Luciana Tavares Toscano

Potential ergogenic activity of grape juice in runners

Recent studies have indicated that certain food products have ergogenic potential similar to that of sports supplements. The present study aimed to investigate the potential ergogenic effect of integral purple grape juice on the performance of recreational runners. Twenty-eight volunteers of both sexes (age, 39.8 ± 8.5 years; peak oxygen consumption, 43.2 ± 8.5 mL/(kg·min)) were randomized into either a group that received grape juice (grape juice group (GJG), n = 15; 10 mL/(kg·min) for 28 days) or a group that received an isocaloric, isoglycemic, and isovolumetric control beverage (control group (CG), n = 13). A time-to-exhaustion exercise test, anaerobic threshold test, and aerobic capacity test were performed, together with assessments of markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, immune response, and muscle injury, performed at baseline and 48 h after the supplementation protocol. The GJG showed a significant increase (15.3%) in running time-to-exhaustion (p = 0.002) without significant improvements in either anaerobic threshold (3.6%; p = 0.511) or aerobic capacity (2.2%; p = 0.605). In addition, GJG exhibited significant increases in total antioxidant capacity (38.7%; p = 0.009), vitamin A (11.8%; p = 0.016), and uric acid (28.2%; p = 0.005), whereas α-1-acid glycoprotein significantly decreased (20.2%; p = 0.006) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels remained unchanged. In contrast, no significant changes occurred in any of these variables in the CG. In conclusion, supplementation with purple grape juice shows an ergogenic effect in recreational runners by promoting increased time-to-exhaustion, accompanied by increased antioxidant activity and a possible reduction in inflammatory markers.

Supplementation prevalence and adverse effects in physical exercise practitioners

INTRODUCTION The use of nutritional supplements is prevalent among physical exercise practitioners and some adverse effects have been reported, however not sufficiently substantial, because they originate from isolated cases. OBJECTIVES Investigate nutritional supplements consumption prevalence and adverse effects of the use of such products. METHODS An epidemiological, representative and transversal study, with 180 physical exercise practitioners in gyms, who answered questionnaires about sports supplementation, associated factors and self-perceived adverse effects. In a subsample of 86 individuals, blood pressure was measured and blood was collected for the evaluation of lipid profile markers, hepatic and renal function. RESULTS The supplementation prevalence level was 58.3%, whereas the physicians and nutritionists indicated only 21.9%. The reported adverse effects were observed only by supplement users (acne, insomnia, aggressiveness, headaches and tachycardia). Systolic blood pressure was higher in the supplemented group when compared to the control group (p = 0.04), as in the subgroup of thermogenic users (p < 0.0001) and among those who had consumed any type of supplementation for over 2 years (p = 0.005). Serum creatinine levels were higher only in the subgroup of carbohydrates when compared to the control group (p = 0.03). Diastolic blood pressure, lipid profile and hepatic function did not present differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS The use of nutritional supplements without specialized orientation was elevated among physical exercise practitioners, being associated to adverse effects both by the users themselves and by clinical diagnosis.

Watermelon extract reduces blood pressure but does not change sympathovagal balance in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects

Abstract Previous studies have shown that watermelon extract reduces blood pressure through vasodilation. However, those studies have not verified whether sympathetic nervous activity is influenced by watermelon extract. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with watermelon extract for 6 weeks on blood pressure and sympathovagal balance of prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals. Forty volunteers participated in a randomized, double-blind, experimental and placebo-controlled study. They consumed 6 g of watermelon extract daily (n = 20; age 48.7 ± 1.9 years, 10 men) or a placebo (n = 20; age 47.4 ± 1.2 years, 11 men) for 6 weeks. Blood pressure and cardiac autonomic modulation were measured. Watermelon extract promoted a significant reduction in systolic (137.8 ± 3.9 to 126.0 ± 4.0 mmHg, p < 0.0001) and diastolic (79.2 ± 2.2 to 72.3 ± 2.0 mmHg, p < 0.001) blood pressure, but showed no differences compared to the placebo group. This significant reduction in blood pressure occurred without a significant change in sympathovagal balance from the beginning (1.7 ± 0.1) to the end of the study (1.7 ± 0.4). In conclusion, supplementation with watermelon extract reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure in prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals, but does not alter the cardiac autonomic modulation of these individuals.

