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Background and Aim: Olive oil consumption has been suggested to favorably impact children's health. The present study aimed to identify possible associations between exclusive olive oil consumption and metabolic indices and lifestyle factors.Methods and Results: Cross-sectional, observational study. Population data derived from a health survey on a sample of 177 091 children aged 8-17 years. Olive oil consumption and dietary habits were evaluated using questionnaires (KIDMED index). Anthropometric and physical fitness measurements were obtained by trained investigators. Physical activity (PA) status, screen time and sleeping habits were assessed through self-completed questionnaires. Exclusive olive oil consumption decreased the odds of obesity and increased the odds of healthy cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) by 15% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75-0.95) and 13% (95% CI: 1.04-1.22), respectively, after adjusting for several covariates. Moreover, exclusive olive oil consumption was associated with increased odds of having sufficient dietary habits (average/optimal adherence to the Mediterranean Diet) by almost four times (95% CI: 3.65-4.45) and decreased odds of insufficient sleep (<8-9 h/d) and increased screen time (>2 h/d) by 20% (95% CI: 0.73-0.87) and 40% (95% CI: 0.48-0.72), respectively.Conclusions: Exclusive olive oil consumption was associated with metabolic indices such as obesity and CRF and a healthy lifestyle profile. The exclusive consumption of olive oil as part of a balanced MD does seem to provide favorable health benefits and should be further promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burns remain the fifth cause of non-fatal pediatric injuries globally, with muscle cachexia being a hallmark of the stress response to burns. Burn-induced muscle wasting is associated with morbidity, yet the determinants of muscle protein catabolism in response to burn trauma remains unclear. Our objective was to determine the effect of patient and injury characteristics on muscle protein kinetics in burn patients. This retrospective, observational study was performed using protein kinetic data from pediatric patients who had severe burns (>30% of the total body surface area burned) and underwent cross-limb stable isotope infusions between 1999 and 2008 as part of prospective clinical trials. Mixed multiple regression models were used to assess associations between patient/injury characteristics and muscle protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR), net balance (NB), and rates of phenylalanine appearance (Ra; index of protein breakdown) and disappearance (Rd; index of protein synthesis) across the leg. A total of 268 patients who underwent 499 studies were analyzed. Increasing time post injury was associated with greater FSR (p < 0.001) and NB (p = 0.01). Males were more catabolic than females (as indicated by lower NB, p = 0.04 and greater Ra, p = 0.008), a consequence of higher protein breakdown rather than lower synthesis. Increasing burn size was associated with higher protein synthesis rate (as indicated by higher FSR, p = 0.019) and higher protein breakdown rates (as indicated by greater Ra, p = 0.001). FSR was negatively associated with age (p < 0.001). Data from this large patient cohort show that injury severity, sex, and time post injury influence skeletal muscle wasting in burned children. These findings suggest that individual patient characteristics should be considered when devising therapies to improve the acute care and rehabilitation of burn survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The recent re-discovery of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and even more recent discovery of the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) in humans have generated intense scientific interest in the role of adipose tissue as potential target against obesity and its metabolic complications. The purpose of this review is to: i) critically evaluate the current evidence on the physiological significance of BAT and the browning of WAT in metabolic function in humans and ii) discuss factors that have been reported to regulate BAT and/or the browning of WAT in humans. The current literature supports that BAT and the browning of WAT constitute promising emerging targets for interventions aiming to prevent and/or treat of obesity and its metabolic complications. Further research is needed to better understand the physiological significance of BAT and browning of WAT in health and disease along with the factors modulating their metabolic function in humans. Highlights • BAT and the browning of WAT constitute emerging targets for metabolic health. • Adipose tissue has remarkable plasticity adapting to the environment and the metabolic needs of the organism. • The physiological significance of brown/beige adipocytes in humans is currently debatable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays an important role in mammalian thermoregulation. The component of BAT mitochondria that permits this function is the inner membrane carrier protein uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). To the best of our knowledge, no studies have directly quantified UCP1 function in human