Abstract:The apelin peptide was recently discovered and demonstrated to be the endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor, APJ. A search of the GenBank databases retrieved a rat expressed sequence tag partially encoding the preproapelin sequence. The GenBank search also revealed a human sequence on chromosome Xq25-26.1, containing the gene encoding preproapelin. We have used the rat sequence to screen a rat brain cDNA library to obtain a cDNA encoding the full-length open reading frame of rat preproapelin. This cDNA encoded a protein of 77 amino acids, sharing an identity of 82% with human preproapelin. Northern and in situ hybridization analyses revealed both human and rat apelin and APJ to be expressed in the brain and periphery. Both sequence and mRNA expression distribution analyses revealed similarities between apelin and angiotensin II, suggesting they that share related physiological roles. A synthetic apelin peptide was injected intravenously into male Wistar rats, resulting in immediate lowering of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which persisted for several minutes. Intraperitoneal apelin injections induced an increase in drinking behavior within the first 30 min after injection, with a return to baseline within 1 h.
Objective
To compare health and skill related physical fitness profiles between healthy, male, basketball and football players of Sri Lankan national teams.
Results
Thirty basketball players (mean age 24 ± 4.5 years) and 30 football players (mean age 23 ± 4.3 years) were evaluated for health related fitness characteristics (body fat percentage, cardio-respiratory fitness, isometric hand grip strength, lower body and upper body muscular strength, abdominal and upper body muscular endurance, and flexibility) and skill related fitness characteristics (agility, speed, explosive throwing power, jumping power, reaction time, coordination, static balance). Fat percentage, upper body endurance, grip strength, running speed, explosive power, jumping power, balance and coordination were significantly higher in basketball players than in footballers. Football players had better upper body strength, flexibility, reaction time and agility than those of basketball players. The latter two were statistically significant. Basketball players had better mean lower body strength, although not significant. Fitness characteristics were different between basketball and football players. The results have implications in tailoring training activities to improve relevant fitness characteristics.
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