We examined whether changes in gut hormone levels due to a single bout of aerobic exercise differ between obese young males and normal controls, and attempted to determine the involvement of hormonal changes during exercise in the regulation of energy balance (EB) in these obese subjects. Seven obese and seven age-matched subjects of normal weight participated in exercise and rest sessions. Subjects consumed a standardized breakfast that was followed by constant cycling exercise at 50% VO 2max or rest for 60 min. At lunch, a test meal was presented, and energy intake (EI) and relative energy intake (REI) were calculated. Blood samples were obtained at 30 min intervals during both sessions for measurement of glucose, insulin, glucagon, ghrelin, peptide YY (PYY), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Plasma levels of PYY and GLP-1 were increased by exercise, whereas plasma ghrelin levels were unaffected by exercise. The areas under the curve (AUC) of the time courses of PYY and GLP-1 levels did not significantly differ between the two groups. In contrast, EI and REI were decreased by exercise in both groups, and energy deficit was significantly larger in obese subjects than in normal controls. The present findings suggest that short-term EB during a single exercise session might be regulated not by increased amounts of these gut hormones per se.

There is growing interest in the effects of exercise on plasma gut hormone levels and subsequent energy intake (EI) but the effects of mode and exercise intensity on anorectic hormone profiles on subsequent EI remain to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate whether circulating peptide YY ) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1 or GCG as listed in the HUGO Database) levels depend on exercise intensity, which could affect subsequent EI. Ten young male subjects (mean GS.D., age: 23 . 4G4 . 3 years, body mass index: 22 . 5 G1 . 0 kg/m 2 , and maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2 max ): 45 . 9G8 . 5 ml/kg per min) received a standardized breakfast, which was followed by constant cycling exercise at 75% VO 2 max (high intensity session), 50% VO 2 max (moderate intensity session), or rest (resting session) for 30 min. At lunch, a test meal was presented, and EI was calculated. Blood samples were obtained during three sessions for measurements of glucose, insulin, PYY 3-36 , and GLP-1, which includes GLP-1 (7-36) amide and GLP-1 (9-36) amide. Increases in blood PYY 3-36 levels were dependent on the exercise intensity (effect of session: P!0 . 001 by two-way ANOVA), whereas those in GLP-1 levels were similar between two different exercise sessions. Of note, increase in area under the curve values for GLP-1 levels was negatively correlated with decrease in the EI in each exercise session (high: P!0 . 001, moderate: PZ0 . 002). The present findings raise the possibility that each gut hormone exhibits its specific blood kinetics in response to two different intensities of exercise stimuli and might play differential roles in regulation of EI after exercise.

We assessed the major factors regulating adiponectin levels and the influence of exercise training on adiponectin levels in young obese men (19.2 +/- 1.1 yrs, BMI: 31.1 +/- 4.2, %fat: 27.2 +/- 3.9%). Subjects were separated into three groups (aerobic exercise group [AE: n=7], aerobic and resistance exercise group [AE + RE: n = 7], control group [n = 7]). AE underwent an 8-week training program (three times per week, more than 30 min endurance exercise at ventilatory threshold (VT) intensity). AE + RE went through resistance exercise two or three times per week together with the above endurance exercise for 5 months. Prior to intervention (n = 21), adiponectin levels were significantly correlated with percentage of fat. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that percent body fat was an independent predictor of basal adiponectin levels (r2 = 0.370; P<0.01). After intervention, fat mass, and VT were significantly improved in AE. AE + RE exhibited significant reduction in weight, BMI, percent body fat and fat mass, and had significantly increased VT, VO2max cycling power and torque. Insulin was not changed in both groups. The control group exhibited no significant change in any variables. Although adiponectin levels were unchanged in the three groups, a significant negative correlation between delta fat mass and delta adiponectin levels was observed (n = 21, r = -0.461, P<0.05). In addition, delta percent body fat was an independent predictor of delta adiponectin levels (r2 = 0.327, P<0.05). These findings indicate that for increasing the adiponectin level, improvement of the body composition of young obese men is more important than the way training is performed.

