Cardioprotective effects of liraglutide pretreatment on isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury in rats.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially myocardial injury. Due to their hypoglycemic effects, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are efficiently used for T2DM management. GLP-1RAs also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects and can improve cardiac function. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of liraglutide, a GLP-1RA, on isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury in rats. The study included four groups of animals. They were pretreated with saline for 10 days + saline on days 9 and 10 (control), saline for 10 days + isoprenaline on days 9 and 10 (isoprenaline group), liraglutide for 10 days + saline on days 9 and 10 (liraglutide group), and liraglutide for 10 days, and on days 9 and 10 isoprenaline was administered. This study evaluated ECG, myocardial injury markers, oxidative stress markers, and pathohistological changes. The results showed that liraglutide mitigated the isoprenaline-induced cardiac dysfunction recorded by ECG. Liraglutide reduced serum markers of myocardial injury such as high-sensitive troponin I, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, increased reduced glutathione level, and improved lipid profile. Liraglutide induced antioxidative protection and alleviated isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury.

Homocysteine, Vitamins B6 and Folic Acid in Experimental Models of Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure-How Strong Is That Link?

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and the main cause of disability. In the last decade, homocysteine has been found to be a risk factor or a marker for cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure (HF). There are indications that vitamin B6 plays a significant role in the process of transsulfuration in homocysteine metabolism, specifically, in a part of the reaction in which homocysteine transfers a sulfhydryl group to serine to form α-ketobutyrate and cysteine. Therefore, an elevated homocysteine concentration (hyperhomocysteinemia) could be a consequence of vitamin B6 and/or folate deficiency. Hyperhomocysteinemia in turn could damage the endothelium and the blood vessel wall and induce worsening of atherosclerotic process, having a negative impact on the mechanisms underlying MI and HF, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and altered function of gasotransmitters. Given the importance of the vitamin B6 in homocysteine metabolism, in this paper, we review its role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, influencing the functions of gasotransmitters, and improving vasodilatation and coronary flow in animal models of MI and HF.

Basketball players possess a higher bone mineral density than matched non-athletes, swimming, soccer, and volleyball athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Basketball athletes possess a higher bone mineral density (BMD) than matched non-athletes and swimming, soccer, and volleyball athletes. Differences appear to be exacerbated with continued training and competition beyond adolescence. The greater BMD in basketball athletes compared to non-athletes, swimming, and soccer athletes is more pronounced in males than females. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine differences in total and regional bone mineral density (BMD) between basketball athletes, non-athletes, and athletes competing in swimming, soccer, and volleyball, considering age and sex. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, ERIC, Google Scholar, and Science Direct were searched. Included studies consisted of basketball players and at least one group of non-athletes, swimming, soccer, or volleyball athletes. BMD data were meta-analyzed. Cohen's d effect sizes [95% confidence intervals (CI)] were interpreted as: trivial ≤ 0.20, small = 0.20-0.59, moderate = 0.60-1.19, large = 1.20-1.99, and very large ≥ 2.00. RESULTS: Basketball athletes exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher BMD compared to non-athletes (small-moderate effect in total-body: d = 1.06, CI 0.55, 1.56; spine: d = 0.67, CI 0.40, 0.93; lumbar spine: d = 0.96, CI 0.57, 1.35; upper limbs: d = 0.70, CI 0.29, 1.10; lower limbs: d = 1.14, CI 0.60, 1.68; pelvis: d = 1.16, CI 0.05, 2.26; trunk: d = 1.00, CI 0.65, 1.35; and femoral neck: d = 0.57, CI 0.16, 0.99), swimming athletes (moderate-very large effect in total-body: d = 1.33, CI 0.59, 2.08; spine: d = 1.04, CI 0.60, 1.48; upper limbs: d = 1.19, CI 0.16, 2.22; lower limbs: d = 2.76, CI 1.45, 4.06; pelvis d = 1.72, CI 0.63, 2.81; and trunk: d = 1.61, CI 1.19, 2.04), soccer athletes (small effect in total-body: d = 0.58, CI 0.18, 0.97), and volleyball athletes (small effect in total-body: d = 0.32, CI 0.00, 0.65; and pelvis: d = 0.48, CI 0.07, 0.88). Differences in total and regional BMD between groups increased with age and appeared greater in males than in females. CONCLUSION: Basketball athletes exhibit a greater BMD compared to non-athletes, as well as athletes involved in swimming, soccer, and volleyball.

Professional Female Athletes Are at a Heightened Risk of Iron-Deficient Erythropoiesis Compared With Nonathletes.

