Abstract Objective To investigate associations of maternal and cord blood cytokine patterns with newborn size and body composition. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 70 pregnant women and their healthy newborns selected from the “Araraquara Cohort Study”. Newborn anthropometric measurements were recorded at birth. Body composition was evaluated by air displacement plethysmography. Maternal blood samples were collected from pregnant women between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation, and umbilical cord blood samples were collected immediately after placenta discharge. The concentrations of the cytokines were determined in plasma by ELISA. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess associations between maternal and cord blood cytokine concentrations and newborn anthropometry and body composition measurements. Results Maternal plasma TGF-β1 concentration was inversely associated with newborn weight (β= -43.0; p= 0.012), length (β= -0.16, p= 0.028), head circumference (β= -0.13, p= 0.004), ponderal index (β= -0.32, p= 0.011) and fat-free mass (β= -0.05, p= 0.005). However, the association persisted just for head circumference (β= -0.26; p= 0.030) and ponderal index (β= - 0.28; p= 0.028), after adjusting for pre-gestational BMI, gestational weight gain, gestational age, hours after delivery, newborn sex, smoking and alcohol consumption. Conclusions Maternal plasma TGF-β1 concentration may be involved in the regulation of newborn size, mainly head circumference and ponderal index. Further cohort studies are necessary to investigate the role of TGF-β1 in different trimesters of pregnancy and its effect during the early stages of fetal development.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition and kala-azar (or visceral leishmaniasis) are significant public health problems in different parts of the world. Immunity and susceptibility to infectious and parasitic diseases are directly linked to the host’s nutritional state, but little is known about the interaction between nutrition and kala-azar. This study aimed to evaluate nutritional status with kala-azar and correlate these findings with the clinical and laboratory manifestations of the disease, and zinc and retinol levels. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 139 patients with kala-azar. Nutritional status classification was performed according to international recommendations. Parametric or nonparametric tests were applied whenever indicated in a two-sided test with a 5% significance level. RESULTS: Weight loss and malnutrition were more frequent in adults. Body mass index-for-age, fat area of the arm, and upper arm muscle area were significantly associated with probability of death. The presence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly was correlated with nutritional assessment. Blood leukocyte and lymphocyte, serum creatine, and vitamin A levels were significantly higher in adult men. Vitamin A levels were highly associated with the level of hemoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in multivariate analysis. All patients had reduced plasma zinc levels, but this finding had no association with the outcome variables. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition was correlated with severe disease and was more prevalent in older people with kala-azar. Vitamin A deficiency was associated with hemoglobin and CRP. Zinc levels were reduced in patients with kala-azar.

RESUMO Objetivo Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar a relação entre concentrações séricas de retinol e infecção subclínica, em crianças de assentamentos rurais. Métodos Trata-se de estudo transversal, de base populacional, realizado em nove assentamentos rurais na região nordeste do Brasil, envolvendo 118 crianças de 6 a 59 meses de idade. A relação entre retinol sérico e níveis de proteína C-reativa, importante marcador de processos infecciosos e inflamatórios, foi investigada por análise de regressão linear múltipla, controlando-se variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas e nutricionais. O retinol sérico e a proteína C-reativa foram medidos, respectivamente, por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Performance e ensaio imunoturbidimétrico em equipamento automatizado. Resultados A deficiência de vitamina A (retinol <0,70μmll/L) foi identificada em 9,3% das crianças. A proteína C-reativa foi o único preditor de concentrações de retinol no modelo de regressão final, causando uma redução de 0,728μmol/L nas concentrações de retinol nas crianças estudadas (p=0,008). Conclusão A pesquisa concluiu que a deficiência de vitamina A é um problema de severidade leve/moderada, sendo fundamental a adoção de medidas para controlar doenças infecciosas nessa população, bem como para prevenir e/ou combater o problema.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the relationship between serum retinol concentrations and subclinical infection in children from rural settlements. Methods A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out in nine rural settlements in the northeastern region of Brazil, involving 118 children aged 6 to 59 months. The relationship between serum retinol and C-Reactive Protein levels, an important marker of infectious and inflammatory processes, was investigated by multiple linear regression, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic and nutritional variables. Serum retinol and C-Reactive Protein were measured, respectively, by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and immunoturbidimetric assay in automated equipment. Results Vitamin A deficiency (retinol <0.70μmol/L) was identified in 9.3% of the children. C-Reactive Protein was the only predictor of retinol concentrations in the final regression model, causing a 0.728μmol/L reduction in retinol concentrations in the studied children (p=0.008). Conclusion Vitamin A deficiency is a problem of mild/moderate severity and measures to control infectious diseases in this population are fundamental to prevent and/or combat this problem.

Background: studies have investigated the relationship between the transition through menopause and cardiovascular diseases. White population, generally, have lower levels of traditional coronary heart risk factors, particularly dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, and lower rates of coronary heart disease mortality, than black population. Furthermore many studies have shown the cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) of marine origin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 supplementation, combined or not with vitamin E, on oxidative biomarkers and lipid profiles in nonwhite and white women with dyslipidemia transitioning through menopause. Methods: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Seventy-four eligible women were assigned to receive: fish oil, fish oil plus vitamin E and placebo for three months. At baseline, 45 and 90 days blood sample for biochemical variables and biomarkers of oxidative stress were taken. Socioeconomic and lifestyle variables were collected with standardized questionnaires. Results: after 90 days the fish oil plus vitamin E treated group had a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL-C. Furthermore, there was a decrease in anti- LDL- autoantibodies after 45 days. Plasma TBARS concentrations were increased after 90 days in the group receiving only fish oil when compared to the placebo and fish oil-vitamin E groups. All of the effects observed were independent of ethnic group. Conclusions: supplementation with fish oil and vitamin E reduced total cholesterol and LDL-C, but had opposite effects on oxidative stress compared to supplementation with fish oil alone.

