https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/ Journal of Practical Studies of Biosciences in Sport en daily 1 Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3528.html Extendrd Abstract Background and Aim: Stroke is one of the most common causes of physical disability worldwide, resulting in lower limb muscle weakness, impaired balance, reduced mobility, and an increased risk of falling. These impairments, particularly in patients with chronic ischemic stroke, often lead to decreased quality of life and functional independence. Therefore, rehabilitation in such patients requires approaches that are both safe and highly effective. Aquatic exercises have been introduced as a promising method in the rehabilitation of neurological patients due to the unique characteristics of the aquatic environment, including reduced joint loading, enhanced, multidirectional resistance, and improved proprioceptive stimulation.Despite the growing body of evidence supporting aquatic rehabilitation, limited attention has been paid to the influence of water depth on the effectiveness of aquatic exercise interventions. Previous studies suggest that water depth may affect muscle activation patterns, movement mechanics, energy expenditure, and ultimately the therapeutic outcomes of exercise programs. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to examine and compare the effects of aquatic training at two different depths (shallow and deep water) on lower limb muscle strength and functional balance in male patients with chronic ischemic stroke.Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group. The study population consisted of men with chronic ischemic stroke in Rafsanjan, Iran. Thirty-six participants (60.70 ± 6.20 years) who met the inclusion criteria were recruited and randomly assigned, using stratified randomization based on age and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores, into three groups: shallow-water exercise, deep-water exercise, and control (n=12 per group). The inclusion criteria were as follows: a neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of first-ever ischemic stroke; a post-stroke duration of 6 months to 2 years; lower-extremity muscle strength ranging from 3.5 to 5.5 on the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale; a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≥23; a BBS score between 21 and 44; the ability to stand independently for at least 5 minutes; and the ability to walk for at least 10 minutes with or without an assistive device. Participants were excluded if they had uncontrolled medical conditions, additional neurological or musculoskeletal disorders, unstable cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, a history of major central nervous system surgery, or missed more than three training sessions.The intervention consisted of a 6-week aquatic exercise program conducted three times per week, with each session lasting 60 minutes. The exercises program included hip flexion, extension and abduction, multidirectional walking, hip rotation with knee flexion, scissors movements, and single-leg standing. Each session consisted of a 5-minute warm-up, 50 minutes of exercise training, and a 5-minute cool-down period. Training volume progressed gradually from two sets of three repetitions to three sets of ten repetitions throughout the intervention period. Exercises were performed at the level of the anterior superior iliac spine in the shallow-water group and at the level of the xiphoid process in the deep-water group. The control group did not receive any intervention during the study period.Balance and lower limb muscle strength were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, respectively, before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, Levene’s test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and mixed-design ANOVA. Bonferroni post hoc tests and partial eta squared (η²) values were used to examine pairwise differences and estimate effect sizes. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22, with the significance level set at p≤0.05Findings: One-way ANOVA results showed no significant differences among the three groups at baseline with respect to balance (F(2,27)=0.71, p=0.50) and lower limb muscle strength (F(2,27)=0.17, p=0.84). The mixed ANOVA results indicated a significant time×group interaction effect for balance (F(2,27)=115.63, p=0.0001) and muscle strength (F(2,27)=47.88, p=0.0001). Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons showed that participants in both the shallow-water and deep-water exercise groups demonstrated significant improvements in balance and lower limb muscle strength from pretest to posttest (p<0.001 for both groups). In contrast, no significant changes were observed in the control group (p=0.99). Furthermore, posttest comparisons revealed that both aquatic exercise groups achieved significantly higher scores in balance and lower limb muscle strength than the control group (p<0.001). However, no significant differences were found between the shallow-water and deep-water exercise groups in either outcome measure (p=0.90) (Figure 1).Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrated that six weeks of aquatic exercise performed in either shallow or deep water significantly improved lower-extremity muscle strength and balance in patients with chronic ischemic stroke.These results suggest that aquatic exercise provides a favorable environment for enhancing motor function in this population. The aquatic environment likely facilitates functional movement by reducing effective body weight and decreasing joint loading, thereby allowing movements to be performed more safely and confidently. In addition, the uniform resistance of water continuously challenges the lower-extremity muscles throughout exercise, contributing to improvements in muscular strength.The observed improvements in balance may also be explained by the sensory and mechanical properties of the aquatic environment. Hydrostatic pressure and water turbulence increase stimulation of sensory receptors and enhance sensorimotor feedback, which may improve postural control and balance performance. Furthermore, repeated practice of movements in an environment that requires continuous postural adjustments to external perturbations may promote neuromuscular adaptations and improve motor coordination. Increased lower-extremity muscle strength itself is also an important determinant of balance, and part of the observed improvement in balance may have occurred through this mechanism.A notable finding of the present study was the lack of significant differences between the shallow-water and deep-water exercise groups. This finding suggests that the therapeutic benefits of aquatic exercise in patients with chronic ischemic stroke may depend more on regular participation in aquatic-based training than on the depth of water immersion. Immersion at hip level appears sufficient to reduce mechanical loading and facilitate functional movement, whereas increasing immersion depth to chest level does not seem to provide additional benefits for improving muscle strength or balance. Therefore, both immersion depths may be equally effective for promoting functional adaptations in this population.Several limitations should be acknowledged when interpreting these findings. First, the sample consisted exclusively of patients with chronic ischemic stroke who met specific inclusion criteria, which may limit the generalizability of the results to other stroke populations. Second, no follow-up assessment was conducted to evaluate the long-term retention of the training effects. Finally, only two levels of water immersion were examined. Future studies are encouraged to investigate a wider range of immersion depths, include long-term follow-up assessments, and evaluate the effectiveness of aquatic exercise in more diverse stroke populations.Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences under the code IR.RUMS.REC.1396.207. All participants were informed about the study procedures and provided written informed consent.Compliance with Ethical Guidelines: The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the approved institutional guidelines. Participation was entirely voluntary, and the confidentiality of participants’ information was maintained throughout all stages of the research.Funding: This study did not receive any financial support from internal or external sources.Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare that there are no scientific or financial conflicts of interest related to the conduct or publication of this research. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4120.html Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Cadmium (Cd)-induced kidney injury is a major public health concern due to its widespread environmental exposure and nephrotoxic effects. Cadmium accumulation in renal tissue can impair kidney function by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular damage. In contrast, growing evidence suggests that regular physical exercise exerts protective effects on kidney health by improving protein metabolism, enhancing tubular reabsorption, and maintaining iron and urea homeostasis. In addition to exercise, naturally occurring dietary antioxidants have been shown to exert beneficial effects on the function of various organs. Among these antioxidants, gallic acid (GA), also known as 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound found in a variety of fruits and plant-derived foods, including walnuts, sumac, hazelnuts, tea leaves, and oak. Owing to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, GA has attracted considerable attention as a potential therapeutic agent for reducing cadmium-induced tissue damage.Although the independent effects of exercise and antioxidant supplementation on kidney tissue have been investigated, limited information is available regarding their combined effects on molecular pathways associated with cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the combined effects of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and gallic acid supplementation on the expression of SIRT1 and miR-9-5p in the kidney tissue of cadmium-exposed rats.Materials and Methods: This experimental study employed a posttest-only design with a control group. A total of 42 male Sprague–Dawley rats, aged 8–9 months and weighing 250–270 g, were obtained from the Pasteur Institute Laboratory Animal Breeding and Reproduction Center. The sample size was determined based on previous studies using a similar experimental design, in which seven animals were allocated to each of six experimental groups, resulting in a total sample of 42 rats. Following purchase, the animals were transferred to the Exercise Physiology Laboratory of the Bitaran Research Center and allowed to acclimatize to the laboratory environment for one week under standard housing conditions. All experimental procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals and were approved by the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of the Islamic Azad University, Borujerd Branch (Approval No. IR.IAU.B.REC.1403.094). After the acclimatization period, the rats were randomly assigned to six groups (n=7 per group): healthy control (HC), cadmium (Cd), sham, Cd + gallic acid (GA), Cd + high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and Cd + HIIT + GA. Cadmium chloride was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (USA). A dose equivalent to 5 mg/kg body weight was prepared daily by dissolving the appropriate amount of cadmium in the drinking water of the designated groups, allowing the animals to receive the required dose through voluntary water consumption. Gallic acid (GA; Sigma-Aldrich, USA; Catalog No. 27645) was administered at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight per day. The required amount of GA was dissolved in a food and water flavoring solution to facilitate oral administration. Before the intervention, rats assigned to the exercise groups underwent a one-week familiarization period consisting of five treadmill-running sessions at a speed of 8 m/min for 5 min per session. Subsequently, the HIIT protocol was performed for eight weeks, with three sessions per week. Before initiating the training program, each rat’s maximum running speed was determined using the incremental treadmill test developed by Bedford et al. (1979) and subsequently standardized by Lindberg and colleagues. The HIIT program consisted of treadmill running at an intensity corresponding to 80–110% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), with exercise intensity and duration adjusted according to the experimental protocol. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test for multiple comparisons. Statistical significance was established at p<0.05.Results: The Shapiro–Wilk test confirmed that all study variables were normally distributed. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences among the experimental groups in the expression of miR-9-5p (F=261.31, p<0.001) and SIRT1 (F=272.97, p<0.001). Tukey’s post hoc analysis showed no significant difference in miR-9-5p expression between the healthy control (HC) and sham groups (p=0.47, MD=−0.05). Compared with the HC group, miR-9-5p expression was significantly reduced in the cadmium (Cd) group (p<0.001, MD=0.61). In contrast, miR-9-5p expression was significantly increased in the Cd + GA (p<0.001, MD=−0.54), Cd + HIIT (p<0.001, MD=−0.48), and Cd + HIIT + GA (p<0.001, MD=−1.15) groups compared with the Cd group. No significant difference was observed between the Cd + GA and Cd + HIIT groups (p=0.51, MD=−0.05). However, the Cd + HIIT + GA group exhibited significantly higher miR-9-5p expression than both the Cd + GA (p<0.001, MD=−0.60) and Cd + HIIT (p<0.001, MD=−0.66) groups (Figure 1). Similarly, no significant difference in SIRT1 expression was observed between the HC and sham groups (p=0.42, MD=−0.05). Cadmium exposure significantly reduced SIRT1 expression compared with the HC group (p<0.001, MD=−0.91). Treatment with GA (p<0.001, MD=−0.69), HIIT (p<0.001, MD=−0.63), and their combination (p<0.001, MD=−0.72) significantly increased SIRT1 expression compared with the Cd group. No significant differences were found between the Cd + GA and Cd + HIIT groups (p=0.31) or between the Cd + GA and Cd + HIIT + GA groups (p=0.83). However, SIRT1 expression was significantly higher in the Cd + HIIT + GA group than in the Cd + HIIT group (p=0.02, MD=0.09) (Figure 1).Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that both high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and gallic acid (GA) attenuate cadmium-induced renal injury by modulating molecular pathways associated with oxidative stress and cellular protection. HIIT may enhance the endogenous antioxidant defense system through activation of the NRF2 signaling pathway, thereby increasing the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced glutathione (GSH). In addition, HIIT may improve mitochondrial function, promote mitochondrial biogenesis, enhance cellular energy metabolism, and inhibit apoptosis through SIRT1- and SIRT3-dependent signaling pathways. Exercise may also suppress inflammatory responses by modulating macrophage polarization and inhibiting TLR2 and NF-κB signaling.Gallic acid appears to exert nephroprotective effects through complementary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. In addition to directly scavenging reactive oxygen species, GA may inhibit NF-κB, NADPH oxidase, and myeloperoxidase activity, reduce lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production, suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), and promote SIRT1-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis. Collectively, these molecular adaptations may contribute to the preservation of renal cellular integrity during cadmium exposure. The present findings further indicate that the combined administration of HIIT and GA produced greater beneficial effects on SIRT1 and miR-9-5p expression than either intervention alone. This enhanced response may be attributed to the simultaneous activation of endogenous antioxidant defenses, attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling, improvement of mitochondrial homeostasis, and coordinated regulation of SIRT1 and miR-9-5p. Therefore, the combination of HIIT and GA may represent a promising strategy for mitigating cadmium-induced renal injury, although further mechanistic and clinical studies are required to confirm these findings.Ethical Considerations: It should be noted that all ethical principles regarding the use of laboratory animals in this study were observed under the supervision of the Ethics Committee for Biomedical Research at the Islamic Azad University, Borujerd Branch (approval code: IR.IAU.B.REC.1403.094).Compliance with Ethical Guidelines: The research followed the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and institutional guidelines. Funding: No funding.Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this study. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3569.html Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Obesity is a major contributor to cardiovascular dysfunction and impaired angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key promoter of blood vessel formation, while endostatin can serves as an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis. Moreover, the High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to improve vascular health and cardiac function, and when combined with electrical stimulation (ES), may further enhance these effects. Caloric restriction (CR) is another well-established intervention that improves metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes. 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 4 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 some insight into non-pharmacological strategies to improve cardiac health in obesity-related conditions.Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted using 35 male Wistar rats (8 weeks old, body weight: 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 free access to water and a standard laboratory rodent diet unless otherwise specified. Following 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. Following obesity induction, rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=7 per group) including obese control (CO), CR, CR+ES (ES.CR), and CR+HIIT (HIIT.CR), CR+HIIT+ES (HIIT.ES.CR). The CR 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 4 weeks, 4 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). Electrical stimulation (ES) was administered using an R12 electrical stimulator (Parto Danesh Co., Iran) at an intensity of 0.5 mA for 20 minutes per session, three sessions per week. Surface electrodes were placed on the hind limbs, and electrical stimulation was applied during the post-exercise recovery period. Forty-eight hours 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. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism (version 8). Normality was assessed with the Shapiro–Wilk test and one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc tests were used to compare groups. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Findings: The results showed that four weeks of calorie restriction combined with high-intensity interval training (CR+HIIT) significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of both VEGF and endostatin in the cardiac tissue of obese rats compared with the obese control (CO) group. In this group, the reduction in VEGF gene expression (X̄=−0.94, p<0.0001) was greater than that of endostatin (X̄=−0.93, p<0.0001). Similarly , in the obese group under the CR+ES intervention, the expression of both genes was significantly reduced compared with the CO group, such that the reduction in VEGF expression (X̄=−0.73, p<0.0001) was greater than that of endostatin (X̄=−0.67, p<0.0001). Furthermore, the combined intervention of CR+HIIT+ES also produced significant reductions in the expression of both VEGF and endostatin compared with the CO group. The mean changes in gene expression were −0.87 for VEGF (p<0.0001) and −0.70 for endostatin (p<0.0001).Conclusion: It appears that the combination of HIIT and ES [or RS], along with CR, effectively modulates the myocardial angiogenic microenvironment in obese subjects. Rather than a simple reduction in vascular growth, the concurrent down-regulation of both VEGF (pro-angiogenic) and Endostatin (anti-angiogenic) represents a crucial homeostatic resetting of the cardiac tissue. In obesity, chronic low-grade inflammation and tissue hypoxia typically trigger pathological, disorganized angiogenesis, driving an abnormal compensatory increase in VEGF, which in turn up-regulates Endostatin as a counter-regulatory feedback. Therefore, by alleviating myocardial metabolic stress and systemic inflammation, these combined non-pharmacological interventions remove the pathological stimulus for dysfunctional vessel growth. Consequently, VEGF expression can be return to a stabilized baseline, which naturally leads to a parallel reduction in Endostatin to maintain physiological angiogenic equilibrium. Ultimately, this dual reduction serves as a molecular indicator of successful myocardial remodeling, enhanced metabolic efficiency, and the resolution of obesity-induced vascular stress, rather than an impairment in cardiac vascularization.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_2633.html Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Overweight and obesity have become major global public health concerns, largely driven by sedentary lifestyles, reduced physical activity, and unhealthy dietary habits. These conditions are strongly associated with metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. An imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure is considered the primary cause of obesity, highlighting the importance of lifestyle interventions for its prevention and management. Regular physical exercise is an effective non-pharmacological strategy for weight management, glycemic control, and the improvement of lipid metabolism; however, its physiological benefits depend on the type, intensity, and duration of exercise.. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a critical role in energy expenditure through adaptive thermogenesis. Slit guidance ligand 2 (SLIT-2), a protein reduced in obese individuals, and its C-terminal fragment (SLIT2-C) activate thermogenic pathways via protein kinase A (PKA) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), enhancing lipolysis, mitochondrial density, and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) expression, which promotes browning of white fat. While studies show both resistance and endurance training may upregulate UCP-1, conflicting results exist, and the comparative efficacy of resistance training (RT), continuous endurance training (CET), and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on SLIT-2 and UCP-1 gene expression in obese male Wistar rats remains unresolved.Materials and Methods: This experimental laboratory study was conducted on 36 adult male Wistar rats (8 weeks old; mean body weight: 225 ± 40 g) obtained from the Razi Serum Research Institute, Mashhad, Iran. The animals were housed under controlled laboratory conditions at a temperature of 22 ± 5 °C, relative humidity of approximately 45%, and a 12:12-hour light–dark cycle, with free access to standard chow and water. Obesity, defined as a body weight exceeding 300 g at the time of group allocation, was used as the inclusion criterion. Following a one-week familiarization period on a motorized treadmill and a 36-rung rat climbing ladder, the animals were randomly assigned to four groups (n=9 per group): continuous endurance training (CET), resistance training (RT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and control. Maximal running speed was determined using an incremental exercise test before the intervention and repeated after four weeks to adjust the training intensity. The CET protocol consisted of a warm-up followed by 30 minutes of continuous running at progressively increasing intensities (60%–70% of maximal running speed) over the eight-week intervention, followed by a cool-down period. The RT protocol involved climbing a weighted ladder for three sets of five repetitions per session, with the load progressively increased from 50% to 120% of body weight throughout the intervention. The HIIT protocol consisted of repeated two-minute running bouts performed at 85%–90% of maximal running speed, interspersed with active recovery intervals, with the number of bouts gradually increasing from six to twelve over the eight-week training period.Total ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted from tissue samples and reverse-transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA) using a thermocycler-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system, with gene expression quantified via real-time PCR using SYBR Green dye and the threshold cycle (Ct) recorded for each sample. After confirming normal data distribution, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine between-group differences in SLIT-2 and UCP-1 gene expression, followed by Tukey’s post hoc test for pairwise comparisons, with all statistical analyses performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22, at a significance level of p≤0.05.Findings: One-way ANOVA revealed that eight weeks of CET, RT, and HIIT significantly increased SLIT-2 and UCP-1 gene expression in male Wistar rats compared with control (p≤0.05). Given this significant overall effect, Tukey’s post hoc test was subsequently performed to identify the specific source of between-group differences. For SLIT-2 gene expression, Tukey’s test showed that the CET, RT, and HIIT