American Ginseng Attenuates Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage via the Modulation of Lipid Peroxidation and Inflammatory Adaptation in Males.

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is characterized by a reduction in functional performance, disruption of muscle structure, production of reactive oxygen species, and inflammatory reactions. Ginseng, along with its major bioactive component ginsenosides, has been widely employed in traditional Chinese medicine. The protective potential of American ginseng (AG) for eccentric EIMD remains unclear. Twelve physically active males (age: 22.4 ± 1.7 years; height: 175.1 ± 5.7 cm; weight: 70.8 ± 8.0 kg; peak oxygen consumption [V˙O2peak] 54.1 ± 4.3 mL/kg/min) were administrated by AG extract (1.6 g/day) or placebo (P) for 28 days and subsequently challenged by downhill (DH) running (-10% gradient and 60% V˙O2peak). The levels of circulating 8-iso-prostaglandin F 2α (PGF2α), creatine kinase (CK), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-4, IL-10, and TNF-α, and the graphic pain rating scale (GPRS) were measured before and after supplementation and DH running. The results showed that the increases in plasma CK activity induced by DH running were eliminated by AG supplementation at 48 and 72 h after DH running. The level of plasma 8-iso-PGF2α was attenuated by AG supplementation immediately (p = 0.01 and r = 0.53), 2 h (p = 0.01 and r = 0.53) and 24 h (p = 0.028 and r = 0.45) after DH running compared with that by P supplementation. Moreover, our results showed an attenuation in the plasma IL-4 levels between AG and P supplementation before (p = 0.011 and r = 0.52) and 72 h (p = 0.028 and r = 0.45) following DH running. Our findings suggest that short-term supplementation with AG alleviates eccentric EIMD by decreasing lipid peroxidation and promoting inflammatory adaptation.

Preparation of biofiltration membranes by coating electrospun polyacrylonitrile fiber membranes with layer-by-layer supermolecular polyelectrolyte films.

Electrospun polyacrylonitrile fiber membranes (EPFMs) were coated with multilayer films, assembled using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique through the alternate deposition of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), to develop an antithrombogenic drug release membrane for hemodialysis. Methylene blue (MB) and heparin (HEP) were attached to the PAH and PAA multilayers, respectively, as model drug and antithrombogenic agent to investigate the dual functionality of the membranes. The positively (PAH, MB) and negatively (PAA, HEP) charged groups generated a supermolecular polyelectrolyte multilayer film (SPF) capable of loading high amounts of MB and HEP on the EPFMs at appropriate composition. The pH was fixed at 5.5 during assembly to stabilize the SPF. Heavy assembly of the PAH/PAA multilayer occurred at 10 wt% of both MB and HEP with 25 cycles of LbL deposition, and it exhibited long-term release of MB and low release of HEP at pH 7.4 in a circulatory system. The SPF-coated EPFMs also achieved low platelet attachment after 4 h of platelet rich plasma circulation and showed prolonged clotting times including thromboplastin, thrombin, and prothrombin times. Collectively, these observations suggest that SPF-coated EPFMs have great potential for use as hemodialysis membranes with positively charged drug loading.

Analysis of Titin in Red and White Muscles: Crucial Role on Muscle Contractions Using a Fish Model.

Several studies have compared molecular components between red and white skeletal muscles in mammals. However, mammalian skeletal muscles are composed of mixed types of muscle fibers. In the current study, we analyzed and compared the distributions of titin, lipid, phosphate ions, and fatty acid levels in red and white muscles using a fish model (Tilapia), which is rich in red and white muscles, and these are well separated. Oil-red O staining showed that red muscle had more-abundant lipids than did white muscle. A time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometric (TOF-SIMS) analysis revealed that red muscle possessed high levels of palmitic acid and oleic acid, but white muscle contained more phosphate ions. Moreover, elastica-van Gieson (EVG) and Mito-Tracker green FM staining showed that collagen and elastic fibers were highly, respectively, distributed in connective tissues and mitochondria in red muscle. An electron micrographic analysis indicated that red muscle had a relatively higher number of mitochondria and longer sarcomere lengths and Z-line widths, while myofibril diameters were thicker in white muscle. Myofibrillar proteins separated by SDS-PAGE showed that the major giant protein, titin, was highly expressed in white muscle than in red muscle. Furthermore, ratios of titin to myosin heavy chain (MHC) (titin/MHC) were about 1.3 times higher in white muscle than red muscle. We postulated that white muscle is fit for short and strong contractile performance due to high levels of titin and condensed sarcomeres, whereas red muscle is fit for low intensity and long-lasting activity due to high levels of lipids and mitochondria and long sarcomeres.

