Resistance Training for Older Women: Do Adaptive Responses Support the ACSM and NSCA Position Stands?

PURPOSE

The optimal intensity of resistance training (RT) to improve muscular, physical performance, and metabolic adaptations still needs to be well established for older adults. Based on current position statements, we compared the effects of two different RT loads on muscular strength, functional performance, skeletal muscle mass, hydration status, and metabolic biomarkers in older women.

METHODS

One hundred one older women were randomly allocated to perform a 12-wk whole-body RT program (eight exercises, three sets, three nonconsecutive days a week) into two groups: 8-12 repetitions maximum (RM) and 10-15RM. Muscular strength (1RM tests), physical performance (motor tests), skeletal muscle mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), hydration status (bioelectrical impedance), and metabolic biomarkers (glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein) were measured at baseline and posttraining.

RESULTS

Regarding muscular strength, 8-12RM promoted higher 1RM increases in chest press (+23.2% vs +10.7%, P < 0.01) and preacher curl (+15.7% vs +7.4%, P < 0.01), but not in leg extension (+14.9% vs +12.3%, P > 0.05). Both groups improved functional performance ( P < 0.05) in gait speed (4.6%-5.6%), 30 s chair stand (4.6%-5.9%), and 6 min walking (6.7%-7.0%) tests, with no between-group differences ( P > 0.05). The 10-15RM group elicited superior improves in the hydration status (total body water, intracellular and extracellular water; P < 0.01), and higher gains of skeletal muscle mass (2.5% vs 6.3%, P < 0.01), upper (3.9% vs 9.0%, P < 0.01) and lower limbs lean soft tissue (2.1% vs 5.4%, P < 0.01). Both groups improved their metabolic profile. However, 10-15RM elicited greater glucose reductions (-0.2% vs -4.9%, P < 0.05) and greater HDL-c increases (-0.2% vs +4.7%, P < 0.01), with no between-group differences for the other metabolic biomarkers ( P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that 8-2RM seems more effective than 10-15RM for increasing upper limbs' muscular strength, whereas the adaptative responses for lower limbs and functional performance appear similar in older women. In contrast, 10-15RM seems more effective for skeletal muscle mass gains, and increased intracellular hydration and improvements in metabolic profile may accompany this adaptation.

Paraoxonase 1 status is a major Janus-faced component of mild and moderate acute ischemic stroke and consequent disabilities

AIMS

This study aims to examine the associations between paraoxonase 1 (PON)1 status and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and consequent disabilities.

METHODS

This study recruited 122 patients with AIS and 40 healthy controls and assessed the Q192R gene variants, arylesterase (AREase) and chloromethyl phenylacetate (CMPAase) activities, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) in baseline conditions. AREase and CMPAase were measured 3 months later. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin score (mRS) were assessed at baseline and 3 and 6 months later.

RESULTS

Reduced CMPAase and increased AREase activities are significantly associated with AIS and mRS and NIHSS scores (baseline and 3 and 6 months later). The best predictor of AIS/disabilities was a decrease in the z-unit-based composite zCMPAase-zAREase score. Serum high density lipoprotein cholsterol (HDLc) was significantly correlated with CMPAase, but not AREase, activity and a lowered zCMPAase + zHDLc score was the second best predictor of AIS/disabilities. Regression analysis showed that 34.7% of the variance in baseline NIHSS was explained by zCMPAase-zAREase and zCMPAase + zHDLc composites, HDLc, and hypertension. Neural network analysis showed that stroke was differentiated from controls with an area under the ROC curve of 0.975 using both new composite scores, PON1 status, hypertension, dyslipidemia, previous stroke as body mass index. The PON1 Q192R genotype has many significant direct and mediated effects on AIS/disabilities, however, its overall effect was not significant.

DISCUSSION

PON1 status and the CMPAase-HDLc complex play key roles in AIS and its disabilities at baseline and 3 and 6 months later.

Effect of Resistance Exercise Order on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

We compared the effects of two specific resistance training (RT) exercise orders on cardiovascular risk factors. Forty-four untrained older women (>60 years) were randomly assigned to three groups: control (CON, n = 15), multi-joint to single-joint (MJ-SJ, n = 14), and single-joint to multi-joint (SJ-MJ, n = 15) exercise orders. Training groups performed a whole-body RT program (eight exercises, 3 × 10−15 repetitions for each exercise) over 12 weeks in 3 days/week. Body fat, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL-c, glucose, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, total radical-trapping antioxidant (TRAP), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), ferrous oxidation-xylenol (FOX), and nitric oxide concentrations (NOx) were determined pre- and post-intervention. Significant interaction group × time (p < 0.05) revealed reducing fat mass and trunk fat and improvements in glucose, LDL-c, IL-10, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, FOX, and AOPP concentrations in both training groups, without differences between them (p > 0.05). The results suggest that 12 weeks of RT, regardless of exercise order, elicit positive adaptations on body fat and metabolic biomarkers similarly in older women.

Effect of Resistance Exercise Orders on Health Parameters in Trained Older Women: A Randomized Crossover Trial

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the effects of four resistance exercise orders on muscular strength, body composition, functional fitness, cardiovascular risk factors, and mental health parameters in trained older women.

METHODS

The intervention lasted 63 wk. Sixty-one physically independent women (>60 yr) after completing a 12-wk resistance training (RT) preconditioning phase were randomized into four different exercise orders groups to perform 12 wk of RT: multijoint to single-joint and upper- to lower-body, single-joint to multijoint and upper- to lower-body, multijoint to single-joint and lower- to upper-body, and single-joint to multijoint and lower- to upper-body. This was followed by a 12-wk detraining period and another 12-wk RT in which exercise orders were crossed over between MJ-SJ and SJ-MJ conditions. Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), muscular strength (one-repetition maximum tests), functional fitness (gait speed, walking agility, 30-s chair stand, and 6-min walk tests), cardiovascular risk factors (glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein, advanced oxidation protein product, total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter, and nitric oxide), depressive (Geriatric Depression Scale) and anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and cognitive performance (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Trail Making, verbal fluency, and Stroop test) were analyzed.

RESULTS

After the final training period, all groups presented significant improvements ( P < 0.05) in almost all analyzed variables (muscular strength, body composition, functional tests, blood biomarkers, and mental health parameters), without significant difference among exercise orders.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that RT exercise orders in which MJ, SJ, upper, or lower-body exercises are performed first have similar effects on health parameters in trained older women.

Effect of Dialyzer Reuse on the Activity of Paraoxonase 1 in Patients on Hemodialysis

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis treatment. The oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein is a crucial step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is the protein responsible for most of the antioxidant activity of high-density lipoprotein, and its reduced levels are associated with more cardiovascular events in several populations. In hemodialysis patients, reduced PON1 activity has been shown to be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Studies have shown that after the hemodialysis session, the activity of PON1 increases. The influence of dialyzer reuse on the activity of PON1 is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the reuse of two types of dialyzers (polynephron and polyethersulfone) on the PON1 activity of hemodialysis patients.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 30 patients on hemodialysis were included. Pre- and post-dialysis blood samples were collected to analyze the activity of PON1 in thefirst use of the dialyzer and in the hemodialysis session of its sixth reuse. This process was carried out with polynephron (bisphenol-free) and polyethersulfone dialyzers.

