Systemic arterial hypertension has been associated with the majority deaths from cardiovascular disease, especially among the elderly population, and the imbalance between antioxidant and pro-oxidants has been associated with hypertension. This study analyzed the acute responses of cardiorespiratory and oxidative stress parameters to low intensity aerobic exercise (LIAE) with blood flow restriction (BFR) in hypertensive elderly women. The experimental group consisted of 16 hypertensive women (67.2 ± 3.7 years) who underwent a progressive treadmill test and performed three exercise protocols in random order: high intensity (HIAE), low intensity aerobic exercise (LIAE) and low intensity aerobic exercise with blood flow restriction (LIAE + BFR). Data analysis showed that blood pressure and heart rate augmented from rest to post effort (p < 0.05) and reduced from post effort to recovery (p < 0.05) in all protocols. The values of lipid peroxidation were higher after 30 min of recovery when compared to the moment at rest in the LILIAE + BFR (p < 0.05). The same occurred with glutathione-S-transferase and superoxide dismutase activity. However, non-protein thiols levels (NPSH) reduced after 30 min of recovery when compared to the moment at rest in the LILIAE + BFR protocol (p < 0.05). In the HIAE and LIAE + BFR protocols, the levels of NPSH were lower at 30 min of recovery when compared to the same moment in the LIAE protocol (p < 0.05). LIAE + RBF produces an oxidative status and hemodynamic stimulus similar to HIAE. Taken together, these results support the indication of LIAE with BFR in chronic intervention protocols, with potential benefits for the hypertensive elderly population.

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Causas e consequências de quedas de idosos em domicílioCauses and consequences of fall among elderly people at home

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Previous investigations suggested that elevated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can indicate non-healthy states. However, the potential association between cfDNA seminal plasma levels and fertility sperm parameters has not yet been determined. Therefore, the present study evaluated the association between seminal cfDNA levels and sperm fertility criteria to determine the use of seminal cfDNA quantification. An in vivo protocol quantified cfDNA levels of semen samples obtained from 163 male patients using fluorescent PicoGreen dye staining. To confirm if semen cfDNA quantification is realistic, an in vitro complementary test was performed using three or four semen samples. The fresh sperm samples were exposed to paraquat that generates high levels of superoxide anion causing oxidative stress and cell mortality. The results showed significant association between dsDNA levels and several sperm fertility parameters, such as low viability and alterations of motility and morphology. The in vitro analysis confirmed the association between dsDNA levels and sperm viability. Together, these results suggest that dsDNA levels could be an important biomarker to test sperm fertility.

Superoxide-hydrogen peroxide (S-HP) imbalance genetically caused by a gene polymorphism in the human manganese superoxide dismutase enzyme (Val16Ala-MnSOD) is associated with several diseases. Into mitochondria, MnSOD catalyses superoxide radical producing HP and oxygen. Ala-MnSOD genotype presents a high MnSOD efficiency and generates the highest HP concentrations that has been associated with the risk of several cancer types. Cellular selenoenzymes glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and catalase (CAT) are essential to HP removal produced in excess in cells. Since, synthesis and activities of selenoenzymes are selenium dependent, we hypothesized that AA-MnSOD cells could have an improvement on antioxidant status undergoing Seleno-L-methionine (SeMet) treatment. This study performed an in vitro protocol to evaluate the response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) carriers of different Val16Ala-MnSOD genotypes exposed to SeMet. SeMet effects on cell viability, apoptosis induction and modulation of oxidative variables were determined using spectrophotometric, flow cytometry, fluorimetric and immunoassays. Gene modulation of antioxidant enzymes was also performed by qRT-PCR. From an initial protocol using heterozygous (AV) cells was determined that 1nM SeMet presented a cytoprotective effect. However, whereas this concentration did not change AA viability, in VV cells it was cytotoxic by increasing necrosis events. SeMet induced higher selenoenzymes levels in AA and VV cells and decreased oxidative markers levels including DNA damage. The results suggest a pharmacogenetic positive response of SeMet effect on AA-cells. Future studies in vivo could be essential to evaluate the potential clinical impact of S-HP imbalance after use of foods or supplements containing SeMet.