Morphological and functional vascular changes induced by childhood obesity

BACKGROUND

To investigate endothelial dysfunction and morphological vascular changes in childhood obesity.

METHODS

93 overweight/obese children (body mass index 26 ± 5 kg/m(2); median 26 kg/m(2); interquartile range 22-28 kg/m(2)), mean age 10.9 ± 2.7 years, underwent a check-up of total, high-density lipoprotein- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and white blood cell count, together with ultrasound measures of flow-mediated dilatation, carotid intima-media thickness, and anterior-posterior diameter of the abdominal aorta.

RESULTS

The body mass index of overweight/obese children had a statistically significant linear relationship (p < 0.05) with triglycerides, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, carotid intima-media thickness, anterior-posterior diameter of the abdominal aorta, and flow-mediated dilatation values.

CONCLUSIONS

Overweight/obese children have an initial endothelial dysfunction and vascular damage, i.e., the first stage in the development of atherosclerosis.

A randomized controlled trial of Lactobacillus GG in children with functional abdominal pain

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to determine whether Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) relieves symptoms in children with recurrent abdominal pain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 141 children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional pain were enrolled in 9 primary care sites and a referral center. Children entered a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and received LGG or placebo for 8 weeks and entered follow-up for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was overall pain at the end of the intervention period. At entry and at the end of the trial, children underwent a double-sugar intestinal permeability test.

RESULTS

Compared with baseline, LGG, but not placebo, caused a significant reduction of both frequency (P < .01) and severity (P < .01) of abdominal pain. These differences still were significant at the end of follow-up (P < .02 and P < .001, respectively). At week 12, treatment success was achieved in 48 children in the LGG group compared with 37 children in the placebo group (P < .03); this difference still was present at the end of follow-up (P < .03). At entry, 59% of the children had abnormal results from the intestinal permeability test; LGG, but not placebo, determined a significant decrease in the number of patients with abnormal results from the intestinal permeability testing (P < .03). These effects mainly were in children with IBS.

CONCLUSIONS

LGG significantly reduces the frequency and severity of abdominal pain in children with IBS; this effect is sustained and may be secondary to improvement of the gut barrier.

Prebiotic carbohydrates in human milk and formulas

Human milk oligosaccharides play an important role, as prebiotic soluble fibres, in the postnatal development of the intestinal flora. Infant formulas are virtually free of prebiotic oligosaccharides. As a consequence, formula-fed infants develop an intestinal flora significantly different to the flora of breastfed infants. Due to the complexity of human milk oligosaccharides, it is necessary to use alternative sources of prebiotic ingredients as components of infant formulas. The present review summarizes the data of experimental research and clinical studies with a prebiotic mixture containing 90% short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and 10% long-chain fructo-oligosacchrides are summarized. The data demonstrate that, with this prebiotic mixture, the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli can be stimulated, the faecal pH can be decreased, and the presence of pathogens can be reduced to levels similar to those of breastfed infants. Thus, prebiotic oligosaccharides such as the studied mixture provide beneficial effects for formula-fed infants.

Prebiotic carbohydrates in human milk and formulas

Human milk oligosaccharides play an important role, as prebiotic soluble fibres, in the postnatal development of the intestinal flora. Infant formulas are virtually free of prebiotic oligosaccharides. As a consequence, formula-fed infants develop an intestinal flora significantly different to the flora of breastfed infants. Due to the complexity of human milk oligosaccharides, it is necessary to use alternative sources of prebiotic ingredients as components of infant formulas. The present review summarizes the data of experimental research and clinical studies with a prebiotic mixture containing 90% short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and 10% long-chain fructo-oligosacchrides are summarized. The data demonstrate that, with this prebiotic mixture, the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli can be stimulated, the faecal pH can be decreased, and the presence of pathogens can be reduced to levels similar to those of breastfed infants. Thus, prebiotic oligosaccharides such as the studied mixture provide beneficial effects for formula-fed infants.

Effects of a new mixture of prebiotics on faecal flora and stools in term infants

A double-blind, randomized, controlled study was performed in 90 full term infants to evaluate dose-related bifidogenic effects of a new synergistic mixture of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and fructo-oligosacharides (FOS). The GOS/FOS mixture showed a dose-dependent stimulatory effect on the intestinal growth of bifidobacteria. Also stool consistency and faecal pH were positively affected.

Management of bovine protein allergy: new perspectives and nutritional aspects

OBJECTIVES

Awareness of the considerable incidence of bovine protein allergy in infancy makes it necessary to eliminate cow's milk antigens from the diet in special cases. The primary objective of this review is to discuss the nutritional aspects and appropriate use of hypoallergenic formulas as a substitute for cow's milk formulas and to present new alternative feeding modalities in this field.

DATA SOURCES

Related articles in PubMed (National Library of Medicine) were reviewed. This review is a synthesis of these sources along with the discussions with experts in this field and the expert opinion of the authors.

RESULTS

Soy protein-based and hydrolyzed milk protein formulas are the most commonly used alternative protein sources in the case of bovine protein allergy. Despite the adequacy of their nutritional values, there are still some problems to be solved regarding these formulas. In addition, a considerable percentage of the infants with bovine protein allergy may also present allergenic reactions to soy proteins as well as to hydrolyzed milk proteins. Thus, there still exists chaos in the selection of the most appropriate formula for infants sensitized to cow's milk protein. Rice protein-based formulas, probiotics, and prebiotics are expected to be new effective alternatives.

CONCLUSIONS

Bovine protein allergy constitutes an important place in childhood food allergies. Soy protein-based and hydrolyzed protein formulas have some disadvantages and risk of allergenic activity that is not to be underestimated. So, substitution of cow's milk protein with an alternative protein source in sensitized infants has become an art rather than a science. Rice protein, prebiotics, and probiotics appear to be valuable alternatives giving hope for the future.