Behnam Bagherzadeh Rahmani; Amir Hossein Haghighi; Roya Askari
Abstract
Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: In recent decades, the prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular diseases has increased, contributing to metabolic disorders and chronic inflammation (1, 3, 4). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) play key roles in inflammation and insulin ...
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Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: In recent decades, the prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular diseases has increased, contributing to metabolic disorders and chronic inflammation (1, 3, 4). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) play key roles in inflammation and insulin resistance (5, 8, 9, 11). While IL-6 exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in response to exercise, its secretion from adipose tissue can exacerbate chronic inflammation (6-9). Physical training, particularly a combination of resistance and aerobic training, has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve body composition, and enhancing physical fitness (14, 18). The physiological adaptations induced by resistance training depend on how it is performed (14, 17). This study aimed to examine the effects of traditional and circuit resistance training combined with aerobic exercise on pro-inflammatory adipokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), body weight, and muscle strength in obese men. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test and post-test design over 12 weeks, involving 36 obese men. Participants were recruited through public advertisements and randomly assigned to three groups: control, traditional resistance training + aerobic training (TRT+AT), and circuit resistance training + aerobic training (CRT+AT). Inclusion criteria included an age range of 20–32 years, a BMI over 30 kg/m2, no regular physical activity in the past six months, and general health. Exclusion criteria criteria encompassed the use of metabolism-affecting drugs, joint disorders, and chronic diseases. The study was approved by the Hakim Sabzevari University Ethics Committee (code: IR.HSU.REC.1401.004). All participants were informed about the study protocol and provided written consent. The training program included a 10-minute warm-up, resistance training, and a 5-minute cool-down. Resistance training consisted of eight exercises (four upper-body and four lower-body movements) with progressive intensity increments: 55% 1RM (weeks 1–4), 64% 1RM (weeks 5–8), and 75% 1RM (weeks 9–12) (20). TRT was performed in three sets, while CRT was executed in a circuit format. Aerobic training was performed on a treadmill after a 5-minute rest at an intensity of 45–65% Heart rate reserve, adjusted using the Karvonen formula (21, 22). The control group maintained their usual lifestyle without any exercise interventions. Body weight was measured using a calibrated scale, Upper-body and lower-body strength were evaluated via bench press and leg press, respectively. Blood samples were collected 48 hours before and after the intervention following 12 hours of fasting. Plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured using the ELISA method. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess data normality. Repeated-measures ANOVA was employed for between-group comparisons, while sheffe test was used for within-group analyses. Statistical analyses was performed using SPSS version 29, with a significance level set at p<0.05.Findings: The Shapiro-Wilk test confirmed the normal distribution of data (p>0.05). Between-group comparisons revealed significant changes in IL-6 and TNF-α levels (p<0.001). Post-hoc analysis showed a significant decrease in IL-6 levels in both the TRT (p<0.001) and CRT (p<0.001) groups compared to the control, with no significant difference between the two training groups (p=0.18). Similarly, TNF-α levels decreased in the TRT (p=0.02) and CRT (p=0.01) groups compared to the control, with no significant difference between the two training groups (p=0.15). The control group showed no significant changes in IL-6 (p=0.38) or TNF-α (p=0.58). Muscle strength assessments showed significant improvements in both TRT and CRT groups for bench press and leg press (p<0.001), with no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.21 for bench press, p=0.24 for leg press). The control group showed no significant changes in bench press (p=0.15) or leg press (p=0.66). Body weight also showed significant changes (p=0.01). The CRT group had a significant reduction in weight compared to the control (p=0.02), while the difference between the TRT and control groups was not statistically significant (p=0.07). Within-group analysis revealed a significant weight reduction in both training groups (p<0.001), while the control group experienced a significant weight gain (p<0.001). Overall, both TRT and CRT effectively reduced IL-6 and TNF-α levels, increased muscle strength, and promoted weight loss, with no significant differences between the two training methods.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that 12 weeks of traditional and circuit resistance training combined with aerobic exercise significantly reduced IL-6 and TNF-α levels, decreased body weight, and increased muscle strength in obese men. CRT had a greater impact on weight reduction, which may be due to shorter rest periods and higher post-exercise metabolic rate (27, 34). Consistent with previous research, our findings suggest that combining resistance and aerobic training elicits greater anti-inflammatory effects than either modality alone (25, 26). Training intensity and duration appear to be key factors influencing IL-6 and TNF-α reduction (27, 29, 31).Since reducing fat mass and modulating inflammatory adipokines are critical for preventing metabolic complications of obesity, well-structured exercise programs can play a significant role in improving physical health, reducing economic burdens, and lowering obesity- and diabetes-related mortality rates.Ethical ConsiderationsThis study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hakim Sabzevari University (IR.HSU.REC.1401.004). All participants were informed about the study procedures and provided written informed consent.Compliance with Ethical GuidelinesThe research followed the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and institutional guidelines. Participation was voluntary, and confidentiality was maintained.FundingThis study received no external funding and was conducted with the resources available to the research team.Conflicts of InterestThe authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this study.