BAT. Further, whether human and rodent BAT have comparable thermogenic function remains unknown. We employed high-resolution respirometry to determine the respiratory capacity, coupling control, and, most importantly, UCP1 function of human supraclavicular BAT and rodent interscapular BAT. Human BAT was sensitive to the purine nucleotide GDP, providing the first direct evidence that human BAT mitochondria have thermogenically functional UCP1. Further, our data demonstrate that human and rodent BAT have similar UCP1 function per mitochondrion. These data indicate that human and rodent BAT are qualitatively similar in terms of UCP1 function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Recent studies suggest that brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a role in energy and glucose metabolism in humans. However, the physiological significance of human BAT in lipid metabolism remains unknown. We studied 16 overweight/obese men during prolonged, non-shivering cold and thermoneutral conditions using stable isotopic tracer methodologies in conjunction with hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps and BAT and white adipose tissue (WAT) biopsies. BAT volume was significantly associated with increased whole-body lipolysis, triglyceride-free fatty acid (FFA) cycling, FFA oxidation, and adipose tissue insulin sensitivity. Functional analysis of BAT and WAT demonstrated the greater thermogenic capacity of BAT compared to WAT, while molecular analysis revealed a cold-induced upregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism only in BAT. The accelerated mobilization and oxidation of lipids upon BAT activation supports a putative role for BAT in the regulation of lipid metabolism in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Since the presence of brown adipose tissue (BAT) was confirmed in adult humans, BAT has become a therapeutic target for obesity and insulin resistance. We examined whether human subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) can adopt a BAT-like phenotype using a clinical model of prolonged and severe adrenergic stress. sWAT samples were collected from severely burned and healthy individuals. A subset of burn victims were prospectively followed during their acute hospitalization. Browning of sWAT was determined by the presence of multilocular adipocytes, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), and increased mitochondrial density and respiratory capacity. Multilocular UCP1-positive adipocytes were found in sWAT samples from burn patients. UCP1 mRNA, mitochondrial density, and leak respiratory capacity in sWAT increased after burn trauma. Our data demonstrate that human sWAT can transform from an energy-storing to an energy-dissipating tissue, which opens new research avenues in our quest to prevent and treat obesity and its metabolic complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background & aims: Postprandial lipemia is assessed using the oral fat tolerance test (OFTT), a six-hour procedure requiring hourly blood sampling. In order to simplify the test, we investigated whether a) a single postprandial triacylglycerol concentration, b) an OFTT lasting less than six hours or c) an OFTT requiring fewer blood samples, may accurately assess postprandial lipemia under various conditions. Methods: Seventy-two subjects underwent a conventional OFTT. Predictability of single-point concentrations and time-shortened tests was assessed using linear regression and re-sampling analysis. Validity of reduced-sampling tests was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman analysis. Results: a) A single-point triacylglycerol concentration (3 or 4h postprandially) did not present significant correlation with postprandial lipemia in the hypetriacylglycerolemic, exercise and energy restriction groups (P >0.05), b) Time-shortened OFTT (4h) was able to predict postprandial lipemia in every group studied (R 2 =0.707–0.970, P <0.01), except the hypertriacylglycerolemics (P =0.338), c) Reduced-sampling OFTT (3 or 4 samples) was able to assess postprandial lipemia in every group as well as in the overall sample (r =0.874-0.997, P <0.05). Conclusions: A more convenient, reduced-sampling OFTT may be used alternatively to the conventional OFTT, whereas a time-shortened OFTT may be appropriate only for healthy people. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background & aims: Fasting and postprandial hypertriacylglycerolemia are important cardiovascular risk factors in women. We sought to examine the effects of acute (1 day), moderate (∼2 MJ) energy deficit induced by calorie restriction, exercise, or combination of both on fasting and postprandial triacylglycerol (TAG) metabolism in women. Methods: Six healthy premenopausal women performed four oral fat tolerance tests in the morning after a day of a) rest (control), b) calorie restriction (∼2 MJ), c) exercise (net deficit of ∼2 MJ) and d) calorie restriction-plus-exercise (total energy deficit of ∼2 MJ). Results: All energy deficit trials significantly reduced fasting and postprandial total plasma TAG concentrations by 15–23% and 12–23%, respectively, and triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein TAG concentrations by 37–43% and 25–39%, respectively, compared with the control condition (P <0.05). Postprandial, but not fasting, total TAG concentrations were ∼12% lower after exercise compared with diet-induced energy deficit (P =0.05). Conclusions: Acute, moderate energy deficit independently of its origin (i.e. diet or exercise or combination of both) reduces fasting and postprandial triacylglycerolemia in women. Exercise elicits a somewhat greater effect than calorie restriction in the postprandial state. The acute effect of diet and exercise should be taken into account when studying the long-term effects of weight loss and exercise training on TAG metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It has been suggested that intramyocellular diglycerides may be associated with insulin resistance and thus may be linked to the pathophysiology of diabetes. We aimed to investigate intramyocellular diglyceride as well as triglyceride levels in diabetic subjects and to explore a possible association with glycemic control. The participants of the study were 30 obese subjects stratified according to the presence of diabetes into nondiabetic obese (n = 19) and diabetic obese (n = 11). Intramyocellular triglycerides and diglycerides were determined in biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle under fasting conditions. Glycemic control and insulin resistance were assessed by an oral glucose tolerance test and the homeostatic model, respectively. Higher levels of intramyocellular triglycerides were observed in the diabetic obese group compared with the nondiabetic obese group (66.67 ± 23.75 vs 18.35 ± 4.42 nmol·mg−1 dry tissue, respectively; P < .05). Diglyceride levels were not significantly different between the study groups (1.65 ± 0.27 vs 1.94 ± 0.65 nmol·mg−1 dry tissue, respectively). Monounsaturated fatty acids represented the major constituent of intramyocellular triglycerides in both groups, whereas diglycerides contained mainly saturated fatty acids. A significant correlation was found between intramyocellular levels of triglycerides, but not diglycerides, and glycemic control, expressed as the area under the glucose curve (r = 0.417, P < .05). No correlations were found between intramyocellular levels of both lipid classes and insulin resistance. Our data support a relationship between glycemic control and intramyocellular triglycerides, but not diglycerides. The total flux of fatty acids toward esterification may be a much more important factor in the pathophysiology of diabetes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was 2-fold: (1) to examine insulin resistance, blood lipid levels, and inflammatory markers in 9- to 11.5-year-old obese and lean children and (2) to identify factors that influence insulin resistance in this cohort of youths. Body mass index, skinfold thickness, waist circumference, physical activity (4-day triaxial accelerometer), cardiorespiratory fitness (submaximal bicycle ergometer test), and dietary intake (3-day food records) were evaluated in 27 obese and 27 lean boys and girls. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for insulin, glucose, lipids and lipoproteins, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to evaluate insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Obese children presented higher HOMA-IR, CRP, and blood lipid levels (all P < .01) compared with lean children. Total body fat and waist circumference were positively associated with fasting insulin (r ≥ 0.51), HOMA-IR (r ≥ 0.56), CRP (r ≥ 0.51), and blood triacylglycerol (r ≥ 0.38), and were inversely correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r ≥ −0.39; all P < .01). Cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely associated with HOMA-IR (r = −0.24; P < .05), but this association disappeared when adjusted for age, sex, and fat mass. Waist circumference and total daily physical activity explained 49% of the variance in HOMA-IR in these children. In conclusion, these findings suggest that total and central adiposity are positively associated and physical activity is negatively associated with insulin resistance in children. Interventions to improve glucose metabolism in youth should target at reducing total body and abdominal fat and increasing physical activity. The lack of association between inflammatory markers and HOMA-IR suggests that obesity may precede the elevation of these markers in the evolution of insulin resistance in youth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of aerobic exercise training on insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese girls. Nineteen overweight and obese girls (mean ± SD: age, 13.1 ± 1.8 years; body mass index, 26.8 ± 3.9 kg/m2) volunteered for this study. Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), insulin sensitivity (oral glucose tolerance test and homeostasis model assessment estimate of insulin resistance; n = 15), adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL) 6, insulin-like growth factor-1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 serum levels, and blood lipids and lipoproteins were assessed before and after 12 weeks of aerobic training. Cardiorespiratory fitness increased by 18.8% (P < .05) as a result of training. The area under the insulin concentration curve (insulin area under the curve) decreased by 23.3% (12781.7 ± 7454.2 vs 9799.0 ± 4918.6 μU·min/mL before and after intervention, respectively; P = .03). Insulin sensitivity was improved without changes in body weight (preintervention, 67.9 ± 14.5 kg; postintervention, 68.3 ± 14.0 kg) or percent body fat (preintervention, 41.4% ± 4.8%; postintervention, 40.7% ± 5.2%). The lower limb fat-free mass increased by 6.2% (P < .01) as a result of training, and changes in lower limb fat-free mass were correlated with changes in the insulin area under the curve (r = −.68; P < .01). Serum adiponectin, IL-6, and CRP concentrations did not change (preintervention vs postintervention: adiponectin, 9.57 ± 3.01 vs 9.08 ± 2.32 μg/mL; IL-6, 1.67 ± 1.29 vs 1.65 ± 1.25 pg/mL, CRP, 3.21 ± 2.48 vs 2.73 ± 1.88 mg/L) whereas insulin-like growth factor-1 was lower after training (preintervention, 453.8 ± 159.3 ng/mL; postintervention, 403.2 ± 155.1 ng/mL; P < .05). In conclusion, 12 weeks of aerobic training improved insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese girls without change in body weight, percent body fat, and circulating concentrations of adiponectin, IL-6, CRP, and other inflammatory markers. These findings suggest that increased physical activity may ameliorate the metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity in children with a mechanism other than the parameters cited earlier. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: High-carbohydrate (HC) diets are recommended for lowering the risk of coronary heart disease because they decrease plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations. However, an unfavorable effect of HC diets is an increase in plasma triacylglycerol concentrations. The underlying mechanisms of this effect are still unclear. Objective: We examined the effect of diet composition on VLDL-triacylglycerol metabolism using in vivo isotopically labeled VLDL-triacylglycerol tracers. Design: Six healthy subjects were studied on 2 occasions: after 2 wk of an HC diet (75% carbohydrates, 10% fat, and 15% protein) and after 2 wk of an isoenergetic high-fat (HF) diet (30% carbohydrates, 55% fat, and 15% protein). Results: The plasma VLDL-triacylglycerol concentration was higher after the HC diet than after the HF diet (690 ±186 compared with 287 ± 104 (µ mol/L; P < 0.05) because of higher rates of VLDL-triacylglycerol production (0.76 ± 0.12 compared with 0.45 ± 0.15 µ mol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1; P < 0.05) rather than diminished VLDL-triacylglycerol clearance (1.5 ± 0.5 compared with 1.7 ± 0.5 mL ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1 after the HC diet than after the HF diet, respectively). The increase in VLDL-triacylglycerol production was probably mediated by a decrease in hepatic fatty acid oxidation after the HC diet (0.13 ± 0.02 compared with 0.69 ± 0.24 (µ mol ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1; P < 0.05), which presumably increased hepatic fatty acid availability for triacylglycerol synthesis. Conclusions: The increase in fasting plasma triacylglycerol concentrations in response to short-term HC diets is due to accelerated VLDL-triacylglycerol secretion. Increased hepatic fatty acid availability, resulting from reduced hepatic fatty acid oxidation, is most likely responsible for the observed increase in VLDL-triacylglycerol secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe burns induce a pathophysiological response that affects almost every physiological system within the body. Inflammation, hypermetabolism, muscle wasting, and insulin resistance are all hallmarks of the pathophysiological response to severe burns, with perturbations in metabolism known to persist for several years post injury. Skeletal muscle is the principal depot of lean tissue within the body and as the primary site of peripheral glucose disposal, plays an important role in metabolic regulation. Following a large burn, skeletal muscle functions as and endogenous amino acid store, providing substrates for more pressing functions, such as the synthesis of acute phase proteins and the deposition of new skin. Subsequently, burn patients become cachectic, which is associated with poor outcomes in terms of metabolic health and functional capacity. While a loss of skeletal muscle contractile proteins per se will no doubt negatively impact functional capacity, detriments in skeletal muscle quality, i.e. a loss in mitochondrial number and/or function may be quantitatively just as important. The goal of this review article is to summarise the current understanding of the impact of thermal trauma on skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and function, to offer direction for future research concerning skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in patients with severe burns, and to renew interest in the role of these organelles in metabolic dysfunction following severe burns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, have been linked to pediatric obesity. However, relatively few studies have considered them simultaneously, as a pattern. To investigate the associations between students' lifestyle and overweight, general, and abdominal obesity, an a priori Mediterranean lifestyle index (ie, MediLIFE-index) was created. We hypothesized that students' characteristics and their probability to be overweight or obese would be lower towards a better