Exercise and redox status responses following alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in G6PD deficient individuals

G6PD deficiency renders cells more susceptible to oxidative insults, while antioxidant dietary supplementation could restore redox balance and ameliorate exercise-induced oxidative stress. To examine the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on redox status indices in G6PD deficient individuals, eight male adults with G6PD deficiency (D) participated in this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial. Participants were randomly assigned to receive ALA (600 mg/day) or placebo for 4 weeks separated by a 4-week washout period. Before and at the end of each treatment period, participants exercised following an exhaustive treadmill exercise protocol. Blood samples were obtained before (at rest), immediately after and 1h after exercise for later analysis of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), uric acid, bilirubin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls (PC). ALA resulted in significantly increased resting TAC and bilirubin concentrations. Moreover, TAC increased immediately and 1h after exercise following both treatment periods, whereas bilirubin increased immediately after and 1h after exercise following only ALA. No significant change in uric acid, TBARS or PC was observed at any time point. ALA supplementation for 4 weeks may enhance antioxidant status in G6PD individuals; however, it does not affect redox responses to acute exercise until exhaustion or exercise performance

Effect of pomegranate juice consumption on biochemical parameters and complete blood count

Pomegranate has been used therapeutically for centuries. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) supplementation on complete blood count (CBC), glucose, blood lipids and C‑reactive protein (CRP) in healthy subjects. A total of 5 males and 5 females (aged 31.8±6.6 years, weighing 66.2±12.9 kg) were randomly assigned into one of two groups and either consumed 500 ml PJ/day or no PJ for 14 days. Blood samples were obtained from participants prior to and following the experimental period. PJ consumption resulted in a significant increase in red blood cell count (P<0.05), hemoglobin levels (P<0.001) and hematocrit levels (P<0.05). Other CBC parameters, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, high‑density lipoprotein, low‑density lipoprotein and CRP levels did not significantly change following PJ consumption. These results indicate that PJ intake for a short period of time may result in increased erythropoiesis or decreased degradation without any significant alterations in factors associated with metabolic health and inflammation in healthy individuals

Iron Supplementation Effects on Redox Status following Aseptic Skeletal Muscle Trauma in Adults and Children.

Exercise-induced skeletal muscle microtrauma is characterized by loss of muscle cell integrity, marked aseptic inflammatory response, and oxidative stress. We examined if iron supplementation would alter redox status after eccentric exercise. In a randomized, double blind crossover study, that was conducted in two cycles, healthy adults (n = 14) and children (n = 11) received daily either 37 mg of elemental iron or placebo for 3 weeks prior to and up to 72 h after an acute eccentric exercise bout. Blood was drawn at baseline, before exercise, and 72 h after exercise for the assessment of iron status, creatine kinase activity (CK), and redox status. Iron supplementation at rest increased iron concentration and transferrin saturation (p < 0.01). In adults, CK activity increased at 72 h after exercise, while no changes occurred in children. Iron supplementation increased TBARS at 72 h after exercise in both adults and children; no changes occurred under placebo condition. Eccentric exercise decreased bilirubin concentration at 72 h in all groups. Iron supplementation can alter redox responses after muscle-damaging exercise in both adults and children. This could be of great importance not only for healthy exercising individuals, but also in clinical conditions which are characterized by skeletal muscle injury and inflammation, yet iron supplementation is crucial for maintaining iron homeostasis. This study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02374619

Enhanced erythrocyte antioxidant status following an 8-week aerobic exercise training program in heavy drinkers

Alcohol-induced oxidative stress is involved in the development and progression of various pathological conditions and diseases whereas exercise training has been shown to improve redox status, thus attenuating oxidative stress-associated disease processes. PURPOSE: to evaluate the effect of an exercise training program on blood redox status in heavy drinkers. METHODS: Eleven sedentary, heavy drinking men participated in an intervention where they completed an 8-week supervised aerobic training program of moderate intensity. Blood samples were collected before, during (week 4) and after intervention and analyzed for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls (PC), uric acid (UA), bilirubin, reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase activity. RESULTS: Catalase activity increased (p<0.05) after 8 weeks (340.7+13.3 U mg/Hb) of intervention compared to week 4 (299.5+18.7 U mg/Hb). GSH increased (p<0.05) after 8 weeks of intervention (1.22+0.16 μmol/g Hb) compared to the control condition (1.11 + 0.17 μmol/g Hb) and to week 4 (1.11 + 0.15 μmol/g Hb ). TAC, UA, bilirubin, TBARS and PC did not significantly change at any time point. CONCLUSION: An 8-week aerobic training program enhanced erythrocyte antioxidant status in heavy drinkers, indicating that aerobic training may attenuate pathological processes caused by alcohol-induced oxidative stress.Published versio

