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Background: Overweight and obesity prevalence has risen substantially in the last years. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are factors that regulate gene expression through binding to a complementary sequence of mRNA. Objective: The objective of this review is to determine the association between the expression of miRNAs with overweight and obesity in children. Methods: A systematic search was carried out in Medline (Ovid), EMBASE, LILACS, and CENTRAL. Clinical trials, cohort studies, cases and controls, and cross-section studies were included. Quasi-experimental, prognostic studies, animal experiments, in silico studies, and studies on the adult population were excluded. Results: Seven studies (684 children) were included in this review. Three hundred and sixty-one children had obesity/overweight and 323 had normal weight. 40.64% (278) of the children were boys. The classification of obesity was inconsistent between the studies with several classifications used. A total of 65 miRNAs were reported to be associated with obesity and overweight; at least two studies reported miR-122, miR-122-5p, miR-15b, miR15b-5p, miR191-5p, miR-222, miR-222-3p, miR 486, miR-486-3p and miR-486-5p. Blood samples were the most common samples used to measure miRNAs, and the approaches to select miRNAs were diverse, with four articles performing high-throughput techniques (sequencing and microarrays) before the validation of the miRNAs associated with obesity. Pathway analysis of the repeated miRNAs showed that they were involved in the regulation of metabolic and signaling pathways, including fatty acid metabolism. Conclusion: miRNAs are potential biomarkers of the development of pathologies, such as obesity. It was found a heterogeneous group of these molecules was associated with obesity in children. miR- 15b-5p, miR-486-5p, and hsa-miR-122-5p were considered as good candidates for obesity biomarkers.

Scope Very few studies have evaluated serum hepcidin in patients with type 2 diabetes and they have reported conflicting results. In addition, the effect of antidiabetic drugs on circulating hepcidin has not been explored so far. The aims of the study were to evaluate hepcidin concentrations and hepcidin/ferritin ratio in type 2 diabetes subjects and healthy non-diabetic controls and to evaluate the effect of metformin on hepcidin concentrations. Methods and results Study 1: Cross-sectional multivariate study of 239 non-diabetic individuals and 65 people with type 2 diabetes. The multivariate analysis included covariates of chronic inflammation, BMI, pharmacological treatment, menopausal status and insulin resistance. Study 2: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 4-month trial metformin compared to placebo among 36 type 2 diabetic patients. In both groups diet was controlled by maintaining a hypocaloric intake across the trial. Hepcidin levels were significantly lower in patients with type 2 diabetes than in non-diabetic individuals either in crude or adjusted regression models (P

Few studies have described the association between hepcidin levels and cardiometabolic risk in the general population and more so by considering robust adjustment for confounding factors. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between circulating hepcidin and anthropometric, biochemical and vascular variables related to cardiometabolic risk in healthy individuals adjusting for relevant covariates.Two-hundred thirty nine individuals (20-65 years old) were included in this cross-sectional study. Outcome variables were fasting glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and the Framingham risk score. Multivariate linear regression and ANCOVA analyses including covariates of body mass index (BMI), menopausal status, physical inactivity, alcohol intake, insulin resistance, subclinical/chronic inflammation, ferritin and soluble transferrin receptors were used to describe the associations between hepcidin and cardiometabolic risk markers.In adjusted linear regression analyses, there was no significant association in men. In women, a relationship between hepcidin and triglycerides became significant after adjustments (p 0.05). By comparing quartiles of hepcidin levels, systolic blood pressure values in men were significantly higher in the upper quartile of hepcidin vs. the rest of quartiles independently of BMI, chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and other iron markers (ANCOVA, p 0.05). There were no significant independent associations with the Framingham risk score (total points).We found a threshold effect of hepcidin levels on systolic blood pressure specifically in men. Further larger studies and experimental research are required to investigate possible mechanisms for the relationship between hepcidin metabolism and vascular function.

