Aerobic Exercises Induce Antioxidant Pathways Activation in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercises induce adaptations that improve physiological function. However, aerobic exercises, oxidative reproduction may lead to injury and other health issues such as adverse cardiac effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercises on protein expression change in the heart left ventricle to determine the advantages and disadvantages related to this mode of exercise. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups; trained (T) and control (C). Animals from T group were trained for 8 weeks, and then 2D LC-MS/MS iTRAQ method was used for extracting and analyzing the left ventricular proteins. Certain proteins that were highlighted in the special process were selected for further analysis via protein-protein interaction network (PPI) method. The identified proteins were enriched via gene ontology (GO) to find biological terms. RESULTS: We identify five overexpressed antioxidant proteins in T group compared with C group including extracellular superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn], Frataxin, protein kinase C delta type, STE20/SPS1-related proline-alanine-rich protein kinase, and amyloid-beta A4 protein. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that catalase and insulin are two exercise-related proteins. However, they were not included in the significant differentially expressed proteins. Finally it was found that enhancement of antioxidative activity is a direct effect of aerobic exercises.

Evaluation of Changes in Levels of Hyperandrogenism, Hirsutism and Menstrual Regulation After a Period of Aquatic High Intensity Interval Training in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a polygenic endocrine disorder in women of reproductive ages which will lead to infertility. This study is aimed to determine changes in levels of hyperandrogenism, hirsutism and menstrual regulation after a period of aquatic high intensity interval training (AHIIT) in women with PCOS. METHODS: Thirty patients with PCOS having age between 20 and 35 and body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 in obstetrics and gynaecology clinics in Isfahan were selected based on Rotterdam Diagnostic Criteria. They were randomly divided into experimental (AHIIT + metformin, N = 15) and control groups (metformin, N = 15). The exercises were done for 12 weeks, three sessions of 20 minutes. Metformin (1500 mg) was taken daily for 3 consecutive days for 12 weeks. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, t-test, Covariance and Wilcoxon were applied (P value < 0.05). RESULTS: After 12 weeks, no significant difference was observed in waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), but in AHIIT, the BMI and fat mass significantly decreased and levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), free testosterone (FT) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) increased compared to control group (P < 0.05). While levels of improvement of total testosterone (TT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), FT, luteinising hormone (LH) and free androgen index (FAI) were not significant between the two groups (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in homeostatic assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and hirsutism severity in experimental group (P < 0.05). In both groups, the order of menstrual cycles improved significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Doing AHIIT besides drug therapy can be effective for PCOS patients.

Comparison of the effect of two therapeutic exercises on the inflammatory and physiological conditions and complications of diabetic neuropathy in female patients.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of 12 weeks of low-intensity resistance training and exercises for peripheral neuropathy (EPN) on the inflammatory and physiological conditions, balance, and complications of diabetic neuropathy in female patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 45 women with mild to moderate diabetic neuropathy and an average age of 55.46±3.06 years voluntarily participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to either control (n=15), resistance (n=15), and EPN (n=15) groups. Both experimental groups were trained for 12 weeks (three sessions per week). EPN group did peripheral neuropathic exercises (12 lower extremity movements), and the resistance group performed their exercises with a 30% repetition maximum. During the intervention period, the control group only performed their daily activities. Blood samples were taken in both pre-test and post-test to investigate the levels of Tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), C Reactive Protein (CRP), fast blood glucose (FBG) and Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Complications of diabetic neuropathy were measured using the Michigan questionnaire and the Monofilament 10 g. In order to measure the balance, De Morton mobility index (DEMMI) was used. RESULTS: The statistical analyses showed a significant decrease of FBG and HbA1c in the two experimental groups, as compared to the control group. TNF-α and CRP levels were decreased in both EPN and resistance groups, as compared to the control group. The observed increase in the serum IL-10 levels of the two experimental groups was not, however, significant, as shown in intra-group and inter-group comparisons. On the other hand, the two complications of pain and tingling in the lower limb extremities were improved in both experimental groups (p<0.05). However, the numbness complication showed no significant change (p=0.10). Static and dynamic balance was improved in the EPN group as well (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Since EPN exercises, in contrast to resistance exercises, are focused on the lower limb extremities and designed for diabetic neuropathy patients, they can improve the imbalance, pain and tingling, by significantly reducing TNF-α and CRP and improving the physiological conditions.

