Nandrolone decanoate induces cardiac and renal remodeling in female rats, without modification in physiological parameters: The role of ANP system.

UNLABELLED: Anabolic-androgenic steroids are misused, including women, but little is known about the cardiovascular effects of these drugs on females. AIM: Evaluated the effects of nandrolone decanoate (ND), physical exercise and estrogen deficiency on female rats. MAIN METHODS: Female Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups: S and OVX: (SHAM: sham surgery; OVX: ovariectomy, vehicle), SE and OVXE (resistance exercise 5 times a week, vehicle), SD and OVXD (treated with ND, 20 mg/kg/week for 4 weeks); SDE and OVXDE. Treatments were initiated 21 days after surgery. The Bezold­Jarisch reflex was assessed by Phenylbiguanide administration. The right atrium, kidney, and serum were collected for molecular analyses by RT-PCR of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), A-type natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR-A) and NPR-C. ELISA assay to estradiol and testosterone concentrations. The gastrocnemius muscle, heart and kidney weights/tibia length were measured.Morphometric analysis of heart was made (H/E) and collagen content of heart and kidney were evaluated using Pirossirius Red. KEY FINDINGS: ND treatment increased ANP expression on atrium and decreased NPR-A expression in kidney. Physical exercise and ovariectomy did not alter this parameter. NPR-C level was reduced in the SDE and OVXDE. Renal and cardiac hypertrophy was observed after ND treatment, with collagen deposition. Plasma estrogen concentrations were reduced and serum testosterone concentrations were increased after ND treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: ANP has an important role in modulating the cardiovascular effects of ND in females. Thismodulating may have occurred by the increasing ANP expression, reducing NPR-A and NPR-C expression levels, and changing sex hormone levels.

Role of the renin-angiotensin system in the nandrolone-decanoate-induced attenuation of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex.

The androgen nandrolone decanoate (ND) is known to cause cardiovascular abnormalities, such as attenuation of the Bezold-Jarisch Reflex (BJR), cardiac hypertrophy, and elevation of mean arterial pressure (MAP). Futhermore, a relationship between androgens and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of RAS on the BJR, cardiac and prostatic hypertrophy, and MAP evoked by ND. For this, male Wistar rats were treated with ND (10 mg·(kg body mass)(-1) for 8 weeks; DECA), or vehicle (control animals; CON), or enalapril (10 mg·(kg body mass)(-1), daily; CONE), or ND and enalapril (10 mg ND + 10 mg enalapril per kilogram of body mass; DECAE). After 8 weeks of treatment, the BJR was evaluated by bradycardia and hypotensive responses that were elicited by serotonin administration (2-32 µg·(kg body mass)(-1)). MAP was assessed; cardiac and prostate hypertrophy were determined by the ratio of the tissue mass:body mass, and by histological analysis of the heart. Animals from the DECA group showed prostatic and cardiac hypertrophy, elevation in mean arterial pressure, and an impairment of BJR. Co-treatment with enalapril inhibited these changes. The data from the present study suggest that RAS has an impact on BJR attenuation, cardiac and prostatic hypertrophy, and the elevation in MAP evoked by ND.

Efeitos agudos do alongamento estático no desempenho da força dinâmica em homens jovens / Acute effects of static stretching in dynamic force performance in young men

INTRODUÇÃO: O alongamento muscular é frequentemente utilizado nas práticas desportivas, com o objetivo de aumentar a flexibilidade muscular e amplitude articular, assim como diminuir o risco de lesões e melhorar o desempenho atlético. OBJETIVO: Analisar o efeito agudo do alongamento com diferentes tempos no desempenho da força dinâmica de membros superiores e inferiores em homens jovens. MÉTODOS: Participaram da amostra 14 voluntários do sexo masculino com idade de 23 ± 2 anos, peso corporal de 84 ± 10kg, estatura de178 ± 7cm, IMC de 26 ± 2kg/m² e percentual de gordura de 11 ± 3 por cento. Eles foram avaliados com o teste de 10RM em três situações distintas: condição sem alongamento (SA), aquecimento especifico seguido do teste de 10-RM; condição com oito minutos de alongamento (AL-8), uma sessão de alongamento estático com oito minutos de duração, seguido do aquecimento e teste de 10RM; e a condição alongamento 16 minutos (AL-16), 16 minutos de alongamento seguidos dos procedimentos descritos anteriormente. Os testes foram feitos no supino reto e leg-press 45º; os alongamentos foram selecionados de forma a atingir as musculaturas solicitadas nos respectivos exercícios. RESULTADOS: Houve redução de 9,2 por cento da força muscular dinâmica de membros superiores em comparação dos grupos SA e AL16, e entre os grupos AL8 e AL16 (p < 0,001). Em membros inferiores essa redução de força (p < 0,001) foi de 4,8 por cento para AL-8 e de 14,3 por cento para AL-16 em comparação com o grupo SA. CONCLUSÃO: Sessões de alongamentos estáticos efetuados antes de atividades que envolvam força dinâmica possuem a capacidade de alterar negativamente o desempenho dessa qualidade física, acarretando pior rendimento em longos períodos de alongamento.