Introducción: diversos estudios han investigado la relación entre la transición a la menopausia y las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Generalmente, la población de etnia blanca posee bajos niveles de factores de riesgo coronarios, particularmente dislipidemia, hipertensión, obesidad, diabetes y bajas tasas de mortalidad por enfermedades del corazón en comparación con la población de etnia negra. Además, varios estudios demostraron efectos cardioprotectores y antiinflamatorios provenientes de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados omega-3 (ácido eicosapentaenoico y ácido docosahexaenoico) de origen marino. El objetivo del estudio fue investigar el efecto de la suplementación de omega-3 combinado o no con vitamina E en biomarcadores oxidativos y perfiles lipídicos en mujeres blancas y no blancas con dislipidemia en transición hacia la menopausia. Métodos: fue realizado un estudio randomizado, duplo- ciego, placebo-controlado. Setenta y cuatro mujeres elegibles fueron escogidas para recibir: aceite de pescado, aceite de pescado con vitamina E y placebo durante tres meses. Fueron recogidas muestras de sangre en de referencia, 45 y 90 días para realizar exámenes bioquímicos y de biomarcadores para estrés oxidativo. Las variables socioeconómicas y de estilo de vida fueron recogidas por medio de cuestionarios estandarizados. Resultados: después de 90 días, el grupo tratado con aceite de pescado con vitamina E tuvo una disminución significativa para colesterol total y LDL-C. Además, hubo una disminución de anticuerpos anti-LDL después de 45 días. La concentración de plasma TBARS aumentó después de 90 días en el grupo que recibió solamente aceite de pescado, comparado con los grupos placebo y aceite de pescado con vitamina E. Todos los efectos observados fueron independientes del grupo étnico. Conclusiones: la suplementación con aceite de pescado y vitamina E redujo el colesterol total y LDL-C, pero tuvo un efecto opuesto en el estrés oxidativo comparado con la suplementación solamente con aceite de pescado.

Este estudo faz uma revisão sobre o perfil lipídico de pacientes com vírus da imunodeficiência humana/síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (HIV/AIDS) em relação ao uso da terapia antirretroviral (TARV), e suas diferentes classes de fármacos. Um total de 190 artigos publicados em revistas indexadas foram selecionados das bases de dados PubMed e LILACS; 88 deles preencheram os critérios de seleção e foram incluídos nesta revisão. Pacientes com HIV/AIDS sem uso de TARV apresentaram aumento de triglicérides e diminuição dos níveis de colesterol total, lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL-c) e lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL-c). Distintos regimes de TARV promoveram diferentes alterações no metabolismo lipídico. Inibidores de protease, particularmente indinavir e lopinavir, foram comumente associados com hipercolesterolemia, aumento de LDL-c, diminuição de HDL-c e hipertrigliceridemia. O inibidor de protease atazanavir aparentemente está associado a menores alterações do perfil lipídico. Alguns inibidores da transcripitase reversa análogos de nucleosídeos (didanosina, estavudina e zidovudina), induziram lipoatrofia e hipertrigliceridemia, enquanto o abacavir aumentou o risco cardiovascular mesmo na ausência de aparentes distúrbios lipídicos, e o tenofovir resultou em menores níveis de colesterol e triglicérides. Embora os inibidores da transcriptase reversa não análogos de nucleosídeos possam predispor a hipertrigliceridemia e hipercolesterolemia, a nevirapina, particularmente, foi associada a maiores níveis de HDL-c, um fator de proteção contra doenças cardiovasculares. Portanto, a própria infecção, diferentes classes de fármacos e alguns fármacos da mesma classe de TARV podem exercer distintas alterações no metabolismo lipídico.

This study reviewed the lipid profile of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients in relation to use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and its different classes of drugs. A total of 190 articles published in peer-reviewed journals were retrieved from PubMed and LILACS databases; 88 of them met the selection criteria and were included in the review. Patients with HIV/AIDS without ART presented an increase of triglycerides and decreases of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL-c), and high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) levels. Distinct ART regimens appear to promote different alterations in lipid metabolism. Protease inhibitors, particularly indinavir and lopinavir, were commonly associated with hypercholesterolemia, high LDL-c, low HDL-c, and hypertriglyceridemia. The protease inhibitor atazanavir is apparently associated with a more advantageous lipid profile. Some nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (didanosine, stavudine, and zidovudine) induced lipoatrophy and hypertriglyceridemia, whereas abacavir increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases even in the absence of apparent lipid disorders, and tenofovir resulted in lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Although non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors predisposed to hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, nevirapine was particularly associated with high HDL-c levels, a protective factor against cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the infection itself, different classes of drugs, and some drugs from the same class of ART appear to exert distinct alterations in lipid metabolism.