Effect of resistance training and hypocaloric diets with different protein content on body composition and lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic obese women / Efecto de un entrenamiento de fuerza y dieta hipocalórica con diferente aporte proteico sobre la composición corporal y el perfil lipídico en mujeres obesas con hipercolesterolemia

Lifestyle changes such as following a hypocaloric diet and regular physical exercise are recognized as effective non-pharmacological interventions to reduce body fat mass and prevent cardiovascular disease risk factors. Purpose: To evaluate the interactions of a higher protein (HP) vs. a lower protein (LP) diet with or without a concomitant progressive resistance training program (RT) on body composition and lipoprotein profile in hypercholesterolemic obese women. Methods: Retrospective study derived from a 16-week randomized controlled-intervention clinical trial. Twentyfive sedentary, obese (BMI: 30-40 kg/m2) women, aged 40-60 with hypercholesterolemia were assigned to a 4-arm trial using a 2 x 2 factorial design (Diet x Exercise). Prescribed diets had the same calorie restriction (-500 kcal/day), and were categorized according to protein content as: lower protein (< 22% daily energy intake, LP) vs. higher protein (> 22% daily energy intake, HP). Exercise comparisons involved habitual activity (control) vs. a 16-week supervised whole-body resistance training program (RT), two sessions/wk. Results: A significant decrease in weight and waist circumference was observed in all groups. A significant decrease in LDL-C and Total-Cholesterol levels was observed only when a LP diet was combined with a RT program, the RT being the most determining factor. Interestingly, an interaction between diet and exercise was found concerning LDL-C values. Conclusion: In this study, resistance training plays a key role in improving LDL-C and Total-Cholesterol; however, a lower protein intake (< 22% of daily energy intake as proteins) was found to achieve a significantly greater reduction in LDL-C (AU)

Cambios en el estilo de vida como el seguimiento de dieta hipocalórica y práctica de ejercicio físico regular, son reconocidos como intervenciones no farmacológicas efectivas para reducir la masa grasa y prevenir enfermedades cardiovasculares. Objetivo: Evaluar la interacción de dietas con mayor aporte proteico (HP) vs. menor aporte de proteínas (LP) con o sin un programa de entrenamiento de fuerza (RT) sobre la composición corporal, y el perfil lipídico en mujeres obesas con hipercolesterolemia. Metodología: Estudio retrospectivo derivado de un ensayo clínico controlado, aleatorizado de 16 semanas de intervención. 25 mujeres de entre 40-60 años, sedentarias, obesas (IMC: 30-40 kg/m2) y con hipercolesterolemia, fueron asignadas a 4 grupos, diseño factorial 2 x 2 (Dieta x Ejercicio). Las dietas, presentaban la misma restricción calórica (-500 kcal/day), y fueron categorizadas de acuerdo a su contenido proteico como: más bajas en proteínas (LP, < 22% del valor energético total) vs. más altas en proteínas (HP, > 22% del valor energético total). La comparación del ejercicio incluyó la actividad habitual (control) vs. 2 sesiones/sem de entrenamiento de fuerza supervisado, durante 16 semanas. Resultados: Se observaron pérdidas significativas de peso y de circunferencia de la cintura en todos los grupos. Disminución significativa de los niveles de LDL-C y colesterol total cuando la dieta LP era combinada con RT, siendo el RT el factor determinante. Se encontró una interacción entre dieta y ejercicio, en relación a los valores de LDL-C. Conclusión: En este estudio, el ejercicio de fuerza juega un papel importante en la reducción de los niveles de LDL-C y Colesterol total; sin embargo, una menor ingesta de proteínas (< 22% del valor energético total) puede favorecer mayor reducciones de LDL-C (AU)

Effect of resistance training and hypocaloric diets with different protein content on body composition and lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic obese women.

