Hyperbaric Oxygenation Prevents Loss of Immature Neurons in the Adult Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus Following Brain Injury.

A growing body of evidence suggests that hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) may affect the activity of adult neural stem cells (NSCs). Since the role of NSCs in recovery from brain injury is still unclear, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sensorimotor cortex ablation (SCA) and HBO treatment (HBOT) on the processes of neurogenesis in the adult dentate gyrus (DG), a region of the hippocampus that is the site of adult neurogenesis. Ten-week-old Wistar rats were divided into groups: Control (C, intact animals), Sham control (S, animals that underwent the surgical procedure without opening the skull), SCA (animals in whom the right sensorimotor cortex was removed via suction ablation), and SCA + HBO (operated animals that passed HBOT). HBOT protocol: pressure applied at 2.5 absolute atmospheres for 60 min, once daily for 10 days. Using immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence labeling, we show that SCA causes significant loss of neurons in the DG. Newborn neurons in the subgranular zone (SGZ), inner-third, and partially mid-third of the granule cell layer are predominantly affected by SCA. HBOT decreases the SCA-caused loss of immature neurons, prevents reduction of dendritic arborization, and increases proliferation of progenitor cells. Our results suggest a protective effect of HBO by reducing the vulnerability of immature neurons in the adult DG to SCA injury.

IL-23/IL-17 Axis in Chronic Hepatitis C and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis-New Insight into Immunohepatotoxicity of Different Chronic Liver Diseases.

Considering the relevance of the research of pathogenesis of different liver diseases, we investigated the possible activity of the IL-23/IL-17 axis on the immunohepatotoxicity of two etiologically different chronic liver diseases. A total of 36 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, 16 with (CHC-SF) and 20 without significant fibrosis (CHC-NSF), 19 patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and 20 healthy controls (CG) were recruited. Anthropometric, biochemical, and immunological cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and IL-23) tests were performed in accordance with standard procedure. Our analysis revealed that a higher concentration of plasma IL-23 was associated with NASH (p = 0.005), and a higher concentration of plasma IL-17A but a lower concentration of plasma IL-10 was associated with CHC in comparison with CG. A lower concentration of plasma IL-10 was specific for CHC-NSF, while a higher concentration of plasma IL-17A was specific for CHC-SF in comparison with CG. CHC-NSF and CHC-SF groups were distinguished from NASH according to a lower concentration of plasma IL-17A. Liver tissue levels of IL-17A and IL-23 in CHC-NSF were significantly lower in comparison with NASH, regardless of the same stage of the liver fibrosis, whereas only IL-17A tissue levels showed a difference between the CHC-NSF and CHC-SF groups, namely, a lower concentration in CHC-NSF in comparison with CHC-SF. In CHC-SF and NASH liver tissue, IL17-A and IL-23 were significantly higher in comparison with plasma. Diagnostic accuracy analysis showed significance only in the concentration of plasma cytokines. Plasma IL-6, IL-17A and IL-23 could be possible markers that could differentiate CHC patients from controls. Plasma IL-23 could be considered a possible biomarker of CHC-NSF patients in comparison with controls, while plasma IL-6 and IL-17-A could be biomarkers of CHC-SF patients in comparison with controls. The most sophisticated difference was between the CHC-SF and CHC-NSF groups in the plasma levels of IL-10, which could make this cytokine a useful biomarker of liver fibrosis.

Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix Analysis of Granule Neurons of the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus Following Cortical Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a main cause of death and disabilities in young adults. Although learning and memory impairments are a major clinical manifestation of TBI, the consequences of TBI on the hippocampus are still not well understood. In particular, how lesions to the sensorimotor cortex damage the hippocampus, to which it is not directly connected, is still elusive. Here, we study the effects of sensorimotor cortex ablation (SCA) on the hippocampal dentate gyrus, by applying a highly sensitive gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) analysis. Using GLCM analysis of granule neurons, we discovered, in our TBI paradigm, subtle changes in granule cell (GC) morphology, including textual uniformity, contrast, and variance, which is not detected by conventional microscopy. We conclude that sensorimotor cortex trauma leads to specific changes in the hippocampus that advance our understanding of the cellular underpinnings of cognitive impairments in TBI. Moreover, we identified GLCM analysis as a highly sensitive method to detect subtle changes in the GC layers that is expected to significantly improve further studies investigating the impact of TBI on hippocampal neuropathology.

