Effects of carbohydrate ingestion on acute leukocyte, cortisol, and interleukin-6 response in high-intensity long-distance running

The effect of nutrition and exercise training on irisin and semaphorin-3E levels in obese patients

We aimed to firstly examine the effects of nutrition and exercise training on irisin, Sema-3E, biochemical and inflammatory parameters in obese patients. This study was conducted using 37 individuals were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI) as non-obese, 1nd degree and 2nd degree obese individuals. Nutrition and exercise training were applied to groups for eight weeks. Insulin resistance decreased in non-obese and 1st degree obese subjects. HsCRP values decreased only in the second degree obese individuals. Adiponectin values were significantly decreased in all three groups. There was a negative correlation between serum adiponectin and plasma irisin levels both before and after treatment. Sema-3E levels increased significantly in only the first degree obese individuals, whereas plexin-D1 values did not change significantly in any group. Our findings indicate that nutrition and exercise training we apply improved both anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters in obese and non-obese individuals.

Combined Effects of High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Training and Ziziphus jujuba Extract on Tissue Nesfatin-1 in Rats

Nesfatin-1 is involved in metabolic/feeding regulation and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown that exercise and herb supplementation can influence nesfatin-1 concentration. The present study investigated the effects of high-intensity training (HIT) and Ziziphus jujuba (ZJ) extract on tissue nesfatin-1 in rats. Twenty-eight female rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups i.e. 1) Saline-Control (SC), 2) Saline-High Intensity Training (ST), 3) Ziziphus jujuba-Control (ZJC), and 4) Ziziphus jujuba-High Intensity Training (ZJT). Rats performed exercise on a treadmill and/or administered supplements intragastrically for 6 weeks, depending on group category. Seventy-two hours after the last training session, rats were anesthetized. Blood, hypothafi 2lamus tissue, heart and gastrocnemius muscles were sent to the laboratory for analyses. Significantly higher nesfatin-1 gene expression and concentration and ATP concentration were found in trained rat. HIT increased plasma High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and insulin concentration and reduced plasma Triglyceride (TG) and cortisol. ZJ increased tissue nesftain-1 gene expression and concentration while only increasing heart ATP. The combination of exercise and ZJ showed an additive effect compared to each intervention alone on hypothalamus, heart and gastrocnemius NUCB2 gene expression, heart and gastrocnemius nesfatin-1 concentration, plasma HDL and cortisol concentration. The authors recommend both interventions as a means to improve cardiovascular health in rats with further work needed to confirm similar findings in homo sapiens.

Acute Hemodynamic Responses to Combined Exercise and Sauna

This study investigated acute hemodynamic, plasma volume and immunological responses to four loading protocols: sauna only, and sauna after endurance, strength or combined endurance and strength exercise. Twenty-seven healthy, slightly prehypertensive men (age 32.7±6.9 years) were measured at PRE, MID (after exercise), POST, POST30min and POST24h. The measurements consisted systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and concentrations of high-sensitive C-reactive protein, white blood cells and plasma volume measurements. Endurance+sauna showed significant decreases in systolic blood pressure at POST (–8.9 mmHg), POST30min (–11.0 mmHg) and POST24h (–4.6 mmHg). At POST30min, significant decreases were also observed in sauna (–4.3 mmHg) and combined+sauna (–7.5 mmHg). Diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly from -5.4 to –3.9 mmHg at POST in all loadings. Plasma volume decreased significantly at MID in all exercise loadings and at POST in endurance+sauna and strength+sauna. Plasma volume increased significantly (p < 0.01) in endurance+sauna and combined+sauna at POST24h. White blood cells increased following all exercise+sauna loadings at MID, POST and POST30min, whereas high sensitive C-reactive protein showed no changes at any measurement point. The combination of endurance exercise and sauna showed the greatest positive effects on blood pressure. Both loadings including endurance exercise increased plasma volume on the next day.

