Astaxanthin Supplementation Augments the Benefits of CrossFit Workouts on Semaphorin 3C and Other Adipokines in Males with Obesity

Regular physical activity and the use of nutritional supplements, including antioxidants, are recognized as efficacious approaches for the prevention and mitigation of obesity-related complications. This study investigated the effects of 12 weeks of CrossFit training combined with astaxanthin (ASX) supplementation on some plasma adipokines in males with obesity. Sixty-eight males with obesity (BMI: 33.6 ± 1.4 kg·m-2) were randomly assigned into four groups: the control group (CG; n = 11), ASX supplementation group (SG; n = 11), CrossFit group (TG; n = 11), and training plus supplement group (TSG; n = 11). Participants underwent 12 weeks of supplementation with ASX or placebo (20 mg/day capsule daily), CrossFit training, or a combination of both interventions. Plasma levels of semaphorin 3C (SEMA3C), apelin, chemerin, omentin1, visfatin, resistin, adiponectin, leptin, vaspin, and RBP4 were measured 72 h before the first training session and after the last training session. The plasma levels of all measured adipokines were significantly altered in SG, TG, and TSG groups (p < 0.05). The reduction of resistin was significantly higher in TSG than in SG (p < 0.05). The plasma levels of omentin1 were significantly higher in both training groups of TG and TSG than SG (p < 0.05), although such a meaningful difference was not observed between both training groups (p > 0.05). Significant differences were found in the reductions of plasma levels of vaspin, visfatin, apelin, RBP4, chemerin, and SEMA3C between the SG and TSG groups (p < 0.05). The study found that a 12-week intervention using ASX supplementation and CrossFit exercises resulted in significant improvements in several adipokines among male individuals with obesity. Notably, the combined approach of supplementation and training had the most pronounced results. The findings presented in this study indicate that the supplementation of ASX and participation in CrossFit exercise have the potential to be effective therapies in mitigating complications associated with obesity and enhancing metabolic health.

Supplementation with spinach-derived thylakoid augments the benefits of high intensity training on adipokines, insulin resistance and lipid profiles in males with obesity

Introduction

This study investigated the effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) combined with spinach-derived thylakoid supplementation on some selected Adipokines and insulin resistance in males with obesity.

Method

Sixty-eight participants (mean age: 27.6 ± 8.4 yrs.; mean height: 168.4 ± 2.6 cm; mean weight: 95.7 ± 3.8 kg, mean BMI: 32.6 ± 2.6 kg/m2) were randomly divided into four groups of 17 per group: Control group (CG), Supplement group (SG), Training group (TG), and Training + supplement group (TSG). Following baseline measurements, the two training groups (TG and TSG) started the 12 weeks of exercise training program (3 sessions per week). A total of 36 sessions lasting up to 60 min were included in the HIFT program using the CrossFit program. The eligible participants received 5 g/day of thylakoid-rich spinach extract or matching placebo as 5 g/day of raw corn starch (one sachet, 30 min before lunch) for 12 weeks. Baseline assessments were obtained 48 hours before the start of the training protocols and 48 hours after the last training session in all groups.

Results

There were significant interactions (p<0.001 for all) between exercise and time for adiponectin (ES:0.48), leptin (ES:0.46), resistin (ES:0.3), omentin (ES:0.65), vaspin (ES:0.46), visfatin (ES:0.62), apelin (ES:0.42), RBP4 (ES:0.63), chemrin (0.36) and semaphorin3c (ES: 0.5). Plasma levels of semaphorin3c were significantly correlated (p<0.05) with body weight (r= 0.57), BMI (r= 0.43), FFM (r= -0.612), FAT (r= 0.768), VO2peak (r=-0.53), insulin (r= 0.756), glucose (r= 0.623), and HOMA-IR (r= 0.727). There were also significant group differences in insulin (ES: 0.77), glucose (ES: 0.21), and HOM-IR (ES: 0.44) (p<0.05).

Discussion

Our findings indicate that 12 weeks of HIFT supplemented with spinach-derived thylakoid reduced levels of leptin, resistin, vaspin, visfatin, apelin, RBP4, chemrin, semaphorin3c and insulin resistance while increasing adiponectin and omentin levels in men with obesity.

Respiratory issues in patients with multiple sclerosis as a risk factor during SARS-CoV-2 infection: a potential role for exercise

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is associated with cytokine storm and is characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumonia problems. The respiratory system is a place of inappropriate activation of the immune system in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and this may cause damage to the lung and worsen both MS and infections.The concerns for patients with multiple sclerosis are because of an enhance risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The MS patients pose challenges in this pandemic situation, because of the regulatory defect of autoreactivity of the immune system and neurological and respiratory tract symptoms. In this review, we first indicate respiratory issues associated with both diseases. Then, the main mechanisms inducing lung damages and also impairing the respiratory muscles in individuals with both diseases is discussed. At the end, the leading role of physical exercise on mitigating respiratory issues inducing mechanisms is meticulously evaluated.

