Epidemiological studies indicate long-term risks of ionizing radiation on the heart, even at moderate doses. In this study, we investigated the inflammatory, thrombotic and fibrotic late responses of the heart after low-dose irradiation (IR) with specific emphasize on the dose rate. Hypercholesterolemic ApoE-deficient mice were sacrificed 3 and 6 months after total body irradiation (TBI) with 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 or 2 Gy at low (1 mGy/min) or high dose rate (150 mGy/min). The expression of inflammatory and thrombotic markers was quantified in frozen heart sections (CD31, E-selectin, thrombomodulin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, collagen IV, Thy-1, and CD45) and in plasma samples (IL6, KC, MCP-1, TNFα, INFγ, IL-1β, TGFβ, INFγ, IL-10, sICAM-1, sE-selectin, sVCAM-1 and fibrinogen) by fluorescence analysis and ELISA. We found that even very low irradiation doses induced adaptive late responses, such as increases of capillary density and changes in collagen IV and Thy-1 levels indicating compensatory regulation. Slight decreases of ICAM-1 levels and reduction of Thy 1 expression at 0.025–0.5 Gy indicate anti-inflammatory effects, whereas at the highest dose (2 Gy) increased VCAM-1 levels on the endocardium may represent a switch to a pro-inflammatory response. Plasma samples partially confirmed this pattern, showing a decrease of proinflammatory markers (sVCAM, sICAM) at 0.025–2.0 Gy. In contrast, an enhancement of MCP-1, TNFα and fibrinogen at 0.05–2.0 Gy indicated a proinflammatory and prothrombotic systemic response. Multivariate analysis also revealed significant age-dependent increases (KC, MCP-1, fibrinogen) and decreases (sICAM, sVCAM, sE-selectin) of plasma markers. This paper represents local and systemic effects of low-dose irradiation, including also age- and dose rate-dependent responses in the ApoE-/- mouse model. These insights in the multiple inflammatory/thrombotic effects caused by low-dose irradiation might facilitate an individual evaluation and intervention of radiation related, long-term side effects but also give important implications for low dose anti-inflammatory radiotherapy.

Five atherosclerotic carotid and femoral plaques were sliced longitudinally. Each section was analysed for the concentrations of neopterin, α-tocopherol, TBARS, DOPA, dityrosine, protein carbonyl, protein and cholesterol. The spatial concentrations of the oxidative and inflammatory markers were diverse across and between the individual plaques suggested by the lack of consistent correlations and trends. The only correlation that occurred twice within the individual plaques was a positive correlation between α-tocopherol and cholesterol levels. In the combined plaque analysis which included data from eight previously studied plaques, neopterin, protein carbonyl and protein concentrations all had significant positive correlations and α-tocopherol concentrations positively correlated to cholesterol and negatively to TBARS. Thus overall the level of protein may influence protein carbonyl concentration and α-tocopherol may provide an antioxidant effect towards lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the plaques were divided into three zones, pre-bifurcation, bifurcation and post-bifurcation, associated with shear stress levels. The neopterin concentrations were significantly high within the pre- and post-bifurcation region and the opposite trend occurred with the to peroxyl radical driven TBARS levels. The protein and cholesterol content in the postbifurcation was high, possibly due to the low and/or oscillatory shear stress occurring at these sites. The overall composition of the plaque, either thrombosed, heavily calcified or neither, also identified significant trends in marker concentrations between the plaques. The calcified plaques had significantly low levels of protein, cholesterol, α-tocopherol, DOPA and dityrosine whereas the thrombosed plaques had significantly high protein, α-tocopherol and dityrosine concentrations. The medication and symptoms presented by the patient had no major influence of the overall concentration of the markers within the plaques. Therefore even though individually the plaques have varied biochemical compositions, common influences were dictate the spatial and overall concentration of the markers within and across the plaques. Further potential markers were investigated for detection within plaque. AAS and GGS for replacement of the protein carbonyl assay as a more specific marker for protein oxidation, as well as the oxysterol 7-ketocholesterol detected simultaneously during α-tocopherol analysis. The 7-ketocholesterol would increase the information on lipid oxidation occurring in the plaque without increasing the volume of the limited homogenate required for the analysis. Investigation was also carried out on the mechanism of protein oxidation in human plasma that may provide mechanisms and interactions to protein oxidation within plaques.

