Does High Volume of Exercise Training Increase Aseptic Vascular Inflammation in Male Athletes?

A Meta-Analysis of the Influence on Inflammatory Factors in Type 2 Diabetes among Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients by Various Exercise Modalities

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various exercise modalities on inflammatory factors in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (MEPT2D), as lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and dietary modifications, are considered important in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. For the study methodology, Pubmed, CNKI, EBSCO, Wanfang Data, and Web of Science were selected for the search. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB) tool, and statistically analyzed using the RevMan 5.4.1 analysis software, which included 18 investigations involving 853 study subjects. Meta-analysis findings indicated that aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT), combined training (CT), and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) showed significant reductions in CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels in MEPT2D. Among them, HIIT was superior to other training modalities in reducing TNF-α levels, while CT was superior to AT, RT, and HIIT in decreasing IL-6, IL-10, and CRP in MEPT2D. Meanwhile, RT had limited effects in reducing CRP and TNF-α levels in MEPT2D. However, HIIT had no significant effect on IL-6 and IL-10 in MEPT2D. In conclusion, long-term regular AT, RT, CT, and HIIT all contributed to the reduction of inflammatory status (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) in MEPT2D, while CT (for CRP, IL-6, and IL-10) and HIIT (for TNF-α) represent the best approaches to counteract the inflammatory response in MEPT2D.

Immunosenescence in Aging-Related Vascular Dysfunction

The immunosenescence-related disproportion in T lymphocytes may have important consequences for endothelial dysfunction, which is a key event in vascular aging. The study was designed to assess the prognostic values of the inflammatory-immune profile to better predict and prevent vascular diseases associated with old age. Eighty individuals aged 70.9 ± 5.3 years were allocated to a low- (LGI) or high-grade inflammation (HGI) group based on CRP (<3 or ≥3 mg/L) as a conventional risk marker of cardiovascular diseases. Significant changes in inflammatory and endothelium-specific variables IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, oxLDL, H2O2, NO, 3-nitrotyrosine, and endothelial progenitor cells (OR 7.61, 95% CI 2.56−29.05, p < 0.0001), confirmed their interplay in vascular inflammation. The flow-cytometry analysis demonstrated a high disproportion in T lymphocytes CD4+ and CD8+ between LGI and HGI groups. CRP was <3 mg/mL for the CD4/CD8 ratio within the reference values ≥ 1 or ≤2.5, unlike for the CD4/CD8 ratio < 1 and >2.5. The odds ratios for the distribution of CD4+ (OR 5.98, 95% CI 0.001−0.008, p < 0.001), CD8+ (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08−0.59, p < 0.01), and CD8CD45RO+ T naïve cells (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.097−0.695, p < 0.01) and CD4/CD8 (OR 5.69, 95% CI 2.07−17.32, p < 0.001) indicated a potential diagnostic value of T lymphocytes for clinical prognosis in aging-related vascular dysfunction.

Dipeptide Extract Modulates the Oxi-Antioxidant Response to Intense Physical Exercise

Exposure to intense physical exercise increases reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production. The process can be modulated by dipeptide bioavailability with antioxidant scavenger properties. The effects of dipeptide intake in combination with physical exercise on the oxi-antioxidant response were examined in a randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Blood samples were collected from 20 males aged 21.2 ± 1.8 years before and after 14-day intake of chicken breast extract (4 g/day), which is a good source of bioactive dipeptides. A significant increase in the NO/H₂O₂ ratio was observed in the 1st and 30th minute after intense incremental exercise in dipeptides compared to the placebo group. Total antioxidant and thiol redox status were significantly higher in the dipeptide group both before and after exercise; η² ≥ 0.64 showed a large effect of dipeptides on antioxidant and glutathione status. The level of 8-isoprostanes, markers of oxidative damage, did not change under the influence of dipeptides. By contrast, reduced C-reactive protein levels were found during the post-exercise period in the dipeptide group, which indicates the anti-inflammatory properties of dipeptides. High pre-exercise dipeptide intake enhances antioxidant status and thus reduces the oxi-inflammatory response to intense exercise. Therefore, the application of dipeptides seems to have favourable potential for modulating oxidative stress and inflammation in physically active individuals following a strenuous exercise schedule.

PECULIARITIES OF VASOR-REGULATING FUNCTIONS OF THE VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM IN ADAPTATION OF THE YOUTH BODY TO SYSTEMATIC PHYSICAL LOADS

OBJECTIVE

The aim: To analyze the features of changes in the functional state of the vascular endothelium of handball players in the dynamics of the training process, at different levels of the body's hypoxic state.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: Theoretical methods, the method of Corretti et al. with the use of high-resolution ultrasound, Fisher test with the calculation of the Fisher criterion and the Bland-Altman method. The study of the vasomotor function of the vascular endothelium was carried out of young men 18-20 y.o., who did not go in for sports and which were systematically played handball. The brachial artery diameter, maximum linear blood flow velocity, volumetric blood flow velocity were registered in the state of relative rest after artificially created reactive hyperemia.

