Lydiane 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.

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.

Hypercaloric Diet Establishes Erectile Dysfunction in Rat: Mechanisms Underlying the Endothelial Damage

Obesity is characterized by an excessive increase in body mass, leading to endothelial damage that may favor the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain a penile erection long enough to have a sexual intercourse. In this context, different ED models were developed, however the high price of special animals or the long period to establish the disease has limited studies in this field. Therefore, this study proposed to establish and characterize a novel model of ED in rats associated to a hypercaloric diet consumption. Animals were randomly divided into control group (CG), which received a standard diet, and obese group (OG), fed with a hypercaloric diet during 8 weeks. Rats erectile function was evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Food and caloric intake of OG were reduced compared to CG, due to an increased diet energy efficiency. However, OG presented an increased body mass, inguinal, retroperitoneal and epididymal adipose tissues, as well as body adiposity index at the end of experimental protocol. In erectile function analysis, there was a decrease in the number and the latency of penile erections in OG. Additionally, the contractile reactivity of corpus cavernosum was increased in OG, favoring penile detumescence and related to a reduced nitric oxide bioavailability and an increased in contractile prostaglandins levels as a consequence of endothelial damage. Moreover, the endothelium-relaxation reactivity of corpus cavernosum was attenuated in OG associated to the oxidative stress. Thus, it was provided a model for advances in sexual dysfunction field and drug discovery for ED treatment.

Supplements and Foods with Potential Reduction of Blood Pressure in Prehypertensive and Hypertensive Subjects: A Systematic Review

Although the dietary approaches for stop hypertension (DASH) is well established and effective in reduction of blood pressure, in recent years, new scientific studies have indicated that specific food, nutrients isolated from foods, and even commercial food supplements are not covered by DASH. In this research, these nutrients were evaluated through a review using the databases of PubMed with the terms “dietary supplements and blood pressure” without a limit of date. Vitamins (C, D, and E) and minerals (potassium and copper) promote the greatest reductions in BP, around 7 to 14 mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 4 to 5 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (PAD). Antioxidants reduce SBP and DBP in 3 to 27 mmHg and 3 to 4 mmHg, respectively. Among the amino acids, only L-arginine was effective in promoting reduction of 20 and 15 mmHg for SBP and DBP, respectively. In food, the grape juice promoted the highest reductions in SBP and DBP, around 8 mmHg and 6 mmHg, respectively. Finally, for commercial supplements, the fermented milk product GAIOR, the grain salba, and fish oil promoted reductions of about 4,4; 6; and 5 mmHg and 3,4; 3; and 1 mmHg for SBP and DBP, respectively. Therefore, new nutrients, foods, and supplements can enrich the recommendations of the DASH.

Effects of Redox Disturbances on Intestinal Contractile Reactivity in Rats Fed with a Hypercaloric Diet

Few studies have associated the effects of changes in caloric intake and redox disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the present study aimed at evaluating the hypercaloric diet consumption influence on the contractile reactivity of intestinal smooth muscle, morphology, and oxidative stress of rat ileum. Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups that received a standard diet and fed with a hypercaloric diet for 8 weeks. Animals were euthanized, and the ileum was isolated to isotonic contraction monitoring. Morphology was evaluated by histological staining and oxidative stress by quantification of malondialdehyde levels and total antioxidant activity. Cumulative concentration-response curves to KCl and carbachol were attenuated in rats fed with a hypercaloric diet compared to those that received a standard diet. In addition, an increase in caloric intake promotes a rise in the thickness of the longitudinal smooth muscle layer of rat ileum and tissue malondialdehyde levels, characterizing lipid peroxidation, as well as a decrease in the antioxidant activity. Thus, it was concluded that the consumption of a hypercaloric diet impairs rat intestinal contractility due to mechanisms involving modifications in the intestinal smooth muscle architecture triggered by redox disturbances.

Whole Red Grape Juice Reduces Blood Pressure at Rest and Increases Post-exercise Hypotension

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of whole red grape juice (juice) on blood pressure (BP) at rest and on the magnitude of post-exercise hypotension (PEH). Methods: This double-blind, randomized controlled study was performed with 26 individuals with hypertension (40 to 59 years old) who were divided into experimental (n = 14) and control (n = 12) groups. Subsequently, the experimental group was subdivided according to the initial BP values. The subjects performed 2 sessions of aerobic exercise on a treadmill (60 minutes, 60%–85% maximum heart rate), separated by a 28-day period of supplementation with a daily dose of juice (150 ml for men and 100 ml for women) or a control drink. BP was measured before, during, and immediately after each exercise session as well as every 10 minutes during the 60-minute post-exercise recovery period. Results: The BP at rest did not change in the experimental group, but when this group was subdivided by initial BP, the subjects with controlled initial BP (EGCP) achieved a significant reduction (133.3 ± 5.6 to 114.6 ± 12.2 mmHg, p = 0.02); in contrast, the experimental group with borderline hypertensive BP values (EGBP) did not. Intervention with juice did not modify PEH in the experimental group, but when this group was divided as a function of the initial BP, PEH was potentiated at some times in EGCP. Conclusions: We conclude that juice promotes a reduction in BP at rest and is also capable of improving PEH in individuals with hypertension, but these effects are dependent on the initial BP values.

SESSÃO AGUDA DE CIRCUITO NA PRAIA NO CONTROLE DA PRESSÃO ARTERIAL EM INDIVÍDUOS NORMOTENSOS: UM ESTUDO PILOTO EM COMPARAÇÃO COM SESSÕES DE EXERCÍCIO AERÓBIO E RESISTIDO

Introducao: uma sessao de circuito e constituida por exercicios resistidos e aerobios, intercalados. Entretanto, nao ha consenso quanto a sua capacidade hipotensora. Objetivo: comparar a resposta da pressao arterial apos uma sessao de circuito de praia com sessoes de exercicios aerobico e resistido. Metodologia: 15 adultos jovens do sexo masculino realizaram tres sessoes de exercicio e uma sessao controle Resultados: Foi verificado hipotensao sistolica significativa em relacao ao repouso, aos 10, 20, 30 e 40 minutos para as sessoes aerobia e de circuito na praia e aos 20, 30 e 40 minutos para sessao de resistido, com as maiores reducoes em torno de 14 ± 5, 10 ± 3 e de 8 ± 3 mmHg, respectivamente, sem diferencas significativas entre as sessoes. Nao foram encontradas diferencas significativas na hipotensao diastolica Conclusao: A sessao circuito de praia apresenta semelhante hipotensao quando comparado as sessoes de exercicios aerobico e de resistido.

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