Aging is a multifactorial process marked by several epigenetic and molecular changes, such as telomere shortening, DNA exposure to damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, accumulation of senescent cells, and oxidative stress. Such changes lead to the degeneration of cells and molecules, which affects tissues, organs, and systems over time, reducing the human body\'s ability to resist damage and favoring the development of chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Taurine, a semi-essential amino acid, appears to be related to oxidative homeostasis, glucose control, and inflammation. Therefore, knowing the plasma concentrations of this amino acid in different populations is necessary to obtain a better understanding of the role of taurine in the pathophysiology of obesity and T2DM in older population, in addition to generating hypotheses regarding interventions capable of attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation, which are important hallmarks of aging.
The aim of this study is to investigate whether health status (women with obesity, T2DM and no comorbidities) promotes changes in plasma taurine concentration and to correlate this concentration with biochemical markers (e.g. blood glucose, total cholesterol, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol). As well as to evaluate and compare the physical capacities of the different groups. Methods: Forty older women will participate in the cross-sectional study and will be allocated into four distinct groups, and will be classified as follows: older women with obesity and T2DM, older women with obesity and no T2DM, older women without obesity and with T2DM; eutrophic older women, with 10 older women in each group. The following will be performed: body composition assessment by total and regional body scanning using iDXA, anthropometry, tests to assess physical performance, peripheral blood collection for analysis of biochemical markers and the Physical Activity Level will be assessed using the Modified Baecke Questionnaire for Olders. For statistical analysis, One-way ANOVA will be used to verify the differences and compare the four groups. Expected results: It is expected that older women with obesity and T2DM will have lower plasma taurine concentration and also lower performance in physical tests, compared to the other groups.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
40
None (Observational study)
Escola de Educação Física e Esporte de Ribeirão Preto
Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
Plasma taurine concentration
Collected in EDTA tubes, were centrifuged and the plasma taurine concentration was evaluated using HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography).
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Lipid Profile
Serum levels of HDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides will be assayed (mg/dL)
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Glycemic Profile
Serum levels of estimated average blood glucose (mg/dL)
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Glycated hemoglobin
Serum levels glycated hemoglobin (%)
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Macronutrients intake
The participants dietary intake will be assessed using a three-day dietary recall. The records must be completed by the participants on two weekdays and one weekend day. The professional Dietbox software will be used to calculate the caloric intake of macronutrients
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Microminerals intake
The participants dietary intake will be assessed using a food registry of 3 days. The records must be completed by the participants on two weekdays and one weekend day. The professional Dietbox software will be used to calculate the caloric intake of microminerals
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Level of consumption of ultra-processed foods
This study will evaluate the level of consumption of ultra-processed foods. The NOVA classification will be used for this purpose.
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Upper limb strength endurance test: forearm flexion
Upper limb strength endurance test: forearm flexion for 30 seconds; To assess the strength endurance of the upper limbs, the forearm flexion test will be applied. The number of repetitions in 30 seconds will be counted.
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Sit-to-Stand-Test
Sit-to-Stand-Test (30 seconds). This test will be used to quantify the lower limb strength of older women, and is recommended in the literature for this population. The number of repetitions in 30 seconds will be counted.
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Lower limb muscle strength on an adjustable isokinetic dynamometer.
The angular velocities that will be used in the test will be 60º/s. A series of ten repetitions will be performed for the dominant limb for familiarization, followed by a 3-minute rest.
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Body fat percentage (%)
Using the total body scan from the Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), body fat percentage will be assessed
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Six-minute walk test
This test aims to assess aerobic capacity. The 6-minute walk test uses a 45.7 m total rectangular path: 18.28 m long by 4.57 m wide. The participant will be instructed to walk as fast as possible (without running) during the 6 minutes, as many times as they can in the rectangle. At the end of the time, the evaluator will record the total distance covered by the participant in meters.
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
Measurement of manual grip strength
The older woman\'s forearm should be positioned in half pronation, with the wrist in a neutral position. The hand should be positioned on the dynamometer, which will be held by the evaluator. Three attempts will be made with the dominant hand, with 3 seconds of grip and one-minute intervals between them. Of the three attempts, the one with the highest peak force (the largest measurement) will be recorded, in kilograms of force.
Time frame: 1 day at baseline
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