BackgroundThe increase in fructose consumption is paralleled by a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome, and consequently, cardiovascular disease mortality. We examined the effects of 8 weeks of low intensity exercise training (LET) on metabolic, hemodynamic, ventricular and vascular morphological changes induced by fructose drinking in male rats.MethodsMale Wistar rats were divided into (n = 8 each) control (C), sedentary fructose (F) and ET fructose (FT) groups. Fructose-drinking rats received D-fructose (100 g/l). FT rats were assigned to a treadmill training protocol at low intensity (30% of maximal running speed) during 1 h/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. Measurements of triglyceride concentrations, white adipose tissue (WAT) and glycemia were carried out together with insulin tolerance test to evaluate metabolic profile. Arterial pressure (AP) signals were directly recorded. Baroreflex sensitivity (BS) was evaluated by the tachycardic and bradycardic responses. Right atria, left ventricle (LV) and ascending aorta were prepared to morphoquantitative analysis.ResultsLET reduced WAT (−37.7%), triglyceride levels (−33%), systolic AP (−6%), heart weight/body weight (−20.5%), LV (−36%) and aortic (−76%) collagen fibers, aortic intima-media thickness and circumferential wall tension in FT when compared to F rats. Additionally, FT group presented improve of BS, numerical density of atrial natriuretic peptide granules (+42%) and LV capillaries (+25%), as well as the number of elastic lamellae in aorta compared with F group.ConclusionsOur data suggest that LET, a widely recommended practice, seems to be particularly effective for preventing metabolic, hemodynamic and morphological disorders triggered by MS.

Menopausal women are at high risk of developing heart disease. However, physical exercise practice can reverse this scenario. We evaluated the biochemical, morphological, and physiological effects of moderate aerobic physical exercise on the pancreas of knockout mice for LDL receptor with estrogen deprivation by ovariectomy. Animals were divided into six groups (n = 5): sedentary non-ovariectomized control; sedentary ovariectomized control; trained ovariectomized control; sedentary non-ovariectomized LDL-R knockout; sedentary ovariectomized LDL-R knockout; and trained ovariectomized LDL-R knockout. Physical exercise practice promoted improvement in biometric and biochemical parameters analyzed, with reduction of visceral adipose tissue and VLDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. In addition, physical exercise practice altered the morphology of pancreatic islets and improved their response to the effects of menopause. Thus, physical exercise practice was fundamental to minimize the effects of dyslipidemia associated with ovariectomy in the pancreatic tissue of LDL-R knockout animals, contributing to reduce the risk of developing cardiac diseases in the menopause period.

BackgroundIn menopause, there is greater cellular exposure to oxidative stress, related to the decreased antioxidative effects of estrogen. These metabolic changes favor the progression of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Abnormal function of the aorta - the most important artery - is associated with many cardiovascular diseases. Collagen, especially types I and III, is one of the most important aortic wall components and it can be affected by many factors, including menopause. The 8-OHdG is one of the main markers of DNA oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS).ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate effects of moderate aerobic training on the ascending aorta of LDL-knockout (LDL-KO) and ovariectomized female mice.MethodsA total of 15 C57BL/6 mice and 15 LDL-KO mice were divided into experimental groups. The thickness and volume density of types I and III collagen fibers were performed by morphoquantitative analysis, whereas the MMP-2 and MMP-9 and 8-OHdG were detected by immunohistochemistry and apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL assay. The significance level for all tests was p < 0.05.ResultsExercise causes an increase in the thickness of the aorta in LDL-KO groups, particularly accentuated in the ovariectomized groups. The type I collagen fibers showed an increase in volume density influenced by training in both Control groups and in the LDL-KO group. Type III collagen density decreased in both groups. The MMP-2 showed moderade immunostaining in the tunica media in LDL-KO groups, which did not occur in the control groups and the MMP-9 stained irregularly in all tissues. The marker 8-OhdG was stronger in the exercise training groups. Additionally, the ovariectomy, the exercise training and the LDL-KO treatments increased apoptosis.ConclusionThese results suggest that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in ovariectomized mice associated to an increase in LDL rate possibly increases oxidative stress and apoptosis induction.

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Objetivo: A pesquisa busca entender como as práticas de consumo realizadas em espaços públicos pelos consumidores pertencentes à ideologia dominante (entidade de grande escala) impõem seus interesses em detrimento dos demais consumidores (entidades de pequena escala).Método:  Os dados da pesquisa qualitativa foram coletados no contexto do ciclismo urbano por meio de entrevistas em profundidade e observação sendo analisados de forma hermenêutica.Originalidade/Relevância: O espaço público deveria ser democrático, igualitário e acessível a todos, entretanto, sendo o espaço o produto das relações sociais, ele revela os interesses de ideologias dominantes que emergem dos cidadãos, empresas e governantes.Resultados: A estrutura de dominação da ideologia baseada no consumo de carbono como combustível para os meios de transporte é revelada pelas estratégias de imposição das práticas de consumo do ciclistas urbanos no uso do espaço público da cidade por meio da (1) restrição de uso do espaço público e (2) ameaça física. Os ciclistas urbanos, por sua vez, (3) naturalizam as arbitrariedades praticadas pelos consumidores participantes da ideologia de consumo dominante, internalizando as regras culturais tácitas de dominação para se adaptarem ao contexto social.Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas:  O estudo amplia a discussão sobre formas de imposição de entidades de grande escala em relação à entidades de pequena escala no espaço público, colocando luz nos processos de dominação que acontecem por meio de  práticas de consumo que restringem e limitam as formas de uso e consumo de um tipo de espaço que todos os cidadãos são legalmente autorizados a utilizar.