BackgroundPoor adherence to non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension represents a serious challenge for public health policies in several countries. This study was conducted to compare two intervention strategies regarding the adherence of adult women to dietary changes recommended for the treatment of hypertension in a community covered by Primary Health Care Unit.MethodsThis study is a randomized controlled trial of a sample composed of 28 women with hypertension enrolled in the Primary Health Care Unit located in the urban area of southeastern Brazil. The participants were already undergoing treatment for hypertension but devoid of nutritional care; and were divided into two groups, each composed of 14 individuals, who received interventions that consisted of two different strategies of nutritional guidance: monthly health education workshops alone (Group 1) and combined with family orientation through home visits (Group 2). Adherence to nutritional guidelines was evaluated by dietary, anthropometric, clinical and serum biochemical parameters, measured before and after the interventions. Knowledge on control and risk of hypertension was also investigated. The study lasted five months.ResultsMean age was 55.6 (± 2.8) and 50.7 (± 6.5) in the groups 1 and 2, respectively. The home orientation strategy promoted greater adherence to dietary changes, leading to a statistically significant improvement in the clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and dietary parameters. The group 2 reduced the consumption of risk foods (p = 0.01), oil (p = 0.002) and sugar (p = 0.02), and decreased body mass index (-0.7 kg/m2; p = 0.01); waist circumference (-4.2 cm; p = 0.001), systolic blood pressure (-13 mm HG; p = 0.004) and glycemia (-18.9 mg/dl; p = 0. 01). In group 1 only waist circumference (-2 cm; p = 0.01) changed significantly.ConclusionNutritional orientations at the household level were more effective with regard to the adherence of individuals to non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension, regarding the reduction of clinical and behavioral risk parameters.

AimsThe aim of this clinical trial was to investigate the effects of probiotics on glycemic control and inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory markers in T2D.MethodsIn a double‐blind, randomized controlled trial, 50 subjects with T2D were assigned to two groups: probiotic group, consumed 120 g/d of fermented milk containing Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5 and Bifidobacterium lactis BB12 or placebo group, consumed 120 g/d of conventional fermented milk for 6 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, body composition and fasting blood were took at baseline and after 6 weeks intervention.ResultsThe study demonstrated a significant decrease in fructosamine levels (p = 0.05) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tended to be lower (p = 0.07) in probiotic group. TNF‐ α and resistin were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in both groups after end of trial, while IL‐10 was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) and adiponectin levels tended to be lower (p = 0.07) in the placebo group. There was a significant difference in mean changes of HbA1c, between groups (p < 0.05). No significant changes from baseline were shown in IL‐6 levels.ConclusionProbiotic consumption improved the glycemic control and prevented a reduction in anti‐inflamatory cytokines in T2D subjects. The Fermented milk intake seems to be involved with reductions in inflammatory markers.Research Support: Brazilian Foundation CAPES and CNPq

Obesity has been linked to the low-grade pro-inflammatory state and to the oxidative stress. The dietary addition of whole grains could prevent obesity and co-morbidities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different sorghum genotype, heat-treated flours in high-fat diets on the lipid profile, blood glucose, oxidative stress, inflammation and intestinal morphology in male adult Wistar rats. The animals were fed AIN-93M diet, high-fat diet control (DHC) and high-fat diet supplemented with sorghum BRS 305 (DHS 305), BRS 309 (DHS 309) and BRS 310 (DHS 310). The food consumption of the AIN-93M group was higher than the DHC, DHS 305 and DHS 310 groups (p<0.05). The energy consumption, final weight, body weight gain, epididymal fat, and food efficiency ratio were similar (p>0.05) between the experimental groups, as well as the concentrations of glucose, fructosamine, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, liver enzymes and superoxide dismutase. The DHS 310 group showed lower levels of malondialdehyde and TNF-α (p<0.05). The intestinal villi height of the DHC, DHS 305, DHS 309 and DHS 310 groups did not differ (p≥ 0.05). We conclude that the BRS 310 genotype was more efficient to decrease low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress and maintained intestinal morphology. Research Support:FAPEMIG and CNPq/Brazil.