We examined whether off-season (OffS) and pre-contest (PreC) periods affect blood oxidative stress, inflammatory, immunological, and psychological markers in 20 bodybuilders. The athletes recorded their food intake (3-day record), physical activities, mood states (Profile of Mood States, POMS), recovery-stress (Recovery–Stress Questionnaire for Athletes, RESTQ-Sport), and upper respiratory symptoms (Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey, WURSS-21), and blood was obtained for biochemical analysis. Almost all athletes were in positive energy balance during OffS, while bodybuilders presented markedly restricted energy intake (∼45%) leading to loss of weight (–9%) and fat mass (–45%) with preservation of fat-free mass in PreC. Protein intake was high during both periods, while lipid and carbohydrate intakes were reduced ∼50% in PreC. Almost all athletes consumed 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for micronutrients in OffS, while 45% and 75% of the athletes had intakes below the RDA for vitamins A and E in PreC. Oxidative damage to lipids (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS), protein carbonyls, and the TBARS/total antioxidant capacity ratio increased in PreC (32%, 27%, 60%), as did plasma tumor necrosis factor α (4-fold) and WURSS-21 scores (25%). There were no significant changes in serum catalase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase activities nor in interleukin 1β and immunoglobulins. In PreC, POMS showed negative changes in vigor (–20%), fatigue (23%), and total mood disturbance (35%), and RESTQ-Sport showed alterations for general and sport stress (34% and 50%, respectively) and sport recovery (–23%). Thus, PreC negatively affects nutrient intake, which may worsen oxidative stress, inflammation, psychological status, and the severity of respiratory infections in bodybuilders.

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to compare the acute effects of traditional resistance training (RT) versus high velocity RT (HVRT) on metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychophysiological responses in elderly hypertensive women.MethodsFifteen elderly women (mean age ± standard deviation, 67.1±6.9 years) classified as having hypertension stage 1 or 2 were randomly allocated to complete traditional RT or HVRT; 1 week later, subjects allocated to RT completed the HVRT session and vice-versa. Heart rate, blood pressure, affective response, perceived effort, and blood samples analyzing lactate, nitrate, nitrite, oxidative damage (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]), and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) collected before and after training sessions were assessed. Nutritional counseling was provided regarding nutrients that could affect cardiovascular and nitrate/nitrite analysis.ResultsSystolic blood pressure was not statistically different (p>0.05) between conditions at the beginning and during 30 minutes after sessions. Diastolic blood pressure, rate pressure product, and heart rate were not statistically different (p>0.05) between conditions at the beginning and during 45 minutes after sessions. Nitric oxide was significantly higher (p<0.0005) for HVRT compared to RT after 30 minutes of exercise. TBARS and TEAC were significantly higher (p<0.05) for HVRT compared with RT only immediately after exercise. There were no differences for psychophysiological variables between protocols.ConclusionThe acute cardiovascular and metabolic responses, including oxidative stress, are transient and within normal values. Taken together with the positive affective responses, both HVRT and RT with this intensity and volume seem to be safe for elderly hypertensive women under medication.

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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder commonly associated with brain ?-amyloid accumulation (A?). Early in disease, individuals have impairment in short-term memory, but keeps alert preserved sensory and motor functions, progressing to cognitive functions total loss. The aim of this study is to present main substances currently investigated in Alzheimer’s disease experimental model induced by A?1-42 and its possible therapeutic actions. For this, we realized an exhaustive literature research, and main results data compiled and analyzed. Thus, there were observed three agents’ classes used to treat AD: antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and calcium homeostasis regulators, with 15 substances found. In conclusion, it can be seen that these agents have beneficial results which suggest actions that may be used in clinical practice to pathology treatment.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that promotes the involvement of memory-related functions, characterized by the presence of amyloid plaques formed by the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ), and hyperphosphorylated Tau protein neurofibrillary tangles. Evidence suggests that the use of low doses of Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, possibly promotes a modulation of the immune system and consequent neuroprotective effect. The present study uses the animal model of induction with β-amyloid1-42 (Aβ1-42) to verify the behavioral, neurochemical and histological effects of the use of low doses of Naltrexone. Male wistar rats (250-300g) divided into five groups (N = 8) were used: Control, Sham, Aβ1-42 subdivided into three groups: treated with water, 05 mg Donepezil and 4.5 mg Naltrexone, orally during the 30-day period. Behavioral tests demonstrated the efficacy of induction to the experimental model with reduced memory of Aβ1-42-treated animals as well as reversal of damage in animals treated with Naltrexone. In the structural analysis, observed that the animals induced by Aβ1-42 treated with water alone presented alterations in the pyramidal forms of the hippocampal cells and that the animals treated with Naltrexone presented possibly a reversal of the neuronal damages. In conclusion, treatment with Naltrexone promoted a reversal in the memory impairment of rodents induced to the Alzheimer's model with Aβ1-42 in the behavioral and histological response.