1. Initial glutathione depletion during short-term bed rest : pinpointing synthesis and degradation checkpoints in the γ-glutamyl cycleFilippo Giorgio Di Girolamo, Filippo Mearelli, Mariella Sturma, Nicola Fiotti, Kaja Teraž, Alja Ivetac, Alessio Nunnari, Pierandrea Vinci, Boštjan Šimunič, Rado Pišot, Gianni Biolo, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Hypokinesia triggers oxidative stress and accelerates the turnover of the glutathione system via the γ-glutamyl cycle. Our study aimed to identify the regulatory checkpoints controlling intracellular glutathione levels. We measured the intermediate substrates of the γ-glutamyl cycle in erythrocytes from 19 healthy young male volunteers before and during a 10-day experimental bed rest. Additionally, we tracked changes in glutathione levels and specific metabolite ratios up to 21 days of bed rest. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the internal standard technique, we observed a 9 ± 9% decrease in glutathione levels during the first 5 days of bed rest, followed by an 11 ± 9% increase from the 5th to the 10th day, nearly returning to baseline ambulatory levels. The cysteinyl-glycine-to-glutathione ratio, reflecting γ-glutamyl cyclotransferase activity (a key enzyme in glutathione breakdown), rose by 14 ± 22% in the first 5 days and then fell by 10 ± 14% over the subsequent 5 days, again approaching baseline levels. Additionally, the γ-glutamyl cysteine-to-cysteine ratio, indicative of γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase activity (crucial for glutathione synthesis), increased by 12 ± 30% on day 5 and by 29 ± 41% on day 10 of bed rest. The results observed on day 21 of bed rest confirm those seen on day 10. By calculating the ratio of product concentration to precursor concentration, we assessed the efficiency of these key enzymes in glutathione turnover. These results were corroborated by directly measuring glutathione synthesis and degradation rates in vivo using stable isotope techniques. Our findings reveal significant changes in glutathione kinetics during the initial days of bed rest and identify potential therapeutic targets for maintaining glutathione levels. Ključne besede: antioxidant, muscle unloading, glutathion turnover, γ-glutamyl cycle, gamma-glutamyl cycle Objavljeno v DiRROS: 21.11.2024; Ogledov: 115; Prenosov: 1101 Celotno besedilo (1,84 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
2. The effectiveness of neuromuscular training warm-up program for injury preventionin adolescent male basketball playersArmin Paravlić, Peter Bakalár, Katarina Puš, Saša Pišot, Miloš Kalc, Kaja Teraž, Luka Šlosar, Manca Peskar, Uroš Marušič, Boštjan Šimunič, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: This study evaluated the effects of a neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up program on injury incidence,neuromuscular function, and program adherence, maintenance and acceptance in adolescent basketballplayers. A total of 275 players from 20 Slovenian teams (15 ± 1.7 years of age), were randomized into anintervention group (IG, n=129) and a control group (CG, n=146). Over three months, the IG incorporatedNMT into their warm-ups, while the CG followed their usual practice. Measurements of body anthro-pometry, muscle contractile properties, and balance were taken before and after the intervention. Also,the injury incidence, training adherence and maintenance were reported. Both groups showed improvedbalance, with no significant difference between them. However, IG demonstrated reduced delay times inspecific muscles, indicating improved neuromuscular function. Injury prevalence proportion (%) duringthe whole study period was higher in the control group compared to intervention (IG: 10.9% vs. CG:23.3%), and incidence rate. Moreover, the incidence rate ratio for sustaining an injury was 2.6 on average(ranging from 0.88 to 7.07 for tendon and muscle injuries, respectively), indicating significantly lowerinjury risk in IG than CG. These findings highlight the effectiveness of NMT warm-ups in reducing injuryrisk and enhancing neuromuscular function, emphasizing the value of structured injury preventionstrategies in youth sports. Ključne besede: muscle contractile properties, balance, injury prevalence, training adherence Objavljeno v DiRROS: 18.11.2024; Ogledov: 131; Prenosov: 87 Celotno besedilo (895,08 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
