Abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome (MS) and oxidative stress may impair seminal quality leading to derangements in fertility. Aim: To identify an association between abdominal obesity and markers of seminal oxidative damage in adults with MS. Material and Methods: Seventy males aged 25 to 40 years, with MS according to ATP-III criteria volunteered for this cross-sectional study. The control group included 70 healthy and normal weight adults. Semen analysis included volume, sperm concentration, motility and normal morphologic features. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured, fat mass was determined by bioelectrical impedance. Results: Sperm concentration and the percentage of sperms with normal motility and morphology were significantly lower in adults with MS, when compared to their healthy normal weight counterparts. Seminal levels of malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine were significantly higher among participants with MS. Significant correlations were found between WC and seminal markers of oxidative stress. Conclusions: Individuals with MS had an impaired seminal quality that may be explained, at least in part, by increased seminal oxidative damage.

Purpose To determine the influence of arm-crank exercise in reproductive hormone levels in adults with chronic SCI. Further objectives were to assess the influence of arm-crank exercise on muscle strength and body composition. Materials and Methods Seventeen male adults with complete SCI at or below the 5th thoracic level (T5) volunteered for this study. Participants were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 9) or control group (n = 8) using a concealed method. The participants in the intervention group performed a 12-week arm-crank exercise program, 3 sessions/week, consisting of warming-up (10-15 min) followed by a main part in arm-crank (20-30 min [increasing 2 min and 30 seconds each three weeks]) at a moderate work intensity of 50-65% of heart rate reserve (HRR) (starting at 50% and increasing 5% each three weeks) and by a cooling-down period (5-10 min). Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and estradiol were determined by ELISA. Muscle strength (handgrip) and body composition (waist circumference [WC]) were assessed. Results After the completion of the training program, testosterone level was significantly increased (p = 0.0166;d = 1.14). Furthermore, maximal handgrip and WC were significantly improved. Lastly, a significant inverse correlation was found between WC and testosterone (r =- 0.35; p = 0.0377). Conclusion The arm-crank exercise improved reproductive hormone profile by increasing testosterone levels in adults with chronic SCI. A secondary finding was that it also significantly improved muscle strength and body composition in this group.

Introduction: Previous studies have found a significant correlation between parents and offspring regarding overweight and obesity in general population at early life stages. However this issue has received no attention in people with intellectual disability (ID). Therefore, the present study was designed to find out potential correlations in overweight/obesity between young adult women with ID living in the family and their parents. Material and methods: In the present observational cross-sectional study, a total of thirty-four women with Down syndrome (n = 34; 22.6 ± 2.1 years; 29.6 ± 3.3 km/m²) were recruited through different community support groups for people with intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, biological mothers (n = 34; 59.6 ± 4.9 years; 28.5 ± 3.2 km/m²) and fathers (n = 34; 61.5 ± 5.3 years; 26.2 ± 2.7 km/m²) volunteered for this study. They all underwent an anthropometric assessment to determine body mass index (BMI). This protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: In the studied population, a total of 26 (76.5%) women with ID were overweight/obese. Furthermore, there were 22 (66.6%) overweight/obese mothers and 16(53.3%) fathers. Results also showed significant correlations between participants BMI and their father (r = 0.327; p = 0.0116) and mother BMI (r = 0.412; p < 0.001). Lastly, overweight/obese women presented a stronger correlation with overweight/obese mothers (odds ratio 4.3; 95%CI 2.9-7.3) than fathers (odds ratio 3.1; 95%CI 1.6-4.4). Conclusion: Parental overweight/obesity, especially maternal one, was strongly associated to overweight/obesity in young adult women with DS. Accordingly, there is an urgent necessity of incorporating parents in the intervention programs designed to the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity in people with ID.

