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Introduction High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to improve chronic diseases. Probiotics have been found to have similar effects. However, the additive effects of HIIT in combination with probiotics supplementation are unclear. The aim of current study was to investigate whether there were additive effects when implementing both HIIT and probiotics simultaneously.Methods Forty-seven obese middle-aged women (Age: 44.5 ± 5.94 years, body fat percentage: 40.0 ± 4.1%) were recruited and assigned into four groups: control group (C, n = 12), probiotics group (P, n = 12), HIIT group (H, n = 11), and HIIT with probiotics group (HP, n = 12). All the participants consumed probiotics (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10, 6 × 1010 CFU/day) or placebo supplements daily. Exercise intervention groups conducted HIIT training (85–90% vVO2max for 2 min, followed by a 1-min inactive rest interval, repeated for 7 cycles) 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Anthropometry, cardiorespiratory endurance, blood glucose, and lipid profile were measured at baseline and after the 8-week intervention.Results After the intervention, there were significant changes between groups in the variations and rates of change in waist circumference, hip circumference, and TTE. The waist circumference in group H significantly increased compared to groups C and P, while group HP did not show significant difference compared to group C. On the other hand, the hip circumference decreased significantly in group HP compared to group C, and the decreased rate in group HP was significantly greater than in groups C and P. Furthermore, the increase rates in TTE were higher in group H and HP compared to group C.Conclusion HIIT improves TTE but negatively affects waist circumference compared to the control group. However, when combined with probiotics, the probiotics not only help enhance TTE but also counteract the negative impact on waist circumference and further reduce hip circumference, resulting in a synergistic effect.Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT06285578

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most prevalent type of cancer worldwide contributing to an estimated 10 % of all cancer cases. CPT-11 is one of the first-line drugs for CRC treatment. Unfortunately, the development of drug resistance significantly exacerbates the adverse impact of CRC. Consequent tumor recurrences and metastasis, years after treatment are the frequently reported incidences. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are short non-coding RNA with the functionality of gene suppression. The insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF1R) is a tyrosine kinase receptor frequently upregulated in cancers and is associated with cell survival and drug resistance. MiRNAs are frequently reported to be dysregulated in cancers including CRC. Evidence suggests that dysregulated miRNAs have direct consequences on the biological processes of their target genes. We previously demonstrated that miRNA-376a-3p is upregulated in CPT-11responsive, CRC cells upon treatment with CPT-11. We therefore aimed to investigate the involvement of miRNA-376a-3p in CPT-11 resistance and its probable association with IGF1R-mediated cancer cell survival. Our experimental approach used knockdown and overexpression experiments supplemented with western blot, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, MTT, and migration assays to achieve our aim. Our data reveals the mechanism through which IGF1R and miRNA-376a-3p perpetrate and attenuate CPT-11 resistance respectively. MiRNA-376a-3p overexpression negatively regulated the IGF1R-induced cell survival, PI3K/AKT pathway, and reversed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, hence sensitizing resistant cells to CPT-11. Our findings suggests that the miRNA-376a-3p/IGF1R axis holds promise as a potential target to sensitize CRC to CPT-11 in cases of drug resistance.

IntroductionElastic cushioning materials protect human tissue from injury by absorbing impact energy and delaying its transfer. However, the potential compromise in force delivery to the hitting target remains unknown.MethodsTo examine if silicone cushioning compromises punch force delivery to a hitting target, a double-blind crossover trial with 12 elite boxers was conducted following material tests. Each boxer delivered five maximal punches under two conditions: silicone-hand wrapping and gauze-hand wrapping, in counterbalanced order, with a 3-day interval between sessions. Force distribution along the Z-axis indicated the punch's intended direction, while forces along the X and Y axes represented force dissipation toward unwanted direction.ResultsThe material tests (based on ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA) demonstrated substantially higher compression to disruption for silicone than gauze of similar thickness. During the punching trials, the silicon-based hand wrapping exhibited slightly higher total force production (436 ± 33 N vs. 372 ± 12 N, p

BackgroundPreventing childhood obesity and associated comorbidities is often hampered by disproportionate disparity in healthcare provision in minority ethnic populations. This study contextualized factors influencing childhood obesity and related comorbidity from the perspectives and experiences of parents of ethnic minority populations.MethodsFollowing ethical approval, families (n = 180) from ethnic minority populations in the Northeast of England were contacted through flyers, community social groups and online forum. Of the 180 families contacted, 22 expressed interests, of whom 12 parents were eligible to participate in the study, and one family dropped out due to time constraints. Therefore 11 parents from ethnic minority communities living with at least one child with obesity were interviewed. Each family was separately visited at home and took part in a semi-structured interview based on the study’s qualitative, descriptive phenomenological design. Nine of the families had one child who was diagnosed with an obesity-related comorbidity (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, musculoskeletal problems or respiratory disorder). Semi-structured interviews were standardized around parents’ perspective and experience on how their children were impacted by obesity and comorbidities, healthcare preventative interventions including lifestyle physical activity and nutrition, and views on tackling obesity impact on their lives. All interviews were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis.ResultsParents’ perspectives revealed 11 themes centered around experience of living with a child with obesity, risks, and impact of obesity related Non-Communicable Diseases; and access to support, and barriers unique to minority ethnic groups. Parents revealed social disadvantages, fear of victimization by social services, perceptions on their cultural and religious traditions, and racial stigmatization related to their child’s weight. Parents reported closer bonding with their children to protect them from the untoward consequences of overweight, and little awareness of healthcare obesity prevention programs. Work pressure, lack of time, absence of guidance from professionals were seen as barriers to healthy lifestyle, while support from friends and closer family bond in adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors were facilitators. However, there was little awareness or access to current healthcare obesity preventive offerings.ConclusionMinority ethnic communities’ perspective on childhood obesity prevention does not match the healthcare system preventative offerings. Community and family-oriented obesity preventative approaches, especially lifestyle interventions are needed beyond those administered by the primary healthcare system.

Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles produced by almost all mammalian cells. They play an important role in cell-to-cell communication by transferring biologically active molecules from the cell of origin to the recipient cells. Ionizing radiation influences exosome production and molecular cargo loading. In cancer management, ionizing radiation is a form of treatment that exerts its cancer cytotoxicity by induction of DNA damage and other alterations to the targeted tissue cells. However, normal bystander non-targeted cells may exhibit the effects of ionizing radiation, a phenomenon called radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE). The mutual communication between the two groups of cells (targeted and non-targeted) via radiation-influenced exosomes enables the exchange of radiosensitive molecules. This facilitates indirect radiation exposure, leading, among other effects, to epigenetic remodeling and subsequent adaptation to radiation. This review discusses the role exosomes play in epigenetically induced radiotherapy resistance through the mediation of RIBE.

