[Evaluation and impact of omega-3 supplementation with a period of selective aerobic exercise on liver enzymes [AST-ALT] of active student girls]

Liver enzymes are among clinical and biochemical parameters reflecting liver function in muscle exercises and Aspartate amino transferase [AST] and Alanine aminotransferase [ALT] enzymes are indicators of liver damage in sporting activities. However, AST and ALT liver enzymes are affected by supplementation with omega-3. In the present study, the effects of omega-3 supplementation in combination with a selective aerobic activity on liver enzymes [AST and ALT] in trained female students were examined for 6 weeks. For this purpose, 32 person among Female students in physical education in Alzahra University, between age 22.5 +/- 1.2 years with a body mass index 21.59 +/- 1.2 kg/m2 were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups: control, supplements, exercise and supplementation with aerobic exercise group. AST and ALT measurements was done at pre-test and post-test. Data was analyzed using paired t-test, ANOVA and Paried t-test. The results showed that inter-group and between-group changes in AST values in some groups was significant. AST levels were significantly reduced in supplementation with aerobic exercise group whereas ALT levels were significantly increased in all groups except the control group, but no significant changes in ALT levels between the groups was seen. AST significant differences between the exercise group and supplementation with aerobic exercise group represent a possible beneficial effect of supplementation with aerobic exercise. This effect is probably due to changes in cell membrane fluidity, or changes in liver metabolism in the liver. Seems likely for decrease in ALT, longer time or higher doses are needed

[Effect of a course of aerobic exercise and consumption of vitamin d supplementation on respiratory indicators in patients with asthma]

Despite the use of exercise therapy in patients with respiratory disease such as asthma, some researchers have emphasized on taking supplementation as a therapeutic approach. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of a course of aerobic exercise and consumption of vitamin D supplementation [1000 IU] on respiratory indicators of patients with asthma. This study was designed as a quasi-experimental investigation on a total of 32 female asthmatic patients with a mean age of 20-30 years. Subjects were classified into four eight-person groups: 1- [AT+S] group which had both aerobic training and supplementation consumption; 2- Aerobic training [AT] group that only participated in exercise training; 3- Group [S] that only consumed vitamin D supplementation; 4- Control [C] Group that had neither aerobic training nor supplementation consumption. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test. Significant difference considered as p<0.05. In this study, there was a significant difference in post test [p<0.001] between groups in case of maximum voluntary ventilation [MVV], peak expiratory flow rate [PEF] and maximum expiratory flow at 75% vital capacity [FEF75%] and Maximum expiratory flow between 25% to 75% vital capacity [FEF25%-75%]. These indices increased in group AT and AT+S, whereas, they showed decrease in group S and C. Our results indicated that aerobic exercise together with consumption of vitamin D supplementation for 8 weeks could improve the pulmonary function and level of aerobic performance of asthmatic patients and could be considered as a part of pulmonary rehabilitation programs for asthmatic patients

Effects of soy on body composition: a 12-week randomized controlled trial among Iranian elderly women with metabolic syndrome

To examine the effects of soy [in the form of textured soy protein [TSP] and soy-nut] on body composition in elderly women with metabolic syndrome [MetS]. A 12-week randomized clinical trial was conducted on 75 women between 60-70 years of age with MetS in rural health clinics around Babol, Iran in 2009. The participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups of soy-nut [35g/d], TSP [35g/d] and control. Body fat, lean mass and anthropometric indicators were measured before and after intervention, too. Participants were classified as overweight and showing android fat distribution. After 12 weeks of intervention, both soy-nut and TSP groups showed an increase of non-significant in lean mass [0.9 and 0.7 kg], hip circumference [0.45 and 0.28 cm], triceps skinfold [TSF] thickness [0.87 and 0.67mm] and reduction in BMI [-0.15 and -0.33], waist circumference [-0.83 and -1.2] and body fat [-1.5% and -1.7%]. Significant increase in the mean change of TSF and lean mass was observed in the users of soy-nut compared to the control group [P<0.01, P<0.05]. 12-week intervention of soy had a mild favorable effect on body composition in elderly women with MetS

[ effect of rast exercise on plasma levels of apelin and blood pressure in elite women runner]

Intense exercise increases heart susceptibility to the disorder in this physiological factor.The purpose of this study is to study the effect of sprint interval training on plasma levels of apelin, blood pressure and heart rate in elite female runner. Plasma levels of apelin, Heart rate [HR] and blood pressure [BP], analyzed before, after and 24 hours after exercise. 15 elite female runner, whom were playing in Shiraz track and field league, selected for this study. They all were homogenized according to any kind of disease. Rast exercise made plasma level of Apelin decrease after exercise compared with plasma level before exercise and this decrease was significant [p=0.001]. Also, plasma level of apelin increased significantly 24 hrs after finishing exercise [p=0.001], but there were no significant differences before exercise [p=0.375]. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate increased immediately after exercise and decreased significantly after 24 hrs [p=0.001]. However, significant difference was not observed in diastolic pressure before and after exercise [p=0.338]. The finding of this study shows that sprint interval training decreases plasma levels of apelin, so we can say that apelin and blood pressure must be in balance in natural position. With knowing the role of apelin, changes in this peptide during exercise can be an alarm to cardiovascular risk factor, during or after exercise in elite athletes

[ effects of dietary supplementation with zinc, magnesium and zinc plus magnesium on muscle strength in active women]

