Advancing athletic assessment by integrating conventional methods with cutting-edge biomedical technologies for comprehensive performance, wellness, and longevity insights

In modern athlete assessment, the integration of conventional biochemical and ergophysiologic monitoring with innovative methods like telomere analysis, genotyping/phenotypic profiling, and metabolomics has the potential to offer a comprehensive understanding of athletes' performance and potential longevity. Telomeres provide insights into cellular functioning, aging, and adaptation and elucidate the effects of training on cellular health. Genotype/phenotype analysis explores genetic variations associated with athletic performance, injury predisposition, and recovery needs, enabling personalization of training plans and interventions. Metabolomics especially focusing on low-molecular weight metabolites, reveal metabolic pathways and responses to exercise. Biochemical tests assess key biomarkers related to energy metabolism, inflammation, and recovery. Essential elements depict the micronutrient status of the individual, which is critical for optimal performance. Echocardiography provides detailed monitoring of cardiac structure and function, while burnout testing evaluates psychological stress, fatigue, and readiness for optimal performance. By integrating this scientific testing battery, a multidimensional understanding of athlete health status can be achieved, leading to personalized interventions in training, nutrition, supplementation, injury prevention, and mental wellness support. This scientifically rigorous approach hereby presented holds significant potential for improving athletic performance and longevity through evidence-based, individualized interventions, contributing to advances in the field of sports performance optimization.

Increased serum levels of ghrelin at diagnosis mediate body weight loss in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients

OBJECTIVE

Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide implicated in body weight regulation, while cachexia is a multifactorial effect of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presented in patients with advanced disease. The aim of this study was to detect the role of ghrelin in cachexia and systemic inflammation of advanced NSCLC patients as well as its role as a diagnostic and prognostic tool.

METHODS

Ghrelin serum levels were measured in 101 inoperable NSCLC patients before receiving any therapy (75 patients with weight loss and 26 without weight loss) and 60 healthy control volunteers. Epidemiological, anthropometrical and laboratory data were assessed for all participants (patients and healthy volunteers).

RESULTS

NSCLC patients presented significantly higher ghrelin serum levels than healthy individuals, adjusted for sex, age and BMI (0.5+/-0.4 ng/ml vs. 0.4+/-0.3 ng/ml, P<0.001). NSCLC patients with weight loss presented significantly increased ghrelin serum levels (0.56+/-0.24 ng/ml vs. 0.52+/-0.44 ng/ml, P=0.017), compared to NSCLC patients without weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Ghrelin serum levels are significantly increased in NSCLC patients, mainly in the subgroup of patients diagnosed with cachexia, indicating a possible implication in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. Further studies are needed to determine its potential role as predictive and prognostic marker.

The significance of leptin, adiponectin, and resistin serum levels in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

SUMMARY

Adipose tissue secretes adipokines with proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Our aim was to assess the role of adipose tissue in generalized inflammatory state of advanced NSCLC patients and the possible use of leptin, adiponectin and resistin as diagnostic and prognostic markers. Correlation of adipose tissue with weight loss in advanced NSCLC patients was also studied. Fasting serum levels of leptin, adiponectin and resistin were determined in 101 advanced NSCLC patients (76 without weight loss and 25 with weight loss) and 51 healthy volunteers using commercially available ELISA. Adipokine serum levels were determined at diagnosis, at the end of first-line chemotherapy and at the time of disease progression for those who responded to treatment. Epidemiological, anthropometrical and laboratory data were assessed. Serum leptin and adiponectin levels presented no differences. Serum resistin levels were significantly increased in NSCLC patients after adjustment for age, sex and BMI. Multivariate analysis showed that these adipokines at diagnosis could not be used as predictive factors for overall survival or time to progression. Only serum resistin levels were associated with weight loss. Despite no direct involvement of leptin and adiponectin, resistin as a proinflammatory cytokine may play a role in the pathogenesis of weight loss in NSCLC patients.