Correlates of olfactory impairment in middle-aged non-diabetic Caucasian subjects with stage I-II obesity.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates among middle-aged subjects with obesity the prevalence of olfactory impairment (OI) with respect to normative values and its correlation with body composition, cognition, sleep quality, and inflammation. METHODS: In 60 (31 women, 29 men) volunteers with a body mass index ≥ 30 to ≤ 40 kg/m2, aged ≥ 50 to ≤ 70 years, we assessed olfaction by the Sniffin' Stick test. We measured anthropometrics, body composition and metabolic profiles and evaluated cognition by the MiniMental State Examination (MMSE) and sleep disturbances by the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Patients were classified into two groups according to a total olfactory score (odor Threshold, Discrimination, Identification, TDI) below or above the 25th percentile from age and gender-adjusted normative data. RESULTS: Overall, 25 subjects (42%) had OI (TDI < 25th percentile). The largest differences between subjects with and without OI were observed in discrimination and identification scores, with a large overlap in olfactory threshold. Subjects with an abnormal TDI showed significantly higher fat mass index, ISI scores and urinary neopterin and lower MMSE scores than those without OI. By multivariable logistic regression, MMSE, ISI score and urinary neopterin were significantly associated to OI. CONCLUSIONS: Among middle-aged subjects with stage I and II obesity, OI is highly prevalent and is independently associated with poor self-reported sleep quality, lower cognition scores and higher levels of the inflammatory marker neopterin.

Homocysteine metabolism in children and adolescents with epidermolysis bullosa.

BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) belongs to a family of rare heterogeneous, genetic disorders characterized by blistering of the skin and mucous membranes in response to minor mechanical trauma. The involvement of the oral mucosa and oesophagus stenosis is suggested to be responsible for severe nutritional deficiencies, but few studies have till now considered this aspect. This observational study aimed to evaluate homocysteine status in children and adolescents with EB by assessing total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and metabolically related vitamins (B6, B12, folate) concentrations. METHODS: Twenty EB patients (12 M; age range 0.5-19 years) were evaluated for: plasma tHcy, serum B12 and holotranscobalamin (HoloTC, the active fraction of B12), serum and erythrocyte folate (s-F and Ery-F, respectively), plasma B6 and serum high sensitive C-reactive-protein (hsCRP) levels. Clinical severity was also evaluated through the Birmingham Epidermolysis Bullosa Severity (BEBS) score. A sex and age well-matched population was also enrolled. RESULTS: EB patients showed tHcy levels higher (p = 0.04) and B6 levels lower (p = 0.03) than controls. B12, HoloTC, s-F and ery-F concentrations did not differ between patients and controls. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that tHcy levels were independent of the metabolically related vitamins levels. In addition, serum hsCRP levels were higher in EB patients than in controls (p = 0.003) and correlated negatively with B6 concentrations (r = -0.6; p = 0.009). BEBS score correlated negatively with HoloTC (p = 0.022) and B6 (p = 0.005) levels and positively with age (p = 0.031) and hsCRP levels (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of tHcy and metabolically related vitamin levels describes an important aspect of EB patients' nutritional status which can result essential for their long term care. Monitoring B6 levels in EB patients could be particularly important in order to prevent several complications associated with B6 deficiency and to avoid a B6 excess which sustains an inflammatory condition.

Efficacy of a Standardized Extract of Prunus mume in Liver Protection and Redox Homeostasis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of Prunus mume (PM) have previously been demonstrated. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the influence of two doses of a food supplement, made of 150 mg of a standardized PM extract on liver transaminases, lipid profile, glycemia, neopterin and reduced and oxidized thiols in plasma and erythrocytes, during a 3-month treatment period, in healthy subjects with transaminases levels between 20 and 40 UI/L. Forty-five subjects (56.0 ± 11.6 years) were enrolled. The results showed a beneficial and statistically significant effect versus placebo of PM extract on liver function, with a decrease versus baseline in alanine aminotransferase (47%), aspartate aminotransferase (7%), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (15%) and glycemia (11%). The lipid profile modification was also positive with an increase versus baseline in HDL cholesterol (13%), and a decrease in LDL/HDL ratio (12%) and triglycerides (8%). The antioxidant action of PM translated into a decrease in oxidized glutathione, reduced/oxidized cysteine-glycine, oxidized cysteine (intracellular pro-oxidant) and neopterin (inflammation biomarker), was associated with an increase in reduced glutathione. These results are in favor of the use of a standardized extract of P. mume for the support of liver health and prevention of common metabolic and inflammation-based diseases. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Determination of different forms of aminothiols in red blood cells without washing erythrocytes.

