Effect of an acute dose of omega-3 fish oil following exercise-induced muscle damage.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to examine the effect of two fish oil supplements, one high in EPA (750 mg EPA, 50 mg DHA) and one low in EPA (150 mg EPA, 100 mg DHA), taken acutely as a recovery strategy following EIMD. METHODS: Twenty-seven physically active males (26 ± 4 year, 1.77 ± 0.07 m, 80 ± 10 kg) completed 100 plyometric drop jumps to induce muscle damage. Perceptual (perceived soreness) and functional (isokinetic muscle strength at 60° and 180° s-1, squat jump performance and countermovement jump performance) indices of EIMD were recorded before, and 1, 24, 48, 72, and 96h after the damaging protocol. Immediately after the damaging protocol, volunteers ingested either a placebo (Con), a low-EPA fish oil (Low EPA) or a high-EPA fish oil (High EPA) at a dose of 1 g per 10 kg body mass. RESULTS: A significant group main effect was observed for squat jump, with the High EPA group performing better than Con and Low EPA groups (average performance decrement, 2.1, 8.3 and 9.8%, respectively), and similar findings were observed for countermovement jump performance, (average performance decrement, 1.7, 6.8 and 6.8%, respectively, p = 0.07). Significant time, but no interaction main effects were observed for all functional and perceptual indices measured, although large effect sizes demonstrate a possible ameliorating effect of high dose of EPA fish supplementation (effect sizes ≥0.14). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that an acute dose of high-EPA fish oil may ameliorate the functional changes following EIMD.

Abdominal sonography in asymptomatic executives: prevalence of pathologic findings, potential benefits, and problems.

Abdominal ultrasonography was performed on 1000 asymptomatic executives over a period of 6 months as part of a comprehensive health examination. The use of ultrasonography in these persons was evaluated with regard to the prevalence and variety of pathologic conditions detected as well as potential benefits, risks, and use as a screening tool. Significant sonographic diagnoses included renal cell carcinoma in four patients (0.4%) and abdominal aortic aneurysm in four patients (0.4%). Abdominal sonography performed on 7925 asymptomatic executives over a subsequent 2 1/2 year period led to detection of 23 (0.3%) additional renal cell carcinomas. The prevalence of renal cell carcinoma in this population is substantially greater than that of the general population. Abdominal sonography facilitates detection of occult renal neoplasms and aortic aneurysms. The cost effectiveness and potential use of sonography as a screening tool remains to be determined, however, given the relatively low overall prevalence of these pathologic conditions.

Mitral valve prolapse and anxiety disorders in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Much has been written about the occurrence of mitral valve prolapse among eating disordered patients. Despite this literature, a causal relationship between the two conditions has yet to be established. The present study evaluated 500 patients with eating disorders and demonstrated an association between a low median ideal body weight and the frequency of mitral valve prolapse (P less than 0.001). The physical signs and symptoms of mitral valve prolapse disappeared in eating disordered patients with the return of normal weight (P less than 0.001). Contrary to prior reports, there was no association between mitral valve prolapse and the occurrence of diagnosable panic or anxiety disorders. The results of this study suggest that the symptoms of anxiety and panic associated with mitral valve prolapse in eating disordered individuals may be due to physiologic change in cardiac status related to weight rather than central nervous system changes associated with classic anxiety disorders.

Sexual abuse in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Few studies have documented the extent and nature of sexual abuse among women who later come to treatment for anorexia nervosa or bulimia. This comparison study reports on a sample of 158 patients admitted to an eating-disorder unit, of whom 60 gave a history of sexual abuse, compared to 98 with no history of abuse. Fifty percent of the anorexic and bulimic patients had suffered sexual abuse, compared to only 28% of patients admitted with other eating-disorder diagnoses; this was a significant difference (p less than 0.001). Of the four types of abuse surveyed, only those patients suffering rape were likely to have sought help from caregivers prior to admission (p less than 0.001). The authors report on likely perpetrators of abuse, age of first abuse, and frequency of depressive symptoms in the abused population. The data from this study strongly suggest that the possibility of sexual assault or abuse must be assessed and the results included in a comprehensive therapy plan for eating-disorder patients.

Physical illness encountered in patients with eating disorders.

Careful evaluation for medical illness with a severity rating scale of 276 eating-disorder patients admitted to hospital revealed that patients with anorexia and bulimia were at risk for developing medical complications. Severe cardiovascular complications were most likely to occur in eating-disorder patients who were also diuretic and/or laxative abusers. Forty percent of patients with bulimia had significant medical complications. The findings suggest that a medical work-up should be carefully undertaken in both anorexic and bulimic patients admitted to hospital. A mixed history of severe anorexia nervosa alternating with periods of bulimia was most likely to lead to severe life-threatening illness. Seventy percent of the bulimic patients admitted required some medical treatment. Five percent were considered severely medically ill, while 34% suffered from a significant medical disorder. Ten percent of patients with restrictive anorexia or anorexia alternating with binge/purge required intensive care unit (ICU) placement. Most illnesses requiring medical treatment were unknown to the patient and the patient's physician at the time of admission.

Lunar receiving laboratory.

The Lunar Receiving Laboratory will be the permanent depository of a portion of the collection of lunar samples; it will safeguard the collection, providing continuing security and ensuring scientific integrity. In carrying out the time-dependent experiments and continuing functions of the laboratory, NASA will rely on visiting expert scientists supplementing a relatively small resident staff; outside scientists will be relied upon for most investigations and detailed analyses of samples. It is believed that the designed procedures and facilities provided will ensure the maximum scientific return from the Apollo Program in the way of information from lunar samples.