Thirty days of double-strain probiotic supplementation increases monocyte phagocytosis in marathon runners.

Marathon runners, subjected to intense training regimes and prolonged, exhaustive exercises, often experience a compromised immune response. Probiotic supplementation has emerged as a potential remedy to mitigate the impact of prolonged exercise on athletes. Consequently, this study sought to assess the influence of probiotic supplementation on monocyte functionality both before and after the official marathon race. Twenty-seven runners were randomly and double-blindly assigned to two groups: Placebo-PLA (n=13) and Probiotic-PRO (n=14). Over thirty days, both groups received supplements-PLA sachets containing maltodextrin (5g/day) and PRO sachets containing 1 x 1010 CFU Lactobacillus acidophilus and 1 x 1010 CFU Bifidobacterium bifidum subsp. lactis. Blood samples were collected, and immunological assays, including phagocytosis, hydrogen peroxide production, cytokine levels, and monocyte immunophenotyping, were conducted at four different intervals: Baseline (start of supplementation/thirty days pre-marathon), 24h-Before (one-day pre-marathon), 1h-After (1h post-marathon), and 5d-After (five days post-marathon). Monocyte populations remained consistent throughout the study. A notable increase in phagocytosis was observed in the PRO group after thirty days of supplementation. Upon LPS stimulation, both PRO and PLA groups exhibited decreased IL-8 production. However, after the marathon race, IL-15 stimulation demonstrated increased levels of 5d-After, while IL-1-ß, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, and TNF-α varied across different intervals, specifically within the PRO group. Probiotic supplementation notably enhanced the phagocytic capacity of monocytes. However, these effects were not sustained post-marathon.

Obesity in Severe COVID-19 Patients Has a Distinct Innate Immune Phenotype.

Obesity alters the capacity of effective immune responses in infections. To further address this phenomenon in the context of COVID-19, this study investigated how the immunophenotype of leukocytes was altered in individuals with obesity in severe COVID-19. This cross-sectional study enrolled 27 ICU COVID-19 patients (67% women, 56.33 ± 19.55 years) that were assigned to obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, n = 9) or non-obese (BMI < 30kg/m2, n = 18) groups. Monocytes, NK, and both Low-Density (LD) and High-Density (HD) neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood samples, and surface receptors' frequency and expression patterns were analyzed by flow cytometry. Clinical status and biochemical data were additionally evaluated. The frequency of monocytes was negatively correlated with BMI, while NK cells and HD neutrophils were positively associated (p < 0.05). Patients with obesity showed a significant reduction of monocytes, and these cells expressed high levels of PD-L1 (p < 0.05). A higher frequency of NK cells and increased expression of TREM-1+ on HD neutrophils were detected in obese patients (p < 0.05). The expression of receptors related to antigen-presentation, phagocytosis, chemotaxis, inflammation and suppression were strongly correlated with clinical markers only in obese patients (p < 0.05). Collectively, these outcomes revealed that obesity differentially affected, and largely depressed, innate immune response in severe COVID-19.

Health functions and related molecular mechanisms of ellagitannin-derived urolithins.

Ellagitannins are vital bioactive polyphenols that are widely distributed in a variety of plant-based foods. The main metabolites of ellagitannins are urolithins, and current research suggests that urolithins provide a variety of health benefits. This review focused on the role of the gut bacteria in the conversion of ellagitannins to urolithins. Based on the results of in vitro and in vivo studies, the health benefits of urolithins, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-aging, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, kidney protective, and muscle mass protective effects, were thoroughly outlined, with a focus on their associated molecular mechanisms. Finally, we briefly commented on urolithins' safety. Overall, urolithins' diverse health benefits indicate the potential utilization of ellagitannins and urolithins in the creation of functional foods and nutraceuticals to treat and prevent some chronic diseases.

