Daniela Dutra

Low-level Laser Therapy Associated With High Intensity Resistance Training on Cardiac Autonomic Control of Heart Rate and Skeletal Muscle Remodeling in Wistar Rats

Phototherapy plus dynamic exercise can enhance physical performance and improve health. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) associated with high intensity resistance training (HIT) on cardiac autonomic and muscle metabolic responses in rats.

Expression of myostatin, myostatin receptors and follistatin in diabetic rats submitted to exercise

Myostatin (MSTN) has been implicated in metabolic adaptation to physiological stimuli, such as physical exercise, which is linked to improved glucose homeostasis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of exercise on the expression of MSTN, MSTN receptors (ActRIIB and ALK4) and follistatin (FS) in the muscle and fat of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. Control and diabetic rats were randomly assigned to a swimming training group (EC and ED, respectively) and a sedentary group (SC and SD, respectively). Exercising animals swam for 45 min at 0900 and 1700 hours, 5 day/week, for 4 weeks. The mRNA expression of MSTN, ActRIIB, ALK4 and FS mRNA was quantified by real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Expression of MSTN and FS mRNA increased in the muscle and subcutaneous fat of SD compared with SC rats. Expression of ActRIIB mRNA was increased in the muscle, mesenteric fat and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of SD compared with SC rats, whereas ALK4 mRNA expression was only increased in the BAT of SD compared with SC rats. After training, MSTN and ActRIIB expression was lower in the BAT of EC compared with SC rats. Expression of MSTN mRNA increased in the mesenteric fat of ED compared with SD rats, whereas FS mRNA expression decreased in the muscle, mesenteric and subcutaneous fat and BAT. Lower ALK4 mRNA expression was noted in the BAT of ED compared with SD rats. These results indicate that MSTN, its receptors and FS expression change in both the muscle and fat of diabetic rats and that the expression of these factors can be modulated by exercise in diabetes.

Relationship between non‐invasive haemodynamic responses and cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with coronary artery disease

Non‐invasive assessment of haemodynamic function by impedance cardiography (IC) constitutes an interesting approach to monitor cardiac function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, such measurements are most often performed at rest, whereas symptoms are also possible during exertion, particularly at higher intensities. In addition, the association between IC during exertion and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) is not well understood in these patients, which was the aim of this study.