Effects of whey protein supplement in the elderly submitted to resistance training:systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim: We performed a systematic review to map the evidence and analyze the effect of whey protein supplementation in the elderly submitted to resistance training.  Methods: A comprehensive search on Medline, LILACS, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for relevant publications was conducted until August 2015. The terms used in the search were: “Resistance training”; “Whey protein”; “Elderly”.  Results: A total of 632 studies were screened. Five studies were included composing a sample of 391 patients. The supplement whey protein was associated with higher total protein ingestion 9.40 (95% CI: 4.03–14.78), and with an average change in plasma leucine concentration. The supplementation was also associated with increased mixed muscle protein synthesis 1.26 (95% CI: 0.46–2.07) compared to the control group.  Conclusion: We observed an increase in total protein intake, resulting in increased concentration of leucine and mixed muscle protein fractional synthesis rate

The pathogenetic bases of sarcopenia

Aging is accompanied by involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and function, called sarcopenia. The mechanisms underlying the development of sarcopenia are not completely understood and most likely multi-factorial, but significant progress has been made over the past few years to identify some of the major contributors. Besides life style-related factors, as diet and physical activity, sarcopenia seems to be also determined by hormonal dysregulation, chronic inflammatory status, ectopic adipose tissue accumulation, neurological and vascular changes associated with aging. The present mini-review focused on the basic factors that primarily impact muscle homeostasis in older subjects. A better understanding of cellular mechanism leading to sarcopenia is required to establish evidence-based intervention in order to prevent onset of symptoms associated with sarcopenia and to extend the time free from disability in older adults

Vascular inflammation in central nervous system diseases: adhesion receptors controlling leukocyte-endothelial interactions

Leukocyte trafficking from the blood into the tissues represents a key process during inflammation and requires multiple steps mediated by adhesion molecules and chemoattractants. Inflammation has a detrimental role in several diseases, and in such cases, the molecular mechanisms controlling leukocyte migration are potential therapeutic targets. Over the past 20 years, leukocyte migration in the CNS has been investigated almost exclusively in the context of stroke and MS. Experimental models of ischemic stroke have led to the characterization of adhesion molecules controlling leukocyte migration during acute inflammation, whereas EAE, the animal model of MS, has provided similar data for chronic inflammation. Such experiments have led to clinical trials of antileukocyte adhesion therapy, with consistently positive outcomes in human subjects with MS, showing that interference with leukocyte adhesion can ameliorate chronic inflammatory CNS diseases. This review summarizes our current understanding of the roles of adhesion molecules controlling leukocyte-endothelial interactions in stroke and MS, focusing on recently discovered, novel migration mechanisms. We also discuss the growing evidence suggesting a role for vascular inflammation and leukocyte trafficking in neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. Moreover, we highlight recent findings suggesting a role for leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the pathogenesis of seizures and epilepsy, thus linking endothelial activation and leukocyte trafficking to neuronal electrical hyperactivity. These emerging roles for leukocytes and leukocyte adhesion mechanisms in CNS diseases provide insight into the mechanisms of brain damage and may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies