Effect of exercise intervention using mobile healthcare on blood lipid level and health-related physical fitness in obese women: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of non-face-to-face exercise intervention using mobile health (mHealth) on blood lipid levels and health-related physical fitness in obese women. METHODS: Thirty obese women (aged: 39.40 ± 11.07 years, percent body fat: 37.05 ± 5.15%) were enrolled, and all completed the study. Non-face-to-face exercises were performed for 12 weeks using a mHealth and smart tracker (Charge 4, Fitbit, USA). Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental (EXP) or control (CON) group. The 12-week exercise program using mHealth included resistance (twice a week for 60 min), aerobics (five times a week for 50 min), and flexibility (five times a week for 10 min). RESULTS: The results showed that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Post - Pre: 9.07 mg·dL-1, p < 0.001) and ratio of low-density to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Post - Pre: -0.71 mg·dL-1, p < 0.05) significantly changed during the intervention period in EXP. There were significant increases in sit-ups (Post - Pre: 7.73 numbers, p < 0.001), grip strength (Post - Pre: 2.92 kg, p < 0.001), and sit and reach (Post - Pre: 2.51 cm, p < 0.01) in EXP. CONCLUSION: Non-face-to-face exercise using mHealth for 12 weeks improved blood lipid levels and health-related physical fitness; therefore, it can help improve compliance through self-monitoring and lifestyle changes by increasing physical activity.

Exogenous lactate intake immediately after endurance exercise increases time to exhaustion in VO2max measurements in mice.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of 4 weeks of lactate intake immediately after endurance exercise on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in exercise performance. METHODS: Seven-week-old mice from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) were randomly divided into four groups: vehicle intake (SE/CON), lactate intake (SE/LAC), endurance exercise with vehicle intake (EX/ CON), and lactate intake with endurance exercise (EX/ LAC). Mice were subjected to 60-70% VO2max endurance exercise with or without oral lactate intake 5 days/ week for 4 weeks. VO2max measurements (VO2max, time to exhaustion (TTE), respiratory exchange rate, fat oxidation, and carbohydrate oxidation) were recorded at the end of the study period. After 48 h of VO2max measurement, the mice were sacrificed, and three different abdominal fat samples (epididymal, perirenal, and mesenteric) were collected. RESULTS: Body weight and abdominal fat mass did not differ between the groups. When measuring VO2max, endurance exercise raised VO2max, and lactate intake after endurance exercise increased TTE. The change in energy substrate utilization during VO2max measurement demonstrated that although the respiratory exchange rate and fat oxidation were enhanced by lactate intake, there were no synergistic effects of lactate intake and endurance exercise. CONCLUSION: Lactate intake immediately after endurance exercises can improve exercise performance, indicating the benefit of long-term exogenous lactate intake as an exercise supplement.

Enhancing Supplemental Effects of Acute Natural Antioxidant Derived from Yeast Fermentation and Vitamin C on Sports Performance in Triathlon Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial.

This study investigated the acute effects of natural antioxidants, derived from yeast fermentation containing glutathione and dietary vitamin C supplementation, on metabolic function, skeletal muscle oxygenation, cardiac function, and antioxidant function during submaximal exercise in middle-aged triathlon athletes. Twelve participants (aged 49.42 ± 5.9 years) completed 90 min submaximal cycling trials corresponding to 70% maximal oxygen uptake with either vitamin C and glutathione (VitC+Glu), vitamin C (VitC), glutathione (Glu) supplementation, or placebo. Metabolic function (minute ventilation, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output [VCO2], respiratory exchange ratio [RER], oxygen pulse [O2pulse], carbohydrate oxidation, fat oxidation, and energy expenditure), skeletal muscle oxygenation (oxidized hemoglobin and myoglobin in skeletal muscle tissue, total hemoglobin and myoglobin in skeletal muscle tissue [tHb]), cardiac function (heart rate [HR], stroke volume [SV], cardiac output, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction), and antioxidant function parameters (blood lactate, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione [GSH], diacron reactive oxygen metabolite [dROM], and biological antioxidant potential [BAP]) were measured during submaximal exercise and recovery. VCO2, RER, HR, blood lactate after exercise, and dROM were significantly lower, and O2pulse, tHb, and BAP were significantly higher for VitC+Glu than for the other trials (p < 0.05). In conclusion, combined vitamin C and glutathione supplementation was more effective in improving metabolic function, skeletal oxygenation, cardiac function, and antioxidant function during prolonged submaximal exercise in middle-aged triathletes.

