A formulação de dietas para ruminantes pode alterar o perfil de ácidos do leite, potencializando o valor nutritivo e nutracêutico do mesmo. Estas alterações podem, no entanto, aumentar a susceptibilidade do leite à oxidação, perdendo qualidade em sabor e tempo de prateleira. O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em avaliar o efeito do fornecimento de dieta com alto teor de soja integral extrusada, associada ou não à suplementação com selênio orgânico, sobre a produção, a composição, a concentração de CLA, o perfil de ácidos graxos e a estabilidade oxidativa do leite. Vinte e quatro vacas holandesas foram agrupadas em três blocos, de acordo com o número de lactações e alimentadas com dieta total contendo 56% de volumoso e 44% de concentrado. Os animais foram distribuídos aleatoriamente nos seguintes tratamentos: A) dieta controle, B) dieta contendo 21% de soja extrusada e C) dieta contendo 21% de soja extrusada + 5 mg de selênio orgânico. As dietas foram balanceadas para obtenção dos mesmos níveis de energia e proteína. O fornecimento de soja extrusada não afetou o consumo de matéria seca, o peso vivo dos animais e a produção de leite. As vacas alimentadas com soja extrusada produziram leite com menor (P<0,01) porcentagem de gordura, menor (P<0,01) concentração de ácidos graxos de cadeias curta e média e maior (P<0,01) concentração de ácidos graxos de cadeia longa, quando comparadas às vacas alimentadas com a dieta controle. Com relação ao teor de saturação, produziram leite com menor (P<0,01) concentração de ácidos graxos saturados e maior (P<0,01) concentração de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados e de ácido linoléico conjugado (CLA). A concentração de colesterol total foi maior (P<0,01) no soro sanguíneo das vacas alimentadas com soja extrusada, quando comparado ao controle. A suplementação com selênio aumentou (P<0,05) significativamente a concentração do mineral no leite e retardou a oxidação do mesmo, avaliada pelo índice de peróxido (P<0,01). O fornecimento da dieta contendo 21% de soja alterou o perfil de ácidos graxos do leite, diminuindo a concentração de ácidos graxos saturados e aumentando a concentração de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados e ácido linoléico conjugado, no entanto, produziu um leite mais susceptível à oxidação. O enriquecimento do leite com selênio conseguiu minimizar este efeito influenciando positivamente a estabilidade do leite. / The manipulation of ruminant diet can modify the fatty acid profiles increasing its nutritive and therapeutic value. However, this change in fatty acid composition can increase milk oxidation and can affect its flavor and shelf life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of extruded soybean diet and organic selenium supplementation on milk composition, CLA content, fatty acid profiles and oxidative stability of milk. Twenty four Holstein cows were grouped into three blocks according to number of parturition and were fed diets containing 56% forage and 44% concentrate. The animals were allocated to three treatments: A) control diet, B) 21% extruded soybean diet and C) 21% extruded soybean diet + 5 mg of organic selenium. The diets were formulated to provide the same energy and protein levels. The extruded soybean did not affect the dry matter intake, body weight and milk production. The cows fed extruded soybean diet produced milk with lower (P<0,01) concentration of fat, lower (P<0,01) concentration of short and medium chain fatty acids and higher (P<0,01) concentration of long chain fatty acids when compared to control group. Regarding to saturation level, those animals produced milk with lower (P<0,01) concentration of saturated fatty acids and higher (P<0,01) concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids and CLA content. The serum concentration of cholesterol was higher (P<0,01) for treatments containing extruded soybean when compared to control. The organic selenium supplementation increased (P<0,05) milk selenium concentration and delayed milk oxidation measured by peroxide value (P<0,01). The inclusion of 21% of extruded soybean in dairy cattle diet resulted in production of milk fat with modified fatty acid profile with lower concentration of saturated fatty acids and higher concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids and CLA content. However the milk fat was more susceptible to oxidation. The organic selenium supplementation was efficient to overcome this problem and therefore could maintain the stability of milk.

