Dihydroartemisinin abolishes cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo.

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), a derivative of artemisinin which is primarily used to treat malaria in clinic, also confers protective effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced nephrotoxicity. While, the activities of DHA in cisplatin (CDDP)-caused nephrotoxicity are elusive. To investigate the role and underlying mechanism of DHA in CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity. Mice were randomly separated into four groups: normal, CDDP, and DHA (25 and 50 mg/kg were orally injected 1 h before CDDP for consecutive 10 days). All mice except the normal were single injected intraperitoneally with CDDP (22 mg/kg) for once on the 7th day. Combined with quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics analysis, the impact of DHA on renal cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, biochemical indexes, and inflammation in mice were investigated. Moreover, a human hepatocellular carcinoma cells xenograft model was established to elucidate the impact of DHA on tumor-related effects of CDDP. DHA reduced the levels of creatinine (CREA) (p < 0.01) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (p < 0.01), reversed CDDP-induced oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptosis indexes (p < 0.01). Mechanistically, DHA attenuated CDDP-induced inflammation by inhibiting nuclear factor κB p65 (NFκB p65) expression, and suppressed CDDP-induced renal cell apoptosis by inhibiting p63-mediated endogenous and exogenous apoptosis pathways. Additionally, DHA alone significantly decreased the tumor weight and did not destroy the antitumor effect of CDDP, and did not impact AST and ALT. In conclusion, DHA prevents CDDP-triggered nephrotoxicity via reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. The mechanisms refer to inhibiting NFκB p65-regulated inflammation and alleviating p63-mediated mitochondrial endogenous and Fas death receptor exogenous apoptosis pathway.

Effects of a vegetarian diet combined with exercise on lipid profiles and blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We aimed to evaluate the combined effects of a vegetarian diet (VD) and exercise on total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) parameters. A literature search was conducted in electronic databases from build to February 27, 2022. Data were synthesized using random effects model and were ＿expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD)/weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Overall, 27 trials with 9,251 participants were included. Pooled results indicated that the combination of a VD and exercise significantly reduced TC (SMD: -0.524; 95% CI: -0.602, -0.446; p < 0.001), LDL-C (SMD: -0.379; 95% CI: -0.471, -0.287; p < 0.001), HDL-C (SMD: -0.213; 95% CI: -0.299, -0.126; p < 0.001), TG (SMD: -0.090; 95% CI: -0.160, -0.020; p = 0.012), SBP (WMD: -7.664 mm Hg; 95% CI: -9.219, -6.109 mm Hg; p < 0.001), and DBP (WMD: -4.347 mm Hg; 95% CI: -5.099, -3.596 mm Hg; p < 0.001). These parameters were reduced more following a low-fat VD, or a mixed high-frequency exercise, especially under strict supervision. Surprisingly, the decreased HDL-C due to VD was observed to recover with the prolongation of exercise.

