Improvement of metabolic syndrome markers through altitude specific hiking vacations.

To study the influence of a 3-week hiking vacation at moderate (1700 m) and low altitude (LA) (200 m) on key-markers of the metabolic syndrome, 71 male volunteers (age 36-66 yr old) with the metabolic syndrome [according to the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) - or World Health Organization (WHO) - definition] participated in the study and were randomly assigned into a moderate altitude (MA) group (1700 m, no. 36) and a low altitude (LA) group (200 m, no. 35). The 3-week vacation program included 12 moderate- intensity guided hiking tours [4 times/week, 55-65% heart rate maximum (HRmax)] with a total exercise time of 29 h plus moderate recreational activities. Both study groups had a comparable and balanced nutrition with no specific dietary restrictions. Anthropometric, metabolic and cardiovascular parameters were measured 10-14 days before vacation, several times during the 3-week vacation, 7-10 days and 6-8 weeks after return. All participants tolerated the vacation without any adverse effects. Body weight, body fat, waist-circumference, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), plasma fibrinogen, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly decreased over time in both study groups. In the LA group, fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-index were significantly decreased one week after return. Relative cycle ergometry performance was significantly increased after return compared to baseline. In both study groups, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides remained unchanged. The 3-week vacation intervention at moderate and LA had a positive influence on all key-markers of the metabolic syndrome. No clinically relevant differences could be detected between the study groups. A hiking vacation at moderate and LA can be recommended for people with stable, controlled metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors.

Does oxygenated water support aerobic performance and lactate kinetics?

It has been asserted that the consumption of oxygenated water can support physical working capacity. As this has not been accurately investigated yet we analyzed effects of a two-week period of daily O2-water ingestion on spiroergometric parameters and lactate metabolism in healthy adults. Twenty men (24 +/- 2.5 years of age) with comparable aerobic abilities performed four exhaustive bicycle spiroergometric tests. Applying a double-blind crossover study design 10 subjects drank 1.5 liters of highly oxygenated water every day during the two weeks between the initial two tests whereas the other group consumed 1.5 liters untreated water from the same spring. After a two-week wash-out period subjects underwent a second period consuming the opposite type of water. Spiroergometric parameters and lactate kinetics between both groups at submaximal and maximal levels were analyzed using a MANOVA. Results showed no significant influence on aerobic parameters or lactate metabolism, neither at submaximal nor at maximal levels (all p-values > or = 0.050). Merely increments of VEO2 at submaximal levels were demonstrable (p = 0.048). We conclude that the consumption of oxygenated water does not enhance aerobic performance or lactate kinetics in standardized laboratory testing.

Does aerobic training improve mental stress tolerance in job situations?

AIM: Effects of aerobic fitness on cognitive performance (CP) in elderly persons have been investigated with contradictory RESULTS: However, these effects have not been explored in occupationally active young and healthy subjects yet. Therefore we studied the effects of an aerobic training on CP during mental stress and in low demanding situations. METHODS: Twenty-seven healthy volunteer students performed a maximal bicycle exercise test and 2 computerized psychological examinations at the begin and the end of a 3 month period of individualized aerobic training. The psychological tests were the ''Determinations-test'' (DT), which is a multi-task stress test, and the ''Vigilance test'' (VT), representing a low demanding situation. According to the outcome of the aerobic training 2 groups were formed: those with moderate and those with good training effects. RESULTS: Results showed no significant differences between the 2 groups over the training period (5 parameters at DT and 4 at VT were n.s., 1 result at VT with p<0.05 was interpreted as a regression to the mean). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that neither CP at high stress nor vigilance during low demanding periods can be influenced by an improvement of aerobic fitness in occupationally active young and healthy persons.

Seasonal variation of lipid-lowering effects of complex spa therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It has been shown that spa therapy has a lipid-lowering effect. Also, seasonal variations in spa therapy effects have been found for some outcome measures. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the lipid-lowering effects of spa therapy as a complex health intervention also are subject to seasonal variation. METHOD: The effect of 3-week resident spa therapy at the Austrian spa Bad Tatzmannsdorf was studied in 395 patients with moderate musculoskeletal chronic pain over a time of 2 years. Spa therapy included balneotherapy, exercise therapy, and dietary measures. Total cholesterol (CHOL), HDL, LDL, triglycerides (TG), and the CHOL/HDL ratio were assessed at the beginning and end of therapy. RESULTS: Spa therapy was associated with a decrease of CHOL, HDL, and LDL (p < 0.001). TG and CHOL/HDL did not change. The decrease of lipids was smaller for older patients, females, and normal weight individuals. CHOL decrease showed a seasonal variation independent of weight loss (p = 0.04), being largest in fall (-6.1%) and smallest in spring (-2.4%). CHOL and CHOL/HDL for obese individuals showed the greatest decrease in winter (-10% for CHOL, -9% for CHOL/HDL ratio), whereas corresponding measures increased for normal-weight subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The lipid-lowering effect of spa therapy could be confirmed; it is partly moderated by season. The results suggest that the effect of some components of spa therapy such as exercise therapy, diet, and relaxation may be subject to seasonal variation.

