Duration Of Swimming Research Articles

Influence of Ajuga turkestanica and Asparagus racemosus Phytoextracts on the Effectiveness of Aerobic–Anaerobic Training Regime

In this work, we study the effect of Asparagus racemosus (EAR) and Ajuga turkestanica (EAT) dry extracts at a dose of 100 mg/kg in comparison with a Rhaponticum carthamoides extract (ERC) on the effectiveness of an aerobic–anaerobic training regimen in female mice in a triple-weight loaded exhaustive swim test with a 10% load of body weight, as well as on the level of malondialdehyde and catalase activity in blood hemolysate, cardiac and skeletal striated muscle tissue, and liver homogenate. The results obtained indicate a reduced severity of lipid peroxidation under the influence of dry EAR and EAT extracts, thus pointing to the antioxidant activity of the extracts. In the conducted triple-weight loaded exhaustive swim test, a statistically significant increase in the duration of swimming No. 3 and the test index was noted in both groups compared to the control. Therefore, it can be concluded that the studied extracts have a positive effect on the first-phase recovery processes.

The impact of exercise intensity and duration for swim training-induced adaptations in cardiac structure and function in women with mild hypertension.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of swim training intensity and duration on cardiac structure and function in mildly hypertensive women. Sixty-two mildly hypertensive women were randomized to 15 weeks of either (1) high-intensity swimming (HIS, n = 21), (2) moderate-intensity swimming (MOD, n = 21) or (3) control (CON, n = 20). Training sessions occurred three times per week. Cardiac measurements were conducted using echocardiography pre- and post-intervention. Both the HIS and MOD groups demonstrated significant within-group increases in left ventricular mass: 7.3% [1.2; 13.2] (p = 0.02) for HIS and 6.2% [0.5; 11.8] (p = 0.03) for MOD. The MOD group also demonstrated a significant increase in left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole by 2.4% [0.2; 4.6] (p = 0.03).Post-hoc analysis of diastolic function markers revealed reduced mitral valve A velocity in both HIS (-14% [-25; -3], p = 0.02) and MOD (-13% [-23; -3], p = 0.01), leading to increased mitral valve E/A ratios of 27% [10; 47] (p = 0.003) and 22% [5; 40] (p = 0.01), respectively. Additionally, only MOD demonstrated increased left atrial diameter of 4.9% [0.7; 9.1] (p =0.02). A significant time×group effect (p = 0.02) existed for global longitudinal strain, which increased by 1.6% [0.2; 3.0] (p = 0.03) in MOD only. In conclusion, swim training for 15 weeks increased left ventricular mass and improved markers of diastolic function in mildly hypertensive women. These independent of exercise intensity and duration in mildly hypertensive women.

Cardiac electrical and functional activity following an outdoor cold-water swimming event

AimsParticipation in outdoor cold-water swimming (OCWS) events combines endurance exercise and cold exposure. Concerns have emerged about the potential risk of acute adverse cardiac events during OCWS, particularly during endurance events. We analysed the effect of prolonged OCWS on cardiac function in trained athletes. MethodsThe swimming event consisted of laps over a 1000-m course, for up to 6 h, in water at 15 °C. Twenty participants (11 males, 47.3 ± 8.6 years old) were included. Core temperature (Tcore) was monitored using an ingestible temperature sensor during and up to 1 h after the swim. Body composition, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), and transthoracic echocardiography were assessed 1 day before the event and within the first hour upon completion of the swim. ResultsMean body mass index was 27.1 ± 5.1 kg/m2 and fat mass was 25.2 ± 9.1 %. Mean duration of swimming was 214 ± 115 min. Minimum Tcore was 35.6 ± 1.3 °C. A significant lengthening of the QT interval corrected (QTc) for heart rate was observed post-exercise (437.7 ± 27.7 vs. 457.2 ± 35.9 ms, p = 0.012), with 5 participants exhibiting post-exercise QTc >500ms. OCWS did not alter the biventricular systolic function and left ventricular relaxation. No correlation was observed between ΔQTc and ΔTcore. ConclusionOCWS seemed to acutely delay post-exercise cardiac repolarization without alteration of cardiac function in a healthy trained population. Additional investigations would be warranted to explore the clinical implications of QT lengthening and its relationship with autonomic nervous system regulation during OCWS.

Testing Green Tea Extract and Ammonium Salts as Stimulants of Physical Performance in a Forced Swimming Rat Experimental Model.

