The effects of centrally applied ghrelin on appetite and metabolic parameters during aging

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate specifically, ingestive behavior and bloodborne indicators of metabolic status, after daily intracerebroventricular (ICV) ghrelin injections, in rats of different ages. Four age ranges were tested: peripubertal (similar to 38 days), young (similar to 2 months), adult (similar to 7 months) and middle-aged (similar to 11 months). Multiple variables were measured, including body weight (BW), food and water intake (F, WI), and terminal blood levels of triglycerides (Tg), cholesterol (Chol), free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose (Glu). Five daily ICV injections of ghrelin or saline were administered (n = 8/group, 0.15 nmol of ghrelin in 5 mu L) to rats of different ages. After 5 days of treatment, ICV ghrelin resulted in an increased (p LT 0.05) absolute and relative BW, FI, WI and in elevated blood levels of Chol, Tg, and FFA as well, while blood Glu levels were decreased (p LT 0.05) within each of the four age-matched groups. Differences (p LT 0.05) in ghrelin effects over the ages included the following: relative FI was higher in 2 younger groups vs 2 older ones. Relative WI was higher in 2 younger groups vs 2 older ones. Tg, Chol and FFA in the oldest rats, both control and treated, were higher than corresponding values at the other 3 ages. The youngest age group had the lowest Glu after ghrelin

Importance of characteristics and modalities of physical activity and exercise in the management of cardiovascular health in individuals with cardiovascular disease. Part III

The beneficial effect of exercise training and exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on symptom-free exercise capacity,cardiovascular and skeletal muscle function, quality of life, general healthy lifestyle, and reduction of depressive symptoms and psychosocial stress is nowadays well recognized. However, it remains largely obscure, which characteristics of physical activity (PA) and exercise training--frequency, intensity, time (duration), type (mode), and volume (dose: intensity x duration) of exercise--are the most effective. The present paper, therefore, will deal with these exercise characteristics in the management of individuals with cardiovascular disease, i.e. coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure patients, but also in patients with congenital or valvular heart disease. Based on the current literature, and if sufficient evidence is available, recommendations from the European Association on Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation are formulated regarding frequency, intensity, time and type of PA, and safety aspects during exercise inpatients with cardiovascular disease. This paper is the third in a series of three papers, all devoted to the same theme: the importance of the exercise characteristics in the management of cardiovascular health. Part I is directed to the general population and Part II to individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. In general, PA recommendations and exercise training programmes for patients with coronary artery disease or chronic heart failure need to be tailored to the individual's exercise capacity and risk profile, with the aim to reach and maintain the individually highest fitness level possible and to perform endurance exercise training 30–60 min daily (3–5 days per week) in combination with resistance training 2–3 times a week. Because of the frequently reported dose–response relationship between training effect and exercise intensity, one should seek sufficiently high training intensities, although more scientific evidence on effect sizes and safety is warranted. At present, there is insufficient data to give more specific recommendations on type, dosage, and intensity of exercise in some other cardiovascular diseases, such as congenital heart disease, valve disease, cardiomyopathies, channelopathies, and patients with implanted devices.status: publishe