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.

Effect of boxing on some metabolic indices of muscular contraction.

Muscular contraction, especially if it is protracted or particularly intense, causes notable changes in the substrate and enzymes involved. Marked changes have been found in the serum levels of myoglobin and CK in individuals subjected to very stressful physical work. This phenomenon has usually been attributed to the repeated and intense muscular traumas inherent in certain sporting activities.

[Cardiac and metabolic investigations during 24 hour endurance skiing (Pinzolo, Italy)].

In the "24-hour Cross Country Ski Race of Pinzolo" skiers attempt to cover as long as possible distances within 24 hours. Cardiac and metabolic changes of 6 volunteer cross country skiers, aging 29 to 39 years, participating to the individual competition, were analysed. All skiers had negative clinical examination and resting standard 12-lead ECG, except for one who had a midsystolic click on auscultation suggesting the presence of mitral valve prolapse.

[Baseball during the growing years: repercussions on the cardiovascular system (echocardiographic evaluation)].

The influence upon the cardiovascular system of a period (21 months) of physical training program for baseball was studied in 40 normal children (aged 8 to 10 years) in an experimental (20) and control (20) group. The echocardiographic changes observed at the end of the period proved to be substantially alike in both groups. The physiopathological involvements linked to the baseball training in the prepubescent age are discussed.

[Mineral salts and water in the diet of the athlete].

Hydroelectrolyte disturbances, even if modest, are capable of negatively modifying sports performance. When the sweating, that accompanies sports activity, is abundant, it is the means by which the greatest quantity of water and salt are lost. A correct diet can prevent any of the manifestations connected to an altered hydroelectrolyte equilibrium, especially when the activity is very prolonged.

[Effect of acute administration of verapamil on various metabolic parameters in healthy humans].

Calcium-antagonist drugs have been used for sometime in various forms of cardiac disease. Some of these molecules, in the initial phase of administration, show a net increase in the FFA liberation. So far it is not certain whether this behavior also refers to other molecules.

Non invasive evaluation of left ventricular performance in 294 diabetic patients without clinical heart disease.

The authors studied the modification of systolic time intervals (STI), pre-ejection period (PEP) and left ventricular ejection time (LVETc), before and after isometric exercise, in 294 diabetic patients without clinical evidence of cardiomyopathy and in good metabolic control compared to 132 normal subjects. The study was aimed at detecting preclinical alterations of left ventricular function. Diabetic patients considered together did not show any difference in STI in basal conditions or after isometric exercise compared to normal subjects.

Thyroid and obesity: survey of some function tests in a large obese population.

Tests of thyroid function in 493 obese patients were compared with thyroid function in 3076 non-obese patients. No differences in 131I uptake by the thyroid were observed at 6 h or 24 h; the frequency distribution was gaussian or normal in both populations; the frequencies of normal, high or low T3 and T4 values in the two populations were likewise comparable. Further, no correlation was found in the obese subjects between 131I uptake (6 h and 24 h), T3, T4 and overweight; on the other hand, there was a significant negative correlation between 131I uptake (6 h and 24 h) and age.

[Aspects of glycolipid metabolism in chronic renal insufficiency: interference of oral glucose administration during and after dialysis with changes induced by short dialyses with glucose free dialysate].

As part of some research into certain aspects of glycolipidic metabolism in chronic renal insufficiency, a study has been made of alterations in glycaemia, insulinaemia, free fatty acids and triglycerides during and following brief periods of dialysis by glucose-free bath in 26 subjects: within this group, 50 g of glucose were administered to 8 patients at the 2nd hour of dialysis and 100 g to another 8 at the end of therapy. The following findings were made during glucose-free dialysis: marked hypoglycaemia starting from the first hour until the end, marked increase in FFA and marked fall in TG upon the lipolytic action of heparin. In the post-dialysis period, immediate normalization in glycaemia, steady diminution in FFA and notable increase in TG as early as the 1st hour.

Epidemiological aspects and social importance of obesity. The situation in Italy compared with other developed countries.

Epidemiological aspects of obesity have been the object of few studies in Italy, and the results of these are reviewed and compared with those obtained in other developed countries. The prevalence of obesity has been investigated in pre-school and school-age children, in young conscripts and in workers at the Riuniti Hospital in Parma, and the results show that the problem of obesity in Italy is a serious one. More than 2000 obese subjects, attending the First Medical Clinic of Parma University, have been studied to establish how far overweight is responsible for pathological and disabling complications.

[Food consumption in a community of the Parma district (Langhirano). Clinico-metabolic considerations].

Referring to the results of a "pilot" nutritional investigation carried out in a representative mixed sample of a small community of Parma district (Langhirano), the AA. underline the clinical and metabolic implications resulting from the not quite correct nutritional behaviour observed. In fact, in agreement with the national average data reported for italian population from ISTAT, caloric excess, particularly of dietary fat and proteins, was confirmed in this community too.