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Background and Aims: Adipokines omentin-1 and nesfatin-1 are hormones secreted from adipose tissue that effectively regulate metabolic pathways. On the other hand, exercise training plays a positive role in preventing metabolic diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic and resistance training on the levels of omentin-1 and nesfatin-1 in adults. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of English and Persian articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, SID, Scopus, and Magiran databases was conducted until September 2023. A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of aerobic and resistance training on the levels of omentin-1 and nesfatin1 in adults. The mMean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random effect model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test, and diffusion bias was evaluated by visual analysis of the funnel plot and Egger's test. Results: In total, 26 studies, including 29 exercise interventions and 722 adults, 409 participants in the exercise group with an average age of 32.45 ± 3.71, and 313 participants in the control group with an average age of 29.86 ± 2.34 were added to the present meta-analysis. The results showed that exercise training caused a significant increase in omentin-1 [SMD=1.37, 0.83 to 1.91, P=0.001] and nesfatin-1 [SMD= 0.69, 0.01 to 1.37, P=0.04] compared to the control group in adults. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that both types of aerobic and resistance training lead to a significant increase in the levels of omentin-1 and nesfatin-1. It seems that exercise training can be a nonpharmacological and practical intervention to regulate adipokines in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Angiogenesis is a physiological process leading to capillary density enhancement and better blood distribution in skeletal muscles, which triggers in response to physical training. The present study aimed to investigate the changes in physiological factors involved in angiogenesis in response to circuit or traditional resistance training. Methods: Thirty-six healthy sedentary students who were studying at Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University of Tehran (age: 22.1±2.3 years; height: 172.7±5.1 cm) volunteered to participate in the study (from October 2021 to February 2022). Following a pre-test to evaluate one repetition maximum (1RM) of selected movements (Leg Press, Leg Curl, Leg Extension, Bench Pull, Seated Row, Biceps Curl), subjects randomly divided into Circuit Resistance training (CRT) (training protocol included 4 circles/3 times a week/8 weeks circuit performance/50-55% 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM), n=12), Traditional resistance training (RT) (training protocol included 8 repetition/3 set/3 time per week/8 weeks of same movements with 75% 1RM followed by 2 minutes break to rest between the sets; n=12) and the control group without any regular training (n=12). We assessed the level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), plasma level of growth hormone (GH), and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (BFGF) to the mentioned training methods. Data were evaluated by utilizing SPSS version 14. Results: Present findings showed that CRT and RT protocols resulted in significant increases in post-test compared to pre-test in VEGF (P=0.00), GH (P=0.04), and BFGF (P=0.00). In addition, the magnitude of changes in VEGF and GH were significantly greater than the magnitude of changes in control group in post-test (P=0.03, and 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between absolute values of GH and VEGF (r=0.74 and r=0.71) following CRT (P=0.01) and RT (P=0.02). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that CRT and RT might enhance angiogenesis through an increase in VEGF, bFGF and GH, leading to better blood distribution in muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Today, obesity and overweight are known as one of the causes of many diseases and some deaths are related to diseases caused by obesity and overweight. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of endurance, resistance and combination training on HIF1 gene expression, plasma PGC1a levels and body composition of overweight elderly men. Methods: The participants of this study were 40 elderly men who were randomly divided into four groups of endurance (12 people), resistance training group (12 people), combination training group (12 people) and control (12 people) were divided. This period to measure the expression of HIF1 gene in white blood cells and Plasma levels of PGC1a, blood sampling was performed 48 hours before the start of the first training session and also 48 hours after the last training session, while all subjects were fasting. Realtime PCR was used to measure HIF1 gene expression and ELISA was used to measure PGC1a plasma levels. To analyze the data, one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test were used with SPSS software version 22. Results: The Results showed that all three types of exercises increased the significance of HIF1 gene expression (P = 0.001), increased PGC1a (P = 0.001), and significantly reduced fat mass (P = 0.001), Experienced a significant decrease in body mass index (P = 0.001) and compared to the control group. Conclusion: It seems that endurance, resistance and combination exercises increase angiogenic factors, mitochondrial biogenesis and body composition of the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The present study