Central obesity is detrimental to anti-inflammatory, phenotype, and exhaustion markers in mononuclear cells - A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of central obesity on immunometabolic response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from normal weight and overweight/obese young men. METHODS: Eighteen individuals were classified as normal weight (NW; n = 9 - age: 25 ± 5 and BMI: 21.4 ± 1.7) and overweight/obese (OW; n = 9 - age: 29 ± 7 and BMI: 29.2 ± 2.7). The body composition was evaluated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), waist circumference, and visceral and subcutaneous fat depots by ultrasound. Physical activity levels, metabolic parameters, immune phenotypic characterization, cytokine production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -stimulated whole blood cells and LPS or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated PBMC, and mitochondrial respiration in PBMCs were evaluated. Expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and adrenergic receptor beta 1 and 2 (AR-ß1 and ß2) genes were evaluated in cultured PBMC using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: Individuals with overweight/obese (OW) presented higher glucose (P = 0.009) and leptin (P = 0.010) than individuals with normal weight (NW). PBMCs of OW under stimulation with LPS presented a lower production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) (P = 0.011) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1α) (P = 0.048) than NW. Mitochondrial respiration rates were not different between NW and OW subjects. Cultured PBMCs in LPS-stimulated condition indicated higher gene expression of AR-ß2 in OW, while PMA-stimulated PBMCs presented lower expression of AMPK (P = 0.002) and higher expression of NF-κB (P=<0.0001) than NW. OW presented higher numbers of CD3+CD4+ T cells (P = 0.009) and higher expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) in CD8+ T cells (P = 0.001) than NW. CONCLUSION: Central obesity promoted reductions in interleukin 10 production response and increase in AR-ß2 expressions in mitogen-stimulated PBMCs. Furthermore, central obesity altered the phenotype of PBMCs, also increasing the expression of PD-1 exhaustion markers in young adults.

Orange juice containing Pediococcus acidilactici CE51 modulates the intestinal microbiota and reduces induced inflammation in a murine model of colitis.

The management of inflammatory bowel diseases has been widely investigated, especially ulcerative colitis. Thus, studies with the application of new probiotic products are needed in the prevention/treatment of these clinical conditions. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of probiotic orange juice containing Pediococcus acidilactici CE51 in a murine model of colitis. 45 male Swiss lineage mice were used, divided into five groups (n = 9): control, colitis, colitis + probiotic (probiotic orange juice containing CE51), colitis + placebo (orange juice) and colitis + sulfasalazine (10 mg/kg/Weight). The induction of colitis was performed with dextran sodium sulfate (3%). The treatment time was 5 and 15 days after induction. Histopathological analysis, serum measurements of TNF-α and C-reactive protein and metagenomic analysis of feces were performed after euthanasia. Probiotic treatment reduced inflammation in the small intestine, large intestine and spleen. The probiotic did not alter the serum dosages of TNF-α and C-reactive protein. Their use maintained the quantitative ratio of the phylum Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and increased Lactobacillus helveticus with 15 days of treatment (p < 0.05). The probiotic orange juice containing P. acidilactici CE51 positively modulated the gut microbiota composition and attenuated the inflammation induced in colitis.

Exercise training induces alteration of clock genes and myokines expression in tumor-bearing mice.

To investigate the impact of different exercise training schedules (following a fixed schedule or at random times of the day) on clock genes and myokine expression patterns in the skeletal muscle of tumor-bearing mice. Mice were divided into three groups: tumor (LLC), tumor + exercise training (LLC + T) always performed at the same time of the day (ZT2) and exercise training at random times of the day (ZTAlt). Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with Lewis lung carcinoma cells. The gastrocnemius muscle was dissected and the clock gene expression (Clock/Per1/Per2/Per3/Rev-Erbα/GAPDH) was investigated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with SYBR® Green. Myokine content in muscle (tumour necrosis factor alpha/IL-10/IL-4) was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At the end of the protocol, the trained groups showed a reduction in total weight, when compared to Lewis lung carcinoma. Tumor weight was lower in the LLC + T (ZTAlt), when compared to LLC. Clock gene mRNA expression showed a significant increase for ZT20 in the groups that performed physical exercise at LLC + T (ZTAlt), when compared with LLC. The Per family showed increased mRNA expression in ZT4 in both trained mice groups, when compared with LLC. LLC + T (ZTAlt) presented reduction of the expression of anti-inflammatory myokines (Il-10/IL-4) during the night, compared with LLC + T(ZT2). Exercise training is able to induce marked modification of clock gene expression and of the production of myokines, in a way that is dependent on schedule exercise training strategy. Taken together, the results show that exercise is a potent Zeitgeber and may thus contribute to change clock genes expression and myokines that are able to reduce the tumor weight.

