Physical capacity of athletes is an important element of success in sports achievements. Aerobic capacity has been accepted as its major component. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) has been regarded by majority of authors as the best indicator of aerobic capacity of an organism, and at the same time, the best indicator of an athlete's physical capacity. The aim of the investigation was to analyze the aerobic capacity as an indicator of physical capacity of athletes, differences in their aerobic capacity with regard to the kind of sport they are practicing, as well as the differences obtained when compared to physically inactive subjects. The investigation included the determination of absolute and relative VO2max in the total of 66 male examinees. The examinees were divided into two groups of active athletes (football players (n=22) and volleyball players (n=18) of different profiles, while the third group of non-athletes served as control group. Maximal oxygen uptake was determined by performing the Astrand 6 minute cycle test. Peak values of VO2 max were recorded in the group of football players (4,25+/-0,27 l/min), and they were statistically significantly higher (p<0,001) compared to other examined groups. In the group of volleyball players the oxygen uptake was 3,95+/-0,18 l/min, while statistically significantly lower values were reported in the group of non-athletes compared to the groups of athletes (p<0,01). A similar ratio of VO2 max values was also shown by the analysis of values expressed in relative units. Our results showed that peak values of VO2 max were obtained in football players, and that football as a sport requires higher degree of endurance compared to volleyball. Having considered the morphological and functional changes which are the consequence of the training process, it can be concluded that VO2 max values are statistically significantly higher in the groups of athletes compared to the group of non-athletes.

Moderate aerobic exercise resulted in a significant reduction of inflammatory state by decreasing CRP and VCAM-1 levels with significant obesity reduction but without visceral obesity reduction. The obtained results indicate that regular physical activity is clinically desirable in primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disases.

Gentamicin (GM) is a widely used antibiotic against serious and life-threatening infections, but its usefulness is limited by the development of nephrotoxicity. Thus, the present study was undertaken to determine if pentoxifylline could protect the kidney in this experimental model. Thirty male Wistar rats were used. The animals were divided into three groups, each with 10 animals. The GM group of animals was treated daily with gentamicin in a dose of 100 mg/kg for eight days. The GMP group of animals was treated daily with pentoxifylline in a dose of 45 mg/kg and the same dose of gentamicin as the GM group for eight days. The control group received 1 mL/day saline intraperitoneally. For histological analysis, 5 μm-thick sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), periodic acid Schiff (PAS), and Jones methenamine silver. The morphometric parameters included were glomerular area, major and minor axis, perimeter, diameter, roundness, and mean optical density. Biochemical analyses were used to determine concentrations of blood urea, serum creatinine, sodium, and potassium. In the GM group of rats, glomerular basement membrane was diffusely and unequally thickened with polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, and coagulation-type necrosis and vacuolization of cytoplasm of proximal tubules epithelial cells were observed. In the GMP group of rats, glomeruli were slightly enlarged with thickened basement membrane in some segments but without coagulation-type necrosis of proximal tubules epithelial cells. Blood urea and serum creatinine concentration in the GM group were significantly elevated in comparison with the GMP group, while the potassium level was decreased. The present study indicated that pentoxifylline could provide a marked protective effect against gentamicin-induced acute renal failure, most likely mediated by vascular decongestion.

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To date, many questions about the extent and cause of pharmacokinetic (PK) variability of even the most widely studied and prescribed β1-adrenergic receptor blockers, such as metoprolol and bisoprolol, remain unanswered. Given that there are still no published population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) analyses of bisoprolol in routinely treated patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the aim of this study was to determine its PK variability in 71 Serbian patients with ACS. PopPK analysis was conducted using a nonlinear mixed-effects model (NONMEM), version 7.3.0 (Icon Development Solutions). In each patient, the same formulation of bisoprolol was administered once or twice daily at a total daily dose of 0.625–7.5 mg. We separately assessed the effects of 31 covariates on the PKs of bisoprolol, and our results indicated that only 2 covariates could have possible influence on the variability of the clearance of bisoprolol: the mean daily dose of the drug and smoking habits of patients. These findings suggest that possible autoinduction of drug metabolism by higher total daily doses and induction of cytochrome P450 isoform 3A4 (CYP3A4) by cigarette smoke in liver could be the potential causes of increased total clearance of bisoprolol in patients with ACS.