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Melatonin: Roles in influenza, Covid-19, and other viral infections.
Anderson, G, Reiter, RJ
Reviews in medical virology. 2020;30(3):e2109
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Viruses like influenza and coronaviruses change quickly, making it challenging to develop effective treatments and vaccines in a short time frame. Consequently, the use of generic substances that limit viral effects are of high interest. In this paper, the authors summarize a range of mechanisms in which melatonin can alter the impact of virus infections and infection-associated inflammatory overdrive aka cytokine storm. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is well known for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. It seems highly likely that melatonin can modulate the cellular function of all cells, mostly via mitochondrial function. This is particularly relevant in immune cells. For example, the daytime variance in immune function seems to be closely linked with mitochondrial activity and energy production. Other relevant mechanisms described are the antiviral role of melatonin-induced sirtuins - proteins that regulate cellular health-, the impact of viruses on cell coordinating microRNA, the role of the gut microbiome and gut permeability, as well as sympathetic nervous system activation and the protective effects of parasympathetic activation. Also considered are pre-existing health conditions and conditions that are linked with a decline in melatonin along with ageing, all being groups in which severity of viral infections is felt. This paper may be of interest to those who like to explore in more depth the mechanisms behind melatonin and its ability to influence viral disease progression.
Abstract
There is a growing appreciation that the regulation of the melatonergic pathways, both pineal and systemic, may be an important aspect in how viruses drive the cellular changes that underpin their control of cellular function. We review the melatonergic pathway role in viral infections, emphasizing influenza and covid-19 infections. Viral, or preexistent, suppression of pineal melatonin disinhibits neutrophil attraction, thereby contributing to an initial "cytokine storm", as well as the regulation of other immune cells. Melatonin induces the circadian gene, Bmal1, which disinhibits the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), countering viral inhibition of Bmal1/PDC. PDC drives mitochondrial conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), thereby increasing the tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP production. Pineal melatonin suppression attenuates this, preventing the circadian "resetting" of mitochondrial metabolism. This is especially relevant in immune cells, where shifting metabolism from glycolytic to oxidative phosphorylation, switches cells from reactive to quiescent phenotypes. Acetyl-CoA is a necessary cosubstrate for arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, providing an acetyl group to serotonin, and thereby initiating the melatonergic pathway. Consequently, pineal melatonin regulates mitochondrial melatonin and immune cell phenotype. Virus- and cytokine-storm-driven control of the pineal and mitochondrial melatonergic pathway therefore regulates immune responses. Virus-and cytokine storm-driven changes also increase gut permeability and dysbiosis, thereby suppressing levels of the short-chain fatty acid, butyrate, and increasing circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The alterations in butyrate and LPS can promote viral replication and host symptom severity via impacts on the melatonergic pathway. Focussing on immune regulators has treatment implications for covid-19 and other viral infections.
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Health anxiety, cyberchondria, and coping in the current COVID-19 pandemic: Which factors are related to coronavirus anxiety?
Jungmann, SM, Witthöft, M
Journal of anxiety disorders. 2020;73:102239
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Besides the high infection and mortality rate, the COVID-19 pandemic also causes considerable psychological stress. Research from previous epidemics and pandemics found that health concerns and anxieties relating to a virus outbreak can have a significant psychological impact and have been linked to behaviours ineffective for disease prevention. Health anxiety exists on a spectrum from absent health awareness to pathological health anxiety or hypochondria. Unhelpful practices, such as excessive online information searching (cyberchondria) or doctor visits can amplify or sustain such anxieties. Furthermore, media consumption during a pandemic has been positively associated with anxiety, and so has been related to dysfunctional emotion regulation (i.e. ruminating, catastrophizing). So far, it was assumed that individuals with pre-existing health anxiety are particularly prone to experience virus anxiety with little numerical evidence to back this up. Hence this study sought to quantify whether during the COVID -19 pandemic, pre-existing health anxiety influenced levels of virus anxiety and whether there was a relationship between cyberchondria and virus anxiety. An online survey was conducted within the German population in March 2020 (N = 1615, female predominant, mean age of = 33.36 years) and data was collected using a series of questionnaires. The outcome was consistent with previous studies showing that about half of the participants reported moderate to severe anxiety associated with COVID-19, women being particularly affected. Predisposition to health anxiety and cyberchondria were consistently positively correlated to virus anxiety. Whereby being well informed and having coping strategies seemed to contribute to reduced levels of virus anxiety. The study may be of interest to those who seek evidence on the association between health anxiety and media consumption in relation to pandemic-associated anxiety.
