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Michalickova, D, Minic, R, Kotur-Stevuljevic, J, Andjelkovic, M, Dikic, N, Kostic-Vucicevic, M, Slanar, O, and Djordjevic, B. Changes in parameters of oxidative stress, immunity, and behavior in endurance athletes during a preparation period in winter.J Strength Cond Res34(10): 2965-2973, 2020-The current study monitored markers of immunological and oxidative status in 9 male elite endurance athletes: V?o(2)max: 68 +/- 11 ml center dot kg(-1)center dot min(-1), age: 24 +/- 2.5 years, and training loads: 128 +/- 21 metabolic equivalents-h center dot wk(-1)during a 3-month preparation period in winter (January-March). Self-rated state of moods evaluation (by Profile of Mood States questionnaire) was performed, and blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the study. Spectrophotometric methods and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used for parameters' determination. The level of concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was increased (562 [147-852] vs. 1,097 [451-1842] pg center dot ml(-1),p= 0.013). Also, the level of transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-beta 1) in serum was elevated (2.5 [1.4-5.1] vs. 7.2 [4.9-8.2] ng center dot ml(-1),p= 0.015). There was no change in the level of peptidoglycan (PGN)-stimulated interleukin (IL)-10 from PBMCs. There were no significant changes in PBMCs proliferation/viability on stimulation with ConA and PGN during the study. No changes in superoxide dismutase, prooxidative-antioxidative balance, total oxidant status (TOS), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were observed along the study. Total antioxidant status (TAS) was increased (910 +/- 174 vs. 1,090 +/- 102 mu mol center dot L-1,p= 0.018), and activity of paraoxonase (PON1) was decreased (523 +/- 295 vs. 335 +/- 183 U center dot L-1,p= 0.003) at the end of the study. Advanced oxidation protein products were increased (25 +/- 7.9 vs. 42 +/- 7.6 mu mol center dot L-1,p= 0.011). The self-rated sense of vigor significantly declined (20 +/- 2.1 vs. 14 +/- 3.4,p= 0.045). In conclusion, 3 months of regular training in winter induced prominent changes in cytokines, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and antioxidative enzyme activity. These changes might increase susceptibility of athletes to disease and muscle damage and consequently lead to performance reduction.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted, in order to evaluate if Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti® L10 (Lallemand Health Solutions, Montreal, Canada) supplementation during three months could influence oxidative markers in the population of elite athletes: triathletes, cyclists and endurance athletes. Twenty-two elite athletes were randomized to either placebo (n = 12) or probiotic (n = 10) groups. The probiotic group received 2x1010 colony forming units of Lafti® L10. Before and after the supplementation serum samples were collected. Markers of oxidative stress and anti-oxidative defense: superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase (PON), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance, oxidative stress index, bilirubin, uric acid and albumin were determined in serum. Parameters of lipid status, as well as susceptibility to copper-induced oxidation of LDL particles in vitro were also determined. There was a significant interaction effect for MDA (p = 0.039), with a decrease in MDA in the probiotic group only (p = 0.049). There was a significant interaction effect for AOPP (p = 0.037), with a significant decrease in the probiotic group (p = 0.045). Interaction effect for SOD was approaching to formal significance (p = 0.108) and the post-hoc test showed a significant decrease in the probiotic group (p = 0.041) only. A significant correlation between AOPP and SOD (p = 0.012, r = -0.40) was found in the probiotic group at the end of the study. PON1 activity was decreased in both the probiotic (p = 0.032) and placebo group (p = 0.035). No significant changes in the remainder of the evaluated parameters were noted. In conclusion, probiotic strain Lafti® L10 exerts certain antioxidant potential, but further research is needed.

