Spirulina supplement and exercise training affect lipid droplets-related genes expression in visceral adipose tissue.

Objective: Disruption of lipid droplets (LDs) is associated with many metabolic diseases. Spirulina, as a natural bioactive dietary supplement, along with exercise training, may improve lipid metabolism; however, their effects on LDs-regulated genes in visceral adipose tissue are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of six-week Spirulina supplementation along with exercise training on LDs regulating gene expression. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: saline (control), control+Spirulina (Spirulina), aerobic interval training (AIT), AIT+ Spirulina (AIT+Spirulina), resistance training and resistance+ Spirulina. The supplement groups consumed 500 mg/kg Spirulina five days per week. The training groups performed AIT (5 times per week) and resistance training (3 times per week) for 6 weeks. LDs regulating genes expression in visceral adipose tissue (Zw10, Bscl2, DFCP1, Rab18, Syntaxin 18, Acsl3, and Plin2) was analyzed by real-time PCR. Results: Spirulina and exercise training had no significant effects on the gene expression of Syntaxin18 (p=0.69) and DFCP1 (p=0. 84), ACSL3 (p=0.98), or BSCL2 (p=0.58). In addition, Spirulina was found to significantly attenuate the expression of Plin2 (p=0.01) and Rab18 (p=0.01) genes compared to the control, AIT, and resistance training groups. However, Plin2 gene expression was higher in the resistance training than the AIT. Furthermore, Spirulina decreased ZW10 (p=0.03) gene expression in visceral adipose tissue compared to the control, AIT, and resistance training groups. Unexpectedly, Spirulina supplementation decreased the expression of these genes even more when taken without exercise training. Conclusion: Spirulina supplementation and exercise training have significant effects on LDs-regulated genes in visceral adipose tissue.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale roscoe) extract could upregulate the renal expression of NRF2 and TNFα and prevents ethanol-induced toxicity in rat kidney.

OBJECTIVE: Ginger has protective effects on the kidney, however the molecular mechanism of this effect has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, this work studied molecular mechanisms of ginger effects on ethanol-induced kidney injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, ginger (1 g/kg/day ginger extract by oral gavage), ethanol (4 g/kg/day ethanol by oral gavage) and ginger-ethanol group and treated daily for 28 days. Kidney function, expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α genes and oxidative stress parameters in kidney tissue, were evaluated. Total phenolic content (TPC) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity of ginger extract were also evaluated. RESULTS: Hydroethanolic extract of ginger showed a good level of DPPH scavenging activity and TPC. In the ethanol group, serum level of urea, creatinine and uric acid and the expression of NRF2 and TNF-α significantly increased compared to control group, while co-treatment with ginger in ginger+ethanol group significantly ameliorated them compared to the ethanol group. Ethanol exposure significantly reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase  (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) compared to the control values ,while the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased. Ginger significantly ameliorated the level of MDA and activity of SOD, GPx and CAT in the ginger-ethanol group compared to the ethanol group. CONCLUSION: The results showed that ginger's protective effects against ethanol renotoxicity were mediated via enhancing the NRF2 and TNF-α expression.

The effect of circuit resistance training on plasma levels of amino acids, alpha-hydroxybutyrate, mannose, and urinary levels of glycine conjugated adducts in obese adolescent boys.

Few studies have examined the improving effects of exercise on the association between metabolites of impaired protein metabolism and insulin resistance in obese children. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of circuit resistance training (CRT) on plasma levels of amino acids, alpha-hydroxybutyrate (α-HB), mannose, and urinary levels of glycine conjugated adducts in obese adolescent boys. Forty obese adolescent boys (body mass index above the 95th percentile) with an age range of 14-17 years were randomly divided into the CRT group (n = 20) and control group (n = 20). The CRT program (3 times/week, 70%-80% of 1-repetition maximum) was performed for 8 weeks. The results indicated that the body composition and plasma levels of glucose, insulin resistance, valine, mannose, lysine, and the sum of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) were decreased because of CRT. The plasma levels of asparagine, glycine, serine, and urinary levels of glycine conjugated adduct also increased in the CRT group. Although α-HB level decreased during CRT, it had no significant difference from that of the control group. It can be concluded that the improvement in obesity complications including insulin resistance in obese adolescent boys after CRT may be due to decrease in plasma levels of mannose and BCAA and increase urinary metabolites. Novelty: CRT improves glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in obese adolescent boys. CRT decreases plasma levels of mannose and BCAA and normalizes other amino acids. CRT increases urinary levels of glycine conjugated adducts.

Exercise protects against ethanol-induced damage in rat heart and liver through the inhibition of apoptosis and activation of Nrf2/Keap-1/HO-1 pathway.

PROPOSE: Understanding the protective effect of exercise against ethanol-induced toxicity through the oxidative stress signaling pathway, apoptosis, and cholesterol metabolism is important to prevent development of cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups as follow: control, exercise training (ET), ethanol (4 g/kg of body weight/day) and ET + ethanol. The ET and ET + Ethanol groups ran on the treadmill at 65% maximum running speed for 60 min for five sessions per week for eight weeks. The ethanol and ET + Ethanol groups received ethanol for eight weeks. At the end of the study, animals were anesthetized and blood and tissues were sampled to examine the biochemical and molecular evaluation. RESULTS: The results showed that the antioxidant enzymes activity decreased and MDA levels increased in the heart and liver of animals in ethanol group compared to control group. The levels of these oxidative biomarkers improved by ET in ET + Ethanol group compared to ethanol group. It showed that ET could protect the heart and liver against oxidative damage induced by ethanol through up-regulating the expression of the Nrf2/Keap-1/HO-1 pathway. ET could exert a cardioprotective effect on ethanol-induced apoptosis through down-regulating the Bax and the caspase-3 and via up-regulating the Bcl-2 expression in the heart. ET could also improve the impairment of cholesterol metabolism induced by ethanol. CONCLUSION: Exercise can protect against ethanol-induced toxicity through moderating the expression of genes which are involved in oxidative status, apoptosis and cholesterol metabolism.

High-fat diet leads to adiposity and adipose tissue inflammation: the effect of whey protein supplementation and aerobic exercise training.

There is little understanding about dietary proteins and their potential contribution to obesity-induced inflammation. This study investigates the effect of 10 weeks of aerobic training and whey protein (WP) supplementation on visceral adipose tissue inflammation in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). In the first phase, which lasted 9 weeks, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: (1) normal diet (n = 8), and (2) HFD (n = 32). In the second phase, rats fed an HFD were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n = 8/group): (1) sedentary, (2) WP, (3) aerobic training, and (4) WP + aerobic training. The aerobic training was performed for 10 weeks, 5 days/week at 21 m/min, 15% incline, for 60 min/day. HFD significantly increased body weight, adiposity index, fat pads weight, glucose levels, and insulin resistance index compared with the normal diet. Also, levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in adipose tissue and serum levels of TNF-α were increased in the HFD group. Glucose levels, insulin resistance index, and triglycerides were reduced only by WP, independently of aerobic training. Both the aerobic training and WP reduced the fat pads weight and levels of TNF-α, HIF-1α, and VEGF-A in adipose tissue. Nevertheless, the levels of MCP-1 in adipose tissue and serum levels of TNF-α and MCP-1 were not reduced significantly by WP or aerobic training. These findings suggest that both aerobic training and WP supplementation lead to a reduction in adiposity and ameliorate obesity-induced inflammation in visceral adipose tissue.

The effect of eight-week walking program on plasma levels of amino acids in early/mid pubertal obese girls.

Background: Altered circulating amino acids levels have been observed in metabolic disorders, like obesity, type-2 diabetes, and other insulin-resistant states. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 8-week walking on plasma amino acids (PAAs) in obese girls. Methods: This clinical trial study (IRCT20180928041160N1) was conducted on 32 early/mid pubertal obese girls which they divided into interval-walking (IWG, n=12), continuous-walking (CWG, n=11) and control (CG, n=9) groups. The walking program (3- sessions/week for 8-weeks) consists of 30-min walking with 70-85%HRmax and 60-75%HRmax, respectively in the IWG (2-min walking and 1-min active rest) and CWG. The concentration of PAAs was measured at baseline and 72-hours after the last session in fasting state, using high-performance liquid chromatography. A repeated measures ANCOVA (group (3) * time (2)) with post hoc Bonferroni was used to analyze the data. Results: More the PAAs were not affected by interval or continuous walking training. A significant increase in lysine (p=0.003, 95%CI 24.08, 108.97) was observed only in the CG, and there was a significant difference between the CG and CWG (p=0.032). Global arginine bioavailability (GABA) significantly decreased in the CG (P<0.001, 95%CI -0.65, -0.21) and the IWG (p=0.004, 95%CI -0.60, -0.21). A significant increase in weight (p=0.043, 95%CI 0.27, 1.46), insulin (p=0.046, 95%CI -0.91, 9.01), and HOMA-IR (p=0.007, 95%CI 0.26, 2.63) were found only in the CG, and both insulin and HOMA-IR tended to decline in the CWG. Conclusion: Except for lysine and GABA, all groups roughly showed similar changes in more amino acids. Continuous-walking could improve the plasma level of lysine and GABA, which along with an improvement of fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR.

Exercise training intensity/volume affects plasma and tissue adiponectin concentrations in the male rat.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of exercise training intensity/volume on plasma total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and tissue total adiponectin concentrations. Thirty-two, eight week-old male Wistar rats (185 ± 5g) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: high intensity (HI: 34 m/min ∼%80-%85 VO(2)max), moderate intensity (MI: 28 m/min ∼%70-%75 VO(2)max), low intensity (LI: 20 m/min ∼ %50-%55 VO(2)max), and sedentary control (SED). Experimental groups completed a 12-week exercise program of treadmill running at 0° slope, 1h/day, 5 days/week. Since frequency and duration of exercise were identical among training groups, the volume of training was highest in the HI group followed by the MI and LI groups. Compared with SED animals, fasting plasma total and HMW adiponectin and adipose tissue total adiponectin concentrations were significantly higher in the HI and MI groups, but total adiponectin concentrations in liver and soleus muscle were not significantly lower than the SED rats. There were significantly lower plasma total testosterone levels in the HI group vs. SED group. Plasma total and HMW adiponectin were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR and insulin whereas total adiponectin was inversely related to TNF-α and HMW adiponectin was negatively correlated with total testosterone. Thus, data suggest there is a dose effect for exercise training intensity and accompanying volume for the adaptation of adipose tissue and circulating total and HMW adiponectin concentrations, whereas the changes of adiponectin concentrations in skeletal muscle and liver tissue may depend on the body's energy balance in the recovery period.

The effect of exercise intensity on plasma and tissue acyl ghrelin concentrations in fasted rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of exercise training and feeding status on plasma and tissue acyl ghrelin concentrations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two, eight-week-old male Wistar rats (185±5g) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: high intensity (HI: 34 m/min ~80-85% VO(2)max), moderate intensity (MI: 28 m/min ~70-75% VO(2)max), low intensity (LI: 20 m/min ~50-55% VO(2)max), and sedentary control (SED) groups. All experimental groups performed a 12-week exercise program consisting of treadmill running on a 0° slope for 1 h/day, 5 days/week at their respective training intensity. Twenty four hours following the last training session the animals completed a 12h fast. Rats were then killed, blood was collected and plasma separated; the fundus and soleus muscle were excised and frozen in liquid nitrogen for later analysis. Fasting levels of circulating acyl ghrelin and acyl ghrelin content in the soleus muscle and fundus, as well as glycogen in the soleus muscle were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that 12 weeks of exercise training combined with a 12h fast significantly increased plasma as well as soleus muscle concentrations of acyl ghrelin in the HI and MI groups (p<0.05) and reduced acyl ghrelin concentrations in the fundus (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that chronic treadmill exercise training enhances fasting plasma acyl ghrelin in an intensity-dependent manner which is accompanied by a significant increase in soleus muscle and reduction in fundus acyl ghrelin levels.