Abstract
According to cognitive-behavioral models, traits, triggering events, cognitions, and adverse behaviors play a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of health anxiety. During virus outbreaks, anxiety is widespread. However, the role of trait health anxiety, cyberchondria, and coping in the context of virus anxiety during the current COVID-19 pandemic has not yet been studied. An online survey was conducted in the German general population (N = 1615, 79.8 % female, Mage = 33.36 years, SD = 13.18) in mid-March 2020, which included questionnaires on anxiety associated with SARS-CoV-2, trait health anxiety, cyberchondriaPandemic (i.e. excessive online information search), and emotion regulation. The participants reported a significantly increasing virus anxiety in recent months (previous months recorded retrospectively), especially among individuals with heightened trait health anxiety. CyberchondriaPandemic showed positive correlations with current virus anxiety (r = .09-.48), and this relationship was additionally moderated by trait health anxiety. A negative correlation was found between the perception of being informed about the pandemic and the current virus anxiety (r=-.18), with adaptive emotion regulation being a significant moderator for this relationship. The findings suggest that trait health anxiety and cyberchondria serve as risk factors, whereas information about the pandemic and adaptive emotion regulation might represent buffering factors for anxiety during a virus pandemic.
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Comparing eating behaviours, and symptoms of depression and anxiety between Spain and Greece during the COVID-19 outbreak: Cross-sectional analysis of two different confinement strategies.
Papandreou, C, Arija, V, Aretouli, E, Tsilidis, KK, Bulló, M
European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association. 2020;28(6):836-846
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Stress and mental health problems which may be induced by restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic can lead to unhealthy eating habits. Restrictions have varied amongst countries and this cross-sectional analysis aimed to compare eating behaviours and symptoms of stress experienced by 1841 individuals in countries with differing lockdown measures. The results showed that individuals in the country with higher lockdown measures showed lower restraint in eating, they were more likely to overeat if they saw or smelt food and reported increased anxiety. However, they did not display depression or overeating when experiencing negative feelings. It was concluded that both countries had a high frequency of depression and anxiety. Higher restrictions were associated with greater anxiety, lower restraint and overeating when confronted with food. This paper could be used by healthcare professionals to recognise the need to include dietary advice when dealing with patients who are reporting anxiety during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We compared eating behaviours, and depressive and anxiety symptoms in two countries with different confinement strictness strategies and different levels of COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD A web-based cross-sectional survey was administered during and shortly after the COVID-19 related lockdown in Spain and Greece. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify country differences associated with eating behaviour, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. RESULTS This study included 1,002 responders in Spain and 839 in Greece. The mean ± SD of restraint, emotional and external eating was 2.5 ± 0.79, 2.1 ± 0.81 and 2.6 ± 0.65 in Spain, whereas 2.7 ± 0.85, 2.3 ± 0.99 and 2.9 ± 0.74 in Greece. Spanish participants had lower average scores of restraint and external eating compared to Greek participants (p < .001), but no difference was seen for emotional eating. In Spain, 13.6%, and 12.3% of the survey respondents reported moderate to severe depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively, whereas in Greece the respective values were 18.8 and 13.2%. After adjusting for several risk factors, a higher prevalence of anxiety symptoms was observed in Spain compared to Greece (p = .001), but no difference was seen for depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated high scores of inappropriate eating behaviours and a high frequency of depressive and anxiety symptoms in two Mediterranean countries during the COVID-19 outbreak. Our findings revealed that compared to Greek participants, Spanish participants, that faced more severe COVID-19 pandemic and stricter lockdown measures, were associated with lower restraint and external eating and increased anxiety symptoms, but not with depressive symptoms or emotional eating.