Effects of food restriction and/or aerobic exercise on the GLUT4 in type 2 diabetic male rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of present study was to compare the effects of negative energy balance with food restriction and/or aerobic exercise on the glucose, insulin, and GLUT4 levels in diabetic male rats. METHODS: Fifty-six 10-week old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to seven groups: a non-diabetic (ND) group and six diabetic groups. After an infusion of type 2 diabetes, the diabetic groups were given labels as well, namely diabetic control (DC) group, exercise (Ex) group, food restriction with standard diet (FRSD) group, food restriction with low-carbohydrate diet (FRLCD) group, food restriction with standard diet combination in exercise (FRSDE) group, and food restriction with low-carbohydrate diet combination in exercise (FRLCDE) group. Further, to induce caloric restriction (CR), food intake was reduced by 20% and given to food restriction consists of both of (FRSD and FRLCD). Hundred percent food consumption for the Ex group was fixed, but instead, 20% of their energy intake in exercise was calculated, and time of daily exercise was determined. Finally, a combination of reduced food intake (10%) and exercise (10%) was applied in each group FRSDE and FRLCDE for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The results showed that type 2 diabetes inductions had reduced glucose, insulin, and GLUT4 gene expression compared to the ND group (P = 0.001). However, there were significant differences in GLUT4 gene expression between groups after 8 weeks of intervention (P = 0.001). A post hoc least significant difference test show that compared to DC group, GLUT4 gene expression level of Ex, FRSDE, and FRLCDE groups was significantly increased 47% (P = 0.004), 60% (P = 0.001), and 65% (P = 0.001), respectively after 8 week of intervention, but it was not significant or with any other diabetic groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, glucose levels were significantly higher in the FRLCDE, FRLCD, FRSD, FRSDE, Ex groups compared with the DC group in the same period (P = 0.0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that FRSD and FRLCD combination in regular exercise was elevated of GLUT4 gene expression in type 2 diabetes. These results may help to develop new methods for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Effect of Training with or without Ziziphus Jujuba Extract on Cardiokines in Heart Tissue of Myocardial Infarcted Rats.

BACKGROUND: Today, the importance of physical activity as a preventative way for cardiovascular disease has attracted much attention.The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of 6 weeks of interval training with or without extract of Ziziphus jujuba on lipocalcin-2 (LCN2) and adiponectin levels in heart tissue in male Wistar rats with myocardial infarction. METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats (mean weight, 180-220 g and age, 2-3 months) were divided into five groups, including (1) Healthy control; (2) Isoprenaline-treated group (ISO); (3) ISO + jujube extracts (JE); (4) Trained ISO rats; and (5) Trained ISO rats + JE. Exercise was performed (5 days/week, for 6 week including 54-min cycles with speed of 23 m/min and 54-min cycles with speed of 15 m/min). After 48 h of the last training session, the rats were sacrificed, and their heart tissue was excised. The significant level of statistical data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA test. RESULTS: LCN2 levels significantly decreased in trained ISO rats + JE group after 6 weeks of interval training with JE consumption, compared to ISO group. However, the consumption of jujuba extracts with and without interval training did not show any significant changes in adiponectin levels of rat's heart tissue, compared to ISO (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Because the LCN2 inflammatory factor decreased after 6 weeks of exercise and consumption of the extract, it seems that performing interval training with JE consumption can be an effective method in the cardiac rehabilitation phase after a heart attack.

A 90 minute soccer match decreases triglyceride and low density lipoprotein but not high-density lipoprotein and cholesterol levels.