adherence to a Mediterranean lifestyle pattern. This study included 174 209 students aged 6 to 18 years from all geographical regions of Greece who participated in the 2014-2015 EYZHN study. The total range of MediLIFE-index was 0–8 (higher values indicating greater adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle). Index values were thereafter divided into three groups according to its tertiles (a) 'non-adherent'; (b) 'moderately adherent'; and (c) "highly adherent" to the Mediterranean lifestyle. The mean ± standard deviation of the MediLIFE-index was 5.1 ± 1.6. Students with higher scores had lower BMI and waist circumference (all P <.001). Those who were "highly adherent" compared to those who were "non-adherent" were associated with lower likelihood of being overweight, obese or abdominal obese, by 6% (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.92, 0.98), 30% (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.67, 0.75) and 20% (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.77, 0.83), respectively. The optimal discriminating value of the index for overweight was 4.5 (78% sensitivity and 80% specificity), while for obese/abdominal obese was 3.5 (82% sensitivity and 85% specificity). A useful tool was developed in order to identify children and adolescents with increased odds of being overweight, obese, or abdominal obese based on their lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Το explore teachers' nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes and to examine the effectiveness of an electronic learning (e-learning) program in teachers' nutrition knowledge. Cross-sectional and experimental design. The study took place in Greece, while schoolteachers were invited by e-mail. Teachers of primary and secondary education, with no exclusion criteria, were enrolled in the study between March, 2015 and 2016. Schoolteachers' nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes. Teachers completed a 36-item nutrition questionnaire and then a subgroup participated in an e-learning program. After the intervention, teachers completed the same questionnaire. Principal component analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used for data analysis. A total of 1,094 teachers completed the questionnaire; 619 participated in the e-learning program. Teachers showed moderate nutrition knowledge scores (ie, 65% correct answers) before the intervention, whereas their attitudes regarding acting as role models and their belief in the importance of the role of nutrition were associated with 74% (odds ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.13–1.45) and 79% (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.37) increased possibility of having good nutrition knowledge, respectively. The e-learning program was effective in strengthening teachers' nutrition knowledge (P <.001) and improving their beliefs and attitudes (P <.05). Future research is needed to validate the current results, which can be used to design and implement similar educational programs to teachers as a means of creating health-promoting schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Depression has been linked to a large and growing economic and societal burden worldwide. In Europe, depression is one of the most frequent mental disorders across all age groups, but particularly in people aged 65 years and over, and higher depressive symptoms have been reported among individuals with chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes and heart disease). Aim To evaluate the role of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in depression in a sample of older people living in the Mediterranean basin. Methods Standard procedures were used to determine socio-demographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics of the participants, as well as their dietary habits, and depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Multi-adjusted logistic and linear regression analyses were carried out to evaluate the associations between participants' characteristics and depression. Results Participants classified as having mild or severe depression were less educated and physically active, and more diabetic, and they reported less adherence to the MedDiet. Adherence to the MedDiet was associated with the absence of depression [(OR, 95% CI): 0.65, 0.50−0.85]. In addition, daily tea drinking was also related to the absence of depression [(OR, 95% CI): 0.51, 0.40−0.65]. Conclusions Greater adherence to the MedDiet and daily tea drinking seem to have a beneficial effect on depressive symptoms in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To evaluate modifiable, lifestyle risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older adults, across ageing, in the Mediterranean area. Methods During 2005–2017, 3131 individuals from 26 Mediterranean islands of 5 countries, ≥65 years of age, were voluntarily enrolled. Anthropometrical, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle parameters were measured through standard procedures. Analyses were performed by year and across consecutive age groups of the participants. Results A decrease in the prevalence of current smoking ( p  < 0.001), engagement in physical activities ( p  = 0.001) and participation in social events ( p  = 0.001) for every year