Introdução: O extrato seco de Solanum melongena (berinjela) vem sendo utilizado pela população como um tratamento alternativo para dislipidemia. Ela é um vegetal rico em flavonóides que são antioxidantes polifenólicos encontrados nos alimentos. Estudos demonstram relação inversa entre o consumo de alimentos ricos em flavonóides e a mortalidade por doença arterial coronariana. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da administração de cápsulas de extrato de berinjela no perfil lipídico de indivíduos saudáveis após um teste de sobrecarga lipídica via oral . Métodos: Após consentimento informado 58 voluntários saudáveis foram randomizados para receber cápsulas contendo 450 mg extrato seco de berinjela ou placebo. As cápsulas de berinjela ou placebo foram administradas na quantidade de duas cápsulas duas vezes ao dia durante 14 dias. No 14º dia os voluntários foram submetidos a um teste de sobrecarga lipídica, logo após a ingestão de 900 mg de extrato de berinjela ou placebo conforme randomização anterior. A análise nutricional da refeição continha 361 kcal, 22,5 g de gorduras totais, sendo destas 14,5g de gordura saturada e 251mg de colesterol. O perfil lipidico foi aferido em jejum nos dias 0 e 14 e neste último dia aferido em jejum e 2 horas após a sobrecarga lipidica. Resultados: Os níveis de trigliderídeos, expressos em mediana (amplitude interquartílica), encontrados nos voluntários do grupo berinjela foram 69mg/dl (51 - 102), 69 mg/dl (56 - 94) e 92 (64 - 120), antes do tratamento, no 14º dia pré e pós prandial, respectivamente. No grupo placebo os resultados foram 92mg/dl (77 - 128), 79 (60 - 108) e 98 (73 - 142), respectivamente. Não houve interação estatisticamente significativa entre tempo e grupo quanto ao nível de triglicerídeos (P=0,208). Também não foram encontradas diferenças nos valores de colesterol total (P=0,973), HDL colesterol (P=0,059) e LDL colesterol (P=0,611). Conclusão: Nossos resultados demonstram que a utilização de cápsulas de extrato seco de S. Melongena por 14 dias não produziu nenhum efeito no perfil lipidico em jejum e pós-prandial em indivíduos normais. / Introduction: Dry Solanum melongena (eggplant) extract is being used by the population as an alternative treatment for dyslipidemia. It is a vegetable rich in flavonoids, which are polyphenol anti-oxidants found in foods. Studies reveal an inverse relationship between the consumption of foods rich in flavonoids and mortality from coronary artery disease. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of administering eggplant extract capsules on the lipid profile of healthy individuals after an oral lipid overload test. Methods: After informed consent, 59 healthy volunteers were randomized to take capsules containing 450 mg of dry eggplant extract or placebo. The eggplant or placebo capsules were administered in quantities of two capsules, twice a day, for 14 days. On the 14th day, the volunteers were submitted to a lipid overload test immediately after ingesting 900 mg of eggplant extract or placebo as per prior randomization. The nutritional analysis of the meal contained 361 kcal, 22.5 g of total fat, 14.5 g of which was saturated and 251mg of cholesterol. The lipid profile was checked during fasting on days 0 and 14 and on this last day it was checked during fasting and after a lipid overload. Results: Triglyceride levels, expressed as median (interquartile range), found in eggplant group volunteers were 69mg/dl (51 -102), 69 mg/dl (56 - 94) and 92 (64 - 120), before treatment, on the 14th day pre- and postprandial, respectively. In the placebo group, the results were 92mg/dl (77 - 128), 79 (60 - 108) and 98 (73 - 142), respectively. There was no statistically significant interaction between the time and the group as to triglyceride levels (P=0.208). No difference was found in total cholesterol (P=0.973), HDL cholesterol (P=0.059) and LDL cholesterol (P=0.611) levels either. Conclusion: Our results reveal that the use of dry S. Melongena extract capsules for 14 days did not produce any effect on the lipid profile during fasting and postprandial in normal individuals.

