Abstract Background: Defects in DNA methylation have been shown to be associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypercholesterolemia. To analyze the methylation profile of the ADRB3 gene and correlate it with lipid profile, lipid intake, and oxidative stress based on malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), homocysteine and folic acid levels, nutritional status, lifestyle, and socioeconomic variables in an adult population. A cross-sectional epidemiological study representative of the East and West regions of the municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba state, Brazil, enrolled 265 adults of both genders. Demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic questionnaires and a 24-h recall questionnaire were applied by trained interviewers' home. Nutritional and biochemical evaluation (DNA methylation, lipid profile, MDA, TAC, homocysteine and folic acid levels) was performed. Results: DNA hypermethylation of the ADRB3 gene, analyzed in leukocytes, was present in 50% of subjects and was associated with a higher risk of being overweight (OR 3.28; p = 0.008) or obese (OR 3.06; p = 0.017), a higher waist–hip ratio in males (OR 1.17; p = 0.000), greater intake of trans fats (OR 1.94; p = 0.032), higher LDL (OR 2.64; p = 0.003) and triglycerides (OR 1.81; p = 0.031), and higher folic acid levels (OR 1.85; p = 0.022). Conclusions: These results suggest that epigenetic changes in the ADRB3 gene locus may explain the development of obesity and non-communicable diseases associated with trans-fat intake, altered lipid profile, and elevated folic acid. Because of its persistence, DNA methylation may have an impact in adults, in association with the development of non-communicable diseases. This study is the first population-based study of the ADRB3 gene, and the data further support evaluation of ADRB3 DNA methylation as an effective biomarker.

RESUMO Os aspectos físico, fisiológico e psicossocial no tae kwon do em um período pré-competitivo ainda não foram investigados concomitantemente. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar os estados físico, fisiológico e psicossocial de atletas de tae kwon do em período pré-competitivo para o campeonato brasileiro. Em um estudo pré-experimental, cinco atletas da seleção masculina de tae kwon do da Paraíba (26±8 anos; 1,76±0,04m) foram submetidos a avaliações antropométricas, dosagens de marcadores de dano muscular, inflamação sistêmica e estresse oxidativo, estados de humor, estresse e recuperação e potência de membros inferiores em dois momentos: 30 (pré) e dois (pós) dias antes do campeonato brasileiro. A análise dos dados foi efetuada pelo teste de Wilcoxon (95% de confiança), cálculo da diferença percentual (Δ) entre os momentos e tamanho do efeito de Cohen (d). Foram verificados efeitos percentuais no dano muscular (Δ= −25,7% na CK; d= 1,10) e atividade oxidativa (Δ= +22,7% na MDA; d= 2,56). Os estados de Conflitos/Pressão e Depressão aumentaram 40% (d= 1,11) e 100% (d= 1,30), respectivamente, e a potência de membros inferiores aumentou 9,05% (d= 4,24). Conclui-se que os atletas aumentaram o estresse psicossocial, no entanto melhoraram a força explosiva de membros inferiores e mantiveram o estado fisiológico esperado para competição.

ABSTRACT Combined analysis of pre-competition physical, physiological and psychosocial features in taekwondo has not been performed. Therefore, this study examined the pre-competition physical, physiological and psychosocial states of taekwondo athletes participating in the Brazilian Taekwondo Championship. In a pre-experimental study, five athletes of the men’s Paraíba taekwondo team (26±8 years old; 1.76±0.04 m) underwent anthropometric assessments, measurement of markers of muscle damage, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, and evaluation of mood and recovery-stress states and of explosive power of lower limbs at two time points: 30 (pre) and 2 (post) days before the Brazilian Championship. Data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon test (95% confidence). The percent difference (Δ) between time points and Cohen’s effect size (d) were calculated. Percent effects were observed on muscle damage (Δ= −25.7% in CK, d= 1.1) and antioxidant activity (Δ= 22.7% in MDA, d = 2.56). Conflicts/Pressure and Depression states increased by 40% (d= 1.11) and 100% (d= 1.30), respectively, while lower limb explosive power increased by 9.05% (d= 4.24). We conclude that athletes exhibited increased Conflict/Pressure and Depression states, but improved the explosive power of lower limbs and maintained the physiological state expected for competition.