Low Second-To-Fourth Digit Ratio Has High Explosive Power? A Prepubertal Study.

Hsu, CC, Fong, TH, Chang, HM, Su, B, Chi, CP, Kan, NW, and Hsu, MC. Low second-to-fourth digit ratio has high explosive power? A prepubertal study. J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 2091-2095, 2018-A recent study reported that lower limb explosive power had no correlation with the index finger: ring finger (2D:4D) ratio. However, many studies hypothesized that a lower 2D:4D ratio (reflecting a relative higher testosterone exposure) predicts higher physical fitness. The aim of this study was to replicate the study of explosive power and the 2D:4D ratio in a sample of Taiwanese children. A total of 541 Taiwanese prepubertal children (257 girls and 284 boys aged 9-10 years) participated in this study. This study analyzed the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and explosive power. Explosive power of the lower limbs was assessed using the standing long jump (SLJ) test. The lengths of the second and fourth fingers of the right hand were measured to calculate the 2D:4D ratio. The SLJ length was correlated with the 2D:4D ratios (r = -0.144, p = 0.015) in boys. After controlling for age and the body mass index, this correlation remained significant (r = -0.134, p = 0.024). For girls, 2D:4D ratios were not significantly correlated with SLJ scores. These results indicate that the SLJ distance was negatively correlated with the 2D:4D ratio in boys, but not in girls. These findings might suggest that prenatal testosterone exposure is negatively correlated with the explosive power in men, but not in women.

Supermolecules of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) complexating Herring sperm DNA with bio-multiple hydrogen bonding.

In this study we used the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) as a medium to blend with an organic DNA, herring sperm DNA (HSD), to generate PNIPAAm-HSD supramolecular complexes. Bio-multiple hydrogen bonding (BMHB) between PNIPAAm and HSD was investigated that changed the temperature responsiveness of PNIPAAm relatively to the HSD concentrations. With blending the HSD into PNIPAAm matrix, the phase separation in solution is completely opposite from that of neat PNIPAAm. Surface property in static water contact angle (SWCA) is also opposite from that of pure PNIPAAm upon increasing HSD content over 60%. In addition, we found that the PNIPAAm and HSD self-assembled a specific triangle-like structure at a PNIPAAm-to-HSD weight ratio of 1:4 at 25°C; while the triangle-like structure disappeared with increasing temperature to 45°C. Furthermore, both PNIPAAm and HSD could be regarded as insulator, but it transformed into a semiconductive matter after blending with the HSD. Incorporation of organic DNA with hydrogel could significantly change their properties, which might facilitate their use as novel materials in bioelectronics.

Elite collegiate tennis athletes have lower 2D: 4D ratios than those of nonathlete controls.

The ratio of the length of the second finger (index finger) to the fourth finger (ring finger) (2D:4D ratio) is a putative marker for prenatal hormones. Physiological research has suggested a low 2D:4D ratio correlates with high athletic ability. Athletes of specific sports (e.g., American football) have lower 2D:4D ratios than those of nonathletes, whereas athletes of some sports (e.g., rowing, gymnastics, and soccer) do not. This study investigated the 2D:4D ratios among collegiate tennis athletes, elite collegiate tennis athletes, and nonelite collegiate tennis athletes and compared them with nonathletes of both sexes. The participants included 43 elite collegiate tennis athletes (Level I intercollegiate athletes in Taiwan; 27 males and 16 females), 107 nonelite collegiate tennis athletes (Level II athletes; 55 males and 52 females), and 166 nonathlete college students (80 males and 86 females). The principle findings suggest that (a) regardless of sex, collegiate tennis athletes have lower 2D:4D values than those of nonathletes; (b) elite collegiate tennis athletes have lower 2D:4D values than those of nonathletes; (c) among females but not males, athletes and nonelite athletes have lower 2D:4D values than those of nonathletes; and (d) males have lower 2D:4D values than those of females.

