To compare the immunologic state of 44 pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) with a control group consisting of 16 healthy individuals. CF patients aged 3 to 12 years with moderate to good clinical score were selected for the study. Erythrocytic glutathione, production of reactive oxygen species, cytokines (TNF-a, IFN-g, IL-8, IL-6, IL-10) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultures under spontaneous and BCG- or PHA-stimulated conditions, serum concentrations of TGF-b2, IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE, and salivary IgA were evaluated. The spontaneous production of TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-10, the PHA-stimulated production of IL-6, and the serum TGF-b2, IgA, and IgG were increased in samples from CF patients. Healthy subjects had a higher production of TNF-a in response to BCG. Although CF patients appeared clinically stable, the results of their peripheral blood examinations demonstrated an impact on the immune system. Comparar o estado imunológico de 44 pacientes pediátricos com fibrose cística (FC) a um grupo-controle formado por 16 indivíduos saudáveis. Foram selecionados para o estudo pacientes com FC com idade entre 3 e 12 anos, apresentando um escore clínico moderado e bom. Foram avaliados a glutationa eritrocitária, a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio, citocinas (TNF-a, IFN-g, IL-8, IL-6, IL-10) em culturas de células mononucleares do sangue periférico em condições espontâneas e estimuladas por BCG ou PHA, a concentração sérica de TGF-b2, IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE e IgA salivar. A produção espontânea de TNF-a, IL-6 e IL-10, a produção de IL-6 estimula- da por PHA e TGF-b2, IgA e IgG séricas aumentaram em amostras de pacientes com FC. Indivíduos saudáveis tiveram uma produção mais elevada de TNF-a em resposta a BCG. Apesar de os pacientes com FC parecerem clinicamente estáveis, os resul- tados de seus exames de sangue periférico mostraram que houve um impacto sobre o sistema imunológico.

The objective of this work was to produce protein hydrolysates from by-products of the Nile tilapia fileting process, and to assess the effects of different hydrolysis times on the antioxidant activity of the hydrolysed animal-based protein, in free form and incorporated into a food matrix. Gutted tilapia heads and carcasses were hydrolysed by Alcalase® for different hydrolysis times producing six hydrolysates. The protein content, degree of hydrolysis, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and antioxidant activity by the ORAC, FRAP and TEAC methods were analysed. Three mini-hamburger formulations were produced and the lipidic oxidation of mini-hamburger was determined by TBARS. The protein contained in the residue was completely recovered in the process. The hydrolysates varied in their degree of hydrolysis, but presented similar levels of antioxidant activity. In the mini-hamburgers the hydrolysate was capable of delaying oxidation after 7 days of storage. Hydrolysis of tilapia processing by-products produced peptides may be used in the formulation of functional foods.

With the increase of chronic diseases as a consequence of the population's eating habits, there is also a growing interest in foods rich in bioactive compounds capable of mitigating these diseases. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with kombucha and green banana flour (GBF) on Wistar rats fed with cafeteria diet (CAF). The animals were randomized into five groups of seven animals each, which were fed with the following diets: Treatment 1 (T1): Control treatment/commercial feed; Treatment 2 (T2): cafeteria diet (CAF); Treatment 3 (T3): CAF + kombucha; Treatment 4 (T4): CAF + green banana flour (GBF); Treatment 5 (T5): CAF + GBF + kombucha. Daily weight gain, daily food consumption, feed conversion, blood glucose, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, liver enzymes, antioxidant activity, and body composition were evaluated. T5 presented lower feed intake and less weight gain. Liver histology revealed vacuolization in all treatments except T1, which was confirmed by the results of liver enzymes. There was no increase in blood glucose, and changes were observed in the lipid profile of the animals. T1 had the lowest body fat and the highest protein levels. Differences were observed for the antioxidant capacity in the liver of animals among treatments. The intake of cafeteria diet altered the lipid and liver profile of the animals and the consumption of kombucha and GBF did not prevent these changes. The high polyphenols level of kombucha did not exert a hepatoprotective effect as an antioxidant. However, this supplementation generated greater satiety in the animals, leading to less weight gain until the end of the experiment.

Grape pomace is a winery byproduct that is rich in polyphenols with antioxidant capacity. This study investigated the effect of 0, 5, and 10% inclusion of dehydrated grape pomace (DGP) in finishing pig diets on the growth performance, carcass traits, fatty acid profile, fresh meat quality, and fat stability of a local pig genotype. A total of 36 pigs, 18 barrows, and 18 gilts (83.23 ± 6.03 kg and 132.1 ± 5.6 days old) were allotted in a randomized block design considering the initial weight (block) within sex, with six replicates of each sex per treatment. Including DGP in the diets did not affect daily weight gain or the feed-to-gain ratio; however, daily feed intake increased linearly (p < 0.05) and backfat thickness at the last rib, backfat thickness at the first sacral vertebrae, P2 backfat thickness, fat area, and the percentage of lean meat decreased linearly (p < 0.05) in pigs. The inclusion of DGP in pig diets did not affect the antioxidant potential evaluated by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in mini hamburgers or the quality characteristics of fresh meat, except for intramuscular fat (EE). The dietary inclusion of DGP linearly increased (p < 0.05) EE, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and Σω-3 and reduced the ω-6:ω-3 ratio in a linear way (p < 0.05) in the loin of pigs. We concluded that it is feasible to include up to 10% of DGP in pig diets without affecting growth performance, but carcass quality may be impaired due to increased adiposity. Furthermore, meat quality can be improved by increasing intramuscular fat and ω-3 fatty acid content, but fat stability is not affected when DGP is included at up to 10% of the diet for 49 days prior to slaughter.

Context: The inclusion of natural products with antioxidant properties in animal diets as well as the use of different lipid sources has been tested to improve the nutritional quality of meat. Aim: The aim of this work was to compare natural products with antioxidant properties and vitamin E in swine diets containing flaxseed oil. Methods: Ninety-six animals were allocated to six treatments: control diet (C), diet with 3% flaxseed oil (F), diet with 3% flaxseed oil + 10% grape pomace (FGP), diet with 3% flaxseed oil + 0.0022% grape seed extract (FGE), diet with 3% flaxseed oil + 5% Nile tilapia carcass hydrolysate (FH), and diet with 3% flaxseed oil + 200 ppm vitamin E supplement (FVitE). Key results: The treatments had no effect on growth performance or serum total antioxidant status, while low-magnitude effects on carcass traits were observed. The addition of flaxseed oil to the diet increased the omega-3 and total polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations and decreased saturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid concentrations in meat; high concentrations of total tocopherol were observed in the treatments FVitE, FGE, and FH, while a higher oxidative stability (Rancimat®) of backfat was observed for the treatment FVitE. The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances assay and the sensory evaluation of mini-burgers revealed that vitamin E was the most efficient antioxidant throughout the storage, although the treatments FH and FGE have presented a mild effect. Conclusions: Problems of oxidative stability of pork resulting from including flaxseed oil in the diet of pigs due to increases in omega-3 fatty acids were better overcome by dietary vitamin E than by the use of the other natural antioxidants assessed here. However, this study also demonstrated that both the tilapia hydrolysate and grape seed extract have potential to be used as natural antioxidants, although further studies are required. Implications: The results impact the meat industry in regard to the nutritional quality and oxidative stability of meat. Pork with higher omega-3 content and natural antioxidants can meet consumer demand for a healthier diet, besides providing higher stability throughout storage, providing an additional market niche for the pork industry.