Stem cells exhibit pluripotency and self-renewal abilities. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells can potentially be used to reconstruct various tissues. They possess significant versatility and alleviate various aging-related diseases. Unfortunately, aging leads to senescence, apoptosis, and a decline in regenerative capacity in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. These changes necessitate a strategy to mitigate the effects of aging on stem cells. Ohwia caudata (O. caudata) has therapeutic effects against several illnesses. However, studies on whether O. caudata has therapeutic effects against aging are lacking. In this study, we aimed to identify potential therapeutic anti-aging effects in the crude aqueous extract of O. caudata on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Using 0.1 μM doxorubicin, we induced aging in human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) and evaluated whether various concentrations of O. caudata aqueous extract exhibit anti-aging effects on them. The O. caudata extract exhibited significant antioxidant effects on hADMSCs without any toxicity. Furthermore, after treatment with the O. caudata aqueous extract, the levels of mitochondrial superoxide, DNA double-strand breaks, and telomere shortening were reduced in the hADMSCs subjected to doxorubicin-induced aging. The extract also suppressed doxorubicin-induced aging by upregulating klotho and downregulating p21 in hADMSCs. These findings indicated that the O. caudata extract exhibited anti-aging properties that modulated hADMSC homeostasis. Therefore, it could be a potential candidate for restoring the self-renewal ability and multipotency of aging hADMSCs.

Background Rectal distension increases regulatory burden to autonomic nervous system in the brain. Purpose To determine the effect of rectal defecation on endurance performance and blood supply to the prefrontal brain and sub-navel regions of elite triathletes. Methods Thirteen elite triathletes completed a cycling time trial (80% VO2max) under defecated and non-defecated conditions, using a counterbalanced crossover design. Oxygenation and blood distribution in prefrontal brain and sub-navel regions were monitored by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during cycling. Results Defecation moderately decreased systolic blood pressure (−4 mmHg, p

Purpose: 8-Hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a byproduct of DNA oxidation resulting from free radical attacks. Paradoxically, treatment with 8-OHdG accelerates tissue healing. The aim of this study is to quantify the 8-OHdG response after a single session of exercise in both trained and untrained adults.Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise intervention studies measuring changes in blood 8-OHdG following resistance exercise and aerobic exercise were conducted. The literature search included Web of Science, PubMed, BASE, and Scopus, with publications up to February 2023 included. Subgroup analysis of training status was also conducted.Results: Sixteen studies involving 431 participants met the eligibility criteria. Resistance exercise showed a medium effect on increasing circulating 8-OHdG levels (SMD = 0.66, p < 0.001), which was similar for both trained and untrained participants. However, studies on aerobic exercise presented mixed results. For trained participants, a small effect of aerobic exercise on increasing circulating 8-OHdG levels was observed (SMD = 0.42; p < 0.001). In contrast, for untrained participants, a large effect of decreasing circulating 8-OHdG levels was observed, mostly after long-duration aerobic exercise (SMD = −1.16; p < 0.05). Similar to resistance exercise, high-intensity aerobic exercise (5–45 min, ≥75% VO2max) significantly increased circulating 8-OHdG levels, primarily in trained participants.Conclusion: Pooled results from the studies confirm an increase in circulating 8-OHdG levels after resistance exercise. However, further studies are needed to fully confirm the circulating 8-OHdG response to aerobic exercise. Increases in 8-OHdG after high-intensity aerobic exercise are observed only in trained individuals, implicating its role in training adaptation.Systematic Review Registration: [https://Systematicreview.gov/], identifier [CRD42022324180]

Background: Effects of the major ginsenoside Rg1 on mammalian longevity and physical vitality are rarely reported. Purpose: To examine longevity, tumor, and spontaneous locomotor activity in rats consuming Rg1. Methods: A total of 138 Wistar rats were randomized into 2 groups: control (N = 69) and Rg1 (N = 69). Rg1 (0.1 mg/kg per day) were orally supplemented from 6 months of age until natural death. Spontaneous mobility was measured by video-tracking together with body composition (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) and inflammation markers at 5, 14, 21, and 28 months of age. Results: No significant differences in longevity (control: 706 days; Rg1: 651 days, p = 0.77) and tumor incidence (control: 19%; Rg1: 12%, p = 0.24) were observed between the two groups. Movement distance in the control group declined significantly by ∼60% at 21 months of age, together with decreased TNF-α (p = 0.01) and increased IL-10 (p = 0.02). However, the movement distance in the Rg1 group was maintained ∼50% above the control groups (p = 0.01) at 21 months of age with greater magnitudes of TNF-α decreases and IL-10 increases. Glucose, insulin, and body composition (bone, muscle and fat percentages) were similar for both groups during the entire observation period. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest a delay age-dependent decline in physical vitality during late life by lifelong Rg1 consumption. This improvement is associated with inflammatory modulation. Significant effects of Rg1 on longevity and tumorigenesis were not observed.

Multiple studies show increased severity of SARS-CoV2-infection in patients with comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. In this study, we have prepared two herbal-based formulations, a pleiotropic herbal drink (Jin Si Herbal Tea, JHT) and a nasal drop (Jin Si nasal drop, JND), to provide preventive care against SARS-CoV2 infection. The effect of JHT and JND was determined in SARS-CoV2-S-pseudotyped lentivirus-infected bronchial and colorectal cell lines and in SKH-1 mouse models. For preliminary studies, ACE2 receptor abundant bronchial (Calu-3) and colorectal cells (Caco-2) were used to determine the effect of JHT and JND on the host entry of various variants of SARS-CoV2-S-pseudotyped lentivirus. A series of experiments were performed to understand the infection rate in SKH-1 mice (6 weeks old, n = 9), find the effective dosage of JHT and JND, and determine the combination effect of JHT and JND on the entry and adhesion of various variant SARS-CoV2-S-pseudotyped lentiviruses, which included highly transmissible delta and gamma mutants. Furthermore, the effect of combined JHT and JND was determined on diabetes-induced SKH-1 mice against the comorbidity-associated intense viral entry and accumulation. In addition, the effect of combined JHT and JND administration on viral transmission from infected SKH-1 mice to uninfected cage mate mice was determined. The results showed that both JHT and JND were effective in alleviating the viral entry and accumulation in the thorax and the abdominal area. While JHT showed a dose-dependent decrease in the viral load, JND showed early inhibition of viral entry from day 1 of the infection. Combined administration of 48.66 mg of JHT and 20 µL of JND showed rapid reduction in the viral entry and reduced the viral load (97–99%) in the infected mice within 3 days of treatment. Moreover, 16.22 mg of JHT and 20 µL JND reduced the viral infection in STZ-induced diabetic SKH-1 mice. Interestingly, combined JHT and JND also inhibited viral transmission among cage mates. The results, therefore, showed that combined administration of JHT and JND is a novel and an efficient strategy to potentially prevent SARS-CoV2 infection.

