Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially the n-3 series, are known for their protective effects. Considering that cardiovascular diseases are risk factors for dementia, which is common at aging, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether fatty acid status in the elderly was associated with cognitive function and cardiovascular risk. Forty-five elderly persons (age ≥60 years) were included and divided into two groups based on their Mini-Mental Status Examination score adjusted for educational level: the case group (n = 12) and the control group (n = 33). Serum fatty acid composition, homocysteine (Hcy), hs-CRP, lipid profile and different cognitive domains were evaluated. The case group, characterized by reduced cognitive performance, showed higher levels of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1n-7 fatty acids and lower levels of 22:0, 24:1n-9, 22:6n-3 (DHA) and total PUFAs compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The n-6/n-3 ratio was elevated in both study groups, whereas alterations in Hcy, hs-CRP and lipid profile were observed in the case group. Cognitive function was positively associated with the 24:1n-9, DHA and total n-3 PUFAs, while 14:0, 16:0 and 16:1n-7 fatty acids, the n-6/n-3 ratio and Hcy were inversely associated. In addition, n-3 PUFAs, particularly DHA, were inversely associated with cardiovascular risk, assessed by Hcy levels in the elderly.

Este estudo objetivou verificar a relação entre o período de hospitalização de recém-nascidos (RN) internados em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) Neonatal de um hospital público federal e a frequência da distribuição do leite materno (LM) ofertado em suas dietas diárias. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com dados secundários que avaliou 246 RN admitidos na UTI neonatal entre março e junho de 2016. Os testes estatísticos foram realizados nos softwares Microsoft® Excel 2010 e SPSS versão 18.0 ®. Do total de RN, 63% recebeu o LM por via oral, sendo que, quanto menor a frequência desse recebimento, maior o tempo de internação (p<0,001). Entretanto, dentre os bebês que receberam LM administrados por sonda enteral, observou-se uma relação direta entre tempo de internação e frequência de distribuição do leite materno (p<0,001). Os resultados corroboram com a importância do uso do LM para a redução do tempo de internação de RNs.