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The purpose of this study was to determine if a training program consisting of 30 minutes of running on a treadmill, 3 days per week for 6 weeks, would lower serum cholesterol and/or triglyceride concentration in women using oral contraceptives. The intensity of the training was maintained at approximately 75% of the subject's pre-training maximal oxygen uptake. Comparisons were made in the variables triglyceride, cholesterol, maximum ventilation and maximum oxygen uptake, prior to and following training, between subjects who used birth control pills and those who did not. Eighteen women volunteers between the ages of 25-39 years, participated in the training program. Nine women were using oral contraceptives of the combined type. The subjects were free of metabolic diseases and were judged to be sedentary. Fasting blood samples were taken prior to and following the training program for lipid analyses. Maximum oxygen uptake and ventilation were determined by pre-training and post-training stress tests. To isolate training as the factor responsible for any changes in serum lipid concentration, the factors of body weight, skinfold thickness, fasting times and dietary patterns were held constant across the training period. Using multivariate analysis of covariance, one-way classification, to compare the group using oral contraceptives with the group not using them, no significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the groups for either the blood lipids or the measures of functional capacity. Hotelling’s T² for comparison of pre-test to post~test differences within groups was employed using the linear combinations of the means of maximum ventilation and maximum oxygen uptake. The same analysis was used for the linear combination of the means of triglyceride and cholesterol. Only the group not using oral contraceptives showed significant difference (p < 0.05) in any of the variables. This difference was an increase after training, in maximum ventilation and maximum oxygen uptake. Other changes as a result of training were noted, although differences were not statistically significant at the 0.05 level of probability. These changes were 1) an improvement in the physical working capacity of the group using oral contraceptives, 2) a decrease in serum triglyceride and/or cholesterol levels in subjects whose initial values were in the upper ranges of clinical normality for these lipids. Exercise did not appear to affect the lipid levels of subjects who initially had low or average values. / Doctor of Education

Depuis maintenant plus de 30 ans, il est reconnu qu’au début de la maladie d’Alzheimer, le cerveau utilise moins bien le glucose, son principal carburant. Cependant, ce problème énergétique précoce dans la maladie semblerait limité au glucose et ne concernerait pas un autre carburant, celui-ci dérivé des gras, les cétones. Ces dernières sont produites par le corps après un exercice physique d’intensité modérée. Leur production est également stimulée avec la prise de suppléments alimentaires à base d’huile de noix de coco, un aliment riche en triglycérides de moyennes chaînes (MCT). La capture des cétones au cerveau augmente proportionnellement à leur concentration plasmatique. Ainsi, des conditions élevant la cétonémie augmentent aussi la capture cérébrale des cétones. Par conséquent, l’élévation de l’apport en cétones pourrait constituer une approche novatrice qui permettrait de potentiellement ralentir le développement de la maladie d’Alzheimer. Notre objectif général était d’optimiser le type de supplément MCT à utiliser afin d’élever la cétonémie de manière aigüe et, en second lieu, d’employer ce dernier en combinaison avec une seconde stratégie cétogène, l’exercice physique de type aérobie (EA). Lors de la première phase de ce projet, l’effet cétogène de différents produits alimentaires dérivant de l’huile de noix de coco (acide caprylique [C8], acide caproïque [C10], mélange de MCT typique [C8+C10]) était comparé chez 9 participants jeunes sains. Des échantillons sanguins étaient récoltés toutes les 30 min pendant 8 h. Lors de la seconde phase, le potentiel cétogène de la combinaison d’EA à une supplémentation MCT était évalué chez 10 femmes âgées saines pendant 5 jours. Les cétones plasmatiques sous ces différentes conditions étaient mesurées. Lors de cette étude, le C8 était le produit le plus cétogène testé suivi du supplément C8+C10. L’huile de noix de coco n’a pas induit une cétonémie plus élevée qu’un 8 h sans MCT. De plus, l’ajout de 5 jours d’EA a potentialisé la