Cardiorespiratory fitness mediates cortisol and lactate responses to winter and summer marches.

Background: The influence of homeostatically regulated physiological processes, including cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), on the response to physical stressors such as acclimatisation and marching, remains understudied. We aimed to investigate the effects of summer and winter acclimatisation and marching on cortisol levels and blood lactate, to gain insight into the role of these physiological processes in the stress response. Methods: Two groups of young Europeans, classified as poor (PCF; n=9) and good physical condition (GCF; n=21), based on a VO2MAX threshold of 40 mL O2/ kg/min, underwent 2-h March (6-7 km/h) in winter (5˚C) and summer (32˚C). Commercial tests, UniCel DxI Access Cortisol assay and EKF Biosen Clinic/GP assay were used for cortisol and lactate blood measurements (morning samples and those taken immediately after marches), respectively.

Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors partially inhibit oxidative stress development in the rat brain during sepsis provoked by cecal ligation and puncture.

IOxidative stress development in different brain structures and the influence of nitric oxide (NO) overproduction during sepsis was investigated using male Wistar rats. Rats were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or were sham-operated. To evaluate the source of NO production, 30 min before the operation septic and control animals were treated with single intraperitoneal doses of NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors: L-NAME and aminoguanidine (AG) (10, 30 or 90 mg/kg) and 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) (30 mg/kg). The concentration of GSH in the cortex, brain stem, cerebellum, striatum and hippocampus significantly decreased post CLP at both early and late stage sepsis. Lipid peroxidation also occurred in the cortex and cerebellum in late stage sepsis. Pre-treatment with a non-selective NOS inhibitor (L-NAME) and with selective inducible and neuronal NOS inhibitors (AG and 7-NI) revealed benefit effects on the GSH concentrations. Unexpectedly, NOS inhibition resulted in diverse effects on TBARS concentrations, suggesting the importance of specific quantities of NO in specific brain structures during sepsis.