The acceptability of the female and male condom: a randomized crossover trial

CONTEXT: Although studies have assessed the acceptability of male and female condoms, comparative trial data are lacking. METHODS: A sample of 108 women in stable relationships recruited from an urban, reproductive health clinic were randomly assigned to use 10 male or female condoms, followed by use of 10 of the other type. A nurse provided instruction in correct method use. Demographic information was collected in a baseline questionnaire; acceptability data were collected in follow-up and exit questionnaires and coital logs. Nonparametric and chi-square statistics were used to analyze measures of the methods' relative acceptability. Bowker's test of symmetry was adapted to test the null hypothesis of no difference in acceptability between condom types. RESULTS: Participants used 678 female and 700 male condoms. Although neither method scored high on user satisfaction measures, the 63 women completing the study protocol preferred the male condom to the female condom for ease of application or insertion, ease of removal, general fit, feel of the condom during intercourse and ease of penetration. Participants reported that their partner also favored the male condom, although women generally appeared to like this method more than their partner did. In a direct comparison between the methods at the end of the study, women generally judged male condoms superior on specified preference criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Across a range of criteria, the female condom was less acceptable than the male condom to most women and their partners. Although both types had low acceptability, they are needed and valid methods of pregnancy and disease prevention. That neither rated high on user satisfaction measures underscores the need for more barrier methods that women and men can use.     

The effect of the Mediterranean diet on plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels: The PREDIMED-NAVARRA randomized trial

Abstract

Objectives

There are no human studies assessing the effect of nutritional interventions on plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations. The aim of this study was to assess the role of a nutritional intervention based on a Mediterranean diet (MeDiet) on plasma BDNF levels.

Methods

PREvención con Dieta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) is a randomized clinical trial designed to assess the effect of a Mediterranean diet (MeDiet) on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. For this analysis, 243 participants from the Navarra centre were randomly selected. Participants were assigned to one of three dietary interventions: control (low-fat) diet, MeDiet supplemented with virgin olive oil (MeDiet + VOO), or MeDiet supplemented with nuts (MeDiet + Nuts). Plasma BDNF levels were measured after 3 years of intervention. Multivariate-adjusted means of BDNF for each intervention were compared using generalized linear models. Logistic regression models were fit to assess the association between the dietary intervention and the likelihood to have low plasma BDNF values (<13 µg/ml, 10th percentile). Analyses were repeated after stratifying the sample according to baseline prevalence of different diseases.

Results

Higher but non-significant plasma BDNF levels were observed for participants assigned to both MeDiets. Participants assigned to MeDiet + Nuts showed a significant lower risk (odds ratios (OR) = 0.22; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.05–0.90) of low plasma BDNF values (<13 µg/ml) as compared to the control group. Among participants with prevalent depression at baseline, significantly higher BDNF levels were found for those assigned to the MeDiet + Nuts.

Discussion

Adherence to a MeDiet was associated to an improvement in plasma BDNF concentrations in individuals with depression.     

Calcium supplements and bone resorption in pregnancy: a randomized crossover trial

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a time of increased need for calcium. The role of calcium supplements in altering maternal responses to fetal demand for calcium is not fully understood. This article describes the results of a randomized, crossover trial of calcium supplementation on bone resorption among pregnant women. DESIGN/SETTING PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one Mexican women at 25-35 weeks gestation participated in the study for 20 days. Each woman received a 1200 mg calcium supplement on 10 consecutive days and a multivitamin without calcium for 10 days. Urine samples were collected daily. Two pooled specimens from each subject (representing urine from multivitamin days and from calcium days) were preserved, and levels of cross-linked, N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX), a biomarker of bone resorption, were measured. Dietary calcium intake was assessed using a food-frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 31 participants, 27 (87.1%) showed reductions in urinary NTX levels while ingesting calcium supplements. When not ingesting calcium, NTX levels for the 31 subjects had a mean of 96.8 nM BCE/mM creatinine; this was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the mean urinary NTX levels of 83.2 nM BCE/mM creatinine during ingestion of the calcium supplements. Neither age nor dietary calcium intake was a significant predictor of treatment effect. CONCLUSION: A bedtime, 1200-mg calcium supplement during the third trimester of pregnancy reduces maternal bone resorption by an average of 13.6 nM BCE/mM creatinine (14%), as reflected by urinary NTX levels. These results suggest that calcium supplements reduce maternal skeletal-bone turnover during the third trimester of pregnancy.     

Cardiovascular benefits from ancient grain bread consumption: findings from a double-blinded randomized crossover intervention trial

Ancient grain varieties have been shown to have some beneficial effects on health. Forty-five clinically healthy subjects were included in a randomized, double-blinded crossover trial aimed at evaluating the effect of a replacement diet with bread derived from ancient grain varieties versus modern grain variety on cardiovascular risk profile. After 8 weeks of intervention, consumption of bread obtained by the ancient varieties showed a significant amelioration of various cardiovascular parameters. Indeed, the ancient varieties were shown to result in a significant reduction of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and blood glucose, whereas no significant differences during the phase with the modern variety were reported. Moreover, a significant increase in circulating endothelial progenitor cells were reported after the consumption of products made from the ancient “Verna” variety. The present results suggest that a dietary consumption of bread obtained from ancient grain varieties was effective in reducing cardiovascular risk factors.     

Dietary serine and cystine attenuate the homocysteine-raising effect of dietary methionine: a randomized crossover trial in humans

BACKGROUND: A high plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The increase in tHcy induced by methionine, the sole dietary precursor of homocysteine, might be modulated by other amino acids present in dietary proteins. OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to compare the postprandial effect of free and dietary methionine on plasma tHcy concentrations and to investigate whether serine and cystine modify the effect of free methionine on tHcy. DESIGN: We conducted a randomized crossover trial in 24 healthy men. Each subject ingested 4 meals on separate days, which were separated by 1 wk. tHcy concentrations were measured in the fasting state and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 24 h after meal ingestion. The meals were 1) a low-protein meal fortified with 30 mg methionine/kg body wt (reference, denoted by "Met"), 2) meal 1 additionally fortified with 60.6 mg serine/kg body wt (MetSer), 3) meal 1 additionally fortified with 12.3 mg cystine/kg body wt (MetCys), and 4) a protein-rich meal containing 30 mg methionine, 60.6 mg serine, and 12.3 mg cystine per kg body wt (Protein). RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) fasting tHcy concentration was 9.1 +/- 2.7 micromol/L. Mean peak tHcy concentrations were 17.9 +/- 4.5, 14.3 +/- 3.3, 14.8 +/- 3.9, and 11.2 +/- 3.1 micromol/L after Met, MetSer, MetCys, and Protein, respectively. Compared with the mean 24-h area under the tHcy-by-time curve after Met, the mean curves after MetSer, MetCys, and Protein were 37%, 32%, and 77% smaller, respectively (all P < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Dietary methionine increases tHcy much less than does free methionine. Serine and cystine attenuate the tHcy-raising effect of free methionine. Thus, dietary proteins with a high content of serine or cystine relative to methionine may lead to lower postprandial tHcy responses.     

Magnesium for the treatment of nocturnal leg cramps: a crossover randomized trial

BACKGROUND: Nocturnal leg cramps are a common health problem in the ambulatory setting. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of magnesium in the treatment of nocturnal leg cramps. METHODS: Our study was a crossover randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. We included patients from a large university-based ambulatory clinic in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with at least 6 cramps during the previous month. A total of 93 subjects took part in a 4-week washout period with placebo. Those who were still eligible (n = 45) were randomized to receive either (1) an oral dose of 900 mg magnesium citrate twice daily for 1 month, followed by a matching placebo for 1 month, or (2) the placebo first, followed by magnesium. Both groups had a 4-week washout period with placebo between each treatment month. Forty-two patients completed the 4-month study. The main outcome was the number of nocturnal leg cramps, and the secondary outcomes were duration, severity, and sleep disorders caused by those cramps. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between magnesium and placebo in any of the evaluated outcomes. The mean number of cramps was 11.1 (standard deviation [SD] +/- 7.3) for placebo versus 11.8 (SD +/- 7.6) for magnesium (P = .59). We observed a significant period-effect bias: All patients improved over time regardless of the treatment sequence they received. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium was not effective for the treatment of nocturnal leg cramps. The period-effect bias probably occurred because of a combination of the natural history of this condition, a regression to the mean, and a true placebo effect.     