cétonémie observée suite à la prise de MCT C8+C10 seul. Ainsi, la combinaison de stratégies cétogènes, tant au niveau de la diversité des molécules utilisées ou des stratégies cétogènes employées, permet d’augmenter la présence de cétones dans le sang. / Abstract : Brain glucose consumption deteriorates with age, a situation that worsens with the onset of Alzheimer's disease. However, this early energy problem in the disease is limited to glucose and does not affect brain ketone uptake. Ketones are the main alternative fuel for the brain when glucose concentrations are decreased. They are produced endogenously after moderate aerobic exercise (AE) or with a medium chain triglyceride (MCT) exogenous supplement. Ketone brain uptake increases in proportion to their plasma concentration. Thus, providing a daily ketogenic fuel could help support brain energy needs during aging. Our aim was to optimize the type of MCT to use in a ketogenic supplementation and to combine this supplement with another ketogenic strategy, AE. In the first phase of this project, the acute ketogenic effect of products derived from coconut oil was compared. Nine healthy adults took various MCT supplements (coconut oil, caprylic acid [C8], capric acid [C10], classic MCT mix [C8+C10]). Blood was sampled every 30 min over 8 h. In the second phase, we evaluated the acute ketogenic potential of the combination of AE and MCT supplementation. Ten healthy older women took C8+C10 MCT supplement for 5 days combined with a 5-days AE program. Automated spectrophotometric assays where used to measure plasma ketones under these different conditions. Our results show that in this 8 h experimental design, C8 was the most ketogenic MCT followed by C8+C10. Coconut oil alone did not induce more net ketosis than an 8 h visit with no added MCT. Furthermore, the combination of AE and MCT supplementation enhanced the ketogenic response over 4 h compared to the control day. Thus, the combination of ketogenic strategies, both in terms of the diversity of the molecules or the ketogenic strategy employed, makes it possible to increase the presence of ketones in the blood.

La lipémie postprandiale se caractérise par une augmentation des lipoprotéines riches en triglycérides après un repas, et joue un rôle important dans la biodisponibilité des lipides alimentaires pour les tissus périphériques. En effet, une lipémie postprandiale élevée est souvent associée à l'obésité et à une dyslipidémie, deux composantes du syndrome métabolique qui peuvent engendrer des complications médicales, incluant diabète et maladies cardiovasculaires. La lactoferrine (Lf) inhibe l'épuration hépatique des chylomicrons, conduisant à une élévation de la lipémie postprandiale par des mécanismes moléculaires non élucidés. Il est aussi établi que le Lipolysis Stimulated Receptor (LSR) contribuait à l'épuration des lipoprotéines riches en triglycérides pendant la phase postprandiale. L'objectif était de déterminer s'il existait une interaction entre la Lf et le LSR. Les études de cultures cellulaires ont montré que si la Lf n'affectait pas le taux d'expression du LSR dans des cellules Hepa 1-6 de souris, elle co-localisait avec le LSR en présence d'oléate, un composé requis pour l'activation du récepteur. Des expériences de ligand-blotting ont également montré que la Lf se fixait sur le LSR purifié et inhibait la fixation de lipoprotéines riches en triglycérides. Les domaines N et C-terminaux isolés de cette protéine, ainsi qu'un mélange de peptides obtenu après double hydrolyse de la Lf par la trypsine et la chymotrypsine, conservent cette propriété. Nous proposons que l'élévation de la lipémie postprandiale observée in vivo suite à un traitement par la Lf soit médiée par son interaction avec le LSR, inhibant ainsi l'épuration des chylomicrons et de leurs remnants / Postprandial lipemia is characterized by an increase in plasma triglyceride-rich lipoproteins after the ingestion of meal, and is important towards determining the bioavailability of dietary lipids amongst the peripheral tissues. Indeed, elevated postprandial lipemia is often observed with obesity and dyslipidemia, two disorders that can lead to health complications including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Lactoferrin (Lf), has been shown to inhibit hepatic chylomicron remnant removal, resulting in increased postprandial lipemia, for which the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The lipolysis stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) has been shown to contribute to the removal of triglycerides-rich lipoproteins during