In this study, we describe changes of plasma levels of the hypothalamic neuropeptide orexin A in obese children during the reduction of body weight and its relationship to other biochemical and anthropometrical parameters. We measured orexin A fasting plasma levels by the RIA method in 58 obese children - 33 girls and 25 boys; mean age 13.1±0.38 years (range 7-18.5) before and after 5 weeks of weight-reduction therapy. Leptin, IGF-1, and IGFBP-3 levels were measured in all the subjects and were compared to orexin A levels and anthropometrical data. Average weight in subjects before weight-reduction was 74.2±2.79 kg and after weight-loss 67.4±2.60 kg (p<0.0001). Orexin A levels before the therapy were 33.3±1.97 pg/ml and after the therapy 51.7±3.07 pg/ml (p<0.0001). Levels of orexin A were not significantly different between girls and boys (p=0.7842). We found negative correlation between orexin A and age (r = -0.5395; p<0.0001), body height (r = -0.4751; p=0.0002), body weight (r = -0.4030; p=0.0017) and BMI (r = -0.2607; p=0.0481). No correlation was found between orexin A and IGF-1, IGFBP-3 or leptin. Orexin A plasma levels increased during body weight loss, whereas the reverse was true for leptin levels. These findings support the hypothesis that orexin A may be involved in regulation of nutritional status in children., J. Bronský, J. Nedvídková, H. Zamrazilová, M. Pechová, M. Chada, K. Kotaška, J. Nevoral, R. Průša., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The normal retinal development is interrupted by preterm birth and a retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may develop as its consequence. ROP is characterised by aberrant vessel formation in the retina as a response to multiple risk factors influencing the process of retinal angiogenesis. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF -1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play an important role in the process of normal retinal vascularisation. Insufficient nutrition during the first 4 postnatal weeks results in low serum levels of IGF-1, which is essential for correct retinal vessels formation, ensuring survival of the newly formed endothelial cells. Low IGF-1 level results in stop of angiogenesis in the retina, leaving it avascular and prompting the onset of ROP. Keeping the newborns in a positive energetic balance by providing enough nutrients and energy has a beneficial impact on their growth, neurodevelopment and decreased incidence of ROP. The best way to achieve this is the early parenteral nutrition with the high content of nutrients combined with early enteral feeding by the own mother's breast milk. Multiple studies confirmed the safety and efficacy of early aggressive nutrition but information about its long-term effects on the metabolism, growth and development is stil needed., N. Lenhartova, K. Matasova, Z. Lasabova, K. Javorka, A. Calkovska., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Jedním z významných faktorů ovlivňujících stravu je obliba jednotlivých potravin, potravinové preference. Základní chuťové preference jsou vrozené, typicky preference pro sladkou a slanou chuť a naopak odmítání hořké a kyselé chuti. Vrozené preference spolu s konkrétními zkušenostmi a dalšími vlivy utváří míru obliby jednotlivých potravin. Obecně se má za to, že preference patří mezi silné determinanty stravy, že lidé, a obzvláště děti, jedí především to, co jim chutná. Cílem předložené studie bylo zjistit, do jaké míry a jakým způsobem se potravinové preference promítají do skutečné konzumace u rozsáhlého souboru adolescentů. Výzkum byl proveden u 1655 dospívajících ve věku 15 let v rámci studie ELSPAC v oblasti města Brna. U celkem 56 položek v osmi potravinových a jedné nápojové skupině byly dotazníkovými nástroji zjišťovány jednak preference, jednak frekvence konzumace a byl analyzován jejich vzájemný vztah. Výsledky ukázaly, že preference a skutečná konzumace se výrazně liší. Preference se tedy do konzumace promítají jen částečně. Z deseti nejpreferovanějších položek byly pouze dvě mezi deseti nejkonzumovanějšími. Z deseti nejméně preferovaných se pět položek objevilo mezi deseti nejméně konzumovanými, "negativní preference" se tedy s konzumací shodují poněkud více. Konzumace byla celkově výrazně zdravější, než odpovídalo preferencím. Bližší analýza ukázala, že lze identifikovat několik typů souvislosti mezi preferencemi a konzumací, podle různých tvarů regresních křivek. Celkem nejvíce položek (27) vykazovalo závislost tvaru "J", ale například položky ve skupině sladkosti vykazovaly výhradně závislost "U", zatímco skupina masa vykazovala převážně lineární závislost. Praktické důsledky nelineárních závislostí spočívají zejména v tom, že některé potraviny jsou konzumovány výrazně více (nebo naopak méně), než odpovídá jejich preferencím. Jsou diskutována možná vysvětlení, spočívající v různých externích vlivech. Hlavním závěrem je, že preference nejsou rozhodujícím faktorem pro konzumaci, což dává jasný signál, že strava adolescentů je výrazně ovlivnitelná vnějšími vlivy, v optimálním případě příznivým směrem, cílenými preventivními aktivitami., Food preferences belong to significant factors influencing diet. Basic taste preferences are inherited, typically the preferences for sweet and salty tastes or dislike of bitter and sour tastes. Inherited taste preferences together with experience and other influences form the extent of preference of particular foods. Generally it is believed that food preferences belong to strong determinants of food choice, and that people, especially children, eat what they like. The objective of the study was to investigate to what extent and how food preferences are reflected in consumption in a large sample of adolescents. The research involved 1,655 adolescents aged 15 years, and was part of the ELSPAC study in the Brno district. Both food preferences (liking) and consumption frequency were investigated by questionnaire survey for 56 items in 8 food groups and 1 beverage group, and the relationship between preferences and consumption was analysed. The results show that preferences and consumption differ substantially and thus preferences are only partially reflected by consumption. From 10 most preferred items only 2 were among the 10 most consumed. From 10 least preferred items, 5 were classed among the 10 least consumed, thus "negative preferences" coincide with consumption to a greater extent. Consumption was generally healthier than could be assumed according to preferences. Detailed analyse showed several types of association between preferences and consumption, as demonstrated by different shapes of regression curves. Most items, 27 altogether, showed the "J" type of association, but items in the sweets group showed solely "U" type, while items in the meat group largely had a linear association. The main practical consequences of nonlinear associations are that some foods are consumed considerably more (or less) than preferences would allow. The possible explanations, based on various external influences, are discussed. The main conclusion is that preferences are not the most important determinates for consumption, which gives a clear signal that the diet of adolescents is highly influenceable by external factors, optimally in a favourable manner, by targeted preventive activities., Jindřich Fiala, Lubomír Kukla, and Literatura