The study of drugs of natural origin that increase endurance and/or accelerate recovery is an integral part of sports medicine and physiology. In this paper, decaffeinated green tea extract (GTE) and two ammonium salts-chloride (ACL) and carbonate (ACR)-were tested individually and in combination with GTE as stimulants of physical performance in a forced swimming rat experimental model. The determined parameters can be divided into seven blocks: functional (swimming duration); biochemistry of blood plasma; biochemistry of erythrocytes; hematology; immunology; gene expression of slow- and fast-twitch muscles (m. soleus, SOL, and m. extensor digitorum longus, EDL, respectively); and morphometric indicators of slow- and fast-twitch muscles. Regarding the negative control (intact animals), the maximum number of changes in all blocks of indicators was recorded in the GTE + ACR group, whose animals showed the maximum functional result and minimum lactate values on the last day of the experiment. Next, in terms of the number of changes, were the groups ACR, ACL, GTE + ACL, GTE and NaCl (positive control). In general, the number of identified adaptive changes was proportional to the functional state of the animals of the corresponding groups, in terms of the duration of the swimming load in the last four days of the experiment. However, not only the total number but also the qualitative composition of the identified changes is of interest. The results of a comparative analysis suggest that, in the model of forced swimming we developed, GTE promotes restoration of the body and moderate mobilization of the immune system, while small doses of ammonium salts, especially ammonium carbonate, contribute to an increase in physical performance, which is associated with satisfactory restoration of skeletal muscles and the entire body. The combined use of GTE with ammonium salts does not give a clearly positive effect.

Viscosity-dependent swimming patterns assist Aliivibrio fischeri for symbiont partner finding

Bacteria employ diverse swimming patterns for chemotaxis, influenced by factors including flagellar arrangements, motor rotation, flagellar filament configurations, and polymorphism. Understanding the chemotactic strategy of in locating a squid partner is paramount for comprehending this highly species-specific symbiosis. In this study, we applied three-dimensional swimming tracking and real-time visualization of lophotrichous flagellar configurations. These techniques unveiled viscosity-dependent transitions in swimming patterns, shifting from push-pull to push-wrap modes. Notably, our research also revealed coupled flagellar switching and polymorphic transformations during the wrap mode, significantly extending 's backward swimming duration and, consequently, its overall runtime. This strategic adaptation allows to broaden its effective search range, particularly within high-viscosity environments like the squid light organ. In response to attractants, the coupling rate is reduced to facilitate efficient short-range searching. These innovative chemotactic strategies ensure precise navigation for in locating and colonizing its symbiotic partner, the squid . Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Research on the Anti-Fatigue Effects and Mechanisms of Arecoline in Sleep-Deprived Mice.

This research aims to estimate the anti-fatigue effects of arecoline and explore its underlying mechanisms using a murine model of central fatigue precipitated by sleep deprivation (SD). Seventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to six groups: a control group, an SD-induced fatigue model group, a group that received Rhodiola Rosea capsules (2.5 mg/kg), and three arecoline groups, which were administered at low, medium, and high doses (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, respectively). Following 28 days of continuous administrations, the effects of arecoline on mouse fatigue-related behaviors were assessed by behavioral tests, including grip strength, rotarod performance, and weight-bearing swimming endurance. The release levels of the related biochemical markers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Western blotting was employed to quantify the expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), sequestosome-1 (p62), and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in the gastrocnemius muscle. Arecoline administration notably enhanced grip strength, delayed the onset of fatigue as evidenced by extended latencies in rotarod tests, and increased the duration of weight-bearing swimming in mice. In the elevated plus maze, arecoline obviously decreased both the number of entries and the total distance traveled in the open arms. Arecoline markedly decreased the contents of creatine kinase, blood urea nitrogen, lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, and cholesterol in the serum, while it elevated the levels of total testosterone, lactate dehydrogenase, and immunoglobulin G. Furthermore, it significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase in the gastrocnemius muscle, reduced malondialdehyde levels, augmented hippocampal SOD and CAT activity, and elevated glycogen stores in both liver and muscle tissues. Neurotransmitter levels showed significant increases, cytokine levels were markedly reduced, and the expressions of Nrf2, Keap1, NQO1, p62, and HO-1 in brain tissues were significantly upregulated. This study demonstrates that arecoline has anti-fatigue activity, and the specific mechanisms are associated with elevating glucose and lipid metabolism levels, relieving oxidative stress damage, inhibiting neuroinflammatory response, and regulating neurotransmitter levels and the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. The research provides a new direction for arecoline's potential in preventing and improving fatigue.

