Effects of pomegranate juice in circulating parameters, cytokines, and oxidative stress markers in endurance-based athletes: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of pomegranate juice on the level of oxidative stress in the blood of endurance-based athletes. Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols, conferring it a higher antioxidant capacity than other beverages with polyphenolic antioxidants. Methods: A randomized double-blind, multicenter trial was performed in athletes from three different sport clubs located in southeastern of Spain. Plasma oxidative stress markers (protein carbonyls and malondialdehyde [MDA]) as well as C-reactive protein and sE-selectin were measured. Thirty-one athletes participated in the study. Participants were divided into three groups. The first group was supplemented with 200 mL/d pomegranate juice (PJ; n = 10) over a 21-d period, the second with 200 mL/d pomegranate juice diluted 1:1 with water (PJD; n = 11), and a control group that did not consume pomegranate juice (C; n = 10). Nine athletes were excluded due to protocol violations (n = 4 in the PJ group and n = 5 in the PJD group) because they did not observe the 24 h of rest before the last blood test. Results: The control group increased levels of carbonyls (+0.7 ± 0.3 nmols/mg protein) and MDA (+3.2 ± 1.0 nmols/g protein), whereas the PJ and PJD groups maintained or decreased their levels, respectively. On the other hand, lactate levels increased in the PJ group (from 10.3 at day 0 to 21.2 mg/dL at day 22). A nonsignificant decrease was detected in sE-selectin and C-reactive protein in the groups consuming pomegranate juice. Conclusion: Consumption of pomegranate juice over a 21-d period improved MDA levels and carbonyls, and thus decreased the oxidative damage caused by exercise.This research received specific grant and provision of supplements from Vitalgrana SL. The following institutions are acknowledged PROMETEO/2012/007 from Generalitat Valenciana and CIBEROBN (Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición CB12/03/30038) Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain to E Roche

Effects of a Lifestyle Program on Vascular Reactivity in Macro- and Microcirculation in Severely Obese Adolescents

Context and Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the macro- and microcirculation of severely obese adolescents (SOA) and normal-weight counterparts and to determine the longitudinal effects of weight loss on vascular function in SOA. Design, Setting, Participants, and Outcome Measures: Seventeen SOA (body mass index z-score = 4.22 ± 0.73) and 19 puberty-matched normal-weight counterparts (body mass index z-score = −0.02 ± 1.04) were included. The SOA participated in a 4 month weight loss program. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and response to sublingual nitrate (nitrate-mediated dilation [NMD]) were assessed by high-resolution ultrasound. Microvascular reactivity was evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry in response to NMD, iontophoresis of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, and local hyperthermia. Plasma insulin, leptin, resistin, C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, and tissue plasminogen activator were measured. Results: At baseline, SOA had similar flow-mediated dilation and impaired NMD in the brachial artery compared to normal-weight adolescents. Similarly, peak responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside iontophoresis and to local hyperthermia were unaltered, whereas cutaneous blood flow after NMD was lower in the forearm microcirculation of SOA. All plasma measurements were significantly higher in SOA. After the 4-month program, SOA presented a weight reduction of 7.4 ± 3.1%, but neither brachial artery nor microvascular reactivity variables were improved. Significant decreases were detected in plasma leptin, myeloperoxidase, and tissue plasminogen activator. Conclusions: Macro- and microvascular endothelial function are preserved in adolescents with severe obesity. Conversely, weight loss does not improve their impaired smooth muscle response to exogenous organic nitrate in both vascular beds, despite reducing plasma markers adversely related to vascular homeostasis.This study was supported by grants from the French Society of Vascular Medicine 2010-2012 (to A.V. and A.P.M), and the Spanish Ministry of Health (CIBERobn CB12/03/30038) (to E.R.

За кадры. 1975. № 48 (1883)

Горячие денечки. Группы на контроле / Л. ВитькоКонкурс продолжается / А. КнигинВ жизнь входящим / И. ЛебедевПора прощания / П. КондаковМечты сбываются / Т. КубареваЯркая страница / В. ОфицеровНа звание инженераУчиться всегда / Л. КиселевЛоцман - книжного моря / М. ЭпштейнУроки политпросвещения. Итого учебного года / Г. ЯловскаяИскатель / В. Я. КоудельныйФотоконкурс. Успех иркутянУмейте отдыхать / Р. БроневаяСкамейка... в горошек / Л. ЧемезоваСобеседник / Т. ЗаплавнаяПеревал / Б. КлимычевНа тропах жизненного пути... / В. ПетровТрону тоненькую ветку... / В. Сердю

Transient Alteration of Gene Expression in Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Using Liposomal-Driven Protein Extracts

Recent works have proposed the use of proteins instead of DNA/RNA as molecular tools for the modulation of gene expression patterns in stem cells. To obtain insulin-producing cells, certain proteins including Pdx-1, Isl-1, Pax-6, and Neuro-D, can be expressed or modified with transduction domains in order to penetrate and reprogram target cells. However, numerous aspects must be taken in account, including the fact that not all proteins may be used in transduction protocols. Thus, new methods must be developed. In this report we studied whether liposomes can work as carriers to introduce reprogramming protein extracts inside adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells. To this end, the cells were incubated for 8 h in the presence of liposomes containing MIN-6 protein extracts. Charged liposomes fused with 70% of the cells, transferring their contents and transiently (up to 48 h) changing the gene expression pattern for specific endocrine pancreatic genes coding for Insulin-I, Insulin-II, Glucagon, Isl-1, MafA, and Nkx-6.1. No expression of Foxa-2, Pax-6, and Pdx-1 was observed. Although preliminary, the obtained results suggest that the use of liposomes for reprogramming techniques opens new possibilities for cell therapy