Effects of a Two-Month Exercise Training Program on Concurrent Non-Opiate Substance Use in Opioid-Dependent Patients during Substitution Treatment.

BACKGROUND: This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a two-month exercise intervention on the concurrent non-opiate substance use (alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, and benzodiazepines) in opioid users during their medication treatment. METHODS: Ninety opioid users (41 females) in methadone and buprenorphine medication treatment were randomly divided into four groups: (a) buprenorphine experimental (BEX; n = 26, aged 41.9 ± 6.1 yrs); (b) buprenorphine control (BCON; n = 25, aged 41.9 ± 5.6 yrs); (c) methadone experimental (MEX; n = 20, aged 46.7 ± 6.6 yrs); and (d) methadone control (MCON; n = 19, aged 46.1 ± 7.5 yrs). The experimental groups (BEX and MEX) followed an aerobic exercise training program on a treadmill for 20 min at 70% HRmax, 3 days/week for 8 weeks. Socio-demographic, anthropometric, and clinical characteristics, as well as non-opioid drug use in days and quantity per week, were assessed before and after the intervention period. RESULTS: Following the exercise training, the weekly non-opioid substance consumption (days) decreased (p < 0.05) in both exercise groups and was lower in BEX compared to MEX, while no differences were observed (p > 0.05) between the control groups (BCON vs. MCON) or compared to their baseline levels. Similarly, the daily amount of non-opiate substance intake was reduced (p < 0.05) post-training in BEX and MEX, whereas it did not differ (p > 0.05) in BCON and MCON compared to the baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The two-month exercise intervention reduced the non-opioid drug use in both the methadone and buprenorphine substitution groups compared to the controls, suggesting that aerobic exercise training may be an effective strategy for treating patients with OUDs.

Dietary Intake of Soccer Players before, during and after an Official Game: Influence of Competition Level and Playing Position.

Physical demands in soccer differ according to league level and playing position and may influence nutritional requirements. This study examined the effect of competition level and playing position on dietary intake in male soccer players (SP). Diet was weighed and recorded by 123 SP for 3 days; before, on the day, and the day after an official match. SP in the Super League (SL, n = 33) division reported higher (p < 0.05) average three-day energy (195 ± 36 kJ/kg), carbohydrate (6.0 ± 1.1 g/kg), and protein (2.2 ± 0.5 g/kg) intakes compared to the intakes reported by SP in the 2nd (n = 30) (energy: 159 ± 31 kJ/kg; carbohydrate: 4.6 ± 1.2 g/kg; protein: 1.9 ± 0.4 g/kg), 3rd (n = 30) (energy: 153 ± 34 kJ/kg; carbohydrate: 4.5 ± 1.2 g/kg; protein: 1.7 ± 0.4 g/kg), and 4th (n = 30) (energy: 152 ± 36 kJ/kg; carbohydrate: 4.2 ± 1.2 g/kg; protein: 1.7 ± 0.5 g/kg) national leagues (mean ± SD). Furthermore, when data were analyzed by playing position (pooled data), wide midfielders reported higher (p < 0.05) energy (183 ± 33 kJ/kg), carbohydrate (5.4 ± 1.2 g/kg), and fat (1.5 ± 0.4 g/kg) intakes compared to central defenders (energy: 147 ± 37 kJ/kg; carbohydrate: 4.1 ± 1.1 g/kg; fat: 1.2 ± 0.4 g/kg). The dietary intake of SP may differ according to the playing position and competition level, possibly due to different metabolic demands in training and competition.

