Nutrition
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The hormone glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) is secreted from gut endocrine L cells in response to ingested nutrients. The activities of GLP-1 include stimulating insulin gene expression and biosynthesis, improving β-cell proliferation, exogenesis, and survival. Additionally, it prevents β-cell apoptosis induced by a variety of cytotoxic agents. ⋯ Hormones secreted from the gut including GLP-1, which are involved in the regulation of insulin sensitivity and secretions, have been found to be affected by nutrient intake. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the effect nutrients may have on GLP-1 secretion; some frequently studied dietary constituents include monounsaturated fatty acids, fructooligosaccharides, and glutamine. This review focuses on the influence that the carbohydrate, fat, and protein components of a meal may have on the GLP-1 postprandial responses.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of hyperhomocysteinemia on aortic distensibility in healthy individuals.
Elevated plasma homocysteine (HCY) levels have been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Aortic distensibility and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) are indices of aortic elasticity. The potential effect of acute hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) on the elastic properties of the aorta in healthy individuals is not known. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of acute methionine-induced HHCY on aortic distensibility and PWV in healthy individualsand the effect of acute HHCY on myocardial performance of the left ventricle (Tei index). ⋯ Acute methionine-induced HHCY reduces aortic distensibility and worsens myocardial performance in healthy individuals. Further research is warranted to examine in the long term the direct effects of HHCY on cardiovascular function and the indirect effects on structural remodeling.
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In addition to the importance of adequate calcium and vitamin D status for health and prevention of several chronic diseases, a high prevalence of both nutrient inadequacy and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) insufficiency has been observed. The aim of this study was to estimate calcium and vitamin D status correlates and adequacy from a population-based epidemiologic study. ⋯ The present study demonstrates important inadequacies regarding the nutritional status of calcium and vitamin D and indicates an urgent need not only for health professionals, but also for government and food industries to undertake new initiatives that could result in a real improvement in terms of calcium and vitamin D nutrition.
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The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA), present in vegetable oils against arsenite-induced renal oxidative stress. ⋯ CLnA isomers caused amelioration of renal oxidative stress and the isomers showed synergistic activity.
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Phytosterols have been used alone, or combined with lipid-altering drugs, to reduce cholesterol levels and the burden of cardiovascular disease. Considerable variation in the composition of phytosterols exists and its consumption, in a regular diet, by the Brazilian population is still unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the phytosterols content of the most consumed plant foods and to estimate the phytosterols intake by this population. ⋯ Analysis of phytosterols composition in most consumed plant foods has shown that phytosterols content varied among food groups. Dietary intake of phytosterols in a large population of the city of São Paulo is in the same range of some countries.