Search

Running economy (RE), expresses the relationship between the energy cost of running (Cr) and the work performed by a runner and is an predictor of performance. Given the intense effort of marathon runners during training and competition and the dearth of studies that address performance and cytokines in this population, the objective of the current study was to investigate the relationship between RE and cytokines in marathon runners.

Background: Although important information concerning COVID-19 vaccination is available, the effects of the CoronaVac and ChadOx-1 vaccines on immunity and the redox balance in the upper airway mucosa of the aged population are not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of two doses of the CoronaVac or ChadOx-1 vaccine on immune/inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the airway mucosa of older adults., Methods: Seventy-six older adults of both sexes, with a mean age of 75.1 ± 6.4 years, were separated according to vaccination status into the CoronaVac (n = 52) and ChadOx-1 (n = 24) groups. Saliva samples were collected before (pre) and 30 days after (post) the administration of the second dose of the CoronaVac or ChadOx-1 vaccine to assess the levels of antibodies (sIgA and IgG), antimicrobial peptides, cytokines, and oxidant/antioxidant agents., Results: The immunogenicity in the ChadOx-1 group was 37.5% for sIgA and 25% for IgG, while that in the CoronaVac group was 18.9% for sIgA and 13.2% for IgG. Intergroup analysis revealed that (1) lower levels of IFN-α, IFN-γ, and IL-10 and a greater IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio, in addition to a greater IL-6/IL-10 ratio, were found in both the pre- and postvaccination periods, and (2) lower levels of total sIgA, IL-12p70, IL-17A, TNF-α, and the IL-12p70/IL-10 ratio, in addition to higher levels of specific sIgA for SARS-CoV-2 antigens and lysozyme, were observed only in the postvaccination period in the ChadOx-1 group than in the CoronaVac group. Intragroup analysis revealed (1) a significant increase in the salivary levels of total peroxides in the postvaccination period compared to those in the prevaccination period in both volunteer groups; (2) a decrease in the levels of lysozyme and the ratio between total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total peroxides in the postvaccination period in the CoronaVac group compared with those in the prevaccination period; and (3) decreases in the TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12p70 levels, and the IL-12p70/IL-10 ratio in the ChadoX-1 group, as well as a higher lactoferrin concentration in the postvaccination period than in the prevaccination period. Several positive and negative correlations between the parameters assessed here were found., Conclusions: In general, the ChadOx-1 group exhibited improvements in both immune/inflammatory responses and redox balance and greater immunogenicity than did the CoronaVac group., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Oxidative stress is an important factor in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) harbors paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), key enzymes in the protection against the harmful effects of oxidative stress. Although exercise training can increase both HDL-c content and its antioxidant action, and glutamine (Gln) intake also promotes GPx-based defenses, the association between exercise training and Gln in the regulation of PON-1 activity was not explored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Gln supplementation on the redox balance and on the total HDL antioxidant capacity by evaluation of the activity of PON-1 and GPx enzymes in physically exercised elderly individuals compared to non-exercised ones., Methods: Fifty-one practitioners of a combined exercise training program (CET, age: 71.9 ± 5.7 years) and 32 non-practitioners (NP, age: 73 ± 6.3 years) participated in the study. CET and NP groups were separated into 2 subgroups according to the supplementation: Gln, 0.3 g/kg/day + 10 g maltodextrin (CET-Gln, n = 26; and NP-Gln, n = 16) or placebo, 10 g maltodextrin (CET-PL, n = 25; and NP-PL, n = 16). Blood samples were drawn at baseline and after 30 days after commencement of the supplementation for biochemical