Effect of a 36-Week Supervised Exercise Training Program on Physical and Cognitive Function in Older Patients With Dementia.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To investigate the effects of an exercise training program on physical and cognitive function in older patients with dementia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with early-middle dementia (31 females and seven males), aged 80.6±6.9 years, residents in an Elderly Care Unit, either completed a 36-week structured exercise program (Intervention Group, IG; n=19), or received the usual medical care (Control Group, CG; n=19). Before and after the 36-week intervention, cognitive function was evaluated in both groups by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and depression by Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS); physical function was assessed using handgrip test, Timed Up to Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Chair-Stand Test (CST), and daily living functionality by Functional Rating Scale for Symptoms of Dementia (FRSSD). RESULTS: As a result of exercise intervention, participants scored better in all functional and cognitive test assessments compared to the control group, as reflected by absolute and relative (%) differences in all metrics after the 36-week exercise program (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: A 36-week supervised exercise training program was found to result in significant improvements in physical and cognitive function of elderly patients in early to middle stages of dementia at an Elderly Care Unit. The promising results of this study shed more light on the adaptability of elderly patients with early and mild dementia to long-term exercise training and verified the feasibility of applying such programs in this clinical population.

The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Mitochondrial-Associated Indices in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a significant health problem with an increasing incidence, causing a low-grade systemic inflammatory state and being implicated in various chronic diseases. Moreover, obesity has been shown to cause mitochondrial dysfunction through oxidative stress and inflammation, eventually affecting energy metabolism. However, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve mitochondrial efficiency through exercise-induced mitochondrial adaptations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to examine the potential effects of HIIT on mitochondrial-associated indices in obese and overweight adults. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched. RESULTS: Twenty-eight eligible studies were included, involving 530 participants. HIIT was found to significantly improve the activity of citrate synthase (CS), cytochrome C (COX-IV), beta-hydroxyacyl CoA-dehydrogenase (ß-HAD), Complexes I-V as well as VO2max in overweight and obese individuals, whereas no significant changes were shown in PGC-1α and SIRT1. Interestingly, subgroup analyses revealed that CS, COX-IV, ß-HAD, and Complexes I-V activity exhibited a significant improvement only in the healthy subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, HIIT can be utilized to enhance mitochondrial-associated indices in overweight and obese individuals. However, this improvement may be health status dependent.

The Role of Exercise in Cancer-Related Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity.

One of the most common adverse effects of cancer and its therapeutic strategies is sarcopenia, a condition which is characterised by excess muscle wasting and muscle strength loss due to the disrupted muscle homeostasis. Moreover, cancer-related sarcopenia may be combined with the increased deposition of fat mass, a syndrome called cancer-associated sarcopenic obesity. Both clinical conditions have significant clinical importance and can predict disease progression and survival. A growing body of evidence supports the claim that physical exercise is a safe and effective complementary therapy for oncology patients which can limit the cancer- and its treatment-related muscle catabolism and promote the maintenance of muscle mass. Moreover, even after the onset of sarcopenia, exercise interventions can counterbalance the muscle mass loss and improve the clinical appearance and quality of life of cancer patients. The aim of this narrative review was to describe the various pathophysiological mechanisms, such as protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, inflammatory response, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which are regulated by exercise and contribute to the management of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity. Moreover, myokines, factors produced by and released from exercising muscles, are being discussed as they appear to play an important role in mediating the beneficial effects of exercise against sarcopenia.

The Effects of a Short-Term Combined Exercise Program on Liver Steatosis Indices and the Lipidemic and Glycemic Profile in NAFLD Individuals: A Pilot Study.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a very common liver disease associated with obesity, unhealthy diet, and lack of physical exercise. Short-term aerobic or resistance exercise has been shown to result in reduced liver fat in patients with NAFLD; however, the impact of the combination of these types of exercise has received less attention. This study investigated the effect of a short-term (7 days) concurrent exercise training program performed daily on liver steatosis indices, as well as the glycemic and lipidemic profile of overweight/obese sedentary volunteers. Twenty adult patients (age: 47.3 ± 12.3 yrs, body mass index: 32.4 ± 3.4 kg/m2) with NAFLD, detected by ultrasound and hematological indices, participated in the study. Pre- and post-exercise intervention assessment included body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), hip/waist ratio (H/W), Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), blood lipids, and steatosis indices. Fatty Liver Index, Lipid Accumulation Index, WC, H/W, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were improved (p < 0.05) post-exercise, while no differences (p > 0.05) were observed in BW, HOMA-IR, HDL, LDL, Hepatic Steatosis Index, and Framingham Steatosis Index compared to pre-exercise values. It is concluded that a 7-day combined exercise program can have beneficial effects on hepatic steatosis and central adiposity indices, independently of weight loss, in patients with NAFLD.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Sarcopenic Obesity: The Role of Exercise.

