Introduction: The accumulation of alpha-synuclein (ASYN) in susceptible neurons is considered to be a major contributing factor in pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Although ASYN was considered as an intracellular protein, recent data suggest that it can be detected extracellularly. Autophagy plays an important role in ASYN degradation; therefore, impairment of autophagy could be an important contributor to ASYN accumulation. ATG (autophagy-related genes) proteins function at several physiologically continuous steps in autophagy, and ATG7 is considered as essential in autophagosome formation and maturation. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of autophagy in neurotoxicity, caused by extracellular ASYN. Material and methods: All experiments were conducted in all-trans retinoic acid-differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, that were exposed to extracellular ASYN. The presence of extracellular ASYN and the expression of autophagy markers, beclin-1 and LC3-II, were monitored using immunoblotting. Transfection, with small interfering RNA (siRNA), was used to knock down ATG7 gene. Cell viability was assessed using crystal violet dye exclusion assay. Results: Extracellular ASYN caused significant loss of viability in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, accompanied by the increase in expression of beclin-1 and in conversion of LC3-I to autophagosome-associated LC3-II. The RNA interference-mediated knock-down of ATG7 increased the sensitivity of SH-SY5Y cells to the extracellular ASYN-induced toxicity. Conclusion: Extracellular ASYN caused loss of viability in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells accompanied by autophagy induction. Having in mind that inhibition of autophagy, through ATG7 knock-down increased cell death, we can conclude that autophagy could have a protective role in the harmful effect of extracellular ASYN.

Objective. The aim of this study is to examine differences in cardiovascular, biochemical, and functional parameters obtained during preparticipation screening among elite male and female basketball players across various age categories competing for the national team. Methods. A total of 204 basketball players (122 male and 82 female) completed a sports medical exam that included blood pressure measurement, electrocardiogram, body composition analysis, biochemical analyses, echocardiogram, and a cardiopulmonary stress test. Age categories included under-16 (U16), U18, U20, senior (both genders), and U19 (male players only). Results. None of the athletes had any significant findings that would require suspension from play. Significant gender differences are observed across most parameters. The most notable findings concern maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and cardiac adaptation across age categories, when the parameters are indexed to body size and muscle mass. VO2MAX levels develop early in young players, and the values are not greater in older player groups. Physiological cardiac adaptations are shown in all age groups, starting at U16, and are consistent with physiological adaptation to basketball, ranging from normal geometry to eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Left chamber volumes are the largest in the senior player group. Conclusion. The results aim to provide additional insight into interpreting the findings of sports medical examination of basketball players. According to our results, cardiac adaptation to basketball and aerobic capacity develop early in young players. Further longitudinal follow-up studies with larger participant numbers are needed to support these findings.

Adequate hydration is crucial to an athlete’s health and performance. There is some evidence that the different compositions of various mineral water types may improve exercise performance and affect different biomarkers. The aim was to investigate the consumption of mineral water from the “Topla voda” spring in terms of its safety profile and its effect on body composition and functional and biochemical parameters in professional athletes. During the preparation phase of their mesocycle, 14 male professional handball players underwent a complete sports medical screening exam with a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), blood gas analysis, and oxidative stress marker dynamics taken at four points during the CPET. The athletes were then randomized into two equal groups; the first group consumed mineral water, and the second group consumed tap water. After four weeks, the biochemical analysis and CPET were repeated. Routine analyses showed that the “mineral water” group had increased their mean corpuscular hemoglobin (ANCOVA = 0.050) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (ANCOVA = 0.001) and had a greater metabolic equivalent of task (MET) value at the end of the test (ANCOVA = 0.049), with no significant changes in the other measured parameters. Consuming “mineral water” appears to be safe, with some potential positive effects compared with tap water, mostly in terms of hemoglobin parameters and exercise tolerance.

Adequate hydration is crucial for an athlete’s health and performance. There is some evidence that different compositions of various mineral waters may improve exercise performance and affect different biomarkers. The aim was to investigate the consumption of mineral water from the spring „Toplavoda” in terms of safety profile and its effect on body composition and functional and biochemical parameters in professional athletes. During the preparation phase of their mesocycle, 14 male professional handball players underwent a complete sports medical screening exam with cardiopulmonary stress test (CPET), blood gas analysis, and oxidative stress markers dynamics at four points during the CPET. The athletes were then randomized into two equal groups where the first group consumed mineral water, and the second group consumed tap water. After four weeks, biochemical analysis and CPET were repeated. Routine analyses showed that the “mineral water” group increased the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (ANCOVA=0,05) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (ANCOVA=0,001), a greater metabolic equivalent of task (MET) at the end of the test (ANCOVA=0,49), with no significant changes in other measured parameters. Consuming “mineral water” appears safe, with some potential positive effects compared to tap water, mostly on hemoglobin parameters, fatigue perception, and exercise tolerance.

Achieving success at the highest level in swimming requires exceptional physical abilities and technical skills. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) poses an additional challenge to maintaining optimal glycemic control. Most information on the nutritional aspects of competitive swimming is available in the literature, but specific considerations for swimmers with T1D are scarce. To excel, swimmers’ nutrition and fueling strategies must align with the varied training and competition requirements, which can elicit different glycemic responses. Continuous glucose monitoring can help develop optimal fueling strategies. Dryland and altitude training will require different approaches than regular pool sessions. Competition-related stress can make glycemia unpredictable, and practiced scenarios must be established. The importance of early recognition of hypoglycemia with planned and practiced treatment scenarios should be established. There is limited evidence on the safety of using ergogenic aids other than caffeine in swimmers with T1D. Given the higher incidence of disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders among swimmers and other individuals with T1D, coaches and everyone involved in the swimmers’ environment should be educated on how to communicate potential body composition issues and, if necessary, manage body composition safely. Swimmers and their team members should be aware of the specific considerations for T1D in swimming for safe sports participation, as presented in this review.

Background: This study aimed to systematically review and analyze the available evidence on the safety and efficacy of physical activity (PA) in patients with HCM. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases up to March 30, 2025. Fourteen studies (4 RCTs) were included in the qualitative synthesis and ten in the quantitative synthesis, totaling 10478 patients. Results: The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in peak VO₂ in the moderate intensity PA (MIPA) group, with a mean difference of 1.77 mL/kg/min (95% CI: 0.93 to 2.60, I² = 38.2%, p = 0.19), while changes in body mass index were not significant (MD: −0.66 kg/m²; 95% CI: −1.77 to 0.44; I² = 62%; p = 0.07). No significant differences were observed in the occurrence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 0.93 to 2.52, I² = 28.3%, p = 0.24), atrial fibrillation (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.77 to 1.03, I² = 28.6%, p = 0.23), or syncope (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.72 to 2.10, I² = 25.6%, p = 0.24) between the MIPA and sedentary group. Additionally, the occurrence of NSVT between the high-intensity PA and MIPA group showed no significant difference (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.60 to 2.36, I² = 0%, p = 0.99). Conclusion: The results suggest that regular exercise does not increase the risk of NSVT, AF, or syncope while enhancing peak VO₂, indicating that regular exercise is safe and beneficial in HCM patients.