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JEL classification: C32, C5

N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations in elite rugby players at rest and after active and passive recovery following strenuous training sessions

BACKGROUND: The serum biomarker N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a cleaved fragment of the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) precursor (amino acids 1-76), is accepted as a standard marker for evaluating and monitoring cardiac injury characterized by myocardial wall stress. Strenuous exercise may generate transitory ischemia, myocardial stress and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction, possibly inducing increased concentrations of NT-proBNP. A purported caveat to prolonged strenuous exercise is based on evidence for biochemical and structural signs of heart dysfunction in recreational athletes after continuous exertion. METHODS: We compared NT-proBNP levels in three groups of physically fit subjects: top-level rugby players, professional soccer players and healthy controls. NT-proBNP concentrations were measured at rest and after an intensive training session followed by two different recovery strategies (passive or active). RESULTS: A comparison of the three samples showed that NT-proBNP concentrations in the rugby players were lower than those in controls at rest and were similar to those in professional soccer players. Elevated post-training NT-proBNP levels were unaffected by the type of recovery. The relatively high NT-proBNP levels after active recovery when psychophysical stress is higher, because of cycling and cold water immersion, suggest that not only endurance exercise, but also strenuous, stressful short exercise can induce an increase in NT-proBNP concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of professional athletes, NT-proBNP was low at rest, and the increase after physical exercise was physiological

The role of inflammation in patients with intraductal mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas and in those with pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Background: There are very few data regarding inflammation in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas. Aim: To evaluate the circulating concentrations of placental growth factor (PlGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-\u3b1), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-\u3b21), tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in patients with IPMNs and in those with pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Patients and Methods: Sixty-nine patients were enrolled: 23 (33.3%) had IPMNs and 46 (66.7%) had histologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Thirteen healthy subjects were also studied. PlGF, TGF-\u3b1, TGF-\u3b21, TNF-R1 and MMP-2 were determined using commercially available kits. Results: TNF-R1 (p=0.003) was the only protein significantly different among the three groups. Conclusion: Serum TNF-R1 was elevated in patients with IPMNs and in those with pancreatic adenocarcinomas, suggesting a high apoptotic activity in both groups of patients studied

Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in patients with erectile dysfunction

Introduction. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is increasingly recognized as a public health problem. The interaction between nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species is one of the important mechanisms implicated in the pathophysiological process of ED. Plasma contains various antioxidant components to prevent free-radical injury. Aim. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the oxidative and antioxidant status of peripheral venous blood in patients with ED of arteriogenic and non-arteriogenic origin. Methods. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status were assessed in 40 patients with ED and 20 healthy controls. Main Outcome Measures. Plasma reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM) concentrations were measured as an indicator of oxidative stress, and plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) to indicate antioxidant defense. Results. Plasma ROM concentrations were higher (349.75 +/- 53.35 standard deviation [SD] U.Carr vs. 285.43 +/- 25.58 U.Carr, P < 0.001) and plasma TAS lower (0.54 +/- 0.16 SD mmol/L vs. 0.94 +/- 0.28 SD mmol/L, P < 0.0001) in patients with arteriogenic ED in comparison to those in patients with non-arteriogenic ED. Plasma ROM and TAS in controls were not significantly different from those in non-arteriogenic ED. Conclusions. This observation may be useful to better understand and distinguish arteriogenic from non-arteriogenic ED using laboratory tests. In addition, our findings provide important support for an antioxidant therapy to try to correct oxidative stress in arteriogenic ED patients. Barassi A, Colpi GM, Piediferro G, Dogliotti G, Melzi D'Eril GV, and Corsi MM. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in patients with erectile dysfunction

Levels of Human Erythrocyte Membrane-Bound and Cytosolic Glycohydrolases Are Associated with Oxidative Stress in Erectile Dysfunction Patients