Molecular mechanism of basolateral amygdala involved in electroacupuncture-induced amelioration of cancer pain and concomitant depression based on transcriptomics techniques.

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) on cancer pain and concomitant negative emotion in cancer pain model mice, and to explore its molecular mechanisms in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) by using transcriptomics techniques. C57BL/6 mice were randomized into sham operation, model and EA groups, with 10 mice in each group. The cancer pain model was established by injecting PBS suspension containing Lewis lung cancer cells into the femur. The mice in the EA group received EA stimulation(1 mA, 2 Hz) on ST36 and SP6 from the 10th day after modeling, 20 min per day for 12 successive days. The bone damage of the distal femur was observed with X-ray and H.E. staining, respectively. The mechanical pain threshold (MPT) was detected by using von Frey. The depression-like behavior was detected by using sucrose-preference test (sucrose preference index in 12 h), and the immobility (feeling of despair) duration of forced swimming within 4 min. The BLA tissue was extracted for RNA sequencing (RNA library construction, and screening differential gene profiling by transcriptomic sequencing) and bioinformatics analysis. The real-time PCR was used to validate the mRNA expression of differentially expressed genes：tumor necrosis factor superfamily 8 (Tnfsf8), bone marrow stromal cell antigen 1 (Bst1), prodynorphin (Pdyn) and voltage-gated sodium channelβ4 (Scn4b). H.E. staining and X-ray showed significant bone damage in the distal femur in cancer pain mice. In contrast to the sham operation group, the MPT on the 1st , 4th, 7th , 10th, 14th and 21st day after modeling and sucrose preference index were significantly decreased (P<0.001, P<0.000 1), and the immobility time of the forced swimming was considerably increased in the model group (P<0.001). In contrast to the model group, the MPT values on the 14th and 21st day and sucrose preference index were obviously increased (P<0.000 1, P<0.05), and the immobility time was strikingly decreased in the EA group (P<0.01). RNA sequencing showed that a total of 404 differentially expressed genes (205 up-regulated, 199 down-regulated) were screened in the model group compared with the sham operation group, and a total of 329 differentially expressed genes (206 up-regulated and 123 down-regulated) were screened in the EA group compared with the model group. Venn diagram analysis of the differentially expressed genes showed that 45 up-regulated and 28 down-regulated genes in the model group were completely reversed by EA. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses of the screened differentially expressed genes revealed that the above differential genes were mainly enriched in the ligand receptor activity, cytokine receptor binding, and cytokine activity related to neuro-inflammation, as well as in neuropeptide signaling pathways related to neuronal excitability, and calcium ion mediated signal transduction. The analysis of KEGG pathway showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the inflammation-related pathways, such as interleukin-17 pathway. Validation analysis of the differentially expressed genes showed that the expression levels of Tnfsf8 and Bst1 were significantly up-regulated in the model group compared with the sham operation group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and down-regulated by EA (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the expression levels of Pdyn and Scn4b were down-regulated in the model group in comparison with the sham operation group (P<0.01), and up-regulated by EA (P<0.05, P<0.01), which was consistent with the changing trend of the gene sequencing results. Acupuncture of ST36 and SP6 can significantly relieve cancer pain and concomitant negative emotion in cancer pain mice, which may be related to its functions in alleviating neuro-inflammation and relieving the abnormal activities of specific neurons in the BLA.

S-1-Propenylcysteine Enhances Endurance Capacity of Mice by Stimulating Fatty Acid Metabolism via Muscle Isoform of Carnitine Acyltransferase-1

BackgroundEndurance is an important capacity to sustain healthy lifestyles. Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been reported to exert an endurance-enhancing effect in clinical and animal studies, although little is known about its active ingredients and mechanism of action. ObjectivesThis study investigated the potential effect of S-1-propenylcysteine (S1PC), a characteristic sulfur amino acid in AGE, on the swimming endurance of mice, and examined its mechanism of action by a metabolomics-based approach. MethodsMale Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice (6 wk old) were orally administered either water (control) or S1PC (6.5 mg/kg/d) for 2 wk. The swimming duration to exhaustion was measured at 24 h after the final administration. Nontargeted metabolomic analysis was conducted on the plasma samples obtained from mice after 40-min submaximal swimming bouts. Subsequently, the enzyme activity of carnitine acyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) and the content of malonyl-coenzyme A (CoA), acetyl-CoA, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were quantified in heart, skeletal muscles, and liver of mice. ResultsThe duration time of swimming was substantially increased in the S1PC-treated mice as compared with the control group. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant alterations in the plasma concentration of the metabolites involved in fatty acid metabolism, in particular medium- or long-chain acylcarnitines in the mice treated with S1PC. Moreover, the administration of S1PC significantly enhanced the CPT-1 activity with the concomitant decrease in the malonyl-CoA content in the heart and skeletal muscles. These effects of S1PC were accompanied by the elevation of the acetyl-CoA and ATP levels to enhance the energy production in those tissues. ConclusionsS1PC is a key constituent responsible for the endurance-enhancing effect of AGE. This study suggests that S1PC helps provide energy during endurance exercise by increasing fatty acid metabolism via CPT-1 activation in the heart and skeletal muscles.