This study primarily aimed to quantify and compare iron status in professional female athletes and nonathletes. Furthermore, this study also aimed to identify differences in iron status according to sporting discipline and explore the relationship between ferritin concentration and weekly training volume in professional athletes. A total of 152 participants were included in this study, including 85 athletes who were members of senior teams (handball, n = 24; volleyball, n = 36; soccer, n = 19; and judo, n = 6) involved at the highest level of competition and 67 nonathletes. A significantly greater proportion (p = .05) of athletes (27%) demonstrated iron-deficient erythropoiesis (IDE) compared with nonathletes (13%). There were nonsignificant differences (p > .05) in the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID; 49% vs. 46%) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA; 2% vs. 4%) between athletes and nonathletes. Similarly, the prevalence of ID, IDE, and IDA was not significantly different between sports (p > .05). Furthermore, training volume was negatively correlated with ferritin concentration in athletes (r: -.464, moderate, p < .001). Professional female athletes are at a heightened risk of IDE compared with nonathletes; therefore, they should be periodically screened for ID to reduce the deleterious effects on training and performance. The similar prevalence of ID, IDE, and IDA found across athletes competing in different sports suggests that overlaps exist between handball, volleyball, soccer, and judo athletes regarding risk of disturbance in iron metabolism.

Protective Effects of Galium verum L. Extract against Cardiac Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Galium verum L. (G. verum, lady's bedstraw) is a perennial herbaceous plant, belonging to the Rubiaceae family. It has been widely used throughout history due to multiple therapeutic properties. However, the effects of this plant species on functional recovery of the heart after ischemia have still not been fully clarified. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine the effects of methanol extract of G. verum on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), with a special emphasis on the role of oxidative stress. Rats involved in the research were divided randomly into two groups: control (spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)) and G. verum group, including SHR rats treated with the G. verum extract (500 mg/kg body weight per os) for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, in vivo cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Rats were sacrificed and blood samples were taken for spectrophotometric determination of systemic redox state. Hearts from all rats were isolated and retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique. After a stabilization period, hearts were subjected to 20-minute ischemia, followed by 30-minute reperfusion. Levels of prooxidants were spectrophotometrically measured in coronary venous effluent, while antioxidant enzymes activity was assessed in heart tissue. Cell morphology was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. 4-week treatment with G. verum extract alleviated left ventricular hypertrophy and considerably improved in vivo cardiac function. Furthermore, G. verum extract preserved cardiac contractility, systolic function, and coronary vasodilatory response after ischemia. Moreover, it alleviated I/R-induced structural damage of the heart. Additionally, G. verum extract led to a drop in the generation of most of the measured prooxidants, thus mitigating cardiac oxidative damage. Promising potential of G. verum in the present study may be a basis for further researches which would fully clarify the mechanisms through which this plant species triggers cardioprotection.

The impact of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training regimes on cardiodynamic parameters in isolated heart of normotensive and hypertensive rats.

This study aimed to assess the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. moderate-intensity continuous training (MIT) on cardiodynamic parameters in isolated rat heart. Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to groups according to running protocol: sedentary control, MIT, and HIIT; spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) sedentary control, SHR + MIT, and SHR + HIIT. HIIT groups performed the running in 5 sprints × 45-55 m/min for 30-90 s, with 2 min of rest after each sprint, while MIT groups performed the running of 10-15 m/min for 1 h with 3 min of rest every 100 m; both protocols were implemented 5 days/week over 4 weeks with 1 week of adaptation before protocols started. Isolated rat hearts were perfused according to Langendorff technique at gradually increased coronary perfusion pressures (40-120 cmH2O). Using a sensor placed in the left ventricle, we registered maximum and minimum rate of pressure development in the left ventricle, systolic and diastolic left ventricular pressure, and heart rate. Coronary flow was measured flowmetrically. MIT was connected with cardiac depression in normotensive conditions, while HIIT leads to cardiac depression in hypertensive rats. HIIT induced more significant increase of contractile and relaxation parameters of the isolated rat heart, especially in hypertensive animals.