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Genetic risk-factors for anxiety in healthy individuals: polymorphisms in genes important for the HPA axis.
Lindholm, H, Morrison, I, Krettek, A, Malm, D, Novembre, G, Handlin, L
BMC medical genetics. 2020;21(1):184
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Anxiety is a complex disorder that involves alterations in hormones secreted from glands in the brain. Genetic variations in these hormones can mean that some individuals are more susceptible to anxiety disorders. The aim of this observational study was to investigate possible relationships between genetic changes in brain hormones and anxiety in 72 individuals. The results showed that women were more likely than men to report feelings of anxiety and there were several relationships between genetic variations in brain hormones and self-reported measures of anxiety. It was concluded that genetic variations in brain hormones are associated with anxiety disorders in healthy individuals. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand how genetics could play a role in anxiety and that certain genes could be used to identify individuals at risk of anxiety disorders.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two important aspects for the development of anxiety disorders are genetic predisposition and alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In order to identify genetic risk-factors for anxiety, the aim of this exploratory study was to investigate possible relationships between genetic polymorphisms in genes important for the regulation and activity of the HPA axis and self-assessed anxiety in healthy individuals. METHODS DNA from 72 healthy participants, 37 women and 35 men, were included in the analyses. Their DNA was extracted and analysed for the following Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP)s: rs41423247 in the NR3C1 gene, rs1360780 in the FKBP5 gene, rs53576 in the OXTR gene, 5-HTTLPR in SLC6A4 gene and rs6295 in the HTR1A gene. Self-assessed anxiety was measured by the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire. RESULTS Self-assessed measure of both STAI-S and STAI-T were significantly higher in female than in male participants (p = 0.030 and p = 0.036, respectively). For SNP rs41423247 in the NR3C1 gene, there was a significant difference in females in the score for STAI-S, where carriers of the G allele had higher scores compared to the females that were homozygous for the C allele (p < 0.01). For the SNP rs53576 in the OXTR gene, there was a significant difference in males, where carriers of the A allele had higher scores in STAI-T compared to the males that were homozygous for the G allele (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION This study shows that SNP rs41423247 in the NR3C1 gene and SNP rs53576 in the OXTR gene are associated with self-assessed anxiety in healthy individuals in a gender-specific manner. This suggests that these SNP candidates are possible genetic risk-factors for anxiety.
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Psychological and Sleep Effects of Tryptophan and Magnesium-Enriched Mediterranean Diet in Women with Fibromyalgia.
Martínez-Rodríguez, A, Rubio-Arias, JÁ, Ramos-Campo, DJ, Reche-García, C, Leyva-Vela, B, Nadal-Nicolás, Y
International journal of environmental research and public health. 2020;17(7)
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Fibromyalgia is a syndrome with unknown cause, characterised by muscle pain and physical exhaustion and is especially common in women aged 20-55 years. Anxiety, mood disturbance and psychological disorders are also often reported. Two micronutrients found in food, which may be of benefit to fibromyalgia patients are tryptophan (TRY) and magnesium (MG). This randomised control trial aimed to determine the effects of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with TRY and MG in 22 women with fibromyalgia for 16 weeks. The results showed that supplementation improved anxiety, mood, eating disorders and body image, but did not affect sleep quality. It was concluded that Mediterranean diet supplemented with TRY and MG was of benefit to anxiety, depression and reduced eating disorders but did not affect sleep quality. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to recommend a Mediterranean diet enriched with TRY and MG to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety in women with fibromyalgia.
