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The mechanisms by which exercise affects atherosclerotic plaque stability remain incompletely understood. We evaluated the effects of two training protocols on both atherosclerotic plaque structure and the signaling pathways involved in plaque rupture. Methods Male low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout mice were fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFD). One group was subjected to moderate exercise using a treadmill for 14 weeks (preventive protocol). The other group started an exercise regimen after 16 weeks of the HFD (therapeutic group). Atherosclerotic plaques within the aorta were evaluated for lipid and collagen contents, as well as for inflammatory markers. Plasma cholesterol and cytokine levels were also determined. Results The mice receiving a HFD developed hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic plaques within the aorta. The aortas from the animals in the preventive protocol exhibited smaller lipid cores and higher collagen content. These animals also exhibited lower CD40 expression within the plaques. The aortas of the mice in the therapeutic group exhibited higher collagen content, but no differences in either lipid core size or plaque size were noted. No differences in blood pressure, plasma cholesterol, cytokine levels, plaque size or metalloproteinase 9 expression were observed in the trained animals compared with the sedentary animals. Conclusion Moderate aerobic exercise modified atherosclerotic plaque characteristics and converted the plaques into a more stable phenotype, increasing the collagen content in response to both exercise programs. Furthermore, moderate aerobic exercise reduced the animals' fat content and decreased the activity of the CD40–CD40L signaling pathway in the preventive group.

Background: There are few studies in the literature performed in human fetuses evaluating the incidence of genitourinary anomalies. Aims: Analyze the incidence of congenital urogenital malformations in human male fetuses. Study designs and subjects: We analyzed 166 human male fetuses well preserved. The gestational age was determined in weeks post conception (WPC) according to the foot length criterion and ranged from 10 to 35 WPC. The fetuses were dissected with the aid of a stereoscopic lens with 2.5 magnification. We performed abdominal and pelvic incisions to expose the urogenital organs. We studied the incidence of renal, ureteral, vesicle, urethral, testicular, epididymal, vas deferens, prostate and penile anomalies. Results :O f the 166 fetuses, 7 (4.2%) presented some kind of anomaly of the urogenital system. Renal anomalies were found in two fetuses (1.2%). Unilateral renal agenesis was found in a 25 WPC fetus. Horseshoe kidney was found in a 20 WPC fetus. In a 23 WPC fetus (0.6%) the two testes were absent. Epididymal disjunction anomalies were found in four fetuses (2.4%). Conclusions: The urogenital anomalies in human male fetuses are rare and have an incidence around 4%. D 2004 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.