Controlled aerobic training improves endothelial function and modifies vascular remodeling in healthy adults with high normal blood pressure.

The aim of the study was to assess endothelial function in adults with high normal blood pressure (HNBP) undergoing controlled aerobic training. The study was conducted among 31 volunteers with HNBP. Subjects underwent supervised cycle ergometer training for 12 weeks. Exercise intensity was assessed by monitoring the pulse with intention to keep the heart rate increase within the range of 40% to 65% of the heart rate reserve. The control group consisted of 14 healthy adults, not subjected to any intervention. The control group was examined twice at 12-week intervals (non-exercising time control). Vascular endothelial function was determined by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and by measuring total nitric oxide products (NOx). The measurement of carotid intima-media complex thickness (IMT) was an indirect method of assessing vascular remodeling. Blood pressure (ABPM method), anthropological parameters and lipid profile were also assessed. There was a significant change in FMD after 3-month training in the study group: the average FMD training was 5.21 ± 2.17%, while after the program FMD increased to 9.46 ± 3.69% (P < 0.001). After training, the NOx also increased from 1.01 ± 0.38 µmol/L to 1.27 ± 0.48 µmol/L (P < 0.001). Effects were observed irrespective of participants' sex. Interestingly, a modest but significant reduction of IMT was also observed, from 0.5 ± 0.06 mm to 0.46 ± 0.10 mm (P = 0.04). There was also a reduction in the percentage of body fat content from 25.01 ± 8.77% to 22.31 ± 8.79% (P < 0.001). No statistically significant changes were noted after 12 weeks of training in the blood pressure and lipid profile. In the control group no statistically significant changes of any parameter were observed. Regular aerobic exercise improves nitric oxide-dependent endothelial function of the vessels and can initiate regression of atherosclerosis in people with HNBP.

Effects of controlled physical activity on immune cell phenotype in peripheral blood in prehypertension - studies in preclinical model and randomised crossover study.

Hypertension (HT) is a global public health issue. There are many behavioural risk factors including unhealthy diet, tobacco use and alcohol consumption as well physical inactivity that contribute to the development of high blood pressure (BP) and its complications. Favourable effect of regular physical activity on treatment or prevention of hypertension by improvement of endothelial function is widely accepted however little is known about its relationship with immune system. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the role of moderate regular physical activity on immune cell phenotype. T cell and monocyte subsets were characterised in 31 subjects with prehypertension (130 - 139 mmHg systolic and 85 - 89 mmHg diastolic blood pressure) who participated in moderate training (3 times/week) on cyclometers for 3 months in crossover study design. Complementary study was performed in murine model of Ang II-induced hypertension and ten-week-old animals were trained on a treadmill (5 times/week, 1 hour) for 2 weeks before and 1.5 weeks after minipumps implantation. In the context of elevated blood pressure regular physical activity had modest influence on immune cell phenotype. Both in human study and murine model we did not observe effects of applied exercise that can explain the mechanism of BP reduction after short-term regular training. Twelve-weeks regular training did not affect the activation status of T lymphocytes measured as expression of CD69, CD25 and CCR5 in human study. Physical activity resulted in higher expression of adhesion molecule CD11c on CD16+ monocytes (especially CD14 high) without any changes in leukocytes subpopulation counts. Similar results were observed in murine model of hypertension after the training. However the training caused significant decrease of CCR5 and CD25 expressions (measured as a mean fluorescence intensity) on CD8+ T cells infiltrating perivascular adipose tissue. Our studies show modest regulatory influence of moderate training on inflammatory markers in prehypertensive subjects and murine model of Ang II induced hypertension.

Physiological and environmental factors associated with central fat distribution in pubertal girls.

The aim of the work was to determine a degree of explanation of the variation of central fat distribution described by the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and waist circumference (WC) by both environmental and biological factors, including hormonal ones. The authors also intended to define the factors which are connected with a risk of abdominal obesity in girls. The study material includes a cross-sectional sample of 297 girls aged 9­16 years, examined in sport and regular schools in Cracow, Poland. Direct anthropometric measurements were done, breast development was assessed (Tanner stage) and leptin and ghrelin concentration in blood serum was estimated (by RIA method). The girls' lifestyles and socio-economic status were investigated through survey questionnaires. The stepwise descending regression method was applied to evaluate a degree of WC, WHtR and BMI variation explanation. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to indicate factors connected with a risk of abdominal obesity (WHtR ³ 0.50) by calculating odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Variation of WC and WHtR was explained in, respectively, 53% and 44% by biological factors i.e. age, body height, the Tanner stage and blood serum leptin and ghrelin concentration as well as by environmental factors i.e. obesity prevalence in fathers and the girls' high physical activity. Variation of BMI was explained in 56% by a similar set of variables, excluding the level of physical activity. The biological factors were the highest determinants of an adipose tissue distribution type in the girls. Besides biological factors a significant role was also played by the environmental ones: obesity prevalence in fathers and high level of physical activity. The waist to height ratio seemed to be a more sensitive identifier of environmental behaviours than the general adiposity index.