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) constitutes the coexistence of skeletal muscle mass loss (sarcopenia) and excess adiposity (obesity). It is mainly considered as a condition in the elderly with health-threatening impacts ranging from frailty to mortality. Mitochondrial dysfunction consists one of the basic pathophysiological mechanisms leading to the development of SO and its consequences. Indirect indicators of mitochondrial function, such as VO2max and exercise capacity, have been demonstrated to be negatively affected in individuals with SO, while the positive effect of exercise on mitochondrial function has been widely proved; thus, in this review, we aimed at investigating the effects of endurance, resistance, and concurrent exercise training on indexes of mitochondrial dysfunction in SO patients. The results of the clinical trials evaluated reveal positive effects of chronic exercise on VO2max and physical capacity, as well as mitochondrial biogenesis and activity. It has been concluded that utilizing a systematic exercise training program that includes both aerobic and strength exercises can be an effective strategy for managing SO and promoting overall health in these patients.

Free titanium particles and P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide create a potentially synergistical effect in a periimplantitis model.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine the effect of titanium particles and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from P. gingivalis on the inflammatory profile expression of human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs), cultured on rough titanium discs, in an in vitro peri-implantitis simulation. DESIGN: Human gingival fibroblasts cultured on SLA and TCP surfaces were challenged with LPS, titanium particles or both. At 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment, MTT assay was performed to assess cell proliferation. FDA/PI staining was performed for the same time periods, in order to evaluate cell viability/apoptosis. At 5 and 7 days after the treatment, qPCR was performed to assess gene expressions of IL-6, IL-8 and COL1A1, as well as SEM on titanium discs. RESULTS: All groups presented a significant increase of their population between the time periods of examination. Regarding the interleukin gene expression, the combination of LPS and particles significantly increased the levels of Interleukin-8. Treatment with LPS and particles also induced a significant increase of Interleukin-6 and collagen. FDA/PI microscopy has revealed several apoptotic cells in the treatment groups. SEM micrographs have shown the difficulty of hGFs to adhere on rough surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of titanium particles and LPS significantly upregulated the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and Col-1a. It appears that particles may arouse similar reactions to the endotoxin, while synergistically intensifying it.

Time Course of Performance Indexes, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Muscle Damage Markers after a Female Futsal Match.

BACKGROUND: Our aims were to investigate the time-course effects of a futsal match on performance, oxidative stress, and muscle damage markers, as well as inflammatory and antioxidant responses during a 6-day post-match period. METHODS: Thirty-four female high-level futsal players were assessed on several oxidative stress, inflammation, subjective muscle soreness, subjective rate perceived exertion, and performance tests before a futsal match, immediately after, and 24 h to 144 h after. RESULTS: Counter movement jump, 20 m, and 10 m sprints performance significantly decreased immediately after the match (p < 0.05) and returned to baseline 72 h post-match (p > 0.05). Delayed onset muscle soreness peaked 24 h post-match and rate perceived exertion peaked post-match (p < 0.05) and returned to baseline 96 h post-match (p > 0.05). Inflammatory biomarkers peaked at 24 h (p < 0.05) and remained significantly elevated for 72 h after the match (p < 0.05). Muscle damage biomarkers peaked at 24 h (p < 0.05) and remained significantly (p < 0.05) elevated for at least 72 h after the match. Oxidative stress markers peaked at 24 h-48 h (p < 0.05) and returned to baseline 120 h post-match (p > 0.05). In respect to antioxidant responses, these peaked at 24 h-48 h post-match (p < 0.05) and returned to baseline 120 h after the match (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A single futsal match induces short/mid-term changes in performance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and muscle damage markers for about 72 h-96 h post-match.

Young Artistic Gymnasts Drink Ad Libitum Only Half of Their Fluid Lost during Training, but More Fluid Intake Does Not Influence Performance.

