Tai Chi and Kung-Fu practice maintains physical performance but not vascular health in young versus old participants.

OBJECTIVES: Kung-Fu and Tai Chi along with other martial arts are gaining popularity but studies examining the benefits of martial arts on physical fitness, vascular health, nutrition, and psychological wellness are limited. Aging is associated with declines in these health components. The objectives of this study were to examine whether Tai Chi and Kung-Fu training would maintain physical fitness, vascular health, and psychological wellness components on older versus younger practitioners. METHODS: Seventeen subjects were recruited and divided into Young (age <40 years, n=9) and Old (age 40 years and above, n=8). Participants reported twice for health screens, vascular and nutrition assessment, and fitness tests. Mean differences were compared between groups for all tests using Student's t-tests. RESULTS: Age, months of practice, systolic blood pressure, and cardiovascular augmentation index were significantly greater in Old versus Young (p=0.001, p=0.007, p=0.049, and p=0.011, respectively). Psychologically, old practitioners experienced greater sleep interference (p=0.035) and overall pain (p=0.036). No other differences existed for any variable. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that the practice of Tai Chi and Kung-Fu maintains physical fitness in older compared to younger practitioners. However, age associated changes in cardiovascular stiffness, systolic blood pressure, and pain were not prevented.

Six weeks daily ingestion of whole blueberry powder increases natural killer cell counts and reduces arterial stiffness in sedentary males and females.

Evidence suggests that berries contain bioactive compounds, which reduce certain cancers and hypertension. Our hypothesis was that daily blueberry (BB) consumption would increase natural killer (NK) cells and plasma redox capacity and reduce blood pressure, augmentation index (AIx), central pulse wave velocity, and aortic systolic pressures (ASPs). Twenty-five men and postmenopausal women aged 18 to 50 years were recruited and randomized to BB (n, 13) or placebo groups (n, 12). Participants were provided with BB (equivalent to 250 g berries) or placebo powders each day for 6 weeks. Blood pressure, vascular performance testing, and blood samples were taken at baseline (presupplementation). Participants returned after 6 weeks and repeated all procedures. Presupplementation to postsupplementation comparisons for the main effects of treatment, time, and treatment-time interaction were made using a 2 (treatment) × 2 (times) repeated-measures analysis of variance for all vascular measures, redox status, and NK cell counts. Anthropometric measures were compared using t tests. Body mass, composition, and overall blood pressures were not affected in either group. Overall, AIx and ASPs were decreased in BB (treatment effect, P = .024 and P = .046, respectively). Plasma redox was not affected. Absolute NK cells were increased in BB (time, P = .001 and interaction, P = .012). Subjects (n, 9) with prehypertensive pressures (≥120/80 mm Hg, respectively) were examined as a subset using t tests and exhibited significant reductions in diastolic pressure (P = .038) from presupplementation to postsupplementation in BB. We conclude that BB ingestion for 6 weeks increases NK cells and reduces AIx, ASP, and diastolic pressures in sedentary males and females.

Effect of blueberry ingestion on natural killer cell counts, oxidative stress, and inflammation prior to and after 2.5 h of running.

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants known as anthocyanins, which may exhibit significant health benefits. Strenous exercise is known to acutely generate oxidative stress and an inflammatory state, and serves as an on-demand model to test antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 250 g of blueberries per day for 6 weeks and 375 g given 1 h prior to 2.5 h of running at ∼72% maximal oxygen consumption counters oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune changes. Twenty-five well-trained subjects were recruited and randomized into blueberry (BB) (N = 13) or control (CON) (N = 12) groups. Blood, muscle, and urine samples were obtained pre-exercise and immediately postexercise, and blood and urine 1 h postexercise. Blood was examined for F2-isoprostanes for oxidative stress, cortisol, cytokines, homocysteine, leukocytes, T-cell function, natural killer (NK), and lymphocyte cell counts for inflammation and immune system activation, and ferric reducing ability of plasma for antioxidant capacity. Muscle biopsies were examined for glycogen and NFkB expression to evaluate stress and inflammation. Urine was tested for modification of DNA (8-OHDG) and RNA (5-OHMU) as markers of nucleic acid oxidation. A 2 (treatment) × 3 (time) repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Increases in F2-isoprostanes and 5-OHMU were significantly less in BB and plasma IL-10 and NK cell counts were significantly greater in BB vs. CON. Changes in all other markers did not differ. This study indicates that daily blueberry consumption for 6 weeks increases NK cell counts, and acute ingestion reduces oxidative stress and increases anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Effect of mixed flavonoids, n-3 fatty acids, and vitamin C on oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity before and after intense cycling.

