The effect of green coffee and/or endurance exercise on sperm function in pre-diabetic mice.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of green coffee (GC), chlorogenic acid (CA) as an active ingredient of GC and exercise, alone or in a combination with exercise, on spermatogenesis and sperm function in pre-diabetic mice. Results revealed that pre-diabetic status can have a significant adverse effect on spermatogenesis (Johnson score), and sperm concentration, motility, DNA damage and persistent histone in compared to the control group. Although lipid peroxidation, intracellular ROS production, and persistent histones in sperm were high in pre-diabetic mice, exercise only can improve sperm motility. GC alone only improved sperm motility in pre-diabetic mice while CA alone, even did not have this beneficial effect. However, GC along with exercise, did not improve motility but reduce DNA damage, while CA with exercise, significantly improved motility compared to pre-diabetic stage and to the level comparable to control. Therefore, based on this result in individuals with high DNA damage, GC supplementation and exercise could be useful approach while in asthenozoospermia, CA supplementation and exercise should be considered as an alternative approach. However, such an interpretation awaits validation.

Effect of Whole-Body Electrical Muscle Stimulation Training on Inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines in Overweight Men.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS) training on inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in overweight men. Methods: We divided 30 participants into EMS and control groups. The training program for the EMS group comprised 20 WB-EMS sessions (7 weeks, three sessions per week). Results: The results showed that EMS training caused significant increase in interferon γ (P<0.001) and interleukin 10 (IL-10; P<0.01) and significant decrease in IL-17 and IL-23 (P<0.05). Also, the lipid profile showed significant positive changes in the EMS training group. Conclusion: EMS training, a novel exercise method that uses electric stimulation, can affect the levels of various cytokines that are involved in inflammation and immunity. EMS training can have both beneficial and harmful effects on the body depending on the type and balance of involved cytokines.

Combined Ursolic Acid and Resistance/Endurance Training Improve Type 3 Diabetes Biomarkers-Related Memory Deficits in Hippocampus of Aged Male Wistar Rats.

Background: Both aging and diabetes are two well-established risk factors related to type 3 diabetes and memory deficits. Accordingly, diabetes multiplies the effects of aging on cognition impairments once these conditions occur simultaneously. Methods: In this present experimental study, 56 male Wistar rats with HFD/STZ-induced T2D were randomized into seven groups (n = eight animals per group): (1) sedentary old non-diabetic (C); (2) sedentary HFD/STZ-induced T2D (D); (3) sedentary HFD/STZ-induced T2D plus UA (UA) (DU); (4) endurance-trained HFD/STZ-induced T2D (DE); (5) resistance-trained HFD/STZ-induced T2D (DR); (6) endurance-trained HFD/STZ-induced T2D plus UA (DEU); and (7) resistance-trained STZ-diabetic plus UA (DRU) rats. Two-way ANOVA was applied to measure the training, supplementation, and interaction effect on serum and gene expression outcomes. Result: The study results established no significant interaction effect between the UA supplementation and the resistance/endurance training with regard to the levels of glucose (P = 0.534), insulin (P = 0.327), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (P = 0.191), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (P = 0.448). Conclusions: To develop novel practical nutritional strategies involving UA intake, further studies are thus needed to clarify how chronic consumption of UA with/without resistance/endurance training reverses cognition disorder process in old male Wistar rats with HFD/STZ-induced T2D.

Molecular Mechanisms of Exercise in Brain Disorders: a Focus on the Function of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-a Narrative Review.

The natural aging process as well as many age-related diseases is associated with impaired metabolic adaptation and declined ability to cope with stress. As major causes of disability and morbidity during the aging process, brain disorders, including psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, are likely to increase across the globe in the future decades. This narrative review investigates the link among exercise and brain disorders, aging, and inflammatory biomarkers, along with the function of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. For this study, related manuscript from all databases, Google scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and ISI were assessed. Also, in the search process, the keywords of exercise, neurodegeneration, neurotrophin, mitochondrial dysfunction, and aging were used. Mitochondrial abnormality increases neuronal abnormality and brain disease during the aging process. Stress and inflammatory factors caused by lifestyle and aging also increase brain disorders. Evidences suggest that exercise, as a noninvasive treatment strategy, has antioxidant effects and can reduce neuronal lesions. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression following the exercise can reduce brain symptoms; however, careful consideration should be given to a number of factors affecting the results.

Age-related biochemical dysfunction in 6-OHDA model rats subject to induced- endurance exercise.

