Quercetin supplementation promotes recovery after exercise-induced muscle damage: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Quercetin (Q) is one of the most frequently consumed flavonoids in the human diet. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effects of Q supplementation on muscle damage, muscle soreness and biochemical markers of inflammation, antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress after intense exercise. A literature search of SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus was performed from inception to May 31, 2022. Forest plots were generated with fixed or random-effect models and standardized mean differences (SMD). Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two authors. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 studies with a total of 249 sedentary to well-trained participants were included. For all studies there were some concerns about the risk of bias. All but one study used a supplementation dosage of 1000 mg/day. Q supplementation accelerated recovery of muscle function and significantly decreased muscle soreness 0/24 h after exercise (SMD: -1.33; p = 0.03), creatine kinase levels 24/48 h after exercise (SMD: -1.15; p = 0.02), and post-exercise oxidative stress (SMD: -0.92; p = 0.03). However, Q supplementation had no effect on IL-6 concentration. Q supplementation with a dose of 1000 mg/day for periods of more than seven days and a maximum of 12 weeks appears to be a safe and efficacious strategy to reduce muscle damage and muscle soreness, as well as to enhance recovery after intense exercise in sedentary to well-trained young men. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021266801.

COVID-19's impact on care practice for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), commonly categorized as a rare disease, have been affected by the changes in healthcare management brought about by COVID-19. This study's aim was to identify the changes that have taken place in AATD patient care as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain and to propose experts' recommendations aimed at ensuring humanized and quality care for people with AATD in the post-pandemic situation. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive case study with a holistic single-case design was conducted, using focus groups with experts in AATD clinical management, including 15 health professionals with ties to the Spanish health system (12 pneumologists and 2 hospital pharmacists from 11 different hospitals in Spain) and 1 patient representative. RESULTS: COVID-19 has had a major impact on numerous aspects of AATD clinical patient management in Spain, including diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up phases. The experts concluded that there is a need to strengthen coordination between Primary Care and Hospital Care and improve the coordination processes across all the organizations and actors involved in the healthcare system. Regarding telemedicine and telecare, experts have concluded that it is necessary to promote this methodology and to develop protocols and training programs. Experts have recommended developing personalized and precision medicine, and patient participation in decision-making, promoting self-care and patient autonomy to optimize their healthcare and improve their quality of life. The possibility of monitoring and treating AATD patients from home has also been proposed by experts. Another result of the study was the recommendation of the need to ensure that plasma donations are made on a regular basis by a sufficient number of healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: The study advances knowledge by highlighting the challenges faced by health professionals and changes in AATD patient management in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also proposes experts' recommendations aimed at ensuring humanized and quality care for people with AATD in the post-pandemic situation. This work could serve as a reference study for physicians on their daily clinical practice with AATD patients and may also provide guidance on the changes to be put in place for the post-pandemic situation.

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle function and recovery after exercise-induced muscle damage: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is essential for the optimal health of the skeletal system. However, this vitamin is also involved in other functions of the human body, such as muscle, immune and inflammatory ones. Some studies suggest that adequate levels of vitamin D support muscular function during exercise and accelerate recovery because they reduce specific pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, but those results have not always been observed. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress and recovery after exercise. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search of SPORTDiscuss, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus was performed from inception through February 2022. The articles' methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. RESULTS: After the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 eligible articles were included. All the studies were considered of moderate methodological quality. Ten studies involved regular vitamin D supplementation for more than 7 days, and one study performed acute vitamin D supplementation 24 h before exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The existing evidence suggests that vitamin D supplementation for periods of more than 1 week with a minimum dose of 2000 IU/day appears to be an efficacious strategy for attenuating muscle damage and inflammation after exercise. The potential positive effects on muscle function, muscle pain and oxidative stress need to be confirmed with new investigations. Further research is also required to determine the adequate vitamin D dosage to obtain positive effects without adverse effects.

