Randomized Prospective Clinical Study of Spatz3® Adjustable Intragastric Balloon Treatment with a Control Group: a Large-Scale Brazilian Experiment.

Background: To analyze the results regarding weight loss and complications related to the Spatz3® adjustable intragastric balloon (IGB) in Brazil.

Methods: This randomized prospective study covered patients who had undergone treatment using a Spatz3® adjustable IGB between October 2016 and June 2018 at a private clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The patients had a minimum body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m.

Intragastric Balloon: a Retrospective Evaluation of 5874 Patients on Tolerance, Complications, and Efficacy in Different Degrees of Overweight.

Background: Endoscopic methods, especially the intragastric balloon (IGB), have been shown to be effective for the treatment of excess weight. This study aimed to assess the tolerance, complications, and efficacy of excess weight treatment with a non-adjustable IGB during 6 months.

Methods: A total of 5874 patients treated with a liquid-filled IGB (600-700 mL) and followed up by a multidisciplinary team were evaluated.

Impact of Intragastric Balloon Treatment on Adipokines, Cytokines, and Metabolic Profile in Obese Individuals.

Background: Obesity is accompanied by adipose tissue remodeling characterized by increased production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, leptin and resistin and reduced secretion of adiponectin, which favors inflammation, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Although intragastric balloon (IGB) can be considered safe and effective for weight loss, its effect on serum levels of these biomarkers has been evaluated only in a few studies, while no previous study evaluated its effect on circulating levels of resistin, TNF-α, and IL-6. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in serum levels of metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in obese patients submitted to IGB treatment.

Changes in Body Adiposity, Dietary Intake, Physical Activity and Quality of Life of Obese Individuals Submitted to Intragastric Balloon Therapy for 6 Months.

Background: Obesity is an important risk factor for several chronic diseases and also is associated with worse quality of life. Intragastric balloon (IGB) is an effective method for weight loss. Although changes in lifestyle are critical to weight loss during and after IGB therapy, only a few studies evaluated dietary intake and none evaluated changes in physical activity with a validated questionnaire during the treatment.

Efficacy of Intragastric Balloon Treatment for Adolescent Obesity.

Background: Several studies conducted in adults suggest that intragastric balloon (IGB) is an effective and safe method for weight loss. Although the prevalence of obesity in adolescents has increased in recent years, the outcomes of IGB treatment in this age group are not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IGB treatment for weight loss in adolescents followed up for 6 months.

L-arginine and glycine supplementation in the repair of the irradiated colonic wall of rats.

Purpose: Radiotherapy is widely used for cancer treatment but has harmful effects. This study aimed to assess the effects of L-arginine and glycine supplementation on the colon wall of rats submitted to abdominal irradiation.

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: I-healthy, II-irradiated with no amino acid supplementation, III-irradiated and supplemented with L-arginine, and IV-irradiated and supplemented with glycine.

Plasma lipid levels of rats fed a diet containing pork fat as a source of lipids after splenic surgery.

Experimental studies have suggested an important role of the spleen in lipid metabolism, although with controversial results. Our purpose was to analyze the effect of a nutritionally balanced (NB) diet and a diet containing pork fat (PF) as source of lipids on the lipid profile of rats submitted to splenic surgery. Sixty adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of 10 animals each: 1 sham-operated, NB diet; 2 sham-operated, PF diet; 3 total splenectomy (TS), NB diet; 4 TS, PF diet; 5 TS followed by splenic autotransplantation (SA), NB diet; and 6 SA, PF diet.

Effects of probiotic supplementation on markers of acute pancreatitis in rats.

Background: Intestinal barrier disruption followed by bacterial translocation seems to play a role in secondary pancreatic infection in acute pancreatitis. The use of probiotics as a possible adjuvant strategy in the treatment of acute pancreatitis needs to be investigated.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with a prophylactically administered multispecies probiotic mixture on the markers of acute pancreatitis and on the occurrence of bacterial translocation.

Role of L-glutamine and glycine supplementation on irradiated colonic wall.

Background And Aims: Radiotherapy is frequently used for cancer treatment, but it may be associated with several complications. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the role of L-glutamine and/or glycine supplementation on the colonic wall in rats submitted to abdominal radiation.

Materials And Methods: Sixty adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: I-healthy, II (control)-irradiated rats without amino acid supplementation, III-irradiated rats with glycine supplementation, IV-irradiated rats with L-glutamine supplementation, V-irradiated rats with glycine supplementation 7 days before irradiation and with L-glutamine supplementation 7 days after irradiation, and VI-irradiated rats with L-glutamine supplementation 7 days before irradiation and with glycine supplementation 7 days after irradiation.

Lipidic profile among rats submitted to total splenectomy isolated or combined with splenic autotransplant.

Purpose: To evaluate the alterations on plasmatic lipids levels among rats submitted to total splenectomy isolated or combined with splenic autotransplant receiving standard chow during the postoperative period.

Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control (C)-- sham-operated, total splenectomy--isolated (TS) or combined with splenic autotransplantation (SA). Since the postoperative period, all animals received standard rat chow manipulated in accordance to the American Institute of Nutrition Rodents Diets (1993).

[Effect of oral supplement of l-glutamine in colonic wall of rats subjected to abdominal irradiation].

Purpose: To evaluate the structural alterations of the irradiated colonic wall in rats, verifying if L-glutamine supplementation is able to prevent them.

Methods: We used 30 male adult Wistar rats, divided into three groups: I--control, II--irradiated, and III-irradiated with L-glutamine supplementation during the 14 days of the study. Control group was maintained in laboratory standard conditions while groups II and three were submitted to abdominal radiation with an only dose of 1000 cGy in the 8th day of experimentation.