Eating habits and body image among gym goers / Hábitos alimentares e imagem corporal entre frequentadores de academias

Although regular exercise is widely recommended to promote health and improvement quality of life, young people commonly report exercising primarily for weight control and for reasons related to their physical appearance. The objective of the study was to evaluate the degree of body satisfaction and its association with eating habits of individuals exercising in gymnasiums. This was a cross-sectional study involving 432 adolescents and young adults (men = 39.8%, women = 60.2%). A body self-perception questionnaire and a silhouetted scale was used to evaluate body image, as well as a food consumption questionnaire, whose score was calculated using the formula: Eating score = (total of points obtained ÷ maximum of possible points according to the number of items filled out) x 100. The scoring scale ranges from 0 to 100 and the higher the score the greater the inadequacy of eating habits. The chi-squared test was used to analyze the association between the degree of body satisfaction and the ingestion of the food groups, a p-value <0.05 was considered significant. The total prevalence of body dissatisfaction was 75.7% with no significant difference between the sexes. Men were more "dissatisfied with thinness" (58.2%), while women were more "dissatisfied with excess weight" (46.5%). The individuals who were "satisfied" with their body image had a lower score in the food consumption questionnaire (46.96 points) compared to "dissatisfied" individuals (p<0.05) and, therefore, the "satisfied" individuals consumed a higher frequency of vegetable and fruit groups (p <0.05). The association between body dissatisfaction and food groups revealed that people who were "unsatisfied by thinness" had a higher frequency of consumption of processed products, soft drinks and eggs, while those who were "dissatisfied with excess weight" had a higher frequency of consumption of sweets and candies. In this study, a high prevalence of body dissatisfaction among young individuals attending gymnasiums was observed, which was associated with a higher frequency of an inadequate diet

Embora o exercício físico regular seja amplamente recomendado para promover saúde e melhorias na qualidade de vida, pessoas jovens comumente relatam se exercitar principalmente para controle de peso e por motivos relacionados à sua aparência física. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o grau de satisfação corporal e sua associação com hábitos alimentares de indivíduos que se exercitam em academias de ginástica. Trata-se de um estudo transversal contendo 432 adolescentes e adultos jovens (homens = 39,8%, mulheres = 60,2%). Aplicou-se um questionário de autopercepção corporal e escala de silhuetas para avaliar a imagem corporal, e questionário de consumo alimentar, cuja pontuação foi calculada por meio da fórmula: Escore alimentar = (total de pontos obtidos ÷ máximo de pontos possíveis de acordo com o número de itens preenchidos) x 100. A escala de pontuação varia de 0 a 100 e quanto maior a pontuação maior a inadequação dos hábitos alimentares. O teste do qui-quadrado foi empregado para analisar a associação entre o grau de satisfação corporal e a ingestão dos grupos alimentares, valor de p <0,05 foi considerado significante. A prevalência total de insatisfação corporal foi de 75,7% sem diferença significante entre os sexos. Os homens mostram-se mais "insatisfeitos pela magreza" (58,2%), enquanto as mulheres estavam mais "insatisfeitas pelo excesso de peso" (46,5%). Os indivíduos "satisfeitos" com sua imagem corporal apresentaram menor pontuação no questionário de consumo alimentar (46,96 pontos) em comparação aos "insatisfeitos" (p <0,05) e, portanto, os "satisfeitos" apresentaram maior frequência de ingestão dos grupos dos vegetais, legumes e frutas (p <0,05). A associação entre a insatisfação corporal e os grupos alimentares revelou que pessoas "insatisfeitas pela magreza" apresentaram maior frequência de consumo de produtos industrializados, refrigerantes e ovos, enquanto que os "insatisfeitos pelo excesso de peso" possuíram maior frequência de consumo de doces e balas. Observou-se neste estudo alta prevalência de insatisfação corporal entre indivíduos jovens que frequentam academias de ginástica, a qual esteve associada à maior frequência de inadequação alimentar

Colon epithelial cells luminal environment and physiopathological consequences: impact of nutrition and exercise

The colonic epithelial cells represent a border between the colon luminal content, containing notably bacteria and a complex mixture of compounds, and the"milieu interieur"as defined by the French physiologist Claude Bernard.The physical-chemical composition of the luminal content, including luminal pH and bacterial metabolite, that obviousl y is not constant, is modified for instance according to the diet. Data obtained recently indicate that physical exercise may also modify the colonic luminal content. Evidence has indicated that modification of the luminal content characteristics has, indeed, consequences for the colonic epithelial cells, notably in terms of energy metabolism and DNA integrity. Although such alterations impact presumably the homeostatic process of the colonic epithelium renewal and the epithelial barrier function, their contribution to pathological processes like mucosal inflammation, pre-neoplasia, and neoplasia remains partly elusive. Open questions remain regarding the individual and collective roles of luminal changes, particularly in a long-term perspective. These questions are related particularly to the capacity of the bacterial metabolites to cross the mucus layer before entering the colonocytes, to the concentrations of metabolites in proximity of the colonic crypt stem cells, and to the capacity of colonocytes to detoxicate deleterious compounds, to take up and utilize beneficial compounds.

