Influence of estimated training status on anti and pro-oxidant activity, nitrite concentration, and blood pressure in middle-aged and older women

The purpose of this study was to compare the association between anti and pro-oxidant activity, nitrite concentration, and blood pressure (BP) in middle-aged and older women with different levels of estimated training status (TS). The sample consisted of 155 females (50-84 years) who were submitted to a physical examination to evaluate estimated TS through the "Functional Fitness Battery Test," BP measurements, and plasma blood samples to evaluate pro-oxidant and antioxidant activity and nitrite concentrations. Participants were separated by age into a middle-aged group (< 65 years) and an older (≥65 years) group and then subdivided in each group according to TS. Blood biochemistry was similar between groups. On the other hand, protein oxidation was lower in participants with higher TS, independent of age. Older females with higher TS presented higher nitrite concentrations, lower lipoperoxidation, and lower values of BP compared with those with lower TS. Lower GPx activity was observed in participants with higher TS compared with middle-aged with lower TS. Thus, our results suggest that good levels of TS may be associated with lower oxidative stress and higher nitrite concentration and may contribute to maintain normal or reduced blood pressure values.Fil: Jacomini, André M.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Dias, Danielle da Silva. Universidade Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: Brito, Janaina de Oliveira. Universidade Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: da Silva, Roberta F.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Monteiro, Henrique L.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Llesuy, Susana Francisca. Universidade Nove de Julho; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; ArgentinaFil: De Angelis, Kátia. Universidade Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: Amaral, Sandra L.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Zago, Anderson S.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasi

Physical fitness and habitual level of physical activity associated with cardiovascular health in adults and elderly

Modelo do Estudo: Transversal Fundamento: O nível habitual de atividade física (NHAF) vem sendo utilizado para estabelecer uma relação entre estilo de vida ativo e saúde cardiovascular. No entanto, a avaliação da aptidão física permitiria a avaliação real das condições físicas do indivíduo, podendo assim apresentar melhores relações com a saúde cardiovascular. Objetivos: Relacionar o NHAF e aptidão física com a saúde cardiovascular de adultos e idosos e verificar a associação da prática regular de exercícios físicos supervisionada com os diferentes níveis de aptidão física. Método: Foram avaliados 213 adultos e idosos (&gt; 50 anos) participantes de projetos comunitários. Os participantes realizaram as seguintes avaliações: NHAF por meio do questionário IPAQ, aptidão física por meio de uma bateria de testes motores que permitiu o cálculo do Índice de Aptidão Funcional Geral (IAFG), pressão arterial, perfil lipídico e índice de massa corporal. Resultados: O modelo linear generalizado evidenciou um maior número de diferenças com relação às variáveis relacionadas à saúde cardiovascular quando os participantes foram subdivididos em grupos tendo o IAFG como variável independente, comparado ao NHAF. O teste exato de Fisher evidenciou que os grupos de IAFG classificados como “bom” e “muito bom” apresentaram maior proporção de indivíduos com prática regular de exercícios físicos superior a 6 meses, com destaque para um maior número realizando a prática com supervisão (p &lt; 0,0001). Conclusão: O IAFG apresenta melhor associação com a saúde cardiovascular do que o NHAF e o tempo de prática e a supervisão estão associados ao nível de aptidão físicaStudy design: cross-sectional Background: The habitual level of physical activity (HLPA) has been used to establish the relation between active lifestyle and cardiovascular health. However, the assessment of physical fitness would review the actual physical condition of the individual, and thus can have better relations with cardiovascular health. Objectives: Relate HLPA and physical fitness with cardiovascular health of adults and elderly and to verify the association of supervised regular physical exercise with different levels of fitness. Method: 213 adults and elderly (&gt; 50 years) participating in community projects were evaluated. The HLPA were assessed by the IPAQ and physical fitness through a battery of motor tests that allowed the calculation of the General Functional Fitness Index (GFFI). Blood pressure, lipid profile and body mass index were considered as indicators of cardiovascular health. Results: The generalized linear model showed a greater number of differences with respect to variables related to cardiovascular health when participants were subdivided having GFFI as an independent variable, compared to HLPA. The Fisher exact test showed that the groups GFFI classified as “good” and “very good” showed a higher proportion of individuals with regular practice for more than 6 months exercise, especially for a larger number performing the practice under supervision (p &lt; 0,0001). Conclusion: The GFFI has better association with cardiovascular health than HLPA and time of practice and supervision are associated with the level of physical fitnes