Consumption of plant flavonoids, antioxidants, and n-3 fatty acids is proposed to have many potential health benefits derived primarily through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study examined the effects of 1,000 mg quercetin + 1,000 mg vitamin C (QC); 1,000 mg quercetin, 1,000 mg vitamin C, 400 mg isoquercetin, 30 mg epigallocatechin gallate, and 400 mg n-3 fatty acids (QFO); or placebo (P), taken each day for 2 wk before and during 3 d of cycling at 57% W(max) for 3 hr, on plasma antioxidant capacity (ferricreducing ability of plasma [FRAP], oxygen-radical absorbance capacity [ORAC]), plasma oxidative stress (F(2)-isoprostanes), and plasma quercetin and vitamin C levels. Thirty-nine athletes were recruited and randomized to QC, QFO, or P. Blood was collected at baseline, after 2 wk supplementation, immediately postexercise, and 14 hr postexercise. Statistical design used a 3 (groups) × 4 (times) repeated-measures ANOVA with post hoc analyses. Plasma quercetin was significantly elevated in QC and QFO compared with P. Plasma F(2)-isoprostanes, FRAP, and vitamin C were significantly elevated and ORAC significantly decreased immediately postexercise, but no difference was noted in the overall pattern of change. Post hoc analyses revealed that the QC and QFO groups did not exhibit a significant increase in F(2)-isoprostanes from baseline to immediately postexercise compared with P. This study indicates that combining flavonoids and antioxidants with n-3 fatty acids is effective in reducing the immediate postexercise increase in F(2)-isoprostanes. Moreover, this effect occurs independently of changes in plasma antioxidant capacity.

Effect of n-3 fatty acids and antioxidants on oxidative stress after exercise.

PURPOSE: n-3 fatty acids are known to exert multiple beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory actions that may diminish oxidative stress. Supplementation with antioxidant vitamins has been proposed to counteract oxidative stress and improve antioxidant status. Therefore, this project investigated the effects of daily supplementation in 48 trained cyclists over 6 wk and during 3 d of continuous exercise on F2-isoprostanes (oxidative stress), plasma n-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant status (oxygen radical absorption capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant potential). METHODS: Cyclists were randomized into n-3 fatty acids (N3) (n = 11) (2000 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 400 mg of docosahexaenoic acid), a vitamin-mineral (VM) complex (n = 12) emphasizing vitamins C (2000 mg), E (800 IU), A (3000 IU), and selenium (200 microg), a VM and n-3 fatty acid combination (VN3) (n = 13), or placebo (P) (n = 12). Blood was collected at baseline and preexercise and postexercise. A 4 x 3 repeated-measures ANOVA was performed to test main effects. RESULTS: After exercise, F2-isoprostanes were higher in N3 (treatment effect P = 0.014). Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid plasma values were higher after supplementation (interaction effect P = 0.001 and 0.006, respectively) in both n-3 supplemented groups. Oxygen radical absorption capacity declined similarly among all groups after exercise. Ferric-reducing antioxidant potential exhibited significant interaction (P = 0.045) and significantly increased after exercise in VN3 and VM (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that supplementation with n-3 fatty acids alone significantly increases F2-isoprostanes after exhaustive exercise. Lastly, antioxidant supplementation augments plasma antioxidant status and modestly attenuates but does not prevent the significant n-3 fatty acid associated increase in F2-isoprostanes postexercise.

Quercetin's effect on cycling efficiency and substrate utilization.

Previous evidence suggests that quercetin supplementation increases performance in humans. We examined the effects of 3 weeks of quercetin supplementation on fuel utilization, gross efficiency (GE), and perceived effort during 3 h of cycling over 3 successive days. Forty cyclists were randomized into quercetin and placebo groups and tested for maximal oxygen consumption (53.2 +/- 1.2 and 54.7 +/- 1.1 mL.kg(-1).min(-1)). For 3 weeks following maximal oxygen consumption testing, subjects supplemented either 1000 mg.day(-1) quercetin or placebo during normal training. Following supplementation, subjects cycled at 57% maximum power for 3 h, on 3 successive days, using their own bicycles fitted to CompuTrainer Pro Model trainers (RacerMate, Seattle, Wash.). Metabolic measurements were taken every 30 min for each 3-h ride. Muscle biopsies obtained from the vastus lateralis immediately pre-exercise and postexercise on days 1 and 3 were analyzed for muscle glycogen content. Power output remained constant for all 3 exercise trials, but significant decreases over time were measured for GE, cadence, respiratory exchange ratio, blood glucose, and muscle glycogen. Significant increases were measured for heart rate and volume of oxygen consumption over time. No quercetin treatment effect was observed for any of the outcome measures in this study. These data indicate that GE is reduced during an exhausting 3-h bout of exercise. However, quercetin did not significantly affect any outcomes in these already well-trained subjects.

