Os hormônios do eixo GH-sistema IGF são conhecidos pelo seu papel anabólico e melhora nos ganhos de força. Alguns estudos sugerem que suplementação com o composto Zinco, Magnésio e Piridoxina (\"ZMA\") poderia aumentar os níveis dos hormônios do eixo GH/IGF e na testosterona em jovens. Este hipotético aumento, poderia causar alterações significativas na composição corporal. O ZMA é um suplemento muito popular, facilmente encontrado em lojas especializadas, e tem como premissa causar este aumento nos níveis dos hormônios do eixo GH/IGF, além da testosterona. Contudo, os estudos são divergentes acerca de sua eficácia. Assim sendo, o presente projeto objetivou verificar os efeitos do treinamento físico associado à suplementação de 8 semanas do composto ZMA sobre as concentrações de IGF-1, IGFBP-3 e testosterona em jovens do sexo masculino. Participaram do estudo 18 sujeitos saudáveis, do sexo masculino, atletas amadores de futebol americano. Eles foram divididos em dois grupos: ZMA (grupo suplementado) e placebo. Os resultados mostraram elevação das concentrações de IGF-1, IGFBP-3 e de Testosterona entre a avaliação inicial e a avaliação após 8 semanas. Essa elevação foi semelhante nos dois grupos, não havendo diferenças entre o grupo suplementado e o grupo placebo. Nos dois grupos foi observado de forma semelhante aumento nos parâmetros antropométricos que atestam ganho de massa magra, acompanhado de diminuição naqueles que indicam redução da gordura corporal. Assim sendo, os resultados sugerem que em indivíduos com dieta adequada, doses extras dos micronutrientes presentes no ZMA não trazem quaisquer benefícios adicionais, seja na composição corporal ou nos níveis hormonais. / The GH-IGF system has several anabolic effects and plays an important role in strength gain. Some studies suggest that Zinc, Magnesium and Pyridoxine (\"ZMA\") supplementation could increase GH/IGF and testosterone levels in young subjects. This hypothetical increase could lead to significant changes in body composition. ZMA is a very popular supplement, easily found in specialty stores, and it is presumed to cause increasing in GH/IGF and testosterone levels. However, studies are divergent regarding its efficacy. Therefore, the present study aimed to verify the effects of physical training associated with 8-week ZMA supplementation on the IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and testosterone levels in young males. Eighteen healthy male amateur football players were included in the study. They were divided into two groups: ZMA (supplemented group) and placebo. IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and testosterone concentrations were higher in the final evaluation (8 weeks) than at the beginning of the study. The increase was similar in the supplemented and in the placebo group. Both groups showed similar changes in anthropometric parameters attesting for lean mass gain and decrease in body fat mass. The findings suggest that extra doses of the micronutrients present in the ZMA do not bring any additional benefits, either in the body composition or in the hormonal levels in subjects under adequate diet.

Older adults who stay physically and mentally active appear to have better cognitive function compared to their less active counterparts. In fact, those who perform either regular exercise or cognitive training (CT) can maintain and improve their cognitive functioning, even in their later years. Resistance training (RT) causes an increase in specific hormones that are responsible for improved brain functioning; however, many questions about how these hormones respond to RT are unanswered. Understanding how these hormones respond to RT can help researchers and clinicians create optimal training programs for older adults. Research shows that combining exercise and CT may be better for the brain compared to either activity performed alone; however, nobody has looked at RT combined with CT. We believe that combining RT and CT where CT is performed when an individual’s hormones are highest (right after RT) could have a big effect on brain function in a short period of time. This work represents a two-part study looked at: 1) how these hormones respond to a session of RT, and 2) the effect of combined RT and CT on cognitive function in older adults. Our participants performed CT immediately after RT, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Specific hormones which are important for brain function were measured immediately before and for 2 hours after an acute bout of RT before and after 8-weeks of RT. Cognitive function was measured before and after the RT training period. Our primary findings were: 1) significant increases in brain derived neurotrophic factor immediately after RT and 2) participants cognitive function improved after 8 weeks of training. This is important because short-term combined RT and CT can lead to significant improvements in cognitive functioning. Also, this work will allow researchers to begin designing exercise programs that can maximize the brain’s ability to change, even at an old age. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2012-09-21 15:29:35.509