Hyperbaric oxygenation protects the kidney against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) as a consequence of ischemia is a common clinical event that can lead to unacceptably high morbidity and mortality. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) preconditioning has been shown to prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in different tissues. Objectives: The aim of our study was to compare the effects of HBO2 preconditioning on renal hemodynamics, kidney function and oxidative stress in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats that suffered kidney IRI. Methods: An experiment was performed on Wistar (normotensive) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The animals were divided into the following experimental groups: sham-operated rats and rats with or without HBO2 preconditioning 24 hours before post-ischemic AKI induction. Treated rats were placed into experimental HBO2 chambers and exposed to pure oxygen twice a day for two consecutive days (2.026 bar of oxygen) for 60 minutes. AKI was performed the next morning. The right kidney was removed and the renal ischemia was performed by clamping the left renal artery for 45 minutes. Results: In this study, HBO2 preconditioning significantly improved disturbed renal hemodynamics, major markers of kidney function in plasma (creatinine, urea and phosphate) as well as antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities in erythrocytes after AKI induction. Also, HBO2 preconditioning decreased lipid peroxidation in plasma after ischemic AKI. Positive effects were observed in both strains of rats. Conclusions: Our results suggest that HBO2 treatment improves renal hemodynamic and kidney function and decreases oxidative stress of Wistar and SHR rats with an AKI episode. Furthermore, it also implies that pre-existing hypertension does not affect the beneficial effects of HBO2 preconditioning.

Gut-Liver Axis, Gut Microbiota, and Its Modulation in the Management of Liver Diseases: A Review of the Literature.

The rapid scientific interest in gut microbiota (GM) has coincided with a global increase in the prevalence of infectious and non-infectivous liver diseases. GM, which is also called "the new virtual metabolic organ", makes axis with a number of extraintestinal organs, such as kidneys, brain, cardiovascular, and the bone system. The gut-liver axis has attracted greater attention in recent years. GM communication is bi-directional and involves endocrine and immunological mechanisms. In this way, gut-dysbiosis and composition of "ancient" microbiota could be linked to pathogenesis of numerous chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis B (CHB), chronic hepatitis C (CHC), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), development of liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this paper, we discuss the current evidence supporting a GM role in the management of different chronic liver diseases and potential new therapeutic GM targets, like fecal transplantation, antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics. We conclude that population-level shifts in GM could play a regulatory role in the gut-liver axis and, consequently, etiopathogenesis of chronic liver diseases. This could have a positive impact on future therapeutic strategies.

Polymorphisms in ACE and ACTN3 Genes and Blood Pressure Response to Acute Exercise in Elite Male Athletes from Serbia.

Physiological adaptations to various types of prolonged and intensive physical activity, as seen in elite athletes from different sports, include changes in blood pressure (BP) response to acute exercise. Also, functional polymorphisms of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) and alfa-actinin-3 (ACTN3) genes are shown to be associated with BP parameters changes, both in athletes and sedentary population. In this study, an Alu insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism in ACE gene, as well as nonsense mutation in the gene encoding ACTN3 have been scored in 107 elite Serbian athletes classified according to their sporting discipline to power/sprint (short distance runners/swimmers), endurance (rowers, footballers, middle-distance swimmers) or mixed sports (water polo, handball, volleyball players). Presence of nonfunctional allele in ACTN3 is associated with significantly increased maximal systolic BP (SBPmax, p = 0.04). Athletes with Alu insertion in ACE had significantly (p = 0.006) larger decline of systolic BP after 3 minutes of recovery (SBPR3), calculated as the percentage of maximal SBP response during exercise stress testing. Concomitant presence of non-functional variant in ACTN3 gene decreased this beneficiary effect of ACE mutation on SBPR3. Long term enrollment in power/sprint sports significantly increased resting diastolic BP (DBPrest: 74 mmHg) and SBPmax (197 mmHg) and improved SBPR3 (74.8%) compared to enrolment in endurance (72 mmHg; 178 mmHg; 81.1%) and mixed sports (69 mmHg; 185 mmHg; 80.0%). Lack of the effect of genotype by sport interaction on BP parameters suggests that the long-term effects of different disciplines on BP are not mediated by these two genes.

Principal components analysis to evaluate complex association of polymorphisms in ACE and ACTN3 genes and the extent of cardiovascular adaptive changes in elite athletes.