Master of Science / Department of Human Nutrition / Sara K. Rosenkranz / Background: High-fat meals (HFM) have been shown to increase postprandial lipemia (PPL) and inflammation. Acute exercise both pre and post-meal has been shown to attenuate PPL and inflammation. However, studies examining the interaction of HFMs and exercise on PPL and inflammation have used meal and exercise conditions more extreme than typical for average adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if moderate intensity exercise following a "true-to-life" HFM would attenuate PPL and inflammation. Methods: Participants were thirty-nine young adults (18-40 years) with no known metabolic disease. Inclusion criteria consisted of participants meeting physical activity guidelines of ≥ 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity or ≥ 75 min/week of vigorous activity, or < 30 min of planned physical activity per week. Participants were block randomized to EX or CON groups. Participants consumed a HFM of 10 kcal/kgbw. The EX group walked at 60% VO[subscript 2peak] to expend ≈ 5 kcal/kgbw beginning one-hour following the HFM. The CON group remained sedentary during the postprandial period. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 2, and 4hrs postprandially. Results: At baseline, there were no differences between EX and CON groups for any metabolic or inflammatory markers (p>0.05). Postprandial TRG increased ≈ 100% (p<0.001) in both groups, with no differences between groups. HDL concentrations decreased across time in both groups (p<0.001) with no differences between groups (p=0.338). HDL was higher in the EX group at 2hrs (p=0.047), but not 4hrs (p=0.135). IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations did not change over time with no differences between groups (p>0.05). The EX group increased sVCAM-1 from baseline to 4hr (p=0.003), while the CON group did not. Change in TRG was associated with change IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α from baseline to 2hrs when controlling for VO[subscript 2peak] and body fat%. No other associations were seen between change scores for TRG and inflammatory markers. Conclusions: Despite significant increases in PPL following a HFM, moderate intensity exercise in the postprandial period did not mitigate the PPL nor the inflammatory response to the HFM. These results indicate PPL and inflammation following a HFM are not directly related in a young, healthy population with low metabolic risk.

abstract: Background: Postprandial hyperglycemia can increase levels of oxidative stress and is an independent risk factor for complications associated with type 2 diabetes. Purpose: To evaluate the acute effects of a 15-min postmeal walk on glucose control and markers of oxidative stress following a high-carbohydrate meal. Methods: Ten obese subjects (55.0 ± 10.0 yrs) with impaired fasting glucose (107.1 ± 9.0 mg/dL) participated in this repeated measures trial. Subjects arrived at the laboratory following an overnight fast and underwent one of three conditions: 1) Test meal with no walking or fiber (CON), 2) Test meal with 10g fiber and no walking (FIB), 3) Test meal with no fiber followed by a 15-min treadmill walk at preferred walking speed (WALK). Blood samples were taken over four hours and assayed for glucose, insulin, thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), catalase, uric acid, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). A repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare mean differences for all outcome variables. Results: The 2hr and 4hr incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for glucose was lower in both FIB (2hr: -93.59 mmol&#8729;120 min&#8729;L-1, p = 0.006; 4hr: -92.59 mmol&#8729;240 min&#8729;L-1; p = 0.041) and WALK (2hr: -77.21 mmol&#8729;120 min&#8729;L-1, p = 0.002; 4hr: -102.94 mmol&#8729;240 min&#8729;L-1; p = 0.005) conditions respectively, compared with CON. There were no differences in 2hr or 4hr iAUC for glucose between FIB and WALK (2hr: p = 0.493; 4hr: p = 0.783). The 2hr iAUC for insulin was significantly lower in both FIB (-37.15 &#956;U &#8729;h/mL; p = 0.021) and WALK (-66.35 &#956;U &#8729;h/mL; p < 0.001) conditions, compared with CON, and was significantly lower in the WALK (-29.2 &#956;U &#8729;h/mL; p = 0.049) condition, compared with FIB. The 4hr iAUC for insulin in the WALK condition was significantly lower than both CON (-104.51 &#956;U &#8729;h/mL; p = 0.001) and FIB (-77.12 &#956;U &#8729;h/mL; p = 0.006) conditions. Markers of oxidative stress were not significantly different between conditions. Conclusion: A moderate 15-minute postmeal walk is an effective strategy to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia. However, it is unclear if this attenuation could lead to improvements in postprandial oxidative stress. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Physical Activity, Nutrition and Wellness 2015

