Modeling the Oxidative Metabolic Breakdown of Ethanol and Its Effects on the Cardiovascular System

Chronic ethanol consumption contributes to the global prevalence’s of cardiovascular disease by mechanisms involving an inflammatory response and consequent lipid peroxidation. Cytochrome p450 is a part of the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS) and can utilize iron complexes and the reductant NADPH to catalyze the breakdown of acute/chronic ethanol consumption. However, efficacy of MEOS to prevent cardiovascular burden induced by ethanol consumption is not clear. PURPOSE: To demonstrate the response of the cardiovascular system in response to the oxidative metabolic breakdown of ethanol via MEOS. METHODS: An extensive literature search provided data to develop a mechanistic model of the metabolism of chronic and low volume ethanol consumption. Artificial neural networks were utilized to construct a colormap of correlation coefficients between ethanol consumption and markers of inflammation and lipid peroxidation. RESULTS: The model showed that 3.5 standard drinks (50g of alcohol) were sufficient to increased levels of malondialdehyde and C-Reactive Protein. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that ethanol consumption to a level equal to or above 3.5 standard drinks is sufficient to induce cardiovascular stress through increased reactive oxygen species and consequent inflammation, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress. The results also provide the foundation for targeted preventative or therapeutic interventions to enhance MEOS that may reduce the cardiovascular burden of alcohol consumption

The health-enhancing efficacy of Zumba® fitness : an 8-week randomised controlled study

The purpose of this study was to gain a holistic understanding of the efficacy of Zumba® fitness in a community-recruited cohort of overweight and physically inactive women by evaluating (i) its physiological effects on cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory biomarkers and (ii) its mental health-enhancing effects on factors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Participants were randomly assigned to either engagement in one to two 1 h classes of Zumba® fitness weekly (intervention group; n = 10) or maintenance of habitual activity (control group; n = 10). Laboratory assessments were conducted pre- (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8) with anthropometric, physiological, inflammatory and HRQoL data collected. In the intervention group, maximal oxygen uptake significantly increased (P < 0.05; partial η(2) = 0.56) by 3.1 mL · kg(-1) · min(-1), per cent body fat significantly decreased (P < 0.05; partial η(2) = 0.42) by -1.2%, and interleukin-6 and white blood cell (WBC) count both significantly decreased (P < 0.01) by -0.4 pg · mL(-1) (partial η(2) = 0.96) and -2.1 × 10(9) cells · L(-1) (partial η(2) = 0.87), respectively. Large magnitude enhancements were observed in the HRQoL factors of physical functioning, general health, energy/fatigue and emotional well-being. When interpreted in a community-based physical activity and psychosocial health promotion context, our data suggest that Zumba® fitness is indeed an efficacious health-enhancing activity for adults

Long-term athletic training does not alter age-associated reductions of left-ventricular mid-diastolic lengthening or expansion at rest

Purpose: The interaction of ageing and exercise training status on left-ventricular (LV) peak strain is unclear. Additionally, strain analysis across the entire cardiac cycle facilitates a more detailed assessment of deformation, yet this has not been implemented to characterize the ageing LV and in association with training status. This study investigated healthy ageing and training status on LV systolic and diastolic strain utilizing novel echocardiographic applications. Methods: Forty healthy males were included and allocated into four groups; young recreationally active (YRA,n = 9; 28 ± 5 years), old recreationally active (ORA, n = 10; 68 ± 6), young trained (YT,n = 10; 27 ± 6 years), and old trained (OT, n = 11, 64 ± 4 years) groups. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed to ascertain peak LV longitudinal and circumferential strain (base and apex) strain within each myocardial layer and at 5% increments across the cardiac cycle. Results: Older groups had lower diastolic longitudinal lengthening and circumferential expansion between 40–85% mid-diastole, regardless of training status (P 0.05). Longitudinal and circumferential (base and apex) peak and layer-specific strain did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Novel applications of diastolic strain revealed lower age-associated LV longitudinal lengthening and circumferential expansion in older age. Yet, diastolic strain profiles did not differ based on chronic habits of exercise training and, thus, older trained men did not demonstrate an attenuation of age-associated differences in mid-diastolic LV strain. © 2020, The Author(s)

Caucasian and south Asian men show equivalent improvements in surrogate biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic health following 6-weeks of supervised resistance training [version 2; referees: 2 approved]

Background: The South Asian population have greater cardiovascular risk than their age-matched Caucasian counterparts, characterized by unfavorable biomarkers. South Asians may also be partially resistant to the pleiotropic benefits of physical activity on cardiovascular health. There is a current absence of studies that compare markers of cardio-metabolic health between Caucasians and South Asians employing resistance exercise. This study set out to compare the response in biomarkers of cardio-metabolic health in Caucasians and South Asians in response to resistance exercise. Methods: Caucasian (n=15, 25.5 ± 4.8 yrs) and South Asian (n=13, 25.4 ± 7.0 yrs) males completed a 6-week progressive resistance exercise protocol. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, and their product insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides (TRIGS), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), asymmetric dimythylarginine (ADMA), L-arginine (L-ARG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were established at baseline and following resistance exercise. Results: There were significant improvements in fasting glucose, TC, LDL, HDL and VEGF in both groups following resistance exercise (p0.05, in both groups). CRP increased in the South Asian group (p0.05) Conclusions: The cardio-metabolic response to resistance exercise is comparable in young Caucasian and South Asian males though inflammatory response to exercise may be prolonged in South Asians

