Perspectives on Player Performance during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: A Brief Report.

Changing the date of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 may represent a factor to consider for the expected performance of participating players. This was due to fixture congestion at the start of the season and expected weather conditions during the competition. Thus, the main purpose of this brief report was to critically analyze the potential impact of changing the competition date and weather conditions on players' performance. In addition, a brief description about the performance during the World Cup is also provided. For the research, the Web of Science, PubMed and SPORTDiscus databases were accessed using the primary keywords FIFA World Cup and World Soccer Cup associated with the secondary keywords match running performance, fixture congestion, fatigue and weather conditions. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 52 articles were considered for analysis. The results seem to indicate that although changes were expected due to the modifications made (i.e., the competition date and scheduling congestion), the performance of the players seems not to have been affected in terms of the analyzed indicators. Furthermore, it seems possible to identify some patterns in the behavior of the teams that reached the most advanced stages of the competition.

Potential Role of Chronic Physical Exercise as a Treatment in the Development of Vitiligo.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease characterized by progressive skin depigmentation and the appearance of white patches throughout the body caused by significant apoptosis of epidermal melanocytes. Despite not causing any physical pain, vitiligo can originate several psychosocial disorders, drastically reducing patients' quality of life. Emerging evidence has shown that vitiligo is associated with several genetic polymorphisms related to auto-reactivity from the immune system to melanocytes. Melanocytes from vitiligo patients suffer from excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by defective mitochondria besides a poor endogenous antioxidant system (EAS). This redox imbalance results in dramatic melanocyte oxidative stress (OS), causing significant damage in proteins, lipid membranes, and DNA. The damaged melanocytes secret damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMPs), inducing and increasing inflammatory gene expression response that ultimately leads to melanocytes apoptosis. Vitiligo severity has been also associated with increasing the prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) or associated disorders such as insulin resistance and hypercholesterolemia. Thus, suggesting that in genetically predisposed individuals, the environmental context that triggers MetS (i.e., sedentary lifestyle) may also be an important trigger for the development and severity of vitiligo disease. This paper will discuss the relationship between the immune system and epidermal melanocytes and their interplay with the redox system. Based on state-of-the-art evidence from the vitiligo research, physical exercise (PE) immunology, and redox system literature, we will also propose chronic PE as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat and prevent vitiligo disease progression. We will present evidence that chronic PE can change the balance of inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state, improve both EAS and the mitochondrial structure and function (resulting in the decrease of OS). Finally, we will highlight clinically relevant markers that can be analyzed in a new research avenue to test the potential applicability of chronic PE in vitiligo disease.

From skeletal muscle damage and regeneration to the hypertrophy induced by exercise: what is the role of different macrophage subsets?

Macrophages are one of the top players when considering immune cells involved with tissue homeostasis. Recently, increasing evidence has demonstrated that macrophages could also present two major subsets during tissue healing: proliferative macrophages (M1-like), which are responsible for increasing myogenic cell proliferation, and restorative macrophages (M2-like), which are involved in the end of the mature muscle myogenesis. The participation and characterization of these macrophage subsets are critical during myogenesis to understand the inflammatory role of macrophages during muscle recovery and to create supportive strategies that can improve mass muscle maintenance. Indeed, most of our knowledge about macrophage subsets comes from skeletal muscle damage protocols, and we still do not know how these subsets can contribute to skeletal muscle adaptation. Thus, this narrative review aims to collect and discuss studies demonstrating the involvement of different macrophage subsets during the skeletal muscle damage/regeneration process, showcasing an essential role of these macrophage subsets during muscle adaptation induced by acute and chronic exercise programs.

Carbohydrate and Glutamine Supplementation Attenuates the Increase in Rating of Perceived Exertion during Intense Exercise in Hypoxia Similar to 4200 m.

The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) indicates the feeling of fatigue. However, hypoxia worsens the condition and can worsen RPE. We evaluated whether carbohydrate and glutamine supplementation alters RPE and physiological markers in running at 70% peak oxygen uptake until exhaustion in a simulated altitude of 4500 m. Nine volunteers underwent three running tests at 70% peak oxygen uptake until exhaustion: (1) hypoxia and placebo, (2) hypoxia and 8% maltodextrin, and (3) hypoxia after six days of glutamine supplementation (20 g/day) and 8% maltodextrin. The exercise and supplementation were randomized and double-blinded. Lactate, heart rate, haemoglobin O2 saturation (SpO2%), and RPE (6-20 scale) were analyzed at the 15th and 30th min. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. SpO2% decreased at the 15th and 30th minutes compared to resting in placebo, carbohydrate, and glutamine supplementation. RPE increased at the 30th minute compared to the 15th minute in placebo and carbohydrate supplementation; however, there was no difference in the glutamine supplementation condition. Heart rate and lactate increased after the 15th and 30th minutes compared to resting, similar to the three conditions studied. We conclude that previous supplementation with glutamine and carbohydrate during intense exercise in hypoxia similar to 4500 m can attenuate the increase in RPE by the increase in glycemia and can be a useful strategy for people who exercise in these conditions.

Influence of curcumin on glycemic profile, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress in HIV-infected individuals: A randomized controlled trial.

To evaluate the influence of curcumin supplementation on the glycemic profile, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress in HIV-infected individuals under antiretroviral therapy. This double-blind, crossover, randomized clinical trial was composed of 20 subjects arranged initially into experimental group (n = 10) and placebo group (n = 10) groups, receiving 1,000 mg curcumin/day or microcrystalline cellulose/day, respectively, during a 30-day period and 12-day washout. Subsequently, the groups were switched to follow the crossover design. Fasting glucose and insulin, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, malonialdehyde, and reduced glutathione were measured. Food consumption was evaluated as a control variable. Descriptive statistics are presented as mean and standard deviation, and inferential analyses were performed from two-way analysis of variance and the magnitude of the effect. No significant improvements were observed in the glycemic, inflammatory, or oxidative stress profiles. Although the mean serum fasting glucose levels and the homeostatic model assessment index presented qualitative improvement in the CG, this result should be interpreted with caution since the observed variation may represent acceptable fluctuation, in addition to the small difference between the means, added to the large variation observed in the standard deviation. Supplementation with curcumin in HIV-infected individuals undergoing antiretroviral therapy and training did not improve the glycemic, inflammatory, or oxidative stress profiles.

Effects of functional training and 2 interdisciplinary interventions on maximal oxygen uptake and weight loss of women with obesity: a randomized clinical trial.

Our aim was to analyze and compare functional training, interdisciplinary therapy, and interdisciplinary education on cardiorespiratory fitness (CF) and anthropometric characteristics of women with obesity. Forty-four women (age = 39.7 ± 5.9 years, body mass index (BMI) = 35.5 ± 2.8 kg/m2) completed 30 weeks of intervention randomly assigned to 3 groups: functional training (FT) (n = 14), interdisciplinary therapy (IT) (n = 19), and interdisciplinary education (IE) (n = 11). The FT group participated in the training program (3/week), the IT group received the same training intervention plus nutrition (1/week) and psychology advice (1/week) and physical therapy (1/week). The IE group participated in interdisciplinary lectures on topics related to health promotion (1/month). CF (ergospirometry), anthropometry, and body composition (electrical bioimpedance) were measured pre-intervention (Pre) and post-intervention (Post). CF increased (p ≤ 0.05) significantly (Pre vs. Post) in the FT (7.5%) and IT (10.8%) groups, but not in the IE group (1.8%). Body mass (BM), BMI, relative fat mass, and waist circumference significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased (Pre vs. Post) in IT (-4.4%, -4.4%, -2.3%, and -5.1%, respectively). The IE group showed a significant decrease in BM (-3.7%), BMI (-3.7%), and waist circumference (-3.5%), whereas the FT group promoted significant decrease in waist circumference (-3.4%). In conclusion, functional training increased CF but only interdisciplinary interventions improved the anthropometric profile of women with obesity. Novelty Interdisciplinary therapy provided more comprehensive adaptations in women with obesity, including morphological variables and CF. Functional training increased CF but reduced only abdominal obesity. Interdisciplinary education provided benefits on morphological variables, but it does not increase CF.