BACKGROUND: Muscular stretching is frequently used in sports practice with the aim to increase muscular flexibility and joint range of motion as well as to reduce injury risks and to improve athletic performance. AIM: To analyze the acute effect of stretching with different times in the dynamic strength performance of lower and upper extremities in young men. METHODS: The sample was composed by 14 healthy male volunteers aged 23 ± 2 years, weight of 84 ± 10 Kg , height of 178 ± 7 cm, BMI of 26 ± 2 Kg/m2 and body fat of 11 ± 3 percent. They were evaluated in a 10-maximum repetition test (10-RM) in three situations: no stretching (NS); after an 8-minute session of static stretching followed by specific warm-up (SS-8); and after 16-minute and specific warm-up before 10 RM test (SS-16). Tests were performed in bench press and 45º leg press exercises, and stretching was selected as to reach the musculature required in these exercises. RESULTS: There was significant reduction (p<0.001) of dynamic muscular strength of upper extremities in comparison to NS with SS-16 (9.2 percent) and between SS-8 (4.2 percent) and SS-16 (14.3 percent) to lower extremities. This difference was found in all tested conditions. CONCLUSION: Static stretching sessions before activities involving dynamic strength are able to negatively change performance in longer stretching periods.

Cardiovascular risk factors, their associations and presence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and independent associated risk factors in adolescents in the city of Vitória, Brazil. METHODS: We assessed 380 adolescents aged 10 to 14 years attending public schools. Body mass index and blood pressure at rest were measured. Fasting plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose were also obtained. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was 9.6% for boys and 7.4% for girls, while obesity was found in 6.2 and 4.9%, respectively. Triglyceride concentrations were borderline or high in 6.8 and 3.4% of the boys and in 11.8 and 5.9% of the girls. HDL-cholesterol was below recommended levels in 8.5% of the boys and in 9.9% of the girls. Blood pressure at rest was borderline for 5.1% of the boys and 7.9% of the girls, while 3.4% of both boys and girls were hypertensive. Fasting glycemia was high in 0.6% of the boys and in 0.5% of the girls. In the group studied, 2.8% of the boys and 2.5% of the girls had two risk factors associated with MS. Prevalence of MS was 1.1% for boys and 1.5% for girls, and overall prevalence was 1.3%. CONCLUSIONS: MS and associated cardiovascular risk factors are serious clinical conditions in this age group. A significant number of adolescents showed borderline results, which may increase the prevalence of MS or independent risk factors in the short term. More investments should be made in primary prevention, considering that early diagnosis is an issue of fundamental importance.