Mild to moderate post-COVID-19 alters markers of lymphocyte activation, exhaustion, and immunometabolic responses that can be partially associated by physical activity level- an observational sub-analysis fit- COVID study.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate if physical activity is associated with systemic and cellular immunometabolic responses, in young adults after mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection. Methods: Mild- to- moderate post-COVID-19 patients (70.50 ± 43.10 days of diagnosis; age: 29.4 (21.9- 34.9) years; BMI: 25.5 ± 4.3 kg m2 n = 20) and healthy age-matched controls (age: 29.3 (21.2 - 32.6) years; BMI: 25.4 ± 4.7 kg m2; n = 20) were evaluated. Physical activity levels (PAL), body composition, dietary habits, muscular and pulmonary function, mental health, sleep quality, metabolic parameters, immune phenotypic characterization, stimulated whole blood and PBMC culture (cytokine production), mRNA, and mitochondrial respiration in PBMCs were evaluated. Results: The post-COVID-19 group exhibited lower levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (p = 0.038); therefore, all study comparisons were performed with adjustment for MVPA. Post-COVID-19 impacted the pulmonary function (FEV1, FEV1%pred, FVC, and FVC %pred) compared with the control (p adjusted by MVPA (p adj) <0.05). Post-COVID-19 exhibited lower levels of serum IL-6 (p adj <0.01), whereas it showed higher serum IL-10, triglyceride, leptin, IgG, ACE activity, TNFRSF1A, and PGE2 (p adj <0.05) levels compared with controls. Post-COVID-19 presented a lower percentage of Treg cells (p adj = 0.03) and altered markers of lymphocyte activation and exhaustion (lower CD28 expression in CD8+ T cells (p adj = 0.014), whereas CD4+T cells showed higher PD1 expression (p adj = 0.037)) compared with the control group. Finally, post- COVID-19 presented an increased LPS-stimulated whole- blood IL-10 concentration (p adj <0.01). When exploring mitochondrial respiration and gene expression in PBMCs, we observed a higher LEAK state value (p adj <0.01), lower OXPHOS activity (complex I) (p adj = 0.04), and expression of the Rev-Erb-α clock mRNA after LPS stimulation in the post-COVID-19 patients than in the control (p adj <0.01). Mainly, PAL was associated with changes in IL-10, triglyceride, and leptin levels in the plasma of post-COVID-19 patients. PAL was also associated with modulation of the peripheral frequency of Treg cells and the expression of PD-1 in CD8+ T cells, although it abrogated the statistical effect in the analysis of TNF-α and IL-6 production by LPS- and PMA-stimulated PBMC of post-COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: Young adults after mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection appeared to have lower physical activity levels, which can be associated with clinical and immunometabolic responses in a complex manner.

Autonomic Function Recovery and Physical Activity Levels in Post-COVID-19 Young Adults after Immunization: An Observational Follow-Up Case-Control Study.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has detrimental multi-system consequences. Symptoms may appear during the acute phase of infection, but the literature on long-term recovery of young adults after mild to moderate infection is lacking. Heart rate variability (HRV) allows for the observation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulation post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since physical activity (PA) can help improve ANS modulation, investigating factors that can influence HRV outcomes after COVID-19 is essential to advancements in care and intervention strategies. Clinicians may use this research to aid in the development of non-medication interventions. At baseline, 18 control (CT) and 20 post-COVID-19 (PCOV) participants were observed where general anamnesis was performed, followed by HRV and PA assessment. Thus, 10 CT and 7 PCOV subjects returned for follow-up (FU) evaluation 6 weeks after complete immunization (two doses) and assessments were repeated. Over the follow-up period, a decrease in sympathetic (SNS) activity (mean heart rate: p = 0.0024, CI = -24.67--3.26; SNS index: p = 0.0068, CI = -2.50--0.32) and increase in parasympathetic (PNS) activity (mean RR: p = 0.0097, CI = 33.72-225.51; PNS index: p = 0.0091, CI = -0.20-1.47) were observed. At follow-up, HRV was not different between groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, no differences were observed in PA between moments and groups. This study provides evidence of ANS recovery after SARS-CoV-2 insult in young adults over a follow-up period, independent of changes in PA.

