Eccentric exercise induces nitric oxide synthase expression through nuclear factor-kappaB modulation in rat skeletal muscle.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of eccentric exercise on the expression of the different nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in rat deep vastus lateralis muscle. Twenty-four rats were allocated to four experimental groups: rested control group, acutely exercised group after an intermittent downhill protocol for 90 min, acutely exercised group treated with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (100 mg/kg ip) for 24 and 1 h before the acute exercise bout, and acutely exercised group with a previous submaximal eccentric training of 8 wk. Acutely exercised rats showed increased levels of protein tyrosine nitration, NF-kappaB binding, and phospho-I kappaB alpha content.

Sulforaphane treatment protects skeletal muscle against damage induced by exhaustive exercise in rats.

Sulforaphane (SF), one of the most important isothiocyanates in the human diet, present in cruciferous vegetables, is known to have chemopreventive activities in different tissues. No data are available on its effects in the prevention of skeletal muscle damage. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effects of SF treatment on muscle damage and oxidative stress induced by an acute bout of exhaustive exercise in rats.

High-protein-PUFA supplementation, red blood cell membranes, and plasma antioxidant activity in volleyball athletes.

The authors evaluated the role of a high-protein, low-calorie, polyunsaturated fatty-acid (PUFA) -supplemented diet on anthropometric parameters, erythrocyte-membrane fatty-acid composition, and plasma antioxidant defenses of nonprofessional volleyball athletes. The athletes were divided in two groups: One (n = 5) followed the Mediterranean diet, and the other (n = 6) followed a high-protein, low-calorie diet with a 3-g/day fish-oil supplementation. All the athletes had anthropometric measurements taken, both at the beginning and at the end of the study, which lasted for 2 months.

Is the Mediterranean lifestyle still a reality? Evaluation of food consumption and energy expenditure in Italian and Spanish university students.

Objective: To evaluate the correspondence of diet and lifestyle to the Mediterranean model in two groups of Italian and Spanish university students.

Design: A cross-sectional nutritional survey to determine BMI, dietary habits (FFQ), energy daily expenditure and lifestyle (SenseWear Armband; BodyMedia Inc.), and to define the Mediterranean diet quality index (MDQI) in the different student groups.

Dietary habits and related psychological and social factors: influence on the body weight of elementary school children.

This article studies the alimentary habits of children in relation to their body mass index (BMI) and food preferences, and to underline the influences of cultural and social aspects. The investigation tested 198 children (90 male and 108 female) from Cento (Ferrara), using food frequency questionnaires that were completed by the children. Subjects were subdivided into three groups based on their BMI--normal weight, overweight and underweight--taking into consideration their food frequency and preferences.