Mohammad Ali Keyali Kuskghazi; Mohammad Faramarzi; Sanaz Mirzayan Shanjani; Yaser Kazemzadeh
Abstract
Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Football has become one of the most popular sports worldwide, attracting millions of fans (1, 2). Muscle damage following a football match presents a significant challenge for players due to the high metabolic demands and physical nature of the game. (3). Disturbances ...
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Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Football has become one of the most popular sports worldwide, attracting millions of fans (1, 2). Muscle damage following a football match presents a significant challenge for players due to the high metabolic demands and physical nature of the game. (3). Disturbances in the oxidant-antioxidant system following exercise can lead to skeletal muscle damage, tropomyosin disruption , increased serum levels of muscle troponin T (sTNT), and damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) (4-8). However, focusing on training-related injuries across different levels has become a challenge for researchers. When comparing the impact of plyometric exercises at various levels on physical performance and fitness, conflicting results have been reported (10, 14, 15). Due to the limited information in this field, this study aimed to compare the effects of eight weeks of plyometric training on grass versus indoor surfaces, with respect to markers of muscle damage in soccer players.Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 36 soccer players from the first and second leagues of the Youth and Omid Kashiri leagues (average age 20.94 ± 2.81 years) were selected. The participants were randomly divided into three groups: (1) plyometric training on grass, (2) plyometric training in a gym, and (3) a control group. The control group followed their regular exercises under the supervision of a coach, while the two experimental groups performed two additional plyometric training sessions per week alongside their regular training. The plyometric program lasted for eight weeks, with each session lasting 60 minutes. The exercises focused on increasing strength and enhancing explosive power through jumping movements, targeting the hip and leg muscles. Specific exercises included vertical jumps for maximum height, jumps emphasizing leg speed, and deep jumps from varying heights on both hard and soft surfaces.To measure serum sTnT, an ELISA kit from Casabio (economic code CSB-EL024015RA) with a sensitivity of 0.97 ng/ml was used. For mtDNA analysis, the quantitative real-time PCR method was employed. Data were analyzed using paired sample t-test and one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test, with a significance level set at p≤0.05.Findings: No significant differences were observed in serum sTnT levels between the groups. However, mtDNA levels were significantly higher in both the grass (p=0.001) and indoor (p=0.001) training groups compared to the control group. Additionally, mtDNA values were significantly higher in the grass training group compared to the indoor training group (p=0.001) (See Figure 1).Conclusion: The results suggest that muscle damage following intense training can serve as a catalyst for beneficial adaptations, leading to enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis and improved antioxidant function in the long term. While plyometric training in both indoor and grass environments results in increased mtDNA expression in blood leukocytes, training on grass appears to be more effective. Therefore, it is recommended that soccer players incorporate plyometric exercises on grass to enhance mitochondrial content.Ethical ConsiderationsAll ethical guidelines were strictly followed in accordance with the Biomedical Research Monitoring Committee of Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr Branch.Compliance with ethical guidelineInformed consent was obtained from all participants after providing them with comprehensive details about the research process, including its potential risks and benefits.FundingThe authors declare that no financial support was received from any organization.Conflicts of interestThe authors report no conflicts of interest in relation to this manuscript.
