Effects of Different Resistance Training Frequencies on Body Composition, Muscular Strength, Muscle Quality, and Metabolic Biomarkers in Sarcopenic Older Women.

ABSTRACT: Dos Santos, VR, Antunes, M, dos Santos, L, Nascimento, MA, Pina, FLC, Carneiro, NH, Trindade, MCC, Venturini, D, Barbosa, DS, and Cyrino, ES. Effects of different resistance training frequencies on body composition, muscular strength, muscle quality, and metabolic biomarkers in sarcopenic older women. J Strength Cond Res 38(9): e521-e528, 2024-Resistance training (RT) can ameliorate outcomes related to sarcopenia by promoting beneficial changes in muscular strength, skeletal muscle mass (SMM), and muscle quality. This study compared the effects of 12 weeks of RT performed 2 and 3 sessions a week on body composition, muscular strength, muscle quality, and metabolic biomarkers in sarcopenic older women. Thirty-four sarcopenic older women (>60 years) were randomly assigned to perform a whole-body RT program, either 2 (G2X, n = 18) or 3 (G3X, n = 16) sessions a week during 12 weeks (8 exercises, single set of 10-15 repetitions). Body composition, muscular strength, muscle quality, and metabolic biomarkers were assessed before and after the intervention. Both groups increased (p < 0.05) 1 repetition maximum total muscular strength (G2X = +20.4% and G3X = +21.0%), SMM (G2X = +4.0% and G3X = +7.0%), and improved muscle quality (G2X = +16.7% and G3X = +13.6%), with no differences between groups (p > 0.05). No change over time was found for IGF-1 and testosterone (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that 12 weeks of RT performed at a lower weekly frequency is as effective as a higher frequency in improving muscular strength, SMM, and muscle quality in sarcopenic older women.

Increased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide formation, lowered total radical trapping capacity coupled with psychological stressors are strongly associated with the phenome of first-episode mild depression in undergraduate students.

Undergraduate students are frequently afflicted by major depressive disorder (MDD). Oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of MDD. There is no information regarding whether mild outpatient MDD (SDMD) and first episode SDMD (FE-SDMD) are accompanied by O&NS. The current study compared lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced protein oxidation products, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), thiol groups, plasma total antioxidant potential (TRAP), and paraoxonase 1 activities among SDMD and FE-SDMD patients versus healthy controls. We found that SDMD and FE-SDMD exhibit elevated MDA and NOx, and decreased TRAP and LOOH as compared with controls. There was a significant and positive correlation between O&NS biomarkers and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and negative life events (NLEs). O&NS pathways, NLEs and ACEs accounted for 51.7 % of the variance in the phenome of depression, and O&NS and NLS explained 42.9 % of the variance in brooding. Overall, these results indicate that SDMD and FE-SDMD are characterized by reduced total antioxidant defenses and increased aldehyde and NOx production. The combined effects of oxidative and psychological stressors are substantially associated with the manifestation of SDMD.

Paraoxonase 1 status is a major Janus-faced component of mild and moderate acute ischemic stroke and consequent disabilities.

AIMS: This study aims to examine the associations between paraoxonase 1 (PON)1 status and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and consequent disabilities. METHODS: This study recruited 122 patients with AIS and 40 healthy controls and assessed the Q192R gene variants, arylesterase (AREase) and chloromethyl phenylacetate (CMPAase) activities, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) in baseline conditions. AREase and CMPAase were measured 3 months later. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin score (mRS) were assessed at baseline and 3 and 6 months later. RESULTS: Reduced CMPAase and increased AREase activities are significantly associated with AIS and mRS and NIHSS scores (baseline and 3 and 6 months later). The best predictor of AIS/disabilities was a decrease in the z-unit-based composite zCMPAase-zAREase score. Serum high density lipoprotein cholsterol (HDLc) was significantly correlated with CMPAase, but not AREase, activity and a lowered zCMPAase + zHDLc score was the second best predictor of AIS/disabilities. Regression analysis showed that 34.7% of the variance in baseline NIHSS was explained by zCMPAase-zAREase and zCMPAase + zHDLc composites, HDLc, and hypertension. Neural network analysis showed that stroke was differentiated from controls with an area under the ROC curve of 0.975 using both new composite scores, PON1 status, hypertension, dyslipidemia, previous stroke as body mass index. The PON1 Q192R genotype has many significant direct and mediated effects on AIS/disabilities, however, its overall effect was not significant. DISCUSSION: PON1 status and the CMPAase-HDLc complex play key roles in AIS and its disabilities at baseline and 3 and 6 months later.

