Cholesterol intake and serum total cholesterol levels are not associated with total testosterone levels in men: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND: Testosterone (T) is an anabolic hormone crucial to the structure and function of skeletal muscle. Testosterone is partially synthesized from cholesterol, but little is known about the relationship of cholesterol intake and serum cholesterol with T levels. AIM: To investigate whether cholesterol intake and serum total cholesterol (TC) levels are associated with serum total testosterone (TT) levels in men. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolling 1996 men aged 20 to 80 years from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 was carried out. Diet assessment was performed using two 24-h food recalls, and TT levels were measured by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate whether TT was associated with cholesterol intake and serum TC levels. RESULTS: Neither cholesterol intake nor serum TC levels were associated with TT levels in unadjusted and adjusted analyses (adjustment for energy, total fat and alcohol intake, smoking, age, physical activity, family income, marital status, race, educational level, diabetes, hypertension, and body mass index). CONCLUSION: Dietary cholesterol intake and TC levels are not associated with TT levels in men from the USA.

Association between serum uric acid and muscle strength in older adults with or without gout diagnosis: NHANES 2011-2014.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Increased oxidative stress seems to be one of the causes of muscle strength loss during aging. Uric acid (UA) is an important antioxidant that has been positively associated with muscle strength in older adults. However, UA is also a prerequisite for gout, which is a type of arthritis that increases inflammation. The association between UA and muscle strength in individuals with gout is unknown. The aim of the study was to associate muscle strength with UA in older adults with or without gout diagnosis. METHODS: The present study evaluated older adults aged from 60 to 80 years from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012 and 2013-2014. A total of 2529 individuals (1249 men and 1280 women) were evaluated, with (n = 201) or without (n = 2328) gout diagnosis. Muscle strength was measured using a handgrip dynamometer. The combined grip strength (sum of highest values of both hands) was evaluated. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between UA and strength adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Evaluating the individuals without gout, UA was positively associated with muscle strength [(ß = 0.66 (CI = 0.08; 1.24); p = 0.028)]. However, this association was not significant in individuals with gout [(ß = 0.20 (CI = - 1.18; 1.58); p = 0.774)]. CONCLUSION: Serum UA is positively associated with handgrip strength only in older adults without gout diagnosis. These results suggest that the presence of gout may avoid a positive association between UA and muscle strength in older adults.

Prevalence of sarcopenia according to EWGSOP1 and EWGSOP2 in older adults and their associations with unfavorable health outcomes: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) recently updated the definition and diagnostic criteria to assess sarcopenia, which can result in important changes in sarcopenia prevalence in older adults. AIM: To compare the prevalence of sarcopenia through the diagnostic criteria and definition proposed by the first (EWGSOP1) and recent (EWGSOP2) European consensus in older adults. We also aimed to evaluate which sarcopenia consensus is better associated with unfavorable health outcomes. METHODS: The review followed PRISMA guidelines. Embase, Medline (PubMed), Scopus and Web of Science were searched from 2018 to February 2021. The systematic review protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020213303). The search, selection, and evaluation processes were done in a duplicate and independent manner. RESULTS: Of the 298 potentially eligible articles, 9 were included in this review. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 17.7% by EWGSOP1 and 11% by EWGSOP2. Evaluating all the studies, the sarcopenia prevalence ranged from 6.2 to 35.3% for the EWGSOP1, and from 3.2 to 26.3% for the EWGSOP2. Five studies have evaluated the association between the prevalence of sarcopenia (EWGSOP1 versus EWGSOP2) and unfavorable health outcomes, in which three studies showed that EWGSOP1 was better associated with increased risk of hospitalization and/or mortality. CONCLUSION: In comparison with EWGSOP1, the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults decreased when diagnosed according to EWGSOP2. Based on limited evidence, EWGSOP2 seems to be worse for predicting unfavorable outcomes compared with EWGSOP1.

Single and Serial Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing Do Not Improve Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Performance in Soccer Players.

Carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinsing seems to improve performance in exercises lasting 30-60 min. However, its effects on intermittent exercise are unclear. It is also unknown whether serial CHO mouth rinses can promote additional ergogenic effects when compared with a single mouth rinse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of single and serial CHO mouth rinses on Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) performance in soccer players. In a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 12 male (18.9 ± 0.5 years) soccer players performed eight serial mouth rinses under three different conditions: placebo solution only (noncaloric juice), seven placebo mouth rinses plus a single CHO mouth rinse (8% maltodextrin), or eight CHO mouth rinses (8-CHO). Following the final mouth rinse, individuals performed the Yo-Yo IR1 test to evaluate the maximal aerobic endurance performance measured via total distance covered. There were no differences in Yo-Yo IR1 performance between sessions (p = .32; single CHO mouth rinse (8% maltodextrin): 1,198 ± 289 m, eight CHO mouth rinses: 1,256 ± 253 m, placebo: 1,086 ± 284 m). In conclusion, single and serial CHO mouth rinsing did not improve performance during the Yo-Yo IR1 for soccer players. These data suggest that CHO mouth rinsing is not an effective ergogenic strategy for intermittent exercise performance irrespective of the number of rinses.

Association Between Dietary Intake and Serum Uric Acid Levels in Kidney Transplant Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between dietary intake and uric acid (UA) levels in kidney transplant patients (KTPs). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 113 KTPs. Dietary intake assessment was carried out thorough two 24-hour dietary recalls using the 5-step multiple pass method. We evaluated the intake of energy, carbohydrate, total protein, animal protein, vegetable protein, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, cholesterol, total sugar, added sugars, total fiber, insoluble fiber, soluble fiber, alcohol, caffeine, fructose, glucose, lactose, sucrose, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and calcium. The intake of several food groups (portions) was also evaluated. Hyperuricemia was classified as >7.0 and >6 mg/dL for men and women, respectively. RESULTS: In odds ratio analyses, the individuals who ingested more vegetable protein (g/kg) and caffeine (mg) presented lower chance to have hyperuricemia. In linear regression, animal protein (g) intake was positively associated (ß = 0.011, P = .048), while vegetable protein (g/kg) intake was inversely associated (ß = -2.45, P = .047) with serum UA. However, after a multiple linear regression including vegetable and animal protein intakes together, only vegetable protein intake remained associated with UA. The intake of other nutrients and portions of food groups was not associated with UA. All the analyses were adjusted for sex, age, hypertension, body mass index, glomerular filtration rate, use of medicines, and caloric intake misreporting. CONCLUSIONS: Vegetable protein and caffeine intakes were inversely associated with UA in KTPs.

The Effect of Whole Egg Intake on Muscle Mass: Are the Yolk and Its Nutrients Important?

Whole egg may have potential benefits for enhancing muscle mass, independent of its protein content. The yolk comprises ∼40% of the total protein in an egg, as well as containing several nonprotein nutrients that could possess anabolic properties (e.g., microRNAs, vitamins, minerals, lipids, phosphatidic acid and other phospholipids). Therefore, the purpose of this narrative review is to discuss the current evidence as to the possible effects of egg yolk compounds on skeletal muscle accretion beyond those of egg whites alone. The intake of whole egg seems to promote greater myofibrillar protein synthesis than egg white intake in young men. However, limited evidence shows no difference in muscle hypertrophy when comparing the consumption of whole egg versus an isonitrogenous quantity of egg white in young men performing resistance training. Although egg yolk intake seems to promote additional acute increases on myofibrillar protein synthesis, it does not seem to further enhance muscle mass when compared to egg whites when consumed as part of a high-protein dietary patterns, at least in young men. This conclusion is based on very limited evidence and more studies are needed to evaluate the effects of egg yolk (or whole eggs) intake on muscle mass not only in young men, but also in other populations such as women, older adults, and individuals with muscle wasting diseases.