Exercícios intensos resultam em depleção acentuada de glicogênio muscular e aumento da lactacidemia, associados ao aumento do cortisol circulante e seus efeitos catabólicos, como a proteólise muscular, ocasionando em menor desempenho físico e comprometendo a qualidade de treinamento do atleta. Diante disso, o presente estudo avaliou o efeito agudo da suplementação de carboidrato sobre o desempenho físico e a resposta hormonal durante e após uma sessão de exercícios intermitentes de alta intensidade. Participaram do estudo 16 corredores com, idade média de 26 ± 5. Os atletas realizaram, em dois momentos distintos [experimental: carboidrato (CHO) e controle: placebo (PLA)], exercícios intermitentes: 12x800 m pausa 1\'30\" a 100% da velocidade média (Vm) 3.000 m. Com relação aos parâmetros de desempenho físico não foram observados efeitos benéficos com a administração de CHO. Os voluntários realizaram o teste em 28,32±1 ,52 min (CHO) e 28,32±1,38 min (PLA). Observou-se aumento significativo da glicemia durante o exercício em ambos grupos, retornando aos valores pré-exercício durante o período de recuperação, indicando acentuada velocidade de captação da glicose após esforços intensos. Quanto à lactacidemia, houve aumento significativo durante o exercício (CHO: 3, 75±1,62 mmol/L PLA: 2, 79±1,69 mmol/L) quando comparado às concentrações pré-exercício (p<0,05). Essas concentrações estiveram significativamente aumentadas durante o exercício no grupo CHO devido a maior disponibilidade de substrato (p<0,05). Entretanto, a suplementação de CHO não diminuiu as concentrações plasmáticas de cortisol durante o exercício. No experimento PLA a concentração de insulina esteve significativamente maior no período de recuperação, como resultado de uma intensa glicogenólise hepática, superando possivelmente o aumento da glicemia no grupo CHO. / Intense exercises result in accentuated depletion of muscular glycogen and increase of the lactacidemy, which are associated to the increase of the circulating cortisol and its catabolic effects like the muscular proteolysis, causing in shorter physical acting, risking the quality of the athlete\'s training. Because of that, the present study evaluated the acute effect of the carbohydrate supplementation on the physical performance and the hormonal response during and after a session of intermittent exercises of high intensity. Sixteen runners, at the average age of 26 ± 5 have participated in the study. The athletes have accomp1ished, in two different trials [(experimental: carbohydrate (CHO) and control: placebo (PLA)], intermittent exercises: 12x800 m pause 1 \'30\" at 100% mean velocity (Vm) 3000 m. ln relation to the physical performance parameters, no beneficial effects were observed at the CHO administration. The athletes have accomplished the test in 28,32±1,52 min (CHO) and 28,32±1,38 min (PLA). A significant increase of the glycemia was observed in both trials during the exercise, going back to the pre-exercising values during the recovery period, indicating an accentuated speed of glucose captation after intense efforts. As to the lactacidemy, there was a significant increase during the exercise (CHO: 3, 75±1,62 mmol/L PLA: 2,79±1,69 mmol/L) when compared to the pre exercising concentrations (p < 0,05). Those concentrations were significantly increased during the exercise in CHO trial due to larger substratum readiness (p < 0,05). However, the CHO supplementation didn\'t reduce the plasmatic concentrations of cortisol during the exercise. In the PLA trial, the insulin concentration was significantly larger in the recovery period as a result of an intense hepatic glycogenolysis possibly overcoming the increase of glycemia in the CHO trial.

