Biomedical subjects

R M Ortega

Publications and source records attributed to R M Ortega.

84 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1982

[Action of cortisol on electrocardiogram and heart metabolism in rats: influence of orchidectomy].

The action of cortisol on electrocardiogram and cardiac parameters such as cardiac weight in absolute value and relative to the corporal weight, in dry substance, and the nitrogen content of the organ, have been studied in normal (NC) and orchidectomized rats (C). Since cortisol causes an intake reduction, pair-feeding runs were conducted in order to achieve hormone action results unbiased by the effects derived from the intake restrictions. Cortisol has not change either the cardiac weight or its nitrogen content versus controls, although their parameters were found to diminish on account of the intake restriction linked to the treatment. Cortisol treatment determined also a cardiac weight increase relative to body weight by reducing the body weight of these animals. The cardiac frequency was increased by glucocorticoid action, but the increase was produced at the expense of shortening the PR intervals which pointed to a better auriculoventricular conduction. The R wave and the T wave voltages increased and decreased respectively from the cortisol action, being both clear signs of ventricular hypertrophy. Orchidectomy did not determine significant modifications either in cardiac function or metabolism.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

[Effects of cortisol, malnutrition and orchiectomy on the concentrations of proteins and nucleic acids in rat muscle].

The cortisol action on some gastrocnemius muscle parameters, related to protein synthesis was studied in normal and orchidectomized male rats. Since cortisol causes an intake reduction, pair-feeding runs were conducted to achieve results of the hormone action unbiased by the effects derived from the intake restriction. Administration of cortisol in doses of 0.8 mg/100 g of body weight/day to rats from weaning up to 30 days produced a significant reduction in protein synthesis, DNA, RNA and cell number in the muscle. The intake restrictions provoked by cortisol, produced a significant reduction in protein content, cell weight, RNA, velocity of protein synthesis (RNA/proteins), protein synthesis/DNA (RNA/DNA) and produced muscle atrophy. With the exception of DNA/RNA and muscle cell number, all other parameters were reduced by the orchidectomy in control rats with normal intake, and significant differences were found in ad libitum fed and pair-fed rats. Cortisol treatment, the cortisol-provoked intake restriction and orchidectomy impaired muscle protein synthesis. Muscle protein content was reduced by intake restriction, and this effect was more pronounced by the cortisol activity, especially in orchidectomized rats, probably due to their lacking androgenic protection which would normally counteract the cathabolic action of cortisol.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

[Effect of cortisol, malnutrition and orchiectomy on the concentration of proteins and nucleic acids in rat liver].

Cortisol action on some hepatic parameters related to protein synthesis has been studied in normal and orchidectomized male rats. Since cortisol causes an intake reduction, pair-feeding runs were conducted to achieve results of the hormone action unbiased by the effects derived from the intake restriction. Administration of cortisol in doses of 0.8 mg/100 g of body weight/day to rats from weaning up to 30 days produced a significant increase in DNA and cell liver numbers and a decrease in proteins/DNA, cellular weight and RNA/DNA in unorchidectomized rats. While in orchidectomized rats these parameters do not vary. The intake restriction that cortisol provokes, produced a significant reduction in protein content, proteins/DNA, cellular weight and RNA/DNA. An increase in DNA and cell numbers in unorchidectomized rats, while in orchidectomized rats produced a reduction greater in DNA and cell numbers and an increase in RNA/DNA. Orchidectomy in control rats determined a decrease in protein liver content, DNA, proteins/DNA, cell numbers and cellular weight.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

[Cortisol influence on some typical parameters of protein malnutrition in rats (author's transl)].

A daily v.s. dose of cortisol administered to rats, induces certain metabolic modifications, which after using the "pair-fed" system have been proven to be at least partially independent of the ingesta decrease originated by cortisol. Both cortisol treatment and experimental proteic malnutrition, originate a decrease in corporal weight, a lessening of the gamma-globulins plasmatic fraction, and an elimination increase in total nitrogen, protein, creatine and creatinine in urine. Cortisol treatment determines an increase in blood red cells number, as well as an increase in total serum proteins, especially albumin, without provoking a lessening in the beta-globulins fraction, as happens in cases of proteic malnutrition.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Dietary and biochemical riboflavin status in a cohort of young people in the community of Madrid].