Astaxanthin Supplemented with High-Intensity Functional Training Decreases Adipokines Levels and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Men with Obesity

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity training with astaxanthin supplementation on adipokine levels, insulin resistance and lipid profiles in males with obesity. Sixty-eight males with obesity were randomly stratified into four groups of seventeen subjects each: control group (CG), supplement group (SG), training group (TG), and training plus supplement group (TSG). Participants underwent 12 weeks of treatment with astaxanthin or placebo (20 mg/d capsule daily). The training protocol consisted of 36 sessions of high-intensity functional training (HIFT), 60 min/sessions, and three sessions/week. Metabolic profiles, body composition, anthropometrical measurements, cardio-respiratory indices and adipokine [Cq1/TNF-related protein 9 and 2 (CTRP9 and CTRP2) levels, and growth differentiation factors 8 and 15 (GDF8 and GDF15)] were measured. There were significant differences for all indicators between the groups (p < 0.05). Post-hoc analysis indicated that the levels of CTRP9, CTRP2, and GDF8 were different from CG (p < 0.05), although levels of GDF15 were similar to CG (p > 0.05). Levels of GDF8 were similar in the SG and TG groups (p > 0.05), with reductions of GDF15 levels in both training groups (p < 0.05). A total of 12 weeks of astaxanthin supplementation and exercise training decreased adipokines levels, body composition (weight, %fat), anthropometrical factors (BMI), and improved lipid and metabolic profiles. These benefits were greater for men with obesity in the TSG group.

Multimodal Benefits of Exercise in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and COVID-19

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease characterized by plaque formation and neuroinflammation. The plaques can present in various locations, causing a variety of clinical symptoms in patients with MS. Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is also associated with systemic inflammation and a cytokine storm which can cause plaque formation in several areas of the brain. These concurring events could exacerbate the disease burden of MS. We review the neuro-invasive properties of SARS-CoV-2 and the possible pathways for the entry of the virus into the central nervous system (CNS). Complications due to this viral infection are similar to those occurring in patients with MS. Conditions related to MS which make patients more susceptible to viral infection include inflammatory status, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, function of CNS cells, and plaque formation. There are also psychoneurological and mood disorders associated with both MS and COVID-19 infections. Finally, we discuss the effects of exercise on peripheral and central inflammation, BBB integrity, glia and neural cells, and remyelination. We conclude that moderate exercise training prior or after infection with SARS-CoV-2 can produce health benefits in patients with MS patients, including reduced mortality and improved physical and mental health of patients with MS.

Aerobic training improves blood-brain barrier and neuronal apoptosis in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

OBJECTIVES

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability is central in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathophysiology, and exercise may improve BBB integrity. The current study investigated the prophylactic and/ or therapeutic role of aerobic exercise (EX) training on BBB integrity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty female Lewis rats were randomly divided into four groups. The experimental groups included: no-EAE induction+ no-exercise (no-EAE+ no-EX), no-EAE induction+ exercise (no-EAE+EX), EAE induction+ no-exercise (EAE+ no-EX), and EAE induction+ exercise (EAE+EX). The no-EAE+EX and EAE+EX groups performed six weeks of progressive aerobic exercise training. GFAP, angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1) expression, tight-junction (TJ) proteins of claudin-5 and occludin were measured as components of BBB integrity and the rate of neuronal apoptosis was evaluated in hippocampi.

RESULTS

A significant increase in GFAP and Ang-1 expression (P<0.001) and conversely a down-regulation in TJ proteins (P<0.05) was found in the brains of the no-EAE+EX group compared with the no-EAE+ no-EX group. The expression of GFAP and Ang-1 proteins significantly increased in the hippocampi of the EAE+ no-EX group (P<0.001), whereas aerobic training (in the EAE+EX group) meaningfully reversed such increases (P<0.001). Besides, down-regulated TJ proteins and increased neuronal apoptosis induced by EAE induction (EAE+ no-EX group) were restored and reduced, respectively, by aerobic training in the CNS of the EAE+EX group (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The provision of a six-week treadmill aerobic training buffered the detrimental effects of EAE on BBB integrity and consequently neuronal apoptosis.

Thermal dysregulation in patients with multiple sclerosis during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The potential therapeutic role of exercise

Thermoregulation is a homeostatic mechanism that is disrupted in some neurological diseases. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are susceptible to increases in body temperature, especially with more severe neurological signs. This condition can become intolerable when these patients suffer febrile infections such as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). We review the mechanisms of hyperthermia in patients with MS, and they may encounter when infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Finally, the thermoregulatory role and relevant adaptation to regular physical exercise are summarized.

Walking exercise and lower-body blood flow restriction: Effects on systemic inflammation, lipid profiles and hematological indices in overweight middle-aged males

The objective of present study is to investigate the effects of walk training with and without blood flow restriction (BFR and no-BFR) on lipid profiles, inflammatory and haematological factors in over-weighed men. Participants were divided into BFR (n = 9) or no-BFR (n = 9) groups. Both groups were exposed to 8-week walk training on a treadmill: 3 sessions/week at a speed of 50 m/min, 5 sets × 2 min/session. There were differences in pre- to post-levels of (TG) and fibrinogen in the BFR group (p ≤ 0.05) that were accompanied by changes in red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB) and haematocrit (HCT) levels (p ≤ 0.05). RBC levels were increased in the BFR group (p ≤ 0.05). The groups differed in their mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). These findings suggest the efficiency of BFR walk training in individuals exposed to chronic diseases associated with overweight, such as metabolic syndrome.