Effects of Resistance Training Intensity on Heart Rate Variability at Rest and in Response to Orthostasis in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

Objective: Aging and deficits related to decreased physical activity can lead to higher risks of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 24 weeks of resistance training (RT) at various intensities on hemodynamics as well as heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and in response to orthostatic tests in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: Forty adults were randomized into three groups: high-intensity (HEX) (80% 1-RM) (11 female, 4 male; 60 ± 4 years); low-moderate-intensity (LEX) (50% 1-RM) (nine female, four male; 61 ± 5 years); and a control group (CON) (eight female, four male; 60 ± 4 years).

Interactive Effect of Corticosterone and Lactate on Regulation of Testosterone Production in Rat Leydig Cells.

The increasing intensity of exercise enhanced corticosterone and lactate production in both humans and rodents. Our previous studies also demonstrated that lactate could stimulate testosterone production in vivo and in vitro. However, the production of testosterone in response to combined corticosterone and lactate on Leydig cells, and underlying molecular mechanisms are remained unclear.

Effects of acrolein on the production of corticosterone in male rats.

Acrolein, an α, β-unsaturated aldehyde, exists in a wide range of sources. Acrolein can be not only generated from all types of smoke but also produced endogenously from the metabolism by lipid peroxidation. The cellular influence of acrolein is due to its electrophilic character via binding to and depleting cellular nucleophiles.

Effects of acrolein on aldosterone release from zona glomerulosa cells in male rats.

A positive correlation between smoking and hypertension has been well established. Acrolein is a major toxic volatile compound found in cigarette smoke. Human exposure to low levels of acrolein is unavoidable due to its production in daily activities, such as smoke from industrial, hot oil cooking vapors, and exhaust fumes from vehicles.

Effects of armepavine against hepatic fibrosis induced by thioacetamide in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate if armepavine (Arm, C₁₉H₂₃O₃N) could exert inhibitory effects against hepatic fibrosis in rats. A cell line of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6) was stimulated with tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Arm. Rats were injected with thioacetamide (TAA; 300 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) thrice a week for 4 weeks to induce hepatic fibrosis, with Arm (3 or 10 mg/kg) given by gavage twice a day.

Inhibitory effects of armepavine against hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a crucial role in liver fibrogenesis. armepavine (Arm, C19H23O3N), an active compound from Nelumbo nucifera, has been shown to exert immunosuppressive effects on T lymphocytes and on lupus nephritic mice. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Arm could exert anti-hepatic fibrogenic effects in vitro and in vivo.

The hepatoprotective effect of Bupleurum kaoi, an endemic plant to Taiwan, against dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

In the present study, three materials extracted or isolated from the roots of B. kaoi, an endemic plant to Taiwan, were used to be examined the hepatoprotective effect against dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, they were water extract (BKW), polysaccharide-enriched fractions (BKP) and saponin-enriched fractions (BKS). After treated with DMN for 4 weeks, the levels of aminotrasferases (GOT, GPT) were significantly elevated in serum, and the levels of total protein (TP) and albumin were significantly decreased in serum and liver homogenates.

The antiproliferative activity of saponin-enriched fraction from Bupleurum Kaoi is through Fas-dependent apoptotic pathway in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells.

Bupleuri Radix (Chai-hu in Chinese and Saiko in Japanese) is one of the most important traditional Chinese crude drugs for treating hepatitis malaria and intermittent fever. B. kaoi is one of the Bupleurum spp.