Angelica Sinensis promotes myotube hypertrophy through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

BACKGROUND: Angelica Sinensis (AS), a folk medicine, has long been used in ergogenic aids for athletes, but there is little scientific evidence supporting its effects. We investigated whether AS induces hypertrophy in myotubes through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt (also termed PKB)/mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. METHODS: An in vitro experiment investigating the induction of hypertrophy in myotubes was conducted. To investigate whether AS promoted the hypertrophy of myotubes, an established in vitro model of myotube hypertrophy with and without AS was used and examined using microscopic images. The role of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in AS-induced myotube hypertrophy was evaluated. Two inhibitors, wortmannin (an inhibitor of PI3K) and rapamycin (an inhibitor of mTOR), were used. RESULT: The results revealed that the myotube diameters in the AS-treated group were significantly larger than those in the untreated control group (P < 0.05). Wortmannin and rapamycin inhibited AS-induced hypertrophy. Furthermore, AS increased Akt and mTOR phosphorylation through the PI3K pathway and induced myotube hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed that AS induces hypertrophy in myotubes through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Okadaic Acid, a Bioactive Fatty Acid from Halichondria okadai, Stimulates Lipolysis in Rat Adipocytes: The Pivotal Role of Perilipin Translocation.

Lipid metabolism in visceral fat cells is correlated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Okadaic-acid, a 38-carbon fatty acid isolated from the black sponge Halichondria okadai, can stimulate lipolysis by promoting the phosphorylation of several proteins in adipocytes. However, the mechanism of okadaic acid-induced lipolysis and the effects of okadaic acid on lipid-droplet-associated proteins (perilipins and beta-actin) remain unclear. We isolated adipocytes from rat epididymal fat pads and treated them with isoproterenol and/or okadaic acid to estimate lipolysis by measuring glycerol release. Incubating adipocytes with okadaic acid stimulated time-dependent lipolysis. Lipid-droplet-associated perilipins and beta-actin were analyzed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, and the association of perilipin A and B was found to be decreased in response to isoproterenol or okadaic acid treatment. Moreover, okadaic-acid treatment could enhance isoproterenol-mediated lipolysis, whereas treatment of several inhibitors such as KT-5720 (PKA inhibitor), calphostin C (PKC inhibitor), or KT-5823 (PKG inhibitor) did not attenuate okadaic-acid-induced lipolysis. By contrast, vanadyl acetylacetonate (tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor) blocked okadaic-acid-dependent lipolysis. These results suggest that okadaic acid induces the phosphorylation and detachment of lipid-droplet-associated perilipin A and B from the lipid droplet surface and thereby leads to accelerated lipolysis.

Effects of BCAA, arginine and carbohydrate combined drink on post-exercise biochemical response and psychological condition.

This study investigated the effects of BCAA, arginine and carbohydrate combined beverage (BCAA Drink) on biochemical responses and psychological conditions during recovery after a single bout of exhaustive exercise. Fourteen healthy males were assigned to drink either BCAA Drink (BA trial) or placebo (PL trial) on two sessions separated by 2 weeks. Blood samples of each subject were collected before exercise, 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 120 min and 24 h after exercise. No significant differences in the levels of lactate, ammonia, creatine kinase and glycerol between the two groups were observed at any of the time points. However, the levels of glucose and insulin were significantly higher in the BA trial as compared to those in the PL trial at the 40 and 60 min recovery points. Furthermore, the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio at the 120 min recovery point was significantly higher in the BA trial as compared to that in the PL trial. The results indicate the occurrence of anabolic response during the recovery period. The benefit of BCAA Drink was also performed by Profile of Mood States to assess the psychological condition. Fatigue score increased immediately at exhaustion in both groups, but the decrease in the fatigue score at 120 min recovery point was significant only in BA trial. These data indicate that a single bout of exhaustive exercise enhanced the feeling of fatigue. The detrimental consequence was reduced by an ingestion of BCAA Drink.

American ginseng supplementation attenuates creatine kinase level induced by submaximal exercise in human beings.

