The effect of high altitude on saliva aldosterone and glucocorticoid concentrations

Saliva was collected from six healthy young men at hourly intervals at sea level and after 1-2, 8-9 and 15-16 days at 4450 m on Mount Kenya for measurement of aldosterone (SA) and glucocorticoid (SGC, cortisol + cortisone) concentrations. Blood samples were collected simultaneously with some of the saliva samples and analysis of these showed that plasma and saliva concentrations of aldosterone and glucocorticoids were highly correlated (r = 0.91 and 0.75 respectively; p less than 0.01 for both hormones). Mean SA for the group was reduced to approximately 50% of the sea-level value (p less than 0.05) by the time the first saliva samples were collected at altitude, and remained at this depressed level throughout the 2-week period on Mount Kenya, although there was considerable inter-subject variation. SGC concentration also tended to be lower on Mount Kenya than at sea level. Though SA was lower throughout the day at altitude compared to sea level, the principal difference in the temporal pattern of SA was the reduction or complete absence of the marked rise in SA that normally occurs in the first few hours after rising. SA and SGC responses to exercise, which consisted of stepping on and off and 0.4-m high stool 60 times/min for 25 min, were assessed at sea level and after various periods at 4450 m.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Serum and saliva adrenocortical hormones in obese diabetic men during submaximal exercise

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum and saliva adrenocortical hormones and their relationships at rest and during submaximal exercise and recovery in 9 obese diabetic middle-aged men (BMI: 35.2 ± 1.6 kg/m (2)). Blood and saliva samples were taken at rest, every 10 min of a 30-min cycling exercise at 70% of maximal heart rate, and after 10 min of recovery in order to analyze cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Serum and saliva cortisol increased significantly during recovery (p<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the rest, exercise, and recovery DHEA-S and DHEA concentrations. A strong correlation was found at rest between both serum and saliva cortisol (r=0.72, p<0.001) and DHEA-S and DHEA (r=0.93, p<0.001). Serum DHEA-S and saliva DHEA remained strongly correlated during and after the submaximal exercise (r=0.81, p<0.001), whereas a weaker but still significant relationship was observed between serum and saliva cortisol during and after the exercise (r=0.52, p<0.001). In conclusion, these results suggest that saliva adrenocortical hormones, and especially saliva DHEA, may offer a practical surrogate for serum concentrations during both rest and exercise in obese diabetic men.     

The determination of 18-hydroxycorticosterone in saliva and plasma: Comparison with aldosterone and glucocorticoids

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) for 18-hydroxycorticosterone (180HB) is described using antibodies raised against 180HB-3-CMO conjugated to bovine albumen and an iodine-125 labelled ligand. Extracts of plasma and saliva required thin-layer Chromatographic purification prior to RIA. These assays have been validated in terms of precision, accuracy and specificity. The concentration of 180HB in saliva is approx 20% of that in plasma and the two values are correlated. Thus, in a series of 20 healthy subjects the saliva and plasma concentration were 169 ± 92 and 904 ± 621 pmol·1⁻¹ respectively with r = 0.72 (P < 0.001). When the diurnal patterns of 180HB, aldosterone and glucocorticoid (cortisol + cortisone) concentrations in saliva were investigated the patterns of 180HB and aldosterone were usually similar though the 180HB: aldosterone ratio can vary considerably. These and similar data suggest that the secretion of 180HB and aldosterone are not completely synchronous. Our results show that saliva is a suitable body fluid in which to estimate 180HB concentration and this measurement gives a useful reflection of the plasma 180HB concentration. This technique should facilitate the investigation of the physiological role of this compound.     

Comparison of saliva and plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone time-course response to hCG administration in normal men

17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) time-course response to hCG (5000 IU) was studied simultaneously in the saliva and the plasma of 12 adult healthy men. Baseline levels in plasma and saliva were: 1.0 +/- 0.1 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM) and 24 +/- 2 pg/ml respectively. After hCG, a biphasic pattern was observed in both fluids with a similar early response but the peak elicited at 33 h in plasma was not observed in saliva where the levels were lower than those recorded at 24 h. Since saliva steroids are believed to reflect the plasma non-protein bound fraction, this difference was assumed to be due to the decrease of the unbound fraction of plasma 17-OHP in the late afternoon as a consequence of the increase of CBG-bound fraction since at that time cortisol levels are low. The ratio of saliva to plasma 17-OHP levels was significantly correlated with plasma cortisol levels: r = 0.44 (P less than 0.01; n = 140). However the similar response in saliva at 24 and at 48 h after hCG allows the evaluation of the endocrine testicular function using saliva instead of plasma.     