abstract: Background: Acetic acid in vinegar has demonstrated antiglycemic effects in previous studies; however, the mechanism is unknown. Objective: To determine whether acetic acid dissociates in the addition of sodium chloride and describe a flavorful vinaigrette that maintains the functional properties of acetic acid. Design: Phase I - Ten healthy subjects (23-40 years) taste tested five homemade vinaigrette and five commercial dressings. Perceived saltiness, sweetness, tartness, and overall tasted were scored using a modified labeled affective magnitude scale. Each dressing was tested three times for pH with a calibrated meter. Phase II – Randomized crossover trial testing six dressings against a control dressing two groups of nine healthy adult subjects (18-52 years). Height, weight and calculated body mass index (BMI) were performed at baseline. Subjects participated in four test sessions each, at least seven days apart. After a 10-hour fast, participants consumed 38g of the test drink, followed by a bagel meal. Capillary blood glucose was obtained at fasting, and every 30 minutes over a 2-hour period the test meal. Results: Dressing pH reduced as sodium content increased. In the intervention trials, no significant differences were observed between groups (p >0.05). The greatest reduction in postprandial glycemia (~21%) was observed in the dressing containing 200 mg of sodium. Effect size was large in both group 1 (η2=0.161) and group 2 (η2=0.577). Conclusion: The inclusion of sodium into acetic acid may impair its ability to attenuate blood glucose after a meal. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Nutrition 2017

Introdução: O extrato seco de Solanum melongena (berinjela) vem sendo utilizado pela população como um tratamento alternativo para dislipidemia. Ela é um vegetal rico em flavonóides que são antioxidantes polifenólicos encontrados nos alimentos. Estudos demonstram relação inversa entre o consumo de alimentos ricos em flavonóides e a mortalidade por doença arterial coronariana. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da administração de cápsulas de extrato de berinjela no perfil lipídico de indivíduos saudáveis após um teste de sobrecarga lipídica via oral . Métodos: Após consentimento informado 58 voluntários saudáveis foram randomizados para receber cápsulas contendo 450 mg extrato seco de berinjela ou placebo. As cápsulas de berinjela ou placebo foram administradas na quantidade de duas cápsulas duas vezes ao dia durante 14 dias. No 14º dia os voluntários foram submetidos a um teste de sobrecarga lipídica, logo após a ingestão de 900 mg de extrato de berinjela ou placebo conforme randomização anterior. A análise nutricional da refeição continha 361 kcal, 22,5 g de gorduras totais, sendo destas 14,5g de gordura saturada e 251mg de colesterol. O perfil lipidico foi aferido em jejum nos dias 0 e 14 e neste último dia aferido em jejum e 2 horas após a sobrecarga lipidica. Resultados: Os níveis de trigliderídeos, expressos em mediana (amplitude interquartílica), encontrados nos voluntários do grupo berinjela foram 69mg/dl (51 - 102), 69 mg/dl (56 - 94) e 92 (64 - 120), antes do tratamento, no 14º dia pré e pós prandial, respectivamente. No grupo placebo os resultados foram 92mg/dl (77 - 128), 79 (60 - 108) e 98 (73 - 142), respectivamente. Não houve interação estatisticamente significativa entre tempo e grupo quanto ao nível de triglicerídeos (P=0,208). Também não foram encontradas diferenças nos valores de colesterol total (P=0,973), HDL colesterol (P=0,059) e LDL colesterol (P=0,611). Conclusão: Nossos resultados demonstram que a utilização de cápsulas de extrato seco de S. Melongena por 14 dias não produziu nenhum efeito no perfil lipidico em jejum e pós-prandial em indivíduos normais. / Introduction: Dry Solanum melongena (eggplant) extract is being used by the population as an alternative treatment for dyslipidemia. It is a vegetable rich in flavonoids, which are polyphenol anti-oxidants found in foods. Studies reveal an inverse relationship between the consumption of foods rich in flavonoids and mortality from coronary artery disease. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of administering eggplant extract capsules on the lipid profile of healthy individuals after an oral lipid overload test. Methods: After informed consent, 59 healthy volunteers were randomized to take capsules containing 450 mg of dry eggplant extract or placebo. The eggplant or placebo capsules were administered in quantities of two capsules, twice a day, for 14 days. On the 14th day, the volunteers were submitted to a lipid overload test immediately after ingesting 900 mg of eggplant extract or placebo as per prior randomization. The nutritional analysis of the meal contained 361 kcal, 22.5 g of total fat, 14.5 g of which was saturated and 251mg of cholesterol. The lipid profile was checked during fasting on days 0 and 14 and on this last day it was checked during fasting and after a lipid overload. Results: Triglyceride levels, expressed as median (interquartile range), found in eggplant group volunteers were 69mg/dl (51 -102), 69 mg/dl (56 - 94) and 92 (64 - 120), before treatment, on the 14th day pre- and postprandial, respectively. In the placebo group, the results were 92mg/dl (77 - 128), 79 (60 - 108) and 98 (73 - 142), respectively. There was no statistically significant interaction between the time and the group as to triglyceride levels (P=0.208). No difference was found in total cholesterol (P=0.973), HDL cholesterol (P=0.059) and LDL cholesterol (P=0.611) levels either. Conclusion: Our results reveal that the use of dry S. Melongena extract capsules for 14 days did not produce any effect on the lipid profile during fasting and postprandial in normal individuals.

