Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by the presence of physical and psychological symptoms restricted to the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and associated with substantial impairment in life activities. In the U.S. about 8 to 15% of women of reproductive age suffer from PMS. Many micronutrients are potentially involved in the development of this disorder due to their role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and hormones or in their regulation, but few previous studies have evaluated the effects of micronutrients on PMS. The first study examined the association between B vitamin intakes, and PMS development among women participating in the Nurses' Health Study 2 (NHS2). We found that high thiamin and high riboflavin intake from food sources were associated with lower risk of PMS. There were not significant associations between niacin, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 dietary intake and incident PMS. Intakes of B vitamins from supplements were not associated with lower risk of PMS. The second study evaluated the association between selected mineral intakes and PMS development in the NHS2. In this study, high iron intakes were associated with lower risk of PMS. Although there was no association between zinc and PMS risk, high intake of zinc relative to copper was associated with lower risk of PMS. There were no associations between of magnesium, copper, and manganese intakes and PMS. We observed a significantly higher risk of PMS in women with high intakes of potassium from food sources. The third study focused on the association between dietary intakes of B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, iron, potassium, and sodium and some biomarkers and PMS prevalence among younger women. In this study, we found an association between zinc intake and lower prevalence of PMS. Each 1 mg/d increase in vitamin B6 from foods was associated with a lower PMS symptom score. Blood magnesium levels were higher in women with PMS compared to women without PMS. We observed that intakes of some micronutrients were associated with lower risk of PMS, but further studies should be conducted. This dissertation contributes to the research on modifiable risk factors for PMS.

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is an alternative to traditional extractions with organic solvents. SFE consists of removing the analyte(s) from the matrix, solubilizing them, moving the analyte(s) into the bulk fluid, and sweeping the fluid containing the analyte(s) out of the extraction vessel. As the fluid leaves the extraction vessel, decompression of the fluid occurs, changing its volume and temperature which can lead to analyte loss. This work focussed on the trapping process with the restrictor immersed in a liquid after SFE. Experiments compared the effects of trapping parameters on the collection efficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins of similar polarities and structures. The most important variable was the selection of collection solvent and its physical properties, such as viscosity, surface tension and density were found to be important. Additionally, adding a modifier to the collection solvent in an attempt to change its physical properties and influence collection efficiencies for a polarity test mix was studied. Addition of a modifier can improve collection efficiencies and allow higher collection temperature to be used, but the modifier did not increase trapping recoveries to the extent that collection pressurization did. The occurrence of a methylation reaction of decanoic acid during the SFE and collection processes, using a methanol modified fluid or collection solvent was investigated. The majority of the reaction occurred during the collection process and the degree of methylation was found to be dependent on temperature, but not on static or dynamic extraction time. When no additional acidic catalyst other than carbon dioxide in the presence of water was present, conversion was limited to about 2%, but was quantitative with an added acidic catalyst. The last portion of this work involved the application of the SFE process to the extraction and analysis of extractable material in eight hardwood and softwood pulp samples. Grinding the samples increased extractable fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) by ten-fold, and in-situ derivatizations resulted in higher FAME recoveries than derivatization after SFE. Liquid trapping enhanced recoveries of lower FAMEs when compared to tandem (solid/liquid) trapping. In-situ acetylations sometimes yielded acetylated glucoses. Large differences in FAMEs concentrations were seen for hardwood samples, but lesser differences were seen for the softwood pulp samples. / Ph. D.