Context: Several recovery strategies have been used, with limited effectiveness, to reduce the muscle discomfort or pain and the diminished muscle performance following a bout of unaccustomed physical activity, a condition known as delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS). Muscle damage in this condition is associated with mechanical disruption of the muscle and connective tissue and inflammation and increased oxidative stress. Low frequency, low intensity, whole body periodic acceleration (WBPA) that increases nitric oxide (NO) release from vascular endothelium into the circulation through increased pulsatile shear stress offers a potential solution. This is because endothelial derived nitric oxide has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-nociceptive properties. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of WBPA on the pain and diminished muscle performance associated with DOMS induced by unaccustomed eccentric arm exercise in young male subjects. Design: Longitudinal. Setting: University Exercise Physiology Laboratory. Participants: Seventeen active men, 23.4 +/- 4.6 yr of age. Intervention: Subjects made six visits to the research facility over a two-week period. On day one, the subject performed a 1RM elbow flexion test and was then randomly assigned to the WBPA or control group. Criterion measurements were taken on Day 2, prior to and immediately following performance of the eccentric exercise protocol (10 sets of 10 repetitions using 120% of 1RM) and after the recovery period. During all subsequent sessions (24, 48, 72, and 96 h) these data were collected before the WBPA or passive recovery was provided. Main Outcome Measures: Isometric strength (MVC), blood markers (CPK, MYO, IL-6, TNF-alpha and Uric Acid), soreness, pain, circumference, and range of motion (ROM). Results: Significantly higher MVC values were seen for the WBPA group across the entire 96 h recovery period. Additionally, within group differences were seen in CPK, MYO, IL-6, soreness, pain, circumference, and ROM showing a smaller impact and more rapid recovery by the WBPA group. Conclusion: Application of WBPA hastens recovery from DOMS after eccentric exercise. Given the lack of other potential mechanisms, these effects appear to be mediated by the increased NO release with WBPA.

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) are characterized by exercise intolerance, breathlessness, fatigue and excessive neurohormonal activation associated with premature mortality. Recently, inflammatory activation has been described as an important factor in the progression of HF. Increased levels of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-ɑ, IL-6) have been related to increased severity of left ventricular dysfunction, the activation of the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems and the catabolism of skeletal muscle. Although exercise training is important in the management of HF, acute bouts of exercise may lead to increases in proinflammatory cytokines. It is believed that the skeletal muscle abnormalities associated with HF may increase the risk of damage to skeletal muscle, (i.e., exercise-induced muscle injury (EIMI) with associated inflammatory activation) especially following unaccustomed exercise training. Recently, several training methods have been proposed for patients with HF that challenge the traditional “steady-state” (SS) training model, including interval training (IT). Interval training methods employ greater muscular loading than SS and therefore may increase the risk of inflammatory system activation EIMI, and/or reduced muscle function. There is no study that has examined the effects of IT on EIMI, muscle function and/or inflammatory markers. Material and Methods: Fourteen male participants with HF (mean age: 59 +/- 7.8 yrs; mean VO2 peak: 13.64 +/- 4.5 ml/kg/m-1; EF < 45%) were matched (for body mass and aerobic fitness) and randomized into SS or IT for 20 minutes. The IT involved 2 minute work:recovery phases of 90% and 40% of heart rate reserve, respectively. The SS involved continuous exercise at 65% of heart rate reserve. Biochemical markers of muscle damage and acute inflammation, concentric and eccentric isokinetic muscle torque, and subjective indicators of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and lower extremity function were evaluated at baseline, and then immediately following the training bout, and at 6, 24, and 48 hours post. Results: There were no significant differences between the IT and the SS training group for markers of skeletal muscle injury or inflammatory activation. Conclusions: The findings from the present study suggest that IT or SS do not result in excessive inflammatory system activation or skeletal muscle injury. These results have important implications for clinicians prescribing exercise regimes for HF patients who may be starting back into activity after a prolonged sedentary period. Additionally, results from this study indicate that there is a need for future research looking at the actual and perceived effect of even a single about of exercise on lower extremity function.

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) are characterized by exercise intolerance, breathlessness, fatigue and excessive neurohormonal activation associated with premature mortality. Recently, inflammatory activation has been described as an important factor in the progression of HF. Increased levels of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-ɑ, IL-6) have been related to increased severity of left ventricular dysfunction, the activation of the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems and the catabolism of skeletal muscle. Although exercise training is important in the management of HF, acute bouts of exercise may lead to increases in proinflammatory cytokines. It is believed that the skeletal muscle abnormalities associated with HF may increase the risk of damage to skeletal muscle, (i.e., exercise-induced muscle injury (EIMI) with associated inflammatory activation) especially following unaccustomed exercise training. Recently, several training methods have been proposed for patients with HF that challenge the traditional “steady-state” (SS) training model, including interval training (IT). Interval training methods employ greater muscular loading than SS and therefore may increase the risk of inflammatory system activation EIMI, and/or reduced muscle function. There is no study that has examined the effects of IT on EIMI, muscle function and/or inflammatory markers. Material and Methods: Fourteen male participants with HF (mean age: 59 +/- 7.8 yrs; mean VO2 peak: 13.64 +/- 4.5 ml/kg/m-1; EF < 45%) were matched (for body mass and aerobic fitness) and randomized into SS or IT for 20 minutes. The IT involved 2 minute work:recovery phases of 90% and 40% of heart rate reserve, respectively. The SS involved continuous exercise at 65% of heart rate reserve. Biochemical markers of muscle damage and acute inflammation, concentric and eccentric isokinetic muscle torque, and subjective indicators of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and lower extremity function were evaluated at baseline, and then immediately following the training bout, and at 6, 24, and 48 hours post. Results: There were no significant differences between the IT and the SS training group for markers of skeletal muscle injury or inflammatory activation. Conclusions: The findings from the present study suggest that IT or SS do not result in excessive inflammatory system activation or skeletal muscle injury. These results have important implications for clinicians prescribing exercise regimes for HF patients who may be starting back into activity after a prolonged sedentary period. Additionally, results from this study indicate that there is a need for future research looking at the actual and perceived effect of even a single about of exercise on lower extremity function.

Objetivo: revisar sistematicamente os efeitos da Spirulina platensis em marcadores inflamatórios em humanos. Métodos: foi realizada busca por ensaios clínicos randomizados, realizados em humanos adultos com o objetivo de verificar os efeitos da Spirulina Platensis sob marcadores inflamatórios. A busca foi efetuada até outubro de 2015 nas bases de dados Medline via Pubmed, Cochrane Central, Clinical Trials, Scielo, LILACS, banco de teses da CAPES, assim como em bancos de grey literature. Resultados: Identificados vinte e oito estudos dos quais foram elegíveis três ensaios clínicos randomizados. A amostra foi constituída de 34 a 78 participantes, de ambos os sexos, com idade variando de 18 a 87 anos. Os marcadores inflamatórios avaliados foram: IL-2, IL-6, e TNF- e a intervenção foi feita com cápsulas de Spirulina platensis versus placebo. A IL-2 foi avaliada em dois estudos porém, não foi possível realizar a metanálise, pois um dos artigos não descrevia os valores encontrados em seu grupo controle. A IL-6 ao ser analisada em conjunto, não demonstrou diferença significativa com o uso da Spirulina platensis [-0,36 (IC95%: -0,90 a 0,18), com I2=0%]. Quanto ao TNF- não houve diferença significativa com o uso da Spirulina platensis [-0,03 (IC95%: -0,42 a 0,37)] com teste de inconsistência mostrando moderada heterogeneidade e insignificância estatística [I2= 31%, P= 0,23]. Conclusão: A informação disponível sobre o tema proposto é escassa e o efeito da Spirulina platensis sobre os marcadores inflamatórios se mostrou inconsistente. Ensaios clínicos randomizados adicionais com maior número de participantes e melhores avaliações dos marcadores são necessários para verificar o real papel anti-inflamatório da Spirulina platensis. / Objective: Perform a systematic review on the anti-inflammatory effects of Spirulina platensis in humans. Methods: A search was conducted in Medline via PubMed, Cochrane Central and Clinical Trials until October 2015 and dissertations published in CAPES, and gray literature banks for randomized controlled trials performed in adults to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of Spirulina platensis. Results: The search identified twenty eight articles. Only three randomized clinical trials were elegible for this study. The sample ranged between 34 and 78 participants, both genders, with the age ranged from 18 to 78 years. The measurements of inflammatory outcome were assessed through IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-. The intervention was capsules of Spirulina platensis versus placebo. The IL-2 was evaluated in two studies but it was not possible to evaluate the results together through meta-analysis because one of the articles did not describe the values in the control group. IL-6, when analyzed together, showed no significant difference between Spirulina platensis and placebo [-0.36 (95% CI: -0.90 to 0.18), with I2 = 0%]. Regarding the TNF- no significant difference was found [-0.03 (95% CI: -0.42 to 0.37)]. The inconsistency test showed moderate heterogeneity and no statistical significance [I2 = 31%, P = 0.23]. Conclusion: The available information on anti-inflammatory effects of S. platensis is scarce. Spirulina platensis presented no significant effect on the inflammatory markers. Additional randomized clinical trials, with more participants and better markers assessments are needed to verify the real anti-inflammatory role of Spirulina platensis.