Beetroot juice intake with different amounts of nitrate does not change aerobic exercise-mediated responses in heart rate variability in hypertensive postmenopausal women: A randomized, crossover and double-blind study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the acute effects of a single dose of beetroot juice (BJ) with different concentrations of nitrate (NO3 -) on heart rate variability (HRV) in postmenopausal hypertensive women. METHODS: Thirteen hypertensive postmenopausal women (58.1 ± 4.6 years of age and 27 ± 4 kg/m2 of BMI) completed the protocol that consisted of three visits with different beverage intakes in a randomized and crossover design. The three beverages were BJ with a high content of nitrate (high-NO3 -), BJ with a low content of nitrate (low-NO3 -), and an orange flavored non-caloric drink (OFD). Heart rate (HR) were evaluated during 20 min after sitting rest at 7:20 a.m. (baseline), after they drank one of the drinks, and remained at sitting rest for 120 min and then performed 40 min of aerobic exercise at 65-70% of the HR reserve on a treadmill. HR was recorded for 90 min after exercise for time, frequency, and non-linear domains of HRV index analysis. RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA showed that there were no interaction effects (time∗sessions) in any of the HRV indexes after exercise in all three sessions. HRV indexes increased after exercise (p = <0.05) similarly in all three sessions when compared with the baseline time point. CONCLUSION: Therefore, a single dose of BJ, independent of NO3 - content, does not change aerobic exercise-mediated responses in HRV indexes in hypertensive postmenopausal women.

Association of phase angle with sarcopenia and its components in physically active older women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to associate phase angle (PhA) with sarcopenia and its components in physically active older women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 94 physically active older women. PhA and muscle mass were assessed by bioelectrical impedance. Muscle strength was measured by handgrip strength (HGS) and functional capacity was evaluated by 4-meter walk test. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the European Consensus on Definition and Diagnosis of Sarcopenia (2010). Participants were evaluated according to the PhA tercile. The individuals were divided into two groups: 1st vs. 2nd and 3rd terciles. The individuals in the first tercile were considered having low PhA (< 5.7º). RESULTS: Low PhA was not associated with sarcopenia (OR = 1.50 (0.520-4.319)), low muscle mass index (OR = 1.50 (0.520-4.319)), low HGS (OR = 3.15 (0.954-10.401)) and low walk speed (OR = 1.46 (0.384-5.534)). In addition, PhA had a weak correlation with walk speed (r = 0.24, p = 0.023) and walk speed was able to predict the PhA variations by 3.9%. CONCLUSION: PhA was not associated with sarcopenia and its components in physically active older women. Although PhA was correlated with walk speed, the biological meaning of this association is questionable, since the power of the prediction was low.

The effects of isoflavone supplementation plus combined exercise on salivary markers of oxidative stress in postmenopausal women.

This study tested the effect of isoflavone supplementation in addition to combined exercise training in salivary oxidative stress markers in non-obese postmenopausal women. Thirty-two postmenopausal women without hormone therapy were randomly assigned to exercise + placebo (n = 15) or exercise + isoflavone supplementation (n = 17) groups. They performed 30 sessions of combined exercises (aerobic plus resistance) over ten weeks and consumed 100 mg of isoflavone supplementation or placebo. Saliva samples were collected after an overnight fast. Superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, catalase, total protein and nitrite were determined before and after ten weeks of the intervention. The ANOVA two-way analysis of variance was applied with α of 5%. Both groups increase (p<0.05) superoxide dismutase activity and decrease catalase levels. There was interaction (time × group) in both nitrite and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances results, with increase (p<0.05) in placebo group and decrease (p<0.05) in isoflavone group. No difference was found for total antioxidant capacity or total protein. The combination of isoflavone supplementation and exercise training can promote an antioxidant effect through reduction of lipid peroxidation and concentrations of salivary nitrite.