and enzyme activity analyses., Results: Increased HDL-c, total peroxidase (PRx), and GPx activities were found in both CET-Gln and NP-Gln after the supplementation period, compared to baseline, in opposition to CET-PL and NP-PL groups. PON-1 activity increased only in CET-Gln. In both CET-Gln and NP-Gln groups, there was a reduction of the total peroxides/PRx, iron/PRx, and total peroxides/GPX ratios after supplementation. In CET-Gln, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)/PRx and TBARS/GPx ratios were also lower after supplementation. CET-Gln and CET-PL subgroups had lower glycemia than NP-Gln and NP-PL, either at baseline or after the supplementation periods. The other parameters were unchanged after supplementation [total cholesterol, LDL-c, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, total peroxides, TBARS, iron serum, Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and uric acid]., Conclusions: Gln supplementation can increase glutathione peroxidase activity regardless the individuals were physically active or sedentary, but the PON-1 activity only increased in physically active individuals. These results show the potential of Gln supplementation in the maintenance of the vascular redox balance, with potential implications for atherogenesis protection., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Chronic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a trigger factor for the development of immunosenescence and negatively impacts the immune response to influenza virus vaccination (IVV) in older adults. However, the role of physical exercise training in this context is unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the regular practice of combined exercise training can improve the specific antibody response to IVV in CMV-seropositive older adults. Eighty older adults were distributed into two groups-non-practitioners (NP, n = 31, age = 74.06 ± 6.4 years) and practitioners of combined exercise training (CET, n = 49, age = 71.7 ± 5.8 years)-for at least 12 months. Both volunteer groups were submitted to IVV and blood samples were collected before (pre) and 30 days after (post) the vaccination. Concerning the specific antibody response to IVV, higher serum levels of specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) were found in the CET group post- than pre-vaccination ( p < 0.01), whereas higher levels of specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) were observed both in the NP ( p < 0.05) and CET ( p < 0.001) groups post-vaccination as compared to the pre-vaccination values. Serum levels of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) for IVV and CMV, as well as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-10, were similar between the time points evaluated. However, the IL-10/IL-6 ratio post-vaccination was higher ( p < 0.05) in the CET group than that before vaccination. Negative correlations were observed between the specific IgG levels for IVV and CMV only in the CET group, both pre- and post-vaccination. In addition, negative correlations were found between IL-10 and specific IgG for CMV in all volunteer groups pre- and post-vaccination, whereas a positive correlation between IL-10 and specific-IgG for IVV pre- and post-vaccination was observed in the CET group. In addition, with the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay, it was found that 32.2% of the NP group and 32.6% of the CET group were responders to IVV and displayed reductions in the CMV serostatus ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively) and increases in naive and effector CD8 + T cells post-vaccination ( p < 0.01). However, only the responders from the CET group showed significant reductions in the ratio of effector to naive CD8 + T cells ( p < 0.05) and increased IL-10 levels post-vaccination ( p < 0.001). In summary, this study demonstrates that the improvement in the response to IVV in CMV-seropositive older adults was related to an anti-inflammatory status and enhancement of naive CD8 + T cells, particularly associated with regular practice of CET., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Felismino, Santos, Rossi, Santos, Durigon, Oliveira, Thomazelli, Monteiro, Sperandio, Apostólico, França, Amaral, Amirato, Vieira, Vaisberg and Bachi.)