Results

We found that post-dialysis PON1 activity was significantly higher than pre-dialysis activity in both thefirst use and sixth reuse (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The practice of reusing the dialyzer did not interfere with the improvement of PON1 activity after the hemodialysis session.

Clusters of obesogenic behaviors and metabolic risk according to somatic maturity status among adolescents

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the clusters of obesogenic behaviors, and verify the association with metabolic risk according to the categories of somatic maturity status of adolescents.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 1159 (55.1% girls) Brazilian adolescents aged between 10 and 16 years (mean age: 12.9 years). Measurements of waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, HDL-C, and triglycerides were combined to calculate a metabolic risk score. Somatic maturity was assessed by estimating the peak of height velocity. The obesogenic behaviors analyzed were physical activity (Baecke questionnaire), sedentary behavior (screen-based behaviors) and dietary habits (consumption of healthy and unhealthy food). The Two Step clustering algorithm using the log-likelihood measure was employed to cluster formation and regression models were adopted to the main analysis.

RESULTS

We observed a complex co-existence of obesogenic behaviors. Differences regarding the metabolic risk between clusters was only observed among the early-maturing adolescents, where the cluster with higher number of healthy behaviors but lower physical activity presented higher metabolic risk score.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that physical activity has an important role on the association of clusters of obesogenic behaviors and metabolic risk in early-maturing adolescents.

Comparison of 2 Weekly Frequencies of Resistance Training on Muscular Strength, Body Composition, and Metabolic Biomarkers in Resistance-Trained Older Women: Effects of Detraining and Retraining

ABSTRACT

Amarante do Nascimento, M, Nunes, JPA, Pina, FLC, Ribeiro, AS, Carneiro, NH, Venturini, D, Barbosa, DS, Mayhew, JL, and Cyrino, ES. Comparison of 2 weekly frequencies of resistance training on muscular strength, body composition, and metabolic biomarkers in resistance-trained older women: Effects of detraining and retraining. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1437-1444, 2022-This study aimed to compare the effects of 2 weekly frequencies of resistance training (RT) on muscular strength, body composition, and metabolic biomarkers in previously resistance-trained older women after detraining and retraining. Forty subjects (>60 years) performed RT (8 exercises, 1 set of 10-15 repetitions maximum) 2 (G2x) or 3 (G3x) times per week over 12 weeks of training and retraining. After training, subjects were detrained for 12 weeks. After detraining, there were significant decreases (p < 0.05) in upper-body (∼12%) and lower-body (∼14%) muscular strength, fat-free mass (FFM) (∼2%), and testosterone (∼26%), whereas increases were revealed for fat mass (FM) (∼4%), relative body fat (∼3%), fasting glucose (∼8%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (∼21%), and triglycerides (∼24%), with no differences between groups (p > 0.05). Following retraining, there were significant increases (p < 0.05) for upper (∼7%) and lower (∼10%) muscular strength, FFM (∼2%), and testosterone (∼20%). In contrast, decreases were found for FM (∼7%), relative body fat (∼3%), fasting glucose (∼6%), LDL-C (∼14%), and triglycerides (∼21%), also with no differences between groups (p > 0.05). Gains after retraining were lower than after training (p < 0.05) only for upper- and lower-body muscular strength (∼6%) and testosterone (∼11%). Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, IGF-1, and C-reactive protein did not change at any point in the study for either group (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that older women can regain previous RT program benefits following detraining, regardless of the weekly training frequency. However, some fitness components may take longer to reestablish than the initial training level.

Improvement of Oxidative Stress in Older Women Is Dependent on Resistance Training Volume: Active Aging Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACT

Cunha, PM, Ribeiro, AS, Padilha, C, Nunes, JP, Schoenfeld, BJ, Cyrino, LT, Tomeleri, CM, Nascimento, MA, Antunes, M, Fernandes, RR, Barbosa, DS, Venturini, D, Burini, RC, Sardinha, LB, and Cyrino, ES. Improvement of oxidative stress in older women is dependent on resistance training volume: Active aging longitudinal study. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 1141-1146, 2022-The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) performed with a higher versus lower training volume on oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers in older women. Thirty-eight older women (≥60 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: a group that performed 1 set per exercise (low volume [LV], n = 18) or 3 sets per exercise (high volume [HV], n = 20). The whole-body RT consisted of a 12-week RT program involving 8 exercises performed with sets of 10-15 repetitions maximum, 3 days per week. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), and ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX) were used as OS biomarkers. The composite Z-score of the percentage changes from pre- to posttraining of OS biomarkers according to groups was calculated. A significant main effect of time (p < 0.05) was found for AOPP (LV = -7.3% vs. HV = -12.2%) and TRAP (LV = +1.5% vs. HV = +15.5%) concentrations, without a statistical difference between the groups (p > 0.05). A significant group vs. time interaction (p < 0.001) was revealed for FOX (LV = +6.4% vs. HV = -8.9%). The overall analysis indicated higher positive changes for HV than LV (composed Z-score: HV = 0.41 ± 1.22 vs. LV = -0.37 ± 1.03; p < 0.05). Our results suggest that a greater volume of RT seems to promote superior improvements on OS biomarkers in older women.

Comparision of Low and High Volume of Resistance Training on Body Fat and Blood Biomarkers in Untrained Older Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT

Cunha, PM, Tomeleri, CM, Nascimento, MA, Mayhew, JL, Fungari, E, Cyrino, LT, Barbosa, DS, Venturini, D, and Cyrino, ES. Comparision of low and high volume of resistance training on body fat and blood biomarkers in untrained older women: a randomized clinical trial. J Strength Cond Res 35(1): 1-8, 2021-The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training (RT) performed with 2 different volumes on body fat and blood biomarkers in untrained older women. Sixty-five physically independent older women (≥60 years) were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: low-volume (LV) training group, high-volume (HV) training group, and a control group. Both training groups performed RT for 12 weeks, using 8 exercises of 10-15 repetitions maximum for each exercise. The low-volume group performed only a single set per exercise, whereas the HV group performed 3 sets. Anthropometric, body fat (%), trunk fat, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very LDL-c (VLDL-c), glucose (GLU), C-reactive protein (CRP), and composite Z-score were measured. The HV group obtained greater improvements compared with the LV group (p < 0.05) for TG (LV = -10.5% vs. HV = -16.6%), VLDL-c (LV = -6.5% vs. HV = -14.8%), GLU (LV = -4.7% vs. HV = -11.1%), CRP (LV = -13.2% vs. HV = -30.8%), % body fat (LV = -2.4% vs. HV = -6.1%), and composite Z-score (LV = -0.13 ± 0.30 vs. HV = -0.57 ± 0.29). Trunk fat was reduced (p < 0.05) only in the HV group (-6.8%). We conclude that RT performed in higher volume seems to be the most appropriate strategy to reduce body fat (%), trunk fat, improve blood biomarkers, and reduce composite Z-score in older women.