A diabetes mellitus (DM) é considerada uma das principais epidemias mundiais deste século, sendo responsável direta ou indiretamente pelo óbito de 123 mil diabéticos no Brasil em 2010. Na diabetes mellitus do tipo 1 (DM1), que corresponde a 5-10% dos casos, há ausência ou um relativo déficit de insulina circulante, acarretando aumento na glicemia e em produtos glicosilados, que por sua vez, podem estar relacionados à perda de visão e doenças cardiovasculares. Além disso, a marcante perda de tecido adiposo verificada na DM1 também pode acarretar hipercolesterolemia e esteatose hepática, além de possivelmente contribuir para a inflamação crônica característica da doença. Neste contexto, o objetivo principal do presente estudo foi examinar o efeito do treinamento de força e suplementação da dieta com leucina no tecido adiposo de ratos portadores de diabetes mellitus tipo 1. Para a realização do estudo, ratos Wistar machos foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em quatros grupos: i) Grupo DA (controle) (n=8) - sem treinamento (sedentário) e suplementado com uma mistura de aminoácidos não-essenciais (água ad libitum); ii) Grupo DL (n=8) - sem treinamento (sedentário) e suplementado com leucina (água ad libitum); iii) Grupo DTA (n=8) - com treinamento de força e suplementado com uma mistura de aminoácidos não-essenciais (água ad libitum); iv) Grupo DTL (n = 8) - com treinamento de força e suplementado com leucina (água ad libitum). Após 12 semanas de intervenção, os animais foram eutanasiados. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: lactato, tolerância à glicose, sensibilidade à insulina, consumo semanal de ração e água, evolução semanal do peso total dos animais, peso total do tecido adiposo e dos diferentes coxins; no soro: triacilglicerol (TAG), lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL), colesterol total, TNF-&#945;, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1&#946;, leptina, adiponectina e insulina; no tecido adiposo retroperitoneal: expressão gênica de mTOR, Akt, 4E-BP, eif4E, p70s6k, PPARy, LPL, leptina, adiponectina e CEBP-&#945;; concentração total de TNF-&#945;, IL-6, IL-10, e IL-1&#946;. A tolerância à glicose, o consumo de ração e água, a concentração total do TAB e do TARP, assim como a expressão gênica de mTOR, 4E-BP1, eif4E, p70S6k, PPAR&#947; e CEBP-&#945; encontraram-se melhorados nos grupos DL, DTA e DTL em comparação ao grupo DA; e as concentrações de HDL, colesterol total, IL-10 e adiponectina no soro, bem como a expressão gênica de adiponectina e a concentração total de IL-10 no TARP apresentaram-se aumentadas somente nos grupos DTA e DTL quando comparados ao grupo DA. Como conclusão, ambas intervenções foram capazes de atenuar as alterações fisiológicas verificadas na DM1, dentre eles as perdas excessivas do TAB. No entanto, por servir de estímulo para uma maior síntese de citocinas e hormônios antiinflamatórios por parte TAB, o treinamento de força foi o principal responsável pela redução da inflamação sistêmica dos animais. / Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered one of the most important world epidemics of this century, being responsible directly or indirectly for the death of 123000 diabetics in Brazil in 2010. In type 1 diabetes (DM1), which corresponds to 5-10% of cases, there is absence or relative deficit of circulating insulin, leading to an increased glycemia and glycosilated products, which might be related to loss of vision and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the marked loss of white adipose tissue (WAT) associated with DM1 might induce liver steatosis and hypercholesterolemia, besides possibly contributing to an increased chronic systemic inflammation. In this context, the main objective of the present study was examine the effect of resistance training and supplementation with leucine in the adipose tissue of type 1 diabetic rats. To conduct this study, Wistar male rats were randomly distributed in 4 groups: i) DA group (control of the experiment) (n=8) - without RT and supplemented with a mixture containing non-essential amino acids (water ad libitum); ii) DL group - without RT and supplemented with leucine (water ad libitum); iii) DTA group (n=8) - with RT and supplemented with a mixture containing non-essential amino acids (water ad libitum); iv) DTL group - with RT and supplemented with leucine (water ad libitum). After 12 weeks of intervention, animals were euthanized. The following parameters were analyzed: blood lactate, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, weekly consumption of chow and water, evolution of total weight, WAT total weight and depots; concentration of triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, TNF-&#945;, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1&#946;, adiponectin, leptin and insulin in the serum; gene expression of mTOR, 4E-BP1, eif4E, p70S6k, PPAR&#947;, CEBP-&#945;, LPL, leptin and adiponectin; in addition to the concentration of TNF-&#945;, IL-6, IL-10, and IL- 1&#946; in the retroperitoneal adipose tissue. Glucose tolerance, weekly consumption of chow and water, WAT and RPAT total weight, such as gene expression of mTOR, Akt, 4E-BP1, eif4E, p70S6k, PPAR&#947; and CEBP-&#945; were improved in DL, DTA and DTL groups in comparison with DA group; and the concentrations of HDL, total cholesterol, IL-10 and adiponectin in the serum, as well as gene expression of adiponectin and total concentration of IL-10 in the serum were increased only in DTA and DTL groups when compared to DA group. In conclusion, both interventions were capable of improving some DM1 physiological alterations, including the excessive loss of WAT. However, because resistance training stimulates an increased synthesis of antiinflammatory cytokines and hormones by WAT, this intervention might be the main responsible by the reduction of systemic inflammation of the animals.

