Rodrigo Ferro Magosso

Effects of resistance training on resistin, leptin, cytokines, and muscle force in elderly post-menopausal women

Abstract It may be that resistance exercise can be used to prevent the degenerative processes and inflammation associated with ageing. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of resistance training on cytokines, leptin, resistin, and muscle strength in post-menopausal women. Thirty-five sedentary women (mean age 63.18 years, s = 4.8; height 1.64 m, s = 0.07; body mass 57.84 kg, s = 7.70) were recruited. The 16 weeks of periodized resistance training consisted of two weekly sessions of three sets of 6–14 repetition maximum. Maximal strength was tested in bench press, 45° leg press, and arm curl. Plasma tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-15, leptin, and resistin were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Maximal strength on all measures was increased after 16 weeks. There were minor or no modifications in tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-15. Interleukin-6 was decreased 48 h after compared with baseline and declined after 16 weeks. Leptin decreased 24 h after compared with baseline and was reduced at baseline and 48 h after compared with pre-training. There was a decrease in resistin after 24 and 48 h compared with baseline and a decline in baseline and immediately after levels compared with pre-training. A possible explanation of the results of the present study is a lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the innate immune system. Periodized resistance training seems to be an important intervention to reduce systemic inflammation in this population.

The measurement of lactate threshold in resistance exercise: a comparison of methods.

Resistance incremental tests (IT) make it possible to determine critical metabolic and cardiovascular changes, such as the lactate threshold (LT). Different methods are frequently used to improve the exactness of LT identification. The objective of the study was to identify LT by four different methods (visual inspection, log–log, algorithmic adjustment and QLac) during resistance exercise and to evaluate which methods present more precision. Twelve men performed a maximal IT on the leg press at relative intensities of 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90% of 1RM with 1‐min stages. During the 2‐min interval between stages, capillary blood was collected for blood lactate analysis. LT was detected using each of the four methods. The intensity of LT by visual inspection method was 26·9 (5·2)% of 1RM, adjustment algorithmic method was 27·8 (3·6)% of 1RM, log–log method was 23·3 (3·5)% of 1RM and QLac method was 31·6 (9·8)% of 1RM, with significant difference only between log–log and QLac methods. Bland and Altman analysis shows better concordance for visual inspection versus adjustment algorithmic methods. The visual inspection, algorithmic and log–log methods detected the LT at the same intensity. The mathematical models, specially the algorithmic method, provide more precision.

Acute cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during resistance exercise in the lactate threshold intensity.

The aims were both to determine lactate and ventilatory threshold during incremental resistance training and to analyze the acute cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during constant-load resistance exercise at lactate threshold (LT) intensity. Ten healthy men performed 2 protocols on leg press machine. The incremental test was performed to determine the lactate and ventilatory thresholds through an algorithmic adjustment method. After 48 h, a constant-load exercise at LT intensity was executed. The intensity of LT and ventilatory threshold was 27.1±3.7 and 30.3±7.9% of 1RM, respectively (P=0.142). During the constant-load resistance exercise, no significant variation was observed between set 9 and set 15 for blood lactate concentration (3.3±0.9 and 4.1±1.4  mmol x L(-1), respectively. P=0.166) and BORG scale (11.5±2.9 and 13.0±3.5, respectively, P=0.783). No significant variation was observed between set 6 and set 15 for minute ventilation (19.4±4.9 and 22.4±5.5 L x min(-1), respectively, P=0.091) and between S3 and S15 for VO2 (0.77±0.18 and 0.83±0.16 L x min(-1), respectively, P=1.0). Constant-load resistance exercise at LT intensity corresponds to a steady state of ventilatory, cardio-metabolic parameters and ratings of perceived exertion.

