The Use of Menthol in Skin Wound Healing-Anti-Inflammatory Potential, Antioxidant Defense System Stimulation and Increased Epithelialization

Wound healing involves inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling phases, in which various cells and chemical intermediates are involved. This study aimed to investigate the skin wound healing potential of menthol, as well as the mechanisms involved in its effect, after 3, 7, or 14 days of treatment, according to the phases of wound healing. Skin wound was performed in the back of Wistar rats, which were topically treated with vehicle cream; collagenase-based cream (1.2 U/g); or menthol-based cream at 0.25%, 0.5%, or 1.0% over 3, 7, or 14 days. Menthol cream at 0.5% accelerated the healing right from the inflammatory phase (3 days) by decreasing mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and Il-6. At the proliferative phase (7 days), menthol 0.5% increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GR, and GPx, as well as the level of GSH, in addition to decreasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β and augmenting mRNA expression for Ki-67, a marker of cellular proliferation. At the remodeling phase (14 days), levels of inflammatory cytokines were decreased, and the level of Il-10 and its mRNA expression were increased in the menthol 0.5% group. Menthol presented skin wound healing activity by modulating the antioxidant system of the cells and the inflammatory response, in addition to stimulating epithelialization.

Interobserver reliability in the classification of pairs of records formed by probabilistic linkage of SISMAMA databases

INTRODUCTION

The study assessed interobserver reliability in the classification of record pairs formed during probabilistic linkage of health-related databases, a key step in the methodology validation to be used in a larger on-going study on inequalities in the access to breast and cervical cancer control activities in Brazil (DAAC-SIS).

METHODOLOGY

The RecLink software was used to link two databases of the Breast Cancer Control Information System (SISMAMA) in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: a reference database, which included 301 screening mammograms with probable benign diagnosis (BI-RADS 3 category) recorded in October 2010, and a database comprising 158,517 mammograms registered in 2011. Subsequently, the 215 pairs of records that were not assigned the maximum RecLink score were independently classified as being true or false by ten independent evaluators from four participating centers.

RESULTS

The Kappa coefficient ranged from 0.87 to 1.00. Six evaluators were in perfect agreement with one or more evaluators from the other centers. The global Kappa was 0.96 (95% confidence interval - 95%CI 0.94 - 0.99).

DISCUSSION

Assessment of interobserver reliability is key to ensuring the quality of the record linkage, and it should be routine practice in studies of this nature. The disclosure of such results contributes to transparency in the conduct of such studies and in the reporting of their findings.

CONCLUSION

Interobserver reliability in this study was excellent, indicating satisfactory team consistency in the classification of record pairs.

Efeito da ordem dos exercícios de força sobre o volume, o lactato e o desempenho

RESUMO Introdução: A alternância entre segmentos corporais para prescrição do treinamento de força (TF) é amplamente utilizada, entretanto seus efeitos permanecem desconhecidos. Objetivo: Verificar o efeito agudo da manipulação da ordem dos exercícios do TF, alternando segmentos corporais, sobre a força dinâmica máxima (1 RM) de membros inferiores (MMII) e superiores (MMSS), a concentração de lactato sanguíneo [La], a percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE) e o volume total de treino (VT). Métodos: Dezoito homens (23,1 ± 3,8 anos; 78,4 ± 8,6 kg; 1,72 ± 0,06 m) executaram três condições de TF: condição A (supino reto, desenvolvimento, rosca Scott, meio-agachamento, leg press, cadeira extensora); condição B (meio-agachamento, leg press, cadeira extensora, supino reto, desenvolvimento, rosca Scott) e condição C (supino reto, meio-agachamento, desenvolvimento, leg press, rosca Scott e cadeira extensora). Os exercícios foram executados com três séries de 10 RM. Os testes de 1 RM para MMII e MMSS foram realizados nas semanas iniciais e após as condições experimentais. As coletas de sangue foram feitas no repouso [T0], imediatamente após [IA], 3 [T3] e 5 minutos [T5] após cada condição. A PSE de MMSS, MMII e geral, e o VT foram mensurados ao final de cada condição. Resultados: A 1 RM foi reduzida depois da sessão em todas as condições tanto para MMSS (A = -19,4%; B = -23,0%; C = -22,8%) quanto para MMII (A = -16,2%; B = -15,3%; C = -16,1%) sem diferença entre condições. A PSE apresentou resultados similares entre as condições (Condição A = 8,4; Condição B = 8,7; Condição C = 8,7). Houve aumento significante no La no momento T3 da condição C comparado com as outras condições: (C = 7,29 mmol.L-1; A = 6,60 mmol.L -1; B = 6,51 mmol.L-1) (p < 0,0001). O VT na condição C (16.169,4 ± 2.562,5 kg) foi superior às condições A (13.222,2 ± 2.010,4 kg) e B (13.989,8 ± 2.223,4 kg) (p < 0,0001). Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que somente o VT e a demanda metabólica foram mais afetados pela ordem dos exercícios.

