Effects of Capsiate Supplementation on Maximal Voluntary Contraction in Healthy Men.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of acute capsaicin analog (Capsiate - CAP) supplementation on maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) performance in healthy young men. Thirteen subjects (25.2±3.2 yrs) participated in the present study. In two different days separated by one week, the subjects ingested capsiate (12 mg) or placebo (starch: 12 mg) 45 minutes before a MVIC test. The MVIC test consisted of five 10-second knee extension maximal isometric contractions with 45 seconds of recovery between efforts. The peak force, mean force, minimum force, fatigue index, and area under the curve of each contraction were calculated. Main condition effect was found, with higher values of peak force (+4.83%, F=6.867, p=0.02), fatigue index (+8.96%, F=5.228, p=0.041), and area under the curve (+4.19%, F=4.774, p=0.04) for CAP compared to placebo, however, no interaction effect was found for any variable (F=0.090 to 1.356, p≥0.276). In summary, healthy young men produced higher maximal isometric force and delayed fatigue in the CAP condition compared to placebo condition (condition effect) but without significant difference between each effort.

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.

Evaluation of the drinking water quality surveillance system in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro.

The present work evaluated the surveillance of the drinking water quality information system database and correlated the findings of the microbiological analysis with the distribution of intestinal protozoa from the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. From the database, we obtained 1,654 georeferenced monitoring stations that were used in the analysis. The results indicate that the minimum number of samples collected per parameter (free residual chlorine, turbidity, counts of total and fecal coliforms (Escherichia coli)) was not fulfilled, the collection of samples throughout the year was irregular and the representability of sampling points considered strategic was low (48% of municipalities). Besides, municipalities with a high prevalence for intestinal parasite protozoa were also the ones that had the highest counts for coliforms and the reverse can also be observed, indicating a transmission through contaminated drinking water. Despite the increased participation of municipalities in water surveillance actions during the studied period, it is necessary to implement managerial measures to improve the system, aiming to correct flaws and inconsistencies in the application of the water quality monitoring protocol.

Postactivation Potentiation Improves Acute Resistance Exercise Performance and Muscular Force in Trained Men.

ABSTRACT: Conrado de Freitas, M, Rossi, FE, Colognesi, LA, de Oliveira, JVNS, Zanchi, NE, Lira, FS, Cholewa, JM, and Gobbo, LA. Postactivation potentiation improves acute resistance exercise performance and muscular force in trained men. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1357-1363, 2021-The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of heavy back squat (90% one repetition maximum [1RM]) postactivation potentiation (PAP) on acute resistance exercise performance and force production in recreationally trained men, and to verify the relationship between maximal strength and the PAP response. Ten resistance-trained men randomly completed 4 experimental trials: (a) back squats without PAP (No-PAP), (b) back squats with PAP, (c) maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the quadriceps without PAP, and (d) MVIC with PAP. Back squats were performed with 4 sets at 70% of 1 RM with 2 minutes of rest interval. The number of squats repetitions performed was recorded for each set, and a total number of repetitions were calculated to analyze performance. Maximum voluntary isometric contraction was measured using electronic dynamometer, and the peak force and mean force were recorded. Blood lactate concentration was analyzed presquat and postsquat exercise. Repetitions performed in the first set was significantly (p < 0.001) greater in the PAP condition (22.00 ± 5.14) compared with No-PAP (15.50 ± 5.10), which resulted in significantly (p = 0.001) more total repetitions performed in the PAP (56.20 ± 17.3) condition compared with No-PAP (48.80 ± 14.5). Maximum voluntary isometric contraction peak was higher in PAP than in No-PAP (PAP = 765.7 ± 147.8 vs. No-PAP = 696.8 ± 131.5 N, p = 0.006). No significant correlations were observed between back squat 1RM relative to body mass and the PAP response in squat and MVIC. There were no significant differences in lactate concentration between conditions. In conclusion, PAP resulting from a heavy load prior back squat exercise improved total volume during resistance exercise. In addition, PAP was effective to increase force production during MVIC, but there was no relationship between relative 1RM values and the PAP response in trained men.

Comparison Between Full-Body vs. Split-Body Resistance Exercise on the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Immunometabolic Response.