Effects of ovariectomy and resistance training on MMP-2 activity in rat calcaneal tendon

Tendon remodeling relies on extracellular matrix (ECM) restructuring by the matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs). The aim of this study was to investigate MMP-2 activity in different regions of the calcaneal tendon (CT) after resistance training (RT) in ovariectomized rats. Wistar adult female rats were grouped into sedentary (Sed-Intact), ovariectomized sedentary (Sed-Ovx), acute exercise (AcuteEx-Intact), ovariectomized acute exercise (AcuteEx-Ovx), resistance trained (ChronicEx-Intact), and ovariectomized resistance trained (ChronicEx-Ovx) (n = 10 each group). The RT protocol required the animals to climb a 1.1-m vertical ladder with weights attached to their tail. The sessions were performed once every 3 days with 4–9 climbs and 8–12 dynamic movements per scaling. The acute groups performed one session and the chronic groups underwent 12 weeks of RT. There was an increase in total MMP-2 activity in Sed-Ovx, AcuteEx-Intact, and ChronicEx-Intact compared with that in Sed-Intact in the proximal region of CT. AcuteEx-Ovx exhibited higher total MMP-2 than Sed-Ovx and AcuteEx-Intact in the distal region of CT. Chronic-Ovx presented lower total MMP-2 activity than Sed-Ovx and Chronic-Intact in the distal region of tendon. The active MMP-2 was higher for the AcuteEx-Ovx than Sed-Ovx and AcuteEx-Intact in proximal region of tendon. There was higher active MMP-2 in the distal region of tendon in the Acute-Ovx than in the Sed-Ovx and AcuteEx-Intact. Ovariectomy and resistance exercise modulate MMP-2 activity according to specific tendon region, indicating a differentiated tissue remodeling.

Continuous blood pressure response at different intensities in leg press exercise.

Background Generally, the evaluation of the blood pressure response to resistance exercise has been limited to the evaluation of discontinuous casual blood pressure monitoring, often measured at the end of the exercise. Design To continuously evaluate the blood pressure response at different intensities of leg press exercise with the same duration and number of repetitions. Methods Seven normotensive healthy men performed an incremental test on the leg press machine at relative intensities of one repetition maximum (1RM). The blood pressure and heart rate were measured simultaneously to the incremental exercise by a photoplethysmographic method. Results The mean ± SD peak values of the heart rate, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were obtained on 70% of 1RM and were 145 ± 20 bpm, 113.1 ± 15.4 mmHg, and 192.4 ± 20.0 mmHg, respectively. The SBP was characterized by a decrease followed by an increase during the sets of exercise. The decrease in the SBP was 12–22 mmHg and took approximately 25 seconds to reach the minimum value before the increase. It was observed for all participants in most of the intensities. The rate of increase in the SBP was not statistically different between the intensities. Conclusions Both duration and intensity of exercise have an impact on the blood pressure response. Above 30% of 1RM, the SBP decreases in approximately 20 seconds and starts to increase until the end of the set of leg press exercise.

Ação do licopeno nos músculos esquelético e cardíaco sob estresse oxidativo por exercícios