The overall objective of this thesis was to examine mechanisms involved in the acute regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-handling properties by second messenger signaling pathways in skeletal and cardiac muscle. The aim of the first study (Chapter Two) was to characterize changes in the kinetic properties of sarco(endo)-plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) proteins in cardiac and skeletal muscles in response to b-adrenergic, Ca2+-dependent calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling. The aim of the second study (Chapter Three) was to determine if insulin signaling could acutely regulate SERCA kinetic properties in cardiac and skeletal muscle. The aim of the final study (Chapter Four) was to determine if alterations in plasma glucose, epinephrine and insulin concentrations during exercise are able to influence SR Ca2+-handling properties in contracting human skeletal muscle. Data collected in Chapter Two and Chapter Three were obtained using tissue prepared from a group of 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats (9 weeks of age; mass = 280 ± 4 g: X ± S.E). Crude muscle homogenates (11:1 dilution) were prepared from selected hind limb muscles (soleus, SOL; extensor digitorum longus, EDL; the red portion of gastrocnemius, RG; and the white portion of gastrocnemius, WG) and the left ventricle (LV). Enriched SR membrane fractions, prepared from WG and LV, were also analyzed. A spectrophotometric assay was used to measure kinetic properties of SERCA, namely, maximal SERCA activity (Vmax), and Ca2+-sensitivity was characterized by both the Ca50, which is defined as the free Ca2+-concentration needed to elicit 50% Vmax, and the Hill coefficient (nH), which is defined as the relationship between SERCA activity and Ca2+f for 10 to 90% Vmax. The observations made in Chapter Two indicated that b-adrenergic signaling, activated by epinephrine, increased (P<0.05) Ca2+-sensitivity, as shown by a left-shift in Ca50 (i.e. reduced Ca50), without altering Vmax in LV and SOL but had no effect (P<0.05) on EDL, RG, or WG. Further analysis using a combination of cAMP, the PKA activator forskolin, and/or the PKA inhibitor KT5270 indicated that the reduced Ca50 in LV was activated by cAMP- and PKA-signaling mechanisms. However, although the reduced Ca50 in SOL was cAMP-dependent, it was not influenced by a PKA-dependent mechanism. In contrast to the effects of b-adrenergic signaling, CaMKII activation increased SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity, as shown by a left-shift in Ca50 and increased nh, without altering SERCA Vmax in LV but was without effect in any of the skeletal muscles examined. The PKC activator PMA significantly reduced SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity, by inducing a right-shift in Ca50 and decreased nH in the LV and all skeletal muscles examined. PKC activation also reduced Vmax in the fast-twitch skeletal muscles (i.e. EDL, RG and WG), but did not alter Vmax in LV or SOL. The results of Chapter Three indicated that insulin signaling increased SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity, as shown by a left-shift in Ca50 (i.e. reduced Ca50) and an increased nH, without altering SERCA Vmax in crude muscle homogenates prepared from LV, SOL, EDL, RG, and WG. An increase in SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity was also observed in enriched SERCA1a and SERCA2a vesicles when an activated form of the insulin receptor (A-INS-R) was included during biochemical analyses. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments were conducted and indicated that IRS-1 and IRS-2 proteins bind SERCA1a and SERCA2a in an insulin-dependent manner. However, the binding of IRS proteins with SERCA does not appear to alter the structural integrity of the SERCA Ca2+-binding site since no changes in NCD-4 fluorescence were observed in response to insulin or A-INS-R. Moreover, the increase in SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity due to insulin signaling was not associated with changes in the phosphorylation status of phospholamban (PLN) since Ser16 or Thr17 phosphorylation was not altered by insulin or A-INS-R in LV tissue. The data described in Chapter Four was collected from 15 untrained human participants (peak O2 consumption, VO2peak= 3.45 ± 0.17 L/min) who completed a standardized cycle test (~60% VO2peak) on two occasions during which they were provided either an artificially sweetened placebo (PLAC) or a 6% glucose (GLUC) beverage (~1.00 g CHO per kg body mass). Muscle biopsies were collected from the vastus lateralis at rest, after 30 min and 90 min of exercise and at fatigue in both conditions to allow assessment of metabolic and SR data. Glucose supplementation increased exercise ride time by ~19% (137 ± 7 min) compared to PLAC (115 ± 6 min). This performance increase was associated with elevated plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and reduced catecholamine concentrations during GLUC compared to PLAC. Prolonged exercise reduced (p<0.05) SR Ca2+-uptake, Vmax, Phase 1 and Phase 2 Ca2+-release rates during both PLAC and GLUC. However, no differences in SR Ca2+-handling properties were observed between conditions when direct comparisons were made at matched time points between PLAC and GLUC. In summary, the results of the first study (Chapter Two) indicate that b-adrenergic and CaMKII signaling increases SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity in the LV and SOL; while PKC signaling reduces SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity in all tissues. PKC activation also reduces Vmax in the fast-twitch skeletal muscles (i.e. EDL, RG, and WG) but has no effect on Vmax in the LV and SOL. The results of the second study (Chapter Three) indicate that insulin signaling acutely increases the Ca2+-sensitivity of SERCA1a and SERCA2a in all tissues examined, without altering the Vmax. Based on our observations, it appears that the increase in SERCA Ca2+-sensitivity may be regulated, in part, through the interaction of IRS proteins with SERCA1a and SERCA2a. The results of the final study (Chapter Four) indicate that alterations in plasma glucose, epinephrine and insulin concentrations associated with glucose supplementation during exercise, do not alter the time course or magnitude of reductions in SERCA or Ca2+-release channel (CRC) function in working human skeletal muscle. Although glucose supplementation did increase exercise ride time to fatigue in this study, our data does not reveal an association with SR Ca2+-cycling measured in vitro. It is possible that the strength of exercise signal overrides the hormonal influences observed in resting muscles. Additionally, these data do not rule out the possibility that glucose supplementation may influence E-C coupling processes or SR Ca2+-cycling properties in vivo.

Observational studies have indicated that fruit and vegetables, and dietary antioxidants may play an important role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, potentially by affecting pathogenic mechanisms such as oxidative stress and inflammation. Clinical trials investigating the effects of supplementation with single or a few antioxidants in high doses have, however, shown inconsistent results and thus have not been able to support the observational findings. It was therefore hypothesised that a supplement, containing a combination of antioxidants mainly extracted from fruit and vegetables, and supplied at moderate doses, might act more beneficially than single antioxidants given at pharmacological doses. The effects of such a supplement were investigated in two interventional studies described in this thesis. The effects on antioxidant status, metabolic control, oxidative stress and inflammation were investigated in overweight men and in patients with type 2 diabetes, subjects that could be expected to have elevated levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory activity. The results of the studies did not support the hypothesis that supplementation with antioxidants from fruit and vegetables may have beneficial effects by counteracting oxidative stress and inflammation, despite markedly increased plasma antioxidant concentrations. However, interesting associations were observed in diabetes patients at baseline between intake of antioxidant rich food as well as levels of antioxidants in plasma, and markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. These associations are compatible with the hypothesis that a high intake of fruit and vegetables and dietary antioxidants decrease oxidative stress levels, have anti-inflammatory effects and a beneficial influence on glycaemic control. The results also indicated that glycaemic control may affect the level of oxidative stress. The absence of beneficial effects from antioxidants might to some extent be explained by the initial levels of oxidative stress and inflammation and by the antioxidative status in the subjects included in the studies. Since the levels generally were comparable with those observed in healthy subjects, this might have decreased the ability to observe any beneficial effects of supplementation with additional antioxidants. Continued investigations are needed to characterise the individuals who potentially might benefit from antioxidant supplementation. In view of apparent positive effects from a high intake of fruit and vegetables found in observational studies and until more knowledge is available from interventional trials about possible benefits and potential risks of antioxidant supplementation it still seems reasonable to recommend a diet rich in fruit and vegetables.

Anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in infancy are common in low-income settings. These are partly due to maternal malnutrition and may impair child health and development. We studied the impact of maternal food and micronutrient supplementation, duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), growth and infection on infant anemia and micronutrient status. In the MINIMat trial in Matlab, Bangladesh, pregnant women were randomized to Early or Usual promotion of enrolment in a food supplementation program and to one of three daily micronutrient supplements. Capsules containing 400µg folic acid and (a) 30 mg iron (Fe30Fol), (b) 60 mg iron (Fe60Fol), (c) 30 mg iron and other micronutrients (MMS) were provided from week 14 of gestation. Capsule intake was assessed with the eDEM device recording supplement container openings. Blood samples (n=2377) from women at week 14 and 30 were analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb). Duration of EBF and infant morbidity was based on monthly maternal recalls. Infants were weighed and measured monthly. Blood samples (n=1066) from 6-months-old infants were analyzed for Hb and plasma ferritin, zinc, retinol, vitamin B12 and folate. In women, Hb increase per capsule reached a plateau at 60 Fe60Fol capsules, indicating that nine weeks of daily supplementation produced maximum Hb response. Anemia was common (36%) at capsule intakes &gt;60 indicating other causes of anemia than iron deficiency. In infants, vitamin B12 deficiency prevalence was lower in the MMS (26.1%) than in the Fe30Fol group (36.5%), (p=0.003) and zinc deficiency prevalence was lower in the Usual than in the Early group. There were no other differential effects of food or micronutrient supplementation on infant anemia or micronutrient status. Infants exclusively breast-fed for 4-6 months had a higher mean plasma zinc concentration (9.9±2.3 µmol/L) than infants exclusively breast-fed for &lt;4 months (9.5±2.0 µmol/L), (p&lt; 0.01). No other differences in anemia, iron or zinc status were observed between EBF categories. Infection, low birth weight and iron deficiency were independent risk factors for infant anemia. Regardless of studied interventions, prevalence of anemia (43%), deficiency of zinc (56%), vitamin B12, vitamin A (19%) and iron (22%) in infancy was high and further preventive strategies are needed. / MINIMat

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious birth defects that affect 3,000 pregnancies in the United States annually. All women of childbearing age are recommended to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily for the prevention of NTDs. Women aged 18 to 24 years have multiple risk factors for having an NTD-affected pregnancy and should be targeted by efforts to promote folic acid consumption. Survey data capturing folic acid awareness, knowledge, and supplementation behavior of women aged 18 to 24 years who are not contemplating pregnancy were examined to identify the relationship of folic acid awareness and knowledge to daily supplementation with folic acid in an effort to predict the effectiveness of education-only interventions. Results of the study suggested that awareness and knowledge was not consistently related to daily supplementation. An evaluation of qualitative data using the Health Belief Model offers explanations for the findings and recommendations for targeting these at-risk women.

