Impact of TLR4 on behavioral and cognitive dysfunctions associated with alcohol-induced neuroinflammatory damage

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the innate immune response, and emerging evidence indicates their role in brain injury and neurodegeneration. Our recent results have demonstrated that ethanol is capable of activating glial TLR4 receptors and that the elimination of these receptors in mice protects against ethanol-induced glial activation, induction of inflammatory mediators and apoptosis. This study was designed to assess whether ethanol-induced inflammatory damage causes behavioral and cognitive consequences, and if behavioral alterations are dependent of TLR4 functions. Here we show in mice drinking alcohol for 5months, followed by a 15-day withdrawal period, that activation of the astroglial and microglial cells in frontal cortex and striatum is maintained and that these events are associated with cognitive and anxiety-related behavioral impairments in wild-type (WT) mice, as demonstrated by testing the animals with object memory recognition, conditioned taste aversion and dark and light box anxiety tasks. Mice lacking TLR4 receptors are protected against ethanol-induced inflammatory damage, and behavioral associated effects. We further assess the possibility of the epigenetic modifications participating in short- or long-term behavioral effects associated with neuroinflammatory damage. We show that chronic alcohol treatment decreases H4 histone acetylation and histone acetyltransferases activity in frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus of WT mice. Alterations in chromatin structure were not observed in TLR4(-/-) mice. These results provide the first evidence of the role that TLR4 functions play in the behavioral consequences of alcohol-induced inflammatory damage and suggest that the epigenetic modifications mediated by TLR4 could contribute to short- or long-term alcohol-induced behavioral or cognitive dysfunctions.

"The COVID-19 outbreak"-An empirical phenomenological study on perceptions and psychosocial considerations surrounding the immediate incorporation of final-year Spanish nursing and medical students into the health system

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented health crisis worldwide, with the numbers of infections and deaths worldwide multiplying alarmingly in a matter of weeks. Accordingly, governments have been forced to take drastic actions such as the confinement of the population and the suspension of face-to-face teaching. In Spain, due to the collapse of the health system the government has been forced to take a series of important measures such as requesting the voluntary incorporation of final-year nursing and medical students into the health system. The objective of the present work is to study, using a phenomenological qualitative approach, the perceptions of students in this exceptional actual situation. A total of 62 interviews were carried out with final-year nursing and medicine students from Jaime I University (Spain), with 85% reporting having voluntarily joined the health system for ethical and moral reasons. Results from the inductive analysis of the descriptions highlighted two main categories and a total of five sub-categories. The main feelings collected regarding mood were negative, represented by uncertainty, nervousness, and fear. This study provides a description of the perceptions of final-year nursing and medical students with respect to their immediate incorporation into a health system aggravated by a global crisis.

Involvement of ascorbate peroxidase and heat shock proteins on citrus tolerance to combined conditions of drought and high temperatures

Usually several environmental stresses occur in nature simultaneously causing a unique plant response. However, most of the studies until now have focused in individually-applied abiotic stress conditions. Carrizo citrange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf. X Citrus sinensis L. Osb.) and Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan.) are two citrus rootstocks with contrasting tolerance to drought and heat stress and have been used in this work as a model for the study of plant tolerance to the combination of drought and high temperatures. According to our results, leaf integrity and photosynthetic machinery are less affected in Carrizo than in Cleopatra under combined conditions of drought and heat stress. The pattern of accumulation of three proteins (APX, HSP101 and HSP17.6) involved in abiotic stress tolerance shows that they do not accumulate under water stress conditions individually applied. However, contents of APX and HSP101 are higher in Carrizo than in Cleopatra under stress combination whereas HSP17.6 has a similar behavior in both types of plants. This, together with a better stomatal control and a higher APX activity of Carrizo, contributes to the higher tolerance of Carrizo plants to the combination of stresses and point to it as a better rootstock than Cleopatra (traditionally used in areas with scare water supplies) under the predictable future climatic conditions with frequent periods of drought combined with high temperatures. This work also provides the basis for testing the tolerance of different citrus varieties grafted on these rootstocks and growing under different field conditions.