Introduction: Free radicals produced during exercise may exceed the antioxidant defense system, causing oxidative damage to specific biomolecules. The lesions caused by free radicals in cells can be prevented or reduced by natural antioxidants, which are found in many foods. Lycopene is one of the most potent carotenoids with antioxidant properties, and it is used to prevent carcinogenesis and atherogenesis, as it protects molecules such as lipids, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), proteins and DNA. Objective: To investigate the role of lycopene as a potential protector of cardiac and skeletal muscle fibers against oxidative stress during strenuous exercise, which would cause morphological changes in these tissues. Methods: The experiments consisted of 32 adult male rats divided into four groups: two control groups and two trained groups with and without lycopene supplementation (6 mg per animal). The animals of the trained groups were subjected to 42 swimming sessions over a nine-week period, involving daily swimming sessions, five days a week, with overload produced by increasing the training time. The morphological analysis was performed using histological slides of cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues. Results: Modifications were observed in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue in the trained group that did not receive lycopene supplementation, while the trained group supplemented with lycopene showed muscle tissue with a normal morphological appearance. The tissues of both supplemented and non supplemented sedentary control groups showed no change in their histological characteristics. Conclusion: It can be stated that lycopene exerted a protective effect on cardiac and skeletal muscles against oxidative stress induced by strenuous exercise, besides promoting cardiac neovascularization, and can be used efficiently by athletes and physically active individuals.^aINTRODUCAO: Os radicais livres produzidos durante os exercicios podem exceder o sistema de defesa antioxidante, provocando danos oxidativos de biomoleculas especificas. As lesoes causadas pelos radicais livres nas celulas podem ser prevenidas ou reduzidas por meio da atividade de antioxidantes naturais, sendo estes encontrados em muitos alimentos. O licopeno e um dos mais potentes carotenoides com acao antioxidante, sendo utilizado na prevencao da carcinogenese e aterogenese por proteger moleculas como lipidios, lipoproteinas de baixa densidade (LDL), proteinas e DNA.OBJETIVO: Investigar a atuacao do licopeno a uma possivel acao protetora das fibras musculares cardiacas e esqueleticas contra o estresse oxidativo, durante a atividade fisica exaustiva, a qual provocaria alteracoes morfologicas nesses tecidos. Metodo: Na realizacao dos experimentos foram utilizados 32 ratos machos adultos divididos em quatro grupos, sendo dois grupos controles e dois grupos treinados sem e com suplementacao de licopeno (6 mg por animal). Os animais dos grupos treinados foram submetidos a 42 sessoes de natacao por nove semanas, com sessoes diarias de natacao, cinco dias por semana, com sobrecarga produzida pelo aumento do tempo de treinamento. A avaliacao morfologica foi realizada por meio de lâminas histologicas dos tecidos cardiaco e muscular esqueletico.RESULTADOS: Modificacoes teciduais cardiacas e musculares esqueleticas no grupo treinado sem suplementacao com licopeno foram observadas, sendo que o grupo treinado suplementado apresentou aspecto morfologico normal. Nos grupos sedentarios controle suplementado e nao suplementado nao houve alteracao em relacao as caracteristicas histologicas dos tecidos.CONCLUSAO: Podemos afirmar que o licopeno exerceu um efeito protetor nos musculos cardiaco e esqueletico contra o estresse oxidativo, induzido por exercicios exaustivos, alem de promover uma neovascularizacao do tecido cardiaco, podendo ser utilizado com eficiencia por atletas e praticantes de atividade fisica.^lpt^aINTRODUCTION: Free radicals produced during exercise may exceed the antioxidant defense system, causing oxidative damage to specific biomolecules. The lesions caused by free radicals in cells can be prevented or reduced by natural antioxidants, which are found in many foods. Lycopene is one of the most potent carotenoids with antioxidant properties, and it is used to prevent carcinogenesis and atherogenesis, as it protects molecules such as lipids, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), proteins and DNA.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of lycopene as a potential protector of cardiac and skeletal muscle fibers against oxidative stress during strenuous exercise, which would cause morphological changes in these tissues.METHODS: The experiments consisted of 32 adult male rats divided into four groups: two control groups and two trained groups with and without lycopene supplementation (6 mg per animal). The animals of the trained groups were subjected to 42 swimming sessions over a nine-week period, involving daily swimming sessions, five days a week, with overload produced by increasing the training time. The morphological analysis was performed using histological slides of cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues.RESULTS: Modifications were observed in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue in the trained group that did not receive lycopene supplementation, while the trained group supplemented with lycopene showed muscle tissue with a normal morphological appearance. The tissues of both supplemented and non supplemented sedentary control groups showed no change in their histological characteristics.CONCLUSION: It can be stated that lycopene exerted a protective effect on cardiac and skeletal muscles against oxidative stress induced by strenuous exercise, besides promoting cardiac neovascularization, and can be used efficiently by athletes and physically active individuals.^len^aINTRODUCCION: Los radicales libres producidos durante los ejercicios pueden exceder el sistema de defensa antioxidante, provocando danos oxidativos de biomoleculas especificas. Las lesiones causadas por los radicales libres en las celulas pueden ser prevenidas o reducidas por medio de la actividad de antioxidantes naturales, siendo estos encontrados en muchos alimentos. El licopeno es uno de los mas potentes carotenoides con accion antioxidante, siendo utilizado en la prevencion de la carcinogenesis y aterogenesis por proteger moleculas como lipidos, lipoproteinas de baja densidad (LDL), proteinas y DNA.OBJETIVO: Investigar la actuacion del licopeno a una posible accion protectora de las fibras musculares cardiacas y esqueleticas contra el estres oxidativo, durante la actividad fisica exhaustiva, la cual provocaria alteraciones morfologicas en esos tejidos.METODOS: En la realizacion de los experimentos fueron utilizados 32 ratones machos adultos divididos en cuatro grupos, siendo dos grupos controles y dos grupos entrenados sin y con suplementacion de licopeno (6 mg por animal). Los animales de los grupos entrenados fueron sometidos a 42 sesiones de natacion por nueve semanas, con sesiones diarias de natacion, cinco dias por semana, con sobrecarga producida por el aumento del tiempo de entrenamiento. La evaluacion morfologica fue realizada por medio de laminas histologicas de los tejidos cardiaco y muscular esqueletico.RESULTADOS: Fueron observadas modificaciones tisulares cardiacas y musculares esqueleticas en el grupo entrenado sin suplementacion con licopeno, siendo que el grupo entrenado suplementado presento aspecto morfologico normal. En los grupos sedentarios control suplementado y no suplementado no hubo alteracion en relacion a las caracteristicas histologicas de los tejidos.CONCLUSION: Podemos afirmar que el licopeno ejercio un efecto protector en los musculos cardiaco y esqueletico contra el estres oxidativo, inducido por ejercicios exhaustivos, ademas de promover una neovascularizacion del tejido cardiaco, pudiendo ser utilizado con eficiencia por atletas y practicantes de actividad fisica.^les

