Increasing evidence in both experimental and clinical studies suggests that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic tissue damage. This study investigated the protective effects of quercetin treatment on oxidative stress, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control rats, control rats treated daily with quercetin (150 micromol/kg, i.p.), untreated diabetic rats, and diabetic rats treated with quercetin. Diabetes was induced by a single i.p. injection of streptozotocin (70 mg/kg). Eight weeks later we measured TBARS and hydroperoxide-initiated chemiluminescence (QL) in liver as markers of oxidative stress, and activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase, NF-kappaB activation by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay and expression of IkappaB kinases (IKKalpha and IKKbeta), the inhibitor IkappaB (IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta), and iNOS by Western blot. The plasma glucose concentration was significantly increased in diabetic rats and was not changed by quercetin. Streptozotocin administration induced significant increases in hepatic TBARS concentration, QL, and SOD and catalase activities that were prevented by quercetin. Activation of NF-kappaB, induction of IKKalpha and iNOS protein levels, and increased degradation of IkappaBalpha were also observed in streptozotocin-treated rats. All of those effects were abolished by quercetin. These findings suggest that quercetin treatment, by abolishing the IKK/NF-kappaB signal transduction pathway, may block the production of noxious mediators involved in the development of early diabetes tissue injury and in the evolution of late complications.

This study demonstrated that there is a relation between trunk control and respiratory muscular strength, especially concerning the expiratory muscles. However, there seems to be no relation between trunk control and pulmonary function in this series of individuals who suffered stroke.

Rational: Patients under regular dialysis can also present alterations in the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and metabolic systems. Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of strength and aerobic exercises performed during hemodialysis (HD) in individuals with chronic renal disease. Materials and Methods: Randomized clinical trial. It was developed as a program of exercises three times a week, in the first 2 h of HD for 8 weeks. The patients were divided into three groups: control (Group 1, n: 11), strength (Group 2, n: 11), and aerobic (Group 3, n: 10). G1 has not developed any type of physical training; G2 utilized a training load of 40% of one repetition maximum (1RM) with anklets, and developed three series of 15 repetitions. G3 pedaled seated in the dialysis seat, during 20 min, in an ergometric bicycle, with intensity regulated by the perceived effort scale. Before and after 8 weeks, the following variables were evaluated: respiratory muscular strength, pulmonary function, functional capacity, blood biochemistry, and quality of life. Main Findings: In the pre-and post-training comparison, there was statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), number of steps achieved (NSA), and quality of life (QoL) in the trained groups, as compared to the nonexercised group (G1). Conclusions: The strength and aerobic exercises developed during HD can improve the respiratory muscular strength, functional performance, and quality of life, when compared to individuals presenting the disease who have not developed any type of physical training.

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