Abstract
Anxiety, mood disturbance, eating and sleep disorders, and dissatisfaction with body image are prevalent disorders in women with fibromyalgia. The authors of this study aimed to determine the effects of tryptophan (TRY) and magnesium-enriched (MG) Mediterranean diet on psychological variables (trait anxiety, mood state, eating disorders, self-image perception) and sleep quality in women with fibromyalgia (n = 22; 49 ± 5 years old). In this randomized, controlled trial, the participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the placebo group. The intervention group received a Mediterranean diet enriched with high doses of TRY and MG (60 mg of TRY and 60 mg of MG), whereas the control group received the standard Mediterranean diet. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire, Body Shape Questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Profile of Mood States (POMS-29) Questionnaire, Eating Attitudes Test-26, and Trait Anxiety Inventory were completed before and 16 weeks after the intervention. Significant differences were observed between groups after the intervention for the mean scores of trait anxiety (p = 0.001), self-image perception (p = 0.029), mood disturbance (p = 0.001), and eating disorders (p = 0.006). This study concludes that tryptophan and magnesium-enriched Mediterranean diet reduced anxiety symptoms, mood disturbance, eating disorders, and dissatisfaction with body image but did not improve sleep quality in women with fibromyalgia.
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The Impact of Coconut Oil and Epigallocatechin Gallate on the Levels of IL-6, Anxiety and Disability in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.
Platero, JL, Cuerda-Ballester, M, Ibáñez, V, Sancho, D, Lopez-Rodríguez, MM, Drehmer, E, Ortí, JER
Nutrients. 2020;12(2)
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is associated with high levels of inflammation, especially the inflammatory molecule interleukin 6 (IL-6). Anxiety has been reported to be linked to inflammation and IL-6. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a naturally occurring chemical, which has anti-inflammatory properties and has been related to improvements in anxiety. This pilot study of 51 individuals with MS aimed to assess the impact of EGCG and coconut oil on IL-6 and anxiety over 4 months. The results showed that individuals receiving EGCG and coconut oil had decreased IL-6 and anxiety. However, the individuals who did not also showed decreased IL-6 but not anxiety. It was concluded that anxiety was decreased in individuals with MS when taking EGCG and coconut oil, but this does not appear to be as a direct result of decreased IL-6 levels. It may be due to the Mediterranean diet all participants were asked to follow during the intervention. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand the relationship between IL-6 and anxiety in patients with MS.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the inflammatory nature of multiple sclerosis (MS), interleukin 6 (IL-6) is high in blood levels, and it also increases the levels of anxiety related to functional disability. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) decreases IL-6, which could be enhanced by the anti-inflammatory effect of high ketone bodies after administering coconut oil (both of which are an anxiolytic). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of coconut oil and EGCG on the levels of IL-6, anxiety and functional disability in patients with MS. METHODS A pilot study was conducted for four months with 51 MS patients who were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group received 800 mg of EGCG and 60 mL of coconut oil, and the control group was prescribed a placebo. Both groups followed the same isocaloric Mediterranean diet. State and trait anxiety were determined before and after the study by means of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). In addition, IL-6 in serum was measured using the ELISA technique and functional capacity was determined with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the body mass index (BMI). RESULTS State anxiety and functional capacity decreased in the intervention group and IL-6 decreased in both groups. CONCLUSIONS EGCG and coconut oil improve state anxiety and functional capacity. In addition, a decrease in IL-6 is observed in patients with MS, possibly due to the antioxidant capacity of the Mediterranean diet and its impact on improving BMI.
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Using psychoneuroimmunity against COVID-19.
Kim, SW, Su, KP
Brain, behavior, and immunity. 2020;87:4-5
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This viewpoint article raises awareness of the threat of COVID-19 poses to psychiatric patients who are in mental health hospitals. Those patients appear to have a much elevated mortality rate and are potentially more vulnerable to the effects of panic/anxiety due to the pandemic. Their lifestyle choices, influenced by fears about the virus, may also have a negative effect on their immunity. The article also raises the issue of the effects the pandemic and associated changes to day-to-day life can have on the mental and general health of the rest of the population, and in particular to mental health professionals, whose ability to care for their psychiatric patients may be impaired. The authors also briefly discuss the psychological and immunological mechanisms that connect our mental state to the ability of our immune system to fight infections, and the impact of our lifestyles and environments. To summarise they state that infected patients, uninfected quarantined individuals and medical professionals all require mental health supporting strategies, and that epidemiological studies of potential long-term psychiatric consequences are essential.
Abstract
The worldwide outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) raises concerns of widespread panic and anxiety in individuals subjected to the real or perceived threat of the virus. Compared to general populations, patients who are institutionalized in a closed unit are also very vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and complications. This crisis touched on difficult issues of not only psychiatric care and ethics, but also psychological impacts to psychiatric care givers. In this Viewpoint, we address both physical and biopsychosocial aspects of this infection, as well as the psychoneuroimmunity of preventive strategies of healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep and a strong connection with people. Social distancing and wearing masks might help us from pathogen exposure, yet such these measures also prevent us from expressing compassion and friendliness. Therefore, all forms of psychological support should be routinely implemented not only to consider psychological resilience but also to enhance psychoneuroimmunity against COVID-19.
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Predictors of chronic fatigue in adolescents six months after acute Epstein-Barr virus infection: A prospective cohort study.
Pedersen, M, Asprusten, TT, Godang, K, Leegaard, TM, Osnes, LT, Skovlund, E, Tjade, T, Øie, MG, Wyller, VBB
Brain, behavior, and immunity. 2019;75:94-100
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Chronic fatigue is defined as substantial fatigue lasting for more than six months. The main aim of this study is to investigate predictors of chronic fatigue six months after an acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This study includes the prospective results from the first six months of the CEBA project (chronic fatigue following acute Epstein-Barr virus infection in adolescents), which encompasses a prospective, a cross-sectional and a randomized controlled design with a total follow-up time of 21 months. A total of 200 adolescents with EBV and 70 healthy controls were included. Results indicate that fatigue six months after acute EBV infection is significantly and independently predicted by baseline clinical symptoms, functional impairments, negative emotions, verbal memory, plasma c-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma vitamin B12. On average, baseline CRP levels were significantly lower in the acute EBV infection group as compared to healthy controls. Authors conclude that development of fatigue is to a larger extent predicted by baseline variables related to symptoms and functions than to baseline variables reflecting infectious and immune processes.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a trigger of chronic fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This study investigated baseline predictors of chronic fatigue six months after an acute EBV infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 200 adolescents (12-20 years old) with acute EBV infection were assessed for 149 possible baseline predictors and followed prospectively. We performed linear regression to assess possible associations between baseline predictors and fatigue (Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire total score) six months after the acute EBV infection. A total of 70 healthy controls were included for cross-sectional reference. This study is part of the CEBA-project (Chronic fatigue following acute Epstein-Barr virus infection in adolescents). RESULTS In the final multiple linear regression model, fatigue six months after acute EBV infection was significantly and independently predicted by the following baseline variables (regression coefficient B[95% CI]): Sensory sensitivity (0.8[0.09-1.6]), pain severity (0.2[0.02-0.3]), functional impairment (1000 steps/day) (-0.3[-0.5 to -0.08]), negative emotions (anxiety) (0.4[0.2-0.6]), verbal memory (correct word recognition) (1.7[0.1-3.3]), plasma C-reactive protein (2.8[1.1-4.4] for CRP values >0.86) and plasma Vitamin B12 (-0.005[-0.01 to -0.001]). CONCLUSIONS Development of fatigue after acute EBV infection is to a larger extent predicted by baseline variables related to symptoms and functions than to baseline variables reflecting infectious and immune processes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials, ID: NCT02335437, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02335437.
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Anxiety reduction through art therapy in women. Exploring stress regulation and executive functioning as underlying neurocognitive mechanisms.
Abbing, A, de Sonneville, L, Baars, E, Bourne, D, Swaab, H
PloS one. 2019;14(12):e0225200
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Anxiety treatments currently involve medication and changing an individual’s beliefs through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Art therapy (AT) is often used as a CBT treatment strategy, although little is known about its effectiveness. This randomised control trial of 47 adult women with anxiety aimed to understand the role of AT in anxiety treatment over three months. The results showed improvements in self-reported measures of anxiety, the ability to control emotions, memory and the ability to manage tasks with AT, however subjects were just as susceptible to stress following treatment. It was concluded that anxiety reduction was related to improvements in emotions, memory and task management and this was as a result of AT. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to recommend AT to individuals with symptoms of anxiety as part of their treatment management plan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore possible working mechanisms of anxiety reduction in women with anxiety disorders, treated with art therapy (AT). METHODS A RCT comparing AT versus waiting list (WL) condition on aspects of self-regulation. Stress regulation (heart rate and heart rate variability) and executive functioning (daily behavioural and cognitive performance aspects of executive functioning (EF)) were evaluated in a pre-post design. Participants were women, aged 18-65 years with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. RESULTS Effectiveness of AT compared to WL was demonstrated in a higher resting HRV post treatment, improvements in aspects of self-reported daily EF (emotion control, working memory, plan/organize and task monitor), but not in cognitive performance of EF, stress responsiveness and down regulation of stress. The decrease in anxiety level was associated with improvements in self-reported daily EF. CONCLUSIONS AT improves resting HRV and aspects of EF, the latter was associated with art therapy-related anxiety reduction.