Lira, FS, Conrado de Freitas, M, Gerosa-Neto, J, Cholewa, JM, and Rossi, FE. Comparison between full-body vs. split-body resistance exercise on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunometabolic response. J Strength Cond Res 34(11): 3094-3102, 2020-Intense aerobic exercise seems to increase serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in conjunction with increasing lactate; however, less is known about the BDNF response to differing resistance exercise protocols. We hypothesized that full-body (FB) resistance exercise will elicit a greater increase in serum BDNF and lactate compared with split-body resistance exercise. Twelve recreationally resistance-trained men (age = 25.3 ± 5.9 years) performed 3 randomized trials of 18 sets of exercise: upper-body (UB), lower-body (LB), and FB conditions. Serum BDNF levels were assessed at rest, immediately Post-exercise, Post-1 hour, and Post-2 hours during recovery. Lactate concentration was evaluated at rest, after 9 sets, Post-exercise, Post-5, Post-10, and Post-30 minutes during recovery. In addition, interleukin (IL-6 and IL-10) and the IL-6/IL-10 ratio were calculated. Lactate concentration and total volume were greater in the FB condition compared with LB and UB (p < 0.05). For BDNF, effect sizes were largest in the LB (1.4), followed by the FB (0.75), and moderate to UB (0.33), although no significant differences were observed between conditions. There was a statistically significant relationship between lactate and BDNF only for LB condition (rho = 0.72; p = 0.013). There were a greater IL-10 Post-1 hour for FB condition compared with UB and LB (p < 0.001), and lower IL-6/IL-10 ratio in FB compared with UB (p < 0.001). Lower body induced a great BDNF response, and FB resistance exercise elicited a greater increase of serum cytokines than UB in trained men. We speculate that the volume of work performed by larger muscles has a larger influence on BDNF than overall volume.

Capsaicin supplementation increases time to exhaustion in high-intensity intermittent exercise without modifying metabolic responses in physically active men.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of capsaicin supplementation on performance and physiological responses during high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE). METHOD: Thirteen physically active men (age = 24.4 ± 4.0 years; height = 176.4 ± 6.9 cm; body mass = 78.7 ± 13.8 kg; running training per week = 3.9 ± 0.9 h) performed an incremental running test to determine peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) and the speed associated with [Formula: see text] (s[Formula: see text]). Thereafter, subjects completed two randomized, double-blind HIIE (15s:15 s at 120% s[Formula: see text]) trials 45-min after consuming capsaicin (12 mg) or an isocaloric placebo. Time to exhaustion, blood lactate concentration, oxygen consumption during and 20 min post-exercise, energy expenditure, time spent above 90% of [Formula: see text], and the rate of perceived exertion were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no difference between capsaicin and placebo for any variable except time to exhaustion [capsaicin: 1530 ± 515 s (102 efforts) vs placebo: 1342 ± 446 s (89 efforts); p < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, capsaicin supplementation increased time to exhaustion in high-intensity intermittent exercise without modifying the metabolic response of exercise or the rate of perceived exertion in physically active men. Capsaicin could be used to increase the training load during specific exercise training sessions.

Intermittent resistance exercise and obesity, considered separately or combined, impair spermatic parameters in adult male Wistar rats.

Obesity and absence of physical exercise are global problems that affect concentration and sperm quality in the male reproductive system. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of obesity and resistance training, considered separately or in association, on testicular function and reproductive capacity. Twenty pubertal male Wistar rats were distributed into four groups: control (C) and exercise (E) groups that received standard rat chow; and obese (O) and obese with exercise (OE) groups that received a high-fat diet. All the groups received filtered water during the experimental conditions. Groups E and OE were submitted to 8 weeks of high-intensity intermittent training. Afterwards, testes were collected for sperm count, spermatogenic kinetics, histopathology, morphometry and immunodetection of androgen receptors (AR). The vas deferens was collected for sperm morphology. The results showed that obesity increased body weight, naso-anal length, liver and epididymal fat weight, abnormal spermatozoa and immunodetectable AR. Intermittent exercise decreased daily sperm production (DSP), sperm count and normal spermatozoa, whereas the number of tubules with immunodetectable AR increased. The combination of obesity and intermittent training led to reduced sperm count and DSP, although abnormal spermatozoa and the number of tubules with immunodetectable AR increased. Thus, in conclusion, both obesity and resistance training impaired testicular function during puberty in rats; and this type of exercise has also been shown to be detrimental to testicular physiology.