Fundamento y objetivo: Recientes estudios han encontrado en la población general una correlación entre la incidencia de sobrepeso/obesidad de padres e hijos, especialmente a edades tempranas. Sin embargo, este asunto no ha recibido atención en el caso de hijos adultos con discapacidad intelectual no institucionalizados. El presente estudio pretende determinar una posible correlación entre el sobrepeso/obesidad de padres respecto a sus hijas adultas con discapacidad intelectual que viven en el domicilio. Material y método: Se diseñó un estudio de tipo transversal observacional en el que participaron 34 mujeres adultas con síndrome de Down (22,6 ± 2,1 años; 29,6 ± 3,3 km/m²). Asimismo 34 madres (59,6 ± 4,9 años; 28,5 ± 3,2 km/m2) y 34 padres (61,5 ± 5,3 años; 26,2 ± 2,7 km/m²) biológicos participaron voluntariamente. Todos los participante se sometieron a un estudio cinenatropométrico en el que se obtuvo el índice de masa corporal (IMC). Este protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética Institucional. Resultados: El 76,5% de las mujeres con discapacidad intelectual estudiadas presentaba sobrepeso/obesidad. En cuanto a los progenitores, el 66,6% de las madres y el 53.3 de los padres también presentó sobrepeso/obesidad. El IMC de las participantes se correlacionó significativamente con el de sus madres (r = 0,412; p < 0,001) y padres (r = 0,327; p = 0,0116). Por último, las participantes con sobrepeso/obesidad presentaron una fuerte correlación con sus progenitores con sobrepeso/obesidad, especialmente las madres (odds ratio 4,3; 95%CI 2,9-7,3) y en menor medida sus padres (odds ratio 3,1;95%CI 1,6-4,4). Conclusión: La masa grasa de los padres, especialmente la materna, podría recomendarse como predictor de sobrepeso/obesidad de hijas adultas con discapacidad intelectual no institucionalizadas.

Introduction: The various diagnostic classifications in the literature concur as regards the important role of abdominal obesity in the onset and progression of metabolic syndrome. Accordingly, this study was aimed at clarifying whether central obesity measurements assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) may predict metabolic syndrome in Spanish postmenopausal women. Material and methods: This historical cohort study included a total of 1326 postmenopausal women aged > 45 years old who had routinely undergone DXA to measure their bone mineral density between january 2006 and january 2011. The regions of interest (ROI) envisaged in our study by using DXA were the lumbar regions L1-L4 and L4-L5. At the same time, they underwent a complete medical examination including personal medical history assessment, biochemical blood analysis, blood pressure measurement and anthropometrical evaluation. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed attending to the criteria established by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NECP-ATP-III). Results: During the observation period, 537 women, representing 40.5% of the total studied, met the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome. L1-L4 and L4-L5 abdominal fat mass determinations were associated with the development of metabolic syndrome in all regression models tested, showing an increasing gradient from the lowest to highest quintile. Conclusion: Central adiposity measurements assessed by DXA, especially L1-L4 region of interest, could be considered a powerful predictor of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.

Introducción: En la actualidad se acepta la importancia de la masa grasa abdominal en la fisiopatología del síndrome metabólico tal y como reconocen las diferentes clasificaciones diagnósticas disponibles. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la utilidad como predictores de síndrome metabólico de marcadores de grasa abdominal obtenidos por DEXA en mujeres postmenopausicas aprovechando su participación en screening rutinarios para el estudio de la densidad mineral ósea. Material y método: El presente estudio de cohortes histórico incluyó a un total de 1.326 mujeres post-menopausicas con edad > 45 años que se habían sometido rutinariamente a DEXA para conocer su densidad mineral ósea entre enero de 2006 y enero de 2011. Además del DEXA, se obtuvo de cada participante la correspondiente anamnesis, bioquímica, tensión arterial e índices de distribución de masa grasa mediante técnicas antropométricas convencionales. Se utilizó la clasificación NCEP-ATP-III para el diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico. Este protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética Institucional. Resultados: Durante el periodo de observación, 537 mujeres, el 40,5% del total de las estudiadas, cumplió los criterios diagnósticos de síndrome metabólico. Los parámetros de masa grasa abdominal obtenidos mediante DEXA fueron significativamente mayores en mujeres postmenopáusicas con síndrome metabólico. Finalmente, la masa grasa abdominal de regiones de interés L1-L4 y L3-L4 obtenidas por DEXA se relacionaron con el desarrollo de síndrome metabólico en los modelos de regresión ensayados. Conclusión: La masa grasa abdominal determinada por DEXA, especialmente la región L1-L4, podría recomendarse como predictor de síndrome metabólico en este grupo.

