Cycling and Tai Chi Chuan exercises exert greater immunomodulatory effect on surface antigen expression of human hepatitis B virus.

BACKGROUND: Both athletes with intensive exercise and aged people may have weakened immunity against virus infection. This study aimed to evaluate whether people undergoing aerobic exercises including competitive cyclists with moderate training (CMT) and middle-aged people practicing Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) exercise have higher immunity against hepatitis B virus than age-matched sedentary controls including college students (CSC) and middle-aged people (MSC). METHODS: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from competitive cyclists and sedentary controls were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) to prepare conditioned medium (MNC-CM) for the assessment of inhibitory effects on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) expression in human hepatoma Hep3B cells. RESULTS: The inhibitory effects on the relative HBsAg expression of CMT's and TCC's MNC-CM were greater than those of the controls. The CMT's MNC-CM prepared from 5 microg/ml PHA decreased HBsAg expression to 61.5%, whereas that of CSC remained at 83.8%. Similarly, this expression by treatment of TCC group' MNC-CM was 68.4% whereas that of MSC group was 84.3%. The levels of cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IFN-alpha and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in the MNC-CM from the CMT and TCC groups were greater than those in the controls. Antibody neutralization of CMT's MNC-CM and addition of recombinant cytokines into CSC's MNC-CM indicated that IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IFN-alpha had synergistic effects against HBsAg expression. Similar blocking effect was noted in TCC versus MSC groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the immunomodulatory response to suppress HBsAg expression in CMT and TCC with moderate aerobic exercise is greater than that in age-matched sedentary controls.

Decreased anaerobic performance and hormone adaptation after expedition to Peak Lenin.

BACKGROUND: The change of anaerobic exercise abilities during and after a high-altitude expedition or hypoxic exposure is not well studied. To evaluate the effects of an extreme-altitude expedition on anaerobic performance, the 10-second supramaximal test and endocrine hormones were evaluated before and after an expedition to Peak Lenin. METHODS: Four subjects (3 male and 1 female, age (30.5 +/- 16.5) years) were recruited into the study. Three sets of tests were performed, including a basic test at sea level and 20 days before first arrival at the base camp (3600 m), a middle test done at day after returning from the summit to the base camp and the post test at the 10th day after return to the sea level. Both the supramaximal test, performed by a cycle ergometer, and body composition, performed by bioelectrical impedance analysis, were completed before the basic test and post test. The endocrine hormones including cortisol, growth hormone, testosterone, noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine, glucagon and beta-endorphin were measured at all tests. RESULTS: Comparing the conditions before and after the expedition, the body measurement parameters were decreased after the expedition, i.e., body weight (-4.22%, P < 0.05), fat-free mass (-2.09%, P < 0.01) and body fat (-8.95%, P = 0.172). The peak power relative/body weight ratio (PP/BW) was similar ((9.70 +/- 1.97) vs (9.11 +/- 1.80) W/kg, P = 0.093), while mean power/body weight ratio (MP/BW) was reduced significantly after the expedition ((9.14 +/- 1.77) vs (8.33 +/- 1.74) W/kg, P < 0.05). Peak power/fat-free mass (PP/FFM), mean power/fat-free mass (MP/FFM) and fatigue index (FI) were significantly lower after the expedition (PP/FFM: (11.95 +/- 1.71) vs (10.99 +/- 1.59) W/kg, P < 0.05; MP/FFM: (11.26 +/- 1.50) vs (10.04 +/- 1.55) W/kg, P < 0.005; FI (85.55 +/- 4.17)% vs (77.25 +/- 4.40)%, P < 0.05). Hormone assays showed a significant increase of noradrenaline (basic vs middle, P < 0.05) as well as decrease of adrenaline (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, a trend towards an increase in dopamine (basic vs middle) and a decrease of beta-endorphin (basic vs post) were also noted. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that an expedition to an extreme altitude may have negative effects on anaerobic performance. It showed that a significant increase of noradrenaline (basic vs middle) as well as decrease of adrenaline after the expedition to Peak Lenin had occurred. The real physiological significance needs to be further investigated.

Protective effects of L-arginine on pulmonary oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses during exhaustive exercise in rats.

AIM: To assess the effects of L-arginine (L-Arg) supplementation on pulmonary oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in rats after exhaustive exercise. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups: sedentary control (SC), sedentary control with L-Arg treatment (SC+Arg), exhaustive exercise with control diet (E) and exhaustive exercise with L-Arg treatment (E+Arg). Rats in groups SC+Arg and E+Arg received a 2% L-Arg diet. Rats in groups E and E+Arg underwent an exhaustive running test on a motorized treadmill. Pulmonary oxidative stress indices [xanthine oxidase (XO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and malondialdehyde (MDA)] and antioxidant defense systems [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione (GSH)] were investigated in this study. RESULTS: L-Arg supplementation significantly reduced exercise-induced elevations of XO and MPO activities in lung. L-Arg reversed the exercise-induced increase in SOD and GR activities, but increased CAT and GPX activities. L-Arg administration also significantly increased the GSH levels in plasma. CONCLUSION: L-Arg supplementation can prevent elevations of XO and MPO activities in the lung and favorably influence pulmonary antioxidant defense systems after exhaustive exercise.

