Lipoprotein(a) and exercise.

Plasma levels of lipoprotein(a), total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apoprotein A1 and apoprotein B were assessed in 10 healthy, untrained volunteers subjected to a bicycle ergometric exercise equal to 50% of individual VO2max, followed by increasing loads until muscular exhaustion. Blood samples were taken before the exercise, immediately afterwards and then at 12-hourly intervals for a 72 hours period. Subsequently, the same parameters were evaluated for 8 long-distance runners during the XXIII New York Marathon, with blood samples being taken before and after the race, and then after one month of detraining.

The influence of ubiquinone (Co Q10) on the metabolic response to work.

Ubiquinone (Co Q10) is a natural substance suitable for therapeutic use in cardiology and in the treatment of some muscular diseases. It might therefore be used during strenuous exercise (as in athletic competitions), especially in the presence of metabolic modifications which may justify its use. For this purpose, we have evaluated the effect of prolonged treatment with Co Q10 (100 mg/day per os for one month) on the biological changes induced by prolonged work on an ergometer bicycle (equal to about 50% of the single VO2max per 60 m'), immediately followed by exhaustive work (25 watts increase every 2 m').

Effects of anabolic steroids, testosterone, and HGH on blood lipids and echocardiographic parameters in body builders.

To evaluate the metabolic or cardiovascular effects induced by self-administration of human growth hormone (HGH) alone or combined with testosterone and anabolic steroids, we conducted a study with 15 male body builders. Of these, 8 (control group) did not take any hormonal substances; 6 (experimental group) self-administered testosterone, anabolic steroids, and HGH for 6 weeks in various dosages; 1 subject self-administered only HGH for an equal period of time. At the end of the period of treatment with the hormonal combination, the experimental group continued for 2 additional weeks with anabolic steroids and testosterone only.