To examine the effect of the fluid balance on and performance in young artistic gymnasts during training under ad libitum and prescribed fluid intake conditions, eleven males (12.3 ± 2.6 years, mean ± SD) performed two 3 h identical training sessions. Participants ingested, in a random order, water equivalent to either 50% (LV) or 150% (HV) of their fluid loss. After the 3 h training, the gymnasts performed program routines on three apparatuses. The pre-exercise urine specific gravity (USG) was similar between conditions (LV: 1.018 ± 0.007 vs. HV: 1.015 ± 0.007; p = 0.09), while the post-exercise USG was lower in the HV condition (LV: 1.017 ± 0.006 vs. HV: 1.002 ± 0.003; p < 0.001). Fluid loss corresponding to percentage of body mass was higher in the LV condition (1.2 ± 0.5%) compared to the HV condition (0.4 ± 0.8%) (p = 0.02); however, the sums of the score performances were not different (LV: 26.17 ± 2.04 vs. HV: 26.05 ± 2.00; p = 0.57). Ingesting fluid equivalent to about 50% of the fluid lost, which was the amount that was drunk ad libitum during training, maintained short-term hydration levels and avoided excessive dehydration in artistic preadolescent and adolescent gymnasts. A higher amount of fluid, equivalent to about 1.5 times the fluid loss, did not provide an additional performance benefit.

The Effect of a Home-Based Tele-Exercise Training Program on the Quality of Life and Physical Performance in Breast Cancer Survivors.

The number of breast cancer (BCa) survivors has been steadily increasing due to advances in anti-cancer treatments, though these individuals suffer from various cancer- and treatment-related long-term side effects. The present study aimed at investigating the effects of a home-based tele-exercise training intervention on physical- and mental health-associated parameters in BCa survivors. A total of 13 female BCa survivors (age: 58.31 ± 3.13 years, BMI: 25.68 ± 0.62 kg/m2, waist circumference: 96.54 ± 1.84 cm) participated in a two-month group tele-exercise program twice per week which included aerobic, resistance and flexibility exercises. The results of the study revealed that the tele-exercise intervention improved participants' body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001), cardiorespiratory fitness (6 min walk test) (p < 0.001) and muscle function (sit to stand (p < 0.01), sit ups (p < 0.001) and push-ups (p < 0.001)). Beneficial effects were also observed on perceived anxiety (Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale) (p < 0.001), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (PCL-C) (p < 0.01), self-reported fatigue (p < 0.001), quality of life (QoL) (p < 0.05) and physical (p < 0.05), cognitive (p < 0.01) and emotional (p < 0.05) functioning (EORTQ-QLQ-C30). Our findings suggest that common cancer- and treatment-related adverse effects on physical performance, mental health and the overall QoL can be ameliorated through tele-exercise training programs in BCa survivors.

What is the role of CHCHD2 in adrenal tumourigenesis?

PURPOSE: CHCHD2 is an antiapoptotic mitochondrial protein acting through the BCL2/BAX pathway in various cancers. However, data on the regulatory role of CHCHD2 in adrenal tumourigenesis are scarce. METHODS: We studied the expression of CHCHD2, BCL2, and BAX in human adrenocortical tissues and SW13 cells. mRNA and protein levels were analyzed through qPCR and immunoblotting, respectively, in 16 benign adrenocortical neoplasms (BANs), along with their adjacent normal adrenal tissues (controls), and 10 adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs). BCL2/BAX mRNA expression was also analyzed in SW13 cells after CHCHD2 silencing. MTS, flow cytometry and scratch assays were performed to assess cell viability, apoptosis, and invasion, respectively. RESULTS: BCL2 and CHCHCD2 mRNA and protein expression was increased in BANs compared to normal adrenal tissues whereas BAX was decreased. BAX and CHCHD2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly downregulated and upregulated, respectively, in ACCs compared with either BANs or controls. Expression of the studied genes was not different among cortisol-secreting and nonfunctional ACAs. No significant association was found between genes' expression and other established prognostic markers of ACCs patients. In vitro analysis showed that CHCHD2 silencing resulted in reduced cell viability and invasion as well as increased SW13 cells apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: CHCHD2 expression seems to be implicated in adrenal tumourigenesis and its absence resulted to increased apoptosis in vitro. However, the exact mechanism of action and particularly its association with the BAX/BCL2 pathway needs to be further studied and evaluate whether it could be a protentional therapeutic target.