Acute Capsaicin Supplementation Improves 1,500-m Running Time-Trial Performance and Rate of Perceived Exertion in Physically Active Adults.

de Freitas, MC, Cholewa, JM, Gobbo, LA, de Oliveira, JVNS, Lira, FS, and Rossi, FE. Acute capsaicin supplementation improves 1,500-m running time-trial performance and rate of perceived exertion in physically active adults. J Strength Cond Res 32(2): 572-577, 2018-The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of capsaicin supplementation on performance, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood lactate concentrations during short-duration running in physically active adults. Ten physically active men (age = 23.5 ± 1.9 years, mass = 78.3 ± 12.4 kg, and height = 177.9 ± 5.9 cm) completed 2 randomized, double-blind trials: Capsaicin condition (12 mg) or a placebo condition. Forty-five minutes after supplement consumption, the participants performed a 1,500-m running time trial. Time (in seconds) was recorded. Blood lactate concentration was analyzed at rest, immediately after exercise, after 5, 10, and 30 minutes during recovery and the RPE was collected after exercise. The time was significantly (t = 3.316, p = 0.009) lower in the capsaicin (371.6 ± 40.8 seconds) compared with placebo (376.7 ± 39 seconds). Rate of perceived exertion was significantly (t = 2.753, p = 0.022) less in the capsaicin (18.0 ± 1.9) compared with the placebo (18.8 ± 1.3). Lactate increased across time for both conditions without significant differences between (p > 0.05). In summary, acute capsaicin supplementation improves middle distance running (1,500 m) performance and reduced RPE in physically active adults.

Acute Capsaicin Supplementation Improves Resistance Training Performance in Trained Men.

Conrado de Freitas, M, Cholewa, JM, Freire, RV, Carmo, BA, Bottan, J, Bratfich, M, Della Bandeira, MP, Gonçalves, DC, Caperuto, EC, Lira, FS, and Rossi, FE. Acute capsaicin supplementation improves resistance training performance in trained men. J Strength Cond Res 32(8): 2227-2232, 2018-The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of capsaicin supplementation on performance, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood lactate concentrations during resistance exercise in healthy trained young men. Ten resistance-trained men (age = 22.7 ± 4.0 years, mass = 82.3 ± 9.6 kg, and height = 175 ± 0.1 cm) completed 2 randomized, double-blind trials: capsaicin condition (12 mg) or a placebo condition. Forty-five minutes after supplement consumption, subjects performed 4 sets until movement failure in the squat exercise at 70% of 1 repetition maximum with 90 seconds of rest interval between sets. The total mass lifted (total repetitions × mass lifted) was calculated. The RPE was recorded after the last set. Blood lactate was analyzed after each set of exercise, immediately postexercise, and after 3, 5, and at 30 minutes during recovery. The number of repetitions in each set decreased significantly after all sets compared with set-1 and after set-3 and set-4 in relation to set-2 (p < 0.001); however, total mass lifted was higher in capsaicin compared with placebo (3,919.4 ± 1,227.4 kg vs. 3,179.6 ± 942.4 kg, p = 0.002). Blood lactate increased significantly after each set (p < 0.001); however, there were no differences between conditions. Rate of perceived exertion was significantly less for the capsaicin condition than placebo (17.2 ± 1.0 vs. 18.3 ± 1.7, p = 0.048). In summary, acute capsaicin supplementation improves lower-body resistance training performance in trained young men.

Antiretroviral therapy status among people who died of AIDS-related causes from 2009 to 2013 in Brazil: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the antiretroviral therapy status of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who died of AIDS-related causes between 2009 and 2013. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based study. Data were obtained by linking the mortality information system and the national ART dispensing database. Trends were modelled using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 61 425 AIDS-related deaths were registered in Brazil between 2009 and 2013. Median age at death was 41 years (IQR: 33-49), and 65.7% (40 337) of deaths were among men; 47.2% (29 004) of PLHIV who died during the study period had never started treatment, 7.0% (4274) had discontinued it, 15.9% (9775) were on ART for 6 months or less and 29.9% (18 372) were on ART for more than 6 months. Only 1.3% of PLHIV were on third-line ARV regimens when they died. CONCLUSIONS: AIDS-related mortality remains a challenge even in a context of sustained universal access to antiretroviral treatment due to failure of service provision, not to therapy failure. Robust health policies closing gaps in the HIV continuum of care are crucial to further reduce mortality.

Towards an improved investment approach for an effective response to HIV/AIDS.