Background Hypovitaminosis D is becoming recognised as an emerging threat to health, even in countries like New Zealand which enjoy plentiful sunshine. The evidence for a role for vitamin D deficiency in the aetiology of a plethora of diseases continues to accumulate, including type 2 diabetes, and the preceding insulin resistance. Objectives The primary objective of the Surya Study was to investigate the effect of improved vitamin D status (through supplementation) on insulin resistance. The secondary objectives were to investigate the vitamin D status and bone mineral density of South Asian women living in New Zealand, and to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone turnover as measured by biochemical markers of bone resorption and formation. Method Women of South Asian origin, ≥20 years old, living in Auckland (n = 235) were recruited for the study. All were asked to complete a 4-day food diary, invited to have a bone scan, and were screened for entry into the intervention phase which required insulin resistance (HOMA-IR >1.93) and serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L. Eighty-one completed a 6-month randomised controlled trial with 4000 IU vitamin D3 (n = 42) or placebo (n = 39). Primary endpoint measures included insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity (HOMA2%S), fasting C-peptide and markers of bone turnover, osteocalcin (OC) and collagen C-telopeptide (CTX). Ninety-one of the 239 had a bone scan and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the proximal femur and lumbar spine. Results Adequate serum 25(OH)D concentrations (>50 nmol/L) were observed in only 16% of subjects screened. Median (25th, 75th percentile) serum 25(OH)D increased significantly from 21 (11,40) to 75 (55,84) nmol/L with supplementation. Significant improvements were seen in insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance (P = 0·003, P = 0·02 respectively), and circulating serum insulin decreased (P = 0·02) with supplementation compared to placebo. There was no change in C-peptide with supplementation. Insulin resistance was most improved when endpoint serum 25(OH)D =80 nmol/L. In post-menopausal women OC and CTX levels increased in the placebo arm but CTX decreased from 0.39±0.15 to 0.36±0.17 (P = 0.012) with supplementation. Osteoporosis (T score <-2.5) was present in 32% of postmenopausal, and 3% of premenopausal women. Women 20 – 29 years (n=10) had very low BMD, calcium intake and serum 25(OH)D Conclusions Improving vitamin D status in insulin resistant women resulted in improved insulin resistance and sensitivity but no change in insulin secretion. Optimal 25(OH)D concentrations for reducing insulin resistance were shown to be ≥80 nmol/L. The prevalence of low 25(OH)D concentrations in this population was alarmingly high, especially in younger women. In post-menopausal women, vitamin D supplementation appeared to ameliorate increased bone turnover attributed to oestrogen deficiency.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-02-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:05:24Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 morais_jas_dr_jabo.pdf: 409768 bytes, checksum: b454869362f63b6dd4c538254cae1c13 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O trabalho teve por objetivo estimar a ingestão de matéria seca (IMS) e a digestibilidade da matéria seca (DMS) em bovinos alimentados com Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. Para isso, foram realizados 3 experimentos. O primeiro experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de validar a metodologia dos n-alcanos para estimar a produção fecal, ingestão e digestibilidade em novilhos Nelore alimentados com capim Marandu em duas diferentes idades de rebrota. No segundo experimento, avaliaram-se os efeitos da redução da freqüência de suplementação no desempenho, IMS, DMS e tempo de pastejo de novilhos mantidos em pastagem de capim Marandu de fevereiro a maio de 2006 e onde foi oferecido um suplemento a base de glúten de milho na quantidade de 0,5% do peso corporal/dia. O terceiro experimento foi realizado para verificar as implicações da redução da freqüência de fornecimento da suplementação na fermentação ruminal de novilhos mantidos em pastagem com capim Marandu. Como principais resultados observou-se que o par de alcanos C32:C33 foi adequado para estimar a IMS e o alcano C35 para estimar a DMS. O mês do ano exerceu importante efeito na disponibilidade e composição bromatológica da forragem, na IMS, na DMS, na produção de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta... / The objectives of this work were to estimate the dry matter intake (DMI) and the dry matter digestibility (DMD) in beef cattle feeding Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. For that, 3 experiments were accomplished. In the first experiment, the objective was to analyser the n-alkanes methodology to estimate the faecal production, intake and digestibility in