Diets high in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, have been used to mitigate metabolic syndrome (MetS). Polyphenols are a large group of naturally occurring bioactive compounds, classified into two main classes: non-flavonoids and flavonoids. Flavonoids are distributed in foods, such as fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine, and cocoa. Studies have already demonstrated the benefits of flavonoids on the cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as cancer cells. The present review summarizes the results of clinical studies that evaluated the effects of flavonoids on the components of the MetS and associated complications when offered as supplements over the long term. The results show that flavonoids can significantly modulate several metabolic parameters, such as lipid profile, blood pressure, and blood glucose. Only theaflavin and catechin were unable to affect metabolic parameters. Moreover, only body weight and body mass index were unaltered. Thus, the evidence presented in this systematic review offers bases in support of a flavonoid supplementation, held for at least 3 weeks, as a strategy to improve several metabolic parameters and, consequently, reduce the risk of diseases associated with MetS. This fact becomes stronger due to the rare side effects reported with flavonoids.

Purpose Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often exhibit difficulties in feeding resulting from deficits in chewing. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Ltryptophan (TRI) to reduce deficits in chewing in rats subjected to an experimental model of CP. Methods A total of 80 Wistar albino rats were used. Pups were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups: Control Saline, Control TRI, CP Saline, and CP TRI groups. The experimental model of CP was based on the combination of perinatal anoxia associated with postnatal sensorimotor restriction of the hind limbs. TRI was administered subcutaneously during the lactation period. Anatomical and behavioral parameters were evaluated during maturation, including body weight gain, food intake, chewing movements, relative weight and the distribution of the types of masseter muscle fibers. Results The induction of CP limited body weight gain, decreased food intake and led to impairment in the morphological and functional parameters of chewing. Moreover, for a comparable amount of food ingested, CP TRI animals grew the most. In addition, supplementation with TRI improved the number of chewing movements, and increased the weight and proportion of type IIB fibers of the masseter in rats subjected to CP. Conclusion These results demonstrate that experimental CP impaired the development of mastication and that TRI supplementation increased masticatory Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems Corporation maturation in animals subjected to CP.

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Children who suffer from cerebral palsy (CP) often present comorbidities in the form of oro-facial dysfunctions. Studies in animals have contributed to elaborate potential therapies aimed at minimising the chronic disability of the syndrome. To systematically review the scientific literature regarding the possible effects that experimental models of CP can have on oro-facial functions. Two independent authors conducted a systematic review in the electronic databases Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science and Lilacs, using Mesh and Decs terms in animal models. The motor and sensory parameters of sucking, chewing and swallowing were considered as primary outcomes; reactivity odour, controlled salivation, postural control, head mobility during feeding and the animal's ability to acquire food were secondary outcomes. Ten studies were included in the present review. Most studies used rabbits as experimental models of CP, which was induced by either hypoxia-ischemia, inflammation or intraventricular haemorrhage. Oro-facial functions were altered in all experimental models of CP. However, we found more modifications in hypoxia-ischemia models overall. On the other hand, the model of inflammation was more effective to reproduce higher damage for coordinating sucking and swallowing. All of the CP experimental models that were assessed modified the oral functions in different animal species. However, further studies should be conducted in order to clarify the mechanisms underlying oro-facial damage in order to optimise treatment strategies for children who suffer from CP.

The REV‐ERBα receptor has a recognised role in the regulation of the circadian rhythm system. However, recent evidence suggests that it also contributes to energy balance regulation. Both expression and function of REV‐ERBα can be influenced by the energy status of the body. Considering the possibility of the involvement of REV‐ERBα in the regulation of energy balance, which is critically regulated by the hypothalamus, and based on the impact of intermittent fasting, the present study evaluated the effects of central administration of REV‐ERBα agonist on energy balance in rats exposed to 24 hours of fasting or ad lib. feeding conditions. Initially, 24‐hour fasted rats received an acute i.c.v. administration of agonist at doses of 1, 5, 10 or 15 μg per rat and feed efficiency was evaluated. Because 10 μg was a sufficient dose to affect feed efficiency, subsequent experiments used this dose to assess effects of agonist on the following parameters: energy expenditure induced by physical activity and locomotor activity, time spent in physical activity over 24 hours, and glucose and insulin tolerance. In fasted rats, the agonist promoted increased food intake and feed efficiency, with a greater body weight gain associated with less time spent in locomotor activity, suggesting a reduction in energy expenditure induced by physical activity. Furthermore, a reduction in glucose tolerance was noted. By contrast, free‐fed rats exhibited reduced food intake and feed efficiency with decreased body weight gain along with an increase in locomotor activity and physical activity‐dependent energy expenditure. Thus, i.c.v. administration of REV‐ERBα agonist regulates energy balance depending on the energy status of the organism; that is, it promotes a positive energy balance in the fasted state and a negative energy balance in the fed state. These results may be useful in understanding the underlying mechanisms of energy balance disorders and intermittent fasting for body weight control.

The serotoninergic system controls key events related to proper nervous system development. The neurotransmitter serotonin and the serotonin transporter are critical for this control. Availability of these components is minutely regulated during the development period, and the environment may affect their action on the nervous system. Environmental factors such as undernutrition and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may increase the availability of serotonin in the synaptic cleft and change its anorectic action. The physiological responses promoted by serotonin on intake control decrease when requested by acute stimuli or stress, demonstrating that animals or individuals develop adaptations in response to the environmental insults they experience during the development period. Diseases, such as anxiety and obesity, appear to be associated with the body’s response to stress or stimulus, and require greater serotonergic system action. These findings demonstrate the importance of the level of serotonin in the perinatal period to the development of molecular and morphological aspects of food intake control, and its decisive role in understanding the possible environmental factors that cause diseases in adulthood.

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Cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by brain damage at a critical period of development of the central nervous system, and, as a result, motor, behavioural and learning deficits are observed in those affected. Flavonoids such as kaempferol have demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties for neurological disorders. This study aimed to assess the effects of neonatal treatment with kaempferol on the body development, grip strength, gait performance and morphological and biochemical phenotype of skeletal muscle in rats subjected to a model of CP. The groups were formed by randomly allocating male Wistar rats after birth to four groups as follows: C = control treated with vehicle, K = control treated with kaempferol, CP = CP treated with vehicle and CPK = CP treated with kaempferol. The model of CP involved perinatal anoxia and sensorimotor restriction of the hind paws during infancy, from the second to the 28th day of postnatal life. Treatment with kaempferol (1 mg/kg) was performed intraperitoneally during the neonatal period. Body weight and length, muscle strength, gait kinetics and Abbreviations: CP, cerebral palsy; LH, left hind paw; PA, perinatal anoxia; p-AKT, phospho-protein kinase B/AKT; p-S6, phospho-ribosomal protein S6; P, postnatal day; RH, right hind paw.