SummaryTo show the involvement of microfilaments and microtubules in non-host resistance of barley, partially dissected coleoptiles which had been inoculated with a non-pathogen, Erysiphe pisi, were treated with several actin and tubulin inhibitors. If the coleoptiles were not treated with any of the inhibitors, the non-pathogen always failed to penetrate the coleoptile cells. However, when coleoptiles were treated with actin or tubulin polymerization or depolymerization inhibitors, the non-pathogen was able to penetrate successfully and to form haustoria in coleoptlie cells of a non-host plant, barley. Actin polymerization inhibitors, cytochalasins, were more effective in causing an increase in penetration efficiency of E. pisithan tubulin inhibitors. The effects of cytochalasins depended on the kind of cytochalasin; the strength of the actin depolymerizing activity correlated significantly with the efficiency of increasing the penetration of the non-pathogen. When both actin and tubulin inhibitors were added simultaneously, the polarization of defense-related responses, such as massive cytoplasmic aggregation, deposition of papillae and accumulation of autofluorescent compounds, at fungal penetration sites was suppressed. Actin inhibitors did not affect arrangement and stability of microtubules and vice versa, and a double treatment of coleoptile cells with both microfilament and microtubule inhibitors showed an additive effect in increasing the penetration efficiency of E. pisL Furthermore, cytochalasin A treatment allowed other non-pathogens, Colletotrichum lagenarium and Alternaria alternata, to penetrate successfully into the non-host barley cells. These results strongly suggest that microfilaments and microtubules might play important roles in the expression of non-host resistance of barley.

To prevent falls in Japan, both gait and resistance training of the lower extremities are recommended. However, resistance training for the elderly induces muscle damage. Recently, aquatic exercise using water buoyancy and resistance have commonly been performed by the elderly. We have now produced new water-resistance equipment. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of aquatic exercise training using the new equipment for the elderly. Subjects were divided into two groups: a resistance group of 12 subjects (using water-resistance equipment) and a non-resistance group of eight subjects (without the equipment). The aquatic exercise training was 90 min, three times per week for 8 weeks, and mostly consisted of walking. All subjects underwent anthropometric measurements, physical performance testing, and profile of mood states (POMS). Significant improvements were observed in muscle strength in plantar flexion, and the timed up and go test (TUG) in both groups. Additionally, 10-m obstacle walking and 5-m maximum walking speed and length with eye-open were significantly improved in the resistance group. Also, a low negative correlation was found between the degree of change in TUG and POMS (tension and anxiety) scores in the resistance group. As it became easier to maintain posture, stand, and move, tension and anxiety in everyday life were alleviated with improvement of strength of the lower extremities and balance function. The present aquatic exercise training using water-resistance equipment may be used by the elderly to improve balance and walking ability, which are associated with the prevention of falls.

We study the electronic states of graphene nanoribbons with modified edge structures by attaching Klein's bearded bonds as a minimal model of edge modification. The partial attachment of Klein's bearded bonds to graphene nanoribbons gives rise to the partial flat bands at zero-energy even under the condition of jN A À N B j ¼ 0, where N A ðN B Þ is the number of A ðBÞ-sublattice sites. Using transfer matrix method, we successfully derive the analytic representation of edge states for modified zigzag edge. The modification of armchair edges causes the complete flat bands, where the wavefunction has the character of valley polarization. We also applied the density functional theory to optimize the lattice structure and estimate the spin density. Our results indicate that the chemical and structural modification of graphene edge will serve to design and stabilize the spin polarized edge states.

The aim of the present study was to examine whether amount of oral antimicrobial components, human β-defensin-2 (HBD-2), cathelicidin (LL-37), and immunoglobulin A (IgA), might be affected by prolonged strenuous exercise. Ten young male volunteers either exercised on recumbent ergometer at 75% [Formula: see text] for 60 min (exercise session) or sat quietly (resting session). Saliva samples were obtained at 60-min intervals during sessions for measurements of saliva antimicrobial components (HBD-2, LL-37, and IgA), saliva cortisol and osmolality. Saliva flow rate was decreased and saliva osmolality was increased during the 60-min exercise. Saliva HBD-2 and LL-37 concentrations and secretion rates were increased during and after the exercise, whereas saliva IgA concentration and secretion rates were decreased after the exercise. Saliva cortisol was increased during and after the exercise. The areas under the curve of the time courses of saliva levels of HBD-2 and LL-37 were negatively correlated with those of cortisol levels in saliva. The present findings suggested that a single bout of prolonged strenuous exercise caused a transient increase in the oral HBD-2 and LL-37 levels.

No abstract