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Dive into the research topics where Alberto Jorge Alves is active.

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Featured researches published by Alberto Jorge Alves.


International Journal of Cardiology | 2010

Is exercise training an effective therapy targeting endothelial dysfunction and vascular wall inflammation

Fernando Ribeiro; Alberto Jorge Alves; José Alberto Duarte; José Oliveira

There is an increasing evidence that endothelial dysfunction and vascular wall inflammation are present in all stages of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis does not have to necessarily progress to an acute clinical event. Several therapeutic strategies exist, such as exercise training, which mitigates endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Exercise training consistently improves the nitric oxide bioavailability, and the number of endothelial progenitor cells, and also diminishes the level of inflammatory markers, namely pro-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein. However, the mechanisms by which exercise improves endothelial function in coronary artery disease patients are not fully clarified. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the positive effect of exercise on the disease progression. They include the decrease in cytokine production by the adipose tissue, skeletal muscles, endothelial cells, and blood mononuclear cells, and also, the increase in the bioavailability of nitric oxide, antioxidant defences, and regenerative capacity of endothelium. This study aims to provide a critical review of the literature linking exercise, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction in coronary artery patients, and to discuss the potential mechanisms behind the exercise-training improvement of endothelial function and inflammatory status.


Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise | 2012

Exercise Training Improves Diastolic Function in Heart Failure Patients

Alberto Jorge Alves; Fernando Ribeiro; Ehud Goldhammer; Yelena Rivlin; U. Rosenschein; João L. Viana; José Alberto Duarte; Michael Sagiv; José Oliveira

PURPOSE The studys purpose was to analyze the effects of exercise training on exercise tolerance and left ventricular systolic function and structure in heart failure patients with preserved, mild, and moderate to severe reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS Ninety-eight patients with moderate to severe (n = 34), mild (n = 33), and preserved (n = 31) LVEF were randomly assigned to exercise training plus usual care (n = 65) or usual care alone (n = 33) in a randomization ratio of 2:1. Left ventricular function, left ventricular dimensions, and exercise tolerance were assessed before and after each intervention. RESULTS Exercise tolerance and LVEF increased with exercise training in all patient groups, whereas they remained unchanged after usual care alone. Exercise training increased the mean ratio of early to late mitral inflow velocities (E/A ratio) and decreased deceleration time (DT) of early filling in patients with mild and preserved LVEF. In patients with moderate to severe systolic dysfunction and advanced diastolic dysfunction (DT < 160 ms), exercise training decreased E/A ratio and increased DT, both of which were unchanged after usual care alone. In the remaining patients (DT > 160 ms), exercise training also improved mitral inflow patterns. Exercise training decreased left ventricular dimensions in patients with mild and moderate to severe reduction of LVEF but not in patients with preserved LVEF. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that exercise training can improve the course of heart failure independent of the degree of baseline left ventricular dysfunction.


Annals of Human Biology | 2009

Association between time spent in sedentary, moderate to vigorous physical activity, body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness and blood pressure

Anelise Reis Gaya; Alberto Jorge Alves; Luísa Aires; Clarice Martins; José Carlos Ribeiro; Jorge Mota

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) has been reported in young people and seems to be associated with body mass index (BMI) and reduced physical activity (PA). Aim: This study sought to analyse the association of BP with BMI, PA intensity patterns and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in youth. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out including 66 boys (13.91±1.76) and 97 girls (14.02±1.71). Anthropometric characteristics, CRF and BP were assessed during school time and accelerometers were utilized to determine intensity of PA. Results: The linear regression model, adjusted for age, sex and height, showed that higher values of BMI were associated (p≤0.05) with higher values of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (1.39; 95% CI: 0.56; 2.23) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (1.52; 95% CI: 0.68; 2.37). Additionally, SBP, but not DBP, was inversely associated (p≤0.05) with moderate PA (−0.25; 95% CI: −0.47; −0.02) and positively correlated with sedentary activities (0.04; 95% CI: 0.00; 0.08). Conclusion: The present study showed that BMI and time spent in sedentary activities were inversely associated with SBP. However, time spent in moderate PA was positively associated with SBP. BMI was the single predictor of DBP.