Participation of L-type calcium channels in ethanol-induced behavioral stimulation and motor incoordination: effects of diltiazem and verapamil

Calcium flux through voltage gate calcium channels (VGCC) is involved in many neuronal processes such as membrane depolarization, gene expression, hormone secretion, and neurotransmitter release. Several studies have shown that either acute or chronic exposure to ethanol modifies calcium influx through high voltage activated channels. Of special relevance is the L-type VGCC. Pharmacological manipulation of L-type calcium channels affects ethanol intake, ethanol discrimination and manifestations of withdrawal syndrome. The present study investigates the role of L-type channels on the psychomotor effects (stimulation and sedation/ataxia) of ethanol by testing the effects of different L-type calcium channel blockers (CCB) on such behaviors. Mice were pretreated intraperitoneally with the CCB, diltiazem (0-40 mg/kg) or verapamil (0-30 mg/kg) 30 min before ethanol (0-3.5 g/kg). Locomotion was measured in an open field chamber for 20 min immediately after ethanol. The two CCB tested prevented locomotor stimulation, but not locomotor suppression produced by ethanol. Doses of the two CCB which reduced ethanol stimulation, did not alter spontaneous locomotion. The ataxic effects of ethanol (1.25 g/kg), measured with an accelerating rotarod task, were not affected by diltiazem (20mg/kg) or verapamil (15 mg/kg). In addition, our results indicated that ethanol is more sensitive to the antagonism of L-type calcium channels than other drugs with stimulant properties; doses of the two CCB that reduced ethanol stimulation did not reduce the psychomotor effects of amphetamine, caffeine or cocaine. In conclusion, these data provide further evidence of the important involvement of L-type calcium channels in the behavioral effects produced by ethanol.

Ethanol drinking-in-the-dark facilitates behavioral sensitization to ethanol in C57BL/6J, BALB/cByJ, but not in mu-opioid receptor deficient CXBK mice

BACKGROUND

Neuroplasticity associated with drug-induced behavioral sensitization has been associated with excessive drug pursuit and consumption characteristic of addiction. Repeated intraperitoneal (ip) injections of ethanol (EtOH) can induce psychomotor sensitization in mice. In terms of its clinical relevance, however, it is important to determine whether this phenomenon can also be produced by voluntary EtOH consumption.

METHODS

The present investigation used a drinking-in-the-dark (DID) methodology to induce high levels of EtOH drinking in mice; EtOH replaces water for 2 or 4h, starting 3h after the beginning of the dark cycle. Animals followed a 3-week DID protocol prior to an evaluation of EtOH-induced locomotor activity (acute and repeated EtOH). For the first week, animals had access to 20% EtOH. On weeks 2 and 3, different concentrations of EtOH (10, 20 or 30%) were used. Three different inbred strains of mice were used: C57BL/6J (B6), BALB/cByJ (BALB), and CXBK. The CXBK mouse line was used because of its reduced expression and functioning of brain mu-opioid receptors, which have been suggested to participate in the development of EtOH-induced sensitization. B6 and BALB mice were used as controls.

RESULTS

B6 and CXBK mice presented comparable levels of EtOH drinking (approx. 3g/kg in 2h), that were higher than those showed by BALB. All animals, regardless of genotype, adjusted volume of EtOH intake to obtain stable g/kg of EtOH across concentrations. Previous EtOH DID produced (B6) or potentiated (BALB) sensitization to EtOH; this effect was not seen in CXBK. Western blot analysis showed a reduced number of mu-opioid receptors in several brain regions of CXBK as compared to that of B6 and BALB mice.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, here we show that the DID methodology can be used to trigger EtOH-induced neuroplasticity supporting psychomotor sensitization, a process that might require participation of mu-opioid receptors.

