Abstract Background: reduced cognitive performance has been observed in patients with severe obesity. Bariatric surgery and subsequent adipose tissue loss seem to affect cognitive functioning positively; however, improvement predictors are not well established. Aim: to evaluate the cognitive performance and the nutritional status of patients with severe obesity 6-month after bariatric surgery. Methods: we assessed the neuropsychological performance of 22 patients with obesity (body mass index: ~ 42.9 kg/m²). The nutritional evaluation consisted of the routine tests performed in the baseline and postoperative periods. Lastly, we calculated the correlation between neuropsychological assessment results and blood biomarkers. Results: the patients did not present cognitive impairment in the preoperative assessment, but performed below the standard range. The patients underwent significant weight loss after 6 months from surgery (~ 22 kg), with a change in obesity class III to I. Also, the patients presented a significant improvement in attention, mental flexibility, inhibitory control, and processing speed. Additionally, we observed a significant improvement in serum folic acid (108 %), gamma-glutamyl transferase (-41 %), uric acid (-32 %), ferritin (-28 %), triglycerides (-19 %), and high-density lipoprotein (9 %). Lastly, we found a moderate positive correlation between processing speed and body weight (r = 0.46), gamma-glutamyl transferase (r = 0.54), and total protein and mental flexibility (r = 0.75). Conclusion: bariatric surgery promoted significant weight loss and improved attention, mental flexibility, processing speed, and several nutritional biomarkers. Nevertheless, the surgery had limited effects on other cognitive functions such as short- and long-term memory and language.

Resumen Introducción: se ha observado una disminución del rendimiento cognitivo en los pacientes con obesidad grave. La cirugía bariátrica y la pérdida de tejido adiposo parecen mejorar el funcionamiento cognitivo; sin embargo, los predictores de mejora no están bien establecidos. Objetivos: evaluar el rendimiento cognitivo y el estado Nutricional de pacientes con obesidad severa después de 6 meses de una cirugía bariátrica. Métodos: evaluamos el desempeño neuropsicológico de 22 pacientes con un índice de masa corporal ~ 42,9 kg/m². Se analizaron las pruebas de rutina realizadas al inicio y después de la cirugía. Calculamos la correlación con la evaluación neuropsicológica y los biomarcadores sanguíneos. Resultados: los pacientes no mostraron deterioro cognitivo en la evaluación preoperatoria, pero sí un rendimiento por debajo del estándar. Los pacientes mostraron una pérdida de peso significativa 6 meses después de la cirugía (~ 22 kg), con un cambio de la clasificación de obesidad de III a I. Además, los pacientes mostraron una mejora significativa de la atención, la flexibilidad mental, el control inhibitorio y la velocidad de procesamiento. Además, observamos una mejora significativa del ácido fólico sérico (108 %), la gamma-glutamil-transferasa (-41 %), el ácido úrico (-32 %), la ferritina (-28 %), los triglicéridos (-19 %) y las lipoproteínas de alta densidad (9 %). Finalmente, encontramos una correlación positiva moderada entre la velocidad de procesamiento y el peso corporal (r = 0,46) y la gamma-glutamil-transferasa (r = 0,54), y entre la proteína total y la flexibilidad mental (r = 0,75). Conclusiones: la cirugía bariátrica promovió una pérdida de peso significativa y mejoró la atención, la flexibilidad mental, la velocidad de procesamiento y varios biomarcadores Nutricionales. Sin embargo, tuvo efectos limitados sobre otras funciones cognitivas, como la memoria y el lenguaje a corto y largo plazo.