Caucasian and south Asian men show equivalent improvements in surrogate biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic health following 6-weeks of supervised resistance training

Background: The South Asian population have greater cardiovascular risk than their age-matched Caucasian counterparts, characterized by unfavorable biomarkers. South Asians may also be partially resistant to the pleiotropic benefits of physical activity on cardiovascular health. There is a current absence of studies that compare markers of cardio-metabolic health between Caucasians and South Asians employing resistance exercise. This study set out to compare the response in biomarkers of cardio-metabolic health in Caucasians and South Asians in response to resistance exercise. Methods: Caucasian (n=15, 25.5 ± 4.8 yrs) and South Asian (n=13, 25.4 ± 7.0 yrs) males completed a 6-week progressive resistance exercise protocol. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, and their product insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides (TRIGS), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), asymmetric dimythylarginine (ADMA), L-arginine (L-ARG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were established at baseline and following resistance exercise. Results: There were significant improvements in fasting glucose, TC, LDL, HDL and VEGF in both groups following resistance exercise ( p<0.05, for all). No change was observed in insulin, HOMA-IR, TRIGS, ADMA, L-ARG following resistance exercise ( p>0.05, in both groups). CRP increased in the South Asian group ( p<0.05) but not the Caucasian group ( p>0.05) Conclusions: The cardio-metabolic response to resistance exercise is comparable in young Caucasian and South Asian males though inflammatory response to exercise may be prolonged in South Asians

Interaction of microbiology and pathology in women undergoing investigations for infertility.

BACKGROUND: Cases of endometriosis with no tubal damage are associated with infertility, suggesting an immunological rather than mechanical barrier to reproduction. Laparoscopy and falloposcopy results of clinically asymptomatic women undergoing investigation of infertility were correlated with the outcomes of microbiological screening for Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis, ureaplasma species, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis and Chlamydia pneumoniae. METHODS: A total of 44 women presenting to a hospital IVF service for laparoscopic or laparoscopic/falloposcopic investigation of infertility provided endocervical swabs, fallopian tube washings, and peripheral whole blood for analysis. RESULTS: Of these 44 women, 15.9% (7) showed evidence of C. trachomatis infection as detected by either PCR or EIA serology. Of these 7 women, 5 (71%) had no or mild endometriosis and 2 (29%) had moderate or severe endometriosis. Of the remaining 37 women who showed no evidence of chlamydial infection, 15 (40.5%) had no or mild endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Women with infertility, but without severe endometriosis at laparoscopy, showed a trend towards tubal damage and a higher rate of previous C. trachomatis infection. Although not statistically significant, this trend would suggest that, where moderate to severe tubal damage is found to be the primary cause of infertility, C. trachomatis infection could be a likely cause for such tubal damage

Hemodynamic and Mechanical Responses in the Brachial, Common Carotid, and Internal Carotid Arteries to a Maximal Strength Test in Males and Females

Maximal voluntary contraction during an exercise test elicits robust sympathetic output in response to the physiological stress that is associated with maximal strength testing. The one-repetition maximum test (1RM) is a validated method to assess muscular strength, with varying responses between males and females. However, the vascular response of such testing in males and females is not clear. PURPOSE: To determine the hemodynamic and mechanical responses of the brachial (BA), common carotid (CCA), and internal carotid (ICA) arteries following a 1RM in males and females. METHODS: College-aged (22.5 ± 3.1 yrs) males (n=13) and females (n=16) who were free from cardiovascular risk factors performed a leg 1RM via seated leg press. CCA peak systolic velocity (PS), end-diastolic velocity (ED), time-averaged maximal velocity (TAMAX), time-averaged mean velocity (TAMEAN), pulsatility index (PI), and average diameter (DIAM) were captured in the supine position by Doppler ultrasound before and within 10 minutes of the cessation of exercise. Arterial stiffness index (β), Peterson’s Elastic Modulus (Ep), distensibility (DISTEN), and compliance (AC) were also calculated. RESULTS: Males demonstrated higher leg strength than females (pp=0.001), BA DIAM (pp=0.023) when compared with females. Higher BA PI (p=0.021), ICA ED (p=0.025), ICA TAMAX (p=0.006), and TAMEAN (p=0.001) were evident in females when compared with males. Following 1RM, males increased BA ED (p=0.022), TAMAX (p=0.042), and TAMEAN (p=0.043). Females also increased BA ED (p=0.014), TAMAX (p=0.034), and TAMEAN (p=0.031). Increased in CCA β (p=0.008), CCA Ep (p=0.038) and reductions in CCA AC (p=0.037) were observed in males, with no change in any stiffness parameters evident in females across all arteries (p\u3e0.05 for all). No interactions were observed for any hemodynamic (p\u3e0.05 for all) or stiffness measure (p\u3e0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Comparable hemodynamic responses between males and females are evident in peripheral and cerebral arteries following 1RM. Changes in CCA stiffness parameters were evident in males but not females which may be reflected in the higher 1RM values observed

