Physically Active Lifestyle Attenuates Impairments on Lung Function and Mechanics in Hypertensive Older Adults.

AIM: Physical activity attenuates hypertension in older adults, but its impact on pulmonary function and mechanics in hypertensive older adults is unknown. The study seeks to understand whether a physically active lifestyle can improve respiratory capacity, the mechanical efficiency of the lungs, and, consequently, the quality of life of these individuals, comparing data between groups of active and sedentary hypertensive older adults. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. We evaluated 731 older adults, stratified into two initial groups: hypertensive older adults (HE; n = 445) and non-hypertensive older adults (NHE; n = 286). For a secondary analysis, we used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to sub-stratify HE and NHE into four groups: physically inactive hypertensive (PIH; n = 182), active hypertensive (AH; n = 110), physically inactive non-hypertensive (PINH; n = 104), and active non-hypertensive (ANH; n = 65). Lung function was measured by spirometry, and lung mechanics were assessed by impulse oscillometry. RESULTS: Hypertensive older adults presented reduced lung function compared to non-hypertensive older adults, and physical inactivity accentuated this decline. Regarding pulmonary mechanics, hypertensive older adults had higher resistance of the entire respiratory system (R5 Hz), the central airways (R20 Hz), and peripheral airways (R5-20 Hz), which may trigger bronchoconstriction. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension is associated with impaired lung function and mechanics in older adults, and a physically active lifestyle attenuates these dysfunctions.

Physical Training Reduces Chronic Airway Inflammation and Mediators of Remodeling in Asthma.

Several benefits of aerobic training for asthmatic patients have been demonstrated. However, its effects on systemic inflammation and on airway remodeling mediators and lung mechanics are unknown. This prospective study included 21 intermittent and mild asthma patients, and as primary outcomes, the evaluation of pro- and anti-inflammatory and pro- and antifibrotic mediators in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and blood were performed, beyond the cell counting in blood and in induced sputum. Aerobic training was performed for 3 months, 3 times per week. Aerobic training increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and of antifibrotic mediators in the breath condensate: IL-1ra (p = 0.0488), IL-10 (p = 0.0048), relaxin-3 (p = 0.0019), and klotho (p < 0.0043), respectively. Similarly, in plasma, increased levels of IL-1ra (p = 0.0147), IL-10 (p < 0.0001), relaxin-3 (p = 0.004), and klotho (p = 0.0023) were found. On contrary, reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the breath condensate, IL-1ß (p = 0.0008), IL-4 (p = 0.0481), IL-5 (p < 0.0001), IL-6 (p = 0.0032), IL-13 (p = 0.0013), and TNF-α (p = 0.0001) and profibrotic markers VEGF (p = 0.0017) and TSLP (p = 0.0056) were found. Similarly, in plasma, aerobic training significantly reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß (p = 0.0008), IL-4 (p = 0.0104), IL-5 (p = 0.0001), IL-6 (p = 0.006), IL-13 (p = 0.0341), and TNF-α (p = 0.0003) and of profibrotic markers VEGF (p = 0.0009) and TSLP (p < 0.0076). Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) was reduced after the intervention (p = 0.0313). Regarding inflammatory cells in sputum, there was a reduction in total cells (p = 0.008), eosinophils (p = 0.009), and macrophages (p = 0.020), as well as of blood eosinophils (p = 0.0203) and lymphocytes (p = 0.0198). Aerobic training positively modulates chronic airway inflammation and remodeling mediators, beyond to improve systemic inflammation in intermittent and mild asthmatic patients.

Combined resistance and aerobic training improves lung function and mechanics and fibrotic biomarkers in overweight and obese women.