Original Empirical Research Protective Effects of Succinic Acid upon Exposure to the Low-Frequency Alternating Magnetic Field Determined in the Experiment

Introduction. The need to simulate the oxidative stress by an experiment of exposure to the low-frequency alternating magnetic field is induced by the persistent increase of the electromagnetic load on the endothermic organisms caused by the annual deterioration of the electromagnetic state of the environment. The low-frequency alternating magnetic field starts a chain of biochemical reactions in the laboratory animals, which alter the homeostasis against the increased intensity of free-radical oxidation (peroxidation) of biomembrane lipids. The preparations containing succinic acid have the antioxidant, antihypoxant, actoprotective and stress-protective effects, tested through various kind of modelling, however, the absence of data on the efficacy of succinic acid under the exposure to the alternating magnetic field has become the reason for the present experiment. The aim of the research is to determine the protective effects of succinic acid upon exposure of the laboratory rats to the low-frequency alternating magnetic field.Materials and Methods. The objects of the research were 90 white outbred male rats weighing 200–250 g, divided into three groups: group 1 — intact, the animals were in standard vivarium conditions and were not exposed to any effect; group 2 — control, the rats were exposed to the low frequency alternating magnetic field (LF-AMF) for 21 days daily per 3 hours, preceded by daily intraperitoneal administration to animals of the 0.9% sodium chloride solution at a dose of 1 ml / kg straight before them being exposed to LF-AMF; group 3 — experimental, the rats were daily intraperitoneally administered the succinic acid at a dose of 100 mg / kg (1 ml / kg) for 21 days prior to being exposed to LF-AMF. The exposure to the low-frequency alternating magnetic field was created by the Helmholtz coils (of diameter 1 m) powered by the alternating current source with a frequency of 50 Hz, with a magnetic field induction of 0.4 mT, whereas the cages with animals were placed in the centre of the device. The actoprotective effect of succinic acid was checked on the 7th, 14th and 21st days from the beginning of the experiment by duration of swimming of rats in water. The antioxidant effect — by concentration of diene conjugates, lipid hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde, ceruloplasmin, vitamin E in the blood plasma of rats measured according to the commonly accepted methods. The stress-protective effect was determined by the masses of the adrenal glands, thymus gland, spleen and the number of erosive defects on the suRussian Federationace of the gastric mucosa.Results. The experimental data has confirmed the actoprotective effect of succinic acid — the duration of swimming of the rats in the experimental group increased by 25–37% compared to the control one. The antioxidant effect of succinic acid under magnetic induction has been manifested in a decreased concentration of lipid peroxidation products against increased level of ceruloplasmin in the blood of rats in the experimental group compared to the animals in the control group. Administration of the succinic acid into the peritoneum of rats in the experimental group under exposure to the low frequency alternating magnetic field has prevented involution of the thymus gland by 45% (7th day), 56% (14th day), 71% (21th day) and the spleen by 52%, 58% and 66% respectively, alongside, the number of erosive and ulcerative defects on the suRussian Federationace of the gastric mucosa has decreased by 2.5–4 times compared to the animals in the control group.Discussion and Conclusion. The protective effects of succinic acid upon exposure to the low-frequency alternating magnetic field have been confirmed that include the stress-protective, actoprotective and antioxidant effects of the exogenous succinate. The ability of succinic acid to prevent the negative changes in the internal organs caused by the magnetic loads is proved by the statistically significant excess of the mass coefficients of the thymus gland and spleen in the experimental group, compared to the control one, along with the fewer erosive defects on the suRussian Federationace of the gastric mucosa. Succinic acid reduces the intensity of lipid peroxidation processes upon the magnetic exposure due to reducing the concentration of lipid peroxidation products and increasing the level of ceruloplasmin in the blood of animals.

