Abstract Introduction: sarcopenia and cachexia are syndromes that result in a reduction of skeletal muscle mass, being associated with the aging process and many chronic diseases. Objective: to assess the frequency of sarcopenia as well as of cachexia and their associated factors in patients in dialysis treatment. Methodology: a cross-sectional study conducted in two dialysis treatment centers in Recife between March and September 2016. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was made according to the criteria issued by the Sarcopenia European Consensus, while that of cachexia was made in consonance with the Society for Cachexia and Wasting Disorders (SCWD). The association variables were demographic (age and sex), laboratory (C-reactive protein, serum albumin, hemoglobin, parathyroid hormone, serum creatinine), and anthropometric indicators (body mass index BMI, arm circumference AC, midarm muscular circumference MMC, triceps skinfold thickness TST). Results: the study involved 66 patients, 43.9 % men, 56.1 % women, with a mean age of 53.15 ± 15.24 years; 43.9 % were elderly subjects. Sarcopenia occurred in 59.1 % of patients; of these, 15.2 % presented with severe sarcopenia. Pre-sarcopenia was found in 4.5 %. With regard to cachexia, 15.2 % were diagnosed with this syndrome. The variables associated with sarcopenia were reduced serum albumin (p = 0.013) and cachexia (p = 0.039), and those associated with cachexia were female gender (p = 0.036) and BMI (p < 0.001). Conclusion: the main finding of the present study was the high frequency of sarcopenia found in patients on treatment with dialysis. In the patients studied, sarcopenia was significantly associated with a decrease in serum albumin. Reduced serum albumin is a predictor of mortality in patients on renal replacement therapy. A high frequency of sarcopenia has been observed among study patients. Thus, the tools currently available to assess muscle mass and muscle strength should be implemented as much as possible in clinical practice to enable the incorporation of appropriate preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Resumen Introducción: la sarcopenia y la caquexia son síndromes que producen una reducción de la masa muscular esquelética y que se asocian al proceso de envejecimiento y a muchas enfermedades crónicas. Objetivo: verificar la frecuencia de la sarcopenia, la caquexia y los factores asociados en pacientes en tratamiento dialítico. Metodología: estudio transversal realizado en dos centros de tratamiento dialítico de Recife entre marzo y septiembre de 2016. El diagnóstico de sarcopenia se realizó según el criterio del Consenso Europeo de Sarcopenia, mientras que el de caquexia se hizo por el criterio de la Society for Cachexia and Wasting Disorders (SCWD). Las variables de asociación fueron demográficas (sexo y edad), analíticas (proteína C-reactiva, albúmina sérica, hemoglobina, paratohormona y creatinina sérica) y antropométricas: índice de masa corporal (IMC), circunferencia del brazo (CB), circunferencia muscular del brazo (CMB) y pliegue cutáneo tricipital (PCT). Resultados: se estudió a 66 pacientes: el 43,9 % eran hombres y el 56,1 % mujeres, con una media de edad de 53,15 ± 15,24 años. El 43,9 % eran ancianos. La sarcopenia estuvo presente en el 59,1 % de los pacientes y, entre estos, el 15,2 % presentaban sarcopenia grave. La pre-sarcopenia se verificó en el 4,5 %. En cuanto a la caquexia, se diagnosticó en el 15,2 %. Las variables asociadas a la sarcopenia fueron la albúmina sérica reducida (p = 0,013) y la caquexia (p = 0,039); las relacionadas con la caquexia fueron el sexo femenino (p = 0,036) y el IMC (p < 0,001). Conclusión: la principal constatación es la elevada frecuencia de la sarcopenia en los pacientes que realizan terapia dialítica. En los pacientes estudiados, la sarcopenia se asoció significativamente a la disminución de la albúmina sérica. La albúmina sérica reducida es un predictor de mortandad en los pacientes en terapia renal sustitutiva. La frecuencia de la sarcopenia fue elevada en los pacientes estudiados. De este modo, las herramientas actualmente disponibles para evaluar la masa y la fuerza muscular deben aplicarse en la medida de lo posible en la práctica clínica, viabilizando la incorporación de las intervenciones preventivas y terapéuticas apropiadas.