RESULTS

Results: The primary results obtained showed that in the process of long-term adaptation to systematic muscular work, a pronounced vasodilation effect was observed. Subsequent analyze of changes in the functional state of the vascular endothelium of young sportsmen during the macrocycle preparation different levels of the body's hypoxic state manifested the following. The young men-athletes had more pronounced vasodilation effect, the values of the linear and volumetric blood flow velocity both in the state of relative rest and at the peak of the artificially created hyperemia were significantly higher than in the young men, who did not go in for sports.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Suggested that the systematic muscular work contributes to a significant intensification of the oxidation pathway of nitric oxide formation from L-arginine with the participation of endothelial NO-synthase.

Physical Exercise in Managing Takayasu Arteritis Patients Complicated With Cardiovascular Diseases

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a kind of large-vessel vasculitis that mainly affects the aorta and its branches, and the patients are usually women at a relatively young age. The chronic inflammation of arteries in TA patients leads to stenosis, occlusion, dilatation, or aneurysm formation. Patients with TA thereby have a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) complications, which are the most common cause of mortality. This review summarizes the main cardiovascular complications and the risk factors of cardiovascular complications in patients with TA. Here, we discuss the benefits and potential risks of physical exercise in patients with TA and give recommendations about exercise prescription for TA patients to decrease the risks of CVD and facilitate rehabilitation of cardiovascular complications, which might maximally improve the outcomes.

Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure Reduces Endothelial Dysfunction

Intermittent exposure to hypoxia (IHE) increases the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as well as erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the adaptation to intense physical activity. However, several studies suggest a protective effect of moderate hypoxia in cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. The effects of intense physical activity with IHE on oxi-inflammatory mediators and their interaction with conventional CVD risk factors were investigated. Blood samples were collected from elite athletes (control n = 6, IHE n = 6) during a 6-day IHE cycle using hypoxicator GO2 altitude. IHE was held once a day, at least 2 hours after training. In serum, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), nitric oxide (NO), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-Nitro), proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNFα), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) were determined by the commercial immunoenzyme (ELISA kits) or colorimetric methods. Serum erythropoietin (EPO) level was measured by ELISA kit every day of hypoxia. IHE was found to significantly increase H₂O₂, NO, and HSP27 but to decrease 3NT concentrations. The changes in 3NT and HSP27 following hypoxia proved to enhance NO bioavailability and endothelial function. In the present study, the oxi-inflammatory mediators IL-1β and hsCRP increased in IHE group but they did not exceed the reference values. The serum EPO level increased on the 3^rd day of IHE, then decreased on 5^th day of IHE, and correlated with NO/H₂O₂ ratio (r _s = 0.640, P < 0.05). There were no changes in haematological markers contrary to lipoproteins such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) which showed a decreasing trend in response to hypoxic exposure. The study demonstrated that IHE combined with sports activity reduced a risk of endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis in athletes even though the oxi-inflammatory processes were enhanced. Therefore, 6-day IHE seems to be a potential therapeutic and nonpharmacological method to reduce CVD risk, especially in elite athletes participating in strenuous training.

Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure with High Dose of Arginine Impact on Circulating Mediators of Tissue Regeneration

Intermittent exposure to hypoxia (IHE) increases production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species which, as signalling molecules, participate in tissue injury–repair–regeneration cascade. The process is also stimulated by arginine whose bioavailability is a limiting factor for NO synthesis. The effects of IHE in combination with arginine (Arg) intake on myogenesis and angiogenesis mediators were examined in a randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Blood samples were collected from 38 elite athletes on the 1st, 7th and 14th days during the training camp. The oral doses of arginine (2 × 6 g/day) and/or IHE using hypoxicator GO2Altitude (IHE and Arg/IHE) were applied. Serum NO and H₂O₂ concentrations increased significantly and were related to muscle damage (CK activity >900 IU/mL) in IHE and Arg/IHE compared to placebo. The changes in NO and H₂O₂ elevated the levels of circulating growth factors such as HGF, IHG-1, PDGF^BB, BDNF, VEGF and EPO. Modification of the lipid profile, especially reduced non-HDL, was an additional beneficial effect of hypoxic exposure with arginine intake. Intermittent hypoxic exposure combined with high-dose arginine intake was demonstrated to affect circulating mediators of injury–repair–regeneration. Therefore, a combination of IHE and arginine seems to be a potential therapeutic and non-pharmacological method to modulate the myogenesis and angiogenesis in elite athletes.