Background: We have previously shown an accelerated recovery from muscle fatigue in men challenged by prolonged exercise after oral deep ocean minerals (DOM) supplementation. Here, we hypothesized a decrease in eccentric exercise-induced muscle inflammation in rats regularly consuming DOM-containing drinks (hardness 600 mg/L and fructose 11%).Methods: Forty-seven male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into 4 groups: Control (C, N = 12), Fructose (F, N = 12), Fructose+Exercise (FE, N = 12), and Fructose+Exercise+DOM (FED, N = 11). Since fructose is a commonly used ingredient in beverages, 11% of fructose was added as a vehicle of the study. Soleus muscles of rats were analyzed 24 h after an acute bout of downhill running following 9 weeks of DOM supplementation.Results: Leukocyte infiltration and TNF-α mRNA of muscle in the FE group were 5 times and 4 times greater the F group, respectively, (P < 0.05). Both markers in the FED group were significantly lower than those in the FE group (P < 0.05). IL-10 mRNA of muscle in the F group was >eight fold greater than the C group (P < 0.05). The reduced glutathione (GSH) of muscle in the F group was 34% lower than that in the C group (P < 0.05). However, GSH levels were similar for the C and FED groups.Conclusion: Prolonged fructose supplementation modulates inflammatory balance of rat skeletal muscle. The results of the study suggest that DOM can minimize eccentric exercise-induced inflammatory cytokine responses in rat skeletal muscle.

Gingers is widely used as the complimentary household herbal medicine since it promotes varieties of health-protective effects including anti-hyperlipidemia and anti-hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 30-day ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae) ingestion on lipid and glucose profiles and blood pressures in hypertensive older women. The randomized double-blinded ginger consumption was designed in normotensive and hypertensive older women. Thirty-two female volunteers were randomly allocated into 4 groups of normotensives and hypertensives without and with ginger consumption, named as normotensive control (NC); normotensive with ginger consumption (NG); hypertensive control (HC) and hypertensive with ginger consumption (HG). On daily basis, the ginger-treated groups (NG and HG) ingested ginger powder at 75 mg/kgBW/day dissolved in 150 mL water after breakfast whereas control groups (NC and HC) received 150 mL water only for 30 days. Data were collected, in the morning, at pre- and post-intervention. Blood lipids, including cholesterol (chol), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoproteins (HDL), and low density lipoproteins (LDL), glucose levels and blood pressures were evaluated and compared from pre- and post-interventions. The results showed that 30-day ingestion of ginger exerted no change in normotensive groups, where alterations of blood lipid profiles were found in hypertensive groups. Both hypertensive groups (HC and HG) showed the significant reductions in SBP (p < 0.05), however, HC showed significantly increase in blood TG and LDL. HG group showed the reduction in TG and unchanged in LDL. There were no significant differences in chol, HDL, glucose levels and health-related performance from either within or between-groups comparisons (p > 0.05). This study primarily shows the minimal duration of 30-day ingestion of dissolved ginger on lowering systolic blood pressure and triglycerides but plays no roles in glycemic control in hypertensive subjects. Ginger might possibly play an important alternative role in alleviating certain health risks in the hypertensive aged females. To build up confidence on its therapeutic effect, more sample size of this local herb is needed in further investigation. HIGHLIGHTS Ginger is widely reported in traditional medicine to relieve symptoms and certain diseases. This herb is popularly used and easily find in Oriental countries Ginger can be used to minimize the high prevalence of dyslipidemia and hypertension among Thai population, especially in the north and north-east regions The minimum 30 days of ginger ingestion shows some effectiveness on blood lipids and lowers systolic blood pressure in hypertensive elderly Ginger might possibly play additional important roles in alleviating certain health risk in the aged GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT