Phytomodulatory proteins isolated from Calotropis procera latex promote glycemic control by improving hepatic mitochondrial function in HepG2 cells.

The medicinal uses of Calotropis procera are diverse, yet some of them are based on effects that still lack scientific support. Control of diabetes is one of them. Recently, latex proteins from C. procera latex (LP) have been shown to promote in vivo glycemic control by the inhibition of hepatic glucose production via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Glycemic control has been attributed to an isolated fraction of LP (CpPII), which is composed of cysteine peptidases (95%) and osmotin (5%) isoforms. Those proteins are extensively characterized in terms of chemistry, biochemistry and structural aspects. Furthermore, we evaluated some aspects of the mitochondrial function and cellular mechanisms involved in CpPII activity. The effect of CpPII on glycemic control was evaluated in fasting mice by glycemic curve and glucose and pyruvate tolerance tests. HepG2 cells was treated with CpPII, and cell viability, oxygen consumption, PPAR activity, production of lactate and reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial density and protein and gene expression were analyzed. CpPII reduced fasting glycemia, improved glucose tolerance and inhibited hepatic glucose production in control animals. Additionally, CpPII increased the consumption of ATP-linked oxygen and mitochondrial uncoupling, reduced lactate concentration, increased protein expression of mitochondrial complexes I, III and V, and activity of peroxisome-proliferator-responsive elements (PPRE), reduced the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased mitochondrial density in HepG2 cells by activation of AMPK/PPAR. Our findings strongly support the medicinal use of the plant and suggest that CpPII is a potential therapy for prevention and/or treatment of type-2 diabetes. A common epitope sequence shared among the proteases and osmotin is possibly the responsible for the beneficial effects of CpPII.

Cross-talk between TRPC-1, mTOR, PGC-1α and PPARδ in the dystrophic muscle cells treated with tempol.

Background Ca2+ dysregulation and oxidative damage appear to have a central role in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) progression. The current study provides muscle cell-specific insights into the effect of Tempol on the TRPC 1 channel; on the positive and negative regulators of muscle cell differentiation; on the antioxidant enzymatic system; on the activators of mitochondrial biogenesis; and on the inflammatory process in the dystrophic primary muscle cells in culture. METHODS: Mdx myotubes were treated with Tempol (5 mM) for 24 h. Untreated mdx myotubes and C57BL/10 myotubes were used as controls. RESULTS: The Trypan Blue, MTT and Live/Dead Cell assays showed that Tempol (5 mM) presented no cytotoxic effect on the dystrophic muscle cells. The Tempol treated-mdx muscle cells showed significantly lower levels in the fluorescence intensity of intracellular calcium; TRPC-1 channel; MyoD; H2O2 and O2•- production; 4-HNE levels; SOD2, CAT and GPx levels; and TNF levels. On the other hand, SOD, CAT and GR mRNA relative expression were significantly higher in Tempol treated-mdx muscle cells. In addition, higher levels of Myogenin, MHC-Slow, mTOR, PGC-1α and PPARδ were also observed in Tempol treated-mdx muscle cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that Tempol decreased intracellular calcium and oxidative stress in primary dystrophic muscle cells, promoting a cross-talk between TRPC-1, mTOR, PGC-1α and PPARδ.

Post-exercise cold water immersion does not alter high intensity interval training-induced exercise performance and Hsp72 responses, but enhances mitochondrial markers.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of regular post-exercise cold water immersion (CWI) on intramuscular markers of cellular stress response and signaling molecules related to mitochondria biogenesis and exercise performance after 4 weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT). Seventeen healthy subjects were allocated into two groups: control (CON, n = 9) or CWI (n = 8). Each HIIT session consisted of 8-12 cycling exercise stimuli (90-110 % of peak power) for 60 s followed by 75 s of active recovery three times per week, for 4 weeks (12 HIIT sessions). After each HIIT session, the CWI had their lower limbs immersed in cold water (10 °C) for 15 min and the CON recovered at room temperature. Exercise performance was evaluated before and after HIIT by a 15-km cycling time trial. Vastus lateralis biopsies were obtained pre and 72 h post training. Samples were analyzed for heat shock protein 72 kDa (Hsp72), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK) assessed by western blot. In addition, the mRNA expression of heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 and 2 (NRF1 and 2), mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), calcium calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 2 (CaMK2) and enzymes citrate synthase (CS), carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT1), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK4) were assessed by real-time PCR. Time to complete the 15-km cycling time trial was reduced with training (p < 0.001), but was not different between groups (p = 0.33). The Hsp72 (p = 0.01), p38 MAPK, and AMPK (p = 0.04) contents increased with training, but were not different between groups (p > 0.05). No differences were observed with training or condition for mRNA expression of PGC-1α (p = 0.31), CPT1 (p = 0.14), CS (p = 0.44), and NRF-2 (p = 0.82). However, HFS-1 (p = 0.007), PDK4 (p = 0.03), and Tfam (p = 0.03) mRNA were higher in CWI. NRF-1 decrease in both groups after training (p = 0.006). CaMK2 decreased with HIIT (p = 0.003) but it was not affected by CWI (p = 0.99). Cold water immersion does not alter HIIT-induced Hsp72, AMPK, p38 MAPK, and exercise performance but was able to increase some markers of cellular stress response and signaling molecules related to mitochondria biogenesis.

EFEITO DO EXERCÍCIO FÍSICO SOBRE A SAÚDE E SOBRECARGA DE MÃES DE CRIANÇAS E ADOLESCENTES COM PARALISIA CEREBRAL / EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON HEALTH AND BURDEN OF MOTHERS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY / EFECTO DEL EJERCICIO SOBRE LA SALUD Y SOBRECARGA DE LAS MADRES DE NIÑOS Y ADOLESCENTES CON PARÁLISIS CEREBRAL

RESUMO Introdução: A paralisia cerebral (PC) é considerada a incapacidade física mais comum na infância. Essa doença afeta profundamente a saúde e o bem-estar dos indivíduos acometidos e também pode influenciar múltiplos aspectos da vida de seus cuidadores, especialmente as mães. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de um programa de exercício resistido sobre a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) de mães de crianças e adolescentes com PC. Método: Vinte e duas mães sedentárias cuidadoras de crianças e adolescentes com PC, aptas à prática de exercício resistido, participaram de um programa de exercício resistido de intensidade moderada, em 2 sessões semanais durante 12 semanas. Todos os participantes responderam ao questionário de QVRS, Short Form Questionnaire (SF-36), à escala de sobrecarga Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) e ao Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI) antes e após o programa de intervenção. Os escores dos questionários pré e pós-intervenção foram comparados pelo teste de Wilcoxon e a magnitude das diferenças foi medida pelo tamanho do efeito. Resultados: A mediana de idade das mães foi de 41 anos e variou de 18 a 58 anos. A mediana da idade das crianças/adolescentes foi de 14 anos, variando 3 a 21 anos. Após a intervenção foram encontrados aumentos significativos nos escores do SF-36 (p < 0,05), exceto nos domínios aspectos físicos e aspectos emocionais, que já obtiveram pontuação máxima pré-intervenção. Os escores do CBS e do BDI tiveram redução significativa pós-intervenção (p < 0,05). Conclusão: A prática regular de exercícios resistidos tem impacto positivo sobre a QVRS, a percepção de sobrecarga e a intensidade de sintomas depressivos de mães cuidadoras de crianças e adolescentes com PC.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) is considered the most common physical disability in childhood. This disease profoundly affects the health and well-being of affected individuals and can influence multiple aspects of the life of their caregivers, especially mothers. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a resistance training program on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of mothers of children and adolescents with CP. Methods: Twenty-four sedentary mothers caregivers of children and adolescents with CP, able to practice resistance training, participated in a resistance training program of moderate intensity of 2 sessions per week for 12 weeks. All participants answered to HRQoL questionnaire, SF-36, Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) before and after the intervention program. The scores of the questionnaires before and after the intervention were compared using the Wilcoxon test and the magnitude of the differences was measured by effect size. Results: The median age of the mothers was 41 years, ranging from 18 to 58 years. The median age of children and adolescents was 14 years, ranging from 3 to 21 years. The SF-36 scores were significantly higher after the intervention (p<0.05), except in the domains physical aspects and emotional aspects, which already scored the highest value before the intervention. CBS and BDI scores were significantly reduced after intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: The regular practice of resistance training has a positive impact on HRQoL, burden perception and intensity of depressive symptoms of mothers caregivers of children and adolescents with CP.

RESUMEN Introducción: La parálisis cerebral (PC) es considerada la discapacidad física más común en la infancia. Esta enfermedad afecta profundamente la salud y el bienestar de los individuos afectados y también puede influir en muchos aspectos de la vida de sus cuidadores, especialmente las madres. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de un programa de ejercicios de resistencia en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) de las madres de niños y adolescentes con parálisis cerebral. Método: Veinte y dos madres sedentarias cuidadoras de niños y adolescentes con PC, aptas para la práctica de ejercicios de resistencia, participaron en un programa de ejercicios de resistencia de intensidad moderada, de 2 sesiones por semana durante 12 semanas. Todos los participantes respondieron el cuestionario CVRS, el Short Form Questionnaire (SF-36), la escala de sobrecarga del cuidador Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS) y el Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI) antes y después de la intervención. Las puntuaciones de los cuestionarios antes y después de la intervención se compararon mediante la prueba de Wilcoxon y la magnitud de las diferencias fue medida por el tamaño del efecto. Resultados: La edad mediana de las madres fue de 41 años, con un rango de 18 a 58 años. La mediana de edad de los niños/adolescentes fue de 14 años, con rango 3 a 21 años. Después de la intervención se encontró un aumento significativo en los resultados de SF-36 (p < 0,05), excepto en los dominios aspectos físicos y aspectos emocionales, que han obtenido la máxima puntuación antes de la intervención. Las puntuaciones de la CBS y la BDI tuvieron una reducción significativa después de la intervención (p < 0,05). Conclusión: La práctica regular de ejercicios de resistencia tiene un impacto positivo en la CVRS, la percepción de la sobrecarga y la intensidad de los síntomas depresivos de las madres cuidadoras de niños y adolescentes con PC.

Use of sample size calculation in scientific research in Brazilian Physical Education journals / Emprego do cálculo amostral em pesquisas científicas de periódicos nacionais de Educação Física

The mistaken use of biostatistics in scientific research involves methodological errors both in the research itself as in its analyses. Among these, the lack of sample size calculation, considered essential for validation and credibility of results, is often found. The aim of the study was to determine how often sample size calculation is used in articles published in Physical Education national journals. The study included only national scientific journals ranked as A1 and B2 by the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), which analyzed only articles available in full and published in the period from 2010 to 2012. Review articles, letter to the editor, points of view and original articles that did not perform any statistical analysis were excluded. Approximately 15 % of articles analyzed performed sample size calculation and no difference between these proportions over the years were identified. Differences between Physical Education subareas (education, health and sport) were observed, being lower in sport (p = 0.001) compared to other subareas. Journals classified as B2 showed higher use of sample size calculation in relation to those classified as B1 (p = 0.013) and A2 (p = 0.007). The use of sample size calculation in scientific research published in Physical Education national journals in the period from 2010 to 2012 was not satisfactory, especially in sport subarea. Moreover, no evolution on the use of sample size calculation over the years analyzed was observed.

O emprego equivocado da bioestatística nas pesquisas científicas implica em erros metodológicos tanto na condução quanto nas análises das mesmas. Dentre estes, a ausência do cálculo amostral, considerado primordial para validação e credibilidade dos resultados, é frequentemente encontrado. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar com que frequência o cálculo amostral é empregado nos artigos publicados em periódicos nacionais de Educação Física. Foram incluídos no estudo somente periódicos científicos nacionais classificados entre A1 e B2 pela Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), dos quais foram analisados somente artigos originais disponíveis na íntegra e publicados no período de 2010 a 2012. Foram excluídos do estudo artigos de revisão, carta ao editor, ponto de vista e artigos originais que não realizaram nenhum tipo de análise estatística. Aproximadamente 15% dos artigos analisados realizaram cálculo amostral; não houve diferença entre as proporções destes ao longo dos anos. Observou-se diferença entre as subáreas da Educação Física (educação, saúde e esporte), sendo menor na subárea esporte (p = 0,001) em relação às demais. Os periódicos classificados como B2 apresentaram maior uso do cálculo amostral em relação àqueles classificados como B1 (p = 0,013) e A2 (p = 0,007). O emprego do cálculo amostral em pesquisas científicas publicadas em periódicos nacionais de Educação Física no período de 2010 a 2012 não foi satisfatório, especialmente na subárea esporte. Além disso, não foi observada uma evolução do uso do cálculo amostral ao longo dos anos analisados.