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
Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Spinal cord injuries result in the loss of sensation and voluntary movement in the lower limbs (1). Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), a neurotrophin receptor, was named after the oncogene that led to its discovery (2). Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI3Ks) are ...
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Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Spinal cord injuries result in the loss of sensation and voluntary movement in the lower limbs (1). Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), a neurotrophin receptor, was named after the oncogene that led to its discovery (2). Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI3Ks) are a group of multifunctional enzymes involved in various metabolic processes that regulate cellular physiology (3).Aerobic exercise has been proposed as a promising noninvasive strategy for maintaining motor and respiratory muscle flexibility following spinal cord injury (4). This study aimed to examine the effects of four weeks of aerobic training, with one or two sessions per day, on motor performance and hippocampal TrkB and PI3K gene expression in rats with spinal cord injury.Materials and Methods: Forty-two male rats (age: 10–12 weeks, weight: 225–275 g) were randomly divided into six equal groups as: healthy control group, healthy control group + first training protocol, healthy control group + second training protocol, spinal cord injury group, spinal cord injury group + first training protocol, and spinal cord injury group + second training protocol. Seven rats were included in each group (5). All groups, except the healthy control group, underwent general anesthesia and spinal cord injury (SCI). Anesthesia was induced via intraperitoneal injection of ketamine (75 mg/kg body weight) and xylazine (10 mg/kg body weight).After marking the incision site, a 2.5 cm longitudinal incision was made along the spine. The superficial and deep fascia were dissected, and the muscles adjacent to the T9–T11 vertebrae were retracted. Laminectomy was performed at the T11 vertebra using a dental burr attached to a small drill. The spinal cord was then injured by delivering a 25 mm drop of a 10-gram weight via a hollow cylinder while the vertebrae were stabilized using a stereotaxic device. The muscles and fascia were immediately sutured using absorbable suture (No. 4-0). The healthy groups underwent laminectomy only without spinal cord injury (6).After two weeks of recovery, all rats performed two types of aerobic exercise with one and two training sessions per day for four weeks. After the training period, motor and molecular tests were performed to measure changes in hippocampal TrkB and PI3K receptor gene expression. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare changes between groups at a significance level of p<0.05.Results: The results of TrkB receptor gene expression among the groups show that a significant increase in gene expression was observed in the healthy control + one training session per day group compared to the healthy control group and in the healthy control + two training sessions per day group compared to the control group. However, the increase in gene expression in one training session per day compared to the two training sessions per day group was not significantly different. TrkB gene expression in the spinal cord injury model was significantly reduced compared to the control group. This decrease in expression was observed in both spinal cord injury + one and two training sessions per day groups compared to the control group. In addition, TrkB gene expression showed a significant increase in the spinal cord injury + one and two training sessions per day groups compared to the spinal cord injury group. On the other hand, significant changes in gene expression were observed between the spinal cord injury + one training session per day group and the spinal cord injury + two training sessions per day group. PI3K receptor gene expression in the healthy control group was significantly increased compared to the spinal cord injury groups. This was while the changes in the healthy control group showed a significant decrease compared to the healthy control + one and two training sessions per day groups. A significant decrease was observed between the spinal cord injury group and the spinal cord injury + one training session per day group and spinal cord injury + two training sessions per day group. There was no significant difference in gene expression between the spinal cord injury + one training session per day group and spinal cord injury + two training sessions per day group. Similarly, no difference was observed between the healthy control group + one training session per day group and the healthy control + two training sessions per day group. Conclusion: Exercise protocols, particularly those performed twice daily, not only enhance motor function in animals with spinal cord injury but also positively influence TrkB and PI3K receptor gene expression. These effects may contribute to axonal growth and neuronal survival, playing a crucial role in spinal cord injury recovery.Keywords: Aerobic exercise, Tropomyosin receptor kinase B, Phosphoinositide 3-kinase, Spinal cord injury.Ethical ConsiderationsThis study was conducted with the approval of the Ethics Committee of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences with the ethics code IR.NKUMS.REC.1402.058.Compliance with ethical guidelineEthical guidelines for working with laboratory animals were strictly followed, including provisions for adequate food, water, and appropriate housing conditions. Ethical considerations were also observed in the humane euthanasia of the mice.FundingThis research is based on a doctoral thesis from Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd Branch, and was conducted without any financial support.Conflicts of interestThere are no conflicts of interest regarding this article.
