Investigation of factors affecting the rate of changes in endurance exercise performance by pre-cooling with ice slurry / 体力科学

To investigate the factors affecting the rate of improvement in endurance exercise performance following pre-cooling with ice slurry, we focused on individual physical characteristics and thermoregulatory capacity. Twenty-four healthy adults (12 males and 12 females) ingested 7.5g kg-1 of either ice slurry at -1°C (ICE) or control water at 20°C (CON) before cycling at 55% VO2max and continued cycling until the rectal temperature reached 38.5°C or untill exhaustion in a hot environment (controlled at 38°C, 40% relative humidity). The relationship between the rate of improvement in exercise performance and physical characteristics and thermoregulatory factors (changes in rectal temperature, the rate of rectal temperature increase, whole body sweat loss, mean metabolic heat production, and heat storage) was investigated. No correlation was noted between the rate of improvement in exercise performance and physical characteristics and heat storage. On the other hand, the rate of improvement in exercise performance showed significant correlations with changes in rectal temperature (r = -0.497), the rate of rectal temperature increases during exercise (r = -0.784), whole body sweat loss (r = 0.407), and mean metabolic heat production (r = -0.436). The rate of inhibition of sweating and the rate of increase in metabolic heat production by ice slurry ingestion during exercise have been suggested to be related to the rate of improvement in exercise performance. On the other hand, there was no relationship between body composition or VO2max and the rate of improvement in exercise performance.

Effects of hydrogen bathing on exercise-induced oxidative stress and delayed-onset muscle soreness / 体力科学

Several studies have reported that molecular hydrogen (H₂) acts as a therapeutic medical gas owing to scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, little is known about effects of H₂ on exercise-induced oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of weekly hydrogen bathing on exercise-induced oxidative stress and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Nine healthy and active young men participated in this study, and each subject performed hydrogen bathing trial and placebo bathing trial in a crossover design. The subjects performed downhill running (8 % decline) at 75 % peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak) for 30 min, and each subjects conducted hydrogen or placebo bathing for 20 min, respectively, 1-6 days after downhill running. Before and after exercise, we measured visual analogue scale (VAS) and collected blood samples (Pre- and 5 min, 60 min after the end of bathing, 1day, 2days, 3days, 7days after downhill running). Blood sample analyses include creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin (Mb), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17a (IL-17a) and lactate concentrations. Weekly hydrogen bathing had no effects of exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage. On the other hand, hydrogen bathing significantly reduced DOMS (VAS) 1 and 2days after downhill running (p=0.033). These findings suggest that hydrogen bath after downhill exercise can be effective for reduction of DOMS.

Functional Analyses of Oligonol by Novel Neutrophil Activity Measurement System / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

We examined the effects of polyphenols on migratory activity of neutrophils into the hydrogel and their production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Origonol and lychee polyphenol were diluted to medium in wide-range concentrations. Each solution was added on hydrogel, and the mixture of blood and luminol was layered on it in each tube. The ROS production was measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, whereas the cell count in the hydrogel was quantified as migratory activity of neutrophils. The migratory activity of neutrophils was not affected, whereas ROS production of neutrophils was significantly decreased above 100 μg/ml, but increased below the concentration.<br>

Ribosome Profiling for Biomarker Discovery / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

It has been well known that protein level is estimated by the expression level of its mRNA. However, it is also argued that correlation between mRNA abundance and protein levels is weaker than previously thought. Recently a newly developed technique called ribosome profiling has drawn attention as a drastic countermeasure to improve the weak correlation. Here it is discussed that weak association of protein and mRNA levels seen in genome-wide analysis of gene expression such as microarray is attributable to post-transcriptional regulation including translational inhibition. This review further discusses how these issues are resolved by ribosome profiling and also addresses a possibility of biomarker discovery derived from this technique.<br>