Introduction: The metabolic syndrome, a set of metabolic anomalies that include insulin resistance, central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and inflammation, is an important tool to explore factors associated to cardiometabolic disease. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the levels of self-reported physical activity and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire items and the metabolic syndrome and the variables related to cardiovascular risk in 89 women . Materials and methods: The short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was applied to classify participating subjects into three categories: insufficient, sufficient and very active physical activity. The metabolic syndrome was assessed according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Biochemical and anthropometrical parameters were measured . Results: Twenty-two participants (23%) presented metabolic syndrome and 66 women (74.2%) were classified in the insufficient physical activity category. No association was found between insufficient physical activity and metabolic syndrome . Inverse correlations were found among the days and minutes per week of physical activity of moderate-intensity, waist circumference ( r =-0.327, and r =-0.313, p

Objective To evaluate the relationship between nutrients intake in the first trimester of pregnancy and blood levels of lead and cadmium during the first and third trimesters of gestation. Methods A total of 381 pregnant women were enrolled. Blood lead and cadmium were measured using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, and dietary intake was assessed using 24-h recall questionnaire. Results Lead levels in the first trimester were negatively correlated with cadmium levels in the two trimesters, and levels of both metals correlated positively in the third trimester. Zinc and calcium intakes were negatively associated with blood lead during third trimester. Thiamine and folic acid intakes were negatively and positively associated (respectively) with blood lead at third trimester with marginal significance. Fat, niacin, and vitamin B12 intakes were significantly and positively associated with blood cadmium at first trimester. Folic acid and zinc intakes showed positive and marginally significant associations with blood cadmium without adjustments. At third trimester, blood cadmium was negatively associated to ascorbic acid intake, and positively associated with iron intake with a marginal significance. Conclusions Possible acute and late effects of nutrients intake in blood lead and cadmium levels could be related with associations exclusively observed in the first and third trimester. This study represents the first exploration of relationships among a wide range of nutrients intake in the first trimester of pregnancy with blood lead and cadmium in first and third trimester of gestation. Further studies are required to confirm the findings mentioned herein. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 25:344–350, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Copper and calcium are essential for human growth and development. The present study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between calcium and copper levels, as well as their relationship to age and anthropometry in 180 preschool children ages 2-5 years old. Serum copper levels were inversely correlated with age (r = -0.184, P = 0.032) and height (r = -0.175, P = 0.043) in the whole group and with height for age Z score only in male children (r = -0.291, P = 0.016). The correlation with age is not maintained when it is analyzed for gender. Serum calcium values in the total group were inversely correlated with weight (r = -0.153, P = 0.044) and weight for height Z score (r = -0.246, P = 0.001). No differences were found for gender in the levels of both metals. A negative relationship between serum calcium and copper was found only in male children (r = -0.339, P = 0.005). Studies are required in other populations and experimental designs that can explain an inverse relationship between serum calcium and copper levels.

Objetivo: evaluar el efecto del ejercicio aerobico regular sobre la funcion endotelial y la aptitud cardiorrespiratoria en mujeres embarazadas . Metodo: Este fue un ensayo clinico aleatorizado, doble ciego, controlado de 64 mujeres primigestas sanas entre las 16 y las 20 semanas de gestacion. El grupo experimental participo en ejercicio aerobico a una intensidad del 50-65% de su frecuencia cardiaca maxima durante 60 minutos, tres veces por semana durante 16 semanas. El grupo de control realizo su actividad fisica habitual. Los resultados fueron la funcion endotelial evaluada mediante dilatacion mediada por flujo y aptitud cardiorrespiratoria evaluada mediante el consumo maximo indirecto de oxigeno (VO 2 max. ) En una prueba de caminata de 6 minutos. Resultados: Inicialmente, no se encontraron diferencias entre los grupos en ninguna de las variables. Al final de la intervencion, los participantes que realizaron ejercicio mostraron una mayor aptitud cardiorrespiratoria, medida por la distancia caminada en la prueba de caminata de 6 minutos ( P ?= 0.014) y por el VO 2 max. ( P ?= 0.014). Ademas, el grupo de ejercicio mostro una frecuencia cardiaca mas baja en reposo y una dilatacion mediada por el flujo mas alta que el grupo control ( P ?= 0.02). Conclusiones: el ejercicio aerobico regular mejora la vasodilatacion dependiente del endotelio en el embarazo. Esta intervencion puede ser una alternativa temprana y efectiva para fortalecer la prevencion de los trastornos asociados a la disfuncion endotelial.

