This study aimed to characterize a Sideritis scardica extract (SidTea+TM) and investigate its effect on the physiological profile, metabolic health and redox status in healthy individuals. The chemical profile and antioxidant potential of the SidTea+TM extract were evaluated by UPLC-HRMS analysis and in vitro cell-free methods. Twenty-eight healthy adults participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Participants consumed 1500 mg/day of SidTea+TM or a placebo for 4 weeks. At baseline and post-supplementation, participants were assessed for their anthropometric and physiological profile and provided a resting blood sample. SidTea+TM decreased (p < 0.05) systolic blood pressure (−10.8 mmHg), mean arterial pressure (−4.5 mmHg), resting heart rate (−3.1 bpm) and handgrip strength of the non-dominant limb (−0.8 kg) whereas the placebo decreased (p < 0.05) handgrip strength of the dominant (−5.8 kg) and non-dominant (−3.2 kg) limb. SidTea+TM also resulted in an increase (p < 0.05) in estimated VO2max (+1.1 mL/kg/min) and a reduction (p < 0.05) in γ-GT and SGPT enzymatic activity in serum (−3.7 and −3.3 U/L, respectively). Finally, SidTea+TM increased (p < 0.001) total antioxidant capacity and decreased (p < 0.05) lipid peroxidation levels in plasma. These results indicate that SidTea+TM is a potent and safe to use antioxidant that can elicit positive changes in indices of blood pressure, cardiorespiratory capacity, liver metabolism, and redox status in healthy adults over a 4-week supplementation period.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the predominant metabolic epidemic posing a major threat to global health. Growing evidence indicates that gut microbiota (GM) may critically influence the progression from normal glucose tolerance, to pre-diabetes, to T2D. On the other hand, regular exercise contributes to the prevention and/or treatment of the disease, and evidence suggests that a possible way regular exercise favorably affects T2D is by altering GM composition toward health-promoting bacteria. However, research regarding this potential effect of exercise-induced changes of GM on T2D and the associated mechanisms through which these effects are accomplished is limited. This review presents current data regarding the association of GM composition and T2D and the possible critical GM differentiation in the progression from normal glucose, to pre-diabetes, to T2D. Additionally, potential mechanisms through which GM may affect T2D are presented. The effect of exercise on GM composition and function on T2D progression is also discussed.

Satellite cells (SC) are indispensable for muscle regeneration and growth. It has been suggested that skeletal muscle recovery and growth are related to its basal SC content. However, there is no evidence regarding the influence of SC content on muscle damage, strength and redox responses following aseptic muscle injury in humans. PURPOSE: To determine whether basal SC content affects muscle injury, strength and redox responses following exercise-induced muscle damage. METHODS: Twenty-four men (22.5 + 2.2 years) underwent a baseline biopsy sampling of the vastus lateralis muscle and were stratified into a low or high group based on their SC content (pax7 + Low vs. pax7 + High group). Afterward, participants completed an intense exercise protocol (300 maximal eccentric contractions of the quadriceps muscle) aiming at inducing skeletal muscle damage. Muscle injury and strength markers were measured and blood sampling was performed at baseline, as well as at 2- and 8-days post-exercise. During the study, participants followed a balanced diet and abstained from exercise. RESULTS: Creatine kinase (CK) increased in the low group, only at 2D (21-fold, p < 0.001). In the high group, CK increased throughout recovery (2D: 17.6-fold, p < 0.001; 8D: 7.9-fold, p = 0.047). Muscle soreness (DOMS) increased in both groups at 2D (low: 7.4-fold; high: 6.5-fold; all p < 0.001) and 8D (low: 1.6-fold, p < 0.001; high: 1.1-fold, p = 0.006). At 2D, the high group exhibited a lower increase in DOMS compared to the low group (p = 0.028). Eccentric peak torque decreased in both groups only at 2D (low: -42%, p < 0.001; high: -30%, p = 0.004). Reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio decreased in both groups only at 2D (low: -61%; high: -48%, all p < 0.001). The high group displayed a higher GSH/GSSG ratio at all time points compared to the low group (p < 0.05). Protein carbonyls (PC) increased in both groups throughout recovery (2D: low, 2.8-fold, p < 0.001; high, 2.7-fold, p = 0.001; 8D: low, 1.2-fold, p = 0.002; high, 1.7-fold, p = 0.005) with no between-group differences. CONCLUSION: Damaging exercise increases muscle injury markers and decreases strength and redox status irrespective of SC content in human skeletal muscle. Higher SC content is associated with lower levels of DOMS during the initial phase of recovery.

