Effects of weight lifting training combined with plyometric exercises on physical fitness, body composition, and knee extension velocity during kicking in football

The effects of a training program consisting of weight lifting combined with plyometric exercises on kicking performance, myosin heavy-chain composition (vastus lateralis), physical fitness, and body composition (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)) was examined in 37 male physical education students divided randomly into a training group (TG: 16 subjects) and a control group (CG: 21 subjects). The TG followed 6 weeks of combined weight lifting and plyometric exercises. In all subjects, tests were performed to measure their maximal angular speed of the knee during in-step kicks on a stationary ball. Additional tests for muscle power (vertical jump), running speed (30 m running test), anaerobic capacity (Wingate and 300 m running tests), and aerobic power (20 m shuttle run tests) were also performed. Training resulted in muscle hypertrophy (+4.3%), increased peak angular velocity of the knee during kicking (+13.6%), increased percentage of myosin heavy-chain (MHC) type IIa (+8.4%), increased 1 repetition maximum (1 RM) of inclined leg press (ILP) (+61.4%), leg extension (LE) (+20.2%), leg curl (+15.9%), and half squat (HQ) (+45.1%), and enhanced performance in vertical jump (all p < or = 0.05). In contrast, MHC type I was reduced (-5.2%, p < or = 0.05) after training. In the control group, these variables remained unchanged. In conclusion, 6 weeks of strength training combining weight lifting and plyometric exercises results in significant improvement of kicking performance, as well as other physical capacities related to success in football (soccer).

Transfer of clarithromycin to gastric juice is enhanced by omeprazole in Helicobacter pylori-infected individuals

BACKGROUND

The effects of proton-pump inhibitors and Helicobacter pylori infection on the distribution of drugs employed for the eradication of H. pylori are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 7-day oral administration of 20 mg omeprazole on the distribution of clarithromycin in the gastric juice of individuals with H. pylori infection.

METHODS

Eighteen H. pylori-infected dyspeptic male volunteers without endoscopic lesions were enrolled in a study with an open, randomized, two-period crossover design and a 21-day washout period between phases. Plasma and gastric juice concentrations of clarithromycin in subjects with and without omeprazole pretreatment were measured by means of liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The maximum concentration of clarithromycin (Cmax) and the area under the time-concentration curve from 0 to 2 h (AUC0-2h) were significantly higher in gastric juice than in plasma. Omeprazole treatment further augmented clarithromycin Cmax and AUC0-2h in gastric juice approximately 2-fold (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term treatment with omeprazole in H. pylori-positive volunteers increases the amount of clarithromycin transferred to the gastric juice, confirming a synergism between these drugs. Our results suggest the presence of an active transport mechanism for clarithromycin from plasma to the gastric lumen, which is influenced by omeprazole.

Effect of acid secretion blockade by omeprazole on the relative bioavailability of orally administered furazolidone in healthy volunteers

AIMS

The administration of omeprazole may interfere with the absorption of orally administered drugs by reducing gastric pH and hence tablet dissolution. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 5 day administration of omeprazole on the pharmacokinetics of furazolidone.

METHODS

Eighteen healthy (nine male and nine female) volunteers were selected. The study had an open randomized two-period crossover design with a 21 day washout period between the phases. Serum concentrations of furazolidone were measured by reversed-phase h.p.l.c. with ultraviolet detection.

RESULTS

Administration of omeprazole caused a significant reduction of Cmax [0.34 microg x ml(-1) (range 0.25-0.43) vs 0.24 microg x ml(-1) (range 0.15-0.34)] with no significant delay in absorption tmax [2.5 h (range 1.85-3.0) vs 2.4 h (range 2.06-2.71)].

CONCLUSIONS

Furazolidone was rapidly absorbed after oral administration. Short-term treatment with omeprazole did alter the relative bioavailability of this drug, probably through an effect on absorption kinetics or first-pass metabolism.

Massive bleeding from the pharyngoesophageal diverticulum

A case of massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to an ulcer within a Zenker's diverticulum is presented. The possible causes of the bleeding have been discussed, but the topical effect of aspirin intake appears to be the cause of bleeding in this case.