Elham Ghasemi; Javad Nakhzari Khodakheir
Abstract
Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Intense exercise is frequently associated with overtraining syndrome and symptoms such as fatigue, impaired immune function, and inflammation (1). In inflammatory conditions, particularly during intense activities that lead to increased oxidative stress and the production ...
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Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Intense exercise is frequently associated with overtraining syndrome and symptoms such as fatigue, impaired immune function, and inflammation (1). In inflammatory conditions, particularly during intense activities that lead to increased oxidative stress and the production of free radicals and acute phase proteins, various mediators are affected. This includes the heightened recruitment of neutrophils. As a result, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as Interleukin-17 (IL-17) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), increase. Conversely, the levels of anti-inflammatory mediators, such as IL-10 and Netrin-1, decrease. This condition exacerbates immune and inflammatory responses and further increases the risk of infectious diseases due to temporary impairment in various aspects of immune system function, such as decreased immunoglobulin secretion and performance decline after strenuous exercise. According to previous studies, acute bouts of exercise typically trigger inflammatory responses, whereas regular training induces adaptive anti-inflammatory effects (2, 9). However, what needs to be investigated is the effect of the intensity and duration of exercise on the extent of activation or stimulation of these inflammatory responses, especially in acute and intense activities. Regarding the cytokine responses to various types of exercise (continuous and interval), there are conflicting and contradictory findings. Some researchers suggest that during high-intensity interval activity, the intensity of the activity, by exacerbating blood flow restriction, leads to greater oxidative damage and inflammation, while some studies have shown that under normal temperature conditions, the volume and duration of exercise are the main and important factors in causing oxidative stress and inflammation (10, 11). Intense and acute exercise is likely to cause tissue damage—particularly in skeletal muscles—and may impair physical performance in active individuals by promoting oxidative stress and inflammation. To counteract these effects, the use of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant supplements such as flavonoids has been recommended, as they may help limit the release of inflammatory markers and enhance athletic performance (14, 15).Quercetin, a prominent flavonoid found in many edible vegetables and fruits, possesses well-documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic properties. Its regulatory influence on cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α is also well established (17). Given the increasing interest among athletes in using natural supplements to boost performance following acute and intense exercise—and considering the conflicting findings in existing literature—this study aimed to compare the responses of Netrin-1, TNF-α, and IL-17 to a single session of continuous versus high-intensity interval exercise following short-term quercetin supplementation in physically active females.Materials and Methods: This study employed a practical and double-blinded quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measurements. Forty female students from the university of Zabol were purposefully selected based on inclusion criteria and physician approval. They were then randomly assigned to four equal groups: continuous + supplement, interval + supplement, continuous + placebo and interval + placebo. Participants in the supplement groups received two 500 mg capsules of Quercetin per day (a total of 1000 mg daily) for two weeks (15, 18). Those in the placebo groups consumed two dextrose capsules daily for the same duration.At the beginning and end of the two-week supplementation or placebo period, two acute exercise protocols were performed, including a continuous exercise session and a high-intensity interval exercise session. The high-intensity interval exercise consisted of five minutes of running on a treadmill at an intensity of 60% of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), followed by four intervals at 90% VO2max (with a duration of four minutes each) and active recovery between each interval at 60% VO2max (for three minutes). The continuous exercise consisted of 40 minutes of running on a treadmill at 60% VO2max. A 10-minute warm-up and cool-down protocol was followed at the beginning and end of each session (19). Blood samples were collected at four time points: at baseline and after the two-week supplementation/placebo period, both before and after the exercise sessions. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, and LSD post-hoc tests, with statistical significance set at p≤0.05.Results: Both continuous and interval exercise protocols resulted in a significant decrease in Netrin-1 levels (p= 0.01 and p=0.001, respectively) and a significant increase in TNF-α levels (p=0.01 for both). In contrast, two weeks of quercetin supplementation was associated with a non-significant reduction in Netrin-1 (p=0.19 and p=0.32 for continuous and interval exercise, respectively) and a non-significant increase in TNF-α levels (p=0.54 and p=0.16, respectively).Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between the continuous and interval exercise groups in terms of Netrin-1 (p=0.18) and TNF-α (p=0.42) levels. Lastly, IL-17 responses to both continuous and interval acute exercise sessions, before and after supplementation, showed no significant changes (p=0.14).Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that both continuous and interval exercise led to an increase in TNF-α and a decrease in Netrin-1 levels in physically active females. However, following two weeks of Quercetin supplementation (1000 mg/day), a single session of continuous or high-intensity interval exercise resulted in a non-significant reduction in Netrin-1 and a non-significant increase in TNF-α. Notably, Quercetin appeared to improve the baseline levels of these markers and may have helped attenuate inflammation induced by acute exercise.Quercetin is known to modulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β through the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathways. Additionally, by reducing oxidative stress and the generation of free radicals, Quercetin may indirectly protect macromolecules—including proteins, lipid membranes, and muscle DNA—from exercise-induced damage. It also contributes to lowering pro-inflammatory cytokine production while enhancing anti-inflammatory markers such as Netrin-1.Ethical Considerations: This study wasapproved by the Research Ethics Committees of Sport Sciences Research Institute with the code IR.SSRC.REC.1402.068. All participants were informed about the study procedures and provided written informed consent.Compliance with Ethical Guidelines: The research followed the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and institutional guidelines. Participation was voluntary, and confidentiality was maintained.Funding: This article was supported by the University of Zabol and Grant No. 0324.Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this study.
Mohammad Reza Yousefi; Fatemeh Esmaiili
Abstract
Background and Aim: Childhood obesity is a global public health challenge. In the past few decades, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has increased worldwide, which is associated with an increased risk of obesity in adulthood. The aim of this study was to compare ...
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Background and Aim: Childhood obesity is a global public health challenge. In the past few decades, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has increased worldwide, which is associated with an increased risk of obesity in adulthood. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training and aerobic training on serum neuregulin-4 levels and the metabolic profile of obese elementary school students. Materials and Methods: The statistical population included elementary school girls aged 7 to 12 years who were obese and had a body mass index (within the 95th percentile or higher) with 3 groups of intense interval training (I), aerobic training (II) and a control group (III) was applied (10 people in each group). The intense interval training program with an intensity of 60 to 70% in the first week and 90 to 100% of the maximum heart rate in the last week and aerobic exercises with an intensity of 60 to 75% of the maximum heart rate were implemented for 8 weeks and 3 sessions every week. Insulin, glucose and TG variables were measured by autoanalyzer by photometric method and neuregulin-4 by ELISA method.. Result: Eight weeks of intense interval training and aerobic training increased the serum levels of neuregulin-4 (p=0.01) and significantly decreased insulin (p=0.04), triglycerides (p=0.01) and insulin resistance ( p=0.006) became students; But the serum glucose level of the students did not change significantly (p=0.85). Conclusion: Intermittent intense and aerobic exercises can reduce the risk of diseases related to obesity in students by improving the metabolic status.
Mehdi Mogharnasi; Mozhgan Hatami Farsi; Fatemeh Hajizadeh; Mojtaba Amirabadizadeh
Abstract
Background and Aim: Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of intense interval training and spirulina supplementation on serum levels of hydrogen peroxide and total antioxidant capacity of overweight girls.Methods: 30 overweight and obese girls living in Khorameh ...