Effects of WB-EMS and protein supplementation on body composition, physical function, metabolism and inflammatory biomarkers in middle-aged and elderly patients with sarcopenic obesity: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The patients with sarcopenic obesity (SO) have the characteristics of both sarcopenia and obesity, that is, less muscle mass and increased fat mass, and their morbidity, disability and mortality are higher than patients with sarcopenia or obesity alone. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training and protein supplementation intervention on body composition, physical function, metabolism and inflammatory biomarkers in middle-aged and elderly patients with SO. METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials in seven databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, SinoMed, and CNKI as of July 3, 2021. The methodological quality of each included study was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: Eleven randomized controlled studies with a total of 779 participants were included in this meta-analysis. WB-EMS training improved sarcopenia Z-score (MD = -1.52, 95 % CI: -2.27, -0.77, P < 0.0001) and waist circumference (WC) (MD = -1.41, 95 % CI: -2.62, -0.20, P = 0.02), and increased skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) (MD = 1.27, 95 % CI: 0.66,1.88, P < 0.0001) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) (MD = 0.68, 95 % CI: 0.08, 1.27, P = 0.03). Protein supplementation intervention reduced body fat rate (BF%) (MD = -1.28, 95 % CI: -1.88, -0.68, P < 0.0001, I2 = 0 %), total body fat (TBF) (MD = -0.98, 95 % CI: -1.65, -0.31, P = 0.004, I2 = 0 %) and trunk body fat mass (TBFM) (MD = -0.50, 95 % CI: -0.94, -0.06, P = 0.03, I2 = 0 %), and increased grip strength (GS) (MD = 1.13, 95 % CI: 0.06, 2.21, P = 0.04, I2 = 0 %). The combination of WB-EMS and protein supplements is beneficial to most body components and physical functions, such as SMI (MD = 1.21, 95 % CI: 0.73, 1.51, P < 0.00001, I2 = 0 %), GS (MD = 1.60, 95 % CI: 0.80, 2.40, P < 0.0001, I2 = 45 %) and walking speed (WS) (MD = 0.04, 95 % CI: 0.02, 0.06, P < 0.0001, I2 = 49 %). Compared with protein supplementation alone, WB-EMS could have an additional beneficial effect on BF% (MD = -0.92, 95 % CI: -1.80, -0.04, P = 0.04) and WC (MD = -1.03, 95 % CI: -1.70, -0.36, P = 0.003). Nevertheless, the addition of protein supplements did not provide any additional benefit compared with WB-EMS alone. In addition, there was almost no positive effect of WB-EMS and protein supplements on metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: As things stand, protein supplementation intervention can effectively reduce body fat percentage, fat mass, and increase grip strength in SO patients. Both WB-EMS and protein supplementation intervention had no significant effects on metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers. WB-EMS combined with protein supplementation intervention was beneficial for SO patients in many ways. Due to the small number of studies, further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of WB-EMS alone or in combination with protein supplementation intervention in SO patients. REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202190096 DOI:10.37766/inplasy2021.9.0096.

Effects of resistance training on body composition and physical function in elderly patients with osteosarcopenic obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) is a complex disease commonly seen in the elderly. We found that resistance training may improve bone mineral density, skeletal muscle mass, and body fat percentage in patients with OSO. Therefore, resistance training is beneficial for elderly OSO patients and is worth being promoted. PURPOSE: Investigate effects of resistance training on body composition and physical function in elderly osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) patients. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, SinoMed, CNKI, and Wanfang Database were searched from inception until October 13, 2021.Two independent researchers extracted the key information from each eligible study. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to evaluate the quality of the outcomes. Sensitivity analysis indicated the stability of the results. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: Four randomized controlled studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included, with 182 participants. Twelve weeks of resistance training improved bone mineral density (BMD, mean difference (MD) = 0.01 g/cm2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.001, 0.02, P = 0.03, I2 = 0%), skeletal muscle mass (SMM, MD = 1.19 kg, 95% CI: 0.50, 1.89, P = 0.0007, I2 = 0%), Z score, timed chair rise test (TCR), and body fat percentage (BFP, MD = - 1.61%, 95% CI: - 2.94, - 0.28, P = 0.02, I2 = 50%) but did not significantly affect skeletal muscle mass index (SMI, MD = 0.20 kg/m2, 95% CI: - 0.25, 0.64, P = 0.38, I2 = 0%) or gait speed (GS). CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training is a safe and effective intervention that can improve many parameters, including BFP, SMM, and Z score, among OSO patients and is a good option for elderly individuals to improve their physical fitness.