Nelore steers feeding with Marandu grass in two different regrowth ages. In the second experiment, was evaluated the effect of the reduction of the supplementation frequency in the performance, DMI, DMD and grazing time of steers maintained in grazing of Marandu grass of February to May of 2006 and receiving a supplement the base of corn gluten in the amount of 0.5% of the body weight/day. The third experiment was accomplished to verify the implications of the decreasing the frequency of supplementation in the ruminal fermentation of steers maintained in Marandu pasture. Observed that the pair of alkanes C32:C33 was suitable to estimate DMI and the alkane C35 to estimate DMD. The month of the year cause important effect in the forage availability and the bromathologic composition, in the DMI, DMD and short-chain fatty acids production and, consequently, in the performance of bovine in pasture. The supplementation frequency doesn't affect DMI, the digestibility and the performance of bovine... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

Chez les Mammifères, le succès de la fécondation et d’un développement embryonnaire viable résident principalement dans la qualité des cellules reproductrices : les gamètes mâles (spermatozoïdes) et femelles (ovocytes) apportant chacun la moitié du patrimoine génétique du futur individu. Dès lors que ce patrimoine génétique est endommagé par différents processus tels que les attaques radicalaires communément appelées stress oxydant, cela peut compromettre la qualité des gamètes et par conséquent le succès de la reproduction. En effet, les dommages oxydants à l’ADN spermatique sont une des causes d’infertilité masculine fréquemment associés aux échecs reproductifs dans le cadre de conception naturelle ou artificielle chez l’homme. Afin de mieux appréhender l’impact des dommages oxydants sur la qualité des spermatozoïdes, notre équipe a généré des modèles murins présentant des atteintes oxydantes de l’ADN associées à des échecs reproductifs. Dans un de ces modèles nous avons pu montrer que tout le noyau spermatique n’était pas concerné de la même façon par les altérations oxydantes. De même, à l’échelle des chromosomes murins les investigations de l’équipe suggéraient que tous n’étaient concernés de la même façon. Dans ce travail de thèse, j’ai développé et mis en œuvre des protocoles d’hybridation in situ en fluorescence (FISH) permettant de montrer que la susceptibilité des chromosomes à l’oxydation est déterminée par la position des chromosomes dans le noyau spermatique murin. En parallèle de cette étude, je me suis intéressé à l’épigénome spermatique et plus particulièrement à la méthylation de l’ADN en conditions de stress oxydant. Les résultats préliminaires montrent qu’un environnement post-testiculaire pro-oxydant peut altérer le profil épigénétique spermatique. Dans un développement pré-clinique du sujet, j’ai contribué à montrer qu’une supplémentation orale antioxydante permettait de corriger les dommages oxydants à l’ADN, en modifiant la réponse antioxydante globale du tissu épididymaire des animaux. / In Mammals, the success of fertilization and embryonic development, are associated to the quality of the reproductive cells: male gametes (spermatozoa) and female gametes (oocytes); each bringing half of the genetic heritage of the future individual. This genetic heritage may be compromised by various processes a very common one being radical attacks in cases of oxidative stress, it could diminish the quality of gametes and therefore the success of reproduction. It is well described that sperm DNA oxidative damage (SDOD) is one of the causes of male infertility frequently associated with reproductive failures in the context of natural or artificial conception in humans. To better understand the impact of oxidative damage on the quality of sperm, our team generated mouse models with SDOD. Characterization of these transgenic mice has shown that SDOD alone was associated with increased embryo defects, miscarriages and perinatal mortality. The team also brought forward that SDOD concerns preferentially specific regions of the sperm nucleus. In addition, the team suggested that sperm chromosomes were not identically susceptible to oxidative damage.In this thesis work, I developed and implemented fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) protocols to study chromosome positioning in the mouse sperm. I confirmed that susceptibility of chromosomes to oxidation is determined by their position in the murine sperm nucleus. In parallel, I addressed the question whether the sperm epigenome (particularly DNA methylation) was modified in a situation of post-testicular oxidative stress. Preliminary results seem to show that SDOD disturbs the sperm epigenetic profile.In parallel, in a pre-clinical approach, I contributed to show that an oral antioxidant supplementation can correct SDOD by modifying the antioxidant response of the epididymal tissue of the treated animals.