Transmission electron microscopy for characterization of acrosomal damage after Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa

The objective of this study was to characterize acrosomal ultrastructure following discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine sperm. Semen was collected from six bulls of different breeds and three ejaculates per bull were evaluated. Frozen semen samples were thawed and the acrosomal region of sperm cells was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before (n = 18) and after (n = 18) Percoll centrifugation. The evaluation of 20 sperm heads from each of the 36 samples analyzed ensured that a large number of cells were investigated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance at a level of significance of 5%. Percoll centrifugation reduced the percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes (from 61.77 to 30.24%), reduced the percentage of sperm presenting atypical acrosome reactions (from 28.38 to 4.84%) and increased the percentage of sperm exhibiting damage in the acrosome (from 6.14 to 64.26%). The percentage of sperm with typical acrosome reactions was not significantly different before (3.70%) and after (0.67%) centrifugation. TEM distinguished four different types of acrosomal status and enabled ultrastructural characterization of acrosomal injuries. The percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes decreased and damage in the acrosome was the most frequent acrosomal injury with the Percoll gradient centrifugation protocol utilized

The relationship between training status, blood pressure and uric acid in adults and elderly

Abstract Background Hypertension can be generated by a great number of mechanisms including elevated uric acid (UA) that contribute to the anion superoxide production. However, physical exercise is recommended to prevent and/or control high blood pressure (BP). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between BP and UA and whether this relationship may be mediated by the functional fitness index. Methods All participants (n = 123) performed the following tests: indirect maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), AAHPERD Functional Fitness Battery Test to determine the general fitness functional index (GFFI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), body mass index (BMI) and blood sample collection to evaluate the total-cholesterol (CHOL), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides (TG), uric acid (UA), nitrite (NO2) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (T-BARS). After the physical, hemodynamic and metabolic evaluations, all participants were allocated into three groups according to their GFFI: G1 (regular), G2 (good) and G3 (very good). Results Baseline blood pressure was higher in G1 when compared to G3 (+12% and +11%, for SBP and DBP, respectively, p<0.05) and the subjects who had higher values of BP also presented higher values of UA. Although UA was not different among GFFI groups, it presented a significant correlation with GFFI and VO2max. Also, nitrite concentration was elevated in G3 compared to G1 (140±29 μM vs 111± 29 μM, for G3 and G1, respectively, p<0.0001). As far as the lipid profile, participants in G3 presented better values of CHOL and TG when compared to those in G1. Conclusions Taking together the findings that subjects with higher BP had elevated values of UA and lower values of nitrite, it can be suggested that the relationship between blood pressure and the oxidative stress produced by acid uric may be mediated by training status

The relationship between training status, blood pressure and uric acid in adults and elderly

Abstract Background Hypertension can be generated by a great number of mechanisms including elevated uric acid (UA) that contribute to the anion superoxide production. However, physical exercise is recommended to prevent and/or control high blood pressure (BP). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between BP and UA and whether this relationship may be mediated by the functional fitness index. Methods All participants (n = 123) performed the following tests: indirect maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), AAHPERD Functional Fitness Battery Test to determine the general fitness functional index (GFFI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), body mass index (BMI) and blood sample collection to evaluate the total-cholesterol (CHOL), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides (TG), uric acid (UA), nitrite (NO2) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (T-BARS). After the physical, hemodynamic and metabolic evaluations, all participants were allocated into three groups according to their GFFI: G1 (regular), G2 (good) and G3 (very good). Results Baseline blood pressure was higher in G1 when compared to G3 (+12% and +11%, for SBP and DBP, respectively, p<0.05) and the subjects who had higher values of BP also presented higher values of UA. Although UA was not different among GFFI groups, it presented a significant correlation with GFFI and VO2max. Also, nitrite concentration was elevated in G3 compared to G1 (140±29 μM vs 111± 29 μM, for G3 and G1, respectively, p<0.0001). As far as the lipid profile, participants in G3 presented better values of CHOL and TG when compared to those in G1. Conclusions Taking together the findings that subjects with higher BP had elevated values of UA and lower values of nitrite, it can be suggested that the relationship between blood pressure and the oxidative stress produced by acid uric may be mediated by training status