Uridine--an indicator of post-exercise uric acid concentration and blood pressure

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms link gout with health-related lifestyle factors in Korean cohorts

Gout-a very painful inflammatory arthritis caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in the joints-is influenced by several factors. We identified the association of single- nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that link gout with health-related lifestyle factors using genomic data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 18,927 samples of 438 Korean patients with gout and 18,489 controls for the discovery stage. For the replication stage, another batch containing samples of 326 patients with gout and 2,737 controls were analyzed. Lastly, a meta-analysis was performed using these two cohorts. We analyzed the effects of health-related lifestyle factors, including eating habits, physical activity, drinking behavior, and smoking behavior, on gout. After identifying the association between GWAS-derived SNPs and health-related lifestyle factors, we confirmed the interaction between the polygenic risk score (PRS) and health-related lifestyle factors. We identified 15 SNPs related to gout, among which rs1481012 of ABCG2 located on chromosome 4 has been newly discovered (P = 2.46e-11). On examining the interaction between SNPs and health-related lifestyles, rs3109823-located in ABCG2-was found to be associated with smoking status. In addition, rs11936395-located in SLC2A9-was significantly associated with the average momentum of exercise per session, whereas rs11066325 located in PTPN11, showed a significant association with the number of exercise sessions per week, smoking status, drinking status, and amount of soju drink per session. rs9421589-located in FAM35A-was significantly associated with the duration of smoking. In addition, we verified that the association between PRS and duration of smoking affects gout. Thus, in this study, we identified novel SNPs that link gout with health-related lifestyle factors in the Korean population.

Air pollution and high-intensity interval exercise: Implications to anti-inflammatory balance, metabolome and cardiovascular responses

High-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) is an effective non-pharmacological tool for improving physiological responses related to health. When HIIE is performed in urban centers, however, the exerciser is exposed to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), which is associated with metabolic, anti-inflammatory imbalance and cardiovascular diseases. This paradoxical combination has the potential for conflicting health effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of HIIE performed in TRAP exposure on serum cytokines, non-target metabolomics and cardiovascular parameters. Fifteen participants performed HIIE in a chamber capable to deliver filtered air (FA condition) or non-filtered air (TRAP condition) from a polluted site adjacent to the exposure chamber. Non-target blood serum metabolomics, blood serum cytokines and blood pressure analyses were collected in both FA and TRAP conditions at baseline, 10 min after exercise, and 1 h after exercise. The TRAP increased IL-6 concentration by 1.7 times 1 h after exercise (p < 0.01) and did not change the anti-inflammatory balance (IL-10/TNF-α ratio). In contrast, FA led to an increase in IL-10 and IL-10/TNF-α ratio (p < 0.01), by 2.1 and 2.3 times, respectively. The enrichment analysis showed incomplete fatty acid metabolism under the TRAP condition (p < 0.05) 10 min after exercise. There was also an overactivity of ketone body metabolism (p < 0.05) at 10 min and at 1 h after exercise with TRAP. Exercise-induced acute decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) was not observed at 10 min and impaired at 1 h after exercise (p < 0.05). These findings reveal that TRAP potentially attenuates health benefits often related to HIIE. For instance, the anti-inflammatory balance was impaired, accompanied by accumulation of metabolites related to energy supply and reduction to exercise-induced decrease in SBP.

Effect of Two Choreographed Fitness Group-Workouts on the Body Composition, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health of Sedentary Female Workers

Daily sedentary working hours contribute negatively to body composition, cardiovascular and metabolic health, especially in women, who are usually less active than men. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of two trending choreographed fitness group-workouts on the body composition and cardiovascular and metabolic health of sedentary female workers. A total of 98 physically inactive and working women (38.9 ± 6.4 years of age) were randomly assigned to three study groups: Control group (CG) = 31, Zumba Fitness^® with three one-hour classes per week (ZF) = 39, and Zumba Fitness with 20 min of additional Bodyweight strength training (ZF + BW) = 28. Measurements included body composition, blood pressure, cardiovascular risk by the Framingham Heart Study tools (10 yr cardiovascular risk and vascular age) and a metabolic blood panel. Post-intervention, both choreographed fitness group-workouts reached a similar significant loss of fat mass (ZF = 2.805 ± 0.48, p < 0.0001; ZF + BW = 3.540 ± 0.04, p < 0.0001), an increase in muscle mass (ZF = 1.70 ± 0.581, p = 0.005; ZF + BW = 3.237 ± 0.657, p < 0.0001) and a decrease in SBP (ZF= 6.454 ± 1.70, p < 0.0001; ZF + BW = 4.12 ± 1.95, p = 0.039). Only the ZF group significantly improved the 10 yr cardiovascular risk (p = 0.032) and metabolic age (p = 0.0025) post-intervention. No significant improvement was observed in the metabolic panel for both choreographed fitness group-workouts. In conclusion, the ZF program generated improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic risk variables compared to ZF + BW or CG. Both choreographed fitness group-workouts contributed similarly to the improvement in systolic blood pressure, fat mass, muscle mass, and also engendered a great adherence to exercise.

