Changes in the Hormonal Profile of Athletes following a Combat Sports Performance.

RESULTS: Following fighting, the adrenaline concentration was significantly higher in all athletes, most markedly in K (p < 0.001). Baseline cortisol and BDNF levels did not differ among the groups and rose significantly in all the groups after the performance. Baseline testosterone concentration was slightly higher in K than in JSW and rose in all the groups to reach similar levels; the increase in T was significantly higher than in K. CONCLUSIONS: Despite substantial differences in the characteristics of the combat sports investigated, including the type of physical effort and the required balance between restraint and aggression, the performance in each of them gives rise to similar hormonal changes with a possible exception of karate showing higher stress hormone levels.

Characterization of Canadian black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) seed oils and residues.

The seeds from five black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) cultivars grown in western Canada were evaluated for their oil content, fatty acid and triacylglycerol (TAG) composition, and tocopherol and phytosterol profiles and contents. Moreover, polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in the seed extracts remaining after oil extraction were determined. Oil contents of black currant seeds ranged from 27 to 33%. The gamma-linolenic acid content varied significantly among the cultivars (from 11% for Ben Conan to 17% for Ben Tirran). Among the 44 TAGs identified, LLalphaLn, alphaLnLgammaLn, and PLgammaLn (where L = linoleoyl, alphaLn = alpha-linolenoyl, gammaLn = gamma-linolenoyl, and P = palmitoyl) were the predominant ones. Black currant seed oil was a good source of tocopherols (1143 mg/100 g of oil on average) and phytosterols (6453 mg/100 g of oil on average). Quercetin-3-glucoside and p-coumaric acid were the main phenolic components in the seed residues. The high concentration of flavonols and phenolic acids was correlated with a high antioxidant activity of seed residue (average ABTS value of 1.5 mM/100 g and DPPH value of 1.2 mM/100 g). The data obtained from this study indicate that Canadian black currant seed oil is a good source of essential fatty acids, tocopherols, and phytosterols. Extraction of phenolic antioxidants from the seed residues even allows the recovery of additional valuable components from the byproduct of fruit processing.

Characterization of Saskatoon berry ( Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) seed oil.

The seeds of 17 cultivars of Saskatoon berries ( Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) were evaluated for their seed mass, oil content, fatty acid and triacylglycerol (TAG) composition, tocopherol profile, and sterol content. The oil content of the seeds ranged from 9.4% (cv. 'Pasture') to 18.7% (cv. 'Thiessen'). The seed oils contained mainly linoleic acid in the range from 47.3% (cv. 'Success') to 60.1% (cv. 'Lee 3') and oleic acid in the range from 26.3% (cv. 'Lee 3') to 38.1% (cv. 'Success'). The total tocopherol content ranged from 1053 to 1754 mg/kg of oil. alpha-Tocopherol was the major vitamin E compound in all berry seed oils investigated, accounting for 87% of total tocopherols. The predominant sterols were beta-sitosterol, Delta(5)-avenasterol, and campesterol. The sterols content in seed oil ranged from 7357 mg/kg of oil (cv. 'Success') to 15771 mg/kg of oil (cv. 'Lee 3'). Thirteen triacylglycerols (TAG) were identified in seed oils, among which LLL, LLO, LOO, LLP, LOP (L, linoleoyl; O, oleoyl; P, palmitoyl) represented 88% of the total TAG. TAG composition suggests good oxidative stability of the Saskatoon berry seed oil, which could be suitable for food and industrial applications. Moreover, Saskatoon berry seed oil may serve as potential dietary source of tocopherols, sterols, and unsaturated fatty acids.

Survey of bioactive components in Western Canadian berries.

Berries native to Western Canada were analyzed for total anthocyanins, total phenolics, and trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC). Values ranged from 1.60 to 9.55 mmol trolox equivalent per 100 g fresh mass. Anthocyanin content ranged from 41.6 (in red twinberries) to 1081 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents per 100 g fresh mass (in honeysuckle fruits). Honeysuckle fruits contained the highest amount of total polyphenols, 1111 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 g, among analyzed fruits. Additionally, anthocyanins in the investigated berries were identified and characterized by HPLC - electrospray ionization - tandem mass spectrometric method coupled with diode array detection. The number of anthocyanins varied from 4 in saskatoon berries (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) to 20 in bilberries (Vaccinum myrtilloides Michx.). In all the samples analyzed, 6 common anthocyanidins:, cyanidin, delphinidin, pelargonidin, petunidin, peonidin, and malvidin, were found. Half the analyzed berries contained acylated anthocyanins, but a significant amount was found only in bilberries. The analyzed berry seed oils contained high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids (over 90%), but only the golden currant seed oil contained gamma-linolenic acid.