Influence of Resistance Training Exercise Order on Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Anabolic Hormones in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Tomeleri, CM, Ribeiro, AS, Nunes, JP, Schoenfeld, BJ, Souza, MF, Schiavoni, D, Junior, PS, Cavaglieri, CR, Cunha, PM, Venturini, D, Barbosa, DS, and Cyrino, ES. Influence of resistance training exercise order on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and anabolic hormones in older women: a randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 34(11): 3103-3109, 2020-The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of resistance training (RT) exercise order on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and anabolic hormones in older women. Forty-four older women were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: a nonexercise control group (CON, n = 15) and two RT groups that performed a 12-week RT program in a multijoint to single-joint order (MJ-SJ, n = 14), or in a single-joint to multijoint order (SJ-MJ, n = 15). The RT protocol (3×/week) encompassed 8 exercises, with 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions performed per exercise. One repetition maximum tests were used to evaluate muscle strength; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to estimate lean soft tissue. Both training groups showed significant and similar increases in muscle strength (MJ-SJ = 16.4%; SJ-MJ = 12.7%) and mass (MJ-SJ = 7.5%; SJ-MJ = 6.1%), whereas there were no significant changes in testosterone and insulin-like growth factor 1. The results suggest that both approaches are similarly effective in eliciting morphofunctional improvements in older women.

Physical activity maintenance and metabolic risk in adolescents

Aim

Examine the association between child and adolescent physical activity maintenance categories and metabolic profile in adolescence.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1152 adolescents (57.4% female) aged 10-16 years from Londrina, Brazil. Physical activity was self-reported in childhood (7-10 years old, retrospective data) and adolescence through questionnaires. Cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle-run test), body fat (skinfolds), waist circumference, blood pressure (automatic instrument) and blood variables (fasting glucose, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides) were measured at adolescence.

Results

Frequency of physical activity in childhood and adolescence was 50.3 and 17.2%, respectively, and only 25.7% of boys and 10.9% of girls were active at both ages. Adolescents who were physically active in childhood alone were less likely [OR = 0.71 (95% CI: 0.52-0.97)] to present low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence compared to those who were non-active in childhood. Regardless of controlled, actives in childhood and adolescence were less likely to present low cardiorespiratory fitness [OR = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.34-0.73)], high blood pressure [OR = 0.52 (95% CI: 0.32-0.85)] and high metabolic risk score [OR = 0.44 (95% CI: 0.22-0.90)] compared to the non-actives at both ages.

Conclusions

Actives through childhood to adolescence are less likely to present low cardiorespiratory fitness, high blood pressure and high metabolic risk.

Evaluation of attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in laboratory

Toxic baits, widely used against insect pests, are being successfully used to control mosquito vectors. In the present study, basic aspects for Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSBs) use as a control tool against Aedes aegypti including insecticide dosage, bait composition and plant application under laboratory conditions were evaluated. The Lethal Concentrations (LC 50 and 90) of boric acid (insecticide) Ae. aegypti engorgement and mortality were determined using ATSBs prepared using fruits (guava, mango and cupuaçu) and offered to mosquitoes on cotton discs and also sprayed on a Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plant. LCs of Ae. aegypti males and females did not differ significantly and varied from 0.53 to 2.46%, decreasing from 24 to 48 hours. No significant difference in the proportion of engorged male mosquitoes in ATSB (0.60) and Attractive Sugar Bait (ASB) (0.65) was found, but females engorged more on ASB (control bait) (0.80) compared to ATSBs (0.67). General mortality rate of mosquitoes in ATSB and ASB were 0.81 and 0.10 for males, respectively; 0.61 and 0.12 for females, respectively. Fruit composition affected neither engorgement nor mortality. ATSB applied on plants caused the mortality of males and females ranging from 0.75-0.87 while mortality on ASB sprayed plants varied from 0.07-0.14. Different common fruit juices and a low toxic oral insecticide are readily accepted, engorged and causes a high mortality both males and females Ae. aegypti using ATSBs. Moreover, the use of a common indoor plant in the region sprayed with ATSB under laboratory conditions leads to significant mosquito mortality.

Effects of pre- or post-exercise whey protein supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in older women

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between antioxidant system and production of free radicals and has been associated with the age-related deleterious changes. The defense system can be modulated by exercise and nutrition.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of whey protein supplementation pre- or post-resistance training on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity in pre-conditioned older women.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled design, 70 older women (≥60 years) were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: whey protein-placebo (WP-PLA, n = 24), placebo-whey protein (PLA-WP, n = 23), and placebo-placebo (PLA-PLA, n = 23). Each group received 35 g of whey product or placebo pre- and post-training. The RT program was carried out over 12 weeks (3x/week; 3x 8-12 repetitions maximal). Oxidative stress and blood markers were assessed before and after intervention period. ANOVA for repeated measures was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

There was a significant time effect (P < 0.05), with all groups showing improvements in all oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activity. A significant (P < 0.001) interaction time vs group was observed for uric acid, with both WP-PLA and PLA-WP presenting greater reductions compared with the PLA-PLA, without differences between the timing of protein intake (WP-PLA: -8.3%; PLA-WP: -11.0%; PLA-PLA:-2.0%).

CONCLUSION

In already pre-conditioned older women, whey protein supplementation reduces plasma uric acid concentration with no further effect on antioxidant enzyme activity and oxidative stress markers. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03247192.

Effect of whey protein supplementation combined with resistance training on body composition, muscular strength, functional capacity, and plasma-metabolism biomarkers in older women with sarcopenic obesity: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUNDS & AIMS

Obesity and sarcopenia are independent illnesses associated with contemporary dietary and physical activity behaviors, aggravated by aging. Their coexistence is termed sarcopenic obesity (SO). Hence, increasing protein intake and resistance training (RT) are interventions that could counteract these illnesses. The objective of this investigation was to analyze the effects of whey protein (WP) supplementation associated with RT on body composition, muscular strength, functional capacity, and plasma-metabolism biomarkers in older women with SO.

METHODS

Twenty six sarcopenic (appendicular lean soft tissue ALST < 15.02 kg) obese (body fat mass ≥ 35%) older women were randomly assigned to receive daily, either 35 g of WP (WP group) or placebo (PLA group), combined with supervised RT (8 exercises, 3 × 8-12 rep, 3 times a week), during a 12-week protocol. Blood samples, blood pressure, dietary intake, functional capacity tests, the one repetition maximum (1RM) test, and body composition were assessed before and after the intervention period. Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures was applied for comparisons.