Downhill Running Decreases the Acetylation of Tubulins and Impairs Autophagosome Degradation in Rat Skeletal Muscle.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to probe the effect of downhill running on microtubule acetylation and autophagic flux in rat skeletal muscle. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to an exercise protocol of a 90-min downhill run with a slope of -16° and a speed of 16 m·min-1, and then the soleus was sampled at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after exercise. Protein expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), p62/sequestosome 1 (p62), α-tubulin, and acetylated α-tubulin (AcK40 α-tubulin) were detected by Western blotting. Alpha-tubulin was costained with AcK40 α-tubulin or cytoplasmic dynein intermediate chain in a single muscle fiber, and LC3 was costained with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 in cryosections. To assess autophagic flux in vivo, colchicine or vehicle was injected intraperitoneally 3 d before the exercise experiment, and the protein levels of LC3 and p62 were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: Downhill running induced a significant increase in the protein levels of LC3-II and p62, whereas the level and proportion of AcK40 α-tubulin were markedly decreased. Furthermore, the amount of dynein on α-tubulin was decreased after downhill running, and autophagosomes accumulated in the middle of myofibrils. Importantly, LC3-II flux was decreased after downhill running compared with that in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: A bout of downhill running decreases microtubule acetylation, which may impair dynein recruitment and autophagosome transportation, causing blocked autophagic flux.

[Effects of aerobic exercise combined with Lycium ruthenicum on some indicators of myocardial lipid metabolism in rats with high-fat diet].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of aerobic exercise combined with Lycium ruthenicumon on some indicators of myocardial lipid metabolism in rats with high-fat diet. METHODS: Fifty-five male Wistar rats were subjected to adaptive feeding for 4 days and weight-free swimming training for 3 days, 20 min/d. After eliminating 5 rats that were not suitable for swimming training, the others were randomly divided into 5 groups according to their weight: regular diet + quiet control group (RDC), high fat diet + quiet control group (HDC), high-fat diet + Lycium ruthenicum quiet control group (HDLC), high fat diet + aerobic exercise group (HDM), high fat diet + Lycium ruthenicum + aerobic exercise group (HDLM), 10 in each group. Group HDM and HDLM did 60 min/d swimming training for 6 weeks with no-bearing. Group C were fed regular diet; The other groups were fed with high-fat diet; Group HDLC and HDLM were intragastrically treated with Lycium ruthenicum at the dose of 4.48 g/(kg·d), and the volume was 5 mL/kg, and the other groups were given equivalent distilled water. The Lee's index, serum and myocardial biochemical indexes were measured after 6 weeks. RESULTS: Compared with group RDC, Lee's index, serum free fatty acids (FFA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), myocardial FFA and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) increased significantly (P＜0.01), serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased significantly (P＜0.01) in group HDC. Compared with group HDC, Lee's index, serum FFA, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, LDL-C, myocardial FFA and ICAM-1 decreased significantly (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01), serum HDL-C levels increased significantly (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01) in group HDLC, HDM and HDLM. Compared with group HDLC and HDM, Lee's index, serum FFA, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, LDL-C, myocardial FFA and ICAM-1 decreased significantly (P＜0.05), serum HDL-C level increased significantly (P＜0.05) in group HDLM. CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercise and/or Lycium ruthenicum can improve lipid metabolism in rats with high-fat diet, reduce lipotoxicity caused by obesity. Combined intervention is more effective.

Circular RNA CCDC66 promotes gastric cancer progression by regulating c-Myc and TGF-ß signaling pathways.

Background: CircRNAs play important roles in cancer development and progression and have the potential to serve as cancer biomarkers. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of circular RNA CCDC66 (circCCDC66) in gastric cancer and to reveal the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The expression of circCCDC66 in GC tissues and cell lines was examined by qRT-PCR. The correlation between circCCDC66 expression level and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. The biological roles of circCCDC66 in GC cell apoptosis, proliferation, migration and invasion were determined by flow cytometry, cell counting, cell colony formation, wound healing, transwell migration and matrigel invasion assays. The role of circCCDC66 in GC growth was further confirmed by mouse xenograft tumor model. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to explore the effects of circCCDC66 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene and protein expression. Results: CircCCDC66 expression was elevated in both GC tissues and cell lines compared to adjacent normal tissues and normal gastric epithelial cell line. The upregulation of circCCDC66 in GC tissues was related to tumor stage and lymphatic metastasis. CircCCDC66 knockdown significantly inhibited GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion and induced cell apoptosis in GC cells. On the contrary, circCCDC66 overexpression had the opposite effects. In addition, circCCDC66 knockdown suppressed the tumorigenesis of GC cells in nude mice. Furthermore, circCCDC66 knockdown inhibited the activation of c-Myc and TGF-ß signaling pathways and reversed EMT in GC cells. c-Myc and TGF-ß interference blocked circCCDC66-mediated promotion of gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Conclusion: CircCCDC66 promotes GC growth and metastasis by activating c-Myc and TGF-ß signaling pathways, suggesting that it may serve as a potential biomarker for GC.