BACKGROUND: Present article aims at clarifying the association of ACE and ACTN3 polymorphisms with adaptive heart changes in elite athletes from power, endurance and mixed sport disciplines using the principal component analysis (PCA). METHODS: Overall, 281 elite male athletes are divided into three groups: strength-type sports, endurance and mixed sports. After anthropometric measurements, physical and ultrasound examination of the heart, the athletes were exposed to a physical load test. All groups were analyzed for functional ACE and ACTN3 polymorphisms. In order to convert a set of examined, possibly correlated adaptive cardiovascular changes into a set of values of linearly uncorrelated variables we used principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS: The type of sport significantly affects not only the athlete's anthropometric characteristics, but also on the scope and specificity of the investigated adaptive cardiovascular changes. Athletes from the mixed group of sports showed the best working efficiency of the heart. PCA showed that the type of sport, but not genetic predisposition affects the co-adaptation of complex traits. CONCLUSIONS: Effect of genotype, type of sport and their interaction on observed variability in morpho-functional cardiovascular adaptive changes in elite athletes can be used for a better understanding of the clinical phenomenon of athlete's heart and sudden cardiac death syndrome.

A novel laboratory approach for the demonstration of hemodynamic principles: the arterial blood flow reflection.

In the frame of a laboratory training course for medicine students, a new approach for laboratory exercises has been applied to teach the phenomena of circulation. The exercise program included measurements of radial artery blood flow waveform for different age groups using a noninvasive optical sensor. Arterial wave reflection was identified by measurements of blood flow waveforms before and after arterial branching. Students were able to distinguish between different waveforms of blood flow within different age groups. Furthermore, students were given the opportunity to explore the effect of aging on the elasticity of blood vessels. This exercise is an introduction to the fundamental physical laws of hemodynamics that can facilitate the learning and understanding of cardiovascular physiology to students of medicine.

Histomorphometric features of ventral prostate in different aged rats after central ghrelin treatment.

Ghrelin, the endogenous ligand of growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a), has emerged as pleiotropic modulator of diverse biological functions, including energy homeostasis and recently, reproduction. The influence of intracerebroventricularly (ICV) administered ghrelin (1 µg/day/rat for 5 days) to rats of different ages, i.e, peripubertal (38 days), adult (60 days) and middle-aged (180 days) on the ventral prostate size and morphology, serum testosterone levels and testis weight was examined. Ghrelin treatment significantly increased (p < 0.05) absolute ventral prostate weight in peripubertal and middle-aged rats, by 27% and 37% respectively, due to enhancement of epithelial and/or luminal compartment of the gland. In adult rats, both absolute and relative volumes of the acinar lumen were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), by 38% and 44% respectively, which was associated with significant increases (p < 0.05) in relative and absolute volumes of interacinar stroma, whereas ventral prostate weigh was unchanged. Irrespective of animal age, ghrelin did not affect serum testosterone levels. These are the first results of ghrelin treatment effects on healthy prostate appearance, which allow us to conclude that the rat ventral prostate response to ghrelin depends on the developmental stage of animals. Our results merit further investigations and may have clinical implications, especially in the light of data on possible role of ghrelin in prostate hypertrophy and adenomas.

Overweight in trained subjects - are we looking at wrong numbers? (Body mass index compared with body fat percentage in estimating overweight in athletes.).

Body mass index (BMI) is widely used as an index of obesity in adults. In trained population, individual with low body fat could be classified as overweight by BMI. To evaluate this problem, the purposes of this study were to determine the BMI and body fat percentage (BF%) of trained and untrained subjects and to evaluate the accuracy of BMI classification (> or =25 kg.m(-2)) as a prediction of overweight/obesity in trained subjects. The total number of 299 trained (basketball players) and 179 untrained male subjects participated in this study. Body height and body mass were measured; BMI was calculated for all subjects. BF% was determined via Tanita bioimpedance body composition analyzer. BMI >or = 25 kg.m(-2) and BF% > 20% were used to define overweight. There was no significant age differences. Body mass, height (p < 0.01) and BMI (p < 0.05) were significantly higher, although BF% was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in trained group when compared to untrained. Eighty-five trained subjects had a BMI of 25 or higher, indicating overweight. Of these, only three individuls had excess BF%. The results of the present study suggest that a BMI > or = 25 kg.m(-2) is not an accurate predictor of overweight in trained subjects.