Reduction in central H2O2 levels prevents voluntary ethanol intake in mice: a role for the brain catalase-H2O2 system in alcohol binge drinking

BACKGROUND

Hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) is the cosubstrate used by the enzyme catalase to form Compound I (the catalase-H2 O2 system), which is the major pathway for the conversion of ethanol (EtOH) into acetaldehyde in the brain. This centrally formed acetaldehyde has been shown to be involved in some of the psychopharmacological effects induced by EtOH in rodents, including voluntary alcohol intake. It has been observed that different levels of this enzyme in the central nervous system (CNS) result in variations in the amount of EtOH consumed. This has been interpreted to mean that the brain catalase-H2 O2 system, by determining EtOH metabolism, mediates alcohol self-administration. To date, however, the role of H2 O2 in voluntary EtOH drinking has not been investigated.

METHODS

In the present study, we explored the consequence of a reduction in cerebral H2 O2 levels in volitional EtOH ingestion. With this end in mind, we injected mice of the C57BL/6J strain intraperitoneally with the H2 O2 scavengers alpha-lipoic acid (LA; 0 to 50 mg/kg) or ebselen (Ebs; 0 to 25 mg/kg) 15 or 60 minutes, respectively, prior to offering them an EtOH (10%) solution following a drinking-in-the-dark procedure. The same procedure was followed to assess the selectivity of these compounds in altering EtOH intake by presenting mice with a (0.1%) solution of saccharin. In addition, we indirectly tested the ability of LA and Ebs to reduce brain H2 O2 availability.

RESULTS

The results showed that both LA and Ebs dose-dependently reduced voluntary EtOH intake, without altering saccharin consumption. Moreover, we demonstrated that these treatments decreased the central H2 O2 levels available to catalase.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, we propose that the amount of H2 O2 present in the CNS, by determining brain acetaldehyde formation by the catalase-H2 O2 system, could be a factor that determines an animal's propensity to consume EtOH.

In vivo study of ethanol-activated brain protein kinase A: manipulations of Ca2+ distribution and flux

BACKGROUND

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) signaling transduction pathway has been shown to play an important role in the modulation of several ethanol (EtOH)-induced behavioral actions. In vivo, short-term exposure to EtOH up-regulates the cAMP-signaling cascade. Interestingly, different Ca(2+) -dependent cAMP-PKA cascade mediators play a critical role in the neurobehavioral response to EtOH, being of special relevance to the Ca(2+) -dependent adenylyl cyclases 1 and 8. We hypothesize an intracellular PKA activation elicited by EtOH administration, which may be regulated by a Ca(2+) -dependent mechanism as an early cellular response. Thus, the present work aims to explore the role of Ca(2+) (internal and external) on the EtOH-activated PKA cascade.

METHODS

Swiss male mice received an intraperitoneal injection of EtOH (0 or 4 g/kg), and brains were dissected following a temporal pattern (7, 15, 30, 45, 90, or 120 minutes). Either the enzymatic PKA activity or its fingerprint was analyzed on different brain areas (cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and striatum). To explore the role of Ca(2+) on the EtOH-activated PKA cascade, mice were pretreated with diltiazem (0 or 20 mg/kg), dantrolene (0 or 5 mg/kg), or 3,7-Dimethyl-1-(2-propynyl)xanthine (0 or 1 mg/kg) 30 minutes before EtOH (4 g/kg) administration. After 45 minutes of EtOH administration, brains were removed and dissected to measure the PKA activity or its fingerprint.

RESULTS

Results from these experiments showed an EtOH-dependent activation of PKA in different brain areas. Manipulations involving a disruption of intracellular Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum resulted in a decreased EtOH-induced activation of PKA. On the contrary, extracellular-to-cytoplasm Ca(2+) manipulations did not prevent the PKA activation by EtOH.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, these results show the critical role of stored Ca(2+) as an intracellular mediator of different neurobiological actions of EtOH and provide further evidence of a possible new target for EtOH within the central nervous system.