The effects of dietary energy level (ad libitum vs 75% of ad libitum) and mineral-vitamin intake (100 vs 150% NRC recommendations) on foot and leg development, incidence and severity of foot lesions, soundness scores and metacarpal and metatarsal characteristics of growing boars was studied. Boars assigned to the dietary treatments at 5 wk of age were serially necropsied beginning at 120 d of age. Foot and leg characterization was carried out at four periods (35, 122, 209 and 290 d of age) and at necropsy. Bone samples were obtained at necropsy. Toe measurements increased over time with outside toes larger than inside toes. The hind outside toe was consistently larger than the other toes. Mineral-vitamin level had little effect on toe measurements, while ad libitum feeding produced larger feet and legs as compared with limit-fed boars at an equal age. Correction for body weight differences removed the energy level differences and often produced trends favoring the limit-fed boars. Dietary treatment had little effect on the incidence and severity of pad or horn lesions, however, restricting feed intake produced boars more structurally sound in appearance. Bone size increased with age, while bone ether extract decreased and bone ash content increased. As age increased, Ca content of bone ash increased, P level remained unchanged and Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn levels decreased. Metatarsals were longer and heavier than metacarpals. Percentage of bone ether extract increased with ad libitum feeding while the 150% mineral-vitamin level resulted in increased percentage bone ash. At an equal age, bone size and mechanical characteristics were greater for ad libitum-fed boars, however, weight-correction produced trends favoring limit-fed boars. Greater bone wall thickness and mechanical characteristics resulted from elevated dietary mineral and vitamin levels. Little consistent correlation was apparent between toe area or volume and the incidence of foot lesions or among the incidence of lesions at the various locations on the front or hind feet. / M.S.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Masters Degree in Tehcnology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Background: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, perception and utilisation of vitamins and minerals, natural medicines and pharmacological agents as adjuncts to Chiropractic practice in South Africa. Method: This study was a population based cross sectional survey utilising a descriptive, quantitative questionnaire study design. The questionnaire was distributed to all practicing qualified Chiropractors (n=388) and masters Chiropractic students (n=102) in South Africa. Results: The results obtained (30.4% response rate), indicated that the majority of the respondents (62.8%) felt qualified to advise patients on vitamins and mineral supplements and had a positive view of the use of vitamins and minerals as part of Chiropractic patient management (86.6%). The majority of the practitioners were aware that topical substances are part of the scope of practice and males were nearly twice as likely as females to use them. The majority thought biopuncture should be available to Chiropractors (82%) and felt that Chiropractors should challenge the legislation to incorporate biopuncture as part of the scope of practice (77.5%). Most respondents agreed with the statement indicating that NSAIDS should be part of Chiropractic scope of practice and 71% of respondents felt that being able to use NSAIDS in non-emergency situations would enhance patient retention. This study revealed that amongst the student population the majority, if allowed, would consider administering pharmacological agents in practice (55.1%). Conclusion: A correlation exists between the perception, knowledge and utilisation of vitamins and minerals, natural medicines and pharmacological agents in the Chiropractic profession with respect to the demographic data and there is a significant difference in opinion between qualified Chiropractors and Chiropractic masters students regarding perception, knowledge and utilisation of these adjuncts to practice.

Background: In the past 37 years, increased efforts have been directed toward a better understanding of the importance of Hcy in disease and it has now become clear that hyperhomocysteinemia is a major independent risk factor for CVD. Extensive research on the influence of vitamin supplementation leading to reductions in Hcy levels and improvements in cardiovascular function has been done. The importance of exercise in the lowering of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as its favourable influence on cardiovascular function has also been indicated in several studies, however, the limited number of studies investigating the effect of exercise on Hcy concentrations revealed contradicting results. Furthermore, a relationship between Hcy concentration and cardiovascular function with the intervention of an exercise training and a vitamin supplementation programme respectively has also not been investigated. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a 12-week exercise training and a 12-week vitamin supplementation intervention respectively on tHcy concentrations and cardiovascular function, and whether the change in tHcy concentration within the different interventions correlated with the change in cardiovascular function. Methods: In a randomised controlled cross-over intervention study, 52 men matched for age, cardiorespiratory fitness levels and cardiovascular risk factors were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups (Group A = exercise training programme, 20-30min. at 70-80% of HRmax; Group B = 400 g folic acid and 25 g vitamin B12 supplement; Group C = control). Group A and B were crossed over for phase 11, and Group C remained the control. The questionnaires were completed, and the body composition variables (BMI, WHR and body fat percentage), cardiovascular function (Finometer), tHcy concentrations and VO2max, were measured before and after each 12-week intervention period. A 6-week washout period separated the crossovers. Results: The ANCOVA, adjusted for age and BMI, showed that the percentage change from baseline to end, corrected for baseline of the tHcy concentration increased significantly (p ≤ .05) by 9.7% with the exercise training intervention and decreased significantly (p ≤ .05) by 12.9%, with the vitamin supplementation intervention. The ANCOVA of the percentage change from baseline to end in cardiovascular function showed that the vitamin supplementation intervention resulted in improvements in cardiovascular function (decreased resting MAP, TPR and increased resting SV, CO, Cw) in comparison to the impairment in cardiovascular function with the exercise training intervention (increased resting DBP, MAP and TPR). The relationship between the tHcy concentration and cardiovascular function at baseline and within each of the different interventions were assessed by partial correlations adjusted for age, BMI and VO2max. Significant (p ≤ .05) relationships only occurred within the vitamin supplementation intervention, where decreased percentage change in tHcy concentration significantly correlated with increased percentage change of resting SV and CO and decreased percentage change of resting TPR. Conclusion: The general conclusion that can be drawn is that a 12-week vitamin supplementation intervention showed increased health related results, e.g. a significant reduction in tHcy concentration, an improvement in cardiovascular function and a significant positive relationship between these b o factors, in comparison to the 12-week exercise training intervention that significantly increased the tHcy concentration and did not show increased health related results. Due to inadequate compliance to the exercise training intervention, no conclusion can be drawn with regard to the effect of exercise training on tHcy concentrations and cardiovascular function. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007

Lors de leur conservation, les principes actifs (médicaments, nutriments) peuvent être sujets à une dégradation susceptible de modifier leurs propriétés initiales et les rendre non disponibles. Aussi, les industriels et les pharmaciens hospitaliers réalisant des préparations pharmaceutiques et/ou des compléments alimentaires ont-ils la nécessité de réaliser des études de stabilité. Ces études sont longues et coûteuses car elles doivent tenir compte de tous les paramètres environnementaux susceptibles d’influencer la stabilité du principe actif, de la matrice et du conditionnement. L’objectif de cette thèse consiste à développer un outil qui permet d’estimer les taux de dégradation des vitamines et de se projeter sur la durée de vie de principes actifs nutritionnels en se basant sur l’utilisation des modèles de calcul intégrant à la fois les caractéristiques des produits, matrice et des conditions de conservation. Le projet s’est déroulé en plusieurs phases en ciblant les vitamines hydrosolubles. Tout d’abord, un développement et validation d’une méthode de dosage chromatographique qui permet de quantifier toutes les vitamines en une seule analyse sans interférence avec les éventuels produits de dégradation. Une étude de l’influence des paramètres les plus importants a été réalisée via un plan d’expériences. Les cinétiques de dégradation ont été étudiées et modélisées en plusieurs approches. A partir du modèle le plus adapté, un premier niveau de simulation a été conçu permettant de déterminer les facteurs d’influence pertinents dans la dégradation des vitamines au regard des données exploitables. Le livrable, le calculateur, devrait ainsi permettre de guider les utilisateurs industriels et hospitaliers dans le choix des conditions d’étude de vieillissement accéléré. / When stored, the active ingredients (drugs, nutrients) may be subject to degradation that may change their original properties and make them unavailable. In addition, manufacturers and hospital pharmacists carrying out pharmaceutical preparations and / or dietary supplements have the need to carry out stability studies. These studies are long and costly because they must consider all the environmental parameters likely to influence the stability of the active principle, the matrix and the packaging. The aim of this thesis is to develop a tool that allows to estimate the degradation rates of vitamins and to project on the life span of nutritional active principles based on the use of computational models integrating at the same time product characteristics, matrix and storage conditions. The project took place in several phases targeting the water-soluble vitamins. First, a development and validation of a chromatographic assay method that quantifies all vitamins in a single analysis without interference with any degradation products. A study of the influence of the most important parameters was carried out with a design of experiments. The kinetics of degradation have been studied and modeled in several approaches. From the most appropriate model, a first simulation level was designed to determine the relevant influencing factors in the degradation of vitamins in terms of exploitable data. The deliverable, the calculator, should thus help guide industrial and hospital users in the choice of accelerated aging study conditions.