Abstract Introduction: patients with COVID-19 undergo changes in leukocyte count, respiratory disorders, and an increase in inflammatory substances. To improve the inflammatory condition, some nutrients can be used, including arginine, omega-3 fatty acids and nucleotides. This study aims to evaluate how oral immunonutrient supplements affects serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and lymphocyte count in patients with COVID-19. Methods: in this double-blind clinical trial, we randomized 43 adult patients with COVID-19 to receive a standard high-protein normocaloric supplement (control) or an immunonutrient-enriched supplement (experiment) for 7 days. The primary outcome was to evaluate changes in total lymphocyte count and serum level of CRP. The assessment of risk and nutritional status of these patients was also performed. Results: forty-three patients with mean age of 41.5 (± 1.8) years were followed up, 39.5 % of them women. The mean body mass index was 27.6 (± 0.8) kg/m² and 58.1 % had low nutritional risk. In the experiment group, there was a CRP reduction of 23.6 (± 7.5) mg/L, while in the control branch the decrease was 14.8 (± 12.1) mg/L (p = 0.002). There was an increase in lymphocytes in the experiment group (+367.5 ± 401.8 cells/mm³) and a reduction in the control group (-282.8 ± 327.8 cells/mm³), although there was no statistical significance (p = 0.369). Relative risk (RR) of treatment in reducing CRP by 30 % or more was 4.45 (p < 0.001; 95 % CI, 1.79-11.07). RR in increasing lymphocyte count by 30 % or more was 1.28 (p = 0.327; 95 % CI, 0.67-2.45). Conclusion: we conclude that immunonutrient supplements seem to reduce CRP levels more than standard high-protein normocaloric supplements.

Resumen Introducción: los pacientes con COVID-19 sufren cambios en el recuento de leucocitos, trastornos respiratorios y aumento de sustancias inflamatorias. Para mejorar la condición inflamatoria se pueden usar algunos nutrientes, como la arginina, los ácidos grasos omega-3 y los nucleótidos. Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar cómo los suplementos de inmunonutrientes orales afectan a los niveles séricos de proteína C-reactiva (PCR) y al recuento de linfocitos en pacientes con COVID-19. Métodos: en este ensayo clínico doble ciego, aleatorizamos a 43 pacientes adultos con COVID-19 para recibir un suplemento normocalórico estándar alto en proteínas (control) o un suplemento enriquecido con inmunonutrientes (experimento) durante 7 días. El resultado primario fue evaluar los cambios en el recuento total de linfocitos y el nivel sérico de PCR. También se realizó la evaluación del riesgo y el estado nutricional de estos pacientes. Resultados: cuarenta y tres pacientes con edad media de 41,5 (± 1,8) años fueron seguidos, el 39,5 % de ellos mujeres. El índice de masa corporal medio fue de 27,6 (± 0,8) kg/m² y el 58,1 % tenían bajo riesgo nutricional. En el grupo experimental hubo una reducción de la PCR de 23,6 (± 7,5) mg/L, mientras que en la rama de control la disminución fue de 14,8 (± 12,1) mg/L (p = 0,002). Hubo un aumento de linfocitos en el grupo experimental (+367,5 ± 401,8 células/mm³) y una reducción en el grupo de control (-282,8 ± 327,8 células/mm³), aunque no hubo significación estadística (p = 0,369). El riesgo relativo (RR) del tratamiento para reducir la PCR en un 30 % o más fue de 4,45 (p < 0,001; IC 95 %: 1,79-11,07). El RR en el aumento del recuento de linfocitos en un 30 % o más fue de 1,28 (p = 0,327; IC 95 %: 0,67-2,45). Conclusión: se concluye que los suplementos de inmunonutrientes parecen reducir los niveles de PCR más que los suplementos normocalóricos estándar altos en proteína.

