In recent years, the phase angle (PhA) as a raw bioelectrical impedance analysis variable has gained attention to assess cell integrity and its association to physical performance in either ...sports-related or clinical settings. However, data on healthy older adults are scarce. Therefore, data on body composition, physical performance and macronutrient intake from older adults (n = 326, 59.2% women, 75.2 ± 7.2 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Physical performance was evaluated by the Senior Fitness Test battery, gait speed, timed up and go and handgrip strength. Body composition was determined by the BIA and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (from a subgroup of n = 51). The PhA was negatively associated with the timed up and go test and age (r = -0.312 and -0.537,
< 0.001), and positively associated with the 6 min walk test, 30 s chair stand, handgrip strength, gait speed and physical performance score (r = 0.170-0.554,
< 0.05), but not protein intake (r = 0.050,
= 0.386). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that especially age, sex, BMI, but also the PhA predicted the performance test outcomes. In conclusion, the PhA seems to be an interesting contributor to physical performance, but sex- and age-specific norm values still need to be determined.
The purpose of this study was to investigated the effect of age – over or under life-expectancy (LE) – on six months resistance training alone or combined with a nutritional supplement, and cognitive ...training by analyzing markers for oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in institutionalized elderly, living in Vienna.
Three groups (n = 117, age = 83.1 ± 6.1 years) – resistance training (RT), RT combined with protein and vitamin supplementation (RTS) or cognitive training (CT) – performed two guided training sessions per week for six months. Oxidative stress, antioxidant defense and DNA strand breaks were analyzed and transformed into an “antioxidant factor” to compare the total effect of the intervention. Physical fitness was assessed by the 6-min-walking, the chair-rise and the handgrip strength tests.
We observed significant negative baseline correlations between 8-oxo-7.8-dihydroguanosine and handgrip strength (r = −0.350, p = 0.001), and between high sensitive troponin-T and the 6-min-walking test (r = −0.210, p = 0.035). RT and RTS groups, showed significant improvements in physical performance. Over LE, subjects of the RT group demonstrated a significant greater response in the “antioxidant factor” compared to RTS and CT (RT vs. RTS p = 0.033, RT vs. CT p = 0.028), whereas no difference was observed between the intervention groups under LE.
Six months of elastic band resistance training lead to improvements in antioxidant defense, DNA stability and oxidative damage, summarized in the “antioxidant factor”, however mainly in subjects over their statistical LE. Consuming a supplement containing antioxidants might inhibit optimal cellular response to exercise.
The study was approved by the ethics committee of the City of Vienna (EK-11–151–0811) and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01775111.
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•Physical fitness was linked to lower DNA damage and reduced cardiac risk markers.•Strength training improved the redox state, especially in the oldest subjects.•Consuming antioxidants seems to blunt optimal response to exercise in the elderly.
Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), such as omega-3 and omega-6 poly- and omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids are important nutrients and major components of neuronal cell membranes. They play a major ...role in modulating brain functions and physiology and may therefore diminish behavioral and physiological stress reactions in corroboration with decreased cortisol concentrations. Functionally, cortisol itself can modulate several behaviors and also the fatty acid metabolism in the long term. But only little is known about the behavioral and physiological influences of dietary UFAs in a social group, where individuals are regularly exposed to stressful situations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary UFAs on saliva cortisol concentrations and behavioral responses in socially confronted guinea pigs. Three groups of animals were additionally supplemented with 500 mg chia seeds (high in omega-3), walnuts (high in omega-6), or peanuts (high in omega-9) per kg bodyweight each day and compared to a control group. During social confrontation saliva cortisol concentrations significantly increased in all groups, which was accompanied by a loss in bodyweight. However, cortisol levels remained lower in the chia and walnut groups compared to controls. Additionally, the walnut group displayed significantly increased locomotion, while no differences between groups were detected in socio-positive, sexual, or aggressive behaviors. Total plasma omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids were significantly increased in the corresponding groups, due to the dietary supplementations. However, a significant decrease in plasma omega-3 and an increase in plasma n-6 fatty acids were detected in the chia group when comparing the measurements before and after social confrontation. We conclude that both omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids can diminish behavioral and physiological stress responses to the social environment, enabling individuals to cope with social stressors, but at the expense of plasma derived omega-3 fatty acids.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Bilirubin, a by-product of haem catabolism, possesses potent endogenous antioxidant and platelet inhibitory properties. These properties may be useful in inhibiting inappropriate platelet activation ...and ROS production; for example, during storage for transfusion. Given the hydrophobicity of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB), we investigated the acute platelet inhibitory and ROS scavenging ability of a water-soluble bilirubin analogue, bilirubin ditaurate (BRT) on ex vivo platelet function to ascertain its potential suitability for inclusion during platelet storage.