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with zinc, magnesium and zinc plus magnesium on muscle strength in active women. Forty active women selected randomly were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 each, all undergonig resistance training and receiving, daily, a supplement of either zinc [50 mg zinc sulfate], magnesium [250 mg magnesium oxide], or zinc plus magnesium [50 mg zinc sulfate plus 250 mg magnesium oxide], or no supplement [control group]. All the subjects had a history of sports activity. Blood samples were collected and 1-RM was measured at the beginning and after 8weeks. Independent and paired-sample t-test showed that zinc, magnesium and zinc plus magnesium supplements had no statistically significant effects on the strength of lower body muscles. However, the magnesium supplement had a significant positive effect on the strength of upper body muscles [chest, back, as well as back and hand bending muscles]. In addition, the zinc and zinc plus magnesium supplements affected significantly the strength of the back and hand bending muscles. Further analysis of the data showed that the zinc plus magnesium supplement had no significant effect on the serum zinc and magnesium concentrations. Dietary supplementation with zinc, magnesium and zinc plus magnesium can effect desirably the upper body muscles strength in active women

Effect of linoleic acid of nigella sativa on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is one of the main life-threatening diseases which a woman may face during her life. Several lifestyle factors such as weight gain, obesity, fat intake and decreased level of physical activity are associated with breast cancer risk. In vitro and vivo studies showed that, Linoleic acid [LA] is one of the main fatty acids composition of Nigella sativa. The objective was to investigate inhibitory and anti-cancer effects of Linoleic acid on the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. The apoptosis and cytotoxic activity assay was used in order to find toxic effects and the results were supported by flow cytometry [Cell cycle analysis]. The results showed the cytotoxic effect of Linoleic acid on the breast cancer cell can be considered as an anti-cancer effect of LA. According to our findings, when the concentration of lionleic acid was increased, compared with the concentrations currently being reported, it showed an anti-cancer effects. The IC50 was 84.72 micro l/ml. There was a significant [p<0.05] effect between the treatment groups which are more than IC 50 and the control group. We came to this conclusion that Linoleic acid has an inhibitory effect on human breast cancer cell lines which can be due to its two double-bandings molecular structure

[ severe effects of eccentric and concentric exercise on some oxidation and anti-oxidation factors of active women in Al-Zahra University]

Physical activities can lead to the release of free radicals through oxidation pressure, and can also result in the decrease of free radicals in the body by producing antioxidation enzymes. However the key question is which type of exercise? The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of two kinds of physical activities, Eccentric and Concentric on some oxidation and anti-oxidation factors in the plasma of women involved in physical education. Twenty-four female student volunteers were randomly divided into 3 groups, the control group, the eccentric exercise group, and the concentric exercise group. Blood samples were taken from the test group twice [an hour before and again one hour after the training] in order to analyze the non-enzyme oxidation [GSH], oxidation pressure index [MDA] and absolute anti-oxidation capacity [ATC]. Data was analysed using SPSS, version 13, through the analysis of variance test with 95% confidence [p<0.05]. Results showed that the amount of TAC, MDA, and GSH plasma after eccentric and concentric physical activities showed meaningful increases compared to before the activities. Also the amounts of GSH, MDA plasma after the eccentric and concentric activities had significant increase in comparison to the control group. It seems that severe eccentric and concentric physical activities are important stimulants causing considerable changes in the body's oxidation system and these activities can improve anti-oxidation capacity

Physical activity, nutrition, and dyslipidemia in middle-aged women

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death throughout the world. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight/obesity, central obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia, as well as dietary factors contributing to the development of dyslipidemia among middle-aged women. The research design of the present study was a population-based cross-sectional study; anthropometric measures and blood chemistry were obtained. Physical activity was measured using the original International Physical Activity Questionnaires Long Form while food frequency questionnaire [FFQ] was used in assessing individual's habitual intake. Overall, 809 women, 30-50 years of age from fourteen active urban Primary Healthcare Centers [PHC] in Babol City, northern Iran, were obtained from 1,905 households across operational areas of 14 PHC using systematic random sampling method. The prevalence rates of women classified as overweight/obese, with central obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia were 82.8%, 75.5%, 14.6% and 63.4%, respectively. Total physical activity did not correlate with cholesterol ratio. Soybean protein was inversely associated with cholesterol ratio [rho=-0.18, P? 0.001]. The adjusted OR for dyslipidemia in women with moderate protein intake was significantly higher than in women with high and low intake [OR=2.31; 95% CI= 1.61, 3.30]. No significant associations were found between dyslipidemia and carbohydrate, fat intake or physical activity. This study showed very high prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among Iranian middle-aged women. A more detailed study is suggested to develop definitively recommendations for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease for the Iranian population

The association between kidney function and naphtha exposure among workers in the tyre industry

The objective of this paper is to present a study on the effect of naphtha exposure in relation to kidney function among workers in a selected rubber tyre factory. Data on respirable exposure of naphtha and kidney function were obtained from 60 exposed workers in the study. The level of naphtha exposure in an individual worker for one hour of working was 29.8 mg/m3. Kidney functions in this study were assessed using a strip test and microscopic analysis of urine. Any associations between the naphtha level and kidney function parameters were assessed using the chi-square test. There was no significant association of naphtha exposure observed in all four kidney function parameters assessed in this study. However, smoking, which was a confounding factor in this study was found to have a strong correlation with a presence of protein in urine. Simple logistic regression and multiple logistic regression analysis showed that smoking workers were at higher risk of exhibiting protein presence. It was shown that those who smoke have 1.84 times the odds of having protein presence compared to those who did not smoke. In conclusion, control measures are crucial to make sure that the concentration of naphtha exposure is below the exposure limit as exposure to naphtha may give rise to irreversible chronic health effects.