The impact of homocysteine and B vitamins on Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive performance and structural brain changes

The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate the relation of homocysteine (tHcy), vitamin B12, and folate with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), cognitive performance, and structural brain changes in population-based studies of Finnish and Swedish elderly individuals. Study I. Serum levels of tHcy, holotranscobalamin (holoTC, the active fraction of vitamin B12), and folate were assessed in 274 individuals aged 65-79 years and without dementia from the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Dementia (CAIDE) study. Participants were followed-up for 7 years to detect incident AD. The odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for AD were 1.16 (1.04-1.31) for each increase of 1 μmol/L tHcy and 0.980 (0.965-9.995) for each increase of 1pmol/L holoTC. While adjusting for holoTC attenuated the tHcy-AD relation, the holoTC-AD link was less influence by controlling for tHcy. The protective effects of holoTC were more pronounced with increasing age. Study II. In the CAIDE study, performance in several cognitive domains was assessed on two occasions. Higher tHcy values among 65-79 years old persons were associated with worse performance on global cognition, episodic memory, executive functions and verbal expression 7 years later. Elevated holoTC was related to better performance on global cognition, executive functions, and psychomotor speed. After excluding participants with incident dementia, tHcy and holoTC remained associated with several cognitive domains, and folate became associated with global cognition and verbal expression. The protective effects of holoTC were present over the whole normal range of holoTC. Study III. The associations of baseline plasma tHcy with neuropathological and post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings up to 10 years later were investigated in the Vantaa 85+ study including individuals aged >85 years. tHcy levels in the highest quartile were related to about 2.5-fold increased OR for higher neurofibrillary tangles burden. This association was present particularly in subjects with dementia, cerebral infarcts, and with longer follow-up duration. tHcy tended to relate to amyloid -β accumulation in people with longer follow-up time. Higher tHcy levels were also associated with more severe medial temporal lobe atrophy and periventricular white matter hyperintensities on post-mortem MRI. Study IV. Plasma B12 and red blood cell folate were examined in relation to brain volumes in a Swedish population-based study (The Swedish National Study of Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K)), including dementia-free individuals aged >60 years with MRI scans at 2-3 occasions over 6 years. Higher baseline plasma B12 concentrations were associated with decreased rate of total brain tissue and grey matter volume loss, even in elderly who did not develop dementia. The protective effects of vitamin B12 were present over the whole distribution of vitamin B12 levels. Conclusions: Results of this project indicate that lower B12, elevated tHcy, and lower folate levels are involved in late-life cognitive impairment. Assessments of B12 and folate status (including functional indicators such as tHcy or holoTC) are recommendable in elderly at risk of dementia. Adequately timed and powered randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the impact of B-vitamin supplementation on preventing cognitive decline and dementia-related pathology

Effect of saffron supplementation with resistance training on serum leptin levels, body composition and muscle strength in non-athletic young men

Background and Aim: Nowadays, using of natural and traditional supplements has become widespread in order to better exercise sports skills by improving body composition and increasing strength. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of saffron and resistance training on serum leptin levels, body composition and muscle strength in non-athletic young men. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 30 young non-athletes were selected through purposeful sampling and randomly divided into two groups: resistance training and saffron supplementation (15), and resistance training (15 people). Both groups performed the exercise protocol with four sessions of resistance training per week with 60-70% of a maximal repeat. Also, the first group consumed a single 150 mg pill of pure saffron daily. At the beginning and the end of the study, blood samples were taken for measurement of leptin, body biometric measurements were measured by BIA impedance biomechanical method, and high trunk and trunk strength were measured by chest compression and foot press, respectively. Data analysis was performed with dependent independent t tests. Results: There was a significant difference in the level of leptin, body fat percentage and lean mass between the resistance training group and saffron supplementation and resistance training group (p≤0.05), upper and lower body strengths were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: According to the results, resistance training along with taking a saffron supplement can improve body composition in non-athletes men, but it does not improve upper and lower body strength

The effect of Barberry Juice supplement on Prostaglandin E2 level caused by intense aerobic activity in active young girls

Background and Aim: Intense exercise can cause damages caused by oxidative stress and inflammation and, as a result, reduce exercise performance. The present study aimed at determining the effect of barberry juice supplement on the inflammation caused by intense aerobic activity in active young girls. Materials and Methods: In a quasi-experimental study, 20 young girls who had the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two equal groups of case (receiving Barberry juice supplement) ans control (receiving placebos). The case and the control groups received 250 ml natural Barberry juice and 250ml placebos for two weeks, respectively. After the period, both of the groups took an intense aerobic exercise programme. Immediately before and after receiving Barberry juice and placebos; and also immediately after the exercise program me bordering exhaustion prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) serum level was assessed. Results: Repeated measurements revealed that PGE2 serum levels at rest state and after intense exercise activity reduced in the Barberry juice group .Besides, there were significant differences between groups the Barberry juice and placebo groups, (P≤ 0.05) Conclusion: Generally speaking, the supplement of Barberry juice can be useful in preventing decreased performance caused by the inflammatory effects of PGE2 due to intense physical exercise

The Effect of Eight-Week Aerobic Training on Serum Angiotensin Converting Enzyme and Lipid Profile in Inactive Overweight Women

Background & Objective: At present, the prevalence of hypertension is growing and one of the contributing factors in the occurrence and development of hypertension and atherosclerosis is impaired renin–angiotensin system which in this system endothelium angiotensin converting enzyme is the main enzyme. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks aerobic training on serum angiotensin converting enzyme and lipid profile in inactive overweight women. Materials & Methods: In this semi-experimental study, twenty healthy women (20-30 years old) with BMI>25 kg/m 2 were randomly divided into training group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). The training group performed aerobic exercise for eight weeks, three sessions per week with 55-75% of maximum heart rate. The duration of each training session was increased from 40 to 60 minutes gradually. 48 hours before and after aerobic training program, anthropometric measurements, VO2max, lipid profile, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) of all subjects were measured. Data were analyzed with paired t-independent test and t-student test at a significance level of P<0.05. Results: Results showed that eight weeks of aerobic training had a significant effect on weight (p=0/01) and BMI (p=0/01) in training group; While changes in angiotensin converting enzyme (p=0/543) and LDL(p=0/927), HDL(p=0/120), Triglyceride (p=0/788) and Cholesterol (p=0/324) during pre-test and post-test was not significant in between groups. Conclusion: Eight weeks of training program have improved angiotensin converting enzyme, LDL, HDL, Triglyceride and Cholesterol in women, approximately. And it can be said that regular exercise may probably have a preventive effect on the prohibition of cardiovascular disease in overweight women

Aerobic exercises and Supplement Spirulina reduce inflammation in diabetic men

Introduction: The use of exercise and herbal supplements for the treatment of metabolic diseases and disorders among the population has increased. Spirulina (Herbal Supplement green algae – blue) is one of the richest sources of Anti-inflammatory and antioxidants. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 8-week exercise with Spirulina consumption on Inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in men with type 2 diabetes. Materials & Methods: 32 sedentary men with type 2 diabetes participated in this study with average age of 40 years and with no history of regular exercise that were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (C), exercise (E), supplementation (S) and exercise + supplementation (E+S). Training programs were 45 minutes of aerobic exercise, 3 times in week with 60-65% of maximal heart rate. S and E+S groups consumed Daily 2 tablets of 500 mg Spirulina. Blood samples were taken in two phases (before and after 8 weeks) following 10 to 12 hours of being fasted. Results: TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP levels Decreased significantly in E, S, E+S groups after 8 weeks (P ≤ 0/05).If these changes were not significant in the control group. Also The results showed there was a significant differences between the effects of different interventions in the TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP between groups with the control group (P ≤ 0/05). Conclusions: The results showed that regular aerobic exercise with Spirulina consumption can improve Serum levels of inflammatory markers in men with type 2 diabetes and prevent exercise-induced Inflammation stress and also diabete

Midlife work-related stress is associated with late-life cognition

To investigate the associations between midlife work-related stress and late-life cognition in individuals without dementia from the general population. The Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study population (n = 2000) was randomly selected from independent Finnish population-based surveys (baseline mean age 50 years). Participants underwent two re-examinations in late life (mean age 71 and 78 years, respectively). 1511 subjects participated in at least one re-examination (mean total follow-up 25 years). Work-related stress was measured using two questions on work demands administered in midlife. Multiple cognitive domains were assessed. Analyses were adjusted for several potential confounders. Higher levels of midlife work-related stress were associated with poorer performance on global cognition [β-coefficient, -0.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.05 to -0.00], and processing speed [β -0.03, CI -0.05 to -0.01]. Results remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders. Work-related stress was not significantly associated with episodic memory, executive functioning, verbal fluency or manual dexterity. This study shows that global cognition and processing speed may be particularly susceptible to the effects of midlife work-related stress

Comparing High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Continuous Training on Apelin, APJ, NO, and Cardiotrophin-1 in Cardiac Tissue of Diabetic Rats

Background and Aims. Exercise activity is an important method for managing type 2 diabetes. This investigation examined the HIIT and continuous training on apelin, APJ receptor, NO, and cardiotrophin-1 in the cardiac tissue of diabetic rats. Methods. The animals were categorized into 3 groups of HIIT, continuous (CO), and control (C) (all animals were sacrificed immediately and 2 days after exercise training period). Rats underwent the treadmill exercise program either HIIT (12 bouts at 90–95% of VO2 max with 60 s rest at 50% of VO2 max) or CO (60–65% VO2 max for 40 min). Protocols performed 5 days per week for 8 weeks. Apelin, APJ receptor, NO, and cardiotrophin-1 protein expressions were measured using the Western blotting method in the left ventricle. Results. Immediately after HIIT and CO exercise protocols, apelin and CT-1 protein showed a significant difference in contrast by the C-0 group (p<0.01). However, NO values were substantially higher in HIIT-0 compared to C-0 and CO-0 groups rats (p<0.01). After two days of exercise protocols, apelin and NO protein showed a significant increase in HIIT and CO groups in contrast to the C animals (p<0.01). Moreover, APJ and CT-1 protein significantly upregulated in CO-2 and HIIT-2 compared to the other groups (p<0.01). Conclusions. This study indicates that exercise training, despite the type, is an efficient method to modify apelin, APJ receptor, NO, and cardiotrophin-1 values in animals with type 2 diabetes