Effects of resistance training, palm pollen grain extracts, and testosterone injection on luteinizing hormone receptors, claudin-1, cingulin, and zonula occludens in the prostate tissues of adult male rats.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of resistance training, Phoenix dactylifera extract, and testosterone enanthate injection on luteinizing hormone receptor, claudin-1, cingulin, and zonula occludens in the prostate tissues of adult rats. 30 male rats were divided into six groups: (1) control, (2) resistance training, (3) Phoenix dactylifera extract, (4) testosterone enanthate, (5) resistance training+Phoenix dactylifera extract, and (6) resistance training + testosterone enanthate. After completing the treatments and resistance training, all rats were sacrificed via anaesthesia. The results showed that resistance training, Phoenix dactylifera, and testosterone enanthate significantly increased the luteinizing hormone receptor, claudin-1, cingulin, and zonula occludens gene expression levels in the prostate. The resistance training treatment, along with Phoenix dactylifera + testosterone enanthate, exerted synergic effects on the prostate luteinizing hormone receptor levels and claudin-1 gene expression. In conclusion, Phoenix dactylifera, as a natural compound with fewer side effects than testosterone injection, can be used to enhance athletic performance. Besides, considering the potential benefits of Phoenix dactylifera, it can be considered in the treatment of testosterone deficiency; however, further research is needed.

High-intensity Interval Training Improves Lipocalin-2 and Omentin-1 Levels in Men with Obesity.

We investigated the effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on selected circulating adipokines and other cardiovascular diseases risks factors in men with obesity. Thirty men with obesity (age: 24.96±3.11 year, BMI: 30.92±1.04 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to HIIT and control groups. The HIIT group participated in a 12-week HIIT program (5×2 min interval bout at an intensity of 85-95% HRmax interspersed by 1 min passive recovery, three times per week), while the control group maintained their usual lifestyles. Blood lipids, insulin resistance, and select serum adipokines were assessed before and after 12 weeks of the intervention period. HIIT improved body composition and lipid profiles (p<0.05) and also decreased fasting insulin levels (p=0.001) and HOMA-IR (p=0.002) levels. Furthermore, HIIT increased levels of lipocalin-2 (p=0.002) while decreasing omentin-1 levels (p=0.001) in men with obesity. Changes in lcn2 and omentin-1 concentrations correlated with the changes in risk factors in the HIIT group (p<0.05). The results indicate that 12 weeks of supervised HIIT significantly improves both circulating concentrations of lcn2 and omentin-1, two recently described adipokines, and risk markers of cardiovascular diseases in men with obesity. Further research is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms involved with these changes.

Effect of moderate and high resistance training intensity on indices of inflammatory and oxidative stress.

This study was designed to examine the effect of moderate (MR) and high resistance (HR) training on systemic inflammation and circulating enzymatic antioxidant activity. Thirty males were assigned to HR (n = 10), MR (n = 10), or control (C; n = 10) groups. Resistance training was performed for eight weeks. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), creatine kinase (CK), and concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured before and after training in plasma. The results show increased SOD activity in MR (p = 0.026) and HR (p = 0.044) groups. GPX activity in HR (p = 0.012) and MR (p = 0.037) increased significantly more than in C. Whilst a significant reduction in MDA in MR (p = 0.013) and HR (p = 0.023) was observed compared with C, no significant difference in IL-6, TNF-α and CK occurred between groups. We conclude that changes in enzymatic antioxidant defense and inflammatory markers following resistance training are independent of training intensity.

Effect of resistance training with and without vitamin D calcium chitosan nanoparticle supplements on apoptosis markers in ovariectomized rats: An experimental study.

Background: Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments for menopausal disorders, but it may increase the risk of breast cancer, coronary heart disease, and pulmonary embolism. Objective: The present study investigated the effect of resistance training with and without vitamin D calcium(Ca + + ) chitosan nanoparticles on apoptosis markers in ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: 42 female Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups (n = 6/each). One group was assigned as the healthy controls to show the induction of menopause. The other 6 groups comprised ovariectomized (OVX) animals including: 1) vitamin D + calcium + chitosan + resistance training, 2) saline + estrogen + resistance training, 3) saline + resistance training, 4) vitamin D + calcium + chitosan, 5) saline + estrogen, and 6) OVX + control. 48 hr after the last intervention, the hippocampus tissue was extracted to measure the BCL-2-associated X (BAX), B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), and caspase-3 gene expression as well as the percentage of dead cells. Results: OVX rats demonstrated increased BAX gene expression, ratio of BAX gene expression to BCL-2, caspase-3 gene expression, and percentage of dead cells of hippocampal tissue, but decreased BCL-2 gene expression. Resistance training and vitamin D Ca + + chitosan nanoparticle supplements seemed to reverse these changes. Conclusion: The combination of resistance training and vitamin D Ca + + chitosan nanoparticle supplements may be considered a non-pharmacological treatment for OVX-induced apoptosis.

Obesity-related cardiovascular risk factors after long- term resistance training and ginger supplementation.

Obesity and its metabolic consequences are major risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, lifestyle interventions, including exercise training and dietary components may decrease cardiovascular risk. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the effects of ginger supplementation and progressive resistance training on some cardiovascular risk factors in obese men. In a randomized double-blind design, 32 obese Iranian men (BMI ≥ 30) were assigned in to one of four groups: Placebo (PL, n = 8); ginger group (GI, n = 8) that consumed 1 gr ginger/d for 10 wk; resistance training plus placebo (RTPL, n = 8); and 1gr ginger plus resistance exercise (RTGI, n = 8). Progressive resistance training was performed three days per week for 10 weeks and included eight exercises. At baseline and after 10 weeks, body composition and anthropometric indices were measured. To identify other risk factors, venous blood samples were obtained before and 48-72 hours after the last training session for measurement of blood lipids (LDL-C, HDL-C, TG), systemic inflammation (CRP), and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). After 10 weeks both RTGI and RTPL groups showed significant decreases in waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body fat percent, body fat mass, total cholesterol, and insulin resistance (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in fat free mass (FFM) (p < 0.05), while it remained unchanged in PL and GI. Further, significant decreases in the mean values of CRP were observed in all groups except PL (p < 0.05). Our results reveal that resistance training is an effective therapeutic strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk in obese Iranian men. Further, ginger supplementation alone or in combination with resistance training, also reduces chronic inflammation. However more research on the efficacy of this supplement to reduce cardiovascular risk in humans is required. Key pointsLong- term resistance training reduced cardiovascular risk factors in obese men.Ginger supplementation can also decrease chronic low grade inflammation in obese men.More researches are warranted to elicit the effects of these interventions on cardiovascular risk factors in humans.

Cardiovascular risk factors adaptation to concurrent training in overweight sedentary middle-aged men.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity, though it is well known that exercise training decreases the CVD risk factors of low HDL and high blood pressure. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) levels are positively correlated with high blood pressure and decreased HDL, yet the effect of concurrent aerobic and resistance exercise training on sICAM-1 is unknown. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the effects of concurrent aerobic-resistance training (CT) on soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and some CVD risk factors in sedentary overweight middle- aged men. METHODS: Thirty sedentary middle- aged men (aged 30-50 years) were assigned to either an experimental (EX; N.=15) or Control (Cl; N.=15) group. EX performed three days per week of progressive CT for eight weeks whilst CL did not train. Before and after the intervention, venous blood samples were obtained for measurement of blood lipids (LDL-C, HDLC, TC and TG) and plasma sICAM-1 concentration and anthropometric measures (weight, BMI, WC, WHR, body fat percent) were made. RESULTS: CT produced a significant decrease in plasma sICAM-1, LDL-C, TC, and significantly increased HDLC in the EX group (P<0.05). Further, CT induced significant improvements in body composition (P<0.05). These variables remained unchanged in the CL group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Eight-weeks of concurrent exercise training reduce both circulating concentrations of sICAM-1 and markers of CVD risk in sedentary middle-age men. The mechanistic role by which sICAM-1 may improve CVD risk with training remains to be determined.