Showing 53 results for Exercise
Ebad Roohbakhsh, Alireza Barari, Hajar Abbaszadeh,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (5-2022)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Sedentary life style and high-fat diet are one of the key causes of coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of periodic exercise and consumption of fenugreek seed extract on the expression of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) genes in patients with coronary artery occlusion.
Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was performed on 32 men (60±5 years) with coronary artery disease. The subjects were randomly divided into four groups: control, exercise, fenugreek supplementation, and combination of exercise and fenugreek supplementation. The training program consisted of eight weeks of intermittent running at 55 to 65% heart rate reserve, three sessions per week, with an emphasis on gradual overload. The subjects consumed 10 mg/kg of body weight fenugreek extract daily. Data analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test at statistical significance of 0.05.
Results: The mean expression ratio of oxLDL and ROS genes in the intervention groups decreased significantly (p<0.0001). Compared with the control group, the most profound decreased in oxLDL and ROS expression occurred after combination of exercise and fenugreek supplementation (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: The results showed that intermittent exercise and consumption of fenugreek seed extract might have beneficial effects on the antioxidant defense system in patients with coronary artery occlusion.
Ali Nouri, Parvin Farzanegi, Mohammad Ali Azarbayjani,
Volume 16, Issue 4 (7-2022)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disorder in the world. Here, we evaluated effects of resveratrol supplementation alone and combined with exercise on blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile, apoptosis biomarkers, and expression of farnesoid X receptor (Fxr), liver X receptor (Lxr), and sirtuin 1 (Sirt 1) genes in the liver of type 1 diabetic rats.
Methods: Streptozotocin was used to induce type 1 diabetes in Wistar rats. The rats were randomly assigned into seven groups. After treatment with resveratrol alone or combined with exercise training, the animals were sacrificed and lipid profile and levels of blood glucose and insulin were measured. Hepatocyte apoptosis was assessed by measuring the level of Bax and Bcl2 proteins using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Expression of Fxr, Lxr, and Sirt1 was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Comparison of the mean levels of all variables between different groups was performed using one-way analysis of variance, at statistical significance level of 0.05.
Results: Resveratrol significantly reduced the level of blood glucose and insulin compared with the control groups (p<0.001). It also significantly affected the lipid profile (p<0.001). Diabetes was significantly associated with decreased expression of Sirt1, Lxr, and Fxr and increased hepatocyte apoptosis. Resveratrol significantly improved the expression of all three genes (p<0.01). Overall, resveratrol supplementation combined with exercise was more effective than other methods.
Conclusion: The results indicate that that combination of resveratrol therapy with exercise could be beneficial for diabetic patients. However, more studies are needed to confirm this finding.
Mahdi Ghafari, Ebrahim Banitalebi, Ali Nabipur,
Volume 16, Issue 5 (9-2022)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Considering racial/ethnic differences is necessary when recommending lifestyle modifications for patients with diabetes. Racial/ethnic diversity may affect hypoadiponectinemia responses to exercise training among individuals with type 2 diabetes. This systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to investigate effects of exercise training on circulating adiponectin concentrations in Iranians with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: Literature searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were carried out using the following search strategy: [exercise OR training OR physical activity OR Training] AND diabetes AND adiponectin. Next, RCTs were included and compared with each type of supervised exercise (aerobic training, resistance training, or combined training). Pooled intervention effects were evaluated and reported as standardized mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals using a random effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis was performed for study heterogeneity and following primary screening full text of the articles was evaluated.
Results: Fourteen studies with 444 individuals (236 men and 128 women) were included in the analysis. The age of the participants ranged between 18 and 60 years. The number of exercise sessions per week ranged between 3 and 5. The duration of interventions ranged between 6 and 12 weeks. The meta-analysis showed that adiponectin levels increased significantly in diabetic subjects after physical activity (MD: 0.72 ng/dl, p<0.001,), but the heterogeneity of the study remained significant (I2= 89%).
Conclusion: Overall, physical exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, increases adiponectin levels in Iranians with diabetes. However, this effect of exercise may be influenced by race/ethnic differences, type of training, frequency, type of adiponectin measurement, and complex and heterogeneous exercise responses of individual with diabetes.
