Elderly Subjects Supplemented with L-Glutamine Shows an Improvement of Mucosal Immunity in the Upper Airways in Response to Influenza Virus Vaccination

Novel insights into athlete physical recovery concerning lactate metabolism, lactate clearance and fatigue monitoring: A comprehensive review

Lactate accumulation will appear in athlete skeletal muscle after intense exercise. If the high lactate level maintains, athletes will sustain fatigue and athletic capacity decline due to internal environment and normal metabolism disruption. In order to enhance athlete physical recovery and exercise performance in high-intensity sport events, it is of great significance to explore the scientific intervention procedures based on quicker lactate clearance in skeletal muscle and blood after exercise. This article collects classic and novel literature in terms of lactate metabolism, lactate clearance and fatigue monitoring during exercise by searching PubMed database and then summarizes comprehensive insights into athlete physical recovery with corresponding figures and charts. We introduce the generation and transformation process of lactate, lactate clearance pathways and the fatigue monitoring methods for athletes in detail. The lactate clearance pathways involve biochemical pathways (oxygen inhalation, amino acids supplement, targeting free radical, alkaline reserve, targeting vasomotion, ribose supplement), physical activities (exercise-mediated activities, non-exercise activities) and training methods (interval training, altitude training) to accelerate lactate metabolism. The biochemical factors for monitoring athletic fatigue level involve blood, urine, sweat, saliva and exhaled gas. We hope this review can offer some significant and scientific assistance for athlete recovering after exercise and improving sport achievements based on quicker lactate clearance.

Supplementation of L-glutamine enhanced mucosal immunity and improved hormonal status of combat-sport athletes

BACKGROUND

Maintaining proper immune function and hormone status is important for athletes to avoid upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and insufficient recovery, which is detrimental to sport performance and health. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether three-week supplementation of L-glutamine could benefit the mucosal immunity and hormonal status of combat-sport athletes as well as their rates of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and subjective feelings of well-being after intensive training.

METHODS

Twenty-one combat-sport athletes from the National Taiwan University of Sport were recruited in this study. After intensive training, two groups of the participants were asked to consume powder form of 0.3 g/kg body weight of L-glutamine (GLU group) or maltodextrin (PLA group) with drinking water in a randomized design at the same time every day during 3 weeks. Saliva samples were collected to measure immunoglobulin A (IgA), nitric oxide (NO), testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) before and after three-week supplementation; moreover, Hooper's index questionnaires were completed for wellness assessment. The incidence and duration of URTI were recorded by using a health checklist throughout the entire study period.

RESULTS

Supplementation of L-glutamine significantly enhanced the concentrations of IgA and NO in saliva; additionally, the incidence of URTI was significantly reduced. Regarding hormones, T concentration was significantly decreased in the PLA group, whereas C concentration was significantly increased, resulting in a significant decrease of T/C ratio. In contrast, the GLU group showed a significant increase of T/C ratio, while the mood scores of the Hooper's index questionnaire were higher in the PLA group.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-week supplementation of L-glutamine after intensive training enhanced the mucosal immunity, improved hormonal status and reduced the rate of URTI of combat-sport athletes while feelings of well-being were also enhanced. Therefore, L-glutamine would be beneficial for the sports performance and recovery of athletes.

Salivary assessment of the immune/inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in older adults vaccinated with CoronaVac or ChadOx-1

BACKGROUND

Although important information concerning COVID-19 vaccination is available, the effects of the CoronaVac and ChadOx-1 vaccines on immunity and the redox balance in the upper airway mucosa of the aged population are not fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of two doses of the CoronaVac or ChadOx-1 vaccine on immune/inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the airway mucosa of older adults.

METHODS

Seventy-six older adults of both sexes, with a mean age of 75.1 ± 6.4 years, were separated according to vaccination status into the CoronaVac (n = 52) and ChadOx-1 (n = 24) groups. Saliva samples were collected before (pre) and 30 days after (post) the administration of the second dose of the CoronaVac or ChadOx-1 vaccine to assess the levels of antibodies (sIgA and IgG), antimicrobial peptides, cytokines, and oxidant/antioxidant agents.