Abstract A single-blind study to investigate the effects of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) in straight walking and 2 Hz head yaw walking for healthy and bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH) participants in light and dark conditions. The optimal stimulation intensity for each participant was determined by calculating standing stability on a force plate while randomly applying six graded nGVS intensities (0–1000 µA). The chest–pelvic (C/P) ratio and lateral deviation of the center of mass (COM) were measured by motion capture during straight and 2 Hz head yaw walking in light and dark conditions. Participants were blinded to nGVS served randomly and imperceivably. Ten BVH patients and 16 healthy participants completed all trials. In the light condition, the COM lateral deviation significantly decreased only in straight walking (p = 0.037) with nGVS for the BVH. In the dark condition, both healthy (p = 0.026) and BVH (p = 0.017) exhibited decreased lateral deviation during nGVS. The C/P ratio decreased significantly in BVH for 2 Hz head yaw walking with nGVS (p = 0.005) in light conditions. This study demonstrated that nGVS effectively reduced walking deviations, especially in visual deprived condition for the BVH. Applying nGVS with different head rotation frequencies and light exposure levels may accelerate the rehabilitation process for patients with BVH. Clinical Trial Registration This clinical trial was prospectively registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov with the Unique identifier: NCT03554941. Date of registration: (13/06/2018).

Improving lower extremity sports performance may contribute to punching performance in boxers. We compared the effects of two typical boxing routines for developing lower extremity sports performance and subsequent punching performance. Twenty-four high school amateur boxers between the ages of 12 and 18 performed training at least 3 days per week. All Athletes had 3–5 years of experience in boxing training. The participants separated into two groups to receive an 8-week plyometric or jump rope training program. They performed each training program for 30 min on 3 days/week. Lower extremity sports performance in countermovement jump (leg stiffness, jump power, and rate of force development) and jab-cross punching performance (punch velocity, punch force, reaction time, movement time, and ground reaction force) were assessed at pre-and post-training. The data were analyzed using a two-way mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) (group × time). Both training programs improved the rate of force development in countermovement jump, the reaction time of punch, the peak ground reaction force of the rear leg during the jab punch, and the velocity of the jab punch. There were no group differences and interaction effects in all variables analyzed. It is concluded that 8 weeks of plyometric and rope jumping programs had a similar impact on improving lower extremity strength and punching performance. Both training programs may improve muscle strength and power, rate of force development, and reaction time. These improvements may contribute to lower extremity strength for driving a punch at the target with excellent performance.

Abstract Naturally occurring tumor in animals receiving high minerals from deep oceans (DOM: hardness 600 mg/L) from 6 months of age until natural death was firstly assessed in 200 Sprague Dawley rats, randomized into four groups: Control (C), DOM (D), Fructose (F), and Fructose + DOM (FD). Fructose drink contained 11% fructose. Tumor incidence (necropsy at death) in the D group was ~40% lower than that in the C group (P

To characterize physiological stress response against simulated short-distance sprints among world-class paddlers. Thirteen dragon boat gold medalists performed 200-m and 500-m simulated race trials on a kayak ergometer in a randomized, counter-balanced, crossover fashion. During the 200-m and 500-m sprints, oxygen consumption (VO2) increased from 8.7 to 31.2 ml/kg/min and from 8.0 to 32.7 ml/kg/min within 60 s, respectively. A plateau of 35 ml/kg/min below maximal VO2(VO2max) (39.7 ± 6.3 ml/kg/min) was reached at 75 s during the 500-m sprint. Respiratory exchange ratio dropped from 1.21 ± 0.16 to 1.07 ± 0.12 and 1.28 ± 0.13 to 1.06 ± 0.16 at 45 s, and resurged to 1.17 and 1.28 at the end of 200-m and 500-m sprints with lactate concentration reached 13 ± 2 and 15 ± 2 mM. Aerobic energy contribution to paddling power increases from ~10% for the first 15 s to ~80% for the last 15 s during the 500-m trial. Postexercise plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances increased by 376% and 543% above baseline after 200-m and 500-m trials (P < 0.001, between trials), respectively, followed by quick returns to baseline in 30 min (P < 0.001). Increased plasma creatine kinase (+48%) was observed only after the 500-m trial (P < 0.001, between trials), not 200-m trial. Our data suggest that muscle damage occurred only when maximal sprinting exceeding 2 min, highlighting an importance of volume than intensity on exercise-induced muscle damage.

Pancreatic damage is the major causative agent in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Several strategies have been suggested to regenerate pancreatic functions, such as stem cell transplantation and administration of active components isolating from natural herbals. This study aims to investigate if the synergistically protective effect on damaged pancreatic tissues can be observed in STZ-induced DM rats with autologous transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) coupling with oral administration of resveratrol. Pathological conditions can be recognized in DM rats with pancreatic damage, including reduction of islet size, suppression of survival markers, downregulation of AMPK/Sirt1 axis, and activation of apoptotic signaling. Autologous transplantation of ADSC slightly improves pancreatic functions, whereas autologous transplantation of ADSC coupling with oral administration of resveratrol significantly improves pancreatic functions in DM rats. We suggest that oral administration of resveratrol may enhance the therapeutic effect on DM patients receiving autologous transplantation of ADSC.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the requirement of protein in pre-exercise carbohydrate drinks for optimal endurance performance at high intensity and post-exercise fatigue recovery.Methods: Endurance performance at 85% V.⁢O2peak of young men (age 20 ± 0.9 years, V.⁢2peak 49.3 ± 0.3 L/min) was measured for two consecutive days using cycling time to exhaustion and total work exerted 2 h after three isocaloric supplementations: RICE (50 g, protein: 1.8 g), n = 7; SOY + RICE (50 g, protein: 4.8 g), n = 7; and WHEY + RICE (50 g, protein: 9.2 g), n = 7.Results: Endurance performance was similar for the three supplemented conditions. Nevertheless, maximal cycling time and total exerted work from Day 1 to Day 2 were improved in the WHEY + RICE (+21%, p = 0.05) and SOY-RICE (+16%, p = 0.10) supplemented conditions, not the RICE supplemented condition. Increases in plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed 1 h after exercise regardless of supplemented conditions. Plasma creatine kinase remained unchanged after exercise for all three supplemented conditions. Increases in ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) after exercise were small and similar for the three supplemented conditions.Conclusion: Adding protein into carbohydrate drinks provides no immediate benefit in endurance performance and antioxidant capacity yet enhances fatigue recovery for the next day. Soy-containing carbohydrate drink, despite 50% less protein content, shows similar fatigue recovery efficacy to the whey protein-containing carbohydrate drink. These results suggest the importance of dietary nitrogen sources in fatigue recovery after exercise.