Saliva and serum cortisol dynamics following intravenous dexamethasone in normal volunteers

In order to further explore the utility of saliva cortisol as an accurate measure of adrenal steroid production, dexamethasone (DEX) and saline were administered intravenously at 0800h to eight normal male volunteers in a randomized design, and the effects on serum and saliva cortisol concentrations were measured at hourly intervals from 0800h-2300h. Saliva cortisol values were highly correlated to serum cortisol levels within-subjects under both conditions (r = 0.78, p less than 0.025), however correlations were reduced in the DEX day sample pairs. Across-subject correlations at each time point were considerably more variable, reflecting interindividual differences in the saliva to serum cortisol ratios. No consistent time lag of saliva cortisol values in response to serum cortisol fluctuations was observed. These data suggest that saliva cortisol is an excellent index of changes in adrenal production of cortisol over time within individuals; however, it also suggests that salivary cortisol measures have less usefulness in comparing values across groups of individuals.     

Hormones, IgG and lactose changes around parturition in plasma, and colostrum or saliva of multiparous sows

Blood, colostrum and saliva samples were serially taken from 6 multiparous sows from day 109 of gestation until day 3 postpartum. Plasma was assayed for oestradiol-17beta (E2), progesterone (P4), prolactin (PRL), cortisol, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and lactose. Colostrum was assayed for E2, P4, IgG and lactose. Lactoserum, obtained after ultra centrifugation of colostrum, was assayed for PRL. Saliva was assayed for cortisol. Time-related variations in hormone, IgG and lactose concentrations measured in plasma were parallel to those measured in colostrum, lactoserum or saliva. However, the concentrations were higher in colostrum or lactoserum and lower in saliva than in plasma. Ratios of concentrations of cortisol in saliva and PRL in lactoserum over those in plasma did not vary with time and averaged 0.2 and 1.6, respectively. Conversely, the ratios of concentrations of E2 and P4 in colostrum over those in plasma varied with time (P < 0.05) but were quite constant before the end of parturition, averaging 2.7 and 3.6, respectively. The ratios of concentrations of IgG and lactose in colostrum over those in plasma also varied with time (P < 0.05). The concentrations of hormones in plasma on the one hand and in colostrum, lactoserum or saliva on the other hand were significantly correlated but correlations varied with time (PRL across periods: r = 0.31; cortisol across periods: r = 0.60; E2 during parturition: r = 0.83; P4 before parturition: r = 0.82; P4 during parturition: r = 0.67). The present results indicate that around parturition, assays of hormones in colostrum or saliva can be used to study the hormonal status of sows. Furthermore, variations in colostrum and plasma concentrations of IgG and lactose are good indicators of the transition from colostrum to milk synthesis.     

Adequacy of saliva 17-hydroxyprogesterone determination using various collection methods

Steroids determination in saliva offers several advantages. The collection of saliva is a noninvasive, less stressful technique than blood withdrawal and reflects the circulating unbound fractions. The suitability of saliva for 17-hydroxyprogesterone and cortisol determinations has been documented in healthy subjects as well as in diseases like Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Cushing syndrome. The aim of the study was to compare the influence of different collection methods on the results of 17-hydroxyprogesterone measurement in saliva collected by different ways, using commercially available RIAs developed for plasma. 17-hydroxyprogesterone was determined in 64 healthy adult volunteers (30 males, 34 females) in serum (Group SE) and in saliva collected before meals at 8-10 p.m. by directly spitting into a plastic tube (Group SP), using a cotton swab (Group SA) and using a polyester swab Salivette (Group SB). We used a commercially available direct radioimmunoassay without separation technique. The 17-hydroxyprogesterone mean values (ng/ml) were 1.16+/-1.3 (Group SE), 0.056+/-0.046 (Group SP), 0.089+/-0.048 (Group SA) and 0.058+/-0.049 (Group SB). The detection limit was 0.010 ng/ml. The correlations between the values in serum (Group SE) and in saliva were: r=0.77, p<0.05 (Group SP); r=0.62, p<0.05 (Group SA); r=0.70, p<0.05 (Group SB). The saliva values corresponding to the serum cut-off point of 3 ng/ml upper limit of normal values were in ng/ml 0.13 (Group SP), 0.16 (Group SA) and 0.11 (Group SB). In conclusion, 17-hydroxyprogesterone determinations in saliva using commercially available RIAs primarily developed for serum, is a reliable and easy to perform procedure. The three different methods of saliva collection showed 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations to have good agreement.     

