Effects of Moderate-Volume, High-Load Lower-Body Resistance Training on Strength and Function in Persons with Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study

Background. Resistance training research has demonstrated positive effects for persons with Parkinson's disease (PD), but the number of acute training variables that can be manipulated makes it difficult to determine the optimal resistance training program.Objective. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of an 8-week resistance training intervention on strength and function in persons with PD.Methods. Eighteen men and women were randomized to training or standard care for the 8-week intervention. The training group performed 3 sets of 5–8 repetitions of the leg press, leg curl, and calf press twice weekly. Tests included leg press strength relative to body mass, timed up-and-go, six-minute walk, and Activities-specific Balance Confidence questionnaire.Results. There was a significant group-by-time effect for maximum leg press strength relative to body mass, with the training group significantly increasing their maximum relative strength (P<.05). No other significant interactions were noted (P>.05).Conclusions. Moderate volume, high-load weight training is effective for increasing lower-body strength in persons with PD.

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Reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease associated with lower body mass index and heavy leisure-time physical activity

European Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1007/s10654-014-9887-2 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 285-292 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Katri Sääksjärvi ◽

Paul Knekt ◽

Satu Männistö ◽

Jukka Lyytinen ◽

Tuija Jääskeläinen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Body Mass ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Lower Body ◽

Lower Body Mass Index ◽

Reduced Risk

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Lower body mass index is associated with orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease

Journal of the Neurological Sciences ◽

10.1016/j.jns.2016.11.027 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 372 ◽

pp. 14-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Tomohiko Nakamura ◽

Masashi Suzuki ◽

Miki Ueda ◽

Masaaki Hirayama ◽

Masahisa Katsuno

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Orthostatic Hypotension ◽

Body Mass ◽

Lower Body ◽

Lower Body Mass Index

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Grafts Derived from an α-Synuclein Triplication Patient Mediate Functional Recovery but Develop Disease-Associated Pathology in the 6-OHDA Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Journal of Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.3233/jpd-202366 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Shelby Shrigley ◽

Fredrik Nilsson ◽

Bengt Mattsson ◽

Alessandro Fiorenzano ◽

Janitha Mudannayake ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Functional Recovery ◽

Embryonic Stem ◽

Hesc Line ◽

Alternative Source ◽

And Function

Background: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have been proposed as an alternative source for cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and they provide the option of using the patient’s own cells. A few studies have investigated transplantation of patient-derived dopaminergic (DA) neurons in preclinical models; however, little is known about the long-term integrity and function of grafts derived from patients with PD. Objective: To assess the viability and function of DA neuron grafts derived from a patient hiPSC line with an α-synuclein gene triplication (AST18), using a clinical grade human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line (RC17) as a reference control. Methods: Cells were differentiated into ventral mesencephalic (VM)-patterned DA progenitors using an established GMP protocol. The progenitors were then either terminally differentiated to mature DA neurons in vitro or transplanted into 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats and their survival, maturation, function, and propensity to develop α-synuclein related pathology, were assessed in vivo. Results: Both cell lines generated functional neurons with DA properties in vitro. AST18-derived VM progenitor cells survived transplantation and matured into neuron-rich grafts similar to the RC17 cells. After 24 weeks, both cell lines produced DA-rich grafts that mediated full functional recovery; however, pathological changes were only observed in grafts derived from the α-synuclein triplication patient line. Conclusion: This data shows proof-of-principle for survival and functional recovery with familial PD patient-derived cells in the 6-OHDA model of PD. However, signs of slowly developing pathology warrants further investigation before use of autologous grafts in patients.

