Thirty days of double-strain probiotic supplementation increases monocyte phagocytosis in marathon runners.

Marathon runners, subjected to intense training regimes and prolonged, exhaustive exercises, often experience a compromised immune response. Probiotic supplementation has emerged as a potential remedy to mitigate the impact of prolonged exercise on athletes. Consequently, this study sought to assess the influence of probiotic supplementation on monocyte functionality both before and after the official marathon race. Twenty-seven runners were randomly and double-blindly assigned to two groups: Placebo-PLA (n=13) and Probiotic-PRO (n=14). Over thirty days, both groups received supplements-PLA sachets containing maltodextrin (5g/day) and PRO sachets containing 1 x 1010 CFU Lactobacillus acidophilus and 1 x 1010 CFU Bifidobacterium bifidum subsp. lactis. Blood samples were collected, and immunological assays, including phagocytosis, hydrogen peroxide production, cytokine levels, and monocyte immunophenotyping, were conducted at four different intervals: Baseline (start of supplementation/thirty days pre-marathon), 24h-Before (one-day pre-marathon), 1h-After (1h post-marathon), and 5d-After (five days post-marathon). Monocyte populations remained consistent throughout the study. A notable increase in phagocytosis was observed in the PRO group after thirty days of supplementation. Upon LPS stimulation, both PRO and PLA groups exhibited decreased IL-8 production. However, after the marathon race, IL-15 stimulation demonstrated increased levels of 5d-After, while IL-1-ß, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, and TNF-α varied across different intervals, specifically within the PRO group. Probiotic supplementation notably enhanced the phagocytic capacity of monocytes. However, these effects were not sustained post-marathon.

Association study of performance-related polymorphisms in Brazilian combat-sport athletes highlights variants in the GABPB1 gene.

Combat sports are an intermittent sport, with mixed anaerobic and aerobic energy production. Here, we investigated whether the polymorphisms that have been previously suggested as genetic markers for endurance or power phenotypes were associated with combat-sport athletic status. A total of 23 previously reported performance-related polymorphisms were examined in a cohort of 1,129 Brazilian individuals (164 combat-sport athletes and 965 controls), using a case-control association study. We found that the GA-binding protein transcription factor subunit beta 1 (GABPß1) gene (also known as nuclear respiratory factor 2; NRF2) was associated with athletic status, with the minor G (rs7181866) and T (rs8031031) alleles overrepresented in athletes (P ≤ 0.003), especially among world-class athletes (P ≤ 0.0002). These findings indicate that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the GABPß1 gene increase the likelihood of an individual being a combat-sport athlete, possibly because of a better mitochondrial response to intermittent exercises.

The A-allele of the FTO Gene rs9939609 Polymorphism Is Associated With Decreased Proportion of Slow Oxidative Muscle Fibers and Over-represented in Heavier Athletes.

Guilherme, JPLF, Egorova, ES, Semenova, EA, Kostryukova, ES, Kulemin, NA, Borisov, OV, Khabibova, SA, Larin, AK, Ospanova, EA, Pavlenko, AV, Lyubaeva, EV, Popov, DV, Lysenko, EA, Vepkhvadze, TF, Lednev, EM, Govorun, VM, Generozov, EV, Ahmetov, II, and Lancha Junior, AH. The A-allele of the FTO gene rs9939609 polymorphism is associated with decreased proportion of slow oxidative muscle fibers and over-represented in heavier athletes. J Strength Cond Res 33(3): 691-700, 2019-The purpose of this study was to explore the frequency of the FTO T > A (rs9939609) polymorphism in elite athletes from 2 cohorts (Brazil and Russia), as well as to find a relationship between FTO genotypes and muscle fiber composition. A total of 677 athletes and 652 nonathletes were evaluated in the Brazilian cohort, whereas a total of 920 athletes and 754 nonathletes were evaluated in the Russian cohort. It was found a trend for a lower frequency of A/A genotype in long-distance athletes compared with nonathletes (odds ratio [OR]: 0.65; p = 0.054). By contrast, it was found an increased frequency of the A-allele in Russian power athletes. The presence of the T/A + A/A genotypes rather than T/T increased the OR of being a Russian power athlete compared with matched nonathletes (OR: 1.45; p = 0.002). Different from that observed in combat sports athletes of lighter weight categories, the A-allele was also over-represented in combat sports athletes of heavier weight categories. The presence of the T/A + A/A genotypes rather than T/T increased the OR of being a combat sports athlete of heavier weight categories compared with nonathletes (OR: 1.79; p = 0.018). Regarding the muscle fibers, we found that carriers of the A/A genotype had less slow-twitch muscle fibers than T-allele carriers (p = 0.029). In conclusion, the A/A genotype of the FTO T > A polymorphism is under-represented in athletes more reliant on a lean phenotype and associated with decreased proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers, while is over-represented in strength and heavier athletes.