A soja (Gycine max (L.) Merril) é uma leguminosa de importante significado na alimentação humana devido seus potenciais efeitos benéficos à saúde. Devido ao crescente estímulo ao consumo de grãos de soja pela presença de diversos compostos bioativos, alguns processamentos tem sido estudados como forma de conhecer às alterações desses componetes ao longo dos processos. Diante disso, o presente estudo teve por objetivo estudar as alterações na composição sensorial e nutricional da soja cultivar BRS 216 após processos de irradiação e germinação, individualmente e associados. Inicialmente os grãos foram irradiados com 60Cobalto, nas doses de 0,025; 0,075 e 0,150kGy e logo em seguida germinados nos tempos de 48 e 72 horas. Para realização das análises propostas, as amostras foram congeladas e liofilizadas. As análises químicas realizadas foram: composição centesimal e mineral, digestibilidade de proteína in vitro, fatores antinutricionais, fenólicos totais, clorofila, carotenóides, vitaminas do complexo B (B1, B2 e B6) e capacidade antioxidante (ABTS e DPPH). Os aspectos sensoriais foram determinados aplicando-se método de aceitação e intenção de compra. Os resultados indicaram reduções nos teores de taninos, ácido fítico, inibidores de tripsina e hemaglutinina com o processo de germinção. Em decorrência das reduções nos teores dos fatores antinutricionais, notou-se aumento no conteúdo de fósfoto (P) e na digestibilidade de proteína. Maiores teores de vitaminas do complexo B (B1, B2 e B6) também foram observados após 48 e 72 horas de germinação. A disponibilidade dos minerais Ca, Fe, Zn e Mg não apresentaram alterações satisfatórias com o processo de germinação, contradizendo aos resultados encontrados na literatura. Os teores de fenólicos totais apresentaram aumento estatisticamente significativo após 72horas de germinação. A capacidade antioxidante da soja determinada pelo método ABTS+ apresentou valores superiores ao encontrado pelo método de DPPH. Alta correlação foi observado entre o método DPPH e o teor de fenólicos. Foi observado também aumento progressivo e significativo nos teores de clorofila e carotenóides durante a germinação dos grãos, o que evidencia, após realização do teste de Pearson, correlação alta e positiva entre a síntese desses componentes e processo germinativo. O processo de germinação resultou também no aumento estatisticamente significativo nos teores de umidade, pequenas alterações, porém estatisticamente semelhante ao grão controle nos teores de lipídeos e proteínas e diminuições nos teores de cinzas e carboidratos. Para todas as análises químicas realizadas, o processo de irradiação nas diferentes doses utilizadas não influenciou nas concentrações dos compostos analisados. Em relação à análise sensorial, foi observada maior rejeição nas sojas germinadas há 72 horas quando comparados ao tempo de 48 horas. Mesmo assim, apresentou rejeição inferior a 50%, o que pode ser utilizado na produção de brotos, como forma de complemento nutricional na dieta alimentar. Portanto conclui-se que as sojas germinadas, contribuem uma dieta de alta qualidade devendo ser estimulado o aumento do seu consumo na dieta brasileira. / Soybean (Gycine max (L.) Merrill) is an important legume for human diets due its potential health benefits. Because of the increasing stimulus to soybean consumption, mainly due to its several bioactive compounds, some processing methods have been studied as a way to know changes that occur in these compounds during the processes. Thus, this study aimed to analyze changes in the sensory and nutritional composition of soybean cultivar BRS 216 after irradiation and germination processes, isolated and associated. Initially, the grains were irradiated with Cobalt 60 at doses of 0.025, 0.075 and 0.150 kGy and afterwards, they were germinated at 48 and 72 hours. The samples were frozen and lyophilized to perform the proposed analyses. Chemical analyses were conducted on mineral and chemical composition, in vitro protein digestibility, antinutritional factors, total phenolics, chlorophyll, carotenoids, vitamins B (B1, B2 and B6) and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH). The sensory aspects were determined by applying the method of acceptance and purchase intent. The results showed reductions in levels of tannins, phytic acid, trypsin inhibitors and hemagglutinin with the germination process. As a result of reductions in levels of anti-nutritional factors, it was observed an increase in the phosphorus content (P) and protein digestibility. Higher contents of vitamins B (B1, B2 and B6) were also observed after 48 and 72 hours of germination. The availability of the minerals Ca, Fe, Zn and Mg showed no satisfactory changes to the germination process, contradicting the findings in the literature. The contents of phenolic compounds showed a statistically significant increase after 72 hours of germination. The antioxidant capacity of soybean determined by the ABTS+ method presented higher values than in the DPPH method. High correlation was observed between the DPPH method and phenolic content. It was also observed a significant and progressive increase in contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids during the grain germination, which suggests high positive correlation between the synthesis of these components and the germination process, after running the Pearson test. The germination process also resulted in a statistically significant increase in moisture content, small changes, however statistically similar to the control grain in contents of lipids and proteins and decreases in contents of ash and carbohydrates. In all the chemical analyses, the irradiation process at different doses did not influence the concentrations of the compounds analyzed. As for the sensory analysis, rejection of soybeans germinated for 72 hours was greater when compared to 48 hours. Still, this rejection was 50% lower, which can be used in the production of sprouts, as a means of nutritional supplement in the diet. Therefore, it is concluded that the germinated soybean contribute to a high quality diet and its consumption in the Brazilian diet should be encouraged.