increase in age was found. Moderate alcohol drinking increased through ageing ( p  = 0.008), whereas adherence to Mediterranean diet remained stable, but adequate ( p  = 0.90). Trend analysis also revealed that a quadratic (U-shape) function better characterized the association between ageing and total cardiometabolic risk factors burden ( p for trend <0.001). Conclusions The gaps in the understanding of factors affecting longevity and healthy ageing remain; public health authorities and stakeholders should focus on the lifestyle determinants of healthy ageing, that seems to be an effective mean for improving older peoples' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relation between car use and the level of successful aging of a random sample of older adults living in the Mediterranean basin.Methods: During 2005-2011, 2749 older (aged 65-100 years) from 22 islands and the rural Mani region (Peloponnesus) of Greece were voluntarily enrolled in the Mediterranean islands cross-sectional study. Sociodemographics, medical conditions, and dietary and lifestyle habits were derived throughout standard procedures. Car use was recorded with a standard binary question. A successful aging index ranging from 0-10 was used.Results: Older adults who used a car on regular basis had significantly higher levels of successful aging, as well as less prevalence of obesity and hypertension while were more physically active (P < .001). After adjusting for several confounders car use was still positively related with elderly islander's successful aging level (beta coefficient [95% confidence interval]: 0.65 [0.54-0.77]).Conclusions: In conclusion, the activity of car use seems to be an indicator of quality of life among older adults, as measured through successful aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altered skeletal muscle mitochondrial function contributes to the pathophysiological stress response to burns. However, the acute and chronic impact of burn trauma on skeletal muscle bioenergetics remains poorly understood. Here, we determined the temporal relationship between burn trauma and mitochondrial function in murine skeletal muscle local to and distal from burn wounds. Male BALB/c mice (8-10 weeks old) were burned by submersion of the dorsum in water (∼ 95 °C) to create a full thickness burn on ∼ 30% of the body. Skeletal muscle was harvested spinotrapezius underneath burn wounds (local) and the quadriceps (distal) of sham and burn treated mice at 3h, 24h, 4d and 10d post-injury. Mitochondrial respiration was determined in permeabilized myofiber bundles by high-resolution respirometry. Caspase 9 and caspase 3 protein concentration were determined by western blot. In muscle local to burn wounds, respiration coupled to ATP production was significantly diminished at 3h and 24h post-injury (P<0.001), as was mitochondrial coupling control (P<0.001). There was a 5- (P<0.05) and 8-fold (P<0.001) increase in respiration in response to cytochrome at 3h and 24h post burn, respectively, indicating damage to the outer mitochondrial membranes. Moreover, we also observed greater active caspase 9 and caspase 3 in muscle local to burn wounds, indicating the induction of apoptosis. Distal muscle mitochondrial function was unaltered by burn trauma until 10d post burn, where both respiratory capacity (P<0.05) and coupling control (P<0.05) were significantly lower than sham. These data highlight a differential response in muscle mitochondrial function to burn trauma, where the timing, degree and mode of dysfunction are dependent on whether the muscle is local or distal to the burn wound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The pathophysiological response to burn injury disturbs the balance between skeletal muscle protein synthesis and breakdown, resulting in severe muscle wasting. Muscle loss after burn injury is related to increased mortality and morbidity. Consequently, mitigation of this catabolic response has become a focus in the management of these patients. The aim of this review is to discuss the literature pertaining to pharmacological interventions aimed at attenuating skeletal muscle catabolism in severely burned patients. Data selection: Review of the literature related to skeletal muscle protein metabolism following burn injury was conducted. Emphasis was on studies utilizing stable isotope tracer kinetics to assess the impact of pharmacological interventions on muscle protein metabolism in severely burned patients. Conclusion Data support the efficacy of testosterone, oxandrolone, human recombinant growth hormone, insulin, metformin, and propranolol in improving skeletal muscle protein net balance in patients with severe burns. The mechanisms underlying the improvement of protein net balance differ between types and dosages of drugs, but their main effect is on protein synthesis. Finally, the majority of studies have been conducted during the acute hypermetabolic phase of the injury. Except for oxandrolone, the effects of drugs on muscle protein kinetics following discharge from the hospital are largely unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Moderate consumption of beer is associated with lower cardiovascular (CV) risk. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of beer consumption on CV risk. To explore the underlying mechanisms, we studied the acute effects of the constituents of beer (alcohol and antioxidants), on established predictors of CV risk: endothelial function, aortic stiffness, pressure wave reflections and aortic pressure. Methods: In a randomized, single-blind, crossover study, 17 healthy, non-smoking, men (ages 28.5 ± 5.2 y with body mass index 24.4 ± 2.5 kg/m² ) consumed on three separate occasions, at least 1 wk apart: 1. 400 mL of beer and 400 mL water, 2. 800 mL of dealcoholized beer (same amount of polyphenols as in the 400 mL of beer), and 3. 67 mL of vodka and 733 mL water (same amount of alcohol as in the 400 mL of beer). Each time aortic stiffness (pulse wave velocity), pressure wave reflections (AIx), aortic and brachial pressure (Sphygmocor device), and endothelial function (brachial flow mediated dilatation) were assessed at fast and 1 and 2 h postprandial. Results: Aortic stiffness was significantly and similarly reduced by all three interventions. However, endothelial function was significantly improved only after beer consumption (average 1.33%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-2.53). Although wave reflections were significantly reduced by all three interventions (average of beer: 9.1%, dealcoholized beer: 2.8%, vodka 8.5%, all CI within limits of significance), the reduction was higher after beer consumption compared with dealcoholized beer (P =0.018). Pulse pressure amplification (i.e., brachial/aortic) was increased by all three test drinks. Conclusions: Beer acutely improves parameters of arterial function and structure, in healthy non-smokers. This benefit seems to be mediated by the additive or synergistic effects of alcohol and antioxidants and merits further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A direct link has been established between insulin resistance and obesity; however, the influence of body fat content on insulin sensitivity in normal-weight individuals has not been explored. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine differences in insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, and blood lipid levels in normal-weight, healthy participants differing in their body fat. Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, weight cycling, nutrient intake, and eating behavior were also assessed. Two groups of normal-weight (body mass index <25) young, healthy women were recruited: a high-body-fat group with body fat >30% of body weight (n=15) and a low-body-fat group (fat ≤30%, n=17). Data were collected between November 2003 and March 2004. Participants were matched for age and body fat distribution (assessed by the waist-to-hip ratio). The high-body-fat group displayed lower values of insulin sensitivity compared to the low-body-fat group (1/homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance 1.003±0.083 vs 1.385±0.158, respectively; P<0.05), whereas no differences were observed on blood lipid levels and glycemic control between groups. High-body-fat participants had lower cardiorespiratory fitness (25.2±1.2 vs 28.2±1.4 mL/kg/min in the low-body-fat group, P<0.05) and higher incidence of weight cycling of 1.0 to 2.5 kg loss per lifetime (18±3 kg vs 8±2 kg in the low-body-fat group, P<0.05). The latter variable was the only factor significantly associated with body fat. These data suggest that increased adiposity in normal weight, healthy women may adversely affect insulin sensitivity and that it may be related to differences in physical fitness and eating behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The interaction between high physical performance under extreme conditions in military and the simultaneous control of the cognitive executive functioning has been a subject of research in literature for the past few decades. Stroop test and Heart-rate variability (HRV), have been verified valuable clinical tools for the assessment of cerebral and autonomic/ cardiovascular stress responses respectively. Thirty-four subjects were enrolled in this study. Of them, 18 were candidates under intense preparation for their enlistment in the Hellenic Navy SEALs (HN-SEALs) and 16 were healthy controls (HC). All subjects underwent stroop tasks, along with mental state and personality examination. HRV variables in time and frequency domains recordings were acquired, during each aforementioned cognitive testing procedure. Our results showed that HNS's performance on both cognitive and emotion stroop tasks were equivalent to controls (p ≥.054); however, HNS exhibited statistically significant lower levels of HRV in different time and frequency domain variables, compared to HC (ranged from p <.01 to p <.05). Finally, in a between group comparison of the psychometric tools, HNS had significantly higher somatization, anxiety and neuroticism than HC. In conclusion, these findings indicate that HNS display flexibility in their autonomic regulation during cognitive and emotional tasks. This characteristic is closely related to problem solving or adaptability skills. Therefore, we support that HRV measurement turns out to be an invaluable tool for both scientific and clinical insights, promising to be an index regarding the psychophysiological resilience especially in the neurovisceral integration (NVI) model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]