Objetivo:Descrever as mudanças no gasto energético de repouso, na taxa de oxidação de substrato e na composição corporal em mulheres obesas mórbidas submetidas à restrição calórica de curto prazo. Métodos:Este foi um estudo prospectivo com dez mulheres obesas com índice de massa corporal maior que 40 kg/m2 e idade entre 20-50 anos. As participantes foram hospitalizadas por sete dias consecutivos e receberam uma dieta hipocalórica convencional controlada de 1200 kcal/dia. Peso corporal, índice de massa corporal, circunferência abdominal, composição corporal, gasto energético de repouso e taxa de oxidação de substratos foram avaliados no início e no final do estudo.Resultados:Reduções significativas no peso corporal (p=0,005), índice de massa corporal (p=0,005), circunferência abdominal (p=0,005), massa gorda (p=0,005) e massa livre de gordura (p=0,008) foram observadas no final do estudo. O gasto energético de repouso mostrou redução média de aproximadamente 124 kcal/dia (5%). A taxa de oxidação de substratos não apresentou mudanças estatisticamente significativas. Houve correlação importante apenas entre a redução do peso corporal e a redução da massa livre de gordura (r=0,753, p=0,012). Conclusão:Houve uma resposta adaptativa do gasto energético de repouso com restrição energética em curto prazo em mulheres obesas mórbidas, apresentando redução média de 5% do gasto energético de repouso e correlação entre a perda de peso e a massa livre de gordura, o que indica a influência da mesma na diminuição do gasto energético de repouso. Portanto, a restrição calórica de curto prazo em mulheres obesas mórbidas leva à diminuição no gasto energético de repouso e na massa livre de gordura, sugerindo uma rápida adaptação do gasto energético.

Objective:The objective of this study was to describe changes in the resting energy expenditure, substrate oxidation rate, and body composition in morbidly obese women subjected to short-term caloric restriction. Methods:This was a prospective study that included ten obese women with body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2 and aged between 20-50 years. The participants were hospitalized for eight days and received a controlled conventional low-calorie diet, 1200 kcal/day, for seven days. Body weight, body mass index, abdominal circumference, body composition, resting energy expenditure, and substrate oxidation rate were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results:A significant reduction in body weight (p=0.005), body mass index (p=0.005), abdominal circumference (p=0.005), fat mass (p=0.005) and fat-free mass (p=0.008) was observed at the end of the study. There was an average reduction in resting energy expenditure of approximately 124 kcal/day (5%). Substrate oxidation rate did not show statistically significant changes. There was a positive correlation only between body weight reduction and fat-free mass reduction (r=0.753; p=0.012). Conclusion:There was an adaptive response of the resting energy expenditure with short-term energy restriction in morbidly obese women with a 5% reduction in resting energy expenditure and a positive correlation between weight loss and the fat-free mass, which indicates the influence of fat-free mass on the decrease in resting energy expenditure. Therefore, short-term caloric restriction in morbidly obese women led to a decrease in resting energy expenditure and fat-free mass, which suggests a rapid adaptation of energy expenditure.

Background/aims: micronutrient deficiency may contribute to a poorer control of diabetes. Thus, the objective of the present study was to assess the urinary excretion of micronutrients in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: patients with diabetes and controls were assessed regarding food intake, anthropometry, urinary loss of micronutrients and compared by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test (p<0.05). Results: nine diabetic volunteers (52 ± 14 years, BMI 30 ± 11 kg/m² and abdominal circumference (AC) of 99 ± 25 cm) and 9 control individuals (51 ± 16 years, BMI 26 ± 5 kg/m² and AC of 90 ± 13 cm) were studied. Higher iron excretion was observed in the diabetic group and higher magnesium excretion in the control group. Conclusions: the type 2 diabetic patients here studied did not show increased micronutrient excretion in urine when compared to controls.

Introducción/objetivos: la deficiencia de micronutrientes puede contribuir a un menor control de la diabetes. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la excreción urinaria de micronutrientes en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Métodos: los pacientes con diabetes y los controles fueron evaluados por la ingesta de alimentos, la antropometría, la pérdida urinaria de micronutrientes y comparados por Mann Whitney no paramétrico (p<0,05). Resultados: fueron evaluados nueve sujetos diabéticos (52 ± 14 años con un IMC de 30 ± 11 kg/m² y la circunferencia de la cintura (CC) de 99 ± 25 cm) y nueve sujetos control (51 ± 16 años, IMC 26 ± 5 kg/m² y CA total de 90 ± 13 cm). La excreción de hierro más alta se observó en el grupo diabético y la mayor excreción de magnesio en el grupo de control. Conclusiones: el tipo 2 de pacientes diabéticos estudiados aquí no mostraron un aumento en la excreción de micronutrientes en la orina en comparación con los controles.