Effects of a Mobile-Health Exercise Intervention on Body Composition, Vascular Function, and Autonomic Nervous System Function in Obese Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: The present study verified the effect of an m-health exercise intervention using a 12-week exercise program on body composition, vascular function, and the ANS. Patients and Methods: Thirty obese adult women participants were randomized (n = 15 each) into the experimental (EXP) group, those who performed mobile-health (m-health) exercises using a wearable device (Charge 4, Fitbit, USA) and AI-fit web page, or the control (CON) group, those who continued their daily activities as before. Muscle function, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility were assessed during the exercise program using the AI-fit web page and wearable device. The EXP group participated in exercise interventions using the m-health system for 12 weeks, while the CON group was encouraged to maintain their normal daily routines. Body composition, vascular function, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: Significant decreases were noted in fat mass (Post - Pre: -1.47 kg; p < 0.001) and percent body fat (Post - Pre: -2.11%; p < 0.05). Flow-mediated dilatation (Post - Pre: 2.63%; p < 0.001) was significantly increased, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (Post - Pre: -91.49 cm·sec-1; p < 0.01) was significantly decreased. RMSSD (Post - Pre: 10.43 ms; p < 0.01), NN50 (Post-Pre: 24.04; p < 0.05), pNN50 (Post - Pre: 7.70%; p < 0.05) and HF (Post-Pre: 179.60 ms2; p < 0.05) increased significantly. Conclusion: In conclusion, m-health exercise interventions using AI fit and wearable devices are effective in preventing obesity and improving vascular function, and ANS.

Dietary Arginine and Citrulline Supplements for Cardiovascular Health and Athletic Performance: A Narrative Review.

The global market for nutritional supplements (NS) is growing rapidly, and the use of L-arginine (Arg), L-citrulline (Cit), and citrulline malate (CitMal) supplements has been shown to enhance cardiovascular health and athletic performance. Over the past decade, Arg, Cit, and CitMal supplements have received considerable attention from researchers in the field of exercise nutrition, who have investigated their potential effects on hemodynamic function, endothelial function, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, strength, power, and endurance. Previous studies were reviewed to determine the potential impact of Arg, Cit, and CitMal supplements on cardiovascular health and exercise performance. By synthesizing the existing literature, the study aimed to provide insight into the possible uses and limitations of these supplements for these purposes. The results showed that both recreational and trained athletes did not see improved physical performance or increased nitric oxide (NO) synthesis with 0.075 g or 6 g doses of Arg supplement per body weight. However, 2.4 to 6 g of Cit per day for 7 to 16 days of various NSs had a positive impact, increasing NO synthesis, enhancing athletic performance indicators, and reducing feelings of exertion. The effects of an 8 g acute dose of CitMal supplement were inconsistent, and more research is needed to determine its impact on muscle endurance performance. Based on the positive effects reported in previous studies, further testing is warranted in various populations that may benefit from nutritional supplements, including aerobic and anaerobic athletes, resistance-trained individuals, elderly people, and clinical populations, to determine the impact of different doses, timing of ingestion, and long-term and acute effects of Arg, Cit, and CitMal supplements on cardiovascular health and athletic performance.

Effect of a 12-week non-contact exercise intervention on body composition and health-related physical fitness in adults: a pilot test.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week non-contact exercise intervention on body composition and health-related physical fitness in adults. METHODS: One hundred adults were initially enrolled; however, ninety-seven participants (men: n = 41, women: n = 56) completed the study. The non-contact exercise was performed for 12 weeks using a smart tracker (Charge 4, Fitbit, USA) and mobile phone applications. The non-contact exercise program included resistance, aerobic, and flexibility exercises. RESULTS: The results showed that percent body fat (F=4.993, p=.016, ηp2=.049), fat-free mass (F=4.690, p=.024, ηp2=.047), and skeletal muscle mass (F=5.623, p=.004, ηp2=.055) significantly changed during the intervention period. Further, significant increases were seen in hand grip strength (F=12.167, p<.001, ηp2=.112), sit-and-reach (F=20.497, p<.001, ηp2=.176), sit-ups (F=42.107, p<.001, ηp2=.305), and VO2max (F=4.311, p=.037, ηp2=.043). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that 12 weeks of non-contact exercise improves body composition and health-related physical fitness. Wearable technologies encourage individuals to modify their lifestyles by increasing physical activity and achieving the goal of maintaining health conditions among adults.

Relations between numerical, spatial, and executive function skills and mathematics achievement: A latent-variable approach.

Current evidence suggests that numerical, spatial, and executive function (EF) skills each play critical and independent roles in the learning and performance of mathematics. However, these conclusions are largely based on isolated bodies of research and without measurement at the latent variable level. Thus, questions remain regarding the latent structure and potentially shared and unique relations between numerical, spatial, EF, and mathematics abilities. The purpose of the current study was to (i) confirm the latent structure of the hypothesized constructs of numerical, spatial, and EF skills and mathematics achievement, (ii) measure their unique and shared relations with one another, and (iii) test a set of novel hypotheses aimed to more closely reveal the underlying nature of the oft reported space-math association. Our analytical approach involved latent-variable analyses (structural equation modeling) with a sample of 4- to 11-year-old children (N = 316, Mage = 6.68 years). Results of a confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that numerical, spatial, EF, and mathematics skills are highly related, yet separable, constructs. Follow-up structural analyses revealed that numerical, spatial, and EF latent variables explained 84% of children's mathematics achievement scores, controlling for age. However, only numerical and spatial performance were unique predictors of mathematics achievement. The observed patterns of relations and developmental trajectories remained stable across age and grade (preschool - 4th grade). Follow-up mediation analyses revealed that numerical skills, but not EF skills, partially mediated the relation between spatial skills and mathematics achievement. Overall, our results point to spatial visualization as a unique and robust predictor of children's mathematics achievement.

