Jakkrit Klaphajone

N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation Controls Total Antioxidant Capacity, Creatine Kinase, Lactate, and Tumor Necrotic Factor-Alpha against Oxidative Stress Induced by Graded Exercise in Sedentary Men

Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of short-term (7 days) N-acetylcysteine (NAC) at 1,200 mg daily supplementation on muscle fatigue, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max ), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lactate, creatine kinase (CK), and tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α). Twenty-nine sedentary men (13 controls; 16 in the supplement group) from a randomized control were included. At before and after supplementation, fatigue index (FI) was evaluated in the quadriceps muscle, and performed a graded exercise treadmill test to induce oxidative stress, and as a measure of VO2max . Blood samples were taken before exercise and 20 minutes after it at before and after supplementation, to determine TAC, CK, lactate, and TNF-α levels. Results showed that FI and VO2max  increased significantly in the supplement group. After exercise decreased the levels of TAC and increased lactate, CK, and TNF-α of both groups at before supplementation. After supplementation, lactate, CK, and TNF-α levels significantly increased and TAC decreased after exercise in the control group. Whereas the TAC and lactate levels did not change significantly, but CK and TNF-α increased significantly in the supplement group. Therefore, this results showed that NAC improved the muscle fatigue, VO2max , maintained TAC, controlled lactate production, but had no influence on CK and TNF-α.

Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Decreases Oxidative Stress and Improves Physical Performance in Young Swimmers: A Pilot Study

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of short term (12 day) Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on blood oxidative stress biomarkers and physical performance in young swimmers. Methods: Sixteen young swimmers (7 males and 9 females, aged 15.13±0.96 years) who were involved in a sport hero project at Chiang Mai province participated as subjects during this 22 day study. Regular training for swimmers was carried out for the first 9 days. Supplementation with 300mg CoQ10 (Soft gel; Swanson Ultra, USA) was then administered daily for 12 days. Blood samples were collected in EDTA-anticoagulant tubes before (days 1 and 9 of the control period) and after the 12 day supplementation period (day 22). Plasma was separated and used for the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NOx), protein hydroperoxide (PrOOH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and CoQ10; whereas reduced glutathione (GSH) was measured in erythrocytes. Exhaustive exercise time was evaluated before (days 1 and 9) and after-supplementation (day 22) on a mechanical treadmill using a modified Bruce protocol. Swimming speeds for both 100 and 800 meters were also recorded. Repeated measurement and Bonferroni correction were used for statistical analysis (p = 0.05). Results: Over the course of the 9 day control period before supplementation, all parameters (MDA, NOx, PrOOH, CoQ10, GSH, TAC, treadmill exhaustion time, and swimming time for either 100 or 800 meters) did not differ (p>0.05). After CoQ10 supplementation, the levels of plasma MDA, NOx, and PrOOH were significantly decreased when compared to the pre-supplement period (p 0.05). Conclusion: Twelve days of CoQ10 supplementation reduces oxidative stress, improves running time until exhaustion, as well as short distance swim sprint time, within a sample of young swimmers.

Effects of a simple prototype respiratory muscle trainer on respiratory muscle strength, quality of life and dyspnea, and oxidative stress in COPD patients: a preliminary study

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of a simple prototype device for training respiratory muscles in lung function, respiratory muscle strength, walking capacity, quality of life (QOL), dyspnea, and oxidative stress in patients with COPD. Methods Thirty COPD patients with moderate severity of the disease were randomized into three groups: control (n=10, 6 males and 4 females), standard training (n=10, 4 males and 6 females), and prototype device (n=10, 5 males and 5 females). Respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [PImax] and maximal expiratory pressure [PEmax]), lung function (forced vital capacity [FVC], percentage of FVC, forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], percentage of FEV1 [FEV1%], and FEV1/FVC), 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), QOL, and oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity [TAC]), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) were evaluated before and after 6 weeks of training. Moreover, dyspnea scores were assessed before; during week 2, 4, and 6 of training; and at rest after training. Results All parameters between the groups had no statistical difference before training, and no statistical change in the control group after week 6. FVC, FEV1/FVC, PImax, PEmax, QOL, MDA, and NO showed significant changes after 6 weeks of training with either the standard or prototype device, compared to pre-training. FEV1, FEV1%, 6MWD, TAC, and GSH data did not change statistically. Furthermore, the results of significant changes in all parameters were not statistically different between training groups using the standard and prototype device. The peak dyspnea scores increased significantly in week 4 and 6 when applying the standard or prototype device, and then lowered significantly at rest after 6 weeks of training, compared to pre-training. Conclusion This study proposes that a simple prototype device can be used clinically in COPD patients as a standard device to train respiratory muscles, improving lung function and QOL, as well as involving MDA and NO levels.