Experimental Physiology | 2009

Is there an interaction between PPARD T294C and PPARGC1A Gly482Ser polymorphisms and human endurance performance

Nir Eynon; Yoav Meckel; Alberto Jorge Alves; Chen Yamin; Michael Sagiv; Ehud Goldhammer; Moran Sagiv

Functional Gly482Ser (rs8192678) and T294C (rs2016520) polymorphisms in the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1 (PPARGC1A) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor δ (PPARD) genes, respectively, have been associated with mRNA and/or protein activity. The aim of this study was to determine their frequency distribution among 155 Israeli athletes (endurance athletes and sprinters) and 240 healthy control subjects. There were no differences between the endurance athletes, the sprinters and the control group across the PPARD T294C genotypes (P= 0.62). Similarly, no statistical differences were found between the subgroups of elite‐level endurance athletes (those who had represented Israel in a world track and field championship or in the Olympic Games) and national‐level endurance athletes (P= 0.3), or between elite‐level and national‐level sprinters (P= 0.9). However, a combined influence of these two polymorphisms on endurance performance was found. The PPARD CC +PPARGC1A Gly/Gly genotypes were more frequently found in the elite endurance athletes than in national‐level endurance athletes (P < 0.000). In the cohort of endurance athletes, the odds ratio of the ‘optimal genotype’ for endurance athletes (PPARD CC +PPARGC1A Gly/Gly +PPARGC1A Gly/Ser) being an elite‐level athlete was 8.32 (95% confidence interval 2.2–31.4). In conclusion, the present study suggests that PPARD T294C is not associated with endurance performance. However, a higher frequency of the PPARGC1A Gly/Gly +PPARD CC genotype is associated with elite‐level endurance athletes.


Revista Portuguesa De Pneumologia | 2012

Exercise training enhances autonomic function after acute myocardial infarction: A randomized controlled study

Fernando Ribeiro; Alberto Jorge Alves; Madalena Teixeira; Fátima Miranda; Cristina Azevedo; José Alberto Duarte; José Oliveira

INTRODUCTION Heart rate recovery, defined as the fall in heart rate during the first minute after exercise, is an indicator of autonomic function, and has been found to be an independent predictor of mortality after acute myocardial infarction. Exercise training has several well-known benefits in terms of cardiorespiratory fitness, modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and prognosis after acute coronary events. However, there are no randomized controlled studies in the literature evaluating the effects of exercise training per se, controlling for changes in medication and diet, on heart rate recovery. Thus, this study aims to assess the effects of exercise training on autonomic function in coronary artery disease patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction. METHODS Thirty-eight patients following a first acute myocardial infarction participated in this prospective randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomized into two groups: exercise training or control. The exercise group participated in an 8-week aerobic exercise program, while the control received standard medical care and follow-up. Changes in hemodynamics at rest and at peak exercise (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and rate pressure product), dietary intake, cardiorespiratory fitness, and heart rate recovery were assessed. RESULTS Medication and diet remained unchanged in both groups during the study period. The exercise-training group improved resting hemodynamics, particularly resting heart rate (from 68.0 ± 9.2 to 62.6 ± 8.7 bpm, p=0.030) and systolic blood pressure (from 135 ± 7.1 to 125.6 ± 11.3 mm Hg, p=0.012), cardiorespiratory fitness (from 30.8 ± 7.8 to 33.9 ± 8.3 ml/min/kg, p=0.016), and heart rate recovery (from 20 ± 6 to 24 ± 5 bpm, p=0.007). No significant changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Exercise training improved autonomic function, assessed by heart rate recovery, resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure, in the absence of changes in diet or medication.


World Journal of Cardiology | 2016

Physical activity in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: Overview updated.

Alberto Jorge Alves; João L. Viana; Suiane Lima Cavalcante; Nórton L. Oliveira; José Alberto Duarte; Jorge Mota; José Oliveira; Fernando Ribeiro

Although the observed progress in the cardiovascular disease treatment, the incidence of new and recurrent coronary artery disease remains elevated and constitutes the leading cause of death in the developed countries. Three-quarters of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases could be prevented with adequate changes in lifestyle, including increased daily physical activity. New evidence confirms that there is an inverse dose-response relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular disease and mortality risk. However, participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity may not fully attenuate the independent effect of sedentary activities on increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Physical activity also plays an important role in secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases by reducing the impact of the disease, slowing its progress and preventing recurrence. Nonetheless, most of eligible cardiovascular patients still do not benefit from secondary prevention/cardiac rehabilitation programs. The present review draws attention to the importance of physical activity in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. It also addresses the mechanisms by which physical activity and regular exercise can improve cardiovascular health and reduce the burden of the disease.


American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | 2013

Effects of exercise training on endothelial progenitor cells in cardiovascular disease: a systematic review.