Explosive muscle power assessment in elite athletes using wingate anaerobic test / Avaliação da força muscular explosiva em atletas de elite usando o teste anaeróbico de wingate / Evaluación de la fuerza muscular explosiva en atletas de élite usando la prueba anaeróbica de wingate

ABSTRACT Introduction: Maximal effort physiological tests provide information about the current functional capacity of athletes. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate anaerobic performance parameters in elite athletes and to compare them in terms of the specific demands of each sport. We also created and applied the new software which enables us to quantify a new parameter -explosive muscle power (EP), a major component in sports requiring explosive bursts of movement lasting from a few seconds to 1 or 2 minutes. This new parameter reflects the velocity of energy transformation from intramuscular ATP and high-energy phosphates into mechanical power. Methods: All Wingate test parameters (standard parameters) - anaerobic power (AP), anaerobic capacity (AC), and explosive power (EP) as the new parameter were recorded in 104 subjects: 30 non-athletes and 74 athletes divided into different groups depending on their sport specialty (20 rowers, 28 wrestlers and 26 soccer players). Results: Anaerobic power (AP), anaerobic capacity (AC) and explosive power (EP) were significantly higher in the group of athletes compared to non-athletes. Among athletes, significant differences were observed in some parameters according to the type of activities they are involved in. The highest values were recorded in the group of wrestlers (AP=836W; AC=16.6kJ; EP=139W/s). The values of AP (absolute values) and EP (absolute and relative values) were significantly higher in wrestlers than in soccer players and rowers, but there was no significant difference in AC among these groups. The EP variable had a distribution similar to AP. Conclusions: Alongside anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity, the assessment of explosive power may complement the anaerobic profile of athletes. Experts in the field of sports medicine and exercise physiology could find these results useful in improving test variables, which are more important for specific sports, and for evaluating and monitoring training progress. Level of Evidence I; Diagnostic studies - Investigating a diagnostic test.

RESUMO Introdução: Os testes fisiológicos de esforço máximo fornecem informações sobre a capacidade funcional atual dos atletas. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os parâmetros de desempenho anaeróbico em atletas de elite e compará-los em relação às demandas específicas de cada esporte. Além disso, criamos e aplicamos o novo software que possibilita a quantificação de um novo parâmetro - força muscular explosiva (FE), um componente importante em esportes que requerem explosões de movimento que duram de alguns segundos a 1 ou 2 minutos. Este novo parâmetro reflete a velocidade de transformação de energia a partir de ATP e fosfatos de alta energia intramusculares em potência mecânica. Métodos: Todos os parâmetros de teste de Wingate (parâmetros padrão) - potência anaeróbica (PA), capacidade anaeróbica (CA) e força explosiva (FE) como um novo parâmetro foram registrados em 104 indivíduos: 30 não atletas e 74 atletas divididos em diferentes grupos, dependendo da sua especialidade esportiva (20 remadores, 28 lutadores e 26 jogadores de futebol). Resultados: A potência anaeróbica (PA), a capacidade anaeróbica (CA) e a força explosiva (FE) foram significativamente maiores no grupo de atletas em comparação com não atletas. Entre os atletas, diferenças significativas foram observadas em alguns parâmetros, de acordo com o tipo de atividades nas quais eles estão envolvidos. Os valores mais altos foram registrados no grupo de lutadores (PA = 836 W, CA = 16,6 kJ, FE = 139 W/s). Os valores de PA (valores absolutos) e FE (valores absolutos e relativos) foram significativamente maiores em lutadores do que em jogadores de futebol e remadores, mas não houve diferenças significativas na CA entre esses grupos. A variável FE mostrou uma distribuição similar à da PA. Conclusões: Juntamente com o poder anaeróbico e a capacidade anaeróbica, a avaliação da força explosiva pode complementar o perfil anaeróbico dos atletas. Especialistas no campo da medicina esportiva e da fisiologia do exercício poderiam achar esses resultados úteis para melhorar as variáveis de teste que são mais importantes para esportes específicos e para avaliar e monitorar o progresso do treinamento. Nível de Evidência I; Estudo diagnóstico - Investigação de um exame para diagnóstico.