Phase Angle Is Associated With Handgrip Strength but Not With Sarcopenia in Kidney Transplantation Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Phase angle (PhA) is a cell health marker and has been associated with muscle mass and strength in non-kidney disease individuals. However, it is unknown whether PhA is a predictor of sarcopenia and its components in kidney transplantation patients. The aim of the present study was to associate PhA with sarcopenia and its components in kidney transplantation patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-nine kidney transplantation individuals were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. PhA and muscle mass were evaluated using bioelectrical impedance. Handgrip strength (HGS) was performed with a hand dynamometer and functional capacity with 4-m walk test. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the European Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for Sarcopenia. Participants were divided according to the PhA tercile, and 2 groups were evaluated: first versus second and third terciles, according to sex. The individuals in the first tercile had PhA values <5.8° and <6.2° for women and men, respectively. RESULTS: Individuals in the lower tercile of PhA showed lower odds of having higher values of HGS (kg; odds ratio [OR] = 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82-0.97) and higher odds to have low HGS (OR = 5.97; 95% CI: 1.05-33.98). However, PhA was not associated with sarcopenia (OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 0.71-5.39), low muscle mass index (OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 0.41-3.36), and low functional capacity (OR = 2.47; 95% CI: 0.45-13.48). CONCLUSION: PhA was associated with HGS but not with sarcopenia and its other components. These results suggest that PhA can be used as a possible predictor of muscle strength in kidney transplantation patients.

Runner's diarrhea: what is it, what causes it, and how can it be prevented?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Runner's diarrhea is an acute exercise-induced diarrhea. Usually, this is not a pathological situation but it can affect performance. This review focuses on the discussion of the main causes of runner's diarrhea and nutritional recommendations to prevent it. RECENT FINDINGS: Although based on limited data, multiple transportable carbohydrate intake during exercise instead of glucose alone can be recommended for preventing the urge to defecate and (possibly) diarrhea. Additionally, avoiding ingestion of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) is related to a lower incidence of reported gastrointestinal problems. There is, however, still no study that associates FODMAPs and runner's diarrhea. Gluten-free diets seem to have no impact on exercise-induced intestinal damage and there is no evidence to recommend this diet for the prevention of diarrhea in nonceliac athletes. SUMMARY: The main causes of diarrhea in runners are ischemic, mechanical, and nutritional factors. For the prevention of diarrhea, it has been recommended that dehydration and the ingestion of fiber, fat, protein, high concentrated carbohydrate beverages, FODMAPs, caffeine, bicarbonate, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs be avoided. However, the causes of diarrhea and nutritional strategies to prevent it are based on limited research and more studies are definitely needed.

Combined exercise training reduces climacteric symptoms without the additive effects of isoflavone supplementation: A clinical, controlled, randomised, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Exercise and supplementation with isoflavones are therapies used to prevent and treat climacteric symptoms. AIM: To verify the effects of 10 weeks of combined aerobic and resistance training and isoflavone supplementation on climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was performed. A total of 32 postmenopausal women, aged 54.4 ± 5.4 years, with a body mass index of 26.6 ± 3.0 kg/m2 and 5.6 ± 4.6 years after menopause, were randomly assigned to groups: placebo and exercise (PLA + EXE, n = 15) or 100 mg of isoflavone and exercise (ISO + EXE, n = 17). At the beginning and after 10 weeks of aerobic + resistance (20 min each, moderate intensity) training, climacteric symptoms were evaluated using the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index, Cervantes Scale and Menopause Rating Scale. ANCOVA was used for analysis between groups and at different times, with the covariate adjusted by the pre-value. The level of significance considered was p < 0.05. RESULTS: A reduction in climacteric symptoms was observed in both groups, without differences between the interventions. The reductions were 45% and 50% for the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index, 41% and 52% for the MRS and 39% and 39% for the Cervantes Scale in the ISO + EXE and PLA + EXE groups, respectively. In the descriptive analysis of the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index values, there was an increase in the absence of symptoms from 48-77% in the ISO + EXE group and 24-58% in the PLA + EXE group. CONCLUSIONS: A period of 10 weeks of combined training was effective in improving climacteric symptoms in post-menopausal women. However, isoflavone supplementation did not promote additional effects in improving symptoms.