the postprandial phase. The aim was to determine if there was interaction between Lf and LSR. Both Lf and LSR were purified with purities upper to 95% and characterized. Cell culture studies demonstrated that while Lf does not have any significant effect on LSR protein levels in mouse Hepa1-6 cells, it co-localizes with LSR in cells, but only in the presence of oleate, which is needed to obtain LSR in its active form. Ligand blotting using purified LSR revealed that Lf binds directly to the receptor in the presence of oleate and prevents the binding of triglycerides-rich lipoproteins. Both C- and N-lobes of Lf, and a mixture of peptides derived from its tryptic and chymotryptic double hydrolysis retained the ability to bind LSR. We propose that the elevated postprandial lipemia observed upon Lf treatment in vivo is mediated by its direct interaction with LSR, thus preventing clearance of chylomicrons and their remnants through the LSR pathway

Concentração de apolipoproteína A-1 (1.5±0.3; 1.5±0.2g/l). O tamanho da HDL também foi igual entre os dois grupos (8.8±0.8; 9.0±0.5 nm, respectivamente). A menopausa também não afetou a transferência de lípides da LDE para a HDL (em % total de radioatividade/10mg HDL/h), CE (0.5±0.3; 0.5±0.2, respectivamente), CL (0.9±0.2; 0.9±0.2), TG (0.6±0.2;0.6±0.2) e PL (3.0±0.7; 3.3±1.0). Conclusão: A menopausa não Introdução: A concentração plasmática da HDL é um fator de risco importante e independente para a prevenção da doença aterosclerótica, principalmente na mulher. Seu metabolismo e suas características estruturais e funcionais também têm sido estudados como fatores de risco. Neste estudo, foram comparadas mulheres de mesma faixa etária na pré e na pós-menopausa, para determinar a influência da menopausa sobre o tamanho da HDL e sobre a habilidade desta lipoproteína em receber lipídios de lipoproteínas doadoras, um processo que depende de proteínas de transferência e da composição e estrutura da HDL. Métodos: Vinte e duas mulheres saudáveis, normolipidêmicas na pré e dezoito na pós-menopausa, de idades entre 40-50 anos foram estudadas. Os grupos não diferiam em IMC, glicemia, colesterol total, LDL, triglicérides, apo A1 e apo B. Uma nanoemulsão artificial foi usada como modelo de LDL (LDE) para doar lípides para a HDL. LDE marcada radioativamente com 3 H-triglicérides (TG) e 14 C-colesterol livre (CL) ou 3 H- ésteres colesterol (CE) e 14 C-fosfolipídios (PL) foram incubados com as amostras de plasma por 1 hora. Após a precipitação química do sobrenadante contendo HDL, foi contada a radioatividade. O tamanho da HDL foi medido por espalhamento da luz laser. Resultados: A concentração da HDL nos dois grupos não diferiu, demonstrada pela concentração de HDL colesterol (61±12; 61±14 mg/dl respectivamente) e influenciou o tamanho das partículas HDL e um importante parâmetro funcional que é a habilidade da HDL de receber lipídios. / Objective: HDL levels are important for atherosclerosis prevention especially in the female gender, but functional aspects of the lipoprotein are also important. In this study, post-menopausal were compared to pre-menopausal women in the same age range to determine the influence of menopause upon the HDL size and ability of the lipoprotein to receive lipids from donor lipoproteins, a process that depends on transfer proteins and on HDL composition and structure. Methods: Twenty-two pre and eighteen postmenopausal, healthy and normolipidemic women, aged 40-50 yr. Both groups did not differ in BMI and plasma glucose, total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apo B concentration. An artificial nanoemulsion (LDE) was used as a model of LDL to donate lipids to HDL. LDE labeled with 3 H-triglicerides (TG) and 14 C-free cholesterol (FC) or 3 H-cholesteryl esters (CE) and 14 C-phospholipids (PL) incubated with plasma samples for 1h. After chemical precipitation, the supernatant containing HDL was counted for radioactivity. HDL size was measured by laser-light-scattering. Results: HDL concentration of pre and post menopausal women did not differ as estimated by HDL cholesterol (61±12; 61±14 mg/dl respectively) and apo A1 concentration (1.5±0.3; 1.5±0.2g/l). HDL size also did not differ (8.8±0.8; 9.0±0.5 nm, respectively). Menopause also did not affect the transfer of lipids from LDE to HDL (in % of total radioactivity/10mg HDL/h), namely CE (0.5±0.3; 0.5±0.2, respectively), FC (0.9±0.2; 0.9±0.2), TG (0.6±0.2;0.6±0.2) and PL (3.0±0.7; 3.3±1.0). Conclusion: The menopause does not affect the size and an important functional parameter that is the ability of HDL to receive lipids.