Diurnal fluctuation in saliva aldosterone concentration

We have measured saliva aldosterone concentration (SA) at frequent intervals in subjects going about their normal daytime activities. Four hourly sampling sufficed to give a reasonable estimate of mean diurnal SA but hourly sampling is necessary if it is desired to study the temporal pattern of SA. In subjects with normal or elevated mean levels, SA fluctuated considerably suggestive of several distinct episodes of aldosterone secretion. Such fluctuations show little correlation with the concentrations in saliva of glucocorticoids (cortisol + cortisone) nor are they consistent with a circadian rhythm of aldosterone secretion. We suggest that they may represent responses to such stimuli as eating, drinking or physical activity, and possibly to other as yet unidentified factors. These observations show the importance of comprehensive diurnal assessment of aldosterone level in physiological and pathological investigations. Because of its non-invasive nature and the high productivity of the assay, measurement of SA is ideally suited for this purpose.     

Diagnostic value of salivary cortisol in children with abnormal adrenal cortex functions

AIMS: It has been shown that the free cortisol level in saliva may reflect plasma free cortisol. The measurement of cortisol in saliva is a simple method, and as such it is important in the pediatric age group. In this research, the diagnostic value of measurement of salivary cortisol (SC) measurement was examined in adrenal insufficiency (AI). METHODS: Fifty-one patients, mean age 10.8 +/- 4.29, who were investigated for possible AI, were included. Basal cortisol levels were below 18 microg/dl. Adrenal function was determined by low-dose ACTH test. During the test, samples for SC were obtained simultaneously with serum samples (at 0-10-20-30-40 min). RESULTS: Mean basal serum cortisol level was 8.21 +/- 4.10 microg/dl (mean +/- SD). Basal SC was correlated to basal serum cortisol (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). A cut-off of 0.94 microg/dl for SC differentiated adrenal insufficient subjects from normals with a sensitivity and specificity of 80 and 77%, respectively. A peak SC less than 0.62 microg/dl defined AI with a specificity of 100%; however, sensitivity was 44%. CONCLUSION: Measurement of SC may be used in the evaluation of AI. It is well-correlated to serum cortisol. Peak SC in low-dose ACTH test can be used to differentiate patients with AI in the initial evaluation of individuals with suspected AI.     

Plasma cortisol and corticosteroid-binding globulin in essential hypertension

Plasma concentration of cortisol, total CBG-binding capacity, and blood pressure were measured in control subjects (n = 171), patients with essential hypertension (EH; n = 210) and their first-degree normotensive (NR; n = 84) or hypertensive (HR; n = 66) relatives. Mean (+/- SD) plasma cortisol was significantly (p less than 0.001) decreased in EH (10.1 +/- 4.3 g/dl) patients and HR (11.7 +/- 4.1). Plasma cortisol in NR did not differ from control values (14.3 +/- 4.5) but the distribution of individual values covered the entire control-EH (14.6 +/- 5.5) range. Mean (+/- SD) CBG-binding capacity was significantly (p less than 0.001) lower in EH (14.4 +/- 3.0), NR (17.5 +/- 2), HR (17.6 +/- 2.2) as compared to controls (20.9 +/- 2.1), indicating that the decline in EH and in most relatives was mainly in plasma CBG-bound cortisol. The plasma CBG-binding capacity for cortisol was significantly negatively correlated with mean arterial pressure (MAP) in both controls (p less than 0.001) and NR (p less than 0.01) but not in either HR (r = 0.02) or never-treated EH patients. Total afternoon plasma aldosterone was higher (p less than 0.01 vs. controls) in 93 untreated EH patients (11.2 +/- 4.8 ng/dl) than in either 161 first-degree relatives (8.1 +/- 3.4 ng/dl) or 117 controls (7.6 +/- 3.5 ng/dl). The respective aldosterone-binding globulin (ABG) binding capacities for aldosterone were 21.2 +/- 6.7, 20.1 +/- 9.3 and 9.8 +/- 4.0%. In all these subjects taken together, there was a positive correlation between MAP and ABG-binding capacity (r = 51; p less than 0.001). The association of reduced plasma cortisol and decreased CBG binding capacity in EH may be closely related to altered steroid metabolism, which may be partly explained by an abnormality resembling a relative deficiency in adrenal 17 alpha- and 11 beta-hydroxylation. In some EH patients, hypertension may be the result of the ineffectiveness of plasma cortisol in preventing slightly elevated endogenous ACTH levels leading to an increase in ACTH-sensitive steroids.     

