Impact of curcumin supplementation on exercise performance and muscle damage after a soccer match: a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study.

PURPOSE: Curcumin ingestion can mitigate muscle damage, soreness, and inflammation following a laboratory-based eccentric exercise. Similar effects were observed in recent field-based studies wherein responses were evaluated after a soccer match. However, various potential confounding factors, such as matching opponent skill levels and daily training conditions, may have influenced the outcomes. In the present study, we investigated whether curcumin intake ameliorates changes in muscle damage markers following a soccer match while controlling for the potential confounding factors. METHODS: Fifteen collegiate athletes were tested in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over manner. They were recruited from the same college soccer team and thus followed the same daily training regimen and competition levels. Furthermore, athletes positioning during matches were counterbalanced. They consumed either 180 mg/day of curcumin or a placebo starting 1 h before the match and continuing for 2 days after a match (two 45-min plays and a 15-min half-time). Muscle soreness, jump performance (including countermovement jump and rebound jump index), and inflammatory and muscle damage markers (high-sensitive C-reactive protein, serum creatine kinase activity, and urinary N-terminal fragment of titin concentration) were evaluated before and after the match. The washout period between matches was set at 1 week. RESULTS: After the match, all markers showed similarity between the placebo and curcumin conditions (all P > 0.208). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that ingesting 180 mg/day of curcumin may not expedite recovery from muscle damage elicited by soccer matches in collegiate soccer players.

Menthol alleviates post-race elevations in muscle soreness and metabolic and respiratory stress during running.

PURPOSE: We evaluated (1) whether participating in middle- and long-distance running races augments muscle soreness, oxygen cost, respiration, and exercise exertion during subsequent running, and (2) if post-race menthol application alleviates these responses in long-distance runners. METHODS: Eleven long-distance runners completed a 1500-m race on day 1 and a 3000-m race on day 2. On day 3 (post-race day), either a 4% menthol solution (Post-race menthol) or a placebo solution (Post-race placebo) serving as a vehicle control, was applied to their lower leg skin, and their perceptual and physiological responses were evaluated. The identical assessment with the placebo solution was also conducted without race participation (No-race placebo). RESULTS: The integrated muscle soreness index increased in the Post-race placebo compared to the No-race placebo (P < 0.001), but this response was absent in the Post-race menthol (P = 0.058). Oxygen uptake during treadmill running tended to be higher (4.3%) in the Post-race placebo vs. No-race placebo (P = 0.074). Oxygen uptake was 5.4% lower in the Post-race menthol compared to the Post-race placebo (P = 0.018). Minute ventilation during treadmill running was 6.7-7.6% higher in the Post-race placebo compared to No-race placebo, whereas it was 6.6-9.0% lower in the Post-race menthol vs. Post-race placebo (all P ≤ 0.001). The rate of perceived exertion was 7.0% lower in the Post-race menthol vs. Post-race placebo (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Middle- and long-distance races can subsequently elevate muscle soreness and induce respiratory and metabolic stress, but post-race menthol application to the lower legs can mitigate these responses and reduce exercise exertion in long-distance runners.

GH and IGF-1 in skin interstitial fluid and blood are associated with heat loss responses in exercising young adults.

PURPOSE: Sweat glands and cutaneous vessels possess growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptors. Here, we assessed if exercise increases GH and IGF-1 in skin interstitial fluid, and whether baseline and exercise-induced increases in GH and IGF-1 concentrations in skin interstitial fluid/blood are associated with heat loss responses of sweating and cutaneous vasodilation. METHODS: Sixteen young adults (7 women) performed a 50-min moderate-intensity exercise bout (50% VO2peak) during which skin dialysate and blood samples were collected. In a sub-study (n = 7, 4 women), we administered varying concentrations of GH (0.025-4000 ng/mL) and IGF-1 (0.000256-100 µg/mL) into skin interstitial fluid via intradermal microdialysis. Sweat rate (ventilated capsule) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) were measured continuously for both studies. RESULTS: Exercise increased sweating and CVC (both P < 0.001), paralleled by increases of serum GH and skin dialysate GH and IGF-1 (all P ≤ 0.041) without changes in serum IGF-1. Sweating was positively correlated with baseline dialysate and serum GH levels, as well as exercise-induced increases in serum GH and IGF-1 (all P ≤ 0.044). Increases in CVC were not correlated with any GH and IGF-1 variables. Exogenous administration of GH and IGF-1 did not modulate resting sweat rate and CVC. CONCLUSION: (1) Exercise increases GH and IGF-1 levels in the skin interstitial fluid, (2) exercise-induced sweating is associated with baseline GH in skin interstitial fluid and blood, as well as exercise-induced increases in blood GH and IGF-1, and (3) cutaneous vasodilation during exercise is not associated with GH and IGF-1 in skin interstitial fluid and blood.

