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This study analyzed the effects of a physical exercise program compared to the complexity of the motor task on the cognitive function, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and lipid profile of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Twenty-seven participants were randomized into three intervention groups: Physical Exercise (PE), Motor Task (MT), and Physical Exercise associated with Motor Task (PE + MT). Six months of intervention twice a week resulted in improvements in cognitive function, total cholesterol (TC), and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) in the PE (p < 0.05). In the PE + MT, in addition to improved cognitive capacity, there was also a reduction in non-HDL cholesterol (NHDL-C) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p < 0.05), while in the MT, the values of TC, NHDL-C, and LDL-C decreased as a result of the intervention. BDNF levels were not affected by the interventions. In conclusion, PE alone or combined with MT is effective in promoting improvements in overall cognitive function and lipid profile in older adults with MCI; and BDNF seems not to be a sensitive marker for people with mild cognitive impairment., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, functional strength, aerobic capacity, and lipid profile of older adults living in urban and rural areas. For this purpose, 208 older adults were evaluated (132 living in rural areas and 73 living in urban areas). Sociodemographic data were collected, and functional strength, aerobic capacity, and lipid profile of older adults living in the southern region of Brazil were evaluated. Only total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were associated with place of residence ( p < 0.05), and living in the countryside was associated with low aerobic capacity ( p =0.010). The use of medication (OR = 3.01; p =0.012) and smoking (OR = 0.30; p =0.027) were the only variables that explained aerobic performance, regardless of place of residence. In conclusion, place of residence is not a factor that, alone or in combination with other conditions, affects the functional performance or lipid profile of the older adult population., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Francieli Cristina Comelli Medeiros et al.)

Background: The present study analyzed the acute responses of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) to the low-intensity resistance exercise with blood flow restriction using different occlusion pressures., Methods: Twelve women completed the three protocols of this crossover study: resistance exercise without blood flow restriction (RE), resistance exercise with blood flow restriction and occlusion pressure corresponding to 70% of systolic blood pressure (RE + BFR70), and resistance exercise with blood flow restriction and occlusion pressure corresponding 130% of systolic blood pressure (RE + BFR130). All exercises were performed in a guided squat apparatus with load corresponded to 30% of one-repetition maximum test., Results: Relative to resting levels, PTH concentrations decreased significantly ( p  = .000) post-exercise in all groups and increased significantly ( p  = .000) 15 min post-exercise in RE + BFR70 and RE + BFR130 groups; PTH concentrations returned to resting levels after the 30-min recovery period in all groups. There was no significant difference ( p >.05) between BSAP values at rest and 30 min post-exercise., Conclusion: In conclusion, our results showed that protocols with blood flow restriction using occlusion pressures equivalent to 70% and 130% of systolic blood pressure were more effective than RE alone to induce PTH peaks, and to promote a metabolic condition favorable to bone anabolism., Competing Interests: There is no conflict of interests., (© 2022 The Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness. Published by Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd.)

Ethnopharmacological Importance: The species Urera baccifera (L.) Gaudich. ex Wedd. (Urticaceae) is native to the Americas and is distributed widely throughout Brazil, where it is known as urtiga-brava, urtiga-vermelha, or urtigão. The leaves are often used as anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic agents and for the treatment of gastric disorders. However, the pharmacological mode of action underlying the gastroprotection induced by this species has not been investigated., Aim of the Study: To contribute to the knowledge of the gastroprotective mode of action of the hydroalcoholic extract of U. baccifera (HEU) leaves., Materials and Methods: Antiulcerogenic effect of HEU against ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcer was evaluated in rats and mice at doses of 3-300 mg/kg. NO-synthase inhibitor (L-NAME), SH blocker (NEM), cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin) and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist yohimbine were used to evaluate the participation of cytoprotective factors in HEU gastroprotection. Moreover, the levels of reduced gluthatione (GSH) and cytokines (TNF, IL-6, IL4 and IL-10), as well as the enzymatic activity of gluthatione S-transferase (GST), myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measure. Moreover, the samples were analyzed histologically and the antisecretory capability of HEU were quantified using pylorus ligated rats., Results: The phytochemical analysis of HEU (UPLC/ESI-IT-MS) identified the flavonoids diosmetin and apigenin glucuronide. Furthermore, HEU decreased the occurrence of ethanol-induced ulcers at 30 and 300 mg/kg by 57% and 66%, respectively, compared with the vehicle. The gastroprotective effects were accompanied by increased GSH levels and GST and SOD activity as well as by reduced MPO activity in vivo and in vitro, revealing antioxidant effects and inhibition of neutrophil infiltration. The beneficial effects of 30 and 300 mg/kg HEU were also observed upon histological analyses. Regarding the mode of action, the gastroprotective effect of HEU was abolished by the pre-administration of L-NAME, NEM, indomethacin or yohimbine. Moreover, HEU was able to decrease the IL-6, IL-4 and IL-10 in ulcerated tissue, as well as the pepsin activity of the gastric juice in pylorus-ligated rats., Conclusion: Together, the results confirmed that the gastroprotection elicited by HEU was due reduction in oxidative damage, neutrophil migration, and peptic activity. This work validates the popular use of U. baccifera to treat gastric disorders and supports important future research for the identification of gastroprotective molecules from this species., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)