The effects of acute low-volume HIIT and aerobic exercise on leukocyte count and redox status

A single bout of exercise can result in inflammatory responses, increased oxidative stress and upregulation of enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms. Although low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become popular, its acute responses on the above mechanisms have not been adequately studied. The present study evaluated the effects of HIIT on hematological profile and redox status compared with those following traditional continuous aerobic exercise (CET). Twelve healthy young men participated in a randomized crossover design under HIIT and CET. In HIIT session, participants performed four 30-sec sprints on a cycle-ergometer with 4 min of recovery against a resistance of 0.375 kg/kg of body mass. CET consisted of 30-min cycling on a cycle-ergometer at 70% of their VO2max. Blood was drawn at baseline, immediately post, 24h, 48h and 72h post-exercise and was analyzed for complete blood count and redox status (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, [TBARS]; protein carbonyls, [PC]; total antioxidant capacity, [TAC]; catalase and uric acid). White blood cells (WBC) increased after both exercise protocols immediately post-exercise (HIIT: 50% and CET: 31%, respectively). HIIT increased (+22%) PC post-exercise compared to baseline and CET (p 0.05) for TBARS and catalase following either exercise protocol. Low-volume HIIT is associated with a greater acute phase leukocyte count and redox response than low-volume CET, and this should be considered when an exercise training program is developed and complete blood count is performed for health purposes

Exercise training reduces alcohol consumption but does not affect HPA-axis activity in heavy drinkers

It has been suggested that physical exercise could have potential beneficial effects in substance abusers, which are based on both physiological and psychological theories. Although a few studies have examined the effect of exercise on alcohol intake and fitness in individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUDs), there is a gap in the literature concerning the physiological and biochemical mechanisms that could be affected by physical exercise in this population

Disparate habitual physical activity and dietary intake profiles of elderly men with low and elevated systemic inflammation

The development of chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation in the elderly (inflammaging) has been associated with increased incidence of chronic diseases, geriatric syndromes, and functional impairments. The aim of this study was to examine differences in habitual physical activity (PA), dietary intake patterns, and musculoskeletal performance among community-dwelling elderly men with low and elevated systemic inflammation. Nonsarcopenic older men free of chronic diseases were grouped as ‘low’ (LSI: n = 17; 68.2 ± 2.6 years; hs-CRP: 1 mg/L) systemic inflammation according to their serum levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP). All participants were assessed for body composition via Dual Emission X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), physical performance using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and handgrip strength, daily PA using accelerometry, and daily macro- and micronutrient intake. ESI was characterized by a 2-fold greater hs-CRP value than LSI (p < 0.01). The two groups were comparable in terms of body composition, but LSI displayed higher physical performance (p < 0.05), daily PA (step count/day and time at moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were greater by 30% and 42%, respectively, p < 0.05), and daily intake of the antioxidant vitamins A (6590.7 vs. 4701.8 IU/day, p < 0.05), C (120.0 vs. 77.3 mg/day, p < 0.05), and E (10.0 vs. 7.5 mg/day, p < 0.05) compared to ESI. Moreover, daily intake of vitamin A was inversely correlated with levels of hs-CRP (r = −0.39, p = 0.035). These results provide evidence that elderly men characterized by low levels of systemic inflammation are more physically active, spend more time in MVPA, and receive higher amounts of antioxidant vitamins compared to those with increased systemic inflammation