Purpose To determine the recovery kinetics of performance and exercise-induced muscle damage following different sprint-training protocols. Methods In a crossover design, ten male and female athletes (20.6 ± 2.4 years) performed 2 × (3 × 20 m: 2 min rest) and 1× (3 × 30 m: 3 min rest) of: (a) unresisted sprints (UST), (b) resisted sprints with 10% of body mass (BM) load (RST10), (c) resisted sprints with 20% BM load (RST20), against a control trial (no-training). Results Blood lactate (mmol/L) increased post-training versus pre-training in all sprint-training trials (6.7 ± 2.4 vs 1.2 ± 0.2, 5.6 ± 2.4 vs 1.3 ± 0.3, 7.3 ± 2.7 vs 1.2 ± 0.3, in UST, RST10, RST20, respectively), as did creatine kinase (U/L) 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post-training (UST: 251 ± 173, 238 ± 154, 209 ± 115 vs 155 ± 9, RST10: 252 ± 134, 240 ± 83, 218 ± 103 vs 164 ± 106; RST20: 237 ± 133, 323 ± 303, 262 ± 184 vs 179 ± 106, respectively). DOMS of knee-extensors (KE) and knee-flexors (KF) increased post-training up to 72 h in all sprint-training trials versus pre-training (ranging from 1.6 ± 1.3 to 3.8 ± 2.8 vs 1.0 ± 0, respectively). Eccentric torque (N m) of the KE of the non-dominant limb, decreased 24 h post-training versus pre-training in all sprint-training trials (UST: 249 ± 49 vs 266 ± 54; RST10: 229 ± 52 vs 273 ± 72; RST20: 253 ± 6 vs 262 ± 56), as did that of the KF of the dominant limb (UST: 135 ± 29 vs 144 ± 26; RST10: 130 ± 29 vs 140 ± 25; RST20: 139 ± 33 vs 142 ± 26). 10-m sprint-time (s) increased 48 h post-training versus pre-training (1.81 ± 0.15 vs 1.77 ± 0.11), and 30-m sprint-time increased 24 h, 48 h, 72 h post-training versus pre-training (4.35 ± 0.36, 4.40 ± 0.44, 4.33 ± 0.41 vs 4.21 ± 0.34, respectively), only in RST20. Conclusions Unresisted and resisted sprint-training induces prolonged reduction of muscle strength (24 h), and sprinting performance (72 h), associated with prolonged increase of DOMS and CK (72 h).

This study investigated whether Greek Orthodox Christian fasting during Holy Week can change body composition and cardiometabolic parameters in overweight individuals, and whether these changes are maintained one week after fasting cessation (FC). Body composition and physiological and biochemical parameters were measured before, immediately after (n = 23) and one week after FC (subgroup of n = 10). Fasting resulted in decreased body weight, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index and total body fat, as well as blood glucose, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Nutrition analysis showed a decreased protein and saturated fat intake during fasting. FC (n = 10) resulted in a decreased carbohydrate intake and increased protein and cholesterol intake compared to fasting. Fasting resulted in decreased blood glucose, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels but returned to pre-fasting levels after FC. Greek Orthodox Christian fasting during Holy Week is beneficial for body composition and some aspects of cardiometabolic health. However, these favourable changes are not maintained one week following fasting.

Beta-thalassemia major is an inherited hemoglobin disorder that manifests within the first few months of life. Especially insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus are common consequences of iron overload in the pancreas. PURPOSE: To examine whether a session of resistance exercise can affect the redox status and improve postprandial hyperglycaemia in patients with beta-thalassemia major exhibiting insulin resistance. METHODS: Six patients (weight: 66.0 + 16.6 kg, body fat: 37.6 + 5.1 %, SBP: 104.5 + 9.7 mmHg, DBP: 67.5 + mmHg) underwent two trials (exercise and control) following breakfast meal ingestion, in a counterbalance order, separated by at least three days. In exercise trial, patients performed chest and leg press (3 sets of 10 maximal repetitions), while in control trial they rested. Blood samples were obtained in both trials: pre-meal, 45 min post-meal, immediately post, 1 hour post, 2 hours post and 24 hours post. Blood was analysed for TBARS, catalase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glucose. RESULTS: No time or condition interaction was found for TBARS, catalase and TAC (Table 1). Blood glucose levels increased significantly following breakfast meal ingestion and were not differed between trials at the same time points. Table 1: Redox and glucose responses following a post-breakfast resistance exercise session CONCLUSIONS: A session of resistance training consisting of two major muscle exercises is not enough to influence changes in redox status or glucose metabolism in patients with beta-thalassemia major exhibiting insulin resistance. Supported by the Postgraduate Program of Study “Exercise & Health: Testing & Prescription”, School of P.E. & Sports Science, University of Thessaly, GREECE