The importance of crosstalk studies in finding mechanisms for the effect of physical activity on health

Dear Editor-in-ChiefNew approaches to endocrinology have confirmed that every cell secretes hormones. These secreted substances are called cytokines. However, they are also named based on their origin. For example, the secretions of adipose and muscle tissue cells are called adipokines and myokines, respectively (Chait & den Hartigh, 2020).The endocrine function of adipose tissue has been determined in some studies. It secretes substances called adipokines. Released adipokines (such as leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, resistin, omentin) act as autocrine/paracrine and endocrine (Landecho et al., 2019). Adipokines play an essential role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, energy homeostasis, nutritional behavior, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, the immune system, adipose tissue production, vascular function, coagulation, and other bodily functions (Chait & den Hartigh, 2020). Leptin, for example, regulates body fat mass and obesity (when it increases in the bloodstream) through appetite and satiety receptors (in the hypothalamus). Unlike leptin, adiponectin reduces body fat mass and regulates glucose and lipid homeostasis. The resistin can be thought of as a link between obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance. The visfatin plays an essential role in inflammatory and infectious diseases through pro-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic ability. Omentin significantly reduces the acute phase protein in endothelial cells and can be considered an anti-inflammatory adipokine (Landecho et al., 2019). In general, adipokines act as a mediator in regulating the function of tissues and other organs such as the liver, skeletal muscle, pancreas, and cardiovascular system. Adipose tissue dysfunction plays a significant role in insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disease (Balistreri, Caruso, & Candore, 2010).Exercise promotes adaptation to skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and consequently prevents metabolic disorders. Physical activity causes these beneficial effects by altering myokines (skeletal muscle secretions) and adipokines. Adipokines and myokines play a role in facilitating tissue-to-tissue communication (tissue crosstalk) and work together to improve health. Studies show that skeletal muscle releasing myokines during a contraction may influence adipokines (Leal, Lopes, & Batista, 2018). Moreover, Shirvani et al. showed a significant positive correlation between plasma levels of irisin with the nesfatin-1 and a significant negative correlation with resistin. Therefore, physical activity could create metabolic crosstalk between skeletal muscle and adipose tissue (Shirvani & Rahmati-Ahmadabad, 2019). Doing crosstalk research by researchers is crucial to better understand the health-related molecular mechanisms (created by exercise)

Responses of salivary cortisol and α-amylase to official competition

This study was designed to determine the relationship between salivary cortisol, α-amylase and total protein response in the official football players during the course of a game. Nine young amateur football players agreed to participate in the study. Saliva samples were collected from each player 30 min and 5 min before the start of the competition, at half time, and then again 5 and 30 min after the end of competition. A significant increase in cortisol (p=0.04) in response to playing the competition was observed including a significantly higher concentration 30 min after match as compared to half time (p=0.016). In contrast, changes in salivary α-amylase changes were irregular, but there was significant decline 5 min after end of match as compared to the 5 min before the beginning of match (p<0.019). No significant difference in total protein concentration was observed. Though salivary cortisol, α-amylase and total protein changes were observed concomitantly, but there no significant relationship between them. We conclude that participation in competition has an accumulative effect on salivary cortisol concentration, but this was not related changes in salivary α-amylase

The effect of exercise mode and intensity of submaximal physical activities on salivary testosterone to cortisol ratio and α-amylase in young active males

We examined the effect of exercise intensity and mode on the acute responses of free testosterone to cortisol ratio and salivary α-amylase. We also evaluated the relationship between cortisol and salivary α-amylase. Ten healthy young active males participated voluntarily in this study in six single sessions. They exercised on a cycle ergo meter, treadmill, and elliptical instrument at intensities of 70% and 85% maximum heart rate for 25 minutes. Saliva samples were collected 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after each exercise session. No significant changes were observed for cortisol. Free testosterone to cortisol ratio increased during each exercise session (F5, 45=3.15, P=0.02). However, these changes are only significant after exercise on the treadmill at 70% maximum heart rate (t=2.94, P=0.02) and 85% maximum heart rate (t=0.53, P=0.03). Salivary α-amylase significantly varied among exercise sessions (F5, 45=3.97, P=0.005), and a significant decline was observed after exercise on the elliptical instrument (t=2.38, P=0.04) and treadmill (t=3.55, P=0.006) at 85% maximum heart rate. We found that the free testosterone to cortisol ratio is dependent on the exercise mode, while the salivary α-amylase response is dependent on the intensity of exercise. The increase of free testosterone to cortisol ratio in this study may indicate lower physiological stress in response to performing these exercises. Applying muscular strength with moderate intensity weight-bearing exercises possibly activates the anabolic pathways. Although the cortisol and salivary α-amylase responses were opposite in the majority of the exercise sessions, no significant inverse relationship was observed

The effect of active and passive recovery on creatine kinase and C-reactive protein after an exercise session in football players

Aims: One of the important issues in the context of exercise physiology is apply the best recovery methods completely after intense physical activities. Recovery methods will decrease the risk of muscle damage and subsequent inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate the recovery procedures on changes of creatine kinase (CK) and C-reactive protein (CRP) after an exercise session simulated in professional football players. Methods: Thirty Iran's Azadegan League football players were participated in this research (age: 22.4 ± 2.38, height: 179.1 ± 2.63 cm, weight: 68.5 ± 4.82 kg, body mass index: 21.5 ± 2.10 kg/m2). After exercise protocol, simulation team randomly divided the participants into three groups (n = 10) under an active recovery on land, floating in the cold water (10°C), and passive recovery for 12 min. The levels of serum CK and CRP were collected immediately, 24 h, and 48 h after the exercise protocol. Findings: The results showed a significant decrease in CK and CRP after training in cold-water immersion method comparing to the other methods (P < 0.05). In addition, the level of CRP was significantly less than passive recovery 48 h postexercise recovery (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The finding of this study shows that if recovery in cold water was used immediately after exercise, much better results are obtained in future periods. This means that immersion method in cold water probably leads to decreased signs of muscle soreness and inflammatory responses in male football players

The effect of rehabilitation training and total checkup as a noninvasive method on hemodynamic parameters in patients who candidate for heart transplantation

Aims: Heart transplantation is a valuable technique but the side effects of this surgery should be considered. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of rehabilitation training in patients who candidate for heart transplantation. Materials and Methods: This study was done by semi-experimental clinical trial method. Participants were selected from people who refer to the clinic (2010–2018). The information of the patients who candidate for heart transplantation (4 women, 14 men) were obtained (age: 60 ± 13, body mass index: 26.7 ± 3.7). Hemodynamic parameters were measured before and after the treatments. Training setting was at least 3 months and based on the exercise test of patients. Pharmacological and nutritional control and lifestyle education were also carried out. Results: The hemodynamic parameters were improved significantly (P ≤ 0.05). In some cases improvement in Pro Brain natriuretic peptide and homocysteine were observed. Conclusion: Along with other surgical techniques, it was possible to change the lifestyle as much as possible and encourage patients to noninvasive treatment. Patients should follow strict discipline, nutritional and drug policies. Patients should continue this lifestyle and positive thinking regularly. Probably the most important reason for patients undergoing heart transplant is sarcomeropathy. For this reason, regular exercise with effects on genetic signaling pathways can improve this condition if diagnosed early. Despite all the medical controls, it is likely that the most important point that improves patient's reliance is the patient's trust in the treatment method and the existence of a human relationship between the patients and the physician