Effects of 8 weeks of Xpand® 2X pre workout supplementation on skeletal muscle hypertrophy, lean body mass, and strength in resistance trained males

BACKGROUND

Xpand® 2X is a proprietary blend comprised of branched chain amino acids, creatine monohydrate, beta-alanine (CarnoSyn®), quercetin, coenzymated B-vitamins, alanyl-glutamine (Sustamine®), and natural nitrate sources from pomegranate and beet root extracts purported to enhance the neuromuscular adaptations of resistance training. However to date, no long-term studies have been conducted with this supplement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a multi-ingredient performance supplement (MIPS) on skeletal muscle hypertrophy, lean body mass and lower body strength in resistance-trained males.

METHODS

Twenty resistance-trained males (21.3 ± 1.9 years) were randomly assigned to consume a MIPS or a placebo of equal weight and volume (food-grade orange flavors and sweeteners) in a double-blind manner, 30 minutes prior to exercise. All subjects participated in an 8-week, 3-day per week, periodized, resistance-training program that was split-focused on multi-joint movements such as leg press, bench press, and bent-over rows. Ultrasonography measured muscle thickness of the quadriceps, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) determined lean body mass, and strength of the bench press and leg press were determined at weeks 0, 4, and 8 of the study. Data were analyzed with a 2 × 3 repeated measures ANOVA with LSD post hoc tests utilized to locate differences.

RESULTS

There was a significant group-by-time interaction in which the MIPS supplementation resulted in a significant (p < 0.01) increase in strength of the bench press (18.4% vs. 9.6%) compared with placebo after 4 and 8 weeks of training. There were no significant group by time interactions between MIPS supplementation nor the placebo in leg press strength (p = .08). MIPS supplementation also resulted in a significant increase in lean body mass (7.8% vs. 3.6%) and quadriceps muscle thickness (11.8% vs. 4.5%) compared with placebo (group*time, p <0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that this MIPS can positively augment adaptations in strength, and skeletal muscle hypertrophy in resistance-trained men.

The acute effects of varying strength exercises bouts on 5Km running

This study investigated if there were acute interference effects of strength exercises on subsequent continuous and intermittent 5Km aerobic exercises. Eleven physically active males (23.1 ± 3.1 yrs, 1.75 ± 0.07 m, 70.5 ± 8.8 kg, and 58.2 ± 8.3 VO2max) performed the following experimental sessions: A) 5 sets of 5 RM on the leg press followed by a 5km run performed continuously (average velocity of the first and second ventilatory thresholds, vΔ50), B) 5 sets of 5 RM on the leg press followed by a 5km run performed intermittently (1 min run at the vVO2max : 1 min of rest); C) 2 sets of 15 RM on the leg press followed by a 5km continuous run; and D) 2 sets of 15 RM on the leg press followed by a 5km intermittent run. Heart rate, blood lactate concentration, rate of perceived exertion, and VO2 at the first and the fifth km were considered for statistical purposes. There were no significant effects of both strength bouts on any of the variables associated with endurance performance (p > 0.05). It seems that both maximum and strength endurance bouts do not acutely impair aerobic performance. Key pointsResidual acute peripheral fatigue does not seem to be the only cause in the interference effect observed during concurrent training regimens.Peripheral fatigue mechanisms of running such as lactate concentration are not altered by prior lower volume strength exercises.Strength and strength endurance exercises performed before a running bout do not seem to impair the performance in the latter.

Acute effect of two aerobic exercise modes on maximum strength and strength endurance

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2 modes of aerobic exercise (continuous or intermittent) on maximum strength (1 repetition maximum, 1RM) and strength endurance (maximum repetitions at 80% of 1RM) for lower- and upper-body exercises to test the acute hypothesis in concurrent training (CT) interference. Eight physically active men (age: 26.9 +/- 4.2 years; body mass: 82.1 +/- 7.5 kg; height: 178.9 +/- 6.0 cm) were submitted to: (a) a graded exercise test to determine V(.-)O2max (39.26 +/- 6.95 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and anaerobic threshold velocity (3.5 mmol x L(-1)) (9.3 +/- 1.27 km x h(-1)); (b) strength tests in a rested state (control); and (c) 4 experimental sessions, at least 7 days apart. The experimental sessions consisted of a 5-kilometer run on a treadmill continuously (90% of the anaerobic threshold velocity) or intermittently (1:1 minute at V(.-)O2max). Ten minutes after the aerobic exercise, either a maximum strength or a strength endurance test was performed (leg press and bench press exercises). The order of aerobic and strength exercises followed a William's square distribution to avoid carryover effects. Results showed that only the intermittent aerobic exercise produced an acute interference effect on leg strength endurance, decreasing significantly (p < 0.05) the number of repetitions from 10.8 +/- 2.5 to 8.1 +/- 2.2. Maximum strength was not affected by the aerobic exercise mode. In conclusion, the acute interference hypothesis in concurrent training seems to occur when both aerobic and strength exercises produce significant peripheral fatigue in the same muscle group.