Abdolhamid Zokaei, Mehran Ghahramani, Golbano Bolouri, Mahdieh Nassiri Avanaki,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Considering the importance of aging and the associated physiological changes, as well as the effects of exercise on angiogenesis and cardiac index, this study aimed to compare continuous and periodic exercise in form of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in old rats.
Methods: In this study, 30 old male rats were randomly divided into three groups: continuous training (n=10), HIIT (n=10), and control group (n=10). Interventions were performed for 8 weeks. To evaluate the research variables, 72 hours before the first training session and after the last training session, 3 ml of blood were taken from the tails of the rats. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the findings and Levene's test was used for assessing the homogeneity of variance. All statistical tests were performed using SPSS 17 software at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Both training exercises significantly increased NO and VEGF levels compared to the control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that 8 weeks of continuous and interval training cause a significant increase in the level of angiogenic factors in old rats. Therefore, these exercises and especially alternative exercises can be used as a suitable way to increase angiogenesis in the elderly.
Fatemeh Rashidpour, Parvin Farzanegi, Hajar Abbaszadeh,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of swimming exercise and omega-3 supplementation on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) genes and serum levels of reproductive hormones in the endometrial tissue of a rat model of endometriosis.
Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of healthy-control, patient-control, patient+exercise, patient+omega-3, and patient+omega-3+exercise groups. After the induction of endometriosis, the rats were subjected to 8 weeks of swimming exercise, 5 days a week as well as 2 ml/kg/body weight of omega-3. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test at the significance level of 0.05.
Results: The expression of COX-2 and PGE2 as well as serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol levels were significantly higher in the patient group compared with the healthy-control group (p≤0.0001). Exercise and omega-3 supplementation either separately or combined could significantly reduce the expression of both genes and serum levels of LH, FSH, and estradiol (p<0.05). This effect was more profound in the patient+exercise+omega-3 group.
Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that regulating the expression of COX-2 and PGE2 genes as well as serum levels of reproductive hormones through swimming exercise and omega-3 supplementation can improve endometriosis.
Mojtaba Eizadi, Mehdy Behkar, Yaser Kazemzadeh, Saeid Sedaghaty, Motahareh Moslehi,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (5-2023)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Genetic studies have indicated the effective role of transcription factors in insulin synthesis and secretion, especially in the case of diabetes. This study aimed to assess the effects of high-intensity interval training on transcription factor 7-like 2/ glucagon-like peptide 1 (TCF7L2 / GLP-1) axis in pancreatic tissue of obese rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods: For this purpose, obesity was induced in 21 male Wistar rats (weighting 220±10 g) by exposure to a high-fat diet for six weeks. Then, the rats were randomly assigned to a non-diabetic, a control T2DM, and an exercise diabetic group. Next, T2DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (25 mg/kg). The rats in the exercise group participated in a HIIT program, five times a week, for six weeks. After the intervention, TCF7L2 and GLP1 expression in the pancreas tissue was determined by real-time PCR. Serum insulin, glucose, and beta cell function were compared between the study groups. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Induction of T2DM increased glucose level and TCF7L2 expression but decreased insulin, beta cell function, and GLP-1R expression. In addition, HIIT significantly decreased TCF7L2 expression as well as glucose level, serum insulin, and beta cell function; however, it did not significantly change GLP-1R expression compared with the control diabetes rats.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, the improvement of serum insulin and glucose level following HIIT may be attributed to the decrease in TCF7L2 gene expression in the pancreatic tissue of diabetic rats.
Faranak Balaghi Inaloo, Roya Askari, Amir Hossein Haghighi, Kaveh Kashani, Paul Friedemann,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (5-2023)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Studies have reported contradictory results regarding the relationship between serum neurofilament light chain (NFL) and fatigue severity. The aim of our study was to investigate serum NFL and fatigue severity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) after home-based and outdoor Pilates training.
Methods: The study population consisted of 44 women with MS (aged 25 to 40 years) with an expanded disability status scale score of 2-5. The patients were randomly divided into three groups: home-based training (HPT, n=15), outdoor training (OPT, n=15), and a control group (n=14). The training groups performed Pilates exercises for 8 weeks individually at home and under the sun. Blood samples and completed Fatigue Severity Scale forms were taken 48 hours before the first session and after the 8-week intervention.