Association between caffeine metabolites in urine and muscle strength in young and older adults: A cross-sectional study from NHANES 2011-2012.

BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species may contribute to the gradual decline in muscle strength over time. Although caffeine and its metabolites have antioxidant properties that can mitigate oxidative stress, the association of caffeine and its metabolites with muscle strength remains unknown. AIM: To investigate whether caffeine metabolites in urine are associated with muscle strength in young and older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1145 individuals aged over 20 years (n = 801 < 60 years and n = 344 ≥ 60 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012. Muscle strength was assessed using a handgrip dynamometer, and combined grip strength was determined by summing the highest value from each hand. Caffeine and its metabolites in urine were quantified using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (1-methyluric acid, 3-methyluric acid, 7-methyluric acid, 1,3-dimethyluric acid, 1,7-dimethyluric acid, 3,7-dimethyluric acid, 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid, 1-methylxanthine, 3-methylxanthine, 7-methylxanthine, 1,3-dimethylxanthine, 1,7-dimethylxanthine, 3,7-dimethylxanthine, 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, 5-acetylamino-6-amino-3-methyluracil). Linear regression analyses were performed to determine the association of caffeine and its metabolites with muscle strength in young and older adults, adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: Positive associations between muscle strength and levels of 7-methyluric acid (ß = 0.029; p = 0.021), 1,3-dimethyluric acid (ß = 0.008; p = 0.004), 3,7-dimethyluric acid (ß = 0.645; p = 0.012), 3-methylxanthine (ß = 0.020; p = 0.002), 7-methylxanthine (ß = 0.020; p = 0.006), 1,3-dimethylxanthine (theophylline) (ß = 0.030; p = 0.004) and 3,7-dimethylxanthine (theobromine) (ß = 0.035; p = 0.029) were observed in older adults. In contrast, no such associations were noted in young adults. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates a positive association between certain caffeine metabolites in urine and muscle strength in older adults, but not in younger individuals. These findings indicate that specific caffeine metabolites may contribute to an antioxidant role especially in older adults.

Association of uric acid with length of stay and mortality in pediatric hospitalized population.

PURPOSE: Elevated uric acid (UA) levels have been associated with acute and chronic diseases, which could affect the prognosis of pediatric hospitalized patients. However, the association of UA levels with length of hospital stay (LOS) and mortality in hospitalized children and adolescents remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association of serum UA levels with in-hospital mortality and prolonged LOS in hospitalized children and adolescents. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving 128 patients under 18 years of age, admitted to a tertiary-care hospital between January 2014 and December 2018. UA levels were assessed with an average of 3 days before the in-hospital outcome (discharge or death). Logistic regression was used to determine the association of UA with prolonged LOS (defined as over 30 days of hospitalization), while Cox regression multivariate analysis was employed to assess UA as a predictor of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: UA levels showed an inverse association with prolonged LOS. Specifically, for every 1 mg/dL increase in UA level, the odds of experiencing prolonged LOS decreased by 31% (OR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50-0.95). Additionally, individuals with elevated UA levels had lower odds of prolonged LOS (OR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.08-0.66). However, UA levels were not associated with in-hospital mortality (HR = 1.63; 95% CI: 0.94-2.82). CONCLUSION: Serum UA was inversely associated with LOS among children and adolescents, but no association was observed with in-hospital mortality.

Sex-dependent association of serum vitamin D with muscle strength in older adults: NHANES 2001-2002.

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have suggested a potential positive association between serum vitamin D levels and muscle strength in older adults, it remains unclear whether this relationship is sex-dependent. AIM: To evaluate the association between serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and muscle strength in older adults and to assess whether this association is dependent on sex. METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2001 and 2002. A total of 1173 individuals aged 50-85 years (630 men and 543 women) were included in the analysis. The peak isokinetic force of the knee extensor was assessed using a kinetic communicator isokinetic dynamometer. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured using the standardized liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Linear regression analyses were conducted to estimate coefficients and 95% confidence intervals for muscle strength across tertiles of serum vitamin D levels, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Tertiles of serum vitamin D were positively associated with muscle strength in older men (p-trend = 0.007), whereas no association was observed in older women (p-trend = 0.140) or in the total sample (men and women together; p-trend = 0.139). CONCLUSION: Serum vitamin D levels were positively associated with muscle strength specifically in older men, whereas no association was observed in older women. These results suggest that the relationship between vitamin D and strength may be sex-dependent.

Effects of probiotic supplementation on performance of resistance and aerobic exercises: a systematic review.

CONTEXT: Strenuous exercise may lead to negative acute physiological effects that can impair athletic performance. Some recent studies suggest that probiotic supplementation can curtail these effects by reducing the permeability of the intestinal barrier, yet results are inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on athletic performance. DATA SOURCES: The PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were searched for articles that assessed the effects of probiotic supplementation on athletic performance. DATA EXTRACTION THIS SYSTEMATIC REVIEW IS REPORTED ACCORDING TO: PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed through the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool. Seventeen randomized clinical trials assessing athletic performance as the primary outcome were included. In total, 496 individuals (73% male) comprising athletes, recreationally trained individuals, and untrained healthy individuals aged 18 to 40 years were investigated. DATA ANALYSIS: Three studies showed an increase or an attenuation of aerobic performance (decline in time to exhaustion on the treadmill) after supplementation with probiotics, while 3 found an increase in strength. However, most studies (n = 11) showed no effect of probiotic consumption on aerobic performance (n = 9) or muscular strength (n = 2). The most frequently used strain was Lactobacillus acidophilus, used in 2 studies that observed positive results on performance. Studies that used Lactobacillus plantarum TK10 and Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 also demonstrated positive effects on aerobic performance and strength, but they had high risk of bias, which implies low confidence about the actual effect of treatment. CONCLUSION: There is not enough evidence to support the hypothesis that probiotics can improve performance in resistance and aerobic exercises. Further well-controlled studies are warranted.

C-reactive protein, but not neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, is inversely associated with muscle strength only in older men: NHANES 1999-2002.

To evaluate the association of inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels) with muscle strength in older adults. We also aimed to evaluate whether these associations are sex-specific. A cross-sectional study was performed with data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000 and 2001-2002. A total of 2387 individuals over 50 years of both sexes were evaluated, according to the eligibility criteria for the strength test. Muscle strength was measured by Kinetic Communicator isokinetic dynamometer; while the NLR was obtained by the ratio of the total neutrophil for lymphocyte count and CRP was quantified by latex nephelometry. Linear regression analyses, crude and adjusted for confounders, were used to estimate the coefficients and 95 % confidence intervals for peak strength (muscle strength) by tertiles of NLR and CRP. There was no association between NLR and peak strength for both sexes. CRP levels were inversely associated with peak force in men [2nd tertile ß = -3.33 (-15.92; 9.25); 3rd tertile ß = -24.69 (-41.18; -8.20), p for trend = 0.005], but not in women [2nd tertile ß = -3.22 (-15.00; 8.56); 3rd tertile ß = -9.23 (-28.40; -9.94), p for trend = 0.332]. In conclusion, NLR levels were not associated with muscle strength in both sexes. CRP levels were inversely associated with muscle strength in older men, but not in women, suggesting that the association between inflammation and muscle strength in older adults can be sex-specific.