Oxidative stress (OS) and production of NO, by endothelium nitric oxide synthetase (eNOS), are involved in the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction (ED). Moreover, OS induces modifications of the physicochemical properties of erythrocyte (RBC) plasma membranes and of the enzyme content of the same membranes. Due to their role in signalling early membrane alterations in OS-related pathologies, several plasma membrane and cytosolic glycohydrolases of human RBC have been proposed as new markers of cellular OS. In RBC, NOS can be activated and deactivated by phosphorylation/glycosylation. In this regulatory mechanism O-\u3b2-N-AcetylGlucosaminidase is a key enzyme. Cellular levels of O-GlcNAcylated proteins are related to OS; consequently dysfunctional eNOS O-GlcNAcylation seems to have a crucial role in ED. To elucidate the possible association between RBC glycohydrolases and OS, plasma hydroperoxides and antioxidant total defenses (Lag-time), cytosolic O-\u3b2-N-AcetylGlucosaminidase, cytosolic and membrane Hexosaminidase, membrane \u3b2-D-Glucuronidase, and \u3b1-D-Glucosidase have been studied in 39 ED patients and 30 controls. In ED subjects hydroperoxides and plasma membrane glycohydrolases activities are significantly increased whereas Lag-time values and cytosolic glycohydrolases activities are significantly decreased. These data confirm the strong OS status in ED patients, the role of the studied glycohydrolases as early OS biomarker and suggest their possible use as specific marker of ED patients, particularly in those undergoing nutritional/pharmacological antioxidant therapy

Total urinary polyphenols and longitudinal changes of bone properties. The InCHIANTI study

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association of levels of urinary total polyphenols considered as a proxymeasure of polyphenol intake, with longitudinal changes of bone properties, in the InCHIANTI study. Dietary intake ofpolyphenols appears to be associated with future accelerated deterioration of bone health.IntroductionPolyphenols, micronutrients ingested through plant-based foods, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory propertiesand may contribute to osteoporosis prevention. We evaluated associations of high levels of urinary total polyphenols (UTP), aproxy measure of polyphenol intake, with longitudinal changes of bone properties in a representative cohort of free-livingparticipants of the InCHIANTI study.MethodsThe InCHIANTI study enrolled representative samples from the registry list of two towns in Tuscany, Italy. Baselinedata were collected in 1998 and follow-up visits in 2001 and 2004. Of the 1453 participants enrolled, 956 consented to donate a24-h urine sample used to assess UTP, had dietary assessment, a physical examination, and underwent a quantitative comput-erized tomography (pQCT) of the tibia. From pQCT images, we estimated markers of bone mass (BM), diaphyseal design (DD),and material quality (MQ). Mixed models were used to study the relationship between baseline tertiles of UTP with changes ofthe bone characteristics over the follow-up.ResultsAt baseline, higher levels of UTP were positively correlated with markers of BM, DD, and MQ. Compared with lowertertile of UTP, participants in the intermediate and highest tertiles had higher cortical bone area, cortical mineral content, andcortical thickness. However, participants in the intermediate and highest UTP tertiles experienced accelerated deterioration ofthese same parameters over the follow-up compared with those in the lowest UTP tertile.ConclusionsDietary intake of polyphenols estimated by UTP and dietary questionnaire was associated with long-term acceler-ated deterioration of bone health. Our study does not support the recommendation of increasing polyphenol intake for osteopo-rosis prevention

Effects of whole body cryotherapy on serum mediators of inflammation and serum muscle enzymes in athletes

Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) covers a wide range of therapeutic applications and consists of briefly exposing the body to extremely cold air. In sports medicine, WBC is used to improve recovery from muscle injury; however, empirical studies on its application to this area are lacking. To fill this gap, we compared changes in immunological parameters (C3, IgA, IgM, IgG, C-reactive protein, PGE2), cytokines (IL-2, IL-8, IL-10), adhesion molecules (sICAM-1), and muscle enzymes (creatine kinase [CK], lactate dehydrogenase [LAD]) before and after WBC in 10 top-level Italian National team rugby players. The subjects underwent five sessions on alternate days once daily for 1 week. During the study period, the training workload was the same as that of the previous weeks. Compared to baseline values, immunological parameters remained unchanged, while CK and LAD levels significantly decreased after treatment. No alterations in immunological function were observed but there is a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokine. As measured by changes in serum CK and LAD concentrations, and cytokines pathway, short-term cold air exposure was found to improve recovery from exercise-induced muscle injury and/or damage associated with intense physical training