Substantial changes are needed to achieve a more targeted and strategic approach to investment in the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that will yield long-term dividends. Until now, advocacy for resources has been done on the basis of a commodity approach that encouraged scaling up of numerous strategies in parallel, irrespective of their relative effects. We propose a strategic investment framework that is intended to support better management of national and international HIV/AIDS responses than exists with the present system. Our framework incorporates major efficiency gains through community mobilisation, synergies between programme elements, and benefits of the extension of antiretroviral therapy for prevention of HIV transmission. It proposes three categories of investment, consisting of six basic programmatic activities, interventions that create an enabling environment to achieve maximum effectiveness, and programmatic efforts in other health and development sectors related to HIV/AIDS. The yearly cost of achievement of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support by 2015 is estimated at no less than US$22 billion. Implementation of the new investment framework would avert 12·2 million new HIV infections and 7·4 million deaths from AIDS between 2011 and 2020 compared with continuation of present approaches, and result in 29·4 million life-years gained. The framework is cost effective at $1060 per life-year gained, and the additional investment proposed would be largely offset from savings in treatment costs alone.

Exploring chemical diversity in Glycine max cultivars: A multivariate approach in the search for bioactive compounds against Spodoptera cosmioides.

Soybean crop is regulated by abiotic and biotic stresses with great potential in reducing grain yield and quality. The selection of resistant cultivars is a promising approach for mitigating these damages. We evaluated the chemical profile of Glycine max leaves from different cultivars in order to explore their defense mechanisms against Spodoptera cosmioides caterpillars. We optimized solid-liquid extraction techniques using ultrasound bath and static headspace extraction. Additionally, we developed an approach based on liquid and gas chromatography for analyzing the chemical profile of G. max cultivars. The principal component analysis allowed the classification of transgenic cultivars, which are classified as susceptible to S. cosmioides, from those obtained by genetic improvement and resistant to the insect. Differences were observed in the abundance of phenolic glycosides, lipids, aldehydes, and alcohols. More specifically, S. cosmioides resistant cultivars presented molecules related to the jasmonic and salicylic acid pathways. Such data can contribute to a molecular understanding of phenotypic diversity in soybean cultivars, from plant quality to resistance mechanisms and adaptation, to environmental stress and herbivory.

The interplay between Araçatuba virus and host signaling pathways: role of PI3K/Akt in viral replication.

In this study, we describe the interaction between Araçatuba virus (ARAV), a naturally occurring Brazilian vaccinia virus isolated from an outbreak at a dairy farm, and the host cell's signal transduction pathways. Even though ARAV infection led to phosphorylation of MAPKs MEK/ERK, JNK, and p38MAPK, genetic or pharmacological inhibition of these pathways had no impact on viral replication. We also provide evidence that ARAV stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt (PKB) at serine 473 (S473-P), a signaling event that is required for full activation of Akt during the infectious cycle. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of PI3K (LY294002) abrogated ARAV-induced Akt activation (S473-P) and affected early and late viral gene expression, which was followed by a decrease in virus yield (~1 log). Taken together, our data shed some light onto the biological differences between ARAV and vaccinia virus strain WR (VACV-WR), which could contribute, at least in part, to the low-virulence phenotype displayed by ARAV. Thus, while the requirement for the PI3K/Akt pathway for successful ARAV replication is also shared with VACV-WR and cowpox virus strain BR (CPXV-BR), ARAV showed a lower replicative capacity, as well as a smaller plaque-size phenotype after infection of A31 cells when compared to VACV-WR.

Capsaicinoid and Capsinoids as an Ergogenic Aid: A Systematic Review and the Potential Mechanisms Involved.

CONTEXT: Capsaicinoids and capsinoids (CAP) are natural substances found primarily in chili peppers and other spicy foods that agonize the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 in the mouth, stomach, and small intestine. Several studies have shown CAP to be a potential antiobesity agent and to exhibit an analgesic effect in both rodents and humans. However, there is no scientific consensus about the effects of CAP on physical exercise performance and its physiological mechanisms of action. PURPOSE: This systematic review aimed to better elucidate the effects of CAP compounds as ergogenic aids and to discuss underlying mechanisms of action by which this supplement may potentially enhance endurance performance and muscular strength. CONCLUSIONS: Among 22 studies included in the review, 14 examined the effects of capsaicinoid or capsinoid compounds on endurance and resistance exercise performance in animals, with 9 studies showing benefits on performance. In humans, 8 studies were included: 3 demonstrated significant acute endurance benefits and 2 showed acute resistance exercise performance benefits compared with a placebo condition. Therefore, while more mechanistic studies are necessary to confirm these outcomes in humans, the available scientific literature appears to suggest that these compounds could be considered an effective nutritional strategy to improve exercise performance.