Effectiveness of high intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness and endothelial function in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic syndrome characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia that may lead to endothelial dysfunction, reduced functional capacity and exercise intolerance. Regular aerobic exercise has been promoted as the most beneficial non-pharmacological treatment of cardiovascular diseases. High intensity interval training (HIIT) seems to be superior than moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in cardiovascular diseases by improving brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and cardiorespiratory fitness to a greater extent. However, the beneficial effects of HIIT in patients with T2DM still remain under investigation and number of studies is limited. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of high intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness and endothelial function in patients with T2DM. METHODS: We performed a search on PubMed, PEDro and CINAHL databases, selecting papers published between December 2012 and December 2022 and identified published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the English language that included community or outpatient exercise training programs in patients with T2DM. RCTs were assessed for methodological rigor and risk of bias via the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The primary outcome was peak VO2 and the secondary outcome was endothelial function assessed either by FMD or other indices of microcirculation. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in our systematic review. The 12 RCTs resulted in 661 participants in total. HIIT was performed in 310 patients (46.8%), MICT to 271 and the rest 80 belonged to the control group. Peak VO2 increased in 10 out of 12 studies after HIIT. Ten studies compared HIIT with other exercise regimens (MICT or strength endurance) and 4 of them demonstrated additional beneficial effects of HIIT over MICT or other exercise regimens. Moreover, 4 studies explored the effects of HIIT on endothelial function and FMD in T2DM patients. In 2 of them, HIIT further improved endothelial function compared to MICT and/or the control group while in the rest 2 studies no differences between HIIT and MICT were observed. CONCLUSION: Regular aerobic exercise training has beneficial effects on cardiorespiratory fitness and endothelial function in T2DM patients. HIIT may be superior by improving these parameters to a greater extent than MICT.

The Role of Physical Exercise in Opioid Substitution Therapy: Mechanisms of Sequential Effects.

It is generally accepted that chronic opioid use is associated with structural and functional changes in the human brain that lead to an enhancement of impulsive behavior for immediate satisfaction. Interestingly, in recent years, physical exercise interventions have been used as an adjunctive treatment for patients with opioid use disorders (OUDs). Indeed, exercise has positive effects on both the biological and psychosocial basis of addiction, modifying neural circuits such as the reward, inhibition, and stress systems, and thus causing behavioral changes. This review focuses on the possible mechanisms that contribute to the beneficial effects of exercise on the treatment of OUDs, with emphasis placed on the description of a sequential consolidation of these mechanisms. Exercise is thought to act initially as a factor of internal activation and self-regulation and eventually as a factor of commitment. This approach suggests a sequential (temporal) consolidation of the functions of exercise in favor of gradual disengagement from addiction. Particularly, the sequence in which the exercise-induced mechanisms are consolidated follows the pattern of internal activation-self-regulation-commitment, eventually resulting in stimulation of the endocannabinoid and endogenous opioid systems. Additionally, this is accompanied by modification of molecular and behavioral aspects of opioid addiction. Overall, the neurobiological actions of exercise in combination with certain psychological mechanisms appear to promote its beneficial effects. Given the positive effects of exercise on both physical and mental health, exercise prescription is recommended as a complement to conventional therapy for patients on opioid maintenance treatment.

The Role of Mitophagy in Skeletal Muscle Damage and Regeneration.