Resistance Training for Older Women: Do Adaptive Responses Support the ACSM and NSCA Position Stands?

PURPOSE: The optimal intensity of resistance training (RT) to improve muscular, physical performance, and metabolic adaptations still needs to be well established for older adults. Based on current position statements, we compared the effects of two different RT loads on muscular strength, functional performance, skeletal muscle mass, hydration status, and metabolic biomarkers in older women. METHODS: One hundred one older women were randomly allocated to perform a 12-wk whole-body RT program (eight exercises, three sets, three nonconsecutive days a week) into two groups: 8-12 repetitions maximum (RM) and 10-15RM. Muscular strength (1RM tests), physical performance (motor tests), skeletal muscle mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), hydration status (bioelectrical impedance), and metabolic biomarkers (glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein) were measured at baseline and posttraining. RESULTS: Regarding muscular strength, 8-12RM promoted higher 1RM increases in chest press (+23.2% vs +10.7%, P < 0.01) and preacher curl (+15.7% vs +7.4%, P < 0.01), but not in leg extension (+14.9% vs +12.3%, P > 0.05). Both groups improved functional performance ( P < 0.05) in gait speed (4.6%-5.6%), 30 s chair stand (4.6%-5.9%), and 6 min walking (6.7%-7.0%) tests, with no between-group differences ( P > 0.05). The 10-15RM group elicited superior improves in the hydration status (total body water, intracellular and extracellular water; P < 0.01), and higher gains of skeletal muscle mass (2.5% vs 6.3%, P < 0.01), upper (3.9% vs 9.0%, P < 0.01) and lower limbs lean soft tissue (2.1% vs 5.4%, P < 0.01). Both groups improved their metabolic profile. However, 10-15RM elicited greater glucose reductions (-0.2% vs -4.9%, P < 0.05) and greater HDL-c increases (-0.2% vs +4.7%, P < 0.01), with no between-group differences for the other metabolic biomarkers ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that 8-2RM seems more effective than 10-15RM for increasing upper limbs' muscular strength, whereas the adaptative responses for lower limbs and functional performance appear similar in older women. In contrast, 10-15RM seems more effective for skeletal muscle mass gains, and increased intracellular hydration and improvements in metabolic profile may accompany this adaptation.

Effect of Resistance Exercise Order on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

We compared the effects of two specific resistance training (RT) exercise orders on cardiovascular risk factors. Forty-four untrained older women (>60 years) were randomly assigned to three groups: control (CON, n = 15), multi-joint to single-joint (MJ-SJ, n = 14), and single-joint to multi-joint (SJ-MJ, n = 15) exercise orders. Training groups performed a whole-body RT program (eight exercises, 3 × 10−15 repetitions for each exercise) over 12 weeks in 3 days/week. Body fat, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL-c, glucose, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, total radical-trapping antioxidant (TRAP), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), ferrous oxidation-xylenol (FOX), and nitric oxide concentrations (NOx) were determined pre- and post-intervention. Significant interaction group × time (p < 0.05) revealed reducing fat mass and trunk fat and improvements in glucose, LDL-c, IL-10, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, FOX, and AOPP concentrations in both training groups, without differences between them (p > 0.05). The results suggest that 12 weeks of RT, regardless of exercise order, elicit positive adaptations on body fat and metabolic biomarkers similarly in older women.

