Physical exercise prevents motor disorders and striatal oxidative imbalance after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

Stroke is the third most common cause of death worldwide, and most stroke survivors present some functional impairment. We assessed the striatal oxidative balance and motor alterations resulting from stroke in a rat model to investigate the neuroprotective role of physical exercise. Forty male Wistar rats were assigned to 4 groups: a) control, b) ischemia, c) physical exercise, and d) physical exercise and ischemia. Physical exercise was conducted using a treadmill for 8 weeks. Ischemia-reperfusion surgery involved transient bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries for 30 min. Neuromotor performance (open-field and rotarod performance tests) and pain sensitivity were evaluated beginning at 24 h after the surgery. Rats were euthanized and the corpora striata was removed for assay of reactive oxygen species, lipoperoxidation activity, and antioxidant markers. Ischemia-reperfusion caused changes in motor activity. The ischemia-induced alterations observed in the open-field test were fully reversed, and those observed in the rotarod test were partially reversed, by physical exercise. Pain sensitivity was similar among all groups. Levels of reactive oxygen species and lipoperoxidation increased after ischemia; physical exercise decreased reactive oxygen species levels. None of the treatments altered the levels of antioxidant markers. In summary, ischemia-reperfusion resulted in motor impairment and altered striatal oxidative balance in this animal model, but those changes were moderated by physical exercise.

Effects of cryotherapy on muscle damage markers and perception of delayed onset muscle soreness after downhill running: A Pilot study / Efectos de la crioterapia en los marcadores de daño muscular y en la percepción de mialgia de aparición tardía tras carrera en bajada / Efeito da imersão em agua gelada no dano muscular e dor tardia após a corrida de downhill: um estudo piloto

Objective: To investigate the effects of cryotherapy on markers of muscle damage, as well as the perception of muscle soreness caused by eccentric exercise after downhill running. Methods: Ten participants (age = 26 ± 5 year, height = 173 ± 8 cm and body mass = 70 ± 4 kg) performed two running trials on a treadmill tilted –6.6%, separated by one-week period. Cryotherapy (∼15 ◦C for 30 minutes) was conducted after one of the trials of exercise. Blood samples were analyzed for markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase - CK; lactate dehydrogenase - LDH; calcium - [Ca2+]). Perception of muscle soreness was quantified using an analogical scale of pain. Data were collected before, 24 and 48 h after the trials with and without the use of cryotherapy. Results: Cryotherapy significantly reduced muscle soreness and was able to reestablish homeostasis in CK, LDH and [Ca2+]. Conclusion: Use of cryotherapy after exercise with eccentric contractions was effective to reestablish the level of biochemical markers of muscle damage and reduce muscle soreness and pain perception in subjects submitted to downhill running (AU)

Objetivo: Investigar los efectos de la crioterapia en los marcadores de daño muscular, así como la percepción de mialgia causada por ejercicio excéntrico tras carrera en bajada. Método: Diez participantes (edad = 26,0 ± 5,0 años, altura = 173,0 ± 8,0 cm y masa corporal = 70,5 ± 4,0 kg) realizaron dos ensayos de carrera en tapiz rodante con una inclinación de –6.6%, separados por un periodo de una semana. Se llevó a cabo una sesión de crioterapia (∼15 ◦C,) tras cada uno de los ensayos. Se analizaron muestras de sangre para determinar los marcadores de daño muscular (creatín kinasa–CK; deshidrogenasa láctica–DHL; calcio - [Ca2+]). La percepción de dolor muscular fue cuantificada usando una escala analógica de dolor. Los datos se tomaron antes, 24 h y 48 h después de los ensayos con y sin el uso de crioterapia. Resultados: La crioterapia disminuyó significantemente el dolor muscular y fue capaz de reestablecer la homeostasis en CK, DHL y [Ca2+]. Conclusión: El uso de crioterapia tras ejercicio con contracciones excéntricas fue efectivo para reestablecer el nivel de los marcadores bioquímicos de daño muscular y reducir la mialgia y la percepción de dolor en sujetos sometidos a carrera en bajada (AU)

Introdução: O dano muscular é frequentemente observado em indivíduos envolvidos em atividades físicas que envolvam contrações excêntricas. Nestas situações, a crioterapia é utilizada para reduzir o dano muscular e a sensação de dor. No entanto, poucos estudos investigaram o efeito da imersão em agua gelada em marcadores de dano muscular, bem como a percepção de dor após exercício excêntrico. Método: Dez homens (26,0 ± 5,0 anos de idade, 173,0 ± 8,0 cm de estatura, 70,5 ± 4,0 kg de massa corporal). Os voluntários completaram dois corridas (teste e controle) separadas por sete dias, em um percurso declinado (-6,6%) em esteira. Em uma das tentativas realizou-se imersão em água gelada (~15 oC, 30 minutos). O dano muscular foi estimado mediante os níveis sanguíneos de (creatina quinase-CK; lactato desidrogenase-LDH e cálcio-[Ca2+]). A percepção de dor muscular foi estimada usando uma escala analógica. Todas as medidas foram realizadas antes, 24 e 48 horas pós-exercício. Resultados: A imersão em agua gelada diminuiu significativamente a dor muscular e auxiliou no reestabelecimento da homeostase da CH, LDH e Ca2+. Conclusão: A imersão em agua gelada após exercício excêntrico foi efetiva em reestabelecer os níveis bioquímicos de marcadores musculares e diminuiu a percepcao de dor (AU)