Functional Assessment of Plant Extracts by Application of Novel Neutrophil Activity Measurement System / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective:</b> The overproduction of reactive oxygen species leads to oxidative stress, which is related to lifestyle-related disease and cancer. Although antioxidants are considered as one of the countermeasures to oxidative stress, it is necessary to develop the assessment methodology for the antioxidant capacity which is closer to the inner body conditions. In this study, we examined antioxidant actions of plant extracts by using newly-developed neutrophil activity measurement system.<br> <b>Method:</b> Lemon verbena, Green tea, Camellia japonica and Antiallerge^® were used as plant extracts, and were diluted to medium in wide-range concentrations. Each solution was added on modified Mebiol Gel^® (hydrogel), and the mixture of blood and luminol were set onto the hydrogel in each tube. The amount of reactive oxygen species were measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, whereas the cell count in the hydrogel was quantified as migratory activity of neutrophils.<br> <b>Result:</b> Lemon verbena and Green tea significantly inhibited reactive oxygen species in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas Camellia japonica and Antiallerge^® did not. The migratory activity of neutrophils was not affected by those plant extracts. Also, damaged cells were not detected.<br> <b>Conclusion:</b> It was suggested that Lemon verbena and Green tea scavenged reactive oxygen species without causing cell death of neutrophils. This new method for measuring neutrophil activities can be applied not only for assessing the status of inflammation and oxidative stress but also as the screening system for predicting the effectiveness of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances.<br>

Circulating microRNAs as Novel Biomarkers for Exercise Stress / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) and following studies reporting that miRNAs are stably present in the circulation, paved the way for possible use of miRNAs as biomarkers. Identification of circulating miRNAs that are functional upon delivery to the recipient cells, suggests miRNAs play roles in cell-to-cell communication as well as hormones and cytokines. This review provides a basic understanding of miRNAs and the current understanding of circulating miRNA as biomarkers and focuses on their putative roles and regulation under stressed conditions including physical exercise.<br>

Relationship Between Subjective Fatigue by Exercise and Stress Hormone and Cytokine Variables / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

We analyzed the relation between subjective fatigue by hard exercise and stress hormone and cytokine data. The subjects are eight healthy men who had exercise experience. In this experiment, hard exercise was carried out in the first place. After two-hour rest, a performance test was carried out. The blood test was conducted 4 times (before exercise, after exercise, rest, and a performance test). Subjective fatigue was indicated using visual analogue scale (VAS). After the hard exercise and performance test, VAS increased and showed the significant difference. Lactic acid, adrenaline, noradrenaline, growth hormone, IL-6, and IL-8 increased after each exercise and showed the significant difference. Subjective fatigue and the value of lactic acid, and IL-6 showed significant positive correlations. These results suggest that lactic acid, and IL-6 may become an index of fatigue in this exertion model.<br>

Effects of Moderate-Intensity Endurance Exercise on Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Leukocyte Activation Markers / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

The purpose of this study was to examine effects of moderate-intensity endurance exercise on reactive oxygen species production and leukocyte activation markers in young and middle-aged persons. Blood samples were collected before and after the jogging of 10 km. Although cytokines recruiting and priming neutrophils and monocytes were released into the circulation and functional after the jogging of 10 km, reactive oxygen metabolites-derived compounds (d-ROMs) were not significantly increased. It was indicated that chemokines and leukocyte activation markers at rest were increased with aging, and that might be accompanied by the higher level of d-ROMs in the elderly.<br>

Changes in Oxidative Stress Indices of Saliva by Menstrual Cycle and Endurance Exercise / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

The purpose of this study was to investigate moderate endurance exercise-induced changes in oxidative stress in different phases of the menstrual cycle. We used saliva samples which can be collected non-invasively. The resting oxidative stress levels determined by oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) were significantly higher in the menstrual phase than the follicular and luteal phases. The ORP significantly increased 30 minutes after exercise started and at the end of the 60 minute exercise session in the follicular phase. The menstrual cycle may affect oxidative stress levels at rest among young women, whereas moderate endurance exercise is likely to increase oxidative stress in the follicular phase.<br>

Cytokine Response to Exercise during Exposure to Cold / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