Treatment of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhaled tacrolimus-loaded chitosan-coated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation and collagen deposition, with an estimated mortality rate exceeding 70%. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic effectiveness of inhaled tacrolimus-loaded chitosan-coated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (chitosan TAC PLGA-NPs) in a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model. Chitosan TAC PLGA-NPs were fabricated using an o/w emulsification diffusion method, and uncoated TAC PLGA-NPs and chitosan TAC PLGA-NPs were spherical with approximate diameters of 320 and 441 nm, respectively. The zeta potential of chitosan TAC PLGA-NPs (+13.6 mV) was increased significantly by chitosan-coating versus uncoated TAC PLGA-NPs (-28.3 mV). The incorporation efficiency of tacrolimus was 37.7%, and the tacrolimus was gradually released until about 5 day. Direct inhalation of chitosan TAC PLGA-NPs (TAC 180 µg/mouse) twice a week produced marked anti-fibrotic efficacy in mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which was much better than the efficacy resulting from daily oral administration (TAC 300 µg/mouse) on the basis of hematoxylin/eosin and Masson's trichrome staining assessments. Imaging of lung deposition showed that chitosan TAC PLGA-NPs were located well in the lungs and gradually faded over 96 h. The pulmonary delivery of tacrolimus could be therapeutically efficacious for treating pulmonary fibrosis. TAC-loaded PLGA nanoparticles should be considered to be an efficient sustained-release type inhalation system that reduces administration frequency and relevant side effects.

Therapeutic advantage of inhaled tacrolimus-bound albumin nanoparticles in a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model.

Tacrolimus (Tac) is an immunosuppressant that inhibits translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells and has therapeutic potential for pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of a sustained-release type inhaled Tac formulation for treating bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Inhalation has many meaningful advantages over injections, such as improved patient compliance, safety, and therapeutic effect. To this end, we fabricated inhalable albumin nanoparticles with bound Tac (Tac Alb-NPs) at a daily therapeutic dose (60 µg/mouse) using a high-pressure homogenizer via nanoparticle albumin-bound technology. The Tac Alb-NPs were spherical, ∼ 182.1 ± 28.5 nm in size, with a zeta potential of -34.5 ± 0.3 mV, and the Tac incorporation efficiency was as high as ∼ 85.3%. The bound tacrolimus was released gradually from Tac Alb-NPs for ∼ 24 h, which was sufficient time for pulmonary delivery. Most of all, the inhaled Tac Alb-NPs displayed remarkable anti-fibrotic efficacy in mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, which was much better than the efficacy resulting from intraperitoneal administration of Tac (60 µg/mouse) based on histopathological results (hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining). Furthermore, the inhaled Cy5.5-labelled Tac Alb-NPs were visualized throughout the lungs of mice for ∼ 48 h, indicating direct exposure to fibrotic tissues in lung lesions. In conclusion, Tac Alb-NPs offer great potential as an inhalation delivery formulation for treating pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, these NPs would be particularly useful as an effective and safe prototype for delivering practically insoluble therapeutic agents into the lungs.

Facile one-pot formulation of TRAIL-embedded paclitaxel-bound albumin nanoparticles for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab™) technology is an effective way of delivering hydrophobic chemotherapeutics. We developed a one-pot/one-step formulation of paclitaxel (PTX)-bound albumin nanoparticles with embedded tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL/PTX HSA-NP) for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. TRAIL/PTX HSA-NPs were fabricated using a high-pressure homogenizer at a TRAIL feeding ratio of 0.2%, 1.0%, and 2.0%. TRAIL/PTX HSA-NPs were spherical and became larger in size (170-230 nm) with increasing TRAIL amount (0.2-2.0%). The loading efficiencies of PTX were in the range of ∼86.4% and significantly low at 2.0% TRAIL (60.4%). Specifically, the inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of TRAIL (1.0 or 2.0%)/PTX HSA-NPs were >20-fold lower than that of plain PTX-HSA NP (0.032±0.06, 0.022±0.005, and 0.96±0.15 ng/ml, respectively) in pancreatic Mia Paca-2 cells. Considering TRAIL loading, bioactivity, and particle size, TRAIL(1.0%)/PTX HSA-NPs were determined as the optimal candidate for further studies. TRAIL(1.0%)/PTX HSA-NPs displayed substantially greater apoptotic activity than plain PTX HSA-NP in both FACS and TUNEL analysis. The loaded PTX and TRAIL were gradually released from the TRAIL(1.0%)/PTX HSA-NPs until ∼24 h, which is considered to be a sufficient time for delivery to the tumor tissue. TRAIL(1.0%)/PTX HSA-NP displayed markedly more antitumor efficacy than plain PTX HSA-NP in Mia Paca-2 cell-xenografted mice in terms of tumor volume (size) and weight (213.9 mm(3) and 0.18 g vs. 1126.8 mm(3) and 0.80 g, respectively). These improved in vitro and in vivo performances were due to the combined synergistic effects of PTX and TRAIL. We believe that this TRAIL/PTX HSA-NP would have potential as a novel apoptosis-based anticancer agent.