groups each differed significantly from the control group (p=0.001 for all three comparisons); in contrast, no significant differences were observed among the three exercise groups themselves, whether comparing RT with CET (p=0.82), RT with HIIT (p=0.99), or CET with HIIT (p=0.99). A similar pattern was observed for UCP-1 gene expression: the CET, RT, and HIIT groups again differed significantly from control (p=0.001 for each comparison), while pairwise comparisons among the exercise groups showed no significant differences (RT vs. CET, p=0.99; RT vs. HIIT, p=0.99; CET vs. HIIT, p=0.99). Both SLIT-2 and UCP-1 gene expression increased markedly following CET, RT, and HIIT relative to the control group, with mean fold-change values ranging from approximately 3.1 to 3.3 across all three exercise groups for both genes, compared with a baseline value of roughly 1.0 in the control group, corresponding to an approximately three-fold increase in relative expression of both genes following each of the three training protocols. Moreover, these findings demonstrate a consistent and statistically robust effect of exercise training on the expression of both genes, regardless of training modality. Therefore, all three training protocols produced comparable increases in SLIT-2 and UCP-1 expression, none of the exercise groups differed significantly from one another in either gene, and this pattern, observed identically across both target genes, suggests that CET, RT, and HIIT were equally effective in upregulating SLIT-2 and UCP-1 expression in this model, with no evidence that any single training modality conferred superior efficacy over the others. The magnitude and direction of change were highly consistent between the two genes, further supporting the reliability of the observed training-induced upregulation across all three exercise protocols in this obese Wistar rat model.Conclusion: Based on the results, it clear that the mechanisms underlying these adaptations remain incompletely understood, particularly for SLIT-2, whose exercise-related signaling pathways have not previously been characterized. The SLIT-2 is implicated in angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory processes, and lipolysis, and its C-terminal fragment promotes thermogenesis via the protein kinase A (PKA)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway. In this way, the SLIT-2 expression appears to be driven by PRDM16, whose downstream activation may explain the training-induced increases observed here, consistent with prior reports demonstrating that PRDM16 induces SLIT-2 expression. Furthermore, SLIT-2 enhances lipolysis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and PI3K-mediated immune regulation, thereby potentially mitigating obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. For UCP-1, exercise-induced upregulation is thought to be mediated through multiple mechanisms, including irisin release and MAPK/p38 signaling, PGC-1α-dependent mitochondrial biogenesis, sympathetic activation via β3-adrenergic receptors, and thyroid hormone–dependent deiodinase activity. UCP-1 facilitates proton leakage across the inner mitochondrial membrane, thereby uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation from ATP synthesis and dissipating energy as heat. The discrepancies observed among previous studies regarding UCP-1 responsiveness may be attributable to differences in training duration, dietary conditions, and the anatomical site of adipose tissue sampling.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.1402.017). All procedures were performed minimizing pain and distress to the animals.Funding: This research is based on a doctoral dissertation 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_2874.html Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Maintaining mitochondrial function is essential for preserving cellular homeostasis. Mitochondrial quality control depends on the coordinated regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics, and mitophagy. The selective removal of damaged mitochondrial components requires their segregation from the mitochondrial network through mitochondrial fission, a process is regulated by two key proteins: mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1). While maintaining quality depends on the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria, the synthesis of new mitochondria is equally important. Mitochondrial fusion, on the other hand, is mediated by fusion proteins such as mitofusin 1 and 2 (Mfn1/2) and optic atrophy 1 (Opa1). Mitochondrial function declines rapidly during periods of skeletal muscle disuse and is characterized by increased mitochondrial fission accompanied by reduced fusion and biogenesis. Although endurance exercise has been shown to increase PGC-1α gene expression in the soleus muscle of male rats, most existing studies have focused on continuous aerobic exercise, with very few investigating interval training. Given the importance of these processes in skeletal muscle function and the modulation of cellular energy charge by exercise, it is necessary to investigate how these regulatory processes are altered by moderate-intensity interval training (MIT). Specifically, it remains unclear whether the duration and nature of MIT over an eight-week period can induce adaptations in mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics genes to maintain high mitochondrial function. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of eight weeks of MIT on the expression of key genes regulating mitochondrial fission and fusion in the soleus muscle of male rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, twelve male Wistar rats (mean weight: 180±20 g; age: 7–8 weeks) were obtained from the laboratory animal farm of the Pasteur Institute of Babol. The animals were randomly assigned to two groups (n=6): the control group and the MIT group. Prior to the intervention, the rats underwent a one-week acclimation period to the laboratory environment and the treadmill. The experimental protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hakim Sabzevari University (Approval No. IR.HSU.AEC.1401.017). Prior to the initiating the training program, an incremental exercise test to exhaustion was conducted to determine the maximal running speed of the rats. The mean maximal speed of the MIT group was subsequently used to prescribe the training protocol. The MIT group completed an eight-week treadmill training program, five days per week. The training program consisted of two phases: an active phase at 60–65% of maximal speed (six 4-minute bouts) and an active recovery phase at 30% of maximal speed (six 2-minute bouts). Following the final exercise session, rats were anesthetized via intramuscular injection of ketamine (75 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg). The soleus muscle was harvested, immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen, and subsequently stored at −80∘C. For gene expression analysis, 50 mg of soleus muscle tissue was used for RNA extraction. Tissue lysis and homogenization were performed using TRIzol reagent (Yekta Tajhiz Azma, Iran) and a tissue homogenizer. RNA concentration and purity were assessed using a PicoDrop device at 260/280 and 260/230 ratios. Complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized using a commercial reverse transcription kit (SinaGene, Iran) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Primers were designed using the online Primer-BLAST tool, with β-Actin serving as the internal control. Gene expression levels of PGC-1α, Opa1, Fis1, Drp1, and Mfn1,2 were quantified via PCR. Data are presented as mean±SD. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and inter-group differences were analyzed using the independent t-test (p<0.05). Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software (version 9).Findings: Changes in body weight were evaluated following the eight-week moderate-intensity interval training (MIT) intervention. Independent t-test revealed a significant reduction in body weight in the MIT group compared to the control group. Regarding the gene expression of mitochondrial fission markers in the soleus muscle, MIT led to a significant downregulation of Drp1 and Fis1 expression relative to the control group (p<0.01). Furthermore, MIT significantly increased the expression of Mfn1, Mfn2, and PGC-1α genes compared to the control group (p=0.01, p=0.007, and p=0.03, respectively). However, no significant change was observed in the relative expression of the Opa1 gene compared to the control group (p=0.21, Figure 1).Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrate that the implementation of MIT protocols leads to the structural and functional remodeling of mitochondria within skeletal muscles. Our results indicate that these exercises modulate the equilibrium between fusion and fission processes, thereby enhancing mitochondrial network integrity. Specifically, the upregulation of fusion markers (Mfn1/2) and the master regulator PGC-1α, coupled with the downregulation of fission genes (Fis1/Drp1), creates a favorable environment for augmented biogenesis and improved mitochondrial quality control. These molecular adaptations likely facilitate enhanced cellular capacity for managing metabolic stress and preserving energy reserves. In essence, the ability of MIT to shift the mitochondrial dynamic toward a pro-fusion phenotype may serve as an adaptive mechanism to counteract the detrimental effects of physical inactivity or muscular atrophy. Although further studies are warranted to investigate the effects of different exercise intensities and training durations on mitochondrial remodeling and the regulation of additional genes involved in mitochondrial structure and function, this research underscores the high potential of interval training in optimizing mitochondrial dynamics and enhancing muscular metabolic health.Ethical Considerations: The experimental procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of Hakim Sabzevari University (Approval code: IR.HSU.AEC.1401.017).Compliance with ethical guideline: Ethical guidelines for working with laboratory animals were strictly followed, including provisions for adequate food, water, and appropriate housing conditions.Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.Conflicts of interest: The authors hereby declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to this study. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3944.html Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Colon cancer remains as one of the leading malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract, and its progression is fundamentally influenced by disruptions of apoptotic signaling and activation of hypoxiadriven angiogenesis pathways (Johnson & Fleet, 2013). Dysregulation of the Bcl2associated X protein/Bcell lymphoma 2 (Bax/Bcl2) balance contributes to enhanced tumor cell survival, whereas activation of the hypoxiainducible factor1 alpha/vascular endothelial growth factor A axis (HIF1α/VEGFA) promotes angiogenic expansion within the tumor microenvironment, thereby facilitating tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis (Spanoudaki et al., 2023). Aerobic exercise has been proposed as a nonpharmacological intervention capable of modulating tumor biology by improving metabolic regulation, tissue oxygenation, and inflammatory status (Schadler et al., 2016). However, limited studies have simultaneously evaluated the integrated response of apoptotic and hypoxiadependent angiogenic pathways to structured aerobic exercise in colon tumor tissue. To address this knowledge gap, the present study investigated the effects of 14 weeks of aerobic exercise on the Bax/Bcl2 apoptotic ratio and the HIF1α/VEGFA angiogenesis pathway in a rat model of dimethylhydrazine (DMH)induced colon cancer, with the aim of elucidating coordinated molecular adaptations to exercise.Materials and Methods: This controlled experimental study was conducted on 40 male Wistar rats aged 10–12 weeks and weighing 250–300 g. The animals were maintained under standard laboratory conditions including controlled temperature, a 12h light–dark cycle, and ad libitum access to food and water. Animals were randomly allocated, using block randomization based on age and body weight, into four groups (n=10 per group) including healthy control (HC), sham (SH), sedentary cancer (DS), and cancer with aerobic exercise (DA). Colon cancer was induced in the DS and DA groups by weekly subcutaneous injections of dimethylhydrazine (DMH; 40 mg/kg) for six consecutive weeks, whereas the SH group received the DMH solvent alone.Tumor induction was confirmed macroscopically and by histopathological analysis using H&E staining, consistent with established models.Following tumor confirmation of tumor induction, the DA group performed 14 weeks of continuous aerobic treadmill exercise, 5 sessions per week, 60 minutes per session, at 