investigated the effect of six weeks of endurance and resistance training on pulmonary indices, physical performance, and quality of life in COVID-19 patients after discharge from hospital. Materials and methods: Thirty six patients with COVID-19 (mean age: 38.76±0.98 years, mean weight: 81.86±2.88 kg) were selected. At the beginning and end of the study, pulmonary (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and MVV), physical (6-minute walk test), quality of life (SF-36), and anthropometry tests were performed. The patients were divided into three groups: Endurance training (45 minutes at 60-75% estimated HR), Resistance training (45 minutes at 40-70% of I-RM), and controls. The intervention was conducted for 6 weeks (3 sessions). One-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Findings indicated a significant increase in FEV1 (P=0.029), FVC (P=0.047), FEV1/FVC (P=0.043) in the endurance training group compared to the control group, while difference was observed in MVV (P=0.041) and FEV1/FVC (P=0.022) between endurance training and resistance training groups. The 6-minute test distance increased in the endurance training (P=0.0001) and resistance training (P=0.001) groups compared to the control group, but no difference was observed between the training groups (P=0.48). Endurance and resistance training programs induced significant improvements in physical performance (P=0.024 and P=0.09, respectively) and general health (P=0.022 and P=0.015, respectively) dimensions compared to the control group. Conclusion: Moderate-intensity endurance training can improve pulmonary function, physical performance, and quality of life in patients with COVID-19 after discharge from hospital and can be used in rehabilitation programs of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Nowadays, the use of energizing substances has become a complex complicated problem in sports and causes damage to various tissues, on the other hand. However, sports activity has a significant impact on controlling and improving oxidative stress factors and inflammatory indicators. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of eight- weeks of resistance training on lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA]MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the heart tissue of rats exposed to stanazol. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male rats with a weight range of 150-200 g and a mean age of 8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6 each), namely 1) control (C), 2) sham (Sh), 3) consumption of stanazol (S), and 4) consumption of stanazol together with resistance training (S+RT). During eight weeks, both groups of 3 and 4 received 5 mg/kg stanazol intraperitoneally daily; however, group 4 performed resistance training three times a week with an intensity of 30%-100% of their body weight. A one-way variance analysis and Tukey's post hoc test were used to analyze the data (P<0.05). Results: Stanazol had a significant effect on increasing MDA (P=0.001) and TNF-α (P=0.001) in heart tissue. However, resistance training led to a decrease in MDA (P=0.001) and TNF-α (P=0.001) in the heart tissue of rats exposed to stanazol. Conclusion: It seems that the consumption of anabolic steroids, especially stanazol, increased stress and MDA and TNF-α in the heart, while resistance training can could improve the increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory factorsdecrease its findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The antioxidant Nrf2/Keap1 pathway prevents cellular damages against oxidative stress and this pathway is disrupted following diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance and resistance training on antioxidant Nrf2/Keap1 pathway in testicular tissue of diabetic rats. Materials and methods: In this experimental research, 48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, resistance training control, endurance training control, diabetic, diabetic resistance training, and diabetic endurance training. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg nicotinamide and 65 mg/kg streptozotocin after 12 hours of fasting. Seventy two hours after induction of diabetes, resistance and endurance training protocols were performed for 10 weeks. Afterwards, the expression of Keap1, Nrf2, and HO1 genes in testicular tissues were measured by realtime PCR. Results: According to findings, induction of diabetes significantly decreased the expression of Nrf2 and HO1 (P<0.05), while the expression of Keap1 increased (P>0.05). Endurance training significantly increased the expression level of Nrf2 (P<0.05) and resistance training changed the expression level of genes related to Nrf2/Keap1 pathway (P>0.05). Conclusion: Endurance and resistance exercises could activate Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway on gene expression following diabetes and by activating this pathway the complications of diabetes on testis might be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Exercise and physical activity improve damage and destructive changes in the peripheral nervous system. Objective This study aims to investigate the effects of resistance aerobic training on the expression of SEMA3A and NCAM genes and proteins of soleus muscle in male rats of different age groups. Methods A total of 30 male Wistar rats in three groups of 2-week-old (infant) (n=10), 6-week-old (young) (n=10), and 96-week-old (elderly) (n=10) were divided into two groups of training and control. The training program included 6 days of resistance and aerobic training one day in between. The rats were