Results: The results showed that OPT caused a more notable increase in serum vitamin D (32.76±5.13, p<0.001) and a decrease in NFL (15.98±2.26, p <0.001) and FSS score (2.51±0.35, p<0.001) compared with HPT. Also, HPT lowered NFL (18.01±2.28, p<0.001) and FSS score (3.84±0.98, p<0.001) compared with the control group.
Conclusion: Pilates training can reduce NFL levels and FSS scores in women with MS. In addition, OPT is more effective than HPT in reducing NFL and FSS and increasing vitamin D levels.
Mazaher Habibnezhad, Babisan Askari, Saqqa Farajtabar Behrestaq, Asra Askari,
Volume 17, Issue 4 (7-2023)
Abstract
Mazaher Habibnezhad 
,
Babisan Askari 
,
Saqqa Farajtabar Behrestaq 
,
Asra Askari
Background: This study investigated the impact of a 3-week detraining period, followed by 10 weeks of aerobic training, on the serum levels of osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in asthmatic males.
Methods: Thirty adult males with asthma were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group engaged in a 10-week aerobic training program, which included running sessions 3 times per week for 30-60 minutes each, maintaining a target heart rate range of 55%-75% of their maximum heart rate (HRmax). In contrast, the control subjects did not participate in any exercise activities during the study period. Fasting blood samples were obtained at baseline, after aerobic training, and after detraining to measure the levels of osteocalcin and ALP in both groups.
Results: The 10-week aerobic training program led to a significant increase in levels of osteocalcin and ALP in the experimental group, but following the detraining period, these variables returned to their pre-training levels.
Conclusion: The effectiveness of continuous aerobic training on bone formation markers in asthmatic patients will disappear after a relatively short period of detraining. This evidence emphasizes the lack of stopping aerobic exercise in the presence of inhaled corticosteroids with the aim of improving bone metabolism in asthmatic patients.
Sedigheh Shirkhani, Alireza Barari, Asieh Abbasi Daloii, Mehrdad Saravi,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary artery problems, are the main causes of death. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of NOs and NOX2 in coronary artery patients after aerobic exercise and omega-3 intake.
Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study in which 32 men with coronary artery disease in the age range of 55 to 65 years were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups: control, exercise, omega-3, and omega-3 + exercise. The training program consisted of 8 weeks of intermittent running training, 3 sessions per week, with an intensity of 55 to 65% of the subjects' heart rate reserve and with an emphasis on gradual overload. Subjects consumed 1000 mg of omega-3 daily.
Results: There was a significant increase (P <0.0001) in the mean expression of the NOS gene in the exercise + omega-3 group compared to the control group. The mean ratio of NOX gene expression changes in the exercise group, omega-3, and the combination of exercise + omega-3 was significantly reduced compared to the control group (P <0.0001).
Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, the ability of exercise and omega-3 supplementation to reduce the level of oxidant stress and increase homeostasis control in coronary artery insufficiency shows an important molecular mechanism that underlies the benefits of these interventions.
Hadi Yarahmadi , Mehdi Mogharnasi , Roya Askari , Akram Arzani ,
Volume 18, Issue 3 (5-2024)
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ten weeks of combined training on the gene expression of nuclear factor-κB and sirtuin 1 in fast and slow twitch muscles of aged male rats.
Methods: Sixteen rats, each 24 months old, were randomly divided into two groups: combined training and control (Eight rats per group). Combined exercises were performed four sessions per week, including two days of endurance and two days of resistance. The exercises took place in a container measuring 50x50x100 cm, filled with water maintained at 30±1°C. On the first day, the animals swam for five minutes in water at a height equal to 100% of their body length, without weights. On the second and third days, the rats swam for 10 minutes with the water height equal to 120% of their body length. On the fourth and fifth days, they swam for 15 minutes with the water height at 140% of their body length, which remained constant during the study period. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance with SPSS version 22 software, with the significance level at P≤0.05.
Results: After ten weeks of combined training, a significant difference was observed in the gene expression of nuclear factor-κB and sirtuin 1 between the training and control groups (P=0.001 for both).
Conclusion: According to the results of this research, performing combined exercises in water with appropriate intensity and duration can regulate inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways, thereby strengthening muscles and reducing muscle wasting and atrophy in the elderly.
