Avaliação da atividade antifúngica da anfotericina b conjugada com nanopartículas magnéticas estabilizadas com bicamada de ácido laurico no tratamento da paracoccidioidomicose

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, 2012.A paracoccidioidomicose, Pbmicose, é uma micose sistêmica autóctone da América central e do sul, de caráter endêmico entre as populações de zona rural. Dentre os fármacos mais utilizados no tratamento da Pbmicose destacam-se o Itraconazol e a Anfotericina B. Este último possui amplo espectro antifúngico e potente atividade fungicida. Apesar disso, induz em humanos diversos efeitos adversos, principalmente a nefrotoxicidade. Nesse contexto, novas estratégias tais como a ligação da Anfotericina B a estruturas biocompatíveis têm sido desenvolvidas para diminuir a sua concentração no plasma sanguíneo e aumentar nos órgãos alvos da terapia e, assim, reduzir os efeitos colaterais induzidos por esse fármaco. Dentre essas estruturas destacam-se os materiais nanoestruturados como as nanopartículas magnéticas. Entretanto, para serem utilizadas na biomedicina essas nanopartículas devem ser biodegradáveis, hemocompatíveis e não tóxicas ao organismo. Para tal, é importante que elas sejam recobertas por substâncias estabilizantes. Nesse sentido, a fim de desenvolver um sistema controlado de entrega de drogas e de reduzir os efeitos colaterais da Anfotericina B, conjugou-se esse fármaco a nanopartículas magnéticas estabilizadas com bicamada de ácido láurico. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia da Anfotericina B quando conjugada a nanopartículas magnéticas estabilizadas com bicamada de ácido láurico, FM-BlaAmB, no tratamento da Pbmicose experimental. Inicialmente, fez-se necessário avaliar se a Anfotericina B nesse complexo mantinha atividade antifúngica e se era tóxica para células de mamíferos. Assim, o fungo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, isolado virulento 18 (Pb18) e células mesangiais humanas e macrófagos peritoneais murinos foram tratadas, in vitro, com FM-BlaAmB. Os resultados demonstram que a Anfotericina B no complexo FM-BlaAmB mantém a atividade antifúngica similar a Ambisome® e não é tóxica para células de mamíferos. Diante desses dados promissores decidiu-se realizar ensaios in vivo de modo a verificar se a Anfotericina B no complexo FM-BlaAmB era eficaz na Pbmicose experimental, sem, entretanto, ser tóxica para o hospedeiro. Para tal, camundongos BALB/c foram infectados com o fungo III Pb18 e tratados com o complexo durante as formas aguda e crônica da doença, por 30 e 60 dias. A determinação da carga fúngica no pulmão, a histopatologia dos órgãos pulmão, baço, fígado e rim, além da quantificação de citocinas e do DNA fragmentado em células de medula óssea foram realizadas 24 horas após o último tratamento. Os resultados mostram que a Anfotericina B no complexo é eficaz contra a paracoccidioidomicose experimental na infecção aguda, mas não na infecção crônica e não induz alterações bioquímicas e clínicas nem histopatológicas no fígado, nos rins nem no baço de camundongos BALB/c. Ela também não induz efeitos genotóxicos em células da medula óssea desses animais. Assim sendo, é plausível acreditar que a Anfotericina B quando conjugada a nanopartículas magnéticas estabilizadas com bicamada de ácido láurico, por apresentar similar capacidade antifúngica e não induzir efeitos adversos em doses terapêuticas na infecção aguda, além de permitir a diminuição do número de aplicações no tratamento da Pbmicose murina, possa ser uma alternativa ao uso das formulações de Anfotericina B deoxicolato e Ambisome®. Porém estudos posteriores são necessários para melhorar a eficácia no tratamento da infecção crônica. _______________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTParacoccidioidomycosis, PCM, systemic mycosis is a native of Central and South America, the endemic among rural populations. Among the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of PCM stand out Itraconazole and Amphotericin B. The latter has broad spectrum antifungal and potent fungicidal activity. Nevertheless, induces several side effects in humans, particularly nephrotoxicity. In this context, new strategies such as the binding of amphotericin B to biocompatible structures have been developed to reduce its concentration in blood plasma and increase in target organs of therapy and thereby reduce the side effects induced by this drug. Among these structures stand out nanostructured materials as magnetic nanoparticles. However, for use in biomedicine these nanoparticles should be biodegradable and non-toxic hemocompatíveis the body. For this it is important that they are coated by stabilizing substances. Accordingly, in order to develop a system controlled delivery of drugs and reduce side effects of Amphotericin B, this drug is conjugated to magnetic nanoparticles stabilized bilayer lauric acid. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of amphotericin B when coupled to magnetic nanoparticles stabilized bilayer lauric acid, FM-BlaAmB in experimental treatment of PCM. Initially, it was necessary to assess whether this Complex Amphotericin B had antifungal activity and was toxic to mammalian cells. Thus, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, virulent isolate 18 (Pb18), and human mesangial cells and murine peritoneal macrophages were treated in vitro with FM-BlaAmB. The results show that the amphotericin B in the complex FM-BlaAmB mantéma antifungal activity similar to Ambisome ® and is not toxic to mammalian cells. Given these encouraging data was decided to conduct in vivo tests to verify that the Amphotericin B in the complex FM-BlaAmB was effective in experimental Pbmicose, without, however, be toxic to the host fungus. To this end, BALB / c mice were infected with the fungus Pb18 and treated with the compound during the acute and chronic forms of the disease for 30 and 60 days. The determination of the fungal load in the lung histopathology of organs such as lung, spleen, liver and kidney in addition to the quantification of cytokines and the fragmented DNA into bone marrow cells were performed 24 hours after the last treatment. The results show that the amphotericin B in the complex is effective against paracoccidioidomycosis infection in experimental acute, but not chronic infection and does not induce clinical or biochemical and histopathological liver, kidney or spleen of BALB / c mice. It also does not induce genotoxic effects in bone marrow cells of these animals. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that the Amphotericin B when coupled to magnetic nanoparticles stabilized bilayer lauric acid, by having similar antifungal capacity and do not induce adverse effects at therapeutic doses in acute infection and also allows reducing the number of applications in the treatment of PCM murine, can be an alternative to the use of the formulations of amphotericin B deoxycholate and Ambisome ®. But further studies are needed to improve effectiveness in the treatment of chronic infection

Training load, stress tolerance and upper respiratory tract infection in basketball players

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da manipulação das cargas externas\ud sobre a dinâmica da carga interna de treinamento (CIT), a tolerância ao estresse (TE) e\ud a severidade de episódios de infecção do trato respiratório superior (ITRS) em atletas de\ud basquetebol, durante um macrociclo de 19 semanas, dividido em uma etapa preparatória\ud (E1) e duas etapas de competição (E2 e E3). Os instrumentos Wisconsin Upper Respiratory\ud Symptom Survey (WURSS-21) para o monitoramento das ITRS e o Daily Analysis\ud of Life Demands for Athletes’ (DALDA; TE) foram preenchidos semanalmente. A CIT foi\ud aferida a partir da percepção subjetiva de esforço da sessão (PSE da sessão). Foi detectada\ud queda da CIT na E3, quando comparadas às etapas E1 e E2 (p < 0,05), e decréscimo no\ud número de respostas “melhor que o normal” na parte A (fontes de estresse) e na parte\ud B (sintomas de estresse) do DALDA, em E2 e E3, comparado com E1 (p < 0,05). Na\ud última etapa (E3), houve incremento da severidade de ITRS (p < 0,05). Adicionalmente,\ud correlações significantes entre TE e ITRS foram verificadas, sugerindo que a tolerância\ud ao estresse pode modular a severidade de ITRS. Em conclusão, a manipulação da CET\ud provocou alterações na CIT. Entretanto, ao contrário da hipótese inicial, a redução da\ud CIT no período competitivo foi acompanhada por redução da tolerância ao estresse e\ud aumento da severidade da ITRS. Além disso, a magnitude do estresse parece induzir o\ud aumento da severidade de ITRSThe present study aimed to investigate the effect of external training load manipulation\ud on internal training load (ITL), stress tolerance (ST) and upper respiratory tract\ud infection (URTI) severity in basketball players during a 19-week macrocycle. The macrocycle\ud was divided into three distinct phases: preparatory phase (P1) and two competitive phases\ud (P2 and P3). The Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes questionnaire (DALDA), for\ud assessment of sources and symptoms of stress, and the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom\ud Survey (WURSS-21), for evaluation of URTI severity, were used on a weekly basis. The ITL\ud was assessed by Rating of Perceived Exertion (session RPE). There was a decrease in ITL at\ud P3 when compared to P1 and P2 (p < 0.05). A decrease in “better than normal” responses in\ud DALDA for both sources and symptoms of stress was observed at P2 and P3 when compared\ud to P1 (p < 0.05). There was also a significant increase in URTI severity. In addition, significant\ud relationships between ST and URTI were shown at P3, suggesting that stress tolerance may\ud modulate URTI severity. In summary, ETL manipulation induced changes in ITL. However,\ud unlike the initial hypothesis, a decrease in ITL during the competitive period was followed by\ud a decrease in stress tolerance and an increase in URTI severity. Furthermore, the magnitude\ud of stress seems to provoke an increase in URTI severit

Amphotericin B: an antifungal drug in nanoformulations for the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis

La anfotericina B: una droga antifúngica en nanoformulaciones para el tratamiento de la paracoccidioidomicosisForma de citar: Pereira Garcia M, Meneses Almeida Santos MF, Saldanha Arruda C, Iocca DC. Amphotericin B: an antifungal drug in nanoformulations for the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis. rev.univ.ind.santander.salud 2013; 45 (3): 45-53ABSTRACTThe use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in drug delivery vehicles must address issues such as drug-loading  capacity, desired  release profle,  aqueous dispersion  stability, biocompatibility with  cells  and tissue,  and  retention  of  magnetic  properties  after  interaction  with  macromolecules  or  modifcation via  chemical  reactions. Amphotericin  B  (AmB)  is  still  the  frst  choice  for  the  treatment  of  severe paracoccidioidomycosis, an important systemic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidoides brasiliensis. infortunately,  AmB  causes  acute  side  effects  (mainly  urinary  problems)  following  intravenous administration,  which  limits  its  clinical  use.  The  use  of  magnetic  nanoparticles  stabilized  with biocompatible substances, together with the possibility of their conjugation with drugs has become a new nanotechnological strategy in the treatment of diseases for drug delivery to specifc locations, such as the lungs in paracoccidoidiodomycosis. This review provides an overview of the disease, its etiologic agent and treatment with emphasis on the main strategies to improve the use of AmB in nanoformulations.Keywords:  Paracoccidioides brasiliensis;  amphotericin  B; magnetite  nanoparticles; magnetic  fuid; drug delivery complexRESUMENEl uso de nanopartículas magnéticas (MNPS) en los vehículos de suministro de fármacos debe abordar cuestiones como  la  capacidad  de  carga  de  las  drogas,  el  perfl  deseado  de  liberación,  estabilidad  de  la  dispersión  acuosa, biocompatibilidad  con  las  células,  tejidos  y  la  conservación  o  la modifcación  de  las  propiedades magnéticas después de la interacción con macromoléculas y/o reacciones químicas. La anfotericina B (AnB) continua siendo la primera opción para el tratamiento de la paracoccidioidomicosis grave, una importante infección sistémica causada por el hongo Paracoccidoides brasiliensis. Sin embargo, la AnB causa efectos secundarios agudos (principalmente problemas  urinarios)  tras  la  administración  intravenosa,  limitando  su  uso  clínico.  El  uso  de  nanopartículas magnéticas  estabilizadas  con  sustancias  biocompatibles  y  conjugadas  con  fármacos,  se  ha  convertido  en  una nueva estrategia nanotecnológica para el tratamiento de enfermedades en sitios específcos, como los pulmones en paracoccidoidiodomycosis. En esta revisión se hace una descripción general de la enfermedad, su agente etiológico y su tratamiento con énfasis en la principales estrategias para mejorar el uso de AnB en nanoformulaciones.Palabras clave:  Paracoccidioides brasiliensis,  anfotericina  B,  nanoparticulas  de magnetita;  fuido magnético; entrega controlada de medicamento

Amphotericin B: an antifungal drug in nanoformulations for the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis

La anfotericina B: una droga antifúngica en nanoformulaciones para el tratamiento de la paracoccidioidomicosisForma de citar: Pereira Garcia M, Meneses Almeida Santos MF, Saldanha Arruda C, Iocca DC. Amphotericin B: an antifungal drug in nanoformulations for the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis. rev.univ.ind.santander.salud 2013; 45 (3): 45-53ABSTRACTThe use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in drug delivery vehicles must address issues such as drug-loading  capacity, desired  release profle,  aqueous dispersion  stability, biocompatibility with  cells  and tissue,  and  retention  of  magnetic  properties  after  interaction  with  macromolecules  or  modifcation via  chemical  reactions. Amphotericin  B  (AmB)  is  still  the  frst  choice  for  the  treatment  of  severe paracoccidioidomycosis, an important systemic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidoides brasiliensis. infortunately,  AmB  causes  acute  side  effects  (mainly  urinary  problems)  following  intravenous administration,  which  limits  its  clinical  use.  The  use  of  magnetic  nanoparticles  stabilized  with biocompatible substances, together with the possibility of their conjugation with drugs has become a new nanotechnological strategy in the treatment of diseases for drug delivery to specifc locations, such as the lungs in paracoccidoidiodomycosis. This review provides an overview of the disease, its etiologic agent and treatment with emphasis on the main strategies to improve the use of AmB in nanoformulations.Keywords:  Paracoccidioides brasiliensis;  amphotericin  B; magnetite  nanoparticles; magnetic  fuid; drug delivery complexRESUMENEl uso de nanopartículas magnéticas (MNPS) en los vehículos de suministro de fármacos debe abordar cuestiones como  la  capacidad  de  carga  de  las  drogas,  el  perfl  deseado  de  liberación,  estabilidad  de  la  dispersión  acuosa, biocompatibilidad  con  las  células,  tejidos  y  la  conservación  o  la modifcación  de  las  propiedades magnéticas después de la interacción con macromoléculas y/o reacciones químicas. La anfotericina B (AnB) continua siendo la primera opción para el tratamiento de la paracoccidioidomicosis grave, una importante infección sistémica causada por el hongo Paracoccidoides brasiliensis. Sin embargo, la AnB causa efectos secundarios agudos (principalmente problemas  urinarios)  tras  la  administración  intravenosa,  limitando  su  uso  clínico.  El  uso  de  nanopartículas magnéticas  estabilizadas  con  sustancias  biocompatibles  y  conjugadas  con  fármacos,  se  ha  convertido  en  una nueva estrategia nanotecnológica para el tratamiento de enfermedades en sitios específcos, como los pulmones en paracoccidoidiodomycosis. En esta revisión se hace una descripción general de la enfermedad, su agente etiológico y su tratamiento con énfasis en la principales estrategias para mejorar el uso de AnB en nanoformulaciones.Palabras clave:  Paracoccidioides brasiliensis,  anfotericina  B,  nanoparticulas  de magnetita;  fuido magnético; entrega controlada de medicamento

Immune-endocrine responses to a futsal match

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o efeito de uma partida simulada de futsal sobre as concentrações salivares de cortisol (Cs) e imunoglobulina A (SIgA) em jogadores de elite. Amostras de saliva foram coletadas antes e após a partida e analisadas, posteriormente, pelo método de ELISA. A carga interna de treinamento foi avaliada através do método da Percepção Subjetiva de Esforço da sessão. Através da análise do tamanho do efeito (TE), foi constatado aumento grande (TE=1,07) do Cs e diminuição grande (TE=-1,36) da SIgA do momento pré para o pós-partida. Foi observada correlação significante (r=0,66) entre a carga interna de treinamento e a resposta do Cs. Os resultados do presente estudo indicam que uma partida simulada de futsal pode modular a resposta imuno-endócrina. A adoção de estratégias para monitorar as respostas imuno-endócrinas, em associação a utilização de instrumentos psicométricos, pode auxiliar o planejamento e o ajuste das cargas de treinamentoThe aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a simulated futsal match on salivary cortisol (sC) and immunoglobulin A (SIgA) concentrations in 10 male elite players. Saliva sampling was conducted before and after the futsal match, and, subsequently, the samples were analyzed by ELISA. The internal training load was evaluated by means of session rating of perceived exertion method. The effect size (ES) analysis showed a large increase (ES=1.07) for Cs and a large decrease (ES=-1.36) for SIgA from pre to post-match. There was a significant correlation (r=0.66) between internal training load and Cs response. The results of the present study indicate that a simulated match can modulate immune-endocrine response. The adoption of strategies to monitor salivary responses (Cs and SIgA) associated with psychometric tools could help the planning and the adjustment of training loadsFAPESP 2008/10404-

Human gain-of-function variants in HNF1A confer protection from diabetes but independently increase hepatic secretion of atherogenic lipoproteins

Loss-of-function mutations in hepatocyte nuclear factor 1A (HNF1A) are known to cause rare forms of diabetes and alter hepatic physiology through unclear mechanisms. In the general population, 1:100 individuals carry a rare, protein-coding HNF1A variant, most of unknown functional consequence. To characterize the full allelic series, we performed deep mutational scanning of 11,970 protein-coding HNF1A variants in human hepatocytes and clinical correlation with 553,246 exome-sequenced individuals. Surprisingly, we found that ∼1:5 rare protein-coding HNF1A variants in the general population cause molecular gain of function (GOF), increasing the transcriptional activity of HNF1A by up to 50% and conferring protection from type 2 diabetes (odds ratio [OR] = 0.77, p = 0.007). Increased hepatic expression of HNF1A promoted a pro-atherogenic serum profile mediated in part by enhanced transcription of risk genes including ANGPTL3 and PCSK9. In summary, ∼1:300 individuals carry a GOF variant in HNF1A that protects carriers from diabetes but enhances hepatic secretion of atherogenic lipoproteins.publishedVersio

Antifungal activity of amphotericin B conjugated to nanosized magnetite in the treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis

This study reports on in vitro and in vivo tests that sought to assess the antifungal activity of a newly developed magnetic carrier system comprising amphotericin B loaded onto the surface of pre-coated (with a double-layer of lauric acid) magnetite nanoparticles. The in vitro tests compared two drugs; i.e., this newly developed form and free amphotericin B. We found that this nanocomplex exhibited antifungal activity without cytotoxicity to human urinary cells and with low cytotoxicity to peritoneal macrophages. We also evaluated the efficacy of the nanocomplex in experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. BALB/c mice were intratracheally infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and treated with the compound for 30 or 60 days beginning the day after infection. The newly developed amphotericin B coupled with magnetic nanoparticles was effective against experimental paracoccidioidomycosis, and it did not induce clinical, biochemical or histopathological alterations. The nanocomplex also did not induce genotoxic effects in bone marrow cells. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that amphotericin B coupled to magnetic nanoparticles and stabilized with bilayer lauric acid is a promising nanotool for the treatment of the experimental paracoccidioidomycosis because it exhibited antifungal activity that was similar to that of free amphotericin B, did not induce adverse effects in therapeutic doses and allowed for a reduction in the number of applications

Avaliação in vitro da citotoxidade e genotoxidade dos polímeros de albumina magnéticos

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, 2009.A nanotecnologia tem despertado crescente interesse na área biomédica. Materiais nanoestruturados e, em particular fluidos magnéticos, magnetolipossomas e polímeros magnéticos, constituídos a partir de nanopartículas magnéticas (NPM) têm sido propostos como entregadores de drogas, para separação de células, diagnóstico in vitro ou in vivo, e para o tratamento de diversas patologias. Uma nova amostra magnética que possa efetuar estes procedimentos foi desenvolvida: polímeros de albumina magnéticos (PAM) contendo nanopartículas de maghemita (diâmetro 9,2nm; 2,46 × 1014 partículas/mg). Para atender aos requisitos de que os efeitos biológicos de um novo material sejam conhecidos antes que sejam testados clinicamente, este trabalho teve como objetivo a avaliação, in vitro, de possíveis efeitos citotóxicos e genotóxicos dos polímeros de albumina magnéticos (PAM). Células de glândula submandibular humana (HSG) e células mesangiais (CM) foram cultivadas na presença da amostra PAM em três diferentes concentrações (250mg/mL, 150mg/mL e 75mg/mL) por 24 horas. A citotoxicidade foi avaliada por meio de ensaio de coloração de alaranjado de acridina/brometo de etídio e a genotoxicidade por meio de ensaio de cometa. Além disso, foram realizadas análises morfológicas em microscopia de luz e da ultra-estrutura em microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Os resultados mostraram que a amostra PAM: (1) apresenta citotoxicidade relacionada à concentração da amostra e tipo celular; (2) induz, como principal via de degeneração, a apoptose, que é sempre menor do que 20%; (3) tem atividade genotóxica, mas, em sua maioria, os danos são de intensidade leve (classe 1 e 2); (4) em concentrações menores, pode apresentar atividade genotóxica e não ter correspondente atividade citotóxica; (5) não apresentou alterações na morfologia ou ultra-estrutura de ambas as células; (6) teve suas NPM interiorizadas por algumas células. A citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade observadas podem ter relação com radicais livres induzidos pela presença de ferro nas NPM. Esses resultados sugerem uma possível biocompatibilidade da amostra PAM, sugerindo que testes in vivo sejam realizados para aprofundar o entendimento das interações entre os polímeros de albumina – nanopartículas de maghemita e as células-tecidos animais. _________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTNanotechnology is marked by an increasing interest in the biomedical field. Nanostructured materials, such as magnetic fluids, magnetoliposomes, and magnetic polymers, composed of magnetic nanoparticles (NPM’s) have been proposed for several applications: drug delivery systems, cell sorter, in vitro and in vivo diagnosis, and also for the treatment of several pathologies. A new sample, the magnetic albumin polymers (PAM) composed of maghemite nanoparticles (diameter 9.2nm; 2.46 × 1014 particle/mg) has been developed for biomedical applications purposes. New materials have to be biologically investigated before their clinical tests. In accordance with this requirement, the aim of this work was to evaluate, in vitro, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity degrees of PAM sample. Human submandibular duct cells (HSG) and mesangial cells (CM) were cultivated during 24 hours in the presence of the PAM sample at three different concentrations (250mg/mL, 150mg/mL e 75mg/mL). The cytotoxicity was evaluated through acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining assay. The genotoxicity was investigated through the comet assay. Further, cells morphology and ultra structure were investigated by both light and transmission electronic microscopes analyses. The data show that the sample PAM (1) presents cytotoxicity related to the sample concentration and cellular type; (2) conducts less than 20% of cell to death; death are mainly by apoptosis; (3) presents genotoxic activity but the induced damage s are not intense (classes 1 and 2); (4) at the minor concentrations may present genotoxic activity without parallel cytotoxicity; (5) does not induce morphological or ultra structural alterations on both cellular types; (6) NPM’s may be internalized by HSG and CM cells. The PAM cytotoxicity and genotoxicity activities may be related to the free radical production induced by the NPM’s iron content. The results suggest that PAM is possibly biocompatible and also that this sample deserves to be investigated through in vivo tests that can elucidate the albumin po lymers- maghemite particles and animal cell-tissues interactions

<b> Training load, stress tolerance and upper respiratory tract infection in basketball players. </b> http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2013v15n1p49

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of external training load manipulation on internal training load (ITL), stress tolerance (ST) and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) severity in basketball players during a 19-week macrocycle. The macrocycle was divided into three distinct phases: preparatory phase (P1) and two competitive phases (P2 and P3). The Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes questionnaire (DALDA), for assessment of sources and symptoms of stress, and the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS-21), for evaluation of URTI severity, were used on a weekly basis. The ITL was assessed by Rating of Perceived Exertion (session RPE). There was a decrease in ITL at P3 when compared to P1 and P2 (p < 0.05). A decrease in “better than normal” responses in DALDA for both sources and symptoms of stress was observed at P2 and P3 when compared to P1 (p < 0.05). There was also a significant increase in URTI severity. In addition, significant relationships between ST and URTI were shown at P3, suggesting that stress tolerance may modulate URTI severity. In summary, ETL manipulation induced changes in ITL. However, unlike the initial hypothesis, a decrease in ITL during the competitive period was followed by a decrease in stress tolerance and an increase in URTI severity. Furthermore, the magnitude of stress seems to provoke an increase in URTI severity

Monitoring internal load parameters during simulated and official basketball matches

Moreira, A, McGuigan, MR, Arruda, AFS, Freitas, CG, and Aoki, MS. Monitoring internal load parameters during simulated and official basketball matches. J Strength Cond Res 26(3): 861-866, 2012-The purpose of this study was to compare the internal load responses (session rating of perceived exertion [RPE] and salivary cortisol) between simulated and official matches (SM and OM). Ten professional basketball players participated in 2 OMs and 2 SMs during the competition season. Subjects provided saliva samples 30 minutes before the prematch warm-up (PRE) and 10 minutes after the end of the match. Session RPE (CR-10 scale) was assessed 30 minutes after each match. The results from the 2-way analysis of variance showed significant differences for post-OM salivary cortisol as compared with pre-OM values (p &lt; 0.05). No changes were observed for cortisol during the SM. Before the OM, a significant difference in salivary cortisol was observed as compared with pre-SM values (p &lt; 0.05). Moreover, the OM session RPE was significantly greater than that of SM. There was a significant correlation between session RPE and cortisol changes (r = 0.75). In summary, the results of this study showed a greater magnitude of cortisol and session RPE responses after OM as compared with that after SM confirming the hypothesis that a real competition generates a greater stress response than a simulated condition does. The anticipatory effect was also observed in the OM. In addition, the results indicate that session RPE seems to be a viable tool in monitoring internal loads, and the results are useful in providing a better understanding of internal loads imposed by basketball training and competitions. The precise monitoring of these responses might help the coaches to plan appropriate loads maximizing recovery and performance.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (Sao Paulo Research Foundation [2008/10404-3]Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo ( Sao Paulo Research Foundation