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of total digestible nutrient (TDN) levels in supplements on rumen pH, ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration, intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance and microbial efficiency in beef cattle grazing on Marandu grass during the rainy season. The supplements comprised a mineral mixture, ground corn grain, soybean hulls, roasted soybeans and urea:ammonium sulfate. The mineral mix (MM) and supplements were supplied at 800, 1,600 and 2,400 g/animal/day, contained 500, 1,000 and 1,500 g of TDN, respectively, and were termed S500, S1000 and S1500. Supplemental crude protein (CP) was fixed at 300g animal/day for all supplementing strategies. Four crossbred rumen-fistulated steers, with an average weight of 512kg, were utilized. The animals were distributed in a 4×4 Latin square in four paddocks of 0.25 ha. The rumen nitrogen concentration was increased by 63% after four hours of supplementation. Supplements with increased TDN levels did not alter the total dry matter and forage intakes, although the TDN levels linearly increased the non-fibrous carbohydrates intake. Additionally, most supplements did not alter the digestibility of the diet nutrients.The nitrogen balance was similar in all treatments. However, supplements with the highest TDN levels linearly improved the microbial efficiency of finishing beef cattle that were pasture-grazed during the rainy season. Supplements with in creasing TDN levels improve the microbial efficiency during the rainy season.

Objetivou-se avaliar níveis de inclusão da torta de girassol no lugar de farelo de soja, em suplementos múltiplos para bovinos, em pastejo, no período seco do ano, sobre o desempenho produtivo e viabilidade econômica. Foram utilizados 20 novilhos, Nelore, não castrados, com idade e peso médio inicial de 20 meses e 330,29kg, respectivamente, distribuídos em quatro piquetes de 1,6 ha cada, formados por Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. O experimento foi composto por três períodos experimentais de 28 dias cada. Os tratamentos consistiram na inclusão da torta de girassol em níveis crescentes de: zero, 270, 540g/kg de suplemento, e uma mistura composta apenas por sal mineral ad libitum (controle). Os suplementos foram formulados para serem isoproteicos (25% PB) e fornecidos na quantidade de 1,5kg/animal/dia. As disponibilidades de matéria seca total e pontencialmente digestível foram de 2.248 e 1591kg MS/ha respectivamente. O experimento foi estruturado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 4 tratamentos e 5 repetições. Observou-se efeito significativo dos níveis de inclusão da torta de girassol em relação ao suplemento controle sobre o ganho médio diário (GMD). Economicamente, a inclusão da torta de girassol, em até 100% de substituição ao farelo de soja, não afetou o retorno financeiro e destacou-se como uma fonte de proteína viável para alimentação de bovinos na fase de recria.

The aim of study was to evaluate inclusion levels of sunflower cake a protein source to replace soybean meal in formulation of multiple supplements for grazing cattle during dry season on performance and economic viability. We used 20 steers, Nelore, non-castrated, with age and initial weights of 20 months and 330kg, distributed in four paddocks of 1.6 ha each, consisting of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. The experiment consisted of three experimental periods of 28 days each. The strategy adopted was the inclusion of sunflower cake in levels of zero, 270, 540g/kg of supplement, and a mixture composed only of mineral salt ad libitum (control). Supplements were formulated to be isonitrogenous (25% CP) and provided the amount of 1.5kg/animal/day. The availability of total dry matter and potentially digestible were 2248 and 1591kg DM/ha respectively. The experiment was structured in a completely randomized design. Significant effect was observed (P<0.10) for levels of inclusion of sunflower cake in relation to supplement control over the average daily gain (ADG). However, animals supplemented with zero g/kg sunflower cake had higher ADG (0.650kg) compared to cattle supplemented with 270, 540g/kg and control (0.558kg/day; 0.521kg/day and 0.161kg/day, respectively). Economically, inclusion of sunflower cake to 100% replacement of soybean meal did not affect financial return, standing out as a viable source of protein for cattle feed in the growing phase.