Dantrolene blockade of ryanodine receptor impairs ethanol-induced behavioral stimulation, ethanol intake and loss of righting reflex

Calcium has been characterized as one of the most ubiquitous, universal and versatile intracellular signals. Among other substances with the ability to alter intracellular calcium levels, ethanol has been described as particularly relevant because of its social and economic impact. Ethanol effects on calcium distribution and flux in vitro have been widely studied, showing that acute ethanol administration can modulate intracellular calcium concentrations in a dose dependent manner. Intracellular calcium released from the endoplasmic reticulum plays a determinant role in several cellular processes. In this study, we aim to assess the effect of dantrolene, a ryanodine receptor antagonist, on three different ethanol-elicited behaviors: locomotor activity, loss of righting reflex and ethanol intake. Mice were challenged with an injection of dantrolene (0-5 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min before ethanol (0-4 g/kg, i.p.) administration. Animals were immediately placed in an open field cylinder to monitor distance travelled horizontally or in a V-shaped trough to measure righting reflex recovery time. For ethanol intake, dantrolene (0-5mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 30 min before ethanol (20%, v/v) exposure, following a drinking in the dark paradigm. Our results showed that dantrolene selectively reduces ethanol-induced stimulation, loss of righting reflex, and ethanol intake in a dose dependent manner. Together, these data suggest that intracellular calcium released from the endoplasmic reticulum may play a critical role in behavioral effects caused by ethanol, and point to a calcium-dependent pathway as a possible cellular mechanism of action for ethanol.

Is There A Role for Abscisic Acid, A Proven Anti-Inflammatory Agent, in the Treatment of Ischemic Retinopathies?

Ischemic retinopathies (IRs) are the main cause of severe visual impairment and sight loss, and are characterized by loss of blood vessels, accompanied by hypoxia, and neovascularization. Actual therapies, based on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) strategies, antioxidants or anti-inflammatory therapies are only partially effective or show some adverse side effects. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone present in vegetables and fruits that can be naturally supplied by the dietary intake and has been previously studied for its benefits to human health. It has been demonstrated that ABA plays a key role in glucose metabolism, inflammation, memory and tumor growth. This review focuses on a novel and promising role of ABA as a potential modulator of angiogenesis, oxidative status and inflammatory processes in the retina, which are the most predominant characteristics of the IRs. Thus, this nutraceutical compound might shed some light in new therapeutic strategies focused in the prevention or amelioration of IRs-derived pathologies.

Effects of Acute Ethanol Administration on Brain Oxidative Status: The Role of Acetaldehyde

BACKGROUND

Ethanol (EtOH), one of the most widely consumed substances of abuse, can induce brain damage and neurodegeneration. EtOH is centrally metabolized into acetaldehyde, which has been shown to be responsible for some of the neurophysiological and cellular effects of EtOH. Although some of the consequences of chronic EtOH administration on cell oxidative status have been described, the mechanisms by which acute EtOH administration affects the brain's cellular oxidative status and the role of acetaldehyde remain to be elucidated in detail.

METHODS

Swiss CD-I mice were pretreated with the acetaldehyde-sequestering agent d-penicillamine (DP; 75 mg/kg, i.p.) or the antioxidant lipoic acid (LA; 50 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 minutes before EtOH (2.5 g/kg, i.p.) administration. Animals were sacrificed 30 minutes after EtOH injection. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mRNA levels; GPx and glutathione reductase (GR) enzymatic activities; reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), glutamate, g-L-glutamyl-L-cysteine (Glut-Cys), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations; and protein carbonyl group (CG) content were determined in whole-brain samples.

RESULTS

Acute EtOH administration enhanced GPx activity and the GSH/GSSG ratio, while it decreased GR activity and GSSG concentration. Pretreatment with DP or LA only prevented GPx activity changes induced by EtOH.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, these results show the capacity of a single dose of EtOH to unbalance cellular oxidative homeostasis.

Centrally formed acetaldehyde mediates ethanol-induced brain PKA activation

Centrally formed acetaldehyde has proven to be responsible for several psychopharmacological effects induced by ethanol. In addition, it has been suggested that the cAMP-PKA signaling transduction pathway plays an important role in the modulation of several ethanol-induced behaviors. Therefore, we hypothesized that acetaldehyde might be ultimately responsible for the activation of this intracellular pathway. We used three pharmacological agents that modify acetaldehyde activity (α-lipoic acid, aminotriazole, and d-penicillamine) to study the role of this metabolite on EtOH-induced PKA activation in mice. Our results show that the injection of α-lipoic acid, aminotriazole and d-penicillamine prior to acute EtOH administration effectively blocks the PKA-enhanced response to EtOH in the brain. These results strongly support the hypothesis of a selective release of acetaldehyde-dependent Ca(2+) as the mechanism involved in the neurobehavioral effects elicited by EtOH.