Acción del licopeno en los músculos cardiaco y esquelético bajo estrés oxidativo por ejercicios

Introduction: Free radicals produced during exercise may exceed the antioxidant defense system, causing oxidative damage to specific biomolecules. The lesions caused by free radicals in cells can be prevented or reduced by natural antioxidants, which are found in many foods. Lycopene is one of the most potent carotenoids with antioxidant properties, and it is used to prevent carcinogenesis and atherogenesis, as it protects molecules such as lipids, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), proteins and DNA. Objective: To investigate the role of lycopene as a potential protector of cardiac and skeletal muscle fibers against oxidative stress during strenuous exercise, which would cause morphological changes in these tissues. Methods: The experiments consisted of 32 adult male rats divided into four groups: two control groups and two trained groups with and without lycopene supplementation (6 mg per animal). The animals of the trained groups were subjected to 42 swimming sessions over a nine-week period, involving daily swimming sessions, five days a week, with overload produced by increasing the training time. The morphological analysis was performed using histological slides of cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues. Results: Modifications were observed in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue in the trained group that did not receive lycopene supplementation, while the trained group supplemented with lycopene showed muscle tissue with a normal morphological appearance. The tissues of both supplemented and non supplemented sedentary control groups showed no change in their histological characteristics. Conclusion: It can be stated that lycopene exerted a protective effect on cardiac and skeletal muscles against oxidative stress induced by strenuous exercise, besides promoting cardiac neovascularization, and can be used efficiently by athletes and physically active individuals.^aINTRODUCAO: Os radicais livres produzidos durante os exercicios podem exceder o sistema de defesa antioxidante, provocando danos oxidativos de biomoleculas especificas. As lesoes causadas pelos radicais livres nas celulas podem ser prevenidas ou reduzidas por meio da atividade de antioxidantes naturais, sendo estes encontrados em muitos alimentos. O licopeno e um dos mais potentes carotenoides com acao antioxidante, sendo utilizado na prevencao da carcinogenese e aterogenese por proteger moleculas como lipidios, lipoproteinas de baixa densidade (LDL), proteinas e DNA.OBJETIVO: Investigar a atuacao do licopeno a uma possivel acao protetora das fibras musculares cardiacas e esqueleticas contra o estresse oxidativo, durante a atividade fisica exaustiva, a qual provocaria alteracoes morfologicas nesses tecidos. Metodo: Na realizacao dos experimentos foram utilizados 32 ratos machos adultos divididos em quatro grupos, sendo dois grupos controles e dois grupos treinados sem e com suplementacao de licopeno (6 mg por animal). Os animais dos grupos treinados foram submetidos a 42 sessoes de natacao por nove semanas, com sessoes diarias de natacao, cinco dias por semana, com sobrecarga produzida pelo aumento do tempo de treinamento. A avaliacao morfologica foi realizada por meio de lâminas histologicas dos tecidos cardiaco e muscular esqueletico.RESULTADOS: Modificacoes teciduais cardiacas e musculares esqueleticas no grupo treinado sem suplementacao com licopeno foram observadas, sendo que o grupo treinado suplementado apresentou aspecto morfologico normal. Nos grupos sedentarios controle suplementado e nao suplementado nao houve alteracao em relacao as caracteristicas histologicas dos tecidos.CONCLUSAO: Podemos afirmar que o licopeno exerceu um efeito protetor nos musculos cardiaco e esqueletico contra o estresse oxidativo, induzido por exercicios exaustivos, alem de promover uma neovascularizacao do tecido cardiaco, podendo ser utilizado com eficiencia por atletas e praticantes de atividade fisica.