High Doses of Caffeine Increase Muscle Strength and Calcium Release in the Plasma of Recreationally Trained Men.

The effects of acute caffeine supplementation on muscular strength remain unclear. We examined the effects of two different doses of caffeine on muscle strength and calcium in plasma compared to placebo using a crossover, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Twenty-one (n = 21) recreationally resistance-trained participants were randomly assigned into three experimental conditions: 6 mg·kg bw−1 of caffeine (CF6); 8 mg·kg bw−1 of caffeine (CF8); or placebo (PLA), with a 7-day washout period between conditions. Muscular strength assessments were made for both upper (bench press) and lower body muscles (squat and deadlift). Calcium release in plasma was measured on five different occasions. Bench press (CF8: 100.1 ± 1.9 kg; PLA: 94.2 ± 2.5 kg), deadlift (CF8: 132.8 ± 3.5 kg; PLA: 120.7 ± 5.7 kg), and squat (CF8: 130.1 ± 4.9 kg; PLA 119.4 ± 5.4 kg) strength were all significantly (p < 0.001) improved in CF8 compared to PLA. Calcium release in plasma was significantly increased in CF8, whereas no changes were observed in CF6 or PLA. Overall, 8 mg·kg bw−1 of caffeine appears to be an effective dose to optimize upper and lower body muscular strength and calcium release in recreationally trained participants.

Changes in the Gut Bacteria Composition of Healthy Men with the Same Nutritional Profile Undergoing 10-Week Aerobic Exercise Training: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Nutrient consumption and body mass index (BMI) are closely related to the gut microbiota, and exercise effects on gut bacteria composition may be related to those variables. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of 10-week moderate aerobic exercise on the cardiorespiratory fitness and gut bacteria composition of non-obese men with the same nutritional profile. Twenty-four previously sedentary men (age 25.18 [SD 4.66] years, BMI 24.5 [SD 3.72] kg/m2) were randomly assigned into Control (CG; n = 12) or Exercise Groups (EG; n = 12). Body composition, cardiorespiratory parameters, blood markers, dietary habits and gut bacteria composition were evaluated. EG performed 150 min per week of supervised moderate (60-65% of VO2peak) aerobic exercise, while CG maintained their daily routine. The V4 16S rRNA gene was sequenced and treated using QIIME software. Only EG demonstrated marked improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak, p < 0.05; Effect Size = 0.971) without changes in other gut bacteria-affecting variables. Exercise did not promote clustering based on diversity indices (p > 0.05), although significant variations in an unclassified genus from Clostridiales order and in Streptococcus genus were observed (p < 0.05). Moreover, α-diversity was correlated with VO2peak (Pearson's R: 0.47; R2 0.23: 95%CI: 0.09 to 0.74, p = 0.02) and BMI (Pearson's R: -0.50; R2 0.25: 95%CI: -0.75 to -0.12, p = 0.01). Roseburia, Sutterella and Odoribacter genera were associated with VO2peak, while Desulfovibrio and Faecalibacterium genera were associated with body composition (p < 0.05). Our study indicates that aerobic exercise at moderate intensity improved VO2peak and affected gut bacteria composition of non-obese men who maintained a balanced consumption of nutrients.

