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Gomes-Santos, JAF, Lambertucci, RH, Vardaris, CV, Passos, MEP, Silva-Junior, EP, Hatanaka, E, Gorjão, R, McAnulty, SR, Souza-Junior, TP, and Barros, MP. Early signs of inflammation with mild oxidative stress in Mixed Martial Arts athletes after simulated combat. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 180–186, 2022—Combat sports involve a combination of strenuous physical activity, usually at the anaerobic threshold, followed by intermittent low-intensity recovery periods for energy re-establishment. Oxidative stress and inflammation are inevitable exercise-related processes that could drastically affect athletic performance and practitioners' health, unless efficiently controlled during and after physical activities. This study aims to measure oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers in the plasma of 12 top ranked professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMAs) athletes before and after simulated combats under official rules (pre-post study). Our results show that the athletes exhibited mild oxidative imbalances in plasma, evidenced by significant (p < 0.01) higher contents of both reduced (+7.3%) and oxidized glutathione (+28%), uric acid (+21%), and "free" iron (+21%) after combat, whereas variation tendencies (0.05 < p < 0.01) were observed in the antioxidant capacity in plasma (−40%), and SOD (−27%) or GPX (+20%) antioxidant activities in erythrocytes. However, a clear pro-inflammatory state was detected by increases in circulating cytokines IL-6 (+6,020%), IL-1β (+4,357%), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (+63%), and by an abrupt drop of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (−98%). A significant correlation was observed between pre-post variations of IL-6 and GSH/GSSG ratio in plasma (p < 0.0001), which reinforces the integration between oxidative stress and inflammation during MMA combats. Considering metabolic and mechanical stresses (imposed by combat techniques, e.g., punches and joint locks), this study indicates pre-existing inflammation, although minor oxidative stress, in MMA professionals after combat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of melatonin on the onset and resolution of the oxidative stress in the cardiac muscle in melatonin-treated and nontreated rats subjected to an exhaustive exercise session. Forty male rats were divided into: melatonin-treated (20 mg/kg supplemented for 10 d) and control. On the 10th day, each group was subdivided according to euthanasia moments: control or melatonin-treated not exercised (C0h and M0h); immediately after the exercise (CIA and MIA); and 2 h after exercise (C2h and M2h). The heart of animals was removed and the levels of oxidative stress index (OSI) and the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl, and the activities of aconitase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were evaluated. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and the protein expression of CAT, GPx, and SOD was also measured. Our data revealed significant differences on: (i) OSI (p=.029), CAT activity (p=.016), CAT content (p<.001), GPx content (p=.014), reduced glutathione levels (p<.001), and aconitase activity (p<.001) for interaction of melatonin; (ii) GPx activity (p=.005), reduced glutathione (p=.004), protein carbonyl (p=.035), and TBARS levels (p=.028) between groups, and (iii) TBARS levels (p=.016) for significance between moments. Although the exhaustive exercise protocol imposed mild oxidative stress on the cardiac tissue of rats, melatonin induced antioxidant responses that rebalanced the redox status of the cardiac tissue, especially after exhaustive exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review outlines the various factors associated with unhealthy aging which includes becoming frail and dependent. With many people not engaging in recommended exercise, facilitators and barriers to engage with exercise must be investigated to promote exercise uptake and adherence over the lifespan for different demographics, including the old, less affluent, women, and those with different cultural-ethnic backgrounds. Governmental and locally funded public health messages and environmental facilitation (gyms, parks etc.) can play an important role. Studies have shown that exercise can act as a conductor to balance oxidative stress, immune and endocrine functions together to promote healthy aging and reduce the risk for age-related morbidities, such as cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis, and promote cognition and mood over the lifespan. Like a classic symphony orchestra, consisting of four groups of related musical instruments – the woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings – the aging process should also perform in harmony, with compassion, avoiding the aggrandizement of any of its individual parts during the presentation. This review discusses the wide variety of molecular, cellular and endocrine mechanisms (focusing on the steroid balance) underlying this process and their interrelationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]