Effect of omega-3 and policosanol supplementation on attention and reactivity in athletes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of omega-3 fatty acids and policosanol supplementation on the cognitive processes involved in the control of reactivity in karateka engaged in attention tests.

Methods: Eighteen karateka were randomly assigned to 2 groups. One group (10 subjects) took the supplement of omega-3 fatty acids (2.

Changes in salivary cortisol and corticosteroid receptor-alpha mRNA expression following a 3-week multidisciplinary treatment program in patients with fibromyalgia.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a 3-week residential multidisciplinary non-pharmacological treatment program (including individually prescribed aerobic exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy) on fibromyalgia symptoms and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. Salivary and venous blood samples were collected from 12 female patients with fibromyalgia (age: 25-58) the day before and the day after the treatment period: saliva, eight times (every two hours from 0800 to 2200 h); venous blood, at 0800 h. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were separated and analyzed for glucocorticoid receptor-alpha (GR-alpha) mRNA expression by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, while the salivary cortisol concentration was determined by RIA.

Attention in athletes of high and low experience engaged in different open skill sports.

In this study were examined differences in attentional style of athletes engaged in two open skill sports requiring high reactivity (karate and volleyball) in groups with high or low experience. 42 healthy men, 24 volleyball players, 12 of High Experience (first division Italian League players whose M age was 28 yr. (SD=5) and 12 of Low Experience (prejunior Italian team athletes whose M age was 19 yr.

Gender-related effects of chronic non-malignant pain and opioid therapy on plasma levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF).

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine produced by neuroendocrine and immune tissues that possesses several characteristics of a neuroendocrine mediator. Chronic pain is known to affect and to be affected by neuroendocrine and immune mechanisms. In the present study, the plasma levels of MIF and several hormones (cortisol, estradiol, testosterone) were determined to evaluate their mutual behaviour in controls and in chronic pain patients.

Attentional, emotional and hormonal data in subjects of different ages.

The differences in attentional style among subjects of different ages and the influence of emotionality on the attentional components were studied for a limited experimental period. Variation in the hormonal data and its relation to behavioural parameters were also evaluated. The subjects enrolled in the study were divided into four age groups (A 18-29, B 30-45, C 46-59, D 60-77 years).

Platelet adhesion and aggregation on polyethylene: effect of exhaustive exercise.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an exhaustive exercise on platelet adhesion and aggregation on polyethylene (PE) in relation to changes in plasma cortisol concentration in order to ascertain the effect of physical stress response in the blood-contacting properties of polymeric materials. Twelve healthy sedentary subjects, six males and six females, were studied. Each subject performed an exercise test on a bicycle ergometer at intensity corresponding to 70% VO2 max until exhaustion.

IFN-gamma production in rabbits: behavioral and endocrine correlates.

Freely interacting male rabbits were studied to establish the effect of exogenous testosterone on interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and to evaluate if this effect is related to season, social rank, plasma corticosterone and glucocorticoid receptors (GcR) in PBMCs. Dominance behavior increases after testosterone propionate (TP) administration only in rank 1 animals, while submission behavior increases after TP only in rank 4 animals, indicating a reinforcing effect of TP on the behavior. Corticosterone and IFN-gamma production are higher and GcR binding capacity is lower in spring than in autumn, suggesting that seasonal fluctuations in the immune system may be related to the pattern of secretion of immunomodulatory hormones.

Reactivity and event-related potentials in attentional tests: effect of training.

To study the effects of training on reactivity and event-related potentials a complex attentional shifting test involving reaction time was administered (Test 1) to 24 healthy, young students. After five days, 12 subjects were tested with the same procedure (Test 2) without training (Untrained Subjects) while 12 repeated the test at the fifth day after four days of training (Trained Subjects). During Tests 1 and 2, event-related potentials were recorded by electroencephalogram.