Introduction: It is accepted low grade systemic inflammation plays a key role in metabolic syndrome. Further, several studies have reported it may be considered a therapeutic target. Accordingly, this study was conducted to ascertain the impact of a short-term aerobic training program on acute phase proteins in women with metabolic syndrome. Material and methods: A total of 135 adult women (38.4 ± 3.3 years) with metabolic syndrome volunteered for this study. Participants assigned to the intervention group underwent a 12-week aerobic training program, 3 sessions/week. The main part of each exercise sessions was performed in a treadmill at moderate intensity (60-75% HRmax; increasing 5% each 3 weeks) for 25-40 minutes (increasing 5 minutes each 3 weeks). Physical fitness was determined by a continuous maximal incremental test. Further, fat mass percentage and indices of obesity were assessed. Plasmatic levels of C reactive protein (CRP-us) and fibrinogen were determined by nephelometry and HPLC respectively. This protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: Aerobic training improved physical fitness and reduced both fat mass percentage and indices of obesity. Compared with baseline, it also reduced significantly plasmatic levels of CRP-us (4.90 ± 0.7 vs. 3.77 ± 0.4 mg/l; p = 0.017) and fibrinogen (3.88 ± 0.4 vs. 3.36 ± 0.2 g/l; p = 0.025). Further, a moderate correlation was found between CRP-us and waist circumference (r = 0.66; p = 0.008). No significant changes were found in controls. Conclusion: A short-term, aerobic training program reduced acute phase proteins in young women with metabolic syndrome. Further, long-term, well-conducted studies are still required to determine whether correction of this low-grade inflammation improves clinical outcomes of women with metabolic syndrome.

Fundamento y objetivo: Actualmente se acepta la importancia del estatus proinflamatorio en la fisiopatología del síndrome metabólico. De hecho, ha sido propuesto como diana terapéutica en el manejo clínico de estos pacientes. Por consiguiente este estudio pretende reducir los niveles plasmáticos de reactantes de fase aguda en mujeres con síndrome metabólico mediante un corto programa de entrenamiento. Material y método: Un total de 135 mujeres jóvenes adultas (38,4 ± 3,3 años) con diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico participaron voluntariamente en este estudio. El grupo de intervención se sometió a un programa de entrenamiento aeróbico de 12 semanas, con 3 sesiones/ semana en el que duración e intensidad de la parte principal se incrementaron progresivamente. Los niveles plasmáticos de proteína C-reactiva (PCR) y fibrinógeno se determinaron mediante nefelometría y HPLC respectivamente. También se evaluaron el fitness cardiovascular mediante prueba de esfuerzo máxima e índices de distribución de masa grasa. Este protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética Institucional. Resultados: Tras completar el programa, se observo una mejora significativa del fitness cardiovascular además de una reducción también significativa de los niveles de fibrinógeno y PCR. Asimismo, se encontraron correlaciones entre niveles de reactantes e índices de distribución de masa grasa, siendo la de mayor fuerza de asociación la establecida entre PCR y perímetro cintura. Conclusión: Un programa de 12 semanas consiguió reducir los niveles de reactantes de fase aguda en mujeres con síndrome metabólico. Futuros estudios longitudinales son necesarios para conocer el impacto del efecto anti-inflamatorio del ejercicio en el manejo de estos pacientes a medio/largo plazo.

Recent studies have reported obesity prevalence in people with intellectual disability is even higher than in the general population what may finally lead to impair their health status and increase healthcare costs. Fortunately several studies have reported regular exercise may improve body composition in obese people with and without intellectual disability. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study conducted exclusively in female participants with intellectual disability, in an attempt to keep our sample homogeneous. To date, many studies focused on the influence of regular exercise in people with intellectual disability have recruited mixed (males and females) groups in order to increase their sample size to strengthen research designs. Therefore, we assessed the influence of a 10-week aerobic training program on fat mass percentage and indices of obesity in women with Down syndrome. To get this goal, twenty obese young women with Down syndrome volunteered for this study. Eleven were randomly assigned to perform a 10-week aerobic training program, 3 sessions/week, consisting of warming-up followed by a main part in a treadmill (30-40 min) at a work intensity of 55-65% of peak heart rate and a cooling-down period. Control group included 9 age, sex and BMI matched women with Down syndrome. Fat mass percentage and fat distribution were measured. This protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. When compared to baseline, fat mass percentage, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio were significantly reduced after training. Conversely, no changes were reported in controls. It was concluded a 10-week training program reduced fat mass in obese adult women with Down syndrome.