Objective Bone loss has been established as a major extra-intestinal complication of short bowel syndrome (SBS). The purpose of this study was to correlate bone mineral density (BMD) with body mass index (BMI), serum vitamin and mineral levels in patients with SBS.Material and methods The study was conducted on 13 patients (8 male and 5 female, 54.7 ± 11.4 years) with SBS (residual small bowel length of 10 to 100 cm). We determined the food ingestion, anthropometry, serum levels of vitamins C, A, D, E and K, as well as serum and urinary levels of phosphorus and calcium. BMD was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).Results Osteopenia and osteoporosis was diagnosed in all but one SBS patient. Serum levels of vitamin D were low in all volunteers. Sixty-one percent of patients had vitamin E deficiency; hypovitaminosis A and C occurred in one subject. BMI and C, E and K vitamin serum levels correlated with T-score of BMD.Conclusions Osteopenia and osteoporosis were common in SBS patients. There was a correlation between BMD and the serum levels of vitamins C, E and K, an indicative that such vitamins may influence bone health. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2015;59(3):252-8

Introduction: Short bowel syndrome is associated with weight loss due to nutrient, electrolyte and fluid malabsorption. In view of the pathophysiology of SBS, all patients would be expected to exhibit similar clinical signs and symptoms, whereas many variations occur probably due to the adaptive capacity of the remaining small intestine in order to compensate for the resected area. Objective: To determine whether there is a difference in nutritional status and food intake between patients receiving PNT, patients who do not receive PNT but are monitored on an ambulatory basis, and control subjects, and 2) to determine body composition by two different methods, i.e., electrical bioimpedance and skin fold measurement. Methods: This was a case-control study where the subjects were divided into three groups: parenteral group (PG) - adults with a history of SBS intermittently using PNT; ambulatory group (AG) - adults with a history of SBS who do not receive PNT; control group (CG) - adults with no history of intestinal resections and/or use of PNT. The volunteers were submitted to measurements of body weight, height, body composition by bioimpedance analysis and assessment of food intake using a food frequency questionnaire. Univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the aid of the SAS® 9.2. software, using the PROC GLM feature. The Student t-test was used to compare the instruments for the assessment of body composition, with the aid of the PROC TTEST feature of the SAS® 9.2 software. Results: Thirty-two volunteers, 19 women and 13 men, participated in the study. The PNT group consisted of 9 volunteers, 4 women and 5 men, with a mean (± SD) age of 57 ± 9 years. The nutrition status and food intake were different between the groups. There was no difference in percent body fat measured by anthropometry and bioimpedance analysis. Discussion and conclusion: Large resections, as well as the resected portions, explain the greater nutritional impairment of PG compared to AG and CG, although no significant difference in food consumption was detected between these three groups. Since the use of PNT can lead to a state of hyperhydration, the results of BIA should be interpreted with caution, in view of the fact that the lean mass determined by this method varies positively with the hydration state of an individual.