Chia induces clinically discrete weight loss and improves lipid profile only in altered previous values

INTRODUCTION chia (Salvia hispanica L.) has an elevated concentration of dietary fiber, it has been used to weight loss and enhance blood glucose and lipid profile. However, data in human are still scarce or do not exist, according to the analyzed variable. AIM to evaluate the effect of chia supplementation in body composition, lipid profile and blood glucose in overweight or obese individuals. METHODS men and women were randomly allocated in groups that ingested 35 g of chia flour/day (CHIA; n=19; 48.8±1.8 years) or placebo (PLA; n=7; 51.4±3.1 years) for 12 weeks. Body composition and food intake were evaluated in each four weeks. Lipid profile and blood glucose were measured in the beginning and in the end of the study. RESULTS Chia induced significant intragroup reduction in body weight (-1.1±0.4 kg; p<0.05), with a greater reduction among obese than overweighed individuals (-1.6±0.4 kg; p<0.00), but without difference when compared to PLA. Waist circumference reduced 1.9±0.6 cm in CHIA group (p <0.05), but only intragroup. It was observed a reduction in total cholesterol (p=0.04) and VLDL-c (p=0.03), and an increase in HDL-c (p=0.01) but only in the groups that ingested chia flour and presented abnormal initial values. Triglycerides, blood glucose and LDL-C showed no changes for either group. CONCLUSION consumption of chia for 12 weeks promotes significant but discrete reduction in weight and waist circumference, and enhances lipid profile dependent of initial values.

Relationship between cardiometabolic profile, vitamin D status and BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene in non-institutionalized elderly subjects: Cardiometabolic profile, vitamin D status and BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene in non-institutionalized elderly subjects.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the cardiometabolic profile, vitamin D status and BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene in non-institutionalized elderly subjects. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a random and representative sample of 142 elderly subjects selected by cluster and recruited from a municipal assistance program. Clinical, nutritional, biochemical and inflammatory profiles, oxidative stress and genotyping for the BsmI polymorphism were evaluated. Participants had mean age of 69.9 (7.0) years, BMI of 28.3 (4.4) kg/m(2) and 80.3% were women. The prevalence of a 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status <75nmol/L was 40.8%. A vitamin D level<75nmol/L was found to be associated with gender and fish consumption. The INSUF/DEF group [25(OH)D<75nmol/L] showed higher fasting blood glucose MDA values when compared to the SUF group [25(OH)D≥75nmol/L]; this relationship was maintained only for women in the analysis by sex. The BsmI polymorphism showed allelic frequencies in the SUF group of B 49% and b 51% and in the INSUF/DEF group B 38% and b 62%. The frequency of bb homozygosity was significantly associated with lower serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations compared to Bb, both in the general population and in the SUF group. Among individuals with bb, the INSUF/DEF group showed higher levels of triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol. Blood glucose levels and oxidative stress were increased in elderly subjects with 25(OH)D<75nmol/L. The presence of the bb genotype with adequate vitamin D status resulted in lower total and LDL cholesterol, but the benefit was lost when vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency was present.

Treinamento de força reduz perfil glicêmico de ratos

Aim: To evaluate the effect of a ten-week strength training on the blood glucose of rats. Methods: Eighteen rats were divided into two groups: sedentary and trained. Trained animals underwent strength training for ten weeks. The animals performed four sets of eight jumps with intervals of 30 seconds during ten weeks with a frequency of 3 times per week. An overload weight was imposed to the animals, using appropriate vests, which increased every two weeks. Body weight and food consumption were evaluated weekly. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized and their blood glucose and weights of visceral fat and carcass were measured. Results: No changes were observed in body weight (359.29±38.56 g vs. 355±15.58 g), food intake (162.1±16.6 g vs 156.57±5.4 g) and weight of carcass (222.5±22.7 g vs 230.7±9.3 g), however, reduction of visceral fat (17.4±3.3 g vs 12.9±1.7 g) and blood glucose (180.0±21.9 mg/dL vs. 151.7±19.6 mg/dL) was observed in the trained animals. Conclusion: The protocol used in this study reduced visceral fat and blood glucose in animals subjected to strength training

EFEITO DA INGESTÃO DE DOSE ÚNICA DE VINHO TINTO NA HIPOTENSÃO PÓS-EXERCÍCIO

Objective: To evaluate whether the intake of red wine enhances post-exercise hypotension (PEH). Material and Methods: fifteen hypertensive individuals performed washout for 24 hours from polyphenols and red wine before four sessions: two with physical exercise and intake of red wine (EW) or placebo (EP); only exercise (Ex), and control session (Ctrl) without exercise or intake of red wine/placebo. The exercises lasted 60 minutes, with intensity between 60 to 80% of maximum heart rate. Blood pressure was measured in rest and for 60 minutes post-exercise, every 10 minutes. Red wine (Marcus Jaimes