Background: Although glutamine is able to improve the immune response, its action in the upper airway immunity against the influenza virus vaccine remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the L-glutamine supplementation effect on the mucosal immune/inflammatory response of elderly subjects vaccinated against the influenza virus., Methods: Saliva sampling from 83 physically active elderly volunteers were collected pre- and 30 days after influenza virus vaccination and supplementation with L-glutamine (Gln, n = 42) or placebo (PL, n = 41)., Results: Gln group showed higher salivary levels of interleukin (IL)-17, total secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), and specific-SIgA post-vaccination than values found pre-vaccination and in the PL group post-vaccination. Whereas higher salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were observed post-vaccination in the Gln group, IL-37 levels were lower post-vaccination in both groups than the values pre-vaccination. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were unchanged. Positive correlations between IL-6 and IL-10 were found in all volunteer groups pre- and post-vaccination and also between IL-17 and IL-6 or IL-10 in the Gln group post-vaccination. A negative correlation between IL-37 and IL-10 was found pre- and post-vaccination in the PL group., Conclusion: Gln supplementation was able to modulate salivary cytokine profile and increase SIgA levels, both total and specific to the influenza virus vaccine, in physically active elderly subjects.

At present, it is unclear which exercise-induced factors, such as myokines, could diminish the negative impact of the reduction in pulmonary function imposed by the exercise in question. In this study, we aim to evaluate the prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and also to investigate the effect of myokines in the performance of marathon runners presenting EIB or not. Thirty-eight male recreational marathon runners (age 38.8 [33-44], height 175.7 [172.0-180.3]; weight 74.7 [69.3-81.6]) participated in this study, and through spirometry tests, a prevalence of 23.6% of EIB was found, which is in agreement with the literature. The volunteers who tested positive to EIB (EIB+) presented lower maximum aerobic capacity compared to those who tested negative (EIB-) (EIB+ 44.02 [39.56-47.02] and EIB- 47.62 [44.11-51.18] p = 0.03). The comparison of plasma levels of IL-1β (EIB+ p = 0.296, EIB- p = 0.176, EIB+ vs. EIB- baseline p = 0.190 immediately after p = 0.106), IL-4 (undetectable), IL-6 (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB- p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB- baseline p = 0.301 immediately after p = 0.614), IL-8 (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB- p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB- baseline p = 0.110 immediately after p = 0.453), IL-10 (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB- p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB- baseline p = 0.424 immediately after p = 0.876) and TNF-α (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB- p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB- baseline p = 0.141 immediately after p = 0.898) were similar in both groups 24 h before and immediately after the marathon. However, negative correlations were found between the marathon finishing time and the levels of IL-8 (r = -0.81, p = 0.022), and IL-10 (r = -0.97, p ≤ 0.001) immediately after completing the marathon. In conclusion, for the first time, it is shown that the myokines IL-8 and IL-10 are related to improvement of the performance of marathon runners presenting EIB.

Although regular combined aerobic-resistance exercises can ameliorate the inflammatory status and redox balance in elderly population, it is unclear whether protein or specific amino acid supplementation could improve such benefits. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the inflammatory status and redox indexes through of the saliva of 34 elderly subject nonpractitioners (NP group, 73.3 ± 6.6 years) and 49 elderly subject practitioners of a combined-exercise training in moderate intensity (CET group, 71.9 ± 5.8 years) before (pre) and after (post) 30 days of supplementation with L-glutamine (Gln) or placebo (PL). Our results showed that, both in pre- and postsupplementation, the salivary levels of nitric oxide (NO · ) and TNF- α were lower, whereas the levels of uric acid and IL-10 (as well as IL-10/TNF- α ratio) were higher in the CET groups than in the NP groups. In postsupplementation, both groups supplemented with Gln (NP-Gln and CET-Gln) showed higher salivary uric acid levels compared to baseline. In addition, lower NO · levels were found in the CET-Gln group postsupplementation than presupplementation values. Whereas the CET-Gln group showed lower GSH levels postsupplementation, NP-Gln subjects showed lower GSSG levels at the same time point, both compared to baseline. Interestingly, salivary peroxidase activity was lower only in NP groups (NP-PL and NP-Gln) postsupplementation than baseline values. A positive significant correlation between salivary peroxidase activity and GSH levels, and also between salivary peroxidase activity and uric acid levels were observed in the CET-Gln group both pre- and postsupplementation. No differences were found in albumin, total antioxidant activity (TEAC), and reducing power analysis between groups, pre- or postsupplementation. In conclusion, the elderly subjects from the CET group showed a better inflammatory response and redox balance and, for the first time, it was shown that daily supplementation with Gln for 30 days can improve these benefits with putative association with a healthy aging., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests., (Copyright © 2020 Ewin B. Almeida et al.)

Although regular exercise-training improves immune/inflammatory status, the influence of air pollutants exposure during outdoor endurance training compared to a sedentary lifestyle has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to compare the immune/inflammatory responses in the airways of street runners and sedentary people after acute and chronic particulate matter (PM) exposure. Forty volunteers (street runners (RUN, n = 20); sedentary people (SED, n = 20)) were evaluated 1 (acute) and 10 (chronic) weeks after PM exposure. Cytokines [interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17A] in nasal lavage fluid, salivary antibacterial peptides (lactoferrin (LTF), cathelicidin (LL-37), defensin-α 1-3), and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), plasma club cell protein (CC16), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were analyzed. After acute exposure, the RUN group showed lower levels of IL-13, IL-10, and FeNO, but higher defensin-α than the SED group. After chronic exposure, the RUN group showed elevation of IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-17A, and a decrease of FeNO levels, whereas the SED group showed elevation of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and a decrease of IL-13 levels. Comparing these groups, the RUN group showed higher levels of SIgA and LTF, and lower FeNO levels than the SED group. In relation to the Th immune response analysis after acute and chronic PM exposure, the RUN group showed a pattern associated with Th1, while in the SED group, a Th2 pattern was found. Both groups showed also a Th17 immune response pattern. Our results allow us to suggest that the immune/inflammatory status of the respiratory tract after acute and chronic PM exposure was improved by the long-standing regular practice of outdoor endurance exercise compared to a sedentary lifestyle.