Effects of Beetroot Supplementation on Recovery After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Beetroots have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress, enhancing recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of beetroot supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, and recovery after EIMD. DATA SOURCES: SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched, and hand-searching was performed by looking to relevant studies that were cited in other studies. STUDY SELECTION: For a study to be included in this review, the following inclusion criteria had to be met: (1) research conducted with human participants, (2) original articles in peer-reviewed publications, (3) original studies that had investigated beetroot supplementation intervention on muscle damage and recovery, (4) research conducted with 1 control/placebo group, and (5) articles published from inception to October 2020. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3. DATA EXTRACTION: Two of the 4 authors independently extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of the articles with the PEDro scale. All discrepancies were resolved through a consensus meeting. RESULTS: A total of 9 studies were included in this review. The methodological quality of the included studies ranged from moderate to high. Most of the studies found a better recovery of functional variables and muscle soreness, but improvements in markers of muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress were not reported. CONCLUSION: The existing evidence suggests that a short-term beetroot supplementation has the potential to accelerate recovery of functional measures and muscle soreness, but further research is needed to clarify if a longer supplementation period (with some days before exercise and some days after) could also promote recovery of markers of muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Cambios en la composición corporal y ángulo de fase durante la pretemporada en jugadores de fútbol profesional / Changes in body composition and phase angle during pre-season in professional soccer players

RESUMEN: El análisis y el control de la composición corporal son claves en el fútbol por su implicación en el rendimiento. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar, en jugadores de futbol profesional, el ángulo de fase (PhA) de miembros inferiores con los posibles patrones de mejora del componente magro en los mismos medido por DEXA. Al mismo tiempo, se estudió mediante BIA la evolución de parámetros hídricos de los jugadores, sometidos a un entrenamiento intenso y a un control nutricional de su alimentación y suplementación. Se evaluaron a 18 jugadores (26,28 ± 5,1 años; 85,09 ± 9,16 kg; 185,5 ± 4,32 cm) de un equipo de la primera división de fútbol italiana. Se llevó a cabo el estudio durante cuatro semanas, entre el 11 de julio (pre-test) y el 11 de agosto de 2021 (post-test). La intervención se llevó a cabo en su totalidad en pretemporada, con un confinamiento en modalidad de aislamiento o burbuja total por prevención al contagio del COVID-19, dónde se monitorizaba en un alto porcentaje la vida del jugador, incluyendo factores como la alimentación, el entrenamiento y el descanso. La suplementación estuvo basada en antioxidantes, multivitamínicos, minerales y ácidos grasos poliinsaturados y dos productos en polvo (uno a base de creatina, glutamina y leucina, y otro, a base de aminoácidos esenciales). Los jugadores presentaron una mejora del PhA y del componente magro en los miembros inferiores, con una moderada correlación (r = 0,6). Con respecto al agua intracelular y extracelular, señalar que, a pesar de la alta intensidad del ejercicio durante cuatro semanas, éstas se han mantenido constantes sin presentar variaciones significativas durante el periodo de estudio, lo que indica que no se ha producido un proceso de deshidratación del jugador.

SUMMARY: The analysis and control of body composition is essential in soccer due to its implication in performance. The aim of this study was to identify, in professional soccer players, the phase angle (PhA) of the lower limbs with possible patterns of improvement of the lean component measured by DEXA. At the same time, the evolution of hydric parameters of the players, subjected to intense training and nutritional control of their diet and supplementation, was studied by means of BIA. Eighteen players (26.28 ± 5.1 years; 85.09 ± 9.16 kg; 185.5 ± 4.32 cm) from an Italian first division football team were evaluated. The study was conducted for four weeks, between 11th July (pre- test) and 11th August of 2021 (post-test). The intervention was carried out entirely in pre-season, with confinement in isolation or total bubble mode for prevention of COVID-19 infection, where a high percentage of the player's life was monitored, including factors such as diet, training and rest. Supplementation was based on antioxidants, multivitamins, minerals and polyunsaturated fatty acids and two powdered products (one based on creatine, glutamine and leucine, and the other one, on essential amino acids). The players showed an improvement in PhA and in the lean component in the lower limbs, with a moderate correlation (r = 0.6). With regard to intracellular and extracellular water, it should be noted that, despite the high intensity of exercise during four weeks, these have remained constant without significant variations during the study period, indicating that there has not been a process of dehydration of the player.

