Browsing by Author "Aires, L."
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- Bilirubin is independently associated with oxidized LDL levels in young obese patientsPublication . Nascimento, H.; Alves, A.; Coimbra, S.; Catarino, C.; Gomes, D.; Bronze-da-Rocha, E.; Costa, E.; Rocha-Pereira, P.; Aires, L.; Mota, J.; Mansilha, H.; Rêgo, C.; Santos-Silva, A.; Belo, L.BACKGROUND: Bilirubin can prevent lipid oxidation in vitro, but the association in vivo with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) levels has been poorly explored. Our aim is to the association of Ox-LDL with total bilirubin (TB) levels and with variables related with metabolic syndrome and inflammation, in young obese individuals. FINDINGS: 125 obese patients (13.4 years; 53.6% females) were studied. TB, lipid profile including Ox-LDL, markers of glucose metabolism, and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin were determined. Anthropometric data was also collected. In all patients, Ox-LDL correlated positively with BMI, total cholesterol, LDLc, triglycerides (TG), CRP, glucose, insulin and HOMAIR; while inversely with TB and HDLc/Total cholesterol ratio (P < 0.05 for all). In multiple linear regression analysis, LDLc, TG, HDLc and TB levels were significantly associated with Ox-LDL (standardized Beta: 0.656, 0.293, -0.283, -0.164, respectively; P < 0.01 for all). After removing TG and HDLc from the analysis, HOMAIR was included in the regression model. In this new model, LDLc remained the best predictor of Ox-LDL levels (β = 0.665, P < 0.001), followed by TB (β = -0.202, P = 0.002) and HOMAIR (β = 0.163, P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Lower bilirubin levels may contribute to increased LDL oxidation in obese children and adolescents, predisposing to increased cardiovascular risk.
- Body fat percentage is a major determinant of total bilirubin independently of UGT1A1*28 polymorphism in young obesePublication . Belo, L.; Nascimento, H.; Kohlova, M.; Bronze-da-Rocha, E.; Fernandes, J.; Costa, E.; Catarino, C.; Aires, L.; Mansilha, H.; Rocha-Pereira, P.; Quintanilha, A.; Rêgo, C.; Santos-Silva, A.OBJECTIVES: Bilirubin has potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The UGT1A1*28 polymorphism (TA repeats in the promoter region) is a major determinant of bilirubin levels and recent evidence suggests that raised adiposity may also be a contributing factor. We aimed to study the interaction between UGT1A1 polymorphism, hematological and anthropometric variables with total bilirubin levels in young individuals. METHODS: 350 obese (mean age of 11.6 years; 52% females) and 79 controls (mean age of 10.5 years; 59% females) were included. Total bilirubin and C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma levels, hemogram, anthropometric data and UGT1A1 polymorphism were determined. In a subgroup of 74 obese and 40 controls body composition was analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The UGT1A1 genotype frequencies were 49.9%, 42.7% and 7.5% for 6/6, 6/7 and 7/7 genotypes, respectively. Patients with 7/7 genotype presented the highest total bilirubin levels, followed by 6/7 and 6/6 genotypes. Compared to controls, obese patients presented higher erythrocyte count, hematocrit, hemoglobin and CRP levels, but no differences in bilirubin or in UGT1A1 genotype distribution. Body fat percentage was inversely correlated with bilirubin in obese patients but not in controls. This inverse association was observed either in 6/7 or 6/6 genotype obese patients. UGT1A1 polymorphism and body fat percentage were the main factors affecting bilirubin levels within obese patients (linear regression analysis). CONCLUSION: In obese children and adolescents, body fat composition and UGT1A1 polymorphism are independent determinants of total bilirubin levels. Obese individuals with 6/6 UGT1A1 genotype and higher body fat mass may benefit from a closer clinical follow-up.
- Comparison between CDC and WHO BMI z-score and their relation with metabolic risk markers in Northern Portuguese obese adolescentsPublication . Nascimento, H; Catarino, C; Mendonça, D; Oliveira, P; Alves, A; Medeiros, A; Rocha-Pereira, P; Rêgo, C; Mansilha, H; Aires, L.; Mota, J.; Quintanilha, A.; Santos-Silva, A.; Belo, L.Growth-curves are an important tool for evaluating the anthropometric development in pediatrics. The different growth-curves available are based in different populations, what leads to different cut-offs. Pediatric obesity tracks into adulthood and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The accurate assessment of a child nutritional status using growth-curves can indicate individuals that are either obese or in risk of becoming obese, allowing an early intervention. Moreover, the association between the data obtained from growth-curves with specific metabolic risk factors further highlights the importance of these charts. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between body mass index z-score (BMIzsc), determined using the growth-curves from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and from the World Health Organization (WHO), with cardiovascular risk factors, represented here by metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance (IR) related parameters. The study involved 246 obese adolescents (10-18 years, 122 females). MS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation. IR was considered for HOMA-IR greater than 2.5.
- Níveis de actividade física habitual em crianças obesas sujeitas a um programa de exercícioPublication . Aires, L.; Santos, P.; Ribeiro, J.; Rego, C.; Mota, J.RESUMO Este estudo tem como objectivo analisar as diferenças nos níveis de actividade física: 1) em dias úteis com sessões de actividade física orientada; 2) dias úteis sem sessões de actividade física orientada e 3) fim-de-semana. A amostra é constituída por 35 crianças e adolescentes (18 rapazes e 17 raparigas) com excesso de peso e obesidade, com idades compreendidas entre os 6 e os 14 anos, recrutadas de um grupo de atendimento hospitalar e participantes no Projecto ACORDA. O Acelerómetros foi utilizado como medida objectiva da actividade física habitual, durante 7 dias consecutivos. Os resultados mostram que os dias úteis com aula têm um volume superior e estatisticamente significativo (p≤0,05) de actividade (counts.min-1) em relação aos dias úteis sem aula e fim-desemana. A percentagem de tempo despendido em actividades moderadas, vigorosas e muito vigorosas (MVMV) nos dias úteis com aulas é superior à dos dias úteis sem aulas e ao fim de semana sem, contudo, apresentar diferenças estatisticamente significativas. Verifica- -se ainda uma homogeneidade dos padrões de actividade nos dias úteis com e sem intervenção e no fim-de-semana, com um pico de intensidade entre as 17h e às 19h no momento de actividade programada. Os resultados sugerem que um programa de actividade física pode ajudar a aumentar os níveis de actividade física em crianças obesas, com especial relevo para as actividades MVMV. Estes resultados reforçam a necessidade de programas de actividade física orientada para o aumento da actividade física habitual em crianças obesas. ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to analyse the differences in levels of physical activity in obese children participating in a physical activity (PA) program (ACORDA project). The sample comprised 35 obese children and adolescents (18 boys and 17 girls) aged 6-14 years (X=10,91 + 2,0 years-old; weight=55,98 + 12,45 Kg; height=1,48 + 0,12m; BMI= 24,79+ 3,95kg.m-1) recruited from a hospital trial. The accelerometer MTI Actigraph was used as an objective measure of daily physical activity over 7 consecutive days. The results showed that participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was higher (p<0. 05) during weekday with PA program compared to no PA program weekdays or weekend. Further it was observed that the activity patterns were similar in those periods, with a peak during the 17h-19h period (activity time). The results of this study suggested that a physical activity program can help increasing daily physical activity in obese children, with a special focus on MVPA level. Obese children are less active at weekend but they still have a similar physical activity pattern compared to no-program activity weekdays. These results highlight the importance of organized physical activity to improve daily physical activity in obese children.