Mitochondria are cellular organelles that play an essential role in generating the chemical energy needed for the biochemical reactions in cells. Mitochondrial biogenesis, i.e., de novo mitochondria formation, results in enhanced cellular respiration, metabolic processes, and ATP generation, while autophagic clearance of mitochondria (mitophagy) is required to remove damaged or useless mitochondria. The balance between the opposing processes of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy is highly regulated and crucial for the maintenance of the number and function of mitochondria as well as for the cellular homeostasis and adaptations to metabolic demands and extracellular stimuli. In skeletal muscle, mitochondria are essential for maintaining energy homeostasis, and the mitochondrial network exhibits complex behaviors and undergoes dynamic remodeling in response to various conditions and pathologies characterized by changes in muscle cell structure and metabolism, such as exercise, muscle damage, and myopathies. In particular, the involvement of mitochondrial remodeling in mediating skeletal muscle regeneration following damage has received increased attention, as modifications in mitophagy-related signals arise from exercise, while variations in mitochondrial restructuring pathways can lead to partial regeneration and impaired muscle function. Muscle regeneration (through myogenesis) following exercise-induced damage is characterized by a highly regulated, rapid turnover of poor-functioning mitochondria, permitting the synthesis of better-functioning mitochondria to occur. Nevertheless, essential aspects of mitochondrial remodeling during muscle regeneration remain poorly understood and warrant further characterization. In this review, we focus on the critical role of mitophagy for proper muscle cell regeneration following damage, highlighting the molecular mechanisms of the mitophagy-associated mitochondrial dynamics and network reformation.

Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity Levels on Childhood Cancer: An Umbrella Review.

Patients and survivors of childhood cancer experience adverse effects related to the disease and its treatment. These adverse effects are associated with both physiological and psychological health. Exercise helps manage the side effects and improve the health outcomes. The objective of this umbrella review is to search the current literature in the context of exercise and physical activity as complementary interventions on pediatric cancer and to provide comprehensive information about the derived health outcomes. A literature search was conducted on the Cochrane, PubMed, and Embase databases for systematic reviews published up to January 2023. Moreover, a hand search of reference lists was performed. We included participants under 19 years of age at diagnosis of any type of childhood cancer, without restriction on the type or phase of treatment, who participated in exercise interventions. The results showed a beneficial impact on fatigue, muscle strength, aerobic capacity, activity and participation levels, psychosocial health, cardiovascular/cardiorespiratory fitness, physical function, bone mineral density, and brain volume and structure, with limited and not serious adverse effects. These findings documented that exercise interventions had a positive effect on many physiological and psychological health outcomes in pediatric cancer patients and survivors.

Differential Expression of Insulin Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) Isoforms in Different Types of Endometriosis: Preliminary Results of a Single-Center Study.

Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent gynecological condition with an uncertain exact pathogenetic mechanism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential differential expression of Insulin Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) isoforms in deeply infiltrating endometriotic (DIE) lesions, in ovarian endometriomas, and in the eutopic endometrium of the same endometriosis patients and to compare their expression with that in the eutopic endometrium of women without endometriosis. A total of 39 patients were included: 28 with endometriosis, of whom 15 had endometriomas only, 7 had DIE nodules only, and 6 had both DIE and endometriomas, and 11 without endometriosis served as controls. We noticed a similar pattern of expression between IGF-1Ea and IGF-1Ec, which differed from that of the IGF-1Eb isoform, possibly implying differential biological actions of different isoforms in DIE subtypes. We observed a tendency of lower expression of IGF-1Ea and IGF-1Ec in endometriomas without DIE compared to endometriomas with concurrent DIE or in DIE nodules. In conclusion, differential expression of IGF-1 isoforms may indicate that DIE with its associated ovarian lesions and simple ovarian endometriosis should be considered as two forms of the disease developing under different molecular pathways.

Effect of Mechanical Loading of Senescent Myoblasts on Their Myogenic Lineage Progression and Survival.