Question Does supervised aerobic exercise during pregnancy improve health-related quality of life in nulliparous women? Design Analysis of secondary outcomes of a randomised trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessors, and intention-to-treat analysis. Participants 64 nulliparous, pregnant women attending for prenatal care at one of three tertiary hospitals. Intervention The experimental group completed a 3-month supervised exercise program, commencing at 16 to 20 weeks of gestation. Each session included walking (10 min), aerobic exercise (30 min), stretching (10 min), and relaxation (10 min). The control group continued usual activities and performed no specific exercise. Outcome measures The primary outcome was health-related quality of life assessed by the Colombian version of the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form Health Survey at baseline and immediately after the 3-month intervention. Results Fifty women completed the study. After the 3-month intervention, the experimental group had improved their health-related quality of life more than the control group in the physical component summary of the questionnaire by 6 points (95% CI 2 to 11), the physical function domain (7 points, 95% CI 0 to 14), the bodily pain domain (7 points, 95% CI 1 to 13) and the general health domain (5 points, 95% CI 1 to 10). Conclusions A supervised 3-month program of primarily aerobic exercise during pregnancy improves health-related quality of life. Trial registration NCT00741312.

Objectives Evidence about the relationship between familial history (FH) of cardiometabolic disease (CMD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Latin American populations is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of FH of CMD and of dyslipidemia and obesity with MetS in healthy men. Methods One-hundred-twenty one individuals were recruited. Waist circumference and blood pressure were measured by a trained researcher using standard techniques. Glycemia and lipid profile were determined by colorimetric assays. A survey to record personal data and family antecedents in siblings, aunts/uncles, parents, and grandparents was conducted by trained interviewers. Results Individuals having three or more familial antecedents were associated with high triglycerides level even after adjusting by age, sedentarism, fat and carbohydrates intake, and alcohol consumption. After adjusting for the same variables, FH of dyslipidemia and hypertension was also associated with high triglycerides levels and elevated waist circumference, respectively. The FH of stroke was associated with high blood pressure after adjusting for the rest of familial antecedents, and with MetS in all adjustment models. Discussion the findings of association of this study together with the previous reports are evidence of the importance of hereditary component as independent predictor of cardiovascular risk factors and its clustering, as well as of possible specific association patterns between FH of CMD and MetS depending on evaluated population in terms of ethnic groups and geographic region. Further studies are required in other populations, as well as exploration of genetic markers of CMD regarding to MetS. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 25:228–230, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is an asymptomatic chronic disease, which begins at early age and is difficult to detect during this stage. Prospective studies suggest a causal relationship between total serum cholesterol levels during childhood and early adolescence and the development of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of early atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta artery of children and its relationship with post-mortem serum cholesterol levels. Material and methods: Post-mortem samples of blood and aorta were taken from 43 subjects aged less than 17 years old. Histopathological analysis (intimal thickening and inflammatory infiltrates) of the thoracic aorta and measurement of total serum cholesterol were performed. Results: The analysis showed thickening of the intima and lymphocyte infiltrates in 93% of children, and macrophage infiltrates in 79.1% of cases. A relationship between the highest terciles of total serum cholesterol levels and the presence of multiple lesions in the aorta wall was found ( P

The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence in adolescents using three different definitions for this age group. The evaluated sample consisted of 718 male and 743 female adolescents. Definitions by Cook et al., de Ferranti et al. and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) for adolescents were used to estimate the prevalence of MetS. The prevalence of MetS was 8.5, 2.5 and 1.2% by de Ferranti et al., Cook et al. and IDF definitions, respectively. High fasting glucose component had the lower prevalence whereas high triglycerides levels component was the most prevalent. In obese adolescents, the prevalence of MetS was higher. MetS classification in adolescents strongly depends on the definition chosen. Further research is required for the evaluation of the current definitions (multicentric studies), and for addition or design of new and useful criteria.

Background and aims: Industrialization and inadequate waste disposal have increased exposure to heavy metals. Our studies in Cali-Colombia show that women of low socioeconomic position are exposed ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate body iron stores as predictors of insulin resistance. We developed a cross-sectional study among 123 men, 25–64 years of age and determined fasting plasma glucose, insulin, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein levels. A survey was performed to record personal antecedents and family history of non-transmissible chronic diseases. Log-transformed ferritin levels was an independent predictor for log-transformed insulin resistance index assessed by homeostatic model assessment when body mass index or waist circumference were not included in multiple linear regression models. Sedentarism, heart attack family history, and log-C reactive protein levels were also significant predictors for insulin resistance. In conclusion, documented anthropometric predictors affect the significance of ferritin as a potential prediction variable for insulin resistance. Mechanisms of how body fat could influence ferritin levels should be evaluated. To our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of the relationship between body iron stores and insulin resistance in a Latin American population.