A hipercolesterolemia familiar (HF) é uma doença caracterizada por elevadas concentrações do colesterol das lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL) e doença coronariana (DAC) prematura. Os remanescentes de quilomícrons são removidos principalmente pelo seu receptor específico (RLP), mas também pelo receptor da LDL. Este último encontra-se defeituoso na maior parte dos casos de HF e poderia levar a menor remoção plasmática dos quilomícrons. Há controvérsias se existem distúrbios do metabolismo dos quilomícrons em portadores de HF. Mais ainda não se sabe se estes defeitos poderiam contribuir para o desenvolvimento de DAC na HF. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se portadores de HF apresentam defeitos na remoção plasmática de quilomícrons artificiais e seus remanescentes em relação a indivíduos normolipidêmicos. Foi avaliado também em estudo transversal se existe associação da cinética dos quilomícrons com a presença de DAC subclínica medida pela calcificação da artéria coronária (CAC). Foram estudados 36 pacientes portadores de HF e 50 controles normolipidêmicos pareados para idade e sexo. A remoção plasmática dos quilomícrons foi medida pelo decaimento radioisotópico da emulsão de quilomícrons artificiais injetada após jejum. A CAC foi determinada por tomografia computadorizada cardíaca nos portadores de HF. As taxas fracionais de remoção (TFR) dos quilomícrons e de seus remanescentes representadas pelo decaimento do 14C-éster de colesterol (TFR 14C-CE em min-1) foram menores nos portadores de HF em comparação aos normolipidêmicos: mediana (intervalos) 0,0013 (1,5.10-9;0,082) vs. 0,012 (1,51.10-9;0,017) p= 0,001. Não houve diferença em relação à remoção dos triglicérides da emulsão representada pelo decaimento da 3H-triglicérides (TFR 3H-TG em min-1) entre os grupos: 0,027 (0,0004;0,23) e 0,03 (0,0004;0,4) respectivamente nos grupo HF e controle (p= 0,26). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nas TFR tanto do 14C-CE 0,0007 (1,47. 10-9; 0,082) e 0,0013 (1,6. 10-9; 0,038) p= 0,67 como do 3H-TG 0,025 (0,0004; 0,07) e 0,0029 (0,009; 0,23), p=0,80 respectivamente nos portadores de HF apresentando (n=20) ou não CAC (n= 16). Em conclusão os portadores de HF apresentaram diminuição significativa da remoção dos quilomícrons e seus remanescentes em comparação com normolipidêmicos. Contudo, não foi encontrada associação entre esses distúrbios e a presença da DAC subclínica / Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by high concentrations of low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol and early onset of coronary artery disease (CAD). Chylomicron remnants are removed mainly by their specific receptors (RLP) but also by the LDL receptor. The latter is defective in most cases of FH and could lead to lower plasma removal of chylomicrons and their remnants. There is controversy whether there are disorders of chylomicron metabolism in patients with FH. Moreover, it is unclear if these defects could contribute to the development of CAD in FH. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there are defects on the removal from plasma of chylomicrons and their remnants in FH patients in comparison with normolipidemic subjects. We also evaluated in a cross sectional study the association of chylomicron kinetics with the presence of subclinical CAD represented by coronary artery calcification (CAC). We studied 36 patients with FH and 50 normolipidemic controls matched for age and sex. The plasma removal of chylomicrons was measured by isotopic decay of artificial chylomicron emulsion injected after fasting. CAC was determined by cardiac computed tomography in FH patients. The fractional catabolic rates (FCR) of chylomicrons and remnants removal represented by 14C-cholesteryl ester decay (14C-CE FCR in min-1) were lower in FH in comparison with normolipidemics: median (ranges) 0.0013 (1.47.10-9; 0.082) vs. 0.012 (1.51.10-9, 0.169) p = 0.001. There was no difference regarding the removal of emulsion triglyceride represented by 3H-triglyceride decay of ( 3H- TG FCR in min-1) between the groups: 0.026 (0.0004; 0.23) and 0.031 (0.0004; 0.4) respectively in FH and in normolipidemics (p = 0.264). There were no significant differences in both the 14C-CE FCR 0.0007 (1.47.10-9; 0.08) and 0.0013 (1.61.10-9; 0.038) p = 0.67 and in the 3H-TG FCR 0.025 (0.0004; 0.075) and 0.029 (0.0095; 0.23), p = 0.80 respectively in FH patients presenting (n = 20) or not CAC (n = 16). In conclusion patients with FH had a significant decrease on the removal from plasma of chylomicrons and their remnants compared with normolipidemics. However, no association between these disorders and the presence of CAC was found

