Resting energy expenditures in Asian women measured by indirect calorimetry are lower than expenditures calculated from prediction equations.

OBJECTIVE: Measured resting energy expenditure (REE) and REEs calculated using the Harris-Benedict equation, Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University (FAO/WHO/UNU) equations (FAO equations), and the Liu equation were compared in Asian women. DESIGN: REEs were measured using indirect calorimetry in the morning after an overnight fast and compared with REEs calculated using the Harris-Benedict equation, the FAO equations, and the Liu equation. Height, weight, and 3-day diet records were also obtained. SUBJECTS: Thirty-six healthy, free-living Asian women aged 19 to 52 years and living in the United States were recruited from Washington State University, Pullman, and completed the study. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Paired t tests, stepwise regression, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used for the statistical analyses. Significance was set at P < or = .05. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between measured REE and REE derived from the Harris-Benedict equation (R = 0.67, P < .0001), the FAO equations (R = 0.70, P < .0001), and the Liu equation (R = 0.70, P < .0001). However, measured REE was significantly lower than REE calculated using the Harris-Benedict and FAO equations by 8.5% (P < .001) and 5.4% (P < .01), respectively. No significant difference was noted between measured REE and REE derived from the Liu equation. APPLICATIONS: Caution must be taken when predicting REE of Asian women using the Harris-Benedict equation or the FAO equation. Indirect calorimetry or an equation specific to Asians, such as the Liu equation, is recommended when an accurate estimate is necessary.

Modulation of NK cell cytolytic activity by macrophages in chronically exercise-stressed mice.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of moderate-intensity endurance training on basal natural killer (NK) cell cytolytic activity in murine splenocytes that were enriched for 1) NK1.1+ cells or 2) macrophages and NK1.1+ cells. Mice were assigned to sedentary (Sed), treadmill control (TM), or treadmill-trained (Trn) groups. Splenocyte number, the percentages of NK1.1+, large granular lymphocytes (NK1.1+, LGL-1+), and other subpopulations did not change in Trn mice. Approximately 70% of cells enriched for NK1.1+ expressed this surface antigen. Lytic units (LU) expressed per LGL-1+ cell were significantly lower in Trn [83.9 +/- 3.2 (SE)] compared with Sed (109.5 +/- 7.5) and TM (101.3 +/- 6.4) groups. When macrophages remained in the in vitro assay, LU per LGL-1(+) cell did not differ across groups. The results indicate that highly enriched NK1.1+ cells from Trn mice had lower NK cell activity compared with Sed mice. No differences in NK cell activity were observed when cells were enriched for NK1.1+ cells and macrophages. These findings support the hypothesis that macrophage modulation of NK cells may be one mechanism contributing to augmented basal NK cell activity in endurance-trained individuals.

VersaClimbing elicits higher VO2max than does treadmill running or rowing ergometry.

Collegiate varsity oarswomen and coxswain (N = 11) completed maximal aerobic exercise tests on a treadmill, a rowing ergometer, and a simulated climbing machine. Successful completion of each test was evidenced by a plateau in oxygen consumption in response to increasing work rates. VO2max (l.min-1), and minute ventilation (VE, l.min-1) at VO2max were significantly greater (P < 0.05) during simulated climbing compared to treadmill running and rowing ergometry. Maximal heart rate (beats.min-1) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) during climbing and running than during rowing. Findings indicate that progressive, incremental, whole-body climbing exercise elicits significantly greater VO2max values for collegiate oarswomen and coxswain than does graded treadmill running or progressive rowing ergometry.