Glutamine supplementation and immune function during heavy load training.

Athletes with heavy training loads are prone to infectious illnesses, suggesting that their training may suppress immune function. This study sought to determine whether supplementation with the amino acid glutamine, which supports immune health, alters immune function in athletes during heavy load training. 24 athletes were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 12) or a control group (n = 12). Athletes exercised using heavy training loads for 6 weeks. Athletes in the experimental group took 10 g glutamine orally once a day beginning 3 weeks after initial testing, while athletes in the control group were given a placebo. Immune function was assessed by measuring the following immunity markers: CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell counts, serum IgA, IgG, and IgM levels, and natural killer (NK) cell activity both before and after the completion of training. The percentages of circulating CD8⁺ T cells were significantly different before (39.13 ± 5.87%) and after (26.63 ± 3.95%) training in the experimental group (p < 0.05). Although CD8⁺ T cell percentages in the control group were similar before (38.57 ± 5.79%) and after (37.21 ± 5.58%) training, the post-training CD8⁺ T cell percentages were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). The ratios of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ cells in the experimental group were significantly different before (0.91 ± 0.14) and after (1.39 ± 0.19) training (p < 0.05). The CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratios in the control group were similar before (0.93  ± 0.15) and after (0.83 ± 0.11) training, but the post-training CD4⁺T/CD8⁺ T cell ratio was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05). NK cell activity was also significantly different between the two groups after training (experimental, 25.21 ± 3.12 vs. control, 20.21 ± 2.59; p < 0.05). However, no differences were observed in serum IgA, IgG, or IgM levels. Thus, glutamine supplementation may be able to restore immune function and reduce the immunosuppressive effects of heavy-load training.

Treatment effect of the method of Tai Chi exercise in combination with inhalation of air negative oxygen ions on hyperlipidemia.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the improvement effect of the treatment method of Tai Chi exercise in combination with inhalation of the air negative oxygen ions on the blood lipid indicator of the patient suffering from the hyperlipidemia. METHODS: 56 patients, who are diagnosed with hyperlipidemia, are the study objects and divided into an observation group and a control group by the random number method. Each group consists of 28 patients. The patients in the control group do Tai Chi exercise for about 60 min once a day; the patients in the observation group, in addition to Tai Chi exercise, are treated by inhalation of the air negative oxygen ions. Before the treatment and after 6 months' treatment, respectively test and compare body fat content, blood lipid, blood rheology and psychological adaptation as well as other indicators for these two groups of patients. RESULTS: In comparison with the ordinary materials of the patients in two groups before the treatment, it shows no significant difference, P>0.05; after they are respectively treated for 6 months, it is found that the testing indicators of the patients in two groups are improved to some extent, but those of the observation group are better. Compared with the improvement effect of the control group, the difference has statistical significance, P<0.05. CONCLUSION: Tai Chi Exercise can improve the blood lipid indicator of the patient suffering from hyperlipidemia to some extent, however, the treatment method, in combination with inhalation of air negative oxygen ion, can obtain better effect than that of single Tai Chi exercise. Tip: the environment of the exercise plays an important intervention role in the treatment effect.

Combined effects of astragalus soup and persistent Taiji boxing on improving the immunity of elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the combined effects of astragalus soup and persistent Taiji boxing on improving the immunity of women of advanced years. DESIGN: 120 elderly women lacking daily exercise were chosen as the study subjects. By using the table of random numbers, they were then divided into the control group and the experiment group, consisting of 60 each. The control group practiced Taiji boxing for 45 minutes twice a day. The experiment group did the same, and, in addition, took astragalus soup after each boxing. Indexes related to physical immunity of the two groups were observed and compared when they were first chosen, when the alternative treatment was applied three, six and twelve months later, respectively. RESULTS: The two groups demonstrated no significant differences in general data and research indexes when chosen (P > 0.05). Three months after the two groups were chosen and treated differently, the control group demonstrated no significant improvement while most indexes of the experiment group improved considerably (P > 0.05). After six months, the related indexes of both groups improved substantially (P < 0.05) and the improvement with the experiment was even clearer (P < 0.05). Twelve months later, the improvement with the experiment group was more noticeable (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In a relatively short period of three months, Taiji boxing produces no noticeable effect on the improvement of immunity in elderly women. However, when they resume the exercise for another three months and longer, Taiji boxing has a noticeable advantage and the effect is the most favorable when it is combined with astragalus soup.

Effect of Tai-chi exercise on lower limb muscle strength, bone mineral density and balance function of elderly women.