RESUMEN Introducción: Las pruebas fisiológicas de esfuerzo máximo proporcionan información sobre la capacidad funcional actual de los atletas. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los parámetros de rendimiento anaeróbico en atletas de élite y compararlos en relación con las demandas específicas de cada deporte. Además, creamos y aplicamos el nuevo software que permite la cuantificación de un nuevo parámetro - fuerza muscular explosiva (FE), un componente grande en deportes que requieren explosiones de movimiento que duran de unos segundos a 1 o 2 minutos. Este nuevo parámetro refleja la velocidad de transformación de energía a partir de ATP y fosfatos de alta energía intramusculares en potencia mecánica. Métodos: Todos los parámetros de prueba de Wingate (parámetros estándar) - potencia anaeróbica (PA), capacidad anaeróbica (CA) y fuerza explosiva (FE) como un nuevo parámetro fueron registrados en 104 sujetos: 30 no atletas y 74 atletas divididos en diferentes grupos dependiendo de su especialidad deportiva (20 remeros, 28 luchadores y 26 jugadores de fútbol). Resultados: La potencia anaeróbica (PA), la capacidad anaeróbica (CA) y la fuerza explosiva (FE) fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo de atletas en comparación con los no atletas. Entre los atletas, se observaron diferencias significativas en algunos parámetros según el tipo de actividades en las que están involucrados. Los valores más altos fueron registrados en el grupo de luchadores (PA =836 W; CA = 16,6 kJ; FE=139 W/s). Los valores de PA (valores absolutos) y FE (valores absolutos y relativos) fueron significativamente mayores en luchadores que en jugadores de fútbol y remeros, pero no hubo diferencias significativas en CA entre estos grupos. La variable FE mostró una distribución similar a la de la PA. Conclusiones: Junto con la potencia anaeróbica y la capacidad anaeróbica, la evaluación de la fuerza explosiva puede complementar el perfil anaeróbico de los atletas. Los expertos en el campo de la medicina deportiva y la fisiología del ejercicio podrían encontrar estos resultados útiles para mejorar las variables de prueba que son más importantes para deportes específicos y para evaluar y monitorear el progreso del entrenamiento. Nivel de Evidencia I; Estudio diagnóstico - Investigación de un examen para diagnóstico.

99m Tc-sestamibi scintimammography in detection of recurrent breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to asses the accuracy of 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography in patients with suspected recurrent breast cancer in the breast or loco regional tissues. After routine analyses in twenty-eight women (clinical examination, ultrasound, X-ray mammography, and fine needle aspiration biopsy) they were examined by scintimammography. All patients with suspected recurrent cancer in the breast or loco regional tissues (19) undergone surgery and the final diagnosis was determined by histopathological examination. Another 9 patients were followed 6-24 months. The scintigraphic studies were correlated with radiological findings and/or with histopathology. There were 19 patients with recurrent tumours (15 with loco-regional recurrent and 4 in another breast). X-ray mammography identified 13 of these cancers. 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography identified seventeen of recurrent breast cancers. In the seven out of nine patients without cancer, scintimammography were reported as having no changes consistent with cancer. X-ray mammography showed suspected cancer lesions in four out of nine patients without cancer. There were two false-positive scintimammograms and one false negative. Axillary lymph node recurrence occurred in four patients. All of them were positive on scintimammography. 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography showed higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy per patient than did X-ray mammography (90,9% vs. 63,6%, 71,4% vs. 57,1% and 83,3% vs. 61,1%, respectively). To identifying recurrent breast cancer disease is better to use scintimammography than X-ray mammography.

[The assessment of anaerobic capacity in athletes of various sports].

INTRODUCTION: The present study deals with anaerobic power capacity in athletes, differences between power capabilities of these athletes in relation to the type of sports and differences in regard to nonathletes. The goal of this study was to analyze parameters of anaerobic capacity and also to examine if the type and duration of the training period affect values of anaerobic capacity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 95 male subjects: non-athletes and athletes of various sports: judo players, rowers and soccer players. Anaerobic capacity was determined using the Wingate test. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The obtained results show a statistically higher anaerobic capacity in judo players (PP 798 W - 9.64 W/kg) in regard to soccer players (PP 763 W - 9.75 W/kg), rowers (PP 691 W - 8.8 4 W/kg) and non-athletes (PP 557 W - 6.93 W/kg). Judo is a sport which requires high anaerobic capacity. Our results show that athletes have a higher anaerobic power capacity in regard to non-athletes. It can be explained solely by physical training. athletes

Ventilator function improvement in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis: relation to sex differences.

Uremic lung is different entity then oedema present in cardiovascular diseases or in adult respiratory distress syndrome as well. This state is one of the possible complications in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) receiving regular hemodialysis (HD). There are several studies suggesting that in these patients in 30-40% cases pulmonary hypertension was developed. It is known that patients with primary pulmonary hypertension have peripheral airway obstruction The data also showed that primary as well secondary pulmonary hypertension are more often developed in females; even real reason is still unknown. The aim of the study was to estimate the ventilator function improvement in patients with CRF receiving regular HD related to sex differences. The study population consisted in 39 patients with CRF, with no cardiac and pulmonary diseases. These patients were treated by regular hemodialysis using bicarbonate or acetate mode, respectively. They were divided into two groups according to the sex. Spirometry parameters before and after onset of hemodialysis were recorded. The results were analyzed using Student t-test and presented as mean +/-SD. All p values <0,05 were considered significant. The result showed that ventilatory function in male patients is significantly improved, especially VC and FEV1, whereas in female patients improvement had not statistical significance. It can be concluded that one of the possible reasons for slight improvement of ventilator function in female patients is pulmonary hypertension.