This study examined cytokine responses to cold exposure together with the effects of exercise and thermal adaptation. Ten male short-track skaters who had adapted to a cold environment, and ten male inline skaters who had not, were each assigned to two experimental conditions. For the cold condition, subjects sat for 60 min at 5–8°C, then exercised on a cycle ergometer for 60 min at 65% maximal oxygen uptake (at 5–8°C), and finally sat again for 120 min at room temperature (20–25°C). In the control condition, subjects participated in the same protocol as the above but at room temperature (20–25°C). Blood samples were collected at pre-cold exposure, post-cold exposure (pre-exercise), post-exercise, post-30 min, post-60 min, and post-120 min, and analyzed for plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNFR-I), cortisol, and myoglobin by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 60-min cycle ergometer exercise induced significant increases in plasma IL-1ra, IL-10 and IL-12p40 at room temperature in short-track skaters adapted to the cold, but significant decreases in these cytokines were observed with exposure to cold. These results indicate that acute cold exposure has a suppressive effect on cytokine response during exercise, suggesting the possibility of preventive effects on immunosuppression, heat stroke and allergy induced by exercise.<br>

Effects of Resistance Training on Prostate Cancer Patients Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<i>Objective</i>: This study assessed the effectiveness and safety of resistance training in prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).<br> <i>Methods</i>: Ten patients in the absence of metastasis undertook a 20-week progressive resistance training (2 times/week) consisting of 12 different upper and lower body exercises using training machines. Body composition, muscle function, physical performance, bone mineral density, serum biochemical data, plasma insulin and blood markers of prostate cancer were assessed at baseline and after training at weeks 10 and 20.<br> <i>Results</i>: Training significantly increased muscle strength and muscle endurance capacity (p<0.001) and decreased plasma insulin levels without affecting blood markers of prostate cancer.<br> <i>Conclusion</i>: Results suggest that resistance training is beneficial for prostate cancer patients with ADT to reduce the side effects of ADT and improve the activity of daily living and quality of life.<br>

The Application of Saliva to an Assessment of Stress: Procedures for Collecting and Analyzing Saliva and Characteristics of Salivary Substances / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

An objective assessment of stress is needed to manage stress and prevent the development of stress-related diseases such as depression and coronary heart disease. In this paper, we discussed the possibility of applying saliva to an assessment of stress. We illustrated the procedures for collecting and analyzing saliva, and reviewed the relationships of acute, chronic, psychological, or physical stress to seven salivary substances: Cortisol, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Testosterone, Chromogranin A, 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyglycol, α-Amylase, and Secretory Immunoglobulin A. Considering unique characteristics of each salivary substance and purposes of the study or the non-invasive assessment, salivary substances should be selected for the assessment of stress.<br>

The Comparison of Salivary Cortisol Immunoassay Kits: Correlations between Salivary and Plasma Cortisol Concentrations and Comparison of Immunoassay Methods / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<i>Objective</i>: The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of the salivary cortisol immunoassay kits that were manufactured by DRG International, Inc., Salimetrics, LLC., and IBL Hamburg, which were widely used in neuroendocrine research. Correlations between plasma and salivary cortisol concentrations and between enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and luminescence immunoassay (LIA) were investigated.<br> <i>Methods</i>: Saliva and plasma samples were collected in eight participants who took part in the study of the exercise stress testing. In total, forty salivary cortisol samples were assayed by means of the three salivary cortisol immunoassay kits. Plasma cortisol concentrations were determined by ELISA kit (IBL).<br> <i>Results</i>: Salivary cortisol concentrations measured by the three immunoassay kits were significantly and highly correlated with plasma cortisol concentrations (r ≥ .863). Scattergrams also indicated that exponential curve well explained the relationship between salivary and plasma cortisol concentrations (r ≥ .925). Salivary cortisol concentrations measured by LIA (IBL) was correlated with salivary cortisol concentrations measured by ELISA (DRG and Salimetrics: r=.943 and .985, respectively). Values of cortisol concentration measured by ELISA (DRG) were higher than those by ELISA (Salimetrics) and LIA (IBL).<br> <i>Conclusion</i>: Salivary cortisol concentrations that were measured by the three immunoassay kits reflected the variations of plasma cortisol concentration. Differences in immunoassay methods (ELISA and LIA) did not influence the values of cortisol concentration. These findings indicated that it is possible to assess stress by measuring salivary cortisol without the need for blood sampling.<br>

Effects of Low-Intensity Brief Exercise and Training on Cell-Mediated Immunity / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