Amir Shapoori , Habib Asgharpour , Parvin Farzanegi , Neda Aghaei Bahman Beglou ,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (7-2024)
Abstract
Background: One of the causes of infertility is azoospermia. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of swimming exercise, cell therapy, and laser therapy on the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial dynamics in the testicular tissue of azoospermic rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 40 rats (6-8-weeks old) were randomly assigned to 8 groups: 1) Healthy control, 2) patient, 3) sham, 4) laser, 5) exercise, 6) cell, 7) cell + laser, and 8) cell + exercise. The azoospermia model was induced using busulfan at a dose of 40 mg. Stem cells were transplanted once into the vas deferens at a concentration of 1000000 cells per rat. One week after cell transplantation, laser therapy was applied in three repetitions throughout the study period, with an interval of once a week, and after wound healing, the rats swam for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks. To investigate the expression of the studied genes, tissue analysis was performed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique.
Results: Azoospermia significantly reduced the expression of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) and significantly increased the expression of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and muscle-specific RING finger protein 1 (Murf1) in testicular tissue. The use of interventional methods increased the expression of Mfn2, and significantly reduced the expression of Murf1.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, the best changes were observed in the exercise + laser group. Therefore, it can be said that in rats using the azoospermia model, the simultaneous use of regular exercise interventions and laser therapy is the most effective.
Fariba Rasannezhad , Asieh Abbassi Daloii, Javad Ziaolhagh , Ahmad Abdi ,
Volume 18, Issue 6 (11-2024)
Abstract
Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise and psilocybin after methamphetamine induction on the gene expression of certain cerebral cortex semaphorins in female Wistar rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female rats were placed into five groups: control (C), amphetamine (A), amphetamine-aerobic (AA), amphetamine-psilocybin (AP), and amphetamine-psilocybin-aerobic (AAP). Methamphetamine was injected at a dose of 15 mg/kg for 5 days in the morning. Psilocybin was administered at a dose of 1 mg/kg. The aerobic training program included running on a treadmill at 20–25 m/min, three days a week for eight weeks. After eight weeks, gene expression was measured using the Real-Time PCR method. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test at a significance level of P < 0.05.
Results: The results showed that the average gene expression of semaphorin 3A, semaphorin 4A, and semaphorin 7A in the cerebral cortex of the A group had a significant increase compared to the C group (P = 0.001). The AA, AP, and AAP groups showed a significant decrease in the average expression of semaphorin 3A and semaphorin 4A genes compared to the A group (P = 0.001). The AAP group had a significant decrease in the average expression of the semaphorin 3A gene compared to the AA and AP groups (P = 0.001). In addition, the AAP group showed a significant decrease in semaphorin 7A expression compared to the AP group (P = 0.007).
Conclusion: According to the results, aerobic training and psilocybin supplementation can help reduce semaphorin expression in the cerebral cortex of rats induced with methamphetamine.
Mahshad Paziraee , Habib Asgharpour , Asra Askari , Reza Rezaei Shirazi , Neda Aghaei Bahman Beglo ,
Volume 18, Issue 6 (11-2024)
Abstract
Background: Running and starvation can have a positive effect on the reticulophagy of the liver tissue. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of running and starvation interventions on the atherogenic index and Xbp1 gene change in the liver endoplasmic reticulum of non-alcoholic fatty liver rats (NAFLD).
Methods: Thirty obese male Wistar rats aged 18-20 weeks with an average body weight of 348 ± 25.53 grams, after one week of familiarization with the laboratory environment, were randomly divided into six groups (n=5 per group): 1) starvation, 2) three days of training, 3) five days of training, 4) three days of training plus starvation, 5) five days of training plus starvation, and 6) the control group. All fatty liver animal models had free access to water and standard food pellets (10 gr per 100 g of mouse body weight). The statistical test of one-way analysis of variance was used at a significance level of less than 0.05, and the LSD post-hoc test was used to compare research groups.
Results: According to the experimental results and statistical analyses (One-way analysis of variance), a significant decrease was noticed in the ratio of lipoproteins (VLDL/HDL and LDL/HDL) in all experimental groups compared to the control group. Also, a significant decrease was observed in the expression of XBP1 and CHOP genes in animals doing 3 and 5 days of exercise alone or along with starvation.
Conclusion: Regular exercise for 3 and 5 days per week with starvation can possibly reduce the activity of the genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress in NAFLD patients.