UNLABELLED: To study the effect of Tai-chi exercise on lower limb muscle strength, bone mineral density and balance function of elderly female, 105 urban elderly women, who do insufficient exercise in daily life, are selected as the subject and randomly divided into an observation group (Tai Chi Group), a control group I (Dance Group) and a control group II (Walking Group). Each group is consists of 35 women. Among them, the women in the observation group do Tai-chi exercise once a day, while the women in the control group I dance once a day and in the control group II stick to brisk walking once a day. All women in the three groups do the above said exercises for 40 minutes and the exercise intensity is controlled to be medium. At the time of selection and after 4, 8 and 12 months upon their exercises, respectively detect and compare the lower limb skeletal muscle mass, lower limb muscle strength, bone mineral density and balance function of the subject. RESULTS: At the time of selection, the general information of the subjects in the three groups show no significant difference (P > 0.05); however, after 4 months' exercise, most of the study indexes in the control group I and group II are improved significantly (P < 0.05), while most of the study indexes in the observation group show no significant difference (P > 0.05) in comparison with those at the time of selection and their general improvement effect is slightly lower than that in the control group; after 8 months, relevant study indexes of the subjects in the three groups are significantly improved (P < 0.05) in comparison with those at the time of selection, especially, the effect in the observation group is more obvious and is better than that of the control group II (P < 0.05). 12 months later, the effect of the observation group is improved significantly from day to day when comparing to theose in the control group I and group II (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Compared with the senile dance and walking exercises, the short-term Tai-chi exercise effect is not obvious, however, once the exercise period is extended, that is, continuous exercise for 8 months or even above 12 months, the advantage of Tai Chi is more and more significant. The study suggests that as a fitness measure, Tai Chi is more suitable for long-term exercise and its short-term effect is not obvious.

Influence of Tai Chi exercise cycle on the senile respiratory and cardiovascular circulatory function.

OBJECTIVE: Observe the improvement effect of different cycles of Tai Chi exercise on the senile respiratory and cardiovascular circulatory function. METHODS: Select 180 elderly men who don't usually do the fitness exercise and then ask them to do Tai Chi exercise. Test their related indicators respectively prior to exercise and upon exercise for 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. ① The cardiac pump function indicator: "Stroke Volume", "Ejection Fraction" and "Heart Rate"; ② Rheoencephalogram (REG) indicator: "Inflow time", "Wave Amplitude"; ③ Pulmonary ventilation indicator: "Vital Capacity" (VC), "Maximum Minute Ventilation" (MMV). RESULTS: ① Compared with the indicators before exercise, each indicator has no significant difference after 3 months of exercise and a part of indicators are improved after 6 months of exercise, but most indicators have no significant differences; ② After 12 months of the exercise, compared with those indicators before exercise, the tested indicators are obviously improved. Specific data indicates that stroke volume (mL) is increased to 71.82 ± 10.93 from 66.21 ± 11.35 and the ejection fraction (%) is improved to 67.89 ± 4.94 from 60.54 ± 5.02, but the heart rate (times/min) is reduced to 67.15 ± 8.39 from 76.62 ± 8.40, mean P<0.05; inflow time (s) is shortened to 0.13 ± 0.04 from 0.17 ± 0.05; the amplitude (Ω) is increased to 1.19 ± 0.23 from 0.97 ± 0.21 before exercise and mean P<0.05; the vital capacity (L) is increased to 3.57 ± 1.39 from 2.84 ± 0.32; maximum minute ventilation (L/min) is improved to 117.25 ± 14.86 from 97.26 ± 14.71, mean P<0.05. CONCLUSION: The short-term Tai Chi exercise that is less than six months the following 6 months has no significant effect on the senile respiratory and cardiovascular circulatory function, however, with the longer exercise duration, after 12 months' exercise, it can significantly improve the effect.

