Abstract Introduction Our aim was to evaluate the dietary intake and anthropometric indices in medical students with positive family history of type 2 diabetes (FH-T2D)(+) and without FH-T2D(-). Material and Methods 144 students were analyzed in this cross-sectional, observational study, conducted during the 2017-2018 school year using interviews and 7-day food diary. The participants were characterized anthropometrically. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), corrected mid-arm muscle area (MAMA), fat arm index (FAI), and tricipital skinfold (TSF) were calculated. Results We found that 79.2% (95%CI:72.5-85.8) had FH-T2D. BMI was significantly higher in the participants with FH-T2D than without (23.7±3.8 vs. 25.0±3.7, respectively; p<0.05). No significant differences were determined in the indices based on central fat distribution (WHtR and WHR), peripheral distribution (FAI and TSF), or muscle mass (MAMA), when stratified by FH-T2D. Regarding dietary intake, when comparing participants with and without FH-T2D, respectively, we observed low/none legume consumption [30% (95%CI:21.4-38.2) vs. 23% (95%CI:8.2-38.5)], diets high in proteins [38.6% (95%CI:29.7-47.5) vs. 46.7% (95%CI:28.8-64.5)], low in carbohydrates [84.2% (95%CI:77.5-90.9) vs. 83.3% (95%CI:70.0-96.7)], and insufficient energy intake [64% (95%CI:55.2-72.8) vs. 56.7% (95%CI:38.9-74.4)], where the alterations in the dietary pattern were more detrimental for the FH-T2D(+) group. Lastly, the participants with FH-T2D consumed mainly late in the day [60% (95%CI:50.6-68.6) vs. 54% (95%CI:35.5-71.2)]. Conclusions Even though there were minimal significant differences with the consumption by food categories, those students with FH-T2D presented with a poor, little varied and unbalanced dietary pattern with energy consumption mainly at night. These factors, if prolonged, could increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Resumen Introducción Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la ingesta dietética y los índices antropométricos en estudiantes de medicina con historia familiar positiva de diabetes tipo 2 (FH-T2D)(+) y sin antecedentes familiares FH-T2D(-). Material y Métodos 144 estudiantes fueron analizados en este estudio transversal y observacional realizado durante el año escolar 2017-2018 mediante entrevistas y un diario de alimentos de 7 días. Los participantes se caracterizaron antropométricamente. Se calculó el ínidce cintura-cadera (WHR) y el índice cintura-altura (WHtR), el área muscular corregida de la mitad del brazo (MAMA), el índice de grasa del brazo (FAI) así como el pliegue cutáneo tricipital (TSF). Resultados El 79,2% (95%CI:72,5-85,8) tenían FH-T2D. El IMC fue significativamente mayor en los participantes con FH-T2D que en aquellos sin FH-T2D (23,7±3,8 vs. 25,0±3,7, respectivamente; p<0,05). No se determinaron diferencias significativas en los índices basados en la distribución de grasa central (WHtR y WHR), la distribución periférica (FAI y TSF) o la masa muscular (MAMA), cuando se estratificó por FH-T2D. Al comparar la ingesta dietética de participantes con y sin FH-T2D, respectivamente, observamos un consumo bajo/ninguno de leguminosas [30% (95%CI:21,4-38,2) frente a 23% (95%CI:8,2-38,5)], dietas altas en proteínas [38,6% (95%CI:29,7-47,5) frente a 46,7% (95%CI:28,8-64,5)], bajas en carbohidratos [84,2% (95%CI:77,5-90,9) frente a 83,3% (95%CI:70,0-96,7)], y la ingesta de energía insuficiente [64% (95%CI:55,2-72,8) frente a 56,7% (95%CI:38,9-74,4)], donde las alteraciones en el patrón de la dieta fueron más perjudiciales para el grupo FH-T2D(+). Los participantes con FH-T2D consumieron al final del día [60% (95%CI:50,6-68,6) frente a 54% (95%CI:35,5-71,2)]. Conclusiones Aunque hubo diferencias mínimas significativas con el consumo por categorías de alimentos, aquellos estudiantes con FH-T2D presentaron un patrón dietético deficiente, poco variado y desequilibrado con un consumo de energía principalmente por la noche. Estos factores, si se prolongan, podrían aumentar el riesgo de desarrollar diabetes tipo 2.

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, represents an endemic among Latin America countries. The participation of free radicals, especially nitric oxide (NO), has been demonstrated in the pathophysiology of seropositive individuals with T. cruzi. In Chagas disease, increased NO contributes to the development of cardiomyopathy and megacolon. Metallothioneins (MTs) are efficient free radicals scavengers of NO in vitro and in vivo. Here, we developed a murine model of the chronic phase of Chagas disease using endemic T. cruzi RyCH1 in BALB/c mice, which were divided into four groups: infected non-treated (Inf), infected N-monomethyl-L-arginine treated (Inf L-NAME), non-infected L-NAME treated and non-infected vehicle-treated. We determined blood parasitaemia and NO levels, the extent of parasite nests in tissues and liver MT-I expression levels. It was observed that NO levels were increasing in Inf mice in a time-dependent manner. Inf L-NAME mice had fewer T. cruzi nests in cardiac and skeletal muscle with decreased blood NO levels at day 135 post infection. This affect was negatively correlated with an increase of MT-I expression (r = -0.8462, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, we determined that in Chagas disease, an unknown inhibitory mechanism reduces MT-I expression, allowing augmented NO levels.