Lisano, JK, Smith, JD, Mathias, AB, Christensen, M, Smoak, P, Phillips, KT, Quinn, CJ, and Stewart, LK. Performance and health-related characteristics of physically active men using marijuana. J Strength Cond Res 33(6): 1659–1669, 2019—The influence of chronic marijuana use on the performance and health of physically active individuals has yet to be fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to explore pulmonary function, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, strength, serum testosterone, cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), and 11-hydroxy-Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-OH) concentrations in a physically active population either using or not using marijuana. Healthy, physically active males (N = 24) were compared based on their marijuana-use status: marijuana users (MU; n = 12) and nonusers (NU; n = 12). Statistical analysis (p = 0.05) revealed no difference between groups for age, body mass, body mass index, body fat, forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage, Vo 2max, anaerobic power output, strength measures, testosterone, or cortisol concentrations. Although not statistically significant, MU showed a trend to fatigue to a greater percentage of absolute power output than NU from the beginning to the end of the Wingate Anaerobic Power Assessment (p = 0.08, effect size = 0.75). C-reactive protein in MU (1.76 ± 2.81 mg·L−1) and NU (0.86 ± 1.49 mg·L−1) was not significantly different (p = 0.60) but placed MU at moderate risk and NU at low risk for cardiovascular disease. Anaerobic fatigue was the only performance variable to show a trend for difference between groups. These results suggest that marijuana use in physically active males may not have significant effects on performance; however, it may be linked to elevated concentrations of CRP which place users at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.
Purpose The purpose of this cross‐sectional study is to compare measures of general health, circulating concentrations of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), c‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and cortisol in physically active cannabis users (CU) and physically active non‐cannabis users (NU). Methods Participants (N=30; n=20 male) were defined as CU (n=15; n=10 male) if they were using cannabis products at least once a week for the past 6‐months or NU (n=15; n=10 male) if they had not used any cannabis products in the past 6‐months. Age, height, weight, and body composition were assessed. Resting heart rate (HR) was obtained using a Polar heart rate monitor and VO2max, as a measure of cardiovascular fitness, was assessed with a ParvoMedics metabolic cart using a graded treadmill protocol. Fasted and rested intravenous blood samples were collected and ELISAs were used to obtain NGF, BDNF, CRP, IL‐6, and cortisol concentrations. Data are presented as mean ± SD and analyzed with a student's t‐test (alpha=0.05). Results CU used cannabis products an average of 4.5±2.5 times per week. There were no significant differences between CU and NU age (23.4±4.4 yrs), height (177.6±8.2 cm), weight (75.7±15.5 kg), body composition, or VO2max (50.3±7.4 ml/kg/min). HR was significantly higher in CU (72.7±15.9 bpm) compared to NU (62.5±7.9 bpm) (p=0.04). Concentrations of BDNF were significantly lower in CU (5.6±0.8 ng/mL) compared to NU (6.3±0.8 ng/mL) (p=0.02). There were no differences in concentration of NGF (193.7±71.6 pg/mL), CRP (CU=1.0± 1.83; NU=0.5±0.4 mg/L), IL‐6 (1.28±0.6 pg/mL), or cortisol (19.8±7.0 ng/mL). Conclusions Although aspects of general health appeared to be similar between NU and CU groups, this study revealed elevated resting HR and reduced BDNF concentrations in CU compared to NU. Although there were no differences between groups with respect to bio‐markers of stress (IL‐6, CRP and cortisol); CU were classified as moderate risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to low CVD risk for NU as defined by CRP concentrations. This study suggests that chronic cannabis use is associated with altered central and peripheral synaptic plasticity, as well as the potential for increased CVD risk classification in physically active individuals. Support or Funding Information This research was funded by the University of Northern Colorado New Projects Program Grant, University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association and Natural and Health Sciences Student Grants. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Background: The control of chronic inflammation has emerged as a target for improving the health of cancer survivors (CS). Aim: To examine differences in fitness and dietary characteristics of CS when grouped by low vs. moderate to high serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods: CS ( N = 26, mean age = 68 ± 12 years) were evaluated for body mass index (BMI), body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, dietary intake, dietary inflammatory index (DII), and serum CRP. Participants were assigned to one of two groups based on serum CRP concentrations: low CRP (≤1 mg/L) (LWC; n = 13) or moderate to high (CRP > 1 mg/L) (MHC; n = 13) and t-tests compared them. Data are presented as mean ± SD. Results: LWC had higher VO2peak values (mL/kg/min) ( p = 0.0003), and lower visceral fat area (cm2) ( p = 0.02) and body fat mass (kg) ( p = 0.04). Secondary analysis using Pearson’s correlation coefficients, including all current study participant data, found significant negative relationships between CRP and total dietary fat intake ( p = 0.02), saturated fat ( p = 0.03), and polyunsaturated fat ( p = 0.03). Conclusion: CS with moderate to high serum CRP concentrations had higher fat mass, visceral fat mass, and lower cardiorespiratory fitness. There was a significant negative relationship between dietary, fat, polyunsaturated and saturated fat, and CRP. However, these dietary fat related findings warrant further investigation. To summarize, improving cardiorespiratory fitness, maintaining lower body fat, may be helpful in altering chronic inflammation in CS.
Doxorubicin (DOX), a powerful anthracycline antibiotic commonly used to treat a wide variety of cancers, is associated with the production of reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative damage, resulting in cardiac dysfunction. Components of dairy may have protective effects against DOX-induced cardiac damage. Kefir is a naturally fermented milk product containing antioxidants, probiotic bacteria, and yeast in addition to the protective components of dairy. We explored the effects of dietary milk and kefir on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. We used singly housed, 10-wk-old male Sprague Dawley rats assigned to 1 of 3 isocaloric diets, control (CON n = 24), milk (MLK, n = 24), or kefir (KEF, n = 24), with equivalent macronutrient profiles. After a 9-wk dietary intervention, all animals were given either a bolus injection (15 mg/kg) of DOX (CON-DOX n = 12; MLK-DOX n = 12, KEF-DOX n = 12) or saline (CON-SAL n = 12; MLK-SAL n = 12; KEF-SAL n = 12). Body weight, grip strength, echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac geometry, and cardiac function were evaluated using echocardiography at 5 d postinjection and data were analyzed using ANOVA. Survival at d 5 post-DOX injection was 92 and 100% in KEF-DOX and MLK-DOX, respectively, and 75% in CON-DOX. By the last week of the dietary intervention, and just before injection with saline or DOX, CON weighed significantly (14%) more than the MLK and KEF. The DOX treatment resulted in significant reductions in body weight; however, we found no diet × drug interactions. The DOX treatment reduced peak grip strength compared with SAL; when compared with pre-injection measures, MLK-DOX rats did not experience a significant reduction in peak grip strength compared with CON-DOX and SAL-DOX rats. Heart mass in MLK and KEF was significantly higher when compared with CON. In summary, 9 wk of milk or kefir ingestion resulted in lower body size and higher heart mass after DOX treatment. Additionally, MLK preserved peak grip strength after DOX treatment, whereas KEF or CON did not. We observed no consistent protective effects with respect to heart dimensions and function. These findings suggest that long-term milk or kefir ingestion may be helpful in optimizing health before and during doxorubicin treatment.
PurposeThis study investigated the effects of 12 wk of postexercise kefir consumption in cancer survivors who have undergone chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.MethodsAll participants were enrolled in a structured exercise training program and separated into kefir (KEF) or control (CON) treatment groups. KEF consumed 8 oz. of kefir after exercise sessions (3 d·wk−1) for 12 wk. Outcome measures included assessments for body size and composition, aerobic fitness and muscular strength, medical history, and psychological state at pre- and postintervention time points. Blood was collected and analyzed for C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentrations, and LPS-stimulated whole blood IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α production were obtained using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays at both time points. Monocyte numbers and phenotype were obtained using flow cytometry.ResultsParticipants (N = 24; 9 males and 15 females) were an average of 61 ± 9.9 yr old. Kefir consumption was associated with 6.3% (P = 0.034) improvements in lean body mass, as well as 51.4% (P = 0.046), 39.3% (P = 0.017), and 64.7% (P = 0.021) improvements in measures of depression, fatigue, and gastric distress, respectively. KEF also experienced a significant 35.4% (P = 0.01) reduction in circulating LPS along with an 18.0% increase (P < 0.001) in classical monocytes % and a 22.3% decrease (P = 0.04) in nonclassical monocytes %. There were no significant changes in any other variables.ConclusionTwelve weeks of kefir consumption improved lean body mass, depression, fatigue, gastric distress, and a biomarker of gut dysbiosis. Kefir improved overall and classical monocyte numbers. Kefir should be considered as a component of a postexercise dietary regimen for cancer survivors.
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