Does Opuntia ficus-indica Juice Supplementation Improve Biochemical and Cardiovascular Response to a 6-Minute Walk Test in Type 2 Diabetic Patients?

Background and objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Opuntia ficus-indica juice (OFIJ) on performance and biochemical and physiological responses to a 6 min walking test (6MWT) in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Twenty diabetic patients performed a 6MWT at 07:00 h. During each test session, they were asked to drink 70 mL/day of natural OFIJ or placebo (PLA) for 4 days. Results: the results showed that cardiovascular parameters increased significantly after the 6MWT under both conditions. While, cortisol, HbA1c, cholesterol total (CT), triglycerides (TG), as well as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were not modified between without and with supplementation. Likewise, no significant variation in performance was observed for PLA and OFIJ (p > 0.05). The cardiovascular parameters (heart rate max (HRmax), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and systolic blood pressure (SBP)), lipid profile (CT, TG, LDL, and high-density lipoprotein HDL), hormonal parameters (insulin and glucagon), HbA1c and lactate ([La]) did not present any significant modification either between PLA or OFIJ (p > 0.05). Muscle-damage markers (creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)], cortisol, and liver parameters (i.e., oxidative stress marker, γGT, and total bilirubin) as well as glucose (GLC) were affected by supplementation (p < 0.05) before and after the 6MWT, but this change was significant only for OFIJ (p < 0.05). Conclusion: OFIJ had an antioxidant capacity, improved performance of the 6MWT, and reduced muscle-damage markers and glucose level in type 2 diabetic patients.

Exergaming During Ramadan Intermittent Fasting Improve Body Composition as Well as Physiological and Psychological Responses to Physical Exercise in Adolescents With Obesity.

The effects of exergaming on biochemical responses has been investigated; however, no data is available for this effect during Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF). RIF is a daily fasting characterized by abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset for 29-30 days. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exergaming during RIF on body composition, physical performance and hematological parameters in overweight and adolescents with obesity. Twenty-four adolescents with obesity were divided into two groups [control group (CG), n = 12, or cooperative sport exergaming group (EG), n = 12: 45 min per session during five days per week)]. Participants completed a 6-min walking test (6MWT), a squat jump test and a 10 and a 30m sprint tests in four different occasions: before Ramadan (T0), the second week of Ramadan (T1), the fourth week of Ramadan (T2), and after Ramadan (T3). Blood pressure, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), body composition, central obesity index, dietary intake and profile of mood states (POMS) were, also, assessed over the four periods. The results showed that body weight, body mass index and body fat percentage were significantly lower at T2 compared to T0 and T1 in the EG. After RIF, body composition returned to the values recorded before RIF. The POMS score was significantly lower during T2 compared to T0, T1 and T3 in the EG. The vertical jump and the 6MWT distance were significantly higher (i) at T2 compared to T0, T1 and T3 in the EG and (ii) in EG compared to CG at T2. RPE was significantly lower (i) at T2 compared to T0, T1 and T3 in the EG and (ii) in EG compared to CG at T2. Blood pressure was lower during T2 compared to the other periods in EG. The EG experienced significant decreases in total cholesterol and triglycerides during T2. However, no significant changes between groups and periods was reported for all the other parameters. In conclusion, exergaming during RIF has a positive effect on body composition and physiological and psychological responses in adolescents with obesity.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage after gadolinium injection during a MRI.

Gadolinium is a frequently used contrast product for MRI exam. It is well known to be less immuno-reactive than iodine used in tomodensitometry but is safety is not completely exempt of secondary effect. Here we report one case of acute interstitial pulmonary toxicity due to gadolinium. After quick elimination of others possible diagnosis and broncho-alveolar lavage we establish the link between acute intra-alveolar hemorrhage and gadolinium injection.

The effect of air pollution on diurnal variation of performance in anaerobic tests, cardiovascular and hematological parameters, and blood gases on soccer players following the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level-1.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of air pollution on diurnal variation of performance in anaerobic tests, cardiovascular and hematological parameters, and blood gases on soccer players following the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level-1 (YYIRT1). In a randomized order, 11 healthy soccer players (mean age: 21.8 [range: 20-24] years; height: 178.00 [range: 1.64-1.83] cm; body mass index [BMI]: 23.57 [range: 20.45-28.03] kg.m-2) performed a YYIRT1 at two different times of day (TOD) (08:00 h and 18:00 h) in two areas (i.e. polluted (PA) and non-polluted (NPA)) with a recovery period of ≥ 72 h in between, to determine the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). In each test session: resting oral temperature is measured, anaerobic performances (pre- and post-YYIRT1) were performed, cardiovascular parameters and blood samples were collected at: rest, 3 min and 60 min after the YYIRT1, to assess blood gases and hematological parameters. Our results showed that, agility performance, VO2max, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), pH, and bicarbonate levels (HCO3-) decrease significantly (p < 0.001) following the YYIRT1 in PA compared to NPA. Likewise, the heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), platelets (PLT), white blood cells (WBC), neutrophiles (NEUT), lymphocytes (LYM), and partial pressure of CO2 levels (PvCO2) were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in PA. This effect was slightly accentuated at 18:00 h for some parameters (i.e. Agility, HCO3-, HR, PvCO2, RBC, SBP). However, performances of sprint and Sargent jump test (SJT), oral temperature, rate of perceived exertion scales (RPE), partial pressure of O2 (PvO2), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and monocytes (MON) were not affected by pollution (p > 0.05). In conclusion, pollution seems to be critical for health stability and performance in response to YYIRT1 especially in the evening and the winter season. Therefore, coaches and athletes should draw attention to the potential importance of land use planning in their training sessions and competitions in the morning in polluted area to minimize the risk of pollution exposure.