Journal Articles
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/7915
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Item The dose-dependent effect of acute ozone exposure on lung function and the efficacy of a Boysenberry apple powder blend (BerriQi®) in reducing throat irritation and symptom recovery time in healthy adults(Elsevier B V, 2025-09-01) Lomiwes D; Barnes M; Nicholls G; Ngametua N; Sawyer G; Kanon AP; Vangala G; Shaw OUrbanization and industrialization have impacted air quality and health, with ozone exposure linked to reduced lung function and increased respiratory issues. This study characterised the dose-dependent effect of acute, controlled ambient ozone exposure in an environmental chamber on lung function, then investigated the effect of BerriQi® Boysenberry and apple powder (BerriQi) ozone-induced respiratory irritation symptoms. In an incremental dose study, healthy adults were exposed to 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 ppm ozone for 2 h. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were measured at designated timepoints up to 48 h after ozone exposure. This was followed by a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, with healthy adults (n = 20) who consumed either BerriQi or a placebo daily for 5 days before being exposed to 0.2 ppm ozone for 2 h. Respiratory irritation symptoms, including throat irritation (TI), soreness of cough (SOC), shortness of breath (SOB), and pain on deep inspiration (PODI), were assessed at designated timepoints up to 48 h after ozone exposure. Our results showed that 0.2 ppm ozone was the maximum tolerated dose that elicited a temporal decline in lung function in healthy participants and that BerriQi supplementation significantly reduced TI (p = 0.04), and may expedite the resolution of SOC, SOB and PODI after acute ozone exposure. These findings suggest that BerriQi may alleviate the severity and duration of ozone-induced respiratory irritation and highlights the potential of BerriQi as a dietary intervention for mitigating the respiratory effects of air pollution.Item An experimental model of contusion injury in humans(Public Library of Science, 17/11/2022) Barnes M; Lomiwes D; Parry DAD; Stephen MIntroduction Contusion injuries are common in sport, but our knowledge of the responses to injury primarily come from animal studies and research using eccentric exercise. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a model of contusion injury in human participants and, additionally, investigate and compare physiological responses to four impact loads. Methods Thirty-two males were exposed to a single impact of either 4.2, 5.2, 6.2 or 7.2kg, dropped from 67 cm, on to the vastus lateralis of one leg. Maximum voluntary and electrically induced quadriceps force, and pressure pain threshold were measured, and blood sampling carried out, prior to and 30min, 24, 48 and 72h post-impact. Magnetic resonance imaging was carried out 24h post-impact to quantify oedema. Results Despite impact force with 7.2kg (1681.4 ± 235.6 N) not being different to 6.2kg (1690.7 ± 117.6 N), 7.2kg resulted in greater volume of oedema, voluntary force loss, pain and elevations in creatine kinase than the other loads. Although electrically induced force changed over time, post-hoc analysis failed to identify any changes. Interleukin-6 and prostaglandin-E2 did not change over time for any of the loads. Significant correlations were found between oedema volume, pressure pain threshold and maximum voluntary contraction force. Conclusions This is the first experimental study to investigate traumatic loading of skeletal muscle and the subsequent physiological responses associated with contusion injuries in humans. The absence of immediate elevations in creatine kinase and changes in electrically induced force suggest impact, with forces similar to those experienced in contact sport, does not cause significant, direct damage to skeletal muscle. However, the relationship between oedema volume, changes in pressure pain threshold and maximum voluntary contraction force suggests central inhibition plays a role in contusion-related muscle dysfunction.