Prognostic Factors of Functional Recovery from Left Hemispheric Stroke

Although lateralization of the brain affects some specialized cortical functions, there are still limited data to address its influence on clinically important outcomes. This study aimed to reveal the prognostic variables that relate to functional recovery in stroke patients with a left-sided hemispheric lesion during 6 months of follow-up. Data from 167 left-sided and 183 right-sided hemispheric strokes were reviewed retrospectively. Outcomes in this study included walking capacity and functional recovery, assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). In order to obtain independent predictive variables, this study used the step-backward method of multivariable regression analysis of parameters. The final model demonstrated that motor function of the hemiparetic leg was the strongest independent predictor for both walking ability and functional recovery (risk ratio (RR) of 2.41, 95% CI: 1.61–3.60, and p < 0.001 and RR of 1.83, 95% CI: 1.03–3.26, and p = 0.04, resp.). Therefore, lateralization did not seem to be involved. Understanding predictable variables that are associated with recovery can guide the rehabilitation team in setting priority and appropriate treatment for stroke patients.

Effect of Artificial Respiratory Muscle Training in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This was a descriptive research aiming at investigating the quality of life of the Royal Thai Navy College of Nursing’s (RTNCN) personnel. There were 325 samples which were from the executives, nursing instructors, supporting staff and nursing students in the academic year 2014. The research tool was the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment (WHOQOL - BRIEF - THAI) and the reliability of which was tested using the Cronbach’s Alpha with the result at 0.91. The statistics applied in this study were descriptive statistic. The results were as follows: 1) The Quality of Life in the aspects of physical health, psychological state, environment and overview of Quality of Life were mainly at moderate level (66.77, 54.77, 45.54, 75.38 and 57.85 percent respectively); and 2) Analyzing the Mean, it was found that QOL in all aspects of the personnel was at moderate level.

Effects of Banana (Musa Sapientum Linn) Consumption for Physical Strength, Metabolic Response, Oxidative Stress, Lipid Profiles, and Interleukin-23 in Healthy Men: A Preliminary Study

Background : Banana (Musa sapientum L.) is one of the many fruits that is well consumed in many countries having lots of benefits on health; however there are less evidences regarding physical performance, oxidative stress, metabolic, lipid, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in human. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of four weeks of banana consumption on physical strength, metabolic response, oxidative stress status, lipid profiles, and interleukin-23 in healthy men. Methods : Thirty healthy men were included in two week control and four week consumption periods. The parameters were evaluated by physical strength (back-leg strength, hand grip, and quadriceps strength), metabolic response to a cycling exercise test ((directed oxygen consumption (VO2), exercise time, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), ventilatory threshold (VT)), blood antioxidant status ((total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA)), lipid profiles ((triglyceride, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)), and plasma interleukin-23 (IL-23). These measures were evaluated in two times for 2 weeks before the continuous consumption of pulp from two ripe bananas, morning and evening for 4 weeks. Results : The results showed no statistical difference in parameters over the two week control period. After four weeks of banana consumption, the back strength, exercise time, RER, and VT were significantly improved. TAC and GSH levels were increased and MDA, triglyceride, cholesterol, and IL-23 were reduced significantly when compared to the control period. Conclusion : These preliminary results suggest that banana supplementation involves some physical strength, oxidative stress, lipid profile, and IL-23 levels in healthy human.

Short-Term Pulmonary Rehabilitation for a Female Patient with Chronic Scleroderma under a Single-Case Research Design

Although previously proposed that chronic scleroderma should be cared for clinically and early rehabilitation should be performed in hospital by a chest physical therapist, little evidence is currently available on its benefits. Therefore, this study demonstrated the benefits of short-term pulmonary rehabilitation during hospitalization in a female patient with chronic scleroderma. The aim of rehabilitation was to improve ventilation and gas exchange by using airway clearance, chest mobilization, and breathing-relearning techniques, including strengthening the respiratory system and the muscles of the limbs by using the Breath Max® device and elastic bands. Gross motor function and activities of daily life were regained by balancing, sitting, and standing practices. Data on minimal chest expansion, high dyspnea, high respiratory rate, and low maximal inspiratory mouth pressure were recorded seven days before rehabilitation or at the baseline period. But there was a clinically significant improvement in dyspnea, chest expansion, maximal inspiratory mouth pressure, and respiratory rate, when compared to baseline data, which were recorded by a chest physical therapist during seven days of rehabilitation. Furthermore, physicians decided to stop using a mechanical ventilator, and improvement in functional capacity was noted. Therefore, in the case of chronic and stable scleroderma, short-term rehabilitation during hospitalization for chest physical therapy possibly shows clinical benefits by improving both pulmonary function and physical performance.