Introducción: El síndrome del intestino corto se asocia con pérdida de peso por la malabsorción de nutrientes, electrolitos y líquidos. A la vista de la fisiopatología del SIC, se esperaría que todos los pacientes exhibieran signos y síntomas clínicos similares, mientras que pueden ocurrir variaciones probablemente por la capacidad de adaptación del intestino delgado restante con el fin de compensar el área resecada. Objetivo: Determinar si existen diferencias en el estado nutritivo y en el consumo de alimentos entre pacientes que reciben TNP, aquellos que no reciben TNP pero que están monitorizados de forma ambulatoria e individuos control, y 2) determinar la composición corporal mediante dos métodos distintos: la bioimpedancia eléctrica y la medición del pliegue cutáneo. Métodos: Éste fue un estudio de casos-control en el que se dividió a los sujetos en tres grupos: el grupo de parenteral (GP) - adultos con una historia de SIC y con uso intermitente de TNP; grupo ambulatorio (GA) - adultos con una historia de SIC que no recibían TNP; grupo control (GC) - adultos sin antecedentes de resecciones intestinales ni uso de TNP. Los voluntarios fueron sometidos a mediciones del peso corporal, talla, composición corporal mediante análisis de bioimpedancia y evaluación del consumo de alimentos utilizando un cuestionario de frecuencia de alimentos. Se realizó un análisis de varianza (ANOVA) con la ayuda del programa SAS® 9.2, utilizando la aplicación PROC GLM. Se empleó el test t de Student para comparar los instrumentos de la evaluación de la composición corporal, con la ayuda de la aplicación PROC TTEST del programa SAS® 9.2. Resultados: 32 voluntarios, 19 mujeres y 13 hombres, participaron en el estudio. El grupo TNP estaba compuesto de 9 voluntarios, 4 mujeres y 5 hombres, con una edad media (± DE) de 57 ± 9 años. El estado nutritivo y el consumo de alimentos fueron diferentes entre los grupos. No hubo diferencias en el porcentaje de grasa corporal medida por antropometría y análisis de bioimpedancia. Discusión y conclusión: Las resecciones largas, así como las porciones resecadas, explican la mayor alteración nutricional del grupo GP en comparación con los grupos GA y GC, aunque no se detectaron diferencias significativas en el consumo de alimentos entre los tres grupos. Puesto que el empleo de TNP puede conducir a un estado de hiperhidratación, los resultados del ABI deberían interpretarse con precaución puesto que la masa magra determinada por este método varía positivamente con el estado de hidratación de un individuo.

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar a microbiota intestinal de pacientes com síndrome do intestino curto (SIC) internados na Unidade Metabólica do Hospital Universitário. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas amostras de fezes e exames bioquímicos, estes últimos somente dos pacientes. A avaliação do estado nutricional foi feita a partir de medidas antropométricas e a avaliação do consumo alimentar por meio de inquérito alimentar. Para detecção de cepas patogênicas foram realizados cultivos e testes bioquímicos específicos em meio aeróbico para determinação de espécies da família enterobacteriaceae. Em cada cepa de E. coli isolada foram aplicados anti-soros para determinação de possível patogenicidade. Metodologia molecular também foi utilizada para determinação do perfil da microbiota intestinal bacteriana. RESULTADOS: Observou-se menor quantidade de microorganismos da família enterobacteriaceae por grama de fezes em pacientes com SIC. Porém a análise molecular mostrou a manutenção na proporção de espécies bacterianas, equivalente a microbiota intestinal saudável. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que apesar da retirada maciça do intestino delgado, uso freqüente de antibióticos, depressão do sistema imune, presença de alimentos não digeridos no trato gastrintestinal e trânsito intestinal acelerado, a proporção entre as espécies bacterianas intestinais permanecem similares à normalidade.

