O teor de glutationa nos eritrócitos foi mais elevado para o grupo alimentado com a amostra S-3. No grupo alimentado com S-3, a secreção de citocinas (IL-10 e TNF-&#945;) por células humanas mononucleares da circulação periférica, cultivadas no meio RPMI-1640, foi mais elevada na ausência do antígeno BCG do que em sua presença. A secreção de IL-4 foi inibida em todos os tratamentos. O IC50, concentração de proteína de soro necessária para inibir 50% da proliferação de células de melanoma de camundongo foi 2,68 mg.mL-1 de meio de cultura para a amostra S-3 e 3,66 mg.mL-1 para a amostra S-2. Com base nesses resultados concluiu-se que a amostra S-3 (concentrado de proteína de soro enriquecida com TGF-&#946; e lactoferrina) produziu melhores respostas nutricional e imunológica quando comparada aos demais produtos testados

Partial chemical and functional characterization of milk whey products obtained by different processes

Whey protein samples (S-1 to S-5) were tested in vivo and in vitro for nutritional properties and selected bioactivities. Weanling male Wistar rats fed modified AIN-93G (12 g protein.100 g-1) diets for 21 days were used the in vivo studies. The nutritional parameters did not differ among the protein diets tested. Erythrocyte glutathione content was considered high and was higher for S-3, but liver glutathione was the same for all dietary groups. For S-3, cytokine secretion (IL-10 and TNF-&#945;) by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (in RPMI-1640 medium) was higher in the absence of antigen than in the presence of BCG antigen. Interleukin-4 secretion was repressed in all treatments. The IC50, whey protein concentration required to inhibit 50% of the melanoma cell proliferation, was 2.68 mg.mL-1 of culture medium for the S-3 sample and 3.66 mg.mL-1 for the S-2 sample. Based on these results, it was concluded that S-3 (whey protein concentrate enriched with TGF-&#946; and lactoferrin) produced better nutritional and immunological responses than the other products tested

Cellular cardiomyoplasty in large myocardial infarction: Can the beneficial effect be enhanced by ACE‐inhibitor therapy?

Background: Cellular cardiomyoplasty with bone marrow derived stromal (MSC) and mononuclear (BMNC) cells has been shown to improve performance of infarcted hearts. We performed a comparative study with MSC and BMNC and tested the hypothesis that captopril treatment could enhance the beneficial effect of cell therapy in large myocardial infarctions. Methods Male syngeneic Wistar rats underwent experimental infarction and were randomized to receive 1–3×106 MSC, 108 BMNC or vehicle (BSS group). Two additional groups were treated with captopril and received 1–3×106 MSC (Cap.MSC) or vehicle (Cap). Results: The ejection fraction (EF%) of MSC and BMNC‐treated rats was higher than in the BSS rats, eight weeks after transplantation (33.0±4.0, 34.0±2.0 and 20.0±2.0% respectively, P<0.01). Both captopril‐treated groups improved EF% similarly. But only captopril plus MSC treatment almost restored cardiac function to control levels, 8 weeks after injection (60.50±5.40% vs. 41.00±4.50% in Cap.MSC and Cap respectively, P<0.05). Many DAPI‐labelled cells were found in the scar tissue of the left ventricle only in the Cap.MSC group. Conclusions: Cell transplantation with both MSC and BMNC produced a similar stabilisation of heart function, but the success of the cell engraftment and the recovery of cardiac performance were dependent on concomitant treatment with captopril

Ectopic Ossification in the Scar Tissue of Rats with Myocardial Infarction

We describe the occurrence of bone-like formations in the left ventricular wall of infarcted rats treated or not with bone marrow cells injected systemically or locally into the myocardium. The incidence of ectopic calcification in hearts has been reported in rare cases in children with infarcts without previous coronary artery disease. Recently, ventricular calcification has been correlated with unselected bone marrow cell transplantation into infarcted rat hearts. Echocardiographic analysis of large infarction in rats frequently reveals the presence of echogenic structures in the left ventricular wall, sometimes projecting to the lumen of the chamber. The histological examination of these echogenic structures exhibited bone, cartilage, and marrowlike formations extending from the collagen-rich matrix of the ventricle wall. Microanalytical techniques verified the presence of hydroxyapatite in the mineral phase. Ossification was found in 25 out of 30 hearts evaluated 90 days postinfarct, being observed in 14 out of 17 animals submitted to cell therapy and in 11 out of 13 infarcted rats not submitted to cell therapy. Our study indicates that chondro-osteogenic differentiation can take place in the pathological rat heart independent of animal treatment with marrow cells