Non-Invasive Measurement of Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Response to Physical Activity. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Physical Activity and Arterial Stiffness: A Narrative Review

Arterial stiffness is a significant predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Physical activity (PA) has been extensively studied for its potential to reduce arterial stiffness, but the relationship between different types, durations, and intensities of PA and arterial stiffness remains a topic of ongoing research. Therefore, in this narrative review, we evaluated the current evidence focusing on the effect of PA on arterial stiffness and vascular health and discussed the known underlying physiological mechanisms. PA, irrespective of its intensity or pattern, is consistently associated with lower arterial stiffness. Aerobic exercise, particularly at higher intensities, is the most effective strategy for reducing arterial stiffness. These benefits are especially significant in populations with higher cardiovascular risk, such as those with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Therefore, maintaining an active lifestyle into older age is crucial for vascular health and may contribute to healthy aging.

Oxidative Stress in Pregnancy

Recent years have seen an increased interest in the role of oxidative stress (OS) in pregnancy. Pregnancy inherently heightens susceptibility to OS, a condition fueled by a systemic inflammatory response that culminates in an elevated presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in the circulatory system. The amplified OS in pregnancy can trigger a series of detrimental outcomes such as underdevelopment, abnormal placental function, and a host of pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia, embryonic resorption, recurrent pregnancy loss, fetal developmental anomalies, intrauterine growth restriction, and, in extreme instances, fetal death. The body's response to mitigate the uncontrolled increase in RNS/ROS levels requires trace elements that take part in non-enzymatic and enzymatic defense processes, namely, copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se). Determination of ROS concentrations poses a challenge due to their short half-lives, prompting the use of marker proteins, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). These markers, indicative of oxidative stress intensity, can offer indirect assessments of pregnancy complications. Given the limitations of conducting experimental studies on pregnant women, animal models serve as valuable substitutes for in-depth research. This review of such models delves into the mechanism of OS in pregnancy and underscores the pivotal role of OS markers in their evaluation.

Effect of exercise and antioxidant supplementation on cellular lipid peroxidation in elderly individuals: Systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background: The viewpoints of previous studies on the correlation between exercise and cellular lipid peroxidation are contradictory from many perspectives and lack evidence for elder individuals. A new systematic review with network meta-analysis is necessary and will have significant practical value to provide high-quality evidence in the development of exercise protocols and an evidence-based guide for antioxidant supplementation for the elderly. Aims: To identify the cellular lipid peroxidation induced by different types of exercise, with or without antioxidant supplementation, in elderly individuals. Methods: Randomized controlled trials that recruited elderly participants and reported cellular lipid peroxidation indicators and were published in peer-reviewed journals in English were searched by a Boolean logic search strategy and screened in the databases PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science. The outcome measures were the biomarkers of oxidative stress in cell lipids in urine and blood, namely F2-isoprostanes, hydrogen peroxide (LOOH, PEROX, or LIPOX), malondialdehyde (MDA), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Result: 7 trials were included. A combination program of aerobic exercise (AE), low-intensity resistance training (LIRT), and a placebo intake (Placebo) and a combination program of aerobic exercise, low-intensity resistance training, and antioxidant supplementation (S) had the most and sub-most potential to dampen cellular lipid peroxidation (AE + LIRT + Placebo: 0.31 in Rank 1 and 0.2 in Rank 2; AE + LIRT + S: 0.19 in Rank 1 and 0.20 in Rank 2); A placebo intake (Placebo) and a blank intervention without exercise (NE) had the most and sub-most potential to induce an enhancement of cellular lipid peroxidation (Placebo: 0.51 in Rank 9 and 0.16 in Rank 8; NE: 0.16 in Rank 9 and 0.28 in Rank 8). All included studies had an unclear risk of selecting reporting. There were no high confidence ratings in all the direct and indirect comparisons, 4 comparisons in the direct evidence structure and 7 comparisons in the indirect evidence structure had moderate confidence. Conclusion: A combined protocol consisting of aerobic exercise and low-intensity resistance training is recommended to dampen cellular lipid peroxidation. Extra antioxidant supplementation might be unnecessary if an elderly individual has enough aerobic and resistance exercise. Systematic Review Registration: CRD42022367430.