UNLABELLED: Lifestyle changes such as following a hypocaloric diet and regular physical exercise are recognized as effective non-pharmacological interventions to reduce body fat mass and prevent cardiovascular disease risk factors. PURPOSE: To evaluate the interactions of a higher protein (HP) vs. a lower protein (LP) diet with or without a concomitant progressive resistance training program (RT) on body composition and lipoprotein profile in hypercholesterolemic obese women. METHODS: Retrospective study derived from a 16-week randomized controlled-intervention clinical trial. Twenty five sedentary, obese (BMI: 30-40 kg/m²) women, aged 40-60 with hypercholesterolemia were assigned to a 4-arm trial using a 2 x 2 factorial design (Diet x Exercise). Prescribed diets had the same calorie restriction (-500 kcal/day), and were categorized according to protein content as: lower protein (< 22% daily energy intake, LP) vs. higher protein (> 22% daily energy intake, HP). Exercise comparisons involved habitual activity (control) vs. a 16-week supervised whole-body resistance training program (RT), two sessions/wk. RESULTS: A significant decrease in weight and waist circumference was observed in all groups. A significant decrease in LDL-C and Total-Cholesterol levels was observed only when a LP diet was combined with a RT program, the RT being the most determining factor. Interestingly, an interaction between diet and exercise was found concerning LDL-C values. CONCLUSION: In this study, resistance training plays a key role in improving LDL-C and Total-Cholesterol; however, a lower protein intake (< 22% of daily energy intake as proteins) was found to achieve a significantly greater reduction in LDL-C.

[Study of vascular risk in Navarre: objectives and design. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and of vascular risk factors]. / Estudio de riesgo vascular en Navarra: objetivos y diseño. Prevalencia del síndrome metabólico y de los factores mayores de riesgo vascular.

BACKGROUND: To determine in a representative sample of the population the prevalence of risk factors and metabolic syndrome; their association with sub-clinical atherosclerotic lesions and their impact on cardiocerebrovascular disease 10 years after. MATERIAL AND METHODS: (Phase 1) Cross sectional survey of a random sample stratified by age and sex of the population of Navarre aged between 35 and 84. Antecedents, risk factors, physical and analytical exploration. (Phase II) Ten year follow-up cohort study, in 500 exposed to MS and 500 not exposed persons, aged between 45 and 74 years; with an 82.25% power to detect a risk ratio of 2; with analytical and image markers of sub-clinical atherosclerosis. (Phase III) Follow up of vascular events at ten years. RESULTS: The subjects recruited were 6,553; excluded or not found 871; the final sample was 5,682 (2,644 men and 3,038 women); 4,168 (73,4%) took part in the study. The prevalence of MS was 22.1% (95%CI 20.5 - 23.7) for men and 17,2% (95%CI 15.8 - 18.5) for women. The main cardiovascular RF were high compared to other geographical areas except for HDL cholesterol. The rate was 8.5% (95%CI 7.4 - 9.6) for men and 1.7% (95%CI 1.3 - 2.2) CONCLUSIONS: There are important differences in risk between sex, being worst for men. The high figures for HDL cholesterol and the low prevalence of MS might mean a lower risk of vascular events in Navarra.

Modulación de la fisiología gastrointestinal mediante cepas probióticas de Lactobacillus casei y Bifidobacterium bifidum / Modulation of gastrointestinal physiology through probiotic strains of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum

En el contexto de la alimentación y la promoción de la salud se sitúan los productos denominados alimentos funcionales que tienen diversos efectos beneficiosos en el organismo, además de los meramente nutricionales. Dentro de estos alimentos funcionales, entre otros, podemos distinguir entre compuestos probióticos y prebióticos. Los microorganismos más utilizados en alimentos probióticos pertenecen a los géneros Lactobacillus y Bifidobacterium. En el presente trabajo se ha estudiado el efecto de dietas suplementadas con Lactobacillus casei o Bifidobacterium bifidum en el desarrollo animal y en especial sobre la función intestinal, centrada en su actividad immunitaria, digestiva y absortiva de animales en crecimiento. Las cepas bacterianas utilizadas modifican la actividad del intestino delgado de los ratones sanos, afectando significativamente a su actividad enzimática (sacarasa, maltasa y aminopeptidasa) y a la captación de nutrientes (galactosa y glicilsarcosina), así como a la actividad inmune intestinal (mayor número de placas de Peyer). Sin embargo, estos efectos no parecen perturbar el desarrollo de los animales en crecimiento ya que no se aprecian diferencias significativas en su peso corporal ni en sus parámetros sanguíneos. Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto los posibles efectos beneficiosos en la fisiología intestinal y contribuyen al conocimiento de los posibles mecanismos de acción de los probióticos, que se pudieran utilizar en el tratamiento preventivo de diferentes patologías relacionadas con el aparato digestivo

The products called functional foods, which besides being merely nutritional have different beneficial effects on the organism, are situated in the context of diet and health promotion. Amongst these functional foods we can distinguish, amongst others, between probiotic and prebiotic compounds. The microorganisms most widely used in probiotic foods belong to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium types. In this article we have studied the effect of diets supplemented with Lactobacillus casei or Bifidobacterium bifidum on animal development and especially on the intestinal function, centred on their immune, digestive and absorptive activity in growing animals. The bacteria strains used modify the activity of the small intestine of healthy mice, significantly affecting their enzymatic activity (sucrase, maltase and aminopeptidase) and the collection of nutrients (galactose and glycilsarcosine), as well as the intestinal immune activity (higher number of Peyer’s patches). However, these effects do not appear to disturb the development of the growing animals since no significant differences are appreciated in their body weight or in their blood parameters. These results make clear the possible beneficial effects on intestinal physiology and contribute to the understanding of the possible mechanisms of action of the probiotics, which could be employed in the preventive treatment of different pathologies related to the digestive apparatus

Effect of dietary quercetin and sphingomyelin on intestinal nutrient absorption and animal growth.

Research on cancer and other conditions has shown flavonoids and sphingolipids to be food components capable of exerting chemoprotective action. Nevertheless, little is known about their effects on healthy individuals and their potential usefulness as therapeutic agents. The present study examined the possible action of a dietary flavonoid, quercetin, and a sphingolipid, sphingomyelin, as functional foods in healthy animals. In particular, the effect on animal growth of supplementing a conventional diet with one or other of these substances (0.5 % quercetin and 0.05 % sphingomyelin) was considered. Possible action affecting intestinal physiology was also analysed by measuring the uptake of sugar and dipeptide, mediated by the Na(+)-dependent sugar transporter SGLT1 and the dipeptide Na(+)/H(+) exchanger PEPT1 respectively, and the activity of related intestinal enzymes such as sucrase, maltase and aminopeptidase N. Both substances seemed to modify small intestinal activity in healthy mice, altering intestinal enzymatic activity and nutrient uptake. These effects observed in the small intestine did not impair normal development of the animals, as no differences in serum biochemical parameters or in organ and body weights were found. The findings should help in elucidating the mechanisms of action of these food components with a view to their possible use in the prevention of certain pathological conditions.

[Modulation of gastrointestinal physiology through probiotic strains of Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum]. / Modulación de la fisiología gastrointestinal mediante cepas probióticas de Lactobacillus casei y Bifidobacterium bifidum.

