The effects of a recreational soccer program (RSP) upon body composition, heart rate variability (HRV), biochemical markers, cardio-respiratory fitness, and endothelial function in obese adolescents were investigated. A randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted with 30 adolescents aged 12-17 years and body mass index (BMI) >2 standard deviations of WHO reference values, which were assigned to RSP (n = 10, 2 girls) and obese control (n = 10, 4 girls) groups. The 12-week RSP included 60-min sessions performed 3 times/week. BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profile, insulin, C-reactive protein, HRV, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak) were evaluated following standardised procedures. Body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and endothelial function by venous occlusion plethysmography. After intervention, RSP exhibited significant reductions in BMI (-0.7 ± 0.2 kg · m(-2)), waist circumference (-8.2 ± 1.4 cm), %body fat (-2.2 ± 0.4%), systolic blood pressure (-5.0 ± 2.3 mmHg), total cholesterol (-16.2 ± 5.8 mg · dL(-1)), triglycerides (-20.5 ± 12.9 mg · dL(-1)), C-reactive protein (-0.06 ± 0.01 mg · dL(-1)), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, -1.4 ± 0.6), and sympathetic activity (LF, -13.9 ± 6.6 un) vs. controls (P < 0.05). Significant increase was observed in parasympathetic activity (HF, 13.9 ± 6.6 un), VO2peak (7.9 ± 2.8 ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (11.0 ± 6.3 mg · dL(-1)) (P < 0.05). Vascular conductance (19.5 ± 8.1 ml · min(-1) · 100 ml, P = 0.005) increased and vascular resistance (-5.9 ± 2.4 ml · min(-1) · 100 ml, P = 0.041) decreased in RSP, but not in controls. A 12-week recreational soccer intervention was effective to improve biochemical, cardiovascular, and fitness health markers in obese adolescents.

Epidemiological studies show a higher prevalence of obesity in children from smoking mothers and smoking may affect human thyroid function. To evaluate the mechanism of smoking as an imprinting factor for these dysfunctions, we evaluated the programing effects of maternal nicotine (NIC) exposure during lactation. Two days after birth, osmotic minipumps were implanted in lactating rats, divided into: NIC (6 mg/kg per day s.c.) for 14 days; Control -saline. All the significant data were P!0 . 05 or less. Body weight was increased from 165 days old onwards in NIC offspring. Both during exposure (at 15 days old) and in adulthood (180 days old), NIC group showed higher total fat (27 and 33%). In addition, NIC offspring presented increased visceral fat and total body protein. Lipid profile was not changed in adulthood. Leptinemia was higher at 15 and 180 days old (36 and 113%), with no changes in food intake. Concerning the thyroid status, the 15-days-old NIC offspring showed lower serum-free tri-iodothyronine (FT 3 ) and thyroxine (FT 4 ) with higher TSH. The 180-days-old NIC offspring exhibited lower TSH, FT 3 , and FT 4 ). In both periods, liver type 1 deiodinase was lower (26 and 55%). We evidenced that NIC imprints a neonatal thyroid dysfunction and programs for a higher adiposity, hyperleptinemia, and secondary hypothyroidism in adulthood. Our study identifies lactation as a critical period to NIC programing for obesity, with hypothyroidism being a possible contributing factor.

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The findings of this study suggest that in obese prehypertensive women, short-term daily intake of GTE may decrease blood pressure.

We have shown that maternal nicotine exposure during lactation has long-lasting effects on body adiposity and hormonal status of rat offspring. Here, we studied the nutritional and hormonal profiles in this experimental model. Two days after birth, osmotic minipumps were implanted in lactating rats divided into two groups: NICcontinuous s.c. infusions of nicotine (6 mg/kg per day) for 14 days and C -saline. Dams and pups were killed at 15 and 21 days of lactation. Body weight and food intake were evaluated. Milk, blood, visceral fat, carcass, and adrenal gland were collected. All the significant data were P!0 . 05. At the end of nicotine exposure (15 days), dams presented higher milk production, hyperprolactinemia, and higher serum highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Milk from NIC dams had higher lactose concentration and energy content. After nicotine withdrawal (21 days), dams showed lower food intake and hyperleptinemia. The 15-day-old NIC pups presented higher total body fat, higher HDL-C, serum leptin, serum corticosterone, and adrenal catecholamine content, but lower tyrosine hydroxylase protein levels. The 21-day-old NIC pups had higher body protein content and serum globulin. Thus, maternal nicotine exposure during lactation results in important changes in nutritional, biochemical, and hormonal parameters in dams and offspring. The pattern of these effects is clearly distinct when comparing the nicotineexposed group to the withdrawal group, which could be important for the programming effects observed previously.

