Redox Status of Postmenopausal Women with Single or Multiple Cardiometabolic Diseases Has a Similar Response to Mat Pilates Training

Mitochondrial DNA in atherosclerosis: Mechanisms, biomarker potential, and therapeutic perspectives

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has emerged as a key contributor to its pathogenesis. We synthesized evidence from experimental and clinical studies showing that mtDNA damage, release, and mutation profoundly affect endothelial cells, macrophages, and vascular smooth muscle cells, thereby driving plaque initiation and progression. By activating immune signaling pathways-including cGAS-STING, NLRP3 inflammasome, and TLR9-mtDNA amplifies inflammation and oxidative stress, exacerbating atherosclerotic lesion development. We further highlight that mtDNA copy number variations and specific mtDNA mutations may serve as biomarkers for early atherosclerosis detection and risk stratification. In reviewing these data, we also discuss promising therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating mtDNA damage, such as mitochondria-targeted antioxidants and enhanced mitophagy, which have shown preliminary efficacy in delaying plaque progression. Overall, this review underscores mtDNA's dual role as both a driver of atherosclerosis and a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target.

Exploring the nonlinear association between cardiometabolic index and hypertension in U.S. Adults: an NHANES-based study

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a prevalent chronic disease affecting over 1.2 billion people worldwide, representing a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) and Triglyceride to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio are established metabolic indicators linked to the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Recently, a Cardiometabolic Index (CMI), combining WHtR and TG/HDL-C ratios, has been proposed to provide a comprehensive assessment of metabolic health. This study investigates the association between CMI and hypertension using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

METHODS

The study utilized NHANES data from nine cycles spanning 2001 to 2018, encompassing 20,049 participants aged over 20. Exclusions were made for individuals with incomplete CMI or hypertension data, and pregnant women. CMI was calculated by multiplying the WHtR by the TG/HDL-C ratio. Hypertension was defined according to American Heart Association guidelines. The relationship between CMI and hypertension was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analyses, with additional subgroup analyses conducted based on demographic factors. Nonlinear relationships were analyzed using smoothing curve fitting techniques.

RESULTS

The study identified a significant positive correlation between CMI and hypertension risk, with an increase of one unit in CMI associated with a 9% heightened risk of hypertension (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.13). The association remained significant across various demographic subgroups. A nonlinear relationship was observed, with a critical CMI threshold of 2.64. Below this threshold, higher CMI values were associated with a progressively higher prevalence of hypertension, whereas beyond this threshold, further increases in CMI did not significantly correlate with an elevated risk of hypertension.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates that CMI is significantly associated with hypertension risk and may serve as a valuable tool for early screening and risk assessment, particularly in identifying individuals at higher risk before reaching the critical CMI threshold. These results underscore the importance of addressing metabolic health in the prevention and management of hypertension. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to establish causality, explore the clinical utility of CMI in hypertension screening, and examine its applicability in diverse populations.

The Influence of Mat Pilates Training on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Postmenopausal Women with Single or Multiple Cardiometabolic Diseases

This study compared the effects of Mat Pilates training on cardiovascular risk markers in postmenopausal women with single or multiple cardiometabolic conditions. Forty-four women were divided into single-condition (SINGLE; n = 20) and multiple-condition (MULTI; n = 24) groups. Both groups completed Mat Pilates three times per week for 12 weeks. Measurements of resting blood pressure, body composition, dietary intake, and blood markers were taken before and after the intervention. A Generalized Estimating Equation was used for hypothesis testing. MULTI presented higher body mass, BMI, fat mass, and waist circumference. Systolic blood pressure decreased more in SINGLE (-13 ± 15 mmHg) than in MULTI (-3 ± 16 mmHg, p interaction = 0.016 with diastolic reductions in both groups (SINGLE: -9 ± 12 mmHg; MULTI: -2 ± 11 mmHg, p interaction = 0.053). Triglycerides decreased only in SINGLE (-40 ± 98 mg/dL vs. +31 ± 70 mg/dL in MULTI, p interaction = 0.006), while no significant changes were observed in cholesterol levels. Adiponectin levels decreased in both groups (SINGLE: -1.5 ± 16.3; MULTI: -9.3 ± 12.4 vs. µg/dL, p time = 0.015). Glycated hemoglobin levels decreased over time in both groups (-0.3 ± 0.5% in SINGLE, -0.5 ± 0.6% in MULTI, p time < 0.001), with no significant changes in blood glucose. These findings suggest that Mat Pilates may be more effective in reducing cardiometabolic risk factors in women with a single condition compared to those with multiple conditions.

Psychophysiological Adaptations to Pilates Training in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Topical Review

The prevalence of overweightness and obesity has been documented as a major public health issue since it has increased at an alarming rate worldwide. Structured physical exercise programs have been reported as an essential strategy for preventing, managing, and treating obesity, inducing critical improvements in various physiological and psychological markers. However, it is unclear whether Pilates training can elicit positive changes in body composition, physical fitness, cardiometabolic health, and well-being among overweight and obese populations. The purpose of this topical review was to catalog studies investigating the physiological and psychological adaptations to Pilates training in order to identify what outcomes have been assessed, the research methods used, and the results. The inclusion/exclusion criteria were met by 14 published articles involving 582 participants (83% female) who were overweight or obese. The present topical review on Pilates training-induced adaptations shows that this widely used exercise type can significantly improve the majority of the selected indicators. These beneficial changes are frequently focused on anthropometric parameters, body composition, glucose, and lipid metabolism, as well as blood pressure in sedentary overweight or obese women. Specialized equipment-based Pilates interventions and trials investigating various mental health indices were limited. Further research is warranted in this area, emphasizing the Pilates training configuration and potential mechanisms behind positive alterations in several psychophysiological markers through large-scale randomized controlled trials with superior methodological quality, implementing long-term interventions in various populations that are overweight and obese.