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Sportomics is a subject-centered holistic method similar to metabolomics focusing on sports as the metabolic challenge. Dried blood spot is emerging as a technique due to its simplicity and reproducibility. In addition, mass spectrometry and integrative computational biology enhance our ability to understand exercise-induced modifications. We studied inflammatory blood proteins (Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein—A1AG1; Albumin; Cystatin C; C-reactive protein—CRP; Hemoglobin—HBA; Haptoglobin—HPT; Insulin-like growth factor 1; Lipopolysaccharide binding protein—LBP; Mannose-binding lectin—MBL2; Myeloperoxidase—PERM and Serum amyloid A1—SAA1), in 687 samples from 97 World-class and Olympic athletes across 16 sports in nine states. Data were analyzed with Spearman's rank-order correlation. Major correlations with CRP, LBP; MBL2; A1AG1, and SAA1 were found. The pairs CRP-SAA1 and CRP-LBP appeared with a robust positive correlation. Other pairs, LBP-SAA1; A1AG1-CRP; A1AG1-SAA1; A1AG1-MBL, and A1AG1-LBP, showed a broader correlation across the sports. The protein–protein interaction map revealed 1500 interactions with 44 core proteins, 30 of them linked to immune system processing. We propose that the inflammation follow-up in exercise can provide knowledge for internal cargo management in training, competition, recovery, doping control, and a deeper understanding of health and disease.

We have been using sportomics to understand hypermetabolic stress. Cross Combat (CCombat) has recently been initiated as a high-intensity functional training method inspired by CrossFit. We used a CCombat session to induce metabolic stress and evaluated its effects on hydration and kidney function. Blood samples were collected from 16 elite-level professional male athletes engaged in training sessions over a 96-h protocol. Blood myoglobin increased by ~ 3.5-fold (119 ± 21 to 369 ± 62 nmol/L; p = .001) in response to the protocol, returning to the pre-exercise level within 48 h. Furthermore, d-dimer levels increased from 6.5 ± 0.6 to 79.4 ± 21.3 μmol/L (p p

Fenoterol is a sympathomimetic β2 receptor agonist primarily used as a bronchodilator. Due to its sympathomimetic actions, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned it. Multiple acute weight loss protocols (WLP) are used by Olympic athletes for sports that segregate athletes by weight; these generally involve caloric and water deprivation combined with heat exposure. Athletes use WLP before weigh-in, then transition to different body acute weight regain protocols (WRP) before competitions. Here, we studied the pharmacokinetics of fenoterol under WLP conditions: energetic dietary restriction, decreased water intake, and exposure to a dry sauna (80 ± 2 °C), followed by a WRP. Five elite-level female judo athletes participated in the study. Four received fenoterol (200 μg; n = 2 or 400 μg; n = 2), while one was a control receiving placebo under identical conditions. We measured excretion of the fenoterol parent molecule and presented qualitative data of its sulfated metabolite using QqQ tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry for 118 h. The fenoterol parent appeared earlier in urine than did its conjugated metabolite; excretion profiles were similar among all subjects. The centers of mass for fenoterol parent curves were (time, fenoterol): athlete A (10.9, 7.3); athlete B (9.2, 27.3); athlete C (8.5, 6.9); athlete D (9.7, 5.0). After initiating WRP, we observed a burst in urinary fenoterol excretion once in complete decay. This trend was observed for all four athletes who received fenoterol. Our results suggest that during hypohydration, some of the unmetabolized fenoterol accumulates in tissues, then is released during rehydration. These findings can be important for detecting fenoterol use in athletes.

We have been using sportomics to understand hypermetabolic stress. Cross Combat (CCombat) has recently been initiated as a high-intensity functional training method inspired by CrossFit. We used a CCombat session to induce metabolic stress and evaluated its effects on hydration and kidney function. Blood samples were collected from 16 elite-level professional male athletes engaged in training sessions over a 96-h protocol. Blood myoglobin increased by ~ 3.5-fold (119 ± 21 to 369 ± 62 nmol/L; p = .001) in response to the protocol, returning to the pre-exercise level within 48 h. Furthermore, D-dimer levels increased from 6.5 ± 0.6 to 79.4 ± 21.3 μmol/L (p .001) in response to exercise decreasing during recovery with high variability among the studied athletes. Albuminemia and creatininemia increased ~ 10% and cystatin C increased ~ 240% (1.7 ± 0.1 to 5.7 ± 0.5 mg/L; p .001; effect size = 2.4) in response to the protocol. We measured albuminuria (HuA) to assess kidney permeability to albumin caused by exercise. HuA increased ~ 16-fold (0.16 ± 0.03 to 2.47 ± 0.41 μmol/L; p .001; effect size = 1.4) in response to exercise, dropping and reaching basal levels during 48 h. Here, we suggest that microalbuminuria can be used as an early, sensitive, easy, and inexpensive biomarker to evaluate hydration status changes during intensive exercise, decreasing chronic impairment in renal function.

