Effects of Exercise and Diet- induced Weight Loss in Overweight/Obese Women on Characterization of Serum/White Blood Cells, microRNAs and Cytokine Gene Transcription

This study examined the effects of exercise and diet-induced weight loss on markers of inflammation in obese females. Forty-nine obese women (age 48.2±10.5 years, height 63.5±2.7cm; weight 203.3±30.5 kg; BMI 35.6±5.6 kg/m^(2); 45.9±4.4 % body fat) completed a 12-week study (exercise group (EX): n=29; control group (C): n=20). Participants followed an energy-restricted diet (1,200 kcal/d for 1-week and 1,500 kcal/d for 11 weeks; 30% CHO, 45% P, and 25% F) while participating in a 30-min circuit resistance-training (3 days/wk) and 30 min walking program on non-workout days. DEXA body composition, fitness, and serum/white blood cells samples were obtained at 0, 4, 8 and 12 wks. The expression of microRNA (21 and 146a) and the expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, (PTEN, TRAF6)/PI3k/AKT/NF-kB were measured by real-time RT-PCR at 0 and 12 wks. Data were analyzed by MANOVA and presented as changes from baseline after 12 wks for the EX and C groups. Overall MANOVA analysis revealed a significant time effect (p=0.004) and group x time effect (p=0.004) for body composition measures. Participants in the EX group experienced significant changes in body weight (EX -4.0±4.4 kg; C 0.1±3.0 kg, p=0.001), fat mass (EX -3.8±4.0 kg; C -0.03±2.0 kg, p<0.001), and percent body fat (EX -2.7±3.4%; C -0.1±1.7%, p=0.002). Overall MANOVA analysis revealed a significant time effect (p<0.001) and group x time effect (p=0.003) for measures of fitness. Overall significant MANOVA interaction was observed among EX and C groups (Wilks’ Lambda p<0.001) on markers of inflammation. Significant interactions were observed among groups in microRNA 21 (EX -1.5±2.34; C 0.13±2.2, p=0.03), mRNA expression levels of PTEN (EX -4.5±3.2; C -1.6±3.4, p=0.005), IL-6 (EX -2.8±3.6; C 2.8±2.2, p=0.00); and, TNF-α (EX -0.52±2.5; C 2.3±1.9, p=0.00). Changes in microRNA (21 and 146a) were positively and significantly correlated to body weight, total weight, fat mass, and body fat percent, with circulatory levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. Results indicate that 12-wks of participation in an exercise and weight loss program significantly affects microRNA 21 and its target gene PTEN, mRNA TNF-α, and mRNA IL-6 levels suggesting an anti-inflammatory response compared to a control group

Effects of powdered Montmorency tart cherry supplementation on acute endurance exercise performance in aerobically trained individuals

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether short-term supplementation of a powdered tart cherry supplement prior to and following stressful endurance exercise would affect markers of muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and/or muscle soreness. METHODS: 27 endurance-trained runners or triathlete (21.8 ± 3.9 years, 15.0 ± 6.0 % body fat, 67.4 ± 11.8 kg) men (n = 18) and women (n = 9) were matched based on average reported race pace, age, body mass, and fat free mass. Subjects were randomly assigned to ingest, in a double-blind manner, capsules containing 480 mg of a rice flour placebo (P, n = 16) or powdered tart cherries [CherryPURE®] (TC, n = 11). Subjects supplemented one time daily (480 mg/day) for 10-d, including race day, up to 48-hr post-run. Subjects completed a half-marathon run (21.1 km) under 2-hr (111.98 ± 11.9 min). Fasting blood samples and quadriceps muscle soreness ratings using an algometer with a graphic pain rating scale were taken pre-run, 60-min, 24 and 48-h post-run and analyzed by MANOVA with repeated measures. RESULTS: Subjects in the TC group averaged 13 % faster half-marathon race finish times (p = 0.001) and tended to have smaller deviations from predicted race pace (p = 0.091) compared to P. Attenuations in TC muscle catabolic markers were reported over time for creatinine (p = 0.047), urea/blood urea nitrogen (p = 0.048), total protein (p = 0.081), and cortisol (p = 0.016) compared to P. Despite lower antioxidant activity pre-run in TC compared to P, changes from pre-run levels revealed a linear increase in antioxidant activity at 24 and 48-h of recovery in TC that was statistically different (16–39 %) from P and pre-run levels. Inflammatory markers were 47 % lower in TC compared to P over time (p = 0.053) coupled with a significant difference between groups (p = 0.017). Soreness perception between the groups was different over time in the medial quadriceps (p = 0.035) with 34 % lower pre-run soreness in TC compared to P. Over the 48-h recovery period, P changes in medial quadriceps soreness from pre-run measures were smaller compared to TC. CONCLUSION: Results revealed that short-term supplementation of Montmorency powdered tart cherries surrounding an endurance challenge attenuated markers of muscle catabolism, reduced immune and inflammatory stress, better maintained redox balance, and increased performance in aerobically trained individuals