Role of phosphodiesterase-4 on ethanol elicited locomotion and narcosis

The cAMP signaling pathway has emerged as an important modulator of the pharmacological effects of ethanol. In this respect, the cAMP-dependent protein kinase has been shown to play an important role in the modulation of several ethanol-induced behavioral actions. Cellular levels of cAMP are maintained by the activity of adenylyl cyclases and phosphodiesterases. In the present work we have focused on ascertaining the role of PDE4 in mediating the neurobehavioral effects of ethanol. For this purpose, we have used the selective PDE4 inhibitor Ro 20-1724. This compound has been proven to enhance cellular cAMP response by PDE4 blockade and can be administered systemically. Swiss mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with Ro 20-1724 (0-5 mg/kg; i.p.) at different time intervals before ethanol (0-4 g/kg; i.p.) administration. Immediately after the ethanol injection, locomotor activity, loss of righting reflex, PKA footprint and enzymatic activity were assessed. Pretreatment with Ro 20-1724 increased ethanol-induced locomotor stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. Doses that increased locomotor stimulation did not modify basal locomotion or the suppression of motor activity produced by high doses of this alcohol. Ro 20-1724 did not alter the locomotor activation produced by amphetamine or cocaine. The time of loss of righting reflex evoked by ethanol was increased after pretreatment with Ro 20-1724. This effect was selective for the narcotic effects of ethanol since Ro 20-1724 did not affect pentobarbital-induced narcotic effects. Moreover, Ro 20-1724 administration increased the PKA footprint and enzymatic activity response elicited by ethanol. These data provide further evidence of the key role of the cAMP signaling pathway in the central effects of ethanol.

Evaluation of the inflammatory responses to sol-gel coatings with distinct biocompatibility levels

The immune system plays a crucial role in determining the implantation outcome, and macrophages are in the frontline of the inflammatory processes. Further, cellular oxidative stress resulting from the material recognition can influence how cell responses develop. Considering this, the aim of this study was to study oxidative stress and macrophages phenotypes in response to sol-gel materials with distinct in vivo outcomes. Four materials were selected (70M30T and 35M35G30T, with high biocompatibility, and 50M50G and 50V50G, with low biocompatibility). Gene expression, immunocytochemistry and cytokine secretion profiles for M1 and M2 markers were determined. Moreover, oxidative stress markers were studied. Immunocytochemistry and ELISA showed that 50M50G and 50V50G lead to a higher differentiation to M1 phenotype, while 70M30T and 35M35G30T promoted M2 differentiation. In oxidative stress, no differences were found. These results show that the balance between M1 and M2, more than individual quantification of each phenotype, determines a biomaterial outcome.

Role of CA2+/calmodulin on ethanol neurobehavioral effects

RATIONALE

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling transduction pathway has been shown to play an important role in the modulation of several ethanol-induced behaviors. Different studies have demonstrated intracellular calcium (Ca(2+))-dependent activation of the PKA cascade after ethanol administration. Thus, the cAMP cascade mediator Ca(2+)-dependent calmodulin (CaM) has been strongly implicated in the central effects of ethanol.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we assessed the role of the CaM inhibitor W7 on ethanol-induced stimulation, ethanol intake, and ethanol-induced activation of PKA.

METHODS

Swiss mice were pretreated with W7 (0-10 mg/kg) 30 min before ethanol (0-3.75 g/kg) administration. Immediately, animals were placed during 20 min in an open-field chamber. Ethanol (10 %, v/v) intake in 2 h was assessed using a limited access paradigm. Experiments with caffeine (0-15 mg/kg), cocaine (0-4 mg/kg), and saccharine (0.1 %, w/v) were designed to compare their results to those obtained with ethanol. Western blot was assayed 45 min after ethanol administration.