Autophagy of naïve CD4+ T cells in aging - the role of body adiposity and physical fitness.

Life expectancy has increased exponentially in the last century accompanied by disability, poor quality of life, and all-cause mortality in older age due to the high prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity in older people. Biologically, the aging process reduces the cell's metabolic and functional efficiency, and disrupts the cell's anabolic and catabolic homeostasis, predisposing older people to many dysfunctional conditions such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and diabetes. In the immune system, aging also alters cells' metabolic and functional efficiency, a process known as 'immunosenescence', where cells become more broadly inflammatory and their functionality is altered. Notably, autophagy, the conserved and important cellular process that maintains the cell's efficiency and functional homeostasis may protect the immune system from age-associated dysfunctional changes by regulating cell death in activated CD4+ T cells. This regulatory process increases the delivery of the dysfunctional cytoplasmic material to lysosomal degradation while increasing cytokine production, proliferation, and differentiation of CD4+ T cell-mediated immune responses. Poor proliferation and diminished responsiveness to cytokines appear to be ubiquitous features of aged T cells and may explain the delayed peak in T cell expansion and cytotoxic activity commonly observed in the 'immunosenescence' phenotype in the elderly. On the other hand, physical exercise stimulates the expression of crucial nutrient sensors and inhibits the mechanistic target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascade which increases autophagic activity in cells. Therefore, in this perspective review, we will first contextualize the overall view of the autophagy process and then, we will discuss how body adiposity and physical fitness may counteract autophagy in naïve CD4+ T cells in aging.

Exercise training-induced changes in immunometabolic markers in youth badminton athletes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic and inflammatory fluctuations in two seasonal phases of badminton training, and the ability of youth badminton athletes to respond to an inflammatory challenge given by acute exercise on these markers. Thirteen youth badminton athletes who participated in national and international competitions were recruited. Metabolic and cytokine profile were measured at rest and in response to a maximal exercise intermittent test, in the pre- and final phases of a badminton annual season. At rest, glucose (-7.58 mg/dL; p = 0.045) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) (-26.87 mg/dL; p < 0.0001) decreased at final-season. The variation of HDL-c in response to a maximal exercise test increased at final-season in comparison to pre-season (+ 10.20 mg/dL p = 0.042). Similarly, delta changes of IL-10 (+ 3.41 pg/ml; p = 0.047) and IL-1Ra (+ 141.3 pg/ml; p = 0.031) were greater at final-season. In addition, a significantly greater variation of the anti-inflammatory IL-10/IL-17 ratio was observed at final-season (+ 0.37; p = 0.010). In conclusion, our results showed a major responsivity of IL-10 and IL-1Ra to a maximal exercise even at the end of an entire season. The major responsivity of these cytokines at this time point suggests a more effective acute inflammatory response in youth badminton athletes. Therefore, the results of this study may be applied by coaches, trainers and sport nutritionist for proper training management.

Feeding Pattern, Circadian Rhythm, and Immune Function: What do we know about?

Feeding pattern is related to health status or chronic diseases, and this depends on the individual's eating habits. Feeding organized with the right time to start and end during the day, promotes an internal biological rhythm, favoring molecular synchronization of the clock genes, which impose an effect on metabolism and immune cells, creating a physiological response related to a healthy profile. On the other hand, a feeding pattern disorganized, without the right time to start and end eating during the day, might lead to nonsynchronization of the clock genes, a disruption condition, which is related to chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes type 2. A strategy that should be adopted to favor molecular synchronization is time-restricted eating (TRE), which can organize the initial and end of the eating patterns during the day. Our review points out some cues that suggest TRE as an efficient strategy for healthy profile and can be a good intervention for the treatment of chronic diseases.

Potential Anticarcinogenic Effects From Plasma of Older Adults After Exercise Training: An Exploratory Study.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of exercise training plasma on in vitro prostate cancer cell viability and proliferation. Methods: PC3 prostate cancer cells were incubated with plasma obtained from young men with high and low physical fitness (PF) (high PF, n = 5; low PF, n = 5) and with the plasma collected from institutionalized older adults (n = 8) before and after multimodal exercise training. Cell viability and proliferation, mitochondria membrane polarization, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and apoptosis were evaluated after the cell treatment with plasma. Systemic cytokines were evaluated in the plasma of institutionalized older adults submitted to an exercise training protocol. Results: Plasma from high-PF men lowers both cell viability and proliferation after the incubation time. PC3 cells also presented lower cell viability and diminished rates of cell proliferation after the incubation with post-training plasma samples of the older adults. The incubation of PC3 cells with post-training plasma of older adults depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential and increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. Post-training plasma did not change apoptosis or necrosis rates in the PC3 cell line. Multimodal exercise training increased the plasma levels of IL-2, IL-10, IFN-α, and FGF-1 and decreased TNF-α concentrations in institutionalized older adults. Conclusion: Adaptations in blood factors of institutionalized older adults may alter cell viability and proliferation by targeting mitochondrial ROS in a prostate cancer cell line.

Short-Term High-Intensity Circuit Training Does Not Modify Resting Heart Rate Variability in Adults during the COVID-19 Confinement.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic increased sedentary behavior, psychological stress, and sleep disturbances in the population favoring the installation of alterations in the cardiovascular system. In this sense, physical exercise has widely been suggested as an efficient treatment to improve health. The current study determined the impact of short-term high-intensity circuit training (HICT) on resting heart rate variability (HRV) in adults. METHODS: Nine healthy participants (age: 31.9 ± 4.4 yr.) performed 36 HICT sessions (3 times per day; 3 days per week) and four participants (age: 29.5 ± 1.7 yr.) were assigned to a control group. The HICT consisted of 12 min of whole-body exercises performed during a workout. Twenty-four hours before and after the exercise program, HRV parameters were recorded. RESULTS: The heart rate exercise during the last session trended to be lower when compared with the first HICT session (p = 0.07, d = 0.39, 95% CI = -13.50, 0.72). The interval training did not modify the HRV time (Mean NN, SDNN, RMSSD, NN50, pNN50) and frequency (LF, HF, LF/HF ratio, total power) domain parameters. CONCLUSION: Thirty-six HICT sessions did not provide enough stimuli to modify the resting HRV in adults during social isolation elicited by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the data suggested that exercise protocol did not induce cardio-vagal adaptations.

Unhealthy Dieting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Opinion Regarding the Harmful Effects on Brain Health.

Since 2020, the world has been suffering from a pandemic that has affected thousands of people regardless of socio-economic conditions, forcing the population to adopt different strategies to prevent and control the advance of the disease, one of which is social distancing. Even though social distancing is a safe strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19, it is also the cause of a rising sedentary behavior. This behavior develops an excess of fat tissue that leads to metabolic and inflammatory disruption related to chronic diseases and mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and sleep issues. Furthermore, the adoption of dietary patterns involving the consumption of ultra-processed foods, higher in fats and sugars, and the reduction of fresh and healthy foods may play a role in the progress of the disease. In this perspective, we will discuss how an unhealthy diet can affect brain function and, consequently, be a risk factor for mental health diseases.

Immunometabolism-fit: How exercise and training can modify T cell and macrophage metabolism in health and disease.

BACKGROUND: The term immunometabolism describes cellular and molecular metabolic processes that control the immune system and the associated immune responses. Acute exercise and regular physical activity have a substantial influence on the metabolism and the immune system, so that both processes are closely associated and influence each other bidirectionally. SCOPE OF REVIEW: We limit the review here to focus on metabolic phenotypes and metabolic plasticity of T cells and macrophages to describe the complex role of acute exercise stress and regular physical activity on these cell types. The metabolic and immunological consequences of the social problem of inactivity and how, conversely, an active lifestyle can break this vicious circle, are then described. Finally, these aspects are evaluated against the background of an aging society. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: T cells and macrophages show high sensitivity to changes in their metabolic environment, which indirectly or directly affects their central functions. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour have an important influence on metabolic status, thereby modifying immune cell phenotypes and influencing immunological plasticity. A detailed understanding of the interactions between acute and chronic physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and the metabolic status of immune cells, can help to target the dysregulated immune system of people who live in a much too inactive society.

High-intensity intermittent exercise induces a potential anti-inflammatory response in healthy women across the menstrual cycle.

AIM: This observational study aimed to examine cytokine responses to high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. METHODS: Fourteen healthy women (24 ± 2 years; body mass index [BMI]: 22.8 ± 1.9 kg⋅m2; maximal oxygen consumption [V̇O2max]: 41.5 ± 4.1 mL⋅kg-1⋅min-1) with regular menstrual cycles were randomly assigned to 4 experimental sessions, 2 during the follicular and 2 during the luteal phase. V̇O2max and maximum aerobic velocity (MAV) were determined prior to the experimental sessions through a graded exercise test during both follicular and luteal phases. Seventy-two hours after having completed the graded exercise test, all participants performed a HIIE session (10 x 1-min sprints with 1 min of rest) at 90% of their MAV. Serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 were measured before (Pre), immediately after (Post) and 1 h after (1 h Post) the HIIE sessions. RESULTS: Pre-exercise concentrations of TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly higher in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase (P < 0.01), with no differences seen on IL-6 and IL-17, demonstrating an altered inflammatory status in the luteal phase. There was a significant interaction for IL-10 concentration (P < 0.01) with reductions in both luteal (Pre vs Post, 95 %CI: 1.086 to 6.156; and Pre vs 1 h Post, 95 %CI: 1.720 to 9.013, P < 0.01) and follicular phase (Pre vs 1 h Post, 95 %CI: 0.502 to 7.842, P < 0.05). Despite no significant phase × time interaction for TNF-α concentration, its concentration at 1 h Post was significantly lower compared to Pre in the luteal phase analysis (Pre vs 1 h Post, 95 %CI: 0.71 to 14.06; P < 0.05). These results are in agreement with IL-10 responses, highlighting a reduction on the inflammatory status after exercise. CONCLUSION: Mostly during the luteal phase, high-intensity intermittent exercise modulates cytokine responses, thus impacting exercise recovery. In this scenario, high-intensity intermittent exercise emerges as a non-pharmacology strategy to regulate inflammatory responses on healthy women who were affected by an inflammatory state given their menstrual cycle.

Concurrent Training Increases Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Older Adults Regardless of the Exercise Frequency.

Background: Human brain function declines with aging. In this sense, exercise-based interventions has a promising effect on brain plasticity for older adults. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a positive biomarker for brain neuroplasticity in healthy older adults also modified by exercise training. Selected features of the exercise prescription for improving brain health are missing; therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of concurrent exercise training frequency on serum BDNF levels in healthy older adults. Methods: Nineteen volunteers (age: 65 ± 4 year; body mass index: 28.0 ± 4.5 kg/m2) completed either a three times/week (3-t/w) (n = 8) or five times/week (5-t/w) (n = 11) concurrent exercise program. The exercise program lasted 11 weeks and all exercise sessions were performed for 50 min at moderate intensity. Serum BDNF, body composition, cardiovascular, and physical fitness variables were assessed before and after the exercise training program. Results: Regardless of the group, the serum BDNF increased following the intervention (p < 0.001), and there were no significant group (p = 0.827) or interaction (p = 0.063) effects. The maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) increased regardless of the group (p = 0.007), with a non-significant group (p = 0.722) or interaction (p = 0.223) effects. Upper- and lower-body strength increased in both groups (p = 0.003); however, there was no effect of the training frequency (p = 0.53). For the skeletal muscle mass, there was a trend in the interaction effect (p = 0.053). Finally, the body fat percentage was unchanged. Conclusion: Eleven weeks of combined exercise training increased serum BDNF levels in healthy older adults, a response independent of the training frequency. The overall fitness level improved similarly in both exercise groups. These data reveal that a minimal dosage of concurrent exercise enhance functional capacity and a brain health biomarker in older adults.

Inflammatory cytokines and metabolic responses to high-intensity intermittent training: effect of the exercise intensity.

