Adaptation of cardiac morphology and function to endurance and strength training. A comparative study using MR imaging and echocardiography in males and females.

Left ventricular (LV) dimensions and function and maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max) were measured in endurance-trained (10 male, m, 10 female, f), strength-trained athletes (8 m, 10 f) and untrained subjects (9 m, 10 f). LV dimensions were measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiography and the results were equal irrespective of method. Endurance-trained m and f had significantly higher LV volumes and mass than both strength-trained and controls. No VO(2)max or dimensional differences were seen between strength-trained and untrained subjects. In endurance-trained males, LV volumes and mass/kg bw were higher than in endurance-trained females. There was no significant gender difference for strength-trained or untrained subjects regarding body weight-related heart dimensions. It is concluded that LV dimensions and volumes are strongly dependent on oxygen transport capacity in normal subjects practising different modes of training, and that the gender differences, if LV dimensions are related to aerobic work capacity, are smaller than previously reported.

Asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori gastritis is associated with increased sucrose permeability.

Our aim was to investigate whether there are changes in permeability to sucrose in asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Nineteen asymptomatic subjects with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis with no or mild mucosal atrophy and 19 age- and sex-matched normal controls were studied by peroral load of sucrose (100 g). The fraction of the given oral dose of sucrose excreted in urine was increased in subjects with Helicobacter pylori gastritis (median 0.08% versus 0.04% in controls). Sucrose excretion was not related to atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, or inflammation in the gastric mucosa. However, sucrose permeability was related to the degree of inflammatory (neutrophil) activity, since moderate activity was associated with higher sucrose excretion than mild activity (median 0.13% vs 0.07%). Asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori gastritis was associated with an increased sucrose permeability, which could be a sign of gastric mucosal leakage. This could have implications for the diseases and complications associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.