60% of the maximal running speed determined individually using an incremental test. Incremental tests were repeated at weeks 5, 9, and 13 to adjust intensity. Nontraining groups were placed on a nonmoving treadmill to control for environmental stress.Colon tumor tissues were collected 24 hours after the final intervention following overnight fasting. RNA extraction (kit RB1001), cDNA synthesis, and gene expression quantification via RTqPCR (SYBR Green; StepOnePlus system) were performed for Bax, Bcl2, HIF1α, and VEGFA. TBP gene was used as the reference gene due to its stability in inflammatory and cancer models. Primer sequences were validated for efficiency (90–110%) and specificity using meltcurve analysis. All reactions were performed in technical triplicates. Statistical analyses included Shapiro–Wilk test, the Levene test, oneway analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey posthoc tests. In addition, Bonferroni correction was applied as a sensitivity analysis. Tumor burden and molecular markers were analyzed as fold changes relative to HC. The significance level was set at p<0.05.Findings: DMH administration successfully induced colon tumors in the DS and DA groups, whereas no macroscopic lesions were observed in HC and SH groups. Tumor burden indices were markedly elevated in the DS group, which exhibited the highest tumor number and total tumor weight. Aerobic exercise significantly attenuated tumor burden in the DA group compared with the DS group. Specifically, the mean tumor number decreased from 6.80±1.40 in DS to 4.10±1.20 in DA, while total tumor weight decreased from 1.92±0.35 g to 1.21±0.28 g (p<0.01). Molecular analyses revealed substantial differences in apoptotic and angiogenic gene expression markers across groups. Oneway ANOVA revealed significant differences among the study groups in tumor burden indices as well as molecular variables, including Bax, Bcl2, HIF1α, and VEGFA (p≤0.006), with large effect sizes (η²=0.38–0.81). Descriptive statistics and ANOVA results for these variables are presented in Table 1. Tukey’s post hoc analysis showed that the DS group had significantly higher tumor number and total tumor weight compared with HC and SH (p<0.001), whereas both indices were significantly lower in DA compared with DS (p<0.01). Regarding apoptotic markers, Bax expression was significantly lower in DS compared with HC (p<0.001), while Bcl2 expression was significantly higher (p<0.001). In the DA group, Bax expression was significantly higher than in DS (p=0.04), whereas Bcl2 expression was significantly lower (p=0.01). For angiogenesisrelated markers, HIF1α and VEGFA expression levels were significantly higher in DS compared with HC (both p<0.001). In addition, both markers were significantly lower in DA compared with DS (both p<0.001).Conclusion: Fourteen weeks of structured aerobic exercise in a DMHinduced rat model of colon cancer resulted in meaningful molecular and phenotypic improvements. Aerobic exercise significantly reduced tumor burden, restored apoptotic signaling through increased Bax and decreased Bcl2 expression, and attenuated the activation of the hypoxiadependent angiogenesis pathway through reductions in HIF1α and VEGFA. The coordinated modulation of these pathways suggests that aerobic exercise exerts multidimensional anticancer effects, consistent with preclinical models proposing enhanced oxygenation, improved vascular function, and modulation of survival signaling (Ashcraft et al., 2016; Schadler et al., 2016). Although these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to humans, they support the potential role of structured aerobic exercise as a complementary non-pharmacological strategy alongside conventional therapies. Future studies should investigate proteinlevel changes, functional angiogenic outcomes, and individualized exercisedose responses to optimize clinical applications.Ethical Considerations: All experimental procedures involving animals were conducted in accordance with the institutional guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals and complied with internationally accepted ethical standards for animal research. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Iran (Approval No. IR.IAU.NAJAFABAD.REC.1404.225).Compliance with Ethical Guideline: The study complied fully with international standards for the ethical treatment of laboratory animals and followed ARRIVE guidelines.Funding: No external funding was received for this research. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3785.html Extended AbstractBackground and Aim: Age-related decrease in physical abilities and muscle weakness are contributing factors for increasing metabolic disorders such as type II diabetes (T2DM). The T2DM is characterized by impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, frequently associates with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and can lead to liver dysfunction. Early detection of liver disease in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes is of considerable clinical importance. Liver enzymes including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) are considered important indicators of liver injury in these patients. Both aerobic and resistance trainings have been shown to improve liver health indices in elderly diabetic patients. Resistance training, such as pilates band exercises, is an effective method for improving muscle function and increasing muscle mass in the elderly. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of resistance training using pilates bands on liver enzymes levels, body composition and, leg muscle strength, in elderly women with type II diabetes.Materials and Methods: This experimental study included 26 elderly women with T2DM (65–80 years), who were randomly assigned to control (n=13) and exercise (n=13) groups. All participants provided written informed consent. Measurements were performed 24 hours pre‑intervention and 48 hours post‑intervention. After 8–12 hours fasting, blood samples were drawn to assess serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) via standard enzymatic methods. Body weight was measured using a Porsa ZT‑120 scale, and height using a wall stadiometer. Body composition was measured using an Omron BF‑302 analyzer. Dynamic lower limb strength was evaluated using the 30‑second chair stand test (CST), recording the number of complete sit‑to‑stand repetitions within 30 seconds.Exercise intervention: The 12‑week resistance training program was designed according to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for older adults, was performed three sessions/week using elastic bands (yellow, green, pink, red). Each session consisted 10 min warm‑up, 40 min resistance exercises (seated chest press, row, shoulder press, knee extension/flexion, hip flexion/extension, leg press), and 5 min cool‑down. Intensity was progressively increased by changing band colors every two weeks and increasing repetitions, monitored by the Borg RPE scale (score 13= moderate intensity). Participants completed at least 75% of sessions for final analysis.Statistical analysis: Paired t‑tests, ANCOVA (with pretest scores as covariates), and the Mann‑Whitney U test were used, with significance set at p<0.05.Findings: At baseline, the exercise and control groups were homogeneous in terms of mean age (72.08±4.71 years vs. 72.3±5.75 years) and height (167.68±4.94 cm vs. 164.15±6.30 cm) (p>0.05). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). To be eligible for the post-test phase, participants were required to complete at least 75% of all training sessions. Throughout the intervention period, the participants’ general condition was monitored both visually and verbally to ensure that the exercise intensity remained within their individual tolerance levels.Body Composition: The results indicated a reduction in body weight in the resistance training group, whereas body weight increased in the control group. ANCOVA revealed a statistically significant between-group difference in post-intervention body weight (p=0.004, F=10.40, η²=0.34). Regarding body fat mass, a sig nificant reduction was observed within the exercise group compared with baseline (p=0.04). However, the between-group difference in the post-test was not statistically significant (p=0.16, F=2.00, η²=0.09).Liver Enzymes: Concerning AST levels, both groups showed within-group decreases, but these reductions were not significant, and no between-group difference was observed in the post-test (p=0.75, F=0.005, η²=0.005). Additionally, no significant difference was found between the two groups in ALT levels (p=0.69, F=0.16, η²=0.008). However, both groups demonstrated a significant within-group increase in ALT compared to baseline (p<0.05). Regarding ALP, due to the violation of ANCOVA assumptions, the Mann–Whitney U test was employed for between-group comparisons. The results indicated no significant difference between the groups (p=0.11, Z=-1.58, U=36.00). Furthermore, both groups showed non-significant within-group increases in ALP relative to baseline (p>0.05).Functional Test: The results of the paired-samples t-test also revealed a significant increase in lower limb functional strength in the Pilates band resistance training group compared to baseline (p=0.02), whereas the control group did not showed any significant decrease (p=0.06). Moreover, the results of ANCOVA, with pre-test scores entered as the covariate, demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups in post-test mean scores (p=0.004, F=10.75, η²=0.38), indicating a significant effect of Pilates band resistance training on improving lower limb functional strength compared to the control group (Table 1).Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicated improvement in body composition and muscle strength; specifically, for weight, body mass index, and fat mass in the exercise group compared to the control group that indicate the effective role of resistance training in metabolic management of diabetic patients due to the reducing obesity-related risk factors and insulin resistance. Furthermore, a significant 9% improvement in the CST performance in the exercise group suggests increased functional strength and muscular endurance of the lower limbs that can be considered as a key factor in maintaining functional independence, reducing the risk of falls and fractures, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life in the elderly. This finding is consistent with the results of previous studies that have introduced resistance training with elastic bands as effective in improving functional fitness in older adults, although the intensity, volume, and duration of training, as well as the characteristics of the study population, may justify slight differences in the effectiveness between various studies. However, the implementation of resistance training did not create significant changes in the levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP). These results can emphasize that the 12-week intervention duration, as well as confounding factors such as medications, diet, and the long history of diabetes in the subjects, may have contributed to the lack of change in liver enzymes. Therefore, to establish sustainable changes in liver enzymes, longer intervention periods or different training intensities may be required.Ethical Considerations: All stages of the present research were approved by the Ethics Committee of Kharazmi University, Tehran (Approval Code: IR.KHU.REC.1403.108) and the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Trial ID: IRCT20241008063290N1).Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.Funding: This research was supported by Grant No. 4026206 from the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF). 