Exercise can alleviate the disorders considered as the normal consequences of aging. Whether or not the treadmill endurance training affects the biochemical markers in the Parkinson's disease model rats after the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) injection is assessed in this article. The experimental groups of N=8 rats consist of 1) Saline and Young sedentary (S-Young); 2) Saline and Old sedentary (S-Old); 3) Young and 6-OHDA without exercise (Y); 4) Young and 6-OHDA with exercise (YE); 5) Old and 6-OHDA without exercise (O); and 6) Old and 6-OHDA with exercise (OE). An 8 µg of 6-OHDA is injected into the right MFB. The rotation due to apomorphine, weight variation, and some biochemical expression are measured in the rats' striatum. Exposure to 6-OHDA: increase weight loss by (%8) and rotation by (%90), reduce the protein levels of Bdnf by (30%), Th by (43%), and Tfam by (24%), in aging rats (P<0.05). The P53 level rose after the injection compared with the same Saline group (Old rats: 27% and Young rats: 14%), the highest in the O group. The findings indicate that endurance exercise amends the mitochondrial parameters and the apomorphine-induced rotation impairments in the presence of 6-OHDA injection. These positive effects of treadmill running in unilateral 6-OHDA lesioned rat model are age-dependent and are more significant in younger rats.

Aerobic exercise modulates noncoding RNA network upstream of FNDC5 in the Gastrocnemius muscle of high-fat-diet-induced obese mice.

The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of aerobic exercise with a fat-rich diet on ncRNAs expression associated with FNDC5 in the Gastrocnemius muscle of the obese mice. Twenty-five male mice were grouped into two categories of normal diet (ND) and high-fat diet (HF) treatments for three months. For the subsequent treatment, HF-fed animals (obese) were proceeded in four groups: HF-Trained (n = 5), HF-Untrained (n = 5), ND-Trained (n = 5), and ND-Untrained (n = 5). Simultaneously, ND fed mice (n = 5) continued receiving normal diet and being untrained. In the training group, exercise was applied using a treadmill for 2 months. The Gastrocnemius muscle was excised for the assessment of FNDC5 mRNA, protein levels, and ncRNAs. Using bioinformatics tools, two potential miRNAs, miR-129-5p and miR-140-5p, and four lncRNAs constructing a network with FNDC5 were identified. Significant decrease was observed in both miR-129-5p and miR-140-5p in the HF-fed mice vs. ND-fed mice (p < 0.01). Significant increase of lncRNAs Meg3, Malat1, Neat1, and Kcnq1ot1 correlating in the network was also detected (p < 0.001 for all lncRNAs) in HF-fed mice and trained mice (p < 0.001 for Neat1, Meg3, and Kcnq1ot1). The present study suggests that an increase in the muscle FNDC5 of the high-fat diet mice is governed by an expression regulation of suggested ncRNAs, which were revealed by bioinformatics study to be involved in the insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis pathways.

Modulation and bioinformatics screening of hepatic mRNA-lncRNAs (HML) network associated with insulin resistance in prediabetic and exercised mice.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance is associated with prediabetes and further progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aims to investigate novel hepatic lncRNAs associated with key genes in insulin resistance in prediabetes. METHODS: In the bioinformatics phase, we have collected screened a pool of lncRNAs and mRNAs according to their potential association to prediabetic condition. We performed pathway analysis of mRNAs, using DAVID tool based on KEGG repository data. Then, we used Python programming language to get a subset of lncRNAs located in 50 kb proximity with high-fat (HF)-responsive mRNAs. In the experimental phase, prediabetic mice model was established by the treatment of HF diets for 12 weeks. After this treatment, HF-fed animals were divided into two groups of endurance exercised or sedentary, both continuing on the HF diet for 8 weeks. Besides, a group of diabetic mice was treated using a HF diet for 8 weeks followed by injection with STZ solution and then a HF diet for another 4 weeks. RESULTS: We found three genes having paired lncRNAs annotated in insulin resistance pathway. Their hepatic expression levels were altered in prediabetic condition as upregulation of Srebf1 was associated with GM38501, upregulation of Pck1 was associated with Ctcflos and GM36691, downregulation of Cpt1b was associated with GM44502. All of these expression patterns were replicated in diabetic mice, correlated positively with their predicted lncRNAs. Interestingly, exercise reversed their expression patterns. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the expression pattern of the hepatic mRNA-lncRNA (HML) network in prediabetic state undergoes similar modification to that of diabetes.

The Exercise Training Modulatory Effects on the Obesity-Induced Immunometabolic Dysfunctions.

