Structural and functional abnormalities of hepatic tissues in male Wistar rats fed hyperwhey and super amino anabolic protein.

OBJECTIVE: Athletes and bodybuilders consume high-protein supplements to obtain energy and enhance the development and strength of their muscles. Over time, different investigations have revealed dysfunctions of their body organs. There are contradictions among scientists concerning the benefits and the alarm of developing body dysfunction. The aim of this study was to illustrate the effects on consumption of two anabolic protein supplements on body weight and structure and function of hepatocytes in male albino Wistar rats. METHODS: We assigned male Wistar albino rats into three groups (n = 10 each): control, hyperwhey protein (Nutrabolics, Richmond, Canada) (2.5 g/kg body weight), and super amino 2500 (SA) (APN, Ft. Launderale, FL, USA) (2.5 g/kg body weight). The applied dose was orally administered daily in tap water for 14 wk. Body weight was regularly measured. At 14 wk, animals were sacrificed and dissected. Blood was collected from a puncture of the heart and the liver was removed and weighed. Biochemical analysis of liver function tests, lipidogram, hematology, histopathology, transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, B-cell lymphoma 2 and 70 kd heat shock proteins, and flow-cytometry of hepatocyte cell cycle were performed. RESULTS: Hyperwhey- and SA-supplemented rats had lower body weight gain compared with the control group and developed hepatic dysfunction manifested by apparent congestion of blood vessel, increased apoptosis, and breakdown of hepatocytes. The SA group had thickening of the liver capsule and more drastic damage of hepatocytes. The level of transaminases was markedly increased. Insulin level was also markedly decreased in parallel with increase cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triacylglycerols. CONCLUSION: Hyperwhey and SA protein formula administration dramatically altered the liver function and increased hepatic damage similar to the development of suspected diabetes.

Perceived Benefits and Barriers Surrounding Lentil Consumption in Families with Young Children.

PURPOSE: Plant-based diets are advocated for prevention of chronic diseases. Lentils are an inexpensive plant-based meat alternative. This study determined perceived benefits and barriers to lentil consumption and how they relate to the demographics and nutritional knowledge of caregivers and consumption habits in families with children 3-11 years of age. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire measuring nutritional knowledge and perceived benefits and barriers to the consumption of lentils was completed by 401 caregivers in a school setting in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. RESULTS: The majority of respondents were 26-45 years of age (83%) and female (76%). Respondents associated lentils with health benefits (91%). The most frequently reported barrier associated with consumption pertained to family acceptance: "if my child liked lentils I would make them more" (76% agreement). More than half (58%) of respondents stated they "never or rarely" consumed lentils (low-consumers). Of low-consumers, top barriers included lack of knowledge on how to cook lentils and a belief that family members would not accept lentils. CONCLUSIONS: Future promotion strategies should address the top barriers to lentil consumption. An understanding of the perceived benefits and barriers surrounding lentil consumption will help formulate approaches to increase consumption of lentils as well as pulses.

Former premenarcheal gymnasts exhibit site-specific skeletal benefits in adulthood after long-term retirement.

Young female gymnasts have greater bone strength compared to controls; although possibly due to selection into gymnastics, it is thought that their loading activity during growth increases their bone mass, influencing both bone geometry and architecture. If such bone mass and geometric adaptations are maintained, this may potentially decrease the risk of osteoporosis and risk of fracture later in life. However, there is limited evidence of the persisting benefit of gymnastic exercise during growth on adult bone geometric parameters. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether adult bone geometry, volumetric density, and estimated strength were greater in retired gymnasts compared to controls, 10 years after retirement from the sport. Bone geometric and densitometric parameters, measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the radius and tibia, were compared between 25 retired female gymnasts and 22 controls, age range 22 to 30 years, by multivariate analysis of covariance (covariates: age, height, and muscle cross-sectional area). Retired gymnasts had significantly greater adjusted total and trabecular area (16%), total and trabecular bone mineral content (BMC) (18% and 22%, respectively), and estimated strength (21%) at the distal radius (p < 0.05) than controls. Adjusted total and cortical area and BMC, medullary area, and estimated strength were also significantly greater (13% to 46%) in retired gymnasts at the 30% and 65% radial shaft sites (p < 0.05). At the distal tibia, retired gymnasts had 12% to 13% greater total and trabecular BMC and volumetric bone mineral density as well as 21% greater estimated strength; total and cortical BMC and estimated strength were also greater at the tibial shaft (8%, 11%, and 10%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Former female gymnasts have significantly better geometric and densitometric properties, as well as estimated strength, at the radius and tibia 10 years after retirement from gymnastics compared to females who did not participate in gymnastics in childhood and adolescence.

Higher premenarcheal bone mass in elite gymnasts is maintained into young adulthood after long-term retirement from sport: a 14-year follow-up.

Sports that impact-load the skeleton during childhood and adolescence increase determinants of bone strength such as bone mineral content and density; however, it is unclear if this benefit is maintained after retirement from the sport. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the previously reported higher bone mass in a group of premenarcheal gymnasts was still apparent 10 years after the cessation of participation and withdrawal of the gymnastics loading stimulus. In 1995, 30 gymnasts 8 to 15 years of age were measured and compared with 30 age-matched nongymnasts. Twenty-five former gymnasts and 22 nongymnasts were measured again 14 years later (2009 to 2010). Gymnasts had been retired from gymnastics training and competition for an average of 10 years. Total body (TB), lumbar spine (LS), and femoral neck (FN) bone mineral content (BMC) was assessed at both measurement occasions by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to compare former gymnasts' and nongymnasts' BMC while controlling for differences in body size and maturation (covariates: age, height, weight, and years from menarche [1995] or age at menarche [2009 to 2010]). Premenarcheal gymnasts (measured in 1995) had significantly greater size-adjusted TB, LS, and FN BMC (p < 0.05) (15%, 17%, and 12%, respectively) than nongymnasts. Ten years after retirement, gymnasts had maintained similar size-adjusted TB, LS, and FN BMC differences (p < 0.05) (13%, 19%, and 13%, respectively) when compared with nongymnasts. Bone mass benefits in premenarcheal gymnasts were still apparent even after long-term (10 years) removal of the gymnastics loading stimulus.

Bone mineral accrual in 4- to 10-year-old precompetitive, recreational gymnasts: a 4-year longitudinal study.

Competitive female gymnasts have greater bone mineral measures than nongymnasts. However, less is known about the effect of recreational and/or precompetitive gymnastics participation on bone development. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the differences previously reported in the skeleton of competitive female gymnasts are also demonstrated in young children with a current or past participation history in recreational or precompetitive gymnastics. One hundred and sixty-three children (30 gymnasts, 61 ex-gymnasts, and 72 nongymnasts) between 4 and 6 years of age were recruited and measured annually for 4 years (not all participants were measured at every occasion). Total-body (TB), lumbar spine (LS), and femoral neck (FN) bone mineral content (BMC) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Multilevel random-effects models were constructed and used to predict differences in TB, LS, and FN BMC between groups while controlling for differences in body size, physical activity, and diet. Gymnasts had 3% more TB and 7% more FN BMC than children participating in other recreational sports at year 4 (p < .05). No differences were found at the LS between groups, and there were no differences between ex-gymnasts' and nongymnasts' bone parameters (p > .05). These findings suggest that recreational and precompetitive gymnastics participation is associated with greater BMC. This is important because beginner gymnastics skills are attainable by most children and do not require a high level of training. Low-level gymnastics skills can be implemented easily into school physical education programs, potentially affecting skeletal health.