Evaluation of Orexin-A serum levels in karate athletes cohort

The lateral hypothalamus products various neuropeptides, among of these the Orexin-A (hypocretin-1) is a protein that regulates numerous physiological and behavioural processes involving in energy balance and metabolic status, physical activity, blood glucose levels, and food intake. Many data literature reported that the production of Orexin-A increases following regular and structured physical activity. Indeed, it improves energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity, and also modulate energy expenditure and thermogenesis. The higher Orexin-A tone is an endogenous factor that predicts physical activity, improving BMI and the energy expenditure aspect. It is well known that physical activity has positive effects on health and body weight, it improves cognitive performance increasing Orexin-A levels. Given these evidences, the aim of this study is evaluated Orexin-A serum levels in a cohort of karate athletes. Fort these reasons, were recruited 10 young karate athletes and 10 matched non-athletes as control. We evaluated biochemical and anthropometric parameters, and Orexin-A serum levels through ELISA-test. Our results showed that there is a statistical difference between karate athletes and non-athletes in BMI and in biochemical parameters such as glycaemic and lipid profile. Interestingly, Orexin-A serum levels are statistical higher in karate athletes compared to non- athletes. The differences between athlete and non-athletes in this study could be attributed to a better training-related hypothalamic activity in karate athletes. In addition, these evidences indicate that the physical activity has beneficial effects not only on anthropometric and biochemical parameters but also on orexin-A levels, and then on central nervous system

Physical activity as protective factor against COVID-19 disease

The Coronavirus Pandemic has forced millions of people around the world to look at home. This resulted, as a consequence, in a remodelling of the lifestyle; in this scenario the correct nutrition combined with regular physical activity becomes fundamental for health. Although the sedentary lifestyle of a few weeks involves risks such as lowering the immune system, it favours overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, metabolic disorders, depression and anxiety, and in some subjects they react to the risk of onset of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other diseases. The importance of healthy lifestyle is crucial to prevent also viral infection. Indeed, as reported by many data literature, during lung infections, IL-6 and TNF-a create the pathway between adipose tissue and lung system demonstrating the important involvement of adipose tissue in lung diseases. In obese condition, adipose tissue endocrine function is altered. There is an imbalance in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-a and anti-inflammatory mediators such as IL-10. In the light of these evidences, the immune response is influenced by nutritional status and by physical activity which are able to reduce pro-inflammatory mediators and increase anti-inflammatory mediators such as IL-10 . In addition, the power of viral infection is influenced by host predisposition. For these reasons, a correct lifestyle, and physical activity are a valid strategy in the prevention and treatment of not metabolic diseases also of inflammatory diseases

Autism spectrum disorder and physical activity

Autism is a common developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with speech and behaviours, such as lack of social abilities and repetitive behaviours. Some studies have shown that after the intervention of physical activity, all of the social interaction ability, communication ability, stereotyped behaviour and sports skills of children and adolescents with autism have been improved, which can reduce the degree of autism. The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased dramatically and is currently estimated at 1 in 68 children. ASD is defined by two symptom dimensions including social impairments and circumscribed and repetitive behaviours and interests (American Psychiatric Association). One subgroup that has increased is those with ASD without intellectual disability who currently comprise 68% of those diagnosed. Current guidelines recommend that youth engage in ≥ 60 minutes of Physical Activity daily, with the majority being moderate-to-vigorous, and muscle strengthening activities ≥ 3 days per week. Despite the significant need, few exercise programs have been developed or adapted for children with ASD, and there is a lack of evidence-based exercise treatments. Recommendations for improving exercise intervention studies in ASD include testing of treatments in function-ally-homogeneous (narrower) subgroups with ASD using larger well-characterized samples. This is necessary as children with ASD have different tolerances for activities/tasks and functional heterogeneity will likely lead to variable treatment responsiveness. Additionally, group-based treatments will be more applicable for children with ASD without intellectual disability

The Orexin-A serum levels are strongly modulated by physical activity intervention in diabetes mellitus patients

The Orexin-A (hypocretin-1) is a neuropeptide secreted by neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. This protein regulates physiological and behavioural processes that have an essential impact on energy balance and metabolic status, physical activity, blood glucose levels, and food intake. Furthermore, that orexin-A regulates insulin sensitivity, energy expenditure and metabolic rate and is involved in immune processes and then regulate inflammatory response, with an anti-inflammatory action. Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a worldwide health problem associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyle. High glycaemic levels and lipid serum profile, low col-HDL, or hypertension and increased body mass index (BMI) are significantly associated with increased T2DM risk and with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in T2DM patients. For these reasons the aim of this study is to evaluate the biochemical and anthropometric parameters, orexin-A levels by ELISA test and western blotting analysis, and inflammatory cytokines levels such as TNF-a, IL-8 and IL-10 by ELISA test in subjects affected by diabetes mellitus following an accurate physical activity program at baseline, after 3 months and after 6 months. We found that there is a ameliorate of many anthropometric and biochemical parameters; furthermore, there is a statistical increase of orexin-A serum levels already after 3 months compared to baseline in T2DM subjects and also there is a strongly modulation in inflammatory cytokines expression. These found indicates that the physical activity has beneficial effects not only on anthropometric and biochemical parameters but also on orexin-A levels, and then on CNS

Physical activity has numerous beneficial effects on metabolic and inflammatory processes

Obesity is a long-term multifactorial chronic disease, characterized by energy imbalance, due to an excess of caloric intake compared to energy expenditure and deregulation of other metabolic parameters, as, altered lipid profile, increased insulin resistance and chronic pro-inflammatory state. A healthy lifestyle, characterized by hypocaloric diet and physical activity, is important to reduce a chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic disorders typical of obesity. It is well known that the chronic inflammation state and oxidative stress are responsible for the aging and development of many diseases, such as cancer. In the light of these evidences, the aim of this study is to analyse body composition, metabolic profile and oxidative stress levels in obese patients subjected to a physical activity program before and after weight loss. We analysed the glycaemic and lipid profile, body composition such as visceral adipose tissue (VAT), fat mass (FM), and the dROMs serum levels via the Fenton's reaction. We found that in obese patients before physical activity intervention there are higher levels in dROMs serum levels, altered glycaemic and lipid profile and body composition compared to obese patients after physical activity intervention. In conclusion, the physical activity has numerous beneficial effects in obesity, modulating not only metabolic profile but also inflammatory and oxidative stress response

Doping: Health risk and ethical consideration in adult and adolescent

Introduction: The advent of the widespread use and abuse of Performance Enhancement Substances has resulted in unique ethical challenges for physician and athlete. Advancements in medicine have produced chemical compounds capable of boosting physical performance. Material and method: When disparities in talent are minimal, an intervention that provides an edge can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Much attention has been paid to drug use by athletes, and the list of banned substances in competitive sport is lengthy and growing. Results: At first glance, the very notion of banning drug use appears to violate respect for autonomy. After all, the risks of using chemical enhancements are assumed entirely by the individual. Conclusion: Greater risks for greater gains6 is a philosophy familiar to competitive sport whether referring to individuals or game management decisions made by a coach