Η επίδραση της άσκησης στη χρήση οινοπνεύματος

Although light to moderate consumption of alcohol is thought to be beneficial for health, heavy drinking can lead to alcohol use disorders (AUDs), cause many diseases and be a precursor to injury and violence, resulting in hundreds of thousands deaths per year worldwide. There are some reports that physical exercise could be used as a tool for the treatment of AUDs. Both physiological and psychological theories have been proposed for the potential beneficial effects of physical exercise in substance abusers. One possible physiological mechanism is based on the release of β-endorphin (β-E) and other endogenous opioids during physical exercise, which can cause feelings of euphoria, improve mood, control stress etc. However, only a few studies have examined the effect of physical exercise on alcohol intake in individuals with AUDs. There is a gap in the literature concerning the physiological and biochemical mechanisms involved in AUDs, and how these mechanisms could be affected by physical exercise. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was: (1) to examine the responses to acute exercise in alcoholic patients; (2) to implement and evaluate a long-term supervised ET intervention aimed at alcohol abuse cessation in heavy drinkers; (3) to examine whether a long-term supervised ET intervention can change responses to acute and chronic exercise in heavy drinkers. The investigation was mainly focused on the investigation of the relationship among exercise (acute and chronic), the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and alcohol abuse. Furthermore, the effect of acute and chronic exercise on other physiological and biochemical indices, and markers of antioxidant status was also investigated; (4) to examine the responses to acute exercise in individuals who drink and in those who do not drink heavily. Methods: (1) Nine alcoholic patients (age = 41.2 ± 6.7 yrs) and 9 healthy controls (age = 38.2 ± 10.7 yrs) exercised for 30 minutes at a low intensity (55-60% of Maximum Heart Rate) on a cycle ergometer. Patients were undergoing alcohol detoxification, were recruited from a psychiatric hospital, and were diagnosed as being alcohol dependent according to the DSM-IV and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT; AUDIT score > 20). Heart rate was monitored during exercise sessions by short-range telemetry. Alcohol urge questionnaire was filled and blood samples were collected prior to and immediately after exercise. Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood count (CBC), lactic acid and β-E. (2) Eleven (age: 30.3 ± 3.5 yrs; BMI: 28.4 ± 0.86 kg/m^2) male heavy drinkers volunteered to participated in an 8-week supervised intervention of moderate intensity exercise (50-60% of Heart Rate Reserve). All participants were sedentary and used to drink heavily (more than 14 drinks per week or 4 drinks per occasion; AUDIT score > 8). During the 8-week supervised exercise training (ET) intervention, participants were recording their daily alcohol intake and were motivated to increase gradually the duration and frequency of ET. Heart rate was monitored during exercise sessions by short-range telemetry. Blood samples were collected prior to and after 4 weeks of sedentariness before ET intervention (control condition), the day before the beginning of the ET intervention, at the end of the 4th and 8th week of ET intervention, as well as 4 weeks after ET intervention (follow up period). Blood samples were analyzed for CBC, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, lactic acid, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), β-E, epinephrine, norepinephrine, adrenocorticotropin, cortisol, C-reactive protein, uric acid, bilirubin, total antioxidant capacity and catalase. Physiological and other alcohol-related indices were also examined. (3) Heavy drinkers, which participated in the ET intervention, also performed three trials of acute moderate intensity exercise (50-60% of Heart Rate Reserve); one trial before ET intervention, one trial at the 4th week of ET intervention and one trial at the 8th week of ET intervention. Heart rate was monitored during trials by short-range telemetry. Blood samples were collected prior to and immediately after exercise and were analyzed for the same indices measured in the ET intervention. (4) The effect of a bout of acute exercise of moderate intensity (50-60% of Heart Rate Reserve) in heavy drinkers and individuals that do not exceed the limits of moderate alcohol use was also investigated. Η καρδιακή συχνότητα καταγραφόταν κατά τη διάρκεια της δοκιμασίας μέσω τηλεμετρίας μικρής εμβέλειας. Δείγματα αίματος συλλέχθηκαν πριν και αμέσως μετά την άσκηση, και αναλύθηκαν για τους ίδιους δείκτες που μετρήθηκαν στην παρέμβαση προπόνησης. Results: (1) β-E levels were significantly lower in alcoholic patients that controls, and