The products called functional foods, which besides being merely nutritional have different beneficial effects on the organism, are situated in the context of diet and health promotion. Amongst these functional foods we can distinguish, amongst others, between probiotic and prebiotic compounds. The micro-organisms most widely used in probiotic foods belong to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium types. In this article we have studied the effect of diets supplemented with Lactobacillus casei or Bifidobacterium bifidum on animal development and especially on the intestinal function, centred on their immune, digestive and absorptive activity in growing animals. The bacteria strains used modify the activity of the small intestine of healthy mice, significantly affecting their enzymatic activity (sucrase, maltase and aminopeptidase) and the collection of nutrients (galactose and glycilsarcosine), as well as the intestinal immune activity (higher number of Peyer's patches). However, these effects do not appear to disturb the development of the growing animals since no significant differences are appreciated in their body weight or in their blood parameters. These results make clear the possible beneficial effects on intestinal physiology and contribute to the understanding of the possible mechanisms of action of the probiotics, which could be employed in the preventive treatment of different pathologies related to the digestive apparatus.

[The state of poisoning in Navarra]. / Situación de las intoxicaciones en Navarra.

We briefly comment on the state of clinical toxicology in Navarra and in the rest of Spain, with reference to the Toxicology Committee of Navarra and its aims. Epidemiological data from the Emergency Service of the Hospital of Navarra is presented, as well as where to find information on the subject; the epidemiological registration sheet designed by the SEMESTOX group is attached. A description is given of the characteristics of therapeutic drugs and drugs of abuse determination (type of sample, methodology and interpretation of results) carried out in the toxicological analytical unit of the Hospital of Navarra. Finally, reference is made to all of the antidotes available to the Pharmacy Service of the Hospital of Navarra, which is the reference center for the whole of the autonomous community of Navarra. A description is given for each medicine including its indications.

Situación de las intoxicaciones en Navarra / The state of poisoning in Navarra

Se comenta brevemente la situación de la toxicología clínica en Navarra en relación al resto de España, haciendo referencia al Comité de Toxicología de Navarra con sus objetivos. Se presentan datos epidemiológicos del Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital de Navarra, así como dónde encontrar información del tema y se adjunta la hoja de registro epidemiológico realizada por el grupo de SEMESTOX. Se describen las características de la determinación de drogas de abuso y terapéuticas (tipo de muestra, metodología e interpretación de resultados) realizados en la unidad analítica toxicológica del Hospital de Navarra. Por último se hace referencia a todos lo antídotos que dispone el Servicio de Farmacia del Hospital de Navarra, que es el centro de referencia para toda la Comunidad, describiendo en cada fármaco sus indicaciones de uso (AU)

Physiological and performance responses to a 6-day taper in middle-distance runners: influence of training frequency.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of training frequency on performance and some physiological responses during a 6-day taper. After 18 weeks of training, 9 male middle-distance runners were assigned to a high frequency taper (HFT, n = 5) or a moderate frequency taper (MFT, n = 4), consisting of training daily or resting every third day of the taper. Taper consisted of an 80% nonlinear progressive reduction in high intensity interval training. Blood samples were obtained, and 800 m performance and peak blood lactate ([La] peak ) measured before and after taper. Performance improved significantly after HFT (121.8 +/- 4.7 vs 124.2 +/- 4.9 s, p < 0.05), but not after MFT (126.6 +/- 2.8 vs 127.1 +/- 2.1 s). Neutrophils (2.89 +/- 0.68 vs 2.56 +/- 0.61 10 (3) x mm(-3)), granulocytes (3.08 +/- 0.70 vs 2.77 +/- 0.66 10 (3) x mm(-3)), haptoglobin (79.7 +/- 47.9 vs 60.7 +/- 33.6 mg x dl(-1)), total testosterone (7.39 +/- 1.67 vs 5.52 +/- 0.88 microg x l(-1)) and [La] peak (15.5 +/- 1.5 vs 14.4 +/- 2.0 mmol x l(-1)) significantly increased with taper. [La] peak correlated with performance time before taper (r = -0.76, p < 0.05), and change in [La] peak with change in serum cortisol (r = -0.75, p < 0.05) and total testosterone:cortisol ratio (r = 0.82, p < 0.01). In conclusion, training daily during a 6-day taper brought about significant performance gains, whereas resting every third day did not. High [La] peak and a hormonal milieu propitious to anabolic processes seemed to be necessary for optimum performance.