Cardiovascular benefits for the general population of combined aerobic-resistance exercise training are well-known, but the impact of this exercise training modality on the plasma lipid, inflammatory, and antioxidant status in elderly women that are exposed to a great risk of developing ischemic cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases has not been well investigated. So, we aimed to evaluate the plasma lipids, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines in 27 elderly women (TRAINED group, 69.1 ± 8.1 yrs) that were performing moderate intensity combined aerobic-resistance exercise training (3 times/week for at least 18 months) and in 27 sedentary elderly women (SED group, 72.0 ± 6.4 yrs), not submitted to exercise training for at least 5 yrs. Our results showed that BMI was lower in the TRAINED group than in the SED group (25.1 ± 3.2 vs. 28.7 ± 5.1, p < 0.05). The TRAINED group had lower glycemia (92 ± 3 vs. 118 ± 12, p < 0.05), glycated hemoglobin (5.9 ± 0.1 vs. 6.4 ± 0.2, p < 0.05), and triglycerides (98 (75-122) vs. 139 (109-214), p < 0.01); equal total cholesterol (199 (175-230) vs. 194 (165-220)), LDL-cholesterol (108 (83-133) vs. 109 (98-136)), and non-HDL-cholesterol (54 (30-74) vs. 62 (26-80)); and also higher HDL-cholesterol (64 (52-77) vs. 52 (44-63), p < 0.01) and LDL-C/oxLDL ratio (13378 ± 2570 vs. 11639 ± 3113, p < 0.05) compared to the SED group. Proinflammatory cytokines as IL-1 β (11.31 ± 2.4 vs. 28.01 ± 4.7, p < 0.05), IL-6 (26.25 ± 7.4 vs. 49.41 ± 17.8, p < 0.05), and TNF- α (25.72 ± 2.8 vs. 51.73 ± 4.2, p < 0.05) were lower in the TRAINED group than in the SED group. The TRAINED group had lower total peroxides (26.3 ± 7.4 vs. 49.0 ± 17.8, p < 0.05) and oxidized LDL (1551 ± 50.33 vs. 1773 ± 74, p < 0.02) and higher total antioxidant capacity (26.25 ± 7.4 vs. 49.41 ± 17.8, p < 0.001) compared to the SED group. In conclusion, in TRAINED women, BMI was lower, plasma lipid profile was better, plasma oxidative stress was diminished, and there was less expression of proinflammatory interleukins than in SED, suggesting that combined aerobic-resistance exercise training may promote the protection against the complications of ischemic cardio- and cerebrovascular disease in elderly women., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests.

