Chronic Inflammation and Neutrophil Activation as Possible Causes of Joint Diseases in Ballet Dancers

Herein, we investigated the effects of a ballet class on the kinetic profiles of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, cytokines, complement component 3 (C3), and the concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig), IgA and IgM, in ballerinas. We also verified neutrophil death and ROS release. Blood samples were taken from 13 dancers before, immediately after, and 18 hours after a ballet class. The ballet class increased the plasma activities of CK-total (2.0-fold) immediately after class, while the activities of CK-cardiac muscle (1.0-fold) and LDH (3.0-fold) were observed to increase 18 hours after the class. Levels of the TNF-α, IL-1β, IgG, and IgA were not affected under the study conditions. The exercise was found to induce neutrophil apoptosis (6.0-fold) 18 hours after the ballet class. Additionally, immediately after the ballet class, the neutrophils from the ballerinas were found to be less responsive to PMA stimulus. Conclusion. Ballet class was found to result in inflammation in dancers. The inflammation caused by the ballet class remained for 18 hours after the exercise. These findings are important in preventing the development of chronic lesions that are commonly observed in dancers, such as those with arthritis and synovitis

Mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle insulin resistance induced by fatty acids: importance of the mitochondrial function

Insulin resistance condition is associated to the development of several syndromes, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. Although the factors linking insulin resistance to these syndromes are not precisely defined yet, evidence suggests that the elevated plasma free fatty acid (FFA) level plays an important role in the development of skeletal muscle insulin resistance. Accordantly, in vivo and in vitro exposure of skeletal muscle and myocytes to physiological concentrations of saturated fatty acids is associated with insulin resistance condition. Several mechanisms have been postulated to account for fatty acids-induced muscle insulin resistance, including Randle cycle, oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Here we reviewed experimental evidence supporting the involvement of each of these propositions in the development of skeletal muscle insulin resistance induced by saturated fatty acids and propose an integrative model placing mitochondrial dysfunction as an important and common factor to the other mechanisms

Impact of Hot Environment on Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalance, Renal Damage, Hemolysis, and Immune Activation Postmarathon

Previous studies have demonstrated the physiological changes induced by exercise exposure in hot environments. We investigated the hematological and oxidative changes and tissue damage induced by marathon race in different thermal conditions. Twenty-six male runners completed the São Paulo International Marathon both in hot environment (HE) and in temperate environment (TE). Blood and urine samples were collected 1 day before, immediately after, 1 day after, and 3 days after the marathon to analyze the hematological parameters, electrolytes, markers of tissue damage, and oxidative status. In both environments, the marathon race promotes fluid and electrolyte imbalance, hemolysis, oxidative stress, immune activation, and tissue damage. The marathon runner’s performance was approximately 13.5% lower in HE compared to TE; however, in HE, our results demonstrated more pronounced fluid and electrolyte imbalance, renal damage, hemolysis, and immune activation. Moreover, oxidative stress induced by marathon in HE is presumed to be related to protein/purine oxidation instead of other oxidative sources. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance and protein/purine oxidation may be important factors responsible for hemolysis, renal damage, immune activation, and impaired performance after long-term exercise in HE. Nonetheless, we suggested that the impairment on performance in HE was not associated to the muscle damage and lipoperoxidation

Hydrolyzed whey protein enriched with glutamine dipeptide attenuates skeletal muscle damage and improves physical exhaustion test performance in triathletes

PurposeTo investigate the effects of hydrolyzed whey protein enriched with glutamine dipeptide on the percentage of oxygen consumption, second ventilatory threshold, duration and total distance covered, and skeletal muscle damage during an exhaustion test in elite triathletes.MethodsThe study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Nine male triathletes performed a progressive incremental test on a treadmill ergometer (1.4 km h−1·3 min−1) 30 min after ingesting either 50 g of maltodextrin plus four tablets of 700 mg hydrolyzed whey protein enriched with 175 mg of glutamine dipeptide diluted in 250 ml of water (MGln) or four tablets of 700 mg maltodextrin plus 50 g maltodextrin diluted in 250 ml of water (M). Each athlete was submitted to the two dietary treatments and two corresponding exhaustive physical tests with an interval of one week between the interventions. The effects of the two treatments were then compared within the same athlete. Maximal oxygen consumption, percentage of maximal oxygen consumption, second ventilatory threshold, and duration and total distance covered were measured during the exhaustion test. Blood was collected before and immediately after the test for the determination of plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) activities and lactate concentration (also measured 6, 10, and 15 min after the test). Plasma cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-1ra) and C-reactive protein levels were also measured.ResultsA single dose of MGln increased the percentage of maximal oxygen consumption, second ventilatory threshold duration, and total distance covered during the exhaustion test and augmented plasma lactate levels 6 and 15 min after the test. MGln also decreased plasma LDH and CK activities indicating muscle damage protection. Plasma cytokine and C-reactive protein levels did not change across the study periods.ConclusionConditions including overnight fasting and a single dose of MGln supplementation resulted in exercising at a higher percentage of maximal oxygen consumption, a higher second ventilatory threshold, blood lactate levels, and reductions in plasma markers of muscle damage during an exhaustion test in elite triathletes. These findings support oral glutamine supplementation's efficacy in triathletes, but further studies require

Glutamine dipeptide supplementation improves clinical responses in patients with diabetic foot syndrome

