Effects of aerobic versus resistance training on serum fetuin-A, fetuin-B, and fibroblast growth factor-21 levels in male diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 8 weeks of aerobic versus resistance training programs on serum fetuin-A, fetuin-B, and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) levels in males with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Participants (n = 34) were randomly assigned to a resistance training group (RTG; n = 12), an aerobic training group (ATG; n = 11), or a control group (n = 11). The ATG completed 30-45 min of aerobic running training at 65%-75% of the maximum heart rate. The RTG completed three sets of 10 repetitions maximum of leg press, bench press, knee extension, seated cable row, knee flexion, military press, and calf rise. Blood samples were taken before and after the training period to assess dependent variables. After 8 weeks, both the ATG and the RTG reduced fetuin-A (p < 0.05) and fetuin-B (p < 0.05), but increased FGF-21 (p < 0.05). Moreover, the RTG showed greater decrease than the ATG in fetuin-A (-18.3% vs. -7.9%), fetuin-B (-29.2% vs. -11.45%), and a lower increase in FGF-21 (42.2% vs. 25.1%), respectively. Aerobic and resistance exercise training significantly decreased serum fetuin-A, and fetuin-B, and increased FGF-21 levels in males with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, more significant alterations in serum factors were observed from resistance training. Thus, resistance training may be considered a more suitable training strategy.

Anti-inflammatory effects of anti-platelet treatment in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is considered an inflammatory disease. T-cells, macrophages, and mast cells infiltrate atherosclerotic plaques and platelets play an essential role releasing inflammatory mediators that stimulate plaque progression. This is important in acute coronary syndromes but it is also the mechanism involved in plaque progresion and endothelial dysfunction. Antiplatelet drugs exert their effects not only by inhibition of platelet aggregation but also through their antiinflammatory effect. Aspirin, thyenopiridines and GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors have antiinflammatory properties that involve different mechanisms of action, especially related to the blockade of platelet activation and platelet-leukocyte interactions. Testing platelet function in addition to assessing levels of inflammatory markers, and not only the risk of bleeding, could help in decision-making to balance the risk-benefit of anti-thrombotic treatment. Different clinical settings are associated with variable inflammatory states, and this could be, in part, responsible for variable response to treatment.

Osteopontin and calbindin gene expression in the eggshell gland as related to eggshell abnormalities.

Eggshell quality is a major concern to the poultry industry: eggs with poor-quality shells hatch poorly and are rejected in the processing plant. The eggshell gland (ESG) proteins and the matrix proteins, which participate in crystallization, fulfill important functions during formation of the calcified tissues and contribute to the biomechanical properties of the mature product. We selected layers that consistently produced eggshells with specific abnormalities, and continued to do so after molting, and evaluated the expression of 2 genes-osteopontin (OPN) and calbindin-as related to particular eggshell abnormalities. These genes are synthesized by the ESG and appear to participate in the calcification process. When the ESG produces normal eggshells, OPN was expressed uniformly by all of the epithelial cells facing the lumen, and calbindin was expressed by the glandular epithelium. In contrast, in the layers producing pimpled eggs, OPN was expressed only in sections of the pseudostratified epithelium, separated by areas of cells devoid of OPN gene expression, whereas calbindin was expressed at much greater levels throughout the glandular epithelium. Almost no OPN gene expression was observed in the ESG of layers producing corrugated shells, but their pattern of calbindin expression was similar to but somewhat greater than that in ESG that produced normal eggshells. In cases in which eggs had cracks at the sharp or blunt poles, OPN was expressed only at the side opposite to the cracks, whereas calbindin was expressed at both sides equally independent of the cracks. The results suggest that synthesis of the proteins associated with the formation of eggshells with the various abnormalities is controlled by different mechanisms. This may imply that more than 1 strategy will be required to improve eggshell quality.