The effect of probiotic yoghurt consumption on oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in young females after exhaustive exercise

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of probiotic yoghurt consumption on oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in young females after exhaustive exercise.

METHODS

TThis study included 27 healthy participants with an age range of 18-25. For two weeks, 450 grams of probiotic yoghurt and 450 grams of ordinary yoghurt were given to the supplement and control groups, respectively. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of study. At the end of the intervention, the participants were given one exhaustive exercise and then fasting blood samples were taken to test for blood antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory markers, and oxidative markers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as paired and independent samples t-test.

RESULTS

In supplement group, the glutathione peroxidise (GPX) blood levels and serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) significantly increased at the end of two weeks of intervention (p<0.05). After intense physical activity, the blood levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), GPX and serum levels of TAC significantly increased, whereas the serum level of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), and malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly decreased in the supplement group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Besides, there were no significant changes in other biochemical factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Regular probiotic yoghurt consumption significantly modulated MMP2, MMP9 and some inflammatory factors, and thus guarded against exhaustive exercise-inducing oxidative injury in young healthy females.

Anti-inflammatory effects of conjugated linoleic acid on young athletic males

OBJECTIVE

To explore the efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on some inflammatory factors in young healthy males during exhaustive exercise.

METHODS

The randomised double-blind controlled study was conducted at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from December 2012 to March2013, and comprised healthy male athletes 18-24 years of age. The subjects were randomly distributed into control and intervention groups. About 5.6 g/day conjugated linoleic acid supplement and oral paraffin (placebo) were given to intervention and control groups respectively daily for two weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of the two weeks of intervention. The subjects underwent exhaustive exercise and then fasting blood samples were taken. Serum levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, matrix metalloproteinases-2 and 9 were measured.

RESULTS

There were 23 subjects in the study, with 13(56.5%) in the supplemented group and 10(43.4%) in the control group. Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and tumour necrosis factor alpha were significantly decreased in the supplemented group (p<0.05). After exhaustive exercise, serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor alpha significantly decreased in the supplemented group compared to the control group(p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Two-week administration of conjugated linoleic acid reduced the inflammatory factors following exhaustive exercise in young healthy males.

Association between hepcidin, haemoglobin level and iron status in stage 4 chronic kidney disease patients with anaemia

OBJECTIVE

To explore the probable association of serum hepcidin and haemoglobin levels with iron and inflammation statuses in patients of chronic kidney disease stage 4 with anaemia.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from March 2011 to October 2012, and comprised patients of chronic kidney disease stage 4 with anaemia. Serum biochemical factors as well as hepcidin, ferritin, interleukin 6, high sensitivity C-reactive protein and iron levels were measured using standard methods. Statistical correlations were established using regression analysis and Pearson's correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

There were 40 patients among whom 15(37.5%) were males and 25(62.5%) were females with an overall mean age of 55.68±14.4 years. There was a significant inverse relationship between hepcidin and haemoglobin levels (p<0.05). There were significant correlations between hepcidin with iron status, nutritional and inflammatory markers such as ferritin, Total iron binding capacity, albumin and interleukin 6 (p<0.05 each).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepcidin had negative correlation with haemoglobin level in stage 4 chronic kidney disease patients with adequate iron stores, which could be effective in the development of anaemia in such patients.

Effect of pomegranate juice supplementation on matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 following exhaustive exercise in young healthy males

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of pomegranate juice supplementation on matrix metalloproteinases2 and 9 serum levels and improving antioxidant function in young healthy males during exhaustive exercise.

METHODS

The study was conducted at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2010-11 and comprised 28 healthy subjects in 18-24 age bracket. They were randomly divided into control and supplemented groups. One cup of pomegranate juice and one cup of tap water were given to supplemented and control groups daily for two weeks respectively. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of two weeks of intervention. The subjects were given one exhaustive exercise and then fasting blood samples were taken for testing blood glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and serum levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein, zinc, ceruloplasmin, matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity. Data was analysed using descriptive statistical tests, paired and independent sample t-test.

RESULTS

The blood levels of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and serum levels of total antioxidant capacity after exhaustive exercise in the supplemented group were significantly increased (p < 0.05), while the content of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, ceruloplasmin and malondialdehyde showed a significant decrease in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05). Besides, there were no significant changes in other biochemical factors.

CONCLUSION

Regular intake of pomegranate juice significantly modulates matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9and serum levels of some inflammatory factors and thus protects against exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative injury in young healthy males.