ACTH sensitivity of isolated human pathological adrenocortical cells: variability of responses in aldosterone, corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone and cortisol production

In vitro aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone and cortisol production of human adrenocortical cells derived from adenomas (Conn's syndrome, Cushing's syndrome), from hyperplastic adrenals (Cushing's syndrome) and from adrenals surrounding aldosteronoma are described. Cells from adenomas causing either Cushing's syndrome or Conn's syndrome harboured the highest basal and ACTH-stimulated corticosteroid production. Adrenocortical cells derived from micronodular hyperplasia causing Cushing's syndrome and cells from cortisol producing adenoma displayed predominantly cortisol and corticosterone secretion both under basal conditions and following stimulation with ACTH. Aldosteronoma cells showed highly variable aldosterone, deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone and cortisol response to ACTH. However, in aldosteronoma cell suspensions, the basal and ACTH-stimulated ratios of aldosterone to cortisol were increased when compared to ratios of steroids produced by cells from other adrenal tissues. Chronic treatment with spironolactone of patients with Conn's syndrome before surgery was associated with a decreased ratio of aldosterone to corticosterone, revealing that 18-hydroxylase in aldosteronoma cells may be inhibited during long-term therapy. Non-tumorous cells isolated from adrenals surrounding aldosteronoma displayed less aldosterone prior to and after stimulation with ACTH than aldosteronoma cells.     

Serum aldosterone and protein-binding variables in Yanomama Indians: a no-salt culture as compared to partially acculturated Guaymi Indians

Yanomama Indians from the jungles of southern Venezuela and northern Brazil excreted 1 +/- 1.5 mEq of Na and 203 +/- 109 mEq of K and had low blood pressure (BP), 102/62 mm Hg). In comparison, Guaymi Indians of Panama excreted 103 +/- 50 mEq of Na and 118 +/- 52 mEq of K and had significantly higher BP (114/75 mm Hg, p less than 0.001). Elucidating the renin-aldosterone axis, total upright serum aldosterone in 34 Yanomama was high (85.6 +/- 78 ng/100 ml). The binding capacities of thermolabile (ABG) and thermostable (ABG-Ts) serum globulins for aldosterone were elevated at 23.8 +/- 6 and 14.9 +/- 2.6%, respectively; consequently, total ABG- plus ABG-Ts- bound aldosterone was as high as 38.6 +/- 6.3%. Plasma renin activity (PRA 10.3 +/- 2.4 ng/ml/h) and urinary aldosterone 18-glucuronide (70.3 +/- 30 micrograms/24 h) in 17 Yanomama were also very high. In contrast, total serum corticosteroids and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) binding capacity were normal, suggesting normal ACTH activity. PRA correlated positively with total (r = 0.47, p less than 0.05) and free (r = 0.47, p less than 0.05) serum aldosterone, which in turn showed a negative trend with Na (r = 0.33, NS) excretion. The effect of high dietary K appeared less important to aldosterone stimulation and PRA suppression. ABG-bound aldosterone (r = 0.43, p less than 0.01) as well as ABG-Ts (r = 0.56, p less than 0.05) were negatively correlated with diastolic but not systolic BP. The total ABG- and ABG-Ts-bound fraction correlated with diastolic BP (r = 0.43, p less than 0.05) in contrast to the free fraction (r = 0.08, NS) or total aldosterone (r = -0.09). Apparently, only bound serum aldosterone is important for the maintenance of diastolic BP. High serum aldosterone, with elevated excretion, indicates an increased secretion rate; increased serum protein binding suggests an increased tissular activity and alterations in aldosterone metabolism. In Guaymi Indians both total plasma aldosterone (14.5 +/- 65 ng/100 ml) and urinary aldosterone (8.1 +/- 4.8 micrograms/creatinine excretion) were normal. ABG-binding capacity for aldosterone was moderately elevated (17.8 +/- 4.8) and of ABG-Ts normal (10.2 +/- 1.2) suggesting a nearly normal aldosterone metabolism and regulation. The BP of Guaymi was significantly higher than that of the Yanomama.     

Evidence for direct inhibitory effects of dopamine on zona glomerulosa secretion of 18-hydroxycorticosterone in rhesus monkeys

This study was designed to more selectively investigate the dopaminergic regulation of 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OHB) and aldosterone production by the adrenal zona glomerulosa. Mature rhesus monkeys received either an infusion of dopamine (2 micrograms/kg/min) or 5% dextrose (0.2 ml/min) over a 60 min period (N=6). Dopamine had no effect on plasma levels of renin activity, cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone or blood pressure. However, dopamine suppressed (p less than 0.05) plasma 18-OHB levels from a baseline of 31.6 +/- 3.5 ng/dl to 23.6 +/- 2.1 ng/dl at 60 min after onset of infusion. This observation is in agreement with some studies in humans but differs from others in which no depression in 18-OHB was observed following dopamine infusion. Dopamine infusion markedly (p less than 0.001) suppressed plasma PRL levels by 30 min after onset of infusion. Corticosteroid responses to metoclopramide (200 micrograms/kg) after dexamethasone 1 mg im every 6 h X 5 days or placebo treatment (vehicle im every 6 h X 5 days) was then evaluated. Dexamethasone significantly suppressed basal cortisol, corticosterone, 18-OHB and aldosterone. Although dexamethasone blunted the prolactin response, it did not inhibit the aldosterone response to metoclopramide. The 18-OHB response to metoclopramide was increased (p less than 0.01) following dexamethasone treatment. Following dexamethasone suppression, 18-OHB levels were still lowered (p less than 0.05) by dopamine infusion. These results suggest that dopamine selectively inhibits zona glomerulosa production of 18-OHB and aldosterone in rhesus monkeys.     

Salivary concentration of progesterone and cortisol significantly differs across individuals after correcting for blood hormone values

Between‐individual variation of salivary progesterone (P4) and cortisol levels does not always closely reflect blood hormone concentrations. This may be partly a function of individual differences in salivary hormone excretion. We tested whether time of day at sampling and ethnicity contributed to individual variation in salivary hormones after adjusting for blood hormone levels. Forty‐three Caucasian and 15 Japanese women (18–34 years) collected four sets of matched dried blood spot (DBS) and saliva specimens across a menstrual cycle (N = 232 specimen sets). Linear fixed‐effects (LFE) models were used to estimate the effects of diurnal variation and ethnicity on salivary P4 and cortisol while adjusting for DBS levels. For each hormone, women with exclusively positive or negative residuals (unexplained variance) from the LFE models were categorized as high‐ or low‐saliva‐to‐DBS hormone ratio (SDR; high or low salivary secretors), respectively. We found that salivary P4 (P < 0.05) was significantly higher in early morning compared to the afternoon, after controlling for DBS levels, ethnicity, and BMI. After further adjusting for this diurnal effect, significant individual variation in salivary P4 and cortisol remained: sixteen and nine women, respectively were categorized as low or high salivary secretors for both hormones (P < 0.001), suggesting systematic individual‐specific variation of salivary hormonal concentration. We conclude that when saliva is used to quantify P4 or cortisol levels, time of day at sampling should be controlled. Even with this adjustment, salivary P4 and cortisol do not closely mirror between‐ individual variation of serum P4 and cortisol in a substantial proportion of individuals. Am J Phys Anthropol 149:231–241, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Optimisation of total urinary aldosterone estimation: comparison with other laboratory methods for assessment of mineralocorticoid status