Effects of carbohydrate and glutamine supplementation on cytokine production by monocytes after exercise in hypoxia: A crossover, randomized, double-blind pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of carbohydrate (CHO) and glutamine (Gln) supplementation on cytokine production by monocytes after exercise until exhaustion performed in hypoxia. METHODS: Fifteen physically active men underwent three exercises until exhaustion with an intensity of 70% maximal oxygen intake at a simulated height of 4500 m under the following supplementation: placebo, CHO (maltodextrin 8%/200 mL for 20 min), and CHO + Gln (Gln 20 g/d for 6 d and maltodextrin 8%/200 mL for 20 min) during exercise and for 2 h of recovery. Analysis of variance for repeated measures followed by the Tukey's post hoc test was realized and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Oxygen saturation of arterial blood (SaO2%) decreased in the three trials compared with baseline. Two hours post-exercise, the SaO2% was high in CHO + Gln condition compared with placebo. Two hours after exercise, interleukin (IL)-1ß decreased compared with post-exercise in placebo and was lower compared with baseline in the CHO + Gln condition. Tumor necrosis factor-α decreased 2 h after exercise compared with baseline and pre-exercise in the CHO + Gln condition. No changes were observed in myeloperoxidase or IL-6 production. Two hours after exercise, Gln decreased compared with baseline and post-exercise in placebo and decreased 2 h after exercise in relation to post-exercise in the CHO condition. Gln increased post-exercise compared with pre-exercise in the CHO + Gln condition. Although erythropoietin did not change in this condition, it was high post-exercise and 2 h after exercise in the placebo condition compared with baseline and 2 h after exercise compared with baseline and pre-exercise in the CHO condition. CONCLUSIONS: Gln supplementation for 6 d before exercise, associated with CHO supplementation during exercise, was able to revert Gln reduction after exercise and after 2 h of recovery and may have contributed to reducing tumor necrosis factor-α production, suggesting a possible anti-inflammatory effect of supplementation.

Effect of moderate exercise under hypoxia on Th1/Th2 cytokine balance.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Moderate exercise performed in normoxia can be immunostimulatory, while strenuous exercise can be immunosuppressive. However, less is known about the effects of exercise under hypoxia on cytokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an acute exercise session performed under hypoxia similar to an altitude of 4200 m on cytokine balance. Our hypothesis was that exercise, even of moderate intensity, associated with hypoxia may induce different changes in relation to the normoxic condition. METHODS: Eight healthy male volunteers were exercised on a treadmill for 1 hour at an intensity of 50% VO2peak under normoxic or hypoxic condition (4200 m). Blood samples were collected at rest and immediately 1 hour after the exercise, respectively to determine cytokines, hormones and metabolites. The two-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni post hoc test were used and the significance adopted was P < .05. RESULTS: While IL-2, the IL-2/IL-4 ratio and glutamine decreased under hypoxia, IL-6 and IL-1ra increased. There were increases in the IL-2/IL-4 ratio, IL-6, IL-1ra and IL-10/TNF-α in normoxia. There were no differences in cortisol or glucose. CONCLUSION: Moderate exercise under hypoxia condition changes the Th1/Th2 balance including IL-2, IL-4 and TNF-α cytokines, suggesting a Th2 response after 1 hour rest.

Physiological and cytokine response to acute exercise under hypoxic conditions: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that exercise in hypoxia situations induces a cytotoxicity effects. However, the cytokines participation in this condition is remaining unknown. Thus, the aim the present study was to evaluate physiological parameters and inflammatory profiles in response to acute exercise after five hours of hypoxic conditions. METHODS: Fourteen healthy men were distributed randomly into two groups: normoxic exercise (N.=7) and hypoxic exercise (N.=7). All volunteers were blinded to the protocol. Initially, all subjects were submitted to chamber normobaric in a room fitted for altitude simulations of up to 4500 m, equivalent to a barometric pressure of 433 mmHg. All analyses began at 7:00 a.m. and was maintained for 5 hours; the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) was 13.5%. The groups began a 60-minute session of physical exercise starting at 11:00 a.m., at 50% of peak VO2 (50% VO2peak). Blood was collected for cytokine analysis in the morning upon waking, before the 60-minute exercise session and immediately thereafter. RESULTS: The heart rate during 60 minutes' exercise training was significantly increased in both exercise groups (P<0.05), and the oxygen saturation was reduced under hypoxic conditions during exercise (P<0.05). After exercise, significant increases were found for IL-1ra and IL-10 under hypoxic conditions (P<0.05) and for IL-6 for both groups (P<0.05). TNF-α was not altered under either environmental condition. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that acute exercise performance in hypoxic conditions can promotes early inflammatory response, leads for immunosuppression state.

Impact of Doxorubicin Treatment on the Physiological Functions of White Adipose Tissue.