PURPOSE: To characterize of the intestinal microbiota of patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) admitted to the Metabolic Unit of a University Hospital. METHODS: Fecal samples were evaluated, and biochemical tests were conducted only in the case of SBS patients. The nutritional status was assessed via anthropometric measurements and evaluation of food intake by means of a food questionnaire. The pathogenic strains were detected with the aid of cultures and specific biochemical tests in aerobic medium, for determination of species belonging to the Family enterobacteriaceae. Anti-sera were applied to each isolated E. coli strain, for determination of their possible pathogenicity. Molecular methodology was employed for establishment of the intestinal bacterial microbiota profile RESULTS: A lower amount of microorganisms of the family enterobacteriaceae per gram of stool was observed in the case of patients with SBS. However, molecular analysis showed maintenance of the bacterial species ratio, which is equivalent to a healthy intestinal microbiota. CONCLUSION: Despite the massive removal of the small bowel, frequent use of antibiotics, immune system depression, presence of non-digested food in the gastrointestinal tract, and accelerated intestinal transit, the ratio between intestinal bacterial species remain similar to normality.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a freqüência de infecção relacionada ao cateter venoso central em pacientes submetidos a terapia nutricional parenteral. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados os cateteres venosos centrais de pacientes em terapia nutricional parenteral que tiveram a indicação de retirada do cateter venoso central por infecção, alta hospitalar, ou trombose. Os pacientes com infecção foram denominados de Grupo 1 e os demais de Grupo 2. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante quanto ao estado nutricional dos 18 pacientes analisados. Foram analisados 28 cateteres e destes 68% estavam infectados, sendo 72% do Grupo 1 e 28% do Grupo 2 (assintomáticos). No Grupo 1, houve infecção sistêmica em 70% dos casos, já no Grupo 2 a hemocultura foi positiva em 17% dos casos. A colonização por Staphylococcus sp. ocorreu em 48% dos casos, seguida de Candida sp. (21%), Enterococcus faecalis (16%), Pseudomonas aerurginosa (10%) e Proteus sp.(5%). CONCLUSÃO: A contaminação de cateter venoso central utilizado para terapia nutricional parenteral é freqüente. Mesmo pacientes assintomáticos recebendo nutrição parenteral têm uma incidência maior de infecção por Candida sp. Portanto é necessária a criação de barreiras que impeçam a colonização destes cateteres venosos centrais, a fim de diminuir a morbimortalidade de pacientes dependentes deste tipo de terapia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of central venous catheter-related infections in hospitalized patients receiving total parenteral nutrition. METHODS: Central venous catheters were analyzed immediately after removal due to infection, hospital discharge or thrombosis. The patients with catheter-related infection were named Group 1 and the other patients were named Group 2. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were studied. There was no statistically significant difference in nutritional status between the two groups. A total of 28 catheters were analyzed. Sixty-eight percent of the catheters were infected: 72% of them were from Group 1 and 28% from Group 2 (asymptomatic patients). Systemic infection was diagnosed in 70% of the patients from Group 1. Positive blood culture was found in 17% of the patients from Group 2. The microorganisms found were: Staphylococcus sp. (48%), Candida sp. (21%), Enterococcus faecalis (16%), Pseudomonas aerurginosa (10%) and Proteus sp. (5%). CONCLUSION: Central venous catheter infection is common in hospitalized asymptomatic patients. Patients receiving total parenteral nutrition are most frequently infected with Candida sp. Therefore, the creation of barriers that block colonization in the central venous catheter is essential to decrease the morbidity and mortality among patients that depend on total parenteral nutrition.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a adequação das fórmulas sugeridas na literatura, e desenvolver equações preditivas de peso e altura para a população hospitalizada brasileira, a partir de medidas antropométricas usuais. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se antropometria e bioimpedância de pacientes hospitalizados. Por meio de regressão linear múltipla, desenvolveram-se fórmulas com o objetivo de prever o peso e a altura. Os resultados foram comparados com os obtidos de fórmulas da literatura e com as medidas reais. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliadas 368 pacientes e desenvolvidas equações preditivas do peso e da altura, ou seja: para estimativa de peso, peso (kg)= 0,5759 x (circunferência do braço, cm) + 0,5263 x (circunferência abdominal, cm) + 1,2452 x (circunferência da panturrilha, cm) -4,8689 x (Sexo, masculino= 1 feminino= 2) -32,9241 (r= 0,94, p<0.001); e altura (cm)= 58,6940 -2,9740 x (Sexo) -0,0736 x (idade, anos) + 0,4958 x (comprimento do braço, cm) + 1,1320 x (meia envergadura, cm) (r= 0,88, p<0.001). As estimativas realizadas foram estatisticamente semelhantes às medidas reais, p= 0,94 e 0,89 e erro médio de 6,0% e 2,1%, respectivamente para o peso e altura. Quando aplicadas as formulas preconizadas pela literatura, os resultados encontrados foram estatisticamente diferentes do real (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Sugere-se que estas equações sejam utilizadas para prever peso e altura de pacientes acamados.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the adequacy of the formula suggested in the literature and/or to develop appropriate equations for the Brazilian population of immobilized patients based on simple anthropometric measurements. METHODS: Hospitalized patients were submitted to anthropometry and methods to estimate weight and height of bedridden patients were developed by multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty eight persons were evaluated at two hospital centers and five weight-predicting and two height-predicting equations were developed from the measurements obtained. Among the new equations developed, the simplest one for weight estimate was: Weight (kg) = 0.5759 x (arm circumference, cm) + 0.5263 x (abdominal circumference, cm) + 1.2452 x (calf circumference, cm) -4.8689 x (Sex, male = 1 and female = 2) -32.9241 (r = 0.94); and the one for height estimate was: Height (cm) = 58.6940 - 2.9740 x (Sex) -0.0736 x (age, years) + 0.4958 x (arm length, cm) + 1.1320 x (half- span, cm) (r = 0.88). The estimates thus calculated did not differ significantly from actual measurements, with p = 0.94 and 0.89 and a mean error of 6.0 and 2.1% for weight and height, respectively. CONCLUSION: We suggest that these equations can be used to estimate the weight and height of bedridden patients when necessary or when these parameters cannot be measured with a scale and a stadiometer.