BACKGROUND: The association between the lipid profiles level and the incidence and severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) is very pronounced in epidemiological studies, and an inverse relation between physical fitness and the incidence of coronary heart disease has been observed in many studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a soccer match on lipid parameters of professional soccer players. METHODS: Twenty two professional soccer players participated in the study. Blood (10ml) for determination of lipid profiles was obtained at rest and immediately after a 90 minute soccer match. Lipid parameters were measured using Boehringer Mannheim kits and Clinilab and BioMerieux analyser. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that the triglyceride was significantly higher before the match than afterwards (159.09 ± 58.2 vs. 88.63 ± 34.1 mg/dl, p < 0.001), whereas the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was lower before the match than after it (98.04 ± 28.9 vs. 112.31 ± 30.5 mg/dl). Moreover, there were no significant differences in cholesterol concentration (171.4 ± 30.28 mg/dl vs. 173.18 ± 32.75 mg/dl) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration (34.04 ± 5.58 mg/dl vs. 34.4 ± 4.6 mg/dl) between before and after the match. CONCLUSIONS: Although the soccer competitive match has no favourable acute effect on lipid profiles, the lower rate of LDL, cholesterol and triglyceride as well as the higher level of HDL in players suggest a beneficial effect of regular soccer training on arthrosclerosis and perhaps on CHD risk as well.

Gender differences in the circadian variations in muscle strength assessed with and without superimposed electrical twitches.

The circadian rhythm in muscle strength was analysed in 12 males (28 +/- 4 years, 79.6 +/- 12.3 kg, 1.80 +/- 0.05 m) and eight females (28 +/- 4 years, 60.3 +/- 5.5 kg, 1.61 +/- 0.08 m). After two familiarization sessions, participants were tested at six different times of the day (02:00, 06:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00 and 22:00 hours), the order of which was randomly assigned over 3-4 days. Rectal temperature (T(rec)) was measured over 30 min before each test. Peak isokinetic torques (PT) of knee extensors and flexors were then measured at 1.05 rad s(-1) and 3.14 rad s(-1) through a 90 degrees range of motion. Maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) of knee extensors and flexors was measured at 60 degrees of knee flexion and the MVC of knee extensors was also assessed with superimposed electrical twitches (50 Hz, 250 V, 200 mus pulse width) in order to control for motivational effects. Three trials were performed in each condition, separated by 3 min recovery, and the highest values were retained for subsequent analyses. A significant circadian rhythm was observed for T(rec) in both males and females (acrophase, Phi, 17:29 and 16:40 hours; mesor, Me, 37.0 and 36.8 degrees C; amplitude, A, 0.28 and 0.33 degrees C for males and females, respectively). The mesor of T(rec) was higher in males than in females (p < 0.05). Significant circadian rhythms were observed for knee extensor PT at 3.14 rad s(-1) in males (Phi, 17:06 hours; Me, 178.2 N m; A, 4.7 N m) and for knee extensor PT at 1.05 rad s(-1) in females (Phi, 15:35 hours; Me, 128.7 N m; A, 3.7 N m). In males, the MVC of knee extensors demonstrated a significant circadian rhythm, but only when electrical twitches were superimposed (Phi, 16:17 h; Me, 302.1 N m; A, 13.6 N m). Acrophases of all indices of muscle strength were not statistically different between the two groups and were located in the afternoon (12:47 < Phi < 17:16 hours). The amplitude (percentage of mesor) of extensors MVC (electrically stimulated) was higher in males (6.4%) than in females (4.2%; p < 0.05). Significant circadian rhythms were not consistently observed for all indices of muscle strength whatever the gender. Our group of female subjects tended to show lower circadian amplitudes than the males. In males, maximal voluntary contraction of electrically stimulated muscles followed a circadian curve, which was not significant without the superimposed twitches. These results suggest that motivation could have a masking effect on the circadian rhythm in muscle performance and strengthen the view that peripheral factors are implicated in this rhythm.