We investigated the effects of low-intensity brief exercise on lymphocyte functions and plasma cytokine concentrations. Six young sedentary women performed 30-min walking exercise (6 km/h, 50–65% HR max) per day for 3 weeks. Each subject’s peripheral blood was sampled before training, 1 week and 3 weeks after training, and analyzed for natural killer (NK) cell activity, T cell proliferation activity, granzyme B, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40 and interferon.γ (IFN-γ). Lymphocyte functions did not change significantly following training, but plasma concentrations of IL-12p40 decreased significantly. These results suggest that cytokine balance towards significant Th1>Th2 is induced by low-intensity training.<br>

Exercise and Immunity / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

It is generally accepted that moderate physical activity can improve immune functions and potentially reduce the risk of developing infectious diseases and cancer. There is accumulating evidence to show that moderate physical activity can enhance the activities of T cells, natural killer cells and macrophages, cytokine productivity and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G and salivary IgA levels. In contrast, however, exhaustive exercise causes the systemic release of immunosuppressive stress hormones and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and temporarily causes a decrease in circulating lymphocyte counts and the reduction in activities of T cells and natural killer cells and salivary IgA levels. Consequently, these negative alterations in immune function and cytokine imbalance may enhance host susceptibility to infections and promote allergic disposition. Although exercise-induced mobilization and activation of phagocytic cells such as neutrophils and monocytes can result in muscular, vascular and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress due to the production of reactive oxygen species, these deleterious responses may be attenuated by the appropriate use of antioxidants and nutritional supplements. This review presents the findings from recent studies in the field of exercise immunology, and offers some insight into how these findings may be applied in the broad realm of preventive, complementary and alternative medicine.<br>

Chronic Effect of Training on Neutrophil Functions in Humans

We performed this study to evaluate the chronic effect of training on neutrophil functions in humans. Twenty-six university students (14 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 19.1±0.8 years were divided into the athlete group and the control group based on answers given to a written questionnaire. The capacity of circulating neutrophils to ingest bacteria (phagocytosis) and to produce superoxide (nitroblue tetrazolium reduction) was measured under resting conditions in the absence of training activities. In addition, we measured hematological and serum biochemical parameters. The present analyses revealed that the frequency of subjective symptoms concerning susceptibility to infections (sum of males and females) was higher in the athlete group than in the control group (p<0.05). In the investigation of males, hemoglobin and serum protein levels of the athlete group were lower than that of the control group (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). Although total and differential leukocyte counts, and phagocytic activity of neutrophils were not significantly different between the groups, superoxide productivity of neutrophils in the male athlete group was higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). Since significant differences were observed in hemoglobin and serum protein levels in the male athletes, the training is considered to have been intense. An increase was noted in the neutrophil superoxide production along with these changes, but no significant difference was observed in the phagocytic activity. Therefore, there is the possibility of superoxide overproduction, which may lead to tissue damage.

Effects of maximal exercise on nonspecific immunity in athletes under trained and detrained conditions / 体力科学

We investigated both the acute effects of maximal exercise and the chronic effects of training on nonspecific immunity in 15 winter-sports athletes during different periods of training : (a) before the athletic season, in summer, when the athletes were undertaking extensive endurance training to enhance aerobic capacity, (b) during the winter sports season, in early winter, when endurance and athletic training were being undertaken, and (c) after the winter sports season, in spring, when the athletes were resting (detraining for a month) . The mean value of the maximal oxygen uptake in each training period was (a) 65.4 (SD 4.6) mL·kg<SUP>-1</SUP>·min<SUP>-1</SUP>, (b) 63.1 (SD 5.5) mL· kg<SUP>-1</SUP>·min<SUP>-1</SUP>, and (c) 58.3 (SD 5.8) mL·kg<SUP>-1</SUP>·min<SUP>-1</SUP>, respectively. Following maximal exercise, acute peripheral leukocytosis due to lymphocytosis and neutrophila was observed in every period. The capacity of isolated neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species upon stimulation with opsonized zymosan measure by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) was significantly enhanced after maximal exercise before and during the athletic season. However, the degree of enhancement was smaller during after-season detraining, suggesting that the conditioning state affected the exercise-induced changes in neutophil functional status. Serum opsonic activity also showed a similar pattern. As for the chronic effects of training, the resting values of the neutrophil count, especially the segmented neutrophil count, the neutrophil LDCL response and the serum IgG level, declined significantly in the pre-season training period. Since the subjects were engaged in exhaustive endurance training under heat exposure at that time, the nonspecific immune status might have been partially compromised due to chronic overload.

Effects of maximal exercise on blood leukocyte counts and neutrophil activity in athletes / 体力科学

Twenty endurance-trained athletes (five male speed-skaters, eleven male and four female cross-country skiers, 16-18 years) ran on a treadmill by a protocol of incremental graded increase in workload until exhaustion during an endurance training period in off-season summer. Immediately after exercise, all developed peripheral leukocytosis (1.9 times; p<0.01) due mainly to lymphocytosis (2.6 times; p<0.01) with a predominant effect on large granular lymphocyte (natural killer cell) count (5.9 times ; p<0.01) . Monocyte count was also enhanced 2.3 times (p<0.01) . These increases were transitory and returned to the pre-exercise levels 1 h later. Peripheral neutrophilia was also observed by 43% (p<0.01) immediately after exercise and remained elevated by 25% (p<0.01) 1 h after exercise, but a shift to the left did not take place. The capacity of isolated neutrophils to produce reactive oxygen species was assessed by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence which detects mainly myeloperoxidase (MPO) -mediated formation of such hyperreactive oxidants as HOCl. The maximum intensity of chemiluminescence (peak height) upon stimulation with opsonized zymosan was significantly enhanced following exercise (p<0.05) . Similar results were obtained when phorbol myristate acetate was employed as nonphagocytic soluble stimulus (p<0.01), suggesting that the capacity of neutrophils to degranulate MPO rather than phagocytosis was enhanced following exercise. In addition, the enhancements of chemiluminescence were positively correlated with the increase in segmented neutrophil count. These data indicate that maximal exercise not only mobilized mature neutrophils from the marginated pool into the circulation, but also augmented their capacity to generate reactive oxygen species of higher reactivity.

The amount of serum lipid peroxides and the activity of erythrocyte antioxidative enzymes in high-aerobic-capacity subjects before and after maximal exercise / 体力科学

We investigated the relationship between maximum oxygen uptake and the amount of lipid peroxide in serum before and after exhaustive exercise. The levels of serum lipid peroxides observed in a group of 6 males with high oxygen uptake were significantly lower than those of the low oxygen uptake control group (4 males) before and 0, 30 and 60 minutes after exercise. The amount of serum lipid peroxides increased slightly in each group after exercise. However, that amount decreased more quickly in the group with high oxygen uptake than the control group. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in erythrocytes showed no significant differences between both groups, nor between before and after exhaustive exercise.

Chronic effects of voluntary exercise on SRBC-induced host defense reactions in rats / 体力科学

A study was conducted to evaluate the chronic effects of regular physical activity on nonspecific and specific immune responses. Male Fischer rats (SPF) exercised voluntarily on running wheels for 4 months, and were then injected intraperitoneally with sheep red blood cells (SRBC), followed by measurement of the host defense functions at -2 d, 3h, 24h and 4 d of antigen stimulation. The following results were obtained:<BR>1) The ability of circulating neutrophils to produce superoxide measured by the spontaneous NBT test showed an earlier and higher (p<0.05) rise after SRBC injection in the exercise group, suggesting that neutrophils were activated <I>in vivo</I> more promptly against foreign-body invasion. This might reflect a priming response of neutrophils at the early phase of SRBC-induced host defense reactions modulated by the previous regular exercise.<BR>2) The ability of neutrophils to produce superoxide in response to <I>in vitro</I> stimulation with <I>Staphylococcus aureus</I> 209 P was markedly reduced during inflammatory response in the sedentary group, whereas that in the exercise group was maintained at a constant level. The value at 4 d after SRBC injection in the sedentary group was decreased to more than 20% below the baseline (p<0.02) . In addition, a significantly (p<0.02) lower value than that in the exercise group was shown, although phagocytic activity was similar in the two groups. This suggested that neutrophil bactericidal activity was decreased in the sedentary group.<BR>3) Plasma IgG levels in the exercise group were consistently and significantly (p<0.0001) higher by about 30% than those in the sedentary group, regardless of SRBC injection. This suggested an enhanced host defense status by regular exercise.<BR>4) The specific humoral immune response to SRBC injection was assessed in terms of hemagglutination and plasma IgM levels, but no significant differences were shown between the groups.