Riboflavin status was measured in 228 young people (101 women and 127 men) between 18 and 35 years of age, resident in the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid. A dietetic study was undertaken using a three day food record (which included one non-working day). Also, biochemical levels of riboflavin were investigated via the determination of the activation coefficient of erythrocyte glutathione reductase (alpha-EGR). Although the mean intake of riboflavin was acceptable (107.1 +/- 29.1 of recommended intakes), 46.9 of subjects showed intakes below recommended. At the biochemical level, 14.9% of subjects showed a moderate risk of vitamin B2 deficiency (alpha-EGR: 1.2-1.4) whilst 1.3% were at high risk (alpha-EGR > 1.4). Male subjects showed higher alpha-EGR levels than did females, which coincides with their greater intake of vitamin B2. Milk products provided some 40.4% of the vitamin, meats 19.9%, cereals 8%, vegetables 7.2%, eggs 6.3%. Other foods provided lesser amounts. Therefore, although riboflavin is available across the food groups, it Would seem that milk products are its most important source. Indeed, subjects with high milk product intakes (more than one ration per day) showed the highest riboflavin levels and the most adequate alpha-EGR levels. This study shows that riboflavin status can be improved, especially amongst those with low milk product intakes. An increase in the consumption of these foods to recommended levels (2-3 rations per day) might improve this situation at both dietetic and biochemical levels.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Response to a weight control program based on approximating the diet to its theoretical ideal].

UNLABELLED: Obesity is a risk factor for a number of degenerative diseases common in industrial societies and the number of overweight/obese people continues to grow. The control of body weight is therefore a priority public health objective. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the response to a weight loss program based on approximating the diet to the theoretical ideal (by increasing the consumption of recommended foods under-represented in the diet: cereals and vegetables). SUBJECTS: The study involved 67 women aged between 20 and 35 years with a body mass index (BMI) of between 24 and 35 kg/m2. These women were randomly assigned to two groups with the aim of improving weight control and of approximating the diet to the theoretical ideal. INTERVENTIONS: Both groups were advised to follow a slightly hypocaloric diet, but with one group increasing the intake of greens and vegetables (H) and the other increasing the intake of cereals (especially breakfast cereals) (C). Dietary data were obtained via the keeping of a daily food record over three days, including a Sunday. Anthropometric data were obtained at the start of the study and again 2 and 6 weeks later. RESULTS: Both treatments approximated the energy profile of the diets to the theoretical ideal. The amount of energy gained from lipids fell and that gained from carbohydrates increased (both at 2 and 6 weeks), significantly more so for group C. Fifty seven women completed the study and showed a mean reduction in body weight of 2.4 +/-1.4 kg. The weight lost by group C was significantly greater than that lost by group H (2.8 +/- 1.4 kg compared to 2.0 +/- 1.3 kg; p < 0.05). The women who followed diet C showed a greater number of skin folds of significantly reduced size, both at 2 and 6 weeks. More group C women completed the study (93.5% compared to 77.8% of group H women). CONCLUSION: In overweight or slightly obese women, approximating the diet to the theoretical ideal (by increasing the intake of vegetables of cereals) can help to control body weight and improve the quality of the diet (both in terms of the number and size of food rations, and the overall energy profile). The present results show that increasing the consumption of breakfast cereals may be of particular use owing to their high fiber, vitamin and iron contents.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Milk and dairy products in the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases].