euthanized and the soleus muscle was extracted 48 h after the last training session. A fluorescent microscope was used to measure SEMA3A and NCAM proteins in muscle fibers. Gene expressions were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results The results showed that SEMA3A gene expression was not significantly different between exercise and control groups in all three age groups; however, SEMA3A protein expression was significantly reduced in infant and young exercise groups (P≤0.001). Also, NCAM gene expression was not significantly different between training and control groups in all three age groups; while there was a significant decrease in NCAM protein expression in young and old training groups compared to the control group (P≤0.001). Conclusion The results showed that resistance aerobic training can inhibit the process of peripheral nerve damage in infant and young rats, as well as the growth and strength of the neuromuscular junction in young and elderly rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The use of anabolic steroids is common among athletes who perform resistance training; nonetheless, the effect of their abuse, along with resistance training, on the structural destruction of skeletal muscles is not fully understood. The present study aimed to assess the effect of different doses of Boldenone, along with resistance training, on muscle injury. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats (189.53±5.94 gr) were randomly assigned to six groups (n=6 in each group): control, Boldenone (2mg/kg), Boldenone (5mg/kg), training, training+Boldenone (2mg/kg), and training+Boldenone (5mg/kg). Boldenone steroid was injected twice a week into the rat serine muscle. The resistance training program consisted of ladder-climbing 5×3, three times per week for six weeks. It began with 50% of the one-repetition maximum of rats and increased to 100% in the final week. Histopathological changes in quadriceps muscle tissue were assessed using hematoxylin staining and optical microscopic. To assess the normality of data, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc test were employed for data analysis at a significance level of P≤0.05. Results: Based on the results, there was no significant difference in the weight of rats in all groups. In the groups receiving Boldenone, mild and moderate damages were observed in the tissue structure of the quadriceps muscle, which was slightly improved by performing resistance exercises; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Resistance training in the present study did not seemingly prevent or improve the muscle injuries caused by taking Boldenone steroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Exercises and consumption of plant-based supplements are essential to prevent and control diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a four-week home workout plan and pomegranate supplementation on oxidative stress in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: The present single-blind, quasi-experimental, and practical study was conducted on 60 overweight and obese women between 45 to 65 years with a body mass index over 25 (kg/m2 ) who were randomly divided into four groups. After participant dropout, 56 women were divided into four groups. The first group (n=15) took pomegranate supplements and had exercise, the second group (n=13) took the placebo and had exercise, the third group (n=14) was given the pomegranate supplement and the fourth group (n=14) was given the placebo. The intervention and placebo groups took a 225 mg capsule of pomegranate supplementation and placebo daily for four weeks, respectively. Resistance training was performed in 28 90-min training sessions for four weeks at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Results: The results of the present study indicated that exercise and supplementation significantly increase total antioxidant capacity, and decrease Malondialdehyde (MDA)(P<0.05); however, no significant effect was observed in the other groups. One-way ANOVA demonstrated that four weeks of training and supplementation significantly reduce the concentration of MDA compared to the control group (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed among the four groups in the total antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Pomegranate supplementation together with a home workout plan can possibly reduce oxidative stress and prevent difficulties related to obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Diabetes is a multifactorial disease characterized by chronic high blood sugar and insulin resistance. In general, the global increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes is caused by poor nutrition and inactivity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of combined exercise with quinoa supplementation on fasting blood sugar, appetite and quality of life in women with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: In this study, 36 women with type 2 diabetes were divided into 3 groups: exercise+supplement (n=12), supplement (n=12) and control (n=12). The exercise+supplement and supplement group consumed 25 grams of cooked quinoa seeds for 3 days a week. The exercise+supplement group also did combined exercise for 8 weeks, 3 times a week. Exercise was performed with an intensity of 10-12 pressure perception. The Persian version of the qualityof- life questionnaire was used to measure the quality-of-life index and the appetite questionnaire was used to assess appetite. Blood samples were taken 48 hours before and after the interventions, measurements and questionnaires