RESULTS

Results showed that pretreatment with W7, reduced selectively in a dose-dependent fashion ethanol-induced locomotor stimulation and ethanol intake. The ethanol-induced activation of PKA was also prevented by W7 administration.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that CaM inhibition resulted in a selective reduction of ethanol-stimulating effects and ethanol intake. The PKA activation induced by ethanol was blocked after the CaM blockade with W7. These results provide further evidence of the key role of cellular Ca(2+)-dependent pathways on the central effects of ethanol.

Biochemical and Behavioral Consequences of Ethanol Intake in a Mouse Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Ethanol abuse is a common issue in individuals with sedentary lifestyles, unbalanced diets, and metabolic syndrome. Both ethanol abuse and metabolic syndrome have negative impacts on the central nervous system, with effects including cognitive impairment and brain oxidative status deterioration. The combined effects of ethanol abuse and metabolic syndrome at a central level have not yet been elucidated in detail. Thus, this work aims to determine the effects of ethanol intake on a mouse model of metabolic syndrome at the behavioral and biochemical levels. Seven-week-old male control (B6.V-Lep ob/+JRj) and leptin-deficient (metabolic syndrome) (B6.V-Lep ob/obJRj) mice were used in the study. Animals were divided into four groups: control, ethanol, obese, and obese-ethanol. Ethanol consumption was monitored for 6 weeks. Basal glycemia, insulin, and glucose overload tests were performed. To assess short- and long-term memory, an object recognition test was used. In order to assess oxidative status in mouse brain samples, antioxidant enzyme activity was analyzed with regard to glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione, glutathione disulfide, lipid peroxidation products, and malondialdehyde. Ethanol intake modulated the insulin response and impaired the oxidative status in the ob mouse brain.

Human Milk Antioxidative Modifications in Mastitis: Further Beneficial Effects of Cranberry Supplementation

Mastitis is the inflammation of one or several mammal lobes which can be accompanied by a mammary gland infection, and is the leading cause of undesired early weaning in humans. However, little information exists regarding the changes that this disease may induce in the biochemical composition of human milk, especially in terms of oxidative status. Given that newborns are subject to a significant increase in total ROS burden in their transition to neonatal life and that their antioxidant defense system is not completely developed, the aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant defense (glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), total polyphenol content (TPP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)) in milk samples from mothers suffering from mastitis and controls. We also measured the oxidative damage to lipids (malondyaldehyde (MDA)) and proteins (carbonyl group content (CGC)) in these samples. Finally, we tested whether dietary supplementation with cranberries (a product rich in antioxidants) in these breastfeeding mothers during 21 days could improve the oxidative status of milk. GPx activity, TPP, and TAC were increased in milk samples from mastitis-affected women, providing a protective mechanism to the newborn drinking mastitis milk. MDA concentrations were diminished in the mastitis group, confirming this proposal. Some oxidative damage might occur in the mammary gland since the CGC was increased in mastitis milk. Cranberries supplementation seems to strengthen the antioxidant system, further improving the antioxidative state of milk.

Is There a Role of Beetroot Consumption on the Recovery of Oxidative Status and Muscle Damage in Ultra-Endurance Runners?

(1) Background: Ultra-endurance exercise involves a high physical impact, resulting in muscle damage, inflammatory response and production of free radicals that alter the body's oxidative state. Supplementation with antioxidants, such as beetroot, may improve recovery in ultra-endurance runners. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between beetroot intake and recovery of serum oxidative status, inflammatory response and muscle damage parameters after an ultra-endurance race. (2) Methods: An observational and longitudinal study was conducted by means of surveys and blood samples collected from 32 runners during the IX Penyagolosa Trails CSP®® race and the two following days. The variables C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), the activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) as well as the oxidative damage markers malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl groups (CG) and loss of muscle strength using the squat jump (SJ) test were analyzed to discriminate whether beetroot consumption can modulate the recovery of ultra-trail runners. (3) Results: Significant differences were observed between runners who ingested beetroot and those who did not, in terms of oxidative status, specifically in serum GPx activity at 24 and 48 h, muscle damage variables CK and LDH and regarding the SJ test results at the finish line. Therefore, the intake of supplements containing beetroot positively influences the recovery of serum oxidative status and muscle damage after ultra-endurance running.

Prehabilitation Consultation on Self-Care and Physical Exercise in Patients Diagnosed with Abdominopelvic Cancer: Protocol of the Study

BACKGROUND

Introduction: Prehabilitation in the field of oncology has been defined as "the process in the continuum of care that occurs between diagnosis and the start of treatment involving physical and psychological measures that determine the patient's baseline functional status."

AIM

To determine the effectiveness of a Prehabilitation consultation on self-care and targeted physical exercise for patients diagnosed with abdominopelvic cancer.

DESIGN

An observational study that will evaluate the pre-post efficacy of an ad-hoc designed Prehabilitation intervention. The study population consists of patients diagnosed with colon or gynecological cancer with a surgical indication as part of their therapeutic plan from the General Surgery Services. It is configured around four key interventions: (a) health education and self-care, (b) specific nutritional counseling, (c) initial psychological assessment, and (d) directed physical exercise intervention. Health education, self-care interventions, and physical exercise will be carried out weekly from diagnosis to the scheduled surgery day.

RESULTS

Aspects such as self-care capacity or agency, perioperative anxiety, aerobic capacity, strength and flexibility, postoperative complications, and recovery time to adjuvant treatment will be measured using tools such as Appraisal of self-care agency scale (ASA), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), walking test, sit and Reach, Hand Grip or Squad Jump.

CONCLUSION

Utilizing validated tools for analyzing selected variables will contribute to refining and expanding care guidelines, ultimately enhancing support for both patients and their caregivers.

Exercise and Quality of Life (QoL) in Patients Undergoing Active Breast Cancer Treatment-Comparison of Three Modalities of a 24-Week Exercise Program-A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Exercise is an accepted intervention to improve the quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer patients. Exercise programs have been developed, and all have shown satisfactory results in improving the QoL. There is a lack of research comparing different prescription modalities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of physical exercise (in-person and home-based, compared to the exercise recommendation) on the QoL in breast cancer patients actively undergoing treatment.

METHODS

This is a randomized clinical trial with three groups (in-person: guided and supervised in-person exercise program; home-based exercise: guided and supervised exercise program with streaming monitoring both as a intervention groups; and recommendation: exercise recommendation as a control group). The QoL was measured using the EORTIC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. A baseline and 24-week analysis were investigated.

RESULTS

The total sample analyzed was n = 80. The QoL improved significantly at 24 weeks in the face-to-face and home-based exercise groups, but not in the control group. Exercise in all modalities improved fatigue, nausea, vomiting, appetite, and constipation. The QoL at 24 weeks depended on active chemotherapy, tumor type, and assigned exercise group (r2 = 0.503; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The QoL in breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment improved after a 24-week exercise program, especially in face-to-face and home-based exercise. Home-based exercise and streaming-based recommendation is a viable option for exercise recommendation.

Effect of a Long-Term Online Home-Based Supervised Exercise Program on Physical Fitness and Adherence in Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the effect of a synchronous-supervised online home-based exercise program (HBG) during 24 weeks on body composition, physical fitness and adherence compared to an exercise recommendation group (ERG) without supervision with patients undergoing breast cancer treatment. Fifty-nine female breast cancer patients (31 in HBG and 28 in the ERG) undergoing cancer treatments participated in the present randomized clinical trial. The exercise program consisted of a 60 min combined resistance and aerobic supervised exercise session (6-8 points on Borg Scale CR-10, moderate intensity), twice a week during 24 weeks. The exercise recommendation group only received general recommendations to comply with the current ACSM guidelines. Body composition and physical fitness were assessed at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks of the program. Adherence to the intervention was measured according to the minutes of exercise completed per session during each week. A general linear model of two-way repeated measures showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in physical fitness that were observed in the home-based exercise group at the baseline, 12-week and 24-week assessments compared to the exercise recommendation group. Adherence was also higher in the home-based exercise group. However, no changes (p > 0.05) in body composition between groups and moments were observed. In this sense, supervised home-based exercise interventions can be an interesting strategy to improve physical fitness and adherence rates in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment.