The effects of resistance exercise training on arterial stiffness in metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE: Arterial stiffness is a strong independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is elevated in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Resistance training is a popular form of exercise that has beneficial effects on muscle mass, strength, balance and glucose control. However, it is unknown whether resistance exercise training (RT) can lower arterial stiffness in patients with MetS. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine whether a progressive RT program would improve arterial stiffness in MetS. METHODS: A total of 57 subjects (28 healthy sedentary subjects; 29 MetS) were evaluated for arterial structure and function, including pulse wave velocity (cfPWV: arterial stiffness), before and after an 8-week period of RT or continuation of sedentary lifestyle. RESULTS: We found that 8 weeks of progressive RT increased skeletal muscle strength in both Con and MetS, but did not change arterial stiffness in either MetS (cfPWV; Pre 7.9 ± 0.4 m/s vs. Post 7.7 ± 0.4 m/s) or healthy controls (cfPWV; Pre 6.9 ± 0.3 m/s vs. Post 7.0 ± 0.3 m/s). However, when cfPWV is considered as a continuous variable, high baseline measures of cfPWV tended to show a decrease in cfPWV following RT. CONCLUSION: Eight weeks of progressive RT did not decrease the group mean values of arterial stiffness in individuals with MetS or healthy controls.

Neurofibromatosis-2 and bilateral acoustic neuromas: distinctions from neurofibromatosis-1 (von Recklinghausen's disease).

Although acknowledged as separate entities in the neurologic literature, central neurofibromatosis and peripheral neurofibromatosis, which is also known as von Recklinghausen's disease, have not been commonly distinguished by otologists as two separate diseases. An NIH Conference statement has reclassified these diseases as neurofibromatosis-1 and neurofibromatosis-2. Genetic, biochemical, and clinical variants of these two related diseases are presented and discussed. Patients with bilateral acoustic neuromas may have either the central or peripheral form of the disease; central neurofibromatosis is much more rare than the peripheral form of the disease.