Chronic capsiate supplementation increases fat-free mass and upper body strength but not the inflammatory response to resistance exercise in young untrained men: a randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Acute capsaicinoid and capsinoid supplementation has endurance and resistance exercise benefits; however, if these short-term performance benefits translate into chronic benefits when combined with resistance training is currently unknown. This study investigated changes of chronic Capsiate supplementation on muscular adaptations, inflammatory response and performance in untrained men. METHODS: Twenty untrained men were randomized to ingest 12 mg Capsiate (CAP) or placebo in a parallel, double-blind design. Body composition and performance were measured at pre-training and after 6 weeks of resistance training. An acute resistance exercise session test was performed pre and post-intervention. Blood samples were collected at rest and post-resistance exercise to analyze Tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), Soluble TNF- receptor (sTNF-r), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10). RESULTS: Exercise and CAP supplementation increased fat-free mass in comparison to baseline by 1.5 kg (P < 0.001), however, the majority of the increase (1.0 kg) resulted from an increase in total body water. The CAP change scores for fat-free mass were significantly greater in comparison to the placebo (CAP ∆%= 2.1 ± 1.8 %, PLA ∆%= 0.7 ± 1.3 %, P = 0.043) and there was a significant difference between groups in the bench press exercise (P = 0.034) with greater upper body strength change score for CAP (∆%= 13.4 ± 9.1 %) compared to placebo (∆%= 5.8 ± 5.2 %), P = 0.041. CAP had no effect on lower body strength and no supplementation interactions were observed for all cytokines in response to acute resistance exercise (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chronic Capsiate supplementation combined with resistance training during short period (6 weeks) increased fat-free mass and upper body strength but not inflammatory response and performance in young untrained men.

Postactivation potentiation attenuates resistance exercise performance decrements following aerobic exercise in trained men.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate if a post-activation potentiation (PAP) protocol may attenuate the acute interference induced by high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) and on subsequent strength exercise performance in recreationally trained men. METHODS: Eleven resistance-trained men (age: 25.7±3.7 y) randomly completed three experimental trials: strength exercise (SE) only (4 sets of maximal number of repetitions at 70% on the 45º leg press); concurrent exercise (CE) comprised 5000-m of HIIE at maximal aerobic speed (1:1 effort and pause ratio) followed by SE protocol; CE with post-activation potentiation (CE-PAP), comprised the same CE protocol preceded by one set of 2 repetitions at 90% of 1RM on the 45° leg-press before strength exercise. The number of repetitions performed was recorded for each set and total weight lifted was calculated. RESULTS: The CE condition induced a greater decrement in volume for the leg press compared to SE and CE-PAP in sets 1 (24±21%; 18±25%), 2 (20±21%; 22±22%), and 3 (19±20%; 25±15%), respectively. Total weight lifted was greater after SE (8,795±2,581 kg) and CE-PAP (8.809±2.655 kg) conditions compared to CE (7.049±2.822 kg) (SE vs. CE: P=0.020) and (CE-PAP vs. CE: P=0.010) but there was no significant difference between SE and CE-PAP (P=1.00). CONCLUSIONS: PAP using a heavy load attenuated acute interference (total volume during lower-body strength) generated by HIIE protocol, but did not enhance volume compared to SE alone.

Strength Training Modulates Prostate of Wistar Rats Submitted to High-Fat Diet.

Our aim is to evaluate the effects of high-fat diet and strength training on ventral prostate health through investigations of rat prostate histology, endocrine modulation, and the expression of proliferative and apoptotic marker, including androgen receptors (AR), glucocorticoid receptors (GR), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (BAX), Fas cell surface death receptor (Fas/CD95/Apo-1), and Nuclear Factor Kappa-B (NF-κB). Eighty Wistar rats were into one of four subgroups: control (CT), strength training (ST), high-fat diet consumption (HF), and high-fat diet consumption with strength training (HFT). Animals then underwent strength training and/or high-fat diet consumption for 8 or 12 weeks, after which animals were euthanized and markers of prostatic health were evaluated histologically and through immunolabeling. Our results indicate that physical strength training reduced the expression of the prostate cell proliferation marker Bcl-2 while increasing expression of the pro-apoptotic marker BAX, as well as increasing expression of AR and GR relevant in the Bcl-2 pathway. We conclude that a high-fat diet can alter hormone receptor levels and cell-cycle protein expression, thereby modifying prostatic homeostasis, and that strength training was able to reduce prostate damage induced by high-fat diet consumption.

