Correlation between physical activity, nutritional intake, and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: a preliminary evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoporosis is a chronic metabolic syndrome associated with debilitating consequences that represents one of the major non-communicable diseases and the most common bone illness that affects both men and women. This observational study evaluates the amount of physical activity and the nutritional intake in a group of postmenopausal women who have a sedentary job. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All subjects underwent a medical evaluation, a body impedance analysis to evaluate body composition (fat mass, fat-free mass, and body cell mass), and a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to analyze bone mineral density. Additionally, a 3-day food record questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were administered respectively to evaluate patients' foods and beverages assumptions and the participants' Physical Activity levels. RESULTS: The study showed that most of the patients had a moderate activity level and inadequate calcium and vitamin D assumption compared to guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The onset of osteoporosis seemed to be reduced at higher levels of leisure time, domestic, and transport activities, even in subjects who have a sedentary job and insufficient assumption of micronutrients.

The possible role of physical activity in the modulation of gut microbiota in chronic kidney disease and its impact on cardiovascular risk: a narrative review.

Chronic degenerative non-communicable diseases (CDNCDs), in particular chronic kidney disease, induce gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis, which, in turn, worsens the progression of CDNCDs and patients' quality of life. We analyzed literature studies to discuss the possible positive and beneficial impact of physical activity on GM composition and CV risk in CKD patients. Regular physical activity seems to be able to positively modulate the GM, reducing the systemic inflammation and consequently the production of uremic gut-derived toxins, which are directly correlated with the increase of cardiovascular risk. In particular, the accumulation of indoxyl sulphate (IS) seems to be able to induce vascular calcifications, vascular stiffness and cardiac calcifications, while p-Cresyl sulphate (p-CS) seems to be able to exert a cardiotoxic action through metabolic pathways, capable of inducing oxidative stress. In addition, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) can alter lipid metabolism, inducing the production of foam cells and causing an accelerated atherosclerosis process. In this context, a regular physical activity program seems to represent an adjuvant non-pharmacological approach to the clinical management of CKD patients.

Regular football training down-regulates miR-1303 muscle expression in veterans.

PURPOSE: Regular exercise affects the expression of several genes, proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) in time- and intensity-dependent manner promoting longevity. We previously identified from GeneChip Array analysis several differentially expressed genes and miRNAs in muscle from veteran football players (VPG) compared to active untrained elderly subjects (CG); here we focussed on miRNA-1303 (miR-1303). The aims of the present research were: to analyse the effects of football training on the expression of miR-1303 and to identify its putative target involved in the longevity pathways in skeletal muscle from VPG compared to CG. METHODS: RNA samples from 12 VPG and 12 CG muscle biopsies were used to validate miR-1303 expression. Crossing four different bioinformatic algorithms, we identified 16 putative targets of miR-1303; from these, BAG-2, KLHL7 and KBTBD6 were chosen for further validation by Western blot analysis in LHCN-M2 human myoblasts transiently transfected with miR-1303. RESULTS: Football training down-regulates miR-1303 expression in muscle from VPG compared to CG and the expression of BAG-2, a chaperon protein involved in the autophagy pathway, inversely correlated to overexpression of miR-1303 in a time-dependent manner, indicating that it is a miR-1303 potential target. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report, to our knowledge, describing miR-1303 regulation in skeletal muscle by football training and the identification of a target protein, BAG-2, involved in the autophagy pathway. This result contributes to the enlargement of knowledge on the molecular mechanisms linking football training, autophagy and longevity.

Frailty of the elderly in orthopaedic surgery and body composition changes: the musculoskeletal crosstalk through irisin.

In recent years, scientific interest has been developed towards irisin, a novel molecule of the family of myokines, which is directly involved in body mass composition balance, chronic diseases susceptibility and physiologic resilience to stressful events, including surgery. In the context of musculoskeletal disease, the role of this molecule has been associated to the balance of lean and fatty mass, and the production of irisin is subordinated to a healthy lifestyle and exercise. The mechanism of action of irisin on tissues is complex, and several studies described the molecular pathways in animal model and human subjects. In particular, in adipose cells, the key-role of irisin is to stimulate the differentiation of white adipose tissue to brown adipose tissue, through the action on the uncoupling protein 1. Furthermore, in the bony tissue, irisin stimulates osteogenesis through expression of Sost and Opn genes. These features make irisin a suitable molecule to use as a biomarker of the overall musculoskeletal health of the elderly, before undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Further research on this topic should be carried out to highlight the possible clinical role and predictive value of irisin in a multidisciplinary approach to the elderly before musculoskeletal surgery.

Effects of concurrent aerobic and strength training on breast cancer survivors: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a combined aerobic and strength program on physiological and psychological parameters in female breast cancer survivors. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. METHODS: 20 patients (age: 45.6 ± 2.7 yrs) surgically treated for breast cancer that had completed all cancer therapies at least 6 months before and with no contraindications to physical activity, were recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). Intervention group patients attend to a 24-week combined aerobic and strength training program. Physiological (i.e. VO2max, bioelectrical impedance test, maximal strength of principal muscular groups) and psychological (i.e. functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-fatigue: FACIT-F) parameters were assessed at baseline and after 24 weeks. RESULTS: After 24 weeks the intervention group showed significant improvement in VO2max (38.8%), strength of upper and lower limbs (ranging from 13 to 60%) and decrease in fat mass percentage (-6.3%). The FACIT-F showed significant increase in all of the three scores that can be derived (FACIT-F Trial outcome: 13%; FACT-G total score: 18%; FACIT-F total score: 15%) showing patient's quality of life (QOL) improvement. No significant change in all the parameters was found for the control group. CONCLUSION: These results show the positive effects of a combined aerobic and strength training program on breast cancer survivors and underline the importance of the early inclusion of structured physical activity in the rehabilitation protocol.

Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products in multiple sclerosis: a potential marker of disease severity.

OBJECTIVES: To compare serum levels of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) between multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and healthy control subjects, and to investigate whether serum sRAGE levels correlate with MS disease severity as indicated by the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). METHOD: 37 patients with clinical diagnosis of MS and 22 healthy control subjects were investigated in a cross-sectional study using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: Serum levels of sRAGE were found to be significantly lower in MS patients compared to levels in healthy controls (p = 0.005). A trend toward lower levels of serum sRAGE was observed in female MS patients compared to their male counterparts (p = 0.05). A relationship between sRAGE and EDSS, and sRAGE and rate of clinical relapse was observed (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The significant reduction of sRAGE in MS patients relative to healthy controls supports the potential role for RAGE axis in MS clinical pathology. Lower levels of sRAGE may be associated with enhanced inflammatory responses. Based on these observations, further investigations into the role of sRAGE in MS clinical pathology is warranted.