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
Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Cardiovascular diseases linked to diabetes are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide (1). According to the latest global data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2019, approximately 463 million people are living with diabetes. This figure ...
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Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Cardiovascular diseases linked to diabetes are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide (1). According to the latest global data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2019, approximately 463 million people are living with diabetes. This figure is expected to rise substantially by 2045, with projected increases of 143% in Africa, 96% in the Middle East and North Africa, 74% in Southeast Asia, and 55% in South and Central America (2).Recently, microRNAs have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications (3). Research indicates that dysregulated microRNA expression is associated with various pathological conditions of the myocardium, including hypertrophy, fibrosis, apoptosis, arrhythmia, and heart failure (4). Notably , miR-195 has been associated with cardiac failure and hypertrophy, with its inhibition preventing apoptosis in palmitate-stimulated cardiomyocytes while its overexpression leads to cardiac failure and hypertrophy (5).The interaction between miR-195 and oxidative stress in diabetes suggests a bidirectional relationship, where oxidative stress influences miR-195 biogenesis and function, while dysregulated miR-195 expression exacerbates oxidative stress levels. Gaining a deeper understanding of miR-195’s role in oxidative stress could offer valuable insights into the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications, potentially paving the way for targeted therapeutic interventions.Materials and Methods: This experimental-applied intervention study was conducted at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, between April to August 2023. Twenty-four male Wistar rats (weight: 200 ± 20 g, age: 8 weeks) were randomly assigned to four groups (n= 6 per group): diabetic control (DC), diabetic + supplementation (DS), diabetic + exercise (DE), and diabetic + supplementation + exercise (DSE). The animals were housed in polyethylene cages under controlled conditions, including a temperature of 20–22 °C, a 12:12-hour light-dark cycle, and humidity levels of 55–65%. Type ॥ diabetes was induced by feeding the rats a high-fat diet (60% fat) for two weeks, followed by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg body weight). Diabetes was confirmed when fasting blood glucose levels exceeded 250 mg/dL.The exercise protocol involved treadmill running for eight weeks, five days per week. Each session consisted of a five-minute warm-up and cool-down period, with the main exercise intensity progressively increasing from 18 to 24 m/min over 30–60 minutes (26). The supplemented groups received a daily oral gavage of hydroalcoholic Qaraqat fruit extract (250 mg/kg body weight).For tissue analysis, the rats were anesthetized with a combination of ketamine (90 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) after 12–14 hours of fasting period. Cardiac tissue samples were collected for miR-195 expression analysis using real-time PCR. Blood glucose levels were measured using the glucose oxidase method, while insulin concentrations were determined via ELISA. Insulin resistance was calculated using the HOMA-IR formula.Findings: The eight-week intervention period led to significant improvements across multiple parameters.Glycemic Control: Fasting blood glucose levels significantly decreased in all intervention groups compared to the diabetic control group (p=0.001), with the combined intervention group showing the greatest reduction. Both supplementation groups demonstrated better glycemic control than the exercise-only group.Insulin Parameters: Insulin levels were significantly reduced in the supplementation groups compared to both the diabetic control and exercise-only groups (p=0.001, p=0.002, respectively). Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) significantly decreased in all intervention groups compared to the diabetic control group (p=0.001), with the combined intervention showing the most favorable effects on insulin sensitivity.Cardiac miR-195 Expression: A significant decrease in miR-195 expression was observed in all intervention groups compared to the diabetic control group (p=0.001, p=0.01, p=0.001 for the supplementation, exercise, and combined groups, respectively). The combined intervention group demonstrated a more pronounced reduction in miR-195 expression than the exercise-only group (p = 0.02). Additionally, supplementation alone had a stronger effect on miR-195 expression compared to exercise alone (Fig 1).Body Weight and Physical Parameters: The exercise groups showed better weight management compared to the non-exercise groups. No adverse effects were observed in any of the intervention groups, and all interventions were well tolerated by the animals.Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that both aerobic exercise and Qaraqat supplementation, whether administered separately or in combination, could effectively improve glycemic indices and reduce miR-195 expression in the cardiac tissue of type ॥ diabetic rats. Notably, the combined intervention exhibited a more pronounced effect on cardiac miR-195 expression compared to individual treatments, suggesting a potential synergistic effect. The significant reduction in miR-195 expression, particularly in the combined intervention group, highlights a possible protective mechanism against diabetes-induced cardiac complications. This effect, alongside improved glycemic control and enhanced insulin sensitivity, suggests that the integration of aerobic exercise with Qaraqat supplementation could serve as a comprehensive therapeutic strategy for managing type II diabetes and mitigating its cardiovascular complications. These findings carry important clinical implications, indicating that incorporating regular aerobic exercise with Qaraqat supplementation may provide an effective approach for diabetes management and cardiovascular disease prevention. Keywords: Aerobic Training, miR-195, Qaraqat, Type II Diabetes, Cardiac Tissue.Ethical Considerations: This study was conducted following laboratory animal work guidelines and with approval from the University of Tabriz Ethics Committee (IR.TABRIZU.REC.1402.022). All procedures were performed in accordance with ethical standards for animal research.Funding: No external funding was received for this research.Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Zahra Yavarpanah; Ali Hasani; Masumeh Ghorbani
Abstract
Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Type ॥ diabetes is characterized by several pathophysiological components, including insulin resistance, defective insulin secretion, obesity, increased glucagon secretion, and dyslipidemia (2). Multiple complications of diabetes, especially peripheral and central ...
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Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Type ॥ diabetes is characterized by several pathophysiological components, including insulin resistance, defective insulin secretion, obesity, increased glucagon secretion, and dyslipidemia (2). Multiple complications of diabetes, especially peripheral and central arterial stiffness, are concerning for diabetic patients (4). Various methods are used to measure arterial stiffness the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a new metric that estimates the stiffness of the entire artery from the aortic origin to the ankle and is able to indicate the risk of atherosclerosis (9). Research has shown that CAVI increases linearly with aging in healthy individuals, and this index has been reported to be higher in diabetic patients compared to healthy counterparts (11). The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is another index used to assess peripheral arterial stiffness. C-reactive protein (CRP), as an inflammatory marker, can directly affect the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This protein is recognized as the most sensitive and strongest inflammatory indicator and predictor of cardiovascular disease in diabetics. Since the use of supplements and exercise training to improve arterial stiffness, eliminate metabolic disorders, and treat diabetes has become widespread, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise and synbiotic supplementation on arterial stiffness and CRP levels in postmenopausal women with type ॥ diabetes.Materials and Methods: The present study was a semi-experimental, single-blind study with a pre-test and post-test design. In this semi-experimental study, 39 women with type ॥ diabetes were randomly divided into three groups: aerobic exercise + placebo, aerobic exercise + synbiotic supplement, and synbiotic supplement. The exercise program was performed with an intensity of 40 to 70 heart rate reserve, progressively increasing over 12 weeks (23). The subjects in the supplement group consumed one capsule of the synbiotic Bacant (1×109 CFU) one hour after lunch (22). The research indicators including CAVI, ABI, CRP, fasting blood sugar, plasma insulin level, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage were measured 48 hours before and after the intervention. For anthropometric measurements and body composition (weight, BMI, body fat percentage), the In Body 230 body composition measuring device made in Korea was used. The height of the subjects was measured in centimeters using a height gauge. Blood samples for measuring CRP, fasting blood sugar, and plasma insulin levels were collected after at least 10 hours of fasting. A five cc blood sample was drawn from the brachial vein while the subjects were seated, by a laboratory expert. Then, the samples were placed at room temperature for 20 minutes allow clotting. Subsequently, the tubes containing the samples were centrifuged for 20 minutes at 3000 rpm, and the separated serum was stored in a separate microtube at a temperature of -80 degrees celsius. CRP levels were measured using an ELISA method with a special kit from Monobind company, made in China, with a sensitivity of 0.2 μg/ml. Plasma insulin levels were measured by sandwich ELISA using an ELISA reader manufactured in the United States. Blood sugar levels were calculated using an enzymatic-calorimetric method, employing the glucose oxidase enzyme method using a kit from Pars Azmoun company and using a biochemistry autoanalyzer. Additionally, the arterial stiffness test was performed under standard conditions (room temperature 22°C with minimizing stimuli) using the Vasera-VS-2000 system (Fukuda Denshi Company, Japan) between 9 am and 12 AM. A paired t-test was used for intragroup comparison, whileone-way analysis of variance was used to compare changes between-group at a significance level of p<0.05.Findings: After the intervention, ABI significantly increased in both the aerobic exercise + placebo group (p=0.03) and the aerobic exercise + synbiotic supplement group (p=0.02) compared to the pre-test. Additionally, the CAVI showed significant decrease in the aerobic exercise + placebo group (p=0.002) and the aerobic exercise + synbiotic supplement group (p=0.02). CRP levels decreased significantly in all three groups: aerobic exercise + placebo (p=0.001), aerobic exercise + synbiotic supplement (p=0.0001), and the synbiotic supplement group (p=0.002). However, the levels of fasting serum glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index, body mass index and body fat percentage did not change significantly among the three groups (p<0.05). Furthermore, ABI (p=0.29), CAVI (p=0.30), CRP (p=0.48), and insulin (p=0.73) indices did not differ significantly between the groups.Conclusion: The most important findings of the present study are the lack of significant differences in CRP index between the groups in the between-group comparison, alongside a significant decrease in: aerobic exercise + placebo, aerobic exercise + synbiotic supplement, and synbiotic supplement groups in the within-group comparison. According to the results of this study, 12 weeks of aerobic exercise combined with synbiotic supplement consumption can improve arterial stiffness indices such as ABI and CAVI, as well as the inflammatory index CRP. Given these findings, it is recommended that patients with type ॥ diabetes engage in aerobic exercise combined with synbiotic supplement consumption. Considering the known effects of these two interventions separately, their simultaneous effectiveness on the inflammatory status of patients with type ॥ diabetes can be important from a therapeutic and medical perspective, highlighting the need for further future research in these fields. Additionally, it appears that aerobic exercise and synbiotic consumption may effectively improve arterial stiffness and CRP indices in postmenopausal women with type ॥ diabetes.Keywords: Aerobic exercise, Synbiotic supplement, Type ॥ diabetes, Arterial stiffness and C-reactive protein.Ethical 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.
Nabi Shamsaei; Hadi Abdi; Zahra Abadi
Abstract
Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Statins have specific effects on various body tissues in pathological conditions (3, 4). One of the most widely used statins is atorvastatin, which is used to treat and prevent cardiovascular abnormalities and also to treat high blood lipids (1, 7). A significant ...
