Objective-To reports changes in plasma levels in professional racing cyclists. Methods-Plasma levels of the intracellular enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, y glutamyl transpeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase were measured resting and after exercise in professional cyclists participating in two road races: Vuelta Cicista a Valencia (800 km, beginning of the cyclist season), and the top rank race Vuelta a Espafia (2700 km, at the end of cyclist season). Results-A significant increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase was observed at the end of the race over the corresponding paired start values (P < 0.05). The increase in plasma lactate dehydrogenase after the race was only statistically significant (P < 0-05) in the Vuelta a Espafia. The longer the duration of the cycle tour race, the greater were the increases in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. The high levels returned to their start values during the overnight resting period. Conclusions-The presence of these enzymes in the blood is probably due to mechanically damaged muscle cells leaking their contents into the interstitial fluid. (BrJt Sports Med 1996;30:122-124)

(1) Background: Regucalcin or senescence marker protein 30 (SMP30) is a Ca2+ binding protein discovered in 1978 with multiple functions reported in the literature. However, the impact of exercise training on SMP30 in humans has not been analyzed. Aging is associated with many detrimental physiological changes that affect body composition, functional capacity, and balance. The present study aims to investigate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) in postmenopausal women. (2) Methods: A total of 13 women (aged 54.3 ± 3.4 years) participated in the study. SMP30, body composition (fat mass, lean mass, and bone mass) and physical fitness (balance, time up and go (TUG) and 6-min walk test (6MWT)) were measured before and after the 12 weeks of WBV training. (3) Results: The WBV training program elicited a significant increase in SPM30 measured in plasma (27.7%, p = 0.004) and also in 6MWT (12.5%, p < 0.001). The WBV training also significantly reduced SPM30 measured in platelets (38.7%, p = 0.014), TUG (23.1%, p < 0.001) and total body fat mass (4.4%, p = 0.02). (4) Conclusions: There were no significant differences in balance, lean mass or bone mass. The present study suggests that 12 weeks of WBV has the potential to improve SPM30, fat mass, TUG and 6MWT in postmenopausal women.

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In the present study, we evaluate the changes that fish oil intake has (as a treatment's coadjutant) over women's blood pressure (BP) levels and the possible changes in their sexual hormones. For this reason, two groups were constituted: one group took fish oil during 6 months (SG), and the other group did not (CG). Anthropometric, dietetic, blood pressure and sex hormones controls, including β-estradiol, total testosterone, free testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), were carried out by RIA techniques at the third and sixth month of starting or not the intake of fish oil, and 3 months after the end of the supplementation.Our study shows improvements in blood pressure only in the group that effectuated the supplementation. In these women, an increase of the total weight was noticed, accompanied by a decrease in the skinfolds. In regard to the hormones, it calls our attention the high DHEA levels in both groups. But the fish oil intake generated a very significant fall in it. Total testosterone also decreased significantly its concentrations.Therefore, we can conclude that the intake of low doses of fish oil produces a decrease in BP, and that the decline in androgenic hormones (DHEA and total testosterone) can play an important role in this decrease.