Detection and quantification of different aminothiols forms (reduced and total) in biological fluids are important for the investigation of oxidative stress-related diseases and cell homeostasis study. The aim of this study was to optimize a HPLC method in order to determine both reduced and total thiol forms in red blood cells (RBC) at low temperature without washing erythrocytes. Analytical recoveries for total and reduced thiols were 91.6-98.5 and 94.9-98.2% respectively. The relative standard deviations intra-assay for total and reduced thiols were 1.14-3.64 and 0.83-2.3% respectively and the relative standard deviations inter-assay for total and reduced thiols were 1.12-3.54 and 0.84-2.03%, respectively. This method allows specific analysis of the aminothiol state inside the RBC, as a model of intracellular metabolism functioning.

Consumption of Sylimarin, Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Sodium Salt and Myricetin: Effects on Alcohol Levels and Markers of Oxidative Stress-A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol abuse is one of the most common causes of mortality worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a treatment in reducing circulating ethanol and oxidative stress biomarkers. METHODS: Twenty wine-drinking subjects were investigated in a randomized controlled, single-blind trial (ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT06548503; Ethical Committee of the University of Padova (HEC-DSB/12-2023) to evaluate the effect of the intake of a product containing silymarin, pyrroloquinoline quinone sodium salt, and myricetin (referred to as Si.Pi.Mi. for this project) on blood alcohol, ethyl glucuronide (EtG: marker for alcohol consumption) and markers of oxidative stress levels (Reactive Oxygen Species-ROS, Total Antioxidant Capacity-TAC, CoQ10, thiols redox status, 8-isoprostane, NO metabolites, neopterin, and uric acid). The effects of the treatment versus placebo were evaluated acutely and after 1 week of supplementation in blood and/or saliva and urine samples. RESULTS: Si.Pi.Mi intake reduced circulating ethanol after 120 min (-33%). Changes in oxidative stress biomarkers, particularly a TAC (range +9-12%) increase and an 8-isoprostane (marker of lipidic peroxidation) decrease (range -22-27%), were observed too. CONCLUSION: After the administration of Si.Pi.Mi, the data seemed to suggest a better alcohol metabolism and oxidative balance in response to wine intake. Further verification is requested.

Chelation Therapy Associated with Antioxidant Supplementation Can Decrease Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis: Preliminary Results.

An imbalance of oxy-inflammation status has been involved in axonal damage and demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an antioxidant treatment (calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetracetic acid-EDTA) chelation therapy associated with a micronutrient complex in MS patients. A total of 20 MS patients and 20 healthy subjects, enrolled as a control group (CTR), were recruited. We measured the plasma ROS production and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by a direct assessment using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance; activities of the antioxidant system (thiols' redox status and enzymes); and the urinary presence of biomarkers of oxidative stress by immunoenzymatic assays. We also evaluated the levels of inflammation by plasmatic cytokines (TNFα, IL-1ß, and IL-6) and assessed the sICAM levels, as well as the nitric oxide (NO) catabolism and transthyretin (TTR) concentration. Comparing CTR and MS, in the latter ROS production, oxidative damage, inflammatory biomarkers, and NO metabolite concentrations results were significantly higher, while TAC was significantly lower. Treatment in MS induced significant (p < 0.05) down-regulating of pro-inflammatory sICAM1, TNF-α, IL6, as well as biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage production. The protective effect exhibited may occur by decreasing ROS production and increasing antioxidant capacity, turning into a more reduced thiols' status.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Counters Oxidative Stress/Inflammation-Driven Symptoms in Long COVID-19 Patients: Preliminary Outcomes.

Long COVID-19 patients show systemic inflammation and persistent symptoms such as fatigue and malaise, profoundly affecting their quality of life. Since improving oxygenation can oppose inflammation at multiple tissue levels, we hypothesized that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) could arrest inflammation progression and thus relieve symptoms of COVID-19. We evaluated oxy-inflammation biomarkers in long COVID-19 subjects treated with HBOT and monitored with non-invasive methods. Five subjects (two athletes and three patients with other comorbidities) were assigned to receive HBOT: 100% inspired O2 at 2.4 ATA in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber for 90 min (three athletes: 15 HBOT × 5 days/wk for 3 weeks; two patients affected by Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: 30 HBOT × 5 days/wk for 6 weeks; and one patient with osteomyelitis: 30 HBOT × 5 days/wk for week for 6 weeks and, after a 30-day break, followed by a second cycle of 20 HBOT). Using saliva and/or urine samples, reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant capacity, cytokines, lipids peroxidation, DNA damage, and renal status were assessed at T1_pre (basal level) and at T2_pre (basal level after treatment), and the results showed attenuated ROS production, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, NO metabolites, and inflammation biomarker levels, especially in the athletes post-treatment. Thus, HBOT may represent an alternative non-invasive method for treating long COVID-19-induced long-lasting manifestations of oxy-inflammation.

Seasonal Oxy-Inflammation and Hydration Status in Non-Elite Freeskiing Racer: A Pilot Study by Non-Invasive Analytic Method.

Freeskiing is performed in an extreme environment, with significant physical effort that can induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and dehydration. This study aimed to investigate the evolution of the oxy-inflammation and hydration status during a freeskiing training season with non-invasive methods. Eight trained freeskiers were investigated during a season training: T0 (beginning), T1-T3 (training sessions), and T4 (after the end). Urine and saliva were collected at T0, before (A) and after (B) T1-T3, and at T4. ROS, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO) derivatives, neopterin, and electrolyte balance changes were investigated. We found significant increases in ROS generation (T1A-B +71%; T2A-B +65%; T3A-B +49%; p < 0.05-0.01) and IL-6 (T2A-B +112%; T3A-B +133%; p < 0.01). We did not observe significant variation of TAC and NOx after training sessions. Furthermore, ROS and IL-6 showed statistically significant differences between T0 and T4 (ROS +48%, IL-6 +86%; p < 0.05). Freeskiing induced an increase in ROS production, which can be contained by antioxidant defense activation, and in IL-6, as a consequence of physical activity and skeletal muscular contraction. We did not find deep changes in electrolytes balance, likely because all freeskiers were well-trained and very experienced.

Glutamatergic dysfunction, neuroplasticity, and redox status in the peripheral blood of patients with motor conversion disorders (functional movement disorders): a first step towards potential biomarkers discovery.

Functional movement disorders (FMD) are characterized by the presence of neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by typical neurological diseases or other medical conditions. First evidence showed that, compared to healthy controls (CTR), FMD patients presented increased levels of glutamate+glutamine in the anterior cingulate cortex/medial prefrontal cortex, and decreased levels of glutamate in the cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting that a glutamatergic dysfunction might play a role in FMD pathophysiology. In this study, 12 FMD patients and 20 CTR were recruited and underwent venous blood sampling and urine collection: levels of glutamate, BDNF, dopamine, oxidative stress, creatinine, neopterin, and uric acid were analyzed. Participants also underwent a psychometric assessment investigating depression, anxiety, and alexithymia. We found that levels of glutamate, BDNF, and dopamine were significantly lower in the blood of FMD patients than CTR. Glutamate and dopamine levels were positively associated with levels of alexithymia. Our findings give further evidence that glutamatergic dysfunction might be involved in the pathophysiology of FMD, possibly representing a biomarker of disease; moreover, since glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems are closely interconnected, our results might have a relevance in terms of treatment options for FMD patients.

Plasma total cysteine and cardiovascular risk burden: action and interaction.

We hypothesized that redox analysis could provide sensitive markers of the oxidative pathway associated to the presence of an increasing number of cardiovascular risk factors (RFs), independently of type. We classified 304 subjects without cardiovascular disease into 4 groups according to the total number of RFs (smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, hyperhomocysteinaemia, diabetes, obesity, and their combination). Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring plasma total and reduced homocysteine, cysteine (Cys), glutathione, cysteinylglycine, blood reduced glutathione, and malondialdehyde. Twenty-seven percent of subjects were in group 0 RF, 26% in 1 RF, 31% in 2 RF, and 16% in ≥ 3 RF. By multivariable ordinal regression analysis, plasma total Cys was associated to a higher number of RF (OR = 1.068; 95% CI = 1.027-1.110, P = 0.002). Total RF burden is associated with increased total Cys levels. These findings support a prooxidant effect of Cys in conjunction with RF burden, and shed light on the pathophysiologic role of redox state unbalance in preclinical atherosclerosis.

Effects of Prolonged Exposure to Hypobaric Hypoxia on Oxidative Stress: Overwintering in Antarctic Concordia Station.

Concordia Station is the permanent, research station on the Antarctic Plateau at 3230 m. During the eleventh winter-over campaign (DC11-2015; February 2015 to November 2015) at Antarctic Concordia Station, 13 healthy team members were studied and blood samples were collected at six different time points: baseline measurements (T0), performed at sea level before the departure, and during the campaign at 3, 7, 20, 90, and 300 days after arrival at Concordia Station. Reducing the partial pressure of O2 as barometric pressure falls, hypobaric hypoxia (HH) triggers several physiological adaptations. Among the others, increased oxidative stress and enhanced generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), resulting in severe oxidative damage, were observed, which can share potential physiopathological mechanisms associated with many diseases. This study characterized the extent and time-course changes after acute and chronic HH exposure, elucidating possible fundamental mechanisms of adaptation. ROS, oxidative stress biomarkers, nitric oxide, and proinflammatory cytokines significantly increased (range 24-135%) during acute and chronic hypoxia exposure (peak 20th day) with a decrease in antioxidant capacity (peak 90th day: -52%). Results suggest that the adaptive response of oxidative stress balance to HH requires a relatively long time, more than 300th days, as all the observed variables do not return to the preexposition level. These findings may also be relevant to patients in whom oxygen availability is limited through disease (i.e., chronic heart and lung and/or kidney disease) and/or during long-duration space missions.

Oxidative stress and motion sickness in one crew during competitive offshore sailing.

Competitive Offshore Ocean Sailing is a highly demanding activity in which subjects are exposed to psychophysical stressors for a long time. To better define the physiological adaptations, we investigated the stress response of subjects exposed to 3-days long ocean navigation with disruption of circadian rhythms. 6 male subjects were involved in the study and provided urine and saliva samples before setting sail, during a single day of inshore sailing, during 3-days long ocean navigation, and at the arrival, to measure oxidative stress, cortisol, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and metabolic response. Motion Sickness questionnaires were also administered during the navigation. The crew suffered a mean weight loss of 1.58 kg. After the long navigation, a significant increase in ROS production and decrease in total antioxidant capacity and uric acid levels were observed. Lipid peroxidation, NO metabolites, ketones, creatinine, and neopterin levels were also increased. Furthermore, a significant increase in cortisol levels was measured. Finally, we found a correlation between motion sickness questionnaires with the increase of NOx, and no correlation with cortisol levels. Physical and psychological stress response derived from offshore sailing resulted in increased oxidative stress, nitric oxide metabolites, and cortisol levels, unbalanced redox status, transient renal function impairment, and ketosis. A direct correlation between motion sickness symptoms evaluated through questionnaires and NOx levels was also found.

Gender-Specific Behaviour in Obesity Stages I-II: Imbalance of Aminothiol Status and Adipomyokine Profile in Subjects with Different Insulin Resistance Severity.

The hyperproduction of oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, which is paralleled by decreased levels of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mediators, is part of cellular mechanisms that contribute to the disruption of metabolic homeostasis in obesity. Whether gender-specific alterations and gender-restricted associations in these biomarkers underlie the increased cardiometabolic risk in men compared to women is unclear. We enrolled 31 women and 29 men, aged ≥50 and ≤70 years and with body mass index ≥ 30 and <40 kg/m2. We assessed the concentrations of aminothiols (cysteine, homocysteine, and glutathione), expression of oxidant/antioxidant balance, adipomyokines (leptin, adiponectin, myostatin, and interleukin-6), markers of chronic inflammation, and vitamin D, an index of nutritional state, in plasma and serum samples by using HPLC, ELISA, and chemiluminescent immunoassay methods. We measured insulin resistance (IR) by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. Despite comparable levels of visceral adiposity, IR, and a similar dietary regimen, men showed, with respect to women, higher oxidant concentrations and lower antioxidant levels, which paralleled IR severity. Myostatin levels correlated with prooxidant aminothiols among men only. Gender-specific alterations in aminothiol status and adipomyokine profile and the gender-restricted association between these biomarkers and metabolic derangement are consistent with an increased cardiometabolic risk in men compared to age-matched women with stage I-II obesity. Strict control of redox and inflammatory status, even addressing gender-specific nutritional targets, may be useful to prevent obesity-related metabolic alterations and comorbidities.

Oxidative Stress and Inflammation, MicroRNA, and Hemoglobin Variations after Administration of Oxygen at Different Pressures and Concentrations: A Randomized Trial.