We have demonstrated that conventional methods for measuring total urinary aldosterone (TUA) may markedly and inconsistently underestimate aldosterone output, since under the conditions usually employed (pH 1.0), the hydrolysis of aldosterone conjugates in urine is incomplete. The use of more acidic hydrolysis conditions (pH 0.2) overcomes this problem. However free aldosterone may be damaged at this pH. Therefore to accurately measure TUA output, it is necessary to isolate the undamaged aldosterone chromatographically and to correct for procedural losses based on the recovery of aldosterone tracer added to the urine prior to hydrolysis. We compared a number of laboratory estimates of aldosterone status (including urinary free aldosterone) with the 24-h urinary sodium output in normal subjects, since this provides a good bioassay of aldosterone. Sodium output correlated best with "optimised" 24 h TUA, i.e. hydrolysed at pH 0.2, (r = -0.589, P less than 0.001), and with plasma aldosterone (r = -0.504, P less than 0.005). Both aldosterone in random urine specimens and plasma renin activity correlated poorly with 24-h sodium output. Therefore, while the measurement of optimised TUA excretion provides the best index of aldosterone activity, assay of aldosterone in random specimens of plasma, which is more convenient for patient and laboratory, may be adequate for many clinical purposes.     

Use of magnetic resonance imaging in the study of goat mammary glands in vivo

A technique is described for the in-vivo determination of mammary gland size and gross composition in goats by using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The volume of test objects determined with MRI had an error of +0.4 +/- 1.6% of the actual volume. In lactating goats the in-vivo MRI estimate of mammary parenchymal volume was significantly greater than, but highly significantly correlated with, the weight of parenchyma determined post mortem (for the whole udder, r = 0.88, P less than 0.001; for individual glands, r = 0.85, P less than 0.001). MRI-determined estimates of the volume of fluid within the mammary gland were within 1.2% of the volume of milk removed from the udders after imaging. The spin-lattice (T1) relaxation time of the whole udder correlated closely with the volume of fluid within the udder. The T1 relaxation time of parenchymal tissue measured in vivo did not differ significantly from that determined immediately after post-mortem excision.     

Trend analysis of serum progesterone, deoxycorticosterone, deoxycorticosterone sulfate, cortisol, corticosterone, 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone and estradiol in early neonates

To elucidate the origin and regulatory mechanism of deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and deoxycorticosterone sulfate during fetal life, the levels of serum DOC, DOC sulfate, progesterone, cortisol, corticosterone and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone (18OH-DOC) were determined in the fraction separated on high performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC) by radioimmunoassay (RIA) using the serum from normal newborn. Elimination curves both of serum DOC and DOC sulfate showed two phases: rapidly decreasing and slowly decreasing ones. Both serum DOC and DOC sulfate correlated with progesterone (r = 0.340, p less than 0.01; r = 0.737, p less than 0.01, respectively). They also correlated with cortisol (DOC, r = 0.467, p less than 0.01; DOC sulfate, r = 0.549, p less than 0.01, respectively). Serum DOC reached normal adult levels by 16 hrs after birth. However serum DOC sulfate concentration was maintained high throughout the entire early neonatal period. On the contrary, the changes in serum cortisol, corticosterone and 18OH-DOC showed a peak surge in the initial phase after delivery. Both serum corticosterone and 18OH-DOC correlated with cortisol (r = 0.518, p less than 0.01; r = 0.410, p less than 0.01, respectively). These findings suggest that, in the fetus, serum DOC and DOC sulfate are mainly produced at extraadrenal sites isolated from normal mineralocorticoids synthesis and after birth they begin to be formed at adrenal glands.     

Serum hormones and physical performance capacity in young boy athletes during a 1-year training period