White adipose tissue (WAT) plays a fundamental role in maintaining energy balance and important endocrine functions. The loss of WAT modifies adipokine secretion and disrupts homeostasis, potentially leading to severe metabolic effects and a reduced quality of life. Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic agent used clinically because of its good effectiveness against various types of cancer. However, doxorubicin has deleterious effects in many healthy tissues, including WAT, liver, and skeletal and cardiac muscles. Our objective was to investigate the effects of doxorubicin on white adipocytes through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Doxorubicin reduced the uptake of glucose by retroperitoneal adipocytes and 3T3-L1 cells via the inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase Thr172 phosphorylation and glucose transporter 4 content. Doxorubicin also reduced the serum level of adiponectin and, to a greater extent, the expression of genes encoding lipogenic (Fas and Acc) and adipogenic factors (Pparg, C/ebpa, and Srebp1c) in retroperitoneal adipose tissue. In addition, doxorubicin inhibited both lipogenesis and lipolysis and reduced the hormone-sensitive lipase and adipose tissue triacylglycerol lipase protein levels. Therefore, our results demonstrate the impact of doxorubicin on WAT. These results are important to understand some side effects observed in patients receiving chemotherapy and should encourage new adjuvant treatments that aim to inhibit these side effects.

Carbohydrate and glutamine supplementation modulates the Th1/Th2 balance after exercise performed at a simulated altitude of 4500 m.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carbohydrate or glutamine supplementation, or a combination of the two, on the immune system and inflammatory parameters after exercise in simulated hypoxic conditions at 4500 m. METHODS: Nine men underwent three sessions of exercise at 70% VO2peak until exhaustion as follows: 1) hypoxia with a placebo; 2) hypoxia with 8% maltodextrin (200 mL/20 min) during exercise and for 2 h after; and 3) hypoxia after 6 d of glutamine supplementation (20 g/d) and supplementation with 8% maltodextrin (200 mL/20 min) during exercise and for 2 h after. All procedures were randomized and double blind. Blood was collected at rest, immediately before exercise, after the completion of exercise, and 2 h after recovery. Glutamine, cortisol, cytokines, glucose, heat shock protein-70, and erythropoietin were measured in serum, and the cytokine production from lymphocytes was measured. RESULTS: Erythropoietin and interleukin (IL)-6 increased after exercise in the hypoxia group compared with baseline. IL-6 was higher in the hypoxia group than pre-exercise after exercise and after 2 h recovery. Cortisol did not change, whereas glucose was elevated post-exercise in the three groups compared with baseline and pre-exercise. Glutamine increased in the hypoxia + carbohydrate + glutamine group after exercise compared with baseline. Heat shock protein-70 increased post-exercise compared with baseline and pre-exercise and after recovery compared with pre-exercise, in the hypoxia + carbohydrate group. No difference was observed in IL-2 and IL-6 production from lymphocytes. IL-4 was reduced in the supplemented groups. CONCLUSION: Carbohydrate or glutamine supplementation shifts the T helper (Th)1/Th2 balance toward Th1 responses after exercise at a simulated altitude of 4500 m. The nutritional strategies increased in IL-6, suggesting an important anti-inflammatory effect.

Long-term interdisciplinary therapy reduces endotoxin level and insulin resistance in obese adolescents.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to assess the dietary fat intake, glucose, insulin, Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance HOMA-IR, and endotoxin levels and correlate them with adipokine serum concentrations in obese adolescents who had been admitted to long-term interdisciplinary weight-loss therapy. DESIGN: The present study was a longitudinal clinical intervention of interdisciplinary therapy. Adolescents (n = 18, aged 15-19 y) with a body mass index > 95th percentile were admitted and evaluated at baseline and again after 1 year of interdisciplinary therapy. We collected blood samples, and IL-6, adiponectin, and endotoxin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Food intake was measured using 3-day diet records. In addition, we assessed glucose and insulin levels as well as the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: The most important finding from the present investigation was that the long-term interdisciplinary lifestyle therapy decreased dietary fat intake and endotoxin levels and improved HOMA-IR. We observed positive correlations between dietary fat intake and endotoxin levels, insulin levels, and the HOMA-IR. In addition, endotoxin levels showed positive correlations with IL-6 levels, insulin levels and the HOMA-IR. Interestingly, we observed a negative correlation between serum adiponectin and both dietary fat intake and endotoxin levels. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate an association between dietary fat intake and endotoxin level, which was highly correlated with a decreased pro-inflammatory state and an improvement in HOMA-IR. In addition, this benefits effect may be associated with an increased adiponectin level, which suggests that the interdisciplinary therapy was effective in improving inflammatory pathways.