Gluten proteins contribute to the rheological properties of dough. Mass spectrometric techniques help to understand the contribution of these proteins to the quality of the end product. This work aimed to apply modern proteomic techniques to characterize and provide a better understanding of gluten proteins in wheat flours of different technological qualities. Nine Brazilian wheat flours (Triticum aestivum) classified by rheological gluten force were used to extract the proteins. Extracts were pooled together by technological qualities in low (LW), medium (MD), and superior (SP). Peptides were analyzed by nanoUPLC and mass spectrometry multiplex method (MS

Gibberellic acid elicited synthesis of many phenols from different classes and enhanced production of sesquiterpenoids, polyterpenoids, steroids and monoterpenoids compared to control and 6-benzylaminopurine. Little is known about the effects of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on the synthesis of secondary metabolites in species of Lamiaceae. In this study, for the first time, the profile of secondary metabolites in plantlets of Cunila menthoides was characterized, using UPLC-ESI-Qq-oaTOF-MS. Ninety metabolites were identified, including polyphenols and terpenes. BA down-regulated most of the identified molecules in relation to GA3 and MS0 (control). The results showed that GA3 elicited synthesis of many phenols from different classes, and seemed to play a major role in the shikimate pathway in relation to BA. GA3 enhanced production of sesquiterpenoids, polyterpenoids, steroids and monoterpenoids compared to MS0 and BA, and also seemed to positively influence the MEP/DOXP and MVA pathways. These data show the most comprehensive metabolomic profile of Cunila menthoides to date, and the effects of BA and GA3 on the synthesis of secondary metabolites, modulating quantitative aspects of metabolism in Lamiaceae.

An increasing effort is dedicated to investigate the potential of native plants used in traditional medicine as a source of bioactive compounds for numerous industries. The bioprospection of the metabolome of medicinal and/or endangered plants has two important merits: confirming or revealing the biotechnological potential of that species, and assisting in its conservation. In addition, biotechnological techniques, such as tissue culture, are key strategies in conservation and multiplication of medicinal plants. This is the first in vitro development and non-targeted metabolome study by UPLC–QTOF–MSE of extracts from C. menthoides, an endangered medicinal plant. In vitro development investigation with a wide range of plant growth regulators resulted in maximum survival rate (81%) and the highest growth rate (1.74 cm ± 0.36) for plantlets cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium, supplemented with 1 µM gibberellic acid. Maximum rooting occurred on medium supplemented with 4.4 µM 6-benzyladenine, which also resulted in more leaves per plantlet (10.16 ± 1.7). We developed a protocol that can be used for the clonal propagation and ex situ conservation of this species. In terms of metabolome analysis, a total of 107 metabolites from several classes were detected and identified in its hydrophilic extract (HE), including organic acids and derivatives, glucosinolates, terpenes, phenolic compounds as well as other polar metabolites. The metabolites in HE with the greatest signal intensity included the isoquinoline alkaloid magnoflorine; the coumaric acid rosmarinic acid; the steroid-cardanolide convallatoxin; two anthraquinones including the poorly investigated ventinone A. Several molecules identified here carry potential pharmacological benefits such as anti-inflammatory and anticancer applications.

Agro-industrial byproducts are considered good sources of macronutrients and phytochemicals. Fruit and vegetable residues (FVR), obtained after the production of an isotonic beverage, have previously been characterized containing 80% insoluble dietary fibers from total fibers (48.4%), 26% available carbohydrates, 9.5% proteins and 5% lipids. Nevertheless, fruit and vegetables provide phytochemicals which have been related to human health such as phenolic compounds. The loss of specific compounds over the production process is related to their partitioning between fruit and vegetables and byproducts. However, phenolic profile of FVR remains unknown. This work is focused on the evaluation of FVR as a natural source of these bioactive compounds. For this purpose, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) has been proposed as extraction technique for recovering phenolic compounds from FVR. The experimental variables were temperature and percentage of solvent (ethanol and water). Phenolic compounds extracts were characterized by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS and a discussion about phenolic and macronutrient interactions was established. Globally, 88 compounds were tentatively identified: phenolic acids (28), flavonoids (32), and other polyphenols (28). The PLE conditions applied yielded different breaking matrix-analyte interactions leading to an increase in the number of compounds. The highest phenolic acids content was achieved with high temperature while lower temperatures were more efficient in extracting flavonoid. By establishing the phenolics profile in food byproducts such as FVR, it is possible to more effectively apply these byproducts as nutraceutical, food or pharmaceutical ingredients.Flow diagram of bioactive compounds recovering from isotonic beverage byproduct is proposed using pressurized liquid extraction. The plant-bioactives mechanism relies on fruit and vegetable byproducts changes under different extraction conditions. The obtained extracts can most effectively be applied as nutraceuticals or as ingredients in food or pharmaceutical inputs.

This study evaluated the acute effect of keto analogue and amino acid (AA-KAAA) supplementation on both white blood cell counts and the established biomarkers of muscle damage during exercise under thermoneutral conditions. Sixteen male cyclists received a ketogenic diet for two days and were divided into two equal groups: a group taking AA-KAAA (KA) or a control group (PL). The athletes performed a two hour cycling session followed by a maximum incremental test until voluntary exhaustion (VExh). Blood samples were obtained at rest and during exercise for further hematological and biochemical analyses. Exercise-induced ammonemia increased in the PL group at VExh (75%) but remained unchanged in the KA group. Both groups exhibited a significant increase in leukocyte and neutrophil counts of ∼85% (∼13 × 109 L-1), but the shape of the lymphocytes and the eosinophil counts suggest that AA-KAAA supplementation helps prevent lymphocytosis. AA-KAAA supplementation induced a decrease in creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels at VExh while showing a significant decrease in lactate dehydrogenase at 120 min. We found that AA-KAAA supplementation decreases both the lymphocyte count response in blood and the established biomarkers of muscle damage after intense exercise under a low heat stress environment.

Memoirs by the 2012 recipient of the Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education from the American Society for Cell Biology about the establishment of the International Institute for Collaborative Cell Biology and Biochemistry, which wants to inspire a new era of international scientific cooperation by exposing scientists to diverse learning experiences., I was invited to write this essay on the occasion of my selection as the recipient of the 2012 Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education from the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB). Receiving this award is an enormous honor. When I read the email announcement for the first time, it was more than a surprise to me, it was unbelievable. I joined ASCB in 1996, when I presented a poster and received a travel award. Since then, I have attended almost every ASCB meeting. I will try to use this essay to share with readers one of the best experiences in my life. Because this is an essay, I take the liberty of mixing some of my thoughts with data in a way that it not usual in scientific writing. I hope that this sacrifice of the format will achieve the goal of conveying what I have learned over the past 20 yr, during which time a group of colleagues and friends created a nexus of knowledge and wisdom. We have worked together to build a network capable of sharing and inspiring science all over the world.

Objective: We evaluated the effect of caffeine on white cell distribution and muscle injury markers in professional soccer players during exercise. Methods: Male athletes (22) completed a placebo-controlled double-blind test protocol to simulate a soccer match followed to a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Results: Our data show an hematocrit increase that was enhanced by caffeine as a consequence of exercise. We found a synergic effect of caffeine in addition to exercise regarding blood leukocytes count that grew almost 5-fold more compared to the non-supplemented group. Exercise enhanced lymphocyte counts by about 38%, and when combined with caffeine, the count increased an additional 35%. The xanthine promoted a rise in circulating monocytes in an exercise–independent way, and a synergic action of exercise and caffeine was observed on segmented neutrophils. Caffeine promotes thrombocytosis in a greater way than exercise, because of muscle and vascular trauma. Plasma ADA, AST and LDH concentrations were enhanced in the groups due to exercise, and ALT concentration was also amplified in both groups with a synergism due to caffeine. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the pronounced increase in white cell count in the group receiving caffeine was caused by higher muscle stress and consequently more intense endothelial and muscle injury, signifying the possibility that the use of caffeine can be one of the causes for the observed changes in the white cell response and, furthermore, that its use can augment the risk of muscle damage in athletes.