Are Genome-Wide Association Study Identified Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated With Sprint Athletic Status? A Replication Study With 3 Different Cohorts.

PURPOSE: To replicate previous genome-wide association study identified sprint-related polymorphisms in 3 different cohorts of top-level sprinters and to further validate the obtained results in functional studies. METHODS: A total of 240 Japanese, 290 Russians, and 593 Brazilians were evaluated in a case-control approach. Of these, 267 were top-level sprint/power athletes. In addition, the relationship between selected polymorphisms and muscle fiber composition was evaluated in 203 Japanese and 287 Finnish individuals. RESULTS: The G allele of the rs3213537 polymorphism was overrepresented in Japanese (odds ratio [OR]: 2.07, P = .024) and Russian (OR: 1.93, P = .027) sprinters compared with endurance athletes and was associated with an increased proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers in Japanese (P = .02) and Finnish (P = .041) individuals. A meta-analysis of the data from 4 athlete cohorts confirmed that the presence of the G/G genotype rather than the G/A+A/A genotypes increased the OR of being a sprinter compared with controls (OR: 1.49, P = .01), endurance athletes (OR: 1.79, P = .001), or controls + endurance athletes (OR: 1.58, P = .002). Furthermore, male sprinters with the G/G genotype were found to have significantly faster personal times in the 100-m dash than those with G/A+A/A genotypes (10.50 [0.26] vs 10.76 [0.31], P = .014). CONCLUSION: The rs3213537 polymorphism found in the CPNE5 gene was identified as a highly replicable variant associated with sprinting ability and the increased proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers, in which the homozygous genotype for the major allele (ie, the G/G genotype) is preferable for performance.

Rapid weight loss followed by recovery time does not affect judo-related performance.

In this study, we investigated the effects of rapid weight loss followed by a 4-h recovery on judo-related performance. Seven weight-cycler athletes were assigned to a weight loss group (5% body weight reduction by self-selected regime) and seven non-weight-cyclers to a control group (no weight reduction). Body composition, performance, glucose, and lactate were assessed before and after weight reduction (5-7 days apart; control group kept weight stable). The weight loss group had 4 h to re-feed and rehydrate after the weigh-in. Food intake was recorded during the weight loss period and recovery after the weigh-in. Performance was evaluated through a specific judo exercise, followed by a 5-min judo combat and by three bouts of the Wingate test. Both groups significantly improved performance after the weight loss period. No interaction effects were observed. The energy and macronutrient intake of the weight loss group were significantly lower than for the control group. The weight loss group consumed large amounts of food and carbohydrate during the 4-h recovery period. No changes were observed in lactate concentration, but a significant decrease in glucose during rest was observed in the weight loss group. In conclusion, rapid weight loss did not affect judo-related performance in experienced weight-cyclers when the athletes had 4 h to recover. These results should not be extrapolated to inexperienced weight-cyclers.

Association study of SLC6A2 gene Thr99Ile variant (rs1805065) with athletic status in the Brazilian population.

Genetic variants in monoamine neurotransmitter genes have been recurrently associated with panic disorder, addiction and mood disorders. Recent evidence also indicates that norepinephrine neurotransmission can influence a series of psychophysical and psychobiological parameters related to athletic performance, and the presence of variants in the SLC6A2 (solute carrier family 6 member 2) gene, which encodes the norepinephrine transporter, can be detrimental to an adequate noradrenergic signaling. Accordingly, the objective of the present study was to explore the SLC6A2 Thr99Ile variant (rs1805065) in a cohort composed of highly-trained individuals and non-trained individuals. A total of 1556 Brazilians: 926 non-athletes and 630 athletes (322 endurance athletes and 308 power athletes) were compared in this case-control association study. The Thr99Ile variant showed only two genotypes (C/C or C/T), and a low minor allele frequency of ≈1%. However, none of the power athletes had the mutant T-allele (i.e., the C/T genotype), which may be related to decreased norepinephrine transporter activity. The genotype distribution and allele frequency observed in power athletes were significantly different when compared to non-athletes or endurance athletes. Therefore, the presence of the T-allele may decrease the chance of belonging to the group of athletes involved in explosive physical tasks. These results still need to be replicated in independent cohorts. However, it appears reasonable to assume that there is an association between the SLC6A2 gene variant and power athletic status.

[High-carbohydrate diets: effects on lipid metabolism, body adiposity and its association with physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk]. / Dietas hiperglicídicas: efeitos da substituição isoenergética de gordura por carboidratos sobre o metabolismo de lipídios, adiposidade corporal e sua associação com atividade física e com o risco de doença cardiovascular.

For many years the reduction in the dietary fat has been recommended to the population, in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, among other chronic diseases. The consequence has been the replacement of carbohydrates by fat, resulting in the adoption of high carbohydrate diets. However, it has been still discussed if very rich carbohydrate diets should be recommended to the general population. Researches point out controversies about the association between these dietary habits and harmful effects on health and metabolic aspects, such as raise in de novo lipogenesis and triglyceride concentration, reduction in HDL concentration and effects on adiposity. This review evaluates the effects of diet modification, particularly the high-carbohydrate diet, in cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia and obesity. It also reviews its interaction with physical activity since it is still unknown with which extension it can minimize possible harmful effects of high carbohydrate diets in the long term.

A temperatura dos repositores hídricos pode influenciar a capacidade aeróbia? / Does the fluid replacers' temperature may influence the aerobic capacity?

O aumento da temperatura interna (Ti) é considerado importante causa da fadiga durante exercícios prolongados realizados no calor. Dentre as estratégias empregadas para atenuá-la, a reposição hídrica é a que mais se destaca por sua praticidade e baixo custo. Por outro lado, pouco se sabe a respeito da influência que a temperatura dos repositores hídricos exerce sobre respostas termorregulatórias e o desempenho aeróbio durante exercícios prolongados em ambientes quentes. Teoricamente, as bebidas em baixa temperatura poderiam conferir vantagem fisiológica, agindo como dissipadores de calor ou proporcionando uma sensação agradável, levando à manutenção da ativação do drive central. Combinados, esses mecanismos podem diminuir os efeitos deletérios da elevação da Ti ao desempenho. Mesmo assim, o número de estudos investigando tal hipótese é escasso. Logo, o objetivo deste Ponto de Vista foi examinar se as evidências existentes apoiam a hipótese de modulação da Ti e melhora do desempenho aeróbio a partir da ingestão de bebidas em baixas temperaturas durante os exercícios prolongados realizados no calor. Encontramos grande heterogeneidade na metodologia dos estudos, sobretudo no que diz respeito 1) ao baixo número amostral; 2) à ausência de soluções controle; 3) à falta de padronização do momento de administração dos repositores hídricos; e 4) ao protocolo de exercício utilizado. Isso dificulta o estabelecimento de conclusões definitivas sobre o assunto, e, portanto, mais estudos são necessários. Contudo, evidências oriundas de poucos estudos bem controlados sugerem que repositores hídricos em baixa temperatura podem atenuar o aumento na Ti e melhorar a capacidade aeróbia durante a realização de exercícios prolongados no calor....(AU)