Beta-glucan, immune function, and upper respiratory tract infections in athletes.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of oat beta-glucan (BG) supplementation on chronic resting immunity, exercise-induced changes in immune function, and self-reported upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) incidence in human endurance athletes. METHODS: Trained male cyclists were randomized to BG (N = 19) or placebo (P; N = 17) groups and under double-blind procedures received BG (5.6 g x d(-1)) or P beverage supplements for 2 wk before, during, and 1 d after a 3-d period in which subjects cycled for 3 h x d(-1) at approximately 57% maximal watts. URTI symptoms were monitored during BG supplementation and for 2 wk afterward. Blood samples were collected before and after 2 wk of supplementation (both samples, 8:00 a.m.), immediately after the 3-h exercise bout on day 3 (6:00 p.m.), and 14 h after exercise (8:00 a.m.) and were assayed for natural killer cell activity (NKCA), polymorphonuclear respiratory burst activity (PMN-RBA), phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation (PHA-LP), plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-1 receptor agonist (IL-1ra), and IL-8, and blood leukocyte IL-10, IL-8, and IL-1ra mRNA expression. RESULTS: Chronic resting levels and exercise-induced changes in NKCA, PMN-RBA, PHA-LP, plasma cytokines, and blood leukocyte cytokine mRNA did not differ significantly between BG and P groups. URTI incidence during the 2-wk postexercise period did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: An 18-d period of BG versus P ingestion did not alter chronic resting or exercise-induced changes in immune function or URTI incidence in cyclists during the 2-wk period after an intensified exercise.

Oral quercetin supplementation and blood oxidative capacity in response to ultramarathon competition.

Previous research indicates that ultramarathon exercise can result in blood oxidative stress. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the efficacy of oral supplementation with quercetin, a naturally occurring compound with known antioxidant properties, as a potential countermeasure against blood oxidative stress during an ultramarathon competition. In double-blind fashion, 63 participants received either oral quercetin (250 mg, 4x/day; 1,000 mg/day total) or quercetin-free supplements 3 weeks before and during the 160-km Western States Endurance Run. Blood drawn before and immediately after (quercetin finishers n = 18, quercetin-free finishers n = 21) the event was analyzed for changes in blood redox status and oxidative damage. Results show that quercetin supplementation did not affect race performance. In response to the ultramarathon challenge, aqueous-phase antioxidant capacity (ferric-reducing ability of plasma) was similarly elevated in athletes in both quercetin and quercetin-free treatments and likely reflects significant increases in plasma urate levels. Alternatively, trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity was not altered by exercise or quercetin. Accordingly, neither F2-isoprostances nor protein carbonyls were influenced by either exercise or quercetin supplementation. In the absence of postrace blood oxidative damage, these findings suggest that oral quercetin supplementation does not alter blood plasma lipid or aqueous-phase antioxidant capacity or oxidative damage during an ultramarathon challenge.

Effect of alpha-tocopherol supplementation on plasma homocysteine and oxidative stress in highly trained athletes before and after exhaustive exercise.

The interrelationship between physical exercise, antioxidant supplementation, oxidative stress and plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) has not been adequately examined. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 2 months of vitamin E supplementation (800 IU/day alpha-tocopherol) (E) or placebo (P) in 38 triathletes on plasma Hcy concentrations, antioxidant potential and oxidative stress. It was hypothesized that vitamin E supplementation would reduce plasma Hcy and oxidative stress markers compared to placebo. Blood samples were collected 1 day prior to the race, immediately postrace and 1.5 h postrace. Plasma alpha-tocopherol was 75% higher (P<.001) in E versus P prerace (24.1+/-1.1 and 13.8+/-1.1 micromol/L, respectively), and this group difference was maintained throughout the race. Cortisol was significantly increased in both E and P (P<.001), but there was no difference in the pattern of change. There were no significant time, group or interaction effects on plasma Hcy concentrations between E and P. Plasma F(2)-isoprostanes increased 181% versus 97% during the race in E versus P, and lipid hydroperoxides were significantly elevated (P=.009) 1.5 h postrace in E versus P. Plasma antioxidant potential was significantly higher 1.5 h postrace in E versus P (P=.039). This study indicates that prolonged large doses of alpha-tocopherol supplementation did not affect plasma Hcy concentrations and exhibited pro-oxidant characteristics in highly trained athletes during exhaustive exercise.