Peripheral and Cerebral Arterial Hemodynamic and Mechanical Responses to a Maximal Oxygen Consumption Exercise Test in Males and Females

Variations in physiological responses to exercise between males and females have been identified by previous investigations. Maximal oxygen consumption tests (VO2max) are widely used for exercise prescription within the professional and recreational capacity, in addition to providing insight of overall cardiovascular and pulmonary health. However, the specific response of multiple components of the arterial network have yet to be established and compared within males and females. PURPOSE: To determine the hemodynamic and mechanical responses of the brachial artery (BA), the common carotid artery (CCA), and the internal carotid artery (ICA) to VO2max. METHODS: College-aged (22.5 ± 3.1 yrs) males (n=13) and females (n=16) who were free from cardiovascular risk factors performed a VO2max. BA, CCA and ICA peak systolic velocity (PS), end-diastolic velocity (ED), time-averaged maximal velocity (TAMAX), time-averaged mean velocity (TAMEAN), pulsatility index (PI), and average diameter (DIAM) were captured in the supine position by Doppler ultrasound before and within 10 minutes of the cessation of exercise. Arterial stiffness index (β), Peterson’s Elastic Modulus (Ep), distensibility (DISTEN), and compliance (AC) were also calculated. RESULTS: Males demonstrated higher VO2max than females (p=0.03). Males presented higher BR DIAM (pp=0.047), CCA PS (p=0.004), CCA ED (p=0.003), CCA β (p=0.013), and ICA PI (p=0.024) when compared with females at baseline. Males showed increased BA ED, (pp=0.01), BA TAMEAN (p=0.01), BA Ep (p=0.007) CCA PS (p=0.031). These changes were also observed in females (pp=0.007), CCA ED (p=0.024), CCA TAMAX (p=0.001), CCA TAMEAN (p=0.012), CCA PI (p=0.014), ICA PI (p=0.01), and reduced BA PI (p=0.044). No interactions between sex and arterial response were evident in any hemodynamic and stiffness measure (p\u3e0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic changes are evident in peripheral and cerebral arteries following VO2max in males and females, with no apparent sex difference in response. BA Ep increased in both groups following exercise which indicate the peripheral vessels are susceptible to varying stiffness magnitudes which are not evident in the CCA or ICA. PI reduced in the BA and increase in CCA and ICA within the female group, suggesting increased resistance within the cerebral network following VO2max

Effects of a 16-Week Home-Based Strength Training Randomized Controlled Trial on Depression in Obese Latino Adolescent Boys

While the data has shown that the overall prevalence of depression is 6% in adolescents, these statistics are primarily based on white children. Latino children are more likely to suffer anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders compared to their non-Latino peers. While incidents are higher in Latino kids (22% suffer from depression), few receive treatment when compared to white children (8% vs 14% respectively). Given the prevailing burden and impact of mental health disorders in youth, it is essential that effective interventions are identified and implemented. PURPOSE: To assess the effects of a 16-week (2x/week) home-based strength training (HBST) program on the reduction of depression symptoms in obese Latino adolescent boys. METHODS: 32 Obese Latino boys aged 14-17 years, were recruited, and randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) Control (n=16) or 2) Home-Based Strength Training (n=16). C – No intervention. HBST – Progressive program consisted of a 2X weekly program for 16 weeks. Body Mass Index (BMI) percentiles for age and gender were determined using CDC age-appropriate cut-offs. Height and weight were measured using a beam medical scale and wall-mounted stadiometer. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D). All testing was performed before and after the 16-week intervention. RESULTS: A total of 30 boys (mean age = 15.5 + 0.9 years) completed the study. All thirty adolescents had a BMI in the 95% percentile. All participants attended \u3e85 % of the strength training sessions. Repeated Measures General Liner Model showed significant improvements in the intervention group only, with participants reporting an “increased happiness” (p=0.06) and increased “enjoyment in life” (p=0.009). In the intervention group, scores improved for questions such as “I felt depressed”, and “I felt sad”, although these improvements were not statistically significant (p=0.16, p=0.17 respectively). CONCLUSION: In a sample of obese male Latino adolescent males, small improvements were seen in feeling happy and enjoyment of life after a 16 week, 2x week home based strength training intervention. Future studies should consider strength training as an acceptable modality for improving mental health in obese Latino adolescent boys