Exercise generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), creating a redox imbalance towards oxidation when inadequately intense. Normobaric and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) breathed while not exercising induces antioxidant enzymes expression, but literature is still poor. Twenty-two athletes were assigned to five groups: controls; 30%, or 50% O2; 100% O2 (HBO) at 1.5 or 2.5 atmosphere absolute (ATA). Twenty treatments were administered on non-training days. Biological samples were collected at T0 (baseline), T1 (end of treatments), and T2 (1 month after) to assess ROS, antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation, redox (amino-thiols) and inflammatory (IL-6, 10, TNF-α) status, renal function (i.e., neopterin), miRNA, and hemoglobin. At T1, O2 mixtures and HBO induced an increase of ROS, lipid peroxidation and decreased TAC, counterbalanced at T2. Furthermore, 50% O2 and HBO treatments determined a reduced state in T2. Neopterin concentration increased at T1 breathing 50% O2 and HBO at 2.5 ATA. The results suggest that 50% O2 treatment determined a reduced state in T2; HBO at 1.5 and 2.5 ATA similarly induced protective mechanisms against ROS, despite the latter could expose the body to higher ROS levels and neopterin concentrations. HBO resulted in increased Hb levels and contributed to immunomodulation by regulating interleukin and miRNA expression.

Change in Oxidative Stress Biomarkers During 30 Days in Saturation Dive: A Pilot Study.

Saturation diving allows divers to reduce the risk of decompression sickness while working at depth for prolonged periods but may increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Such modifications can affect endothelial function by exacerbating oxidative stress. This study investigated the effects of saturation diving on oxidative stress damage. Redox status was evaluated through: ROS production; total antioxidant capacity (TAC); nitric oxide metabolites (NOx); nitrotyrosine (3-NT); and lipid peroxidation (8-iso-PGF2α) assessment. Creatinine and neopterin were analyzed as markers of renal function and damage. Measurements were performed on saliva and urine samples obtained at four time points: pre; deep; post; and 24 h post. Four divers were included in the study. After the saturation dive (post), significant (p < 0.05) increases in ROS (0.12 ± 0.03 vs. 0.36 ± 0.06 µmol.min-1), TAC (1.88 ± 0.03 vs. 2.01 ± 0.08 mM), NOx (207.0 ± 103.3 vs. 441.8 ± 97.3 µM), 3-NT (43.32 ± 18.03 vs. 18.64 ± 7.45 nM·L-1), and 8-iso-PGF2α (249.7 ± 45.1 vs. 371.9 ± 54.9 pg·mg-1 creatinine) were detected. Markers of renal damage were increased as well after the end of the saturation dive (creatinine 0.54 ± 0.22 vs. 2.72 ± 1.12 g-L-1; neopterin 73.3 ± 27.9 vs. 174.3 ± 20.53 µmol·mol-1 creatinine). These results could ameliorate commercial or military diving protocols or improve the understanding of symptoms caused by oxygen level elevation.

Influence of Dietary Supplementation for Hyperhomocysteinemia Treatments.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is recognized as risk factor for cardiovascular and age-associated diseases. Folic acid supplementation efficiently lowers plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels, but high intake may negatively affect health because of unnatural levels of unmetabolized folic acid in the systemic circulation. Oxoproline (Oxo) provides by glutamic acid production an increase of intracellular folic acid trapping. Aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of three supplementation protocols: (1) traditional therapy (5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate: 15 mg/day); (2) 5 mL/day of Oxo with 300 µg folic acid (oxifolic); (3) 5 mL/day of Oxo alone (magnesio+) in a 90 days randomized trial on thirty-two moderate hyperhomocysteinemic (18.6 ± 2.4 µmol.L-1) patients (age 48 ± 14 yrs). Thiols: cysteine (Cys), cysteinylglycine (Cys-Gly) and glutathione levels were assessed too. Every supplementation induced significant (p range <0.05-0.0001) reductions of Hcy level and Cys concentration after the three protocols adopted. Otherwise glutathione concentration significantly increased after oxifolic (p < 0.01) and traditional (p < 0.05) supplementation. The integration of Oxo resulted an interesting alternative to traditional therapy because absence or minimal number of folates in the integrator eliminates any chance of excess that can constitute a long-term risk.

Antioxidant Activity with Increased Endogenous Levels of Vitamin C, E and A Following Dietary Supplementation with a Combination of Glutathione and Resveratrol Precursors.