Highly saturated fat and cholesterol intakes elevate serum cholesterol levels, which is a risk factor for suffering from cardiovascular disease, one of the most important death causes in developed countries. Milk and dairy products, because of their high saturated fat and cholesterol levels, are often included among the forbidden foodstuffs for people with high serum cholesterol levels. But our studies demonstrate that dairy products, including the whole cream ones, don't increase total cholesterol but increase HDL-cholesterol levels. The intake of skimmed dairy products seem to have a preventive effect on the developing of atherosclerosis, because they condition decreases in serum cholesterol levels, specially in people with hyperlipemia. Dairy products are also effective for the control of triglyceridemia, hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors. When the dietitian introduces nutritional measurements to prevent or stop cardiovascular disease, it is important to know the nutritional status of the person, in order that the fight against cardiovascular disease does not lead to nutritional deficiencies with similar or worse sanitary repercussions than cardiovascular disease itself. Dairy products are excellent sources of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Their regular intake can prevent, whereas their restriction can lead to nutritional deficit and pathologies. The results of our study show that it is not advisable to limit the intake of dairy products, not even whole cream ones. Only if there is a pathology, as hypercholesterolemia, it can be beneficial to consume skimmed and semi-skimmed dairy products.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Nutritional health messages transmitted through television advertising. Trends and errors].

The present study analyzes de publicity messages with a alimentary-nutritional content (n = 448), aired by 2 television channels (one public and one private), during 6 hours a day in the first week of October 1993, examining the most frequent tendencies and errors, and whether or not they are adhering to the nutritional standards intended to improve the health of the population. With this aim, a questionnaire was designed, which was submitted to a control prior to doing the study, and which permitted the same study during the years 1991, 1992, and 1993. The message which was most used to promote the sales of the products, was the taste, followed by quality, novelty, health, nutritional and natural. The messages indicating that the product reduces or minimizes fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugar, alcohol, ... are few or lower than those observed in other populations. In some cases the messages may be useful in re-enforcing the standards of the nutritional educators and health care professionals who try to improve the diet and the health of the public. However, in the majority of cases, the message of the advertisements may mislead or confuse the consumer with irrelevant or incomplete information. They also frequently contribute to the promotion of an extremely thin body image, which guides the food choice of a large percentage of the population. The results of the study may help in the planning of nutritional education of the population, and they emphasize the need for a greater supervision and control of the advertisements.

Advertising↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Iron supplementation during pregnancy. Standards and alternatives].

The requirements of iron during gestation are very high and it is difficult to meet them, especially in women who go into a pregnancy with an exhausted storage of the mineral. In industrialized societies there is controversy regarding the usefulness or lack of supplementation. In some cases one recommends a routine iron supplementation during the second half of the pregnancy, in order to improve the situation of all women. Another tendency, keeping in mind the increased capacity for absorption seen during the gestation, is the selective supplementation of iron only after assessing the situation of the pregnant woman. A third alternative that may be useful in the future is that of monitoring the iron status (during the pregnancy and during the entire fertile period of the entire female population), increasing the consumption of foods that are rich in iron (meat, fish, fortified cereals), improving the bioavailability of the ingested iron (drinking orange juice with the meal or eating meat), and using weekly supplements of iron rather than daily supplements, as the former type of supplementation has an effect that is similar to that seen with a daily supplementation, and lacks many of the side effects of this (noncompliance with the standard, gastrointestinal trouble, decreased absorption of other nutrients).

Anemia, Hypochromic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Relationship between the number of daily meals and the energy and nutrient intake in the elderly. Effect on various cardiovascular risk factors].

The metabolic consequences of the consumption of a diet depend, in part, on the frequency and distribution of meals. The aim of the present study was to examine the number of meals taken per day by elderly persons, and to analyse the relationship between the number of meals per day on the intake of energy and nutrients, the incidence of obesity/overweight, and different cardiovascular risk factors. Food intake was monitored for five consecutive days using 'precise individual weighing' for institutionalised subjects (n = 58), and by means of a 'food intake record' for independent subjects (n = 92). The number of meals taken per day was recorded, along with anthropometric data, blood pressure and serum lipid and lipoprotein levels. No subject took only one meal per day, 7.3% took two, 56.7% took three, 33.3% took four and 2.7% took five. Only 10% of subjects took a mid-morning meal. Breakfast and merienda (a light evening snack) were the meals most frequently omitted. A positive, significant relationship was found to exist between the number of meals taken per day and the intake of fibre (r = 0.2737), thiamin (r = 0.1671), pyridoxine (r = 0.2060), magnesium (r = 0.2423) and the percentage of energy provided by carbohydrates (r = 0.2144). Women subjects who took 2-3 meals per day showed greater body mass indices and a greater proportion were overweight/obese compared to those who took 4-5 meals per day. Subjects who took 4-5 meals per day showed higher levels of HDL-cholesterol and lower levels of LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol and cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol than did those who took fewer meals per day. Inverse, significant relationships were also found between the number of meals per day and serum cholesterol (r = 0.2297) and LDL-cholesterol levels (r = 0.1984). Taking into account energy and nutrient intakes, the incidence of obesity/overweight and serum lipid and lipoprotein levels, the consumption of 4-5 meals per day would seem more advisable for the elderly than the taking of fewer meals.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Dietary cholesterol as a conditioner of ingestion of other nutrients and various blood parameters in young women].

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of cholesterol intakes of greater (HC) or less than 300 mg/day (LC) (the upper advisable limit for the control of cholesterolaemia and the risk of cardiovascular disease) on a range of blood parameters, and to determine any influence such intakes might have on the consumption of food, energy and nutrients. The study subjects we one hundred and thirty young women. Food intake was determined using a 7-day dietary record (including a Sunday). A range of serum lipid parameters, and haematological and biochemical indicators of iron status were also determined. The percentage discrepancy between observed energy intake and theoretical energy expenditure was greater amongst LC subjects (9.7 +/- 18.8% compared to 5.5 +/- 24.4% in HC subjects) (P < 0.05). Analysis of covariance was therefore performed with respect to the degree of underestimation/overestimation of intake. The comparison of the adjusted means showed that HC subjects consumed greater quantities of eggs and meat and less alcohol, than did LC subjects. HC subjects also showed greater intakes of protein, carbohydrates, total fats, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, vitamin E, zinc and iron. At blood level, HC subjects showed greater quantities of red blood cells, haemoglobin and HDL cholesterol. No significant differences were seen between LC and HC subjects for the remaining blood and biochemical parameters investigated. The development of criteria for the greatest protection against cardiovascular disease whilst maintaining good nutritive condition, is the subject of studies soon to be commenced. Women may need different advice to men, owing to their greater need of iron. Greater quantities of foods rich in haem iron, such as meat and fish, might be appropriate for the female population.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Implication of calcium deficiency in the progress of periodontal diseases and osteoporosis].

Several authors have established a relationship between osteoporosis and periodontal disease. The ageing process is associated with a loss of both oral and total bone mass. It has been shown that a reduction of bone mineralization aggravates pathological periodontal changes, resulting in less support for the teeth. The present study investigates the nutritional influences that may condition the appearance of both pathological process. Insufficient dietary calcium and a reduction in the calcium: phosphorous ratio may favour the appearance of both these conditions by promoting bone reabsorption. Bone loss affects the following in descending order: jaw bones (especially alveolar bone), cranial bones, ribs, vertebrae and long bones. Alveolar bone which has the highest rate of renewal, is affected first and consequently is the most severely affected in the long term. The role of calcium in the etiology of osteoporosis is a controversial issue. Nevertheless, its implication has been proven in numerous investigations. The effect of adequate calcium intake on dental health has formed the basis of several recent studies. These investigations have demonstrated that increased calcium intake improves the suffering of inflammatory processes and tooth mobility in patients suffering from gingivitis with haemorrhaging. Based on the results of studies which link dietary calcium and phosphorous to the risk of osteoporosis and periodontal disease, and bearing in mind that in a large proportion of the Spanish population calcium intake is below that recommended, there is a need for a general improvement of the diet. It may be of special interest to increase the calcium intake of patients suffering periodontal disease. It may also help in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Aging↗