The training type influence on male elite athletes' ventilatory function.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To assess and compare measured ventilatory volumes (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expirium flow (PEF) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV)), ventilatory function capacities (forced vital capacity (FVC) and vital capacity (VC)) and FEV1/VC ratio in a sample of power and endurance elite athletes and their age-matched and sex-matched sedentary control group. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was applied on male elite athletes (n=470) who were classified according to the type of the predominantly performed exercise in the following way: group 1: endurance group (EG=270), group 2: power athletes group (SG=200) and group 3: sedentary control group (CG=100). The lung VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF and MVV were measured in all of the observed subjects, who were also classified with regard to body mass index (BMI) and the percentage of the body fat (BF%). RESULTS: The CG had the highest BF% value, while the endurance group had the lowest BMI and BF% value, which is significantly different from the other two groups (p<0.05). The observed values of VC, FVC and FEV1 in the EG were significantly higher than those from the other two groups (p<0.05). There were no differences concerning the observed FEV1/FVC ratio. CONCLUSIONS: A continued endurance physical activity leads to adaptive changes in spirometric parameters (VC, FVC and FEV1), highlighting the fact that there is a need for specific consideration of different respiratory 'pattern' development in different types of sport, which also has to be further evaluated.

Insights into body composition adaptation: should we reconsider the use of Body Mass Index in some sports?

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were to indentify the under/overweight/obese frequencies by Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%) in athletes within groups of sport and to investigate the accuracy of the BMI as a measure of BF%. METHODS: Cross-sectional design study on elite male athletes (N.=2234, aged 22±4 years) from 51 sports disciplines who were classified according to two different sport classifications: predominant characteristic of training (four group model) and type and intensity of exercise (nine group model). All athletes underwent full anthropometric testing. RESULTS: After stratification, the majority of athletes were in normal weight category. According to 4 group model, BMI is showed as statistically significant, reliable and independent predictor of BF% in all groups of sports. In nine groups model all correlated parameters were positive for athletes being statistically significant (P<0.001) with exception of group LSMD, MSMD and HSMD (P>0.05). The highest positive correlation between BMI and BF% was in group MSLD (r=0.53; P<0.001) and in power sports group (r=0.24; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: BMI could be an accurate predictor of BF% in athletes but that depends on group of sport. Our results suggest the BMI could use only in power and MSLD groups of sport.

The Impact of White-Coat Hypertension on Cardiac Mechanics.

The authors aimed to investigate right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with white-coat hypertension (WCH) and sustained arterial hypertension. This cross-sectional study included 153 untreated patients who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring and complete two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) examination. Results showed that LV and RV longitudinal mechanics gradually deteriorated from controls to patients with sustained hypertension. Endocardial RV longitudinal strain was lower in WCH and hypertensive patients than in controls. Midmyocardial RV longitudinal strain was decreased in hypertensive patients compared with the other two groups, whereas subepicardial RV longitudinal strain was similar between the observed groups. Twenty-four-hour systolic BP was associated with 2DE global longitudinal LV and subendocardial RV strain. This study demonstrates that myocardial deformation of both ventricles is significantly impaired in patients with WCH and sustained arterial hypertension, and 24-hour systolic BP is associated with LV and RV deformation independent of cardiac structure.

The impact of elevated blood pressure on exercise capacity in elite athletes.

OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular disorders in athletes. The aims of our study were to assess the impact of elevated blood pressure (BP) on exercise capacity in athletes and evaluate the differences in left ventricular structure and function. METHODS: Elite male athletes (n=517, aged 23±5years) underwent Doppler echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging. Diastolic function was assessed by measuring peak early and late transmitral (E and A) and annular diastolic filling velocities (e' and a'). Maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to measure maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and heart rate reserve (HRR). After BP measurement, they were grouped according to the ESH/ESC guidelines on: optimal (OBP), normal (NBP), high normal BP (HNBP), and hypertensive (HT). RESULTS: We found significantly lower VO2max, VAT and HRR in the groups with HNBP and HT, after the adjustment for the type of sport, body fat content and age. There was an increasing trend in resting HR among groups (p<0.001). Although none of the subjects had impaired diastolic function, the HT group had higher left atrial volume, and lower e' and e'/a'. Resting systolic BP (p<0.05), HR (p<0.001), HRR (p<0.001) and e'/a' (p<0.01) independently predicted VO2max. Indexes E/e' and e'/a' were associated with resting systolic BP (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Even in the absence of structural or functional heart damage, elevated BP in elite athletes, together with the presence of autonomic dysfunction, leads to decrease in exercise capacity. Staging of hypertension according to the BP level, on the one hand, and reflexion of BP on cardiopulmonary capacity, on the other, may be coupled for further risk stratification.