A lipemia pós-prandial (LPP) se caracteriza pelo aumento das concentrações de lipídeos sanguíneos, provocado por meio de refeição ou jejum e está diretamente relacionada com o sedentarismo e a formação da placa aterosclerótica. A adolescência é um período crítico no controle do peso e a inatividade física está associada com desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) prematuras. O exercício atua como um importante agente protetor contra o desenvolvimento e progressão de diversas doenças crônicas. Apesar dos efeitos do exercício sobre a LPP serem relativamente bem descritos, os seus efeitos sobre crianças e adolescentes têm sido negligenciados. Além disso, um dos aspectos intervenientes sobre a LPP é a intensidade de exercício. Dessa forma, o objetivo do estudo foi verificar os efeitos do exercício de intensidade média e alta na lipemia e glicemia pós-prandiais em adolescentes eutróficos saudáveis após refeição hiperlipídica. Treze adolescentes do sexo masculino, com idade entre 12 e 16 anos, foram selecionados e realizaram três protocolos: exercício de média intensidade (MI), exercício de alta intensidade (AI) e repouso (REP). No MI, os participantes pedalaram durante 45 minutos a 10% abaixo do 2° limiar ventilatório, seguidos de 180 minutos de repouso. No AI, os participantes pedalaram a 10% acima do 2° limiar ventilatório até alcançarem o mesmo gasto energético do MI. No REP, os participantes permaneceram em repouso durante todo o período. Foi fornecida uma refeição rica em gordura após cada protocolo. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas nos tempos 0 (jejum), 45min (logo após exercício), 105min (1h após a refeição), 135min, 165min, 195min e 225min em cada protocolo. Os níveis de triglicerídeos (TG), colesterol total (CT), HDL, LDL e glicose foram mensurados. Não houve diferenças entre as condições em relação aos níveis de CT, HDL, LDL e glicose. Foi encontrada uma redução significativa (p<0,05) nos níveis de TG (mg/dl) na condição MI quando comparado ao REP e AI no minuto 105 (70,1 + 10,3 vs. 92,2 + 32,4 e 82,2 +10,4) e 135 (68,4 + 14,4 vs. 97,3 + 15,6 e 91,54 + 24,9), respectivamente, e no minuto 165 entre REP e MI (103,14 + 24,2 vs. 82,4 + 18,8). A área sob a curva de TG (mg/dl/min) no MI foi 17,19% significativamente inferior quando comparado ao REP (16.437 vs 19.848) e 12,82% inferior quando comparado ao AI (16.437 vs 18.856). Em conclusão, o exercício de MI mostrou-se eficaz na redução dos triglicerídeos pós-prandiais em adolescentes saudáveis, quando comparado ao repouso e ao exercício de AI. / Postprandial lipemia (PPL) is characterized by increased concentrations of blood lipids, caused by meal or fasting and is directly related to a sedentary lifestyle and the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Adolescence is a critical period in weight and physical inactivity is associated with premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. Exercise acts as an important protective mediator against the development and progression of several chronic diseases. Despite the effects of exercise on LPP are relatively well described, its effects on children and adolescents have been neglected. Moreover, one of the factors on aspects LPP is the intensity of exercise. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise of medium and high intensity on postprandial lipemia and glycemia in healthy normal adolescents after a high fat meal. Thirteen male adolescents, aged between 12 and 16 years, were selected and performed three protocols: exercise of moderate intensity (MI), high-intensity exercise (HI) and rest (RES). In MI, participants cycled for 45 minutes at 10% below 2nd ventilatory threshold, followed by 180 minutes of rest. In HI, participants cycled at 10% above the 2nd ventilatory threshold in order to achieve the same energy expenditure MI. RES, the participants remain at rest during the entire period. A high fat meal was provided after each protocol. Blood samples were collected at 0 (fasting), 45min (after exercise), 105min (1h after the meal), 135min, 165min, 195min and 225min in each protocol. Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL and glucose were measured. There were no differences between conditions in relation to the levels of TC, HDL, LDL and glucose. A significant reduction (p <0.05) was found in the levels of TG (mg / dL) in the condition MI when compared to the REP and HI at 105 minutes (70.1 ± 10.3 vs. 92.2 + 32.4 and 82.2 +10.4) and 135 (14.4 vs. 68.4 +. 97.3 + 15.6 + 24.9 and 91.54), respectively, and at 165 minutes between REP and MI (24.2 vs 103.14 +. 82.4 + 18.8). The area under the curve of TG (mg / dl / min) in MI was 17.19% significantly lower when compared to REP (16,437 vs 19,848) and 12.82% lower when compared to HI (16,437 vs 18,856). In conclusion, the MI exercise was effective in reducing the postprandial triglyceride levels in healthy adolescents, when compared at rest and during HI exercise.

