Background: High‐intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as an alternative training method to increase brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, a crucial molecule involved in plastic brain changes. Its effect compared to moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT) is controversial. We aimed to estimate, and to comparatively evaluate, the acute and chronic effects on peripheral BDNF levels after a HIIT, MICT intervention or a control condition in adults.Methods: The CINAHL, Cochrane, PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to June 30, 2023. A network meta‐analysis was performed to assess the acute and chronic effects of HIIT versus control condition, HIIT versus MICT and MICT versus control condition on BDNF levels. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for RCTs using a random‐effects model.Results: A total of 22 RCTs were selected for the systematic review, with 656 participants (aged 20.4–79 years, 34.0% females) and 20 were selected for the network meta‐analysis. Network SMD estimates were significant for HIIT versus control condition (1.49, 95% CI: 0.61, 2.38) and MICT versus control condition (1.08, 95% CI: 0.04, 2.12) for acutely BDNF increase. However, pairwise comparisons only resulted in a significant effect for HIIT versus control condition.Conclusions: HIIT is the best training modality for acutely increasing peripheral BDNF levels in adults. HIIT may effectively increase BDNF levels in the long term.

Postpartum depression is one of the most common complications after childbearing. Urinary incontinence is a frequent symptom during pregnancy and the postnatal period, often being the first time that women experience it. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the evidence on the association between urinary incontinence and postpartum depression and to assess whether this association becomes weaker at 6 months after childbirth. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to December 26, 2023. Cross-sectional and cohort studies addressing the association between urinary incontinence and postpartum depression were included. Pooled odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals, and 95% prediction intervals were estimated using a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model for the association between urinary incontinence and postpartum depression. Subgroup analyses were conducted on the basis of time after delivery (<6 or ≥6 months). The risk of bias was assessed with the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort Studies. Eleven published studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Overall, the odds ratio for the association between urinary incontinence and postpartum depression was 1.45 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.79; 95% prediction interval, 0.49-2.40; I²=65.9%; P=.001). For the 7 cohort studies, the odds ratio was 1.63 (95% confidence interval, 1.35-1.91; 95% prediction interval, 1.14-2.13; I²=11.1%; P=.345). For the 4 cross-sectional studies, the odds ratio was 1.05 (95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.05; 95% prediction interval, 1.04-1.06; I²=0.0%; P=.413). According to the time after delivery, the odds ratio estimates for cohort studies with a postpartum period <6 months were 1.44 (95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.81; prediction interval, 0.63-2.25; I²=0.0%; P=.603) and 1.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.89; prediction interval, 0.41-2.65; I²=50.7%; P=.087) for those with a postpartum period ≥6 months. This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that urinary incontinence may be a potential predictor of postpartum depression. Thus, it is important that health care professionals offer support and treatment options to women who experience these conditions.

Aims: Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are associated with intelligence quotients (IQs) lower than the normative values, and it is suggested that IQ is negatively correlated with the number of affected isoforms (i.e., Dp427, Dp140 and Dp71). Therefore, the objective of this meta‐analysis was to estimate the IQ, and the IQ–genotype association according to the altered dystrophin isoforms, in the population with BMD or DMD.Methods: A systematic search in Medline, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane Library was conducted from inception to March 2023. Observational studies that determined the IQ and/or the IQ by genotype in the population with BMD or DMD were included. Meta‐analyses of IQ, IQ by genotype and IQ–genotype association by comparing IQ according to the genotype were conducted. The results are shown as the mean/mean differences and 95% confidence intervals.Results: Fifty‐one studies were included. The IQ in BMD was 89.92 (85.84, 94.01) and in DMD was 84.61 (82.97, 86.26). Moreover, the IQ for Dp427−/Dp140+/Dp71+ and Dp427−/Dp140−/Dp71+ was 90.62 (86.72, 94.53) and 80.73 (67.49, 93.98) in BMD, while the IQ for Dp427−/Dp140+/Dp71+, Dp427−/Dp140−/Dp71+ and Dp427−/Dp140−/Dp71− was 93.05 (89.42, 96.67), 81.78 (77.23, 86.32) and 49.19 (40.47, 57.90) in DMD. Finally, in DMD, Dp427−/Dp140−/Dp71+ vs Dp427−/Dp140+/Dp71+ and Dp427−/Dp140−/Dp71− vs Dp427−/Dp140−/Dp71+ were associated with −10.73 (−14.66, −6.81) and −36.14 (−48.87, −23.41) points, respectively.Conclusions: The IQ in BMD and DMD was lower than the normative values. Moreover, in DMD, there is a synergistic association between the number of affected isoforms and IQ.

Heart failure (HF) is associated with a deficiency in blood levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and its supplementation has been proposed. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the available evidence on the effects of CoQ10 on cardiac function and quality of life in HF. A systematic search of Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library was conducted from inception until March 2023. Meta-analyses measuring the effect of CoQ10 on cardiac function [i.e., ejection fraction (EF), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV)], quality of life [i.e., mortality, exercise capacity, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification], and CoQ10 levels in HF were included. Ten meta-analyses met the inclusion criteria. CoQ10 had an effect on EF in 6 of the 9 studies, with an increase of 1.77% (0.10, 3.44) to 3.81% (1.22, 6.40), while it had an effect on CO, CI and SV in one of the two studies. Moreover, CoQ10 did not improve exercise capacity and only one study showed an effect on NYHA classification, while there was a risk ratio (RR) of 0.69 (0.50, 0.95) to 0.58 (0.35, 0.95) in favour of CoQ10 for mortality and a RR of 0.62 (0.49, 0.78) for hospitalisations. Finally, CoQ10 levels were found to increase by 1.40 μg mL⁻¹ in all studies. CoQ10 showed a possible beneficial effect on heart function, which was associated with a reduction in mortality and hospitalisations. However, more research is needed into the conditions that may optimise CoQ10 therapy.

Previous evidence associates insulin resistance with arterial stiffness in various pathologies, yet limited reports exist in healthy adults. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the association between insulin resistance and arterial stiffness in healthy adults. The cross-sectional EVasCu study enrolled 390 participants (42.05 ± 13.15 years). ANCOVAs, unadjusted (model 1) and adjusted (model 2), explored the association between arterial stiffness markers (aortic Pulse Wave Velocity [aPWV], Augmentation Index [AIx@75] and Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index [CAVI]), and insulin resistance markers (Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance [HOMA-IR], Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index [QUICKI] and Triglycerides-Glucose [TyG]). In model 1, all insulin resistance markers were associated with aPWV, HOMA-IR and QUICKI were associated with AIx@75, and the TyG index was associated with CAVI. In model 2, HOMA-IR and QUICKI increased aPWV by 0.179 and 0.156 m/s (p = 0.001 and p = 0.011), and AIx@75 by 4.17 and 5.39% (p = 0.009 and p = 0.003). The EVasCu study offers valuable insights into the relationship between insulin resistance and arterial stiffness in healthy adults, providing a deeper understanding of metabolic and cardiovascular health. By examining this influence, we embark on an intriguing exploration of how these factors interplay in the human body.

Fernández-Rodríguez R, et al. World J Mens Health. 2024 Feb;42:e23. https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.230257