The current paradigms of prevention and treatment are unable to curb obesity rates, which indicates the need to explore alternative therapeutic approaches. Obesity leads to several damages to the body and is an important risk factor for a number of other chronic diseases. Furthermore, despite the first alterations in obesity being observed and reported in peripheral tissues, studies indicate that obesity can also cause brain damage. Obesity leads to a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, and the therapeutic manipulation of inflammation can be explored. In this context, the use of n-3 PUFA (especially in the form of fish oil, rich in EPA and DHA) may be an interesting strategy, as this substance is known by its anti-inflammatory effect and numerous benefits to the body, such as reduction of TAG, cardiac arrhythmias, blood pressure and platelet aggregation, and has shown potential to help treat obesity. Thereby, the aim of this narrative review was to summarise the literature related to n-3 PUFA use in obesity treatment. First, the review provides a brief description of the obesity pathophysiology, including alterations that occur in peripheral tissues and at the central nervous system. In the sequence, we describe what are n-3 PUFA, their sources and their general effects. Finally, we explore the main topic linking obesity and n-3 PUFA. Animal and human studies were included and alterations on the whole organism were described (peripheral tissues and brain).

Epidemiological data from the last decades point to an exponential growth in the number of obese people. Different behavioral factors, mainly associated with food consumption, appear to contribute significantly to its development. Concomitant with increased obesity rates, an increase in the consumption of fructose has been observed; therefore, fructose consumption has been implicated as an important obesogenic factor. However, changes in brain activity due to fructose consumption are possible, especially in relation to hypothalamic satiety mechanisms. In addition, the obese state may provide an environment of chronic inflammation and further contribute to the discontinuation of satiety mechanisms in the hypothalamus. We briefly review the intrinsic alterations to the increased adipose tissue, its connections with the hypothalamus in the control of energy signaling mechanisms and, consequently, the participation of fructose as a co‐adjuvant or trigger. Presenting the current context with clinical trials involving human and animal studies, we seek to contribute to a better understanding of the role of fructose in the progression of obesity.

Aiming at assessing the cryopreservation potential of

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*** Medication use in children admitted to a general hospital ***AIMS: To describe the profile of medications used in children admitted to a general hospital.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with children aged 0 to 12 years, admitted to the Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição, in Tubarão, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, between July 2013 and July 2014. The following data were collected: f age, sex, length of hospital stay, International Classification of Diseases codes for hospitalization, and medications used. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system was used for the medications.RESULTS: The medical records of 1,603 children aged up to 12 years were analyzed. The hospital stay ranged from one to 115 days. The number of medications per admission ranged from one to 77, with an average of 9.84 medications per patient. A total of 211 different types of medications were used, most of which were classified as analgesic with central nervous system activity. Tonsillar hypertrophy and adenoid hypertrophy were the most prevalent disorders diagnosed among the 303 different International Classification of Diseases codes found in this study. Seven types of unlicensed medications and 23 drugs with some kind of restriction for pediatric use were prescribed.CONCLUSIONS: The average number of medications was high in hospitalized children, and the prescription of unlicensed drugs and those with some kind of restriction for pediatric use was an important factor. These data suggest poor attention to the risks and benefits of medication use in children – a relevant issue that requires continuous and intensive surveillance by different health professionals .

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