Abstract Recent studies indicate that umbilical cord stem cells are cytoprotective against several disorders. One critical limitation in using stem cells is reduction in their viability under stressful conditions, such as diabetes. However, the molecular intricacies responsible for diabetic conditions are not fully elucidated. In this study, we found that high glucose (HG) conditions induced loss of chaperone homeostasis, stabilized PTEN, triggered the downstream signaling cascade, and induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in Wharton's jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs). Increased Carboxyl terminus of Hsc70 interacting protein (CHIP) expression promoted phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) degradation via the ubiquitin‐proteasome system and shortened its half‐life during HG stress. Docking studies confirmed the interaction of CHIP with PTEN and FOXO3a with the Bim promoter region. Further, it was found that the chaperone system is involved in CHIP‐mediated PTEN proteasomal degradation. CHIP depletion stabilizes PTEN whereas PTEN inhibition showed an inverse effect. CHIP overactivation suppressed the binding of FOXO3a with bim. Coculturing CHIP overexpressed WJMSCs suppressed HG‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in embryo derived cardiac cell lines. CHIP overexpressing and PTEN silenced WJMSCs ameliorated diabetic effects in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats and further improved their body weight and heart weight, and rescued from hyperglycemia‐induced cardiac injury. Considering these, the current study suggests that CHIP confers resistance to apoptosis and acts as a potentiation factor in WJMSCs to provide protection from degenerative effects of diabetes.

Exercise training decreases abdominal fat in an intensity-dependent manner. The fat loss effect of exercise has been intuitively thought to result from increased fat burning during and after exercise, defined by conversion of fatty acid into carbon dioxide in consumption of oxygen. Nevertheless, increasing exercise intensity decreases oxidation of fatty acids derived from adipose tissue despite elevated lipolysis. The unchanged 24-h fatty acid oxidation during and after exercise does not provide support to the causality between fat burning and fat loss. In this review, alternative perspectives to explain the fat loss outcome are discussed. In brief, carbon and nitrogen redistribution to challenged tissues (muscle and lungs) for fuel replenishment and cell regeneration against abdominal adipose tissue seems to be the fundamental mechanism underlying the intensity-dependent fat loss effect of exercise. The magnitude of lipolysis (fatty acid release from adipocytes) and the amount of post-meal carbon and nitrogen returning to abdominal adipose tissue determines the final fat tissue mass. Therefore, meal arrangement at the time when muscle has the greatest reconstruction demand for carbon and nitrogen could decrease abdominal fat accumulation while increasing muscle mass and tissue repair.

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1 has been shown to clear senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) in cultured cells. It remains unknown whether Rg1 can influence SA-β-gal in exercising human skeletal muscle. Methods: To examine SA-β-gal change, 12 young men (age 21 ± 0.2 years) were enrolled in a randomized double-blind placebo controlled crossover study, under two occasions: placebo (PLA) and Rg1 (5 mg) supplementations 1 h prior to a high-intensity cycling (70% VO2max). Muscle samples were collected by multiple biopsies before and after cycling exercise (0 h and 3 h). To avoid potential effect of muscle biopsy on performance assessment, cycling time to exhaustion test (80% VO2max) was conducted on another 12 participants (age 23 ± 0.5 years) with the same experimental design. Results: No changes of SA-β-gal were observed after cycling in the PLA trial. On the contrary, nine of the 12 participants showed complete elimination of SA-β-gal in exercised muscle after cycling in the Rg1 trial (p

Rg1 is a steroidal component in Panax ginseng, which increases high intensity exercise performance in humans. Here, we examined the effects of Rg1 supplementation on the dynamical changes of human muscle satellite cells following exercise. Twelve young men ingested Rg1 (5 mg) or Placebo (PLA) 1 h before exercise in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. Biopsy muscles were collected before, immediately after, and 3 h post-exercise. TNF-α mRNA increased and satellite cell number decreased immediately after exercise, followed by decreases in centrally nucleated myofibers and total glutathione 3 h post-exercise. Rg1 supplementation increased Myf5 mRNA and restored satellite cell number after exercise, and total glutathione and centrally nucleated myofibers 3 h post exercise. Rg1 had no significant effect on TNF-α mRNA response against exercise. The transient exercise response in suppressed centronucleation and satellite cell depletion which are reversed by Rg1 are not associated with TNF-α expression.

Ginsenoside profile of Panax ginseng is changing with season and cultivated soil. Yet, dose-response relationship of main ginsenosides on metabolic measures has not been documented in vivo. Here, we examined glucose and insulin responses after an oral glucose challenge (0.5 g/kg body weight) at various doses (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg of body weight) under acute and chronic Rb1 and Rg1 supplemented conditions. The results show that Rb1 (0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg body weight) increased, whereas Rg1 (0.01 mg/kg body weight) decreased postprandial glucose levels compared with the Vehicle group (P < 0.05). This contrasting effect reduced as dose increased. Both Rb1 and Rg1 decreased the mitochondrial enzyme citrate synthase activity (P < 0.05) together with decreases in glycogen content in red gastrocnemius muscle and body temperature at low doses (P < 0.05), compared with the Vehicle group. These differences also diminished as dosage increases. For reliable ginseng research, dose standardization on Rg1 and Rb1 is essential based on their opposing action and peculiar dose-response relationship. Both major ginsenosides may influence dynamics of mitochondria turnover and alter muscle metabolism.

Hypertension triggers oxidative stress, causing dysfunction in organs, including the brain, heart, and kidney. In this study, we examined the potential renal benefit of the soybean bioactive peptide VHVV by in silico analysis and in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Sixteen-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats were divided into 3 groups and treated with or without VHVV or captopril. Age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as normotensive control group. The rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks of treatment, and kidneys were analyzed to demonstrate the efficacy of VHVV. In silico analysis confirmed the antihypertensive activity of VHVV. In animal study, VHVV induced antioxidant defense and modulated mitochondrial homeostasis in the hypertensive kidney via SIRT1-PGC1α/Nrf2 pathway. Hence, improvements in renal cells were attributed to the suppression of inflammation and apoptosis, and the architecture of the hypertensive kidney was restored after peptide treatment. Overall, VHVV exhibited therapeutic effects by decreasing renal damage caused by hypertension-induced free radicals.

