Papers by Ricardo Cassilhas
Research, Society and Development, Apr 10, 2024
Some of the worst effects associated with the Zika virus infection during gestation include micro... more Some of the worst effects associated with the Zika virus infection during gestation include microcephaly, and central nervous system damage. Pregnancy-related physical exercise is recognized to improve both the mother's and her unborn child's health. It is widely known that male newborns of late-pregnancy mother infection tend to exhibit more depressive and anxious behaviors as they age. However, nothing is known about how the Zika virus could affect a mother's behavior in the first few days after giving birth. The objective of this study was to evaluate if 4 weeks of moderate-intensity swimming during pregnancy prevents negative outcomes of prenatal Zika infection in the behavior of the dams. Dams were randomly selected and divided into three groups: Mock (n= 8) -untrained group, intraperitoneally injected with saline; Zika (n = 8) -untrained group, intraperitoneally injected with Zika; and Zika/swim (n = 8) -trained group, intraperitoneally injected with Zika. The swimming sessions were initiated before mating, which occurred between the 5 th and 7 th day of the 1 st week of the swimming training, according to the estrous cycle and lasted until the parturition date. Prenatal Zika virus infection did not change maternal body weight or maternal behavior significantly independently of performing or not physical exercise.
Experimental Gerontology, Oct 1, 2022
Seven Events eBooks, 2022
Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira, Jul 1, 2022
Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira, 2023
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Mar 1, 2013
Scientific Reports
This study aimed to compare in rats the cardiometabolic and cellular adaptative responses to 8 we... more This study aimed to compare in rats the cardiometabolic and cellular adaptative responses to 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) performed in a single (1xHIIT) or three shorter daily sessions (3xHIIT). Male Wistar rats were assigned to untrained (n = 10), 1xHIIT (n = 10), and 3xHIIT (n = 10) groups. Both HIIT groups performed 15 min of a treadmill run five times per week for 8 weeks. The 1xHIIT performed single daily sessions of 15 min, and the 3xHIIT performed three daily sessions of 5 min with an interval of 4 h between sessions. Resting VO2 and VO2max were measured using a metabolic chamber; blood pressure and heart rate were measured by plethysmography; body composition was estimated by DEXA; Glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed; after euthanasia, hearts, gastrocnemius, and visceral fat were harvested for analysis of cardiac function, histology, and morphology. Mitochondrial densities of the gastrocnemius and left ventricle muscles were determined by...
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications
Journal of Visualized Experiments
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has emerged as an interesting time-efficient approach to ... more High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has emerged as an interesting time-efficient approach to increase exercise adherence and improve health. However, few studies have tested the efficiency of HIIT protocols in a "real world" setting, e.g., HIIT protocols designed for outdoor spaces without specialized equipment. This study presents a "real world" training protocol, named "beep training", and compares the efficiency of a HIIT regiment versus a traditional long-duration Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) regiment using this beep training protocol on VO2 max of overweight untrained men. Twenty-two subjects performed outdoor running with MICT (n = 11) or HIIT (n = 11). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed before and after training protocols using a metabolic analyzer. Both training protocols were performed 3 days a week for 8 weeks using the Beep Test results. The MICT group performed the exercise program at 60%-75% of the maximum speed of the 20 m shuttle test (Vmax) and with a progression of the distance of 3,500-5,000 m. The HIIT group performed the interval exercise with 7-10 bouts of 200 m at 85%-100% of the maximum speed of the 20 m shuttle test (Vmax), interspersed with 1 min of passive recovery. Although the HIIT group presented a significantly lower training volume than the MICT group (p < 0.05) after 8 weeks of beep training, HIIT was superior to MICT in improving VO2 max (MICT: ~4.1%; HIIT: ~7.3%; p < 0.05). The "real world" HIIT regiment based on beep training protocol is a time-efficient, low-cost, and easy-to-implement protocol for overweight untrained men.