Reduced physical activity rate in people's lifestyle is a global concern associated with the prevalence of health disorders such as obesity and metabolic disturbance. Ample evidence has indicated a critical role of the immune system in the aggravation of obesity. The type, duration, and production of adipose tissue-released mediators may change subsequent inactive lifestyle-induced obesity, leading to the chronic systematic inflammation and monocyte/macrophage (MON/MФ) phenotype polarization. Preliminary adipose tissue expansion can be inhibited by changing the lifestyle. In this context, exercise training is widely recommended due to a definite improvement of energy balance and the potential impacts on the inflammatory signaling cascades. How exercise training affects the immune system has not yet been fully elucidated, because its anti-inflammatory, pro-inflammatory, or even immunosuppressive impacts have been indicated in the literature. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms triggered by exercise can suggest a new approach to combat meta-inflammation-induced metabolic diseases. In this review, we summarized the obesity-induced inflammatory pathways, the roles of MON/MФ polarization in adipose tissue and systemic inflammation, and the underlying inflammatory mechanisms triggered by exercise during obesity.

Meta-inflammatory state and insulin resistance can improve after 10 weeks of combined all-extremity high-intensity interval training in sedentary overweight/obese females: a quasi-experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of exercise training on suppression of inflammation have been proposed as a therapeutic approach in recent years to modify the obesity-induced inflammatory status and immunometabolic disorders. The present study aimed to assess the impacts of an all-extremity combined high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on inflammatory state and glycolipid metabolism in young sedentary overweight and obese females. METHOD: This was an quasi-experimental study which was applied by comparing two groups. The participants were allocated to two active (AG, n = 15) and inactive (IG, n = 15) groups. The serum level of adiponectin, interleukin (IL)-10, pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and tumor-necrosis factor α (TNFα) was measured in all subjects. Also, glycolipid metabolism was assessed by measuring the fasting lipid profile parameters, glucose, and insulin levels and calculating the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR). RESULTS: Following a 10-week combined all-extremity HIIT in the active subjects, the TNFα, PTX3/IL-10, and TNFα/adiponectin were significantly reduced. However, the absolute levels of adiponectin, IL-10, and PTX3 remained unchanged. Additionally, a significant decrease was found in insulin, LDL, and HOMA2-IR, while insulin sensitivity and HDL levels showed a significant increase in the active group compared to the inactive group. CONCLUSIONS: Our 10-week time-efficient combined all-extremity HIIT promoted an anti-inflammatory state and glycolipid metabolism improvement, suggesting this protocol as a practical therapeutic approach in sedentary obese females.

Exercise-Induced Neuroprotection in the 6-Hydroxydopamine Parkinson's Disease Model.

Exercise exerts helpful effects in Parkinson's disease. In this study, the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) injection was used to investigate the effect of exercise on apomorphine-induced rotation and neurorestoration. Rats (n = 32) were divided into four groups: (1) Saline+Noexercise (Sham); (2) 6-OHDA+Noexercise (6-OHDA); (3) Saline+Exercise (S+EXE), and (4) 6-OHDA+Exercise (6-OHDA+EXE). The rats were administered 8 µg 6-OHDA by injection into the right medial forebrain bundle. After 2 weeks, the exercise group was run (14 consecutive days, 30 min per day). One month after the surgery, following the injection of apomorphine, the 6-OHDA group displayed a significant increase in rotation and the 6-OHDA+EXE group showed a significant reduction of rotational asymmetry (P < 0.001). 6-OHDA injection reduced the mRNA and protein expression of the AMP-activated protein kinase, brain-derived neurotropic factor, and tyrosine hydroxylase in relation to the Sham group and exercise increased these levels. Expression of the silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha was unexpectedly enhanced in the 6-OHDA groups in relation to the Sham group. These findings suggest that the 6-OHDA injection increased the neurodegeneration and mitochondrial and behavioral dysfunctions and the treadmill running attenuated these disorders in the ipsilateral striatum of the 6-OHDA+EXE group.

Combined All-Extremity High-Intensity Interval Training Regulates Immunometabolic Responses through Toll-Like Receptor 4 Adaptors and A20 Downregulation in Obese Young Females.