Background: Although Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) can benefit the immune status, the effects of LcS in the immune/inflammatory responses of marathon runners has never been evaluated. Therefore, here we evaluated the effect of daily ingestion of fermented milk containing or not LcS in the systemic and upper airway immune/inflammatory responses before and after a marathon., Methods: Forty-two male marathon runners ingested a fermented milk containing 40 billion of LcS/day (LcS group, n = 20) or placebo (unfermented milk, n = 22) during 30 days pre-marathon. Immune/inflammatory parameters in nasal mucosa and serum, as well as concentrations of secretory IgA (SIgA) and antimicrobial peptides in saliva, were evaluated before and after fermented milk ingestion, immediately, 72 h, and 14 d post-marathon., Results: Higher proinflammatory cytokine levels in serum and nasal mucosa, and also lower salivary levels of SIgA and antimicrobial peptides, were found immediately post-marathon in the placebo group compared to other time points and to LcS group. In opposite, higher anti-inflammatory levels and reduced neutrophil infiltration on nasal mucosa were found in the LcS group compared to other time points and to the placebo group., Conclusion: For the first time, it is shown that LcS is able to modulate the systemic and airways immune responses post-marathon.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the inflammatory profile and mood states in the different phases of the menstrual cycle in soccer players with and without premenstrual syndrome (PMS)., Methods: Data on the menstrual cycle and mood states were collected using the Daily Symptom Report and the Brunel Mood Scale. Cytokine and stress hormone concentrations were measured in urine by flow cytometry before and after a game in the luteal phase and in the follicular phase of one menstrual cycle., Results: In all, 59.6% of the athletes had PMS. The PMS group showed higher concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 than the athletes without PMS. After the game, IL-6 decreased in the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The tumor necrosis factor-α levels were higher in the group without PMS during the post-game follicular phase than before the game. In the PMS group, tension was higher in the follicular phase before the game and depression was higher in the pre-game luteal phase than in the group without PMS. The PMS group also presented a negative correlation between depression and IL-10 levels in the pre-game follicular phase. Finally, in the pre-game luteal phase were found positive correlations between growth hormone and IL-10., Conclusion: PMS influences the inflammatory condition related to mood states and stress hormones in female soccer players., (© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective  To investigate the level of anxiety and its relationship with interleukin (IL)-10 (anti inflammatory cytokine that modulates mood swings) in a group of female soccer players. Methods  Fifty-two eumenorrheic soccer players were evaluated (age 19.8 ± 4.7 years). The presence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and phases of the menstrual cycle were determined by a daily symptom report (DSR) kept for 3 consecutive months. The concentration of cytokine IL-10 was determined from urine samples collected at four moments: at the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, and before (pre) and after (post) the simulated game, and it was quantified by flow cytometry (Luminex xMAP - EMD Millipore, Billerica, MA, USA). The level of anxiety was determined through the BAI anxiety questionnaire answered by all athletes at the same time of the urine collection. The Student t -test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation with significance level at 5% were used for data analysis. Results  We showed that the prevalence of PMS among female soccer players is similar to that reported in the literature. In addition, we showed that the group with PMS has a higher level of anxiety compared with group without PMS ( p  = 0.002). Interleukin-10 analysis in players without PMS revealed that there was a significant decrease in the level of this cytokine before the game during the luteal phase when compared with the follicular phase ( p  < 0.05). The correlation analysis between IL-10 and anxiety showed a negative correlation post-game in the luteal phase in the group without PMS ( p  = 0.02; r = -0.50) and a positive correlation post-game in the luteal phase in PMS group ( p  = 0.04; r = 0.36). Conclusion  Our results suggest that IL-10 may contribute to reduce anxiety in the group without PMS. This could be attributed to the fact that no IL-10 variation was observed in the group with PMS, which presented higher anxiety symptoms when compared with the group without PMS., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interests: Study developed at Escola Paulista de Medicina – Universidade Federal de São Paulo – UNIFESP – São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Authors declare no conflict of interest., (Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.)

Objective: To conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of a 12-week aerobic exercise program for migraine prevention, plasma cytokines concentrations (TNF-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12p70), and anxiety in women with migraine., Methods: Women with episodic migraine (ICHD-II), aged between 20 and 50 years, who had never taken any prophylactic medication, and were physically inactive in the past 12 months were recruited from the university's hospital and a tertiary headache clinic between March 2012 and March 2015. Migraine attacks were recorded in headache diaries, cytokines were quantified by flow cytometry, and anxiety was assessed by the 7-item General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale. Blood sampling and psychometric interviews were undertaken on headache-free days., Results: Twenty participants ([mean ± SD] age 33.8 ± 10.5; BMI 26 ± 5.2) were randomly assigned and received intervention ("trained": n = 10) or entered on a waitlist ("inactive": n = 10). There were no differences between groups regarding patients' characteristics and baseline data. Days with migraine (p = 0.001), IL-12p70 levels (p = 0.036), and GAD-7 score (p = 0.034) were significantly reduced in the trained group after the intervention period, but there were no significant changes in these variables in the inactive group. There was no change in the levels of the other cytokines in either group. There were positive correlations between a reduction in IL-12p70 level and a reduction in the number of days with migraine (R2 = 0.19, p = 0.045), and GAD-7 score (R2 = 0.53, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: The clinical and psychological therapeutic effects of aerobic exercise in treatment-naïve women with migraine may involve the downregulation of IL-12p70., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