Behavioural Brain Research, 2019
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is associated with better physical performance, but there... more High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is associated with better physical performance, but there is limited information about the effects of HIIT on redox state of cerebellar tissue, cerebral cortex, and cognition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HIIT on redox state parameters in cerebellar tissue, cerebral cortex, and cognitive function of Wistar rats. Forty-three young male Wistar rats were housed under controlled environmental conditions with food, and water ad libitum. Animals were assigned to HIIT or Non-trained groups. HIIT protocol was performed during six weeks. Speed was determined through the assesstment of the maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2max). HIIT consisted of short bouts (1 min) running on a treadmill at 10°inclination (85-100% of VO 2max) with 2 min of active recovery (60% of VO 2max , without inclination). Non-trained group was daily exposed to a disconnected treadmill for the same amount of time as HITT group. Both groups were submitted to the open field, and novel object recognition tasks after six weeks. Malondialdehyde concentration (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (FRAP) were quantified to determine the redox state. HIIT presented increased levels of MDA, SOD, and FRAP (p < 0.05) in the cerebellar tissue, but no differences were seen in cerebral cortex. These results indicated an improved antioxidant capacity, despite increased MDA levels in the cerebellar tissue. Both groups did not present impairment in locomotor activity, development of anxious behavior or cognitive decline. HIIT enhanced the antioxidant defenses on cerebellar tissue with no deleterious effects on rats' cognition.
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 2012
It has been demonstrated that resistance exercise improves cognitive functions in humans. Thus, a... more It has been demonstrated that resistance exercise improves cognitive functions in humans. Thus, an animal model that mimics this phenomenon can be an important tool for studying the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. Here, we tested if an animal model for resistance exercise was able to improve the performance in a hippocampus-dependent memory task. In addition, we also evaluated the level of insulin-like growth factor 1/insulin growth factor receptor (IGF-1/IGF-1R), which plays pleiotropic roles in the nervous system. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (N = 10 for each group): control, SHAM, and resistance exercise (RES). The RES group was submitted to 8 weeks of progressive resistance exercise in a vertical ladder apparatus, while the SHAM group was left in the same apparatus without exercising. Analysis of a cross-sectional area of the flexor digitorum longus muscle indicated that this training period was sufficient to cause muscle fiber hypertrophy. In a step-through passive avoidance task (PA), the RES group presented a longer latency than the other groups on the test day. We also observed an increase of 43 and 94% for systemic and hippocampal IGF-1 concentration, respectively, in the RES group compared to the others. A positive correlation was established between PA performance and systemic IGF-1 (r = 0.46, P < 0.05). Taken together, our data indicate that resistance exercise improves the hippocampus-dependent memory task with a concomitant increase of IGF-1 level in the rat model. This model can be further explored to better understand the effects of resistance exercise on brain functions.
Brazilian Journals Editora eBooks, Mar 2, 2022
O conteúdo dos livros e seus dados em sua forma, correção e confiabilidade são de responsabilidad... more O conteúdo dos livros e seus dados em sua forma, correção e confiabilidade são de responsabilidade exclusiva dos autores. Permitido o download da obra e o compartilhamento desde que sejam atribuídos créditos aos autores, mas sem a
Current Genomics, 2015
Dr de Magalhaes joined the University of Liverpool to develop his own group on genomic approaches... more Dr de Magalhaes joined the University of Liverpool to develop his own group on genomic approaches to ageing. Now a senior lecturer, Dr de Magalhaes leads the Integrative Genomics of Ageing Group (http://pcwww.liv.ac.uk/~aging/) which focuses on understanding the genetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms of ageing. The group's research integrates different strategies but its focal point is developing and applying experimental and computational methods that help bridge the gap between genotype and phenotype, a major challenge of the post-genome era, and help decipher the human genome and how it regulates complex processes like ageing.
Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE, 2022
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and accumulated exercises are two time-efficient programs... more High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and accumulated exercises are two time-efficient programs to improve health in humans and animal models. However, to date, there are no studies on whether HIIT performed in an accumulated fashion is as effective as a traditional HIIT performed with single daily sessions in improving health markers. This paper presents the effects of a new HIIT protocol, called accumulated HIIT, on body weight gain, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and cardiac hypertrophy in young Wistar rats. Sixty-day-old male Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: untrained (UN; n = 16), HIIT performed with single daily sessions (1-HIIT; n = 16), and HIIT performed with three daily sessions (3-HIIT; n = 16). Body weight and VO2max were recorded before and after the training period. The VO2max measurements were taken using a metabolic analyzer at the maximal running velocity (Vmax). The training was performed for both HIIT groups five days per week over eight weeks wi...