Serum hormones and physical performance capacity in boy athletes (AG; n = 19) were investigated during a 1-year training period (between the ages of 11.6 and 12.6 years). Six young untrained boys served as the control group (CG). The mean serum testosterone concentration increased significantly in AG (P less than 0.05) following the training period from 2.92 nmol.l-1, SD 1.04 to 5.81 nmol.l-1, SD 1.33. Significant differences were not observed in the cortisol, sex hormone binding globulin and growth hormone levels during the follow-up period. The AG clearly increased speed (P less than 0.001), speed-strength (P less than 0.01-P less than 0.001) and anaerobic capacity (P less than 0.001) whereas CG had only slight increases (NS) in physical performance capacity during a 1-year period. During the last 6-month training period significant positive correlations (r = 0.49-0.58; P less than 0.05-P less than 0.01) were observed in AG between the relative changes in testosterone, testosterone:cortisol ratio and growth hormone and the relative performance change in speed, maximal isometric force and endurance, respectively. At the end of the period significant positive correlations were observed in all subjects between the level of testosterone and speed-strength (r = 0.52-0.64; P less than 0.01-P less than 0.001) and anaerobic capacity (r = 0.49; P less than 0.05). It was concluded that an increase in anabolic activity with the synchronous training already has positive effects on trainability and physical performance capacity at an early stage in puberty.     

The Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Post-Training Recovery in Jiu-Jitsu Athletes

Objectives

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of using hyperbaric oxygen therapy during post-training recovery in jiu-jitsu athletes.

Methods

Eleven experienced Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes were investigated during and following two training sessions of 1h30min. Using a cross-over design, the athletes were randomly assigned to passive recovery for 2 hours or to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (OHB) for the same duration. After a 7-day period, the interventions were reversed. Before, immediately after, post 2 hours and post 24 hours, blood samples were collected to examine hormone concentrations (cortisol and total testosterone) and cellular damage markers [creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)]. Moreover, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and recovery (RPR) scales were applied.

Results

Final lactate [La] values (control: 11.9 ± 1.4 mmol/L, OHB: 10.2 ± 1.4 mmol/L) and RPE [control: 14 (13–17 a.u.), OHB: 18 (17–20 a.u.)] were not significantly different following the training sessions. Furthermore, there was no difference between any time points for blood lactate and RPE in the two experimental conditions (P>0.05). There was no effect of experimental conditions on cortisol (F_1,20 = 0.1, P = 0.793, η² = 0.00, small), total testosterone (F_1,20 = 0.03, P = 0.877, η² = 0.00, small), CK (F_1,20 = 0.1, P = 0.759, η² = 0.01, small), AST (F_1,20 = 0.1, P = 0.761, η² = 0.01, small), ALT (F_1,20 = 0.0, P = 0.845, η² = 0.00, small) or LDH (F_1,20 = 0.7, P = 0.413, η² = 0.03, small). However, there was a difference between the two experimental conditions in RPR with higher values at post 2 h and 24 h in OHB when compared to the control condition (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Thus, it can be concluded that OHB exerts no influence on the recovery of hormonal status or cellular damage markers. Nonetheless, greater perceived recovery, potentially due to the placebo effect, was evident following the OHB condition.     

No effect of short-term 17beta-estradiol supplementation in healthy men on systemic inflammatory responses to exercise

Sex-based differences in inflammatory responses to exercise may be mediated by estrogen through increased muscle membrane stability and/or inhibited cytokine production. In this study, in vivo effects of estrogen on systemic inflammation-related responses to exercise were assessed in healthy men. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, 11 men cycled for 90 min at 65% Vo2 max after 8 days of 17beta-estradiol supplementation (ES; 2 mg/day) or placebo (PL; glucose polymer). After a 2-wk washout, exercise was repeated after 8 days on the alternate treatment. Blood was collected pre- and postexercise to determine IL-6, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), neutrophil counts, and cortisol. Preexercise serum was assayed for sex hormones. ES increased estradiol (133+/-71 to 840+/-633 pmol/l, P=0.005) and reduced testosterone (19.9+/-3.7 to 16.1+/-3.9 nmol/l, P=0.007). Exercise increased cortisol (P=0.02), IL-6 (P<0.001) and neutrophil counts (P<0.001) with no influence on sICAM-1 (P=0.34) and no effect of ES on these changes. Postexercise IL-6 and neutrophil counts were correlated (r=0.58, P=0.005); postexercise IL-6 and cortisol (r=0.18, P=0.43) and postexercise cortisol and neutrophil counts (r=0.06, P=0.78) were not. Postexercise sICAM-1 was not correlated with the above variables (P>or=0.79). In conclusion, 8 days of ES in healthy men did not influence systemic inflammation-related responses to acute exercise. Future studies should investigate 17beta-estradiol effects on IL-6 production and neutrophil infiltration within skeletal muscle during and after exercise.