To examine the effects of two high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) programs of varying intensities (100% vs. 110% of maximal aerobic velocity [MAV]) on metabolic, hormonal and inflammatory markers in young men. Thirty-seven active male volunteers were randomly assigned into: HIIT experimental groups (100% MAV [EG100, n = 9] and 110% MAV [EG110, n = 9]) and a control groups (CG100, n = 9 and CG110, n = 9). Particpants performed high intesity intermittent exercise test (HIIE) at 100% or 110% MAV. Venous blood samples were obtained before, at the end of HIIE and at 15 min of recovery, and before and after 8 weeks of HIIT programs. After training, Glucose was lower (p < 0.01) in EG100 (d = 0.72) and EG110 (d = 1.20) at the end of HIIE, and at 15 min recovery only in EG110 (d = 0.95). After training, Insulin and Cortisol were lower than before training in EG100 and EG110 at the end of HIIE (p < 0.001). After HIIT, IL-6 deceased (p < 0.001) in EG100 (d = 1.43) and EG110 (d = 1.56) at rest, at the end of HIIE (d = 1.03; d = 1.75, respectively) and at 15 min of recovery (d = 0.88;d = 1.7, respectively). This decrease was more robust (p < 0.05) in EG110 compared to EG100. After HIIT, TNF-α deceased (p < 0.001) in EG100 (d = 1.43) and EG110 (d = 0.60) at rest, at the end of HIIE (0.71 < d < 0.98) and at 15 min of recovery (0.70 < d < 2.78). HIIT with 110% MAV is more effective in young males on the improvements of some metabolic (Glucose), hormonal (Cortisol) and inflammatory (IL-6) markers at rest, at the end of HIIE and 15 min of recovery than training at 100 % MAV.

Role of Body Mass and Physical Activity in Autonomic Function Modulation on Post-COVID-19 Condition: An Observational Subanalysis of Fit-COVID Study.

The harmful effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can reach the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and endothelial function. Therefore, the detrimental multiorgan effects of COVID-19 could be induced by deregulations in ANS that may persist after the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, investigating the differences in ANS response in overweight/obese, and physically inactive participants who had COVID-19 compared to those who did not have the disease is necessary. The aim of the study was to analyze the autonomic function of young adults after mild-to-moderate infection with SARS-CoV-2 and to assess whether body mass index (BMI) and levels of physical activity modulates autonomic function in participants with and without COVID-19. Patients previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and healthy controls were recruited for this cross-sectional observational study. A general anamnesis was taken, and BMI and physical activity levels were assessed. The ANS was evaluated through heart rate variability. A total of 57 subjects were evaluated. Sympathetic nervous system activity in the post-COVID-19 group was increased (stress index; p = 0.0273). They also presented lower values of parasympathetic activity (p < 0.05). Overweight/obese subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly lower parasympathetic activity and reduced global variability compared to non-obese in control group (p < 0.05). Physically inactive subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly higher sympathetic activity than active subjects in the control group. Parasympathetic activity was significantly increased in physically active subjects in the control group compared to the physically inactive post-COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). COVID-19 promotes changes in the ANS of young adults, and these changes are modulated by overweight/obesity and physical activity levels.

Acute Capsaicin Supplementation Improved Resistance Exercise Performance Performed After a High-Intensity Intermittent Running in Resistance-Trained Men.

ABSTRACT: de Freitas, MC, Cholewa, JM, Panissa, VLG, Toloi, GG, Netto, HC, Zanini de Freitas, C, Freire, RV, Lira, FS, and Rossi, FE. Acute capsaicin supplementation improved resistance exercise performance performed after a high-intensity intermittent running in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 130-134, 2022-We sought to investigate the acute effects of capsaicin supplementation on the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate during high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) and resistance exercise performance executed after HIIE in resistance-trained men. Eleven resistance-trained men completed 2 randomized, double-blind trials: capsaicin condition or a placebo condition. The concurrent exercise session was composed of a 5-km intermittent run (1:1 effort and passive recovery ratio) and subsequent resistance exercise (4 × 70% of 1RM until muscle failure in the half-squat exercise). Heart rate was recorded during HIIE and after the protocol RPE (0-10 scale) was accessed. The resistance exercise performance was analyzed by the maximum number of repetitions performed for each set and the total volume (repetitions × weight lifted). During HIIE, the RPE (capsaicin = 7 ± 1 vs. placebo = 8 ± 1 points, t = -3.674, p = 0.005) and mean heart rate (capsaicin = 153 ± 13 vs. placebo = 158 ± 12 bpm, t = -2.292, p = 0.048) were significantly lower in the capsaicin compared with placebo condition. For subsequent resistance exercise, there was a significant decrease in volume across time (F = 19.889, p < 0.001, η2= 0.69) with maximal number of repetitions performed in capsaicin than placebo condition (2,077.6 ± 465.2 kg vs. 1,838.9 ± 624.1 kg, p = 0.028, d = 0.43), but the condition vs. set was not significant (F = 0.582, p = 0.632, η2= 0.06). Acute capsaicin supplementation induced a lower mean heart rate and RPE during HIIE and improved subsequent resistance exercise performance in resistance-trained men.