Orientador: Débora Cristina Damasceno / Abstract: Maternal exposure to the high-fat diet (HFD) during gestation or lactation can be harmful to both mother and offspring. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the available data on the effects of maternal HFD on the reproductive parameter and biochemical profile in rodents. The electronic search was performed in the PUBMED (Public/Publisher MEDLINE), EMBASE (Ovid) and Web of Science databases. Data from 76 studies showed that change in biochemical and reproductive parameters is dependent on the experimental design. Furthermore, the heterogeneity found in the studies makes it impossible to comparisons. In addition, studies often omit or neglect important information, such as a description of the diet or methodological details. These factors make it difficult to affirm the true effect of maternal HFD consumption for both mother and offspring. / Resumo: A exposição materna à dieta hiperlipídica (DHL) durante a gestação ou lactação pode ser prejudicial tanto para a mãe quanto para seus descendentes. O objetivo desta revisão sistemática foi sintetizar os dados da literatura referente aos efeitos do consumo materno de DHL sobre os parâmetros reprodutivos e perfil bioquímico em roedores. A busca eletrônica foi realizada nos bancos de dados PUBMED (Public / Publisher MEDLINE), EMBASE (Ovid) e Web of Science. Dados de 76 estudos mostraram que a mudança nos parâmetros bioquímicos e reprodutivos é dependente do design experimental. A heterogeneidade encontrada nos estudos impossibilita as comparações. Além disso, os estudos frequentemente omitem ou negligenciam informações importantes, como a descrição da dieta ou detalhes metodológicos. Esses fatores dificultam a afirmação do verdadeiro efeito do consumo materno de DHL para a mãe e a prole. / Doutor

A restrição alimentar de cloreto de sódio prejudica o perfil de lípides plasmáticos e a sensibilidade à insulina, favorecendo a aterosclerose em modelos animais dislipidêmicos. A hiperlipidemia e a ativação do sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona, isolados ou conjuntamente, estimulam a aterogênese. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a influência da restrição crônica de cloreto de sódio na dieta sobre a aterogênese utilizando-se camundongos hiperlipidêmicos (modelo de estudo para aterosclerose) e com hipertensão renovascular. Camundongos knockout para o receptor de lipoproteína de densidade baixa (LDLR KO) e com hipertensão renovascular cirurgicamente induzida (hipertensão dependente de angiotensina II endógena; 2-kidney, 1-clip; 2K1C), tratados ou não com fármacos anti-hipertensivos (losartana ou hidralazina), foram alimentados ad libitum com ração contendo baixa concentração de sódio (HS) (0,15% NaCl) ou ração com concentração padrão de sódio (NS) (1,27% NaCl) a partir do desmame até completarem 5 meses de idade. Camundongos hipertensos submetidos à restrição de sódio apresentaram maior concentração plasmática de colesterol total (CT) e triglicérides (TG), quando comparados aos animais alimentados com dieta NS, confirmando nosso estudo anterior com camundongos normotensos. Os camundongos hipertensos alimentados com dieta HS apresentaram maior infiltração de lípides na parede do arco aórtico quando comparados aos animais NS, apesar da redução da pressão arterial (PA) obtida com a restrição de sódio. A dieta LS não alterou o peso corpóreo e o hematócrito dos animais, exceto em relação aos camundongos tratados com losartana os quais apresentaram discreta redução de hematócrito e das concentrações plasmáticas de TG e de ácidos graxos livres (AGL) justificando, provavelmente, a menor infiltração de lípides no arco aórtico destes animais. Quando comparados aos animais normotensos alimentados com dieta HS, os camundongos hipertensos tratados com losartana ou hidralazina apresentaram menor infiltração lipídica na vasculatura, sugerindo que mecanismos benéficos dos fármacos anti-hipertensivos sobre o metabolismo possam ter superado o efeito destes fármacos sobre a PA. Este estudo pode contribuir no esclarecimento dos mecanismos de ação dos fármacos anti-hipertensivos sobre a aterogênese e nas questões conflitantes em relação à restrição alimentar de sódio, hipertensão arterial, dislipidemia e doença cardiovascular prematura / This study sought to investigate the influence of chronic dietary sodium chloride restriction on atherogenesis utilizing renovascular hypertensive hyperlipidemic mice. Low density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR KO) mice with renovascular hypertension (endogenous angiotensin II-dependent hypertension; 2-kidney, 1-clip - 2K1C), treated or not with antihypertensive drugs losartan or hydralazine, were fed ad libitum either a low-sodium diet (LS) (0.15% NaCl) or a normal-sodium chow (NS) (1.27% NaCl) from weaning to 5 months of age. Hypertensive mice showed higher plasma total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations on LS than on NS confirming our previous study on normotensive mice. In hypertensive mice aortic lipid infiltration was much greater on LS than on NS in spite of the reduction of the blood pressure (BP) attained by LS. LS did not modify the mouse