Mahdi Ziaee Bashirzad; Sadegh Cheragh-Birjandi; Mohamad Amin Younessi HERAVI; Reza Salarinia
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of four weeks of aerobic training, one and two sessions per day, on motor performance and gene expression of Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), and Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) tropomyosin kinase B and phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase ...
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Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of four weeks of aerobic training, one and two sessions per day, on motor performance and gene expression of Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), and Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) tropomyosin kinase B and phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase receptors in hippocampal rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: This experimental study was conducted on adult and young male Wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into 6 groups (control group, healthy group with the first exercise protocol, healthy group with the second exercise protocol, SCI group, SCI group with the first exercise protocol, and SCI group with the second exercise protocol; 7 animals in each group). First, animals have been subjected to general anesthesia and SCI. After two weeks for recovery, two types of aerobic exercise programs were performed. After performing the exercises, Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) test and molecular tests were used to measure the expression of the NT4 gene from the hippocampus of the animals, using the qRT-PCR method. Results: The results showed that four weeks of one- and two-session aerobic exercises caused a significant increase in the gene expression of tropomyosin kinase B receptor and phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase compared to the spinal cord injury group. In addition, these training protocols have also played a role in improving movement in animals with spinal cord injury. Therefore, it can be a factor for axonal growth and neuronal survival in spinal cord injury recovery.Conclusion: The exercise protocols of this study are effective on tropomyosin kinase B and phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase receptors gene expression in addition to improving movement in animals with SCI, and can be a factor for axonal growth and neuronal survival in spinal cord injury recovery.
Mahboube Sazegar; Amir Rashidlamir; Rambod khajei; Amene Barjaste Yazdi
Abstract
Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, with coronary artery disease (CAD) playing a significant role (2, 3). CAD occurs due to the narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries caused by atherosclerosis, which results from ...
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Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, with coronary artery disease (CAD) playing a significant role (2, 3). CAD occurs due to the narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries caused by atherosclerosis, which results from lipid accumulation and blood clot formation, potentially leading to myocardial infarction. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is a widely used treatment to improve myocardial blood flow; however, the risk of recurrent atherosclerosis remains.Key risk factors for CAD include elevated total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, along with reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (4). Additionally, apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a crucial atherogenic marker that plays a fundamental role in atherosclerosis progression (11). Research suggests that physical exercise, particularly endurance training, has a beneficial impact on reducing ApoB levels and improving lipid profiles. However, some studies have reported conflicting results (12). Given these inconsistencies, this study aims to investigate the effects of combined aerobic-resistance training on lipid profile, ApoB levels, and atherogenic indices in middle-aged men following CABG surgery.Materials and Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental pre test-post test design with a control group. The statistical population comprised of men aged 50–65 years who had undergone CABG surgery within the past year. Based on G*Power software calculations, with a 95% confidence level and 80% statistical power, 22 participants were initially selected. To account for potential dropouts, the final sample size was increased to 25. After obtaining ethical approval and clinical trial registration, participants (mean age: 56 ± 3.8 years; weight: 75 ± 7.13 kg) were purposively selected from patients based on inclusion criteria, including cognitive health, absence of movement restrictions, body mass index (BMI) between 25–30 kg/m², and no use of non-specific medications. Participants