^lpt^aINTRODUCTION: Free radicals produced during exercise may exceed the antioxidant defense system, causing oxidative damage to specific biomolecules. The lesions caused by free radicals in cells can be prevented or reduced by natural antioxidants, which are found in many foods. Lycopene is one of the most potent carotenoids with antioxidant properties, and it is used to prevent carcinogenesis and atherogenesis, as it protects molecules such as lipids, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), proteins and DNA.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of lycopene as a potential protector of cardiac and skeletal muscle fibers against oxidative stress during strenuous exercise, which would cause morphological changes in these tissues.METHODS: The experiments consisted of 32 adult male rats divided into four groups: two control groups and two trained groups with and without lycopene supplementation (6 mg per animal). The animals of the trained groups were subjected to 42 swimming sessions over a nine-week period, involving daily swimming sessions, five days a week, with overload produced by increasing the training time. The morphological analysis was performed using histological slides of cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues.RESULTS: Modifications were observed in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue in the trained group that did not receive lycopene supplementation, while the trained group supplemented with lycopene showed muscle tissue with a normal morphological appearance. The tissues of both supplemented and non supplemented sedentary control groups showed no change in their histological characteristics.CONCLUSION: It can be stated that lycopene exerted a protective effect on cardiac and skeletal muscles against oxidative stress induced by strenuous exercise, besides promoting cardiac neovascularization, and can be used efficiently by athletes and physically active individuals.^len^aINTRODUCCION: Los radicales libres producidos durante los ejercicios pueden exceder el sistema de defensa antioxidante, provocando danos oxidativos de biomoleculas especificas. Las lesiones causadas por los radicales libres en las celulas pueden ser prevenidas o reducidas por medio de la actividad de antioxidantes naturales, siendo estos encontrados en muchos alimentos. El licopeno es uno de los mas potentes carotenoides con accion antioxidante, siendo utilizado en la prevencion de la carcinogenesis y aterogenesis por proteger moleculas como lipidos, lipoproteinas de baja densidad (LDL), proteinas y DNA.OBJETIVO: Investigar la actuacion del licopeno a una posible accion protectora de las fibras musculares cardiacas y esqueleticas contra el estres oxidativo, durante la actividad fisica exhaustiva, la cual provocaria alteraciones morfologicas en esos tejidos.METODOS: En la realizacion de los experimentos fueron utilizados 32 ratones machos adultos divididos en cuatro grupos, siendo dos grupos controles y dos grupos entrenados sin y con suplementacion de licopeno (6 mg por animal). Los animales de los grupos entrenados fueron sometidos a 42 sesiones de natacion por nueve semanas, con sesiones diarias de natacion, cinco dias por semana, con sobrecarga producida por el aumento del tiempo de entrenamiento. La evaluacion morfologica fue realizada por medio de laminas histologicas de los tejidos cardiaco y muscular esqueletico.RESULTADOS: Fueron observadas modificaciones tisulares cardiacas y musculares esqueleticas en el grupo entrenado sin suplementacion con licopeno, siendo que el grupo entrenado suplementado presento aspecto morfologico normal. En los grupos sedentarios control suplementado y no suplementado no hubo alteracion en relacion a las caracteristicas histologicas de los tejidos.CONCLUSION: Podemos afirmar que el licopeno ejercio un efecto protector en los musculos cardiaco y esqueletico contra el estres oxidativo, inducido por ejercicios exhaustivos, ademas de promover una neovascularizacion del tejido cardiaco, pudiendo ser utilizado con eficiencia por atletas y practicantes de actividad fisica.^les