RESULTS

The immunogenicity in the ChadOx-1 group was 37.5% for sIgA and 25% for IgG, while that in the CoronaVac group was 18.9% for sIgA and 13.2% for IgG. Intergroup analysis revealed that (1) lower levels of IFN-α, IFN-γ, and IL-10 and a greater IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio, in addition to a greater IL-6/IL-10 ratio, were found in both the pre- and postvaccination periods, and (2) lower levels of total sIgA, IL-12p70, IL-17A, TNF-α, and the IL-12p70/IL-10 ratio, in addition to higher levels of specific sIgA for SARS-CoV-2 antigens and lysozyme, were observed only in the postvaccination period in the ChadOx-1 group than in the CoronaVac group. Intragroup analysis revealed (1) a significant increase in the salivary levels of total peroxides in the postvaccination period compared to those in the prevaccination period in both volunteer groups; (2) a decrease in the levels of lysozyme and the ratio between total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total peroxides in the postvaccination period in the CoronaVac group compared with those in the prevaccination period; and (3) decreases in the TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12p70 levels, and the IL-12p70/IL-10 ratio in the ChadoX-1 group, as well as a higher lactoferrin concentration in the postvaccination period than in the prevaccination period. Several positive and negative correlations between the parameters assessed here were found.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the ChadOx-1 group exhibited improvements in both immune/inflammatory responses and redox balance and greater immunogenicity than did the CoronaVac group.

Concurrent Ingestion of Alkaline Water and L-Glutamine Enhanced Salivary α-Amylase Activity and Testosterone Concentration in Boxing Athletes

Athletes often take sport supplements to reduce fatigue and immune disturbances during or after training. This study evaluated the acute effects of concurrent ingestion of alkaline water and L-glutamine on the salivary immunity and hormone responses of boxers after training. Twelve male boxing athletes were recruited in this study. During regular training, the participants were randomly divided into three groups and asked to consume 400 mL of alkaline water (Group A), 0.15 g/kg body weight of L-glutamine with 400 mL of water (Group G), and 0.15 g/kg of L-glutamine with 400 mL of alkaline water (Group A+G) at the same time each day for three consecutive weeks. Before and immediately after the training, saliva, heart rates, and the rate of perceived exertion were investigated. The activity of α-amylase and concentrations of lactoferrin, immunoglobulin A (IgA), testosterone, and cortisol in saliva were measured. The results showed that the ratio of α-amylase activity/total protein (TP) significantly increased after training in Group A+G but not in Group A or G, whereas the ratios of lactoferrin/TP and IgA/TP were unaffected in all three groups. The concentrations of salivary testosterone after training increased significantly in Group A+G but not in Group A or G, whereas the salivary cortisol concentrations were unaltered in all groups. In conclusion, concurrent ingestion of 400 mL of alkaline water and 0.15 g/kg of L-glutamine before training enhanced the salivary α-amylase activity and testosterone concentration of boxers, which would be beneficial for post-exercise recovery.

Uncovering anti-influenza mechanism of Ophiocordyceps sinensis using network pharmacology, molecular pharmacology, and metabolomics

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a precious Chinese traditional herb with a long medicinal history. This study used UPLC-MS metabolomics to explore and compare the metabolic profiles of the stroma (OSBSz), sclerotium (OSBSh), and mycelium (OSBS) of O sinensis to analyze their differential metabolites and identified potential active components. Then combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore the mechanism of differential metabolites with anti-influenza properties. The results indicate that the stroma, sclerotium, and mycelium showed significant differences in metabolites. The key pathways for differential metabolites were butanoate metabolism, thiamin metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, citrate cycle, and arginine biosynthesis. Protein-protein interaction analysis identified potential targets, including SRC, RHOA, HSP90AA1, VEGFA, ITGB1, PRKCA, and ITGA1, and the key protective pathways in-volved PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, influenza A, and Coronavirus disease 2019. The molecular docking results showed that the core metabolite D-(-)-glutamine has high binding affinity with SRC, RHOA, and EGFR, re-flecting the multi-component and multi-target network system of O sinensis. In short, the combination of metabonomics, network pharmacology and macromolecular docking technology provides a new way to explore the anti-influenza research of O sinensis. This is undoubtedly an important theoretical support for the clinical application of O sinensis in the future.

Association among inflammaging, body composition, physical activity, and physical function tests in physically active women

BACKGROUND

Inflammaging is a phenomenon that has been associated with the development and progression of sarcopenia and frailty syndrome. According to the literature, on the one side, the increase in body fat is associated with a systemic pro-inflammatory status, which consequently favors inflammaging, and on the other side, the regular practice of physical exercise can mitigate the development of this scenario. Therefore, here, we aimed to evaluate the association between inflammaging and physical factors, both body and functional, in a group of physically active older women.

METHODS

Seventy older women (mean age 72.66 ± 6.17 years) participated in this observational cross-sectional and were separated into the eutrophic, overweight, and obese groups. It was assessed: by bioimpedance-body fat percentage (Fat%) and total (Fat kg), skeletal muscle mass (muscle), and free fat mass both in percentage (FFM%) and total (FFMkg); by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)-the time of moderate-intensity physical activity per week; by physical tests-handgrip (HG), sit-up-stand-on-the-chair in 5 repetitions (Sit-up) and vertical squat jump test (SJ); in addition to the determination of serum cytokine concentration (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-8), and also body mass index (BMI) and calf circumference (Calf).