Effect of sulfur baths on antioxidative defense systems, peroxide concentrations and lipid levels in patients with degenerative osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Due to possible antiinflammatory effects, sulfur baths are widely used for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Previously it was demonstrated that drinking cures with sulfur can improve the antioxidative defense system and lower the peroxide levels of patients with chronic degenerative osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: This study therefore sought to investigate the effect of 3-week therapy with sulfur baths on antioxidative defense systems, peroxide concentrations, and lipid levels in patients with degenerative osteoarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After randomization one group of patients (n = 19) received sulfur baths during their stay at a health resort (sulfur group), whereas the other age-matched patient group served as controls (n = 19, control group), only receiving spa therapy. Total cholesterol levels, HDL, LDL, triglycerides and the antioxidative status, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and peroxide concentration, as an oxidative stress parameter, were evaluated at the begin and end of therapy. RESULTS: A 17.2% decline in peroxide concentrations (p = 0.10, n.s.) and significant lower SOD activities (p < 0.001) were detected in the sulfur group at the end of the therapy. Until the end of therapy total cholesterol levels changed differentially (p = 0.007) in the sulfur group (from 229.11 +/- 34.47 mg/dl to 217.46 +/- 40.45 mg/dl) and in the control group (from 197.63 +/- 34.66 mg/dl to 207.95 +/- 33.02 mg/dl). A similar significant group difference was found for LDL (p = 0.017), with a 5.9% reduction in the sulfur group and a 6.1% increase in the control group. Triglyceride concentrations were nonsignificantly reduced in both groups after 3 weeks at the health resort (sulfur group 11.2%, control group 20.2%). HDL values only minimally changed in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results presented here suggest that a sulfur bath therapy could cause a reduction in oxidative stress, alterations of SOD activities, and a tendency towards improvement of lipid levels.

The effect of balneotherapy on ambulatory blood pressure.

CONTEXT: Balneotherapy, a treatment that includes carbon dioxide and mud baths as well as massages and physical therapy, is successfully used in the treatment of rheumatic pain and other disorders such as cardiovascular and gynecological disease. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of a 3-week treatment of balneotherapy on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in 35 patients. DESIGN: Balneotherapeutic applications were applied between 2 and 5 times a week and had a duration of 20 minutes. The mean 24-hour blood pressure, daytime blood pressure (7 AM to 10 PM), nighttime blood pressure (10 PM to 6 AM), nighttime dipping, and 24-hour blood pressure variability were measured. The effect of balneotherapy was evaluated using analysis of variance. In addition, the circadian variation of blood pressure was calculated using a cosinor analysis. SETTING: The Austrian spa resort Bad Tatzmannsdorf. PARTICIPANTS: 35 balneotherapy patients (15 men, 20 women). INTERVENTION: Balneotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure was measured with an ambulatory monitor using an oscillometric method. RESULTS: The results indicated that the 24-hour blood pressure and day- and nighttime blood pressure of patients with medium and high initial values decreased significantly (P < .05) after 3 weeks of balneotherapy, whereas patients with low blood pressure showed almost no change. The 24-hour blood pressure variation pattern of patients with medium values remained nearly unchanged during the balneotherapy. In contrast, a clear improvement in the circadian variation variables of patients with high initial blood pressure could be detected at the end of balneotherapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with medium and, especially, higher initial blood pressure values seem to benefit from balneotherapy.

Relative timing of inspiration and expiration affects respiratory sinus arrhythmia.

1. The effect of a variation in inspiration and expiration times on heart rate variability was studied in 12 healthy subjects (mean age 30+/-6 years; five females). 2. Two 2 min trials of controlled breathing, with either short inspiration followed by long expiration or long inspiration followed by short expiration, were compared. Average expiration/inspiration time ratios were 1.0 and 3.4, respectively. The respiration rate in both trials was approximately 10 cycles/min. 3. In trials with short inspiration followed by long expiration, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA; as measured by mean absolute differences and by the high frequency band) was significantly larger than in trials with long inspiration followed by short expiration. This effect could not be accounted for by differences in respiration rate or respiratory amplitude. The higher RSA during fast/slow respiration is primarily due to a more pronounced phasic heart rate increase during inspiration, indicating that inspiratory vagal blockade is sensitive to the steepness of inspiration. 4. Respiration rate and tidal volume are respiratory variables known to modulate RSA. The results of the present study indicate that RSA can also be modulated by a third respiratory variable, the expiratory/inspiratory time ratio.