Metainflammation and malfunctions of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) are related to obesity-induced immunometabolic morbidities. There are almost no studies relating exercise training to the TLR4 pathway and its adaptors and negative regulators. Thirty young women with obesity (exercise group and control group) were included in a 10-week all-extremity combined high-intensity interval training program. The immunomodulatory impacts of exercise on TLR4, its related adaptors (TIR domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-ß[TRIF], myeloid differentiation factor 88 [MyD88],and tumor receptor-associated factor 6 [TRAF6]), transcriptional factors (nuclear factor [NF]-κB and interferon regulatory factor 3 [IRF3]), and negative regulator (A20) mRNA levels were assessed by real-time PCR. Also, the serum concentration of TLR4 final products (tumor necrosis factor α [TNFα] and interferon γ [IFNγ]) was measured by ELISA. Cardiorespiratory and body composition parameters were tested, as well. There was a significant improvement in body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness. This intervention downregulated TLR4 (from 2.25 ± 1.07 to 0.84 ± 1.01), MyD88 (from 4.53 ± 5.15 to 1.27 ± 0.88), NF-κB (from 1.61 ± 2.03 to 0.23 ± 0.39), IRF3 (from 1.22 ± 0.77 to 0.25 ± 0.36), and A20 (from 0.88 ± 0.59 to 0.22 ± 0.33) levels and reduced the TNFα concentrations (from 22.39 ± 11.43 to 6.26 ± 5.31) significantly in the exercise group, while no statistically significant change was found in TRIF and TRAF6 expression and IFNγ circulating levels. It is concluded that long-term exercise modifies the inflammatory pathways and modulates the immune function at the early stages of inflammation initiation in circulating immune cells. Accordingly, we suggest time-efficient exercise protocols as a possible therapy approach for the prevention of M1 polarization.

Assessment of the Effect of Short-Term Combined High-Intensity Interval Training on TLR4, NF-κB and IRF3 Expression in Young Overweight and Obese Girls.

Obesity is commonly associated with immunometabolic dysfunctions. Activation of inflammatory macrophages through TLR4 (toll-like receptor 4) and the anti-inflammatory impact of exercise have been and are the new concerns among researchers. A new short-term combined high-intensity interval training was proposed in young sedentary overweight/obese females. All participants were allocated to one of two groups: the exercise group (EG) and the control group (CG), where the EG participated in a 2-week combined training and the CG continued its routine lifestyle. Gene expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB(nuclear factor κB), and IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor 3) were assessed by real-time PCR. Physiological, anthropometric, and biomedical metabolic factors were assessed. The between-group comparisons indicated a tendency to a decrease in NF-κB gene expression in the EG. The IRF3 levels were not significantly changed compared to CG and the levels before training. Fasting glucose levels and ß-cell function revealed a significant improvement in EG. These findings indicated that this protocol decreased meta-inflammation levels and improved insulin resistance independent of body composition changes. Consequently, combined training may be recommended as a therapeutic approach in metabolic diseases.

The effect of preventive exercise on the neuroprotection in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat brain.

Parkinson's disease is characterized by neurodegeneration and learning deficiency. Physical exercise can alleviate these symptoms by increasing the expression of some effective and relevant factors. The preventive effect of 16-week treadmill running in a rat model of Parkinson's disease, before 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induction, was assessed. Experimental groups consisted of sedentary (SED), SED+6-OHDA, exercised (EX), and EX+6-OHDA rats. Forty-eight hours after the last session of exercise, 6-OHDA was injected into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). One week after the injection, behavioral tests, including spatial learning and memory, were assessed through Morris water maze (MWM) and apomorphine-induced rotation. Three weeks after the injection, mRNA expression and protein levels of the transcriptional co-activator peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-γ co-activator-1α (PGC-1α), fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were measured in the striatum and the hippocampus of rats by applying real-time PCR and Western blotting. The findings indicate that exposure to 6-OHDA leads to impairments in behavioral and molecular functions. Exercise training prevents and reduces the symptoms caused by dopamine toxins. The results suggest that treadmill running can exert neuroprotective and have preventive effects to reduce Parkinson's disease symptoms. Novelty Parkinson's disease impairs spatial learning and memory. Parkinson's disease reduced levels of PGC-1α, FNDC5, and BDNF and increased neurodegeneration in the striatum and the hippocampus. Treadmill running before disease attenuated 6-OHDA-induced memory deficit and elevated neuroprotection. Exercise has multiple effects on memory and biochemical factors.