Effect of Tai Chi exercise on the physical and mental health of the elder patients suffered from anxiety disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Observe the effect of Tai Chi exercise on the rehabilitation of elder patients suffered from the anxiety disorder. METHODS: 32 elder patients suffered from the anxiety disorder are randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group and each of them consists of 16 patients. The control group only receives the drug therapy, while the experimental group is treated with Tai Chi exercise in addition to the drug therapy. When they are chosen and 45 days after treatment, they are respectively evaluated by Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOLI-74). The cured patients stop the drug therapy, but the cured patients in the experimental group continue to do Tai Chi exercise after stopping the drug therapy. After tracing and investigating each cured patient for 2 months, test and evaluate whether their disease reoccurs within the 2 months. RESULTS: After 45 days' treatment, it is found that HAMA and GQOLI-74 scores of the patients in the experimental group are improved significantly in comparison with those in the time of their selection and those in the control group (P<0.05); upon tracing and investigation of the cured patients, it is found that the recurrence rate is 42.86% in the control group, while that of the experimental group is only 9.09%. CONCLUSION: After the elder patients suffered from the anxiety disorder are treated with Tai Chi exercise in addition to the drug therapy, their effect is more significant than those who only are treated by the drug. Meanwhile, if the patients are only treated by the drug, their disease is easy to reoccur after curing. However, if they insist on Tai Chi exercise, the recurrence rate is low and the effect is significant.

Effect and mechanism of salvianolic acid B on the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B on rats with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=10 in each group): A sham operation group, B ischemic reperfusion group model group, C low dose salvianolic acid B group, D median dose salvianolic acid B group, E high dose salvianolic acid B group. One hour after establishment of the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model, the concentration and the apoptotic index of the plasma level of myocardial enzymes (CTn I, CK-MB), SOD, MDA, NO, ET were measured. Heart tissues were obtained and micro-structural changes were observed. RESULTS: Compared the model group, the plasma CTn, CK-MB, MDA and ET contents were significantly increased, NO, T-SOD contents were decreased in the treatment group (group C, D, and E) (P<0.05); compared with group E, the plasma CTn I, CK-MB, MDA and ET levels were increased, the NO, T-SOD levels were decreased in groups C and D (P<0.05). Infarct size was significantly reduced, and the myocardial ultrastructural changes were improved significantly in treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Salvianolic acid B has a significant protective effect on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. It can alleviate oxidative stress, reduce calcium overload, improve endothelial function and so on.

Effect of high temperature yoga exercise on improving physical and mental well-being of overweight middle-aged and young women.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of high temperature yoga exercise on improving physical and psychological well-being of overweight middle-aged and young women. DESIGN: 50 overweight middle-aged and young women from yoga clubs were selected. The indexes of their constitution, physiological functions, psychological adaptation were measured and compared before and after one year of uninterrupted high temperature yoga exercise. RESULTS: The indexes of the subjects' constitution and physiological functions were remarkably uplifted (P < 0.05); their psychological adaptation was improved as well. CONCLUSION: Aerobics represented by high temperature yoga can improve body shape, lower lipid, reduce weight, and exert an evident therapeutic effect on improving physiological functions and boosting psychological well-being.

[Study on fingerprints spectrum of Lophatherum gracile by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the fingerprint spectrum of Lophatherum gracile by HPLC. METHODS: The samples were separated on Agilent Eclipse XDB- C18 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) with methanol (A) -3% acetic acid (B) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at 30 centigrades, adopting the gradient elution process with switching the Wavelength. RESULTS: 15 samples of different origin Lophatherum gracile Brongn were detected and 16 peaks in the chromatogram were common, there was a high similarity and each chromatographic peak was obtained with good separation and correlation according to the technical requirements of fingerprint of Chinese traditional medicine. CONCLUSION: The method is accurate, reliable and the fingerprint spectrum provides more information for controlling the quality of Lophatherum gracile.

[Study on micro-wave processed of Psoralea corylifolia with uniform and regression analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the herb processing process for the total contains of psoralen and isopsoralen and the rate of extract in Psoralea corylifolia by micro-wave herb processing. METHOD: The contains of psoralen and isopsoralen was obtained by HPLC. The micro-wave herb processing process was optimized by the way of uniform design and contour map. RESULT: The optimum process was:20% as salt concentration, 4h as immerse time, micro-wave strength as strong, 270 seconds as micro-wave time. The absolute error of the predicted value from the models were smaller than 6% and 0. 3% respectively. CONCLUSION: The regression models are notable and reasonable, which can forecast results precisely.

[Comparation of constitutions between raw Psoralea corylifolia L. and processed one].

OBJECTIVE: To study the processing material foundation of Psoralea corylfolia L. and compare the content of psoralen, isopsoralen and microelement between raw Psoralea corylifolia L. and processed one. METHODS: The content of psoralen, isopsoralen and microelement were obtained by HPLC-gradient elution and ICP-AES. RESULTS: The content of psoralen, isopsoralen and microelement Mn, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn were raising, but the change of that of microelement Cu was not obvious. CONCLUSION: The content of effective composition of Psoralea corylifolia L. is raised by Lei-Gong method and the biological activity is improved simultaneously.