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Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Statins have specific effects on various body tissues in pathological conditions (3, 4). One of the most widely used statins is atorvastatin, which is used to treat and prevent cardiovascular abnormalities and also to treat high blood lipids (1, 7). A significant side effects of atorvastatin is the reduction of testosterone production. Researchers has demonstrated that endurance training has an acute effect on hormonal response and chronic changes in basal hormone concentrations (16). Results indicate that endurance training reduces plasma cholesterol concentrations (17). Additionally, it has been shown that endurance training is associated with a decrease in testosterone levels (14).Considering atorvastatin’s role in inhibiting cholesterol synthesis and the impact of endurance training in reducing plasma cholesterol concentration, along with the necessity of cholesterol for the synthesis of sex hormones, it appears that the simultaneous use of endurance training and statin drugs can cause disorders in the production of sex hormones through cholesterol reduction and ultimately reduce reproductive function. Therefore, the present study investigates the combined effects of endurance training and atorvastatin on sperm characteristics and sex hormone levels of male rats with myocardial infarction. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats, weighing 210-250 g were prepared and divided into four groups: control, atorvastatin, endurance training, and atorvastatin combined with endurance training. All rats were maintained in standard environmental conditions with free access to water and food.To induce myocardial infarction, rats were injected subcutaneously with 150 mg/kg of isoprenaline hydrochloride (Sigma, USA) daily for two days at 24-hour intervals (25). The control group received normal saline instead of isoprenaline for two days. Forty-eight after the induction of myocardial infarction, the exercise program and drug intervention began. The exercise program included treadmill running at a speed of 10-16 m/min for 10-50 minutes per day, five days a week, over a duration of eight weeks (26). The drug intervention groups received 10 mg/kg of atorvastatin dissolved in normal saline daily orally and by gavage. The other groups also received normal saline in the same amount. Forty-eight hours after the last training session, the rats were anesthetized and blood was collected from their hearts. The blood samples were then centrifuged and their serum was separated and stored at -30°C for measurement of biochemical factors. The ELISA method was used to measure the levels of serum factors. To evaluate sperm characteristics, including sperm count, viability, and motility, the animals were dissected and their epididymis were separated from the testicular tissue and was examined. All data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed, followed by the Scheffé post hoc test to compare differences between groups. A level of p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Findings: The results of the sperm count indicated that sperm count in the experimental groups (atorvastatin (32.15±3.11), endurance training (34.01±2.72) and combination group (33.57±2.01) decreased significantly compared to the control group (49.41±2.28). However, there was no significant difference in sperm count among the experimental groups.The analysis of live sperm count revealed that the percentage of live sperm in the experimental groups (atorvastatin: 63.47±3.01, endurance training: 65.41±2.83, and combination group: 64.12±2.12) also decreased significantly compared to the control group (83.25±2.74). Again, the differences in the percentage of live sperm among the experimental groups were not significant.The results of the sperm motility showed that the rapid sperm motility rate in the experimental groups (atorvastatin, endurance training, combination) decreased compared to the control group, but the decrease was significant only in the atorvastatin and endurance training groups compared to the control group. The rapid sperm motility rate in the combination group was significantly different compared to the atorvastatin and exercise groups. Additionally, the percentage of non-motile sperm in the atorvastatin and exercise groups increased significantly compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the combination group and the control group in terms of the percentage of non-motile sperm.The results also indicated that the serum levels of testosterone, Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the endurance training group, the atorvastatin group and the combination group decreased significantly compared to the control group. Furthermore, the serum levels of HDL in the endurance training group, atorvastatin group, and the combination of endurance training and atorvastatin increased significantly compared to the control group. In contrast, the serum levels of LDL and cholesterol decreased significantly compared to the control group. The serum levels of triglycerides in the endurance training group decreased significantly compared to the control group.Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that while endurance training, atorvastatin and their combination improved lipid profile and reduced total cholesterol, they simultaneously caused disturbances in sperm parameters (sperm count, live sperm count and sperm motility) and decreased levels of sex hormones (testosterone, LH and FSH) in male rats with myocardial infarction. It seems that the decrease in testosterone levels in the exercise and drug intervention groups in the present study is probably due to the effects of endurance training and atorvastatin on reducing cholesterol (a precursor of steroid hormones), which will disrupt the spermatogenesis process and, as a result, further reduce the number of spermatogonial cells. Such changes can lead to a decrease in reproductive activity in males. Therefore, in situations where there is concern about infertility and reduced reproductive function, it is advisable to avoid the simultaneous and long-term use of statin drugs and endurance training. Alternative approaches should be considered to improve the lipid profile and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.Keywords: Exercise training, Atorvastatin, Infertility, Myocardial infarction. Ethical considerations: This study has received ethical approval with the ID number IR.ILAM.REC.1402.002 from the Research Ethics Committee of Ilam University.Compliance with ethical guideline: In this study, all experiments were conducted in accordance with the regulations of the Research Ethics Committee of Ilam University for animal studies.Funding: This research project was funded by the Iran’s National Elites Foundation (Contract No. 841/4890).Conflict of interest: None of the authors of this article have any conflicts of interest for its publication.