Dietary whey protein lessens several risk factors for metabolic diseases: a review.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have grown in prevalence around the world, and recently, related diseases have been considered epidemic. Given the high cost of treatment of obesity/DM-associated diseases, strategies such as dietary manipulation have been widely studied; among them, the whey protein diet has reached popularity because it has been suggested as a strategy for the prevention and treatment of obesity and DM in both humans and animals. Among its main actions, the following activities stand out: reduction of serum glucose in healthy individuals, impaired glucose tolerance in DM and obese patients; reduction in body weight; maintenance of muscle mass; increases in the release of anorectic hormones such as cholecystokinin, leptin, and glucagon like-peptide 1 (GLP-1); and a decrease in the orexigenic hormone ghrelin. Furthermore, studies have shown that whey protein can also lead to reductions in blood pressure, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Gut-central nervous system axis is a target for nutritional therapies.

Historically, in the 1950s, the chemist Linus Pauling established a relationship between decreased longevity and obesity. At this time, with the advent of studies involving the mechanisms that modulate appetite control, some researchers observed that the hypothalamus is the "appetite centre" and that peripheral tissues have important roles in the modulation of gut inflammatory processes and levels of hormones that control food intake. Likewise, the advances of physiological and molecular mechanisms for patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel diseases, bariatric surgery and anorexia-associated diseases has been greatly appreciated by nutritionists. Therefore, this review highlights the relationship between the gut-central nervous system axis and targets for nutritional therapies.

Intake of trans fatty acids during gestation and lactation leads to hypothalamic inflammation via TLR4/NFκBp65 signaling in adult offspring.

We examined whether feeding pregnant and lactating rats with hydrogenated vegetable fats rich in trans fatty acids led to an increase in serum endotoxin levels and inflammation and to impaired satiety-sensing pathways in the hypothalamus of 90-day-old offspring. Pregnant and lactating Wistar rats were fed either a standard chow (Control) or one enriched with hydrogenated vegetable fat (Trans). Upon weaning, the male offspring were divided in two groups: Control-Control (CC), mothers and offspring fed the control diet; and Trans-Control (TC), mothers fed the trans diet, and offspring fed the control diet. The offspring's food intake and body weight were quantified weekly and the offspring were killed on the 90th day of life by decapitation. The blood and hypothalamus were collected from the offspring. Food intake and body weight were higher in the TC rats than in the CC rats. TC rats had increased serum endotoxin levels and increased hypothalamic cytokines, IL-6, TNF-α and IL1-ß, concentrations (P<.05). TLR4, NFκBp65 and MyD88 were higher (P<.05) in the TC rats than in the CC rats. AdipoR1 was lower in the TC rats than in the CC rats. Thus, the present study shows that the mothers' hydrogenated vegetable fat intake during pregnancy and lactation led to hypothalamic inflammation and impaired satiety-sensing, which promotes deleterious metabolic consequences such as obesity, even after the withdrawal of the causal factor. In other words, the effect remains after the consumption of the standard chow by offspring.

Obesity, diabetes and OSAS induce of sleep disorders: exercise as therapy.

Sleep is an integral part of good health. Sleep disorders and variations in sleep habits are associated with a low-grade inflammatory status, which may be either a cause or consequence of other conditions, including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Several strategies are available to counteract these conditions including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), pharmacological and nutritional interventions, and even surgery. At present, our group is investigating the effect of chronic endurance exercise on sleep alterations.

Acute exhaustive exercise regulates IL-2, IL-4 and MyoD in skeletal muscle but not adipose tissue in rats.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of exhaustive exercise on proteins associated with muscle damage and regeneration, including IL-2, IL-4 and MyoD, in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles and mesenteric (MEAT) and retroperitoneal adipose tissues (RPAT). METHODS: Rats were killed by decapitation immediately (E0 group, n = 6), 2 (E2 group, n = 6) or 6 (E6 group, n = 6) hours after the exhaustion protocol, which consisted of running on a treadmill at approximately 70% of VO(2max) for fifty minutes and then at an elevated rate that increased at one m/min every minute, until exhaustion. RESULTS: The control group (C group, n = 6) was not subjected to exercise. IL-2 protein expression increased at E0 in the soleus and EDL; at E2, this cytokine returned to control levels in both tissues. In the soleus, IL-2 protein expression was lower than that in the control at E6. IL-4 protein levels increased in EDL at E6, but the opposite result was observed in the soleus. MyoD expression increased at E6 in EDL. CONCLUSION: Exhaustive exercise was unable to modify IL-2 and IL-4 levels in MEAT and RPAT. The results show that exhaustive exercise has different effects depending on which muscle is analysed.

Sleep deprivation affects inflammatory marker expression in adipose tissue.

