A single session of resistance exercise induces oxidative damage in untrained men

PURPOSE: During exercise, the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species significantly increases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a single session of resistance exercise on antioxidant capacity, oxidative damage, and inflammation. METHODS: Muscle biopsies, urine, and blood samples were collected from seven healthy men before and after a single bout of resistance exercise. RESULTS: A single session of resistance exercise was found to induce oxidative damage, as shown by a 40% increase in the concentration of urinary F2alpha-isoprostanes (P < 0.05). Total antioxidant capacity of plasma increased 16% (P < 0.05). This increase seemed to be predominantly attributable to an increase in plasma uric acid concentrations of 53% (P < 0.05). Similar to uric acid, but to a relatively much smaller extent, vitamin C and vitamin E levels in plasma were also elevated (P < 0.05). Moreover, the erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) [corrected] concentration increased 47% during exercise (P < 0.05). Also in skeletal muscle, uric acid levels were found to increase after exercise (P < 0.05). Moreover, 30 min after exercise, skeletal muscle glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase activity increased 28 and 42%, respectively (P < 0.05). Skeletal muscle reduced GSH [corrected] and GSH [corrected] disulphide (GSSG) concentrations were not affected by exercise. The Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was not increased by exercise, indicating that a NF-kappaB-mediated inflammatory response does not occur. CONCLUSION: We conclude that a single session of resistance exercise induces oxidative damage despite an adaptive increase in antioxidant capacity of blood and skeletal muscle.     

Cancer screening in men

Cancer screening is one of the most common requests directed to primary care physicians in the office setting. In this article, we look at current recommendations, evidence for, and controversy surrounding screening for cancers of the lung, colon, and prostate, which together account for 51% of cancer deaths in men. We also look at screening for testicular cancer, which, although a relatively minor contributor to cancer mortality, is a prototypically male cancer with a proposed screening test.     

Donor cell reaction to OKT3 as predictor of chronic graft-vs-host disease in hematopoietic stem cell recipients

OBJECTIVE: In the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation setting, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration can reduce donor cell reactivity in vitro, but the clinical significance of this phenomenon was only sparsely defined. METHODS: We performed lymphocyte transformation tests in 28 related stem cell donors pre and 5 days post G-CSF treatment, respectively, and correlated proliferative responses of donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells with clinical parameters in the corresponding recipients. RESULTS: In vitro reactions towards 4 mitogens and 12 recall antigens at day 5 post G-CSF administration were predictive for the occurrence of chronic graft-vs-host disease (cGVHD). Here, proliferative responses towards the mitogen anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (OKT3) above median were most informative; this threshold could be determined by discrimination and receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses. In the whole cohort (18 human leukocyte antigen [HLA]-identical and 10 partially mismatched donor-recipient pairs), OKT3 responses predicted cGVHD with an odds ratio of 33.0, a sensitivity of 79%, and a specificity of 90%. A subgroup analysis of HLA-identical pairs even yielded an odds ratio of 85.0. Furthermore, bivariate analysis defined HLA compatibility and responses towards OKT3 as independent risk factors for cGVHD (p = 0.02 and p = 0.0007, respectively). CONCLUSION: The proliferative capacity of G-CSF-mobilized donor cells appears as a graft factor that determines the future incidence of cGVHD in the corresponding recipient.     

Chronic inflammatory neuropathies and their impact on activities and participation

Background

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) are inflammatory neuropathies that can lead to considerable limitations in daily activities and in social participation. However, systematic evaluation of these self-reported limitations is lacking in the currently available studies. Understanding the impact of these diagnoses on patients' life is important to optimize management strategies.

Aim

To systematically assess the self-reported limitations in activities and participation and determine associated factors.

Methods

A survey study was conducted in 2021 in a cohort of patients with CIDP (n = 257) and MMN (n = 148) from a university hospital. The survey included the Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale and the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation, questions addressing personal and disease-related factors and treatment. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine associations with disease-related and personal factors.

Results

A total of 147 CIDP and 103 MMN patients responded. Limitations in activities were reported by 70.7% CIDP and 52.2% MMN patients with moderate to severe limitations in 22.4% and 5.9% patients, respectively. Participation restrictions were reported by 50% of CIDP and 40% of MMN patients, nevertheless satisfaction with participation was high. Fatigue, pain and resilience were independently associated with limitations in activities and satisfaction with participation in CIDP patients.

Conclusions

Activity limitations and restrictions in participation are common in CIDP patients and to a lesser extent in MMN patients. Fatigue, pain and resilience independently contributed to perceived limitations in CIDP patients. Referral to a rehabilitation physician is warranted to address these limitations appropriately.