RESULTS

The WP group presented greater (P < 0.05) increases in ALST (WP = 6.0% vs. PLA = 2.5%) and decreases in (P < 0.05) total (-3.3% vs. -0.3%) and trunk fat mass (WP = -5.1% vs. PLA = -1.1) and IL-6 (WP = -34.6% vs. PLA = 9.3%) compared with the PLA group. Both groups demonstrated improved (P < 0.05) scores for muscular strength, waist-hip ratio, functional capacity, and other plasma-metabolism biomarkers without significant differences between conditions.

CONCLUSION

Whey protein combined with RT increased ALST, and decreased total and trunk fat mass, improving sarcopenia and decreasing SO in older women, with a limited impact on inflammation. Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier n° NCT03752359.

Effects of pre- or post-exercise whey protein supplementation on body fat and metabolic and inflammatory profile in pre-conditioned older women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Protein supplementation and resistance training (RT) are interventions that may counteract decline in muscle mass and increase in fat mass, thus reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases during the aging process. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of whey protein (WP) pre- or post-RT on metabolic and inflammatory profile in pre-conditioned older women.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Seventy older women participated in this investigation and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: WP pre-RT and placebo post-RT (WP-PLA, n = 24), placebo pre-RT and WP post-RT (PLA-WP, n = 23) and placebo pre and post-RT (PLA-PLA, n = 23). Each group ingested 35 g of PLA or WP pre- and post-RT. RT was carried out over 12 weeks (three times/week; 3 x 8-12 repetition maximum). Body composition, blood pressure, blood samples and dietary intake were assessed pre- and post-intervention. After the intervention, WP groups showed greater improvements in appendicular lean soft tissue (ALST: WP-PLA, 3.1%; PLA-WP, 3.9%; PLA-PLA, 1.8%) and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL-C: WP-PLA, -12.11%; PLA-WP, -13.2%; PLA-PLA, -0.7) when compared with PLA-PLA. WP post-RT also showed improvements (P < 0.05) in ALST/appendicular fat mass ratio (PLA-WP, 5.8%; PLA-PLA, 1.3%), total body fat (PLA-WP, -3.8%; PLA-PLA: -0.1) and trunk fat mass (PLA-WP, -3.1%; PLA-PLA, -0.3%) when compared with PLA-PLA.

CONCLUSION

WP pre- or post- RT promotes improvements in ALST and TC/HDL-C ratio in pre-conditioned older women. WP administered after RT was more effective in improving metabolic health Z-score and in reducing body fat compared to placebo group.

Effects of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition on Cardiovascular Risk of Adult Endotoxemic Female Rats: Role of Estrogen

Aim: Autonomic modulation responds to ovarian hormones and estrogen increases nitric oxide bioavailability. Also, females have minor susceptibility to sepsis and a higher survival rate. However, few studies have evaluated the role of estrogen in cardiovascular, autonomic, and oxidative parameters during initial endotoxemia and under inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibition in female rats.

Methods: Female wistar rats were subjected to ovariectomy and divided into three groups: OVX (ovariectomized), OVX+E (OVX plus daily estradiol) and SHAM (false surgery). After 8 weeks, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded in non-anesthetized catheterized rats, before and after intravenous LPS injection, preceded by S-methylisothiourea sulfate (SMT) injection, or sterile saline. Cardiovascular recordings underwent spectral analysis for evaluation of autonomic modulation. Two hours after LPS, plasma was collected to assess total radical-trapping antioxidant (TRAP), nitrite levels (NO2), lipoperoxidation (LOOH), and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity.

Results: Two hours after LPS, females treated with SMT presented a decrease of MAP, when compared to saline-LPS groups. At this same time, all SMT+LPS groups presented an increase of sympathetic and a decrease of parasympathetic modulation of HR. Two hours after saline+LPS, OVX presented decreased total radical-trapping antioxidant (TRAP) compared to SHAM. When treated with SMT+LPS, OVX did not altered TRAP, while estradiol reduced LOOH levels.

Conclusion: iNOS would be responsible for sympathetic inhibition and consumption of antioxidant reserves of females during endotoxemia, since iNOS is inhibited, treatment with estradiol could be protective in inflammatory challenges.

Correlations between resistance training-induced changes on phase angle and biochemical markers in older women

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of resistance training (RT) on phase angle (PhA), inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and to evaluate whether these RT-induced adaptations are related to PhA changes. Fifty-one older women (70.6 ± 5.1 years; 26.9 ± 4.2 kg/m² ) were randomly allocated into a training group (TG) that performed 12-week RT or a nonexercising control group (CG). The PhA (Xitron), body composition (DXA), and blood sample measurements (after a 12 hours fast) were performed before and after the intervention. The TG showed a significant (P < .05) increase in PhA (TG: +7.4±5.9% vs CG: -3.6 ± 8.8%), and interleukin-10 (IL-10; TG: +51.8 ± 71.1% vs CG: -46.6 ± 38.0%), and a decrease in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α; TG: -15.2 ± 11.1% vs CG: +6.9±17.7%), interleukin-6 (IL-6; TG: -17.9 ± 17.8% vs CG: +6.1 ± 24.8%), and C-reactive protein (CRP; TG: -24.1 ± 19.9% vs CG: +43.8 ± 31.1%). Moreover, TG upregulated catalase (TG: +11.4 ± 15.0% vs CG: -6.7 ± 10.2%). Changes in TNF-α (r = -.71), CRP (r = -.65), lower advanced oxidation protein products (r = -.55), and catalase (r = +.73) after RT were correlated with changes in PhA (P < .05). These results suggest that RT improves PhA, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and the changes in inflammatory and oxidative damage markers are correlated with changes in PhA.

Resistance training reduces metabolic syndrome and inflammatory markers in older women: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

This study analyzed the effects of a 12-week resistance training (RT) program without dietary interventions on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and inflammatory biomarkers in older women.

METHODS

Fifty-three older women (mean [±SD] age 70.4 ± 5.7 years; mean body mass index 26.7 ± 4.0 kg/m² ) were randomly assigned to a training group (TG; n = 26) that performed 12 weeks of an RT program or a control group (CG; n = 27) that did not perform any type of physical exercise over the same period. Body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), muscular strength (one-repetition maximum tests), blood pressure (BP), and blood sample measurements were performed before and after intervention.

RESULTS

After the 12-week period, there were significantly reductions (P < 0.05) in glucose levels (-20.4% vs -0.3%), waist circumference (-1.5% vs +2.0%), and systolic BP (-6.2% vs +0.9%), and complete normalization of MetS prevalence (18% at baseline vs. 0% after 12-weeks RT) in the TG. Moreover, C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations decreased in the TG (-28.6% and -21.6%, respectively), but increased in the CG (+34.5% and +13.3%, respectively). In addition there were positive improvements in the MetS Z-score in the TG but not CG (-21.6% vs +13.3%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that a 12-week RT program seems to effectively reduce MetS components and inflammatory biomarkers in older women, regardless of dietary intervention. The RT-induced adaptations in body composition and inflammatory biomarkers appear to be related to healthy adaptations in risk factors for MetS.