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5. Relationship between Mediterranean diet adherence and body composition parameters in older adults from the Mediterranean regionKaja Teraž, Katarina Puš, Saša Pišot, Ana Cikač, Boštjan Šimunič, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Abstract: In recent decades, the rapid spread of various communication media has led to changes in traditional eating habits. In the Mediterranean region, the classic (Mediterranean) dietary pattern has been lost as a result. This has led to a shift in eating habits towards unhealthy eating patterns, which in turn has resulted in an inadequate distribution of body composition. It is known that, among other things, the number of non-communicable diseases increases with the inadequate distribution of body composition. The aim of our study was to examine the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) of older adults in the Mediterranean region in relation to specific body composition parameters. This study included 521 older adults with a mean age of 69.6 ± 6.3 years. Body composition was measured using the BIA 101 Anniversary device (Akern s.r.l., Florence, Italy) and adherence to the MD was assessed using the MEDLIFE index questionnaire. This study found significant differences in body composition between males and females. The mean adherence to the MD was 17.0 ± 3.3 points among the participants and there was higher adherence in females (p = 0.002, ηp 2 = 0.019). A multiple linear regression was performed to assess the relationship between the body composition parameters and MD. Multiple linear regression models were significant for reactance, fat mass (%), fat-free mass (%), skeletal muscle index, and total body water (%), with specific individual MEDLIFE items such as the consumption of processed meat, meat, white meat, fruit, vegetables, olive oil and limiting snacks between meals. Moreover, promising correlations were found between certain MD characteristics and BIA parameters, but the overall health effects of the MD remain unclear. Ključne besede: nutrition, elderly, body composition, healthy ageing, epidemiology Objavljeno v DiRROS: 28.10.2024; Ogledov: 137; Prenosov: 90 Celotno besedilo (488,53 KB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
6. The abdominal adiposity index (a body shape index) predicts 10-year all-cause mortality in elderly active non-obese subjectsAlessio Nunnari, Filippo Giorgio Di Girolamo, Kaja Teraž, Nicola Fiotti, Boštjan Šimunič, Filippo Mearelli, Rado Pišot, Gianni Biolo, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background/Objectives: A Body Shape Index (ABSI), which accounts for waist circumference relative to mass and height, shows a robust association with mortality risk. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of ABSI as a predictor of 10-year all-cause mortality in physically active, non-obese elderly individuals. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 159 volunteers (94 women, aged 60–80 years), recruited in the frame of the “Physical Activity and Nutrition for Great Ageing” (PANGeA) Cross-border Cooperation Program Slovenia–Italy 2007–2013, and followed for 10 years. Baseline characteristics included anthropometric measurements, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and cardiovascular fitness tests (VO2max). Statistical analyses (Cox regression, Kaplan–Meier survival) were conducted to examine the relationship between ABSI and mortality. Results: During the 10-year follow-up, 10 deaths (6.7%) were recorded. ABSI (adjusted for age, smoking, comorbidities, and therapy) was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio = 4.65, p < 0.001). Higher ABSI scores were linked to reduced VO2max (r = −0.190, p = 0.017) and increased systolic blood pressure (r = 0.262, p = 0.001). An ABSI-based predictive model showed strong discriminatory power (AUROC = 0.91). Conclusions: ABSI is a reliable predictor of 10-year mortality in active, non-obese elderly individuals and may improve risk stratification in clinical practice. Ključne besede: ABSI, a body shape index, body shape, fre fat mass, sarcopenia, prognostic index, elderly, mortality Objavljeno v DiRROS: 16.10.2024; Ogledov: 173; Prenosov: 296 Celotno besedilo (1,91 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
7. Neuromuscular component of muscle quality assessment in older adults : narrative reviewKatarina Puš, Boštjan Šimunič, 2024, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The concept of muscle quality encompasses both microand macroscopic aspects of muscle architecture and composition and has gained increasing attention with inclusion in the definition of sarcopenia, indicating the significance of muscle quality in evaluating muscle function and strength among older individuals. Muscle quality consists of two main components: neuromuscular and morphological and is often defined as the ratio between the two. The aim of this review is to present currently used methods for assessment of muscle quality with an emphasis on neuromuscular component in older adults. The most used methods for assessing morphological component are imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry and non-imaging bioimpedance analysis. In the neuromuscular component upper and lower body strength are assessed with different methods such as hand grip strength, isokinetic lower limb strength and isometric lower limb strength. Currently, there are three proposed muscle quality assessment methods for field or population studies: muscle quality index, ultrasound sarcopenia index and bioimpedancederived phase angle. Despite the exploration of muscle quality through various assessment methods, a consensus on the most appropriate and universally applicable approach has yet to be established. Ključne besede: ageing, skeletal muscle, ultrasound sarcopenia index, muscle quality index, phase angle Objavljeno v DiRROS: 13.05.2024; Ogledov: 441; Prenosov: 212 Celotno besedilo (347,88 KB) |