BACKGROUND: During aging, muscle cell apoptosis increases and myogenesis gradually declines. The impaired myogenic and survival potential of the aged skeletal muscle can be ameliorated by its mechanical loading. However, the molecular responses of aged muscle cells to mechanical loading remain unclear. This study examined the effect of mechanical loading of aged, proliferating, and differentiated myoblasts on the gene expression and signaling responses associated with their myogenic lineage progression and survival. METHODS: Control and aged C2C12 cells were cultured on elastic membranes and underwent passive stretching for 12 h at a low frequency (0.25 Hz) and different elongations, varying the strain on days 0 and 10 of myoblast differentiation. Activation of ERK1/2 and Akt, and the expression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and key myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), MyoD and Myogenin, were determined by immunoblotting of the cell lysates derived from stretched and non-stretched myoblasts. Changes in the expression levels of the MRFs, muscle growth, atrophy, and pro-apoptotic factors in response to mechanical loading of the aged and control cells were quantified by real-time qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Mechanical stretching applied on myoblasts resulted in the upregulation of FAK both in proliferating (day 0) and differentiated (day 10) cells, as well as in increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in both control and aged cells. Moreover, Akt activation and the expression of early differentiation factor MyoD increased significantly after stretching only in the control myoblasts, while the late differentiation factor Myogenin was upregulated in both the control and aged myoblasts. At the transcriptional level, mechanical loading of the proliferating myoblasts led to an increased expression of IGF-1 isoforms and MRFs, and to downregulation of muscle atrophy factors mainly in control cells, as well as in the upregulation of pro-apoptotic factors both in control and aged cells. In differentiated cells, mechanical loading resulted in an increased expression of the IGF-1Ea isoform and Myogenin, and in the downregulation of atrophy and pro-apoptotic factors in both the control and aged cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a diminished beneficial effect of mechanical loading on the myogenic and survival ability of the senescent muscle cells compared with the controls, with a low strain (2%) loading being most effective in upregulating myogenic/anabolic factors and downregulating atrophy and pro-apoptotic genes mainly in the aged myotubes.

Physical Exercise Restrains Cancer Progression through Muscle-Derived Factors.

A growing body of in vitro and in vivo studies suggests that physical activity offers important benefits against cancer, in terms of both prevention and treatment. However, the exact mechanisms implicated in the anticancer effects of exercise remain to be further elucidated. Muscle-secreted factors in response to contraction have been proposed to mediate the physical exercise-induced beneficial effects and be responsible for the inter-tissue communications. Specifically, myokines and microRNAs (miRNAs) constitute the most studied components of the skeletal muscle secretome that appear to affect the malignancy, either directly by possessing antioncogenic properties, or indirectly by mobilizing the antitumor immune responses. Moreover, some of these factors are capable of mitigating serious, disease-associated adverse effects that deteriorate patients' quality of life and prognosis. The present review summarizes the myokines and miRNAs that may have potent anticancer properties and the expression of which is induced by physical exercise, while the mechanisms of secretion and intercellular transportation of these factors are also discussed.

Impact of supervised aerobic exercise on clinical physiological and mental parameters of people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The benefits derived from supervised aerobic exercise in people living with human immunofeficiency virus- HIV (PLWH) have not yet been clearly identified.Objective: To evaluate the impact of supervised aerobic exercise on immunological, cardiorespiratory, pulmonary, hemodynamic and mental parameters of PLWH.Methods: A systematic review was carried out in accordance to PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were screened up to August 2021, for the identification of English written randomized trials, with participants aged 18 years and older, at any stage of the disease, with or without co-morbidities. The risk of bias assessment was conducted according to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. Meta- analyses were conducted using continuous, inverse variance, random-effects model.Results: Ten studies were suitable for meta-analysis based on inclusion criteria. Supervised aerobic exercise appeared to have beneficial effects on depressive symptoms [mean difference (MD)= -4.18 (confidence interval (CI)= (-6.55)-(-1.81), Z = 3.46, p = 0.0005, I2=0%, n = 2], forced expiratory volume in 1 sec [MD = 0.70, CI = 0.39-1.00, Z = 4.41, p < 0.0001, I2=0%, n = 2], and on the maximum oxygen uptake [MD = 1.38, CI = -0.02-2.78, Z = 1.94, p = 0.05, I2=94%, n = 4] of PLWH. No exercise effect was found for CD4 T-cell count (p = 0.16, n = 5), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.91, n = 2) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.72, n = 2).Conclusions: Supervised continuous aerobic exercise may improve lung function, depressive symptomatology and aerobic capacity of PLWH, however, the small number of available studies and the high heterogeneity concerning VO2max demonstrate the need for more research in this area.