RESULTS

Higher FFM% and lower body fat (both kg and %) were found in the eutrophic group than in the other groups. The eutrophic group also performed more weekly physical activity, jumped higher, and presented not only higher serum IL-6 concentration but also an increased ratio of IL-10/IL-6, IL-10/TNF-α, IL-10/IL-8 as compared to the values found in the overweight group. The obese group presented higher body fat (kg and %) and lower FFM% than the other groups and also higher serum IL-6 concentration than the overweight group. Interestingly, several significant negative and positive correlations between body composition, physical tests, and serum cytokine concentrations were found in the eutrophic and obese groups.

CONCLUSION

While the eutrophic older women group showed a remarkable regulation of the systemic inflammatory status with positive associations in the physical parameters assessed, the overweight and obese groups presented impairment regulations of the inflammaging, which could be related to less weekly physical activity and higher body fat.

Mining Anti-Inflammation Molecules From Nippostrongylus brasiliensis-Derived Products Through the Metabolomics Approach

Hookworm is one type of soil-transmitted helminth, which could exert an anti-inflammatory effect in human or animal host, which provides a beneficial possibility for the discovery of inflammatory-related disease interventions. The identification of hookworm-derived anti-inflammatory molecules is urgently needed for future translational research. The emergence of metabolomics has become a powerful approach to comprehensively characterize metabolic alterations in recent times. Herein, excretory and secretory products (ESPs) were collected from cultured adult worm, while small intestinal contents were obtained from Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (N. brasiliensis, Nb)-infected mice. Through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) platform, metabolomics analysis was used to explore the identification of anti-inflammatory molecules. Out of 45 differential metabolites that were discovered from ESPs, 10 of them showed potential anti-inflammatory properties, which could be subclassed into amino acids, furanocoumarins, linear diarylheptanoids, gamma butyrolactones, and alpha-keto acids. In terms of intestinal contents that were derived from N. brasiliensis-infected mice, 14 out of 301 differential metabolites were discovered to demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects, with possible subclassification into amino acids, benzylisoquinolines, quaternary ammonium salts, pyrimidines, pregnane steroids, purines, biphenyls, and glycerophosphocholines. Furthermore, nine of the differential metabolites appeared both in ESPs and infected intestinal contents, wherein four were proven to show anti-inflammation properties, namely, L-glutamine, glutamine (Gln), pyruvate, and alanine-Gln (Ala-Gln). In summary, we have provided a method for the identification and analysis of parasite-derived molecules with potential anti-inflammatory properties in the present study. This array of anti-inflammatory metabolites could provide clues for future evaluation and translational study of these anti-inflammatory molecules.

Comorbidity-associated glutamine deficiency is a predisposition to severe COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations have greatly reduced COVID-19 cases, but we must continue to develop our understanding of the nature of the disease and its effects on human immunity. Previously, we suggested that a dysregulated STAT3 pathway following SARS-Co-2 infection ultimately leads to PAI-1 activation and cascades of pathologies. The major COVID-19-associated metabolic risks (old age, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity) share high PAI-1 levels and could predispose certain groups to severe COVID-19 complications. In this review article, we describe the common metabolic profile that is shared between all of these high-risk groups and COVID-19. This profile not only involves high levels of PAI-1 and STAT3 as previously described, but also includes low levels of glutamine and NAD+, coupled with overproduction of hyaluronan (HA). SARS-CoV-2 infection exacerbates this metabolic imbalance and predisposes these patients to the severe pathophysiologies of COVID-19, including the involvement of NETs (neutrophil extracellular traps) and HA overproduction in the lung. While hyperinflammation due to proinflammatory cytokine overproduction has been frequently documented, it is recently recognized that the immune response is markedly suppressed in some cases by the expansion and activity of MDSCs (myeloid-derived suppressor cells) and FoxP3+ Tregs (regulatory T cells). The metabolomics profiles of severe COVID-19 patients and patients with advanced cancer are similar, and in high-risk patients, SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to aberrant STAT3 activation, which promotes a cancer-like metabolism. We propose that glutamine deficiency and overproduced HA is the central metabolic characteristic of COVID-19 and its high-risk groups. We suggest the usage of glutamine supplementation and the repurposing of cancer drugs to prevent the development of severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Fear of Influenza Resurgence amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Need for Effective Flu Vaccine Still Exists

As influenza season was approaching in 2020, public health officials feared that influenza would worsen the COVID-19 situation [...].