Study of the Treatment Effects of Compound Tufuling Granules in Hyperuricemic Rats Using Serum Metabolomics

The study aimed to investigate the mechanism of the effect of Compound Tufuling Granules (CTG) to lower the serum uric acid level in a rat model of hyperuricemia. The rat model was established by administering hypoxanthine through oral gavage and potassium oxonate through intraperitoneal injection. Rats were divided into the normal group, model group, CTG group, and allopurinol group. Serum uric acid, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and inflammatory cytokine levels were determined in each group. In the model group, ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the metabolic profiles and delineate the action mechanism of CTG; in addition, the orthogonal projection method was used to perform latent structure-discrimination analysis to screen the related metabolites. The results indicated significant differences in the metabolic profiles between the model and normal groups. A total of seven related metabolites were identified through screening in the model group, mainly related to the pathways of bile secretion, pyrimidine, purine, and phenylalanine metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, and pentose and glucuronate interconversions; these related pathways were reversed in the CTG group. In the metabolic networks, uracil and acetyl-coenzyme A were the nodal molecules. In addition, the test results of the evaluation of serum biochemical and inflammatory factors confirmed that CTG had significant effect in reducing the levels of serum uric acid and protecting renal function. These results confirmed that CTG primarily regulated the recruitment of nodal molecules to achieve anti-inflammatory effects, reduced uric acid level, and renal protection.

Identification of Metabolite Biomarkers for Gout Using Capillary Ion Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis, and the detailed pathogenic mechanisms for this metabolic disorder remain largely unknown. In this study, we first profiled the salivary metabolites in 8 patients with gout, 15 patients with hyperuricaemia (HUA), and 15 healthy individuals using capillary ion chromatography (CIC) with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Forty-nine salivary metabolites were found to be significantly changed between gout patient and healthy control groups, and 26 salivary metabolites were significantly different between gout and HUA patient groups. Three metabolite biomarkers, uric acid, oxalic acid, and l-homocysteic acid (HCA), were selected for validation in the saliva samples of 30 patients with gout, 30 patients with HUA, and 30 healthy control subjects. By using commercial assay kits for the measurements, salivary uric acid and oxalic acid levels were found to be significantly higher in gout patients than healthy controls, whereas salivary HCA level was significantly higher in gout patients than both HUA patients and healthy controls. These assay measurements were in line with those obtained by CIC-MS/MS. In conclusion, we have demonstrated a new application of CIC-MS/MS for the discovery of novel metabolite biomarkers of gout. Validated biomarkers may be used for noninvasive, diagnostic and prognostic applications in gout. Future studies are warranted to investigate the clinical utility of these identified biomarkers for monitoring gout flare and/or treatment efficacy.

Effects of Six-Week Ginkgo biloba Supplementation on Aerobic Performance, Blood Pro/Antioxidant Balance, and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Physically Active Men

Extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaves, a natural source of flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds, are commonly used as therapeutic agents for the improvement of both cognitive and physiological performance. The present study was aimed to test the effects of a six-week supplementation with 160 mg/day of a standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba or a matching placebo on aerobic performance, blood antioxidant capacity, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level in healthy, physically active young men, randomly allocated to two groups (n = 9 each). At baseline, as well as on the day following the treatment, the participants performed an incremental cycling test for the assessment of maximal oxygen uptake. Venous blood samples taken at rest, then immediately post-test and following 1 h of recovery, were analyzed for activities of antioxidant enzymes and plasma concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants, total phenolics, uric acid, lipid peroxidation products, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Our results show that six weeks' supplementation with Ginkgo biloba extract in physically active young men may provide some marginal improvements in their endurance performance expressed as VO₂max and blood antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by specific biomarkers, and elicit somewhat better neuroprotection through increased exercise-induced production of BDNF.

A Pilot Study to Assess Adenosine 5'-triphosphate Metabolism in Red Blood Cells as a Drug Target for Potential Cardiovascular Protection

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of exercise preconditioning on adenosine 5'triphosphate (ATP) metabolism in red blood cells and cardiovascular protection against injury induced by isoproterenol in vivo.

METHODS

Male Sprague Dawley rats (SDR) were each exercised on a treadmill for 15 minutes at 10 m/min and 10% grade (n = 7) (LowEx), or 14 m/min and 22% grade (n = 8) (VigEx). Two hours after the exercise, each rat received a single dose of isoproterenol (30 mg/kg) by subcutaneous (sc) injection. Two separate groups of SDR were used as control: One received no exercise (n = 10) (NoEx) and the other received no exercise and no isoproterenol (n = 11) (NoIso). Serial blood samples were collected over 5 hours for measurement of ATP and its catabolites by a validated HPLC. Hemodynamic recording was collected continuously for the duration of the experiment. Data were analysed using ANOVA and t-tests and difference considered significant at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Exercise pre-conditioning (both LowEx and VigEx) reduced mortality after isoproterenol from 50% to < 30% (p > 0.05). It attenuated the rebound in blood pressure significantly (p < 0.05 between NoEx vs VigEx), attenuated the increase of RBC adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) concentrations induced by isoproterenol, and also decreased the breakdown of ATP to AMP in the RBC (p < 0.05 vs NoEx).

CONCLUSION

Exercise pre-conditioning decreased the blood pressure rebound and also breakdown of ATP in RBC after isoproterenol which may be exploited further as a drug target for cardiovascular protection and prevention.