Prevalence and risk factors of abdominal obesity in Polish rural children.

Secular trends of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference indicate greater increase in abdominal obesity compared to general obesity. Determinants of obesity described by BMI are relatively well documented in various populations, unlike abdominal obesity described by waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). The aim of the study was to determine prevalence and abdominal obesity (WHtR) risk factors in a cohort of 3048 rural children aged 7-12 years from southern Poland. Biological, socio-demographic and lifestyle factors were analysed, and odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated using a logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of abdominal obesity in rural boys and girls in the sample was 11% and 9% respectively. Obesity in both parents, irregular breakfasts, irregular meals during the day and regularly consumed tea were significant factors of abdominal obesity risks in rural girls. Being the only child, low number of people in a household, obesity in both parents, high energy-dense food index and no exercise significantly increased the risk of abdominal obesity in rural boys. The study demonstrated tendencies similar to other European countries in the prevalence of abdominal obesity among sexes. Lifestyle behaviours should be changed and adapted to each sex since risk factors differ between the sexes and indicate higher eco-sensitivity in boys.

The influence of moderate-intensity physical effort on peripheral blood in adults with Down syndrome - a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a six-week aerobic training on peripheral blood in adults with Down syndrome. Fifteen men with Down syndrome (average age 22.4 years ± 0.91) with moderate or severe intellectual disability took part in the study. Patients underwent a training program three times a week for six weeks. Venous blood samples of 10 ml were collected from every examined patient, 24 hours before and after the exercise. The blood samples were submitted to hematological examination (hematocrit, fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, red blood cell (RBC) number, RBC indicators: mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)), reduced glutathione (GSH) level and number of macrocytes, polikilocytrometric examination of RBC and rheological blood examination (elongation index (EI), aggregation index (AI), syllectogram amplitude (AMP), aggregation half time (t1/2)) was made by LORCA. Amoderate six-week physical training performed on a cycloergometer resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the MCV value, hematocrit and plasma viscosity. The six-week cycloergometer training caused a statistically significant increase in the GSH level and erythrocyte pliability at a shear stress of 0.58 Pa.

Association of the physical activity with leptin blood serum level, body mass indices and obesity in schoolgirls.

Decreased physical activity is undoubtedly significantly associated with obesity. Similarly, the proper hormones secretion, the proper weight and body development. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body mass composition and leptin concentration in relation to the degree of physical activity expressed in MET-h/week (metabolic equivalent per week). The study included 59 girls, aged 9-16 years (12.55±1.67) and divided into two groups: 1) PA: a physically active group of 29 girls and 2) PI: a group of 30 physically inactive girls. In all, physical activity was assessed using modified questionnaire concerning "activity for adolescents" and expressed in MET-h/week. Serum blood leptin concentrations in fasting girls were determined by RIA. Anthropometric parameters were measured and fatness indices calculated (BMI, SF, WHtR). Body composition (%BF, FM, FFM) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis method (BIA). Statistical analysis showed significant differences between groups of PA and PI concerning values of BMI, WHtR, %BF, WC and MET-h/week as well as in leptin concentrations. In both groups of girls negative correlations between physical activity measured in MET and leptin concentrations and in WHtR were observed. The concentration of leptin was directly proportional to the degree of body fat and to the body composition expressed by BMI, WHtR, log SF, WC and %BF, FM and FFM, respectively. Increased physical activity was associated with lower body fat ratios and WHtR, BMI, WC, %BF, but did not affect significantly the changes in the values of log SF, FM and FFM. Higher values of BMI, WHtR and WC can provide not only a greater risk of obesity in general, but also cause excessive accumulation of fat in the central part of the body (abdominal obesity).

[Incidence of osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Czestosc wystepowania osteoporozy u chorych na reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów (RZS).

Juxta-articular osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an early and specific pathology in this disease, however in RA patients there are also factors predisposing for the development of the generalised bone atrophy. 103 female patients with the diagnosis of RA established according to ACR criteria were included in the study. Its aim was to evaluate the generalised osteoporosis incidence in women suffering from RA as well as to find out how osteoporosis was related to certain clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, the disease process activity, and the treatment used. The mean age of the patients was 57.6 +/- 12 years, and the disease duration was 11.4 +/- 9 years. The bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DEXA method with a LUNAR device and included: the radial bone in its 1/3 of the shaft's distal part; L1-L4 vertebral region; and the proximal part of the femoral bone. The division into subgroups was done basing on the 1994 WHO criteria. In RA female patients generalised osteoporosis was observed more frequently than in the control group. The study discovered a negative, statistically significant, correlation between BMD values and: the disease duration, the time of joint involvement acc. to Steinbrocker, the degree of functional impairment, the presence of extra-articular lesions, periods of immobilisation. There was also a dependence found upon the presence of positive Waaler-Rose reaction, and upon the therapy with Methotrexate and D-penicillamine, and when the patients were treated with glicocorticosteroids--upon the cumulative dose.