Effect of creatine supplementation on the factors involved in apoptosis-related process [Bax, Bcl-2] and their ratio [Bcl-2/Bax] during acute resistance exercise in middle-aged men

Background and Aim: Creatine supplementation is the most popular supplement used as an ergogenic and therapeutic aid. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of creatine supplementation on apoptotic factors Bcl-2, Bax and Bcl-2/Bax ratio in middle-aged men during acute resistance exercise

Material and Method: In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, parallel study, twenty seven men [mean age 45.59+/-5.43] were randomly assigned to 3 groups: supplement group [n=10] received 20 g of creatine mo no hydrate per day and placebo group [n=10] received maltodextrin for one week. Our control group included 7 men. On the 8[th] day, the subjects in the experimental groups performed an acute resistance exercise with 80% of one repetition maximum. The controls did not perform any exercises. Blood samples were collected one day before supplement intake [Pre] and immediately after acute exercise [Post] for the measurement of serum Bcl-2 and Bax concentrations

Results: Bcl-2 significantly increased by 118/78 percent in creatine group [p<0.05] and reduced by 7/36 percent in placebo group [p>0.05] in the Post compared to the Pre exercise stage. In the Post exercise stage, serum Bax protein concentration increased in the placebo group by 17/98 percent [p<0.05] but did not change in the creatine group in comparison to the Pre exercise stage [p>0.05]

The alteration percent of Bcl-2/Bax ratio was significantly higher in the creatine group after exercise [p<0.05] whereas in the placebo group it was lower compared to the Pre exercise stage [p<0.05]. No changes were detected in the control group

Conclusion: Based on the results of the study acute resistance exercise, caused apoptosis which was confirmed by increased Bax and decreased alternation percent of Bcl-2/Bax ratio in the placebo group, but creatine monohydrate can provide a protective effect against apoptosis by increasing Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax ratio

Thus, use of creatine supplementation may be useful for prevention of apoptotic cell death induced by stress of acute intense exercise

[ effects of whey protein isolate supplement and strength training on weight loss, body composition, strength and muscle hypertrophy in overweight young men]

Limited studies have been conducted on the effect of resistance training plus protein supplements on weight control, muscle growth and body composition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a whey protein supplement combined with a 6-week strength training on weight loss, body composition, strength, and muscle hypertrophy in overweight young men. Thirty individuals with a body mass index between 25-30 kg/m[2] participated in the study. They were randomly divided into three groups of 10 persons each as follows: 1. Experimental group 1 [whey supplement + 6 weeks of strength training [W]; 2. Experimental group 2 [placebo + 6 weeks of strength training [D]; 3. Control group [C]. Maximum strength and muscle volume of the subjects were measured by the 1-RM test in bench press, biceps curl, Squats and chest, arm and tight limb. Skinfold thickness [triceps, supraillium, abdomen and thigh] were measured with Lange skinfold calipers. Repeated measure ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test were used for data analysis. No significant changes occurred in body weight and BMI [p>0.05]. The waist-to-hip ratio [WHR] also remained unchanged in all groups [p>0.05]. In both the experimental and placebo groups significant reductions in percent body fat and fat mass and significant increases in the lean body mass, strength, and muscle hypertrophy were observed [p<0.05] after 6 weeks of strength training. Strength exercise training alone increases strength, hypertrophy and muscle mass and improves body composition in sedentary, overweight young men. Our results suggest that protein supplementation is not needed for strength improvement or body composition changes

[Influence of different intensities of resistance exercise on inflammatory markers in young healthy men]

Previous studies showed that inflammation is an important factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. IL-1beta, IL-6, and HS-CRP are biomarkers with a predictive value in cardiovascular disease. Considering that the effects of resistance training at moderate and high intensity on inflammatory markers have not been studied, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance exercise intensities on levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, HS-CRP and fibrinogen. Thirty healthy young male volunteer students were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 participants each. Groups I and II performed moderate [45-55% 1RM] and high intensity [80-90% 1RM] resistance exercise for 6 consecutive weeks [3 days/week] respectively. Group III, was the control group. Seven exercise stations were employed per session. The rest intervals between the sets of the protocols and stations were 1-2min and 3min respectively. Serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, HS-CRP and plasma level of fibrinogen were assessed before and after resistance training periods. Statistical analysis of data was accomplished using analysis of variance with repeated-measures design. There were no significant differences in serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 before and after the training period. HS-CRP was decreased in groups I and II, but this was not significant [p>0.05]. Post test, however, HS-CRP in the two exercising groups was significantly lowered [p=0.008], compared to the control group. Plasma levels of fibrinogen decreased significantly in the high intensity resistance exercise group. In conclusion, short term resistance training can have beneficial effects on serum levels of some proinflammatory markers in healthy young males. In addition high intensity resistance training decreases plasma level of fibrinogen

Influence of short-term creatine supplementation on hormonal responses to resistance exercise

Creatine is a dietary supplement that is used by athletes to increase muscle mass and strength and especially to improve sports performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of creatine-monohydrate supplementation on hormonal responses in resistance exercise. Twenty-seven trained men took, daily, either creatine- monohydrate [CR, n=15] or a placebo [PL, n=12] for 7 days, followed by performing exercise testing [6 sets of no more than 10 repetitions of the squat exercise at 80% of their 1RM]. Blood samples were taken at baseline and on the exercise testing day [pre-exercise [Pre], immediately post-exercise [1P], and 15 [2P] and 30 [3P] minutes post-exercise] to measure of serum growth hormone [GH] and testosterone concentrations. Significant increases in the number of repetitions [7.2 +/- 1.2] and volume of exercise [1569 +/- 1.8] were observed in the CR, as compared to PL group in set 5 of the exercise protocol. GH was significantly higher at minutes 15 [6.1 +/- 1.8 ng/ml] and 30 [3.6 +/- 1.9ng/ml] post-exercise, as compared to the pre-exercise values in the CR group. In addition, in the CR group the testosterone concentration was also significantly higher [69.1 +/- 19.2 pmol/L] at minute 15 post-exercise as compared to the pre-exercise and PL values. These results suggest that creatine supplementation can enhance acute exercise performance by increasing the number of repetitions performed and the total volume of exercise. The enhanced performance results in an increase in both GH and testosterone concentrations, indicating an augmented anabolic hormone response to creatine supplementation

[Comparing the effects of two training methods of aerobic and anaerobic on some pre-inflammatory cytokines in adult male rats]

Data available reports that the novel biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases have more sensitivity and accuracy in anticipating cardiovascular disease. Hence, considering the significant role of physical activity in decreasing and preventing these diseases, determining the type of physical activity, its duration and intensity, and appropriate pattern significantly promotes the individual's health. In this study, effects of two training methods, the aerobic and anaerobic, on some pre-inflammatory cytokines in adult male rats were compared. In this experiment, 54 male wistar rats [3 months], were kept in a controlled condition, randomly divided into three groups, the control, aerobic and anaerobic groups. The training program was conducted for a period of 12 weeks - 3 sessions per week, specified durations and intensity. To assess the influence of one session of an aerobic and anaerobic, training program, following the program, the first blood sample was taken. After the 24th and 36th sessions, the second and the third blood samples were obtained. Blood samplings were done after 14 hours of fasting and 24 hours after the final training session. Data were analyzed with Kolmogrov-Smirnov, One Way ANOVA, Repeated Measurement and the LSD post hoc tests, at the level of alpha