The study investigates the effects of Chromium Picolinate on Leydig cell steroidogenesis and antioxidant balance using an in vitro model of insulin resistance. High doses of Chromium Picolinate were found to be cytotoxic to Leydig cells, while lower doses did not cause significant damage. Chromium Picolinate did not demonstrate antidiabetic effects in Leydig cells affected by insulin resistance but did reduce oxidative stress in cells subjected to insulin resistance. Additionally, Chromium Picolinate alone did not affect basal androgen production but increased androstenedione production in the presence of palmitate, suggesting it promotes cholesterol conversion into androgenic intermediates under insulin resistance conditions. The study concludes that while Chromium Picolinate has some antioxidant effects, caution is advised regarding its use as a nutritional supplement due to potential reproductive health risks.

Former Formula 1 driver Wilson Fittipaldi Jr. was hospitalized after suffering a cardiac arrest due to choking on a piece of meat during a Christmas lunch where he was celebrating his 80th birthday. Known as Wilsinho, he is the older brother of two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi and the son of the famous radio announcer Wilson Fittipaldi. He raced in Formula 1 for three years, in 1972, 1973, and 1975, driving for Brabham and Copersucar, the only Brazilian team in Formula 1 history. Wilson also competed in Formula Indy and Stock Car, Brazil's main motorsport competition.

Cuca, a football coach, had his rape conviction annulled by the Regional Court of Berna-Mitteland in Switzerland after the Public Prosecutor's Office claimed the statute of limitations on the crime. Cuca was accused of statutory rape for having sexual relations with a minor in 1987 while he was a player for Grêmio on tour in Switzerland. The case had been ongoing since November 2023, but the Public Prosecutor's Office in Switzerland denied a request for a new defense opportunity due to the crime's prescription, resulting in the end of the process and the annulment of the judicial sentence.

Following a disastrous match for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Championship, which ended in a 5-2 thrashing by Al-Nassr, French striker Karim Benzema's social media profiles went offline. It is unclear whether Benzema has temporarily suspended his accounts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) or if they have been permanently deleted. Despite an early assist, Benzema committed a penalty that led to Al-Nassr's turnaround, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the penalty to make it 3-2. After the match, Benzema faced criticism and insults on his social media profiles and decided to deactivate them.

São Paulo Futebol Clube has confirmed the sale of the naming rights for its stadium to Mondelez, owner of the BIS chocolate brand. The agreement, lasting three years and starting in January 2024, will rename the Morumbi Stadium to MorumBis. The deal is valued at R$ 75 million, averaging R$ 25 million per year, surpassing the amounts received by Palmeiras and Corinthians for their stadiums' naming rights. The partnership is part of Mondelez's project to align the brand with leisure activities, with a press conference planned for January next year to promote the partnership and announce the new stadium name.

Conmebol conducted the draw for the 2024 Pre-Libertadores on Tuesday, December 19, with Brazilian teams Botafogo and Bragantino making their debut in the preliminary phase. Both teams will start in phase 2, with Botafogo facing the winner of Aurora-BOL vs. Melgar-PER, and Bragantino playing against Águilas Doradas-COL, with both Brazilian teams having home advantage for these matches. The second preliminary phase of the Libertadores is scheduled for February 20 to 29. However, if both Brazilian teams advance, they will face each other in the following round for a spot in the group stage.

Pedro Tudela's exhibition R!™0 at the Museu Internacional de Escultura Contemporânea de Santo Tirso (MIECST) explores the concept of repetition in contemporary life and its relation to the ecological crisis. The exhibition includes various installations that invite contemplation and critical thinking about our perception of time and daily habits. South Korean philosopher Byung-Chul Han's ideas on temporal dispersion are also referenced. The exhibition is open until February 18, 2024.

The FIFA Club World Cup 2023 marks the last opportunity for a Brazilian team to win the tournament in its current format, with a new 32-club format set to debut in 2025 in the United States. The article recounts the four Brazilian titles in the competition's history since 2000, highlighting Corinthians' victories in 2000 and 2012, São Paulo FC's win in 2005, and Internacional's triumph in 2006. It details each club's path to victory, including notable matches and players such as Rogério Ceni, Mineiro, Pato, Luiz Adriano, and Adriano Gabiru.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has prepared three champion trophies to be presented at the final round matches of the Brazilian Championship, involving contenders Palmeiras, Atlético-MG, and Flamengo. The final round is scheduled for Wednesday at 9:30 PM. The CBF has also tripled the number of medals for the ceremony. The decisive matches will take place at Mineirão, Arena Fonte Nova, and Morumbi stadiums. Palmeiras holds over a 99% chance of winning the title, with the only possibility of losing if they are defeated in their match and one of their rivals overturns an eight-goal difference in the standings.