Effects of Preventive Treadmill Exercise on the Recovery of Metabolic and Mitochondrial Factors in the 6-Hydroxydopamine Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in Parkinson's disease, while exercise can induce essential pathways of mitochondrial biogenesis. Here, we tested whether long-term preventive treadmill training (16 weeks, 21 m/min, and 0° inclinations for 50 min/d, 5 d/week) effects the mitochondrial and neurodegeneration markers, in the striatum of rats in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of Parkinson's disease. Following 16 weeks of exercise or no exercise period (n = 16 rats per group), the animals were divided into four experimental groups (n = 8 per group): (1) no exercise and saline (SED), (2) exercise and saline (EX), (3) no exercise and 6-OHDA (SED + 6-OHDA), and (4) exercise and 6-OHDA (EX + 6-OHDA). For the model, 8 µg of 6-OHDA (2 µg/µL prepared in a solution of 0.2% ascorbic acid and 0.9% saline) was injected into the right medial forebrain bundle. Exposure to 6-OHDA resulted in a significant reduction (P < 0.05) of mitochondrial factors AMP-activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha, and tyrosine hydroxylase, and increased expression of silent information regulator T1, mitochondrial transcription factor A, and p53 in the SED + 6-OHDA group relative to SED group. By contrast, gene and protein expressions upon exercise were higher and p53 protein level was lower in the EX + 6-OHDA group compared with SED + 6-OHDA. Further, exercise reduced the extent of weight loss associated with the 6-OHDA injection. In conclusion, exercise might be used to reduce mitochondrial disorders in Parkinson's disease.

A comparative study on the effects of high-fat diet and endurance training on the PGC-1α-FNDC5/irisin pathway in obese and nonobese male C57BL/6 mice.

The present study was performed to clarify how a combined exercise/diet treatment could affect the expression level of the muscle fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (Fndc5) with respect to body fat mass. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 2 groups including low-fat (LF) and high-fat (HF) diets for 12 weeks. Then, LF fed (nonobese) and HF fed mice (obese) were divided into the following 4 groups: HF-Exercise, HF-Sedentary, LF-Exercise, and LF-Sedentary. The exercise group exercised on a motor-driven treadmill for 45 min/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. Mice were sacrificed 24 h after the final exercise session. Gastrocnemius muscle and the visceral adipose tissue were excised and frozen for the assessment of proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (Pgc-1α) and Fndc5 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels. Data indicated that protein level of muscle PGC-1α was decreased in HF versus LF groups and in obese versus nonobese mice. Moreover, Fndc5 mRNA levels were increased in the muscle tissue of HF versus LF groups and in obese versus nonobese mice. Also, in the gastrocnemius skeletal muscle, protein levels of FNDC5 were significantly higher in the HF fed mice, as compared with their low-fat fed counterparts, similar to what was observed for exercised versus sedentary mice. Overall, we found that the HF diet increased Fndc5 transcript levels in the skeletal muscle, but exercise had a minimal effect on the transcript level of Fndc5, whereas endurance training increased the protein content of FNDC5 in the skeletal muscle.

Comparative studies on the effects of high-fat diet, endurance training and obesity on Ucp1 expression in male C57BL/6 mice.

BACKGROUND: Obesity triggers a variety of severe conditions, therefore deteriorates metabolism rate of adipose tissues and muscles. Uncoupling proteins which are highly stimulated by fatty acids are potential targets for anti-obesity agents through breaking the electron gradient in the mitochondrial matrix and creating imbalances in the electron transport chain, thereby increasing the amount of substrate used to produce energy. Therefore, the aim of present study is assessment of exercise and high fat diet on expression level of Ucp1 subcutaneous white and brown adipose tissues (scWAT & BAT) respectively. METHODS: To perform experiments, 48 male C57BL/6 mice were divided to two major groups and fed with high fat diet (HFD) or low fat diet (LFD) during a period of 12 weeks. After the first intervention, each groups was divided into four groups randomly as (HF-EX), (HF-SED), (LF-EX), (LF-SED) [EX: exercise; SED: sedentary] in form of treadmill running for 45 min/day, 5 days/week during 8 weeks. One day after the last practice session, mice were sacrificed and Ucp1 expression was assessed on scWAT & BAT. RESULTS: Data indicated a down-regulation in scWAT Ucp1 in obese mice similar to what observed for the expression of Pgc1α. Both, BAT Ucp1 and Pgc1α mRNA decreased significantly in response to obesity and physical activity. Moreover, exercise caused significant decrease in scWAT mitochondrial proteins contradictory to BAT. CONCLUSION: Taken together, exercise exerted controversial effects compared with HFD and obesity on expression of Ucp1 and Pgc1α in scWAT dissimilar to BAT tissues, concluding that obesity may cause a resistance to exercise in terms of metabolic demands for scWAT tissue.