The effects of two different dietary supplements on the redox status of healthy human participants were evaluated. The first supplement (GluS, Glutathione Synthesis) contains the precursors for the endogenous synthesis of glutathione and the second (GluReS, Glutathione and Resveratrol Synthesis) contains in addition polydatin, a precursor of resveratrol. To assess the influence of GluS and GluReS on the redox status, ten thiol species and three vitamins were measured before (t0) and after 8 weeks (t1) of dietary supplementation. An inflammatory marker, neopterin, was also assessed at the same time points. Both supplements were highly effective in improving the redox status by significantly increasing the reduced-glutathione (GSH) content and other reduced thiol species while significantly decreasing the oxidized species. The positive outcome of the redox status was most significant in the GluRes treatment group which also experienced a significant reduction in neopterin levels. Of note, the endogenous levels of vitamins C, E and A were significantly increased in both treatment groups, with best results in the GluReS group. While both dietary supplements significantly contributed to recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory outcomes, the effects of GluReS, the combination of glutathione and resveratrol precursors, were more pronounced. Thus, dietary supplementation with GluReS may represent a valuable strategy for maintaining a competent immune status and a healthy lifespan.

Acute Effects of Triathlon Race on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers.

The response to strenuous exercise was investigated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, oxidative damage, thiol redox status, and inflammation assessments in 32 enrolled triathlon athletes (41.9 ± 7.9 yrs) during Ironman® (IR), or half Ironman® (HIR) competition. In biological samples, inflammatory cytokines, aminothiols (glutathione (GSH), homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine (Cys), and cysteinylglycine (CysGly)), creatinine and neopterin, oxidative stress (OxS) biomarkers (protein carbonyl (PC), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)), and ROS were assessed. Thirteen HIR and fourteen IR athletes finished the race. Postrace, ROS (HIR +20%; IR +28%; p < 0.0001), TBARS (HIR +57%; IR +101%), PC (HIR +101%; IR +130%) and urinary neopterin (HIR +19%, IR +27%) significantly (range p < 0.05-0.0001) increased. Moreover, HIR showed an increase in total Cys +28%, while IR showed total aminothiols, Cys, Hcy, CysGly, and GSH increase by +48, +30, +58, and +158%, respectively (range p < 0.05-0.0001). ROS production was significantly correlated with TBARS and PC (R 2 = 0.38 and R 2 = 0.40; p < 0.0001) and aminothiols levels (range R 2 = 0.17-0.47; range p < 0.01-0.0001). In particular, ROS was directly correlated with the athletes' age (R 2 = 0.19; p < 0.05), with ultraendurance years of training (R 2 = 0.18; p < 0.05) and the days/week training activity (R 2 = 0.16; p < 0.05). Finally, the days/week training activity (hours/in the last 2 weeks) was found inversely correlated with the IL-6 postrace (R 2 = -0.21; p < 0.01). A strenuous performance, the Ironman® distance triathlon competition, alters the oxidant/antioxidant balance through a great OxS response that is directly correlated to the inflammatory parameters; furthermore, the obtained data suggest that an appropriate training time has to be selected in order to achieve the lowest ROS production and IL-6 concentration at the same time.

Irisin and markers of metabolic derangement in non-diabetic Caucasian subjects with stage I-II obesity during early aging.

Irisin concentrations are decreased in subjects with overt diabetes and upregulated in those with obesity or impaired fasting glucose. However, gender-balanced data in older populations, in whom risk factors commonly culminate in overt cardiovascular disease, are scarce. We assessed in non-diabetic Caucasian subjects with stage I-II obesity in the early aging range (50 to 70 years), the relationship between irisin, body composition and markers of metabolic derangement by gender. In 60 (31 women, 29 men) non-diabetics with a body mass index ≥30 - ≤40 kg/m2, we measured anthropometrics and body composition (Air Displacement Plethysmography). We assayed lipid and glucose profile by routine methods, plasma irisin by ELISA and measured insulin resistance by the HOMA index. Irisin levels were higher in women than in men (161 [105-198]) vs 83 [33-115] ng/ml, P<0.001), and correlated directly with HOMA index in both (rho 0.735, P<0.001 M, rho 0.452, P = 0.011 F). Sex differences were maintained across insulin resistance severity stages. In men, irisin concentrations correlated directly with body mass index (rho 0.755, P<0.001), waist circumference (rho 0.623, P<0.001), fat mass index (rho 0.762, P<0.001), glucose (rho 0.408, P = 0.028), the fatty liver index (rho 0.705, P<0.001) and FINDRISC score (rho 0.536, P = 0.003). Among non-diabetic Caucasian subjects with obesity in the early stages of aging, irisin levels reflect the amount of body fat and insulin resistance severity, independently of between-gender differences in the adipomyokine concentrations and are associated with markers of visceral adiposity in men but not in women.