Botafogo's poor performance in the Brazilian Championship has affected its players, with Matías Segovia, also known as Segovinha, facing harsh criticism from fans. Once a favorite, Segovinha has now become a target for the fans, leading him to delete all his photos and step away from social media. Despite the backlash, his profile remains visible. Segovinha has played 26 games for Botafogo, with no goals and two assists, and was responsible for a play that led to Santos's tying goal in their last match.

Flamengo football club is set to launch an affordable version of its official jersey for fans in 2024, priced at nearly 50% less than the current jersey. The 'fan jersey' will be plain, featuring only the club's crest and Adidas logo, aiming to democratize access to club merchandise and combat piracy. The launch is scheduled for March next year, following the release of the official club jersey for the new season, with the fan jersey expected to cost around R$ 180.00.

Palmeiras, coached by Abel Ferreira, will face Flamengo in a decisive match for the leadership of the Brazilian Championship on Wednesday. The game, part of the 33rd round of the Brasileirão, will be broadcast live by Rede Globo and Premiere. Abel Ferreira, experiencing his worst season since taking over Palmeiras, has a chance to lead the team to the top of the league if they can secure their first victory against Flamengo under his tenure. Historically, Ferreira has a low success rate against Flamengo, with three losses and three draws in six Brasileirão matches.

Germán Cano, having scored a goal that contributed to Fluminense's Libertadores title, is the current top scorer of the competition and the club's top scorer for the season. With 13 goals in the Libertadores and a total of 37 goals in 2023 for Fluminense, Cano has reached 81 goals since 2022, leading the ranking of top scorers by clubs. Acquired by Fluminense after Vasco's relegation, Cano has established his reputation as a prolific scorer. He is also the top scorer for Fluminense in the Brasileirão with seven goals. Cano is a strong contender for the King of America award and will celebrate his achievements with fans on Sunday at an event hosted by Fluminense.

Brasília will host another edition of Brazil's largest cycling event in 2024, the Brasília Bike Camp, scheduled for April 19-21. Registrations are now open with a promotional cost of R$ 129.90 for the first batch, available through the event's Instagram. The event aims to foster integration among cycling enthusiasts and will feature food courts and a children's area. The program includes live shows, talks on cycling practice, and traffic education, as shared by producer Marcelo Moita.

FIFA banned the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, from any football-related activities for three years due to a non-consensual kiss he gave to Jenni Hermoso during the award ceremony of the Women's World Cup. The punishment was based on a violation of FIFA's Disciplinary Code, Article 13, which pertains to offensive behavior and the principles of fair play. Rubiales, who had been provisionally suspended for 90 days, received the final decision on his punishment from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and has 10 days to request a reasoned resolution.

Adam Johnson, a 29-year-old hockey player, died after a collision with an opposing team player during a game in the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom. The incident occurred on Sunday when Johnson's throat was slashed by the skate blade of a Sheffield Steelers player. Despite immediate medical attention and being rushed to the hospital, Johnson succumbed to his injuries. The match was suspended, and the arena was evacuated.

The FIFA The Best award ceremony will take place in London on January 15, 2023, to honor the best football player of the year, with Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland as finalists. The award considers performances from December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023. Erling Haaland, who won the Champions League, Premier League, and English Super Cup with Manchester City, is the favorite, scoring 28 goals in 33 games. Mbappé, with 17 goals in 20 games, led PSG to the French Championship, while Messi finished the season as the French champion with PSG and was the tournament's top assist provider.

Gabigol returned to training at Flamengo five days before the official start of the season, amidst market speculation and fan pressure. He posted a photo on social media showing him at the team's training center. Despite rumors about his transfer and no contract renewal agreement, Gabigol, whose contract with Flamengo runs until the end of 2024, is focusing on the upcoming season. Flamengo will officially start their season on January 8, with pre-season preparations in the United States.

The Corinthians women's football team was ranked as the 3rd best in the world by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). The team, nicknamed 'brabas,' had a successful season, winning four championships and losing only three matches. They were champions of the Supercopa do Brasil, the Brazilian Women's Championship, the Paulistão Feminino, and the Conmebol Libertadores. They were the only Brazilian team in the top 10, with Palmeiras being the next closest at 12th.

Manchester City is set to face Fluminense in the Club World Cup final, aiming to break a curse that has haunted English teams in their first appearance in intercontinental finals since 1968. Every English team debuting in the tournament has lost to a South American team. The curse began with Manchester United's loss to Argentina's Estudiantes in 1968, and since then, four other English teams have suffered the same fate in their inaugural finals.