RationaleWe designed a wand-based muscle stretching (WE) exercise program, which has become increasingly popular in physical therapy and has been used for elderly patients with adhesive capsulitis. However, studies regarding the effects of WE training on abdominal obesity and measures of cardiovascular risk factors among overweight/obese adults aged ≥55 years are rare.PurposeThe objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of a 15-week wand stretching exercise program on waist circumference and cardiovascular risk factors in sedentary adults aged 55–70 years.MethodsA total of 124 participants were randomly assigned to either participate in wand stretching exercise (WE) over a 15-week period or a control group (n = 62 each). Sixty participants in the WE group (26 overweight and 34 obese) and 51 in the control group (29 overweight and 22 obese) completed the study. The WE program included wand-assisted muscle stretching exercise on both the upper body and lower body for 40 min per day, 5 days per week, whereas the control group maintained their sedentary lifestyle.ResultsNo significant improvements were observed in plasma glucose, insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) after exercise training. Compared with the control group, the WE group had more significant reductions in waist circumference among participants with a body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2 (−2.6 cm, 95% CI: −4.19 to −0.97 cm, d = 0.48) and BMI > 25 kg/m2 (−2.5 cm, 95% CI: −4.1 to −0.9 cm, d = 0.59) (both P < 0.01). Furthermore, within groups, a significant increase in % fat free mass was observed after WE training. The basal metabolic rate was slightly increased, but the fat oxidation rate remained unaltered in the WE group. Improvements in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were minimal after WE. Significant reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were observed after WE only for participants with a BMI

In association with the published article “Inhibition of HSF2 SUMOylation via MEL18 upregulates IGF-IIR and leads to hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy” (Huang et al., 2017) [1], this data article contains information about deSUMOylation of HSF2 on lysine 82 on angiotensin II (ANG II) -induced cardiac hypertrophy, which is mediated by MEL18. Isolated adult human whole heart tissue showed MEL18-mediated HSF2-IGF-IIR pathway is upregulated in hypertension human heart, compared to health human heart.

Hypoxic training has been reported to lower obesity morbidity without clear underlying mechanisms. This study investigates the effect of hypoxic training on metabolic changes, particularly, on liver metabolism of high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. We compared the hypoxic training group with normoxic sedentary, normoxic training, and hypoxic sedentary groups. Body weight, fat mass, glucose tolerance and liver physiology were determined after 4 weeks intervention. In both normoxic training and hypoxic training groups, body weight was lower than the normoxic sedentary group, with less fat mass. Insulin sensitivity was improved after hypoxic training. Moreover, liver metabolomics revealed insights into the protective effect of hypoxic training on HFD-induced fatty liver. Taken together, these findings provide a molecular metabolic mechanism for hypoxic training.

Probiotics are reported to provide protective health benefits against various disorders. In this study, we established a high-calorie diet animal model with a diet prepared by fortifying normal diet with soybean oil and condensed milk and the animals were supplemented with different dose of probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263(Lr263) for 8 weeks to investigate the protective function. We measured the lipid levels in plasma, liver and faecal; heart weight, function and collagen accumulation and biochemical markers of cardiac disease. Lr263 reversed high-calorie diet-induced cardiac weight gain, systolic malfunction and prevented heart inflammation by decreasing inflammation proteins NF-κB and COX-2. Moreover, Lr263 reduced cardiac eccentric hypertrophy and the levels of cardiac fibrosis markers CTGF and SP1 in high-calorie diet-fed rat hearts. Thus, Lr263 is considered as a functional food that provides anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertrophic, anti-fibrotic functions and identified specific biologic effects in reducing the characteristics of the high-calorie diet-induced progression to heart failure.

Background Scientific data on the performance of collegiate female tennis players during the menstrual phases are scarce.Trial design Double-blind, counter-balanced, crossover trials were conducted to examine whether tennis performance was affected during menstruation, with and without dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) supplementation.Methods Ten Division 1 collegiate tennis players (aged 18–22 years) were evenly assigned into placebo-supplemented and DHEA-supplemented (25 mg/day) trials. Treatments were exchanged among the participants after a 28-day washout. Tennis serve performance was assessed on the first day of menstrual bleeding (day 0/28) and on days 7, 14 and 21.Results Mood state was unaltered during the menstrual cycles in both trials. The lowest tennis serve performance score (speed times accuracy) occurred on day 14 (P=0.06 vs day 0; P=0.01 vs day 21) in both placebo and DHEA trials. Decreased performance on day 14 was explained by decreased accuracy (P=0.03 vs day 0/28; P=0.01 vs day 21), but not velocity itself. Isometric hip strength, but not quadriceps strength, was moderately lower on day 14 (P=0.08). Increasing plasma DHEA-S (by ~65%) during the DHEA-supplemented trial had no effects on mood state, sleep quality or tennis serve performance.Conclusion We have shown that menses does not affect serve performance of collegiate tennis players. However, the observed decrement in the accuracy of serve speed near ovulation warrants further investigation.

Background: We have previously shown an accelerated recovery from muscle fatigue in men challenged by prolonged exercise after oral deep ocean minerals (DOM) supplementation. Here, we hypothesized a decrease in eccentric exercise-induced muscle inflammation in rats regularly consuming DOM-containing drinks (hardness 600 mg/L and fructose 11%).Methods: Forty-seven male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into 4 groups: Control (C, N = 12), Fructose (F, N = 12), Fructose+Exercise (FE, N = 12), and Fructose+Exercise+DOM (FED, N = 11). Since fructose is a commonly used ingredient in beverages, 11% of fructose was added as a vehicle of the study. Soleus muscles of rats were analyzed 24 h after an acute bout of downhill running following 9 weeks of DOM supplementation.Results: Leukocyte infiltration and TNF-α mRNA of muscle in the FE group were 5 times and 4 times greater the F group, respectively, (P < 0.05). Both markers in the FED group were significantly lower than those in the FE group (P < 0.05). IL-10 mRNA of muscle in the F group was >eight fold greater than the C group (P < 0.05). The reduced glutathione (GSH) of muscle in the F group was 34% lower than that in the C group (P < 0.05). However, GSH levels were similar for the C and FED groups.Conclusion: Prolonged fructose supplementation modulates inflammatory balance of rat skeletal muscle. The results of the study suggest that DOM can minimize eccentric exercise-induced inflammatory cytokine responses in rat skeletal muscle.

BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined 17β-estradiol (E2) and exercise training on cardiac pro-survival and anti-apoptotic pathways in ovariectomized rats. METHODS:Fifty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a sham-operated (Sham), a bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX), an OVX treated with E2 (OVX-E2; 10μg/kg/day), and an OVX with E2 and treadmill exercise training (OVX-E2-EX; 60 min/day, 5 days/week) for 10 weeks. Following 10 weeks of exercise training, rat hearts were isolated for the evaluation of Histopathological analysis, TUNEL assay, and Western blotting. RESULTS:The protein levels of estrogen receptor α (ERα), estrogen receptor β (ERβ), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), phospho-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K) (estrogen receptors/IGF-1-related survival pathway) were significantly increased in either the OVX-E2 or OVX-E2-EX group when compared with the OVX group. The protein levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (Bcl-xL) and phosphorylated-Bad (p-Bad) (Bcl-2 family survival pathway) were significantly increased in the OVX-E2-EX group when compared with the OVX group. Only the p-Bad was significantly increased in the OVX-E2 group when compared with the OVX group. The protein levels of truncation of Bid (t-Bid), Bcl-2-associated death promotor (Bad), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Cytochrome c, caspases-9, and caspases-3 (mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway), as well as the protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Fas ligand, Fas receptors, Fas-associated death domain (FADD), activated caspase-8 and activated caspase-3 (Fas receptor-dependent apoptotic pathway) were significantly decreased in either the OVX-E2 or OVX-E2-EX group when compared with the OVX group. Furthermore, when compared with the OVX-E2 group, the protein levels of ERβ, IGF-1, IGF-1R, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were further enhanced in the OVX-E2-EX group as well as the protein levels of Cytochrome c, Fas receptors, FADD, activated caspase-8, activated caspase-9 and activated caspase-3 were further decreased in the OVX-EX-E2 group. CONCLUSIONS:Combined E2 and exercise training exhibited a positive effect of protection on ovariectomy-induced cardiac apoptosis by enhancing ERβ-related survival pathways, which might provide a more effective therapeutic effect on cardiac protection in bilaterally oophorectomized or menopausal women than E2 treatment only.

Background: Previous studies have consistently shown that oral supplementation of deep ocean minerals (DOM) improves vascular function in animals and enhances muscle power output in exercising humans.Purpose: To examine the effects of DOM supplementation on the cerebral hemodynamic response during physical exertion in young and middle-aged men.Design: Double-blind placebo-controlled crossover studies were conducted in young (N = 12, aged 21.2 ± 0.4 years) and middle-aged men (N = 9, aged 46.8 ± 1.4 years). The counter-balanced trials of DOM and Placebo were separated by a 2-week washout period. DOM and Placebo were orally supplemented in drinks before, during, and after cycling exercise. DOM comprises desalinated minerals and trace elements from seawater collected ~618 m below the earth's surface.Methods: Cerebral hemodynamic response (tissue hemoglobin) was measured during cycling at 75% VO2max using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).Results: Cycling time to exhaustion at 75% VO2max and the associated plasma lactate response were similar between the Placebo and DOM trials for both age groups. In contrast, DOM significantly elevated cerebral hemoglobin levels in young men and, to a greater extent, in middle-aged men compared with Placebo. An increased neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was observed in middle-aged men, 2 h after exhaustive cycling, but was attenuated by DOM.Conclusion: Our data suggest that minerals and trace elements from deep oceans possess great promise in developing supplements to increase the cerebral hemodynamic response against a physical challenge and during post-exercise recovery for middle-aged men.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo. Numerous investigations have reported an increased BPPV incidence in females and in the aged population. The hormonal characteristics of BPPV patients have not been previously investigated. This study aimed to determine the risk of BPPV in relation to menopause in a population-based study.Materials and Methods: This retrospective population-based study was designed to use a nationwide longitudinal health insurance database to follow and analyze the incidence of and protective factors against BPPV in a Taiwanese population.Data Analyses: Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to calculate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for the incidence of BPPV using Cox-proportional regression models.Results: In the multivariate analyses, we found that older people (older than 65 years old) were more prone to develop BPPV (aHR: 5.37, 95% CI: 0 4.83–5.97, p < 0.001). The risk of BPPV was analyzed in two specific age subgroups of elderly females. Results revealed that in both age groups (45–65 years old and >65 years old), patients who took estrogen for menopausal syndromes had a significantly lower incidence of BPPV (aHR; 0.01, 95% CI: 0.06–0.23, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Our study provides a novel etiology and possible treatment method for the prevention of BPPV. Further studies may focus on the pathophysiological mechanism of estrogen in BPPV patients and the development of new drugs for the prevention and treatment of BPPV.

The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) tea is popular by consumers in Asia in recent years. This study investigated the effects of GABA tea on apoptosis and autophagy in the cerebral cortex of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-four male Wistar rats at 8 weeks of age were randomly divided into control group, STZ-induced (60 mg/kg, i.p.) diabetes (DM), and DM rats with water GABA tea extracts of containing GABA either 3.01 or 30.1 μg/rat per day for 6 weeks. Treatment with GABA tea dose-dependently lowered blood glucose level in the diabetic rats compared with vehicle. GABA tea reduced the diabetic-induced Fas-dependent and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway in the diabetic cerebral cortex compared with vehicle, the evidence for which is based on decreases in Fas, activated caspase-8, pro-apoptotic t-Bid, Bax, cytosolic cytochrome c, activated caspase-9 and activated caspase-3. GABA tea also reduced the diabetic-induced autophagy. The results suggest that GABA tea obviously inhibits diabetic-induced apoptosis in the cerebral cortex through the suppression of Fas and mitochondrial pathways. These findings provide the possible diabetes-related apoptotic and autophagy pathways in the cerebral cortex and suggest that GABA tea treatment has the potential to prevent diabetic brain abnormality.

