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OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic grape juice intake on biochemical variables and microcirculatory parameters in triathlon athletes.INTRODUCTION:The physiological stress that is imposed by a strenuous sport, such as a triathlon, together with an insufficient amount of antioxidants in the diet may cause oxidative imbalance and endothelial dysfunction.METHODS:Ten adult male triathletes participated in this study. A venous blood sample was drawn before (baseline) and after 20 days of organic grape juice intake (300 ml/day). Serum insulin, plasma glucose and uric acid levels, the total content of polyphenols, and the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity were determined. The functional microcirculatory parameters (the functional capillary density, red blood cell velocity at baseline and peak levels, and time required to reach the peak red blood cell velocity during postocclusive reactive hyperemia after a one-min arterial occlusion) were evaluated using nailfold videocapillaroscopy.RESULTS:Compared with baseline levels, the peak levels of serum insulin (p = 0.02), plasma uric acid (p = 0.04), the functional capillary density (p = 0.003), and the red blood cell velocity (p<0.001) increased, whereas the plasma glucose level (p<0.001), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity (p = 0.04), and time required to reach red blood cell velocity during postocclusive reactive hyperemia (p = 0.04) decreased after organic grape juice intake.CONCLUSION:Our data showed that organic grape juice intake improved glucose homeostasis, antioxidant capacity, and microvascular function, which may be due to its high concentration of polyphenols. These results indicate that organic grape juice has a positive effect in endurance athletes.

Abstract:We describe the synthesis of AgPt hollow nanodendrites employing Ag nanospheresass eeds by combining agalvanic replacement reactionbetween Ag and PtCl 6 2À and PtCl 6 2À reduction to Pt in the presence of hydroquinone. AgPt hollow nanodendrites comprised of severalP ti slands % 6nmi nd iameter could be obtained in only 15 sf ollowing the addition of PtCl 6 2À to as uspension containing Ag nanospheres, andt heir size and composition could be tuned as af unction of the growth time. Thes ynthesis could be scaled up by 100 folds, which enabled us to uniformly support the AgPt nanostructures onto commercial silica. The AgPt nanodendrites displayed good catalytic activities for both the 4-nitrophenol reduction and the BTX oxidation reactions. The results presented herein mayi nspire the synthesis of noble metal nanostructures displaying attractive features for catalysis, such as hollow interiors, ultrathin walls, and uniform dispersion over solid supports (solid supported catalysts).

This study aimed to compare the biochemical markers of muscle and liver injury and total antioxidant capacity in army cadets after a traditional army physical training program and to correlate these effects with aerobic conditioning. Male army cadets (n = 87; age, 20 ± 2 years) were evaluated 12 hours before the start of training (T0), 12 hours after a 30-km march (T1), and 48 hours after military training (T2). Creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum levels were measured using an autoanalyzer. Total antioxidant capacity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (Sc%). Seventy-four percent of army cadets were classified as having excellent aerobic conditioning (53.9 ± 3.0 ml · kg(-) · min(-1) predicted VO2max from the Cooper test). The median serum concentration of all enzymes increased 12 hours after marching (T1: CK 675%; ALT 59%; AST 336%; AST/ALT ratio 85%; p = 0.001) and 48 hours after the end of training (T2: CK 878%; ALT 256%; AST 418%; AST/ALT ratio 180%; p = 0.001). Sc% was higher in T2 (31.1 ± 9.8%; p = 0.01) than in T0 (3.4% change). Maximal oxygen consumption (ml · kg(-1) · min(-1)) correlated negatively with CK (r = -0.25; p = 0.009) and ALT (r = -0.21; p = 0.03) serum levels, and positively with the change in Sc% (r = 0.22; p = 0.04) at T2. The results indicate that intense military training can cause liver and muscle injury and that aerobic conditioning can be considered as a protective factor for these injuries.

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