Oxygen Desaturation in Daily Life and During a Laboratory-Based Protocol of Activities of Daily Living in COPD: Is There Relationship?

PURPOSE

To analyze the relationship between oxygen desaturation episodes during a laboratory-based ADL protocol and in real-life routine in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

Twenty patients with stable COPD (12 men, 70 ± 7 years, FEV₁% 54 ± 15 predicted) with no indication for long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) were submitted to assessments including ADL performance by the Londrina ADL Protocol (LAP) and level of physical activity in daily life, both while submitted to simultaneous activity and pulse oximeter monitoring.

RESULTS

Episodes of desaturation ≥ 4% (ED ≥ 4%) during the LAP were correlated both with ED ≥ 4% in daily life (r = 0.45) and number of episodes of SpO₂ under 88% (ED < 88%) in daily life (r = 0.59). ED < 88% during the LAP was also correlated with ED < 88% in daily life (r = 0.51), explaining 43% of its variance.

CONCLUSION

In stable patients with COPD and no indication of LTOT, episodes of desaturation during a lab-based ADL protocol are moderately related to episodes of desaturation in daily (real) life, especially those episodes under 88%.

Family history of cardiovascular disease and parental lifestyle behaviors are associated with offspring cardiovascular disease risk markers in childhood

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular disease risk markers have become more prevalent in childhood. To provide increased understanding of the etiology of this public health issue, we investigated associations between family characteristics with cardiovascular disease risk markers in adolescents from a developing nation.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study data for fasting glucose, lipoproteins (LDL-C and HDL-C), triglycerides, and total cholesterol were collected from 991 adolescents aged 10-17 who were recruited from public schools in Londrina city, Southern Brazil. Family history of cardiovascular disease and parental engagement in risk behavior (alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking) were collected using a self-reported parental questionnaire. Socioeconomic status, adolescent physical activity (estimated by Baecke questionnaire), self-reported tobacco and alcohol intake, and somatic maturation (age at peak height velocity) were used as covariates. Logistic regression was used for the main analyses.

RESULTS

Independent of adolescent lifestyle behaviors, associations (OR_adj [95% CI]) were found between: (1) paternal family history of cardiovascular disease with increased likelihood of high adolescent offspring BMI (1.53 [1.01 to 2.32]) and high triglycerides (2.93 [1.04 to 8.27]); (2) maternal family history of cardiovascular disease with heightened odds of high adolescent offspring triglycerides (2.84 [1.02 to 7.91]); (3) maternal cardiovascular disease with higher odds of high fasting glucose (2.16 [1.13 to 4.14]), and (4) maternal smoking with increased odds of high LDL-C (1.78 [1.14 to 2.79]) and high total cholesterol (1.77 [1.01 to 3.10]) in adolescent offspring.

CONCLUSION

Family history of cardiovascular disease and maternal tobacco smoking are related to increased cardiovascular risk in adolescents, potentially independent of their own lifestyle behaviors.

Biological Maturation, Central Adiposity, and Metabolic Risk in Adolescents: A Mediation Analysis

BACKGROUND

Earlier biological maturation has been related to increased metabolic risk. In this study, we verified mediating effects by central adiposity of the relationship between somatic maturity and metabolic risk factors in adolescents.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 1034 adolescents aged 10-16 years from Londrina/PR/Brazil were evaluated. The age of peak height velocity (PHV) method was used to evaluate somatic maturity. Central adiposity was estimated through waist circumference measurements. Fasting glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and blood pressure were measured as metabolic risk indicators. Physical activity (Baecke questionnaire) and cardiorespiratory fitness (20-m shuttle run test) were used as covariates.

RESULTS

Except for fasting glucose, waist circumference showed partial or full mediation of the relationship between maturity and the following metabolic risk factors with their respective z-score values: triglycerides (boys = -3.554 vs. girls = -5.031), HDL-C (boys = +5.300 vs. girls = +5.905), systolic blood pressure (boys = -3.540 vs. girls = -3.763), diastolic blood pressure (boys = -2.967 vs. girls = -3.264), and metabolic risk score (boys = -5.339 vs. girls = -6.362).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that central obesity plays a mediating role in the relationship between somatic maturation and metabolic risk during adolescence.

Cardiorespiratory fitness effect may be under-estimated in 'fat but fit' hypothesis studies

BACKGROUND

Both cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat have been independently related to metabolic syndrome in adolescents; however, the strength of these relationships seems to be dependent on the outcome composition.

AIM

To analyse the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat combined with different indicators of metabolic risk in adolescents.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The sample was composed of 957 adolescents (58.7% girls). Cardiorespiratory fitness was obtained using the 20-metre shuttle run test and skinfold thickness was collected for body fat estimation. Metabolic risk score was calculated from waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides measurements and an alternative outcome without the central obesity indicator was adopted. Chronological age and somatic maturity were used as covariates.

RESULTS

Higher metabolic risk was observed in the highest fat/lowest fit adolescents (p < .05), regardless of sex and outcome. In the regression models, for full metabolic risk score, body fat presented higher coefficients compared to cardiorespiratory fitness in both sexes (boys: 0.501 vs -0.097; girls: 0.485 vs -0.087); however, in the metabolic risk without waist circumference, the coefficients became closer (boys: 0.290 vs -0.146; girls: 0.265 vs -0.120), with a concomitant decrease in body fat and increase in cardiorespiratory fitness coefficients.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that body fat is strongly related to cardiovascular risk, but, when the outcome is calculated without the central obesity indicator, cardiorespiratory fitness becomes more related to metabolic risk.

Traditional and pyramidal resistance training systems improve muscle quality and metabolic biomarkers in older women: A randomized crossover study

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of RT performed in a pyramid (PR) and traditional (TD) straight set training system on muscle quality and metabolic biomarkers in older women. Twenty-five physically independent older women (67.6±5.1years, 65.9±11.1kg, 154.7±5.8cm) performed a RT program in TD and PR training systems in a balanced crossover design. Measurements of muscle quality, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose (GLU), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) were obtained at different moments. The TD program consisted of 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions maximum (RM) with a constant weight for the 3 sets, whereas the PR training consisted of 3 sets of 12/10/8 RM with incremental weight for each set. The training was performed in 2 phases of 8weeks each, with a 12-week washout period between phases. Significant (P<0.05) improvements were observed in both groups for muscle quality (TD=+8.6% vs. PR=+6.8%), GLU (TD=-4.5% vs. PR=-1.9%), TG (TD=-18.0% vs. PR=-11.7%), HDL-C (TD=+10.6 vs. PR=+7.8%), LDL-C (TD=-23.3% vs. PR=-21.0%), and CRP (TD=-19.4% vs. PR=-14.3%) with no differences between training systems. These results suggest that RT improves muscle quality and metabolic biomarkers of older women independently of the training system.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is related to metabolic risk independent of physical activity in boys but not girls from Southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to determine the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and metabolic risk in adolescents from Southern Brazil.

METHODS

We performed a school-based cross-sectional study in 1,037 adolescents (436 boys) aged 10-16 years from Londrina, PR, Brazil. CRF was determined by 20-m shuttle run test. A continuous metabolic risk score was obtained from the mean of fasting glucose, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, blood pressure, and waist circumference z-scores. Age, physical activity (Baecke questionnaire), body mass index (BMI; weight/stature(2) ), and somatic maturity (Mirwald method) were included as covariates in multiple linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

CRF was related to metabolic risk in boys (β = -0.02, P < 0.01) and girls (β = -0.01, P = 0.02) after adjusting for chronological age, BMI, and somatic maturity. However, when adjusted for physical activity, CRF failed to explain metabolic risk in girls (β = -0.01, P = 0.24).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that CRF is independently and inversely related to metabolic risk in boys, but physical activity either mediates or confounds the association between CRF and metabolic risk in girls. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:534-538, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of resistance training on C-reactive protein, blood glucose and lipid profile in older women with differing levels of RT experience

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a progressive resistance training (RT) program on C-reactive protein (CRP), blood glucose (GLU), and lipid profile in older women with differing levels of RT experience. Sixty-five older women (68.9 ± 6.1 years, 67.1 ± 13.1 kg) were separated according to RT experience: an advanced group composed by 35 participants who previously carried out 24 weeks of RT and a novice group composed by 30 participants without previous experience in RT (n = 30). Both groups performed a RT program comprised of eight exercises targeting all the major muscles. Training was carried out 3 days/week for 8 weeks. Serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), GLU, and CRP concentrations were determined pre- and post- intervention after 12 h fasting. A significant group by time interaction (P < 0.05) for the TC (novice = -1.9% vs. advanced = 1.0%), and CRP (novice = -22.9% vs. advanced = -54.5%) was observed. A main effect of time (P < 0.05) was identified for the GLU (novice = -2.6% vs. advanced = -6.6%), TG (novice = -12.9% vs. advanced = -5.7%), HDL-C (novice = +6.7% vs. advanced = +2.6%), and LDL-C (novice = -34.0% vs. advanced = -25.4%). These results suggest that RT improves the metabolic profile of older women and that training for a longer period of time seems to produce more pronounced reductions mainly on CRP.

Effect of resistance training with different frequencies and detraining on muscular strength and oxidative stress biomarkers in older women

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of resistance training (RT) performed with different frequencies followed by a detraining period on muscular strength and oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers in older women. Twenty-seven physically independent women (68.8 ± 4.8 years, 69.1 ± 14.3 kg, 156.0 ± 6.5 cm, and 28.3 ± 4.9 to kg.m(-2)) were randomly assigned to perform a RT program for 2 or 3 days per week (G2X = 13 vs. G3X = 14) for 12 weeks followed by 12 weeks of detraining period. One repetition maximum (1RM) tests were used as measures of muscular strength (three exercises, three attempts for each exercise, 3-5 min of rest between attempts, and 5 min of rest between exercises). Advanced oxidized protein products (AOPP) and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP) were used as oxidative stress indicators. Both groups increased muscular strength after 12 weeks of training (P < 0.05) in chest press (G2X = +11.9 % vs. G3X = +27.5 %, P < 0.05), knee extension (G2X = +18.4 % vs. G3X = +16.7 %, P > 0.05), and preacher curl (G2X = +37.6 % vs. G3X = +36.7 %, P > 0.05). On the other hand, 12 weeks of detraining were not sufficient to eliminate the major effects produced by RT on muscular strength, although a significant decrease (P < 0.05) has been observed for chest press (G3X = -9.1 % vs. G2X = -10.2 %, P > 0.05), knee extension (G2X = -14.9 % vs. G3X = -12.1 %, P > 0.05), and preacher curl (G2X = -20.5 % vs. G3X = -17.4 %, P > 0.05). Pre- to post-training, both groups showed significant (P < 0.05) increases in TRAP (G2X = +6.9 % vs. G3X = +15.1 %) with no statistical significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05), and the scores remained elevated compared to pre-training after 12 weeks of detraining. AOPP was not changed by RT or detraining (P > 0.05). The results suggest that a 12-week RT program with a frequency of 2 days per week may be sufficient to improve muscular strength and OS in older women and detraining for 12 weeks does not completely reverse the changes induced by RT.

Naringenin Inhibits UVB Irradiation-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in the Skin of Hairless Mice

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation may cause inflammation- and oxidative-stress-dependent skin cancer and premature aging. Naringenin (1) has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its effects and mechanisms on UVB irradiation-induced inflammation and oxidative stress are still not known. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the potential of naringenin to mitigate UVB irradiation-induced inflammation and oxidative damage in the skin of hairless mice. Skin edema, myeloperoxidase (neutrophil marker) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity, and cytokine production were measured after UVB irradiation. Oxidative stress was evaluated by 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical (ABTS) scavenging ability, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), reduced glutathione levels, catalase activity, lipid peroxidation products, superoxide anion production, and gp91phox (NADPH oxidase subunit) mRNA expression by quantitative PCR. The intraperitoneal treatment with naringenin reduced skin inflammation by inhibiting skin edema, neutrophil recruitment, MMP-9 activity, and pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, IL-22, and IL-23) and anti-inflammatory (TGF-β and IL-10) cytokines. Naringenin also inhibited oxidative stress by reducing superoxide anion production and the mRNA expression of gp91phox. Therefore, naringenin inhibits UVB irradiation-induced skin damage and may be a promising therapeutic approach to control skin disease.

Resting heart rate: its correlations and potential for screening metabolic dysfunctions in adolescents

Background

In pediatric populations, the use of resting heart rate as a health index remains unclear, mainly in epidemiological settings. The aims of this study were to analyze the impact of resting heart rate on screening dyslipidemia and high blood glucose and also to identify its significance in pediatric populations.

Methods

The sample was composed of 971 randomly selected adolescents aged 11 to 17 years (410 boys and 561 girls). Resting heart rate was measured with oscillometric devices using two types of cuffs according to the arm circumference. Biochemical parameters triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and glucose were measured. Body fatness, sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption and cardiorespiratory fitness were analyzed.

Results

Resting heart rate was positively related to higher sleep quality (β = 0.005, p = 0.039) and negatively related to cardiorespiratory fitness (β = −0.207, p = 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated significant potential for resting heart rate in the screening of adolescents at increased values of fasting glucose (area under curve = 0.611 ± 0.039 [0.534 – 0.688]) and triglycerides (area under curve = 0.618 ± 0.044 [0.531 – 0.705]).