The increase in internal temperature (Ti) is considered a major cause of fatigue during prolonged exercise in the heat. Among the strategies employed to attenuate it, the fluid replacement is the most used due its cost-effectiveness and practicality. On the other hand, little is known about the influence that the beverage temperature exerts on the thermoregulatory responses and aerobic capacity during prolonged exercise in hot environments. Theoretically, fluid replacers at a low temperature may provide a physiological advantage by acting as a 'heat sink', and providing a pleasant sensation, leading to increased central drive activation. These mechanisms would mitigate the side effects of an increased Ti on performance. Nevertheless, the number of studies dedicated to investigate this hypothesis is scarce. Thus, the aim of this Point of View was to examine whether the existing evidence support the modulation of Ti and improved aerobic capacity hypothesis from fluid replacers at low temperatures during prolonged exercise in hot environments. We have found substantial heterogeneity in the methodology inherent in these studies with regards to the 1) low sample size; 2) absence of control solutions; 3) lack of standardization of the moment of administration of the fluid replacers; and 4) exercise protocol. This causes difficulty in establishing definitive conclusions on this topic, and therefore more studies are required. However, the few existing evidence from well-controlled studies suggest that the fluid replacers at low temperatures can attenuate the increase in Ti and improve aerobic capacity during prolonged exercise in the heat....(AU)

Leptina e exercício físico aeróbio: implicações da adiposidade corporal e insulina / Leptin and endurance exercise: implications of adiposity and insulin

Atualmente, a obesidade pode ser classificada como uma pandemia e suas conseqüências vão desde o diabetes mellitus até a doença cardíaca. Tanto fatores genéticos como ambientais contribuem para isso, porém, em humanos, o componente genético ainda é pouco definido. Com a clonagem do gene ob de ratos e do seu receptor, foi descoberta a leptina, o "hormônio da saciedade". A leptina é secretada, principalmente, pelo tecido adiposo e reflete a quantidade de gordura depositada no tecido adiposo de um indivíduo. Entretanto, diversos fatores influenciam sua expressão e síntese, tais como jejum, atividade simpática, exercício físico e alterações no balanço energético. Os efeitos da atividade física aeróbia sobre esse hormônio ainda não estão muito claros, visto que existem muitas contradições na literatura sobre sua possível ação na regulação da leptina. Estudos transversais sugerem que as concentrações plasmáticas de leptina não são alteradas após uma sessão de exercício aeróbio. Entretanto, se o esforço físico for extremo, como em uma ultramaratona, na qual há um balanço energético negativo, induzido pela atividade física extenuante, ocorre diminuição dessas concentrações. Além disso, exercícios de longa duração (> 60 min) parecem estar associados à diminuição tardia das concentrações de leptina, aproximadamente 48h após a atividade, provavelmente em função de um possível desequilíbrio energético. Em relação aos estudos longitudinais, após o treinamento aeróbio, alguns autores não observam alterações na leptina plasmática, outros encontram alterações em função apenas das alterações da adiposidade e, por fim, alguns estudos observam diminuição da concentração plasmática e/ou expressão de leptina, independentemente de alterações da massa gorda. Tal fato sugere que haja outro, ou outros, fatores, além do conteúdo de gordura corporal, que modulam a diminuição das concentrações plasmáticas de leptina após o treinamento aeróbio, sendo a insulina a ...

Obesity currently is qualified as a worldwide health epidemic and its consequences include diabetes mellitus as far as cardiac disease. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to obesity, although the genetic component is still poorly understood in humans. With the cloning of mouse ob gene and its receptor, leptin was discovered, the "satiety hormone". Leptin is expressed and secreted primarily by adipose tissue and is highly correlated to body fat mass. Nevertheless, many factors can regulate leptin synthesis and expression, such as fasting, sympathetic activity, insulin, exercise and changes in energy balance. Aerobic physical activity effects on leptin are still not very clear, seeing that there are contradictory studies about its effects on leptin regulation. Transversal studies suggest that leptin concentrations are not acutely affected after an exercise bout. However, reductions in leptin concentrations are observed following extreme bouts of exercise such as ultramarathons, where the extenuating physical activity induces a deficit in energy balance. Also, long-term (> 60 min) exercise seems to be associated with a delayed reduction in leptin concentrations 48 hr after the exercise bout, possibly due to an energy imbalance. Some longitudinal studies show that aerobic exercise training does not affect leptin levels, others that any changes in leptin levels are due to possible changes in body fat, and, lastly, some studies show a reduction in leptin levels and/or expression independently of any changes in adiposity. That suggests there may be other factors besides adiposity that regulate the reduction in leptin levels after exercise training, being insulin the main candidate for such role. Therefore, this review analyses the main aspects of leptin, its action, function and regulation, its association with insulin, and also the effects of acute and chronic endurance exercise on leptin synthesis and secretion and possible implications ...