Kyoto University (京都大学) / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第18319号 / 農博第2044号 / 新制||農||1021(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H26||N4826(農学部図書室) / 31177 / 京都大学大学院農学研究科食品生物科学専攻 / (主査)教授 河田 照雄, 教授 伏木 亨, 教授 金本 龍平 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当

Abstract The use of regulatory and obligatory heat production mechanisms were studied in juvenile birds during the development of endothermy. The development of shivering thermogenesis was studied in the pectoral and gastrocnemius muscles of the altricial domestic pigeon and in three precocial galliforms (Japanese quail, grey partridge and domestic fowl). The development of shivering was the determinant for the beginning of endothermy. Homeothermy also necessitated avoidance of excess heat loss by insulation and behavioural thermoregulation. In the precocial species, shivering thermogenesis was present in the leg muscles of the youngest age groups (1-2 d) studied. Breast muscles contributed shivering from the second post-hatching week. In the altricial pigeons, significant thermogenesis was apparent later than in the precocials, at the age of 6 d. In contrast to the precocials, the pectoral muscles of the altricials were the most significant heat production tissues. In newly-hatched partridges and pigeons, incipient shivering did not result in significant heat production. The ability to produce heat in cold by putative nonshivering thermogenesis was studied in Japanese quail chicks and domestic ducklings. In both species, three-week cold acclimation resulted in morphometric and physiological changes, but there was no clear evidence of nonshivering thermogenesis. The lack of NST was evident because an increase in shivering amplitude at least in one of the muscles studied paralleled an increase in oxygen consumption. Consequently, shivering thermogenesis was probably the only mode of regulatory heat production. The amplitudes of shivering EMGs measured during cold exposure were dependent on the coexistence of postprandial thermogenesis or exercise. Japanese quail chicks were able to substitute shivering thermogenesis partially with postprandial heat production when nourished. Bipedal exercise both inhibited shivering in pectorals directly via inhibitory neural circuits and stimulated it indirectly via decreased body temperature. Because of increased heat loss, exercise was not used as a substitute for shivering. Shivering is a flexible mode of thermogenesis and its magnitude can be adjusted according to the magnitude of obligatory thermogenesis. The adjustment works towards energy saving by avoidance of the summation of different modes of heat production. The prerequisite for successful adjustment of shivering is adequate insulation, whose role in preventing excessive heat loss is pronounced during exercise. It is concluded that the energetics of posthatching thermoregulation includes the potential for optimizations in energy use in order to avoid dissipation of waste energy as heat.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) consists of repeated, involuntary breathing suspension during sleep. These events induce rapid depletion/repletion of blood/tissue oxygen content, a phenomenon known as intermittent hypoxia. Aside from causing daytime sleepiness, the most important health consequence of OSA is a 2-fold increase in cardiovascular (CVD) risk. Animal studies provide evidence that intermittent hypoxia, a simulating model of OSA, causes important rise in plasma TG, especially in the postprandial state. However, the underpinning mechanisms linking intermittent hypoxia to altered postprandial TG levels remain unknown. As such, the objective of this study was to characterize the effects of acute intermittent hypoxia on postprandial TG levels in 2 distinct lipoprotein subtypes in humans: chylomicrons which are secreted by the intestine and carry dietary lipids, and denser TG carriers (mainly VLDL) which are secreted by the liver and carry endogenous lipids. Methods: The research consisted of a randomized crossover design. In collaboration with the Sleep laboratory at Montfort Hospital, 7 individuals diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea were recruited through phone calls as well as 8 healthy individuals without OSA from the University of Ottawa. While lying on a bed, participants were given a meal after which they were exposed for 6 hours to normoxia or intermittent hypoxia corresponding to moderate OSA, e.g. 15 hypoxic events per hour. Blood lipid levels were measured hourly.  