Nutrition
-
We investigated whether the intake of virgin olive oil or sunflower oil and performance of physical exercise (at different states) affect plasma levels of triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, and fatty acid profile in rats. ⋯ Results from the present study supported the idea that physical exercise and the intake of virgin olive oil are very good ways of reducing plasma triacylglycerols and cholesterol, which is desirable in many pathologic situations. Concerning findings on fatty acid profile, we had results similar to those of other investigators regarding the effect of different sources of dietary fat on plasma. The most interesting results came from the effect of physical exercise, with significant increases in the levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may contribute to the antithrombotic state and lower production of proinflammatory prostanoids attributed to physical exercise.
-
Biography Historical Article
On Joseph Bramhall Ellison's discovery that vitamin A reduces measles mortality.
-
In this prospective study, we assessed nutritional and immunologic risk factors for infectious complications and deaths related to infection in elderly patients undergoing major elective surgery. ⋯ In patients with a good cardiac index (Goldman I and II) who underwent major elective surgery, prealbumin protein, retinol-binding protein, and transferrin levels below normal values represented a significant risk for postoperative infectious complications. Lymphocyte counts lower than 1500/m(3) and abnormal prealbumin values were associated with postoperative mortality secondary to infection. The anthropometric variables evaluated did not predict postoperative infectious complications and mortality.