Erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) e saúde: um estudo no metabolismo ósseo e sistema cardiovascular em mulheres pós-menopausa

Abstract

Menopause is an event characterized by the complete cessation of menstrual cycles as a consequence of the important reduction of serum estrogen levels, which leads to increased chronic diseases (osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus) and greater mortality. The imbalance of oxidative stress, caused by the decrease in estrogen, is one of the processes that explain these changes present in the post-menopausal woman. Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a native tree in Southern Latin America with antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic and vasodilating properties related to phenolic content. Recently, animal and human studies have demonstrated the effect of yerba mate on bone, with increased bone mineral density. There is little evidence about the consumption of yerba mate in relation to osteoporotic fractures and cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women. This work studies the effect of the consumption of yerba mate, consumed in the form of mate, on the markers of the bone metabolism (P1NP and CTX), osteoporotic fractures, cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors, as well as oxidative stress in women postmenopausal. It is believed that yerba mate may reduce the prevalence of osteoporotic fractures, improves the parameters of oxidative stress and decreases cardiovascular events. It is a case-control study nested in the cohort study: Obesity and bone fractures, performed in the Basic Health Units, of the municipality of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, with postmenopausal women above 55 years of age. Of a total of 1057 women included, it was identified 118 (11.6%) fractures osteoporotic and 46 confirmed fractures were drawn for evaluation. The control group consisted of 49 women without a fracture. Participants completed a questionnaire on the consumption of mate. Antopometric measurements were carried out, in addition to serum dosages of bone metabolism markers (P1NP and CTX), calcium homesostase (Ca, F, PTH and vitamin D), oxidative stress (FRAP, AOPP and NOx), and dosages of lipids and glucose. Statistical analysis were used chisquared, exact Fischer, T Student test and logistic regression, with P < 0.05. There was no significant difference regarding fractures and changes in serum levels of CTX, P1NP, FRAP, AOPP, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides. However, nitric oxide was significantly elevated in women consuming 1 liter or more of ¨chimarrão¨ and consuming them for more than 10 years. In a logistic regression analysis, osteoporotic fractures were only associated with the age of women. Women who consumed 1 liters or more of day-old had significantly fewer diagnoses of coronary disease, hypertension and dyslipidemia, as well as significantly lower serum glucose levels when compared to those with no or less than 1 liter daily. It was concluded that yerba mate has a neutral effect on osteoporotic fractures, without altering the parameters of bone metabolism and oxidative stress. It is the first report on the reduction of diagnoses of cardiovascular diseases confirming the benefits of consumption of yerba mate on the cardiovascular system.