were then randomly assigned to an exercise group (n= 14) and a control group (n= 11). The intervention consisted of an eight-week combined training program (aerobic-resistance), performed three times per week. Aerobic exercises included treadmill walking (20–30 min), cycling on an ergometer (10–12 min), and hand cycling (10 min). Exercise intensity was progressively increased based on the Borg scale and heart rate reserve, starting at 55% and reaching 80% during the final ten sessions. The resistance training component involved selected exercises using TheraBand resistance bands, beginning with low resistance and gradually increasing repetitions (from 8 to 15), followed by progressive resistance increments. All exercises were supervised by a cardiologist and a sports medicine specialist. Before and after the intervention, body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, and dietary intake were assessed. Fasting blood samples were collected, and plasma levels of ApoB, LDL, HDL, and TC were measured using ELISA and enzymatic methods. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 21 with repeated-measures ANOVA, considering a significance level of p<0.05.Finding: The findings demonstrated that combined aerobic-resistance training significantly improved several lipid profile and atherogenic indices in CABG patients. Statistical analysis revealed significant between-group differences in plasma levels of TC (p=0.01, F=7.15), HDL (p=0.01, F=6.35), LDL/HDL ratio (p=0.02, F=5.86), and atherogenic index (TC - HDL/HDL) (p=0.001, F=13.87). Specifically, the eight-week intervention led to a significant reduction in TC (3.95%), LDL/HDL ratio (8.19%), and atherogenic index (14.28%), along with a significant increase in HDL (6.87%). However, the between-group differences in LDL levels were not statistically significant (p=0.15, F=2.21). Additionally, significant changes were observed in plasma ApoB levels (p=0.01, F=6.90), with a significant reduction of 4.4% in the training group (p=0.005, F=11.11). Furthermore, significant reductions were observed in body weight (p=0.004, F=10.39), body fat mass (p=0.02, F=5.12), and BMI (p=0.004, F=10.27). Specifically, the intervention led to a significant decrease in body weight (1.46%), fat mass (10.85%), and BMI (1.45%) in the exercise group. Conclusion: The results suggest that reducing ApoB levels may serve as a more reliable indicator than LDL for assessing CVD risk, as ApoB reflects the number of LDL particles and has a stronger association with atherosclerosis. Previous studies, such as those by Jafari et al. (2018) and Mozzella et al. (2020), have confirmed a reduction in ApoB following exercise interventions. In contrast, other studies (Azizi et al., 2016; Behr et al., 2010) have reported no significant changes in ApoB, possibly due to variations in exercise intensity and duration. The reduction in atherogenic indices observed in this study suggests that combined training effectively improves lipid profiles. Notably, the LDL/HDL ratio, a strong predictor of CVD risk, significantly decreased. While some previous studies support these findings, others suggest that the effectiveness of exercise on lipid profiles depends on factors such as training intensity, diet, and individual participant characteristics.The findings of this study indicate that an eight-week combined aerobic-resistance training program exerts a beneficial effect on lipid profiles, plasma ApoB levels, and atherogenic indices in middle-aged men following CABG surgery. The reduction in TC, LDL/HDL ratio, and atherogenic index, along with the increase in HDL, reinforces the positive impact of such training on cardiovascular health. Moreover, the significant reduction in ApoB, despite no significant change in LDL levels, highlights the potential of ApoB as a more precise and reliable marker for CVD risk assessment. Improvements in body composition, including reductions in body weight and fat mass, further confirm the positive role of physical activity in managing metabolic risk factors. Therefore, incorporating combined aerobic-resistance training into cardiac rehabilitation programs is recommended to enhance cardiovascular function and prevent recurrent atherosclerosis. Future research should focus on investigating the long-term effects of such training interventions.Keywords: Exercise training, Apolipoprotein B, Lipid profile, Coronary artery bypass graftingEthical ConsiderationsAll ethical principles in this research were meticulously adhered to by the researchers.Compliance with ethical guidelineTo conduct the research, the consent form was completed by the participants after they were fully informed about the research process, including its risks and benefits.FundingThe authors of this article declare that they have not received any financial support from any organization.Conflicts of interestThe authors report no conflicts of interest in relation to this manuscript.
Elaheh Piralaiy; Gholamreza Hamidian; Zahra Mehri Rokh; Alireza Rashidpour; Morteza Nikkhesal
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was investigating the effect of aerobic exercise supplemented with the hydroalcoholic extract of qaraqat fruit on glycemic indices and miR-195 expression in cardiac tissue of rats with type 2 diabetes.Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=24, mean weight 200±20 grams ...
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Introduction: The aim of this study was investigating the effect of aerobic exercise supplemented with the hydroalcoholic extract of qaraqat fruit on glycemic indices and miR-195 expression in cardiac tissue of rats with type 2 diabetes.Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=24, mean weight 200±20 grams and eight weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups: 1) diabetic 2) diabetic+supplementation, 3) diabetic+exercise, and 4) diabetic+supplementation+exercise. To induce type 2 diabetes, rats were given a high-fat diet (60%) for two weeks, followed by a fasting streptozocin injection. The rats in the supplemented groups received 250 mg of karaqat fruit extract per kilogram of body weight daily. Aerobic training consisted of treadmill exercise reaching 18-24 m/min for 30-60 minutes during the last week and was performed five days per week for eight weeks. After eight weeks, all rats were anesthetized with a combination of ketamine and xylazine solution. Glucose, insulin, insulin resistance and miR-195 of the cardiac tissue were measured. To analyze the data, a one-way analysis of variance was performed at a significance level of P<0.05.Results: Fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance decreased significantly after eight weeks of intervention in all groups compared to the diabetic group (P<0.01). In addition, a significant decrease in insulin levels was observed in the groups consuming dietary supplements compared to the diabetic and diabetic+exercise groups. In addition, the expression levels of miR-195 showed a significant decrease in the diabetic+supplement+exercise group compared to the diabetic+exercise group after eight weeks of intervention (P<0.05).Conclusion: According to the results, aerobic exercise and qaraqat supplementation alone or in combination with each other lead to an improvement in glycemic indices and miR-195 expression. However, supplementation of qaraqat together with aerobic exercise has more favorable effects on the expression of miR-195 in cardiac tissue of rats with type 2 diabetes.
Zahra Yavarpanah; Ali Hasani; Masumeh Ghorbani
Abstract
Introduction and purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise and synbiotic supplementation on arterial stiffness and CRP in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.Materials and methods: In this semi-experimental study, 39 women with type 2 diabetes were randomly ...
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Introduction and purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise and synbiotic supplementation on arterial stiffness and CRP in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.Materials and methods: In this semi-experimental study, 39 women with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into three groups: aerobic exercise + placebo, aerobic exercise + synbiotic supplement, and synbiotic supplement. The duration of the exercise program was12 weeks (three sessions per week, the main part of the exercise in the first session consisted of 25 minutes of activity with an intensity of 40-45% of the maximum reserve heart rate, and every two weeks, 5 minutes were added to the duration and 5% to the intensity of the activity. Subjects in the supplement group consumed onesynbiotic capsule with (1x109CFU) one hour after having lunch. ANOVA test and correlated t-test was used to check the inter-group difference and intra-group difference of the subjects.Findings: Intra-group results showed that ABI increased significantly in the group of aerobic exercise + placebo (P=0.03) and aerobic exercise + synbiotic supplement (P=0.028). Also, ankle physical health index (CAVI) in the group of aerobic exercise+placebo (P=0.002) and aerobic exercise+synbiotic supplement (P=0.022), C reaction in all 3 groups of aerobic exercise+placebo (P=0.001) Aerobic exercise + synbiotic supplement (P=0.0001) and synbiotic supplement group (P=0.002) showed a significant decrease. Serum levels of fasting glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index, BMI and body percent were also decreased in all 3, but this rate was reduced. The results of ANOVA did not show any significant difference in the research groups in ABI (P=0.292), CAVI (P=0.303), CRP (P=0.483), insulin (P=0.730).Discussion and conclusion: It seems that aerobic exercise and consumption of synbiotics in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes can be effective in improving arterial stiffness and C-reactive protein indices