Unraveling the molecular basis of cannabidiolic acid methyl Ester's anti-depressive effects in a rat model of treatment-resistant depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) stands as a significant cause of disability globally. Cannabidiolic Acid-Methyl Ester (CBDA-ME) (EPM-301, HU-580), a derivative of Cannabidiol, demonstrates immediate antidepressant-like effects, yet it has undergone only minimal evaluation in psychopharmacology. Our goal was to investigate the behavioral and potential molecular mechanisms associated with the chronic oral administration of this compound in the Wistar Kyoto (WKY) genetic model of treatment-resistant depression. Male WKY rats were subjected to behavioral assessments before and after receiving chronic (14-day) oral doses of CBDA-ME (0.5 mg/kg), 15 mg/kg of imipramine or vehicle. At the end of the study, plasma corticosterone levels and mRNA expression of various genes in the medial Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus were measured. Behavioral outcomes from CBDA-ME treatment indicated an antidepressant-like effect similar to imipramine, as oral ingestion reduced immobility and increased swimming duration in the Forced Swim Test. Neither treatment influenced locomotion in the Open Field Test nor preference in the Saccharin Preference Test. The behavioral impact in WKY rats coincided with reduced corticosterone serum levels, upregulated mRNA expression of Cannabinoid receptor 1, Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase, and Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor 1, alongside downregulation of the Serotonin Transporter in the hippocampus. Additionally, there was an upregulation of CB1 mRNA expression and downregulation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in the mPFC. These findings contribute to our limited understanding of the antidepressant effects of CBDA-ME and shed light on its potential psychopharmacological mechanisms. This discovery opens up possibilities for utilizing cannabinoids in the treatment of major depressive disorder and related conditions.

Testing the Antidepressant Activity of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) In Vitro Using the Forced Swimming Test (FST) Method

Antidepressants are a therapy used for depression sufferers with the aim of reducing symptoms, minimizing side effects and returning them to their original condition. Treatment of depression requires safe and effective therapy to prevent severity. Currently, there are many plants that have potential as antidepressants, such as fennel. The method that can be used to evaluate the effect of antidepressants is the forced swimming test (FST). 24 mice were divided into 8 groups and each group was treated with amitriptyline as a positive control, Na-CMC 0.5% as negative control and fennel infusion as test sample. The data obtained consisted of duration of immobility, climbing, and swimming which was then analyzed using SPSS with the one-way ANOVA test. The results of one-way ANOVA test for immobility, climbing, and swimming time showed that sig. values sequencely are 0.03, 0.006, and 0.016 (P&lt; 0.05). It means that immobility, climbing, and swimming time have significant differences between group of control and treatment.

Comparative Study of The Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity of Three Chemotypes of Peppermint

The aim of the work was to study the composition of the alcohol extract, antioxidant activity and pharmacological properties of peppermint leaves of three forms - menthol, linalool and carvone. Materials and methods: Chromatography-mass-spectrometric analysis was performed on an Agilent Technologies device. For the model evaluation of antioxidant activity, the aerometric method for measuring the total antioxidant activity was used, implemented in the TsvetYauza-01-AA device. Tonic activity was studied in terms of the duration of swimming of laboratory animal (male mice) with a load of 7% of the animal's body weight until complete fatigue - "The mouse forced swim test". The discussion of the results. When studying the chemical composition of medicinal plant raw materials of peppermint leaves of menthol, linalool, carvone types, more than 50 compounds were identified. A comparative analysis showed that the content of menthol in peppermint leaves of the menthol type can exceed the content of menthol in other chemotypes by ten or more times. At the same time, the tonic effect of an aqueous extract from peppermint leaves is mostly associated with the menthol. It should be taken into account when using this type of raw material in the manufacturing. Findings. The raw material of peppermint leaves may have a different degree of pharmacological activity depending on the chemotype, which should be taken into consideration when using this type of raw material.