Objetivo: revisar sistematicamente os efeitos da Spirulina platensis em marcadores inflamatórios em humanos. Métodos: foi realizada busca por ensaios clínicos randomizados, realizados em humanos adultos com o objetivo de verificar os efeitos da Spirulina Platensis sob marcadores inflamatórios. A busca foi efetuada até outubro de 2015 nas bases de dados Medline via Pubmed, Cochrane Central, Clinical Trials, Scielo, LILACS, banco de teses da CAPES, assim como em bancos de grey literature. Resultados: Identificados vinte e oito estudos dos quais foram elegíveis três ensaios clínicos randomizados. A amostra foi constituída de 34 a 78 participantes, de ambos os sexos, com idade variando de 18 a 87 anos. Os marcadores inflamatórios avaliados foram: IL-2, IL-6, e TNF- e a intervenção foi feita com cápsulas de Spirulina platensis versus placebo. A IL-2 foi avaliada em dois estudos porém, não foi possível realizar a metanálise, pois um dos artigos não descrevia os valores encontrados em seu grupo controle. A IL-6 ao ser analisada em conjunto, não demonstrou diferença significativa com o uso da Spirulina platensis [-0,36 (IC95%: -0,90 a 0,18), com I2=0%]. Quanto ao TNF- não houve diferença significativa com o uso da Spirulina platensis [-0,03 (IC95%: -0,42 a 0,37)] com teste de inconsistência mostrando moderada heterogeneidade e insignificância estatística [I2= 31%, P= 0,23]. Conclusão: A informação disponível sobre o tema proposto é escassa e o efeito da Spirulina platensis sobre os marcadores inflamatórios se mostrou inconsistente. Ensaios clínicos randomizados adicionais com maior número de participantes e melhores avaliações dos marcadores são necessários para verificar o real papel anti-inflamatório da Spirulina platensis. / Objective: Perform a systematic review on the anti-inflammatory effects of Spirulina platensis in humans. Methods: A search was conducted in Medline via PubMed, Cochrane Central and Clinical Trials until October 2015 and dissertations published in CAPES, and gray literature banks for randomized controlled trials performed in adults to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of Spirulina platensis. Results: The search identified twenty eight articles. Only three randomized clinical trials were elegible for this study. The sample ranged between 34 and 78 participants, both genders, with the age ranged from 18 to 78 years. The measurements of inflammatory outcome were assessed through IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-. The intervention was capsules of Spirulina platensis versus placebo. The IL-2 was evaluated in two studies but it was not possible to evaluate the results together through meta-analysis because one of the articles did not describe the values in the control group. IL-6, when analyzed together, showed no significant difference between Spirulina platensis and placebo [-0.36 (95% CI: -0.90 to 0.18), with I2 = 0%]. Regarding the TNF- no significant difference was found [-0.03 (95% CI: -0.42 to 0.37)]. The inconsistency test showed moderate heterogeneity and no statistical significance [I2 = 31%, P = 0.23]. Conclusion: The available information on anti-inflammatory effects of S. platensis is scarce. Spirulina platensis presented no significant effect on the inflammatory markers. Additional randomized clinical trials, with more participants and better markers assessments are needed to verify the real anti-inflammatory role of Spirulina platensis.

Objetivo: revisar sistematicamente os efeitos da Spirulina platensis em marcadores inflamatórios em humanos. Métodos: foi realizada busca por ensaios clínicos randomizados, realizados em humanos adultos com o objetivo de verificar os efeitos da Spirulina Platensis sob marcadores inflamatórios. A busca foi efetuada até outubro de 2015 nas bases de dados Medline via Pubmed, Cochrane Central, Clinical Trials, Scielo, LILACS, banco de teses da CAPES, assim como em bancos de grey literature. Resultados: Identificados vinte e oito estudos dos quais foram elegíveis três ensaios clínicos randomizados. A amostra foi constituída de 34 a 78 participantes, de ambos os sexos, com idade variando de 18 a 87 anos. Os marcadores inflamatórios avaliados foram: IL-2, IL-6, e TNF- e a intervenção foi feita com cápsulas de Spirulina platensis versus placebo. A IL-2 foi avaliada em dois estudos porém, não foi possível realizar a metanálise, pois um dos artigos não descrevia os valores encontrados em seu grupo controle. A IL-6 ao ser analisada em conjunto, não demonstrou diferença significativa com o uso da Spirulina platensis [-0,36 (IC95%: -0,90 a 0,18), com I2=0%]. Quanto ao TNF- não houve diferença significativa com o uso da Spirulina platensis [-0,03 (IC95%: -0,42 a 0,37)] com teste de inconsistência mostrando moderada heterogeneidade e insignificância estatística [I2= 31%, P= 0,23]. Conclusão: A informação disponível sobre o tema proposto é escassa e o efeito da Spirulina platensis sobre os marcadores inflamatórios se mostrou inconsistente. Ensaios clínicos randomizados adicionais com maior número de participantes e melhores avaliações dos marcadores são necessários para verificar o real papel anti-inflamatório da Spirulina platensis. / Objective: Perform a systematic review on the anti-inflammatory effects of Spirulina platensis in humans. Methods: A search was conducted in Medline via PubMed, Cochrane Central and Clinical Trials until October 2015 and dissertations published in CAPES, and gray literature banks for randomized controlled trials performed in adults to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of Spirulina platensis. Results: The search identified twenty eight articles. Only three randomized clinical trials were elegible for this study. The sample ranged between 34 and 78 participants, both genders, with the age ranged from 18 to 78 years. The measurements of inflammatory outcome were assessed through IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-. The intervention was capsules of Spirulina platensis versus placebo. The IL-2 was evaluated in two studies but it was not possible to evaluate the results together through meta-analysis because one of the articles did not describe the values in the control group. IL-6, when analyzed together, showed no significant difference between Spirulina platensis and placebo [-0.36 (95% CI: -0.90 to 0.18), with I2 = 0%]. Regarding the TNF- no significant difference was found [-0.03 (95% CI: -0.42 to 0.37)]. The inconsistency test showed moderate heterogeneity and no statistical significance [I2 = 31%, P = 0.23]. Conclusion: The available information on anti-inflammatory effects of S. platensis is scarce. Spirulina platensis presented no significant effect on the inflammatory markers. Additional randomized clinical trials, with more participants and better markers assessments are needed to verify the real anti-inflammatory role of Spirulina platensis.

