Purpose To investigate the effects of a single dose of juice on physical performance, oxidative stress, inflammation and muscle damage in runners. Methods Fourteen recreational male runners (39 ± 9 years, VO2peak = 55.9 ± 6.5 ml/kg/min) performed two running tests to exhaustion at 80% of VO2max after ingesting grape juice or a placebo drink (10 ml/kg/day) randomly. Blood samples were taken before and 2 h after supplementation and immediately after running to analyze total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (A1GPA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Results The participants ran for an average of 59.2 ± 27.8 min until exhaustion in the placebo group and for 68.4 ± 29.7 min until exhaustion in the grape juice intake group, which was a significantly longer time (p = 0.008). This improvement in physical performance was accompanied by a 43.6% increase in TAC (p = 0.000) at the post-exercise timepoint compared to the level at baseline. MDA, A1GPA, hs-CRP, CK, and LDH did not exhibit changes. In contrast, no significant change in any variable was observed after consuming the placebo drink. Conclusion The single-dose intake of purple grape juice demonstrated an ergogenic effect in recreational runners by increasing run time to exhaustion and increasing antioxidant activity.

Spirulina platensis, an important source of bioactive compounds, is a multicellular, filamentous cyanobacterium rich in high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Due to its nutrient composition, the alga is considered a complete food and is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiobesity, and reproprotective effects. All of which are important for prevention and treatment of organic and metabolic disorders such as obesity and erectile dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulatory role of Spirulina platensis food supplementation and the mechanisms of action involved in reversing the damage caused by a hypercaloric diet on the erectile function of rats. The animals were divided into a standard diet group (SD, n=5); a hypercaloric diet group (HCD, n=5); a hypercaloric diet group supplemented with S. platensis at doses of 25 (HCD+SP25, n=5), 50 (HCD+SP50, n=5), and 100 mg/kg (HCD+SP100, n=5); and a hypercaloric diet group subsequently fed a standard diet (HCD+SD, n=5). In the rats fed a hypercaloric diet, dietary supplementation with S. platensis effectively increased the number of erections while decreasing latency to initiate penile erection. Additionally, S. platensis increases NO bioavailability, reduces inflammation by reducing the release of contractile prostanoids, enhances the relaxation effect promoted by acetylcholine (ACh), restores contractile reactivity damage and cavernous relaxation, reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increases cavernous total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Food supplementation with S. platensis thus restores erectile function in obese rats, reduces production of contractile prostanoids, reduces oxidative stress, and increases NO bioavailability. Food supplementation with S. platensis thus emerges as a promising new therapeutic alternative for the treatment of erectile dysfunction as induced by obesity.

This study evaluated anti-obesity effect and intestinal health of obese rats treated with MP, focusing on food consumption and somatic, biochemical, and histological parameters. 32 Wistar rats with ± 40...

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Background We examined the influence of superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) Arg213Gly and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated α-Receptor (PPARα) 7G/C polymorphisms to a single dose of purple grape juice supplementation on time-to-exhaustion running test, redox balance and muscle damage in recreational runners. Methods Forty-seven male recreational runners performed a running test until exhaustion after supplementation with grape juice or a control drink. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), plasma nitrite (NO), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured pre and post exercise. Also, polymorphisms were analyzed in DNA extracted from the oral mucosa. Results Grape juice improved the time-to-exhaustion. When analyzed by genotype, the recreational runners with GG+CG genotypes of the SOD3 gene had greater time-to-exhaustion than the CC genotype, but was no different for the PAPRα gene. A slight difference was noted in TAC, since the CC genotype of the SOD3 gene showed higher TAC values in the post-exercise compared to the baseline and with pre-exercise, but these values did not increase compared to the CG+GG group, respectively. The SOD3 and PPARα genes were similar at all times for the other biochemical variables. Conclusion The ergogenic effect of grape juice was genotype-dependent for SOD3 Arg213Gly. However, biochemical redox balance markers did not explain this difference.

A deficiência de vitamina A e os distúrbios neurológicos em idososconstituem problemas de Saúde Pública que devem ter mais atençãopor parte das políticas públicas do idoso institucionalizado, devido àsua gravidade e diversidade de causas. Assim, este estudo objetivaavaliar os fatores de risco associados à deficiência de vitamina A emidosos institucionalizados da cidade de João Pessoa-PB. Trata-sede um estudo transversal e analítico, em que foram selecionados105 idosos, ≥60 anos, de cinco Instituições de Longa Permanênciapara Idosos. Avaliaram-se parâmetros sociodemográficos, clínicos,antropométricos, de retinolemia, de consumo de vitamina A, deestresse oxidativo e inflamação. Encontrou-se uma prevalência dedeficiência de vitamina A (<1,05 micromol/L) em 30,5% da amostra(32 idosos). Em relação ao consumo de alimentos – fonte de vitamina A, 68,6% (72 idosos) da amostra consumiam os de origemanimal numa frequência maior do que 3x/semana, enquanto que osalimentos de origem vegetal eram consumidos por 64,8% (68 idosos)da amostra, nessa mesma frequência. A capacidade antioxidantetotal foi quantificada em 10±17 % e o malondialdeído 3,3±1µmol; aalfa glicoproteína ácida em 38±33 mg/dL (p>0,05). Os indivíduosesquizofrênicos possuem 7,75 (p =0,00; IC 95% = 2,56-26,59) vezesmais chances de serem deficientes de retinol sérico, independentemente de outros fatores de risco. Assim, existe a necessidade deadoção de medidas de saúde pública e um maior controle dessesfatores de risco que podem piorar/afetar a qualidade de vida dessapopulação idosa institucionalizada.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve and/or maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual satisfaction. Currently, many patients do not respond to the pharmacotherapy. The effects of a supplementation with Spirulina platensis, were evaluated in a model of ED induced by hypercaloric diet consumption. Wistar rats were divided into groups fed with standard diet (SD) or hypercaloric diet (HD) and supplemented with this alga at doses of 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg. Experimental adiposity parameters and erectile function were analyzed. In SD groups, Spirulina platensis reduced food intake, final body mass and adiposity index, and increased the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of adipose tissue. However, no change was observed in erectile function. In the HD group, without Spirulina supplementation, a decrease in food intake was observed, in addition to an increase of final body mass, weight gain, adipose reserves, and adiposity index. Additionally, reduction in the number and increase in the latency of penile erection and adipose malondialdehyde levels, as well as a reduction in TCA was noted. Furthermore, cavernous contractility was increased, and the relaxing response was decreased. Interestingly, these deleterious effects were prevented by the algae at doses of 25, 50 and/or 100 mg/kg. Therefore, the supplementation with S. platensis prevents damages associated to a hypercaloric diet consumption and emerges as an adjuvant the prevention of ED.

The article A single dose of purple grape juice improves physical performance and antioxidant activity in runners.