ABSTRACT The effect of glutamine dipeptide (GDP) supplementation in patients with diabetic foot syndrome was evaluated. A total of 22 patients took part in the study. GDP was supplied in 10 g sachets, and was dissolved in water immediately before use, with ingestion once a day, after lunch or after dinner (20 g/day) over a period of 30 days. Quantification of foot insensitive areas, oxidative stress, blood cytokines, and biochemical, hematological and toxicological parameters was performed before and after GDP supplementation. We observed an increase in blood levels of interferon-&#945; (P=0.023), interferon-&#947; (P=0.038), interleukin-4 (P=0.003), interleukin-6 (P=0.0025), interleukin-7 (P=0.028), interleukin-12 p40 (P=0.017), interleukin-13 (P=0.001), leukocytes (P=0.037), eosinophils (P=0.049), and typical lymphocytes (P<0.001) due to GDP administration. In addition, we observed a reduced number (P=0.048) of insensitive areas on the foot, and reduction (P=0.047) of fasting hyperglycemia. Patients also showed increased blood high density lipoprotein (P<0.01) and protein thiol groups (P=0.004). These favorable results were associated with the absence of renal and hepatic toxicity. These results are of clinical relevance, since supplementation with GDP over 30 days improved clinical responses in patients with diabetic foot syndrome

Stretch breaks in the work setting improve flexibility and grip strength and reduce musculoskeletal complaints

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of a stretch break program (SBP) on the flexibility, strength and musculoskeletal complaints of storage (SW) and administrative (AW) sector workers. Twenty-six male workers were randomly selected: 16 workers from the storage sector and ten workers from the administrative sector. We applied the Physical Activity Questionnaire and Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and evaluated flexibility and grip strength before and after 6 months of the SBP. The SPB decreased the SW group members' complaints of paresthesias and numbness in the upper body and total body. The SPB reduced the AW group members' complaints of paresthesias and numbness in the upper body. Furthermore, the SPB improved cervical, trunk and left shoulder flexibility in the SW group and improved cervical and shoulder flexibility and grip strength in the AW group. The SBP contribute to improve flexibility and musculoskeletal complaints in the regions that are affected by higher rates of work-related injuries

Comparative toxicity of fatty acids on a macrophage cell line (J774)

A B S T R A C T In the present study, the cytotoxicity of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, arachidonic, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids on a macrophage cell line (J774) was investigated. The induction of toxicity was investigated by changes in cell size, granularity, membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine externalization by using flow cytometry. Fluorescence microscopy was used to determine the type of cell death (Acridine Orange/ethidium bromide assay). The possible mechanisms involved were examined by measuring mitochondrial depolarization, lipid accumulation and PPARγ (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ ) activation. The results demonstrate that fatty acids induce apoptosis and necrosis of J774 cells. At high concentrations, fatty acids cause macrophage death mainly by necrosis. The cytotoxicity of the fatty acids was not strictly related to the number of double bonds in the molecules: palmitic acid &gt; docosahexaenoic acid &gt; stearic acid = eicosapentaenoic acid = arachidonic acid &gt; oleic acid &gt; linoleic acid. The induction of cell death did not involve PPARγ activation. The mechanisms of fatty acids to induce cell death involved changes in mitochondrial transmembrane potential and intracellular neutral lipid accumulation. Fatty acids poorly incorporated into triacylglycerol had the highest toxicity

Biological and clinical aspects of an olive oil-based lipid emulsion – a review

Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) have been an integral component of parenteral nutrition for more than 50 years. Numerous formulations are available and are based on vegetable (soybean, olive, coconut) and animal (fish) oils. Therefore, each of these formulations has a unique fatty acid composition that offers both benefits and limitations. As clinical experience and our understanding of the effects of fatty acids on various physiological processes has grown, there is evidence to suggest that some ILEs may have benefits compared with others. Current evidence suggests that olive oil-based ILE may preserve immune, hepatobiliary, and endothelial cell function, and may reduce lipid peroxidation and plasma lipid levels. There is good evidence from a large randomized controlled study to support a benefit of olive oil-based ILE over soybean oil-based ILE on reducing infections in critically ill patients. At present there is limited evidence to demonstrate a benefit of olive oil-based ILE over other ILEs on glucose metabolism, and few data exist to demonstrate a benefit on clinical outcomes such as hospital or intensive care unit stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, or mortality. We review the current research and clinical evidence supporting the potential positive biological and clinical aspects of olive oil-based ILE and conclude that olive oil-based ILE is well tolerated and provides effective nutritional support to various PN-requiring patient populations. Olive oil-based ILE appears to support the innate immune system, is associated with fewer infections, induces less lipid peroxidation, and is not associated with increased hepatobiliary or lipid disturbances. These data would suggest that olive oil-based ILE is a valuable option in various PN-requiring patient population

Modulatory effect of fatty acids on fungicidal activity, respiratory burst and TNF-alpha and IL-6 production in J774 murine macrophages

The reported effects of different families of fatty acids (FA; SFA, MUFA, n-3 and n-6 PUFA) on human health and the importance of macrophage respiratory burst and cytokine release to immune defence led us to examine the influence of palmitic acid (PA), oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, EPA and DHA on macrophage function. We determined fungicidal activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytokine production after the treatment of J774 cells with non-toxic concentrations of the FA. PA had a late and discrete stimulating effect on ROS production, which may be associated with the reduced fungicidal activity of the cells after treatment with this FA. OA presented a sustained stimulatory effect on ROS production and increased fungicidal activity of the cells, suggesting that enrichment of diets with OA may be beneficial for pathogen elimination. The effects of PUFA on ROS production were time-and dose-dependently regulated, with no evident differences between n-3 and n-6 PUFA. It was worth noting that most changes induced after stimulation of the cells with lipopolysaccharide were suppressed by the FA. The present results suggest that supplementation of the diet with specific FA, not classes of FA, might enable an improvement in host defence mechanisms or a reduction in adverse immunological reactions.FAPESPFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)CNPqCAPESCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES