Effects of 2.5-hour sumo training on serum opsonic activity.

Sumo is a traditional Japanese sport, but the effect of actual daily training on neutrophil function is unknown. We evaluated the effect of sumo training on serum opsonic activity (SOA), which is one of the main neutrophil-related functions. Seventeen male university sumo wrestlers participated in the study.

Measuring neutrophil functions might be a good predictive marker of overtraining in athletes.

In order to develop a predictive marker of overtraining in athletes, we examined the changes in neutrophil function [reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability and phagocytic activity (PA)] for 10 male and 13 female judoists attending a training camp. Measurements were taken four times in total--immediately before and after a 2 h unified exercise loading (UEL) performed 1 day before (Pre-Camp) and the day after the 7 day training camp (Post-Camp). UEL-mediated aspartate aminotransferase was higher at Post-Camp than at Pre-Camp in females but not in males.

Are individuals with lower neutrophil oxidative burst activity more prone to Helicobacter pylori infection?

Helicobacter pylori infection has been reported to cause enhanced reactive oxygen species in the gastric mucosa. We examined the relationship between H. pylori infection and neutrophil function of peripheral blood.

Effects of a bout of traditional and original sumo training on neutrophil immune function in amateur university sumo wrestlers.

In order to examine in detail the influence on the neutrophil immune function in sumo wrestlers of performing traditional and original training we examined changes in the neutrophil immune function in 17 male amateur university sumo wrestlers (aged 20.2 +/- 1.5 years), before ('Pre') and after the training ('Post') for 2.

The decreasing burden of gastric cancer in Japan.

Gastric cancer in Japan, previously the top killer cancer, has recently shown decreased incidence and mortality rates. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that environmental factors are closely associated with stomach oncogenesis, as evident from the geographical differences seen throughout Japan in both incidence and mortality. Moreover, Japanese immigrant populations gradually exhibit the lower incidence and mortality rates of gastric cancer in their chosen country.

Change in the capability of reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils following weight reduction in female judoists.

Objective: Athletes undergoing weight reduction are recognised as being more prone to infection. Few studies exist for athletes on the weight reduction-mediated changes in neutrophil function and related activities such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capability, phagocytic activity (PA) and serum opsonic activity (SOA).

Methods: 16 Japanese female university judoists were examined in the early morning of the first day (pre-values) and the last day (post-values) of a 20-day pre-competition training period.