The Effect of Swimming Exercise on Memory Impairment and Inflammatory Cytokines Caused by Lipopolysaccharide Injection in Male Rats

Memory is a fundamental human ability that enables the nervous system to encode, store, and retrieve various types of information. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of swimming exercise on memory impairment and the inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL1 caused by lipopolysaccharide injection in male rats. In this study, 40 NMRI mice, approximately 70 days old and weighing 23 ± 1 grams, were used. The mice were randomly divided into four groups: a control group (no exercise with saline, no exercise with lipopolysaccharide) and an experimental group (exercise with saline, exercise with lipopolysaccharide). The training program included two phases of swimming: an adaptation phase and a swimming phase. The adaptation phase consisted of three 10-minute sessions with a 10-minute rest interval between each session. The duration of swimming was progressively increased from 20 minutes in the second week to 30 minutes in the third week. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS software with a two-way analysis of variance. The findings of this study demonstrated that swimming significantly reduced the levels of TNFα and IL1 in male rats (p&lt;0.05). Lipopolysaccharide reduces spontaneous activity and impairs memory, whereas swimming exercise enhances memory function and spontaneous activity. Therefore, swimming exercise has anti-inflammatory effects and improves memory.

Exhaled breath of children swimmers conveniently collected in Teflon bags and used for trihalomethane determination by SPME-GC-MS.

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are the most common disinfection by-products in swimming pools; however, they exhibit strong cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, posing health risks. Children are more vulnerable to swimming-related health risks than adults; therefore, a rapid and accurate assessment of internal THM exposure in children swimmers is important for health risk assessment. For internal exposure measurement, collecting exhaled breath samples is more convenient, non-invasive, and easier to perform than collecting blood and urine. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a rapid, accurate, and reproducible method for determining THMs in children swimmers' exhaled breath using solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The factors influencing the pretreatment procedure, including selecting SPME fibers, extraction temperature, and time, were systematically evaluated. Under the optimized conditions, the instrumental linearity range was 1-200 ng L-1 with correlation coefficients >0.998. The limit of detection for this method was 0.3-0.5 ng L-1. The recovery values ranged between 76.87 and 111.49%. Detecting THMs at three different calibration levels using this method had an intra-day precision of 1.31-5.07%, while the inter-day precision was 1.59-11.10% (n = 6). Additionally, the SPME-GC-MS method was used to detect the concentration of THMs in children swimmers' exhaled breath before and after swimming. Trichloromethane was the most abundant THM in the air around the pool and children's exhaled breath, and THM concentrations in the children swimmers' exhaled breath increased significantly after swimming. This study found no significant differences in the concentrations of THMs in the children swimmers' exhaled breath with different swimming durations or frequencies, which may be a result of the unrepresentative sample population and small sample size, and more in-depth and comprehensive studies are needed to verify this conclusion.

Effects of Prenatal and Lactational Vortioxetine Exposure on Emotional States, Motor Activities and Cognitive Performances of Offspring

Objective: Pregnancy and breastfeeding are periods when hormonal fluctuations in women are intense and the risk of mood disorders is high. Uncured psychiatric disorders reduces the mother's quality of life on the one hand and harms the developing fetus on the other. The inability of mothers with psychiatric problems to provide the necessary care to their babies after birth and during the lactational period is another risk factor for the baby. For this reasons, the prescription of antidepressants to pregnant women has become increasingly common in recent years. On the other hand, studies indicate that exposure to antidepressants in the early stages of life causes some negative effects on the neurodevelopmental process of the fetus. Hence, it is of clinical importance to clarify the risks caused by the use of antidepressants during pregnancy. Therefore, it was aimed to investigate potential effects of prenatal and lactational exposure to vortioxetine, which is a relatively new antidepressant with a multimodal mechanism of action, on the emotional states, motor behavior and cognitive performances of the offspring, in this study. Methods: Vortioxetine was administered orally to adult Sprague Dawley female rats at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/day before conception and continuing until the pups were weaned (P21). Behavioral experiments were performed with 90-day-old (P90) adult offspring. Motor activity, anxiety, depression and cognitive performance parameters of the rats were assessed using activity-meter, elevated plus-maze, modified forced swimming and passive avoidance tests, respectively. Results: Data from activity-meter tests revealed that prenatal and lactational exposure to vortioxetine (20 mg/kg) resulted in significant increases in horizontal, ambulatory, and stereotypic activity counts and walking distance values of the offspring, suggesting that vortioxetine exposure induced hyperactivity in these animals. In contrast, early-life vortioxetine exposure did not alter the number of vertical movements, indicative of exploratory behavior in rats. This finding, together with data showing that the offspring’s preference for the open arm in elevated plus-maze tests was reduced, pointed out that these animals had increased anxiety levels. When the findings of the modified forced swimming tests were examined, it was detected that the duration of active swimming and climbing behaviors of rats increased and the immobility period shortened. These findings are thought to be related to an increase in the motor activity of the offspring rather than a decrease in the animals' depressive behavior. In the passive avoidance tests, it was observed that vortioxetine exposure did not cause any significant changes in the emotional learning and memory performances of the offspring. Conclusion: The findings obtained in this study showed that maternal exposure to vortioxetine, especially at high doses, may not be safe for the baby and suggested that this drug has no superiority over other antidepressants in terms of use at prenatal and lactational periods. On the other hand, comprehensive clinical studies are needed on children of mothers who used this drug before birth and during breastfeeding to gain a clearer understanding of the short- and long-term effects of early-life vortioxetine exposure on children.