Meal-exercise challenge and physical activity reduction impact on immunity and inflammation (MERIIT trial)

BACKGROUND

The effect of a pre-exercise meal as countermeasure to exercise induced immunodepression is poorly known. Also, sedentary behavior is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk but studies on immune changes are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to assess: 1) the impact of a pre-exercise Mediterranean meal (MdM) compared with a fast-food type meal (FFM) on exercise-induced immunological changes and 2) the impact of an induced acute period of sedentary behavior on neuro-immune-endocrine status.

METHODS

/Design: This is a two steps clinical trial including: (a) randomized crossover clinical trial, comparing the effect a high-fat/low-nutrient dense meal, FFM, with an isoenergetic similar high-nutrient dense meal, MdM, in the immune response to an exercise challenge (EC) and (b) a pilot trial assessing the neuro-immune-endocrine change induced by acute decreasing by half the usual physical activity level.

RESULTS

A total of 46 participants (26 females), median aged 25 years were included. Of those 39-completed protocol, including overweight, physical active and inactive and participants with asthma. There were no differences in the EC between interventions. Dietary factors and physical activity were closely monitored during interventions and kept similar. During physical inactivity induction, 31% reached the target of 50% reduction in mean step number and 77% reached a 30% reduction.

CONCLUSION

The use of a pre-exercise meal to modulate immune response and the understanding of the immunological impact of physical inactivity might help to establish future recommendations on how to practice exercise in a safer way and to recognize the potential impact of inactivity.

Effects of carbohydrate and branched-chain amino acid beverage ingestion during acute upper body resistance exercise on performance and postexercise hormone response

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the individual and combined effects of ingesting carbohydrates (CHO) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) during high-volume upper body resistance exercise (RE) on markers of catabolism and performance. Thirteen resistance-trained males completed 4 experimental trials with supplementation, ingesting beverages containing CHO, BCAA, CHO+BCAA, or placebo (PLA) in a randomized, double-blind design. The beverages were ingested in 118-mL servings 6 times during an ∼60-min RE session consisting of bench press, bent-over row, incline press, and close-grip row. Each RE was performed with 5 sets of repetitions at 65% 1-repetition maximum until volitional fatigue. Blood samples were collected at baseline, immediately postexercise, and 60 min postexercise to assess glucose and insulin. Cortisol was assessed immediately and at 60 min postexercise. No significant performance benefits were observed for any RE. CHO+BCAA (152.4 ± 71.4 ng/mL) resulted in the lowest cortisol levels, which was lower than BCAA and PLA (193.7 ± 88.5, 182.8 ± 67.5 ng/mL, p < 0.05), but not different from CHO (165 ± 76.5 ng/mL, p = 0.342). Postexercise insulin concentrations were significantly higher with CHO (4.79 ± 3.4 mU/L) compared with BCAA and PLA (3.7 ± 2.0, 3.5 ± 1.8 mU/L, p < 0.05), but not different from CHO+BCAA (4.3 ± 2.5 mU/L, p = 0.339). There was no treatment effect for glucose, but glucose significantly increased from baseline to immediately postexercise and significantly decreased at 60 min postexercise. Ingesting beverages containing CHO with or without BCAA during upper body resistance exercise may promote a more favorable postexercise less catabolic environment.

Effects of macro- and micronutrients on exercise-induced hepcidin response in highly trained endurance athletes