In this study, the effects of aerobic exercise on the upper airways and their defense mechanisms were investigated in athletes. The athletes ran in two different environments: the downtown streets of the city of São Paulo (Street), more polluted, and an urban forest (Forest), less polluted. Thirty-eight young healthy athletes ran for 45 min d -1 randomly during five consecutive days, with an interval of 48 h before changing environment. Clinical parameters and respiratory tract defense markers were evaluated before and after the first run on Mondays (1 d) and on Fridays (5 d). Street presented higher mean PM 2.5 concentrations (65.1  ±  39.1 µg m -3 , p  <  0.001) and lower temperature (22.0 °C, p  =  0.010) than Forest (22.6  ±  15.3 µg m -3 and 22.8 °C). After 1 d Street running, subjects showed an increment in heart rate (p  <  0.001). At day 5, there was twice the number of athletes with impaired nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) in the Street runners group when compared to the Forest runners group. Exhaled breath condensate pH values increased in the Forest group, with significant differences between groups in day 1 (p  =  0.006) and day 5 (p  <  0.001), despite the fact that both groups showed values within the normal range. After exposure to both environments, the number of cells in the nasal lavage fluid was reduced after exercise (p  =  0.014), without alterations in cell type and IL-8 and IL-10 concentrations. Aerobic exercise can either maintain or acutely enhance MCC and it may help to regulate inflammatory responses in the airways. Here we show that exercise practice in polluted outdoor environment, over a 5 d period, impairs MCC. In contrast, athletes running in the less polluted environment (Forest) show higher exhaled breath condensate pH values when compared to those who exercised in a more polluted environment (Street).

Background: During a session of prolonged and exhaustive exercise, such as a marathon race, large quantities of free radicals are produced and can oxidise (ox) several molecules, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL). To prevent oxidative damage, athletes present higher antioxidant levels. However, the effect of marathon running on the natural IgM or IgG anti-oxLDL autoantibodies is not understood. Thus, we investigated the effect of a marathon race on oxidative stress and the mechanisms of control of this stress., Methods: Blood samples of 20 marathon runners were collected 24 hours before, immediately and 72 hours after a marathon race to evaluate: plasma lipid profile; serum levels of oxLDL and anti-oxLDL autoantibodies (IgM and IgG isotype) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was also determined., Results: Immediately after the race, oxLDL and TAC levels decreased in comparison to the basal levels; however, the IgM or IgG anti-oxLDL levels remain unchanged. Whereas no differences were observed in the IgM or IgG anti-oxLDL levels 72h after the marathon, the oxLDL and TAC levels returned to the basal values. Significant positive correlations were observed between oxLDL and LDL-cholesterol before, and 72h after the marathon. Significant negative correlations were observed between oxLDL and VO2max immediately after the marathon and 72 h later, as well as between oxLDL and TAC 72 h after the race., Conclusions: Athletes with a higher VO2max and total antioxidant activity presented reduced LDL oxidation. The levels of IgM or IgG anti-oxLDL autoantibodies were not affected by running the marathon.