Action of lycopene on the cardiac and skeletal muscles under oxidative stress by exercises

Introduction: Free radicals produced during exercise may exceed the antioxidant defense system, causing oxidative damage to specific biomolecules. The lesions caused by free radicals in cells can be prevented or reduced by natural antioxidants, which are found in many foods. Lycopene is one of the most potent carotenoids with antioxidant properties, and it is used to prevent carcinogenesis and atherogenesis, as it protects molecules such as lipids, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), proteins and DNA. Objective: To investigate the role of lycopene as a potential protector of cardiac and skeletal muscle fibers against oxidative stress during strenuous exercise, which would cause morphological changes in these tissues. Methods: The experiments consisted of 32 adult male rats divided into four groups: two control groups and two trained groups with and without lycopene supplementation (6 mg per animal). The animals of the trained groups were subjected to 42 swimming sessions over a nine-week period, involving daily swimming sessions, five days a week, with overload produced by increasing the training time. The morphological analysis was performed using histological slides of cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues. Results: Modifications were observed in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue in the trained group that did not receive lycopene supplementation, while the trained group supplemented with lycopene showed muscle tissue with a normal morphological appearance. The tissues of both supplemented and non supplemented sedentary control groups showed no change in their histological characteristics. Conclusion: It can be stated that lycopene exerted a protective effect on cardiac and skeletal muscles against oxidative stress induced by strenuous exercise, besides promoting cardiac neovascularization, and can be used efficiently by athletes and physically active individuals.^aINTRODUCAO: Os radicais livres produzidos durante os exercicios podem exceder o sistema de defesa antioxidante, provocando danos oxidativos de biomoleculas especificas. As lesoes causadas pelos radicais livres nas celulas podem ser prevenidas ou reduzidas por meio da atividade de antioxidantes naturais, sendo estes encontrados em muitos alimentos. O licopeno e um dos mais potentes carotenoides com acao antioxidante, sendo utilizado na prevencao da carcinogenese e aterogenese por proteger moleculas como lipidios, lipoproteinas de baixa densidade (LDL), proteinas e DNA.OBJETIVO: Investigar a atuacao do licopeno a uma possivel acao protetora das fibras musculares cardiacas e esqueleticas contra o estresse oxidativo, durante a atividade fisica exaustiva, a qual provocaria alteracoes morfologicas nesses tecidos. Metodo: Na realizacao dos experimentos foram utilizados 32 ratos machos adultos divididos em quatro grupos, sendo dois grupos controles e dois grupos treinados sem e com suplementacao de licopeno (6 mg por animal). Os animais dos grupos treinados foram submetidos a 42 sessoes de natacao por nove semanas, com sessoes diarias de natacao, cinco dias por semana, com sobrecarga produzida pelo aumento do tempo de treinamento. A avaliacao morfologica foi realizada por meio de lâminas histologicas dos tecidos cardiaco e muscular esqueletico.RESULTADOS: Modificacoes teciduais cardiacas e musculares esqueleticas no grupo treinado sem suplementacao com licopeno foram observadas, sendo que o grupo treinado suplementado apresentou aspecto morfologico normal. Nos grupos sedentarios controle suplementado e nao suplementado nao houve alteracao em relacao as caracteristicas histologicas dos tecidos.CONCLUSAO: Podemos afirmar que o licopeno exerceu um efeito protetor nos musculos cardiaco e esqueletico contra o estresse oxidativo, induzido por exercicios exaustivos, alem de promover uma neovascularizacao do tecido cardiaco, podendo ser utilizado com eficiencia por atletas e praticantes de atividade fisica.