Prescribed exercise regimens based on the target heart rate (THR) and the target work rate (TWR) on a cycle ergometer at the intensity of the lactate threshold (LT) were evaluated before, and after 6 and 12 weeks of exercise therapy in obese subjects with (OBHT, n=38) and without hypertension (OB, n=55) matching for age, sex, BMI, body composition, as well as the blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride level. THR was 97.8±9.2 in OBHT and 98.3±10.7 in OB without group differences. The resting HR was higher in OBHT than in OB (76.3 vs. 72.1). Both the relative THR (%HR reserve) and the relative TWR (%Body weight) were lower in OBHT than in OB. During the training period, the VO₂max, THR and TWR increased while body fat decreased significantly in both groups. The resting BP and HR decreased, and the %HRR increased significantly in OBHT. In conclusion, the lower THR and TWR are therefore recommended when initially prescribing an exercise regimen without an exercise stress test for obese individuals, particularly for the obese subjects with HT based on the exercise intensity at LT. Thereafter, careful modifications in the prescribed exercise regimen will be needed according to improvements in the fitness level and in coronary risk factors.

Heart rate (HR) corresponding to lactate threshold (LT) was evaluated in patients with multiple risk factors and applied to determine the target HR by Karvonen's formula calculated from the predicted HR max. The subjects were 52 outpatients (33 men and 19 women) aged from 23 to 70 years old (mean 46.9) with more than 2 risk factors including obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperinsulinemia. A multistage graded test of submaximal exercise on electric bicycle ergometer was performed for each subject before starting exercise therapy. The workload was increased every 4 minutes, and heart rate, blood pressure, and blood lactate concentration were measured during the last 1 minute of each stage. The LTHR ranged from 80 to 120 beats/min (mean 101±10) and Karvonen's coefficients ranged from 0.08 to 0.40 (mean 0.22±0.08) . Because of these differences and variance, it is suggested that LTHR should be measured directly or about 20% HR reserve should be prescribed at least when starting exercise therapy for these cases.

The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effect of equine placental extract (ePE) on epidermal keratinocytes was examined. ePE reduced mRNA levels of TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-α) and IL-6 (Interleukin-6) among the inflammatory cytokines released by epidermal keratinocytes after ultraviolet light (UVB: 290-320 nm) exposure. ePE also activated Nrf2, a transcription factor known to be activated by oxidative stress to promote the expression of antioxidant enzymes and suppress inflammation, and it increased the mRNA level of the antioxidant enzyme HO-1 (Heme Oxygenase-1). These results suggest that ePE suppresses UV-induced inflammation of epidermal keratinocytes via activation of Nrf2.