The effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on FGF21, irisin, and myostatin in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

This study investigated the influence of a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on irisin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and myostatin (MSTN) among men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Forty-five adult men with T2DM were randomly selected and assigned to receive and perform HIIT (4 × 4 min at 85-95% HRmax with three min of active rest at 50-60% HRmax in between) and MICT (walking/running continuously for 47 min at 60-70% HRmax) three sessions per week for 12 weeks, or to act as a non-exercise control (CON) group. The subjects' blood samples were collected at baseline and 48 hours after the last intervention session. Our research revealed that both interventions resulted in similar decreases in FGF21 and MSTN when compared to the CON (p < .01). However, only the HIIT group showed a significant increase in irisin (p < .01) compared to the CON. Further, improvements in insulin resistance, body composition, and VO2 peak were noted in both intervention groups compared with those of the CON group (p < .01). It seems that while either aerobic exercise strategy could be seen as a therapy for men with T2DM, HIIT had a more advantageous effect on the irisin response.

Supplementation of Adiantum capillus-veneris Modulates Alveolar Apoptosis under Hypoxia Condition in Wistar Rats Exposed to Exercise.

Background and Objectives: Several studies have reported that some conditions such as exercise and hypoxia induce DNA damage and dysfunction and apoptosis. Some plant foods contain numerous bioactive compounds and anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight DNA damage. Therefore, the current study evaluated the effect of supplementation of Adiantum capillus-veneris (ACV) extract on Bax/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) ratio apoptotic index and remodeling of pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells in lung tissue of healthy Wistar rats during stressful conditions (hypoxia). Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven Wistar male rats (four-week old, 72 ± 9 g) were randomly assigned into three groups: normoxic, sedentary, and not-supplemented (NG, n = 9); exercise and hypoxia and not-supplemented (HE, n = 9); and exercise and hypoxia and supplemented group (HS, n = 9). The NG remained sedentary in the normoxia environment for nine weeks. The HE group participated in a high-intensity (IT) program for six weeks, then remained sedentary in the hypoxia environment for three weeks. The low-pressure chamber simulated a ~2800 M altitude 24 h/d. HS participated in IT, then entered and remained sedentary in the hypoxia environment for three weeks, and they consumed 500 mg per kg of body weight ACV extract. Results: The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio of the HE group increased significantly (+50.27%, p ≤ 0.05), the average number of type I pneumocytes was reduced significantly (-18.85%, p ≤ 0.05), and the average number of type II pneumocytes was increased significantly (+14.69%, p ≤ 0.05). Also, after three weeks of consuming the ACV extract, the HS group in comparison with the HE group had their Bax/Bcl-2 ratio reduced significantly (-24.27%, p ≤ 0.05), the average number of type I pneumocytes increased significantly (+10.15%, p ≤ 0.05), and the average number of type II pneumocytes reduced significantly (-7.18%, p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: The findings show that after three weeks of hypoxia following six weeks of high-intensity interval training in Wistar rats, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the number of type II pneumocytes were increased and the number of type I pneumocytes was reduced significantly. These results strongly suggest that an apoptosis state was induced in the lung parenchyma, and consuming ACV extract modulated this state.

The TNF-α, P53 protein response and lung respiratory changes to exercise, chronic hypoxia and Adiantum capillus-veneris supplementation.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that hypoxia and high-intensity exercise training can increase apoptosis of lung cells and Adiantum capillus-veneris (Ac-v) extract can have anti-apoptotic effects. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of chronic hypoxia and the (Ac-v) extraction as a supplement on TNF-a and P53 protein expression as well as the respiratory surface. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 24 healthy Wistar rats (age = 4 weeks, weight = 72 = 9 gr) were trained using interval training for 6 weeks followed by a 3-week stay in hypoxia conditions. Half of the hypoxia samples received 500 ml/gr/per body weight daily (Ac-v) within 3 weeks of hypoxia. At the end, the lung tissue was removed for histological and immunohistological analysis. RESULTS: After 3 weeks of hypoxia exposure following 6 weeks of exercise, expression of P53 and TNF-a increased and the respiratory surface decreased (p ≤ 0.05). After 3 weeks of taking the Ac-v extract during hypoxia exposure, reduced P53 and TNF-a expression and the increased respiratory surface were observed (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic hypoxia may be considered as a strong stimulus leading to the expression of proteins involved in apoptosis and tissue disruption. However, our findings suggest that the antioxidative properties of Ac-v extract could decrease the destructive structural and molecular events that happen along with hypoxia exposure or intense exercise training.