Dissatisfation-related food behavior is associated with a risk of eating disorders in physically active women / La conducta alimentaria y factores relacionados se asocian con un riesgo de trastornos alimentarios en las mujeres físicamente activas

Introduction: Studies have shown that most women have body dissatisfaction and desire to reduce your silhouette, which are associated to the risk of developing eating disorders. A important number of women engaged in sports is known for presenting an inadequate eating behavior and display a body dissatisfaction. However there are few studies that have addressed this issue among those subjects attending fitness centers, who are also concerned about their body shape. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of developing eating disorders and factors that are associated with this risk among physically active women at fitness centers. Materials and methods: Representative sample consisted of 356 young women who exercise in fitness centers in the city of Aracaju, SE, Brazil (CAAE - 19845413.3.00 00.5546). A questionnaire with socioeconomic data, physical activity data and adoption of diets/supplements for weight loss and body awareness was applied, as well as the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Results and discussion: The results showed a considerable prevalence of eating disorders (25,8%) and body dissatisfaction (73,9%). The most women are dissatisfied due to overweight (54,9%) and desired to reducing their silhouette in 2 degrees. Logistic regression showed that the adoption of diets/supplements (OR = 2,71), excessive concern with body shape (OR = 3,52), low self-esteem (OR = 2,14), and degree of body dissatisfaction (OR = 1,37) were associated with risk of developing eating disorders (p<0.05). However, schooling was considered a protective factor for the development of eating disorders (OR = 0,13). Conclusion: Women at fitness centers who had at least one of the variables (lower schooling, adoption of diets/supplements for weight loss, feelings of inferiority and body dissatisfaction) are more likely to develop eating disorders. These data represent a concern since at least two of ten women at fitness centers presented risk of developing eating disorders in addition to the high prevalence of body dissatisfaction (AU)

Introducción: Los estudios han demostrado que la mayoría de las mujeres tienen insatisfacción corporal y el deseo de reducir su silueta y estos factores están asociados con el riesgo de desarrollar trastornos de la alimentación con. Un número importante de mujeres que participan en los deportes es conocido por presentar un comportamiento inadecuado de la conducta alimenticia y insatisfacción corporal Sin embargo, hay pocos estudios que han abordado esta cuestión entre aquellas que hacen ejercicios en los centros de acondicionamiento físico, que también se preocupan por su forma del cuerpo. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el riesgo de desarrollar trastornos de la conducta alimentaria y los factores que se asocian con este riesgo entre las mujeres físicamente activas. Material y Método: La muestra representativa consistió en 356 mujeres jóvenes que hacen ejercicios en los centros de acondicionamiento físico en la ciudad de Aracaju, SE, Brasil (CAAE - 19845413.3.0000.5546). Se aplicó un cuestionario con datos socioeconómicos, datos de la actividad física y la adopción de dietas/suplementos para la pérdida de peso y el conocimiento del cuerpo, así como el Test de Actitudes Alimentarias (EAT-26). Resultados e discusión: Los resultados mostraron una considerable prevalencia de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (25,8%) y la insatisfacción corporal (73,9%). Las mayoría de las mujeres no están satisfechas debido al exceso de peso (54,9%) y deseaban reducir su silueta en 2 grados. La regresión logística mostró que la adopción de dietas/suplementos (OR = 2,71), excesiva preocupación por la forma del cuerpo (OR = 3,52), la baja autoestima (OR = 2,14), y el grado de insatisfacción corporal (OR = 1,37) se asociaron con el riesgo de desarrollar trastornos de la alimentación (p <0,05). Sin embargo, la escolarización se considera un factor protector para el desarrollo de trastornos de la alimentación (OR = 0,13). Conclusiones: Las mujeres en los gimnasios que tenían al menos una de las variables (menor escolarización, adopción de dietas/suplementos para la pérdida de peso, sentimientos de inferioridad y la insatisfacción corporal) son más propensas a desarrollar trastornos de la alimentación. Estos datos representan una preocupación, ya que al menos dos de cada diez mujeres en los centros de acondicionamiento físico presentan riesgo de desarrollar trastornos de la alimentación además de la alta prevalencia de la insatisfacción corporal (AU)