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Background and Aim: Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of intense interval training and spirulina supplementation on serum levels of hydrogen peroxide and total antioxidant capacity of overweight girls.Methods: 30 overweight and obese girls living in Khorameh city were randomly divided into three groups (control, exercise+supplement and exercise+placebo). Before the start and 24 hours after the end of the training period, the subjects' anthropometric characteristics were measured. Then the subjects performed intense interval training for 6 weeks and 3 sessions per week. The supplement groups received 2 tablets of 500 mg of spirulina daily during this period. 24 hours before and 48 hours after the training period, the subjects' blood samples were taken in fasting state. Results:The results showed that in the exercise+supplement and exercise+placebo groups, hydrogen peroxide levels (p=0.000 and p=0.001) and total antioxidant capacity (p=0.000 and p=0.002) significantly decreased and increased, respectively. showed In the exercise+supplement and exercise+placebo groups, weight (p=0.001 and p=0.016), body mass index (p=0.001 and p=0.022) and fat percentage (p=0.000 and p=0.001) were significantly higher than was reduced to the control group. Regarding waist to hip ratio index (p=0.016), the results showed that this index decreased significantly only in the exercise+supplement group, and the maximum oxygen consumption (p=0.039 and p=0.002) also in the exercise+ group. Supplement and exercise + placebo had a significant increase.Conclusion: It seems that intense intermittent exercise along with spirulina supplement can be effective in weight loss program and also by increasing the amount of TAC by improving the antioxidant defense system, it prevents the accumulation of free radicals and prevents damage. be cellular
Fatemeh Derakhshani; Azam Zarneshan; Karim Azali Alamdari
Abstract
Background and Aim: The complement system plays an essential role in the pathology and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). C3 and C4 are essential components of complement system and potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. ...
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Background and Aim: The complement system plays an essential role in the pathology and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). C3 and C4 are essential components of complement system and potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combined exercise training on serum levels of complement system proteins C3, C4, the C3/C4 and motor performance in women with MS. Materials and Methods: The statistical population was MS female and members of MS Association of East Azarbaijan Province, 30 subjects with extensive disability status scale (EDSS>5) after screening and randomly divided into two experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. Combined exercises according to the ACSM guidelines for multiple sclerosis patients, for twelve weeks, three days per week/one hour per session, a combination of endurance exercises (walking and aerobics, 40-60%MHR), resistance (yellow band, 1-3 set of 8- 15 repetitions), balance, breathing and stretching. Serum levels of C3 and C4 were measured using the turbidimetric method and movement functions of fall risk and balance were measured using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and the Five Times Sit to Stand Test (FTSST), respectively. The ANCOVA test was used for the comparison between the groups at a significance level of P
Horieh Karimi; Mahtab Moazami; Ali Yaghoubi; Sadegh Abbasian
Abstract
Background and Aim: Alzheimer's disease is defined as the most common age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the effects of diets with and without caloric restriction along with continuous training on the expression of selected genes effective in ...
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Background and Aim: Alzheimer's disease is defined as the most common age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the effects of diets with and without caloric restriction along with continuous training on the expression of selected genes effective in Alzheimer's disease of old male rats. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 36 old male rats (26 months old, with an average weight of 437.8 ± 41.3 grams) were randomly divided into four groups as control group, continuous training group, continuous training with caloric restriction group, and caloric restriction group. The rats of the training groups performed continuous exercises for eight weeks and 5 sessions per week, by following the overload principle on the treadmill. Also, caloric restriction was initially applied with a 30% reduction and then a 20% reduction in the rats’ food consumed. Continuous exercises were performed for eight weeks and 5 sessions per week (10 minutes to 20 minutes) following the overload principle on a treadmill. Brain tissue was taken 24 hours after the last training session and gene expression was done by real-time PCR method. Furthermore, ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test was used to analyze the results. Results: The findings demonstrated a significant difference between groups in Tau gene expression (p=0.02). Moreover, there was no significant difference in amyloid beta gene expression and insulin levels in old male rats (p = 0.486). Conclusion: In general, continuous training with and without caloric restriction could not lead to a significant change in APP gene expression. But the results of the research showed significant changes in Tau gene expression in the brain tissue of elderly male rats, preferably with the aim of preventing Alzheimer's.
Saeed Abedinzadeh; Ensieh Zahedi; Hamid Abbasi; Reza Sharifatpour
Abstract
Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of rebound exercises on balance, strength and muscular endurance of children with Down syndrome. Materials and Method: 30 children with Down syndrome were selected through available sampling and randomly divided into two experimental ...
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Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of rebound exercises on balance, strength and muscular endurance of children with Down syndrome. Materials and Method: 30 children with Down syndrome were selected through available sampling and randomly divided into two experimental groups of 15 people (age: 9.0±1.30 years, height: 1.30±0.05 m, weight: 32.51±3.39 kg) and control (age: 9.8±1.52 years, height: 1.31±0.03 m, weight: 32.46±2.56 kg) were divided. In order to evaluate the static and dynamic balance, the Bruininks-Ozertsky test was used, in order to evaluate the strength of knee flexion and extension, manual evaluation of muscle function was used, and in order to evaluate muscle endurance, the squat test was used before and after the exercises. The experimental group performed rebound exercises for 8 weeks and 3 sessions per week. In order to analyze the data, two-way repeated measure variance analysis tests were used at a significant level (p ≤ 0.05). Results: After 8 weeks of rebound exercises, a significant improvement was observed in static and dynamic balance tests, lower limb muscle strength and endurance (p ≤ 0.05). No significant difference was observed in any of the variables of the control group (p ˃ 0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, performing rebound exercises can improve balance, strength and muscle endurance and ultimately reduce the risk of falling in children with Down syndrome. Therefore, these exercises are recommended to therapists.
Saeed Ilbeigi; Marziyeh Saghebjoo; Behnam Salari; yeganeh feyzi
Abstract
Background and Aim: In today's world, physical activity along with balanced nutrition is definitely necessary to improve the quality of life and provide health. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of garlic consumption on serum glutathione, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase ...
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Background and Aim: In today's world, physical activity along with balanced nutrition is definitely necessary to improve the quality of life and provide health. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of garlic consumption on serum glutathione, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase in inactive people after a residual activity session. Materials and Methods: Ten healthy inactive students with an average age of 25.6±2.6 years and a body mass index of 23.5±1.7 kg/m2 randomly participated in this research. Subjects performed Bruce's training protocol twice with an interval of one week. Then the subjects consumed the supplement or placebo (1000mg capsule containing garlic powder or flour as a placebo) and then performed the residual activity. Independent and dependent t test was used to analyze the data at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Statistical results showed that the level of glutathione decreased significantly in both groups after exercise (P=0.001) and in the garlic supplement consuming group compared to the placebo group (P=0.001). The level of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase increased in both the supplement (P=0.001) and placebo (P=0.001) groups after the residual activity, and there was no significant difference in the supplement user group compared to the placebo group (08 /0=P). Conclusion: The present research showed that acute consumption of garlic, probably by activating the glutathione peroxidase enzyme, increases the absorption of this antioxidant in response to the residual activity. Also, Bruce's residual-building exercise causes cell damage, and taking garlic supplements has no effect on the occurrence of cell damage.
Marzieh Papisad; Abdollhamid Habibi; Saeid Shakerian; Mohammad Rami
Abstract
Background & Aim: A disturbance in muscle tissue renewal as the largest tissue in the body has been observed in sarcopenia. So, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of six weeks of resistance training and continuous training on the gastrocnemius protein content of PAX7, NF-KB, FOXO3, ...
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Background & Aim: A disturbance in muscle tissue renewal as the largest tissue in the body has been observed in sarcopenia. So, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of six weeks of resistance training and continuous training on the gastrocnemius protein content of PAX7, NF-KB, FOXO3, and nAChRs in the female sarcopenia model rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 20 adult male rats were divided into four groups: healthy sedentary (HS, n=5), sarcopenia sedentary (SS, n=5), sarcopenia RT (RT, n=5), and sarcopenia CT (CT, n=5). Rats injected with dexamethasone for 10 days as a model of aging and sarcopenia. Six weeks of moderate intensity resistance training and moderate intensity continuous training were performed for the intervention groups. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's post-hoc test with a significant level of p≤0.05 was used to analyze data. Results: The protein content of PAX7 and nAChR significantly increased (p=0.001), as well as the protein content of NF-KB and FOXO3 significantly decreased (p=0.001) by resistance training and continuous training compared to the SS group. In addition, there was a significant increase and decrease in the protein content of PAX7 and NF-KB, respectively in the continuous training group compared to the resistance training group, and a significant decrease in FOXO3 protein content in the RT group compared to the continuous training group p≤0.05. Conclusion: Given that the levels of PAX7, NF-KB, FOXO3, and nAChR proteins improved after implementing both types of exercise protocols, it is likely that using both types of exercise protocols as part of a medical control program for sarcopenia patients could be a promising non-pharmacological solution.
