Preterm birth is a global health issue that can induce lifelong medical sequela. Presently, at least one in ten newborns are born prematurely. At birth, preterm newborns exhibit higher levels of oxidative stress (OS) due to the inability to face the oxygen rich environment in which they are born into. Moreover, their immature respiratory, digestive, immune and antioxidant defense systems, as well as the potential numerous medical interventions following a preterm birth, such as oxygen resuscitation, nutrition, phototherapy and blood transfusion further contribute to high levels of OS. Although the acute effects seem well established, little is known regarding the long-term effects of preterm birth on OS. This matter is especially important given that chronically elevated OS levels may persist into adulthood and consequently contribute to the development of numerous non-communicable diseases observed in people born preterm such as diabetes, hypertension or lung disorders. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the consequences of preterm birth on OS levels from newborn to adulthood. In addition, the effects of physical activity and hypoxia, both known to disrupt redox balance, on OS modulation in preterm individuals are also explored.

Background. Cardiovascular diseases remain as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. Ageing and gender strongly modulate the risk to develop cardiovascular diseases but very few studies have investigated the impact of gender on cardiovascular diseases in the elderly, which represents a growing population. The purpose of this study was to test the impact of gender and physical activity level on several biochemical and clinical markers of cardiovascular risk in elderly individuals. Methods. Elderly individuals (318 women (75.8±1.2 years-old) and 227 men (75.8±1.1 years-old)) were recruited. Physical activity was measured by a questionnaire. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel’s definition. Polysomnography and digital tonometry were used to detect obstructive sleep apnea and assess vascular reactivity, respectively. Blood was sampled to measure several oxidative stress markers and adhesion molecules. Results. The frequency of cardiovascular diseases was significantly higher in men (16.4%) than in women (6.1%) (p<0.001). Body mass index (25.0±4.3 vs. 25.8±3.13 kg.m−2) and glycaemia (94.9±16.5 vs. 101.5±22.6 mg.dL−1) were lower, and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) (74.6±17.8 vs. 65.0±17.2 mg.dL−1) was higher in women compared to men (p<0.05). Oxidative stress was lower in women than in men (uric acid: 52.05±13.78 vs. 59.84±13.58, advanced oxidation protein products: 223±94 vs. 246±101 μmol.L−1, malondialdehyde: 22.44±6.81 vs. 23.88±9.74 nmol.L−1). Physical activity was not associated with lower cardiovascular risk factors in both genders. Multivariate analyses showed an independent effect of gender on acid uric (β=0.182; p=0.020), advanced oxidation protein products (β=0.257; p<0.001), and HDL concentration (β=−0.182; p=0.026). Conclusion. These findings suggest that biochemical cardiovascular risk factors are lower in women than men which could explain the lower cardiovascular disease proportion observed in women in the elderly.

Oxidative stress may be involved in disease pathology and dependent on both modifiable and nonmodifiable factors. This study aimed to assess exercise-induced changes in markers of oxidative stress among older, sedentary adults and to determine the effects of metabolic syndrome (MetS) status, aerobic capacity, age, sex, and weight on these biomarkers. Two hundred and six participants (means ± SE; 66.8 ± 6.4 yr, 104 women) of the Brain in Motion study underwent a 6-mo aerobic exercise intervention. At three time points, venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for markers of oxidative stress [advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and antioxidant status: catalase, uric acid (UA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP)]. AOPP levels significantly decreased after 6 mo of aerobic exercise ( P = 0.003). This decrease was not modified by MetS status ( P = 0.183). Subjects with MetS possessed significantly higher levels of AOPP ( P < 0.001), MDA ( P = 0.004), and FRAP ( P = 0.049) across the intervention ( months 0–6). Men possessed significantly higher levels of FRAP ( P < 0.001), catalase ( P = 0.023), and UA ( P = 0.037) across the intervention ( months 0–6). Sex-MetS status interaction analyses revealed that the effect of MetS is highly sex dependent. These findings are multifaceted because the effect of MetS status seems distinctly different between sexes, pointing to the importance of acknowledging modifiable and nonmodifiable factor differences in individuals who possess conditions where oxidative stress may be part of the etiology. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Oxidative stress is implicated in a myriad of conditions, namely cardiovascular disease risk factors. This article details the effect of aerobic exercise, sex, and metabolic syndrome on markers of oxidative stress. We conclude that 6 mo of aerobic exercise significantly decreased oxidative stress, and further, that there is an effect of metabolic syndrome status on oxidative stress and antioxidant status levels, which are highly dependent on the sex of the individual.

Background and objectivesMenstrual abnormalities and shortened reproductive lifespan are associated with shorter life expectancy and higher cardiovascular and osteoporosis risk in the general population, although the magnitude of these reproductive factor irregularities in females with CKD is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current knowledge regarding menstrual abnormalities and reproductive lifespan among females with CKD.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsA comprehensive bibliographic search (MEDLINE, Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL]) was completed from database inception to February 2022 to identify all original articles reporting on females of reproductive age with nondialysis-dependent/nonkidney transplant CKD, dialysis-dependent CKD, or kidney transplantation and menstruation patterns, age of menarche, and/or menopause. Data extraction and study quality assessment were completed in duplicate. Random effects meta-analyses were used to derive pooled proportions estimates.ResultsForty-six studies were identified, and 35 were meta-analyzed, stratified by KRT modality and reported outcome. Menstrual abnormalities were present in 19%–47% of patients on hemodialysis and 75% of patients on peritoneal dialysis. Kidney transplantation was associated with a 7%–30% decrease in menstrual abnormalities. Reproductive lifespan was 32 years (95% confidence interval, 30 to 34 years). Although significant heterogeneity was present, study quality ranged from fair to good, and no evidence of publication bias was noted.ConclusionsMenstrual abnormalities and shorter reproductive lifespan are common in females with CKD, although kidney transplantation may improve menstrual health.