Background/Aim. It is well known that continuous engagement in physical activity is important for normal growth and development of children. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), as a measure of functional state of the organism, is largely affected by level of physical activity, but it remains unclear to what extent it can be improved during childhood. The aim of the study was to evaluate dynamics of changes in aerobic capacity, anthropometric and body composition characteristics in active and non-active girls over a period of 3 years. Methods. A total of 48 young girls were included in the study. Girls were divided into 2 groups: training group consisted of 25 girls who played basketball (age 13.84 ? 0.94) and non-training group of 23 girls who were not involved in any organized sports (age 13.83 ? 0.98). Anthropometric and body composition characteristics were measured in order to monitor somatic growth during the study. VO2maxvalues were obtained by performing cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill. All parameters were measured every 6 months during 3-years period. Results. ANOVA analysis showed a significant time and group interaction effect on VO2max (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001) and fat percentage (FAT%) (p < 0.01). Also, there was an obvious increase in VO2max within both groups due to growth and development itself (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The main finding of the study was an increase in VO2max due to growth and development. The girls who actively participated in basketball had higher level of aerobic capacity compared to non-active girls. Furthermore, continuous basketball training led to maintaining normal body composition in terms of FAT% and BMI, which altogether may imply that organized physical activity has a positive influence on evaluated characteristics.

To test the influence of probiotic supplementation on humoral immune response, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Thirty athletes (24 males and 6 females, females: (V)over dotO(2)max 38.2 +/- 4.9 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), age 23.2 +/- 1.4 years; males: (V)over dotO(2)max 57.5 +/- 9.2 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), age 24.0 +/- 2.4 years, mean +/- SD) were randomized either to the probiotic group (Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10, 2 x 10(10) colony-forming units) or to the placebo group. Serum and saliva samples were collected at the baseline and after 14 weeks. Total and specific antibacterial antibody levels of IgM, IgG, and IgA classes were determined for different bacteria in the serum, and in saliva, total and specific antibacterial IgA levels were examined. Total IgM was elevated in both probiotic (18%, 15-20%; mean, 90% confidence interval; p = 0.02) and placebo group (35%, 22-47%; p = 0.02), without observed differences in changes between the groups. No significant changes in IgM levels specific for tested bacteria were found. Total IgG level was constant in both groups. A significant (16%, 22.8 to 35%, p = 0.04) reduction of anti-Enterococcus faecalis IgG was noted in the placebo group, in comparison with the probiotic group. There was a substantial decrease in total IgA level in the placebo group, when measured either in serum (15%, 12-18%, p = 0.04) or in saliva (35%, -1.4 to 53%, p = 0.03). Significantly reduced levels of serum anti-lactic acid bacteria IgA antibodies in the placebo group compared with the probiotic group were detected for Lactobacillus rhamnosus LA68 (24%, 5.8-42%, p = 0.02) and for L. rhamnosus LB64 (15%, 2.7-27%, p = 0.02). Probiotic administration could have beneficial effects on systemic humoral and mucosal immune responses. This is peer-reviewed version of the following article: Michalickova, D. M.; Kostic-Vucicevic, M. M.; Vukasinovic-Vesic, M. Dj.; Stojmenovic, T. B.; Dikic, N. V.; Andjelkovic, M. S.; Djordjevic, B. I.; Tanaskovic, B. P.; Minic, R. D. Lactobacillus Helveticus Lafti L10 Supplementation Modulates Mucosal and Humoral Immunity in Elite Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2017, 31 (1), 62–70. [https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001456]

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate if Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10 (Lallemand Health Solutions, Montreal, Que., Canada) supplementation during 14 weeks in winter can influence the duration, severity, and incidence of upper respiratory tract illness (URTI), as well as to monitor different immune parameters in the population of elite athletes. Before and after the treatment, cardiopulmonary testing and self-rated state of moods evaluation (by Profile of Mood States questionnaire) were performed and blood samples were collected. Thirty-nine elite athletes were randomized either to the placebo (n = 19) or the probiotic (n = 20) group. The probiotic group received L. helveticus Lafti L10, 2 x 10(10) Colony Forming Units. Lafti L10 significantly shortened the URTI episode duration (7.25 +/- 2.90 vs. 10.64 +/- 4.67 days, p = 0.047) and decreased the number of symptoms in the probiotic group (4.92 +/- 1.96 vs. 6.91 +/- 1.22, p = 0.035). Severity and incidence of URTI did not differ between the treatments. There were no significant changes in leukocyte subpopulation abundance, transforming growth factor-beta serum levels, level of interleukin-10 secreted from peptidoglican stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), interferon-gamma level secreted from concanavalin A-stimulated PBMCs or viability/proliferation of PBMCs upon antigen stimulation. Group effect for CD4+/CD8+ ratio was significant (F-[1,F-37] = 6.99, p = 0.020, eta(2) = 0.350); this difference was not significant at baseline, but was evident after 14 weeks (p = 0.02). A significant interaction effect was noted for self-rated sense of vigor (F-[1,F-37] = 11.76, p = 0.009, eta(2) = 0.595). Self-rated sense of vigor increased in the probiotic group (18.5 +/- 4.1 vs. 21.0 +/- 2.6, p = 0.012). Probiotic strain Lafti L10 can be a beneficial nutritional supplement for the reduction of URTI length in elite athletes. This is the peer-reviewed version of the following article: Michalickova, D.; Minić, R.; Dikić, N.; Anđelković, M.; Kostić-Vučićević, M.; Stojmenović, T.; Nikolić, I.; Đorđević, B. Lactobacillus Helveticus Lafti L10 Supplementation Reduces Respiratory Infection Duration in a Cohort of Elite Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism 2016, 41 (7), 782–789. [https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0541].

Objectives Food intolerance implies different health problems caused by certain foods. It is known that 2%−20% humans have this problem. Despite that, the food intolerance stays unrecognised in many cases. Generally, physical activity makes a lot of benefits for people health. On the other hand, very hard training, as in the case of the professional athletes, has bad influence on the immunity, such as increment of gastrointestinal barrier (GI) permeability. There are the studies that show presence of high sensitivity to food intolerance in elite athletes. It is apparently that extreme physical activity is one of the reasons. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of food intolerance on sports performance and health in elite athletes. Methods This was an experimental longitudinal study in the duration of 3 months. There were 12 men (mean ± SD; age 25 ± 7 years) and 10 women (age 25 ± 4 years) in the study. The participations were professional athletes, with training more than 10 hours per week. At the beginning of the study the athletes had to fill AQUA (Allergy Questionnaire for Athletes) and GSRS (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale) questionnaires. After that, they were underwent to food intolerance test from cubital vein blood, medical examination and maximal cardiopulmonary testing. This procedures, including AQUA and GSRS, were done again at the end of the study. The individual elimination diet based on food intolerance test was made for the athletes. All of them were on diet for 3 months. Results There wasn’t significant change in total GSRS score (p = 0.05) after diet, but syndrome indigestion score was significantly lowered (p = 0.01). The scores of AQUA were significant different at the beginning and at the end of the study (p = 0.0009). The blood analysis showed declining level of the food intolerance for each athlete. There was significant change in body composition of the athletes. Namely, the fat percent (FAT%) was significantly lowered (p = 0.0008) after the elimination diet. There wasn’t change in weight of the athletes (p = 0.06). Heart rate (HR) after cardiopulmonary testing was measured for the first 3 minutes. There was significant difference in HR at the second (p = 0.02) and the third (p = 0.006) minute. At the end of the study HR at the second and the third minute was lowered. The flexibility of the athletes, received by sit and reach test, was better after the diet (p = 0.001). Conclusions Our data shows that sports performances and health in elite athletes depend on food intolerance in many ways. The elimination diet for 3 months significantly improved health, body composition and faster lowering HR after cardiopulmonary testing. References Pasha I, Saeed F, Sultan, MT, Batool R, Aziz M, Ahmed, WWWW. WWWWheat allergy & intolerance; Recent updates and perspectives. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 2016: 56 (1):13–24. Karsten K, Frank-Christoph M, Christian P. The immunomodulatory effects of physical activity. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 22. 2016: PMID: 27000826. LomerMC. Review article: the aetiology, diagnosis, mechanisms and clinical evidence for food intolerance. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 2015: 41 (3):262–275. Vandenplas Y. Debates in allergy medicine: food intolerance does exist. World Allergy Organ J 2015: 8 :36. doi: 10.1186/s40413-015-0087-7. Van Wijck K, Lenaerts K, Van Loon LJ, Peters, WH, Buurman WA, DejongCH. Exercise-induced splanchnic hypoperfusion results in gut dysfunction in healthy men. PLoS ONE 2011: 6 (7):e22366. Volpi N, Maccari F. Serum IgG responses to food antigens in the Italian population evaluated by highly sensitive and specific ELISA test. J Immunoassay Immunochem 2008: 30 (1):51–69.