Strength training reduces lipid accumulation in liver of obese Wistar rats.

Obesity has a positive relation to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and studies have demonstrated that strength training can regulate lipid accumulation in the hepatocytes of obese rats. AIMS: Our aim is to evaluate the effects of high fat diet and strength training on markers of oxidation and lipogenesis in the liver of Wistar rats. MAIN METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): control (CTL), strength training (TR), high fat diet consumption (HF) and high fat diet consumption with strength training (HFT). Animals were subjected to physical strength training and high fat diet consumption for 12 weeks, 3 session per week. Then, the animals were euthanized, and liver markers were evaluated via immunolabeling. KEY FINDINGS: Our results indicated that strength training reduced the expression of adiposity as well as the accumulation of glycogen and lipids in the liver. This reduction of fatty acid (FA) stored in hepatocytes is related to reduction of proteins linked to ß-oxidation such as Fas/CD95, LIMP-II and CD36, as well as other proteins linked to lipogeneses such as SREBP-1. SIGNIFICANCE: Finally, we observed that high fat diet can alter lipogenesis and reduce ß-oxidation promoted hepatic fat accumulation. In conclusion, there was a reduction of obesity-related hepatic lipogenesis after 12 weeks of strength training.

Effects of linear versus nonperiodized resistance training on isometric force and skeletal muscle mass adaptations in sarcopenic older adults.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of linear periodization (LP) versus nonperiodized (NP) resistance training on upper-body isometric force and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) in sarcopenic older adults. Twenty sarcopenic older adults were randomly assigned into the LP and NP groups and performed 16 weeks of resistance training. The SMM was measured by octopolar bioelectrical impedance. The isometric force for handgrip and trunk were assessed by dynamometer. Evaluations were performed at baseline, after 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks of resistance training. For total weight lifted, there was a main effect for time (F=126.986, P<0.001), statistically significant difference between condition (F=13.867, P=0.001) and interaction (F=8.778, P<0.001), whereby total weight lifted was greater for NP after 4 months of training. Isometric force for handgrip and trunk increased across time (P<0.001) but no significant differences between groups or interaction were observed (P>0.05). The SMM increased across time (P<0.05), however no significant difference between groups or interaction were observed (P>0.05). There were strong and significant correlations between handgrip maximum force and SMM (LP: rho=0.79, P=0.004 vs. NP: rho=-0.43, P=0.244) and handgrip mean force and SMM (LP: rho=0.68, P=0.021 vs. NP: rho=-0.37, P=0.332) only for the LP group. In conclusion, LP and NP resistance training induced similar benefits on upper-body isometric force and SMM in sarcopenic older adults. However, LP presented lower total weight lifted, suggesting that it is possible to obtain similar gains in isometric force and SMM with less total work.

Effects of dietary sports supplements on metabolite accumulation, vasodilation and cellular swelling in relation to muscle hypertrophy: A focus on "secondary" physiological determinants.

Increased blood flow via vasodilation, metabolite production, and venous pooling contribute to the hyperemia and cellular swelling experienced during resistance training. It has been suggested that these effects play a role in hypertrophic adaptations. Over the past 2 decades, sport supplement products have been marketed to promote exercise hyperemia and intracellular fluid storage, thereby enhancing hypertrophy via acute swelling of myocytes. The three main classes of supplements hypothesized to promote exercise-induced hyperemia include vasodilators, such as nitric oxide precursor supplements; anaerobic energy system ergogenic aids that increase metabolite production, such as ß-alanine and creatine; and organic osmolytes, such as creatine and betaine. Previous studies indicated that these dietary supplements are able to improve muscle performance and thus enhance muscle hypertrophy; however, recent evidences also point to these three classes of supplements affecting "secondary" physiological determinants of muscle mass accretion such as vasodilation, metabolite accumulation, and muscle cellular swelling. Although we recognize that the literature is relatively scarce regarding these topics, a better comprehension and discussion of these determinants can lead to increased knowledge and might guide further research regarding the proposed mechanisms of action of the identified compounds. In this case, increased knowledge may contribute to the development of improved efficacy, new products, or direct new research to specifically investigate those secondary effects. The aim of this review was to bring into focus new perspectives associated with secondary physiological effects induced by supplementation and to determine their relevance.