Fernando Ribeiro; Ilda Patrícia Ribeiro; Alberto Jorge Alves; do Céu Monteiro M; Nórton L. Oliveira; José Oliveira; Francisco Amado; Fernando Remião; José Alberto Duarte

ABSTRACTThis review aimed to examine the effects of exercise training on mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with cardiovascular disease and to discuss the possible mechanisms involved in the process. A computer-aided search on PubMed and PEDro was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to June 2012. Two reviewers independently selected studies for inclusion and extracted data, namely, quantitative assessment of circulating EPCs. Of the 88 identified studies, 13 met the inclusion criteria. The 13 studies enrolled 648 participants, including patients with chronic heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and coronary artery disease. The exercise characteristics varied largely across the studies: exercise duration ranged from 2 wks to 6 mos, session duration ranged from 20 to 60 mins, and exercise intensity was usually calculated using the maximal heart rate (ranging from 75% to 85%) or the peak/maximum oxygen consumption (60%–70%). All studies used aerobic exercise. The great majority of the 13 studies reported significant effects of different exercise regimens on the number of circulating EPCs. In summary, exercise training seems to increase the number of circulating EPCs, which could contribute to vascular regeneration and angiogenesis. These positive effects of chronic exercise seem to be closely related to the bioavailability of nitric oxide, including increased activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and antioxidant enzymes, and activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9.


International Journal of Sports Medicine | 2012

Exercise training increases interleukin-10 after an acute myocardial infarction: a randomised clinical trial.

Fernando Ribeiro; Alberto Jorge Alves; Madalena Teixeira; Fátima Miranda; Cristina Azevedo; José Alberto Duarte; José Oliveira

The present study assessed the effects of exercise training on biomarkers of inflammation in postinfarction patients. This single-centre prospective randomized controlled trial encompassed 42 patients after the first myocardial infarction divided into exercise-training (n=22) or usual care (n=20) groups. Complete randomization was performed by choosing one of 2 sealed envelopes. The exercise-training group participated in an 8-week programme comprising 3 aerobic exercise sessions per week. The control group received usual care. The main measures were changes in circulating levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6 and -10, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), anthropometrics, dietary intake, daily physical activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness. 4 patients terminated the study prematurely, leaving 38 for the statistical analysis (exercise-training, n=20; control group, n=18). In comparison to control group, exercise-training group improved IL-10 levels [1.7(7.0) vs.  - 0.3(2.4) pg/mL, P<0.05], daily moderate-intensity physical activity (12.9±21.3 vs.  - 0.7±13.4 min, P<0.05), and cardiorespiratory fitness (3.0±3.5 vs. 0.3±4.1 ml/min/kg, P<0.05). Additionally, the change in VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 levels was significantly higher in the control group (respectively, 26.6±112.1 vs. 94.1±90.0 ng/mL and 7.3±41.0 vs. 35.0±39 ng/mL, P<0.05). In conclusion, exercise training improved the inflammatory profile in post myocardial infarction patients by enhancing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.


International Journal of Sports Medicine | 2009

Is there an ACE ID-ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms interaction that influences sprint performance?

Nir Eynon; Alberto Jorge Alves; Chen Yamin; Moran Sagiv; José Alberto Duarte; José Oliveira; Moshe Ayalon; Ehud Goldhammer; Yoav Meckel

Functional R577X (rs.1815739) and ID (rs.5186) polymorphisms in the alpha-actinin-3 ( ACTN3) and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) genes, respectively, have been associated with sprint performance. The aim of this study was to determine their effect on sprint performance among 81 Israeli sprinters and 240 healthy controls. Results revealed that the ACE II genotype+ ACTN3 R allele (P=0.003 for sprinters vs. controls), and the ACTN3 RR genotype +ACE I allele (P=0.001 for sprinters vs. controls) might be the genotype for sprinters. In the whole cohort the probability of ACTN3 RR genotype+ ACE I allele being a sprinter (odds ratio 2.67, 95% confidence interval 1.45-4.93) and of ACE II genotype+ ACTN3 R allele being a sprinter (odds ratio 3.57, 95% confidence interval 1.78-7.15) was significantly higher than that in the controls. In conclusion, the above data suggest that ACE ID/ ACTN3 R577X genotype combination is associated with sprint ability. However, ACE ID/ ACTN3 R577X genotype combination is not related to the level of performance.


Revista Portuguesa De Pneumologia | 2013

Heart rate variability in myocardial infarction patients: Effects of exercise training

Nórton L. Oliveira; Fernando Ribeiro; Alberto Jorge Alves; Madalena Teixeira; Fátima Miranda; José Oliveira

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a simple and noninvasive measure that estimates cardiac autonomic modulation, mainly the parasympathetic contribution. Increased sympathetic and/or decreased parasympathetic nervous activity is seen in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Consequently, these patients present reduced HRV, which has been associated with increased risk of adverse events and mortality. Exercise training, recommended as a complementary therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease, has shown numerous beneficial effects. The main aim of the present manuscript was to provide a critical review of studies investigating the effects of exercise training on cardiac autonomic modulation, through HRV, in MI patients and the possible mechanisms involved. Despite conflicting evidence, exercise training appears to be a useful therapeutic intervention to improve the unbalanced autonomic function of MI patients. Finally, the mechanisms involved are not yet well understood, but nitric oxide bioavailability and angiotensin II levels seem to play an important role.

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