OBJETIVO: Considerando que em pacientes desnutridos suplementados com L-glutamina, a negatividade do balanço de nitrogênio tende a diminuir, o presente estudo visou determinar se a suplementação com L-glutamina em ratos Wistar desnutridos poderia diminuir a excreção de nitrogênio urinário, melhorar a deposição de nitrogênio em diferentes tecidos e/ou alterar as concentrações plasmáticas de aminoácidos MÉTODOS: Os animais foram divididos em grupos: 1) desnutrido protéico-energético, 2) desnutrido protéico e 3) nutrido. O nitrogênio urinário e tecidual foi determinado pelo método de Kjeldahl e as concentrações plasmáticas de aminoácido por cromatografia líquida. RESULTADOS: Pesos, nitrogênio urinário e teciduais foram significativamente reduzidos no grupo com desnutrição protéico-energética, não tendo sido encontrada melhora no grupo com suplementação aguda de glutamina. Não foram observadas mudanças nas concentrações plasmáticas de aminoácidos com a suplementação de glutamina. CONCLUSÃO: Não foi possível detectar um efeito positivo da suplementação de glutamina sobre o metabolismo de nitrogênio urinário e tecidual de ratos desnutridos.

OBJETIVE: Considering that in malnourished patients supplemented with L-glutamine the negativity of the nitrogen balance tends to decrease, the present study aimed to determine whether malnourished Wistar rats supplemented with L-glutamine would show lower urinary nitrogen excretion, a greater deposition of nitrogen content in different tissues, and/or an alteration in the plasma amino acid levels. METHODS: The rats were divided into groups: 1) protein-energy malnutrition, 2) protein malnutrition and 3) normally nourished group. The urinary and tissue nitrogen contents were determined by the Kjeldahl method and plasma amino acids by liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Weight, urinary and tissue nitrogen accumulation were significantly reduced in the group with protein-energy malnutrition, but did not improve with L-glutamine supplementation supplied for a short time. The plasma amino acid concentrations showed no special pattern with L-glutamine supplementation. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that it was not possible to detect any positive effect of L-glutamine supplementation on the tissue and urinary nitrogen metabolism in malnourished rats.

Cateteres venosos totalmente implantados são utilizados em pacientes com síndrome do intestino curto, para realizar o suporte nutricional parenteral, o qual mantém estes pacientes vivos, pois fornece-lhes nutrientes que são absorvidos pela via digestiva. No entanto, estes cateteres não são isentos de complicações. As infecções relacionadas aos cateteres venosos são as complicações mais temidas e sua incidência varia de 3% a 20%, aumentando em pacientes mais graves. O objetivo do presente estudo é descrever as complicações infecciosas em pacientes recebendo nutrição parenteral por meio de cateteres venosos totalmente implantados. Tais cateteres são utilizados pela Divisão de Nutrição Clínica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, para realizar o suporte nutricional parenteral em pacientes submetidos a ressecções extensas de intestino delgado. Foram avaliadas as complicações infecciosas ocorridas com 21 cateteres, implantados em 16 pacientes. O tempo de permanência dos cateteres foi de 768±664,3 dias (mediana 529 dias) e a taxa de infecção foi de 0,029 infecções/paciente/ano, resultados que se comparam às taxas de infecção observadas em países desenvolvidos. Concluiu-se que os cuidados observados no manuseio destes cateteres foram de fundamental importância para diminuir a incidência de infecção nestes pacientes.

Long-term venous catheters are used for the total parenteral nutrition infusion, which is essential for feeding short-bowel syndrome patients. However, complications are likely to occur. The incidence of catheter related infections ranges from 3 to 20% in hospitalized patients. The Divisão de Nutrição Clínica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil, has been providing nutrition support to short-bowel syndrome patients, using totally implantable venous catheters. This is a retrospective study, which aims to show the Divisão de Nutrição Clínica experience with such catheters, and to discuss the incidence of infections. We retrospectively evaluated infection complications in 21 catheters implanted in 16 patients. The permanence-time of the catheters was 768±664.3 days (median: 529 days). The incidence of infection was 0.029 per patient, per year. These results are comparable to data from developed countries. Considering that the patients here studied were imunossupressed due to intestinal mal-absorption, our findings suggest that the catheter care, as provided by our team, contributed to diminish the rate of infections, and to increase the utilization period of each catheter.

A resposta metabólica ao trauma cirúrgico ocorre imediatamente após a cirurgia e recomenda-se que a oferta calórica, nesta situação, seja igual ao metabolismo basal acrescido de 20-30%, considerado fator de injúria. No entanto, níveis elevados de glicemia e aumento na produção de CO2 são freqüentemente observados nestas ocasiões . OBJETIVO: O principal objetivo do presente estudo foi medir o gasto energético basal, o gasto energético imediatamente e 24 horas após cirurgia eletiva; comparar o gasto e consumo energético entre estes diferentes períodos, assim como, procurar diferenças entre o homem e a mulher. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: O método utilizado para avaliar o gasto energético de 17 pacientes adultos (8 mulheres e 9 homens) foi por meio de calorimetria indireta, nos períodos basal, imediatamente após cirurgia e 24 horas após cirurgia . O tempo cirúrgico variou entre 2 e 3 horas. Este foi um estudo pareado , sendo portanto cada paciente considerado controle de si próprio. RESULTADOS: Todos os pacientes receberam no período pós-cirúrgico solução de dextrose a 5% (2000 mL/dia).Os resultados encontrados nos homens mostraram diminuição da produção de CO2 no período imediatamente após cirurgia (257±42 mL/min) quando comparado ao gasto energético basal (306±48 mL/min) e 24horas após a cirurgia (301±45 mL/min). O mesmo não ocorreu com as mulheres. O gasto energético dos homens também foi menor no imediatamente após a cirurgia (6,6 kJ/min). Todas outras medidas, incluindo oxidação do substrato, não mostraram diferenças significativas. CONCLUSÃO: Desta maneira, a cirurgia eletiva não pode ser considerado trauma importante que resulte em aumento do gasto energético. Conclui-se que a prescrição energética no pós-cirúrgico, de cirurgias eletivas de médio e pequeno porte, seja equivalente 5-7 kJ/min, evitando desta maneira que o paciente receba sobregarca de hidratos de carbono.

Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry in 17 adult patients (8 women and 9 men) before surgery, 4 hours immediately after surgery , and 24 hours late after surgery in patients undergoing elective surgery of small-to-medium scope. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The total duration of surgery ranged from 2 to 3 hours. Repeated measures were performed on the same patient, so that each patient was considered to be his/her own control. All patients received a 5% dextrose solution (2000 mL/day) throughout the postoperative period. RESULTS: Men showed a reduction in CO2 production during the immediately after surgery period (257±42 mL/min) compared to before surgery (306±48 mL/min) and late after surgery (301±45 mL/min); this reduction was not observed in women. Energy expenditure was also lower in men during immediately after surgery (6.6 kJ/min). None of the other measurements, including substrate oxidation, showed significant differences. CONCLUSION: Therefore, elective surgery itself cannot be considered an important trauma that would result in increased energy expenditure. According to this study, it is not necessary to prescribe an energy supply exceeding basal expenditure during the immediate after-surgery period. The present results suggest that the energy supply prescribed during the postoperative period after elective surgery of small-to-medium scope should not exceed 5-7 kJ/min, so the patient does not receive a carbohydrate overload from energy supplementation.