Fatores de risco cardiovasculares, suas associações e presença de síndrome metabólica em adolescentes / Cardiovascular risk factors, their associations and presence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a ocorrência de síndrome metabólica (SM) e fatores de risco associados em adolescentes de Vitória (ES). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 380 adolescentes de 10 a 14 anos de idade estudantes de escolas públicas. Foram mensurados: índice de massa corporal, pressão arterial em repouso, dosagens séricas em jejum das concentrações de colesterol total, LDL-colesterol, HDL-colesterol, triglicerídeos e glicose. RESULTADOS: Identificou-se prevalência de sobrepeso em 9,6 por cento dos meninos e em 7,4 por cento das meninas, enquanto que obesidade foi observada em 6,2 e 4,9 por cento, respectivamente. As concentrações de triglicerídeos foram limítrofes ou altas em 6,8 e 3,4 por cento dos meninos e em 11,8 e 5,9 por cento das meninas. A concentração de HDL-colesterol estava abaixo dos níveis padronizados em 8,5 por cento dos meninos e em 9,9 por cento das meninas. A pressão arterial em repouso foi limítrofe para 5,1 por cento dos meninos e 7,9 por cento das meninas, enquanto que 3,4 por cento tanto dos meninos quanto das meninas foram considerados hipertensos. Glicemia de jejum foi alta em 0,6 por cento dos meninos e em 0,5 por cento das meninas. No grupo estudado, 2,8 por cento dos meninos e 2,5 por cento das meninas apresentaram dois fatores de risco associados a SM. A prevalência de SM foi de 1,1 por cento para meninos e 1,5 por cento para meninas e a total foi de 1,3 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: Fatores de risco cardiovasculares associados a SM são condições clínicas importantes nessa faixa etária. Um número significativo de adolescentes apresentou resultados limítrofes, os quais podem aumentar a prevalência de SM ou de fatores de risco independentes em curto prazo. Mais investimentos devem ser feitos na prevenção primária, considerando que o diagnóstico precoce é uma questão de fundamental importância.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and independent associated risk factors in adolescents in the city of Vitória, Brazil. METHODS: We assessed 380 adolescents aged 10 to 14 years attending public schools. Body mass index and blood pressure at rest were measured. Fasting plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose were also obtained. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was 9.6 percent for boys and 7.4 percent for girls, while obesity was found in 6.2 and 4.9 percent, respectively. Triglyceride concentrations were borderline or high in 6.8 and 3.4 percent of the boys and in 11.8 and 5.9 percent of the girls. HDL-cholesterol was below recommended levels in 8.5 percent of the boys and in 9.9 percent of the girls. Blood pressure at rest was borderline for 5.1 percent of the boys and 7.9 percent of the girls, while 3.4 percent of both boys and girls were hypertensive. Fasting glycemia was high in 0.6 percent of the boys and in 0.5 percent of the girls. In the group studied, 2.8 percent of the boys and 2.5 percent of the girls had two risk factors associated with MS. Prevalence of MS was 1.1 percent for boys and 1.5 percent for girls, and overall prevalence was 1.3 percent. CONCLUSIONS: MS and associated cardiovascular risk factors are serious clinical conditions in this age group. A significant number of adolescents showed borderline results, which may increase the prevalence of MS or independent risk factors in the short term. More investments should be made in primary prevention, considering that early diagnosis is an issue of fundamental importance.

Efeitos do tratamento cronico com l-arginina sobre o rim isquemico na hipertensao dois-rins, um-clipe

A disfuncao endotelial participa de maneira importante na hipertensao arterial. No modelo de hipertensao renovascular a reducao do fluxo renal produz normalmente uma reducao na massa total do rim. Trabalhamos anteriores tem relatado um importante efeito da L-Arginina sobre o fluxo renal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da L-Arginina sobre o rim isquemico na hipertensao dois-rins, um clip. Apos anestesia com eter foi feita uma laparotomia com exposicao do pedunculo renal e colocado um clipe de prata na arteria renal esquerda ajustavel ao peso do animal, a qual produziu a hipertensao arterial 30 dias apos a cirurgia, comprovada pela pletismografia caudal. A seguir um grupo de animais (n=8) foi tratado com L-Arginina (10mg/ml) na agua de beber durante mais 30 dias. Ao outro grupo nao tratado com L-Arginina (n=8) foi oferecido agua ad libidum. No final do tratamento foi verificada a pressao arterial media por metodo direto e o peso umido dos rins. Nao foram observadas diferencas significativas na pressao arterial media entre o grupo tratado e nao tratado com L-arginina (150 mais ou menos 6 vs. 165 mais ou menos 8 mmHg, respectivamente). Entretanto, a massa renal esquerda dos animais que receberam L-Arginina foi significantemente maior que os animais nao tratados (2,5 mais ou menos 0,15 vs. 1,9 mais ou menos 0,4 g). Estes dados nos levam a concluir que a L-Arginina melhora a perfusao do rim isquemico a hipotrofia renal. Tal efeito se da provavelmente como mecanismo compensatorio para a hipertensao arterial.