Adverse neurobehavioral changes with reduced blood and brain cholinesterase activities in mice treated with statins.

Pleiotropic effects of hypolipidemic statins with behavioral outcomes have been suggested in humans and laboratory animals. There is limited information on the neurobehavioral effects of statins in mice. The aim of the present study was to examine changes in neurobehavioral performance and cholinesterase (ChE) activity in mice after high doses of three commonly used statins (atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin). Two hours after vehicle (control) or statin dosing at 250, 500, 750, or 1000 mg/kg orally, each mouse was subjected to 5 min open-field activity, negative geotaxis at an angle of 45°/60 s, 5 min head pocking, and forced swimming endurance. Plasma, erythrocyte, and brain ChE activities were determined spectrophotometrically 2 and 24 h after oral dosing of statins at 500 and 1000 mg/kg. The statins variably, but dose-dependently and significantly (p < 0.05) delayed the latency to move in the open-field arena, decreased locomotion and rearing, reduced head pocking, and delayed negative geotaxis performance. However, statins significantly increased the duration of forced swimming and decreased the duration of immobility in the swimming tank. Statins significantly and dose-dependently decreased plasma, erythrocyte, and brain ChE activity 2 and 24 h after dosing. Plasma and brain ChE activities recovered by 5%-32.9% and 5.7%-14.4% 24 h later from the 2 h ChE values, respectively. High doses of statins differentially modulate neurobehavioral outcomes in mice in association with reduced plasma, erythrocyte, and brain ChE activity. Plasma or erythrocyte ChE may be used for biomonitoring of the adverse/therapeutic effects of statins.

Maternal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during lactation improves exercise performance, enhances intestinal glucose absorption and modulates gut microbiota in weaning offspring mice.

Intestinal dysfunction induced by weaning stress is common during breastfeeding period. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is well known for promoting visual and brain development, but its effects on early intestinal development remain unknown. This study investigated the impact of maternal DHA supplementation during lactation on intestinal glucose absorption and gut microbiota in weaning offspring mice. Dams were supplemented with vehicle (control), 150 mg/(kg body weight · day) DHA (L-DHA), or 450 mg/(kg body weight · day) DHA (H-DHA) throughout lactation by oral administration. After weaning, pups were randomly divided into three groups for athletic analysis, microbial and proteomic analysis, biochemical analysis, 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-D-glucose (4-FDG) absorption test, and gene expression quantitation of glucose transport-associated proteins and mTOR signaling components. The H-DHA group exhibited enhanced grip strength and prolonged swimming duration compared to the control group. Additionally, there were significant increases in jejunal and ileal villus height, and expanded surface area of jejunal villi in the H-DHA group. Microbial analyses revealed that maternal DHA intake increased the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria and promoted metabolic pathways linked to carbohydrate and energy metabolism. Proteomic studies indicated an increased abundance of nutrient transport proteins and enrichment of pathways involved in absorption and digestion in the H-DHA group. This group also showed higher concentrations of glucose in the jejunum and ileum, as well as elevated glycogen levels in the liver and muscles, in contrast to lower glucose levels in the intestinal contents and feces compared to the control group. The 4-FDG absorption test showed more efficient absorption after oral 4-FDG gavage in the H-DHA group. Moreover, the expressions of glucose transport-associated proteins, GLUT2 and SGLT1, and the activation of mTOR pathway were enhanced in the H-DHA group compared to the control group. The L-DHA group also showed similar but less pronounced improvements in these aspects relative to the H-DHA group. Our findings suggested that maternal DHA supplementation during lactation improves the exercise performance, enhances the intestinal glucose absorption by increasing the expressions of glucose transporters, and beneficially alters the structure of gut microbiome in weaning offspring mice.

The Effect of Exercise Volume on Depressive-Related Behaviors and Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Serum Testosterone Levels

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of training volume on depression-related behaviors and serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and testosterone in mice. Male NMRI mice, approximately 80 days old and weighing 20 to 23 grams, were used in this study. Methods and Materials: They were kept under a 12-hour light/12-hour dark cycle at a temperature of 23±1°C, with adequate food and water provided. The male NMRI mice, approximately 80 days old and weighing 20 to 23 grams, were kept under a 12-hour light/12-hour dark cycle at a temperature of 23±1°C, with adequate food and water provided. From 90 days old to 118 days old, the animals underwent swimming exercise for 4 weeks. They were divided into two groups: long-term training volume and short-term training volume. The short-term swimming group included one session of short-term training, while the long-term group included three sessions of long-term training with 10-minute swimming periods and 15-minute rest intervals between each session. The water depth and swimming duration gradually increased from 5 to 15 centimeters (second to fourth week) and from 20 (second to third week) to 30 (fourth week) minutes per day. The non-exercised animals were placed in a round tank without water for a duration similar to that of the exercised animals. Results: The results showed a significant difference in immobility duration between the control group and the two training groups, as well as between the two training groups (P ≤ 0.05). There was also a significant difference in depression levels between the two training groups and between the long-term training group and the control group (P ≤ 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the short-term training group and the control group (P ≥ 0.05). Post hoc test results indicated a significant difference in BDNF levels between the control group and the long-term training group (P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in testosterone levels between the control group and both the short-term and long-term training groups (P ≤ 0.05), but no difference between the two training groups (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the overall results of the study, different training volumes have varying effects on depression and BDNF levels, with long-term training producing greater effects.

Experimental study on the effect of sound stimulation on hearing and behavior of juvenile black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii)

Assessing the potential impacts of wind farm noise on fish is a crucial aspect of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies. There is increasing evidence of disturbances and effects on hearing and behavior in animals. The black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) is a commercially valuable rocky reef fish native to East Asia. However, empirical studies that measure the actual consequences are lacking. In this study, we used auditory evoked potentials (AEP) to assess the effects of dominant frequency noise emitted by offshore wind farms on the auditory sensitivity, hearing threshold, swimming, and feeding behavior of juvenile black rockfish. The experimental findings revealed that the most sensitive sound frequency was 200 Hz, with the lowest hearing threshold recorded at 86.4 ± 3.4 dB re 1 μPa. Following 3 and 7 days of exposure to 200 Hz noise at 110 dB, threshold shifts in black rockfish reached 19.0 dB and 13.3 dB, respectively. During the subsequent recovery phase, these shifts decreased to approximately 9.8 dB after 3 days, respectively. The noise-exposed group exhibited higher swimming duration, moving distance, and caudal fin swing frequency compared to the control group without noise exposure. Furthermore, noise prolonged the feeding rate of black rockfish. Our findings provide the first evidence of noise-induced temporary threshold shift and behavioral disturbances in juvenile black rockfish, implying potential fitness consequences associated with noise pollutant.

Combined effect of anthracene and polyethylene microplastics on swimming speed and cytochrome P4501A monooxygenase expression of Java medaka (Oryzias javanicus).

Microplastics have been detected in a variety of aquatic ecosystems, and the combined effect of microplastics and chemical pollutants has become a matter of increasing concern. We conducted a 12-d co-exposure test of anthracene and spherical or fragmented polyethylene microplastics (size 200 µm) on Java medaka (Oryzias javanicus). The accumulation of anthracene in Java medaka muscle reached a plateau on day 5 in all anthracene exposure groups, and no significant differences were detected among the groups (ANT, 20.4 ± 5.5; ANT + SPPE-MP, 24.7 ± 2.7; ANT + FRPE-MP, 24.6 ± 4.7 µg/g). However, co-exposure to anthracene and spherical or fragmented polyethylene microplastics increased the duration of slow swimming in a swimming behavior test (control, 4.1 ± 1.4; ANT, 5.2 ± 2.8; ANT + SPPE-MP, 12.4 ± 3.7; ANT + FRPE-MP, 17.4 ± 5.1 min/30 min), and co-exposure to anthracene and fragmented polyethylene microplastics induced higher cytochrome P4501A monooxygenase (CYP1A) expression in Java medaka livers than the other anthracene exposure groups (ANT, 189 ± 74; ANT + SPPE-MP, 203 ± 75; ANT + FRPE-MP 272 ± 36% of control). Polyethylene microplastics appear to be weak vectors of anthracene at the size tested (200 µm), and the effect of shape (spherical or fragmented) on the vector effect was small. However, the presence of polyethylene microplastics could affect the swimming behavior and CYP1A expression in Java medaka.