Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a leading cause of death worldwide. Previous research supports a relationship between vitamin D and TBI outcomes; however, they rely on animal studies. This review aimed to examine the neuroprotective role of vitamin D in humans with TBIs. A search was completed (PubMed and Scopus) following PRISMA guidelines to review publications investigating the relationship between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and TBI or the effect of vitamin D supplementation on TBI outcomes; 8 studies were identified. Patients had thefollowing ranges: 26-88% deficiency and 62-88% insufficiency compared to 24% and 49% of the general population. Supplementation reduced ventilation duration, improved the quality of consciousness, and significantly improved mini-mental status examination scores. Research showed high percentages VDD/insufficiency in TBI patients. Results remain consistent suggesting a neuroprotective effect of vitamin D. Further research is needed to understand the effect of vitamin D status and supplementation on TBIs.

This study examined the effects of carbohydrate supplementation on resistance exercise performance, cortisol levels, and creatine kinase levels in trained males undergoing energy restriction. Sixteen experimental subjects were randomly assigned to a carbohydrate (C, n=8) or placebo group (P, n=8). The remaining six subjects served as controls (N). Performance tests were done before (Trials 1 and 2) and after (Trial 3) energy restriction. Experimental subjects consumed a low calorie formula diet for three days (18 kcal-1 kg-1 d-1). They had blood drawn before and after T2 and T3. For T3, they consumed either a carbohydrate (1g kg-1) or a placebo beverage 30 minutes before exercise. There was a significant increase in resting cortisol levels following energy restriction. CK levels were significantly elevated after exercise, suggestion muscle damage. Carbohydrate supplementation had no effect on blood glucose, cortisol, creatine kinase, or RPE. The number of repetitions performed during the final set of bench press showed significant interaction between groups and time. P and N increased the number of repetitions performed from T2 to T3 (15.0 + 1.4 to 17.3 + 0.8 for P, 15.0 + 2.7 to 16.7 + 2.3 for N). C decreased the number of repetitions performed 17.6 + 0.7 to 17.3 + 1.0). The number of repetitions performed during the final set of leg extensions showed no interaction between groups and time (p=0.801). This study did not support a benefit of consuming carbohydrate prior to resistance exercise for dieting athletes but illustrates that energy restriction increases a catabolic hormone. / Master of Science

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<p>Methionine (Met) is an essential amino acid (EAA) and is often considered one of the first limiting amino acids (AA) for milk production in dairy cattle. In diets of lactating dairy cattle, in the United States (U.S.), Met is considered limiting due to its low abundance in commonly fed ingredients like soybean and corn and its high degradability in the rumen. To circumvent this problem, rumen-protected Met (RPM) products were produced and are currently supplemented to dairy cattle. Supplemental RPM products protect Met from degradation in the rumen and deliver Met to the intestine to be absorbed into circulation, increasing metabolizable Met supply. Due to Met important roles in protein synthesis and as a methyl donor, dairy producers have supplemented RPM for decades. The primary benefit for supplementing RPM is improved milk protein concentration, which is important as a majority of dairy farms in the U.S. are paid based on milk components. </p> <p>Research is focused on finding a more economically viable RPM product that provides similar or better bioavailability of Met compared to commercially available products. This has led to the development of a novel rumen-protected Met product (EMT 3.4) in which Met is added to the soluble portion of distillers and incorporated with distillers grains. The result is distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) with elevated Met concentration. Incorporating Met into the solubles portion of DDGS has shown to protect Met from degradation when analyzed in vitro but has not been assessed in vivo. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability of EMT 3.4 via dilution of selenomethionine (SeMet) in milk protein and secondarily its impact on milk production and body composition. Dietary selenium (Se) yeast will deliver SeMet to the intestines and subsequently be absorbed. After adequate time feeding Se yeast, SeMet will label the different pools of Met similar to feeding radiolabeled nitrogen (N). Once pools of Met are labeled with SeMet, milk Se, a proxy for SeMet, can be measured in the milk. Concentrations of milk Se will fluctuate based on entry of Met, and as Met increases in the milk, the concentration of Se will decrease. To asses bioavailability milk Se is divided by milk N (Se:N) and the ratios of the treatments can be compared.