Circulating Neurofilament Light Chain Levels Increase with Age and Are Associated with Worse Physical Function and Body Composition in Men but Not in Women.

This study aimed to assess the relationship between age-related changes in Neurofilament Light Chain (NFL), a marker of neuronal function, and various factors including muscle function, body composition, and metabolomic markers. The study included 40 participants, aged 20 to 85 years. NFL levels were measured, and muscle function, body composition, and metabolomic markers were assessed. NFL levels increased significantly with age, particularly in men. Negative correlations were found between NFL levels and measures of muscle function, such as grip strength, walking speed, and chair test performance, indicating a decline in muscle performance with increasing NFL. These associations were more pronounced in men. NFL levels also negatively correlated with muscle quality in men, as measured by 50 kHz phase angle. In terms of body composition, NFL was positively correlated with markers of fat mass and negatively correlated with markers of muscle mass, predominantly in men. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant associations between NFL levels and specific metabolites, with gender-dependent relationships observed. This study provides insights into the relationship between circulating serum NFL, muscle function, and aging. Our findings hint at circulating NFL as a potential early marker of age-associated neurodegenerative processes, especially in men.

Efficacy of exercise in patients with atrial fibrillation: Systematic review and meta-analysis. / Eficacia del ejercicio físico en pacientes con fibrilación auricular: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The benefits of exercise in atrial fibrillation (AF) are not clear yet. The aim was to assess the effects of exercise on functional capacity, quality of life, symptoms and adverse events in AF patients. METHODS: Pubmed, Web of Science, Science Direct and CENTRAL databases were searched to collect the literature concerning AF and exercise. Studies using an endurance and/or strength exercise of at least one-month duration were included. The meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effects method. RESULTS: 10 randomised controlled trials were selected. The analysis reported a significant improvement in the maximum exercise capacity (SMCR=0.35; CI95%=0.18, 0.51; p<.001) after exercise intervention. In patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF, exercise improved significantly VO2peak (SMCR=0.387; CI95%=0.214, 0.561; p<.001). Moreover, patients with permanent AF showed significant results in the 6-min walk test (SMCR=0.74; CI95%=0.31, 1.17; p<.001) and the resting heart rate (SMCR=-0.51; CI95%=-0.93, -0.10; p=.0015) thanks to exercise. Regarding quality of life, there was an improvement trend in the physical component score (SMCR=0.13; CI95%=-0.05, 0.31; p=.17) and mental component score (SMCR=0.09; CI95%=-0.09, 0.27; p=.35) in the exercise group. Nevertheless, pharmacological treatment tended to control the systolic blood pressure (SMCR=0.13; CI95%=-0.03, 0.3; p=.11). CONCLUSION: Exercise has a beneficial role as an adjuvant treatment of AF.

Eficacia del ejercicio físico en pacientes con fibrilación auricular: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis / Efficacy of exercise in patients with atrial fibrillation: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Antecedentes y objetivo: Los beneficios del ejercicio físico en la fibrilación auricular (FA) todavía no están claros. El objetivo fue evaluar los efectos del ejercicio físico sobre la capacidad funcional, la calidad de vida, los síntomas y los episodios adversos en pacientes con FA.MétodosSe realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos: Pubmed, Web of Science, Science Direct y CENTRAL para reunir la literatura relativa a FA y ejercicio. Los estudios incluidos utilizaron ejercicio aeróbico y/o fuerza de al menos un mes de duración. El metaanálisis fue elaborado mediante el método de efectos aleatorios.ResultadosSe seleccionaron 10 ensayos controlados y aleatorizados. El análisis mostró mejoras significativas en la máxima capacidad de ejercicio (SMCR=0,35; IC95%=0,18, 0,51; p<0,001) después del ejercicio. En pacientes con FA paroxística y persistente, el ejercicio mejoró significativamente el VO2pico (SMCR=0,387; IC95%=0,214, 0,561; p<0,001). Además, pacientes con FA permanente mostraron resultados significativos en la prueba de marcha de 6 minutos (SMCR=0,74; IC95%=0,31, 1,17; p<0,001) y en la frecuencia cardíaca en reposo (SMCR=-0,51; IC95%=-0,93, -0,10; p=0,0015) gracias al ejercicio. A nivel de calidad de vida, hubo una tendencia de mejora en los resúmenes de los componentes físico (SMCR=0,13; IC95%=-0,05, 0,31; p=0,17) y mental (SMCR=0,09; IC95%=-0,09, 0,27; p=0,35) en el grupo ejercicio. Sin embargo, el tratamiento farmacológico tendió a regular mejor la presión arterial sistólica (SMCR=0,13; IC95%=-0,03, 0,3; p=0,11).ConclusiónEl ejercicio físico tiene un papel beneficioso como tratamiento complementario de la FA. (AU)

Background and objective: The benefits of exercise in atrial fibrillation (AF) are not clear yet. The aim was to assess the effects of exercise on functional capacity, quality of life, symptoms and adverse events in AF patients.MethodsPubmed, Web of Science, Science Direct and CENTRAL databases were searched to collect the literature concerning AF and exercise. Studies using an endurance and/or strength exercise of at least one-month duration were included. The meta-analysis was conducted using the random-effects method.Results10 randomised controlled trials were selected. The analysis reported a significant improvement in the maximum exercise capacity (SMCR=0.35; CI95%=0.18, 0.51; p<.001) after exercise intervention. In patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF, exercise improved significantly VO2peak (SMCR=0.387; CI95%=0.214, 0.561; p<.001). Moreover, patients with permanent AF showed significant results in the 6-min walk test (SMCR=0.74; CI95%=0.31, 1.17; p<.001) and the resting heart rate (SMCR=−0.51; CI95%=−0.93, −0.10; p=.0015) thanks to exercise. Regarding quality of life, there was an improvement trend in the physical component score (SMCR=0.13; CI95%=−0.05, 0.31; p=.17) and mental component score (SMCR=0.09; CI95%=−0.09, 0.27; p=.35) in the exercise group. Nevertheless, pharmacological treatment tended to control the systolic blood pressure (SMCR=0.13; CI95%=−0.03, 0.3; p=.11).ConclusionExercise has a beneficial role as an adjuvant treatment of AF. (AU)