Obesity: effects of physical exercise and metformin on metabolic aspects of monosodium glutamate treated rats

The present study investigated the effects of swimming training and metformin on metabolic aspects of obese rats. Wistar rats were divided into control (C), obese (O), Trained Obese (TO) and metformin obese (MO) groups. Obesity was induced by subcutaneous monosodium glutamate injection (4 mg/g body weight). Exercise program consisted in swimming 1 h/day, 5 days/week, for 8 weeks, supporting a load corresponding to 5% of body weight. Metformin was dissolved in the drinking water (1.4 mg/ml) for 8 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, rats were sacrificed and blood was collected for determinations of serum glucose, insulin and triglycerides and hematocrit. Samples of gastrocnemius muscle and liver were removed to evaluate triglycerides content MSG-induced obesity, increased serum glucose, insulin and triglycerides, while physical training was able to recover serum glucose and insulin and metformin treatment recovered serum insulin and slightly reduced the serum glucose. MSG-induced obesity also increased liver triglycerides content and physical training and metformin administration recovered these parameters. It was concluded that in MSG obese rats, physical exercise and metformin induced important metabolic alterations associated with an improvement in glucose homeostasis and in liver fat content. Obesity and Metabolism 2009; 5: 129-133.

Does muscle imbalance affect fatigue after soccer specific intermittent protocol?

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Isoflavone-supplemented soy yoghurt associated with resistive physical exercise increase bone mineral density of ovariectomized rats

Objective: To determine the effects produced by the ingestion of a fermented soy product (soy yoghurt), supplemented with isoflavones and associated with a resistive exercise program, on the bone metabolism of mature ovariectomized (Ovx) and sham-ovariectomized (sham-Ovx) rats.Methods: A total of 56 rats were used. They were divided into 2 sedentary control groups, the Ovx control group (C-Ovx) and the sham-Ovx control group (C-Sovx), each with 7 sedentary animals, and 2 treated groups, Ovx and sham-Ovx, with 21 animals each. These two treated groups were subdivided into three subgroups of seven animals each, which received the following treatments: consuming the soy yoghurt + sedentary, only subjected to resistive exercise, and consuming the soy yoghurt + resistive exercise. Both the program of resistive exercise and the consumption of soy yoghurt (at 3 mL/(kg body weight day)) continued for 12 weeks. The soy yoghurt was supplemented with isoflavones at 50 mg/100 g of product. The animals were sacrificed and their right-side femurs and tibias removed and assessed for bone mineral density (BMD). The alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) was determined in the blood serum.Results: There was a significant increase in both femur and tibia BMD values and in serum alkaline phosphatase activity in all the treated subgroups, compared with the control groups (p < 0.05).Conclusion: the ingestion of the soy yoghurt supplemented with isoflavones was capable of preventing a loss of bone mass in Ovx rats and of increasing bone mass in sham rats, whilst the resistive exercise program was effective in augmenting the bone mass in sham and Ovx rats. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.

Exercise programs improve mobility and balance in people with Parkinson's disease

Compromised balance and loss of mobility are among the major consequences of Parkinson's disease (PD). The literature documents numerous effective interventions for improving balance and mobility. The purpose of this study was to verify the effectiveness of two exercise programs on balance and mobility in people with idiopathic PD. Thirty-four participants, with idiopathic PD that ranged from Stage I to Stage III on the Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) scale, were assigned to two groups. Group 1 (n = 21; 67±9 years old) was engaged in an intensive exercise program (aerobic capacity, flexibility, strength, motor coordination and balance) for 6 months: 72 sessions, 3 times a week, 60 minutes per session; while Group 2 (n = 13; 69±8 years old) participated in an adaptive program (flexibility, strength, motor coordination and balance) for 6 months: 24 sessions, once a week, 60 minutes per session. Balance and basic functional mobility were assessed in pre- and post-tests by means of the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test. Before and after the interventions, groups were similar in clinical conditions (H&Y, UPDRS, and Mini-Mental). A MANOVA 2 (programs) by 2 (moments) revealed that both groups were affected by the exercise intervention. Univariate analyses showed that participants improved their mobility and balance from pre- to post-test. There were no differences between groups in either mobility or balance results. Both the intensive and adaptive exercise programs improved balance and mobility in patients with PD. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Age Affects Exercise-Induced Improvements in Heart Rate Response to Exercise