Background. Hypertension and excess body weight are important risk factors for endothelial dysfunction. Recent evidence suggests that high-polyphenol dark chocolate improves endothelial function and lowers blood pressure. This study aimed to evaluate the association of chocolate 70% cocoa intake with metabolic profile, oxidative stress, inflammation, blood pressure, and endothelial function in stage 1 hypertensives with excess body weight. Methods. Intervention clinical trial includes 22 stage 1 hypertensives without previous antihypertensive treatment, aged 18 to 60 years and presents a body mass index between 25.0 and 34.9 kg/m2. All participants were instructed to consume 50 g of chocolate 70% cocoa/day (2135 mg polyphenols) for 4 weeks. Endothelial function was evaluated by peripheral artery tonometry using Endo-PAT 2000 (Itamar Medical). Results. Twenty participants (10 men) completed the study. Comparison of pre-post intervention revealed that (1) there were no significant changes in anthropometric parameters, percentage body fat, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, biomarkers of inflammation, adhesion molecules, oxidized LDL, and blood pressure; (2) the assessment of endothelial function through the reactive hyperemia index showed a significant increase: 1.94 ± 0.18 to 2.22 ± 0.08, P = 0.01. Conclusion.In individuals with stage 1 hypertension and excess body weight, high-polyphenol dark chocolate improves endothelial function.

Epidemiological and experimental studies have associated development of metabolic syndrome with stressful events (nutritional, hormonal, or environmental) in early life. This phenomenon is known as programing and changes in adipokines levels in early life, especially leptin, seem to be involved with its development. We have shown that neonatal hyperleptinemia on lactation programs for leptin resistance, hyperthyroidism, and higher corticosterone and catecholamines levels with cardiovascular consequences. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of hyperleptinemia during lactation on the glucose and lipid metabolism and liver morphology of adult rats, which were saline or leptin-treated (8 microg/100 g of body weight) daily, for the first 10 days of life. Leptin group had lower body mass during treatment, but higher body mass and hyperleptinemia at adulthood, without difference in fat mass. We showed that the probable source of hyperleptinemia is the higher leptin content in the subcutaneous adipose tissue. The programed rats showed hyperinsulinemia and hypoadiponectinemia with higher expression of the hypothalamic Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3), suggesting insulin resistance. Besides, they presented higher liver glycogen and hypertriglyceridemia. We also observed liver microsteatosis in the leptin-programed adult rats. Our data show that neonatal hyperleptinemia alters glucose metabolism, which seems to be partially compensated by the hyperinsulinemia. However, changes in the lipid metabolism are not compensated. It is probable that these changes induced by neonatal hyperleptinemia result from a selective tissue specific resistance both to insulin and leptin at adulthood, and the increase of SOCS3 may play an important role in this process.

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine which of the seven selected equations used to predict basal metabolic rate most accurately estimated the measured basal metabolic rate. Methods. Twenty-eight adult women with type 2 diabetes mellitus participated in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured as well as body composition (by absorptiometry dual X-ray emission) and basal metabolic rate (by indirect calorimetry); basal metabolic rate was also estimated by prediction equations. Results. There was a significant difference between the measured and the estimated basal metabolic rate determined by the FAO/WHO/UNU (P value < 0.021) and Huang et al. (P value ≤ 0.005) equations. Conclusion. The calculations using Owen et al's. equation were the closest to the measured basal metabolic rate.