significantly (p 20). Η καρδιακή συχνότητα καταγραφόταν κατά τη διάρκεια των συνεδριών άσκησης μέσω τηλεμετρίας μικρής εμβέλειας. Συμπληρώθηκε το ερωτηματολόγιο επιθυμίας για αλκοόλ και συλλέχθηκαν δείγματα αίματος πριν και αμέσως μετά την άσκηση. Τα δείγματα αίματος αναλύθηκαν για γενικής αίματος (complete blood count - CBC), γαλακτικό οξύ και (β-E). (2) Έντεκα άνδρες (ηλικία: 30.3 ± 3.5 έτη; BMI: 28.4 ± 0.86 kg/m^2) βαρυπότες προσφέρθηκαν εθελοντικά να συμμετάσχουν σε μια επιβλεπόμενη παρέμβαση προπόνησης μέτριας έντασης 8 εβδομάδων (50-60% της Καρδιακής Συχνότητας Εφεδρείας). Όλοι οι συμμετέχοντες έκαναν καθιστική ζωή και συνήθιζαν να κάνουν βαριά κατανάλωση αλκοόλ (πάνω από 14 ποτά ανά εβδομάδα ή 4 ποτά ανά περίσταση, AUDIT score > 8). Κατά τη διάρκεια της παρέμβασης προπόνησης 8 εβδομάδων, οι συμμετέχοντες κατέγραφαν την ημερήσιά τους κατανάλωση αλκοόλ και παρακινιόντουσαν να αυξήσουν σταδιακά τη διάρκεια και τη συχνότητα της εκγύμνασης. Η καρδιακή συχνότητα καταγραφόταν κατά τη διάρκεια των συνεδριών άσκησης μέσω τηλεμετρίας μικρής εμβέλειας. Τα δείγματα αίματος συλλέχθηκαν πριν και μετά από 4 εβδομάδες καθιστικού τρόπου ζωής πριν την παρέμβαση (κατάσταση ελέγχου), την ημέρα πριν την έναρξη της παρέμβασης, στο τέλος της 4ης και της 8ης εβδομάδας της παρέμβασης, καθώς και 4 εβδομάδες μετά την παρέμβαση (περίοδος follow up). Τα δείγματα αίματος αναλύθηκαν για γενική εξέταση αίματος, ταχύτητα καθίζησης ερυθρών αιμοσφαιρίων, γαλακτικό οξύ, ασπαρτική τρανσαμινάση, τρανσαμινάση της αλανίνης, γ-γλουταμυλ τρανσφεράση (γ-GT), β-E, επινεφρίνη, νορεπινεφρίνη, αδρενοκορτικοτροπίνη, κορτιζόλη, C-αντιδρώσα πρωτεΐνη, ουρικό οξύ, χολερυθρίνη, ολική αντιοξειδωτική ικανότητα και καταλάση. Φυσιολογικοί και άλλοι σχετιζόμενοι με το αλκοόλ δείκτες επίσης εξετάσθηκαν. (3) Οι βαρυπότες, οι οποίοι συμμετείχαν στην παρέμβαση προπόνησης, εκτέλεσαν επίσης 3 δοκιμασίες οξείας άσκησης μέτριας έντασης (50-60% της Μέγιστης Καρδιακής Εφεδρείας): μια δοκιμασία πριν την παρέμβαση προπόνησης, μια δοκιμασία την 4η εβδομάδα παρέμβαση προπόνησης και μια δοκιμασία την 8η εβδομάδα παρέμβαση προπόνησης. Η καρδιακή συχνότητα καταγραφόταν κατά τη διάρκεια των δοκιμασιών μέσω τηλεμετρίας μικρής εμβέλειας. Δείγματα αίματος συλλέχθηκαν πριν και αμέσως μετά την άσκηση, και αναλύθηκαν για τους ίδιους δείκτες που μετρήθηκαν στην παρέμβαση προπόνησης. (4) Μελετήθηκε επίσης η επίδραση μιας συνεδρίας οξείας άσκησης μέτριας έντασης (50-60% της Μέγιστης Καρδιακής Εφεδρείας) σε βαρυπότες και σε άτομα που δεν ξεπερνούν τα όρια της μέτρια κατανάλωση αλκοόλ. Η καρδιακή συχνότητα καταγραφόταν κατά τη διάρκεια της δοκιμασίας μέσω τηλεμετρίας μικρής εμβέλειας. Δείγματα αίματος συλλέχθηκαν πριν και αμέσως μετά την άσκηση, και αναλύθηκαν για τους ίδιους δείκτες που μετρήθηκαν στην παρέμβαση προπόνησης. Αποτελέσματα: (1) Τα επίπεδα της β-Ε ήταν σημαντικά χαμηλότερα στους αλκοολικούς ασθενείς από την ομάδα ελέγχου, και σημαντικά αυξημένα (p<. 001) μετά την άσκηση (πριν: 1.57 ± 0.39 pmol/L, μετά: 4.8 ± 1.6 pmol/L) μόνο στους αλκοολικούς ασθενείς. Τα επίπεδα γαλακτικού αυξήθηκαν σημαντικά και στις δυο ομάδες. Καμία διαφορά στις παραμέτρους της CBC δεν παρατηρήθηκαν μεταξύ των δυο ομάδων, ενώ η άσκηση οδήγησε σε παρόμοιες αυξήσεις στα ερυθρά αιμοσφαίρια, την αιμοσφαιρίνη και τον αιματοκρίτη στις δυο ομάδες. Τέλος, βρέθηκε μια μη-στατιστικά σημαντική μείωση (περίπου 17%) στην επιθυμία για αλκοόλ στους αλκοολικούς ασθενείς. (2) Η παρέμβαση επιβλεπόμενης προπόνησης 8 εβδομάδων οδήγησε σε μειωμένη κατανάλωση αλκοόλ και επίπεδα γ-GT, καθώς και βελτιωμένη φυσική κατάσταση σε βαρυπότες. Αυτές οι θετικές επιδράσεις διατηρήθηκαν για τουλάχιστον 4 εβδομάδες μετά το τέλος της παρέμβασης προπόνησης. Ωστόσο, δεν παρατηρήθηκε καμία αλλαγή στη β-Ε ή σε άλλες ορμόνες του υποθαλαμο-υποφυσιακού-επινεφριδικού άξονα μετά την παρέμβαση προπόνησης. (3) Η παρέμβασης προπόνησης δεν μετέβαλλε σημαντικά τις αποκρίσεις των ορμονών του υποθαλαμο-υποφυσιακού-επινεφριδικού άξονα των βαρυποτών στην οξεία άσκηση (4) Οι βαρυπότες παρουσίασαν αυξημένα επίπεδα ηπατικών ενζύμων σε σχέση με την ομάδα ελέγχου πριν και μετά την άσκηση, γεγονός που μπορεί να είναι το αποτέλεσμα της βαριάς κατανάλωσης αλκοόλ. Τα επίπεδα β-Ε σε ηρεμία δεν ήταν μειωμένα στους βαρυπότες σε σχέση με την ομάδα ελέγχου. Μετά την οξεία άσκηση, αυξήθηκαν μόνο τα επίπεδα της β-Ε των βαρυποτών και ήταν διπλάσια από αυτά της ομάδας ελέγχου. Συμπεράσματα: Οι αλκοολικοί έχουν κεντρική έλλειψη οπιοειδών, όπως υποδηλώνεται από τα χαμηλά επίπεδα β-Ε, που δεν είναι εμφανής στους βαρυπότες ίσως λόγω του χαμηλότερου επιπέδου έκθεσης στο αλκοόλ. Προτείνεται ότι η οξεία άσκηση ενεργοποιεί τον υποθαλαμο-υποφυσιακό-επινεφριδικό άξονα και σε βαρυπότες και σε αλκοολικούς ασθενείς. Τα αποτελέσματα υποδεικνύουν ότι η συστηματική άσκηση θα μπορούσε να δράσει ως μια υγιεινή συνήθεια που μπορεί να βοηθήσει άτομα με ΔΧΑ να μειώσουν τη λήψη αλκοόλ και να βελτιώσουν την κατάσταση της υγείας τους