Objective: Sports practice alters the homeostasis of athletes. To achieve homeostatic equilibrium, the integrated action of the neuroendocrine and immune systems is necessary. Here we studied the relation between cytokines, hormones and mood states in marathon runners., Methods: A total of 20 male recreational marathon runners (mean age = 35.7 ± 9 years) and 20 male sedentary individuals (mean age = 35.5 ± 7 years) were recruited. We compared the serum levels of growth hormone (GH), cortisol and interleukins 8 and 10 and the amounts of these two cytokines spontaneously produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Blood samples of the sedentary group were collected at rest. Blood from the marathon runners was collected at rest (baseline: 24 h before the race), immediately after a marathon and 72 h after a marathon. Mood state analysis in both groups was performed using the 24-item Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS)., Results: Our results showed that, at rest, levels of interleukins 8 and 10 in the supernatant of culture cells, the serum concentration of GH, and tension and vigour (evaluated using the BRUMS), were significantly higher in athletes compared to sedentary people. Immediately after the race all serum parameters analysed were statistically higher than baseline values. At 72 h after the marathon, serum levels of hormones and interleukins returned to values at rest, but the concentrations of interleukins in the supernatant of culture cells showed a significant reduction compared to values at rest., Conclusion: The higher serum levels of GH in athletes at rest and the higher production of cytokines in culture without previous stimulus suggest that marathon runners present mechanisms that may be associated with preparing the body to perform prolonged strenuous exercise, such as a marathon., (© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Purpose: To identify and relate body fat percentage (skin fold measures), body mass index (BMI) and age at menarcheto aerobic capacity using the indirect VO₂ maximum value (VO₂ max) of girls in the second cycle of primary school., Methods: A total of 197 girls aged 13.0 ± 1.2 years on average, students from two public schools in the city of Atibaia in São Paulo, were evaluated. Anthropometric evaluation of skin folds was performed using the Slaughter protocol for teenage girls, and BMI (kg/m²) was based on "Z score" (graphic of percentile) according to WHO recommendations. The Léger protocol was used to determine VO₂ max. Pearson linear regression and the Student t-test were used for statistical analysis., Results: 22.3% of the girls were overweight and 3.5% were obese according to the classification proposed by the WHO; 140 (71.1%) girls reported menarche. The average age at menarche was 12.0 ± 1.0 years and was significantly higher in the group with normal BMI (12.2 ± 0.9 years) than in the overweight or obese groups (11.6 ± 1.0 years). The average indirect VO₂ max value was 39.6 ± 3.7 mL/kg/min, ranging from 30.3 to 50.5 mL/kg/min. The advance of chronological age and early age at menarche were positively correlated with lower VO₂ max values., Conclusions: This study showed that 25.8% of the girls had aBMI value above WHO recommendations. Girls with higher BMI and higher body fat percentage had lower VO₂ max. The earlier age at menarche and the advance of chronological age were the most important factors for the reduction of aerobic capacity. The ageat menarche was higher in girls with adequate BMI compared tooverweight or obese girls.

Immunosenescence is associated to aging and among many changes in immune response is reported a reduced response to vaccination and an increase in the number of cases of autoimmunity, caused by autoantibodies known as natural antibodies whose function, according to reports, would be protection against infection and inflammation. Although immunosenescence is an irreversible process, regular moderate exercise can attenuate some aspects of the decline in the immune system. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the humoral immune response in physically active elderly individuals before and 30 days after vaccination against influenza virus. The results showed that the percentage of individuals positive for antinuclear antibodies and serum immunoglobulin M and G levels after vaccination were higher in the group that exercised regularly than in the sedentary group. We were also able to demonstrate a significant correlation between levels of natural autoantibodies and response to vaccination.

Recently, many authors have proposed that mechanisms such as inflammation and/or allergies could be partly responsible for cases of upper respiratory tract illnesses that affect athletes after exhaustive exercise. Here we studied the kinetics of cytokines in the serum and nasal mucosa of athletes after a marathon. We were able to demonstrate an increase in serum levels of all interleukins studied immediately after the marathon in athletes that present or not with upper airways symptoms followed by a return to basal levels 72 hours after the race, as described in the literature. Interleukin (IL)-10 behaviour differed in the group of asymptomatic athletes. Measurement of this cytokine in protein extract of nasal mucosal cells showed increase 72 hours after the marathon. Levels of this cytokine in sera were increased at rest in athletes that did not present symptoms. These fin- dings suggest that the maintenance of a non-inflammatory environment in the mucosal airways is an active process that requires participation of the systemic and mucosal immune systems. We propose that the understanding of the upper airway disease of the athlete involves the study of mucosal and systemic immune systems.

Although exercise increases HDL-cholesterol, exercise-induced changes in HDL metabolism have been little explored. Lipid transfer to HDL is essential for HDL's role in reverse cholesterol transport. We investigated the effects of acute exhaustive exercise on lipid transfer to HDL. We compared plasma lipid, apolipoprotein and cytokine levels and in vitro transfer of four lipids from a radioactively labeled lipid donor nanoemulsion to HDL in sedentary individuals (n = 28) and in marathon runners (n = 14) at baseline, immediately after and 72 h after a marathon. While HDL-cholesterol concentrations and apo A1 levels were higher in marathon runners, LDL-cholesterol, apo B and triacylglycerol levels were similar in both groups. Transfers of non-esterified cholesterol [6.8 (5.7-7.2) vs. 5.2 (4.5-6), p = 0.001], phospholipids [21.7 (20.4-22.2) vs. 8.2 (7.7-8.9), p = 0.0001] and triacylglycerol [3.7 (3.1-4) vs. 1.3 (0.8-1.7), p = 0.0001] were higher in marathon runners, but esterified-cholesterol transfer was similar. Immediately after the marathon, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations and apo A1 levels were unchanged, but apo B and triacylglycerol levels increased. Lipid transfer of non-esterified cholesterol [6.8 (5.7-7.2) vs. 5.8 (4.9-6.6), p = 0.0001], phospholipids [21.7 (20.4-22.2) vs. 19.1 (18.6-19.3), p = 0.0001], esterified-cholesterol [3.2 (2.2-3.8) vs. 2.3 (2-2.9), p = 0.02] and triacylglycerol [3.7 (3.1-4) vs. 2.6 (2.1-2.8), p = 0.0001] to HDL were all reduced immediately after the marathon but returned to baseline 72 h later. Running a marathon increased IL-6 and TNF-α levels, but after 72 h these values returned to baseline. Lipid transfer, except esterified-cholesterol transfer, was higher in marathon runners than in sedentary individuals, but the marathon itself acutely inhibited lipid transfer. In light of these novel observations, further study is required to clarify how these metabolic changes can influence HDL composition and anti-atherogenic function.

Objective: It was the aim of this study to evaluate whether chronic pain in athletes is related to performance, measured by the maximum oxygen consumption and production of hormones and cytokines., Methods: Fifty-five athletes with a mean age of 31.9 +/- 4.2 years engaged in regular competition and showing no symptoms of acute inflammation, particularly fever, were studied. They were divided into 2 subgroups according to the occurrence of pain. Plasma concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, prolactin, growth hormone and dopamine were measured by radioimmunoassay, and the production of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-alpha and prostaglandin E(2) by whole-blood culture. Maximal oxygen consumption was determined during an incremental treadmill test., Results: There was no change in the concentration of stress hormones, but the athletes with chronic pain showed a reduction in maximum oxygen consumption (22%) and total consumption at the anaerobic threshold (25%), as well as increased cytokine production. Increases of 2.7-, 8.1-, 1.7- and 3.7-fold were observed for IL-1, IL-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-alpha, respectively., Conclusions: Our data show that athletes with chronic pain have enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines and lipid mediators and reduced performance in the ergospirometric test., ((c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective: To evaluate the effect of chronic moderate-intensity exercise upon the alterations of immune system cell function induced by energy restriction., Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: sedentary animals fed ad libitum (SF, N = 10) or submitted to energy restriction (SER, N = 10, receiving 50% of the mean amount of chow consumed by SF); and trained animals fed ad libitum (TF, N = 10) or submitted to energy restriction (TER, N = 10), who exercised on a treadmill (at 60-65%VO(2max) 5 d.wk(-1) for 10 wk(-1), after 30 d under the restriction protocol. The incorporation of [2-(14)C]-thymidine by lymphocytes obtained from the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes, plasma glucose and glutamine concentration, and cytokine production by cells cultivated in the presence of glutamine were measured in all groups, 24 h after the last exercise session. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's posttest were employed for the statistical analysis., Results: Training induced an increase in the proliferative response and in the production of gamma-interferon and interleukin-1 (P < 0.05) in cells from the spleen and lymph nodes of SER, in which these parameters were diminished when compared with SF (P < 0.05). SER spleen and lymph node cells produced more TNF (26 and 42%, respectively) and IL-2 (49 and 42%, respectively) than SF. The Th1-like diversion of the immune response observed in SER persisted after training. Partial recovery of the decreased SER plasma glutamine concentration and muscle glutamine synthase mRNA was observed., Conclusions: Training induced the recovery of the proliferative capacity of lymphocytes from SER, probably due to the partial restoration of plasma glutamine levels, but did not interfere with the diversion towards a Th1-type immune response induced by food restriction.

We studied the levels of membrane-bound and soluble-form interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptors in forty patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Levels of IL-2 receptors in the sera and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis were elevated when compared to values observed in normal sera and synovial fluid derived from the osteoarthritic joint. Simultaneous elevation of IL-2 receptor expression in blood and synovial fluid lymphoid cells was also detected, but no correlation was found between the two parameters nor between serum IL-2 receptor levels and the hemosedimentation rate. We conclude that measurement of serum concentrations of soluble IL-2 receptors should be used with caution as an index of disease activity, but may be useful when used in conjunction with other parameters in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.