Dietas hiperglicídicas: efeitos da substituição isoenergética de gordura por carboidratos sobre o metabolismo de lipídios, adiposidade corporal e sua associação com atividade física e com o risco de doença cardiovascular / High-carbohydrate diets: effects on lipid metabolism, body adiposity and its association with physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk

Há vários anos, vem sendo recomendada à população em geral a diminuição da gordura dietética, a fim de se prevenir doenças cardiovasculares, obesidade, diabetes mellitus tipo 2, dentre outras doenças crônicas. A conseqüência desta recomendação tem sido a substituição de gorduras por carboidratos, resultando na adoção de dietas hiperglicídicas. Porém, ainda é muito discutido se dietas hiperglicídicas devem ser recomendadas à população geral. Pesquisas apontam controvérsias a respeito da associação entre este tipo de dieta e efeitos deletérios sobre a saúde e aspectos metabólicos, tais como aumento da lipogênese de novo, aumento da trigliceridemia, diminuição das concentrações de HDL e efeitos sobre a adiposidade. Esta revisão aborda os efeitos de mudanças na composição dietética, particularmente da dieta hiperglicídica, sobre fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares, tais como dislipidemia, e obesidade. Revisa, também, sua interação com a atividade física, uma vez que ainda não se sabe com que extensão ela pode minimizar possíveis efeitos deletérios de dietas hiperglicídicas em longo prazo.

For many years the reduction in the dietary fat has been recommended to the population, in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, among other chronic diseases. The consequence has been the replacement of carbohydrates by fat, resulting in the adoption of high carbohydrate diets. However, it has been still discussed if very rich carbohydrate diets should be recommended to the general population. Researches point out controversies about the association between these dietary habits and harmful effects on health and metabolic aspects, such as raise in de novo lipogenesis and triglyceride concentration, reduction in HDL concentration and effects on adiposity. This review evaluates the effects of diet modification, particularly the high-carbohydrate diet, in cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia and obesity. It also reviews its interaction with physical activity since it is still unknown with which extension it can minimize possible harmful effects of high carbohydrate diets in the long term.

Obesidade: hábitos nutricionais, sedentarismo e resistência à insulina / Obesity: dietary Intake, sedentarism and insulin resistance

A obesidade já é considerada uma epidemia mundial independente de condiçöes econômicas e sociais. O risco aumentado de mortalidade e morbidade associado à obesidade tem sido alvo de muitos estudos que tentam elucidar os aspectos da síndrome X como conseqüência da obesidade. Esta síndrome é caracterizada por algumas doenças metabólicas, como resistência à insulina, hipertensäo, dislipidemia. Está bem estabelecido que fatores genéticos têm influência neste aumento dos casos de obesidade. No entanto, o aumento significativo nos casos de obesidade nos últimos 20 anos dificilmente poderia ser explicado por mudanças genéticas que tenham ocorrido neste espaço de tempo. Sendo assim, os principais fatores envolvidos no desenvolvimento da obesidade têm sido relacionados com fatores ambientais, como ingestäo alimentar inadequada e reduçäo no gasto calórico diário. Na tentativa de desencadear obesidade em animais e permitir o estudo desta doença de maneira mais completa, diversos modelos experimentais de obesidade têm sido desenvolvidos. Ainda que näo possam ser considerados exatamente iguais aos modelos de obesidade humana, säo de grande valor no estudo dos diversos aspectos que contribuem para este excessivo acúmulo de adiposidade e suas conseqüências