Results: Plasma TG levels increased over time in both experimental conditions and tended to be greater under 6-h exposure to intermittent hypoxia (p=0.093, effect size ηp2= 0.383.). This trend toward higher total plasma TG under intermittent hypoxia was attributable to increased levels in denser TG carrying lipoproteins such as VLDL and CM remnants (p= 0.009, ηp2 = 0.173).  Conclusion: Acute intermittent hypoxia, a simulating model of obstructive sleep apnea, tends to negatively affect postprandial TG levels, which is attributable to an increase in denser TG carrying lipoprotein levels such as VLDL and CM remnants. These results lend support to the increase in blood lipid levels in animal studies observing the effect of acute hypoxia in mice.  Contribution to advancement of knowledge: This proposed research will allow a better understanding of the mechanisms by which obstructive sleep apnea may alter blood lipid profile. This information will be beneficial to the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea related dyslipidemia and contribute to reduce CVD risk in the large proportion of obstructive sleep apnea patients who are reluctant to current treatment avenues.

Two thirds of American adults are overweight and almost half of those qualify as obese. Obesity independently increases risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), type II diabetes (T2D), and hypertension; thus, strategies to reduce risk in this population are desperately needed. Oxidative stress and inflammation are two perpetuators of these chronic diseases that are often elevated in obesity. Interventions that target reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation may help to reduce co-morbidities associated with obesity. Weight loss is shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the composition of and food choices within the weight loss diet may influence the response of these factors to weight loss, and has not been adequately assessed. We first tested whether there were differential effects of a conventional low-fat, high carbohydrate weight loss diet (LF) and the Atkins diet (a popular low carbohydrate, high fat diet (HF)) on oxidative stress and inflammation. We demonstrated that HF raised C-reactive protein (CRP) levels relative to LF in overweight and obese women over four weeks. This finding raises questions as to the long term safety of the HF eating plan in terms of CVD risk. We next examined the role of oxidative stress in the HF diet-induced increase in inflammation by evaluating the effects of an antioxidant supplement versus a placebo in conjunction with HF in overweight and obese men and women. Although our full hypothesis was not supported, as oxidative stress did not increase with HF, the trend for a differential effect on CRP when antioxidants were consumed is provocative. It suggests that future research on the connection between oxidative stress, the macronutrient content of the diet, and inflammation in obesity is warranted. Regarding the effects of specific fats, epidemiological research shows that diets high in saturated fat (SFA) are associated with higher CVD risk while diets higher in omega 3 fats (n-3FA) with lower CVD risk. However, the acute effects of these fats on indices of inflammation and oxidative stress are less understood, particularly in the overweight/obese population. As the majority of the time is spent in the postprandial state, the acute responses to high fat meals are gaining attention for their contribution to endothelial dysfunction and CVD. We showed that acute meals high in SFA increased a marker of endothelial activation (ICAM-1) which could contribute to the atherogenic associations with SFA. Conversely, including n-3FA in a high fat meal acutely enhanced NF-κB activation in circulating mononuclear cells; however, there were no increases in any inflammatory proteins measured over the 6 h postprandial period. It is apparent that dietary macronutrients can influence factors associated with chronic disease in overweight and obese individuals. The evidence presented here may help to refine dietary recommendations for this population. / Ph. D.