^lpt^aINTRODUCTION: Free radicals produced during exercise may exceed the antioxidant defense system, causing oxidative damage to specific biomolecules. The lesions caused by free radicals in cells can be prevented or reduced by natural antioxidants, which are found in many foods. Lycopene is one of the most potent carotenoids with antioxidant properties, and it is used to prevent carcinogenesis and atherogenesis, as it protects molecules such as lipids, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), proteins and DNA.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of lycopene as a potential protector of cardiac and skeletal muscle fibers against oxidative stress during strenuous exercise, which would cause morphological changes in these tissues.METHODS: The experiments consisted of 32 adult male rats divided into four groups: two control groups and two trained groups with and without lycopene supplementation (6 mg per animal). The animals of the trained groups were subjected to 42 swimming sessions over a nine-week period, involving daily swimming sessions, five days a week, with overload produced by increasing the training time. The morphological analysis was performed using histological slides of cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues.RESULTS: Modifications were observed in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue in the trained group that did not receive lycopene supplementation, while the trained group supplemented with lycopene showed muscle tissue with a normal morphological appearance. The tissues of both supplemented and non supplemented sedentary control groups showed no change in their histological characteristics.CONCLUSION: It can be stated that lycopene exerted a protective effect on cardiac and skeletal muscles against oxidative stress induced by strenuous exercise, besides promoting cardiac neovascularization, and can be used efficiently by athletes and physically active individuals.^len^aINTRODUCCION: Los radicales libres producidos durante los ejercicios pueden exceder el sistema de defensa antioxidante, provocando danos oxidativos de biomoleculas especificas. Las lesiones causadas por los radicales libres en las celulas pueden ser prevenidas o reducidas por medio de la actividad de antioxidantes naturales, siendo estos encontrados en muchos alimentos. El licopeno es uno de los mas potentes carotenoides con accion antioxidante, siendo utilizado en la prevencion de la carcinogenesis y aterogenesis por proteger moleculas como lipidos, lipoproteinas de baja densidad (LDL), proteinas y DNA.OBJETIVO: Investigar la actuacion del licopeno a una posible accion protectora de las fibras musculares cardiacas y esqueleticas contra el estres oxidativo, durante la actividad fisica exhaustiva, la cual provocaria alteraciones morfologicas en esos tejidos.METODOS: En la realizacion de los experimentos fueron utilizados 32 ratones machos adultos divididos en cuatro grupos, siendo dos grupos controles y dos grupos entrenados sin y con suplementacion de licopeno (6 mg por animal). Los animales de los grupos entrenados fueron sometidos a 42 sesiones de natacion por nueve semanas, con sesiones diarias de natacion, cinco dias por semana, con sobrecarga producida por el aumento del tiempo de entrenamiento. La evaluacion morfologica fue realizada por medio de laminas histologicas de los tejidos cardiaco y muscular esqueletico.RESULTADOS: Fueron observadas modificaciones tisulares cardiacas y musculares esqueleticas en el grupo entrenado sin suplementacion con licopeno, siendo que el grupo entrenado suplementado presento aspecto morfologico normal. En los grupos sedentarios control suplementado y no suplementado no hubo alteracion en relacion a las caracteristicas histologicas de los tejidos.CONCLUSION: Podemos afirmar que el licopeno ejercio un efecto protector en los musculos cardiaco y esqueletico contra el estres oxidativo, inducido por ejercicios exhaustivos, ademas de promover una neovascularizacion del tejido cardiaco, pudiendo ser utilizado con eficiencia por atletas y practicantes de actividad fisica.^les