Iron deficiency has ergolytic effects on athletic performance. Exercise-induced inflammation impedes iron absorption in the digestive tract by upregulating the expression of the iron regulatory protein, hepcidin. Limited research indicates the potential of specific macro- and micronutrients on blunting exercise-induced hepcidin. Therefore, we investigated the effects of postexercise supplementation with protein and carbohydrate (CHO) and vitamins D3 and K2 on the postexercise hepcidin response. Ten highly trained male cyclists (age: 26.9 ± 6.4 years; maximal oxygen uptake: 67.4 ± 4.4 mL·kg–1·min–1 completed 4 cycling sessions in a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blinded, triple-crossover study. Experimental days consisted of an 8-min warm-up at 50% power output at maximal oxygen uptake, followed by 8 × 3-min intervals at 85% power output at maximal oxygen uptake with 1.5 min at 60% power output at maximal oxygen uptake between each interval. Blood samples were collected pre- and postexercise, and at 3 h postexercise. Three different drinks consisting of CHO (75 g) and protein (25 g) with (VPRO) or without (PRO) vitamins D3 (5000 IU) and K2 (1000 μg), or a zero-calorie control drink (PLA) were consumed immediately after the postexercise blood sample. Results showed that the postexercise drinks had no significant (p ≥ 0.05) effect on any biomarker measured. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in hepcidin and interleukin-6 following intense cycling intervals in the participants. Hepcidin increased significantly (p < 0.05) from baseline (nmol·L–1: 9.94 ± 8.93, 14.18 ± 14.90, 10.44 ± 14.62) to 3 h postexercise (nmol·L–1: 22.27 ± 13.41, 25.44 ± 11.91, 22.57 ± 15.57) in VPRO, PRO, and PLA, respectively. Contrary to our hypothesis, the drink compositions used did not blunt the postexercise hepcidin response in highly trained athletes.

Nutritional interventions and the IL-6 response to exercise

IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine with a wide range of biologic effects. In response to prolonged exercise, IL-6 is synthesized by contracting skeletal muscle and released into circulation. Circulating IL-6 is thought to maintain energy status during exercise by acting as an energy sensor for contracting muscle and stimulating glucose production. If tissue damage occurs, immune cells infiltrate and secrete cytokines, including IL-6, to repair skeletal muscle damage. With adequate rest and nutrition, the IL-6 response to exercise is attenuated as skeletal muscle adapts to training. However, sustained elevations in IL-6 due to repeated bouts of unaccustomed activities or prolonged exercise with limited rest may result in untoward physiologic effects, such as accelerated muscle proteolysis and diminished nutrient absorption, and may impair normal adaptive responses to training. Recent intervention studies have explored the role of mixed meals or carbohydrate, protein, ω-3 fatty acid, or antioxidant supplementation in mitigating exercise-induced increases in IL-6. Emerging evidence suggests that sufficient energy intake before exercise is an important factor in attenuating exercise-induced IL-6 by maintaining muscle glycogen. We detail various nutritional interventions that may affect the IL-6 response to exercise in healthy human adults and provide recommendations for future research exploring the role of IL-6 in the adaptive response to exercise.-Hennigar, S. R., McClung, J. P., Pasiakos, S. M. Nutritional interventions and the IL-6 response to exercise.

Carbohydrate Supplementation Influences Serum Cytokines after Exercise under Hypoxic Conditions

INTRODUCTION

Exercise performed at the hypoxia equivalent of an altitude of 4200 m is associated with elevated inflammatory mediators and changes in the Th1/Th2 response. By contrast, supplementation with carbohydrates has an anti-inflammatory effect when exercise is performed under normoxic conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of carbohydrate supplementation on cytokines and cellular damage markers after exercise under hypoxic conditions at a simulated altitude of 4200 m.

METHODS

Seven adult male volunteers who exercised for 60 min at an intensity of 50% VO2Peak were randomly evaluated under three distinct conditions; normoxia, hypoxia and hypoxia + carbohydrate supplementation. Blood samples were collected at rest, at the end of exercise and after 60 min of recovery. To evaluate hypoxia + carbohydrate supplementation, volunteers received a solution of 6% carbohydrate (maltodextrin) or a placebo (strawberry-flavored Crystal Light®; Kraft Foods, Northfield, IL, USA) every 20 min during exercise and recovery. Statistical analyses comprised analysis of variance, with a one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post hoc test with a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, there was a significant increase in the concentration of IL-6 after exercise and after recovery compared to at rest (p < 0.05), while in the hypoxia + carbohydrate group, there was a significant increase in the concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α after exercise compared to at rest (p < 0.05). Furthermore, under this condition, TNF-α, IL-2 and the balance of IL-2/IL-4 were increased after recovery compared to at rest (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that carbohydrate supplementation modified the IL-6 and TNF-α serum concentrations and shifted the IL-2/IL-4 balance towards Th1 in response without glycemic, glutaminemia and cell damage effects.