Plasma omega-3 fatty acids are positively associated with appendicular muscle mass index only in adults with low protein intake: Results from NHANES 2011-2012.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids may indirectly increase muscle protein synthesis making the muscle more sensitive to amino acids uptake; therefore, ω-3 could promote benefits on muscle mass mainly when protein intake is low. However, no study has evaluated the association between ω-3 fatty acids and muscle mass according to protein intake. AIM: To evaluate the association between plasma ω-3 fatty acids and appendicular muscle mass index (AMMI) in adults according to the protein intake. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed evaluating 1037 individuals aged 20-59 years from a sub-sample of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was used to assess plasma ω-3 fatty acids. The lean mass was evaluated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and AMMI (kg/m2) was calculated by appendicular lean mass (kg) divided by height squared. The evaluation of protein intake was performed using two 24-h dietary recalls. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association of total plasma ω-3, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and EPA plus DHA with AMMI according to protein intake (<0.8; ≥0.8; ≥0.8 - <1.2; ≥1.2 - <1.6; and ≥1.6 g/kg/d). RESULTS: Total plasma ω-3 (ß = 0.0030; CI = 0.0013-0.0046; p = 0.002), ALA (ß = 0.0063; CI = 0.0020-0.0107; p = 0.008), EPA (ß = 0.0073; CI = 0.0005-0.0142, p = 0.037), DHA (ß = 0.0057; CI = 0.0022-0.0093; p = 0.004) and EPA + DHA (ß = 0.0040; CI = 0.0010-0.0071; p = 0.013) were positively associated with AMMI in individuals with low protein intake (<0.8 g/kg). However, no association was observed in individuals with protein intake higher than 0.8 g/kg. CONCLUSION: Plasma ω-3 fatty acids were positively associated with AMMI only in individuals with low protein intake.

Dietary whey protein lessens several risk factors for metabolic diseases: a review.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have grown in prevalence around the world, and recently, related diseases have been considered epidemic. Given the high cost of treatment of obesity/DM-associated diseases, strategies such as dietary manipulation have been widely studied; among them, the whey protein diet has reached popularity because it has been suggested as a strategy for the prevention and treatment of obesity and DM in both humans and animals. Among its main actions, the following activities stand out: reduction of serum glucose in healthy individuals, impaired glucose tolerance in DM and obese patients; reduction in body weight; maintenance of muscle mass; increases in the release of anorectic hormones such as cholecystokinin, leptin, and glucagon like-peptide 1 (GLP-1); and a decrease in the orexigenic hormone ghrelin. Furthermore, studies have shown that whey protein can also lead to reductions in blood pressure, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Muscle mass gain after resistance training is inversely correlated with trunk adiposity gain in postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study was to evaluate alterations in trunk adiposity (TA) over 9 months of resistance training (RT) and associate these changes with the hypertrophy of muscle mass (MM) in postmenopausal women (PW). The investigation used a sample that consisted of 22 PW (44-69 years old). The group was subjected to RT (60-80% of 1 repetition maximum) for the total body 3 d · wk(-1). Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) and plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), follicle-stimulating hormone, E2 (Immulite system), and interleukin-6 (IL-6; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were assessed at the beginning and end of the experiment. After RT, only women who acquired up to 5% TA gained MM, whereas women who acquired >5% TA exhibited increased IL-6 and no MM gain (p < 0.05). The ΔMM was negatively associated with time of menopause (r = -0.45, p < 0.05) and positively associated with baseline IGF-1 (r = 0.47, p < 0.05). Only ΔLE (leg extension) was negatively associated with baseline IL-6 (p < 0.05). Trunk adiposity growth (ΔTF, kilograms) was positively correlated with changes in IL-6 (r = 0.68, p < 0.05). The MM gain was negatively correlated with ΔTF (r = -0.63, p < 0.05) and changes in IL-6 (r = -0.73, p < 0.05). After adjusting all of the confounding variables, only baseline IGF-1 (positively) and changes in IL-6 (negatively) influenced MM, and only the increase in TA influenced IL-6. Our study suggests that increased levels of TA during RT increase IL-6 concentrations, which is a significant negative predictor of MM gain in PW.