were completed. One Way ANOVA, LSD post hoc and paired t were used at the significance level of P≤0.05. Results: According to the results of 8 weeks of intervention in the exercise+supplement group (P=0.001)(2.59%) and the supplement group (P=0.04)(1.54%) compared to the control group (P=0.32)(1.54%) caused a significant reduction in Fasted blood sugar. There was also a significant decrease in appetite index in the exercise+supplement group (P<0.001)(54.20%) and the supplement group (P=0.001)(60.31%) as compared to the control group (P=0.11)(7.91%). Quality of life data also showed a significant increase in this index in the exercise+supplement group (P=0.008)(5.95%) and supplement group (P=0.002)(3.80%) as compared to the control group (P=0.10)(0.99%). Conclusion: Eight weeks of combined exercise with consumption of quinoa seeds has a positive and improving effect on fasting blood sugar index, quality of life and appetite in patients with type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are related to increased production of free radicals, weakened immune system and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training and spirulina consumption on the antioxidant indices of overweight and obese men. Materials and Methods: In the present study, which was semi-experimental, practical and single-blind, 44 men (BMI>25(kg/m² )) were purposefully selected and randomly divided into four groups: exercise+spirulina, exercise+placebo, spirulina and placebo. Incremental resistance exercises were performed for 8 weeks. The spirulina and placebo groups took 2 tablets (500 mg) of spirulina and placebo, respectively. Blood sampling was done before and after 8 weeks. In data analysis, t-test (student) and one-way analysis of variance were used. Results: In intra-group comparison, the amount of CAT, SOD and GSH-Px increased significantly in two groups of exercise+spirulina and exercise+placebo (p<0.05). For the SOD variable, the exercise+spirulina group had a significant increase compared to the other three groups and the exercise+placebo group compared to the placebo group (p<0.05). For the GSH-Px variable, the exercise+spirulina group had a significant increase compared to the spirulina and placebo group and the exercise+placebo group compared to the placebo group (p<0.05). CAT changes were not significant between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Taking spirulina along with resistance training can strengthen the antioxidant status in overweight and obese people and prevent oxidative stress caused by exercise and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Developing psychological indicators are important to improve athletic performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance training on resilience and mental toughness in elite Karate players in Isfahan. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, which was performed as a pretest-posttest with a control group, 30 Karate players with an age range of 18-24 years were selected by a purposeful sampling method and randomly divided into two groups of experimental (n=15) and control (n=15). The resistance training program was performed for 8 weeks, three sessions per week with exercise intensity 40% to 70% of 1RM, and 60 minutes each session for the experimental group. At the beginning and the end of the training program, resilience and mental toughness in both groups were evaluated using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003) and Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (Shired et al, 2009). Data were analyzed using covariance and multivariate covariance analysis. Results: The results showed that resistance training had a significant effect on resilience in elite Karate players (P≤0.05). Also, there was observed significant development in mental toughness and confidence, constancy and control subscales (P≤0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that can be used resistance training for improvement and reinforcement to resilience and mental toughness psychological indicators in athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: This meta-analysis review aimed to investigate the effect of resistance training on functional performance and physiological factors in patients with ischemic stroke. Materials and methods: The search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using related keywords. All articles were reviewed, but 22 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included after screening. Results: Based on findings, resistance training had a significant effect on the Six-minute Walk Test (difference in means= -32.04, P= 0.028), the Berg Balance Scale (difference in means= -2.37, P= 0.018), handgrip strength test (Difference in means= -2.05, P= 0.001), and Gait Speed (difference in means= -0.089, P= 0.101) in patients with ischemic stroke. However, resistance training did not significantly affect the Up and Go Test (difference in means= -2.27, P= 0.192) in these patients. On the other hand, according to several physiological indicators in different subgroups, including body mass index, TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C, resistance training did not have a significant effect (difference in means= 0.02, P= 0.642) in patients with ischemic stroke. Conclusion: Resistance training improves the performance of patients with ischemic stroke. This improvement occurs in both the upper and lower body, but resistance training did not improve physiological parameters in ischemic stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is highly prevalent in the group of autoimmune and inflammatory patients. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) plays an important role in regulating complex interactions between pancreatic beta cells and immune cells in the development of T1D. This study was performed to determine the simultaneous effect of resistance training and endothelial progenitor cell injection on blood glucose levels and protein expression of proinflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-10 in muscle tissue of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats weighing approximately 200±20 g and six weeks old were randomly divided into six groups. Induction of diabetes was performed by intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dose of 45 mg/kg body weight. Groups included diabetes + stem cell injection + resistance training group, diabetes + resistance training group, diabetes + stem cell injection group, control diabetic group to control the passage of time, and healthy basal and diabetic groups for defaults. Exercises were performed for 17 sessions of resistance training, including climbing ladders with increasing weight three days a week in the same laboratory conditions. Endothelial progenitor cells were cultured by femoral bone marrow aspiration and culture and then injection into the tail vein. 68 hours after the last training session, blood glucose levels were assessed by ELISA and the expression of TNF-α and IL-10 protein in muscle tissue was assessed by Western blotting. Results: Endothelial stem cell injection, resistance training and resistance training with the simultaneous injection of endothelial stem cells significantly increased the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 in the skeletal muscle tissue of diabetic rats in compared to control group (P<0.05). Expression of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 in the skeletal muscle tissue was significantly increased in resistance training plus the simultaneous injection of endothelial stem cells group in compared to injection of stem cells and resistance training groups (P<0.05). Glucose concentration in the skeletal muscle tissue was significantly reduced in resistance training plus the simultaneous injection of endothelial stem cells group in compared to injection of stem cells and resistance training groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that 17 sessions of resistance training reduces blood glucose level and improves inflammatory conditions in response to an increase in IL-10 and a decrease in TNF-α in a group of diabetic rats with resistance training and simultaneous injection of endothelial progenitor cells in diabetic male rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) plays an important role in muscle biology and is involved in hypertrophy and activation of satellite cells. This study was done to determine the effect of eight weeks of concurrent training with different order on S1P in fast and slow muscles in wistar rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male wistar rats (weight 180-200 gr) were randomly allocated into 5 groups including control, resistance training, endurance training, resistance- endurance training, endurance- resistance training. Resistance training consisted 1-meter ladder climbing with the loading of percent of overloading test (%75 of weight body) in the first week and increased to 30 gr per week. Endurance training consisted of running on treadmill with speed of 12 m/min and 10 minutes in the first week to 30 m/min and 60 minutes in the last week. The resistance- endurance group performed resistance training 5 minutes before endurance training and the endurance- resistance group performed endurance training 5 minutes after resistance training. The protein level of S1P was measured in flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and soleus muscles. Results: The S1P level in fast and slow twitch muscle increased significantly in endurance- resistance training, resistance-endurance training and resistance training compared to controls (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between concurrent training with differing order. Conclusion: It seems that exercise order in concurrent training result in no different effect on S1P level in fast and slow twitch muscles in wistar rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) is the most abundant liver–specific miRNA. It has been reported that miR-122 plays several biological roles such as iron homeostasis, tumor suppressor, hepatic fatty acid regulation, and in hepatocyte differentiation. The Purpose of this study was to investigate changes in liver miR-122 gene expression and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes after resistance training and boldenone undecylenate (boldenone) steroid injection in male rats. Materials and methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (n=5), resistance training (n=5), resistance training+ boldenone injection (n=5), and boldenone injection (n=5). Resistance training was performed three sessions a week for eight weeks. Boldenone was injected twice per week (2mg/kg). Seventy-two hours after last training, blood and tissue samples were collected. Serum levels of ALT and AST were measured via photometric method and miR-122 gene expression in the liver was assessed by real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS V16. Results: Reduced expression of liver miR-122 was found in boldenone group, while the expression of miR-122 was higher in resistance training group, however, the difference was not significant (P= 0.514). Also, no significant difference was found in serum AST and