Iron depletion without anemia is not associated with impaired selenium status in college-aged women.

Iron-deficiency anemia has been shown to alter body mineral concentrations and activities of iron- and non-iron-containing enzymes, especially those with antioxidant functions. These effects, however, have been less studied in nonanemic iron-depleted individuals. Thus, this study assessed indices of selenium status in 12 college-aged females with adequate iron stores and 15 college-aged females with low iron stores before and after iron therapy. Blood samples were drawn at baseline for both groups and following iron supplementation in the low-iron-stores group. Hematocrit, hemoglobin, and serum ferritin concentrations of the low iron- stores group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The serum transferrin receptor-to-serum ferritin ratio in the low-iron stores group was significantly greater than that of the control group. Serum selenium and glutathione peroxidase concentrations of the low-iron-stores group were not significantly different from those of the controls. Iron supplementation significantly increased hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum ferritin concentrations and significantly decreased the serum transferrin receptor concentration and serum transferrin receptor:serum ferritin ratio in the low-iron-stores group posttreatment compared to pretreatment. Serum selenium and glutathione peroxidase concentrations did not differ significantly from pretreatment to posttreatment in the low-iron-stores group. Results of this study indicate that low iron stores without anemia are not associated with impaired selenium status in college-aged females.

Non-anemic iron depletion, oral iron supplementation and indices of copper status in college-aged females.

OBJECTIVES: Indices of copper status, specifically serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, and iron status, including serum ferritin, transferrin receptors, hemoglobin and hematocrit, were studied in 27 college-aged females with adequate iron versus low iron stores. METHODS: Serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity, serum ferritin, transferrin receptors, hemoglobin and hematocrit were studied in 15 females with non-anemic iron depletion before and after five weeks of iron supplementation and in 12 healthy iron-adequate females aged 19 to 28 years. RESULTS: Mean hemoglobin, hematocrit and ferritin concentrations of the control group (144 +/- 11 g/L, 43 +/- 3% and 38 +/- 15 micro g/L, respectively) were significantly higher than those of the iron depleted group prior to supplementation (134 +/- 9 g/L, 39 +/- 2% and 11 +/- 6 micro g/L, respectively). The serum transferrin receptor to serum ferritin ratio was significantly greater for the iron depleted group prior to supplementation (890 +/- 753) versus the control group (151 +/- 61). Mean serum copper and ceruloplasmin concentrations and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity of the iron-adequate control group (20.0 +/- 5.7 micro mol/L, 463 +/- 142 mg/L and 527 +/- 124 U/mL, respectively) were significantly higher than those of the iron depleted group (12.4 +/- 3.8 micro mol/L, 350 +/- 108 mg/L and 353 +/- 186 U/mL, respectively) prior to supplementation. Following iron supplementation, hematocrit and ferritin concentrations of the iron depleted group significantly increased to 42 +/- 3% and 26 +/- 8 micro g/L, respectively. Mean serum transferrin receptor concentrations and the serum transferrin receptor to ferritin ratios significantly decreased in the iron depleted group following supplementation (6.1 +/- 1.6 mg/L to 4.6 +/- 1.5 mg/L and 890 +/- 753 to 198 +/- 114, respectively). Iron supplementation also significantly increased the mean serum copper concentration to 14.2 +/- 5.4 micro mol/L and, in subjects with serum ferritin concentrations

Influence of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative and immune changes after an ultramarathon.

The purpose of this randomized study was to measure the influence of vitamin C (n = 15 runners) compared with placebo (n = 13 runners) supplementation on oxidative and immune changes in runners competing in an ultramarathon race. During the 7-day period before the race and on race day, subjects ingested in randomized, double-blind fashion 1,500 mg/day vitamin C or placebo. On race day, blood samples were collected 1 h before race, after 32 km of running, and then again immediately after race. Subjects in both groups maintained an intensity of approximately 75% maximal heart rate throughout the ultramarathon race and ran a mean of 69 km (range: 48-80 km) in 9.8 h (range: 5-12 h). Plasma ascorbic acid was markedly higher in the vitamin C compared with placebo group prerace and rose more strongly in the vitamin C group during the race (postrace: 3.21 +/- 0.29 and 1.28 +/- 0.12 microg/100 microl, respectively, P < 0.001). No significant group or interaction effects were measured for lipid hydroperoxide, F2-isoprostane, immune cell counts, plasma interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1-receptor antagonist, or IL-8 concentrations, or mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 and IFN-gamma production. These data indicate that vitamin C supplementation in carbohydrate-fed runners does not serve as a countermeasure to oxidative and immune changes during or after a competitive ultramarathon race.