Telomere length in Thai Buddhist monks and Thai males aged 40 years and above

@#Introduction: The daily lifestyles of Thai Buddhist monks and Thai males differ due to Buddhist practices, which potentially affect telomere length. Telomeres are DNA compounds located at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. This study investigated the difference in telomere length between Thai Buddhist monks and Thai males aged ≥40 years. Method: This was a cross-sectional study involving 100 Thai Buddhist monks aged ≥40 years who had been ordained for more than five years and 100 Thai males aged ≥40 years. General information and health information were assessed by questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined by body composition and blood chemistry parameters. Telomere length was measured by Monochrome Multiplex RealTime Quantitative PCR and expressed as T/S ratio. Result: Mean telomere length of Thai Buddhist monks was longer than that of Thai males (1.08±0.18 vs. 1.02±0.17; p<0.050). In both groups, the mean telomere length in subjects aged ≥60 years was shorter than that in subjects aged 40-59 years (p<0.010). Alcohol consumption, which affected Thai males (p<0.050), but meditation tend to slow down the shortening of telomeres (r=0.167; p<0.050) in both groups. Conclusion: Age was the parameter that affected telomere length the most. Furthermore, various factors in the Buddhist monk group, such as a peaceful lifestyle, meditation, non-alcohol consumption, and fewer underlying diseases, could explain for the longer telomere lengths in this group.

Effect of resistance training exercise combined with high protein diet on body weight and muscle mass in underweight adolescent males

@#Introduction: Many underweight males take commercial protein supplements to increase their body weight and build muscle. Nonetheless, commercial protein supplements may cause adverse effects. This study aimed to determine the effects of resistance training exercise combined with a high protein diet on body weight and muscle mass in underweight adolescent males. Methods: A repeated measures design study was conducted on nine males aged 12-15 years with low body weight. Energy and protein requirements were calculated, and energy and protein consumptions were measured for each meal during the high protein diet without exercise (HP) period and the high protein diet with resistance exercise (HPE) period. Subjects engaged in three resistance training sessions each week during HP-E period, for eight weeks. Dietary intake, body composition, blood biochemistry, physical fitness, and self-esteem were assessed. Results: In HP-E period, resistance training exercise combined with a high protein intake (2.14 g/kg/d) increased body weight and lean tissue mass (LTM) by 0.5 kg and 0.5 kg, respectively. Resistance training during HP-E period increased arm, leg, and trunk muscle strength by 20.2%, 7.2%, and 14.5%, respectively, more than high protein diet alone during HP period. High protein intake in HP-E period did not affect blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels (11.0 mg/dL and 0.70 mg/dL, respectively). Conclusion: Eight weeks of resistance training combined with a high protein diet increased body weight and LTM without adverse effects. In particular, resistance exercise predominantly increased muscle strength. Kidney function was not affected by high protein consumption throughout this study.