A well-oxygenated cells environment may help to fight against protein glycation.

OBJECTIVES: Normoglycemic Wistar rats' Glycated Hemoglobin Levels (GHL) showed a time-dependent difference between control groups and those exposed to regular inhalation of peroxidizing extracts of turpentine. These extracts were able to optimize the oxygen permeation at the cellular level during and subsequently to a breathing session. The more the rats breathed turpentine peroxidized vapor, the lower their GHL was. This study was designed to confirm, in ex-vivo blood samples, the impact of peroxidizing extract on the GHL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Red blood cells were separated from plasmas by centrifugation. Plasmas were treated by peroxidizing and non-peroxidizing turpentine vapor or untreated (control), then combined with washed red blood cells three hours before evaluation. Glycation of hemoglobin proteins was quantified according to the Habeed's method. RESULTS: The ex-vivo experiments showed that the peroxidizing terpenes reduced the GHL after a three-hour contact. So did oxidized terpenes. Controls and the volatile component of the expended essential oil showed the opposite results. CONCLUSION: Optimal oxygenation, especially when facilitated by the peroxidized volatile component of the essential oil of turpentine, can protect organisms (mammals in this study) from protein glycation. Optimizing oxygenation can also reduce the GHL of treated blood samples after three hours of incubation.

The essential oil of turpentine and its major volatile fraction (alpha- and beta-pinenes): a review.

This paper provides a summary review of the major biological features concerning the essential oil of turpentine, its origin and use in traditional and modern medicine. More precisely, the safety of this volatile fraction to human health, and the medical, biological and environmental effects of the two major compounds of this fraction (alpha- and beta-pinenes) have been discussed.

Antioxidant activity of Bol d'Air Jacquier breathing sessions in Wistar rats--first studies.

OBJECTIVES: The Bol d'Air Jacquier is used to create a molecule able to deliver oxygen at the cellular level to manage hypoxia due to environmental pollution, ageing, or inflammatory disease. This study was designed to determine, firstly, whether the device generated oxidative stress and, secondly, whether it might induce an antioxidant effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a period of 62 weeks, 10 male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups: the Bol d'Air group (BA) regularly breathed peroxidizing terpens delivered by the device and the control group breathed water vapour during 9-min sessions, at the frequency of 1-12 per month. Several antioxidant compounds and KRL levels were determined in the blood and major organs. RESULTS: The results showed that the two groups did not differ with respect to the organ concentrations of Cu, Zn SOD, GPx, GSH, GSSG and TBARS. The device might have a weak slimming effect over time. The BA group presented a significantly higher GR level in plasma throughout the experiment, and in the muscle at the end of the study. In the BA group, the plasma Cu, Zn SOD level was related to the number of breathing sessions per week before blood collection. The BA group also had a higher KRLantioxidant status at two different time-points: at the onset of the study, in the blood of young rats; and after three breathing sessions per week, in the blood and RBCs of old rats. CONCLUSIONS: The device did not generate oxidative stress and seemed to produce global antioxidant effect depending on the number of sessions per week, especially in old rats.

Effects of medium-pressure UV lamps radiation on water quality in a chlorinated indoor swimming pool.

The aim of our study was to determine the impact of medium-pressure UV lamps radiation on water quality in a chlorinated indoor swimming pool. An indoor swimming pool was equipped with two medium-pressure UV lamps. We collected eight samples of water daily over a four-weeks period and measured total and free chlorine, pH, water temperature, bacteriological parameters, total organic carbon and trihalomethanes. During the first week, which served as control, medium-pressure UV lamps were turned off. During the next three weeks, medium-pressure UV lamps were kept on 24 h per day. The third week, we reduced the level of the injected chlorine into water, and the last week we also reduced the water renewal volume by 27%. Our results showed that bacteriological parameters remained within allowable french limits. When medium-pressure UV lamps were kept on, total, free and active chlorine levels were significantly increased (P<0.001), whereas combined chlorine level were significantly decreased (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). The levels of chloroform and bromodichloromethane were significantly increased when medium-pressure UV lamps were kept on (P<0.001), whereas chlorodibromomethane and bromoform levels significantly decreased (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively). The additional formation of chloroform and bromodichloromethane may be explained by the increase in active chlorine and by radicalizing mechanisms initiated by UV radiation.

Effects of an enhanced heart rate reserve on aerobic performance in patients with a heart transplant.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a high-intensity warm-up at the start of a graded, symptom-limited exercise test would enhance heart rate reserve and thus improve the aerobic performance of orthotopic heart transplant patients. DESIGN: Adrenal and cardiorespiratory responses were compared in 10 orthotopic heart transplant patients who performed two graded, symptom-limited exercise tests on an ergocycle. RESULTS: At the start of the graded, symptom-limited exercise test, high intensity increased the norepinephrine level more than usual intensity between rest and the third minute of exercise. This higher norepinephrine level was followed by a higher heart rate response from the fourth minute of exercise. Heart rate reserve was enhanced during high-intensity exercise, without any significant change in peak oxygen uptake. CONCLUSIONS: This specific warm-up enhanced heart rate reserve during a graded, symptom-limited exercise test on an ergocycle. Mechanisms more important than limited heart rate reserve are involved in the limitation of exercise tolerance in orthotopic heart transplant patients.