No abstract

The effects of environmental factors in the pre-weaning period on the subsequent growth of mice were studied. The variance caused by maternal effects, i.e. by environmental factors common to litter-mates, increased from birth to 4 weeks of age (1 week after weaning) and then decreased by about 60% between 4 and 8 weeks. Furthermore, a high litter weight at 4 weeks was followed by low subsequent growth and vice versa. The occurrence of compensatory growth from 4 weeks onwards was thus established. In contrast, the genetically determined variation of body weight did not show any reduction during the period of compensation, but increased up to 8 weeks of age.The modification of the growth curve, by which compensation was achieved, was then studied. It was found that the inflexion point separating the initial phase of exponential growth from the subsequent phase of asymptotic growth corresponded closely with the attainment of sexual maturity in females, as judged by the opening of the vagina. Sexual maturity was reached at approximately the same weight in all litters, but at widely different ages. Thus, litters with rapid early growth as a result of a good maternal environment reached sexual maturity and consequently entered the asymptotic phase early, while litters with slow early growth entered the asymptotic phase late. Compensatory growth was therefore achieved through curtailment or prolongation of the exponential phase of growth.

Changes in lipid metabolism occur during the development and progression non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the fatty acid (FA) profile in red blood cells (RBC) from patients with liver fibrosis remains unexplored. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the fatty acid profile in RBC, dietary lipid intake and insulin resistance indicators in patients with NAFLD, according to the degree of hepatic fibrosis. Using elastography, patients were classified with (n = 52) and without (n = 37) advanced liver fibrosis. The fatty acid profile in RBC was analyzed using gas chromatography and the lipid intake was evaluated through a 24-h dietary recall. Subjects with advanced liver fibrosis had higher levels of palmitic, stearic and oleic acid and total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and insulin (p < 0.05), and lower levels of elongase very long chain fatty acids protein-6 and the delta-5-desaturase enzymatic activity (p < 0.05). These results suggest a lack of regulation of enzymes related to FA metabolism in patients with advanced fibrosis.

Objective To describe meal consumption habits and assess their associations with anthropometric indicators. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 1,749 elementary and high school students from public and private schools in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (mean age=15.3 years), who were selected for the baseline of the Longitudinal Study for Nutritional Assessment of Adolescents. Meal habits and meals consumed in the company of parents were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The consumption of the main meals was categorized as regular (daily) or irregular (≤6 times a week). The meal consumption profile was considered either satisfactory (breakfast, lunch, and dinner consumed on a daily basis) or unsatisfactory. Body Mass Index, waist-to-height ratio, and body fat percentage were calculated. The association between meal consumption habits and anthropometric indicators was estimated using multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for age and sex and stratified according to the type of school. Results Regular lunch consumption was more frequent among private schools students, who also had higher frequency of eating dinner irregularly. Among students from private schools, the unsatisfactory meal consumption profile and irregular meal habits were associated with being overweight, having a high waist-to-height ratio, and increased body fat percentage. Among students from public schools, it was observed association between being overweight with irregular breakfast habits. Conclusion In adolescents, the association between meal habits and weight status may be modulated by socioeconomic condition.

Level V, descriptive studies.