ALT levels between the experimental groups (P= 1.00 and P= 0.527, respectively). Conclusion: In this study, liver miR-122 responded differently to resistance training and boldenone injection. However, clear understanding of its mechanism requires further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes is a multifactorial disease, with both genetic and environmental factors influencing its prevalence. The aim of this experimental study was to determine the effect of 6 weeks of resistance training on GLP1 expression in pancreatic tissue as well as glucose and insulin levels in type 2 diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: The statistical population consisted of all male Wistar rats of Pasteur Institute of Iran, from which 14 10-week-old rats weighing 220 ± 20 g were purchased. The studied rats were exposed to 6 weeks of high-fat diet and STZ injection of type 2 diabetes and were randomly divided into two groups (control and resistance). The resistance group then participated in a resistance training course for 6 weeks with 5 sessions per week. 48 hours after the last training session, fasting glucose and insulin levels and GLP1 expression in pancreatic tissue of both groups were measured and compared by independent t-test. All statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS / Win software version 16. Results: Resistance training improved fasting glucose levels compared to the control group. Serum insulin levels and GLP1 expression in pancreatic tissue of the resistance group increased significantly compared to the control group. Significant level of α = % 5 was considered. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, increased serum insulin in response to resistance training in T2D rats may be attributed with increased Mafa expression in pancreas tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The use of testosterone enanthate has increased in athletes, especially in resistance trainings. The present study aimed at comparing the independent and interactive effects of resistance training, testosterone, and Phoenix dactylifera extract on the expression of adiponectin and GLUT4, as well as some oxidative stress indices in brown adipose tissue in male rats. Materials and methods: Thirty-six male rats were divided into different groups, including a control group, exercise training, phoenix dactylifera extract, testosterone, phoenix dactylifera extract + exercise training, and testosterone+ exercise training groups. Resistance trainings were done for four weeks (5 sessions/week) in experimental groups. On days of exercise, the rats were fed with phoenix dactylifera extract and testosterone (100 and 2 mg/kg, respectively). Forty-eight hours after the last intervention, the animals were sacrificed and brown fat tissues were removed. Then, the gene expression of adiponectin and GLUT4, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Results: Resistance training increased the expression of adiponectin and GLUT4, increased SOD activity and decreased MDA level. Testosterone also increased SOD activity and decreased MDA level in brown adipose tissue. Phoenix dactylifera increased the expression of adiponectin and the activity of SOD, and decreased MDA level. Exercise and simultaneous use of testosterone/phoenix dactylifera have synergistic effect on adipose tissue MDA compared to testosterone and phoenix dactylifera intervention alone. Conclusion: This study reinforces the hypothesis of using phoenix dactylifera as a natural substance instead of synthetic testosterone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Researchers have recently considered the impact of herbal supplements combined with exercise on weight control. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Spirulina platensis green-blue algae consumption, and circuit resistance training (CRT) on lipid profile in overweight and obese middleaged men. Materials and Methods: This was a single-blind, quasi-experimental, and applied study. The study population included 60 overweight and obese men in the age range of 30-55 years with a body mass index of more than 25 (kg/m²). The participants were purposefully selected and randomly divided into four groups of training plus spirulina (N=15); training plus placebo; spirulina; and Placebo. The intervention and placebo groups took two 500 mg spirulina capsules, and placebo capsules daily for eight weeks, respectively. The CRT was performed for eight weeks and three sessions per week based on a flexible timing pattern, with the observation of the principle of overload with rest intervals between stations and sets. Results: There was a significant difference between the study groups in terms of the levels of triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) of the participants (P<0.05). Moreover, in the intra-group investigation, there was a significant reduction in the values of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride (TG), in the groups of training plus spirulina and training plus placebo, cholesterol (TC), and (Aspartate aminotransferase) AST in the groups of training plus spirulina had a significant decrease, Moreover, a significant increase was observed in the levels of HDL and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the group of training plus spirulina. Conclusion: It seems that the consumption of Spirulina platensis green-blue algae combined with CRT can be effective in controlling weight and obesity and preventing obesity-related diseases through the improvement of some indices of metabolic profile and body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]