UNLABELLED: Sleep deprivation has been shown to increase inflammatory markers in rat sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Inflammation is a condition associated with pathologies such as obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. We investigated changes in the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines in different depots of white adipose tissue in rats. We also assessed lipid profiles and serum levels of corticosterone, leptin, and adiponectin after 96 hours of sleep deprivation. METHODS: The study consisted of two groups: a control (C) group and a paradoxical sleep deprivation by 96 h (PSD) group. Ten rats were randomly assigned to either the control group (C) or the PSD. Mesenteric (MEAT) and retroperitoneal (RPAT) adipose tissue, liver and serum were collected following completion of the PSD protocol. Levels of interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were analysed in MEAT and RPAT, and leptin, adiponectin, glucose, corticosterone and lipid profile levels were analysed in serum. RESULTS: IL-6 levels were elevated in RPAT but remained unchanged in MEAT after PSD. IL-10 protein concentration was not altered in either depot, and TNF-α levels decreased in MEAT. Glucose, triglycerides (TG), VLDL and leptin decreased in serum after 96 hours of PSD; adiponectin was not altered and corticosterone was increased. CONCLUSION: PSD decreased fat mass and may modulate the cytokine content in different depots of adipose tissue. The inflammatory response was diminished in both depots of adipose tissue, with increased IL-6 levels in RPAT and decreased TNF-α protein concentrations in MEAT and increased levels of corticosterone in serum.

Inflammation and adipose tissue: effects of progressive load training in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) are increased after exhaustive exercise in the rat retroperitoneal (RPAT) and mesenteric adipose tissue (MEAT) pads. On the other hand, these cytokines show decreased expression in these depots in response to a chronic exercise protocol. However, the effect of exercise with overload combined with a short recovery period on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of cytokine production in the adipose tissue of rats after an overtraining-inducing exercise protocol. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control (C), Trained (Tr), Overtrained (OT) and recovered overtrained (R). Cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10) levels and Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4), Nuclear Factor kBp65 (NF-kBp65), Hormone Sensitive Lipase (HSL) and, Perilipin protein expression were assessed in the adipose tissue. Furthermore, we analysed plasma lipid profile, insulin, testosterone, corticosterone and endotoxin levels, and liver triacylglycerol, cytokine content, as well as apolipoprotein B (apoB) and TLR4 expression in the liver. RESULTS: OT and R groups exhibited reduced performance accompanied by lower testosterone and increased corticosterone and endotoxin levels when compared with the control and trained groups. IL-6 and IL-10 protein levels were increased in the adipose tissue of the group allowed to recover, in comparison with all the other studied groups. TLR-4 and NF-kBp65 were increased in this same group when compared with both control and trained groups. The protein expression of HSL was increased and that of Perilipin, decreased in the adipose in R in relation to the control. In addition, we found increased liver and serum TAG, along with reduced apoB protein expression and IL-6 and IL-10 levels in the of R in relation to the control and trained groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we have shown that increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the adipose tissue after an overtraining protocol may be mediated via TLR-4 and NF-kBp65 signalling, leading to an inflammatory state in this tissue.

Endotoxin levels correlate positively with a sedentary lifestyle and negatively with highly trained subjects.

INTRODUCTION: A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. This phenomenon is supported by recent studies suggesting a chronic, low-grade inflammation status. Endotoxin derived from gut flora may be key to the development of inflammation by stimulating the secretion of inflammatory factors. This study aimed to examine plasma inflammatory markers and endotoxin levels in individuals with a sedentary lifestyle and/or in highly trained subjects at rest. METHODS: Fourteen male subjects (sedentary lifestyle n = 7; highly trained subjects n = 7) were recruited. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast (approximately 12 h). The plasmatic endotoxin, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP1), ICAM/CD54, VCAM/CD106 and lipid profile levels were determined. RESULTS: Endotoxinemia was lower in the highly trained subject group relative to the sedentary subjects (p < 0.002). In addition, we observed a positive correlation between endotoxin and PAI-1 (r = 0.85, p < 0.0001), endotoxin and total cholesterol (r = 0.65; p < 0.01), endotoxin and LDL-c (r = 0.55; p < 0.049) and endotoxin and TG levels (r = 0.90; p < 0.0001). The plasma levels of MCP-1, ICAM/CD54 and VCAM/CD106 did not differ. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a lifestyle associated with high-intensity and high-volume exercise induces favorable changes in chronic low-grade inflammation markers and may reduce the risk for diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.