</p> <p>The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability of a novel rumen protected Met product and its effect on milk production and body composition compared to positive and negative controls. Dietary treatments consisted of a negative control treatment (NCT), not supplemented with RPM, a positive control treatment (PCT), supplemented Met via Smartamine M, and the experimental Met treatment (EMT), supplemented Met via EMT 3.4. Cattle fed PCT and EMT exhibited improved bioavailability indicated by a reduction in milk Se to milk N ratio when compared to NCT cows. Using milk Se concentration as an indicator of entry rate and amount of Met in the milk pool, PCT cows had a significantly lower milk Se concentration compared to NCT. Lower milk Se concentration of PCT cows indicates greater amount of Met in milk and subsequently a significantly greater milk protein yield was observed in PCT. Although EMT had similar bioavailability to PCT, the EMT cows had an intermediate response in milk Se but no production responses. The lack of production responses in EMT was observed alongside an elevated milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and a negative change in longissimus dorsi depth (LDD). A negative change in body weight (BW) was observed in NCT cows. Changes in body composition, as the ones observed in this study, are not usually observed unless cattle are energy or protein deficient. Given that diets of this study were formulated to meet requirements for producing 40 kg/day of milk and on average cattle were producing less, it is unlikely that cattle were energy or protein deficient. Results demonstrated that EMT provided similar Met bioavailability as Smartamine M in PCT demonstrated by responses in milk Se:N. The PCT tended to increase milk yield and increased milk protein, whereas EMT provided no observable production responses in this study.</p> <p><br></p>

Dairy cattle characteristically exhibit decreased milk yield and reproductive performance, as well as increased uterine infection rates during periods of high stress. Chromium supplementation has demonstrated efficacy as a feed additive capable of reducing the detrimental effects of stress. As such, its application in dairy production may help to alleviate economic losses associated with seasonal heat stress and the stress experienced during the early postpartum period. Therefore, the objective of the work described in this thesis was to evaluate the potential benefits of short-duration, high-dose chromium (Cr) supplementation in early postpartum dairy cows during the summer months. Multiparous, early postpartum cows (20.95 ± 0.21 DIM, 658.29 ± 13.61 kg) were assigned to one of two treatment groups: 1) normal TMR (Con; n=10) and 2) normal TMR + Cr propionate supplementation (CrPro; 12 mg/h/d Cr; n=12). Body weight (BW), milk yield, and feed intake were measured each day of the experiment. Ambient temperature and humidity were monitored, and the temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated for the duration of the study as an indicator of the severity of the heat stress experienced by the cows. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed every three days to assess ovarian follicular and luteal dynamics. Respiration rates (RR), rectal temperatures (RT), and blood glucose were recorded concurrently with ovarian ultrasonography. Plasma was collected and used for analysis of progesterone concentrations. Every six days in conjunction with ultrasonography, endometrial cytology samples were collected via cytobrush from each cow to determine the incidences of subclinical endometritis (SCE), as determined by polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) %. There were no treatment-based differences in RR, RT, blood glucose, feed intake, milk yield, or BW. However, the supplementation strategy did improve reproductive parameters. Within the Con group, there was an increase in PMNL % between samples five and six. Furthermore, at cytology sample six, the Con group had a greater percentage of PMNL than the CrPro group (P=0.01). Chromium consumption did not affect the counts or sizes of most follicles, with the exception being the 6-9 mm category where the CrPro group had a greater average diameter and tended to have more follicles in this category. While CL numbers or size did not differ between treatments, the ratio of progesterone (P4) to corpus luteum (CL) volume was greater in the CrPro group compared to the Con group (P=0.03). The results from this study indicate that the proposed supplementation strategy does not influence DMI or milk yield in cows experiencing stress. Nonetheless, short-duration, high-dose Cr supplementation strategy could benefit reproductive performance and thereby limit economic losses experienced by dairy producers during periods of stress. / Master of Science / Dairy producers continue to experience monetary losses due to the decrease in production performance by dairy cows resulting from physiological changes in response to stress. Elevated ambient temperature and humidity conditions can lead to heat stress, which has been found to decrease both milk and reproductive performance on dairy operations. The period after calving, known as the postpartum period, can also lead to metabolic changes in a cow due to the stress of giving birth and beginning to produce milk. Chromium is an essential trace mineral that can be supplemented with cattle feed to improve the impacts of such stressful periods on production parameters. This study evaluated the effect of a short-duration, high-dose chromium supplementation strategy on reproduction and lactation of early postpartum dairy cattle during summer months. Twenty-two cows were assigned to two treatment groups: control (standard feed only) and chromium supplement (standard feed plus chromium propionate supplementation). Cows receiving the chromium supplement did not experience any changes in respiration rate, rectal temperature, blood glucose levels, feed intake, milk yield, or body weight. Reproductive analyses determined that cows receiving the chromium supplementation had a lower number of immune cells present in the uterus by the end of the experiment, which may be indicative of a healthier uterine environment. Chromium supplemented cows also had a greater level of progesterone concentration to corpus luteum volume compared to cows in the control group. These results indicate that the short-duration, high-dose chromium supplementation strategy could benefit reproductive performance and limit losses experienced by dairy cows under stress conditions.