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High-velocity Resistance Training Improves Strength In Individuals With Parkinson’s Disease

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000493704.71556.fe ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 175

Author(s):

Bruno Fischer ◽

Ricardo Oliveira ◽

Tácio Santos ◽

Tailce Leite ◽

Samuel Vidal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Resistance Training ◽

High Velocity

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Restoration of Noradrenergic Function in Parkinson’s Disease Model Mice

ASN NEURO ◽

10.1177/17590914211009730 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 175909142110097

Author(s):

Kui Cui ◽

Fan Yang ◽

Turan Tufan ◽

Muhammad U. Raza ◽

Yanqiang Zhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Transcription Factors ◽

Disease Model ◽

Neuronal Loss ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Gene Therapies ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Dopaminergic Systems ◽

And Function

Dysfunction of the central noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems is the primary neurobiological characteristic of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Importantly, neuronal loss in the locus coeruleus (LC) that occurs in early stages of PD may accelerate progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons. Therefore, restoring the activity and function of the deficient noradrenergic system may be an important therapeutic strategy for early PD. In the present study, the lentiviral constructions of transcription factors Phox2a/2b, Hand2 and Gata3, either alone or in combination, were microinjected into the LC region of the PD model VMAT2 Lo mice at 12 and 18 month age. Biochemical analysis showed that microinjection of lentiviral expression cassettes into the LC significantly increased mRNA levels of Phox2a, and Phox2b, which were accompanied by parallel increases of mRNA and proteins of dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the LC. Furthermore, there was considerable enhancement of DBH protein levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, as well as enhanced TH protein levels in the striatum and substantia nigra. Moreover, these manipulations profoundly increased norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations in the striatum, which was followed by a remarkable improvement of the spatial memory and locomotor behavior. These results reveal that over-expression of these transcription factors in the LC improves noradrenergic and dopaminergic activities and functions in this rodent model of PD. It provides the necessary groundwork for the development of gene therapies of PD, and expands our understanding of the link between the LC-norepinephrine and dopamine systems during the progression of PD.

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Sex- and age‐dependent alterations of splenic immune cell profile and NK cell phenotypes and function in C57BL/6J mice

Immunity & Ageing ◽

10.1186/s12979-021-00214-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kelly B. Menees ◽

Rachael H. Earls ◽

Jaegwon Chung ◽

Janna Jernigan ◽

Nikolay M. Filipov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Immune Cell ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Spleen Weight ◽

Age Related ◽

And Function ◽

Cell Phenotypes

Abstract Background Physiological homeostasis decline, immunosenescence, and increased risk for multiple diseases, including neurodegeneration, are all hallmarks of ageing. Importantly, it is known that the ageing process is sex-biased. For example, there are sex differences in predisposition for multiple age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. However, sex differences in age-associated immune phenotypes are not clearly understood. Results Here, we examined the effects of age on immune cell phenotypes in both sexes of C57BL/6J mice with a particular focus on NK cells. We found female-specific spleen weight increases with age and concordant reduction in the number of splenocytes per gram of spleen weight compared to young females. To evaluate sex- and age-associated changes in splenic immune cell composition, we performed flow cytometry analysis. In male mice, we observed an age-associated reduction in the frequencies of monocytes and NK cells; female mice displayed a reduction in B cells, NK cells, and CD8 + T cells and increased frequency of monocytes and neutrophils with age. We then performed a whole blood stimulation assay and multiplex analyses of plasma cytokines and observed age- and sex-specific differences in immune cell reactivity and basal circulating cytokine concentrations. As we have previously illustrated a potential role of NK cells in Parkinson’s disease, an age-related neurodegenerative disease, we further analyzed age-associated changes in NK cell phenotypes and function. There were distinct differences between the sexes in age-associated changes in the expression of NK cell receptors, IFN-γ production, and impairment of α-synuclein endocytosis. Conclusions This study demonstrates sex- and age-specific alterations in splenic lymphocyte composition, circulating cytokine/chemokine profiles, and NK cell phenotype and effector functions. Our data provide evidence that age-related physiological perturbations differ between the sexes which may help elucidate sex differences in age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s disease, where immune dysfunction is implicated in their etiology.

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