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic increasing at an alarming rate among youth who are facing similar health problems as adults. Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) is an underdiagnosed comorbidity of obesity, characterized by repetitive nocturnal interruptions in breathing. Obesity is associated with delayed skeletal maturation in overweight youth, but mechanisms contributing to this problem are unclear. Obesity and SAS both have been shown to disrupt regulatory hormones and cytokines that influence bone accretion during adolescence. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the combined effects of excess body weight and SAS on bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC), bone turnover, and on the regulatory hormones leptin and IGF-1 known to potentially influence bone accretion during adolescence. METHODS: Men aged 18-28 years were assigned to groups as follows: normal weight controls (CON: AHI <3, n=8); overweight without SAS (OWT: BMI < 26 kg/m2 and AHI <3, n=9); and overweight with SAS (SAS: BMI >26 kg/m2 and AHI >5, n=8). The apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) expresses the score for disrupted nighttime breathing events/hr and was obtained in this study with results from a home sleep screening test. Health history and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaires also were administered. Bone mineral parameters and body composition variables were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum osteocalcin, leptin, IGF-1, and NTx-1 were measured, respectively, by radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. RESULTS: Fat-free mass, intra-abdominal fat, and fat mass were higher in the SAS and OWT groups (p<0.03). ESS scores revealed that SAS individuals were sleepier than CON and OWT groups (p<0.009). Total body and site-specific BMD and BMC values (lumbar spine, hip, and forearm) were similar between groups and did not relate to the estimated AHI score. Serum OC and NTx-1 did not differ between groups. Leptin levels were 30% higher in OWT and SAS than in the CON group (p<0.02), but did not correlate with the AHI score. Across all subjects (n=25), only lumbar spine BMC (p<0.005) was correlated to AHI (r=-.52; p<0.01). The preponderance of this relationship between AHI and lumbar spine BMC was attributable to the close inverse association of these two variables within the SAS group (r = -.81; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The effects of SAS were not influenced by the amount of whole-body, intra-abdominal adiposity or lean body mass. Neither leptin nor IGF-1 predicted bone status across all groups. Daytime fatigue and sleepiness, a cardinal symptom of SAS, combined with overweight may contribute to lower lumbar BMC by chronically reducing weight-bearing physical activity and thereby reduce exposure time for mechanical loading of the spine in affected individuals. Further research is needed to explore the biochemical, physiological, and apparently the physical activity implications of SAS on skeletal status and turnover. / Master of Science

Os acrocórdones (AC) são fibromas cutâneos pedunculados, de 2 a 6mm, encontrados, mais frequentemente, nas áreas de dobras de pele. Aventa-se que a insulina ou fatores de crescimento de insulina símile (IGF-1) sejam implicados na etiopatogenia dos AC. Sendo assim, foi sugerida a associação dessas lesões com a resistência à insulina (RI). O peptídeo insulinotrópico dependente de glicose (GIP) é uma incretina com ação insulinotrópica e mostrou-se aumentado em pacientes obesos e diabéticos, porém nunca foi demonstrado na pele de pacientes com AC. O estudo da expressão tecidual de fatores de crescimento e incretinas na pele de pacientes com AC, confrontando com parâmetros de RI no sangue periférico, poderão vir a se tornar importantes ferramentas de investigação de em quais cenários clínicos os achados dermatológicos poderiam ou não implicar na necessidade de uma propedêutica laboratorial na detecção da RI. Os objetivos do estudo foram: Identificar a expressão do GIP e IGF-1 nas lesões de AC e na pele sã (sem lesões) dos mesmos pacientes, bem como na pele de pacientes sem acrocórdones (indivíduos controles) por meio de análises imunoistoquímicas, correlacionando esta expressão com o fenômeno de resistência a insulina. Foram estudados 57 pacientes com AC e comparou-se os resultados bioquímicos com grupo controle composto por 16 pacientes sem AC. Realizaram-se as reações imunoistoquímicas para o GIP e IGF-1 na pele de AC, na pele dos pacientes com AC em área não acometida por lesões e na pele controle remanescente de cirurgia plástica. Os resultados mostraram que os exames bioquímicos como glicemia, insulina, triglicerídeos e gama glutil aminotransferase (GGT) estavam aumentados no grupo com AC, bem como o índice HOMA-IR. A imunomarcação pelo IGF-1 não diferiu na pele dos 3 grupos, enquanto a imunomarcação do GIP na pele com AC foi maior que nor outros 2 grupos (controle e normal), com p<0.05. Quando o grupo de AC foi dividido em indivíduos com RI e sem RI, não houve diferença estatística na marcação do IGF-1, mas a marcação do GIP na epiderme foi menor nos pacientes que apresentavam RI / Acrochordons (AC) are pedunculated fibromas of the skin, 2 to 6mm found more often in areas of skin folds. It is suspected that insulin or insulin growth factor (IGF-1) are implicated in the pathogenesis of AC. Therefore, it was suggested that these lesions are associated with insulin resistance (IR). The glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) is an incretin with insulinotropic action and was increased in obese and diabetic patients, but has never been demonstrated in the skin of patients with AC. The study of tissue growth factors and incretins in the skin of patients with AC, confronting with IR parameters in peripheral blood, are likely to become important research tools for in wich clinical scenarios the dermatological findings might or might not result in the need of laboratory methods for the detection of IR. The study objectives were: to identify the expression of IGF-1 and GIP in AC lesions and healthy skin (no injuries) from the same patients as well as in the skin of patients without acrochordons (control subjects) by immunohistochemical analysis, correlating this expression with the phenomenon of insulin resistance. We studied 57 patients with AC and compared the biochemical results with the control group consisted of 16 patients without AC. Immunohistochemistry for GIP and IGF-1 was performed in the skin of AC, in the skin of patients with AC in the area not affected by the skin lesions and in control skin group remaining plastic surgery. The results showed that the biochemical tests as blood glucose, insulin, triglycerides and gamma glutil aminotransferase (GGT) were higher in the group with AC, and the HOMA-IR index too. The IGF-1 expression did not differ in the skin of the 3 groups, whereas GIP expression of skin with normal AC was higher than the other 2 groups (control and normal), with p <0.05. When the AC group was divided into individuals with and without IR, there was no difference in IGF-1 marking, but the marking on the skin of GIP was lower in patients with IR

INTRODUÇÃO: Baixos níveis séricos de fator de crescimento insulin-like I (IGF- 1) ao nascimento têm sido considerados um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento da retinopatia da prematuridade em recém-nascidos prematuros de extremo baixo peso. Isto se deve ao seu papel como fator permissivo para o fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) exercer sua função no desenvolvimento normal e patológico dos vasos da retina. OBJETIVO: Testar a hipótese de que a administração do JB-1 (um análogo do IGF-1 que inibe de forma potente a auto-fosforilação do receptor do IGF-1 pelo IGF-1) durante a hiperóxia previne a retinopatia induzida por oxigênio em nosso modelo experimental em ratos. MATERIAL E METODOS: Ratos recém-nascidos foram expostos a 50% de oxigênio com três episódios consecutivos de hipóxia (12% de oxigênio) do nascimento ao 14º dia de vida. Os ratos foram tratados com injeções subcutâneas de 1) JB-1 (1g/d) nos três primeiros dias de vida (JB-1 x3); 2) JB- 1(1g/d) por dias alternados do 1º ao 13º dias de vida (JB-1x7) 3) ou volume equivalente de solução salina. Grupos controles foram criados em ar ambiente nas mesmas condições, exceto pelo ciclo de hiperóxia/ hipóxia. Os grupos foram analisados após a exposição ao oxigênio no 14º dia de vida ou deixados em ar ambiente por mais sete dias até o sacrifício, no 21º dia de vida. Determinou-se as dosagens sistêmicas e oculares de fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF), receptor tipo1 solúvel do fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (sVEGFR-1) e fator de crescimento insulin-like I (IGF-1), associados a análise da vascularização retiniana e do perfil dos genes relacionados à angiogênese retiniana. RESULTADOS: O tratamento com JB-1x3 resultou em supressão efetiva da retinopatia induzida por oxigênio, sem efeitos adversos no crescimento somático e foi associado a um aumento do sVEGFR-1 quando comparado com o JB-1x7. Ao contrário, o tratamento com JB-1x7 durante a exposição ao oxigênio levou à diminuição do peso corpóreo e níveis mais altos de IGF-1 e VEGF relacionados à presença de tortuosidades vasculares e neovascularização retiniana, quando comparado com as retinas que receberam apenas solução salina. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento curto e sistêmico com JB-1 durante a hiperóxia resultou em prevenção da retinopatia induzida por oxigênio sem restrição do crescimento somático. Novos estudos devem ser realizados para determinar se o JB-1 pode ser usado em recém-nascidos de extremo baixo peso na prevenção da retinopatia da prematuridade / INTRODUCTION: Low serum insulin growth factor (IGF-1) levels at birth is a risk factor for the development of retinopathy of prematurity in extremely low birth weight infants. This may be due to its role as a permissive factor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) function in normal and pathologic vascular development. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that JB-1 (an IGF-1 analog that potently inhibits the autophosphorylation of the IGF-1 receptor by IGF-1) administration during hyperoxia prevents oxygen induced retinopathy in our rat model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Neonatal rats were exposed to 50% oxygen with brief, clustered, hypoxic (12% oxygen) episodes from birth to day 14. The pups were treated with subcutaneus injections of 1) JB-1 (1g/d) on the first, second, and third day (JB-1x3) 2) JB1 (1g/d) on alternate days from first to day 13 (JB- 1x7); or equivalent volume of saline. Control littermates were raised in room air with all conditions identical except for inspired oxygen. Groups were analyzed after hyperoxia/hypoxia cycling on day 14 or allowed to recover in room air until the 21st day. Systemic and ocular VEGF, soluble VEGFR-1, and IGF-1; retinal vasculature and gene profile of retinal angiogenesis were assessed. RESULTS: JB-1x3 treatment resulted in successful suppression of oxygeninduced retinopathy with no adverse effect on anthropometric growth, which was associated with increased sVEGFR-1 compared to JB-1x7. In contrast, intermittent and long exposure to JB-1 (JB-1x7) during the hyperoxia/hypoxia cycling period resulted in decreased body weight and higher ocular IGF-1 and VEGF levels as well as vascular tortuosity and retinal neovascularization compared with saline treated retinas. CONCLUSION: Systemic treatment with JB-1 during hyperoxia results in successful prevention of oxygen-induced retinopathy with little adverse effects on anthropometric growth. Further confirmatory studies are needed to determine whether systemic JB-1 should be used in extremely low birth weight infants to prevent retinopathy of prematurity

Every year over 2.5 million traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur and are the leading cause of death and disability among adolescents. There are no approved treatments for TBI. Survivors suffer from persistent cognitive impairment due to posttraumatic tissue damage and disruption of neural networks which significantly detract from their quality of life. Posttraumatic cognitive impairment depends in part on the brain's limited ability to repair or replace damaged cells. Immature neurons in the hippocampus dentate gyrus, a brain region required for learning and memory, are particularly vulnerable to TBI. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) is a potential therapeutic for TBI because it is a potent neurotrophic factor capable of mediating neuroprotection, neuro-repair, and neurogenesis. We hypothesized that conditional IGF1 overexpression in the mouse hippocampus following experimental controlled cortical impact injury (CCI) would enhance posttraumatic neurogenesis chronically. To this end, conditional astrocyte-specific IGF1 overexpressing mice (IGFtg) and wild-type (WT) mice received CCI or sham injury. The proliferation marker BrdU was used to label neurons born the first week after injury. Six weeks after injury, when surviving posttrauma-born neurons would be fully developed, we counted proliferated cells (BrdU+) and the subset expressing a mature neuronal marker (NeuN+/BrdU+) in the hippocampus. We also assessed cognitive performance during radial arm water-maze reversal (RAWM-R) testing, a neurogenesis-sensitive assay. IGF1 promoted end-stage maturity and decreased mis-migration of neurons born after trauma. These effects coincide with IGF1 induced improvements in performance on neurogenesis sensitive cognition following TBI. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), an early signaling molecule downstream of IGF1, has been identified as a potential target for TBI interventions because of its regulatory role in neuronal plasticity and neurogenesis. However, recent studies have also reported maladaptive plasticity and recovery associated with posttraumatic mTOR activation. It is imperative to elucidate the mechanism of action of IGF1 during pre-clinical evaluations. We hypothesized that IGF1 mediates posttraumatic neurogenic effects through IGF1 induction of mTOR activation. We injured cohorts of IGFtg and WT mice and harvested their brains for immunohistochemistry to assess IGF1 overexpression effects on posttraumatic mTOR activation at 1, 3, and 10 days post-injury (dpi). We found that IGF1 upregulated mTOR activation following TBI in a region-specific manner at 1 and 3dpi. To determine if IGF1 regulated differentiation and arborization through the mTOR pathway, injured WT and IGFtg mice received daily i.p. injections of rapamycin (10mg/kg), the inhibitor of mTOR, or its vehicle for 7 days. Vehicle and rapamycin administration began 3dpi, after the cells dividing at the peak of posttraumatic proliferation were labeled with BrdU. IGF1 enhancement of posttraumatic neurogenesis was not dependent on mTOR activation. In summary, IGF1 directs newborn neuron localization, promotes end-stage maturation, and chronically improves cognition. IGF1 can stimulate posttraumatic neurogenesis and plasticity independent of mTOR activation. These data suggest that IGF1 can stimulate neuron replacement following trauma-induced hippocampal neuron loss and cognitive improvement. Further studies should investigate IGF1 and mTOR inhibition as a combination therapy for neurorehabilitation.