Bactericidal effect on skin mucosa of dietary guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaves in hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. mossambicus).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Due to the intensification practices in global aquaculture, fish are often confined in small volumes, which can results in outbreak diseases. In this context, the use of antibiotics is very usual. Thus, looking for natural substance able to reduce the use of the antibiotics is imperative. Among them, there is a great interest at present in the study of medicinal plants such as guava (Psidium guajava L.). These plants could help to develop a more sustainable aquaculture all over the world. The application of guava in traditional medicine dates for centuries and it is widely used in tropical countries for the treatment of diseases in human and animals. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this work was to study the effects of the dietary administration of dried leaves of Psidium guajava on the skin mucosal immunity of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. mossambicus). Furthermore, the ability of this plant to inhibit the bacterial load in different tissues after an experimental infection with Vibrio harveyi was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: P. guajava leaves collection and the experimentation was carried out in Dominican Republic. Fish were fed with a commercial diet supplemented with guava leaf at different concentrations (0%, 1.5% and 3%) for 21 days before being intraperitoneally injected with V. harveyi (1 × 104 cells mL-1). Thereafter, several immune activities were measured in fish skin mucus and after 48 h of injection, the skin, spleen and liver were collected to analyse the bactericidal activity of guava leaf and the gene expression of some immune related genes. RESULTS: The administration of P. guajava leaves significantly modulated some immune-related enzymes (protease, antiprotease and peroxidase) in the skin mucus of hybrid tilapia. In addition, the bacterial load after V. harveyi infection in skin, spleen and liver significantly reduced in fish supplemented with guava leaves. Finally, the expression profile of hepcidin gene in skin and liver was modulated in fish feed with control diet after V. harveyi infection. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the dietary intake of guava leaves increases the skin mucosal barrier defences of hybrid tilapia and confers protection against V. harveyi colonization.

Evaluation of a granulovirus (PoGV) and Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki for control of the potato tuberworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in stored tubers.

Liquid suspensions and dry formulations of a granulovirus (family Baculoviridae, genus Granulovirus, PoGV) derived from infected larvae and the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Berliner) (Btk) were evaluated for control of the potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in stored tubers. Laboratory bioassays at 25 degrees C showed that both PoGV and a wettable powder (WP) formulation of Btk incorporated with carriers (water, talc, sand, diatomaceous earth, and kaolin clay), were effective against neonate larvae. Depending on the technique, 100% larval mortality was achieved at concentrations as low as 0.025 larval equivalents (LE) PoGV per kg tuber and 150 mg Btk WP per kg tuber. However, 100% mortality was never achieved with tests on preinfested tubers, ostensibly due to the higher dosage required to kill older instars inside tubers. The most effective PoGV formulations were dipping (water) and talc, with dipping most effective for postinfestation treatments, causing up to 91.6% mortality at 0.4 LE per kg. There was no significant effect of formulation in the Btk treatments. The protective effects of residues were also evaluated under longer-term storage conditions. Batches of tubers treated with PoGV or Btk via dipping (up to 0.1 LE and 150 mg WP per kg tuber) were stored in cages containing an initial potato tuberworm infestation (10% of tubers). Although potato tuberworm populations were reduced by up to 98.4% after 2 mo at 25 degrees C, no treatments prevented the development and reproduction of the F1 generation. The sprouting of stored tubers seemed to be a limiting factor for sustained control. No significant treatment effects were detected in similar cages held at 12 degrees C for 4.5 mo. Improved strategies for the application of PoGV and Btk for long-term potato tuberworm control in tuber stores, including the use of chemical sprout suppressants, are discussed.