A study of abdominal ultrasound therapy combined with complex exercise for effective obesity management among shift work employees

Male C57BL6/N and C57BL6/J Mice Respond Differently to Constant Light and Running-Wheel Access

Previous studies have shown that exposure to circadian disruption produces negative effects on overall health and behavior. More recent studies illustrate that strain differences in the behavioral and physiological responses to circadian disruption exist, even if the strains have similar genetic backgrounds. As such, we investigated the effects of constant room-level light (LL) with running-wheel access on the behavior and physiology of male C57BL6/J from Jackson Laboratories and C57BL6/N from Charles River Laboratories mice. Mice were exposed to either a 12:12 light-dark (LD) cycle or LL and given either a standard home cage or a cage with a running-wheel. Following 6 weeks of LD or LL, their response to behavioral assays (open-field, light-dark box, novel object) and measures of metabolism were observed. Under standard LD, C57BL6/J mice exhibited increased locomotor activity and reduced exploratory behavior compared to C57BL6/N mice. In LL, C57BL6/J mice had greater period lengthening and increased anxiety, while C57BL6/N mice exhibited increased weight gain and no change in exploratory behavior. C57BL6/J mice also decreased exploration with running-wheel access while C57BL6/N mice did not. These results further demonstrate that C57BL/6 substrains exhibit different behavioral and physiological responses to circadian disruption and wheel-running access.

p38 MAPK signaling is a key mediator for low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in cultured human omental adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Visceral obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders and lacks effective, non-drug based clinical therapy. The use of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) to treat chronic pain and bone fracture is well-known, but its application for visceral obesity treatment has not been studied. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of LIPUS by studying its effects, at varying doses, on human omental adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). LIPUS stimulation was applied for 1 min at intensities between 70 and 210 mW/cm². Cell viability was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry and immunoblotting of apoptosis marker proteins. We found that a high dose of LIPUS (210 mW/cm²) promoted apoptosis in hAMSCs, while a low dose (70 mW/cm²) increased hAMSC viability. Phosphorylation of p38, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), increased with high dose LIPUS treatment, but markedly decreased with a low dose. Inhibition of p38 phosphorylation by SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK activity, rescued the apoptotic effects of high dose LIPUS. Our results showed the dose-dependent, opposing effects of LIPUS on hAMSCs and suggested that p38 plays a key role in mediating the effects of LIPUS on hAMSCs.

A systematic review of physical activity-based interventions in shift workers

Shift workers are at increased risk of a range of chronic diseases and there is evidence to suggest that these risks can be ameliorated by physical activity. Little is known however about the efficacy of physical activity interventions in shift workers. The aim was therefore to critically review the literature to improve understanding of the efficacy of physical activity promotion initiatives for this occupational group. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of physical activity in shift workers was conducted in 2016-2017 following the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Only seven studies were found. None of the studies measured changes in physical activity behaviour or reported on the timing or setting of the intervention protocols. Instead, most focused on health-related outcomes including body composition, fitness and sleep. Almost all provided physical activity 'prescriptions' with walking or 'aerobic activity' as the primary intervention mode and most reported significant improvements in one of the outcome measures. Although the findings suggest that physical activity may mitigate intermediate risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases (NCD) in shift workers, the studies offer little insight into physical activity behaviour change in this occupational group. Future research should assess actual changes in physical activity behaviour, and its determinants, as well as the reach and uptake of intervention strategies in this challenging population group.

Effect of a 12-week complex training on the body composition and cardiorespiratory system of female college students

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a complex exercise program on the body composition and cardiorespiratory system of female college students. [Subjects and Methods] This study included 20 female college students who had not participated in any particular sports in the last 3 months. The complex exercise program consisted of two parts, aerobic exercise and weight training. First, aerobic exercise was implemented (30 min 5 times a week for 12 weeks) according to the participants’ exercise tolerance. Second, weight training was implemented (40 min 5 times a week for 12 weeks) with 60% of 1 repetition maximum (RM). [Results] The t-test results showed significant differences in body composition between the before and after the complex exercise program. The subjects’ body weights and body fat percentages were decreased, and their skeletal muscle masses were increased. Increased levels of maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max), maximal expiratory volume (VE_max), and maximal heart rate (HR_max) were also observed. [Conclusion] In conclusion, the 12-week complex exercise program, including aerobic and weight training, had positive effects on the body composition and cardiorespiratory system of the female college students.