This study examined whether deep ocean mineral (DOM) supplementation improved high-intensity intermittent running capacity after short-term recovery from an initial bout of prolonged high-intensity running in thermoneutral environmental conditions. Nine healthy recreational male soccer players (age: 22 ± 1 y; stature: 181 ± 5 cm; and body mass 80 ± 11 kg) completed a graded incremental test to ascertain peak oxygen uptake (V·O2PEAK), two familiarisation trials, and two experimental trials following a double-blind, repeated measures, crossover and counterbalanced design. All trials were separated by seven days and at ambient room temperature (i.e., 20 °C). During the 2 h recovery period after the initial ~60 min running at 75% V·O2PEAK, participants were provided with 1.38 ± 0.51 L of either deep ocean mineral water (DOM) or a taste-matched placebo (PLA), both mixed with 6% sucrose. DOM increased high-intensity running capacity by ~25% compared to PLA. There were no differences between DOM and PLA for blood lactate concentration, blood glucose concentration, or urine osmolality. The minerals and trace elements within DOM, either individually or synergistically, appear to have augmented high-intensity running capacity in healthy, recreationally active male soccer players after short-term recovery from an initial bout of prolonged, high-intensity running in thermoneutral environmental conditions.

In the present study we investigated the interactive effects of insulin and carbohydrate on glycogen replenishment in different rat hindlimb muscles. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to 5 groups, including 1) sedentary control with carbohydrate supplement (2 g glucose · kg body wt-1), 2) sedentary rats with 16 hours recovery, carbohydrate and insulin (0.5 U · kg body wt-1), 3) swimming without recovery, 4) swimming with 16 hours recovery and carbohydrate supplement, and 5) swimming with 16 hours recovery, carbohydrate and insulin. The swimming protocol consisted of two 3 h swimming sections, which were separated by a 45 min rest. The insulin and carbohydrate were administered to the rats immediately after exercise. At the end of the experiment, the soleus (S), plantaris (P), quadriceps (Q) and gastrocnemius (G) were surgically excised to evaluate glycogen utilization and replenishment. We observed that glycogen utilization was significantly lower in G and Q than S and P during swimming (p

The roots of the perennial herb Gentiana macrophylla Pall. (GM) are known as Qinjiao, which has been used for centuries to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, little is known about the effects of GM on cholesterol-aggravated cardiac abnormalities in SLE, and the mechanisms thereof. This study investigates whether GM exhibits anti-apoptotic effects, focusing on the left ventricle (LV) of NZB/W F1 mice fed with high-cholesterol diet. The morphology and apoptotic status of ventricular tissues were determined by microscopy and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Levels of apoptotic biomarkers were determined by immunoblotting. The results thus obtained revealed that GM significantly reduced the cholesterol-aggravated apoptosis of LV in NZB/W F1 mice by suppressing both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Additionally, GM significantly increased the cardiac insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-1 survival signaling and anti-apoptotic proteins in LV tissues. Accordingly, GM is considered to be beneficial in alleviating cholesterol-aggravated cardiac damage in SLE, and therefore constitute an alternative treatment for SLE patients with cardiac abnormalities.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of ginseng-based steroid Rg1 on TNF-alpha and IL-10 gene expression in human skeletal muscle against exercise challenge, as well as on its ergogenic outcomes. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trials were performed, separated by a 4-week washout. Healthy young men were randomized into two groups and received capsule containing either 5 mg of Rg1 or Placebo one night and one hour before exercise. Muscle biopsies were conducted at baseline, immediately and 3 h after a standardized 60-min cycle ergometer exercise. While treatment differences in glycogen depletion rate of biopsied quadriceps muscle during exercise did not reach statistical significance, Rg1 supplementations enhanced post-exercise glycogen replenishment and increased citrate synthase activity in the skeletal muscle 3 h after exercise, concurrent with improved meal tolerance during recovery (P

Ischemic heart damage usually triggers cardiomyopathological remodeling and fibrosis, thus promoting the development of heart functional failure. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous group of cells in culture, with multipotent and hypoimmunogenic characters to aid tissue repair and avoid immune responses, respectively. Numerous experimental findings have proven the feasibility, safety, and efficiency of MSC therapy for cardiac regeneration. Despite that the exact mechanism remains unclear, the therapeutic ability of MSCs to treat ischemia heart diseases has been tested in phase I/II clinical trials. Based on encouraging preliminary findings, MSCs might become a potentially efficacious tool in the therapeutic options available to treat ischemic and nonischemic cardiovascular disorders. The molecular mechanism behind the efficacy of MSCs on promoting engraftment and accelerating the speed of heart functional recovery is still waiting for clarification. It is hypothesized that cardiomyocyte regeneration, paracrine mechanisms for cardiac repair, optimization of the niche for cell survival, and cardiac remodeling by inflammatory control are involved in the interaction between MSCs and the damaged myocardial environment. This review focuses on recent experimental and clinical findings related to cellular cardiomyoplasticity. We focus on MSCs, highlighting their roles in cardiac tissue repair, transdifferentiation, the MSC niche in myocardial tissues, discuss their therapeutic efficacy that has been tested for cardiac therapy, and the current bottleneck of MSC-based cardiac therapies.

Continuous force output containing numerous intermittent force pulses is not completely smooth. By characterizing force fluctuation properties and force pulse metrics, this study investigated adaptive changes in trajectory control, both force-generating capacity and force fluctuations, as fatigue progresses. Sixteen healthy subjects (20-24 years old) completed rhythmic isometric gripping with the non-dominant hand to volitional failure. Before and immediately following the fatigue intervention, we measured the gripping force to couple a 0.5 Hz sinusoidal target in the range of 50-100% maximal voluntary contraction. Dynamic force output was off-line decomposed into 1) an ideal force trajectory spectrally identical to the target rate; and 2) a force pulse trace pertaining to force fluctuations and error-correction attempts. The amplitude of ideal force trajectory regarding to force-generating capacity was more suppressed than that of the force pulse trace with increasing fatigue, which also shifted the force pulse trace to lower frequency bands. Multi-scale entropy analysis revealed that the complexity of the force pulse trace at high time scales increased with fatigue, contrary to the decrease in complexity of the force pulse trace at low time scales. Statistical properties of individual force pulses in the spatial and temporal domains varied with muscular fatigue, concurrent with marked suppression of gamma muscular oscillations (40-60 Hz) in the post-fatigue test. In conclusion, this study first reveals that muscular fatigue impairs the amplitude modulation of force pattern generation more than it affects the amplitude responsiveness of fine-tuning a force trajectory. Besides, motor fatigue results disadvantageously in enhancement of motor noises, simplification of short-term force-tuning strategy, and slow responsiveness to force errors, pertaining to dimensional changes in force fluctuations, scaling properties of force pulse, and muscular oscillation.