Clusters of obesogenic behaviors and metabolic risk according to somatic maturity status among adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the clusters of obesogenic behaviors, and verify the association with metabolic risk according to the categories of somatic maturity status of adolescents. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 1159 (55.1% girls) Brazilian adolescents aged between 10 and 16 years (mean age: 12.9 years). Measurements of waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, HDL-C, and triglycerides were combined to calculate a metabolic risk score. Somatic maturity was assessed by estimating the peak of height velocity. The obesogenic behaviors analyzed were physical activity (Baecke questionnaire), sedentary behavior (screen-based behaviors) and dietary habits (consumption of healthy and unhealthy food). The Two Step clustering algorithm using the log-likelihood measure was employed to cluster formation and regression models were adopted to the main analysis. RESULTS: We observed a complex co-existence of obesogenic behaviors. Differences regarding the metabolic risk between clusters was only observed among the early-maturing adolescents, where the cluster with higher number of healthy behaviors but lower physical activity presented higher metabolic risk score. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that physical activity has an important role on the association of clusters of obesogenic behaviors and metabolic risk in early-maturing adolescents.

Improvement of Oxidative Stress in Older Women Is Dependent on Resistance Training Volume: Active Aging Longitudinal Study.

ABSTRACT: Cunha, PM, Ribeiro, AS, Padilha, C, Nunes, JP, Schoenfeld, BJ, Cyrino, LT, Tomeleri, CM, Nascimento, MA, Antunes, M, Fernandes, RR, Barbosa, DS, Venturini, D, Burini, RC, Sardinha, LB, and Cyrino, ES. Improvement of oxidative stress in older women is dependent on resistance training volume: Active aging longitudinal study. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 1141-1146, 2022-The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) performed with a higher versus lower training volume on oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers in older women. Thirty-eight older women (≥60 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: a group that performed 1 set per exercise (low volume [LV], n = 18) or 3 sets per exercise (high volume [HV], n = 20). The whole-body RT consisted of a 12-week RT program involving 8 exercises performed with sets of 10-15 repetitions maximum, 3 days per week. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), and ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX) were used as OS biomarkers. The composite Z-score of the percentage changes from pre- to posttraining of OS biomarkers according to groups was calculated. A significant main effect of time (p < 0.05) was found for AOPP (LV = -7.3% vs. HV = -12.2%) and TRAP (LV = +1.5% vs. HV = +15.5%) concentrations, without a statistical difference between the groups (p > 0.05). A significant group vs. time interaction (p < 0.001) was revealed for FOX (LV = +6.4% vs. HV = -8.9%). The overall analysis indicated higher positive changes for HV than LV (composed Z-score: HV = 0.41 ± 1.22 vs. LV = -0.37 ± 1.03; p < 0.05). Our results suggest that a greater volume of RT seems to promote superior improvements on OS biomarkers in older women.

Effect of Dialyzer Reuse on the Activity of Paraoxonase 1 in Patients on Hemodialysis.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis treatment. The oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein is a crucial step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is the protein responsible for most of the antioxidant activity of high-density lipoprotein, and its reduced levels are associated with more cardiovascular events in several populations. In hemodialysis patients, reduced PON1 activity has been shown to be associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Studies have shown that after the hemodialysis session, the activity of PON1 increases. The influence of dialyzer reuse on the activity of PON1 is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the reuse of two types of dialyzers (polynephron and polyethersulfone) on the PON1 activity of hemodialysis patients. Subjects and Methods: A total of 30 patients on hemodialysis were included. Pre- and post-dialysis blood samples were collected to analyze the activity of PON1 in thefirst use of the dialyzer and in the hemodialysis session of its sixth reuse. This process was carried out with polynephron (bisphenol-free) and polyethersulfone dialyzers. Results: We found that post-dialysis PON1 activity was significantly higher than pre-dialysis activity in both thefirst use and sixth reuse (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The practice of reusing the dialyzer did not interfere with the improvement of PON1 activity after the hemodialysis session.

Comparison of 2 Weekly Frequencies of Resistance Training on Muscular Strength, Body Composition, and Metabolic Biomarkers in Resistance-Trained Older Women: Effects of Detraining and Retraining.