The addition of continuous training in lactate threshold improves the performance of soccer’s players It has been shown that the continuous training at the lactate threshold improves performance leading to a decrease of the lactate concentrations or in the threshold intensity. Here me measured changes in soccer athlete’s performance that were submitted to a continuous training in the lactate threshold’s speed in addition to the soccer conventional training. Soccer athletes (n=17) between 18 and 20 years old were located in 2 groups. The first one received both continuous and conventional training (GE, n=10) and the other, just conventional (GC (n=7). Lactate threshold’s speed increased after the two first training weeks in both groups. In GE the lactate threshold’s speed increased during the following four weeks. Our results also showed a decrease in the lactate concentration in the GE at the same velocity. These data indicate that the performance of soccer players can be improved by the combination of both training methods.

Laboratorio de Bioquimica de Proteinas Av Dr. Xavier Sigaud, no 290, bl B, Terreo CEP: 22290-180 Rio de Janeiro Brasil RESUMEN: El entrenamiento continuado ministrado en la intensidad del umbral de lactato es conocido como capaz de mejorar la performance medida en las concentraciones de lactato del umbral o la intensidad en que este ocurre. En ese estudio evaluamos las modifi caciones en la performance de jugadores de futboll que recibieron entrenamiento continuado en la velocidad del umbral de lactato sumado al entrenamiento convencional del equipo. Los jugadores (n=17) fueron divididos en dos grupos: GE, entrenamiento continuado con entrenamiento convencional (n=10) y GC recibiendo solamente el entrenamiento convencional (n=7). La velocidad del umbral de lactato crecio en las dos primeras semanas de entrenamiento en los dos grupos. El GE la velocidad del umbral siguio creciendo en las cuatro semanas siguientes. Los aumentos en la velocidad de umbral sugieren una mejor capacidad de hacer los esfuerzos necesarios en un partido de futbol disminuyendo la posibilidad de fadiga. Nuestros resultados indican que la performance de los jugadores es mejorada por la adiccion de entrenamiento continuado al entrenamiento convencional.

It has been described that the continuous training at the lactate threshold improves performance leading to a decrease of the lactate concentrations or at the threshold of intensity. Here we measured changes in soccer athletes' performance that were submitted to a continuous training at the lactate threshold speed, in addition to soccer conventional training. Soccer athletes (n=17) aged 18 and 20 years old were randomly divided into two groups. The former received both continuous and conventional trainings (EG, n=10), whereas the latter just conventional training (CG, n=7). The lactate threshold speed increased after the two fi rst training weeks in both groups. In EG the lactate threshold's speed increased during the following four weeks. Our results showed a decrease in the lactate concentration in the EG at the same velocity. These data indicate that the soccer players' performance can be improved by a combination of both training methods.

In the catalytic cycle of skeletal muscle, myosin alternates between strongly and weakly bound cross-bridges, with the latter contributing little to sustained tension. Here we describe the action of DMSO, an organic solvent that appears to increase the population of weakly bound cross-bridges that accumulate after the binding of ATP, but before P(i) release. DMSO (5-30%, v/v) reversibly inhibits tension and ATP hydrolysis in vertebrate skeletal muscle myofibrils, and decreases the speed of unregulated F-actin in an in vitro motility assay with heavy meromyosin. In solution, controls for enzyme activity and intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of myosin subfragment 1 (S1) in the presence of different cations indicate that structural changes attributable to DMSO are small and reversible, and do not involve unfolding. Since DMSO depresses S1 and acto-S1 MgATPase activities in the same proportions, without altering acto-S1 affinity, the principal DMSO target apparently lies within the catalytic cycle rather than with actin-myosin binding. Inhibition by DMSO in myofibrils is the same in the presence or the absence of Ca(2+) and regulatory proteins, in contrast with the effects of ethylene glycol, and the Ca(2+) sensitivity of isometric tension is slightly decreased by DMSO. The apparent affinity for P(i) is enhanced markedly by DMSO (and to a lesser extent by ethylene glycol) in skinned fibres, suggesting that DMSO stabilizes cross-bridges that have ADP.P(i) or ATP bound to them.