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9. Metabolic consequences of anabolic steroids, insulin, and growth hormone abuse in recreational bodybuilders : implications for the world anti-doping agency passportFilippo Giorgio Di Girolamo, Chiara Biasinutto, Alessandro Mangogna, Nicola Fiotti, Pierandrea Vinci, Rado Pišot, Filippo Mearelli, Boštjan Šimunič, Chiara Roni, Gianni Biolo, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background Hormonal doping in recreational sports is a public-health concern. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) promoted the creation of the Athlete Biological Passport, aiming to monitor athlete’s biological variables over time to facilitate indirect detection of doping. Detection tests for anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and growth hormone (GH) are available while insulin abuse cannot be revealed. We have determined in recreational bodybuilders the metabolic effects associated with different patterns of hormone abuse. All analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21.0 software (SPSS Chicago, IL). Results We have assessed plasma concentrations of selected metabolic markers and fatty acid content in erythrocyte membranes of 92 male bodybuilders and in 45 healthy controls. Hormonal abuse was identified by anonymous questionnaires. 43% (%) of recruited bodybuilders regularly abused hormones, i.e., anabolic androgenic steroids (95%) often associated with GH (30%) and/or insulin (38%). HDL-cholesterol was lower in insulin and/or GH abusers. Alanine (ALT) and aspartic (AST) transaminases were greater in hormone abusing bodybuilders than in non-doping bodybuilders and controls. Insulin doping was selectively associated with increased plasma ALT-to-AST ratio. In erythrocyte membranes, elongase activity (i.e., stearic-to-palmitic ratio) was lower in insulin and/or growth hormone doping, whereas increased Δ-9 desaturase activity (i.e., palmitoleic-to-palmitic ratio) was selectively associated with insulin doping. Conclusions In conclusion, our study demonstrates that insulin and GH abuse are characterized by multiple alterations of specific metabolic markers. Although further studies are needed to test whether longitudinal monitoring of selected metabolic marker such as muscle contraction time, HDL levels, ALT-AST ratio as well as the activities of selected enzymes (e.g. Δ-9 desaturase and elongase), could contribute to the detection of insulin and GH abuse in sport. Ključne besede: bodybuilders, doping, drug abuse, matabolism Objavljeno v DiRROS: 03.04.2024; Ogledov: 556; Prenosov: 217 Celotno besedilo (1,38 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |
10. Retinal venular vessel diameters are smaller during ten days of bed restAdam Salon, Göktuğ Mert Çiftci, Damir Zubac, Boštjan Šimunič, Rado Pišot, Marco Vicenzo Narici, Per Morten Fredriksen, Benedicta Ngwenchi Nkeh-Chungag, Harald Sourij, Nandu Goswami, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Older individuals experience cardiovascular dysfunction during extended bedridden hospital or care home stays. Bed rest is also used as a model to simulate accelerated vascular deconditioning occurring during spacefight. This study investigates changes in retinal microcirculation during a tenday bed rest protocol. Ten healthy young males (22.9± 4.7 years; body mass index: 23.6± 2.5 kg·m–2) participated in a strictly controlled repeated-measures bed rest study lasting ten days. High-resolution images were obtained using a hand-held fundus camera at baseline, daily during the 10 days of bed rest, and 1 day after re-ambulation. Retinal vessel analysis was performed using a semi-automated software system to obtain metrics for retinal arteriolar and venular diameters, central retinal artery equivalent and central retinal vein equivalent, respectively. Data analysis employed a mixed linear model. At the end of the bed rest period, a signifcant decrease in retinal venular diameter was observed, indicated by a signifcantly lower central retinal vein equivalent (from 226.1 µm, CI 8.90, to 211.4 µm, CI 8.28, p= .026), while no signifcant changes in central retinal artery equivalent were noted. Prolonged bed rest confnement resulted in a signifcant (up to 6.5%) reduction in retinal venular diameter. These fndings suggest that the changes in retinal venular diameter during bedrest may be attributed to plasma volume losses and refect overall (cardio)-vascular deconditioning. Ključne besede: eyes, retinal venular vessel, venske žile, bed rest, gibalna neaktivnost Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.11.2023; Ogledov: 1130; Prenosov: 371 Celotno besedilo (1,07 MB) Gradivo ima več datotek! Več... |