Comparison of Bioelectrical Impedance Indices for Skeletal Muscle Mass and Intracellular Water Measurements of Physically Active Young Men and Athletes.

BACKGROUND: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a minimally invasive, safe, easy, and quick technology used to determine body composition. OBJECTIVES: We compared the relationship among impedance indices obtained using single-frequency BIA, multi-frequency BIA, bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS), and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) of physically active young men and athletes using the creatine (methyl-d3) dilution method. We also compared the SMM and intracellular water (ICW) of athletes and active young men measured using a reference stable isotope dilution and BIS method, respectively. METHODS: We analyzed data from 28 men (mean age, 20 ± 2 y) who exercised regularly. Single-frequency BIA at 5 kHz and 50 kHz (R5 and R50), multi-frequency BIA (R250-5), and BIS (RICW) methods of determining the SMM were compared. The deuterium and sodium bromide dilution methods of obtaining the total body water, ICW, and extracellular water measurements were also used, and the results were compared to those acquired using bioimpedance methods. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients between SMM and L2/R5, L2/R50, L2/R250-5, and L2/RICW were 0.738, 0.762, 0.790, and 0.790, respectively (P < 0.01). The correlation coefficients between ICW and L2/R5, L2/R50, L2/R250-5, and L2/RICW were 0.660, 0.687, 0.758, and 0.730, respectively (P < 0.001). However, the correlation coefficients of L2/R50, L2/R250-5, and L2/RICW for SMM and ICW were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that single-frequency BIA at L2/R50, multi-frequency BIA, and BIS are valid for assessing the SMM of athletes and active young men. Additionally, we confirmed that the SMM and ICW were correlated with single-frequency BIA, multi-frequency BIA, and BIS. Bioimpedance technologies may be dependable and practical means for assessing SMM and hydration compartment status of active young adult males; however, cross-validation is needed.

Dietary nitrate supplementation increases nitrate and nitrite concentrations in human skin interstitial fluid.

Acute dietary nitrate (NO3-) supplementation can increase [NO3-], but not nitrite ([NO2-]), in human skeletal muscle, though its effect on [NO3-] and [NO2-] in skin remains unknown. In an independent group design, 11 young adults ingested 140 mL of NO3--rich beetroot juice (BR; 9.6 mmol NO3-), and 6 young adults ingested 140 mL of a NO3--depleted placebo (PL). Skin dialysate, acquired through intradermal microdialysis, and venous blood samples were collected at baseline and every hour post-ingestion up to 4 h to assess dialysate and plasma [NO3-] and [NO2-]. The relative recovery rate of NO3- and NO2- through the microdialysis probe (73.1% and 62.8%), determined in a separate experiment, was used to estimate skin interstitial [NO3-] and [NO2-]. Baseline [NO3-] was lower, whereas baseline [NO2-] was higher in the skin interstitial fluid relative to plasma (both P < 0.001). Acute BR ingestion increased [NO3-] and [NO2-] in the skin interstitial fluid and plasma (all P < 0.001), with the magnitude being smaller in the skin interstitial fluid (e.g., 183 ± 54 vs. 491 ± 62 µM for Δ[NO3-] from baseline and 155 ± 190 vs. 217 ± 204 nM for Δ[NO2-] from baseline at 3 h post BR ingestion, both P ≤ 0.037). However, due to the aforementioned baseline differences, skin interstitial fluid [NO2-] post BR ingestion was higher, whereas [NO3-] was lower relative to plasma (all P < 0.001). These findings extend our understanding of NO3- and NO2- distribution at rest and indicate that acute BR supplementation increases [NO3-] and [NO2-] in human skin interstitial fluid.

Thermal stress, hydration, and salivary and respiratory stress markers in curling players performing a match in the cold.

Curling is a target-based team sport played in a cold environment. The type of stress curling players face during a curling match remains to be determined. In the present study, 16 Japanese curling players performed a practice curling match (six ends lasting 90 min), wherein the following variables were documented: core and skin temperatures, heart rate, thermal sensation and comfort, urine-specific gravity, body fluid loss, salivary cortisol, α-amylase activity, salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), and fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO, a respiratory stress marker). Pre-match resting core temperature was 37.24 ± 0.31°C, which increased up to 37.73 ± 0.41°C during the match (p < 0.001). Facial skin temperatures decreased after the match (all p ≤ 0.015), whereas finger skin temperatures remained unchanged (p ≥ 0.375). Thermal discomfort increased following the match but thermal sensation remained unchanged. Following the match, players lost 0.29 ± 0.15 L body fluid (sweat, respiratory evaporation, and urine), which was nearly compensated by fluid ingestion of 0.22 ± 0.13 L (p = 0.119). Nevertheless, urine-specific gravity increased from 1.021 ± 0.010 to 1.024 ± 0.008 after the match (p = 0.012), with 31% and 50% players being dehydrated at pre- and post-match, respectively. Salivary cortisol decreased (p < 0.001) after the match without changes in salivary SIgA, α-amylase activity, and FeNO (all p ≥ 0.113). Therefore, during a curling match, the core temperature and thermal discomfort increase, whereas the face skin temperature decreases. Additionally, players may undergo dehydration before the match, which could be exacerbated after the match.

Perilla seed oil improves bone health by inhibiting bone resorption in healthy Japanese adults: A 12-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Accumulating evidence suggests the beneficial effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on bone mineral density (BMD). However, the effects of perilla (Perilla frutescens) seed oil (PO), a rich source of α-linoleic acid (LNA), on human bone have not yet been elucidated. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of long-term PO intake on bone health in Japanese adults. After screening for eligibility, 52 participants (mean age 54.2 ± 6.4 years) were randomly assigned to placebo (n = 25) and PO (n = 27) groups, which received 7.0 ml of olive oil and PO daily, respectively. At baseline and 12-month, quantitative ultrasound of the right calcaneus was measured with an ultrasound bone densitometer and percentage of the Young Adult Mean (%YAM) was calculated. Serum levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were evaluated. In addition, PUFA levels in the erythrocyte plasma membrane (RBC-PM), serum biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROM) were evaluated. Compared with the placebo group, %YAM levels increased and serum TRACP-5b levels decreased significantly in the PO group at 12-month, while serum BALP levels remained unchanged. Moreover, RBC-PM LNA levels and BAP/d-ROM ratios increased significantly in the PO compared with the placebo group. These results suggest that long-term PO intake may improve age-related BMD decline by suppressing bone resorption and increasing LNA levels.

Preexercise High-Fat Meal Following Carbohydrate Loading Attenuates Glycogen Utilization During Endurance Exercise in Male Recreational Runners.

ABSTRACT: Iwayama, K, Tanabe, Y, Yajima, K, Tanji, F, Onishi, T, and Takahashi, H. Preexercise high-fat meal following carbohydrate loading attenuates glycogen utilization during endurance exercise in male recreational runners. J Strength Cond Res 37(3): 661-668, 2023-This study aimed to investigate whether one preexercise high-fat meal can increase glycogen conservation during endurance exercise, as compared with one preexercise high-carbohydrate meal. Ten young male recreational runners (22.0 ± 0.6 years; 171.3 ± 0.9 cm; 58.3 ± 1.9 kg; maximal oxygen uptake [V̇ o2 max], 62.0 ± 1.6 ml·kg -1 ·min -1 ) completed 2 exercise trials after high-carbohydrate loading: eating a high-carbohydrate (CHO; 7% protein, 13% fat, 80% carbohydrate) meal or eating a high-fat (FAT; 7% protein, 42% fat, 52% carbohydrate) meal 3.5 hours before exercise. The order of the 2 trials was randomized, and the interval between trials was at least 1 week. The experimental exercise consisted of running on a treadmill for 60 minutes at 95% of each subject's lactate threshold. Muscle and liver glycogen content were assessed using noninvasive carbon magnetic resonance spectroscopy before the experimental meal as well as before and after exercise; respiratory gases were measured continuously during exercise. The respiratory exchange ratio during exercise was statistically lower in the FAT trial than in the CHO trial ( p < 0.01). In addition, muscle ( p < 0.05) and liver ( p < 0.05) glycogen utilization during exercise was less in the FAT trial than in the CHO trial. Therefore, one high-fat meal following carbohydrate loading reduced muscle and liver glycogen use during the 60-minute exercise. These results suggest that this dietary approach may be applied as a strategy to optimize energy utilization during endurance exercise.

Validation of skeletal muscle mass estimation equations in active young adults: A preliminary study.

We analyzed the validity of the estimation equations for skeletal muscle mass (SMM) using mass of appendicular lean soft tissue (ALST), evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), in healthy young males undergoing training, and compared it with the results obtained using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We hypothesized that a novel variable, that is, trunk and trunk-to-appendicular ratio of lean soft tissues (trunk/ALST), would be useful in reducing estimation errors in athletes or physically active participants. We analyzed the data of 30 participants (mean age 19.9 ± 1.8 years). SMM was measured using whole-body MRI, while mass of trunk and ALST was assessed using DXA. Three previously utilized estimation equations were retrieved from the literature and used for comparison. The estimated SMM values using previous equations highly correlated with measured SMM, which was determined by MRI, but the mean estimated SMM values were significantly lower than the measured-SMM values. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that mass of ALST, trunk/ALST ratio, and percent body fat were significant predictors of SMM and were incorporated as the new suggested variables. This equation accounted for 90.3% of the variance in SMM. While the previous equations' estimated SMM correlated with measured-SMM in participants with trunk/ALST ratios ≤1.05, they underestimated SMMs in those with trunk/ALST ratios >1.05. The present study confirms that the previously used equations underestimate the actual SMM, particularly in participants with high trunk/ALST ratios (>1.05). The current equation may be used in healthy and active young males, including athletes, as a preliminary tool.

Urinary N-terminal fragment of titin: A surrogate marker of serum creatine kinase activity after exercise-induced severe muscle damage.

We aimed to evaluate whether changes in the noninvasively assessed urinary N-terminal fragment of titin (U-titin) concentration may be associated with those of serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, transverse relaxation time (T2), maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, range of motion (ROM), and muscle soreness, following high-intensity eccentric exercise. Twenty-eight healthy young men performed 30 maximal isokinetic (120°/s) eccentric elbow flexor contractions using an isokinetic dynamometer. U-titin concentration, serum CK activity, T2, MVC torque, ROM, and muscle soreness were measured before and after a maximum of 4 days. Both U-titin concentration and serum CK activity increased post-exercise in a similar manner, though the former elevated slightly earlier (p < 0.05). The peak values of log U-titin concentration following eccentric exercise were strongly correlated with those of log serum CK activity (r = 0.90, p < 0.05) and T2 (r = 0.84, p < 0.05). There were moderate correlations between peak values of U-titin concentration and those of MVC torque (r = 0.69, p < 0.05) and ROM decline rate (r = 0.45, p < 0.05). These results suggest that in healthy young men, the non-invasive marker, U-titin, may be used as a serum CK surrogate following exercise-induced severe muscle damage.

Urinary N-Terminal Fragment of Titin Reflects Muscle Damage After a Soccer Match in Male Collegiate Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Tanabe, Y, Shimizu, K, Kondo, E, Yasumatsu, M, Nakamura, D, Sagayama, H, and Takahashi, H. Urinary N-terminal fragment of titin reflects muscle damage after a soccer match in male collegiate soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 35(2): 360-365, 2021-Previous studies have demonstrated that noninvasive urinary N-terminal fragment of titin (U-titin) concentration highly correlates with serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, a classic invasive muscle damage marker. This finding indicates that U-titin could be used to estimate muscle damage. However, these results were achieved using a laboratory-based eccentric exercise model. Therefore, it remains unclear whether U-titin is useful for evaluating muscle damage occurring in field sports events. As a result, we evaluated whether U-titin concentration closely relates to serum CK activity after a soccer match. Seventeen collegiate soccer players (age: 20 ± 1 year; height: 172 ± 6 cm; body mass: 65 ± 5 kg; Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 2, 1,135 ± 196 m) completed a test match (2 halves of 45 minutes separated by 15 minutes of normal half-time). U-titin concentration, serum CK activity, countermovement jump performance, and muscle soreness were assessed 2 hours before the match and 30 minutes, 24 hours, and 48 hours after the match. U-titin concentrations and CK activity similarly increased at 24 hours and returned to the baseline value at 48 hours after the match. Moreover, the percentage of changes in U-titin concentration from baseline after the match significantly and positively correlated with serum CK activity (r = 0.82, p < 0.05). These results suggest that the noninvasive marker U-titin can be used to assess muscle damage conditions in field sports events, such as soccer matches.

Evaluation of fat-free mass hydration in athletes and non-athletes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the hydration of fat-free mass (FFM) in athletes and non-athletes. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 128 healthy young adults (athletes: 61 men, 36 women; non-athletes: 19 men, 12 women) using the two-component (2C), 3C and 4C models. Under-water weighing or air-displacement plethysmography and deuterium dilution methods were used for estimating body density and total body water, respectively. The bone mineral content (BMC) was determined using whole-body scans by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in FFM hydration between the athletes (men, 72.3 ± 1.3%; women, 71.8 ± 1.3%) and non-athletes (men, 72.1 ± 1.2%; women, 72.2% ± 1.0%) in the 3C model. The total mean FFM hydration (72.1% ± 1.3%) was similar to the corresponding value in the literature (~ 73%). The estimation error of the percentage fat by the 2C vs the 4C model was significantly and highly correlated with hydration (r = 0.96), BMC (r = - 0.70), and total body protein (r = - 0.86) in the 4C model FFM. CONCLUSION: Although FFM hydration was similar in athletes and non-athletes, it would be underestimated or overestimated when the 2C model is used for evaluation, and the biological FFM hydration value deviates from the 73% value inter-individually. Despite that this inter-individual variation in FFM hydration is low in terms of between-individual standard deviation (1.3%), the BMC and total body protein differ greatly in athletes, and when it affects FFM hydration, it may also affect the percentage fat measurement in the 2C model. Thus, FFM hydration would not be affected by FFM, percent body fat, or the athletic status.

Low caffeine dose improves intermittent sprint performance in hot and humid environments.

While the effects of caffeine have been evaluated in relation to endurance exercise, few studies have assessed the ergogenic effects of low caffeine doses on intermittent exercise performance in hot and humid environments. Thus, we aimed to determine the effects of low-dose caffeine supplementation on intermittent exercise performance under these conditions. Eight male soccer players (age, 19.9 ± 0.3 years; height, 173.7 ± 6.3 cm; body mass, 65.1 ± 5.5 kg; V˙O2max, 50.0 ± 3.1 mL ⋅ kg-1⋅ min-1) participated in this double-blind, randomized, cross-over study. Caffeine was orally administered at 60 min before exercise (dosage, 3 mg ⋅ kg-1). The participants completed a 90-min intermittent sprint cycling protocol under two conditions (after receiving caffeine and placebo) at 32 °C and at 70% relative humidity. A significant improvement in the total amount of work was observed in the caffeine condition compared to the placebo condition (155.0 ± 15.8 vs 150.8 ± 14.5 kJ, respectively; p < 0.05, d = 0.28). In contrast, the rectal temperature measured at the end of exercise showed no significant difference between the conditions (38.9 ± 0.4 °C and 38.7 ± 0.5 °C in the caffeine and placebo conditions, respectively; p > 0.05, d = 0.57). Other thermal responses, such as the mean skin temperature, heart rate, or sweat volume, were not significantly different between these conditions. These results suggested that a low caffeine dose improved the intermittent sprint performance and the reasons could be explained by the fact that a low caffeine dose ingestion did not affect the thermoregulatory responses compared to the placebo condition and, thus, did not attenuate its ergogenic effect on exercise in hot and humid environments.

Intake of Alpha-Linolenic Acid-Rich Perilla frutescens Leaf Powder Decreases Home Blood Pressure and Serum Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein in Japanese Adults.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) is known to be highly atherogenic. Thus, decreasing the blood levels of Ox-LDL through dietary means is an important approach to reduce cardiovascular events in high-risk individuals. In this randomized placebo-controlled human interventional trial, we aimed to evaluate whether Perilla frutescens leaf powder (PLP) ameliorates Ox-LDL and home blood pressure, along with its biological antioxidant potential. Healthy Japanese volunteers aged 30-60 years (n = 60) were randomized to PLP and placebo groups. The PLP group consumed PLP dried using a microwave under reduced pressure, and the placebo group consumed pectin fiber daily for 6 months. Home blood pressure, serum biochemical parameters, and fatty acid profiles of erythrocyte plasma membranes were analyzed. Plasma Ox-LDL levels significantly decreased in the PLP group but not in the placebo group. Mean changes in the biological antioxidant potential and alpha-linolenic acid levels in the erythrocyte plasma membrane were significantly increased in the PLP group than in the placebo group. In subjects with prehypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] ³ 120 mmHg), the mean reduction in morning or nocturnal SBP was significantly greater in the PLP group than in the placebo group. Thus, PLP intake may be an effective intervention to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of oral curcumin ingested before or after eccentric exercise on markers of muscle damage and inflammation.

We examined the effect of curcumin (CUR) ingestion before or after exercise on changes in muscle damage and inflammatory responses after exercise. We conducted two parallel experiments with different CUR ingestion timings using a double-blind crossover. In Exp. 1, ten healthy men ingested 180 mg d-1 of CUR or placebo (PLA) 7 days before exercise. In Exp. 2, ten other healthy men ingested 180 mg d-1 of CUR or PLA 7 days after exercise. They performed 30 maximal isokinetic (120°s-1 ) eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors using an isokinetic dynamometer, and this was repeated with the other arm ≥4 weeks later. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque of the elbow flexors, elbow joint range of motion (ROM), muscle soreness, and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity were measured before, immediately after, and 1-7 days after exercise. Plasma interleukin-8 (IL-8) was measured before, immediately after, 12 hours after, and 1-7 days after exercise. The changes were compared over time. In Exp. 1, no significant differences were found between CUR and PLA subjects for each parameter. However, increases in IL-8 were significantly reduced 12 hours after exercise when CUR was ingested before exercise. In Exp. 2, compared to the PLA subjects, MVC torque and ROM were higher 3-7 days and 2-7 days after exercise (P < 0.05), respectively, whereas muscle soreness and CK activity were lower 3-6 days and 5-7 days after exercise (P < 0.05), respectively, in CUR subjects. CUR ingestion before exercise could attenuate acute inflammation, and after exercise could attenuate muscle damage and facilitate faster recovery.

n-3 fatty acids effectively improve the reference memory-related learning ability associated with increased brain docosahexaenoic acid-derived docosanoids in aged rats.

We investigated whether a highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and a concentrated n-3 fatty acid formulation (prescription TAK-085) containing EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ethyl ester could improve the learning ability of aged rats and whether this specific outcome had any relation with the brain levels of EPA-derived eicosanoids and DHA-derived docosanoids. The rats were tested for reference memory errors (RMEs) and working memory errors (WMEs) in an eight-arm radial maze. Fatty acid compositions were analyzed by GC, whereas brain eicosanoid/docosanoids were measured by LC-ESI-MS-MS-based analysis. The levels of lipid peroxides (LPOs) were measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. The administration of TAK-085 at 300 mg·kg⁻¹day⁻¹ for 17 weeks reduced the number of RMEs in aged rats compared with that in the control rats. Both TAK-085 and EPA administration increased plasma EPA and DHA levels in aged rats, with concurrent increases in DHA and decreases in arachidonic acid in the corticohippocampal brain tissues. TAK-085 administration significantly increased the formation of EPA-derived 5-HETE and DHA-derived 7-, 10-, and 17-HDoHE, PD1, RvD1, and RvD2. ARA-derived PGE2, PGD2, and PGF2α significantly decreased in TAK-085-treated rats. DHA-derived mediators demonstrated a significantly negative correlation with the number of RMEs, whereas EPA-derived mediators did not exhibit any relationship. Furthermore, compared with the control rats, the levels of LPO in the plasma, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus were significantly reduced in TAK-085-treated rats. The findings of the present study suggest that long-term EPA+DHA administration may be a possible preventative strategy against age-related cognitive decline.

Attenuation of indirect markers of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage by curcumin.

PURPOSE: Polyphenolic curcumin is known to have potent anti-inflammatory effects; thus the present study investigated the hypothesis that curcumin ingestion would attenuate muscle damage after eccentric exercise. METHODS: Fourteen untrained young men (24 ± 1 years) performed 50 maximal isokinetic (120°/s) eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors of one arm on an isokinetic dynamometer and the same exercise with the other arm 4 weeks later. They took 150 mg of curcumin (theracurmin) or placebo (starch) orally before and 12 h after each eccentric exercise bout in a randomised, crossover design. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque of the elbow flexors, range of motion of the elbow joint, upper-arm circumference, muscle soreness, serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentration were measured before, immediately after, and 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after each eccentric exercise. Changes in these variables over time were compared between curcumin and placebo conditions by two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: MVC torque decreased smaller and recovered faster (e.g., 4 days post-exercise: -31 ± 13 % vs. -15 ± 15 %), and peak serum CK activity was smaller (peak: 7684 ± 8959 IU/L vs. 3398 ± 3562 IU/L) for curcumin than placebo condition (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences between conditions were evident for other variables, and no significant changes in IL-6 and TNF-α were evident after exercise. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that theracurmin ingestion attenuates some aspects of muscle damage such as MVC loss and CK activity increase.

Oral intake of encapsulated dried ginger root powder hardly affects human thermoregulatory function, but appears to facilitate fat utilization.

The present study investigated the impact of a single oral ingestion of ginger on thermoregulatory function and fat oxidation in humans. Morning and afternoon oral intake of 1.0 g dried ginger root powder did not alter rectal temperature, skin blood flow, O2 consumption, CO2 production, and thermal sensation and comfort, or induce sweating at an ambient temperature of 28 °C. Ginger ingestion had no effect on threshold temperatures for skin blood flow or thermal sweating. Serum levels of free fatty acids were significantly elevated at 120 min after ginger ingestion in both the morning and afternoon. Morning ginger intake significantly reduced respiratory exchange ratios and elevated fat oxidation by 13.5 % at 120 min after ingestion. This was not the case in the afternoon. These results suggest that the effect of a single oral ginger administration on the peripheral and central thermoregulatory function is miniscule, but does facilitate fat utilization although the timing of the administration may be relevant.

Omega-3 fatty acids protect renal functions by increasing docosahexaenoic acid-derived metabolite levels in SHR.Cg-Lepr(cp)/NDmcr rats, a metabolic syndrome model.

The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) protect against diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of highly purified DHA and EPA or EPA only administration on renal function and renal eicosanoid and docosanoid levels in an animal model of metabolic syndrome, SHR.Cg-Lepr(cp)/NDmcr (SHRcp) rats. Male SHRcp rats were divided into 3 groups. Control (5% arabic gum), TAK-085 (300 mg/kg/day, containing 467 mg/g EPA and 365 mg/g DHA), or EPA (300 mg/kg/day) was orally administered for 20 weeks. The urinary albumin to creatinine ratio in the TAK-085-administered group was significantly lower than that in other groups. The glomerular sclerosis score in the TAK-085-administered group was significantly lower than that in the other groups. Although DHA levels were increased in total kidney fatty acids, the levels of nonesterified DHA were not significantly different among the 3 groups, whereas the levels of protectin D1, resolvin D1, and resolvin D2 were significantly increased in the TAK-085-administered group. The results show that the use of combination therapy with DHA and EPA in SHRcp rats improved or prevented renal failure associate with metabolic syndrome with decreasing triglyceride levels and increasing ω-3 PUFA lipid mediators.

[Undifferentiated carcinoma of the jejunum producing granulocyte colony-stimulating factor].

An 80-year-old man presented with abdominal fullness and vomiting. Laboratory data revealed severe anemia, an inflammatory response, and elevated white blood cell counts. Abdominal computed tomography indicated ileus caused by a jejunal tumor measuring 8cm in diameter. Although small-bowel endoscopy enabled visualization of the tumor, adequate biopsy specimens could not be obtained for accurate diagnosis. The patient's condition rapidly deteriorated, because of which surgical treatment could not be initiated. The patient died approximately 3 weeks after admission. High serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) levels were detected at autopsy. Immunohistochemical staining of the autopsy specimen indicated positive G-CSF levels in the jejunal tumor. On the basis of these findings, a final diagnosis of undifferentiated carcinoma of the jejunum producing G-CSF was made.