No presente trabalho analisou-se um total de 101 indivíduos, sendo 26 não infectados e 75 infectados pelo HIV e classificados de acordo com o Walter Reed Army Institute (28 pacientes WR 1, 31 pacientes WR 2 e 16 pacientes WR 3/4). 05 indivíduos infectados pelo HIV apresentaram, nos estágios iniciais, uma diminuição progressiva do peso corporal, dos níveis séricos de uréia, albumina, colesterol total, HOL colesterol e LOL colesterol. Já os níveis séricos de proteínas totais, globulinas, IgG, IgA, α1 glicoproteína ácida, haptoglobina e as atividades enzimáticas da AST e da LD apresentaram elevação nos indivíduos infectados e em conseqüência da evolução da infecção. Os triglicérides demonstraram apenas tendência para aumento dos níveis séricos nos indivíduos estadiados como WR3/4. Os níveis de ferro sérico encontraram-se diminuídos nos indivíduos estadiados como WR 3/4, enquanto que a concentração de transferrina apresentou-se diminuída apenas no Grupo WR 2. Houve uma tendência para a elevação progressiva dos níveis médios de ferritina com a evolução da doença. Nenhuma alteração foi verificada nos níveis de proteína \"C\" reativa. A EC-SOO apresentou diminuição dos níveis de atividade nos indivíduos infectados pelo HIV, enquanto que em células mononucleares a SOD apresentou atividade diminuída nos indivíduos estadiados como WR 3/4. A GSH-Px não apresentou alteração de sua atividade em decorrência da infecção pelo HIV. Os níveis plasmáticos do α-tocoferol e do ascorbato apresentaram tendência para diminuição, enquanto o β-caroteno não apresentou alteração nos grupos estudados. Estes resultados sugerem que a haptoglobina, as globulinas e a IgA podem ser utilizadas para a avaliação da evolução da infecção pelo HIV. Por outro lado, os níveis dos constituintes do sistema de defesa antioxidante analisados indicam que os indivíduos soropositivos encontram-se menos protegidos contra a ação de espécies reativas de oxigênio, o que favoreceria a presença de um estresse oxidativo e a replicação viral. / A total number of 101 individuals, including 26 controls and 75 patients classified according to the Walter Reed Army Institute (28 WR 1, 31 WR 2 and 16 WR 3/4) was studied. HIV infected individuals presented, during the early stages, a progressive reduction of body weigth, as well as urea, albumin, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in blood serum. However, increased serum levels of total protein, globulin, IgG, IgA, α1 acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, AST and LD were observed in HIV infected individuals during the evolution of infection. Decreased serum iron and a trend for increasing triglyceride was shown only for those individuals classified as WR 3/4. Transferrin was diminished only in the WR 2 group. A trend for enhancing serum ferritin following the progession of HIV infection was also observed. No alteration was observed on the levels of reactive \"C\" protein. Decreased EC-SOD activities were observed in HIV infected individuals as compared to controls, whereas in mononuclear cells the SOD activity was diminished only in WR 3/4 patients. HIV infection did not alter GSH-Px activity. A trend for decreasing α-tocopherol and ascorbate plasma levels was shown during the evolution of HIV infected patients, while no difference was observed for β-carotene levels in the studied groups. The above results suggest that haptoglobin, globulins and IgA can be used to assess the evolution of the HIV infection. Moreover, the decreased levels of the antioxidant defense system components observed in HIV infected patients may indicate that they are under an oxidative stress that could favor HIV replication.