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of age on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscle strength and heart rate (HR) response to exercise adaptation in women in response to a long-term twice-weekly combined aerobic and resistance exercise program. 85 sedentary women, divided into young (YG; n=22, 30.3±6.2 years), early middle-aged (EMG; n=28, 44.1±2.5 years), late middle-aged (LMG; n=20, 56.7±3.5 years) and older (OG; n=15, 71.4±6.9 years) groups, had their CRF, muscle strength (1-repetition maximum test) and HR response to exercise (graded exercise test) measured before and after 12 months of combined exercise training. Exercise training improved CRF and muscle strength in all age groups (P<0.05), and no significant differences were observed between groups. Exercise training also improved resting HR and recovery HR in YG and EMG (P<0.05), but not in LMG and OG. Maximal HR did not change in any group. Combined aerobic and resistance training at a frequency of 2 days/week improves CRF and muscle strength throughout the lifespan. However, exercise-induced improvements in the HR recovery response to exercise may be impaired in late middle-aged and older women. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG.

Influência do exercício físico sobre indicadores antropométricos e pulmonares em idosas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effects of physical exercise on articular range of motion of the lower limb in the Parkinson's disease individuals

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Moderate Exercise Reduces Food Consumption in Obese Mice for Activate Jak-2/Stat-3 Pathway in the Hypothalami

It is very known that due to inflammatory processes the obesity leads to resistance to leptin, it reduces phosphorylation via JAK-2/STAT-3, which generates lower STAT-3 activity in the cell nucleus, and it leads to decrease the number of transcription of anorexigenic neurons (POMC/CART) and allowing transcription of orexigenic (NPY/AgRP). PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of moderate aerobic training on food intake of obese mice through analysis of activity of hypothalamic proteins JAK-2/STAT-3. METHODS: It were used 30 Swiss mice (30 days old) divided into 3 groups: Control Group (C): sedentary animals fed with balanced diet ; Obese (OB) sedentary animals fed with high-fat diet throughout the experiment and Trained Obese (TOB) : animals fed with high fat diet throughout the experiment , kept sedentary during the first half of the experiment (8 weeks) and submitted to physical training protocol during the second half of the experiment (8 weeks). The exercise program consisted of treadmill running 1h, 5 days/week during 8 weeks at a speed equivalent to 60 % of maximum potency determined at the beginning of training period. To assess the leptin resistance, after rats were deprived of food for 6h with free access to water, they received i.p injection with leptin (2.0µl, 10-6M), after this, the chow was returned and food intake was determined by measuring the quantity and Kcal consumed at the end of 2h. The hypothalami was removed for determination of JAK-2 and STAt-3 activity. RESULTS: Our results showed that moderate physical exercise was effective in improving the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the hypothalamus of obese animals. This has made these obese animals had reduced food intake and consequently lower body mass gain. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that physical exercise, for restoring leptin signaling in the hypothalamus, controls the synthesis of neurons responsible for appetite and thus is an important tool in the treatment of obesity.

Physical Exercise in MCI Elderly Promotes Reduction of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Improvements on Cognition and BDNF Peripheral Levels

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of Water-Based and Callisthenic Exercise on Freezing of Gait, Postural Control, and Functional Independence in Patients With Mild to Moderate Parkinson Disease

Objective: This study aimed to analyze and compare the role of a water-based exercise program versus a combination of water and callisthenic exercises on postural control, functional independence, and freezing of gait (FOG) in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson disease.Methods: Twenty-five community-dwelling participants with idiopathic Parkinson disease were recruited. Of these, 9 participants took part in a water-based program of physical exercises and the other 16 participants took part in a combined program that consisted of callisthenic exercises plus an aquatic exercise session. Both programs were 16 weeks in duration. The clinical evaluation assessed the festination by means of the FOG score test; postural control was verified by means of the balance test of the short physical performance battery, and the Spanish validated version of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part 2 was used to assess functional independence. Participants were evaluated before and after 16 weeks of both proposed programs.Results: The results showed improvement in FOG for both groups, although a significant main effect was observed only in the patients who performed the callisthenic exercise plus an aquatic exercise program. Postural control did not show significant improvements after both proposed physical exercise programs as soon as functional autonomy. Our preliminary results suggest that training sessions with the combination of water plus callisthenic exercises may be a useful physical rehabilitation strategy for individuals with mild to moderate Parkinson disease who have FOG.

