Long-term training induces a healthy inflammatory and endocrine emergent biomarker profile in elderly men

The objective of the present study was to investigate the changes in a large panel of emergent geriatric biomarkers in long-term trained elderly men to analyze the effects of long-term exercise on an aged population. We collected blood samples from two groups of male volunteers older than 65 years who maintain a measure of functional independence: one group of sedentary subjects without a history of regular physical activity and the other of subjects who have sustained training, starting during adulthood (mean training time = 49 ± 8 years). We studied morbidity, polypharmacy, cellular and serological inflammatory parameters, and endocrine mediators. After adjusting for confounding factors, we observed reduced medication intake per subject and lower number of diseases per subject with statistical differences nearly significant in the long-term exercise group. We showed that long-term training was associated with lower levels of white blood cell counts, neutrophil counts, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, and soluble TNF receptor-I. Furthermore, we noted an increase in the concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 and dehydroepiandrosterone in the long-term training group. We concluded that long-term exercise training from adulthood to old age is clearly associated with a healthy profile of emergent geriatric biomarkers. Long-term training could improve the inflammatory–endocrine imbalance associated with disease, frailty, functional decline, and mortality in elderly men. Our results point to the benefits of prolonged exercise from adulthood to old age.     

One-year consumption of a grape nutraceutical containing resveratrol improves the inflammatory and fibrinolytic status of patients in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

The search for complementary treatments in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a high-priority challenge. Grape and wine polyphenol resveratrol confers CV benefits, in part by exerting anti-inflammatory effects. However, the evidence in human long-term clinical trials has yet to be established. We aimed to investigate the effects of a dietary resveratrol-rich grape supplement on the inflammatory and fibrinolytic status of subjects at high risk of CVD and treated according to current guidelines for primary prevention of CVD. Seventy-five patients undergoing primary prevention of CVD participated in this triple-blinded, randomized, parallel, dose-response, placebo-controlled, 1-year follow-up trial. Patients, allocated in 3 groups, consumed placebo (maltodextrin), a resveratrol-rich grape supplement (resveratrol 8 mg), or a conventional grape supplement lacking resveratrol, for the first 6 months and a double dose for the next 6 months. In contrast to placebo and conventional grape supplement, the resveratrol-rich grape supplement significantly decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (-26%, p = 0.03), tumor necrosis factor-α (-19.8%, p = 0.01), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (-16.8%, p = 0.03), and interleukin-6/interleukin-10 ratio (-24%, p = 0.04) and increased anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (19.8%, p = 0.00). Adiponectin (6.5%, p = 0.07) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (-5.7%, p = 0.06) tended to increase and decrease, respectively. No adverse effects were observed in any patient. In conclusion, 1-year consumption of a resveratrol-rich grape supplement improved the inflammatory and fibrinolytic status in patients who were on statins for primary prevention of CVD and at high CVD risk (i.e., with diabetes or hypercholesterolemia plus ≥1 other CV risk factor). Our results show for the first time that a dietary intervention with grape resveratrol could complement the gold standard therapy in the primary prevention of CVD.     

The effect of removing potentially infectious dogs on the numbers of canine Leishmania infantum infections in an endemic area with high transmission rates

To assess the effect of the rapid removal of potentially infectious dogs on the prevalence and incidence of canine infections, a prospective study was undertaken in an area endemic for Leishmania infantum. We used serological testing based on the rapid DPP rK28 fusion protein chromatographic immunoassay for this dog screening-and-culling intervention trial. The outcome was evaluated by measuring seropositivity and sero-conversion/-reversion rates for canine infection. Our estimates indicated that concomitant detection and elimination of seropositive dogs with active disease may affect the numbers of canine infections and disease burden temporarily, although it is insufficient as a measure to interrupt the zoonotic L. infantum transmission. However, most of the asymptomatic, seropositive dogs continuously exhibit low levels of antibodies and/or reverted, remaining seronegative thereafter. In the process of waiting for an effective vaccine, one option for canine reservoir control may be to identify these possibly genetically resistant animals and promote their expansion in the population.     

Dental erosion and salivary flow rate in cerebral palsy individuals with gastroesophageal reflux

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41 : 367–371 Background: A high prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) has been observed in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). One of the main risks for dental erosion is GERD. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of GERD, variables related to dental erosion and associated with GERD (diet consumption, gastrointestinal symptoms, bruxism), and salivary flow rate, in a group of 46 non‐institutionalized CP individuals aged from 3 to 13 years. Methods: Twenty CP individuals with gastroesophageal reflux (GERDG) and 26 without gastroesophageal reflux (CG) were examined according to dental erosion criteria, drinking habits, presence of bruxism, and salivary flow rate. A face‐to‐face detailed questionnaire with the consumption and frequency of acid drinks, gastrointestinal symptoms (regurgitation and heart burn), and the presence of bruxism were answered by the caregivers of both groups. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected under slight suction, and salivary flow rate (ml/min) was calculated. Results: The GERDG presented higher percentages of younger quadriplegics individuals compared to CG. The presence of regurgitation, heart burn, and tooth erosion (Grade 1) was significantly more prevalent in GERDG. It was observed difference in the salivary flow rate between the studied groups. On logistic multivariate regression analysis, the unique variable independently associated with the presence of GERD was dental erosion (P = 0.012, OR 86.64). Conclusion: The presence of GERD contributes significantly to dental erosion in the most compromised individuals with quadriplegics cerebral palsy individuals, increasing the risk of oral disease in this population.     

Evaluation of an anorganic bovine-derived mineral with P-15 hydrogel bone graft: preliminary study in a rabbit cranial bone model

Objectives: The present investigation aimed to assess the bone‐regenerative potential of two formulations of anorganic bovine‐derived mineral bound to a P‐15 (ABM/P‐15) bone graft – the particulate and the hydrogel forms – in a delayed healing rabbit cranial defect model. Material and methods: Ten adult male New Zealand White rabbits were used to create two 8 mm transcortical cranial defects per rabbit and each one received randomly the test material (ABM/P‐15 carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)‐hydrogel graft), the standard control material (ABM/P‐15 particulate graft) or remained empty as a negative control. The defects were allowed to heal for 2 and 4 weeks. Qualitative and quantitative histological outcomes were assessed on undecalcified sections. Results: In the defects grafted with the test material, at both time points, there was a marked random migration of the bone substitute particles. As a consequence, the space maintenance provision was lost and new bone formation was reduced compared with the control particulate graft material. The histomorphometric analysis showed that the control material attained better results, with an average of 13.8 ± 1.9% and 18.2 ± 4.4% of new bone at 2 and 4 weeks, compared with 8.5 ± 2.4% and 13 ± 2.9% for the test material. These differences were significant at 2 weeks (P≤0.05), but not at 4 weeks (P>0.05). Additionally, there was a significant difference in the total area of mineralized tissue (new bone plus particles), favoring the standard control over the test material: 43.2 ± 14.4% vs. 14.2 ± 5.3% at 2 weeks and 56.9 ± 4.2% vs. 24.2 ± 9.6% at 4 weeks, respectively. Conclusions: The test ABM/P‐15 CMC‐hydrogel graft material behaved in this animal model by migration of the graft particles, what determined an unpredictable osseoconduction and, consequently, a decreased quality and quantity of bone regeneration as compared with the osseopromotive behavior exhibited by the standard particulate form of the ABM/P‐15 control graft. It is therefore suggested to restrain the application of the hydrogel graft form in non‐contained anatomical bone defects.