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_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_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_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_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_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_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_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_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_3978.html Background and Aim:Loss of muscle mass in aging is associated with chronic inflammation, and age-related disruption of intracellular redox balance is a major factor in causing this type of inflammation. In this study, the effect of nanoliposomal selenium supplementation along with resistance training on muscle expression of cytokines IL-18 and IL-1β, catalase enzyme activity, and muscle endurance in oldrats was investigated.Methods: 20 rats with average age of 20-months were randomly divided into four equal groups: aged+solvent control, aged+supplement, aged+exercise, and aged+supplement+exercise. Resistance training was performed for 6 weeks, 5 sessions per week, including climbing a resistance ladder with an incline of 85 degrees with a weight equivalent to 25% of the body weight attached to the tail of the mice, 3 to 5 sets and 8 to 12 repetitions with overloading. Nanoliposomal selenium supplement gavage at 2.5 mg/kg body weight was performed according to the training days. Finally, muscle endurance was assessed using the Basket behavioral test. Then, IL-18 and IL-1β gene expression were measured by Real-time PCR and catalase activity was measured by ELISA in the soleus muscle. The data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests at the P≤0.05 level.Results: Resistance training and selenium supplementation each independently resulted in significant reductions in IL-18 and IL-1β, as well as significant increases in catalase and improvements in muscle endurance. The interactive effect of the two interventions was significant in increasing catalase and improving muscle endurance and reducing IL-18. However, the combined effect of training and supplementation was significant in reducing IL-1β expression.Conclusion: Resistance training combined with selenium intake may play a role in the relative improvement of age-related chronic inflammation and related muscle mass loss, possibly by modulating the pro-inflammatory state by regulating IL-18 and IL-1β cytokines and enhancing antioxidant defense by stimulating catalase. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_3984.html Background and Aim: A high-fat diet (HFD) can lead to detrimental biochemical and functional alterations in cardiac muscle. Regular exercise, as a non-pharmacological intervention, has the potential to mitigate certain adverse effects associated with a high-fat diet (HFD), warranting further investigation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and HFD on monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) protein concentration, Lactate, triglyceride (TG), total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the cardiac tissue of male rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, forty-four male Wistar rats (weight range 150–200 grams, age 7–8 weeks) were randomly assigned to four equal groups: normal diet control (NDC), high-fat diet control (HFDC), high-intensity interval training + normal diet (HIIT+ND), and high-intensity interval training + high-fat diet (HIIT+HFD). The HIIT program (running on a treadmill at a 25° incline) consisted of ten 4-minute intervals at 85–90% of maximum speed, interspersed with 2 minutes of active recovery at 50% of maximum speed, for 12 weeks, five days per week. Forty-eight hours after the last intervention session, the rats were euthanized, and their cardiac muscles were removed for biochemical analyses. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey's test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Mann–Whitney U test at a significance level of p<0.05. Findings: Based on the results, the concentrations of MCT1, Lactate, TG, TOS, and TAC in the HIIT+HFD group were significantly lower than in the HFDC group; and the concentrations of MCT1, lactate, and TAC in the HIIT+HFD group were significantly lower than in the HIIT+ND group. In addition, MCT1 and TOS concentrations were higher and lower, respectively, in the HIIT+ND group compared with the NDC. Also, the TG concentration in the HFDC group was significantly higher than in the NDC group. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4055.html Extended Abstract Background and Aim:  Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common age‑related neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. Experimental studies in animal models of PD indicate that regular aerobic training can improve motor performance, reduce neuronal damage, and decrease inflammatory cytokine expression in the brain. Dietary and herbal interventions have also been investigated for their anti‑inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Garlic (Allium sativum) is widely studied because of its bioactive compounds including allicin, diallyl sulfide, and S‑allyl cysteine. Considering that exercise influences systemic immune regulation and neurotrophic signaling while garlic directly targets inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress, their combination may produce synergistic effects. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise combined with garlic supplementation on the expression of pro‑ and anti‑inflammatory cytokines (IL‑17, IL‑23, IL‑10, and IL‑8) in the brain tissue of rats with experimentally induced Parkinson’s disease. Materials and Methods: This experimental study used a post‑test control group design. Thirty male Sprague‑Dawley rats (250–270 g, 8–10 weeks old) were obtained from the animal laboratory of Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht Branch. Animals were maintained under controlled conditions (22 ± 2°C, 50–60% humidity, and a 12‑h light/dark cycle) with free access to food and water. After one week of acclimatization, rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n=6): healthy control, PD control, aerobic exercise, garlic supplementation, and aerobic exercise plus garlic supplementation. Parkinson’s disease was induced using a reserpine‑based protocol under Ketamine/Xylazine anesthesia to simulate dopaminergic depletion and PD‑like symptoms. To confirm the development of a parkinsonian phenotype and evaluate the severity of reserpine-induced motor deficits, the following standardized behavioral tests were performed: the rotarod test, the rearing test, and the load test .  The aerobic training protocol was adapted from Moradi et al. (2019). Rats performed treadmill running three sessions per week for eight weeks, including warm‑up, moderate‑intensity running, and cool‑down periods with gradually increased duration and intensity. Animals in the garlic group received garlic extract by oral gavage at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight daily for eight weeks. The combined group received both aerobic training and garlic supplementation. Forty‑eight hours after the final training session, animals underwent a 12‑hour fasting period. Rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal ketamine (75 mg/kg) and xylazine (25 mg/kg). Brain tissues were collected and stored at −70 °C until analysis. The expression levels of IL‑8, IL‑10, IL‑17, and IL‑23 were measured using ELISA and quantitative real‑time PCR (qRT‑PCR). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Group differences were assessed using one‑way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. All procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Behbahan Branch.   Findings: The results demonstrated that parkinsonian mice exhibited a significant impairment in motor performance compared with healthy control mice. Specifically, muscle strength and balance, as assessed by the rotarod test, as well as motor function and exploratory activity, as assessed by the rearing test, were significantly reduced in parkinsonian mice relative to the healthy control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the load test revealed a significant increase in muscular rigidity in parkinsonian mice compared with healthy controls (p<0.05). The mean ± standard deviation values of IL-10, IL-23, IL-17, and IL-8 are presented in Table 3. The findings indicated significant differences among the study groups in IL-10 (F = 109.04, p = 0.001), IL-23 (F = 1408.57, p = 0.001), IL-17 (F = 203.78, p = 0.001), and IL-8 (F = 215.24, p = 0.001). Fold-change analysis demonstrated a 1.6-fold increase in IL-10 levels in the garlic supplementation group and a 1.9-fold increase in the exercise plus garlic supplementation group. For IL-23, the greatest reduction was observed in the exercise plus garlic supplementation group (0.35-fold). Similarly, the largest decrease in IL-17 was found in the exercise plus garlic supplementation group (0.42-fold), whereas IL-8 showed the greatest increase in the same group (2.36-fold). Tukey’s post hoc analysis revealed that IL-10 (p = 0.035), IL-23 (p = 0.001), IL-17 (p = 0.001), and IL-8 (p = 0.001) levels were significantly lower in the disease control group than in the healthy control group. In the garlic supplementation and exercise plus garlic supplementation groups, IL-8 levels were significantly higher than those observed in both the disease control and exercise-only groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, IL-10 concentrations in the exercise plus garlic supplementation group were significantly higher than those in the garlic supplementation group alone (p = 0.002). IL-23 levels were significantly lower in the garlic supplementation (p = 0.001), exercise (p = 0.004), and exercise plus garlic supplementation (p = 0.001) groups compared with the disease control group. Likewise, IL-17 concentrations were significantly reduced in the garlic supplementation (p = 0.001), exercise (p = 0.004), and exercise plus garlic supplementation (p = 0.001) groups relative to the disease control group. Furthermore, IL-17 levels in the exercise plus garlic supplementation group were significantly lower than those in both the garlic supplementation group alone (p = 0.004) and the exercise-only group (p = 0.001). Conclusion: In this study, reserpine-induced PD models exhibited a pronounced dysregulation of inflammatory cytokines in brain tissue, characterized by elevated levels of the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-17 and IL-23 and reduced levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-8. Both aerobic exercise and garlic supplementation significantly improved this inflammatory profile, underscoring their potential as effective non-pharmacological strategies for modulating PD-associated neuroinflammation. Importantly, the combined intervention produced greater improvements than either treatment alone, indicating a synergistic interaction between structured physical activity and targeted nutritional supplementation. These findings emphasize the therapeutic relevance of integrating lifestyle-based approaches to attenuate inflammation-driven mechanisms implicated in PD pathology. Collectively, the results support the combined use of aerobic exercise and garlic supplementation as a promising complementary strategy to reduce neuroinflammation and potentially enhance neuroprotective pathways in PD. Further experimental and clinical studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms involved and confirm translational applicability. Keywords: Aerobic exercise, Garlic Supplement, Inflammation, Parkinson, Neuroprotection.   Ethical Considerations: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Behbahan Branch (IR.IAU.BEHBAHAN.REC.1402.024). Compliance with ethical guideline: In this study, compliance with ethical guidelines was ensured. Funding: This research received no external funding. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Keywords: Aerobic exercise, Garlic, Inflammation, Brain, Experimental Parkinson’s disease model https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4056.html Background and aim: Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces skeletal muscle atrophy, which is associated with impaired in PI3K and AKT pathways, whereas exercise training and antioxidant nutrients may inhibit muscle atrophy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of four weeks of resveratrol supplementation, aerobic training, or their combination on muscle PI3K and AKT protein levels in rats with SCI injury. Materials and Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=8) including healthy control group, control group (SCI), resveratrol group (RES), exercise training group (EX), and resveratrol and exercise combination group. The interventions commenced 14 days after injury induction and continued for four weeks. The aerobic training lasted 58 minutes at an intensity of 20 m/min for 4 weeks. Resveratrol supplementation was administered at a dose of 10 mg via intraperitoneal injection. After 4 weeks, the protein levels of PI3K and AKT in skeletal muscle were measured using the ELISA method. For intergroup comparison, one-way ANOVA test and Tukey's post hoc test were used at the p < 0.05 level. Findings: Exercise training, supplementation, and the combination of supplementation and exercise training significantly increased PI3K protein compared to the control group in rats with spinal cord injury (p<0.001). Also, this increase was significantly greater in the exercise + supplementation group compared to the supplementation and exercise training alone groups (p=0.006, =0.01, respectively). Resveratrol supplementation (p=0.01), exercise training (p=0.002), and their combination (p=0.001) significantly increased AKT protein compared to the control group in rats with spinal cord injury. This increase was significantly greater in the combination group compared to the supplementation and exercise training alone groups (p=0.006 & p=0.035, respectively). Conclusion: These results indicate that resveratrol and aerobic training restore the AKT/PI3K pathway induced by SCI. Their combined application is a superior therapeutic strategy to enhance this pathway in combating metabolic dysfunction and muscle atrophy induced by SCI. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4058.html Introduction and Objective: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common complication of type 2 diabetes, and physical activity along with proper nutrition may help control its associated inflammation. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of eight weeks of combined training and taurine supplementation on the gene expression of CCL2 and HIF1α in the kidney tissue of diabetic male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study,50 eight-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into five equal groups: healthy control, diabetic control, diabetic supplement, diabetic training, and diabetic training+supplement. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The combined training program (resistance and endurance) was performed for eight weeks, five sessions per week. Resistance training started with three sets of four repetitions and progressed to three sets of five repetitions using weights equivalent to 3% of body weight. Endurance training began at 15 m/min for 15 minutes and increased to 20m/min for 40minutes. Taurine supplementation was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 20 mg/kg after exercise sessions. 48hours after the final session, kidney tissues were collected and gene expression was analyzed using Real-Time PCR. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at a significance level of p≤0.05. Results:CCL2 gene expression was significantly reduced in the diabetic training+supplement group (p=0.001) and the diabetic training group (p=0.03) compared with the diabetic control group. However, no significant difference was observed between the diabetic training and diabetic training+supplement groups (p=0.19). In addition, HIF1α gene expression showed no significant changes in the diabetic training+supplement group (p=0.99) or the diabetic training group (p=0.78) compared with the diabetic control group. Conclusion: Combined training and taurine supplementation may reduce diabetes-related renal inflammation through decreasing CCL2 expression; however, adding taurine to exercise did not produce additional effects on CCL2 expression. Moreover, these interventions did not show significant effects on hypoxia-related pathways. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4086.html Background and Objective: Diabetes impairs hippocampal synaptic plasticity by reducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its associated cellular pathways. Exercise is an effective intervention in improving this process, but its molecular mechanisms are not well understood. This study aimed to compare the effects of endurance training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the AMP-activated protein kinase (CaMKII)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and BDNF expression in the hippocampus of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into healthy control (NC), diabetic control (DC), diabetic + endurance training (DE), and diabetic + high-intensity interval training (DHIIT) groups. Endurance and HIIT training programs were performed for 8 weeks, 5 days a week for the respective groups. In both protocols, the intensity and duration of exercise gradually increased during the course, so that at the end of 8 weeks, the total time of exercise sessions significantly increased compared to the beginning of the course. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body weight). At the end, the expression of BDNF, CaMKII, CREB and mTOR genes in hippocampal tissue was measured by Real-time PCR. Differences between groups were examined using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test at the p < 0.05 level. Results: Diabetes caused a significant decrease in the expression of BDNF (p < 0.009), CaMKII (p < 0.0001), CREB (p < 0.009) and mTOR (p < 0.0001) genes in the hippocampus of rats. Both types of exercise training significantly compensated for these decreases and resulted in increased expression of BDNF (p<0.0001), CaMKII (p<0.001), CREB (p<0.0001), and mTOR (p<0.0001) genes compared to the diabetic control group. However, the HIIT group showed a more pronounced increase in the expression of CREB (p<0.0001) and mTOR (p<0.0001) genes compared to the endurance training group. Conclusion: Both endurance training and HIIT are able to restore the mTOR/CREB/CaMKII signaling pathway and increase BDNF gene expression in the hippocampus of diabetic rats. However, HIIT seems to be superior in more effective activation of downstream components of this pathway, especially mTOR and CREB, which could suggest it as a more efficient exercise strategy to target molecular abnormalities associated with diabetic neurological complications. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4110.html Background and Purpose: Obesity and high-fat diet consumption are associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, metabolic disorders, and an increased risk of metabolic diseases. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of 10 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), with and without a high-fat diet, on body weight, fasting blood glucose, and protein expression of MCP-1 and NF-κB in obese male C57BL/6 mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 mice were randomly assigned into چهار groups: normal diet control (Ctrl/ND), exercise with normal diet (Ex/ND), sedentary with high-fat diet (Sedentary/HFD), and exercise with high-fat diet (Ex/HFD). The HIIT protocol was performed for 10 weeks, 5 sessions per week, on a treadmill. At the end of the intervention, body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured, and protein expression levels of MCP-1 and NF-κB were assessed using the Western blot technique. Results: Metabolic findings demonstrated that the high-fat diet significantly increased body weight and fasting blood glucose (P<0.05). In addition, protein expression levels of NF-κB and MCP-1 in the Sedentary/HFD group increased by 150% compared with the control group (P<0.05). In contrast, HIIT significantly attenuated the adverse effects of the high-fat diet. In the Ex/HFD group, body weight, fasting blood glucose, NF-κB protein expression, and MCP-1 protein expression decreased by approximately 8.3%, 25%, 36%, and 52%, respectively, compared with the Sedentary/HFD group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that HIIT can partially attenuate the detrimental effects of a high-fat diet on metabolic and inflammatory markers. However, the persistence of some inflammatory alterations in the high-fat diet group despite exercise indicates that dietary modification alongside physical activity is essential for effective inflammation control and prevention of metabolic disorders. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4111.html Background and Objective: Aging is a global, intrinsic, progressive, and damaging process that is associated with systemic inflammation, which is accompanied by the gradual accumulation of various injuries and a decrease in the functional efficiency and homeostasis of cells and tissues over time. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of intense interval training on the levels of iNOS, COX-2, and Caspase3 proteins in the hippocampal tissue of aged Wistar rats. Research Methods: In this study, 30 male Wistar rats were prepared as samples in the aged groups with a weight of 480 grams and an age of 22 months and a young group with an age of 10 weeks and a weight of 190 grams, and after familiarization with the laboratory environment, they were randomly divided into three groups: control-young group, control-elderly group, and exercise-elderly group (each group of 10 rats). The training protocol for the HIIT group in the first week included treadmill running with a repetition rate of five two-minute intervals at an intensity of 80 to 100% of maximum speed. The training protocol included five sessions per week for six weeks. At the end of the sixth week, 48 hours after the last training session, the mice were anesthetized and their hippocampal tissue was extracted under sterile conditions and Western blotting was used to measure proteins. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Aging significantly increased the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and Caspase3 genes in the hippocampal tissue of the brain (p<0.05). Also, following HIIT training, the expression of these genes decreased significantly (p<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that HIIT training can have a protective role in the hippocampus against the effects of aging by reducing factors involved in neuronal destruction. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4112.html Background and Aim:Aging is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases.Biological age is considered a useful indicator for evaluating healthy aging and maintaining quality of life.The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of 40 sessions of High-Intensity Functional Training(HIFT)on the modulation of biological age in women and men,and to compare sex-specific responses to this intervention.Materials and Methods:Data from 600 healthy men and women were used to train the model and extract the Klemera-Doubal(KDM)coefficients.100 healthy individuals with an average weight and age of 57 years and 80 kg were divided into two HIFT and control groups.40-session HIFT protocol was performed in accordance with the overload principle.Cardiometabolic indices were measured by standard laboratory methods, and biological age by the KDM method before and after a 40-session intervention.t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficient (at p≤0.05 level) were used to analyze the data.Results:Compared with the control group HIFT resulted in significant reductions in bodyweight(women p=0.03; men p=0.007)waist circumference(women and men p=0.001)and diastolic blood pressure(women p=0.002; men p=0.001)significant increases in total protein(women p=0.03; men p=0.02) and hemoglobin(women p=0.001;men p=0.01)in both sexes.Women exhibited significant reductions in body mass index (p=0.01),insulin(p=0.003)and triglycerides(p=0.001)along with significant increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.001),urinary creatinine(p=0.01),and dominant handgrip strength(p=0.001).Men also showed significant reductions in body mass index(p=0.008),hematocrit(p=0.05)C-reactive protein(p=0.01)blood urea nitrogen(p=0.001),together with a significant increase in forced vital capacity(p=0.001). Compared to the control group, the HIFT intervention had a significant effect on reducing biological age(p=0.001)in women and men. Biological age in men and women in the HIFT group showed a significant decrease of 0.71 and 0.60 years, respectively (p=0.001). In the control group, a non-significant decrease of 0.06(p=0.3)and 0.04(p=0.7)years.Conclusion:HIFT with nutritional guidance improves biological age in both sexes by improving cardiometabolic biomarkers.The findings of this study highlight the importance of paying attention to regular physical activity in managing the aging process. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4116.html Background and Aim: Alzheimer’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory impairment, and alterations in inflammatory and neurodegenerative pathways. This study aimed to investigate the effects of treadmill exercise and niacin supplementation on spatial memory and the expression of Alzheimer’s-related microRNAs in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model. Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 6): control, Alzheimer’s, Alzheimer’s + niacin, Alzheimer’s + exercise, and Alzheimer’s + exercise + niacin. Alzheimer’s disease was induced via intracerebroventricular injection of STZ. Interventions were conducted for 30 days and included treadmill exercise and niacin administration (100 mg/kg). Spatial memory was assessed using the Morris Water Maze test, and microRNA expression levels were measured using Real-Time PCR. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: Alzheimer’s induction significantly impaired spatial memory (P < 0.05). All treatment groups showed a significant reduction in escape latency compared to the Alzheimer’s group (P > 0.05). Additionally, the exercise and combined groups showed a significant increase in time spent in the target quadrant, while all treatment groups demonstrated a significant increase in the number of platform crossings and a decrease in latency to first crossing compared to the Alzheimer’s group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed among treatment groups (P < 0.05). At the molecular level, all treatment groups showed a significant increase in miR-29a, miR-29c, and miR-9a expression and a significant decrease in miR-146a compared to the Alzheimer’s group (P < 0.05). The combined group showed greater increases in miR-9a and miR-29c, while the niacin group showed the highest increase in miR-29a.Conclusion: Treadmill exercise and niacin supplementation, especially in combination, improved spatial memory and modulated microRNAs associated with inflammation and neurodegeneration, suggesting protective effects in Alzheimer’s disease. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4118.html Background and Aim: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea are common issues among girls, characterized by psychological and physical symptoms before menstruation and menstrual pain, respectively. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and thyme supplementation on dysmenorrhea and PMS in adolescent girls.Materials and Methods: This study utilized a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measures. A total of 40 high school female students from Kerman were randomly assigned to four groups: aerobic exercise, supplementation, combined exercise and supplementation, and a control group. The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) was used to assess the severity of dysmenorrhea, the Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool (PSST) for PMS symptoms, and the McGill Pain Questionnaire for pain perception. The intervention included specified intensity and duration of aerobic exercises, thyme supplementation in capsule form, and a combination of both for the intervention groups. The control group received no intervention. Questionnaires were completed before the intervention and after its conclusion. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA.Results: Results indicated significant differences in dysmenorrhea and PMS symptoms between the control group and the aerobic exercise group as well as the combined exercise and supplementation group. However, no significant difference was observed between the supplementation-only group and the control group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that aerobic exercise significantly reduces PMS and dysmenorrhea symptoms, highlighting the importance of regular physical activity in managing these issues. Additionally, combining aerobic exercise with thyme supplementation further improves women's conditions, while thyme alone does not show significant effects. Therefore, it is recommended that women incorporate aerobic exercises alongside supplements into their routines to achieve optimal results. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4119.html Background and Purpose: These days, with the increasing number of elderly people in the world, the amount of sarcopenia is also increasing. Sarcopenia is one of the aging syndromes that has the greatest impact on the independence of the elderly. It can increase the risk of falling, presence of other syndromes and even mortality in people over 65 years old. Regular exercise can be an effective strategy to delay sarcopenia and improve the quality of life of the elderly. Methods: The research method is semi-experimental, with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. 36 elderly women (age 70.39 ± 2.81 years, weight 72.33 ± 5.63 kg, and height 157.97 ± 3.85 cm) were randomly selected and divided into three groups: aerobic, resistance, and control group. The intervention consisted of aerobic exercise (with an intensity of RPE 5-8, equivalent to 50-80% of maximum heart rate, for 30 to 45 minutes) and resistance exercise (with an intensity of 40-80% of one repetition maximum, 8-10 movements) for eight weeks and 2 to 3 sessions per week. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before the protocol and 48 hours after the protocol to determine serum CCR and P3NP levels. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and independent t-test at a significance level of P≥0.05.Results: CCR values increased significantly in both aerobic (P < 0.01) and resistance (P < 0.01) groups. P3NP values also increased significantly in both aerobic (P < 0.01) and resistance (P < 0.01) groups. These changes were greater in the resistance training group than in the aerobic group (P < 0.01). https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4121.html Abstract Background and Aim: Considering the prevalence of overweight and increased oxidative stress as one of its main adverse consequences, the present study aimed to determine the effect of 12 weeks of combined exercise training with different energy expenditure on some oxidative stress indices in overweight women. Materials and Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test–post-test design. The participants were 27 overweight women who were randomly assigned to three groups: high-caloric expenditure exercise (HCE), standard-caloric expenditure exercise (SCE), and control (CON). The HCE group performed exercises with an energy expenditure of 1200–1500 kcal (at 50–65% VO2max) in the first week, which increased to 3000–3500 kcal (at 50–75% VO2max) by the final week. The SCE group trained with an energy expenditure of 900–1200 kcal (at 60–70% VO2max) in the first week and 1200–1500 kcal (at 60–75% VO2max) in the final week. The biomarkers total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA (2×3) at a significance level of p≤0.05. Results: No significant differences were found between the groups in TAC (p=0.222), GPX (p=0.145), SOD (p=0.264), and MDA (p=0.621). Additionally, there were no significant within-group changes in TAC (p=0.514), GPX (p=0.277), and SOD (p=0.921) from pre-test to post-test. However, a significant decrease in MDA was observed only in the SCE group between the first and second measurement stages (p=0.043). Conclusion: Based on the results, high-energy expenditure exercise (above 3000 kcal per week) does not appear to have significant oxidative stress-related drawbacks after 12 weeks, allowing individuals to benefit from its positive effects. Additionally, the reduction in MDA suggests a potential advantage of standard-energy expenditure exercise. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4145.html Background and Aim: Given the rising prevalence of obesity and changing lifestyles, it is essential to devise practical strategies to encourage physical activity, enabling individuals to achieve their health goals with minimal difficulty. This study aimed to compare the effects of functional training performed at home versus at a gym on cardiovascular indices and lipid profiles in overweight and obese middle-aged women. Material and method: The present study is a clinical trial with a pre-test/post-test design. For this purpose, a sample of 60 overweight and obese, non-athletic women was selected using a convenience sampling method. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group, a gym-based exercise group, and a home-based exercise group (20 participants per group). The variables under study were measured at the beginning and end of the research. The experimental groups performed functional exercises—either at the gym or at home—three sessions per week for a duration of 10 weeks. Data analysis was conducted using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for between-group comparisons and paired t-tests for within-group comparisons. Results: The results indicated that gym-based functional training led to significant reductions in body weight (p=0.01), BMI (p=0.01), and hip circumference (p=0.007) compared to the control and home-based training groups. However, no significant effect was observed regarding waist circumference or the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Furthermore, both gym-based (p=0.024) and home-based (p=0.047) training resulted in a significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC), with no significant difference observed between the two training groups (p=0.14). Gym-based training led to significant reductions in systolic blood pressure and the Framingham Risk Score. Nevertheless, neither gym-based nor home-based training significantly affected TG, LDL, HDL, the TC/HDL ratio, diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, FFI, or AIP (p>0.05). Conclusion: It appears that functional training in a gym is somewhat more effective than home-based exercise for individuals who are overweight or obese; therefore, it is recommended that such individuals exercise primarily in a gym under the supervision of a trainer. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4178.html Background and Aim: Interval training by improving insulin sensitivity and betaine by reducing hepatic lipogenesis each have the ability to modulate metabolic disorders caused by obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) along with nanoemulsified betaine supplementation on the hepatic expression of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4), sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), liver X receptor-alpha (LXRα), and Kröppel-like factor-15 (KLF15) genes in obese rats. Materials and Methods: 25 rats were divided into five equal groups including healthy control, obese control, obese+MIIT, obese+nanoemulsified betaine, and obese+MIIT+nanoemulsified betaine. The obese groups were fed a high-fat-cholesterol diet for 12 weeks. MIIT protocol was performed for eight weeks, including 30-minute running, with activity bouts speed of 10 to 16 m/min, five days a week; Nanoemulsified betaine supplementation was administered by gavage at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. The hepatic expression of GLUT4, SREBP-1c, LXRα, and KLF15 genes was examined by qRT-PCR. Data were analyzed by independent t-tests and two-way analysis of variance at the p≤0.05 level. Findings: Obesity decreased the expression of GLUT4 and KLF15 and increased SREBP-1c and LXRα (p≤0.001 for all genes). MIIT and supplementation each separately increased GLUT4, KLF15 and also decreased SREBP-1c and LXRα (p≤0.001 for both interventions; for all genes). The interaction of the two interventions only significantly reduced SREBP-1c (p=0.017). Conclusion: MIIT and nanoemulsified betaine interventions each independently modulate the expression pattern of hepatic metabolic genes to improve insulin resistance and reduce lipogenesis. However, the interaction of these two interventions and their synergistic effect only specifically causes stronger suppression of SREBP-1c, which could be important in reducing hepatic lipogenesis and improving obesity-related fatty liver. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4179.html Background and Objective: Aging is accompanied by increased chronic inflammation and weakened antioxidant capacity, which can pave the way for metabolic disorders and tissue function degradation. Despite existing evidence regarding the independent effects of exercise and capsaicin, there is a lack of sufficient clarity concerning their combined effect and the potential occurrence of a synergistic effect on inflammatory and antioxidant markers in an aging model. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 20 aged rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control (CONT), capsaicin (CAP), swimming training (EX1), and swimming training combined with capsaicin (EX1+CAPS). The training intervention consisted of a 10-week combined swimming protocol (integrating interval and endurance components). Capsaicin supplementation was administered relative to body weight throughout the intervention period. Following the completion of the protocol, blood sampling was performed, and IL-1β, IL-10 levels, and SOD activity were measured. Results: The results indicated that both exercise and capsaicin interventions had significant effects on inflammatory and antioxidant markers. Crucially, the EX1+CAPS group exhibited more significant changes compared to the individual CAP and EX1 groups. Conclusion: Combined swimming training along with capsaicin supplementation can be considered an effective non-pharmacological/adjuvant strategy to improve cytokine balance (reducing IL-1β and increasing IL-10) and strengthen antioxidant capacity (increasing SOD) in the aging model, demonstrating a synergistic effect between swimming training and capsaicin consumption. These findings can provide a foundation for designing more practical protocols in the fields of gerontology and exercise physiology. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4180.html Background and Aim: Hepatic inflammation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) plays a pivotal role in the activation of the toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway, which is associated with the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, exacerbation of oxidative stress, and induction of apoptosis. The first line of treatment for NAFLD is lifestyle intervention, including diet and exercise. Therefore, aim of this study was to investigate the combined effect of interval tarining with mealworm supplementation on the hepatic expression of inflammatory genes TLR4 and NF-κB and structural damage of liver tissue in rats with NAFLD. Materials and Methods: 25 rats, including five rats per group, were divided into five groups: healthy control, NAFLD model, model+exercise, model+supplement, and model+exercise+supplement. NAFLD modeling was performed with high-fat, cholesterol, and cholic-acid diet. The interval aerobic training was performed for eight weeks, five sessions per week at intensity of 50 to 80% of maximum running speed, for total of 30 minutes with overload; gavage of mealworm extract supplement was performed at dose of 20 mg/kg bodyweight. Hepatic expression of TLR4 and NF-κB genes was measured by Real-Time-PCR, accumulation of fat droplets in liver, sinusoidal expansion, and percentage of apoptosis by hematoxylin-eosin tissue staining. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests at p≤0.05. Results: Induction of NAFLD led to increase in hepatic expression of TLR4 and NF-κB, accumulation of fat droplets, sinusoidal expansion, and percentage of apoptosis in liver tissue. Aerobic training, mealworm supplementation, and the combination of both interventions reduced the levels of all study indicators compared to NAFLD model group (p≤0.001). The combination of exercise and supplementation was able to restore TLR4 (98.7%) and NF-κB (97.6%) expression to healthy baseline compared to each of the independent interventions. Conclusion: The combination of aerobic training and mealworm, by creating positive changes in TLR4/NF-κB hepatic inflammation axis and modulating lipid metabolism, maybe more effective in treatment of NAFLD than either of the independent interventions. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4181.html Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with the induction of oxidative stress in the hippocampus, which is considered an important mechanism in diabetic neuropathy and cognitive impairment. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic training and cinnamon extract consumption on the levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and protein carbonyl in the hippocampus of a T2DM rat model. Materials AND Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (seven rats per group), including healthy control, diabetic control, diabetic + cinnamon extract, diabetic + aerobic exercise, and diabetic + aerobic exercise + cinnamon extract. Diabetes induction was performed by nicotinamide/streptozotocin injection. Interventions included eight weeks of moderate-intensity treadmill running (five sessions per week) and/or daily cinnamon extract (200 mg/kg) gavage. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and protein carbonyl (PC) in hippocampal tissue were measured by ELISA. In data analysis, one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test were used, observing all statistical assumptions (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The combined intervention (diabetic group + exercise + cinnamon extract) showed the greatest effect and significantly increased SOD enzyme activity compared to all diabetic groups. Also, MDA and PC levels in this group were significantly reduced compared to the diabetic control group (p=0.001). Each of the exercise training interventions and cinnamon extract consumption alone also improved these indicators compared to the diabetic control group (p=0.001), but the extent of this improvement was less than the effect observed in the combined protocol. onclusion: Eight weeks of aerobic training combined with cinnamon extract reduces hippocampal oxidative stress in T2DM, which may prevent the occurrence of central nervous system complications of diabetes, especially neuropathy. This strategy may be a promising complementary approach for the management of neurological complications of diabetes. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4216.html Background and Aim: Impaired mitophagy or clearance of damaged mitochondria plays an important role in the progression of cardiac injury after stroke. Given the importance of Bnip3 and Parkin genes in this process, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise and curcumin supplementation on Bnip3 and Parkin gene expression in cardiomyocytes of male rats in a myocardial infarction model. Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, 32 male rats were randomly divided into four groups: aerobic exercise, supplement, control, and exercise supplement after induction of myocardial infarction by injection of isoproterenol (100 mg/kg body weight/day). Aerobic exercise was performed for eight weeks in the form of moderate-intensity treadmill running, and curcumin was administered daily by gavage at a dose of 15 mg/kg body weight. At the end of the intervention, mitochondrial Bnip3 and Parkin gene expression was obtained using Real-time PCR.Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc at a significance level of P≥0.05. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4252.html Background and Aim: Breast cancer progression is associated with activation of the IGF-1 axis and increased oxidative stress, both of which may accelerate tumor proliferation. Resistance training (RT) and resveratrol (RSV) may attenuate these disturbances by modulating IGF-1 and improving antioxidant status. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of RT, RSV, and combined RT+RSV on IGF-1, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in a murine model of breast cancer. Methods: This experimental study was conducted using a post-test design with a control group. Fifty female Wistar mice were randomly assigned to five groups: healthy control (HC), cancer control (CC), resistance training (RT), resveratrol supplementation (RSV), and combined resistance training plus resveratrol (RT+RSV). The resistance training protocol was performed for 8 weeks, three sessions per week. Resveratrol was administered daily at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight. At the end of the intervention period, IGF-1 gene expression was assessed using RT-qPCR, while MDA and TAC levels were measured using colorimetric assays. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Compared with the HC group, the CC group exhibited significantly increased IGF-1 expression and MDA levels, along with a significant reduction in TAC (p < 0.001). Both RT and RSV interventions independently decreased IGF-1 expression and MDA levels while increasing TAC (p < 0.001), with the greatest improvement observed in the combined RT+RSV group. Significant main effects of resistance training and resveratrol were found for all three variables (p < 0.001), whereas the interaction effect of RT × RSV was significant only for TAC (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The combination of resistance training and resveratrol supplementation may serve as a complementary non-invasive strategy for improving oxidant–antioxidant balance and modulating the IGF-1 axis in breast cancer https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4280.html Background and Aim: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, and neuroinflammation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) play a role in its pathogenesis. Considering the side effects of existing medications, non-pharmacological interventions have gained attention. This study aimed to investigate the independent and combined effects of aerobic exercise and ethanolic extract of Salvia officinalis on locomotor-exploratory performance and TNF-α levels in an animal model of AD. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats (weight: 270–300 g; age: 8–10 months) were divided into five groups: diseased control, sham, Salvia officinalis extract (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, 7 days per week), aerobic exercise (8 weeks, 3 sessions per week), and aerobic exercise + Salvia officinalis extract. Eight healthy rats were also considered as the healthy control group. AD was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of trimethyltin (10 mg/kg). Locomotor-exploratory performance was assessed using the open field test, and TNF-α was evaluated by real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test. Findings: AD induction caused a significant decrease in the distance traveled (p = 0.001), time spent in the center of the field (p = 0.001), and number of rearings (p = 0.001), and a significant increase in the number of defecations (p = 0.001) and TNF-α levels compared to the healthy control (p = 0.001). Both individual interventions improved behavioral indices and reduced TNF-α (p = 0.001). The combined intervention was more effective than either individual intervention (p = 0.001), and the greatest reduction in TNF-α was observed in this group. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise and Salvia officinalis extract improve locomotor-exploratory performance in an animal model of AD by reducing TNF-α and modulating inflammatory responses. The combination of these interventions showed a synergistic effect and can be considered as a non-pharmacological approach to help slow the progression of the disease. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4320.html Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and progressive pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction. In addition to oxidative stress, low-grade inflammation, mitochondrial impairment, and endoplasmic-reticulum stress, disruption of intra-islet signaling may contribute to the deterioration of insulin secretion. Melatonin receptor 1B (MTNR1B), which is expressed in pancreatic islets, is coupled to inhibitory G proteins and can suppress adenylyl cyclase, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production, and protein kinase A-dependent insulin secretion. Increased MTNR1B expression or activity may therefore intensify beta-cell dysfunction. Resistance training can reduce peripheral insulin demand by improving skeletal-muscle glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity, whereas the proanthocyanidins in black grape seed extract may protect beta cells by attenuating oxidative and endoplasmic-reticulum stress. Nanoliposomal encapsulation with a chitosan coating may further improve polyphenol stability, controlled release, and intestinal uptake. Whether these interventions interact on the pancreatic MTNR1B–cAMP axis, however, remains uncertain. This study examined the independent and interactive effects of resistance training and chitosan-coated nanoliposomal black grape seed extract on pancreatic MTNR1B gene expression, tissue cAMP, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and body weight in rats with experimentally induced type 2 diabetes. https://jpsbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_4321.html Background and Aim: Electromyostimulation (EMS) has been considered as a complementary method in recent years. Considering the importance and role of neurotrophins in the health and function of the central nervous system of the elderly, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EMS combined with body weight training on plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in healthy elderly men. Materials and Methods: This applied study was conducted with a pre-test and post-test design with two experimental groups and a control group. In this study, 25 healthy elderly men (age 60 to 70 years) were randomly assigned to the EMS combined with body weight training (n=12) and the control group (n=13). The training program was applied for eight weeks in the experimental group. Electrical muscle stimulation using bipolar current with a low stimulation frequency of 85 Hz and a pulse width of 350 microseconds was applied in the experimental group, and the subjects performed body weight training simultaneously with the stimulation. At the beginning and end of the intervention, blood samples were collected and NGF and BDNF indices were measured. The analysis of covariance statistical test was used to analyze the data, and the significance level was considered to be p<0.05. Findings: The results showed that the levels of BDNF (p=0.001, mean percent change=10.91) and NGF (p=0.001, mean percent change=11.47) increased significantly after eight weeks of EMS combined with body weight training compared to the control group. Eight weeks of EMS combined with body weight training resulted in a significant reduction in body weight (p=0.001, mean percent change: -2.61), body mass index (p=0.001, mean percent change=-2.61), and body fat percentage (p=0.001, mean percent change=-10.48) in the experimental group. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that eight weeks of EMS combined with body weight training can lead to improvement in body composition indices of elderly subjects and may play an important role in improving the nervous system of the elderly by increasing BDNF and NGF levels.