Effects of Chronic Physical Activity on Glomerular Filtration Rate, Creatinine, and the Markers of Anemia of Kidney Transplantation Patients.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of anemia in kidney transplantation patients (KTPs) is very common and seems to be associated with the reduction in both renal function and physical exercise tolerance. The purpose of the present study was to compare biochemical markers of anemia and renal function of physically active and sedentary KTPs. METHOD: Serum hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and serum creatinine (used to derive estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) were obtained from the medical records of 18 KTPs assisted at the Center for Prevention of Kidney Diseases of the Federal University of Maranhao Hospital. The physically active transplant patients (group 1) included 7 men and 2 women, aged 49 ± 14 years who participated for at least 6 months on a supervised physical exercise program (SPEP) (2 to 3 times a week, 90-minute sessions) and the sedentary counterparts (group 2) of 2 men and 7 women, aged 37 ± 15 years. RESULTS: Group 1 presented higher values of Hb (14.2 ± 2.6 vs 10.7 ± 0.6 g/dL; P = .003), Hct (41.6% ± 7.0% vs 32.3% ± 1.4%; P = .004), and eGFR (64.4 ± 19.4 vs 39.3 ± 19.7 mL/min/1.73 m2; P = .015) when compared with group 2. There was a positive and significant correlation between Hb and eGFR (r = 0.528; P = .024), and between Hct and eGFR (r = .509; P = .031). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that regular physical activity seems to improve the biochemical markers of anemia and also the renal function of KTPs, and these patients should be advised to participate in SPEP.

Mycobacterium bovis BCG as a delivery system for the RAP-1 antigen from Babesia bovis.

Babesia bovis is the causative agent of babesiosis, a tick-borne disease that is a major cause of loss to livestock production in Latin America. Vaccination against Babesia species represents a major challenge against cattle morbidity and mortality in enzootic areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) to deliver the rhoptry associated protein (RAP-1) antigen of B. bovis and to stimulate specific cellular and humoral immune responses in mice. Two of five mycobacterial expression vectors efficiently expressed the antigen. These constructs were subsequently studied in vivo following three immunization protocols. The construct with the greatest in vivo stability proved to be the one that induced the strongest immune responses. Our data support the hypothesis that specific T lymphocyte priming by rBCG can be employed as a component of a combined vaccine strategy to induce long-lasting humoral and cellular immune responsiveness towards B. bovis and encourage further work on the application of rBCG to the development of Babesia vaccines.