The effect of almonds on inflammation and oxidative stress in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized crossover controlled feeding trial

Purpose

Almond consumption is associated with ameliorations in obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. The hypothesis of this 12-week randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial was that almond consumption would ameliorate inflammation and oxidative stress in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (9 M, 11 F; 58 years; BMI: 26 kg/m²) with mild hyperlipidemia.

Methods

After a 2-week run-in period, the patients were assigned to either a control NCEP step II diet (control diet) or almond diet for 4 weeks with a 2-week washout period between alternative diets. Almonds approximately at 56 g/day were added to the control diet to replace 20 % of total daily calorie intake.

Results

As compared to the control diet, the almond diet decreased IL-6 by a median 10.3 % (95 % confidence intervals 5.2, 12.6 %), CRP by a median 10.3 % (?24.1, 40.5), and TNF-α by a median 15.7 % (?0.3, 29.9). The almond diet also decreased plasma protein carbonyl by a median 28.2 % (4.7, 38.2) as compared to the C diet but did not alter plasma malondialdehyde. The A diet enhanced the resistance of LDL against Cu²⁺-induced oxidation by a median 16.3 % (7.4, 44.3) as compared to the C diet. Serum intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular adhesion molecule-1 were not changed by both diets.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that incorporation of almonds into a healthy diet could ameliorate inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with T2DM.     

The effect of supplemental enteral glutamine on plasma levels,gut function,and outcome in severe burns: a randomized,double-blind,controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND: This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of enterally administered glutamine (gln) dipeptide on metabolic, gastrointestinal, and outcome parameters after severe burn injury. METHODS: Forty thermally injured patients with total body surface burns ranging between 50% and 80%, and third-degree burns ranging between 20% and 40% and without respiratory injuries, were randomized into a prospective, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. One group received gln-enriched enteral nutrition and the other group received the standard enteral formulation. Tube feedings were initiated on postburn day 1 (PBD +1), and isocaloric and isonitrogenous feedings were administered to both groups until PBD +12. The gln was given as the dipeptide of alanyl-gln (Ajinomoto, Tokyo, Japan), which provided 0.35 g gln/kg body weight/d. Plasma amino acid profiles, serum endotoxin concentrations, and the lactulose/mannitol absorption ratio (which reflects gut permeability) were measured at specific times throughout the clinical course. Wound healing at day 30 was assessed, and length of hospital stay and total costs were determined at discharge. RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar in terms of age and extent of injury. Plasma gln concentrations were approximately 300 umol/L in both groups on PBD +1 and remained low in the control group (399 +/- 40 umol/L, mean +/- SD) but increased toward normal in the supplemented group to 591 +/- 74 (p = .048). Lactulose/mannitol ratios were increased above normal on POD +1 (control, 0.221 +/- 0.169; gln, 0.268 +/- 0.202; not significant), reflecting increased intestinal permeability after burn injury. On POD +3, the ratio in the gln group was lower than control (0.025 +/- 0.008 versus 0.049 +/- 0.016; p = .0001), and both groups returned toward normal ratios with time. Endotoxin levels on PBD +1 were elevated in both groups (control, 0.089 +/- 0.023 EU/mL; gln, 0.103 +/- 0.037 EU/mL; NS) but decreased significantly on PBD +3 in the patients receiving gln. Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the gln group than controls (67 +/- 4 days versus 73 +/- 6; p = .026). On day 30, wound healing was 86% +/- 2% complete in the gln group compared with 72% +/- 3% in controls (p = .041). Total cost of hospitalization was 62794 +/- 6178 RMB (dollar 7593 +/- 747 US dollars) in the gln group and 68996 +/- 8620RMB (dollar 8343 +/- 1042, p = .031) in controls, although the cost of the enteral nutrition was higher in the gln-supplemented patients. CONCLUSION: Enteral gln supplementation using a commercially available dipeptide supported plasma gln levels, improved gut permeability, and initially decreased plasma endotoxin levels in severely thermally injured patients. These alterations were associated with a reduction in the length of hospitalization and lower costs.     