Effects of long-term ethanol consumption on jejunal lipase and disaccharidase activities in male and female rats.

AIM: To study the effect of long-term ethanol consumption on jejunal lipase and disaccharidase (sucrase, maltase, and lactase) activities in rats and its gender difference. METHODS: Age-matched male and female Wistar rats were fed control or ethanol-containing liquid diets for 12 wk following the Lieber-DeCarli model. According to both the plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, 40 rats were divided into four groups as follows: male control group (MC), male ethanol group (ME), female control group (FC), and female ethanol group (FE). RESULTS: After ethanol feeding for 12 wk, the results revealed that plasma AST and ALT activities of group ME were significantly increased by 58% and 92%, respectively, than those of group MC (P<0.05). Similarly, plasma AST and ALT activities of group FE were also significantly increased by 61% and 188%, respectively, than those of group FC (P<0.05). Fat accumulation was observed in both ethanol-treated groups, while fatty changes were more severe in group FE than those in group ME. The induction of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) was obviously seen in group ME and group FE, but was not detected in group MC and group FC. Jejunal lipase activity of group ME was significantly increased by 1.25-fold than that of group MC (P<0.05). In contrast to, sucrase, maltase, and lactase activities of group ME were significantly decreased by 63%, 62% and 67%, respectively, than those of group MC (P<0.05). Similarly, activities of these three enzymes of group FE were also significantly decreased by 43%, 46% and 52%, respectively, than those of group FC (P<0.05). There were no significant epithelial changes of the duodenal mucosa in any group. CONCLUSION: Long-term ethanol consumption significantly can increase jejunal lipase and decrease jejunal disaccharidase activities in both male and female rats.

Effects of 24 h ultra-marathon on biochemical and hematological parameters.

AIM: To analyze detailed changes in hematology and biochemistry tests parameters before and after a long-distance race in ultramarathon runners. METHODS: Blood samples of 11 participants were obtained for standard analysis before, immediately after, two days after and nine days after the 2002 International Ultra-marathon 24 h Race and the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) Asia 24 h Championship. RESULTS: Total bilirubin (BIL-T), direct bilirubin (BIL-D), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased statistically significantly (P<0.05) the race. Significant declines (P<0.05) in red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) were detected two days and nine days d after the race. 2 d after the race, total protein (TP), concentration of albumin and globulin decreased significantly. While BIL, BIL-D and ALP recovered to their original levels. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) remained unchanged immediately after the race, but it was significantly decreased on the second and ninth days after the race. CONCLUSION: Ultra-marathon running is associated with a wide range of significant changes in hematological parameters, several of which are injury related. To provide appropriate health care and intervention, the man who receives athletes on high frequent training program high intensity training programs must monitor their liver and gallbladder function.

Protective role of metallothionein (I/II) against pathological damage and apoptosis induced by dimethylarsinic acid.

AIM: To better clarify the main target organs of dimethylarsinic acid toxicity and the role of metallothionein (MTs) in modifying dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA) toxicity. METHODS: MT-I/II null (MT(-/-)) mice and the corresponding wild-type mice (MT(+/+)), six in each group, were exposed to DMAA (0-750 mg/kg body weight) by a single oral injection. Twenty four hours later, the lungs, livers and kidneys were collected and undergone pathological analysis, induction of apoptotic cells as determined by TUNEL and MT concentration was detected by radio-immunoassay. RESULTS: Remarkable pathological lesions were observed at the doses ranging from 350 to 750 mg/kg body weight in the lungs, livers and kidneys and MT(+/+) mice exhibited a relatively slight destruction when compared with that in dose matched MT(-/-) mice. The number of apoptotic cells was increased in a dose dependent manner in the lungs and livers in both types of mice. DMAA produced more necrotic cells rather than apoptotic cells at the highest dose of 750 mg/kg, however, no significant increase was observed in the kidney. Hepatic MT level in MT(+/+) mice was significantly increased by DMAA in a dose-dependent manner and there was no detectable amount of hepatic MT in untreated MT(-/-) mice. CONCLUSION: DMAA treatment can lead to the induction of apoptosis and pathological damage in both types of mice. MT exhibits a protective effect against DMAA toxicity.

Effects of exercise on lipid metabolism and musculoskeletal fitness in female athletes.

