Beatriz da Silva Rosa Bonadiman

High-intensity intermittent exercise increases adenosine hydrolysis in platelets and lymphocytes and promotes platelet aggregation in futsal athletes

Abstract Acute bouts of high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) or sports are associated with changes in lymphocytes and platelet functions and we hypothesized that the purinergic system is involved with these alterations. We investigated the activity of ectonucleotidases in platelets and lymphocytes as well as the platelet aggregation of futsal players in response to an acute protocol of HIIE. Thus, 19 male semi-professional futsal players were submitted to 40 min of HIIE on a treadmill. Blood samples were collected three-time points: before exercise, immediately after, and 30 min after the end of the session. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and lymphocytes were isolated. ATP, ADP, AMP, and adenosine hydrolysis, NTPDase1 (CD39) expression as well as platelet aggregation were measured. Our results showed HIIE induced a decrease in ATP and ADP hydrolysis in platelets, an increase in adenosine hydrolysis and an increase in platelet aggregation immediately after exercise. After 30 min of recovery, enzymatic activity and platelet aggregation returned to baseline levels. In lymphocytes, adenosine hydrolysis was augmented immediately after exercise and remained increased even after 30 min of recovery. In conclusion, acute HIIE triggers a transient proaggregant status that is reverted after a 30 min of recovery. The effects of HIIE in lymphocytes remained after 30 min of recovery, indicating a pro-inflammatory response. This work elucidated some of the mechanisms by which purinergic system regulates lymphocytes and platelets activities related to HIIE, suggesting that the type of exercise may influence an increase in platelet aggregation even in trained individuals.

A chemical compound based on methylxanthine–polyphenols lowers nitric oxide levels and increases post-thaw human sperm viability

We produced a new chemical compound based on methylxanthines and polyphenols (CCMP) present in the chemical matrix of guaraná (Paullinia cupana), a seed extract with antioxidant properties. After supplementation with the standard extract of resveratrol, a well documented antioxidant found in other plant sources, we investigated whether this resveratrol-enriched compound could improve sperm viability and modulate differentially reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in thawed sperm. Sperm samples obtained from healthy young donors were treated with different concentrations of guaraná extract (0.1, 1, 5 or 10 mg/ml) and cells were frozen at -80°C for 24 h. In addition, the potential protective effects of guaraná treatment on sperm treated with pro-oxidant compound (200 µM hydrogen peroxide, H2O2) were assessed. Samples were also exposed to three concentrations of CCMP before being frozen in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) or in an ultrafreezer (-80°C) for 24 h, and both pre-freezing and post-thaw measurements of viability and oxidative stress were performed. Guaraná supplementation at 10 mg/ml significantly increased post-thaw viability and decreased oxidative metabolism of the sperm. Moreover, selected concentrations of CCMP improved viability and oxidative metabolism in sperm samples pre-freezing. Furthermore, CCMP showed cryoprotective activity by increasing viability and decreasing oxidative stress in post-thaw samples. In summary, these findings suggested that CCMP supplementation acts as a cryoprotectant to modulate ROS and NO levels in thawed sperm. CCMP could be used to enhance sperm quality and reproductive success.

Obesidad y estado nutricional de individuos envejecientes en la Región amazónica

Compreender as relações dos fatores que influenciam direta ou indiretamente na obesidade e no estado nutricional de indivíduos poderá resultar em uma visão ampla e bem mais completa dessa relevante questão de saúde pública. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o estado nutricional e identificar os níveis de obesidade em indivíduos na faixa etária de 30 a 59 anos, residentes na zona urbana da cidade de Manaus, Amazonas. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, de abordagem quantitativa e caráter descritivo. A amostra foi calculada com base na proporção esperada de 51%, erro amostral de 2% e intervalo de confiança de 95%, totalizando 2.500 indivíduos na faixa etária de 30 a 59 anos. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis demográficas: gênero, idade, raça, naturalidade, situação conjugal e religião; variáveis relacionadas ao estado nutricional e outros agravos: Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), Circunferência da Cintura (CC), Pressão Arterial (PA) e Glicemia Capilar (GC). Os resultados da pesquisa mostraram que, somando-se os percentuais de obesidade I, II e III, o índice alcançado foi de 32,3% e, somando-se esse percentual aos indivíduos com sobrepeso, o resultado foi de 73,4%. A pesquisa apontou um resultado de 24,1% de indivíduos com PAS≥ 140 / PAD ≥ 80 e 16,3% com taxa glicêmica elevada. O desenvolvimento desse estudo possibilitou-nos uma percepção dos envelhescentes na cidade de Manaus no que diz respeito à obesidade e estado nutricional. Diante disso, observa-se a necessidade de oferecer informações acerca desse fenômeno.

Association between T102C 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism and 5-year mortality risk among Brazilian Amazon riparian elderly population

Serotonin (5‐HT) is a pleiotropic molecule that exerts several functions on brain and peripheral tissues via different receptors. The gene for the 5‐HT2A receptor shows some variations, including a T102C polymorphism, that have been associated with increased risk of neuropsychiatric and vascular disorders. However, the potential impact of 5‐HT2A imbalance caused by genetic variations on the human lifespan has not yet been established.