AIM: To investigate whether American ginseng (AG, Panax quinquefolium) supplementation was able to improve endurance exercise performance. METHODS: Thirteen physically active male college students were divided into two groups (AG or placebo) and received supplementation for 4 wk, before the exhaustive running exercise. Treadmill speed was increased to a pace equivalent to 80% VO2max of the subject. A 4-wk washout period followed before the subjects crossed over and received the alternate supplement for the next 4 wk. They then completed a second exhaustive running exercise. The physiological variables that were examined included time to exhaustion and oxygen pulse. Moreover, the plasma creatine kinase (CK) and lactate were measured prior to the exercise, at 15 and 30 min during exercise, immediately after exercise, and 20, 40, 60, and 120 min after exercise. RESULTS: The major finding of this investigation was that the production plasma CK during the exercise significantly decreased for group AG than for group P. Secondary physiological finding was that 80% VO2max running was not improved over a 4-wk AG supplementation regimen. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with AG for 4 wk prior to an exhaustive aerobic treadmill running reduced the leakage of CK during exercise, but did not enhance aerobic work capacity. The reduction of plasma CK may be due to the fact that AG is effective for the decrease of skeletal muscle cell membrane damage, induced by exercise during the high-intensity treadmill run.

The HSP expression of passive repetitive plyometric trained skeletal muscle.

This study aims to understand the effect of ten-week passive repetitive plyometric (PRP) training on human skeletal muscle and the application of PRP training for performance. Vastus lateralis of nine candidates were aspirated before (pre) and after (post) PRP training. Histochemical approaches with regular hematoxylene-eosin (HE) and Mallory's phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH) stains were used to demonstrate the changes of muscle fibers. Immunohistochemical studies with heat shock protein (anti-hsp72, Stressgen, Canada) were employed to display cellular activities. Each set of slides was quantitatively analyzed by using a modified morphometric method (Russ and Dehoff, 1999) on a Nikon ECLIPSE 80i microscope, equipped with an Evolution VF COOLED color video camera, and the Image-Pro Plus software (5.0 for Win; Media Cybernetics, USA). Finally, hsp72 mRNAs of both pre-PRP and post-PRP specimens were amplified through RT-PCR. Signal intensities were read by a densitometer and analyzed through the SPSS (11.0 for Win) statistically. Post-PRP muscle cells demonstrated hypertrophic change with increased cellular content and a narrowed inter-cellular space according to both HE and PTAH profiles. Post-PRP cellular hsp72 proteins were higher by up to five percent, as measured by a gray-scale reading. Further, after a training period of 10 weeks, hsp72 mRNA expression was several times higher.

Methylprednisolone does not enhance the surfactant effects on oxygenation and histology in paraquat-induced rat lung injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether exogenous surfactant would improve gas exchange and lung histology and methylprednisolone pretreatment would enhance the surfactant effect in a rat model of paraquat-induced lung injury. SETTING: University research facility. SUBJECTS: Thirty-three adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. INTERVENTIONS: All rats received intraperitoneal paraquat injection (35 mg/kg) and were assigned randomly to one of four groups: the control group received no further treatment; the methylprednisolone group received a concomitant intraperitoneal methylprednisolone injection (30 mg/kg); the surfactant group received intratracheal Survanta (100 mg/kg) at the start of ventilation; and the methylprednisolone + surfactant group received both methylprednisolone and surfactant treatments. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Three days after paraquat injection, every rat was ventilated for 90 min, a static pressure-volume curve and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed and postmortem histology was examined. Treatment with surfactant and methylprednisolone + surfactant improved oxygenation relative to the control group and produced significantly higher lung volumes than the control and methylprednisolone groups. Treatment with surfactant resulted in a significant decrease in total cell and neutrophil counts relative to the control group. Surfactant with methylprednisolone pretreatment significantly decreased total cell, macrophage and neutrophil counts when compared with the surfactant group. The histological appearance of the lungs was better in the two surfactant-treated groups. CONCLUSION: Intratracheal instillation of surfactant improves gas exchange, ameliorates lung inflammation and results in less lung damage in paraquat-induced rat lung injury. Surfactant with methylprednisolone pretreatment decreases inflammatory cell infiltration, but cannot further improve oxygenation and lung histology.