The inhibitory potential of BRT (10-100 μM) was assessed using agonist induced platelet aggregation, dense granule exocytosis and flow cytometric analysis of P-selectin and GPIIb/IIIa expression. ROS production was investigated by analysis of H
DCFDA fluorescence following agonist simulation while mitochondrial ROS production investigated using MitoSOX™ Red. Platelet mitochondrial membrane potential and viability was assessed using TMRE and Zombie Green™ respectively.
Our data shows ≤35 μM BRT significantly inhibits both dense and alpha granule exocytosis as measured by ATP release and P-selectin surface expression, respectively. Significant inhibition of GPIIb/IIIa expression was also reported upon ≤35 μM BRT exposure. Furthermore, platelet exposure to ≤10 μM BRT significantly reduces platelet mitochondrial ROS production. Despite the inhibitory effect of BRT, platelet viability, mitochondrial membrane potential and agonist induced aggregation were not perturbed.
These data indicate, for the first time, that BRT, a water-soluble bilirubin analogue, inhibits platelet activation and reduces platelet ROS production ex vivo and may, therefore, may be of use in preserving platelet function during storage.
The WHO European Region has the lowest exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates at 6 months in the world. In Austria, 55.5% of infants are EBF at the age of one week, although breastfeeding initiation is ...97.5%. The study was conducted in 2019/2020 and considered 1214 mothers of legal age, who received four online questionnaires during their child's first year of life. The influence of different variables on total/exclusive breastfeeding duration were analysed by using a Cox model (Extension of the Cox Proportional Hazards Model) with time-dependent covariates. Multivariate analyses showed a significant influence of maternal BMI, lifestyle factors, such as smoking, and breastfeeding support on total breastfeeding duration. Remarkable differences in the median duration of any breastfeeding were found for breastfeeding support, where mothers breastfed twice as long. Support came primarily from hospital staff, the midwife and the partner. A higher monthly household net income, delivery in a baby-friendly certified hospital (BFH) and breastfeeding support were associated with a longer EBF duration. Obese mothers started feeding infant formula earlier and had a higher risk of early weaning. The results offer valuable insights into the importance of breastfeeding-friendly structures such as BFHs, a focus on breastfeeding aftercare and support of the mother to promote and protect breastfeeding.
Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), including omega-3, omega-6 polyunsaturated and omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids, are essential components and modulators of neuromembranes and may affect various ...aspects of physiology and cognition. UFAs are suggested to positively affect spatial learning and memory and also to diminish the negative consequences of physiological stress on cognitive abilities. Due to pronounced sex differences in neurophysiological functions, we hypothesize that these UFA-related effects might differ between male and female individuals. We therefore determined the effects of dietary UFAs on cognitive performances in a radial-Y-maze in male and female guinea pigs in relation to saliva cortisol concentrations, a marker for physiological stress. Animals were assigned to four treatment groups and maintained on diets enriched in either chia seeds (omega-3), walnuts (omega-6), or peanuts (omega-9), or a control diet. Female learning abilities throughout a three-day learning phase were positively affected by omega-3 and omega-9, as determined by a decreasing latency to pass the test and the number of conducted errors, while males generally showed distinct learning abilities, irrespective of the diet. A sex difference in learning performances was found in the control group, with males outperforming females, which was not detected in the UFA-supplemented groups. This was paralleled by significantly increased saliva cortisol concentrations in males throughout the cognition test compared to females. Three days after this learning phase, UFA-supplemented males and all females showed unchanged performances, while control males showed an increased latency and therefore an impaired performance. These results were corroborated by pronounced differences in the plasma UFA-status, corresponding to the different dietary treatments. Our findings indicate sex-specific effects of dietary UFAs, apparently enhancing spatial learning abilities only in females and protecting males from long-term memory impairment, while male learning abilities seem to be more strongly affected by an acute physiological stress response to the maze task.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Vitamin D status is associated with muscle strength and performance in older adults. To examine the additive effects of vitamin D3 supplementation during resistance training, 100 seniors (65-85 ...years) participated in a 16-week intervention. Besides a daily dose of 400 mg of calcium, participants received either 800 IU vitamin D3 per day (VDD), 50,000 IU vitamin D3 per month (VDM) or nothing (CON). After the initial loading phase of four weeks, all groups started a 10-week resistance training program. Assessments of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status, muscle strength endurance (30-s chair stand and arm curl tests), aerobic capacity (6-min walk test) and functional mobility (gait speed and timed up and go test) were undertaken at baseline, after four weeks and at the end of the study. 25(OH)D status significantly improved in VDD and VDM, but not in CON (time x group:
= 0.021), as 15.2% of CON, 40.0% of VDD and 61.1% of VDM reached vitamin D sufficiency (>30 ng/mL;
= 0.004). Chair stand test, arm curl test, 6-min walk test, gait speed and timed up and go test improved over the whole intervention period (
< 0.05), however only chair stand and arm curl test were selectively affected by resistance training (
< 0.001). Neither muscle strength endurance, nor functional mobility or aerobic capacity were modulated by vitamin D supplementation. Therefore, the mere amelioration of 25(OH)D status of older adults does not lead to an additive effect on muscular performance during RT.
Scope: Coffee is among the most frequently consumed beverages. Its consumption is inversely associated to the incidence of diseases related to reactive oxygen species; the phenomenon may be due to ...its antioxidant properties. Our primary objective was to investigate the impact of consumption of a coffee containing high levels of chlorogenic acids on the oxidation of proteins, DNA and membrane lipids; additionally, other redox biomarkers were monitored in an intervention trial. Methods and results: The treatment group (n=36) consumed instant coffee co-extracted from green and roasted beans, whereas the control consumed water (800 mL/P/day, 5 days). A global statistical analysis of four main biomarkers selected as primary outcomes showed that the overall changes are significant. 8-Isoprostaglandin F2α in urine declined by 15.3%, 3-nitrotyrosine was decreased by 16.1%, DNA migration due to oxidized purines and pyrimidines was (not significantly) reduced in lymphocytes by 12.5 and 14.1%. Other markers such as the total antioxidant capacity were moderately increased; e.g. LDL and malondialdehyde were shifted towards a non-significant reduction. Conclusion: The oxidation of DNA, lipids and proteins associated with the incidence of various diseases and the protection against their oxidative damage may be indicative for beneficial health effects of coffee.
Aging is considered a state of low grade inflammation, occurring in the absence of any overt infection often referred to as ‘inflammaging'. Maintaining intestinal homeostasis may be a target to ...extend a healthier status in older adults. Here, we report that even in healthy older men low grade bacterial endotoxemia is prevalent. In addition, employing multiple mouse models, we also show that while intestinal microbiota composition changes significantly during aging, fecal microbiota transplantation to old mice does not protect against aging-associated intestinal barrier dysfunction in small intestine. Rather, intestinal NO homeostasis and arginine metabolism mediated through arginase and NO synthesis is altered in small intestine of aging mice. Treatment with the arginase inhibitor norNOHA prevented aging-associated intestinal barrier dysfunction, low grade endotoxemia and delayed the onset of senescence in peripheral tissue e.g., liver. Intestinal arginine and NO metabolisms could be a target in the prevention of aging-associated intestinal barrier dysfunction and subsequently decline and ‘inflammaging'.
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•In humans ‘healthy' aging is associated with increased levels of TLR2 and TLR4 ligands in blood.•‘Healthy' aging is associated with an impaired intestinal barrier function in mice.•NO metabolism rather than the intestinal microbiota seems to affect aging associated intestinal barrier dysfunction.
Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation, increased ROS production and DNA damage. Supplementation with antioxidants might ameliorate DNA damage and support epigenetic regulation of DNA ...repair. C57BL/6J male mice were fed a high-fat (HFD) or a control diet (CD) with and without vitamin E supplementation (4.5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) for four months. DNA damage, DNA promoter methylation and gene expression of
and a DNA repair gene (
) were assayed in liver and colon. The HFD resulted in organ specific changes in DNA damage, the epigenetically important
gene, and the DNA repair gene
. Vitamin E reduced DNA damage and showed organ-specific effects on
and
gene expression and methylation. These results suggest that interventions with antioxidants and epigenetic active food ingredients should be developed as an effective prevention for obesity-and oxidative stress-induced health risks.
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