body weight and hematocrit, however the latter was slightly but significantly diminished in the losartan-treated hypertensive group. In hypertensive mice plasma TG and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels were significantly reduced by losartan seemingly explaining the most significant of all reduction of aortic lipid infiltration reached in this group. Hypertensive mice fed LS diet either on losartan or hydralazine treatment had lower aortic lipid infiltration, suggesting that other beneficial metabolic actions of these drugs must have overcome their effect on BP, as compared to normotensive mice on LS diet. This study sheds light on mechanisms of action of antihypertensive drugs in atherosclerosis and on the conflicting issues regarding dietary sodium restriction on hypertension, dyslipidemia and premature cardiovascular disease in human populations

Resumo: A importância dos psitacídeos como animais de estimação, o grande número de espécimes criados e os problemas desencadeados pela falta de informações sobre suas necessidades nutricionais em cativeiro, especialmente os aspectos relacionados à saúde a longo prazo das espécies com longa expectativa de vida, têm estimulado a comunidade científica ao aprofundamento sobre este tema. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar: os efeitos da inclusão de teores crescentes de fibra de cana (0, 7, 14 e 21%) sobre os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, coeficiente de metabolização da energia bruta, energia metabolizável aparente e matéria seca das excretas; os processos de extrusão e peletização na produção de alimentos para araras; e o efeito das rações extrusadas ou peletizadas, com baixo e alto teor de fibra, sobre a ingestão de alimentos, parâmetros de bioquímica sérica e peso corporal. Foram utilizados 24 casais de Araras-Canindé. O ensaio de digestibilidade teve duração de 24 dias e adotou-se delineamento em blocos, com dois blocos de 24 unidades experimentais cada, em esquema fatorial 2 x 4 (dois tipos de processamento x quatro níveis de inclusão de fibra). O ensaio sobre os parâmetros de bioquímica sérica teve duração de 105 dias e foi utilizado delineamento inteiramente casualizado, num esquema em parcelas subdivididas, sendo as parcelas um fatorial (dois processamentos x dois níveis de inclusão de fibra x sexo das araras) e a subparcela, os resultados para o 25º e 130º dias de consumo das rações. Concluiu-se que a inclusão de fibra às rações e a diminuição da energia metabolizável resultam em redução linear na digestibilidade dos nutrientes, elevação no consumo de matéria seca e água, e redução nos níveis séricos de colesterol. Rações peletizadas demonstraramse melhores que as rações extrusadas, com menor ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The importance of parrots as pets, the growing number of specimens kept as pets and the problems caused by the lack of information about their nutritional needs in captivity, especially the aspects related to long-term health of species have a long life expectancy, has stimulated the scientific community to a depth on this topic. Our objectives were to assess: the effects of adding increasing levels of sugar cane fiber (0, 7, 14 and 21%) on apparent digestibility of nutrients, metabolism coefficient of gross energy, metabolizable energy and dry matter excreta, the processes of extrusion and pelletization to produce food for macaws and the effect of extruded or pelleted diets, with low and high fiber content on food intake, serum biochemical parameters and body weight. We used 24 pairs of blue and yellow macaw. The digestibility trial lasted 24 days and adopted block design with two blocks of 24 experimental units each in a factorial 2 x 4 (two types of processing x four levels of inclusion of fiber). The test on the parameters of serum biochemistry lasted 105 days and was used a randomized design in a split plot scheme, and the plots were a factorial (two processes x two levels of fiber x sex of macaws) and sub-plot, 25 th and 130 th days of consumption of rations. It was concluded that the inclusion of fiber in diets and the metabolizable energy decrease results in linear decrease in digestibility of nutrients, high in dry matter intake and water, and reduction in serum cholesterol. Rations proved to be better than the extruded feeds, less feed wastage and greater reduction in serum glucose and cholesterol. Diets for macaws should be based on metabolizable energy. And the reduction in energy and fat content of diets provides reduction in serum glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides, so excess energy and fat causes metabolic damage to Araras. The energy requirement ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Nilva Kazue Sakomura / Coorientador: Aulus Cavalieri Carciofi / Banca: Carlos Eduardo do Prado Saad / Banca: Manoel Garcia Neto / Banca: Euclides Braga Malheiros / Banca: José Mauricio Barbanti Duarte / Doutor