Paraoxonase responses to exercise and niacin therapy in men with metabolic syndrome

Our purpose was to characterize changes in paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and concentration after single aerobic exercise sessions conducted before and after 6 weeks of niacin therapy in men with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Twelve men with MetS expended 500 kcal by walking at 65% of VO2max before and after a 6-week regimen of niacin. Niacin doses were titrated by 500 mg/week from 500 to 1500 mg/day and maintained at 1500 mg/day for the last 4 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected before and 24 hours after each exercise session and analyzed for PON1 activity, PON1 concentration, myeloperoxidase (MPO), apolipoprotein A1, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oLDL), lipoprotein particle sizes and concentrations. PON1 activity, PON1 concentration, MPO, and oLDL were unaltered following the independent effects of exercise and niacin (P > 0.05 for all). High-density lipoprotein particle size decreased by 3% (P = 0.040) and concentrations of small very low-density lipoprotein increased (P = 0.016) following exercise. PON1 activity increased 6.1% (P = 0.037) and PON1 concentrations increased 11.3% (P = 0.015) with the combination of exercise and niacin. Exercise and niacin works synergistically to increase PON1 activity and concentration with little or no changes in lipoproteins or markers of lipid oxidation.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Sociales::Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Movimiento Humano (CIMOHU)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Sociales::Facultad de Educación::Escuela de Educación Físic

Direct comparison of methionine restriction with leucine restriction on the metabolic health of C57BL/6J mice

EKL was the recipient of a BBSRC postgraduate studentship. This work was funded by Tenovus Scotland project grant to MD and NM (G13/07) and BBSRC DTG. MD is also supported by the British Heart Foundation (PG/09/048/27675, PG/11/8/28703 and PG/14/43/30889) and Diabetes UK (14/0004853). NM is funded by British Heart Foundation (PG/16/90/32518).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A Daphnane Diterpenoid Isolated from Wikstroemia polyantha Induces an Inflammatory Response and Modulates miRNA Activity

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenously expressed single-stranded ∼21–23 nucleotide RNAs that inhibit gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding imperfectly to elements usually within the 3′untranslated region (3′UTR) of mRNAs. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) mediate site-specific cleavage by binding with perfect complementarity to RNA. Here, a cell-based miRNA reporter system was developed to screen for compounds from marine and plant extracts that inhibit miRNA or siRNA activity. The daphnane diterpenoid genkwanine M (GENK) isolated from the plant Wikstroemia polyantha induces an early inflammatory response and can moderately inhibit miR-122 activity in the liver Huh-7 cell line. GENK does not alter miR-122 levels nor does it directly inhibit siRNA activity in an in vitro cleavage assay. Finally, we demonstrate that GENK can inhibit HCV infection in Huh-7 cells. In summary, the development of the cell-based miRNA sensor system should prove useful in identifying compounds that affect miRNA/siRNA activity

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ROTC ARMY CADET EXERCISE TRAINING FOR THE ARMY COMBAT FITNESS TEST

Kelsey A. Rushing, Simone A. Cannon, Jake A. Mintz, Brandon M. Roberts, Gregor W. Jenkins, Gordon Fisher, FACSM, Eric P. Plaisance, FACSM, Cody E. Morris. University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Purpose: The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program challenges student cadets mentally as well as physically to develop specific skills pertaining to critical thinking as well as leadership. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a physical fitness training program to improve the fitness performance capabilities of cadets in the events that were tested by the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).Methods: Twenty-six student cadets of the University of Alabama at Birmingham ROTC program participated in the study. Over an 8-month period, the ROTC cadets trained on campus three days per week for one hour per session. Training was performed in a circuit training format and each participant cycled through each of the four training stations (Strength, Conditioning, Core, and Endurance) for 15 minutes each session (for a total training time of 60 minutes). Each cadet had body mass and body composition assessed as well as each component of the ACFT [maximum dead lift (MDL), standing power throw (SPT), hand release push-up (HRP), sprint-drag-carry (SDC), leg tuck/plank (LTK/PLK), and 2-mile run (2MR)]. Each variable was evaluated at three time points (pre-, mid-, and post-training program). Results: There was a significant difference in the 2MR score between time points [F(2,50) = 4.530, p = 0.016, = 0.153]. Upon using a Bonferroni correction to determine differences between groups, there was a significant difference between time point 1 and 3 (p = 0.02). However, no significant differences existed between time point 1 and 2 (p = 0.773) and time point 2 and 3 (p = 0.266). No other variables displayed a significant change across the three time points: body mass (p = 0.741), body fat percentage (p = 0.238), MDL (p = 0.061), SPT (p = 0.308), HRP (p = 0.126), SDC (p = 0.132), LTK/PLK (p = 0.583). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest overall ineffectiveness of the Army ROTC exercise training program to improve ACFT performance over the span of an academic year with the exception of a steady improvement in aerobic endurance with the 2MR. Though the training program consisted of exercises tailored specifically to the ACFT, results showed that it did not necessarily improve the overall score