Sport-specific influences on respiratory patterns in elite athletes.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in lung function among sports that are of a similar nature and to determine which anthropometric/demographic characteristics correlate with lung volumes and flows. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving elite male athletes (N = 150; mean age, 21  4 years) engaging in one of four different sports, classified according to the type and intensity of exercise involved. All athletes underwent full anthropometric assessment and pulmonary function testing (spirometry). RESULTS: Across all age groups and sport types, the elite athletes showed spirometric values that were significantly higher than the reference values. We found that the values for FVC, FEV1, vital capacity, and maximal voluntary ventilation were higher in water polo players than in players of the other sports evaluated (p < 0.001). In addition, PEF was significantly higher in basketball players than in handball players (p < 0.001). Most anthropometric/demographic parameters correlated significantly with the spirometric parameters evaluated. We found that BMI correlated positively with all of the spirometric parameters evaluated (p < 0.001), the strongest of those correlations being between BMI and maximal voluntary ventilation (r = 0.46; p < 0.001). Conversely, the percentage of body fat correlated negatively with all of the spirometric parameters evaluated, correlating most significantly with FEV1 (r = -0.386; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the type of sport played has a significant impact on the physiological adaptation of the respiratory system. That knowledge is particularly important when athletes present with respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and wheezing. Because sports medicine physicians use predicted (reference) values for spirometric parameters, the risk that the severity of restrictive disease or airway obstruction will be underestimated might be greater for athletes.

Left ventricular diastolic performance at rest is essential for exercise capacity in patients with non-complicated myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI) limited exercise capacity during physical activity is an important symptom and the base for future treatment. The myocardial injury after MI leads to both systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relevance of systolic and diastolic LV function for cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with prior MI. METHODS: Sixty-five consecutive patients after first MI without signs and symptoms of heart failure, aged 52 ± 6 years, were included in the study. The following echo parameters were evaluated: LV ejection fraction (LVEF), peak early and late diastolic velocities (E, A), deceleration time of E wave (dec t E), ratio of early trans-mitral to early annular diastolic velocities (E/e'), velocity propagation of early filling (Vp), and diameters and volumes of LV and left atrium (LA). CPET variables included: oxygen uptake at peak exercise (peak VO2), oxygen pulse (VO2 HR), VE/VCO2 slope, circulatory power (CP) and recovery half time (T1/2). RESULTS: Significant correlations were demonstrated between peak VO2 and E/e' (p < 0.001), peak VO2 and dec t E (p < 0.001), VO2 HR and E/e' (p = 0.002) and between VE/VCO2 and E/e' (p < 0.001). Twenty patients with elevated LV filling pressure achieved significantly lower peak VO2 (1624 vs. 1932 ml, p = 0.027) VO2 HR (11.70 vs. 14.05, p = 0.011) and CP (287,073 vs. 361,719, p = 0.014). By using multivariate regression model we found that only E/e' (p = 0.001) and dec t E (p = 0.008) significantly contributed to peak VO2. CONCLUSIONS: Diastolic dysfunction, particularly LV filling pressure, determine exercise capacity, despite differences in LV ejection fraction in patients with prior MI.

United in prevention-electrocardiographic screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: NONE DECLARED. INTRODUCTION: P-wave abnormalities on the resting electrocardiogram have been associated with cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. So far, "Gothic" P wave and verticalization of the frontal plane axis is related to lung disease, particularly obstructive lung disease. AIM: We tested if inverted P wave in AVl as a lone criteria of P wave axis >70° could be screening tool for emphysema. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 1095 routine electrocardiograms (ECGs) were reviewed which yielded 478 (82,1%) ECGs with vertical P-axis in sinus rhythm. Charts were reviewed for the diagnosis of COPD and emphysema based on medical history and pulmonary function tests. CONCLUSION: Electrocardiogram is very effective screening tool not only in cardiovascular field but in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The verticality of the P axis is usually immediately apparent, making electrocardiogram rapid screening test for emphysema.

Unfavourable plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acid profile in elite amateur boxers.

Research on possible physiological changes as a consequence of a specific lifestyle and long-term strenuous exercise in boxing has been sparse. We determined plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid (PL) fatty acids (FA) profile of 16 elite amateur male boxers (22.4±3.3 years of age), and compared them with a control group composed of 19 sedentary (24.4±3.4) year-old men. The percentages of total saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monosaturated FA in plasma phospholipids were significantly higher (P <0.001) in boxers compared to the control group. On the other hand, all studied polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in plasma PL with the exception of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5, n-3) and docosatetraenoic acid (DTA, 22:4, n-6) were significantly lower in boxers than in sedentary men. Total PUFA, n-6 PUFA and n-3 PUFA were also significantly lower in boxers (P <0.001), whereas the n-6/n-3 ratio was higher in boxers than in control group (P <0.01). Boxers had significantly higher proportion of all SFA in erythrocyte PL compared to the control group (P <0.05). In addition, the percentage of linoleic acid was lower in boxers' erythrocyte PL than in the control group (P <0.05). The results show two potentially unfavourable main features of the FA profile of boxers, that is, a higher n-6/n-3 ratio in plasma PL and a higher percentage of SFA in both plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids compared to controls. As SFA correlates directly with the incidence of cardiovascular disease and high n-6/n-3 ratio has been shown to stimulate carcinogenesis and modulate inflammation and autoimmunity, this profile could be detrimental to the health of boxers. The mechanism underlying these differences requires further investigation; however the results suggest benefits of nutritional intervention.

Altered plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acid profile in elite female water polo and football players.

The impact of chronic, intense exercise, such as in elite athletes, on phospholipids fatty acids (FA) composition has not been studied in women so far. This study aimed to investigate FA profiles in plasma and erythrocytes phospholipids in elite female water polo (N = 15) and football (N = 19) players in comparison with sedentary women. In spite of similar dietary patterns, as assessed by a food frequency questionnaire, plasma FA profile in the football players showed significantly higher proportions of stearic acid, oleic acid, and monounsaturated FA (MUFA), and significantly lower proportions of total and n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) than in the water polo and control group. The water polo players had higher percentages of palmitoleic acid and arachidonic acid than the control subjects. Erythrocyte FA profile differed among groups. We found significantly higher proportion of oleic acid and MUFA in the football group than in the controls, and decreased stearic acid and elevated palmitic and palmitoleic acid in the water polo players than in the other 2 groups. Both groups of athletes had significantly lower percentages of n-6 dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, n-6 PUFA, and total PUFA compared with the controls. The estimated activities of elongase and desaturases in erythrocytes were also altered in the athletes. Our results indicate that long-term, intense physical training significantly affects FA status of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids in women. The observed differences between the water polo and the football players suggest that the type of regular training may contribute to the altered metabolism of FA, although possible genetic differences among the 3 study groups cannot be ruled out.

[Physiological adaptation of anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters on physical activity of elite athletes].

INTRODUCTION: Specific morphological and functional characteristics of athletes have a significant role in determining athletes' sports results and can be also used to assess the athlete's individual potential. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare anthropometric characteristics and cardiovascular parameters in trained subjects to those of untrained subjects. METHODS: A total number of 25 trained (17.30 +/- 0.83 years) and 21 (18.52 +/- 1.52 years) untrained male subjects participated in this study. Body weight and height were measured and these values were used to compute body mass index (BMI).The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method was used to estimate body fat percentage (%BF). Cardiovascular parameters were monitored in rest (rest heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) during ergospirometric testing (maximal oxygen consumption, maximal heart rate) and in recovery (heart rate in the first and third minute of recovery). RESULTS: Body mass, height and BMI (p<0.01) were significantly higher, although BF% was lower in trained group when compared to untrained, but the difference was not statistically significant. Heart rate in rest and recovery were significantly lower (p<0.05) in trained group when compared to untrained, although maximal oxygen consumption and maximal heart rate were significantly higher in trained group (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectevely). CONCLUSION: Our results show that in trained subjects, water polo players, regular intense physical activity lead to adaptive changes of anthropometric parameters and adaptive changes on the cardiovascular system.