Eight Essential Foods in Iranian Traditional Medicine and their Role in Health Promotion and Well-being.

Eight essential foods (EEF) described in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) have a determinant role to balance human temperament insuring health and well-being. EEF included oral, imaginary, auditory, visual, olfactory, touch, sexual, and familiarity food. Oral foods should be halal, compatible with individual temper, consumed up twice a day, and compatible with different seasons and geographic conditions. Imaginary food consists of the individual thought content which is directly related to mental and physical fitness. It helps to balance temperament if be free of negative thoughts such as suspicion and distrust to others. Auditory food includes all sounds surrounding us, some of which are sedative and help to balance temperaments, such as natural sounds, and spiritual and beautiful words. Visual food includes everything in the range of human vision which is impressive on his/her thought. Natural beautiful scenes have almost a warm temper and help to balance human temperament. Olfactory food includes odors which stimulate the smell. Touch food includes all materials in direct contact with body skin, like clothes, which have a determinant role in temper moderation in the case of being natural. Sexual food complies with the human need to express his/her love and/or is loved, so its fulfillment could prevent human mal-temperament. Familiarity food can be provided by companion with friends and family members and has a significant role to insure well-being. Given the comprehensiveness of EEF in ITM which covers all human health-related aspects, we can insure health and well-being among our population by promoting and public educating of these principles.

The Effect of Karate Techniques Training on Communication Deficit of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

This investigation examined the long term effect of Karate techniques training on communication of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Thirty school aged children with ASD were randomly assigned to an exercise (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). Participants in the exercise group were engaged in 14 weeks of Karate techniques training. Communication deficit at baseline, post-intervention (week 14), and at 1 month follow up were evaluated. Exercise group showed significant reduction in communication deficit compared to control group. Moreover, reduction in communication deficit in the exercise group at one month follow up remained unchanged compared to post-intervention time. We concluded that teaching Karate techniques to children with ASD leads to significant reduction in their communication deficit.

A Comparative Study on Cancer Prevention Principles Between Iranian Traditional Medicine and Classic Medicine.

Cancer is one of the three main causes of mortality in most human communities whose prevalence is being increased. A significant part of health budget in all countries has been allocated to treat the cancer, which is incurable in many cases. It has led the global health attitude to cancer prevention. Many cancer-related risk factors have been identified for which preventive recommendations have been offered by international organizations such as World Health Organization. Some of the most important of these risk factors are smoking and alcohol consumption, hypercaloric and low-fiber diet, obesity, inactivity, environmental and industrial pollution, some viral infections, and hereditary factors. Exact reviewing of Iranian-Islamic traditional medicine (IITM) resources determines that preventive rules, which named as six essential rules (Sitteh-e-Zarurieah) are abundantly found, including all identified cancer-related risk factors. These preventive rules are: Air (Hava), body movement and repose, sleep and wakefulness, food and drink, evacuation and retention, and mental movement and repose (A'raz-e-Nafsani). The associated risk factors in classic medicine are: Smoking and air pollution, sedentary life, sleep disturbance, improper nutrition and alcohol, chronic constipation, and psychoneurotic stresses. Moreover, these rules are comprehensive enough to include many of the other harmful health-related factors whose roles have been confirmed in the occurrence of different diseases, except cancer. Apparently, cancer prevention in Iran would be more successful if the sextet necessary rules of IITM are promoted among the populations and health policy makers.

Correlation between Aerobic Fitness and Body Composition in Middle School Students.

BACKGROUND: Since correlations have been found between body composition and physical activity in different parts of the world, inactivity and poor physical condition likely contributes main factors in childhood obesity. This study was implemented to determine the relationship between cardiovascular fitness and body-composition in a group of Iranian middle school students. METHODS: In this descriptive study, subjects comprised of 12,946 students (10,531 girls and 2,415 boys aged 11-13 years) in the city of Isfahan. Height, weight, body-fat percent, body mass index, and cardiovascular fitness of the aforesaid students were measured by valid tests. RESULTS: This study showed that fat percentage and aerobic fitness (VO2 max) of girls were 24.73%, and 29.5 (ml/kg/min) and boys19.32% and 36.4 (ml/kg/min) respectively. Results also revealed that there was a negative significant correlation between fat percent and aerobic fitness of boys (r = -0.81), and girls (r = -0.77) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, this study signifies that fat percentage augmentation leads to a decrease in aerobic fitness of children. Thus, fat percentage can be associated with different chronic diseases such as cardiovascular ones.