Orientador: Jose Eduardo Tanus dos Santos / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T03:26:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Goncalves_FlaviaMagazoni_M.pdf: 1731236 bytes, checksum: 1cf31c8af3a0b8e13751175c3be1b4fe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: A síndrome metabólica (MetS) é caracterizada por conjunto de fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares e diabetes. As metaloproteinases (MMPs) são enzimas envolvidas na manutenção da homeostase da matriz extracelular e um desequilíbrio entre suas concentrações e as de seus inibidores endógenos (TIMPs) pode ter um papel importante nas modificações cardiovasculares associadas com a MetS. Além disso, um estado inflamatório crônico tem sido descrito em pacientes com MetS e podem levar ao desenvolvimento de aterosclerose. A hipótese deste estudo é que aumento nas concentrações de alguns marcadores pró-inflamatórios e um desequilíbrio entre as concentrações de metaloproteinases de matriz extracelular (MMPs) e seus inibidores endógenos (TIMPs) possam estar envolvidos na fisiopatologia da MetS. Para abordar esta questão, foram estudados 25 indivíduos saudáveis (controles) e 25 pacientes com MetS. As concentrações plasmáticas de pró-MMP-2 e de pró-MMP-9 foram determinadas por zimografia. A concentração plasmática de MMP-8, MMP-3, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, proteína quimioatraente de monócitos-1 (MCP-1), interleucina-6 (IL-6), molécula de adesão intracelular-1 (sICAM-1) e sP-selectina foram medidas por kits de ELISA. Os resultados revelaram um aumento nas concentrações de sP-selectina, sICAM-1, MCP-1, IL-6, pró-MMP-9, MMP-8 e TIMP-1 em pacientes com MetS comparados com controles saudáveis. Além disso, nenhuma diferença nos níveis de pró-MMP-2, MMP- 3 e TIMP-2 foi encontrada. Nossos resultados sugerem que as MMPs podem ter um papel no aumento do risco cardiovascular em pacientes com MetS e que intervenções farmacológicas no alvo das MMPs, especialmente a MMP-9 e a MMP-8 merecem maior atenção em pacientes com MetS / Abstract: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) denotes a clustering of cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors. The metalloproteinase (MMPs) are enzymes involved in maintaining the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix and an imbalance between their concentrations and their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs) may play important role in the cardiovascular modifications associated with MetS. In addition, a chronic inflammatory state has been described in patients with MetS, thus leading to the development of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators and imbalanced concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs) may reflect the pathophysiology of MetS. To address this issue, we studied 25 healthy subjects and 25 MetS patients. The plasma levels of pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 were determined by gelatin zymography. The plasma concentrations of MMP-8, MMP-3, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1), and sP-selectin were measured by ELISA kits. The results revealed an increase in sP-selectin, sICAM-1, MCP-1, IL-6, pro-MMP-9, MMP-8, and TIMP-1 in MetS patients compared with healthy controls. In addition, no differences in pro-MMP-2, MMP-3, and TIMP-2 levels were found. These findings suggest that MMPs may have a role in the increased cardiovascular risk of MetS patients and pharmacological interventions targeting MMPs, especially MMP-9 and MMP-8 deserve further investigation in MetS patients / Mestrado / Mestre em Farmacologia

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) are characterized by exercise intolerance, breathlessness, fatigue and excessive neurohormonal activation associated with premature mortality. Recently, inflammatory activation has been described as an important factor in the progression of HF. Increased levels of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-ɑ, IL-6) have been related to increased severity of left ventricular dysfunction, the activation of the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems and the catabolism of skeletal muscle. Although exercise training is important in the management of HF, acute bouts of exercise may lead to increases in proinflammatory cytokines. It is believed that the skeletal muscle abnormalities associated with HF may increase the risk of damage to skeletal muscle, (i.e., exercise-induced muscle injury (EIMI) with associated inflammatory activation) especially following unaccustomed exercise training. Recently, several training methods have been proposed for patients with HF that challenge the traditional “steady-state” (SS) training model, including interval training (IT). Interval training methods employ greater muscular loading than SS and therefore may increase the risk of inflammatory system activation EIMI, and/or reduced muscle function. There is no study that has examined the effects of IT on EIMI, muscle function and/or inflammatory markers. Material and Methods: Fourteen male participants with HF (mean age: 59 +/- 7.8 yrs; mean VO2 peak: 13.64 +/- 4.5 ml/kg/m-1; EF < 45%) were matched (for body mass and aerobic fitness) and randomized into SS or IT for 20 minutes. The IT involved 2 minute work:recovery phases of 90% and 40% of heart rate reserve, respectively. The SS involved continuous exercise at 65% of heart rate reserve. Biochemical markers of muscle damage and acute inflammation, concentric and eccentric isokinetic muscle torque, and subjective indicators of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and lower extremity function were evaluated at baseline, and then immediately following the training bout, and at 6, 24, and 48 hours post. Results: There were no significant differences between the IT and the SS training group for markers of skeletal muscle injury or inflammatory activation. Conclusions: The findings from the present study suggest that IT or SS do not result in excessive inflammatory system activation or skeletal muscle injury. These results have important implications for clinicians prescribing exercise regimes for HF patients who may be starting back into activity after a prolonged sedentary period. Additionally, results from this study indicate that there is a need for future research looking at the actual and perceived effect of even a single about of exercise on lower extremity function. / Education, Faculty of / Kinesiology, School of / Graduate