Oxidative stress defines a condition in which the prooxidant–antioxidant balance in the cell is disturbed, resulting in DNA hydroxylation, protein denaturation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis, ultimately compromising cells’ viability Probiotics have been known for many beneficial health effects, and the consumption of probiotics alone or in food shows that strain-specific probiotics can present antioxidant activity and reduce damages caused by oxidation However, the oxidation-resistant ability of probiotics, especially the underling mechanisms, is not properly understood In this view, there is interest to figure out the antioxidant property of probiotics and summarize the mode of action of probiotic bacteria in antioxidation Therefore, in the present paper, the antioxidant mechanisms of probiotics have been reviewed in terms of their ability to improve the antioxidant system and their ability to decrease radical generation Since in recent years, oxidative stress has been associated with an altered gut microbiota, the effects of probiotics on intestinal flora composition are also elaborated

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/5/521/pdf

Antioxidant Properties of Probiotic Bacteria.

The gut microbiota has been recognized as an important factor in the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity and is considered an endocrine organ involved in the maintenance of energy homeostasis and host immunity. Dysbiosis can change the functioning of the intestinal barrier and the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) by allowing the passage of structural components of bacteria, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which activate inflammatory pathways that may contribute to the development of insulin resistance. Furthermore, intestinal dysbiosis can alter the production of gastrointestinal peptides related to satiety, resulting in an increased food intake. In obese people, this dysbiosis seems be related to increases of the phylum Firmicutes, the genus Clostridium, and the species Eubacterium rectale, Clostridium coccoides, Lactobacillus reuteri, Akkermansia muciniphila, Clostridium histolyticum, and Staphylococcus aureus.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/19490976.2018.1465157

The human gut microbiota: Metabolism and perspective in obesity.

The gut microbiome contributes approximately 2kg of the whole body weight, and recent studies suggest that gut microbiota has a profound effect on human metabolism, potentially contributing to several features of the metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is defined by a clustering of metabolic disorders that include central adiposity with visceral fat accumulation, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, dysglycemia and non-optimal blood pressure levels. Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that around 20-25 percent of the world's adult population has metabolic syndrome. In this manuscript, we have reviewed the existing data linking gut microbiome with metabolic syndrome. Existing evidence from studies both in animals and humans support a link between gut microbiome and various components of metabolic syndrome. Possible pathways include involvement with energy homeostasis and metabolic processes, modulation of inflammatory signaling pathways, interferences with the immune system, and interference with the renin-angiotensin system. Modification of gut microbiota via prebiotics, probiotics or other dietary interventions has provided evidence to support a possible beneficial effect of interventions targeting gut microbiota modulation to treat components or complications of metabolic syndrome.

Gut microbiome and metabolic syndrome

Importance Probiotics have been hypothesized to affect immunologic responses to environmental exposures by supporting healthy gut microbiota and could therefore theoretically be used to prevent the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)–associated islet autoimmunity. Objective To examine the association between supplemental probiotic use during the first year of life and islet autoimmunity among children at increased genetic risk of T1DM. Design, Setting, and Participants In this ongoing prospective cohort study that started September 1, 2004, children from 6 clinical centers, 3 in the United States (Colorado, Georgia/Florida, and Washington) and 3 in Europe (Finland, Germany, and Sweden), were followed up for T1DM-related autoantibodies. Blood samples were collected every 3 months between 3 and 48 months of age and every 6 months thereafter to determine persistent islet autoimmunity. Details of infant feeding, including probiotic supplementation and infant formula use, were monitored from birth using questionnaires and diaries. We applied time-to-event analysis to study the association between probiotic use and islet autoimmunity, stratifying by country and adjusting for family history of type 1 diabetes, HLA-DR-DQ genotypes, sex, birth order, mode of delivery, exclusive breastfeeding, birth year, child’s antibiotic use, and diarrheal history, as well as maternal age, probiotic use, and smoking. Altogether 8676 infants with an eligible genotype were enrolled in the follow-up study before the age of 4 months. The final sample consisted of 7473 children with the age range of 4 to 10 years (as of October 31, 2014). Exposures Early intake of probiotics. Main Outcomes and Measures Islet autoimmunity revealed by specific islet autoantibodies. Results Early probiotic supplementation (at the age of 0-27 days) was associated with a decreased risk of islet autoimmunity when compared with probiotic supplementation after 27 days or no probiotic supplementation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% CI, 0.46-0.94). The association was accounted for by children with the DR3/4 genotype (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.21-0.74) and was absent among other genotypes (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.62-1.54). Conclusions and Relevance Early probiotic supplementation may reduce the risk of islet autoimmunity in children at the highest genetic risk of T1DM. The result needs to be confirmed in further studies before any recommendation of probiotics use is made.

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Association of Early Exposure of Probiotics and Islet Autoimmunity in the TEDDY Study

Kefir is fermented milk produced from grains that comprise a specific and complex mixture of bacteria and yeasts that live in a symbiotic association. The nutritional composition of kefir varies according to the milk composition, the microbiological composition of the grains used, the time/temperature of fermentation and storage conditions. Kefir originates from the Caucasus and Tibet. Recently, kefir has raised interest in the scientific community due to its numerous beneficial effects on health. Currently, several scientific studies have supported the health benefits of kefir, as reported historically as a probiotic drink with great potential in health promotion, as well as being a safe and inexpensive food, easily produced at home. Regular consumption of kefir has been associated with improved digestion and tolerance to lactose, antibacterial effect, hypocholesterolaemic effect, control of plasma glucose, anti-hypertensive effect, anti-inflammatory effect, antioxidant activity, anti-carcinogenic activity, anti-allergenic activity and healing effects. A large proportion of the studies that support these findings were conducted in vitro or in animal models. However, there is a need for systematic clinical trials to better understand the effects of regular use of kefir as part of a diet, and for their effect on preventing diseases. Thus, the present review focuses on the nutritional and microbiological composition of kefir and presents relevant findings associated with the beneficial effects of kefir on human and animal health.