Title: Effect of protein (amino acid) ingestion on muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise. Purpose: The main objective of this thesis is to verify the three basic factors of the amount, type and timing of protein intake based on scientific studies and literature, to provide the most objective and accurate information and procedure on the methodology of nutrition and supplementation associated with the intake of protein / amino acids after strength training and how it all affects muscle synthesis. Summery: The theoretical part of the thesis, discusses the factors affecting muscle protein synthesis, which stimulate growth and tissue regeneration, based on optimal stress response. Logically, it starts from general, i.e. the explanation of terms such as muscle tissue, the stimulation of muscle tissue and its manifestations and changes, nutrition factors and muscle stimulation, the mechanism of dietary factors (proteins/amino acids), specificity of protein/ amino acids in their application to answer the three key issues, which are summarized in the section named scientific studies, which focuses on the effect of intake of protein/ amino acids, in relationship to the efficiency of protein synthesis after strength training. The section summarizes, in detail, the questions of timing,...

A betaína é um trimetil derivado do aminoácido glicina. Os seus principais efeitos fisiológicos são atuar como um osmólito e como doador de radicais metil. Especulase que a betaína possa contribuir para a síntese de creatina no músculo esquelético pelo fornecimento de grupos metil, resultante da conversão de betaína em dimetilglicina, para a remetilação de homocisteína em metionina. Os efeitos da suplementação de creatina sobre o desempenho são conhecidos e relacionam-se principalmente ao aumento na ressíntese de fosforilcreatina (PCR). Autores de estudos recentes têm atribuído seus resultados positivos em relação ao aumento de força muscular a um possível efeito da betaína sobre as concentrações de PCR. Essa variável, entretanto, não foi avaliada, de maneira que os mecanismos responsáveis pelo aumento de força advindo da suplementação de betaína ainda são inexplorados em humanos. Diante disso, este estudo teve como objetivo investigar os efeitos da suplementação de betaína, combinada ou não com a suplementação de creatina, sobre as concentrações intramusculares de PCR, e a produção de força e potência muscular em indivíduos não treinados em força. Além disso, as respostas fisiológicas e ergogênicas da suplementação de betaína e creatina foram comparadas e avaliados os possíveis efeitos aditivos desses suplementos. Foi conduzido um estudo duplo-cego, randomizado, controlado por placebo. Trinta e quatro sujeitos foram divididos em quatro grupos: Betaína (BET; 2 g/dia), Creatina (CR; 20 g/dia), Betaína + Creatina (BET + CR; 2 + 20 g/dia) e Placebo (PL). No período basal (PRÉ) e após 10 dias de suplementação (PÓS), os indivíduos submeteram-se a avaliações do consumo alimentar e da composição corporal, a testes de força e potência muscular e à quantificação intramuscular de PCR. Após a intervenção, as concentrações intramusculares de PCR foram maiores nos grupos CR e BET + CR, quando comparados ao grupo PL (p = 0,004 e p = 0,006, respectivamente). Não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos BET e PL (p = 0,78) e CR e BET + CR (p = 0,99). Os grupos CR e BET + CR apresentaram maior produção de potência muscular no exercício de agachamento, quando comparados ao grupo PL (p = 0,003 e p = 0,041, respectivamente). Resultados similares foram encontrados para o exercício de supino. Os grupos CR e BET + CR também demonstraram aumento significativo de força muscular (teste de 1-RM) do teste PRÉ para o teste PÓS nos exercícios de supino e agachamento (CR: p = 0,027 e p 0,0001; BET + CR: p = 0,03 e p 0,0001 para membros superiores e inferiores, respectivamente). Não houve diferenças significativas para os testes de força e de potência muscular entre os grupos BET e PL e os grupos CR e BET + CR. Também não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos para a composição corporal. O consumo alimentar permaneceu inalterado ao longo do estudo. Os resultados permitem concluir que a suplementação de betaína, combinada ou não com a suplementação de creatina, não aumenta o conteúdo intramuscular de PCR e não afeta o desempenho de força e de potência muscular / Betaine is a trimethyl derivative of the amino acid glycine. The main physiological functions of betaine are to act as an organic osmolyte and as a donor of methyl radicals. It is speculated that betaine may contribute to the synthesis of creatine in skeletal muscle through the donation of a methyl group, resulting from the conversion of betaine to dimethylglycine, to homocysteine to form methionine. The effects of creatine supplementation on performance are well known and are related primarily to an increase in fosforilcreatina resynthesis (PCR). Authors of recent studies have attributed its positive results regarding the increase of muscle strength to a possible effect of betaine on the concentrations of PCR. However, this variable was not assessed, so that the mechanisms responsible for the increase in muscle strength coming from betaine supplementation in humans are still unexplored. In light of this, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of betaine supplementation combined or not with creatine supplementation on muscle PCR content, muscle strength and power output in non-resistance trained subjects. Additionally, we compared the ergogenic and physiological responses to betaine versus creatine supplementation. Finally, we also tested the possible additive effects of creatine and betaine supplementation. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted. Thirty and four subjects were assigned into four groups: Betaine (BET; 2 g/day), Creatine (CR; 20 g/day), Betaine + Creatine (BET + CR; 2 + 20 g/day) or Placebo (PL). At baseline (PRE) and after 10 days of supplementation (POST) body composition, food intake, muscle strength and power and muscle PCR were assessed. The CR and BET + CR groups presented greater increase in muscle PCR content than PL (p = 0.004 and p = 0.006, respectively). PCR content was comparable between BET versus PL (p = 0.78) and CR versus BET + CR (p = 0.99). CR and BET + CR presented greater muscle power output than PL in the squat exercise following supplementation (p = 0.003 and p = 0.041, respectively). Similarly, bench press average power was significantly greater for the CR-supplemented groups. CR and BET + CR groups also showed significant pre- to post-test increase in 1-RM squat and bench press (CR: p = 0.027 and p 0.0001; BET + CR: p = 0.03 and p 0.0001 for upper- and lower-body assessments, respectively). No significant differences for 1-RM strength and power were observed between BET versus PL and CR versus BET + CR. Body composition did not differ between the groups. Dietary intake was unchanged throughout the study. Thus, we concluded that betaine supplementation does not augment muscle PCR content and betaine supplementation combined or not with creatine supplementation does not affect strength and power performance in non-resistance trained subjects

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-15T20:31:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RodolfoGV_DISSERT.pdf: 1093559 bytes, checksum: ab9bf9b53ab3a3bbbaa384e5660f820f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Creation of goats has an important socio-economic role in the Northeast, concentrating more than 90% of the national herd. This limited activity in this region is for the seasonal rainy period short and low rainfall intensity; restricting the forage supply along the year and favoring the appearance of deficiency and metabolic diseases. This fact stresses the need for seasonality effects of study on energy and protein profile goats extensively created any semiarid Rio Grande do Norte. Were used 20 goats without defined standard racial, male, neutered, healthy, kept two properties, separated into two groups of 10 animals, during 12 months. The blood was collected monthly paragraph rating protein (total protein, albumin and urea) and energy (betahydroxybutyrate, fatty acids esterified not, glucose and cholesterol). Following the reference values literature consulted none of the above variables showed superior values. Among variables such as protein albumin, a protein total, urea values critics had no definite dry period. In the energy assessment, during the rainy season, glucose and cholesterol values showed minor, while the beta-hydroxybutyrate and esterified fatty acids presented no more values indicating the energy deficit especially in this season of the year. That way we can infer the need for energy supplementation no rainy period and protein do not definite dry period, paragraph goats extensive created a non semiarid Northeast / A criação de caprinos tem um importante papel socioeconômico na região Nordeste, concentrando a maior parte do rebanho nacional. Esta atividade está limitada nessa região pela sazonalidade do período chuvoso curto e de baixa intensidade pluviométrica; restringindo o suprimento forrageiro ao longo do ano e favorecendo o aparecimento de doenças carenciais e metabólicas. Esse fato releva a necessidade do estudo dos efeitos da sazonalidade sobre o perfil energético e proteico de caprinos criados extensivamente no semiárido do Rio Grande do Norte. Foram utilizados 20 caprinos sem padrão racial definido, machos, castrados, hígidos, mantidos em duas propriedades, sendo 10 animais em cada, durante 12 meses. O sangue foi coletado mensalmente para avaliação proteica (proteína total, albumina e ureia) e energética (beta-hidroxibutirato, ácidos graxos não esterificados, glicose e colesterol). Dentre as variáveis proteicas: albumina, ureia e proteína total apresentaram déficit tanto no período chuvoso quanto no final do período seco. Já na avaliação energética: glicose e colesterol apresentaram valores menores, enquanto beta-hidroxibutirato e ácidos graxos não esterificados apresentaram valores maiores, indicando o déficit energético na época chuvosa. O perfil metabólico determinado mostrou a necessidade de suplementação energética e proteica no período chuvoso, e apenas de proteína no final do período seco para caprinos criados extensivamente no semiárido do Rio Grande do Norte