Conclusion

High resting heart rate constitutes a significant and independent risk related to dyslipidemia and high blood glucose in pediatric populations. Sleep and cardiorespiratory fitness are two important determinants of the resting heart rate.

Increased oxidative stress in foam cells obtained from hemodialysis patients

Premature atherosclerosis represents the main cause of mortality among end-stage renal disease patients (ESRD). Increased inflammation and oxidative stress are involved in initiation and progression of the atherosclerotic plaque. As foam cells are capable of producing significant amounts of inflammatory mediators and free radicals, we hypothesized that foam cells from uremic patients could produce more inflammation and oxidative stress than foam cells from normal people and be, somehow, involved in the accelerated atherosclerosis of uremia. To test this hypothesis, the levels of a few markers of inflammation and oxidative stress: Tumor necrosis factor-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide by-products were measured in the supernatants of macrophage-derived foam cells cultures from 18 hemodialysis patients and 18 apparently healthy individuals controls. Malondialdehyde levels in the supernatant of cell cultures (macrophages stimulated or not with native and oxidized lipoprotein) were significantly increased in uremic patients; no statistically significant difference was found between the supernatant concentrations of nitric oxide by-products, inducible nitric oxide synthase activity, and tumor necrosis factor-α between patients and controls. Our results, obtained with human macrophages and macrophage-derived foam cells, are compatible with the theory that increased cellular oxidative stress and inflammatory activity in ESRD patients could accelerate the atherosclerotic process. The present culture protocol showed it is possible to use human mononuclear cells to evaluate the oxidative metabolism of foam cells, which are considered to be the initial step of atherosclerotic lesions.

Screening of three commercial plant peroxidases for the removal of phenolic compounds in membrane bioreactors

A comparative study of three plant peroxidases, horseradish (HRP), soybean (SBP) and artichoke (AKPC), was carried out to select the most appropriate one for 4-chlorophenol treatment in an ultrafiltration membrane reactor. Soybean peroxidase showed the highest enzymatic activity, followed by HRP and AKPC. The same tendency was observed in a discontinuous tank reactor, where SBP attained more than 90% of4-chlorophenol removal within the pH range tested. The optimum temperature was 30 degrees C, with SBP showing highest thermostability. With the ultrafiltration membrane reactor, SBP attained the highest operational stability, with 4-chlorophenol conversions of around 90% in the permeate stream for up to 200 minutes. Finally, permeate samples were analysed and no significant amount of enzyme was detected, so the observed loss of activity, less pronounced with SBP, was attributed to enzyme adsorption on the polymeric products deposited on the membrane surface. Soybean peroxidase was selected as the most appropriate peroxidase for future research.

Inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress measurements in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with or without metabolic syndrome

The aims of the present study were to report the frequency of metabolic syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); to verify differences in inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress in SLE patients with or without metabolic syndrome; and to assess which metabolic syndrome components are associated with oxidative stress and disease activity. The study included 58 SLE patients and 105 controls. SLE patients were divided in two groups, with and without metabolic syndrome. 41.4% patients met the criteria for metabolic syndrome compared with 10.5% controls. Patients with SLE and metabolic syndrome had significantly raised serum uric acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), lipid hydroperoxides, and protein oxidation when compared with patients with SLE without metabolic syndrome. Lipid hydroperoxides were correlated with CRP, whereas protein oxidation was associated with waist circumference and uric acid. There was a positive association between serum C3 and C4 and glucose and between C3 and CRP. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores were positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). In conclusion, SLE patients have a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome and this syndrome directly contributes to increase inflammatory status and oxidative stress. Inflammatory processes, being overweight/obese, and uric acid may favor oxidative stress increases in patients with SLE and metabolic syndrome. C3 and C4 may have a positive acute-phase protein behavior in patients with SLE.

Lipoproteins and CETP levels as risk factors for severe sepsis in hospitalized patients

BACKGROUND

The magnitude of lipoprotein level reduction during the acute-phase response may be associated with the severity and mortality of sepsis. However, it remains to be determined whether low lipoprotein levels can be considered a risk factor for developing sepsis. We aimed to investigate lipoprotein levels as risk factors for sepsis in hospitalized patients, and also describe sequential changes in lipoprotein and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) levels during sepsis.

DESIGN

This is a prospective cohort study and case-control analysis from selected hospitalized patients. Blood samples were collected at admission, and participants were monitored for severe sepsis. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were compared between sepsis cases and controls. Cholesterol, apolipoprotein, phospholipid and CETP concentrations were monitored in the case group.

RESULTS

Of 1719 enrolled patients, 51 developed severe sepsis and were paired with 71 controls by age, gender, presence of infection at admission and chronic disease. HDL cholesterol level at admission was a risk factor for severe sepsis (OR = 0.969; 95% CI: 0.944-0.995). Mean CETP levels diminished between hospital admission and day 3 of sepsis. The magnitude of this variation (Delta CETP) was more pronounced in non-survivors (0.78 +/- 1.08 microg mL(-1)) than that in survivors (0.02 +/- 0.58 microg mL(-1), P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

HDL cholesterol may have a protective effect against sepsis. Each 1 mg dL(-1) increase in HDL decreased the odds of severe sepsis by 3% during hospitalization. The reduction of plasma CETP was associated with mortality.

Efeito do ramipril e da sinvastatina sobre o estresse oxidativo de ratos diabéticos

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se o ramipril, isoladamente ou em combinação com a sinvastatina, seria capaz de reduzir o estresse oxidativo de ratos diabéticos pela estreptozotocina (STZ). MÉTODOS: As drogas foram administradas a ratos diabéticos por duas semanas; o estresse oxidativo foi medido por dosagem de capacidade antioxidante total plasmática (TRAP) e malonaldeído (MDA). RESULTADOS: O ramipril usado isoladamente foi capaz de aumentar significativamente as defesas antioxidantes do rato diabético; a sinvastatina isoladamente ou combinada ao ramipril em tomadas separadas não produziu efeito significativo sobre o estresse oxidativo; a administração simultânea de ramipril e sinvastatina reduziu as defesas antioxidantes plasmáticas de ratos com diabetes melito químico. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados do presente estudo corroboram o efeito positivo do ramipril sobre a defesa antioxidante do plasma, mas não confirmam um possível efeito benéfico da sinvastatina no modelo. Pesquisas adicionais são necessárias para clarificar a paradoxal redução da TRAP verificada pela administração simultânea das drogas.

