Obesity-Related Oxidative Stress: the Impact of Physical Activity and Diet Manipulation

Obesity-related oxidative stress, the imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants (e.g., nitric oxide), has been linked to metabolic and cardiovascular disease, including endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for physiological functions including gene expression, cellular growth, infection defense, and modulating endothelial function. However, elevated ROS and/or diminished antioxidant capacity leading to oxidative stress can lead to dysfunction. Physical activity also results in an acute state of oxidative stress. However, it is likely that chronic physical activity provides a stimulus for favorable oxidative adaptations and enhanced physiological performance and physical health, although distinct responses between aerobic and anaerobic activities warrant further investigation. Studies support the benefits of dietary modification as well as exercise interventions in alleviating oxidative stress susceptibility. Since obese individuals tend to demonstrate elevated markers of oxidative stress, the implications for this population are significant. Therefore, in this review our aim is to discuss (i) the role of oxidative stress and inflammation as associated with obesity-related diseases, (ii) the potential concerns and benefits of exercise-mediated oxidative stress, and (iii) the advantageous role of dietary modification, including acute or chronic caloric restriction and vitamin D supplementation

Estudo soroepidemiológico da cisticercose humana em um município do Estado do Piauí, Região Nordeste do Brasil Seroepidemiological survey of human cysticercosis in a municipality of Piaui State, Northeast Brazil

Integrando as pesquisas sobre parasitoses na região do entorno do Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara, Piauí, Brasil, realizadas entre 1999 e 2001, o presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a situação epidemiológica da cisticercose humana no Município de João Costa, no Nordeste do Brasil. Foram obtidas informações clínico-epidemiológicas e coletadas amostras de sangue para testes sorológicos imunoenzimáticos (ELISA e Western blot), empregando cisticercos de Taenia crassiceps como antígeno. Na primeira etapa, em 1999, foram investigadas 169 pessoas com história confirmada ou suspeita de infecção/doença pelo complexo teníase-cisticercose, e seus familiares. Na análise, 13,6% das pessoas apresentaram soros reagentes para cisticercose pelo método ELISA. Na segunda etapa, em 2001, foram avaliadas 92 amostras de soro de indivíduos reativos para cisticercose detectados no primeiro momento e seus familiares, sendo que 24,0% das amostras de soro foram reagentes para cisticercose pelo ELISA, e 29,0%, pelo WB. Nessa mesma etapa, realizou-se inquérito coprológico em 701 pessoas, incluindo voluntários. A prevalência de parasitoses intestinais foi de 51,0%, tendo sido observada uma maior prevalência de protozoários (95,0%) em relação aos helmintos (5,0%). Os resultados do estudo indicam o caráter endêmico da cisticercose na área, além da elevada freqüência de protozooses intestinais.<br>As part of parasitological studies in the area surrounding the Serra da Capivara National Park, Piauí State, Northeast Brazil, from 1999 to 2001, the current study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological profile of human cysticercosis in the Municipality of João Costa. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained, and blood samples were drawn for immunoenzymatic serological tests (ELISA and Western blot), using Taenia crassiceps as the antigen. The first stage, in 1999, investigated 169 individuals with a confirmed history or suspicion of infection/disease involving the teniasis/cysticercosis complex, along with the family members. Some 13.6% of the individuals were seroreactive for cysticercosis by the ELISA method. The second stage, in 2001, evaluated 92 serum samples of individuals who had been detected as reactive for cysticercosis in the first stage, along with their family members; 24% of the samples were reactive to cysticercosis by ELISA and 29% by Western blot. During this same stage a coprological survey was performed with 701 individuals, including volunteers. Prevalence of intestinal parasites was 51%, with a higher prevalence of protozoans (95%) than helminths (5%). The results indicate the endemicity of cysticercosis in the area, in addition to the high frequency of intestinal protozoan infections