The ability of a cell to respond to a particular hormone depends on the presence of specific receptors for those hormones. Once the hormone has bound to its receptor, and following structural and biochemical modifications to the receptor, it separates from cytoplasmic chaperone proteins, thereby exposing the nuclear localization sequences that result in the activation of the receptor and initiation of the biological actions of the hormone on the target cell. In addition, recent work has demonstrated new pathways of steroid signaling through orphan and cell surface receptors that contribute to more rapid, “non-nuclear” or non-transcriptional effects of steroid hormones, often involving G-protein-mediated pathways. This review will summarize some of these studies for estrogens, androgens and progestins

Benefits of exercise are known for a long time, but mechanisms underlying the exercise mode recommendations for specific chronic cardiovascular diseases remain unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different circuit training protocols in order to determine which is the best for weight loss and for specific overweight-related disorders. Forty-five female sedentary overweight participants from 20 to 50 years (average 31.8±11.2) were enrolled and assigned to three different groups; each group was compared with a control normal-weight group. Three different circuit protocols were randomly assigned to each overweight group: aerobictone-aerobic (ATA), aerobic-circuit-aerobic (ACA) and mini-trampoline circuit (MTC), while control group performed a classic circuit weight training (CWT). Every group trained three times per week, for 12 weeks. The results show that ATA group reduced body fat and total body mass more than other groups (P<0.001; P=0.007). ACA group reduced total body mass in significant statistical way (P=0.032), as well as body fat (P<0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.013). In MTC group there was a significant reduction in every parameter we analyzed (total body mass, body fat and lipid profile: P<0.001). CWT group has shown a significant loss only in body fat (P<0.001). Every circuit protocol is optimal for reducing body fat and total body mass: however, MTC protocol has shown the best results on lipid profile. IntroductionMany of the biochemical and physiological adaptations that follow physical activity occur in response to an increased energy demand in muscle cells that can be modifies with intensity, duration of work and rest intervals.The aforesaid adaptations, which are both cellular and systemic, are specific to the type of training performed, for example, endurance or strength; though, the reasons behind the recommendations on how training programs can be used for specific health benefits remain unclear.In the past, many guidelines have focused on resistance training or aerobic training to facilitate weight loss or weight maintenance, but recently it has been suggested that resistance training can also be effective for reducing fat mass, 1,2 although the literature in this regard is still rather hazy.Some researchers have suggested that a circuit training composed of endurance and resistance training it may be preferred to one focused only on a single mode of exercise. [3][4][5] Both resistance training and aerobic training are prescribed for sedentary and obese subject, because they promote an improvement of blood pressure and heart rate, body composition, biochemical markers (insulin, glucose, cholesterol, etc.), as well as strenght and aerobic capacity. [6][7][8] A type of combinated-training is the circuit training (CT), which includes both multi-joint resistance training and aerobic exercise. The proportion of the two types of training is established and bodyweight exercises or with small tools keep high heart rate. The training session include...

The aim of this study was to determine the blood lactate levels in healthy and pathological subjects, particularly with migraine and fibromyalgia. Moreover we investigated the possible correlation between lactate concentration, postural stability and balance disorders; the composition of the groups were: migraine (n = 25; age 49.7 ± 12.5), fibromyalgia (n = 10; age 43.7 ± 21.2), control group (n = 16 age 28.52 ± 2.4). The results showed that patients with fibromyalgia (FG) had higher lactate levels compared to migraine (MG) and control group (CG) (mean ± sd: FG = 1.78 ± 0.9 mmol/L; MG = 1.45±1 mmol/L; CG = 0,85 ± 0,07 mmol/L). The same situation was highlighted about the sway path length with eyes closed (FG = 518 ± 195 mm; MG = 465 ± 165 mm; CG = 405 ± 94,72 mm) and with eyes open (FG = 430 ± 220 mm; MG = 411 ± 143 mm; CG = 389 ± 107 mm). This can be explained by the fact that energy-intensive postural strategies must be used to optimize both static and dynamic coordination, in particular with repeated contractions of tonic oxidative muscle cells responsible for postural control.

Purpose. Energy requirements in sports performance are affected by numerous factors: physical characteristics, age, genetic basis, sports discipline. The Food and Nutrition board recommended nutrition based on age, height, and body weight gain in relation to physical activity. some genetic factors, such as the PPAr-encoding gene, play a key role in metabolism. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of specific snacks on performance. Methods. seventeen girls aged 10-14 years practising artistic gymnastics were enrolled. A carb or protein/carb snack was provided before the training, and a questionnaire was administered at the end. In addition, saliva samples were collected for genetic analyses. Results. Most girls represented the cc genotype (65%), while a small part had the Gc (23%) and GG (12%). The average bMI equalled 20.05 ± 2.8 kg/m 2 in the group with the cc genotype, 19.6 ± 2.8 kg/m 2 with the Gc genotype, and 20.2 ± 2.8 kg/m 2 with the GG genotype. The questionnaire showed that 59% of girls experienced a performance improvement after eating a carb snack; slightly different results were observed after the intake of a protein/carb snack: 47% felt more energy and 12% more fatigue.Conclusions. This is a preliminary study that should be deepened by increasing the number of subjects, as well as diversifying the type of snacks administered and increasing the time of the study. It is important to be mindful of eating habits and lifestyle in order to prevent the onset of overweight.

Eukaryotic genomes transcribe up to 90% of the genomic DNA but only 1-2% of these transcripts encode for proteins, whereas the vast majority are transcribed as non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). They are divided into short ncRNA, particularly micro-RNA (miRNA) and small interference RNA (siRNA), and long ncRNAs. Noteworthy, they are unexpectedly stable since they are protected from degradation through different mechanisms: package in exosomes/microvesicles structures, in apoptotic bodies, in HDL lipoprotein, or by RNA binding proteins. For several years already, biomarkers have been used to detect biological disease; in the last years, a requirement appeared to find some of them to unearth the signs of doping. The potential of ncRNAs as a biological candidate is strongly debated and it seems to have become the right tool in the anti-doping hands. In the recent years, the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology was used by the World Anti-Doping Agency to draft the athlete biological passport (ABP), measuring the circulating miRNAs and applying these new biomarkers in anti-doping. NGS technology does not require any prior knowledge of ncRNAs, but the limit to employ this biomarker to detect performanceenhancing drug use must consider the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that might affect measurements.