Ricerc@Sapienza

Background: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are widely distributed in the environment and their toxicity is mostly associated with the molecular mechanisms of endocrine disruption. Among OCPs, particular attention was focused on the effects of β-hexaclorocyclohexane (β-HCH), a widely common pollutant. A detailed epidemiological study carried out on exposed population in the “Valle del Sacco” found correlations between the incidence of a wide range of diseases and the occurrence of β-HCH contamination.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) belong to a heterogeneous class of organic compounds blacklisted by the Stockholm Convention in 2009 due to their harmful impact on human health. Among OCPs, β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) is one of the most widespread and, at the same time, poorly studied environmental contaminant. Due to its physicochemical properties, β-HCH is the most hazardous of all HCH isomers; therefore, clarifying the mechanisms underlying its molecular action could provide further elements to draw the biochemical profile of this OCP.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acoustic and visual pacesetters on the energy expenditure in a steady state 30-minute long cycling. METHODS: Eighteen healthy male subjects (age 27.6±4.59 years; height 1.78±0.07 m; body mass 80.1±7.85 kg) performed a 30-minute submaximal exercise at a constant workload on a cycle ergometer. The imposed workload required a metabolic expenditure corresponding to 70% of ventilatory threshold for each subject.