A ingestão de folato é inversamente associada com o risco de diversos cânceres. Apesar da deficiência dessa vitamina ser classicamente considerada fator de risco para câncer de fígado, não existem estudos avaliando o efeito da suplementação com ácido fólico (AF) durante as etapas iniciais da hepatocarcinogênese. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação com AF continuamente durante as etapas de iniciação e seleção/promoção da hepatocarcinogênese em ratos. Os animais receberam diariamente 0,08 mg (grupo AF8) ou 0,16 mg (grupo AF16) de AF/100 g de peso corpóreo ou água (grupo controle [GC]). Após duas semanas de tratamento, todos os animais foram submetidos ao modelo de hepatocarcinogênese do &#8220;Hepatócito Resistente&#8221; (iniciação com dietilnitrosamina, seleção/promoção com 2-acetilaminofluoreno e hepatectomia parcial a 70%). A eutanásia dos animais ocorreu após 8 semanas de tratamento. Quando comparado ao GC, o grupo AF16, mas não o AF8, apresentou menores nódulos macroscópicos (p<0,05), menor (p<0,05) número de lesões pré-neoplásicas (LPN) persistentes, maior (p<0,05) número de LPN em remodelação, menor (p<0,05) proliferação celular nas LPN persistentes, menos (p<0,05) danos no DNA hepático e tendência (p<0,10) a apresentar menor expressão de c-myc em LPN microdissecadas. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas (p>0,05) entre os grupos experimentais com relação à indução de apoptose nas LPN persistentes e em remodelação bem como no padrão de metilação global do DNA em LPN microdissecadas. Em resumo, a suplementação com AF durante as etapas iniciais da hepatocarcinogênese resultou em atividade quimiopreventiva de forma dose-efeito. Alteração no fenótipo das LPN, inibição de danos no DNA hepático e da expressão de c-myc representam relevantes efeitos celulares e moleculares dessa vitamina. / Dietary intake of folate is inversely associated with the risk of several malignancies. Although folate deficiency is associated with liver cancer, there is no data on folic acid (FA) supplementation during hepatocarcinogenesis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of FA supplementation during early hepatocarcinogenesis. Rats receiving daily 0.08 mg (FA8 group) or 0.16 mg (FA16 group) of FA/100 g body weight or water (CO group, controls) were used. After a 2 week-treatment, all animals were submitted to the resistant hepatocyte model of hepatocarcinogenesis (initiation with diethylnitrosamine, selection/promotion with 2-acetylaminofluorene and partial hepatectomy). All animals were euthanized after 8 weeks of treatment. When compared to CO group, FA16 group, but not FA8 group, presented: smaller (p < 0.05) macroscopic nodules; reduced (p < 0.05) number of persistent and increased (p < 0.05) number of remodeling preneoplastic lesions (PNL); reduced (p < 0.05) cell proliferation in persistent PNL; decreased (p < 0.05) hepatic DNA damage; and a tendency (p < 0.10) of decreased c-myc expression in microdissected PNL. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed between CO, FA8 and FA16 groups regarding apoptosis in both persistent and remodeling PNL, and global DNA methylation pattern in microdissected PNL. In conclusion, FA supplementation during early hepatocarcinogenesis resulted in a dose-response chemopreventive activity. Reversion of PNL phenotype and inhibition of DNA damage and of c-myc expression represent relevant FA cellular and molecular effects.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos causados pela suplementação dietética extra de 100 ppm de ácido pantotênico no desempenho e nas características de carcaça de suínos em crescimento e terminação, recebendo rações com diferentes concentrações nutricionais. O experimento foi realizado com 288 animais com idade média em torno de 70 dias e peso inicial de 28,67 +-1,12 kg, com 6 repetições de 12 suínos por unidade experimental, em blocos casualizados, durante 90 dias (fases de crescimento dos 70 aos 120 dias, e terminação dos 121 aos 160 dias de idade). Os tratamentos consistiram das combinações de dois níveis nutricionais de ração: nível nutricional padrão e com alta concentração nutricional, e duas suplementações de ácido pantotênico: 0 e 100 ppm de suplementação extra, num arranjo fatorial 2x2. Dessa forma os quatro tratamentos foram: \"Controle\" - dieta padrão; \"Alta