Better Response to Influenza Virus Vaccination in Physically Trained Older Adults Is Associated With Reductions of Cytomegalovirus-Specific Immunoglobulins as Well as Improvements in the Inflammatory and CD8+ T-Cell Profiles

Chronic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a trigger factor for the development of immunosenescence and negatively impacts the immune response to influenza virus vaccination (IVV) in older adults. However, the role of physical exercise training in this context is unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the regular practice of combined exercise training can improve the specific antibody response to IVV in CMV-seropositive older adults. Eighty older adults were distributed into two groups-non-practitioners (NP, n = 31, age = 74.06 ± 6.4 years) and practitioners of combined exercise training (CET, n = 49, age = 71.7 ± 5.8 years)-for at least 12 months. Both volunteer groups were submitted to IVV and blood samples were collected before (pre) and 30 days after (post) the vaccination. Concerning the specific antibody response to IVV, higher serum levels of specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) were found in the CET group post- than pre-vaccination (p < 0.01), whereas higher levels of specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) were observed both in the NP (p < 0.05) and CET (p < 0.001) groups post-vaccination as compared to the pre-vaccination values. Serum levels of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) for IVV and CMV, as well as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-10, were similar between the time points evaluated. However, the IL-10/IL-6 ratio post-vaccination was higher (p < 0.05) in the CET group than that before vaccination. Negative correlations were observed between the specific IgG levels for IVV and CMV only in the CET group, both pre- and post-vaccination. In addition, negative correlations were found between IL-10 and specific IgG for CMV in all volunteer groups pre- and post-vaccination, whereas a positive correlation between IL-10 and specific-IgG for IVV pre- and post-vaccination was observed in the CET group. In addition, with the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay, it was found that 32.2% of the NP group and 32.6% of the CET group were responders to IVV and displayed reductions in the CMV serostatus (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively) and increases in naive and effector CD8+ T cells post-vaccination (p < 0.01). However, only the responders from the CET group showed significant reductions in the ratio of effector to naive CD8+ T cells (p < 0.05) and increased IL-10 levels post-vaccination (p < 0.001). In summary, this study demonstrates that the improvement in the response to IVV in CMV-seropositive older adults was related to an anti-inflammatory status and enhancement of naive CD8+ T cells, particularly associated with regular practice of CET.

The Impact of Oral Health on Respiratory Viral Infection

Influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) have caused respiratory diseases worldwide. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a global health concern requiring emergent measures. These viruses enter the human body through the oral cavity and infect respiratory cells. Since the oral cavity has a complex microbiota, influence of oral bacteria on respiratory virus infection is considered. Saliva has immune molecules which work as the front line in the biophylactic mechanism and has considerable influence on the incidence and progression of respiratory viral infection. Salivary scavenger molecules, such as gp340 and sialic acid, have been reported to exert anti-influenza virus activity. Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) has potential to acquire immunity against these viruses. Biological features of the oral cavity are thought to affect viral infection in respiratory organs in various ways. In this review, we reviewed the literature addressing the impact of oral conditions on respiratory infectious diseases caused by viruses.

Effect of Training-Detraining Phases of Multicomponent Exercises and BCAA Supplementation on Inflammatory Markers and Albumin Levels in Frail Older Persons

Nowadays, it is accepted that the regular practice of exercise and branched-chain amino acids supplementation (BCAAs) can benefit the immune responses in older persons, prevent the occurrence of physical frailty (PF), cognitive decline, and aging-related comorbidities. However, the impact of their combination (as non-pharmacological interventions) in albumin and the inflammatory markers is not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the effect of a 40-week multifactorial intervention [MIP, multicomponent exercise (ME) associated or not with BCAAs] on plasma levels of inflammatory markers and albumin in frail older persons (≥75 years old) living at residential care homes (RCH). This study consisted of a prospective, naturalistic, controlled clinical trial with four arms of multifactorial and experimental (interventions-wahshout-interventions) design. The intervention groups were ME + BCAAs (n = 8), ME (n = 7), BCAAs (n = 7), and control group (n = 13). Lower limb muscle-strength, cognitive profile, and PF tests were concomitantly evaluated with plasma levels of albumin, anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines [Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) respectively], TNF-α/IL-10 ratio, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity at four different time-points: Baseline (T1), after 16 weeks of multifactorial intervention (T2), then after a subsequent 8 weeks washout period (T3) and finally, after an additional 16 weeks of multifactorial intervention (T4). Improvement of cognitive profile and muscle strength-related albumin levels, as well as reduction in the TNF-α levels were found particularly in ME plus BCAAs group. No significant variations were observed over time for TNF-α/IL-10 ratio or MPO activity. Overall, the study showed that MIP triggered slight alterations in the inflammatory and physical function of the frail older participants, which could provide independence and higher quality of life for this population.