AIM: This study investigated the effects of intense training on lipid metabolism, bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) in female athletes. METHODS: Sixty-six female subjects participated in this study, age ranging from 18 to 55 years. The sample group included thirty-six athletic subjects and the control group comprised thirty non-athletic individuals. Five athletes competed with national level (5/36) and nine non-athletic subjects (9/30) were postmenopausal women. The assessment items included body composition, radius BMD, calcaneus BMD, lung function, muscular endurance, renal and liver function, bone marker assay and hormone status. All data were analysed, using SPSS 10.0 software, and were presented as mean rank statistical difference, using the Kurskal-Wallis (K-W) test. After that the non-parameter statistics were used. Either K value or P value below 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Urine deoxypyridinoline/creatinine (Dpd/Cre) levels increased significantly (5.93+/-2.31 vs 6.85+/-1.43, K<0.01), sit-reach (29.30+/-9.48 cm vs 41.31+/-9.43 cm, K<0.001, P<0.001), 1 minute sit-ups with bended knees (1 min sit-ups) (17.60+/-9.34 count vs 30.00+/-10.38 count, K<0.001, P<0.001), and vertical jump (25.27+/-6.63 cm vs 34.69+/-7.99 cm, K<0.001, P<0.001) improved significantly in the athletes group. The athletes group also had a significantly increased level of estriol (E(3)) (0.14+/-0.13 pg/mL vs 0.07+/-0.04 pg/mL, K<0.01, P<0.01), radius BMD (1.37+/-0.49 gm/cm(2) vs 1.19+/-0.40 gm/cm(2), K<0.05) and calcaneus BMD (0.57+/-0.17 gm/cm(2) vs -0.20+/-0.17 gm/cm(2), K<0.01, P<0.05) compared with those of the controls. The high density lipoprotein (HDL) (65.00+/-14.02 mg/dL vs 52.26+/-4.84 mg/dL, K<0.05, P<0.05) was significantly lower in postmenopausal inactive athletes (5/36) than premenopausal active athletes (31/36). On the other hand, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (98.35+/-23.84 mg/dL vs 131.00+/-21.63 mg/dL, K<0.05, P<0.01), cholesterol (CHO) (164.03+/-27.01 mg/dL vs 193.00+/-23.48 mg/dL, K<0.05, P<0.05), triglyceride (TG) (63.00+/-26.39 mg/dL vs 147.00+/- 87.21 mg/dL, K<0.01), body fat % (BF%) (28.16+/-4.90% vs 34.84+/-4.44%, K<0.05, P<0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (21.98+/-2.98 kg/m(2) vs 26.42+/-5.01 kg/m(2), K<0.05, P<0.001) were significantly higher in postmenopausal inactive athletes (5/36) than premenopausal active athletes (31/36). TG (90.22+/-39.82 mg/dL vs 147.00+/-87.21 mg/dL), CHO (186.44+/-24.90 mg/dL vs 193.00+/-23.48 mg/dL) were higher, but the HDL was significantly lower (62.18+/-10.68 mg/dL vs 52.26+/-4.84 mg/dL, P<0.05) in postmenopausal athletes (5/36) group than in postmenopausal control group (9/30). CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal athletes (5/36) who no longer took competing exercises had reduced levels of physical activity, faced increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to active athletes (31/36) and the postmenopausal controls (9/30). We may thus concluded that long term exercise effectively improves musculoskeletal fitness and prevents BMD loss in female athletes.

Reducing fatigue of athletes following oral administration of huangqi jianzhong tang.

AIM: To study the effect of Huangqi Jianzhong Tang in reducing fatigue improvement in athletes. METHODS: Twelve athletes were randomly separated into a control group, whose members were administered with placebos, and the experimental group, whose members were administered with Huangqi Jianzhong Tang. During the eight weeks of the experiment, test subjects continued exercise as usual. Preliminary and final exhaustion times, anaerobic thresholds, and kinetic energies were determined. RESULTS: Huangqi Jianzhong Tang might increase exhaustion time, positively influence anaerobic threshold, and also enhance recovery from fatigue. CONCLUSION: Huangqi Jianzhong Tang reduced fatigue by increasing the oxygen uptake and the systemic utility of oxygen.

Antibacterial properties of chitosan in waterborne pathogen.

The antimicrobial properties of chitosan, a derivative of chitin, were investigated in the solid and liquid culture against bacteria associated with waterborne disease in order to assess the potential for using chitosan as a natural disinfectant. Six strains which included three gram-negative and three gram-positive bacteria were studied. The effects of the deacetylation degree, concentration, and molecular weight of chitosan on antibacterial activities were assessed. Chitosan exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the solid agar. Similar tendency was found when the bacteria were cultivated in liquid broth. The higher deacetylation degree and higher concentration of chitosan cause the higher antibacterial activities. The effect of molecular weight of chitosan on the inhibition efficacy of bacteria is dependent on the species of bacteria. Escherichia coli is sensitive to chitosan during its death phase and logarithmic phase. The antibacterial mechanism of chitosan was illustrated by the surface charge and persistence length. Results indicated that chitosan is potential as a natural disinfectant.