Metformin increases HDL3-cholesterol and decreases subcutaneous truncal fat in nondiabetic patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy

The purpose of this study was to assess metformin effects on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) composition of patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy (LDHIV). Twenty-four adult outpatients were enrolled to receive metformin (1700 mg/d) during 6 months, but 2 were lost to follow-up and 6 stopped the drug due to adverse events (gastrointestinal in 5, and excessive weight loss in 1). From the 16 subjects who completed the study, 69% were female. At baseline, 3 and 6 months, we assessed: weight, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), lipids, and HDL subfractions by microultracentrifugation. At 0 and 6 months, body fat distribution was assessed by computed tomography (CT) scan (L4 and middle femur). Metformin use was associated with reduction of mean weight (-2.4Kg at 6 months; p < 0.001), body mass index, waist, waist-to-hip ratio and a marked decrease in blood pressure (p < 0.001). Subcutaneous (p = 0.01) and total abdominal fat (p = 0.002) were reduced, but no change was found in visceral or thigh fat. No difference was detected on plasma glucose, insulin, HOMA2-IR, cholesterol or triglycerides, except for an increase in HDL3-cholesterol (from 21 mg/dL to 24 mg/dL, p = 0.002) and a reduction of nascent HDL (the fraction of plasma HDL-cholesterol not associated to subfractions HDL2 or HDL3) (p = 0.008). Adverse effects were very common, but most were gastrointestinal and mild. Thus, metformin use in LDHIV increases HDL3-cholesterol (probably due to improved maturation of HDL) and decreases blood pressure, weight, waist, and subcutaneous truncal fat, making this an attractive option for preventing cardiovascular disease in this population.

[Reference values for lead in blood in urban population in southern Brazil]

OBJECTIVE

To describe the reference values for lead in blood in an urban population in the city of Londrina, in the state of Paraná, Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The reference population was composed of 520 adult volunteers who were assessed from November 1994 to December 1996. Exclusion criteria were: occupational exposure to lead, exposure through personal habits or practices, smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day, and living near industrial plants or other places that use lead in their production processes. Also excluded were individuals with abnormal clinical or laboratory results or with chronic diseases or cardiovascular disorders. Lead blood levels were determined using air-acetylene flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The detectable limit was 1.23 micrograms/dL. After the analyses of lead in blood, the following values were determined: minimum value, first quartile, median, third quartile, and maximum value; geometric mean; 95% confidence interval; experimental interval; and reference value.

RESULTS

The reference values for lead in blood ranged from 1.20 micrograms/dL to 13.72 micrograms/dL. The geometric mean was 5.5 micrograms/dL.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the values found in this study are lower than those that have been reported for other countries. Additional data should be gathered from Brazilian populations living in more-industrialized areas.

[Reference values for lead levels in blood for the urban population]

INTRODUCTION

The lead reference values for blood used in Brazil come from studies conducted in other countries, where socioeconomic, clinical, nutritional and occupational conditions are significantly different. In order to guarantee an accurate biomonitoring of the population which is occupationally exposed to lead, a major health concern of the studied community, reference values for individuals who are not occupationally exposed and who live in the southern region of the city were established.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The sample was composed of 206 subjects of at least 15 years of age. Various strategies were employed to assure good-quality sampling. Subjects who presented values outside clinical or laboratory norms were excluded, as well as those whose specific activities might interfere with the results.

RESULTS

Lead reference values for blood were found to be from 2.40 to 16.6 micrograms.dL-1, obtained by the interval x +/- 2s (where x is the mean and s is the standard deviation form observed values) and the median was 7.9 micrograms.dL-1.

Evaluation of oxidative stress in patients with hyperlipidemia

An antioxidant defense system consisting of enzymes and non-enzymatic compounds prevents oxidative damage of lipoproteins in the plasma. When the activity of this system decreases or the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increases, an oxidative stress may occur. Since fatty acids and triglyceride-rich emulsions can stimulate leukocytes to produce ROS, it is conceivable that raised plasma triglyceride-rich lipoproteins such as very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) may overload the antioxidant system. To test this hypothesis, we selected 14 patients with combined hyperlipidemia (HLP), in whom low density lipoprotein (LDL) and VLDL levels are elevated, as well as 18 hypercholesterolemic patients (HCH) with increased LDL levels and 19 controls (NL) to examine the trend for an imbalance between the production of oxidative species and the antioxidant defense system as challenged by increased plasma lipids. With this goal, plasma lipoprotein lipid fractions were determined and correlated with the release of ROS by leukocytes monitored by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. Plasma beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, lycopene and the lipoprotein lipid hydroperoxides were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. HLP had lower plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (0.04 and 0.11 U/mg protein; P < 0.05) as well as lower concentrations of lycopene (0.1 and 0.2 nmol/mg cholesterol; P < 0.05) and beta-carotene (0.8 and 2.7 nmol/mg cholesterol; P < 0.05) in the plasma, as compared with NL. Moreover, HLP showed the highest ROS production by resting mononuclear leukocytes (MN) among the three study groups. When the results of the subjects of the three groups were taken together, the plasma triglyceride concentration was positively correlated to ROS release by resting polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN, r = 0.38, P = 0.04) and MN (r = 0.56, P < 0.005). Moreover, ROS release by resting MN was positively correlated with VLDL (r = 0.47, P = 0.02) and LDL (r = 0.57, P = 0.01) triglycerides. There was also a positive correlation between ROS release by stimulated PMN and VLDL (r = 0.44, P = 0.03) as well as LDL (r = 0.53, P = 0.01) triglycerides. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol showed a negative correlation with ROS release by resting MN (r = -0.48, P = 0.02) and resting PMN (r = -0.49, P = 0.01). VLDL susceptibility to copper (II) oxidation was not different among the three groups. Regarding LDL, there was an increased oxidizability in HLP group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Sialic acid and oxidizability of low density lipoprotein subfractions of hyperlipidemic patients

OBJECTIVES

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) does not constitute an homogenous fraction and it is known that the heavy LDL subfraction is potentially more atherogenic than the light one. Because concentration of LDL subfractions tend to be different in hyperlipidemias, it was verified whether these subfractions can also differ in sialic acid and neutral sugar content, as well as their resistance to oxidation.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Two subfractions of low density lipoprotein (light LDL, density 1.019-1.034 g/mL and heavy LDL, density 1.034-1.063 g/mL) were isolated from the plasma of 17 patients with hypercholesterolemia, 11 with combined hyperlipidemia, 7 with hypertriglyceridemia, and 19 normolipidemic subjects. The content of sialic acids and neutral sugars of apo B was determined, respectively, by the periodate-thiobarbituric acid method and by reaction with phenol. The oxidation of LDL subfractions was determined by exposure to 5 microM copper (II) followed by the measurement of lipid hydroperoxides production by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

RESULTS

The study groups did not differ in the neutral sugar content of LDL subfractions. However, compared to normolipidemic subjects, the sialic acid concentration of both LDL subfractions was lower in patients with hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia and higher in those with combined hyperlipidemia (p < 0.05). In the hypercholesterolemia and combined hyperlipidemia groups, the lipid hydroperoxide content (microM) of heavy LDL was higher than in normolipidemic subjects (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The heavy LDL subfraction was more susceptible to oxidation in the patients with combined hyperlipidemia compared to controls and the other hyperlipidemic groups. The effect of sialic acids on heavy LDL oxidizability seems to vary according to the type of hyperlipidemia.