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Objective. To determine the association of metabolic syndrome components and hepatic transaminases with indicators of dimension and body composition in children and adolescents. Method. Descriptive and cross-sectional study with a sample of 776 subjects, who underwent an integral evaluation that included: clinical (blood pressure), anthropometric (body size and composition indicators) and biochemical (plasma lipids, hepatic transaminases and basal glycemia) measures. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS version 20.0 statistical package, the results were expressed as median and probable error. Results. Statistically significant differences were found between obese and normal according to BMI, for all the variables analyzed with the exception of height, basal glycemia, LDL-c and AST; correlation of the anthropometric parameters of body dimension and compassion with the components of metabolic syndrome and ALP, additionally statistically significant differences were observed in the levels of the components of metabolic syndrome and hepatic transaminases for the different diagnoses of the body composition indicators. Conclusion: the results suggest that anthropometric variables and ALT are related to the components of the MS; therefore, they could be incorporated as a useful tool, due to their accessibility and low cost, in clinical practice.

Cancer development is a product of cellular growth and proliferation caused by DNA mutations, nevertheless, other processes are able to favor tumoral progression, such as the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced within cells as a result of different metabolic reactions. Oxidative stress is defined as an imbalance between free radicals and highly reactive metabolites synthesis and the antioxidant system capacity to eliminate these molecules. In this sense, the overproduction of free radicals is a typical feature of neoplastic cells that allows the promotion of cellular processes related to survival, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Furthermore, underlying mechanisms involved in malignant transformation can modify the antioxidant systems in charge of ROS elimination. However, cancer has the particularity of presenting a dual behavior in which both antioxidant or prooxidant activity within tumoral cells can predominate depending on the stage of the disease. As a consequence, many therapeutic efforts have been directed into the stimulation or inhibition of oxidant and antioxidant components in the tumor microenvironment. The aim of this review is to describe the role of oxidative stress in cancer biology and its therapeutic potential.

Las anemias hemolíticas son un conjunto de enfermedades que producen la reducción de la concentración de la hemoglobina en sangre, como resultado del aumento en la destrucción de los glóbulos rojos. Dependiendo de la causa etiológica, estas pueden dividirse en hereditarias o adquiridas. Durante los últimos años, ha ido en aumento la evidencia que indica la participación del estrés oxidativo en diferentes anemias hemolíticas, dentro de las que se encuentran: la deficiencia de la enzima glucosa 6 fosfato deshidrogenasa, anemia falciforme, talasemias, anemia hemolítica autoinmune, hemoglobinuria paroxística nocturna y anemia hemolítica inducida por fármacos. A su vez, se ha sugerido que terapias antioxidantes pueden servir como posibles coadyuvantes en el tratamiento de algunos de estos trastornos hematológicos. Es por esto que el objetivo de esta revisión narrativa es describir concisamente los mecanismos mediante el cual se produce estrés oxidativo en los eritrocitos, su papel en las anemias hemolíticas y los efectos de la terapia antioxidante en el tratamiento de estas.

Background: Resistin is an adipokine secreted in adipose tissue that may be associated with the metabolic and endocrine disorders of obesity. Aim: To assess the association between serum resistin levels and body composition variables, in children and adolescents. Material and methods: Cross-sectional assessment of 302 subjects, aged 10-16 years. According to body mass index, 124 were classified as eutrophic and 178 as obese. A clinical examination and pubertal assessment were performed. Body weight, height, waist and arm circumferences were measured. Serum resistin levels were measured using an immunoenzymatic assay. Results: Male obese children had significantly higher resistin levels than their eutrophic counterparts. Eutrophic women had higher levels than eutrophic males. No significant association between resistin and pubertal status was observed. In the whole sample and among obese subjects, resistin levels correlated with body mass index, tricipital skinfold, arm circumference, arm fat area and fat mass. Conclusions: There is a significant association between resistin levels and body composition variables, particularly indicators of fat accretion.