Acute circuit-resistance exercise increases expression of lymphocyte agouti-related protein in young women.

Exercise-induced leukocytosis and lymphocytosis is accompanied by up-regulation and down-regulation of hundreds of genes in white blood cells (WBCs). Agouti-related protein (AgRP) is an orexigenic peptide secreted predominantly from the arcuate nucleus in the hypothalamus. AgRP affects feeding behavior and plays a role in energy and glucose homeostasis and adiposity. The purpose of the study was to determine effects of circuit resistance exercise (CRE) (9 exercises, 25 s per exercise) at different intensities on peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) AgRP mRNA expression and its concentrations in lymphocytes and plasma. Twenty-five young female college students were randomly divided into five groups: control, 40% 1-repetition maximum (1-RM), 60% 1-RM, 80% 1-RM and combined (40 + 60 + 80% 1-RM) loads. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by a lymphocyte density gradient centrifugation method for AgRP mRNA expression. Lymphocyte ATP, glycogen, AgRP, growth hormone (GH), and plasma AgRP, GH and glucose concentrations were measured. CRE increased AgRP mRNA lymphocyte expression significantly (P < 0.0001) at all intensities. A higher and significant (P < 0.01) increase was found in the 60% 1-RM group when compared with the other groups. The CRE-induced lymphocyte AgRP expression was accompanied by elevations in plasma AgRP, glucose and GH levels as well as higher WBCs, lymphocytes and neutrophil counts. Lymphocyte AgRP and GH concentrations were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Lymphocyte ATP content was unchanged and glycogen was reduced in the combined group but not in the other groups. Data indicate that AgRP mRNA is expressed in PBLs and that CRE increases its expression. Data also reveal that the expression of AgRP was accompanied with higher plasma AgRP and GH concentrations. Findings suggest that AgRP may provide an important signal in the immune environment and that the lymphocyte may be considered as an extra-hypothalamic source of plasma AgRP following exercise stress.

Treadmill exercise's reduction of Agouti-related protein expression in rat liver.

Agouti-related protein (AGRP) is an orexigenic peptide secreted from the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus. AGRP increases food intake and plays a role in energy balance, adiposity, weight gain, and growth-hormone release. The objective of the current study was to examine the effects of running exercise on resting hepatic, fundus, and pancreas AGRP mRNA expression, as well as liver glycogen and ATP contents, using a rat model. Twenty adult male Wistar rats (12-14 wk old, 200-220 g) were randomly assigned to control (n = 10) and training (n = 10) groups. The training group was exercised for 8 wk on a motor-driven treadmill (26 m/min, 0% grade, 60 min, 5 d/wk). Twenty-four hours before sacrifice the rats were further divided into fed control (FEC), fed trained (FET), fasted control (FAC), and fasted trained (FAT) groups. The liver, fundus, and pancreas were excised and frozen in liquid nitrogen for later analysis. Results demonstrated that 8 wk of treadmill exercise reduced hepatic but not fundus and pancreatic AGRP expression and enhanced glycogen and ATP concentrations (p < .001) in trained-rat liver, whereas fasting lowered liver glycogen and ATP levels and increased hepatic AGRP mRNA expression in nonexercising controls. Data indicate that both treadmill-exercise-induced decrease and fast-induced increase in rat liver AGRP expression might depend on liver glycogen content as an important source for energy provision.