Influence of Effective Grain Size on Low Temperature Toughness of High-Strength Pipeline Steel.

In this study, the series temperature Charpy impact and drop-weight tear test (DWTT) were investigated, the misorientation angles among structural boundaries where the cleavage crack propagated were identified, and angles of {100} cleavage planes between adjacent grains along the cleavage crack propagated path were calculated in five directions (0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° to the rolling direction) of high-grade pipeline steel. Furthermore, the effective grain size (grain with misorientation angles greater than 15°) was redefined, and the quantitative influences of the redefined effective grain size on Charpy impact and DWTT is also discussed synthetically. The results showed that the microstructure presented a typical acicular ferrite characteristic with some polygonal ferrite and M-A islands (composed of martensite and retained austenite), and the distribution of the high-angle grain boundaries were mainly distributed in the range of 45°-65° in different directions. The Charpy impact energy and percent shear area of DWTT in the five directions increased with refinement of the redefined effective grain size, composed of grains with {100} cleavage planes less than 35° between grain boundaries. The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature also decreased with the refining of the redefined effective grain size. The redefined effective grain boundaries can strongly hinder fracture propagation through electron backscattered diffraction analysis of the cleavage crack path, and thus redefined effective grain can act as the effective microstructure unit for cleavage.

[Regulatory effects of curcumin on spleen apoptosis in overtraining rats and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanisms of curcumin alleviating oxidative stress and spleen apoptosis induced by overtraining in rats by regulating Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway. METHODS: Male Wistar rats of 7 weeks old were divided into control group (C group, 12), overtraining group (OM group, 11), curcumin + overtraining group (COM group, 14). The C Group did not undergo any exercise intervention. The OM and COM group underwent 8-week incremental load swimming training. During the training, rats in the COM group were treated with curcumin at the dose of 200 mg/(kg·d) in the volume of 5 ml/kg by gavage, and rats in the other groups were given an equal volume of solvent, 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose. Twenty-four hours after the last training, the spleen index was calculated by weighing, the pathological changes of the spleen were observed by light microscopy, and the biochemical indicators of blood and spleen were detected. RESULTS: The spleen structure of C group was normal under light microscope; the spleen index of OM group was significantly lower than that of C group (P＜0.01) and pathological changes were obvious; the spleen index of COM group was significantly higher than that of OM group (P＜0.05) and histomorphological changes were relieved. Compared with C group, in OM group, serum corticosterone (Cor) level, spleen apoptosis level, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and the expression of proapoptotic Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) in spleen were increased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01); the body weight, serum testosterone (T), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the expressions of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma-2 protein (Bcl-2) in spleen were decreased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01); the expression of Nrf2 was not changed significantly (P＞ 0.05). Compared with OM group, in COM group, there were no significant changes in body weight (P＞0.05), serum T level, SOD activity, the expressions of Bcl-2, Nrf2 and HO-1 in spleen were increased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01); serum Cor level, spleen apoptosis level, MDA concentration and the expression of Bax were decreased (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). The change trend of T/Cor ratio between groups was consistent with the change of testosterone, and the change trend of Bcl-2/Bax ratio was consistent with the change of Bcl-2. CONCLUSION: The 8-week incremental load excessive swimming training aggravated spleen apoptosis, led to pathological changes and dysfunction of spleen. Curcumin can up-regulate expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, alleviate oxidative stress induced by overtraining, enhance Bcl-2 expression and attenuate Bax expression, thereby inhibiting excessive spleen apoptosis of rats, protecting the structure and function of spleen.