ABSTRACT: Amarante do Nascimento, M, Nunes, JPA, Pina, FLC, Ribeiro, AS, Carneiro, NH, Venturini, D, Barbosa, DS, Mayhew, JL, and Cyrino, ES. Comparison of 2 weekly frequencies of resistance training on muscular strength, body composition, and metabolic biomarkers in resistance-trained older women: Effects of detraining and retraining. J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1437-1444, 2022-This study aimed to compare the effects of 2 weekly frequencies of resistance training (RT) on muscular strength, body composition, and metabolic biomarkers in previously resistance-trained older women after detraining and retraining. Forty subjects (>60 years) performed RT (8 exercises, 1 set of 10-15 repetitions maximum) 2 (G2x) or 3 (G3x) times per week over 12 weeks of training and retraining. After training, subjects were detrained for 12 weeks. After detraining, there were significant decreases (p < 0.05) in upper-body (∼12%) and lower-body (∼14%) muscular strength, fat-free mass (FFM) (∼2%), and testosterone (∼26%), whereas increases were revealed for fat mass (FM) (∼4%), relative body fat (∼3%), fasting glucose (∼8%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (∼21%), and triglycerides (∼24%), with no differences between groups (p > 0.05). Following retraining, there were significant increases (p < 0.05) for upper (∼7%) and lower (∼10%) muscular strength, FFM (∼2%), and testosterone (∼20%). In contrast, decreases were found for FM (∼7%), relative body fat (∼3%), fasting glucose (∼6%), LDL-C (∼14%), and triglycerides (∼21%), also with no differences between groups (p > 0.05). Gains after retraining were lower than after training (p < 0.05) only for upper- and lower-body muscular strength (∼6%) and testosterone (∼11%). Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, IGF-1, and C-reactive protein did not change at any point in the study for either group (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that older women can regain previous RT program benefits following detraining, regardless of the weekly training frequency. However, some fitness components may take longer to reestablish than the initial training level.

Comparision of Low and High Volume of Resistance Training on Body Fat and Blood Biomarkers in Untrained Older Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT: Cunha, PM, Tomeleri, CM, Nascimento, MA, Mayhew, JL, Fungari, E, Cyrino, LT, Barbosa, DS, Venturini, D, and Cyrino, ES. Comparision of low and high volume of resistance training on body fat and blood biomarkers in untrained older women: a randomized clinical trial. J Strength Cond Res 35(1): 1-8, 2021-The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training (RT) performed with 2 different volumes on body fat and blood biomarkers in untrained older women. Sixty-five physically independent older women (≥60 years) were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: low-volume (LV) training group, high-volume (HV) training group, and a control group. Both training groups performed RT for 12 weeks, using 8 exercises of 10-15 repetitions maximum for each exercise. The low-volume group performed only a single set per exercise, whereas the HV group performed 3 sets. Anthropometric, body fat (%), trunk fat, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very LDL-c (VLDL-c), glucose (GLU), C-reactive protein (CRP), and composite Z-score were measured. The HV group obtained greater improvements compared with the LV group (p < 0.05) for TG (LV = -10.5% vs. HV = -16.6%), VLDL-c (LV = -6.5% vs. HV = -14.8%), GLU (LV = -4.7% vs. HV = -11.1%), CRP (LV = -13.2% vs. HV = -30.8%), % body fat (LV = -2.4% vs. HV = -6.1%), and composite Z-score (LV = -0.13 ± 0.30 vs. HV = -0.57 ± 0.29). Trunk fat was reduced (p < 0.05) only in the HV group (-6.8%). We conclude that RT performed in higher volume seems to be the most appropriate strategy to reduce body fat (%), trunk fat, improve blood biomarkers, and reduce composite Z-score in older women.

Responsiveness to muscle mass gain following 12 and 24 weeks of resistance training in older women.

BACKGROUND: Many factors may influence the magnitude of individual responses to resistance training (RT). How the manipulation of training volume and frequency affects responsiveness level for muscle mass gain in older women has not been investigated. AIMS: This study had the objective of identifying responders (RP) and non-responders (N-RP) older women for skeletal muscle mass (SMM) gain from a 12-week resistance training (RT) program. Additionally, we analyzed whether the N-RP could gain SMM with an increase in weekly training volume over 12 additional weeks of training. METHODS: Thirty-nine older women (aged ≥ 60 years) completed 24 weeks of a whole-body RT intervention (eight exercises, 2-3×/week, 1-2 sets of 10-15 repetitions). SMM was estimated by DXA, and the responsive cut-off value was set at two times the standard error of measurement. Participants were considered as RP if they exceeded the cut-off value after a 12-week RT phase, while the N-RP were those who failed to reach the SMM cut-off. RESULTS: Of the 22 participants considered to be N-RP, only 3 accumulated SMM gains (P = 0.250) that exceeded the cut-off point for responsiveness following 12 additional weeks of training, while 19 maintained or presented negative SMM changes. Of the 17 participants considered to be RP, all continued to gain SMM after the second 12-week RT phase. No significant correlation was observed between the changes in SMM and any baseline aspect of the participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that some older women are RP, while others are N-RP to SMM gains resulting from RT. Furthermore, the non-responsiveness condition was not altered by an increase of training volume and intervention duration while RP participants continue to increase SMM; it appears that RP continue to be RP, and N-RP continue to be N-RP.

Deficit schizophrenia and its features are associated with PON1 Q192R genotypes and lowered paraoxonase 1 (PON1) enzymatic activity: effects on bacterial translocation.

BACKGROUND: Primary deficit schizophrenia (DS) is characterized by enduring negative symptoms and represents a qualitatively different disease entity with respect to non-deficit schizophrenia (NDS). No studies investigated the association between the enzyme paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and DS and its phenomenology. METHODS: In this case-control study, Thai women and men, aged 18 to 65 years, were divided in DS (n = 40) and NDS (n = 40) and were compared to controls (n = 40). PON1 activities against 4-(chloromethyl)phenyl acetate (CMPA) and phenylacetate were determined. Moreover, subjects were genotyped for their PON1 Q192R polymorphism and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels responses directed to Gram-negative bacteria were measured. RESULTS: DS is significantly associated with the QQ genotype and the Q allele as compared with NDS and controls. PON1 activities are significantly and inversely associated with negative symptoms, formal thought disorders, psychomotor retardation, excitation and DS. The presence of the Q allele is associated with increased IgA responses to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Morganella morganii, and Pseudomonas putida as compared with RR carriers. CONCLUSIONS: The PON1 Q allele and lower PON1 activities especially against CMPA are associated with DS, indicating lowered quorum quenching abilities as well as lowered defenses against lipoperoxidation and immune activation. It is suggested that lowered PON1 activity in DS constitutes an impairment in the innate immune system which together with lowered natural IgM may cause lower immune regulation thereby predisposing toward greater neurotoxic effects of immune-inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative pathways and Gram-negative microbiota.

Influence of Resistance Training Exercise Order on Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy, and Anabolic Hormones in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Tomeleri, CM, Ribeiro, AS, Nunes, JP, Schoenfeld, BJ, Souza, MF, Schiavoni, D, Junior, PS, Cavaglieri, CR, Cunha, PM, Venturini, D, Barbosa, DS, and Cyrino, ES. Influence of resistance training exercise order on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and anabolic hormones in older women: a randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 34(11): 3103-3109, 2020-The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of resistance training (RT) exercise order on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and anabolic hormones in older women. Forty-four older women were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: a nonexercise control group (CON, n = 15) and two RT groups that performed a 12-week RT program in a multijoint to single-joint order (MJ-SJ, n = 14), or in a single-joint to multijoint order (SJ-MJ, n = 15). The RT protocol (3×/week) encompassed 8 exercises, with 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions performed per exercise. One repetition maximum tests were used to evaluate muscle strength; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to estimate lean soft tissue. Both training groups showed significant and similar increases in muscle strength (MJ-SJ = 16.4%; SJ-MJ = 12.7%) and mass (MJ-SJ = 7.5%; SJ-MJ = 6.1%), whereas there were no significant changes in testosterone and insulin-like growth factor 1. The results suggest that both approaches are similarly effective in eliciting morphofunctional improvements in older women.