PILOT STUDY TO EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF KETONE SUPPLEMENTATION TO IMPROVE FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES IN ADOLESCENTS POST SPORTS-RELATED CONCUSSION

Kelsey A. Rushing, Payton E. Butler, Grace Graves, Alex B. Rich, Maggie C. Steen, Ervin Watson, Kaitlyn G. Willis, Allyn Abadie, Eric P. Plaisance, FACSM, Cody E. Morris. University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. BACKGROUND: Sports-related concussions (SRC), a form of mild traumatic brain injury, occur as a result of collision or physical contact during participation in athletics, with most of these injuries occurring in adolescents. Following SRC, glucose disposal and utilization are decreased in affected areas of the brain. Current treatment strategies (rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications) neglect to address metabolic changes that could have long-term consequences. Emerging evidence suggests that ketone metabolism is not impaired following SRC, leading to the hypothesis that exogenous ketones could represent an effective strategy to decrease cerebral inflammation and cognitive dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to determine if ketone supplementation within 7-14 days of SRC will attenuate associated perturbations in energy metabolism. METHODS: Five athletes (3 male and 2 female) aged 12-19 y who had suffered a SRC within 7-14 days were enrolled in a 4-week intervention, with measures occurring at enrollment (baseline), 7, 14, and 30 days. As part of standard of care, a licensed healthcare professional conducted the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool, Return-to-Sport, and Return-to-School assessments. Trained research personnel used the C3Logix Concussion Management System to evaluate cognitive function, balance, reaction time, and stability. The single-blind procedure involved participants being counterbalanced to one of two groups, to either receive the ketone supplement or a placebo control. A 2x4 (group x time) repeated-measures ANOVA was used to evaluate differences in the proposed outcomes. RESULTS: The current sample size is too small to draw definitive statistical conclusions. From August 2020 through April 2022 (20 months), 71 total patients were seen in the single-site clinic during the period studied. Of those 71, only 24 (34%) were considered eligible for the study due to defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Of the eligible sample, six participants were initially enrolled (8% of total patients, 25% of eligible sample) and one participant dropped out. No outcome variables showed significant differences between groups (p \u3e .05): Balance Error Scoring System, Memory and Processing, Simple Reaction Time, Choice Reaction Time, Neuromotor Function, Symptom Severity, Visual Acuity. CONCLUSION: The results of the current feasibility study show that additional studies with multiple sites are needed to recruit a sufficient sample size, including more acute cases, to fully investigate this hypothesis. Future studies should aim to recruit additional clinic sites to improve recruitment and retention of an adequate sample to fully investigate this hypothesis. Sponsor: Faculty Development Grant Program funded by the Faculty Senate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham

Postprandial lipemia as a cardiometabolic risk factor

High levels of fasting circulating triglycerides (TG) represent an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In western countries, however, people spend most time in postprandial conditions, with continuous fluctuation of lipemia due to increased levels of TG-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), including chylomicrons (CM), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), and their remnants. Several factors contribute to postprandial lipid metabolism, including dietary, physiological, pathological and genetic factors. The presence of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity is associated with higher postprandial TG levels compared with healthy conditions; this association is present also in subjects with normal fasting TG levels. Increasing evidence indicates that impaired metabolism of postprandial lipoproteins contributes to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease, suggesting that lifestyle modifications as well as pharmacological approaches aimed at reducing postprandial TG levels might help to decrease the cardiovascular risk. © 2014 Informa UK Ltd