[Effects and mechanisms of 6-week intensive training on renal function in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of 6-week intensive training on renal function in rats and the mechanism of exercise-induced proteinuria. METHODS: Thirty-six male SD rats, aged 6 weeks, were divided into two groups, including a control group(C,n=12)and an overtraining group(M,n=24). After the rats adapted to feeding for 4 d, group C did not carry out any exercise, and the M group did 6-week of increasing load swimming, 6 days a week, once a day. Started with the load of 1%weight at the beginning of the 4th week,and gradually increased (to 6% weight). Took a single urine from both groups 30 min after the end of the training. Blood was taken from the main ventral vein, and the bilateral kidneys were to be tested. The levels of tested urine protein, microalbumin and neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin(NGAL) was determined by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assaytest. The content of urine creatinine was tested with alkaline picric acid method,. The serum levels of colorimetric method to determine serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were determined by colorimetric method. The expression of Nephrin in renal tissue was detected by Western blot and the radioimmunoassay was used to test serum testosterone, corticosterone and renin-angiotensin system related index. RESULTS: Compared with group C, the serum testosterone/cortisone(T/C) of group M was decreased significantly (P<0.01). The urine total protein(TP), microalbumin (mAlb), microalbumin/creatinine (mAlb/CRE), NGAL, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine(SCr) were increased significantly (P<0.01). The abnormality of glomerular structure was obvious, and the paller scores were higher. The protein expression of Nephrin was obviously down decreased (P<0.01). The renin activity (Ra) and angiotension Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) in renal and circulating blood were decreased significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of 6-week intensive training on renal function in rats and the mechanism of exercise-induced proteinuria may be that overtraining can induce the continuous excitation of Reninrenin activity in renal and circulating blood, down-regulated the expression of Nephrin, lead to abnormality of renal structure and function, and proteinuria.

[Effects of aerobic exercise combined with chlorella pyrenoidos of disintegrated cell wall on some indicators of lipid metabolism in rats with high-fat diet].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of aerobic exercise combined with chlorella pyrenoidos of disintegrated cell wall on the lipid metabolism in rats with high-fat diet. METHODS: Fifty-five male Wistar rats were subjected to adaptive feeding for 4 days and weight-free swimming training for 3 days, 20 min/d. After eliminating 5 rats that were not suitable for swimming training, the other rats were randomly divided into 5 groups according to their body weight:control group (C group), high fat diet group (H group), high-fat diet + chlorella group(HC group), high fat diet + aerobic exercise group (HM group), high fat diet + chlorella + aerobic exercise group (HMC group), 10 in each group. The HM and HMC group were subjected to 60 min/d swimming training for 6 weeks with non-weight-bearing. Group C were fed regular diet. The other groups were fed with high-fat diet, the rats in group HC and HMC were intragastrically treated with chlorella pyrenoidos of disintegrated cell wall at the dose of 3.9 g/(kg·d), the volume was 5 ml/kg, and the other groups are given equivalent saline. The Lee's index and biochemical indexes of blood and liver were measured after 6 weeks. RESULTS: Compared with group C, Lee's index, serum levels of free fatty acids(FFA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), liver FFA and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were increased significantly (P<0.01), the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) was decreased significantly (P<0.01) in group H. Compared with group H, Lee's index, serum FFA, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, LDL-c, liver FFA and IL-10 were decreased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01), serum level of HDL-c was increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in group HC, HM and HMC. Compared with group HC and HM, Lee's index, serum FFA, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG, LDL-c, liver FFA and IL-10 were decreased significantly (P<0.05), serum level of HDL-c was increased significantly (P<0.05) in group HMC. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic exercise and chlorella pyrenoidos of disintegrated cell wall can improve lipid metabolism in rats with high-fat diet and reduce the lipid toxicity caused by obesity. Joint intervention is more effective than single intervention.

[Regulatory effect of curcumin on renal apoptosis and its mechanism in overtraining rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects and mechanisms of curcumin alleviating oxidative stress induced by overtraining and inhibiting renal apoptosis in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats of 7 weeks old were divided into control group (C group, 12), overtraining group (OM group, 11), curcumin + overtraining group (COM group, 14). Group C did not undergo any exercise intervention. Rats in OM group and COM group underwent 8-week incremental load swimming training. During the training, the COM group was treated with curcumin at the dose of 200 mg/(kg·d) in the volume as 5 ml/kg by intragastric administration, and the other groups was treated with an equal volume of 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose. Twenty-four hours after the last training, renal histopathological changes were observed by light microscopy, related biochemical indicators in blood and renal tissue were detected. RESULTS: The results showed that after 8 weeks of incremental load swimming training, the renal tissue structure of group C was normal under light microscope; histopathological changes were observed in OM group; COM group was significantly relieved compared with OM group. Compared with group C, serum levels of corticosterone (Cor), creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in OM group were increased (P<0.01), serum level of testosterone (T) was lower (P<0.01); the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was not changed significantly (P>0.05), while the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was decreased (P<0.05), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were decreased (P<0.01), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was increased (P<0.01); the renal apoptosis was increased (P<0.01), the expression of anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma-2 protein (Bcl-2) was decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of proapoptotic Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the OM group, Cor level was decreased (P<0.01) in the COM group, T level was increased (P<0.01), Cr and BUN levels were lower (P<0.05); the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 were increased (P<0.05), T-AOC and SOD activity were increased (P<0.01), MDA concentration was decreased (P<0.05); the renal apoptosis was decreased (P<0.05), the expression of Bcl-2 was increased (P<0.05), and the expression of Bax was decreased (P<0.01). The trend of testosterone/corticosterone ratio between groups was consistent with testosterone change, and the change trend of Bcl-2/Bax ratio was consistent with the change of Bcl-2. CONCLUSIONS: The 8-week incremental load swimming training triggered excessive training in rats, aggravated oxidative stress and accelerated renal apoptosis, leading to pathological changes and dysfunction of kidney. Curcumin can up-regulate expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, effectively alleviates oxidative stress induced by overtraining, thereby increasing Bcl-2 expression, decreasing Bax expression, inhibiting renal apoptosis and protecting renal tissue structure and function properly.

[The protective effects of Haematococcus pluvialis on the exercise-induced myocardial injury in rat].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effects of Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis) on myocardial injury of rats induced by endurance and intensive exercise. METHODS: The model was based on intensive endurance training. Sixty-five male aged 42 days Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:control group (C group), general training group (M group), low dose H. pluvialis + training group (HM I group), middle dose H. Pluvialis + training group (HM Ⅱ group), high dose H. pluvialis + training group (HM Ⅲ group). Each group included 12 rats, and the rats were assigned to go on a 42-day swimming training regime. Professional gavage were taken daily. The rats in HM I, HM Ⅱ and HM Ⅲ group were treated with H. pluvialis at the doses of 0.067,0.133 and 0.4 g/kg by ig at 5 ml/kg and the normal saline were given to other groups. After a 42-day swimming training regime, myocardial injury markers such as serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), myocardial superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected, the biochemical indexes such as serum and myocardial endothelin (ET) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP)were detected. RESULTS: Serum ALT, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase(CK), a-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase(a-HBDH), ET, myocardial MDA and ET in M group were significantly higher than those in C group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The myocardial SOD activity and the myocardial and serum CGRP in M group were significantly lower than those in C group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The contents of serum ALT, LDH and CK in HM groups were lower than those in the M group but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Compared with M group, H. pluvialis could decrease the levels of serum a-HBDH, ET and myocardial ET in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The above mentioned three parameters in HM Ⅲ group were lower than those in HM I group (P<0.05). H. pluvialis could decrease the levels of myocardial MDA and increase the levels of myocardial SOD activity and serum or myocardial CGRP in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The different doses of H.pluvialis can effectively reduce the free radicals caused by endurance and intensive training and enhance the immune function. Meanwhile H.pluvialis is able to guarantee the relative balance in ET an CGRP`s concentration. Therefore, the myocardial lipid peroxidation and myocardial injury are encumbered. Additionaly, high dose of H. pluvialis is proven to be the most effective.