Does vacation enable recuperation? Changes in well-being associated with time away from work.

The objective of this paper was to study the change of well-being associated with vacation and the effect of vacation related variables on these changes. Fifty-three employees (16 women, 37 men) of a medium sized aluminium hardware manufacturer in Austria participated. Measures were taken 10 days before and 3 days after vacation. A small follow-up group at 5 weeks post-vacation was included. Three days after vacation, physical complaints, the quality of sleep and mood had improved as compared to before vacation. Average life satisfaction did not change during vacation. Five weeks after vacation subjects still reported less physical complaints than before vacation. The experienced recuperation during vacation explained 56% of the variance regarding the change of well-being. Moderating variables of recuperation were the amount of personally available time and vacation satisfaction. Furthermore, the number of stressful days at home were associated negatively, while the number of non-stressful days at home and the number of days away from home correlated moderately positively with recuperation. The study indicates that vacation may improve well-being on a short term basis.

The change of well-being associated with spa therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The present exploratory study sought to examine the changes of well-being associated with 3 weeks of resort based spa therapy. This is a traditional form of health enhancement incorporating balneotherapy, physical therapies, and health education in an inpatient setting. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Subjects were spa patients (n = 153, mean age 58 years) with chronic pain and other age related complaints of moderately higher than normal prevalence. The well-being variables were vegetative complaints, pain, fatigue, positive and negative mood, and health satisfaction assessed at the beginning and end of spa treatment as well as 5 weeks and 12 months thereafter. RESULTS: Well-being improved significantly in all variables during spa therapy, the improvement continuing with a slight deterioration at 5 weeks after the stay. After 12 months, vegetative complaints and fatigue had again reached pre-spa levels, whereas pain, positive and negative mood as well as health satisfaction remained improved. Both patients with high and low levels of pain increase their well-being, although pain patients showed greater improvements in some of the measures. Subjects not responding to spa therapy were older and showed less health satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that spa therapy may be a powerful tool in enhancing well-being in progressed middle aged adults with common health impairments.

Calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc content of menu components: comparison of analysed with calculated values.

The objective of this study was to show whether analysed nutrient data correlate with calculated values from a food database. For this purpose the calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc contents of 62 menu components from lunch menus were determined with ICP-AES. Then the analysed values were compared with calculated values from a widely used food database. Our results indicated that there is a significant correlation (p < 0.01) between the analysed and calculated values of all four elements. The correlation coefficient as determined with nonparametric correlation analysis was 0.807 for calcium, 0.786 for magnesium, 0.772 for zinc, and 0.414 for copper. Although these correlations are significant, great differences between analysed and calculated values for all four elements could be found when considering single menu components. Therefore data of studies illustrating analysed with calculated values of single menu components have practical importance.

The plasma membrane Fe(3+)-reductase activity of Caco-2 cells is modulated during differentiation.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the brush border membrane ferric reductase activity of Caco-2 cells is modulated during cell differentiation. The ferric reductase activity was determined in whole cells and isolated microvillous membranes at different stages of cell differentiation by measuring the amount of Fe3+ reduced during the incubation time. Our results indicated that the ferric reductase activity decreased in fastly growing cells and reactivated in postconfluent cells in contrast to the alkaline phosphatase and sucrase activities which were progressively expressed during differentiation as conventional indicators of cell maturity. The lowest ferric reductase activity was found in cells at the log phase of proliferation, while freshly seeded or highly differentiated cells had significantly higher enzyme activities. Cells grown under serum-free conditions had similar ferric iron reduction rates as cells propagated under standard conditions. Reagents or hormones affecting cell metabolism through different pathways had no significant effect on this transplasma membrane redox system.

Moderierende Variablen der Placebowirkung.

Modifying Variables of the Placebo Effect This essay discusses the question which psychological variables modify the placebo effect. Experimental as well as clinical studies were considered. The placebo model referred to in this article is the model of expectancy induction and expectancy effect. Besides the strength of expectancy several other variables foster the placebo effect. These are for example (a) the attitude and expectation of the doctor or placebo prescriber, (b) the motivation to give rise to a change as well as the importance of a change for the individual and (c) the extent of freedom of choice with regard to the acceptance of the treatment. On the other hand, high levels of self-awareness and experience with the method tend to inhibit the placebo effect. The placebo effect does not seem to be modified by traditional personality traits like generalized anxiety and hypnotic susceptibility.