Background: Obesity impairs lung function and mechanics and leads to low-grade inflammation, but the effects of combined physical exercise (CPE) on that are unknown. Methods: We investigated the effects of 12 weeks of combined physical exercise (aerobic + resistance training), in non-obese (n = 12), overweight (n = 17), and obese grade I (n = 11) women. Lung function and lung mechanics were evaluated. The systemic immune response was evaluated by whole blood analysis and biomarker measurements, while pulmonary fibrotic biomarkers were evaluated in the breath condensate. Result: CPE improved forced vital capacity (FVC) % (p < 0.001) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) % (p < 0.0003) in the obese group; resistance of the respiratory system (R5Hz) in non-obese (p < 0.0099), overweight (p < 0.0005), and obese (p < 0.0001) groups; resistance of proximal airways (R20Hz) in non-obese (p < 0.01), overweight (p < 0.0009), and obese (p < 0.0001) groups; resistance of distal airways (R5Hz-R20Hz) in non-obese (p < 0.01), overweight (p < 0.0012), and obese (p < 0.0001) groups; reactance of the respiratory system (X5Hz) in non-obese (p < 0.01), overweight (p < 0.0006), and obese (p < 0.0005) groups; impedance of the respiratory system (Z5Hz) in non-obese (p < 0.0099), overweight (p < 0.0005), and obese (p < 0.0001) groups; central resistance (RCentral) in non-obese (p < 0.01), overweight (p < 0.001), and obese (p < 0.0003) groups; and the peripheral resistance (RPeripheral) in non-obese (p < 0.03), overweight (p < 0.001), and obese (p < 0.0002) groups. CPE reduced the pro-fibrotic IGF-1 levels in BC in overweight (p < 0.0094) and obese groups (p < 0.0001) and increased anti-fibrotic Klotho levels in BC in obese (p < 0.0001) groups, and reduced levels of exhaled nitric oxide in overweight (p < 0.03) and obese (p < 0.0001) groups. Conclusion: CPE improves lung function, mechanics, and pulmonary immune response in overweight and obese grade I women by increasing anti-fibrotic protein Klotho and reducing pro-fibrotic IGF-1.

Pulmonary function changes in older adults with and without metabolic syndrome.

The low-grade inflammation associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) triggers functional and structural alterations in several organs. Whereas lung function impairment is well reported for older adult population, the effect of MS on functional and immunological responses in the lungs remains unclear. In this cross-sectional study we determined whether MS alters pulmonary function, and immunological responses in older adults with MS. The study sample consisted of older adults with MS (68 ± 3 years old; n = 77) and without MS (67 ± 3 years old; n = 77). Impulse oscillometry was used to evaluate airway and tissue resistance, and reactance. Biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis were assessed in the blood and in breath condensate. The total resistance of the respiratory system (R5Hz; p < 0.009), and the resistance of the proximal (R20Hz; p < 0.001) and distal (R5Hz-R20Hz; p < 0.004) airways were higher in MS individuals compared to those without MS. Pro-inflammatory (leptin, IL-1beta, IL-8, p < 0.001; TNF-alpha, p < 0.04) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (adiponectin, IL-1ra, IL-10, p < 0.001), anti-fibrotic (relaxin 1, relaxin 3, Klotho, p < 0.001) and pro-fibrotic (VEGF, p < 0.001) factors were increased in sera and in breath condensate individuals with MS. The results show that MS adversely affect lung mechanics, function, and immunological response in older adults. The data offer a metabolic basis for the inflammaging of the lungs and suggest the lungs as a potential therapeutic target for controlling the immune response and delaying the onset of impaired lung function in older adults with MS.

Ensaio clínico controlado sobre tratamento do refluxo gastroesofágico em pacientes com asma grave / Clinical trial on treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in asmathic patients

Objetivos: determinar o efeito do tratamento da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (DRGE) em pacientes asmáticos graves, nos parâmetros clínicos de controle da asma. Métodos: pacientes portadores de asma grave e sintomas típicos de refluxo foram avaliados através de questionários para avaliaçao de sintomas respiratórios e digestivos, de qualidade de vida em asma, radiografia de tórax, eletrocardiograma, espirometria, endoscopia digestiva alta, manometria esofágica e pHmetria de 24 horas. Indivíduos selecionados participaram de um ensaio clínico de tratamento com lansoprazol e cisaprida, por 08 semanas, controlado com medidas comportamentais e placebo; de modo randomizado, duplo-cego e paralelo. Resultados: Vinte indivíduos completaram o estudo. Ambos os grupos obtiveram melhora significativa do escore de qualidade de vida em asma e no escore de sintomas de refluxo, nao sendo observadas diferenças entre os grupos. Obteve-se melhora nao sígnificante estatisticamente no escore de sintomas de asma e no uso de broncodilatador, na média dos PFE noturno e diurno e VEFI, sem diferenças relevantes entre os grupos. Correlaçoes significativas foram estabelecidas entre as variáveis digestivas e respiratórias, antes e após as intervençoes terapêuticas. Conclusoes: 0 melhora dos sintomas da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico, correlacionou-se significativamente com o aumento da média do PFE noturno e diurno, a melhora da pHmetria correlacionou-se com a melhora dos escores de qualidade de vida em asma

Fístula broncoesofágica em portador de SIDA: relato de caso / Bronchoesophageal fistula in AIDS: report of a case

Os autores relatam um caso de fístula traqueoesofágica descoberto insuspeitadamente em broncoscopia. Os achados radiológicos foram compatíveis e a confirmaçäo etiológica foi estabelecida através do estudo histopatológico do tecido.