Comparison of two different methods for measurement of phenylalanine in dried blood spots.

Phenylketonuria is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by a defect in the hydroxylation of phenylalanine. Newborn screening is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. A phenylalanine dehydrogenase-coupled enzymatic assay (Quantase) in microtiter plates for the screening of phenylketonuria was evaluated and compared with our routine method based on the modified fluorometric McCaman method. The test exhibited a linear calibration curve with a good slope as well as sufficient imprecision (< 10%), recovery (99.23+/-4.86%) and limit of detection (54.5 micromol/l). One hundred and ninety dried blood spots were analysed by this enzymatic method and compared with McCaman's. Although Quantase (Teknovas, Bilbao, Spain) showed a phenylalanine mean level in dried blood spot 18.2 micromol/l higher than that obtained with our routine method, the agreement between both techniques was considered acceptable.

Comparación de tres inmunoanálisis para la cuantificación de PSA, PSAL, CEA y Ca 15.3 / Comparison of three immunoassays for the measurement of PSA, FPSA, CEA and Ca 15.3

Objetivo: Comparar los resultados de varios marcadores tumorales obtenidos en los analizadores AxSym, Inmulite y Elecsys. Material y Métodos: Se han analizado varios sueros recibidos en nuestro Servicio de forma rutinaria para la cuantificación del antígeno específico de próstata (PSA), el antígeno específico de próstata libre (PSAL), el antígeno carcinoembrionario (CEA) y el antígeno reactivo con el anticuerpo monoclonal Ca 15.3 (Ca 15.3) mediante tres inmunoanálisis diferentes. Los resultados fueron evaluados estadísticamente mediante la aplicación de la línea de regresión estructural de la mediana absoluta de Feldmann y de las curvas de las diferencias descritas por Bland y Altman. Resultados: El grado de correlación según la estadística robusta de Feldmann es bueno para todos los marcadores y entre los analizadores objeto de valoración. Los valores de PSA, CEA y Ca 15.3 obtenidos en el analizador Immulite son más altos que aquellos procedentes del AxSym. Al comparar los analizadores AxSym/Elecsys, los resultados de PSA y Ca 15.3 fueron más altos en el AxSym. Conclusiones: los resultados de PSA y de CEA en los analizadores estudiados no se diferencian de forma significativa, no obstante existen diferencias reseñables en el caso del PSAL y del Ca 15.3 (AU)

Tripsinógeno 2 urinario como marcador bioquímico de pancreatitis aguda / Urinary trypsinogen-2 as biochemical marker of acute pancreatitis

Se ha evaluado la detección de tripsinógeno 2 urinario mediante tiras reactivas frente a la determinación de la actividad catalítica de a-amilasa plasmática y urinaria como método diagnóstico, de pancreatitis aguda. Se estudiaron 34 pacientes consospecha clínica de pancreatitis aguda. A todos ellos se les determinaron las actividades catalíticas a-amilasa plasmática y urinaria mediante el reactivo a-Amylae EPS (Roche diagnostics) en el autoanalizador Synchron CX7 (Beckman) y el tripsinógeno 2 urinario mediante tiras Dipsticks`` (Medix Biochemica). Para confirmar el diagnóstico se revisaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes. La prueba más sensible fue la aamilasa plasmática y la más específica la a-amilasa urinaria aunque ninguna de ellas fue significativamente mejor que la detección de tripsinógeno 2 en orina mediante tiras reactivas (Dipsticks). Por ello la utilización de dichas tiras para el diagnóstico de pancreatitis aguda está plenamente justificado cuando no se pueda determinar la a-amilasa de forma urgente (AU)

Physiological responses to a 6-d taper in middle-distance runners: influence of training intensity and volume.