En la actualidad se acepta que la obesidad es un grave problema de salud pública. La situación es aún más preocupante entre las personas con discapacidad intelectual, especialmente entre las mujeres. Afortunadamente recientes estudios sugieren la utilidad del ejercicio como estrategia frente a la obesidad. Sin embargo, la mayoría de estos estudios utilizan grupos mixtos (hombres y mujeres) o varones, siendo escasa la información sobre un grupo homogéneo de mujeres. Por consiguiente nos planteamos como hipótesis que un programa de entrenamiento de 10 semanas podría reducir el porcentaje de masa grasa y la distribución abdominal en mujeres obesas con síndrome de Down. En nuestro estudio participaron 20 mujeres adultas (18-30 años) con un cociente intelectual de 50-69 según la escala Stanford-Binet y diagnóstico citogenético de trisomía 21. Todas presentaban obesidad definida como IMC>30 kg/m2. Once de las participantes se asignaron aleatoriamente al grupo experimental y desarrollaron un programa de entrenamiento de 10 semanas de tipo aeróbico con 3 sesiones/semana. El porcentaje de masa grasa se determinó mediante impedanciometría bioeléctrica (Tanita TBF521). Para obtener el índice cintura/cadera se midieron las circunferencias de la cintura y la cadera utilizando una cinta antropométrica. Nuestro protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética Institucional. Nuestros resultados confirman que el ejercicio aeróbico redujo significativamente el porcentaje de masa grasa, el índice cintura/cadera y el perímetro de la cintura (p<0,05). Por el contrario no se observaron cambios en el grupo control. Concluimos que un programa de entrenamiento de 10 semanas consiguió mejorar la composición corporal de mujeres obesas con síndrome de Down. Futuros estudios longitudinales bien conducidos y controlados son necesarios para conocer el impacto de esta mejora en el manejo clínico de este grupo.

A 12-week training protocol increased antioxidant defense system in young adult women with metabolic syndrome. It is generally accepted that oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, recent studies have reported that stress may be acting as a therapeutic target in metabolic syndrome. Consequently, this study was designed to explore whether aerobic training may increase plasmatic total antioxidant status in women with metabolic syndrome. A total of 100 young adult women with metabolic syndrome according to the criteria reported by the National Cholesterol Education Program (Adult-Treatment-Panel-III) volunteered for this study. Of them, 60 were randomly included in the experimental group to enter a 12-week aerobic training program, 5 days/week, at low/moderate intensity. The control group included 40 age, sex and body mass index (BMI)-matched women with metabolic syndrome who did not enter any training program. Total antioxidant status (TAS) was assayed in plasma using colorimetric Randox kits. This protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. When compared to baseline, plasmatic TAS was significantly increased (0.79 ± 0.05 Vs 1.01 ± 0.03 mmol/l; p = 0.027). No changes were found in controls. A 12-week aerobic training program increased plasmatic TAS in adult women with metabolic syndrome. Further long-term well-conducted studies are required in order to highlight the potential clinical benefits of TAS improvement.

En la actualidad se acepta que el daño oxidativo juega un papel esencial en la patogénesis del síndrome metabólico. Estudios recientes proponen al daño oxidativo como diana terapéutica frente al síndrome metabólico. Precisamente nuestro objetivo fue mejorar el estatus total antioxidante (TAS) de mujeres con síndrome metabólico mediante ejercicio aeróbico. Participaron voluntariamente 100 mujeres con síndrome metabólico de acuerdo con los criterios del National Cholesterol Educational Program (Adult-Treatment-Panel-III) distribuidas aleatoriamente en grupo experimental (n = 60) y control (n = 40). El grupo experimental desarrolló un programa de entrenamiento aeróbico sobre tapiz rodante de intensidad ligera/moderada de 12 semanas (5 sesiones/semana). La determinación del TAS plasmático se realizó mediante espectrofotometría utilizando kits comercializados por Randox Lab. Este protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Etica Institucional. Tras completar el programa de entrenamiento se incrementó significativamente el TAS (0.79 ± 0.05 vs.1.01 ± 0.03 mmol/l; p = 0.027). No hubo cambios en grupo control. El ejercicio aeróbico de intensidad ligera/moderada aumenta las defensas antioxidantes en mujeres con síndrome metabólico. Son necesarios futuros estudios longitudinales para conocer su impacto en la evolución clínica.