CN\" - dieta com maior concentração nutricional (CN) (acrescida de 100 kcal ED/kg e 6% dos aminoácidos); \"Controle+AP\" - dieta padrão acrescida de uma suplementação extra de 100 ppm de ácido pantotênico (AP); e \"ACN+AP\" - dieta com alta CN acrescida da suplementação extra de 100 ppm de AP. As variáveis avaliadas foram ganho de peso médio diário (GPMD), consumo médio diário de ração (CMD) e conversão alimentar (CA). Ao final do período experimental, no dia antecedente ao abate, todos animais foram avaliados com um aparelho portátil de ultrassom (PigLog 105) a fim de aferir espessura de toucinho (ET), profundidade de lombo (PL) e rendimento de carne magra (RCM). Foi realizada também uma análise econômica comparativa entre os tratamentos. Dos 70 aos 120 dias de idade, a alta CN causou uma redução no CMD (1,935 vs. 2,014 kg, P=0,019) e uma melhora na CA (2,577 vs. 2,745, P=0,001); a suplementação de ácido pantotênico resultou em melhor GPMD (0,748 vs. 0,739 kg, P=0,095) e, como foi significativa a interação entre os fatores CN da dieta e nível de suplementação de AP para GPMD (P=0,042), foi observado que a vantagem da suplementação extra de AP ocorreu somente na dieta com CN padrão (0,755 kg vs. 0,715, P=0,012), e não para dieta com alta CN (0,741 kg vs. 0,763, P=0,759). Considerando o período total do experimento, a alta CN resultou em menor CMD (2,150 vs. 2,233 kg, P=0,013) e melhor CA (2,883 vs. 2,993, P=0,005), assim como o maior nível de AP proporcionou melhor GPMD (0,757 vs. 0,735 kg, P=0,037) e mostrou tendência numa maior PL (47,7 vs. 46,3 mm, P=0,157). A adição extra de 100 ppm de AP mostrou ser um potencial modificador da composição corporal em suínos e permitiu uma economia de 2,2% no custo de produção de carne magra, sendo uma tecnologia interessante para as indústrias do segmento suinícola de carnes. / The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effects of an extra supplementation of pantothenic acid (100 ppm) in the diet on the performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs. Two hundred and eighty eight 70d pigs (body weight: 28.67 ± 1.12 kg) were allotted in a randomized complete block design experiment during 90 days (grower, from 70 to 120 days and finisher, from 121 to 160 days of age) which was carried out on 6 replicates of 12 pigs per treatment. The treatments consisted of the combinations of 2 types of nutritional concentration of feed: standard level and high concentration, with 2 dietary levels of pantothenic acid: 0 and 100 ppm of extra supplementation, in a 2X2 factorial arrangement. The 4 treatments were: \"Control\" - the standard diet; \"High NC\" - diet with higher nutritional concentration (NC), containing additional 100 kcal DE/kg and 6% of amino acids; \"Control+PA\" - the standard diet with an extra supplementation of 100 ppm of pantothenic acid (PA); and \"HNC+PA\" - high NC diet with an extra supplementation of 100 ppm of PA. The evaluated variables were average daily gain (ADG), average feed intake (AFI) and feed conversion (FC). At the end of experimental period, on the day before slaughter, all pigs were submitted to an ultrasound apparatus (PigLog 105) to determine the carcass traits backfat thickness (BT), longissimus muscle depth (MD) and fat-free lean percentage (LP). An economic assessment of the treatments was also performed. During the growing period, the pigs receiving the higher NC diets had lower AFI (1.935 vs. 2.014 kg, P=0.019) and better FC (2.577 vs. 2.745, P=0.001); those fed with an extra PA supplementation had better ADG (0.748 vs. 0.739 kg, P=0.095) and, as was observed significant interaction between CN and PA supplementation for ADG (P=0.042), the advantage of an extra PA supplementation only occurred at the standard NC (0.755 kg vs. 0.715, P=0.012), and not at the high NC (0.741 kg vs. 0.763, P=0.759). In the overall period, pigs fed with high NC showed lower AFI (2.150 vs. 2.233 kg, P=0.013) and better FC (2.883 vs. 2.993, P=0.005), as well as the pigs receiving extra PA supplementation had better average daily gain ADG (0.757 vs. 0.735 kg, P=0.037) and increased MD (47.7 vs. 46.3 mm, P=0.157), though not significative. The extra supplementation of PA showed to be a potential modifier of swine carcass composition and resulted in a reduction of 2.2% on the feed cost produce fat-free lean meat.