PURPOSE: This study examined some physiological and performance responses to a 6-d taper, and the influence of training intensity and volume on these responses. METHODS: After 15 wk of training, 8 well-trained male middle-distance runners were randomly assigned to either a moderate volume taper (MVT, N = 4) or a low volume taper (LVT, N = 4), consisting of either a 50% or a 75% progressive reduction in pretaper low intensity continuous training (LICT) and high intensity interval training (HIIT). Blood samples were obtained and 800-m running performance was measured before and after taper. RESULTS: Performance was not significantly enhanced by either taper protocol (post- vs pre-taper times 124.9 +/- 4.5 vs 126.1 +/- 4.2 s with LVT, 126.2 +/- 8.0 vs 125.7 +/- 6.6 s with MVT). For the entire group of 8 subjects, red cell count, hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular Hb concentration significantly decreased with taper, while reticulocyte count increased. Performance changes for all subjects correlated with changes in postrace peak blood lactate concentration (r = 0.87, P < 0.01). Taper LICT correlated with changes in Hb (r = 0.77), hematocrit (r = 0.81), reticulocyte count (r = 0.73), creatine kinase (r = 0.72), and total testosterone (r = -0.78), and with posttaper red cell distribution width (r = -0.75) and lymphocyte count (r = -0.82). Taper HIIT correlated nonsignificantly with changes in red cell count (r = -0.66) and total testosterone (r = 0.68). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that taper-induced physiological changes in trained middle-distance runners are mainly hematological, and that distinct physiological changes are elicited from LICT and HIIT during taper. Middle-distance runners can progressively reduce their usual training volume by at least 75% during a 6-d taper.

[Program for the early detection of hyperphenylalaninemia: 11 years on]. / Programa de detección precoz de la hiperfenilalaninemia: 11 años de andadura.

In 1980 the Neonatal Screening Program was set in motion in Navarra. One of its aims is the early detection of hyperphenylalaninemias. In 1987 the quantification of phenylalanine came to be carried out in the Clinical Chemistry Department of the Hospital of Navarra. From then until December 1997, 51,815 newborn babies have been studied, which represents 99.24% of the infants born in Navarra. The quantification of phenylalanine in dried blood spots during 1989 enabled us to obtain the reference interval for this amino acid that is contained between 69.5 +/- 0.01 micromol/L and 139.9 +/- 0.03 micromol/L. During these 11 years we detected 2 cases of phenylketonuric hyperphenylalaninemia and one case of transitory hyperphenylalaninemia. From the clinical point of view, the children are well at present, following prescription of adequate treatment, which is based on a diet with a low phenylalanine content.

Physiological comparison of roller skating, treadmill running and ergometer cycling.

This study was undertaken to determine the metabolic and cardiorespiratory differences between treadmill running, ergometer cycling and roller skating in top level roller skaters. The subjects performed 3 discontinuous graded tests until exhaustion. The protocol was established so that heart rate kinetics during exercise were similar in all the tests. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximal heart rate and exercise time to exhaustion were higher during running (p < 0.05) than during cycling. Blood lactate during submaximal and maximal running exercise was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than during cycling or roller skating. There were no differences between cycling and roller skating in any of the variables studied. These results seem to suggest that, compared with running, VO2max during cycling is limited more by local muscle fatigue than by cardiac factors. The similar response found during roller skating and cycling supports the concept that cycloergometer testing is a valid simple laboratory test for testing physical fitness in top level roller skaters.

[Kala-azar in childhood. 20 year review]. / Kala-azar en la infancia. Revisión de veinte años.

Authors have reviewed 43 patients with Kala-azar admitted to hospital from 1960 to 1980. Thirty two patients came from Madrid province and rest from surroundings. There was a male predominance. Disease was more common between children under two years old. Bone marrow examination was positive for parasites in 60% of patients and in the others diagnosis was established because an appropriate response to Antimonials. All patients were treated with N-metil-Glucamined and in two patients Neo-Stibosan was added later. Clinical response to treatment was to complete remission in all patients.