Abstract Colombian berry (agraz) has demonstrated a high antioxidant content in vitro. In the present study, it was elaborated and characterized an agraz nectar, designed a placebo with similar physicochemical and sensorial characteristics of the agraz nectar, but without polyphenols; and evaluated their antioxidant capacity both in vitro and in vivo in adults with cardiovascular risk factors. The polyphenolic concentration of the agraz nectar and its antioxidant capacity was superior than other reported for this fruit. A high content of total cyanidins was observed in the freeze-dried agraz, but not delphinin was detected by HPLC. For the intervention study, sixty-six subjects, with at least three cardiometabolic risk factors, consumed agraz nectar or placebo daily during 4 weeks each, separated by a 4-week washout period. Total phenol concentration and antioxidant capacity in the participants’ serum were not statistically different after consuming agraz nectar and placebo. However, women increased significantly their serum DPPH scavenging capacity after consuming agraz nectar, compared to placebo. This is one of the first studies showing data about the effects of this colombian berry on the antioxidant capacity in people with metabolic syndrome.

RESUMEN Antecedentes el síndrome metabólico en niños aumenta el riesgo de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y enfermedad cardiovascular en la adultez. Objetivo describir los componentes del síndrome metabólico en niños, su prevalencia y criterios diagnósticos propuestos por diferentes organizaciones y autores. Materiales y métodos se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las siguientes bases de datos: Pubmed, Science Direct, Embase, Lilacs y Scielo. Resultados y discusión varias organizaciones han establecido definiciones para diagnosticar el síndrome metabólico en niños, algunas abordando criterios utilizados en adultos o adoptando puntos de corte derivados de poblaciones seleccionadas como niños obesos o sin incluir niños pre-adolescentes, aduciendo en estos últimos una baja prevalencia de alteraciones. Así, la prevalencia de este síndrome en una misma población puede variar (0,9 a 11,4%) según la definición empleada. Sin embargo, dicha prevalencia aumenta con el grado de obesidad infantil y se han demostrado prevalencias altas en pre-púberes, independiente de la clasificación empleada. Recientemente, se propuso usar puntajes continuos para mejorar la evaluación en niños. Conclusión los puntos de corte actualmente empleados ponderan de forma diferente los componentes del síndrome metabólico. Por tanto, se recomienda emplear percentiles según edad, sexo y población para cada componente y evaluar la utilidad de puntajes continuos en esta población.

ABSTRACT Background The metabolic syndrome in children increases the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Aim To describe the components of metabolic syndrome in children, their prevalence, and diagnostic criteria proposed by different authors and organizations. Materials and methods A literature search of articles published in Pubmed, Science Direct, Embase, Lilacs and Scielo databases was conducted. Results and discussion: Several organizations have established definitions for metabolic syndrome diagnosis in children, some including criteria used for adults or adopting cutoffs derived from selected populations such as obese children or without including pre-adolescent children, arguing a low prevalence of alterations in these. Thus, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a particular population varies (0,9% to 11,4%) according to the definition used. However, this prevalence increases according to the obesity grade, and a high prevalence in pre-pubers has been reported, independent of the classification used. Recently, it was proposed the use of a continuous score to improve the metabolic syndrome evaluation in children. Conclusion: The cutoffs currently used give different weighting for each component of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it is recommended the use of percentiles according to sex and age and population for each component and to evaluate the utility of continuous scores in this population.