Objetivo: evaluar, en mujeres primigestantes saludables, el efecto del ejercicio aeróbico sobre el consumo de oxígeno.Materiales y métodos: estudio clínico aleatorizado en 64 mujeres saludables, primigestantes, entre 16 y 20 semanas de gestación. Grupo de intervención: ejercicio aeróbico entre el 50% y 65% de la frecuencia cardíaca máxima, durante 45 min, 3 veces por semana durante 16 semanas. Grupo control: actividad física habitual. Mediciones: consumo de oxígeno VO2max por prueba de caminata de seis minutos y antropometría para peso, talla y ganancia relativa de peso.Resultados: en las mediciones iniciales, no se encontraron diferencias entre grupos en ninguna de las variables. Al finalizar la intervención, las participantes que realizaron ejercicio presentaban una mayor capacidad física, medida por la distancia recorrida en el test de caminata (p=0,043) y por el VO2max (p=0,023). No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos en las variables antropométricas.Conclusión: la práctica regular de ejercicio aeróbico y controlado, mejora la capacidad física en mujeres gestantes. Por esta razón, intervenciones como esta podrían ser una alternativa temprana y efectiva para fortalecer la prevención de patologías durante el embarazo asociadas al sedentarismo.

Background The World Health Report 2002 of the World Health Organization estimated that physical inactivity is one of the 10 main causes of morbidity and mortality and that the proportion of people whose health is at risk due to a sedentary lifestyle is approximately 60%. Objective To assess the relationship of physical activity level with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in 61 healthy men. Methods The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) recommended by the World Health Organization was used as a valid measure to estimate two categories of physical activity, low (insufficient and sedentary) and vigorous (moderate and very active). Cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome were defined using the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program of the United States and the International Diabetes Federation respectively. Serum levels of C-reactive protein and ferritin were also measured, and insulin sensitivity was estimated using the Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Results Mean population age was 47.1 ± 6.9 years. Seventeen participants (28%) had metabolic syndrome. There were no differences between the categories of low and vigorous physical activity, nor a relationship with total physical activity (MET x week). No association was observed between low levels of physical activity and metabolic syndrome criteria. Conclusions The high prevalence of physical inactivity found in study participants using the IPAQ questionnaire was not associated with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome.

Background Preeclampsia (PE) is a common maternal disease that complicates 5 to 10% of pregnancies and remains as the major cause of maternal and neonatal mortality. Cost-effective interventions aimed at preventing the development of preeclampsia are urgently needed. However, the pathogenesis of PE is not well known. Multiple mechanisms such as oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance may contribute to its development. Regular aerobic exercise recovers endothelial function; improves insulin resistance and decreases oxidative stress. Therefore the purpose of this clinical trial is to determine the effect of regular aerobic exercise on endothelial function, on insulin resistance and on pregnancy outcome. Methods and design 64 pregnant women will be included in a blind, randomized clinical trial, and parallel assignment. The exercise group will do regular aerobic physical exercise: walking (10 minutes), aerobic exercise (30 minutes), stretching (10 minutes) and relaxation exercise (10 minutes) in three sessions per week. Control group will do the activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating, and walking) without counselling from a physical therapist. Trial registration NCT00741312.

Background Many studies have suggested a relationship between metabolic abnormalities and impaired fetal growth with the development of non-transmissible chronic diseases in the adulthood. Moreover, it has been proposed that maternal factors such as endothelial function and oxidative stress are key mechanisms of both fetal metabolic alterations and subsequent development of non-transmissible chronic diseases. The objective of this project is to evaluate the effect of micronutrient supplementation and regular aerobic exercise on endothelium-dependent vasodilation maternal and stress oxidative of the newborn. Methods and design 320 pregnant women attending to usual prenatal care in Cali, Colombia will be included in a factorial randomized controlled trial. Women will be assigned to the following intervention groups: 1. Control group: usual prenatal care (PC) and placebo (maltodextrine). 2. Exercise group: PC, placebo and aerobic physical exercise. 3. Micronutrients group: PC and a micronutrients capsule consisting of zinc (30 mg), selenium (70 μg), vitamin A (400 μg), alphatocopherol (30 mg), vitamin C (200 mg), and niacin (100 mg). 4. Combined interventions Group: PC, supplementation of micronutrients, and aerobic physical exercise. Anthropometric measures will be taken at the start and at the end of the interventions. Discussion Since in previous studies has been showed that the maternal endothelial function and oxidative stress are related to oxidative stress of the newborn, this study proposes that complementation with micronutrients during pregnancy and/or regular physical exercise can be an early and innovative alternative to strengthen the prevention of chronic diseases in the population. Trial registration NCT00872365.