Oxidative stress plays a role in the delay of peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. The accumulation of free radicals results in nerve tissue damage and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuronal death. Pinostrobin (PB) is one of the bioflavonoids from Boesenbergia rotunda and has been reported to possess antioxidant capacity and numerous pharmacological activities. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of PB on peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups including control, sham, sciatic nerve crush injury (SNC), SNC + 20 mg/kg PB, and SNC + 40 mg/kg PB. Nerve functional recovery was observed every 7 days. At the end of the study, the sciatic nerve and the DRG were collected for histological and biochemical analyses. PB treatment at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg reduced oxidative stress by up-regulating endogenous glutathione. The reduced oxidative stress in PB-treated rats resulted in increased axon diameters, greater number of DRG neurons, and p-ERK1/2 expression in addition to faster functional recovery within 4 weeks compared to untreated SNC rats. The results indicated that PB diminished the oxidative stress-induced nerve injury. These effects should be considered in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.

Background: Long coronavirus disease (COVID) poses significant challenges for older adult patients, affecting their cardiopulmonary function and overall well-being. This study aimed to investigate the effects of slow deep breathing exercises on cardiopulmonary function, physical performance, biochemical markers, oxidative stress, and stress levels in older adult patients with long COVID. Methods: Sixty older adult patients with long COVID were randomly assigned to an exercise group of 30 patients and a control group of 30 patients. The exercise group engaged in slow deep breathing exercises for 30 minutes, five times a week over a period of 8 weeks, while the control group maintained their usual activities. Cardiovascular parameters, heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory muscle strength (RMS), pulmonary function tests (PFT), physical performance, biochemical and oxidative stress markers, and stress levels were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The exercise group showed significant reductions in cardiovascular parameters (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate). Additionally, RMS, PFT, and physical performance showed significant increases. Improvements were also observed in HRV, biochemical markers (fasting blood sugar and lipid profile), oxidative stress markers (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde), and stress levels. In contrast, no significant changes were found in the control group. Conclusion: Slow deep breathing exercises, as a non-pharmacological intervention, significantly improve cardiopulmonary function, physical performance, and various health markers in older adult patients with long COVID. This approach provides a valuable and accessible therapeutic option for this population.

Study purpose. Although it is acknowledged that exercise can positively affect both physical and biochemical markers in older individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), there are still uncertainties about the specific impacts of combining Thai yoga with an elastic band exercise in this population. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of a 12-week program involving Thai yoga combined with an elastic band exercise on the physical fitness and functional exercise capacity among older individuals with T2DM. Materials and methods. A total of 42 participants, consisting of 20 men and 22 women with T2DM and a mean age of 64.6±3.6 years, were randomly assigned to two groups: the control group and the exercise group. The exercise group engaged in a daily regimen of Thai yoga combined with an elastic band exercise for 40 minutes, 5 days a week, over a 12-week period. In contrast, the control group maintained their regular routines. Physical fitness and functional exercise capacity were assessed both before and after the 12-week intervention. Results. The exercise group showed significant reductions in body weight (58.7±11.9 vs. 58.0±12.0 kg), body mass index (24.2±3.0 vs. 23.9±3.0 kg/m2), waist circumference (33.6±3.6 vs. 33.1±3.6 in), and waist-hip ratio (0.90±0.06 vs. 0.89±0.06) (p < 0.001). Additionally, there were notable improvements in physical fitness parameters, including hand grips, back strength, leg strength (p < 0.01), and trunk flexibility (p < 0.001). Functional exercise capacity, indicated by the 6-minute walk test and estimated peak oxygen consumption (p < 0.01), also improved significantly. Conclusions. Thai yoga combined with an elastic band exercise enhances physical fitness and functional exercise capacity in older individuals with T2DM. This improvement has the potential to enhance their cardiopulmonary performance. Consequently, this exercise regimen is considered a health alternative for older individuals with T2DM.

Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the functional capacity of young adults recovering from COVID-19 using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and 2-Minute Step Test (2MST), focusing on cardiovascular parameters, and to examine correlations between these tests, demographic factors, and muscle strength. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 34 young participants (mean age: 20.62 years, 88.24 % female), all experiencing mild post-COVID-19 symptoms. Muscle strength (grip and quadriceps strength) was assessed, and functional capacity was evaluated using the 6MWT and 2MST, with the test order randomized by drawing lots. Hemodynamic responses, fatigue, and dyspnea were measured before and after both tests. Paired t-tests were used to compare cardiovascular parameters and leg fatigue between the 6MWT and 2MST. Pearson’s correlation coefficient assessed relationships between both tests, demographics, and muscle strength. Results. The study revealed an increase in heart rate and leg fatigue after the 6MWT compared to the 2MST, whereas systolic blood pressure was elevated following the 2MST compared to the 6MWT. The 6MWT showed a significant positive correlation with the 2MST (r = 0.350, p = 0.043). Additionally, quadriceps strength was positively correlated with both the 6MWT (r = 0.372, p = 0.030) and the 2MST (r = 0.395, p = 0.021). Conclusions. The findings of this study indicate that both the 6MWT and 2MST are effective in assessing functional capacity in young individuals recovering from COVID-19, showing distinct physiological responses. Furthermore, quadriceps strength is correlated with both tests, highlighting the importance of muscle strength in recovery.

The sympathetic nervous responses to cold stress are known; however, concurrent cardiovascular and ocular parameter alterations in the responses are poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the cold pressor test (CPT) on cardiovascular and ocular parameters in young adult subjects. There was a total of 86 participants. The CPT was conducted by submerging each participant’s left hand in cold water (3–5 °C) for 3 min. During the CPT, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate were found to be significantly increased compared to the baseline and significantly decreased compared to recovery, including the mean of the standard deviations of all normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN). In the recovery phase, the SDNN continued to decrease statistically significantly compared to the baseline and the CPT. Furthermore, the findings of this study show that the CPT impacted intra-ocular pressure (IOP), ACD, and pupil size parameters. There was a positive correlation between the MAP and IOP in both eyes during the CPT. The cold stress stimulates a sympathetic response, leading to an increase in the MAP. The pupil size increased in response to the CPT in both eyes, indicating that ocular function was increased in response to the CPT in young adults compared to baseline. In conclusion, our results suggest that in young adults, cardiovascular and ocular parameters respond to the sympathetic nervous system during the CPT.

Background and Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with reduced physical function in older adults, but the relative contributions of metabolic components, physiological responses, and functional performance to walking capacity remain unclear. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 116 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years (mean age 68.5 ± 5.5 years; 65.5% female). Walking capacity was evaluated using the six-minute walk test (6MWT) with associated physiological responses. Functional performance was assessed using the five-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST), timed-up-and-go (TUG), and handgrip strength. Associations with six-minute walk distance (6MWD) were examined using hierarchical regression analyses, and discriminatory performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: Participants with MetS demonstrated shorter 6MWD, slower FTSST and TUG performance, and higher dyspnea ratings compared to those without MetS (p < 0.05). Triglycerides were inversely associated with 6MWD in intermediate models (β = −0.33, p < 0.001), but after full adjustment, only ΔSBP (β = 0.76, p = 0.008) and FTSST (β = −24.45, p < 0.001) remained significant. The FTSST and TUG demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability, with AUC values of 0.956 (cut-off ≥ 15.5 s) and 0.925 (cut-off ≥ 13.7 s), respectively, whereas triglycerides showed moderate accuracy (AUC = 0.709) with a cut-off of ≥143 mg/dL. Conclusions: Walking capacity was more strongly associated with physiological and functional measures than with metabolic biomarkers. The FTSST and TUG showed strong discriminatory performance for low walking capacity, whereas metabolic markers provided complementary contextual information.