https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/ Journal of Practical Studies of Biosciences in Sport en daily 1 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3405.html Extended abstract Background and Aim: Obesity is a risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. White adipose tissue (WAT) stores excess fat, preventing its accumulation in vital organs; however, excessive WAT accumulation can contribute to obesity and a reduced in brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity. MicroRNAs, particularly miR-455, play a critical role in regulating the differentiation of brown adipocytes, a process that counteracts obesity. MiR-455 enhances the differentiation of brown fat cells by targeting key regulators of lipogenesis and inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α). Inhibition of HIF-1α activates Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-1 alpha (AMPK-1α), leading to increased expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ), ultimately boosting mitochondrial biogenesis and thermogenesis in WAT. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and L-carnitine supplementation are known as stimulants for converting WAT phenotype to beige and activating BAT; however, their impact on the UCP1/HIF-1α/miR-455 axis remains unclear. The present study aims to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of HIIT and L-carnitine supplementation on the expression of this axis in obese male rats, paving the way for innovative treatments for obesity and metabolic disorders.Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male rats were used in this experimental study. Obesity was induced by eight-week of a high-fat diet (60% fat, 20% carbohydrate, 20% protein), leading to an approximate weight of 450 g. After induction, the rats were fed a standard diet ad libitum. The rats were then randomly assigned to one of four groups: control (C), Training (T), supplementation (S), and supplementation+Training (ST). Following the induction period, all rats were fed standard chow. To determine maximal running speed, groups T and ST underwent a Bedford treadmill test. This test consisted of ten 3-min stages, beginning at 5 meters per min on a 25-degree incline, with speed increments of 5 meters per stage until exhaustion. A 12-week HIIT protocol (5 days/week) comprised: 5-min warm-up and cool-down (<60% max speed), followed by ten 4-min intervals at 85-90% max speed, with 2-min active recovery (50-60% max speed) between intervals. To account for potential changes in maximal speed and prevent uniform training intensity, a retest of maximal speed was performed every two weeks on a non-training day for groups T and ST. Groups S and ST received daily oral L-carnitine (30 mg/kg body weight) by gavage one hour after training; groups C and T received an equivalent volume of distilled water. Forty-eight hours post-training and following an overnight fast, rats were euthanized. Subcutaneous inguinal adipose tissue samples were collected and processed for analysis. The expression levels of miR-455, HIF-1α, and UCP1 were determined using RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence, respectively. After confirming data normality (Shapiro-Wilk test) and homogeneity of variances (Levene test), within-group comparisons were performed using paired t-tests. Between-group comparisons were performed using one-way ANOVA, with post hoc analysis using the Bonferroni correction. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26  at p<0.05 level. Graphs were generated using Excel 2007.Findings: The results of the Shapiro-Wilk test showed that the weight distribution of all rats was normal at the beginning of the study (p=0.13). A dependent t-test confirmed the weight gain of all rats at the end of the eight-week high-fat diet (p=0.001). After dividing the rats into four groups and implementing the respective interventions, a significant difference was observed between the weights of the groups (p=0.001), such that groups T and ST had a significant decrease compared to group C (p=0.003 and p=0.001 respectively) and compared to group S (p=0.02 and p=0.001 respectively), but no significant changes were observed between groups ST and T, as well as groups S and C (p=0.001). Finally, group S had lower weight compared to group C and group ST had lower weight compared to T.Regarding the expression of miR-455, a significant difference was observed between the groups (p=0.001). Group T had a significant decrease (p=0.001) and group S had a significant increase (p=0.001) compared to group C. Group ST did not have a significant increase compared to group C (p=0.07). The difference between other pair of groups was significant (p=0.001)(Figure 1).The results for HIF-1α expression indicated a significant difference between the groups (p=0.001), such that groups T, S and ST had a significant increase compared to group C (p=0.001). There was no significant difference between groups T and S (p=1.00)( Figure 1).A significant difference was also observed in the expression of UCP1 protein (p=0.001), and all groups had a significant increase compared to group C (p=0.001), but there was no significant difference between groups T and ST (p=0.08)( Figure 1).The study of adipose tissue images showed that group C had large white fat cells with fewer mitochondria and lower capillary density, indicating low metabolic activity and inflammation. Group T had a higher number of small brown/beige multilocular fat cells and higher capillary and mitochondrial density, indicating higher metabolic activity. Group S showed slight improvement compared to group C, while group ST showed significant improvement in metabolic parameters, although not to the same extent as group T . These findings were consistent with the observed weight changes in each group.    Figure 1. Comparison of mir-455 (μg/mL), HIF-1α (μg/mL) and UCP1 (μm) between groups. *significant difference between groups at p<0.05.Conclusion: This research examined the effects of L-carnitine and HIIT on factors influencing WAT browning. L-carnitine supplementation alone elevated levels of miR-455, HIF-1α, and UCP1, yet exerted no discernible impact on body weight. In contrast, HIIT paradoxically increased UCP1 activity while reducing miR-455 expression and stimulating alternative pathways associated with WAT-to-BAT conversion; this, coupled with the caloric expenditure inherent in training, resulted in weight loss. The combined administration of L-carnitine and HIIT synergistically activated UCP1 and augmented caloric consumption. These findings offer potential avenues for combating obesity and provide promising evidence for promoting WAT browning. As a novel study, this research suggests that the concurrent administration of HIIT and L-carnitine may effectively modulate BAT activity, however, further research is needed to confirm these observations.Ethical Considerations: This study received ethical approval from the Biomedical Ethics Committee of Tabriz University (IR.TABRIZU.REC.1401.042). The research was conducted using the minimum number of rats necessary and adhered to optimal laboratory animal conditions (12:12 light-dark cycle, 50% ± 3% relative humidity, and 22±2°C temperature). Non-invasive and low-pain methods, minimizing distress, were employed for stimulating the rats. All researchers completed mandatory training courses on animal handling and ethical principles.Compliance with ethical guideline: Alternative methods to animal experimentation were considered whenever feasible, and laboratory procedures were designed to minimize pain and suffering.Funding: All costs associated with this research, including analyses, materials, and publication fees, were covered by the authors. No external funding was received from any institution or organization.Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest pertaining to this research. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3905.html Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: The global population is rapidly aging, a major health challenge projected to affect 1.5 billion people by 2050, intensifying healthcare demands for age-related conditions like falls. A key consequence of aging is the decline in bone density and the rise of skeletal issues like osteoporosis. This is especially prevalent in elderly postmenopausal women, who face accelerated bone mass loss from hormonal changes. The underlying mechanism involves a disrupted bone-remodeling process, in which osteoblast activity declines while osteoclast activity remains unchanged, leading to a net reduction in bone density. Recent studies have highlight the role of micro ribonucleic acids (microRNAs), such as miR-223 and miR-92, in regulating bone metabolism, and show that their expression is altered with age. Recognizing that physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, is a known countermeasure against bone loss, our study investigated how 12 weeks of aerobic exercise impacts the expression of these specific microRNAs in elderly women.Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study, with a control group, involved 30 elderly women (ages 65-70 y) selected from retired education personnel in Qom’s first district. From an initial pool of 60 volunteers, 30 were selected based on inclusion criteria: physical and mental health, at least five years post-menopause, and no history of specific diseases (cardiovascular-respiratory), regular physical activity, smoking, or special diets/therapeutic interventions within the previous six months. Exclusion criteria were irregular attendance, injury, the development of illness during the study. Before beginning, participants completed medical history, 24-hour dietary recall, PAR-Q (questionaire), and personal information forms, and then signed informed consent. They were then randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group (n=15 each). The study was ethically approved by Qom University (ID: IR.QOMREC.1399.018). The experimental group participated in a 12-week aerobic exercise program, three sessions per week. Each session, lasted 25-45 minutes, consisted of running at 50-75% maximum heart rate, a 10-minute warm-up, and a 5-minute cool-down. Intensity increased by 5% every two weeks and duration by 2 minutes weekly. Heart rate was monitored with polar series toolkit monitors. All sessions were held from 9-11 AM in the university’s indoor sports hall. The control group maintained their normal routines, avoiding intense activity. Blood samples (5 cc) were collected from the antecubital vein after a 12-hour fast, 48 hours before the first session and 48 hours after the last. Samples were centrifuged at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes and stored at −80 ∘C. MicroRNA was extracted using an Irizol RNA extraction kit (Zist Fanavarane RNA, code RB1001). Real-Time PCR, using SYBR Green Master Mix on a Rotor-Gene Q (Qiagen) system, was performed. Data were analyzed with the Livak (2−ΔΔCT) method. Statistical analysis included the Shapiro–Wilk test to verify normality and ANCOVA for between-group comparisons, using SPSS version 26. The significance level was set at p<0.05.Findings: Table 1 presents the results of descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Pre-test measurements of microRNA expression revealed comparable levels of miR-223 between groups. Indeed, post-test analysis demonstrated highly significant and distinct changes in the exercise group.  Covariance analysis (ANCOVA) indicated that the 12-week aerobic exercise program exerted a highly significant effect on the expression of both microRNAs compared to the control group. Specifically, a highly significant difference was observed for miR-223 expression (F(1,27)=21.64, p<0.0001), with the exercise intervention resulting in a 29.6% reduction. Similarly, miR-92 expression showed a significant difference (F(1,27)=13.14, p<0.0001), with aerobic exercise leading to a 71.2% increase. miR-223 expression in the exercise group decreased significantly to 3.52±0.60, whereas the control group showed minimal changes. This substantial reduction highlights a profound molecular response to the exercise intervention. Regarding miR-92, the exercise group demonstrated a significant increase to 3.97±0.98, while the control group remained relatively stable at 2.23±0.51. This upregulation of miR-92 further underscores the molecular impact of the exercise program.Conclusion: The results demonstrate that 12 weeks of aerobic exercise performed at 50-75% maximum heart rate intensity significantly modulates bone-related microRNA expression in elderly women. The observed 29.6% decrease in miR-223 expression may contribute to reduced inflammatory processes, decreased osteoclast activity, and enhanced osteoblast differentiation, while the 71.2% increase in miR-92 expression may support cartilage formation and bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways. These molecular changes along with previous research showing that aerobic exercise influences bone metabolism through increased bone blood flow, improved nutrient delivery, and reduced inflammatory markers. The modulation of miR-223 may involve interactions with FOXO3, potentially enhancing bone formation, while increased miR-92 expression may promote osteogenesis through related signaling pathways. Based on the results, it appears that 12 weeks of aerobic exercise at an intensity of 50-75% improves miR-223 and miR-92, ultimately helping to prevent bone density loss in elderly women. These novel findings provide compelling molecular evidence for exercise-induced improvements in bone metabolism, however, further research is required to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to optimize exercise prescriptions for preventing age-related bone loss.Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Qom University (ID: IR.QOMREC.1399.018).Compliance with Ethical Guidelines: All participants provided informed consent after receiving complete information about the study procedures.Funding: This research was extracted from a master’s thesis in exercise physiology in university of Qom. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3241.html Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Glucocorticoids are among the most commonly prescribed classes of drugs worldwide, so that the using of these drugs has steadily increased in recent years. Dexamethasone-induced hypertension is a well-recognized side effect that occurs following chronic administration in both animals and humans. Hypertension leads to cardiac remodeling characterized by pathological hypertrophy, reduced capillary density, and increased fibrosis. Cardiac fibrosis is a pathological extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling process that results in abnormalities in the composition and quality of the matrix, as well as impaired myocardial function. However, excessive and persistent ECM deposition, particularly increased type I collagen secretion, could leads to tissue dysfunction. These drugs can affect cardiac tissue remodeling by disrupting the balance between matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, resulting in ECM remodeling, cellular hypertrophy, collagen fiber accumulation, and ultimately restriction of normal organ function. Moreover, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is well established as one of the principal cytokines involved in the initiation and progression of the fibrotic process. Although antihypertensive treatments may lead to adverse effects and alter the clinical course of the disease, identifying safe and natural alternative therapies remains a primary objective. Exercise training, due to its compensatory and regulatory effects on biological systems, is widely used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Most researchers believe that regular physical activity may exert a negative regulatory or inhibitory effect on the TGF-β1 signaling cascade by influencing its activating factors. Consequently, regular exercise training is considered an effective non-pharmacological intervention for the control of hypertension and can attenuate pathological cardiac remodeling while improving arterial stiffness. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of six weeks of resistance and continuous aerobic training on type I collagen content and ECM proteins in the myocardial tissue of female rats with Dexamethasone (DEX)-induced hypertensionMaterials and Methods: This experimental–laboratory study was conducted on 12 adult female Wistar rats with a mean age of four weeks and an average body weight of 200–250 g. The animals were housed under standard laboratory conditions with controlled temperature, humidity, and light–dark cycles, and had ad libitum access to food and water. The rats were randomly assigned into four equal groups including healthy control, DEX-induced control, DEX plus resistance training, and DEX plus continuous aerobic training. Hypertension was induced by subcutaneous injection of DEX at a dose of 0.1 mg per 100 g of body weight for 10 consecutive days. The resistance training protocol consisted of ladder climbing on an 80° incline with a length of 110 cm, during which a load equivalent to 60% of the animal’s body weight was attached to the tail, that follow with three sessions per week for six weeks. In contrast, the continuous aerobic training protocol involved treadmill running at moderate intensity, progressively increasing from 60% to 70% of the animals’ maximal running speed over the same training period. At the end of the training intervention, the animals were anesthetized using appropriate anesthetic agents and subsequently sacrificed. In this way, the left ventricle was excised from the heart tissue for analysis. Following tissue extraction, the protein levels of type I collagen, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and TGF-β1 were quantified using Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. For statistical analysis, the Shapiro–Wilk test was applied to assess data normality, and Levene’s test was used to evaluate the homogeneity of variances. In addition, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test was employed to determine significant differences among groups. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.Findings: The DEX induced lead to significant reduction in body weight (p=0.001) and a decrease in MMP-2 protein levels (p=0.001), whereas the protein levels of type I collagen (p=0.001), TIMP-1 (p=0.001), and TGF-β1 (p=0.001) were significantly increased. Moreover, MMP-2 protein levels increased in both exercise-trained groups compared with the Dex-induced control group (p=0.001); however, continuous aerobic training showed a significantly greater increase in this marker (p=0.03). Moreover, TIMP-1 levels decreased in both exercise-trained groups compared to Dex-induced control group (p=0.001); while in the aerobic continuous training and resistance training groups indicated significantly reduction as compare to control group (p=0.02). On the other hand, type I collagen was reduced in both exercise groups (p=0.001), with no significant difference between the training modalities (p=0.95). In addition, TGF-β1 levels decreased in both exercise groups compared to Dex-induced control group (p=0.001); however, no significant difference was observed between the two exercise interventions (p=0.43). Conclusion. It is believed that exercise could inhibit TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway by up-regulating the expression of cardiac endotelial proginator cells-derived exosomal miR-126, thereby weakening the trans differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and reduce the production of collagen fibers. Also, the mechanism of the action of MMP- 2 was different according to the type of training and its adaptation in muscle and cardiomyocytes. In this way, two possibilities can be considered in regarding to the aerobic training, first that the response of MMPs is transitory, because the peak of changes occurred during or during the first few hours after training, and secondly, the induction mechanism may be related to exercise (strength training) and intensity of exercises that indicates the effect of different types of exercise (with diverse methods) on mechanisms of angiogenesis and regeneration of ECM factors in different tissues. Researchers believe that regular exercise can create negative or blocking regulation in the TGF-β signaling cascade by affecting its activating factors. Reducing the expression of TGF-β and inhibiting its signaling pathway also can reduce the expression of genes involved in the production of ECM collagen. Moreover, performing long-term resistance training could increases the antioxidant capacity of the muscle. The occurrence of this training adaptation can lead to a decrease in the expression of this factor after a period of training. Since the molecular and genetic adaptation mechanisms induced by resistance and aerobic training are different, therefore based on the each type of exercise, a set of cellular signaling pathways and specific genes are activated. Therefore, regular exercise training is an effective non-pharmacological treatment for controlling high blood pressure and can reduce pathological cardiac remodeling and improve arterial stiffness. The results of this study also emphasize the importance of targeted exercise training as a safe, low-cost, non-pharmacological alternative for the prevention, control, and management of blood pressure.Ethical Considerations: All ethical principles in this research were meticulously adhered to by the researchers and approved by the ethics commitee of the Shahid Chamran university of Ahvaz (IR.SCU.REC.1402.037).Funding: The authors of this article declare that they have not received any financial support from any organization.Conflicts of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest in relation to this manuscript. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_2702.html Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Methamphetamine abuse is associated with severe cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and increased risk of mortality. One of the fundamental mechanisms contributing to such pathological conditions is stress-induced cell death, which occurs primarily through necrosis and apoptosis. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is an active and regulated biological process that plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between cell survival and death in various tissues, particularly in somatic tissues such as the brain, skeletal muscle, and myocardium.Among the agents capable of inducing apoptotic cell death are opioids and psychostimulants, including methamphetamine. Methamphetamine exerts detrimental and potentially fatal effects on the cardiovascular system, such as hypertension, acute vasospasm, and accelerated atherosclerosis. Despite these known outcomes, the molecular mechanisms underlying methamphetamine-induced cardiovascular injury and associated pathological responses remain poorly understood.Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of combined exercise training on the expression of Bax (Bcl-2-associated X protein) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cardiac tissue of male rats following chronic methamphetamine administration.Materials and Methods: This experimental-applied study was conducted on 30 male Wistar rats (8 weeks old; 200–210 g) to examine the effects of two factors on apoptosis-related markers in cardiac tissue. Animals were housed under standard laboratory conditions with free access to food and water, a 12:12-h light–dark cycle, and a controlled temperature of 23±2 °C. Rats were randomly assigned to groups based on body weight homogeneity.Ten rats were allocated to the control group and received intraperitoneal injections of normal saline for 23 consecutive days. The remaining 20 rats received intraperitoneal injections of methamphetamine for 23 days. Methamphetamine administration followed a previously established protocol, with gradually increasing doses ranging from 2.5 to 10 mg/kg. After the addiction period, methamphetamine-treated rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=10 each): a sham (addicted) group and an addicted+combined training group.The combined training protocol was performed for 6 weeks, 6 days per week, and consisted of alternating aerobic and resistance exercise sessions. Aerobic training was conducted on a motorized treadmill for laboratory animals at an intensity of 50–60% of maximal running speed. Resistance training was performed using a specialized ladder-climbing apparatus designed for rodents, with an intensity corresponding to 50–60% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). To determine training intensities, rats underwent a 24-hour familiarization period with the equipment, followed by an incremental treadmill exhaustion test to assess maximal aerobic capacity and a maximum strength test to establish baseline resistance loads.At the end of the intervention period, cardiac tissue samples were collected. Bax protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry, a technique that enables the detection of specific cellular antigens through antigen–antibody binding. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression was evaluated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Following cardiac tissue excision, total RNA was extracted, and VEGF expression levels were analyzed using a gene expression analysis system to determine the effects of methamphetamine exposure and combined exercise training. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS version 26 at a significance level of p<0.01.Findings: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that intraperitoneal administration of methamphetamine significantly increased Bax protein expression in cardiac tissue in the sham (addicted) group compared with the control group. In contrast, Bax expression was markedly reduced in the combined training group relative to the sham group.Analysis of VEGF gene expression demonstrated significant differences among groups (p<0.01). Methamphetamine administration in the sham group resulted in a significant decrease in VEGF expression compared with both the control and combined training groups. Conversely, the combined exercise group exhibited a significant increase in VEGF expression compared with the control (p<0.001) and the sham (p<0.0001) group (Figure 1).Conclusion: Immunohistochemical findings demonstrated that Bax expression was significantly elevated in the sham (methamphetamine-dependent) group compared with both the control and combined training groups, whereas combined aerobic–resistance training markedly attenuated Bax expression. Apoptosis mediated by Bax occurs when cellular stress induces Bax translocation from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, triggering cytochrome C release. This process promotes apoptosome formation through interaction with caspase-9 and apoptotic protease-activating factor-1 (Apaf-1), leading to downstream caspase activation and programmed cell death.In contrast, VEGF expression was significantly reduced following methamphetamine administration, while combined training effectively restored and enhanced VEGF expression. Cardiomyocytes represent a major source of VEGF, a key cytokine involved in regulating vascular permeability, angiogenesis, and cell survival through anti-apoptotic mechanisms, including the upregulation of Bcl-2. The observed reduction in Bax expression following exercise training may therefore be attributed to increased Bcl-2 expression, as previously reported with regular exercise, and/or to improvements in antioxidant capacity. Indeed, moderate-intensity exercise has been shown to enhance total antioxidant status and suppress apoptotic signaling pathways in methamphetamine-dependent models.Overall, the present findings indicate that chronic methamphetamine exposure impairs cardiomyocyte function by promoting apoptotic signaling. However, combined exercise training emerges as an effective, non-invasive intervention capable of mitigating methamphetamine-induced cardiac apoptosis. Despite these therapeutic benefits, primary prevention of exposure to toxic stimulants remains a critical priority for public health.Compliance with ethical guideline: This study was conducted in compliance with all ethical principles of animal care and laboratory procedures, and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Qom University of Medical Sciences under the ethical code IR.MUQ.AEC.1400.007 at the Animal Care Center and the Cellular and Molecular Research Center of Qom University of Medical Sciences.Funding: This article was produced without financial support.Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest in this study. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3786.html Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Chronic hyperglycemia in these patients contributes to myocardial damage, often through the development of atherosclerosis and increased arterial stiffness. Creatine kinase–myocardial band (CK-MB or CK2), an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of phosphate from phosphocreatine to ADP to regenerate ATP, has been shown to increase approximately six hours after cardiac injury. Additionally, N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is recognized as a cardiac neurohormone whose plasma levels rise in patients with ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction. This hormone is synthesized in the ventricles and released as proBNP, which is subsequently cleaved enzymatically into NT-proBNP and BNP in response to ventricular myocyte stretch. Rangarz et al. (2019) reported a reduction in BNP levels following eight weeks of resistance training in elderly men, whereas Bordbar et al. (2012) observed a significant increase in BNP after a similar training period. Conversely, other studies have reported no significant changes in BNP levels after 12 weeks of resistance training. Similarly, Saremi et al. (2016) reported elevated CK-MB levels in young women following strength training, and Ghanbari Niaki et al. (2019) demonstrated a significant increase in serum CK-MB after eight weeks of circuit resistance training in sedentary young men. In contrast, Bang et al. (2017) observed no changes in CK-MB levels following eight weeks of resistance training in trained men.The American Diabetes Association recommends regular physical activity as an effective strategy for managing diabetes-related complications. Researchers believe that regular exercise improves heart muscle function, resulting in adaptation and increased myocardial tolerance to cardiac damage. Resistance training has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and may serve as a potential therapeutic approach for patients with cardiac conditions. However, given the possibility of elevated cardiac CK levels following resistance exercise, this training modality has been less extensively investigated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an eight-week resistance training program on serum levels of NT-proBNP and CK-MB in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes by comparing post-intervention values with baseline measurements and with a non-training control group. This investigation may help clarify the safety and cardiovascular implications of resistance training as a lifestyle intervention in this population.Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted on elderly men with T2DM attending the Kahrizak elderly care center in Alborz province (mean age: 71.7±6.6 years; weight: 74.1±13.5 kg; body mass index: 26.7±4.4 kg/m²). Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to either a control group (no exercise training; n=12) or a training group (resistance training; n=12).Baseline blood samples were collected one week prior to the intervention after 12 hours of overnight fasting. Post-test samples were obtained at the end of the eight-week intervention, 24 hours after the last training session, and again after 12 hours of fasting. The training group performed resistance exercises for eight weeks, three sessions per week. Each session included 10 minutes of warm-up (jogging or cycling), a main exercise segment consisting of eight movements performed in three sets of 10 repetitions at 70% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), and five minutes of cool-down stretching.Serum CK-MB levels were measured using a Pars Azmoun kit via the colorimetric method (sensitivity: 5 U/L) with a Hitachi 917 analyzer (Japan). Serum NT-proBNP levels were assessed using the sandwich ELISA method with a Zelbio (Germany) kit (sensitivity: 2.5 ng/L). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 24). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied to assess between-group differences, with statistical significance set at p≤0.05.Findings: Serum NT-proBNP levels in the training group decreased significantly following the intervention compared with baseline (F=91.55, p=0.001). In addition, post-intervention NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly lower in the resistance training group than in the control group (F=2.12, p=0.04) (Figure 1A). Serum CK-MB levels also showed a significant reduction in the training group compared with pre-training values (F=20.21, p=0.001). Although CK-MB levels decreased compared with the control group, this change was not statistically significant (F=1.87, p=0.06) (Fig. 1B).Conclusion: The observed reduction in serum NT-proBNP levels in the resistance training group suggests that exercise-induced increases in myocardial muscle mass may reduce ventricular wall stress, thereby decreasing NT-proBNP secretion. Because BNP production is stimulated by ventricular pressure overload and impaired systolic function, lower circulating levels may reflect improved cardiac performance following resistance training. Although aging and diabetes negatively affect cardiac performance, resistance training may also cause localized muscle damage, potentially involving the sarcolemma, basement membrane, contractile elements, and cytoplasm. Elevated CK-MB, along with CK and cardiac troponins, has been reported as a possible marker of myocardial injury. Factors such as exercise intensity, duration, and prior physical inactivity may influence CK-MB responses. Increases in cardiac workload during exercise, particularly in individuals with compromised health, may lead to ventricular hypertrophy and altered cardiac structure. Some studies have reported significant elevations in CK-MB following resistance training in previously untrained middle-aged men. Although the NT-proBNP improved by resistance training, but it seems that the CK-MB elevation attenuate the prospects for prevention of myocardial infraction. Therefore, it is suggested that with the application of healthy diet and exercise training the greater emphasis should be placed on prevention of diseases such as diabetes.Compliance with ethical guidelines: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Buin Zahra Branch (Ethics code: IRCT20180819040831N1).Funding: This research received no specific grant from public, commercial, or not-for-profit funding agencies.Authors contributions: The first author was responsible for study conception, design, data collection, analysis, and manuscript editing. The second author contributed to study conception, design, and manuscript writing. Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.Acknowledgements: The authors sincerely thank all individuals who contributed to the conduct of this study. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3420.html Extended Abstract Background and Aim: Obesity, resulting from a chronic imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, is widely increasing and is considered a major risk factor for numerous pathological conditions. Excessive energy intake—particularly from high fat diets—leads to abnormal accumulation of triglycerides (TG) within hepatocytes, promoting hepatic steatosis and the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Obesity often leads to chronic low-grade inflammation, increased insulin resistance, and metabolic disorders in adipose tissue and liver.  The CD28 protein acts as a co-stimulatory receptor essential for the full activation of T lymphocytes and plays an important role in the induction of low-grade inflammation in obesity. Exercise is considered a major regulator of liver metabolism by stimulating beta-oxidation and reducing lipogenesis. Studies have shown that choline and betaine supplementation can reduce hepatic steatosis by reducing hepatic and blood TG levels and stimulating lipolysis.  Given the established benefits of aerobic exercise in improving hepatic lipid metabolism and inflammatory status, along with emerging evidence supporting the fat-reducing and anti-inflammatory effects of betaine, a combined intervention may exert synergistic benefits. These effects may be mediated, at least in part, through modulation of inflammation-related pathways, particularly CD28 signaling. However, the interactive effects of aerobic exercise and betaine supplementation on these parameters in obesity remain largely unexplored, and existing findings regarding their independent effects are inconsistent. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the combined effects of moderate-intensity interval training and nanoemulsified betaine supplementation on hepatic CD28 gene expression, serum urea and creatinine levels, and lipid profile in obese mice.Materials and Methods:  In this experimental study, 25 male Wistar rats (8 weeks old; body weight 270±20 g)  were housed in special cages in an environment with an average temperature of 22±1.4 °C, humidity of 55±4%, and a light-dark cycle of 12:12 h. All animals had free access to water and special rat food. They were then randomly divided into 5 groups (5 rats in each group) including healthy, obese, obese+supplement, obese+exercise, and obese+supplement+exercise. Obesity was induced by feeding the designated groups a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet for 12 weeks. To confirm obesity induction, blood samples were collected from the tail vein at the end of the dietary intervention and prior to the commencement of exercise and supplementation protocols. Following obesity induction, rats in the exercise groups performed moderate-intensity interval aerobic training on a motorized treadmill for 8 weeks, 5 days per week, with progressive overload. During the first week, the protocol consisted of 10 intervals of 1-min running at 10 m/min, interspersed with 2-min active recovery at 5 m/min. Running speed during the work intervals was gradually increased, reaching 16 m/min by weeks 4–8. Nanoemulsified betaine was prepared using high-amplitude ultrasonication to enhance serum stability and bioavailability. The supplement was administered via oral gavage at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight prior to each exercise session. Rats in the obese+supplement+exercise group received both interventions. At the end of the intervention period, hepatic tissue samples were collected for analysis of CD28 gene expression using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Serum lipid profile, including total cholesterol (TC), TG, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), was measured using standard enzymatic assays. Serum urea and creatinine levels were also assessed as indicators of renal function. Data were analyzed using independent t, two-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc tests at a significance level of p≤0.05.Results: Independent t-test analysis demonstrated that obesity significantly increased hepatic CD28 gene expression, TG, TC, LDL-C, and creatinine (p=0.0001) serum, as well as urea levels (p=0.02), while significantly decreasing HDL-C levels (p=0.0001). Two-way ANOVA results (Table 1), followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests, revealed that 8 weeks of moderate-intensity interval training significantly reduced CD28 gene expression in obese rats (p=0.0001). This training intervention also resulted in significant reductions in TG, TC, LDL-C, and creatinine (p=0.0001), as well as urea (p=0.002) levels, accompanied by a significant increase in HDL-C (p=0.01). Similarly, supplementation with nanoemulsified betaine led to a significant decrease in CD28 gene expression (p=0.0001), TG, TC, LDL-C, and creatinine levels (p=0.0001), along with a significant increase in HDL-C (p=0.01). However, nanoemulsified betaine supplementation did not significantly affect serum urea levels in obese rats. Furthermore, two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analyses indicated a significant interaction effect between moderate-intensity interval training and nanoemulsified betaine supplementation on CD28 expression (p=0.04), LDL-C (p=0.0001), TC (p=0.0001), and creatinine (p=0.005) levels. No significant interaction effect was observed for serum urea levels.Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrate that interval aerobic training and nanoemulsified betaine supplementation, each alone, reduced TG, TC, LDL-C levels and increased HDL-C. Aerobic training (especially moderate intensity) increases muscle TG utilization and leads to improved fat oxidation. In addition, nanoemulsified betaine supplementation effectively reduced hepatic and circulating TG levels, likely through the stimulation of lipolysis and hepatic β-oxidation, which may attenuate fat accumulation in the liver of obese subjects. The results further indicate that both interval aerobic training and nanoemulsified betaine supplementation, individually and synergistically, significantly reduced CD28 gene expression, a key marker associated with obesity-related inflammation. The underlying mechanisms through which the combined intervention exerts its beneficial effects on fat mass and inflammatory status may involve improved regulation of lipid metabolism, reduced insulin resistance, and enhanced mitochondrial function. Notably, the combined application of moderate-intensity interval training and nanoemulsified betaine supplementation was particularly effective in modulating CD28 gene expression, highlighting its potential role in attenuating inflammatory signaling pathways associated with obesity. Furthermore, the significant improvements in lipid profiles and the reduction in serum creatinine levels support the modulatory effects of this combined intervention on obesity-induced metabolic disturbances and renal dysfunction. Overall, the observed interactive effects between exercise training and nanoemulsified betaine supplementation suggest that this combined approach may serve as a safe, practical, and non-pharmacological strategy for the prevention and management of metabolic complications associated with obesity through the modulation of metabolic pathways and inflammation-related cellular signaling.Ethical Considerations: Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch (Code: IR.IAU.K.REC.1403.65).Funding: This research received no external funding. All study-related costs were covered by the researcher.Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest  https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3036.html Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Aging is a complex and gradual process that leads to a decline in physiological function and an increased the chronic diseases.  Obesity, as a chronic inflammatory condition, is an accelerator of aging and could affects metabolism, appetite, insulin sensitivity, and fat distribution through the secretion of adipokines.  Among adipokines, Semaphorin C3 (Sema3C) and Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) play an important roles in the pathophysiology of obesity and metabolic disorders. Studies have reported increased expression of these two proteins in conditions of obesity and aging. Despite nutritional and pharmacological treatments, exercise—particularly resistance training (RT), endurance training, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)—has been identified as the most effective strategy for reducing the negative effects of obesity in old age. These exercises play a key role in improving metabolism and preventing premature aging by enhancing body composition, reducing inflammation, and regulating adipokines, including Sema3C and LCN2. The present study aims to to investigate the effects of RT and HIIT on the expression of these adipokines in the adipose tissue of obese aged mice.Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 30 elderly male Wistar rats (aged 20–22 months) at the Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd branch. The animals were maintained under controlled conditions: temperature of 25±3 C, humidity of 55–60%, and a 12:12 hour light-dark cycle for one week of acclimation. Following acclimation, to induce obesity, the rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) consisting of 40% fat, 13% protein, and 47% carbohydrate for eight weeks. Rats with a Lee index greater than 310 were designated as obese and randomly divided into three groups of 10: obese control (OC), RT, and HIIT. The RT protocol involved ladder climbing with a tail attachment, starting at 30% of body weight and progressively increasing up to 200% of body weight. The HIIT protocol consisted of short-duration sprints at 85–90% of maximal velocity interspersed with active recovery periods. Moreover, the control group underwent no exercise but was exposed to the sound of the treadmill motor only. Forty-eight hours after the final training session, and after an eight-hour of fasting, the rats were anesthetized, and subcutaneous fat samples were collected for RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis. The gene expression of Sema3C and LCN2 was quantified using Real-time-PCR, with β-Actin serving as the reference gene for normalization. The data were entered into SPSS version 25 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Shapiro‑Wilk test (for normality), Levene’s test (for homogeneity of variances), one‑way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey’s post‑hoc test, with the significance level set at p≤0.05.Findings: The ANOVA test showed the expression of Sema3C (p=0.001), LCN2 (p=0.01), and the Lee index (p=0.001) were significant differences between the RT, HIIT, and OC groups. Moreover, the results of Tukey’s post hoc test indicated a significant difference between the RT and HIIT groups compared to the OC group in the dependent variables. Specifically, the expression of Sema3C (p=0.001), LCN2 (p=0.003), and the Lee index (p=0.001) were significantly decreased in the training groups compared to the OC group. However, no significant differences were observed between the RT and HIIT groups in the expression of Sema3C (p=0.12), LCN2 (p=0.08), and the Lee index (p=0.10).Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that eight weeks of both RT and HIIT led to a significant down regulation in the gene expression of Sema3C and LCN2, alongside a meaningful reduction in the Lee index in obese aged male rats. The Sema3C gene, a member of the Class 3 semaphorin family, is recognized as a novel adipokine that is implicated in body weight alterations, insulin resistance, and adipose tissue structure. Limited research has previously explored the direct effect of exercise on Sema3C. The current findings align with reports from Supriya et al. (2023) and Saeedi et al. (2023), who documented a significant decrease in Sema3C expression following twelve weeks of CrossFit or high-intensity functional training in obese human subjects. Furthermore, other existing literature indicates that endurance and HIIT exercise protocols are associated with reduced levels of related Semaphorins, such as Sema3A, Sema3B, and Sema3G, in laboratory animals, contributing to improved metabolic parameters (Liu et al., 2020; Ghadiri Haramati et al., 2017). Therefore, it is hypothesized that the reduction observed in Sema3C and other semaphorins primarily results from the decrease in overall fat mass, given that adipose tissue serves as the main secretory source for these adipokines. Conversely, the LCN2 gene is recognized as a key inflammatory marker and an oxidative stress response factor whose levels typically escalate in conditions of obesity, aging, and metabolic diseases. The observation in this research of a decrease in LCN2 expression is consistent with reports by Esmaeili et al. (2018) and Fattahpour Marandi et al. (2023), also noted a significant reduction following aerobic and RT protocols. A potential mechanism for this downregulation involves the suppression of the inflammatory nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB ) pathway, which is activated under oxidative conditions and drives LCN2 expression; conversely, physical activity suppresses this pathway, consequently reducing inflammation and enhancing insulin sensitivity. In line with these molecular changes, the significant decrease in the Lee index observed in this study indicates reduced body fat mass and improved metabolic status in elderly obese rats. In conclusion, consistent, structured regular exercise, whether RT or HIIT, can substantially improve the metabolic function of adipose tissue during senescence by downregulating genes associated with inflammation and insulin resistance, thereby potentially preventing the onset of obesity-related metabolic disorders.Compliance with Ethical Guidelines: All experimental procedures were conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines for animal research and were approved by the Ethics Committee of Bojnourd Azad University (Approval Code: IR.IAU.BOJNOURD.REC.1402.004). All procedures were performed minimizing pain and distress to the animals.Funding: This research is based on a master’s thesis from a student at the Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd Branch, and was conducted without any financial support.Conflicts of interest: There are no conflicts of interest regarding this article. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_2142.html Bachground and Aim: Many studies have pointed to role of exercise in controlling and improving diabetes complications; Green coffee, with its antioxidant properties, can be effective in reducing inflammation and insulin resistance too. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of endurance training and green coffee on oxidative stress markers and nitric oxide in skeletal muscle tissue of male C57BL / 6 mices. Material and Methods:35 C57BL / 6 mices were randomly placed in 2 groups of high-fat diets to induce prediabetes and normal diet. Pre-diabetes induction was performed after 12 weeks of high-fat diet and then, the samples of this group were divided into control groups, green coffee, endurance training, endurance training + green coffee (7 mices in each group). The training protocol was performed incrementally (speed 15 to 23 m / min) for 10 weeks, 3 sessions per week, and each session for 45 minutes on the turntable. Green coffee at a dose of 220 mg / kg body weight was fed to the mice 3 times a week by gavage. 24 hours after the last intervention, quadriceps skeletal muscle were performed and after weight l, oxidative stress markers and nitric oxide were measured by ELISA. One-way analysis of variance and Dunnett 's post hoc test at the level of p <0.05 were used to analyze the data. Results: Endurance training reduces glutathione (p <0.01) and consumption of green coffee and endurance training + green coffee (p <0.004 and p <0.01, respectively) increased this protein. In addition, exercise (p <0.03) reduced total antioxidant capacity; But coffee consumption (p <0.004) and combination of exercise and green coffee (p <0.01) increased this. Conclusion: Endurance training and green coffee supplementation can be an effective treatment strategy to improve antioxidant capacity and prevent or reduce the complications of diabetes. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_2443.html Background and Aim: Today, a new protein called asprosin has been discovered, which plays a role in regulating blood sugar. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic training on gene expression of asprosin and malondialdehyde (MDA) in heart tissue of male diabetes rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two adults male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (every group eight rat): control; Exercise; Diabetes; And aerobic exercise and diabetes. After making the rats diabetic by injecting Strepotozocin, the aerobic training protocol was performed for 8 weeks and 5 days a week, and 48 hours after the last training session, cardiac tissue and blood samples were taken from the rats. ELISA method was used to measure protein expression and MDA, and RT-PCR method was used to measure gene expression. Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests, ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were used to analyze the data at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Heart tissue asprosin gene expression (p<0.001) and serum MDA levels (p<0.001) increased significantly after diabetes, but aerobic training had no significant effect on them (p>0.05).Conclusion: Since the expression of asprosin gene has recently been detected in the heart tissue, it seems that more studies are needed to know its function in the heart tissue. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_2633.html Introduction and purpose: obesity and overweight are a metabolic disorder that affects the levels of adipose tissue in this disorder. The aim of the present study was to the effect of eight weeks of intense Continuous endurance, resistance, and High intensity interval training on SLIT-2 and UCP-1 gene expression in non-obese rats.methodology; In the current study, 36 obese Wistar rats, eight weeks old and weighing 325 ± 40 grams, were randomly divided into four groups; Continuous Endurance (10 heads), resistance (8 heads), High intensity interval training (10 heads) and control (8 heads) were divided. For eight weeks, the rats of the experimental groups performed five sessions of endurance training with an intensity of 70-80% of the maximum speed, resistance with an intensity of 50-120% of the body weight and intense intervals with an intensity of 85-90% of the maximum speed, and each 5% per week was added to the intensity of the exercises. Real Time-PCR method was used to measure SLIT-2 and UCP-1 gene expression.Findings; The results of the present study showed that all three models of Continuous endurance, resistance and High intensity interval training caused a significant increase in the expression of SLIT-2 (P=/001) and UCP-1 (P=/001) compared to the control group, but there was no difference between the experimental groups. Not observed (P= 0.999).discussion; Based on the results of this research, it is suggested to use Continuous endurance, resistance and High intensity interval training with increasing SLIT-2 and UCP-1 gene expression, which are factors influencing lipolysis and are effective in increasing lipolysis, in order to lose weight. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_2808.html Background and Objective: Oligodendroglia in the brain strongly responds to exercise. However, innate immunity is vital to maintain normal brain function. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of simple and complex voluntary exercises on NG2 changes and depression in rats with Alzheimer's disease. Material and Method: For this purpose, 60 male Wistar rats (4-6 weeks old) were randomly divided into six groups (Control-Healthy, Control-Alzheimer, Simple Training-Healthy, Complex Training-Healthy, Simple Training-Alzheimer, Complex Training-Alzheimer). After induction of Alzheimer's disease by Streptozotocin injection into the ventricles of the brain, the animals experienced simple and complex voluntary activity using a wheel running for twelve weeks. At the end, depression was checked by food deprivation test, and after slaughter, NG2 levels of hippocampus and motor cortex were checked by ELISA method. Data were compared using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test.Results: Compared to simple spinning wheel training, complex wheel running training increased hippocampus NG2, motor cortex NG2 levels and reduced depression (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that performing exercises that are associated with mental challenge have a higher effectiveness in relation to depression and NG2 levels. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_2874.html Background and Aim: Mitochondrial dynamics is affected by division and fusion, and exercise training may have an effect on it. The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of eight weeks of moderate intensity interval training on the gene expression of indicators involved in the division and integration of mitochondria in the Soleus muscle of rats. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 12 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two equal groups (Six rats in each group) of control and moderate intensity interval training (MIT). First, the residual test and the average maximum speed of the rats were calculated to design the training program. The exercise program included running on the treadmill with an intensity of 60-65% of the maximum speed (six intervals of four minutes) and active rest with an intensity of 30% of the maximum speed (six intervals of two minutes), In compliance with the principle of overload which was carried out for 8 weeks (5 sessions per week). In order to evaluate the gene expression changes of PGC-1α, Opa1, Fis1, Drp1, Mfn1/2 indices, the plantar muscle tissue of rats was extracted. The expression level of research genes was measured using pcr method. The data were analyzed using independent t-statistics at the significance level (p≤0.05). Results: The results showed that exercise in the mit group significantly decreased the expression of Drp1 and Fis1 genes and increased the expression of PGC-1α, Mfn1 and Mfn2 genes. But MIT exercises did not significantly change the expression of Opa1 gene. Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, it can be said that the adaptation of intermittent exercise has a protective effect on the dynamics of mitochondrial quality, but in fact, it has not completely prevented the occurrence of mitochondrial division. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3116.html Background and Aim: Fructose intake contributes to fat buildup and systemic inflammation in the liver, which can impair its function and result in fibrosis. In contrast, physical activity and vitamin D3 supplementation have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to assess the effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), vitamin D3 supplementation, and their combined influence on inflammation and liver function markers in male Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to a high-fructose diet. Materials and Methods: Forty rats were allocated into five groups (n = 8 each): Control with Standard Diet (CS), Control with High Fructose Diet (10% (w/v) fructose solution in tap water) (CF), High Fructose Diet with HIIT (high intensity interval training, corresponding to 85%–90% of the maximal speed) (FT), High Fructose Diet with Vitamin D3 supplementation (FD), and High Fructose Diet with both HIIT and Vitamin D3 (FTD). The intervention was conducted over 12 weeks. Various assays (ELISA, GOD-POD, auto analyzer, coagulation analyzer) and staining methods (Masson's trichrome, immunofluorescence) were utilized to assess levels of insulin, interlukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interlukin-10 (IL-10), fasting blood glucose, albumin, leukocytes, prothrombin time (PT), liver fibrosis, and macrophage polarization (M1 and M2). The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Both HIIT and vitamin D3 supplementation led to significant reductions in IL-1ß, IL-10, M1 and M2 macrophage polarization, leukocytes, PT, while significantly increasing serum albumin levels. HIIT proved to be more effective than vitamin D3 in reducing cytokine levels and PT. The combined approach of HIIT and vitamin D3 exhibited a greater impact on all measured factors. Conclusion: HIIT is more effective than vitamin D3 supplementation in reducing hepatic inflammation and improving liver function. The combination of HIIT and vitamin D3 supplementation offers additional protective benefits against the negative effects of a high-fructose diet. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3176.html Background and Aim: Angiopoietin-like proteins type 3 (ANGPTL3) and 4 (ANGPTL4) are emerging regulators of fat metabolism that play a role in obesity-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT) with spirulina supplementation on serum levels of ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4 and lipid profile in obese elderly women. Materials and Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial with a pre-test and post-test design. A number of 60 obese elderly women (mean age: 60.72±6.24 years; body mass index: 31.20±3.53 kg/m2) were selected by purposive sampling method and randomly divided into four equal groups supplement + training, placebo + training, supplement and control. The training groups performed intensity interval training (three sessions per week) for eight weeks, while the supplement groups consumed two 500 mg spirulina capsules daily. Research variables were measured at the beginning and end of the study. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance and Tukey's post hoc and using SPSS version 22 software at a significance level of p≤ 0.05. Results: After eight weeks of HIIT with spirulina consumption, the serum levels of ANGPTL3 (p<0.01), ANGPTL4 (p<0.001), triglyceride (p<0.001), weight (p<0.001) ) and body fat percentage (p<0.001) decreased in supplement + training, placebo + training and supplement groups. While the levels of total cholesterol (p<0.001) and low-density lipoprotein (p<0.001) showed a significant decrease and high-density lipoprotein (p<0.001) showed a significant increase only in supplement + training and placebo + training groups. Conclusion: It seems that HIIT and spirulina supplement regulate lipid metabolism and improve lipid profile and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in obese elderly. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3272.html Background and Aim: Combined resistance training is a method that integrates high-intensity resistance training with plyometric exercises. This method is sometimes implemented in two forms: contrast and complex training. The current study aimed to examine the effects of combined resistance training (contrast and complex) on testosterone, cortisol, lactate levels, and the jumping profile of male basketball players. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male basketball players, aged 18 to 23 years, participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to one of three resistance training groups: contrast, complex, and control. They engaged in resistance training combined with plyometric exercises using either the contrast or complex methods for six weeks, with two sessions per week. Before and after the intervention, the following measurements were taken: vertical jump test (jump profile), 60-second repeated vertical jump test (lactate), resting serum testosterone and cortisol levels. The data were analyzed using a covariance and Bonferroni test at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: The complex and contrast training groups had significant improvements in peak power (p=0.013 and p=0.007), peak jump velocity (p=0.001 and p=0.032), jump height (p=0.001 and p=0.012), serum testosterone (p=0.001), and serum cortisol (p=0.014 and p=0.011) compared to the control group. Lactate levels also showed a significant decrease following the repeated vertical jumps test in the complex (p=0.003) and contrast (p=0.005) groups compared to the control group. Conclusion: Both contrast and complex resistance training effectively enhance athletic performance and optimize jump profile variables, along with testosterone and cortisol hormone levels in basketball players. Moreover, neither training method was found to be superior to the other. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3464.html Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate Effect of eight weeks of moderate intensity interval training and vitamin D intake on apoptosis factors of Bax and Bcl-2 and the ratio of Bax / Bcl-2 in male rats after myocardial infarction induction. Matarilas and Methods: Research samples were 56 vistar male Desert Rat, which were randomly divided in 7 Groups: Control and healthy group, stroke Group + 5 minutes’ walk, stroke group + vitamin + D 5 minutes' walk, stroke group +interval exercise, stroke group + interval exercise + vitamin D, stroke group + interval exercise + oral paraffin gauge, stroke group + gauge oral paraffin+ 5 minutes of walking. The mice experienced supplementation, placebo and training in specific groups. For statistical analysis, multivariate analysis of variance and one-way analysis of variance test was used with Tukey's post-hoc test (at p≤0.05 significant level). Results: Both the individual and combined interventions resulted in a significant reduction in BAX and a marked increase in Bcl-2 relative to the stroke group. the combination of exercise and supplementation led to a more pronounced increase in Bcl-2 and a more significant decrease in BAX compared to the two supplementary groups (p=0.001) and the training group (p=0.001). also, Similar results were also observed regarding the BAX-BCL-2 ratio. Conclusion: In general, the results show that training and supplementation cause a significant change in apoptosis factors, but the combination of two variables has a synergistic effect and works better than the individual actions of each of the interventions. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3475.html Background and Aim: Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic diseases that causes numerous complications in the heart tissue. Today, the effect of various therapeutic approaches, including exercise, on the heart tissue has been considered. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training on changes in the levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway proteins in the heart tissue of male Wistar rats with type 2 diabetes.Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 eight-week-old rats with an average weight of 191±16 grams were randomly divided into four groups: healthy control, healthy training, diabetes control, and diabetes training. The training program consisted of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training with a sequence of five sessions per week. The levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR proteins were measured by Western blotting. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used to examine the differences between groups in each variable. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered. Results: Diabetes significantly decreased the levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR proteins in the heart tissue of diabetic rats (p=0.001). However, eight weeks of high-intensity interval training significantly increased the levels of PI3K protein (p=0.037), AKT protein (p=0.009), and mTOR protein (p=0.043) in the heart tissue of diabetic rats. Conclusion: Given these results, it is recommended that high-intensity interval training plays a beneficial role in regulating and controlling signaling pathways associated with physiological hypertrophy and inhibiting pathological hypertrophy in animal models with type 2 diabetes. Further investigation of this issue in human models should be considered by researchers. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3493.html Background and Aims: Physical activity is known to enhance physiological functions, including pulmonary capacity and inflammatory regulation. This study aimed to examine and compare the effects of eight weeks of aerobic and polarized training on pulmonary function, inflammation, muscle damage, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in physically active girls. Materials and Methods:In this quasi-experimental study with a pre-test–post-test design, 30 active female participants were randomly assigned to three groups: aerobic training, polarized training, and control. The intervention completed three sessions per week over eight weeks. Pulmonary function variables—Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁) were measured via spirometry. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) were assessed using the ELISA method following standard protocols. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA for initial group homogeneity, paired t-tests for within-group comparisons, and ANCOVA for post-intervention between-group analysis. Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used where significant differences were observed. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Both aerobic and polarized training resulted in significant improvements in FEV₁ and FVC compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CRP levels decreased significantly in both training groups, while CPK changes were not statistically significant. VEGF levels increased significantly in both experimental groups relative to control (p < 0.05). Effect size analysis showed that polarized training had the greatest impact on FVC (1.31), while aerobic training most effectively improved FEV₁ (1.06). CRP reductions reflected strong anti-inflammatory effects, with effect sizes of –1.32 and –1.09 in the aerobic and polarized groups, respectively. Conclusion:Aerobic and polarized training are both effective in enhancing pulmonary function and modulating inflammatory responses in physically active individuals, offering valuable non-pharmacological strategies for improving respiratory and vascular health https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3499.html Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance. The use of Galega officinalis (goat’s rue) and aerobic training may serve as beneficial strategies for disease management. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise and Galega supplementation on glycemic indices, insulin resistance and sensitivity, and lipid profiles in women with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: Forty women with type 2 diabetes were recruited and randomly assigned to four groups: aerobic exercise, Galega supplement, combined aerobic training and Galega supplement, and control. The exercise group performed 12 weeks of aerobic walking training (3 sessions/week) at 50–70% of heart rate reserve. The supplement group consumed 2 grams of Galega daily as an herbal infusion. The combined group underwent both interventions. Fasting serum levels of glucose, hemoglobin A1C, lipid profile (measured via enzymatic colorimetry), and insulin (assessed by ELISA) were analyzed. Insulin resistance and sensitivity indices were calculated using standard formulas. Intergroup differences were analyzed via two-way mixed ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test, while intragroup differences were evaluated using paired t-tests. Results: Significant reductions in insulin, glucose, hemoglobin A1C, lipid profile parameters, liver enzymes, and HOMA-IR, along with increases in HOMA-β, QUICKI, and McAuley indices, were observed in all three intervention groups compared to the control group (p≤0.05p≤0.05). Furthermore, the combined exercise and Galega group demonstrated greater reductions in insulin, glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and HOMA-IR, as well as a higher increase in QUICKI, compared to the exercise-only and supplement-only groups (p≤0.05p≤0.05). Conclusion: Both aerobic exercise and Galega supplementation, either alone or in combination, improved glycemic indices, lipid profiles, liver enzymes, and insulin resistance/sensitivity markers in women with type 2 diabetes. However, the combined intervention exhibited superior efficacy in enhancing glycemic control and insulin sensitivity. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3500.html Background and Aim: Paying attention to exercise to improve biochemical, physiological and psychological indices in overweight and obese postmenopausal women is of particular importance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of four weeks of resistance training at home on plasma levels of C-reactive Protein (CRP), body composition indices and self-efficacy in overweight and obese postmenopausal women in Birjand. Materials and Methods: The present study was an applied and quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design on 56 overweight and obese postmenopausal women (age 45-65 years, BMI ≥25). Participants were randomly divided into Two resistance training groups at home (n=28) and control groups (n=28). The practice group performed resistance training at home for four weeks (28 90-minute sessions of moderate intensity), each session including squats, lunges, standing leg raises, bicep curls, backbends, swimming, Side and back muscles rotation and deadlifts with weights. Before and after training, plasma CRP levels were measured through fasting blood sampling and body composition indices (weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR), waist, hip, abdominal, arm, chest, and thigh circumferences). Self-efficacy was also assessed with the standard questionnaire by Scherer et al. (1982). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance and paired t-test at a significance level p<0/05. Finding: After four weeks of resistance training at home, no significant change was observed in CRP levels; while significant decreases were observed in WHR, chest, hip, arm, thigh, and waist circumferences, but changes in weight, BMI, and abdominal circumference were not significant. Self-efficacy increased in the training group. Conclusion: Resistance training at home can improve the physical and mental health of menopausal women and is recommended as an effective strategy in managing menopausal complications and overweight. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3527.html Background and Aim: Beyond the quantity, duration, and type of exercise, the timing of physical activity also plays a significant role in modulating physiological adaptations. The present study aimed to examine the effects of endurance training conducted in the morning and night on bone metabolism markers in middle-aged women. Methods: Thirty-six female participants, aged 40 to 50 years, were purposively selected and randomly assigned to one of three groups: morning training, night training, and control. The training groups performed aerobic training for 8 weeks, with three sessions per week, each lasting 60 minutes at an intensity of 55–70% of heart rate reserve. To evaluate biochemical markers, blood samples were collected from the brachial vein under fasting conditions 48 hours prior to the initiation of the training program and 48 hours following the final training session. Following serum separation, the samples were transported to a biochemistry laboratory for analysis. Serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin were quantified. The data were analyzed using paired t-tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at a significance level of p≤0.05. Results: The findings revealed a significant increase in serum alkaline phosphatase levels in the night training group compared to the control group (p = 0.003). However, no significant differences were observed between the training groups and control in serum levels of vitamin D (p=0.413), parathyroid hormone (p=0.495), or calcitonin (p=0.721). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in biochemical serum markers among the training intervention groups (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, the timing of aerobic training does not appear to have a significant effect on bone metabolism-related markers such as vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, or calcitonin. However, it exerts a particularly beneficial effect on bone-specific alkaline phosphatase. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3528.html AbstractBackground and Aim: Aquatic training has been recognized as an effective rehabilitation approach for improving motor function in stroke patients. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aquatic training at different depths on lower limb muscle strength and balance in males patients with chronic ischemic stroke. Materila and Meyhods:: In the present study, 36 men (aged 56 to 70 years) with chronic ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to two experimental groups—shallow-water exercise and deep-water exercise—and one control group. The training sessions for the two experimental groups consisted of six weeks of aquatic exercise, with three 60‑minute sessions per week. No intervention was performed for the control group. Balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, and lower‑limb muscle strength was evaluated with the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. A mixed‑design (between‑within subjects) ANOVA was conducted to test the hypotheses, followed by Bonferroni post‑hoc tests. Results: A significant time × group interaction was found for both balance (P = .0001) and muscle strength (P = .0001). In addition, there were significant main effects of group (muscle strength: P = .0001; balance: P = .005) and time (muscle strength: P = .0001; balance: P = .0001). Post‑hoc analyses indicated that both experimental groups showed significant improvements in balance (P = .005) and muscle strength (P = .001) compared to the control group. In addition, the correlation test showed that both experimental groups showed significant increases in balance (P=0.003) and muscle strength (P=0.015) after the intervention, while no significant changes were observed in the control group for any of the variables (P=0.075). Conclusion: Lower‑limb balance and muscle strength in patients with chronic ischemic stroke increased significantly following aquatic exercise at both shallow and deep depths, but no significant differences were observed between the depth conditions. These findings suggest that aquatic exercise may serve as an effective and safe rehabilitation strategy for stroke survivors. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3529.html Background and Aim: Increased fatigue and incomplete recovery can lead to reduced force production during resistance training, ultimately impairing optimal muscle performance. However, incorporating intra-set rest periods through the cluster set method may address this issue. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of cluster and traditional resistance training on hormonal changes and muscle function in active young men. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 active young men were non-randomly divided into three groups of control (n=10), traditional resistance training (n=10) and cluster resistance training (n=10). Cluster and traditional resistance training consisted of eight weeks, three sessions per week, approximately 70 min in each session, an intensity of 75-80% of one-repetition maximum, and the number of repetitions until failure. indicators of hypertrophy (cross-sectional area of arm and thigh muscles), physical fitness (muscular strength and endurance in the bench press and leg press) and muscle growth-related hormones (insulin-like growth factor-1, testosterone and cortisol) were measured with valid methods in two phases, pre-and post-test. Analysis of covariance was used to compare dependent variables between groups at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: After eight weeks of training, muscular strength in bench press and leg press, muscle endurance in bench press and leg press, cross-sectional area of arm and thigh muscles, insulin-like growth factor-1, testosterone and the testosterone to cortisol ratio increased significantly in the cluster and traditional resistance training groups compared to the control group (p<0.05) and on the other hand, cortisol showed a significant decrease (p<0.05). Also, there was no significant difference between cluster and traditional resistance training in these indicators (p>0.05). Conclusion: The cluster resistance training does not provide a significant advantage over traditional resistance training in altering hormonal responses and improving muscular performance in young men. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3530.html Background and Aim: This study investigated the effects of combined exercise training with electrical stimulation (ECT) and combined training alone (CT) on serum levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and cortisol in older women with osteopenia. Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 45 women with a mean age of 61.25 ± 1.4 years and osteopenia (T-score between -1 and -2.5) were randomly assigned to three equal groups: 1) ECT, 2) CT, and 3) control. The ECT and CT groups completed a combination of aerobic exercise (heart rate reserve 45-60%) and resistance training (three sets of 8-15 repetitions at 5 to 10 stations using body weight, a physioball and a yellow resistance band) three times a week for 90 minutes. The ECT group also received 15 minutes of functional electrical stimulation (FES) at a frequency of 45 Hz and a pulse duration of 300 microseconds, targeting the paraspinal muscles. The data were analyzed using a MIXED ANOVA test. Results: The results showed that the serum levels of calcium and phosphorus did not change significantly between the groups (p < 0.05). However, serum magnesium levels increased significantly in the ECT group compared to the control group (p = 0.012). In addition, cortisol levels decreased in both intervention groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05), and a significant correlation was found between the decrease in cortisol and the increase in magnesium in the ECT group (p = 0.013, r = -0.666). Conclusions: These results suggest that functional electrical stimulation synergistically increases magnesium levels, with a reduction in serum cortisol contributing to this increase. Further research is needed to determine the optimal intensity, duration and type of interventions to maximize efficacy on calcium and phosphorus ions. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3569.html Background and Aim: Obesity is a major contributor to cardiovascular dysfunction and impaired angiogenesis (1). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key promoter of blood vessel formation, while endostatin serves as an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis (8,9,11). High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to improve vascular health and cardiac function (8,13,15), and when combined with electrical stimulation (ES), may further enhance these effects (28,45). Caloric restriction (CR) is another well-established intervention that improves metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes(16,5). However, the combined impact of HIIT, ES, and CR on the expression of genes related to angiogenesis in cardiac tissue remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of four weeks of HIIT combined with ES under CR conditions on the expression of VEGF and endostatin genes in the heart tissue of obese male rats. The findings may provide insight into non-pharmacological strategies for improving cardiac health in obesity-related conditions.  Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 35 male Wistar rats (8 weeks old, 200 ± 19 g), purchased from Baqiyatallah University, Iran. The animals were housed in transparent polycarbonate cages under controlled conditions: a temperature of 22 ± 2 °C, a humidity of 50 ± 5%, and a 12-hour light/dark cycle. All rats had access to water and a specialized rodent diet. After a one-week acclimatization period, obesity was induced using a high-fat diet for 12 weeks, consisting of peanuts, milk chocolate, and sweet biscuits in a 3:1:1 ratio. The diet provided 20% protein, 60% fat, and 20% carbohydrates per 100 g (31,32). Following obesity induction, rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 7 per group): 1- Obese control (CO), 2-Caloric restriction (CR), 3-CR + Electrical Stimulation (ES.CR), 4-CR + High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT.CR), 5-CR + HIIT + Electrical Stimulation (HIIT.ES.CR). Caloric restriction was implemented using a time-restricted feeding model: 16 hours of food access followed by 8 hours of fasting daily. The standard diet used during this phase followed AIN-93 guidelines.HIIT was performed on a treadmill for four weeks, four sessions per week. Each session included alternating high-intensity intervals (25–30 m/min, 70–95% VO₂max) and low-intensity recovery intervals (21–23 m/min, 50–60% VO₂max), lasting 20–40 minutes. Warm-up and cool-down were performed at 10–12 m/min (30–50% VO₂max) (34,35). Electrical stimulation was applied using an R12 stimulator (Parto Danesh Co., Iran) at 0.5 mA for 20 minutes, three times per week (36,37). Electrodes were placed on the hind limbs, and stimulation was synchronized with post-exercise recovery. Two days after the final intervention, rats were anesthetized with ketamine (75 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg), and cardiac tissue samples were collected. Samples were washed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at −80 °C. Total RNA was extracted using standard protocols with LR buffer, β-mercaptoethanol, chloroform, and ethanol. cDNA synthesis was performed using reverse transcriptase (Fermentas, USA). Gene expression of VEGF and endostatin was quantified using real-time PCR (Kiagene, Iran), with GAPDH as the housekeeping gene. Primer sequences were designed based on NCBI data (36,37). Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism (version 8). Normality was assessed with the Shapiro–Wilk test. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test was used to compare group means. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.  Results: The results showed that the expression levels of the VEGF and Endostatin genes in the heart tissue of obese groups under calorie restriction combined with high-intensity interval training significantly decreased compared to the control group. The expression of the VEGF gene (X̅=0.05880) in this group showed a significantly greater decrease compared to the expression of the Endostatin gene (X̅=0.07296) (p<0.0001). Additionally, the expression of these two genes in obese groups under calorie restriction combined with electrical stimulation significantly decreased compared to the control group, and the expression of the VEGF gene (X̅=0.2718) showed a significantly greater decrease compared to the expression of the Endostatin gene (X̅=0.3256) in this group (p<0.0001). The combination of high-intensity interval training and electrical stimulation in obese individuals under calorie restriction resulted in a significant reduction in the expression of both VEGF and Endostatin genes compared to the control group. The expression of the VEGF gene (X̅=0.1260) showed a significantly greater decrease compared to the expression of the Endostatin gene (X̅=0.3006) in this group (p<0.0001). Conclusion: It appears that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and electrical stimulation, along with calorie restriction, can cause a significant decrease in the expression of endostatin and VEGF genes in the cardiac tissue of obese individuals. The reduction of endostatin may be associated with the regulation of angiogenesis and increased myocardial oxygenation, while the decrease of VEGF can prevent abnormal vessel growth. However, determining the precise consequences of these changes and finding the optimal balance between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors requires further research. Keywords: High-Intensity Interval Training, Electrical Stimulation, Obesity, Caloric Restriction, Angiogenesis Ethical Considerations: This study was conducted according to ethical standards for biomedical research involving laboratory animals. All procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch (Ethics Code: IR.IAU.ARAK.REC.1403.293). Throughout the study, all efforts were made to minimize animal suffering and ensure humane treatment during housing, interventions, and sample collection.  Compliance with Ethical Guidelines: All experimental protocols were reviewed and approved by the institutional ethics board, and the study adhered to national and international guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals.  Funding: This research did not receive any financial support from funding agencies or institutions. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest associated with this study. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3632.html Background and aim: TIF2 is one of the PPAR-γ regulatory cofactors in adipose tissue that can affect lipolysis and thermogenesis processes; however, the effect of different exercise training methods on the expression of this gene in subcutaneous adipose tissue has not been precisely determined. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different training methods on the expression of the TIF2 gene in subcutaneous adipose tissue of male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 32 eight-week-old male Wistar rats with an average weight of 237±33 gr were purchased from Razi Institute. The rats were housed in special polycarbonate cages under standard conditions (temperature 22±1.4°C, humidity 55±4%, and a 12:12 h light-dark cycle). During the study, all animals had free access to food and water. After two weeks of adaptation, they were randomly assigned to four groups (N=8):1.Control, 2. Moderate-intensity aerobic training(MIT), 3.High-intensity aerobic training(HIT), and 4. High-intensity interval training(HIIT). The training program was implemented for eight weeks, with five sessions per week. After the end of the training period, the expression level of the TIF2 gene was measured using the RT-PCR method in subcutaneous fat samples of the abdominal area. One-way analysis of variance with LSD test was used at a significant level (P<0.05). Results: The results of the study showed that all three training models significantly reduced TIF2 gene expression in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of rats (P<0.05). However, TIF2 gene expression in the HIT group decreased more than in the HIIT and MIT groups (P=0.001). No significant difference was observed between the training groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: The HIT training model appears to have a greater effect on TIF2 gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue than MIT and HIIT, and may also have an effect on other metabolic processes in subcutaneous fat, although further research is needed. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3674.html Background and Introduction: The utilization of combined exercise interventions and natural supplement supplementation is currently emphasized as a novel strategy for modulating inflammatory markers and enhancing metabolic health in high-risk populations. The present study aimed to examine the combined effect of HIIT and curcumin supplementation on plasma levels of irisin and selected inflammatory markers (Interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α)) along with body composition in sedentary middle-aged women. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 80 healthy volunteer women (aged 40-60 years) were randomly assigned to four groups: training + supplement, training + placebo, supplement (500 mg/day), and placebo. The HIIT protocol was implemented for eight weeks (three sessions per week). Blood samples were collected after 12 hours of fasting, both 48 hours before and after the intervention. The study followed a double-blind design, and data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with between-group factors, followed by Tukey's post-hoc test at a significance level of α<0.05. Results: In the post-test phase, irisin levels were significantly higher in training + supplement (p=0.001), training + placebo (p=0.02), and supplement (p=0.03) groups compared to the placebo group. The CRP level demonstrated a significant decrease in the training + supplement group relative to the training + placebo (p=0.001), supplement (p=0.001), and placebo groups (p=0.001). Furthermore, the training + placebo (p=0.001) and supplement (p=0.002) groups showed lower CRP levels than the placebo group. Regarding IL-6, both the training + supplement (p=0.01) and supplement (p=0.01) groups exhibited a significant reduction compared to the placebo group. TNF-α levels were also significantly lower in the training + supplement (p=0.001), training + placebo (p=0.012), and supplement (p=0.010) groups compared to the placebo group. Conclusion: The combination of HIIT with curcumin supplementation synergistically improves metabolic indices, reduces inflammation, and decreases body fat percentage in middle-aged women. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3694.html Background and Aim: Skeletal muscle, as an active endocrine tissue, is capable of secreting myokines that play a key role in regulating muscle growth and metabolism. The main challenge is the unclear independent and synergistic effects of resistance training and Iso-Whey supplementation on key myokines such as follistatin and myostatin. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of eight weeks of resistance training and Iso-Whey supplementation on serum levels of follistatin and myostatin in middle-aged men.Materials and Methods: This applied semi-experimental study was conducted on sedentary men aged 40–45 years in Mahshahr. Forty participants were purposefully selected and randomly assigned into four groups: resistance training, supplementation, training + supplementation, and control (10 subjects each). Resistance training was performed for eight weeks, three sessions per week, at an intensity of 60–70% of one-repetition maximum. The supplement consisted of 25 g Iso-Whey protein consumed twice daily after breakfast and lunch. Myokines were assessed using the ELISA method. Data were analyzed using Covariance at a significance level of p < 0.05.Results: A significant increase in serum follistatin was observed in the training (p = 0.001), supplementation (p = 0.002), and training + supplementation groups (p = 0.001). This increase was significantly greater in the training + supplementation group compared with the training (p = 0.002) and supplementation groups (p = 0.001), and in the training group compared with the supplementation group (p = 0.001). Serum myostatin significantly decreased in the training + supplementation (p = 0.001), training (p = 0.001), and supplementation groups (p = 0.002), with the decrease in the training + supplementation group being greater than that of the supplementation group (p = 0.045). Conclusion: Resistance training and Iso-Whey supplementation, particularly in combination, improved follistatin and myostatin levels and enhanced the anabolic condition of muscle. These findings confirm the role of exercise and nutritional interventions in preventing the loss of muscle mass and strength. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3785.html Background and Aim: Aging is associated with muscle weakness and decreased physical abilities. Resistance training has been introduced as an effective method to improve physical performance. Considering the varying results of previous studies regarding the effects of this type of exercise on metabolic diseases, particularly in older adults with diabetes, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of resistance training with Pilates band on liver enzymes Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), body composition, and leg muscle strength in elderly women with type II diabetes. Materials and Methods: In this study, 26 elderly diabetic women (aged 65–80 years) were randomly assigned to an exercise group (n=13) and a control group (n=13). The exercise group performed resistance training with pilates elastic band for 12 weeks, three sessions per week, while the control group received no intervention. Liver enzymes, body composition, and leg muscle strength were evaluated before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: the ANCOVA showed significant between-group differences in body weight (p=0.004), BMI (p=0.0001), and leg muscle strength (p=0.004), but no significant difference in fat mass (p=0.16). On the other hand, no significant differences were observed for liver enzymes between-group (AST p=0.75, ALT p=0.69, ALP p=0.81). Conclusion: Although resistance training with Pilates bands did not have a direct effect on liver enzymes, it significantly improved body composition and muscle strength, which may positively influence liver health in elderly women with type 2 diabetes over the long term. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3787.html Background and Purpose: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of death in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of four weeks of high-intensity interval training on Bax/Bcl2/Caspase3 expression in the heart tissue of mice with breast cancer.Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 female BalbC mice with an average age of 8 weeks and an average weight of 18±2 grams were randomly divided into three groups: tumor group, tumor+doxorubicin group, and tumor+doxorubicin+exercise group. The exercise training program consisted of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training with a sequence of five sessions per week. The expression levels of Bax/Bcl2/Caspase3 in heart tissue were evaluated using the real-time method. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were used to examine the differences between groups in each variable. The significance level was considered to be p<0.05.Results: Doxorubicin significantly increased the expression of apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase3 (p=0.0005 and p=0.0007, respectively) but significantly decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 in the heart tissue of cancer mice (p=0.0002). However, high-intensity interval training significantly decreased the expression of apoptotic proteins Bax and Caspase3 (p=0.010 and p=0.008, respectively) but significantly increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 in the heart tissue of cancer mice (p=0.002).Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, it can be said that high-intensity interval training in breast cancer patients treated with doxorubicin has a very beneficial and preventive role in controlling the intrinsic apoptosis signaling pathway; therefore, performing this type of exercise regularly along with drug treatment is likely to be very effective in this regard. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3900.html Background and Aim: Childhood and adolescent obesity is on the rise and is associated with chronic inflammation and elevated levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). This meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effect of aerobic exercise on CRP and IL-6 in overweight and obese children and adolescents. Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted up to March 10, 2025 in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Magiran, NoorMags, and Sid. The effect size was calculated using the weighted mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals with the CMA2 software. Results: IN total,15 studies (comprising 18 aerobic exercise interventions) involving 551 overweight and obese children and adolescents were included in the meta-analysis.The results showed that aerobic exercise interventions led to a reduction in CRP levels compared to the control group, approaching statistical significance (SMD = -0.433, 95% CI: -0.867 to 0.001, P = 0.050). However, aerobic exercise had a non-significant effect on IL-6 levels compared to the control group (SMD = -0.468, 95% CI: -1.268 to 0.332, P = 0.251). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise interventions in overweight and obese children and adolescents resulted in a statistically significant reduction in CRP levels, while changes in IL-6 were not significant, suggesting a limited impact of these interventions on inflammatory markers and underscoring the need for longer-term and combined intervention strategies. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3901.html Background and Aim:Balance disorder and lymphedema are side effects that may occur after breast cancer surgery.Pilates exercises and lymphatic massage have been recommended as complementary treatments to reduce these side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of 12 sessions of Pilates exercise with and without lymphatic drainage massage on functional balance and lymphedema in patients with breast cancer aged 30 to 60 years. Methods:In this quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test research design study, 75 females with breast cancer selected by available sampling method and equally divided into three groups namely, Pilates, Massage-Pilates, and control. The Pilates group performed Pilates training and the Massage-Pilates group received exercises combined with lymphatic drainage massage for 12 sessions. During this period of time, the control group resumed their normal daily activities. The balance performance of all three groups at baseline and after intervention protocols was measured with the timed up-and-go test. Lymphedema was assessed by measuring the circumference of parts of the upper limb using a tape measure. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance and the Bonferroni post hoc test (p<0.05). Results:Improvement in balance performance of breast cancer patients was observed in both the Pilates (p=0.001) and Massage-Pilates (p=0.001) groups, while no significant difference was observed in the control group. Comparison of the Pilates and Massage-Pilates groups did not show a significant difference (p=0.181). In addition, both interventions reduced lymphedema in the measured parts of the affected limb, except the wrist. Conclusion:According to the findings of this study, both Pilates training alone and combined with lymphatic drainage massage for 12 sessions were effective in improving balance function and reduces the severity of lymphedema in patients with breast cancer. It is recommended that these exercises be used as an effective method in the rehabilitation of patients after breast cancer treatment. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3922.html Background and Aim: Adolescence is one of the most sensitive stages of human development, which is accompanied by the onset of biological changes associated with puberty. During this period, accurate prediction of biological maturation plays an important role in optimizing sports performance and reducing vulnerability. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between biological maturation periods and physical fitness variables in adolescent male handball players. Materials and Methods: This was a field study and was descriptive and correlational. The statistical population consisted of adolescent handball players in Mashhad, and 60 adolescent male handball players with an average age of 13.3±1.7 years, height of 167.6±13.7 cm, and weight of 60.33±16.2 kg were selected purposefully. Initially, kinanthropometric measurements (height, weight, body mass index, sitting height, and leg length) were recorded, and the maturity score of each participant was calculated using the Mirwald equation, and then randomly the following tests were taken: upper body explosive power of medicine ball throwing, 20-meter speed, lower body muscle strength of extensor dynamometer, and anaerobic power of the Rast test. Spearman correlation coefficient test were used to analyze the data to examine the relationships between variables. All hypotheses were tested at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Early puberty showed a significant positive relationship with upper body explosive power (r=0.42; p=0.019), lower body muscular strength (r=0.41; p=0.025), and anaerobic power (r=0.36; p=0.045). Ontime puberty showed a significant positive relationship with upper body explosive power (r=0.63; p=0.009) and lower body muscular strength (r=0.65; p=0.006). Late puberty showed a significant positive relationship with upper body explosive power (r=0.60; p=0.018) and anaerobic power (r=0.66; p=0.007).Conclusion: results showed that biological maturity plays an important role in determining the physiological and functional characteristics of adolescent male handball players. Accordingly, talent identification and training programs should consider the status of biological maturity. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3944.html AbstractBackground and Objective: Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract, and its progression is closely associated with dysregulation of apoptosis and activation of the hypoxia-dependent angiogenesis pathway. An imbalance in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and upregulation of the HIF-1α/VEGF-A axis are considered key molecular mechanisms underlying tumor cell survival. Although exercise is recognized as a safe non-pharmacological intervention, its effects on these molecular pathways in colon tumor tissue remain insufficiently clarified. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on Bax/Bcl-2 balance and the HIF-1α/VEGF-A pathway in a rat model of DMH-induced colon cancer. Methods: This controlled experimental study was conducted on 40 male rats , randomly assigned to four groups: healthy control, sham, sedentary cancer, and cancer with aerobic exercise. Colon cancer was induced by dimethylhydrazine (DMH) injection, and the aerobic training protocol was implemented for 14 weeks. Gene expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, HIF-1α, and VEGF-A in colon tumor tissue were quantified using RT-qPCR. Statistical analyses included the Shapiro–Wilk test, Levene’s test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s post hoc test.Results:Colon cancer induction significantly increased tumor burden and significantly decreased Bax expression, while significantly increasing Bcl-2, HIF-1α, and VEGF-A expression in tumor tissue (all P < 0.001). In contrast, aerobic exercise significantly reduced tumor burden, significantly increased Bax expression, and significantly decreased Bcl-2, HIF-1α, and VEGF-A expression compared with the sedentary cancer group (all P < 0.01). Conclusion:Aerobic exercise in DMH-induced colon cancer–bearing rats was associated with increased Bax expression and reduced Bcl-2 expression (favoring apoptotic signaling), as well as decreased HIF-1α and VEGF-A expression (indicating modulation of the hypoxia-dependent angiogenesis pathway), accompanied by a reduction in tumor burden. These findings suggest that aerobic exercise may serve as a complementary non-pharmacological strategy to attenuate colon tumor progression. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3945.html Background and Aim: Agouti-related protein (AgRP) is a signaling peptide that influences feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, and fat accumulation. Recent studies suggest that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may impact AgRP levels, however, current results are inclusiveand contradictory. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of HIIT on AgRP levels, lipid profile and anthropometric indices in overweight and obese men. Materials and Methods: In a semi-experimental study, 32 overweight and obese male volunteers with a body mass index (BMI) of 25–35 and aged 30 to 35 years were randomly assigned to either a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 16). The intervention included a two-week familiarization period followed by eight weeks of HIIT, during which participants trained three sessions per week at an intensity of 100–140% of their maximal oxygen uptake speed (vVO₂max). Blood samples were collected 48 hours before and after the exercise protocol in a fasted state, and data were evaluated using ANCOVA at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Findings: After eight weeks of intervention, a significant increase in serum AgRP level (p = 0.0001) and decrease in the waist-to-hip ratio, triglyceries (p = 0.0001), total cholesterol (p = 0.0001), low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.0001), and very-low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.0001) were observed in the HIIT group compared to the control group, while high-density lipoprotein reduced significantly only in the control group (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Based on the results, HIIT may increase serum AgRP levels, improve the lipid profile, and reduce waist-to-hip ratio in overweight and obese men; thus, it can serve as an effective exercise strategy for appetite regulation and the improvement of anthropometric and lipid indices.