Dammarane steroids (DS) are a class of chemical compounds present in Panax ginseng. Here, we evaluated the effect of 10 weeks of DS supplementation on inflammatory modulation in the soleus muscle following eccentric exercise (EE)-induced muscle damage (downhill running). Eighty rats were randomized into 4 groups of DS supplementation (saline, 20, 60, 120 mg/kg body weight). Inflammatory markers were measured at rest and again 1 h after EE. At rest, NFκB signaling, TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNAs, 3-nitrotyrosine, glutathione peroxidase, and GCS (glutamylcysteine synthetase) levels were significantly elevated in the skeletal muscle of DS-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, there were no detectable increases in the number of necrotic muscle fibers or CD68+ M1 macrophages. However, muscle strength, centronucleation, IL-10 mRNA expression, and the number of CD163+ M2 macrophages increased significantly over controls with DS treatment in rat soleus muscle. Under EE-challenged conditions, significant increases in muscle fiber necrosis, CD68+ M1 macrophage distribution, and 3-nitrotyrosine were absent in rats that received low and medium doses (20 and 60 mg/kg) of DS treatment, suggesting that DS possess anti-inflammatory action protecting against a muscle-damaging challenge. However, this protective activity was diminished when a high dose of DS (120 mg/kg) was administered, suggesting that DS possess hormetic properties. In conclusion, our study provides new evidence suggesting that DS is an ergogenic component of ginseng that potentiate inflammation at baseline but that produce anti-inflammatory effects on skeletal muscle following muscle-damaging exercise. Furthermore, high doses should be avoided in formulating ginseng-based products.

Brain ischemia leads to muscle inactivity-induced atrophy and may exacerbate motor function deficits. Intramuscular insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) injection has been shown to alleviate the brain ischemia-induced muscle atrophy and thus improve the motor function. Motor function is normally gauged by the integrity and coordination of the central nervous system and peripheral muscles. Whether brain ischemic regions are adaptively changed by the intramuscular IGF-I injection is not well understood. In this study, the effect of intramuscular IGF-I injection was examined on the central nervous system of brain ischemic rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups: sham control, brain ischemia control, brain ischemia with IGF-I treatment, and brain ischemia with IGF-I plus IGF-I receptor inhibitor treatment. Brain ischemia was induced by right middle cerebral artery occlusion. IGF-I and an IGF-1 receptor inhibitor were injected into the affected calf and anterior tibialis muscles of the treated rats for 4 times. There was an interval of 2 days between each injection. Motor function was examined and measured at the 24 hours and 7 days following a brain ischemia. The affected hind-limb muscles, sciatic nerve, lumbar spinal cord, and motor cortex were collected for examination after euthanizing the rats. IGF-I expression in the central nervous system and affected muscles were significantly decreased after brain ischemia. Intramuscular IGF-I injection increased the IGF-I expression in the affected muscles, sciatic nerve, lumbar spinal cord, and motor cortex. It also increased the p-Akt expression in the affected motor cortex. Furthermore, intramuscular IGF-I injection decreased the neuronal apoptosis and improved the motor function. However, co-administration of the IGF-I receptor inhibitor eliminated these effects. Intramuscular IGF-I injection after brain ischemia attenuated or reversed the decrease of IGF-I in both central and peripheral tissues, and these effects could contribute to neuroprotection and improve motor function.

Purpose: Regular exercise training and metformin medication are widely considered to increase insulin sensitivity and protect against type 2 diabetes, however, evaluating the effect of exercise training on the disposition and pharmacokinetics of metformin is unclear. Methods: We investigated the effect of a 4-wk swim training program (45 min/day, 5 days/wk) on the pharmacokinetics for the use of metformin in fructose-induced insulin resistant rats. Fructose-induced insulin resistant rats were assigned into two groups (n=6/group): swim training with metformin (SM), and non-swim training with metformin (CM). Blood samples were collected from 12 h-fasted rats at baseline and at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with administration of a single dose of metformin (450 mg/kg). Results: Our study revealed that both glucose and insulin levels in the SM group were significantly lower than those in the CM group at 15 min following OGTT. The maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC) for the SM group were significantly lower than CM group. The apparent distribution volume (Vd) and the time-averaged total body clearance (CL) for the SM group were significantly higher than those for the CM group. There were no significant differences in the time to maximum concentration (Tmax) or the time to half-life concentration (t1/2) between the two groups. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that swim training reduces metformin serum levels. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.

PURPOSE: Prednisolone has been widely used due to its relatively short pituitary inhibition and its moderate potency. Exercise is one of the non-pharmacological interventions for glucocorticoid- induced osteoporosis prevention. However, the effects of exercise on the pharmacokinetics of prednisolone were unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sub-maximal exercise on the pharmacokinetics of prednisolone. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, cross-over experimental design was used. Subjects needed to undertake two trials: a non-exercise trial (NE) and an exercise trial (E). After the first blood sampling, the subjects consumed 5mg of prednisolone with 100mL of water and then took a rest for 30 min. In the E trial, subjects cycled at 70% VO2max intensity until exhaustion. When subjects underwent the NE trial, they remained seated for the duration of the experiment. Serial blood samples were collected at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12h after prednisolone administration. Prednisolone and cortisol concentration were analyzed with a validated high performance liquid chromatographic method. RESULTS: This study indicated that the maximum concentration of the E trial was significantly lower than the NE trial (p

Introduction: Elastic cushioning materials protect human tissue from injury by absorbing impact energy and delaying its transfer. However, the potential compromise in force delivery to the hitting target remains unknown. Methods: To examine if silicone cushioning compromises punch force delivery to a hitting target, a double-blind crossover trial with 12 elite boxers was conducted following material tests. Each boxer delivered five maximal punches under two conditions: silicone-hand wrapping and gauze-hand wrapping, in counterbalanced order, with a 3-day interval between sessions. Force distribution along the Z-axis indicated the punch's intended direction, while forces along the X and Y axes represented force dissipation toward unwanted direction. Results: The material tests (based on ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA) demonstrated substantially higher compression to disruption for silicone than gauze of similar thickness. During the punching trials, the silicon-based hand wrapping exhibited slightly higher total force production (436 ± 33 N vs. 372 ± 12 N, p < 0.001) than the gauze-based hand wrapping. Moreover, force wastage, calculated as the sum of forces along the X and Y axes vs. the total force produced in percentage, was notably lower for silicone material (2.0% wastage) compared to gauze (3.8% wastage) (p < 0.001). The use of silicone materials lengthened the contact time between the punching fist and the hitting target from 35 ms to 50 ms (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The elastic cushion does not compromise the force delivery of the boxing glove to the hitting target. Instead, it appears to allow for additional maneuvering time for alignment during the fist-target contact with higher impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]