Avaliação funcional pré e pós programa de exercício físico de pacientes em hemodialise

Model Study: An experimental study Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) refers to a syndromic diagnosis which leads to a progressive and irreversible loss of renal function. A hemodialysis patient may have limitations in functional capacity, pulmonary function and respiratory musclular strength impacting in quality of life. Objective: To evaluate the effects of an exercise program on pulmonary function, functional capacity, quality of life and pain in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methodology: The study included 28 patients of both genders, women and men aged between 40 and 60 years undergoing dialysis at the Kidney Institute, Santa Casa de Misericordia in Presidente Prudente-SP. Primary outcomes included respiratory muscular strength measurements assessed by manovacuometry. The functional capacity was evaluated by a six minute walking test. A life quality questionnaire was applied to evaluate quality of life (SF36-KDQOL). Lung function was evaluated by spirometry. Pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale. The exercise program consisted of training 3 times a week for 40 minutes on hemodialysis during eight weeks. At the end of the program all patients were reassessed. Results: There was no significant difference in the values of FVC and FEV1 before and after the exercise program as well as the index Tiffenau. The value of post MIP was significantly higher than the value obtained in the pre program. For variable MEP no significant difference was found. Functional capacity evaluations showed that there were no significant differences (p> 0.05). The evaluation of quality of life, about the domains of specific areas of CKD showed statistical significance when comparing the list of symptoms and problems with overloading of renal disease and professional role. Indicators related to pain were significantly reduced after the program (P <0.05). Discussion: A chronic kidney patient faces complex situations of physical, social and financial aspects. Although no statistically significant results were found in all variables, the study corroborates to others found in the literature, which suggests that an exercise program can be positive for this population. Conclusion: Although lung capacity and functional capacity did not submit changes to the end of the study, reduced levels of pain, fatigue and dyspnea suggest improvement in functional performance after exercise programs.

Exercise and cognitive functions in Parkinson's disease: Gender differences and disease severity

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito de um programa de treinamento de facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva sobre a mobilidade torácica

A proposta deste estudo foi analisar o efeito de um programa de treinamento de membros superiores baseado nas técnicas de facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva (FNP) sobre a mobilidade torácica. Foram estudadas 24 voluntárias sedentárias, idade 22,9 ± 2,9 anos, divididas em grupo controle (GC), que não participou do treinamento, e grupo treinado (GT). O protocolo de treinamento físico foi constituído por um programa de exercícios de FNP, realizado três vezes por semana, durante quatro semanas. Os dois grupos foram submetidos à avaliação da mobilidade torácica por meio de cirtometria, antes e após o período de treinamento. Os dados colhidos foram analisados estatisticamente, com nível de significância α = 5%. Os valores da cirtometria axilar e xifoideana do GC antes e após o período de intervenção não apresentaram alterações significativas (p>0,05). No GT os valores das variáveis foram significantemente maiores após a intervenção (p<0,05). em conclusão, o protocolo de FNP utilizado parece ser um programa de exercícios eficiente, por promover aumento na cirtometria em um curto período de tempo, sugerindo que pode ser utilizado como recurso fisioterapêutico para o desenvolvimento da mobilidade torácica.

Effects of swimming training at the intensity equivalent to aerobic/anaerobic metabolic transition in alloxan diabetic rats

The present study was designed to determine the exercise intensity equivalent to the metabolic aerobic/anaerobic transition of alloxan diabetic rats, through lactate minimum test (LMT), and to evaluate the effects of swimming exercise at this intensity (LM) on the glucose and protein metabolism of these animals. Adult male Wistar rats received alloxan (SD, alloxan-injected rats that remained sedentary) intravenously (30 mg kg(-1) body weight) for diabetes induction. As controls (SC, vehicle-injected rats that remained sedentary), vehicle-injected rats were utilized. Two weeks later, the animals were submitted to oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) and LMT. After the tests, some of the animals were submitted to swimming exercise training [TC (vehicle-injected rats that performed a 6-week exercise program) and TD (alloxan-injected rats that performed a 6-week exercise program)] for I h day(-1), 5 days week(-1), with an overload equivalent to LM determined by LMT, for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the animals were submitted to a second LMT and oGTT, and blood and skeletal muscle assessments (protein synthesis and degradation in the isolated soleus muscle) were made. The overload equivalent to LM at the beginning of the experiment was lower in the SID group than in the SC group. After training, the overload equivalent to LM was higher in the TC and TD groups than in the SC and SD groups. The blood glucose of TD rats during oGTT was lower than that of SD rats. Protein degradation was higher in the SD group than in other groups. We conclude that LMT was sensitive to metabolic and physiologic alterations caused by uncontrolled diabetes. Training at LM intensity improved aerobic condition and the glucose and protein metabolism of alloxan diabetic rats. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Physiological Responses and Characteristics of Table Tennis Matches Determined in Official Tournaments

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)