The effect of almonds on vitamin E status and cardiovascular risk factors in Korean adults: a randomized clinical trial

Purpose

Almonds have shown to beneficially modify some cardiovascular risk factors in clinical trials conducted in diverse ethnic populations but this relationship has never been tested in Koreans. Thus, we tested the impact of almonds consumed as a snack within the context of a typical Korean diet on cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, crossover trial in a free-living setting with a 2-week run-in period, two 4-week intervention phases, and a 2-week washout period between interventions. Eighty four overweight/obese participants (11 M/73 F; 52.4 ± 0.6 year; 25.4 ± 0.22 kg/m²) consumed either 56 g of almonds or isocaloric cookies daily for 4 weeks.

Results

Mean % daily energy intake at baseline was 64.8, 21.3, and 14.9% from carbohydrate, fat, and protein, respectively. The addition of 56 g of almonds daily decreased carbohydrate energy to 55.0%, increased fat to 32.0%, and maintained protein at 14.7%. Consuming the almonds increased intake of MUFA by 192.3%, PUFA by 84.5%, vitamin E by 102.7%, and dietary fiber by 11.8% and decreased % energy from carbohydrate by 14.1%. Total caloric intake was increased by the almonds, but body weight, waist circumference, and body composition were not affected. Almonds in overweight and obese Korean adults decreased TC, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C by 5.5, 4.6, and 6.4%, respectively, compared to the cookie control (P ≤ 0.05). Almonds increased plasma α-tocopherol by 8.5% (P ≤ 0.05) from the baseline and tended to increase its value as compared to cookies (P = 0.055). Neither the almonds nor cookies altered plasma protein carbonyls, MDA or oxLDL. Of serum inflammatory markers, IL-10 was decreased by almond intake (P ≤ 0.05), and ICAM-1, IL-1β, and IL-6 tended to be lower with almonds, compared to the cookies.

Conclusions

Almonds at 56 g/day consumed as a snack favorably modified the Korean diet by increasing MUFA, PUFA, vitamin E, and dietary fiber intake and decreasing % energy intake from carbohydrate. Almonds also enhanced plasma α-tocopherol status and serum TC and LDL-C in overweight and obese Koreans. Thus, including almonds in typical Korean diets as a snack can help healthy overweight/obese individuals improve nutritional status and reduce their risk for CVD.

     

Anti-inflammatory effect of virgin olive oil in stable coronary disease patients: a randomized, crossover, controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of two similar olive oils, but with differences in their phenolic compounds (powerful antioxidant compounds), on inflammatory markers in stable coronary heart disease patients. DESIGN: Placebo-controlled, crossover, randomized trial. SETTING: Cardiology Department of Hospital del Mar and Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica (Barcelona). SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight stable coronary heart disease patients. INTERVENTIONS: A raw daily dose of 50 ml of virgin and refined olive oil (ROO) was sequentially administered over two periods of 3-weeks, preceded by 2-week washout periods in which ROO was used.Results:Interleukin-6 (P<0.002) and C-reactive protein (P=0.024) decreased after virgin olive oil intervention. No changes were observed in soluble intercellular and vascular adhesion molecules, glucose and lipid profile. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of virgin olive oil, could provide beneficial effects in stable coronary heart disease patients as an additional intervention to the pharmacological treatment.     

A higher response of plasma neuropeptide Y,growth hormone,leptin levels and extracellular glycerol levels in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue to Acipimox during exercise in patients with bulimia nervosa: single-blind,randomized, microdialysis study

Background

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an important central orexigenic hormone predominantly produced by the hypothalamus, and recently found to be secreted in adipose tissue (AT). Acipimox (Aci) inhibits lipolysis in AT and reduces plasma glycerol and free fatty acid (FFA) levels. Exercise and Aci are enhancers of growth hormone (GH) and NPY secretion and exercise may alter leptin levels. We expect to find abnormal neuropeptidergic response in plasma and AT in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN). We hypothesize that Aci influences these peptides via a FFA-independent mechanism and that Aci inhibits lipolysis through a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent pathway. Dysregulations of the AT-brain axis peptides might be involved in binge eating as is the case in BN.

Methods

The objective of this study was to determine the responses of plasma NPY, GH, leptin, FFA and glycerol levels to exercise in BN patients and healthy women (C) given the anti-lipolytic drug Aci or placebo. The secondary objective of this study was to compare the responses of extracellular glycerol levels and plasma glycerol levels to exercise alone or together with Aci administration in BN patients and C women. Extracellular glycerol was measured in vivo in subcutaneous (sc) abdominal AT using microdialysis. Eight BN and eight C women were recruited for this single-blind, randomized study. Aci or placebo was given 1 hour before the exercise (45 min, 2 W/kg of lean body mass [LBM]). NPY, GH, leptin, FFA, glycerol plasma and AT glycerol levels were measured using commercial kits.

Results

The primary outcome of this study was that the exercise with Aci administration resulted in plasma NPY and GH increase (after a 45-minute exercise) and leptin (after a 90-minute post-exercise recovering phase) increased more in BN patients. The secondary outcomes of this study were that the exercise with Aci administration induced a higher decrease of extracellular glycerol in BN patients compared to the C group, while the exercise induced a higher increase of glycerol concentrations in sc abdominal AT of BN patients. Plasma glycerol levels decreased more in BN patients and plasma FFA levels were depressed in both groups after the exercise with Aci administration. The exercise induced similar increases in plasma NPY, GH, FFA and glycerol levels, and a similar decrease in the plasma leptin level in both groups.

Conclusions

We confirm the results of a single-blind, randomized, microdialysis study, i.e. that the Aci-induced elevation in plasma NPY and GH levels during the exercise is higher in BN patients and that Aci increased plasma leptin levels in the post-exercise recovering phase (90-minute) more in BN patients. The post-exercise rise (45-minute) in AT glycerol is much more attenuated by acute Aci treatment in BN patients. Simultaneously, we found facilitated turnover of plasma glycerol after the exercise together with Aci administration in BN. Our results support the hypotheses that Aci exerts an effect on the FFA-independent and cAMP-dependent mechanism.

Trial Registration

Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN12611000955910

     

Acute dark chocolate and cocoa ingestion and endothelial function: a randomized controlled crossover trial

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest cardioprotective benefits of dark chocolate containing cocoa. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the acute effects of solid dark chocolate and liquid cocoa intake on endothelial function and blood pressure in overweight adults. DESIGN: Randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind crossover trial of 45 healthy adults [mean age: 53 y; mean body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 30]. In phase 1, subjects were randomly assigned to consume a solid dark chocolate bar (containing 22 g cocoa powder) or a cocoa-free placebo bar (containing 0 g cocoa powder). In phase 2, subjects were randomly assigned to consume sugar-free cocoa (containing 22 g cocoa powder), sugared cocoa (containing 22 g cocoa powder), or a placebo (containing 0 g cocoa powder). RESULTS: Solid dark chocolate and liquid cocoa ingestion improved endothelial function (measured as flow-mediated dilatation) compared with placebo (dark chocolate: 4.3 +/- 3.4% compared with -1.8 +/- 3.3%; P < 0.001; sugar-free and sugared cocoa: 5.7 +/- 2.6% and 2.0 +/- 1.8% compared with -1.5 +/- 2.8%; P < 0.001). Blood pressure decreased after the ingestion of dark chocolate and sugar-free cocoa compared with placebo (dark chocolate: systolic, -3.2 +/- 5.8 mm Hg compared with 2.7 +/- 6.6 mm Hg; P < 0.001; and diastolic, -1.4 +/- 3.9 mm Hg compared with 2.7 +/- 6.4 mm Hg; P = 0.01; sugar-free cocoa: systolic, -2.1 +/- 7.0 mm Hg compared with 3.2 +/- 5.6 mm Hg; P < 0.001; and diastolic: -1.2 +/- 8.7 mm Hg compared with 2.8 +/- 5.6 mm Hg; P = 0.014). Endothelial function improved significantly more with sugar-free than with regular cocoa (5.7 +/- 2.6% compared with 2.0 +/- 1.8%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The acute ingestion of both solid dark chocolate and liquid cocoa improved endothelial function and lowered blood pressure in overweight adults. Sugar content may attenuate these effects, and sugar-free preparations may augment them.     

Effects of palm oil and dietary cholesterol on plasma lipoproteins: results from a dietary crossover trial in free-living subjects

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of palm oil (PO) and egg consumption (E) on plasma lipoproteins. DESIGN: Randomized crossover trial. SETTING: Free-living subjects. SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight healthy male students aged 20-34 y. INTERVENTIONS: Four typical Colombian diets (10 878 kJ/day; 57% energy in carbohydrates, 12% energy in proteins and 31% energy in fats) were consumed for 4 weeks. The HPOLC diet was high in PO (8.8% energy as palmitic acid, PA) and low in eggs (181.2 mg/kJ of dietary cholesterol, DC); the HPOHC diet was high in PO and high in eggs (866.1 mg/kJ of DC); the MPOMC diet was moderate in PO (6.3% energy as PA) and moderate in eggs (581.6 mg/kJ of DC); and the LOPOMC diet had no PO and was moderate in eggs (543.9 mg/kJ of DC). MAIN OUTCOME: Total (TC), low density (LDL-c), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and triacylglycerols (TAG) were measured on a pool of three fasting blood samples collected in consecutive days the last week of each diet. RESULTS: Comparison of the HPOHC and HPOLC diets showed increases in TC and LDL-c of 0.21 (P=0.01), and 0.16 mmol/l (P=0.05). Comparison of LOPOMC and MPOMC diets showed increases in TC and LDL-c of 0.39 (P<0.001), and 0.38 mmol/l (P<0.001), respectively. No significant changes in HDL-c or TAG were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that non-extreme short-term changes in PO and DC consumption lead to significant elevations in plasma TC and LDL-c. SPONSORSHIP: CENIPALMA, Fundación Cardiovascular del Oriente Colombiano, Universidad Industrial de Santander.     

Organochlorine levels in adipose tissue of women from a littoral region of Argentina

Organochlorine compounds (OCCs), such as pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are persistent lipophilic chemicals identified as endocrine disruptors, mainly with estrogen-like effects. Northeastern Argentina, near the Paraná River, is characterized by intensive farming and agricultural activities and industrial development, and is therefore prone to high incidences of environmental and dietary exposure to OCCs. Hence, we conducted a study to (1) estimate the organochlorine residues present in mammary fat tissue in a population of women from this littoral region and (2) identify potential sources of exposure to OCCs. Our subjects were 76 women (residing in and around Santa Fe city and not occupationally exposed to organochlorines) who underwent excision biopsy of a breast lesion or had plastic surgery. Both frequency of occurrence and levels of organochlorine residues were high in breast adipose tissue of all the participants. The organochlorine residues most frequently found were p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) in all the subjects analyzed, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in 86.8%, and beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH) in 75.0%. The incidence of PCB congeners was very low. p,p'-DDE and beta-HCH residues reached the highest levels, 4794 and 1780 ppb, respectively. The diet was a relevant source of exposure, consumption of animal fat and freshwater fish playing a significant role. Bioaccumulation was evidenced by the significant positive association between organochlorine levels and body mass index (p = 0.0003) and the age of the patient (p = 0.0002). The frequency and levels of OCCs found in our study population raise concerns regarding Argentinean exposure to these endocrine disruptors.