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Rhodiola/Cordyceps-Based Herbal Supplement Promotes Endurance Training-Improved Body Composition But Not Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Biomarkers: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Study.
Liao, YH, Chao, YC, Sim, BY, Lin, HM, Chen, MT, Chen, CY
Nutrients. 2019;11(10)
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Physical inactivity has negative health consequences. Such consequences include muscle loss, weight gain, low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress and increased disease risk for metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The development of such chronic metabolic disorders often starts at a much younger age, long before it manifests as clinical disease decades later. Endurance exercise is one way to reduce the development and progression of metabolic disease. In addition, the herb Rhodiola crenulata (RC) and fungus Cordyceps sinensis (CS) have shown to bear benefits on metabolic disease parameters. Both have long been used in Chinese medicine for their health-promoting, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study sought to assess whether the benefits of regular endurance training can be futher enhanced with the supplementation of RC and CS. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 14 young sedentary adults who received an 8-week endurance training program. They also received either supplements or a placebo. Measurements and markers of body composition, oxidative stress and metabolic function were obtained before and after the intervention. The results found no difference in blood fats and oxidative stress markers between groups. In fact endurance training alone improved endurance capacity and glycemic control, but again with no particular difference between control and intervention. However, the supplementation group showed improvement in body composition with reduced body fat and increased muscle mass compared to the control group. Larger studies are needed to strengthen the results.
Abstract
Rhodiola crenulata (R) and Cordyceps sinensis (C) are commonly used herbs that promote health in traditional Chinese medicine. These two herbs have also been shown to exhibit anti-inflammation and antioxidant functions. Regular endurance training reveals potent endurance capacity, body composition improvement, and metabolic-related biomarker benefits. However, it is not known whether the combination of Rhodiola crenulata and Cordyceps sinensis (RC) supplementation during endurance training provides additive health benefits. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8-week endurance training plus RC supplementation on body composition, oxidative stress, and metabolic biomarkers in young sedentary adults. METHODS Fourteen young sedentary adults (8M/6F) participated in this double-blind randomized controlled study. Participants were assigned to exercise training with placebo groups (PLA, n = 7, 4M/3F; age: 21.4 ± 0.4 years) and exercise training with the RC group (RC, 20 mg/kg/day; n = 7, 4M/3F; age: 21.7 ± 0.4 years). Both groups received identical exercise training for eight weeks. The body composition, circulating oxidative stress, and blood metabolic biomarkers were measured before and after the 8-week intervention. RESULTS Improvement in body composition profiles were significantly greater in the RC group (body weight: p = 0.044, BMI: p = 0.003, upper extremity fat mass: p = 0.032, lower extremity muscle mass: p = 0.029, trunk fat mass: p = 0.011) compared to the PLA group after training. The blood lipid profile and systemic oxidative stress makers (thiobarbituric reactive substanceand total antioxidant capacity) did not differ between groups. Although endurance training markedly improved endurance capacity and glycemic control ability (i.e., fast blood glucose, insulin, and HOMA index), there were no differences in these variables between treatments. CONCLUSIONS In this preliminary investigation, we demonstrated that an 8-week RC supplementation (20 mg/kg/day) faintly enhanced endurance training-induced positive adaptations in body composition in young sedentary individuals, whereas the blood lipid profile and systemic oxidative stress states were not altered after such intervention.