Effects of Pyramid Resistance-Training System with Different Repetition Zones on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study analyzed the effects of the pyramidal resistance training (RT) system with two repetition zones on cardiovascular risk factors in older women (≥60 years old). Fifty-nine older women were randomly assigned in three groups: non-exercise control (CON, n = 19), narrow-pyramid system (NPR, n = 20), and wide-pyramid system (WPR, n = 20). Training was performed for eight weeks (eight exercises for the whole-body, 3x/week) in which NPR and WPR performed three sets of 12/10/8 and 15/10/5 repetitions, respectively. Regional body fat was estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and blood parameters related to glycemic, lipid, and inflammatory profiles were assessed. After the training period, although no difference was observed for the magnitude of the changes between NPR and WPR, significant group by time interactions indicated benefits with RT compared to CON for reducing body fat (mainly android body fat; -7%) and improving glucose, HDL-C, LDL-C and C-reactive protein (p < 0.05). Composite z-score of cardiovascular risk, created by the average of the intervention effects on the outcomes, indicate similar responses between NPR and WPR, differing from CON (p < 0.001). Results indicate that both the repetition zones of the pyramidal RT reduced similarly the cardiovascular risk in older women.

Comparison of the effects of different weekly frequencies of resistance training on metabolic health markers and body fat in older women.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 24-week resistance-training (RT) program performed 2 vs. 3 times per week on body fat and metabolic health markers in older women. METHODS: Thirty-nine women (≥60 years old) were randomly assigned to two groups according to RT frequency (G2x=two sessions per week, N.=19; and G3x=three sessions per week, N.=20) and were submitted to two 12-week stages of whole-body RT. In the first stage, participants performed 1 set of 10 to 15 repetitions in each of eight exercises, whereas in the second stage, they performed 2 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions. Body fat was estimated by DXA, while biochemical analyses were performed on venous blood samples collected in the morning hours after a 12 hours' fasting and after a minimum of 48 hours since the last physical exercise session. RESULTS: After the 24 weeks of RT, only G3x significantly reduced body fat mass (G2x=0.0%; G3x=-5.1%), whereas both G2x and G3x reduced blood glucose and C-reactive protein levels. Both groups improved HDL-C after the first 12-week stage compared to baseline, although the changes from pre- to post-training were not significantly different between groups. No significant difference was observed compared to baseline for total cholesterol, VLDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides for either group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that RT-induced changes in health markers may occur regardless of RT frequency, whereas performing RT three times per week may be needed for reducing total body fat mass in older women.

Effects of pre- or post-exercise whey protein supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in older women.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is an imbalance between antioxidant system and production of free radicals and has been associated with the age-related deleterious changes. The defense system can be modulated by exercise and nutrition. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of whey protein supplementation pre- or post-resistance training on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity in pre-conditioned older women. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled design, 70 older women (≥60 years) were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: whey protein-placebo (WP-PLA, n = 24), placebo-whey protein (PLA-WP, n = 23), and placebo-placebo (PLA-PLA, n = 23). Each group received 35 g of whey product or placebo pre- and post-training. The RT program was carried out over 12 weeks (3x/week; 3x 8-12 repetitions maximal). Oxidative stress and blood markers were assessed before and after intervention period. ANOVA for repeated measures was used for data analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant time effect (P < 0.05), with all groups showing improvements in all oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activity. A significant (P < 0.001) interaction time vs group was observed for uric acid, with both WP-PLA and PLA-WP presenting greater reductions compared with the PLA-PLA, without differences between the timing of protein intake (WP-PLA: -8.3%; PLA-WP: -11.0%; PLA-PLA:-2.0%). CONCLUSION: In already pre-conditioned older women, whey protein supplementation reduces plasma uric acid concentration with no further effect on antioxidant enzyme activity and oxidative stress markers. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03247192.

Effects of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition on Cardiovascular Risk of Adult Endotoxemic Female Rats: Role of Estrogen.

Aim: Autonomic modulation responds to ovarian hormones and estrogen increases nitric oxide bioavailability. Also, females have minor susceptibility to sepsis and a higher survival rate. However, few studies have evaluated the role of estrogen in cardiovascular, autonomic, and oxidative parameters during initial endotoxemia and under inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibition in female rats. Methods: Female wistar rats were subjected to ovariectomy and divided into three groups: OVX (ovariectomized), OVX+E (OVX plus daily estradiol) and SHAM (false surgery). After 8 weeks, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded in non-anesthetized catheterized rats, before and after intravenous LPS injection, preceded by S-methylisothiourea sulfate (SMT) injection, or sterile saline. Cardiovascular recordings underwent spectral analysis for evaluation of autonomic modulation. Two hours after LPS, plasma was collected to assess total radical-trapping antioxidant (TRAP), nitrite levels (NO2), lipoperoxidation (LOOH), and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity. Results: Two hours after LPS, females treated with SMT presented a decrease of MAP, when compared to saline-LPS groups. At this same time, all SMT+LPS groups presented an increase of sympathetic and a decrease of parasympathetic modulation of HR. Two hours after saline+LPS, OVX presented decreased total radical-trapping antioxidant (TRAP) compared to SHAM. When treated with SMT+LPS, OVX did not altered TRAP, while estradiol reduced LOOH levels. Conclusion: iNOS would be responsible for sympathetic inhibition and consumption of antioxidant reserves of females during endotoxemia, since iNOS is inhibited, treatment with estradiol could be protective in inflammatory challenges.

Resistance training reduces metabolic syndrome and inflammatory markers in older women: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study analyzed the effects of a 12-week resistance training (RT) program without dietary interventions on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and inflammatory biomarkers in older women. METHODS: Fifty-three older women (mean [±SD] age 70.4 ± 5.7 years; mean body mass index 26.7 ± 4.0 kg/m2 ) were randomly assigned to a training group (TG; n = 26) that performed 12 weeks of an RT program or a control group (CG; n = 27) that did not perform any type of physical exercise over the same period. Body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), muscular strength (one-repetition maximum tests), blood pressure (BP), and blood sample measurements were performed before and after intervention. RESULTS: After the 12-week period, there were significantly reductions (P < 0.05) in glucose levels (-20.4% vs -0.3%), waist circumference (-1.5% vs +2.0%), and systolic BP (-6.2% vs +0.9%), and complete normalization of MetS prevalence (18% at baseline vs. 0% after 12-weeks RT) in the TG. Moreover, C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations decreased in the TG (-28.6% and -21.6%, respectively), but increased in the CG (+34.5% and +13.3%, respectively). In addition there were positive improvements in the MetS Z-score in the TG but not CG (-21.6% vs +13.3%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a 12-week RT program seems to effectively reduce MetS components and inflammatory biomarkers in older women, regardless of dietary intervention. The RT-induced adaptations in body composition and inflammatory biomarkers appear to be related to healthy adaptations in risk factors for MetS.

Physical activity maintenance and metabolic risk in adolescents.

Aim: Examine the association between child and adolescent physical activity maintenance categories and metabolic profile in adolescence. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1152 adolescents (57.4% female) aged 10-16 years from Londrina, Brazil. Physical activity was self-reported in childhood (7-10 years old, retrospective data) and adolescence through questionnaires. Cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle-run test), body fat (skinfolds), waist circumference, blood pressure (automatic instrument) and blood variables (fasting glucose, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides) were measured at adolescence. Results: Frequency of physical activity in childhood and adolescence was 50.3 and 17.2%, respectively, and only 25.7% of boys and 10.9% of girls were active at both ages. Adolescents who were physically active in childhood alone were less likely [OR = 0.71 (95% CI: 0.52-0.97)] to present low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence compared to those who were non-active in childhood. Regardless of controlled, actives in childhood and adolescence were less likely to present low cardiorespiratory fitness [OR = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.34-0.73)], high blood pressure [OR = 0.52 (95% CI: 0.32-0.85)] and high metabolic risk score [OR = 0.44 (95% CI: 0.22-0.90)] compared to the non-actives at both ages. Conclusions: Actives through childhood to adolescence are less likely to present low cardiorespiratory fitness, high blood pressure and high metabolic risk.