The Effects of an Olive Fruit Polyphenol-Enriched Yogurt on Body Composition, Blood Redox Status, Physiological and Metabolic Parameters and Yogurt Microflora

In the present study we investigated the effects of an olive polyphenol-enriched yogurt on yogurt microflora, as well as hematological, physiological and metabolic parameters, blood redox status and body composition. In a randomized double-blind, crossover design, 16 (6 men, 10 women) nonsmoking volunteers with non-declared pathology consumed either 400 g of olive fruit polyphenol-enriched yogurt with 50 mg of encapsulated olive polyphenols (experimental condition—EC) or 400 g of plain yogurt (control condition—CC) every day for two weeks. Physiological measurements and blood collection were performed before and after two weeks of each condition. The results showed that body weight, body mass index, hip circumference and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) following the two-week consumption of yogurt regardless of condition. A tendency towards significance for decreased levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (p = 0.06) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (p &lt; 0.05) following two weeks of polyphenol-enriched yogurt consumption was observed. The population of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and production of lactate in yogurt were significantly enhanced after addition of olive polyphenols, contrary to the population of yeasts and molds. The results indicate that consumption of the polyphenol-enriched yogurt may help individuals with non-declared pathology reduce body weight, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol levels and lipid peroxidation, and promote growth of beneficial LAB

Exercise-Induced Regulation of Redox Status in Cardiovascular Diseases: The Role of Exercise Training and Detraining

Although low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are beneficial for the organism ensuring normal cell and vascular function, the overproduction of ROS and increased oxidative stress levels play a significant role in the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This paper aims at providing a thorough review of the available literature investigating the effects of acute and chronic exercise training and detraining on redox regulation, in the context of CVDs. An acute bout of either cardiovascular or resistance exercise training induces a transient oxidative stress and inflammatory response accompanied by reduced antioxidant capacity and enhanced oxidative damage. There is evidence showing that these responses to exercise are proportional to exercise intensity and inversely related to an individual&rsquo;s physical conditioning status. However, when chronically performed, both types of exercise amplify the antioxidant defense mechanism, reduce oxidative stress and preserve redox status. On the other hand, detraining results in maladaptations within a time-frame that depends on the exercise training intensity and mode, as high-intensity training is superior to low-intensity and resistance training is superior to cardiovascular training in preserving exercise-induced adaptations during detraining periods. Collectively, these findings suggest that exercise training, either cardiovascular or resistance or even a combination of them, is a promising, safe and efficient tool in the prevention and treatment of CVDs