Milk kefir: nutritional, microbiological and health benefits.

Diabetes is a condition of multifactorial origin, involving several molecular mechanisms related to the intestinal microbiota for its development. In type 2 diabetes, receptor activation and recognition by microorganisms from the intestinal lumen may trigger inflammatory responses, inducing the phosphorylation of serine residues in insulin receptor substrate-1, reducing insulin sensitivity. In type 1 diabetes, the lowered expression of adhesion proteins within the intestinal epithelium favours a greater immune response that may result in destruction of pancreatic β cells by CD8+ T-lymphocytes, and increased expression of interleukin-17, related to autoimmunity. Research in animal models and humans has hypothesized whether the administration of probiotics may improve the prognosis of diabetes through modulation of gut microbiota. We have shown in this review that a large body of evidence suggests probiotics reduce the inflammatory response and oxidative stress, as well as increase the expression of adhesion proteins within the intestinal epithelium, reducing intestinal permeability. Such effects increase insulin sensitivity and reduce autoimmune response. However, further investigations are required to clarify whether the administration of probiotics can be efficiently used for the prevention and management of diabetes.

/pdf/gut-microbiota-probiotics-and-diabetes-52msyhx4ey.pdf

Gut microbiota, probiotics and diabetes.

There has been increasing interest in nuts and their outcome regarding human health. The consumption of nuts is frequently associated with reduction in risk factors for chronic diseases. Although nuts are high calorie foods, several studies have reported beneficial effects after nut consumption, due to fatty acid profiles, vegetable proteins, fibers, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and phytosterols with potential antioxidant action. However, the current findings about the benefits of nut consumption on human health have not yet been clearly discussed. This review highlights the effects of nut consumption on the context of human health.

/pdf/nuts-and-human-health-outcomes-a-systematic-review-28wytso0vm.pdf

Nuts and Human Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Este estudo descreve alguns resultados do sistema de monitoramento de fatores de risco para doencas cronicas por entrevistas telefonicas no Municipio de Goiânia, Goias, Brasil, 2005. Foi estudada amostra probabilistica (n = 2.002) da populacao adulta servida por linhas telefonicas residenciais fixas. Foram analisadas variaveis comportamentais (consumo alimentar, atividade fisica, tabagismo e consumo de bebida alcoolica), peso e altura referidos e referencia a diagnostico medico de doencas cronicas. Foram calculadas estimativas de prevalencia e valores de qui-quadrado. Observou-se baixo consumo de frutas e hortalicas (47,1%), alta frequencia de inatividade fisica ocupacional (86,6%), no deslocamento para o trabalho (92,6%) e lazer (61,9%), consumo excessivo de bebidas alcoolicas (23,2%), excesso de peso (36,5%), obesidade (10,6%), hipertensao arterial (22,4%), dislipidemias (18,4%) e diabetes (4,4%). A maioria dos fatores de risco apresentou associacao inversa com escolaridade e direta com idade, com diferencas significativas entre sexos (p < 0,05). Observou-se alta prevalencia dos fatores de risco de doencas cronicas nao transmissiveis e de auto-referidas. Aspectos positivos do sistema: baixo custo operacional, possibilidade de monitorar a carga e a tendencia das doencas cronicas nao transmissiveis no nivel local.

/pdf/surveillance-of-risk-factors-for-chronic-diseases-through-3wzgle5evw.pdf

[Surveillance of risk factors for chronic diseases through telephone interviews: experience in Goiânia, Goiás State, Brazil].

A baru almond-enriched diet reduces abdominal adiposity and improves high-density lipoprotein concentrations: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Os metodos de avaliacao da composicao corporal em obesos tem sido amplamente discutidos, uma vez que nesses individuos a avaliacao e dificultada devido as limitacoes dos equipamentos e caracteristicas dos metodos utilizados. Esta sessao tematica tem o objetivo de esclarecer as caracteristicas, vantagens e limitacoes dos metodos de avaliacao da composicao corporal em adultos obesos. A quantificacao de gordura corporal e mas-sa livre de gordura, assim como a avaliacao da perda de massa muscular e de massa ossea em obesos sao temas de grande interesse cientifico, uma vez que sao utilizados para diagnosticar a obesidade osteosarcopenica. A avaliacao da composicao corporal de obesos pelo modelo de multiplos compartimentos e padrao-ouro na pratica cientifica. Por outro lado, o metodo de absorciometria radiologica de feixe duplo e considerado o padrao de referencia em pesquisas e na pratica clinica. Estudos indicam que a ressonância magnetica e a tomografia computadorizada, em alguns casos, sao fortemente correlacionadas com a absorciometria radiologica de feixe duplo. Os demais metodos apresentam limitacoes em avaliar a composicao corporal, bem como suas modificacoes durante a reducao ponderal em individuos obesos.

/pdf/metodos-de-analise-da-composicao-corporal-em-adultos-obesos-10ypqm73fh.pdf

Rávila Graziany Machado de Souza

Papers

Gut microbiota, probiotics and diabetes.

Nuts and Human Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

[Surveillance of risk factors for chronic diseases through telephone interviews: experience in Goiânia, Goiás State, Brazil].

A baru almond-enriched diet reduces abdominal adiposity and improves high-density lipoprotein concentrations: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Métodos de análise da composição corporal em adultos obesos