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2021
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of 24 wk of resistance training at tw... more Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of 24 wk of resistance training at two different intensities on cognitive functions in the elderly. Methods: Sixty-two elderly individuals were randomly assigned to three groups: CONTROL (N = 23), experimental moderate (EMODERATE; N = 19), and experimental high (EHIGH; N = 20). The volunteers were assessed on physical, hemodynamic, cognitive, and mood parameters before and after the program. Results: On the 1 RM test (P G 0.001), the two experimental groups performed better than the CONTROL group, but they did not show differences between themselves. The EHIGH group gained more lean mass (P = 0.05) than the CONTROL group and performed better on the following tests: digit span forward (P G 0.001), Corsi_s block-tapping task backward (P = 0.001), similarities (P = 0.03), Rey–Osterrieth complex figure immediate recall (P = 0.02), Toulouse–Pieron concentration test errors (P = 0.01), SF-36 (general health) (P = 0.04), POMS (ten...
Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte, 2008
OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o equilíbrio, a coordenação e a agilidade dos idosos submetidos a exercícios f... more OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o equilíbrio, a coordenação e a agilidade dos idosos submetidos a exercícios físicos. MÉTODOS: 61 idosos do gênero masculino, com idades entre os 60-75 anos, designados aleatoriamente para um grupo de exercícios resistidos com carga progressiva (n=39) ou para um controle submetido a exercícios sem carga (n=22). O grupo exercício resistido participou de um programa de 24 semanas, com 3 visitas por semana, em dias não consecutivos. Foram avaliados após o término do treinamento, pela Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg, do Teste de Tinetti e do Timed UP & GO. RESULTADOS: Comparando-se os dois grupos verificou-se um melhor desempenho estatisticamente significativo para o grupo experimental em relação ao controle para os testes Timed "Up & Go". (p=0,02) e para o Tinetti Total (p=0.046) e para o Tinetti marcha (p=0.029). Desta forma, não encontramos diferença na Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg e no teste de Tinetti equilíbrio. CONCLUSÃO: O programa de treinamento de for...
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2007
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of 24 wk of resistance training at two differe... more The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of 24 wk of resistance training at two different intensities on cognitive functions in the elderly. Methods: Sixty-two elderly individuals were randomly assigned to three groups: CONTROL (N = 23), experimental moderate (EMODERATE; N = 19), and experimental high (EHIGH; N = 20). The volunteers were assessed on physical, hemodynamic, cognitive, and mood parameters before and after the program. Results: On the 1 RM test (P G 0.001), the two experimental groups performed better than the CONTROL group, but they did not show differences between themselves. The EHIGH group gained more lean mass (P = 0.05) than the CONTROL group and performed better on the following tests: digit span forward (P G 0.001), Corsi_s block-tapping task backward (P = 0.001), similarities (P = 0.03), Rey-Osterrieth complex figure immediate recall (P = 0.02), Toulouse-Pieron concentration test errors (P = 0.01), SF-36 (general health) (P = 0.04), POMS (tension-anxiety, P = 0.04; depression-dejection, P = 0.03; and total mood disorder, P = 0.03). The EMODERATE group scored higher means than the CONTROL group on digit span forward (P G 0.001), Corsi_s block-tapping task backward (P = 0.01), similarities (P = 0.02), Rey-Osterrieth complex figure immediate recall (P = 0.02), SF-36 (general health, P = 0.005; vitality, P = 0.006), POMS (tension-anxiety, P = 0.001; depression-dejection, P = 0.006; anger-hostility, P = 0.006; fatigue-inertia, P = 0.02; confusion-bewilderment, P = 0.02; and total mood disorder, P = 0.001). We also found that IGF-1 serum levels were higher in the experimental groups (EMODERATE, P = 0.02; EHIGH, P G 0.001). Conclusions: Moderate-and high-intensity resistance exercise programs had equally beneficial effects on cognitive functioning.
Research, Society and Development
AAs became popular among competitive athletes and the general population for recreational and per... more AAs became popular among competitive athletes and the general population for recreational and performance purposes. The indiscriminate use of AAs occurs in supraphysiological doses and negatively affects cognition. Moreover, nandrolone decanoate (DECA) abuse may reduce the beneficial effects of resistance training (RT) on health. Objective: We aimed to investigate if DECA administration in supraphysiological doses interferes with the positive effects of RT on anxious behavior, memory, and morphology of neurons in the hippocampus of rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly assigned into four groups (N= 12): Control (C); DECA (D); Trained (T) Trained+DECA (TD). EAA DECA was administered in daily supraphysiological doses of 15mg/kg during the 8 weeks of the RT protocol. All groups performed a maximum load test before and after the RT protocol; anxious behavior and memory tests were performed, and thereafter, rats were euthanized for morphologic analyses of the hippocampus. DE...
Molecular Biology Reports
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Papers by Ricardo Cassilhas