OBJECTIVE Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance and defects in insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells, which have been studied by using euglycemic/hyperinsulinemic clamps. However, it is difficult to study insulin resistance and beta-cell failure by these techniques in humans. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different antidiabetic therapeutic regimens on insulin resistance and beta-cell activity by using a mathematical model, Homeostasis Model Assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA(IR)) and beta-cell function (HOMA(beta-cell)). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Seventy type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to one of three therapeutic regimens: (A) metformin + American Diabetic Association (ADA)-recommended diet + physical activity; (B) metformin + low-dose glimepiride + ADA diet + physical activity; or (C) ADA diet + physical activity (no drugs). Blood samples were obtained before and after the treatment to determine serum levels of fasting and post-prandial blood glucose, fasting insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and HOMA(IR) and HOMA(beta-cell) were calculated. RESULTS Fasting and post-prandial levels of glucose, HbA1c, and fasting insulin and calculated HOMA(IR) and HOMA(beta-cell) values before treatment were significantly higher than the respective values after treatment for all groups of patients (P < 0.01). Significant differences were also found when comparing the treatment-induced reduction in fasting blood glucose (51.8%; P < 0.01), post-prandial blood glucose (55.0%; P < 0.05), and HOMA(IR) (65.3%; P < 0.01) in patients of Group B with that in patients receiving other therapeutic options (Groups A and C). CONCLUSIONS Metformin plus low-dose glimepiride (plus ADA diet and physical activity) is a more effective treatment for type 2 diabetes than either metformin plus ADA diet and physical activity or ADA diet and physical activity alone. Determination of HOMA(IR) and HOMA(beta-cell) values is an inexpensive, reliable, less invasive, and less labor-intensive method than other tests to estimate insulin resistance and beta-cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of bread formulated with 6 g of beta-glucan (oat soluble fiber) on serum lipids in overweight normotensive subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. DESIGN Thirty-eight male subjects [mean age 59.8 +/- 0.6 yr, mean body mass index (BMI) 28.3 +/- 0.6 kg/m(2)] who were eligible for the study ate an isocaloric diet for a 1-week period. They were then divided into 2 groups: group A (n = 19), who were maintained on American Heart Association (AHA) Step II diet, including whole wheat bread, and group B (n = 19), who were maintained on AHA Step II diet containing high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids plus bread containing 6 g of beta-glucan (Nutrim-OB) for 8 weeks. Plasma lipids and glucose were measured at baseline and after weeks 8 in all subjects. All subjects were advised to walk for 60 minutes every day. RESULTS There was a significant increase (upward arrow 27.8%) in plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in the beta-glucan group (group A) from 39.4 +/- 2.0 to 49.5 +/- 2.1 mg/dL (P < 0.001), but there was no change in group B. There was a significant reduction in total cholesterol in the 2 groups to approximately the same extent: group A, from 232.8 +/- 2.7 mg/dL to 202.7 +/- 6.7 mg/dL; P < 0.001; and group B, from 231.8 +/- 4.3 mg/dL to 194.2 +/- 4.3 mg dL; P < 0.001. Plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol also decreased significantly in the two groups: group A, from 160.3 +/- 2.8 mg/dL to 133.2 +/- 5.4 mg/dL; P < 0.001; group B, from 167.9 +/- 4.3 mg/dL to 120.9 +/- 4.3 mg/dL; P < 0.001; however, the beta-glucan fortified diet was significantly more effective (downward arrow 27.3% vs. downward arrow 16.8%; P < 0.04). There was a small and insignificant reduction in plasma very LDL (VLDL) cholesterol and triglycerides in the two groups. Similarly, non-HDL cholesterol levels were also decreased, with beta-glucan diet producing significantly higher effect (downward arrow 24.5% vs. downward arrow 16.1%; P < 0.04). The beta-glucan diet also produced higher reduction in total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (downward arrow 33.3% vs. downward arrow 8.4%; P < 0.003) and LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (downward arrow 42.1% vs. downward arrow 13.3%; P < 0.001) than the diet without beta-glucan. The beta-glucan diet also decreased fasting plasma glucose (P < 0.4), whereas the other diet had no effect. Interestingly, both diets reduced body weight and BMI significantly, with beta-glucan diet having a greater effect. CONCLUSIONS Six grams of beta-glucan from oats added to the AHA Step II diet and moderate physical activity improved lipid profile and caused a decrease in weight and, thus, reduced the risk of cardiovascular events in overweight male individuals with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. The diet with added beta-glucan was well accepted and tolerated.

Resistin is an adipokine secreted in adipose tissue that may be associated with the metabolic and endocrine disorders of obesity.To assess the association between serum resistin levels and body composition variables, in children and adolescents.Cross-sectional assessment of 302 subjects, aged 10-16 years. According to body mass index, 124 were classified as eutrophic and 178 as obese. A clinical examination and pubertal assessment were performed. Body weight, height, waist and arm circumferences were measured. Serum resistin levels were measured using an immunoenzymatic assay.Male obese children had significantly higher resistin levels than their eutrophic counterparts. Eutrophic women had higher levels than eutrophic males. No significant association between resistin and pubertal status was observed. In the whole sample and among obese subjects, resistin levels correlated with body mass index, tricipital skinfold, arm circumference, arm fat area and fat mass.There is a significant association between resistin levels and body composition variables, particularly with indicators of fat accretion.

Publisher Summary β-Glucan fiber has been shown to improve metabolic responses during oral glucose test or when added to food products (pasta, bread, soup, drinks, cereals, and polenta) in healthy or diabetic subjects. β-Glucans are also known to slow the rate of lipid absorption, increase bile acid transport toward the lower parts of the intestinal tract, enhance excretion of bile acids, reduce plasmatic low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), and improve weight management and gastrointestinal function. The aim of this chapter is to evaluate the metabolic effects of the addition of β-glucans to corn maize flour. Corn maize flour (CMa-F) is a product consumed in many different ways in many countries. The addition of β-glucans to degermed precooked corn maize flour produced favorably low metabolic responses in healthy young subjects. The increase in viscosity in the small intestine during the digestion period is the proposed mechanism for this effect. The addition of β-glucans to corn maize products is relevant for its therapeutic potential. The prolonged inhibitory effect on endogenous glucose production and a longer inhibition of lipolysis after ingestion of β-glucans are important for the treatment of individuals with insulin resistance and diabetes.

The introduction of fat and carbohydrates replacers has been a revolutionary advance in treating obesity and diabetes mellitus. Since these materials have shown to have beneficial effects on the metabolic profiles of diabetic patients, they should be useful in designing specific foods for patients with diabetes. Objective: To compare metabolic and anthropometric improvements elicited by a diet based on the American Diabetic Association's nutrition recommendations with a modified, low-energy diet incorporating fat replacers and non-sucrose sweeteners. Design: A total of 16 male, well controlled type 2 diabetes patients were divided into two groups of eight; one group received the diet based on the American Diabetic Association's nutrition recommendations, and the other was fed a modified, low-calorie diet containing a fat replacer (β-glucans derived from oats) and the sweeteners, sucralose and fructose. Both groups were maintained on their respective diets for 4 weeks. All patients performed daily aerobic exercise consisting of walking for 60 minutes. Body weight, body mass index, basal glycemia, hemoglobin HbA 1 C , and lipid profile were determined in each patient before starting the diets and after 4 weeks of dietary intervention. Results: Both diets produced significant improvements in weight, body mass index, lipid profile, basal glucose, and HbA 1 C . However, the experimental diet was superior to the American Diabetic Association's diet in improving metabolic and anthropometric profile: greater increase in HDL cholesterol and larger decreases in HbA 1 C , weight, and body mass index. Conclusions: A diet incorporating a fat replacer and non-sucrose sweeteners produced a greater improvement in metabolic and anthropometric variables in well controlled type 2 diabetic patients when compared with a diet based on American Diabetic Association's nutrition recommendations.

The aims of this study were to determine Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentrations in a sample of subjects from Maracaibo, Venezuela, and to determine the relationship of family risk factors for cardiovascular disease and their Lp(a) levels. Two hundred twenty-seven healthy individuals between 5 and 19 years of age of both genders and multiethnic origins were selected. A complete background clinical chart and laboratory test was conducted for each patient to discard cardiovascular diseases and confirm their healthy state. The Lp(a) concentration was determined using the double antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. For inferential statistical analysis, one-factor analysis of variance tests and Student t test for independent observations were used according to each case, considered significant when P value was

Los seres vivos han desarrollado diversos mecanismos moleculares, donde participan antioxidantes enzimáticos y cofactores minerales, los cuales permiten la estabilización de estas especies reactivas y ofrecen protección contra sus efectos dañinos. Se ha determinado que en la diabetes existe una mayor producción de radicales libres, razón por la cual el objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la actividad de la enzima superóxido dismutasa (SOD) y su relación con los niveles de cobre (Cu) y zinc (Zn) en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). Fueron tomadas muestras sanguíneas en ayuno de 34 pacientes diabéticos y 30 sujetos no diabéticos (controles), para medir la actividad de la Cu /Zn-SOD eritrocitaria y cuantificar Cu y Zn en suero y eritrocitos, mediante métodos espectrofotométricos. Los pacientes con DM2 presentaron una actividad de la Cu /Zn-SOD significativamente inferior (1839±101 U/g Hb) a los controles (2573±161 U/g Hb) (p

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Ischemia/reperfusion generates free oxygen radicals, which react with the unsaturated lipids of biomembranes resulting in the generation products such as malondialdehyde. Malondialdehyde could be a sensor for tissue damage and reperfusion. Nitric oxide, released due to the early arrival of leukocytes in the brain parenchyma, could be a sensor for nonflow phenomenon. Thereby, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the behavior of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide within the 24 hours after the stroke onset. METHODS Fifteen patients up to an age of 49 years, admitted to the emergency of University Hospital and Chiquinquira Hospital in Maracaibo, Venezuela, were examined by a neurologist and underwent 12-lead electrocardiograms and computed tomography for the diagnosis of thrombotic stroke. Serum malondialdehyde and nitric oxide were measured as thiobarbituric acid adducts and total nitrites. Data were collected within the 24 hours after the stroke onset. RESULTS Malondialdehyde for patients with stroke had a significant increase (P