[ effect of high intensity interval training on the serum levels of irisin and fibroblastic growth factor-21 [FGF-21], and insulin resistance in obese male rats]

Introduction: the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high intensity interval training [HIIT] and moderate intensity continuous training [MICT] on irisin, FGF-21 and insulin resistance in obese male rats

Material and Methods: forty male rats were divided into two groups: high-fat diet [n=32] and standard diet [n=8], for 10 weeks. After inducing obesity, eight rats from the high-fat diet group [O] and eight from the standard dietary group [C] were sacrificed, and the other obese rats were randomly divided into three groups: obesity control [OC], moderate intensity continuous training [MICT] and high intensity interval training [HIIT]. The HIIT protocol, including 10 bouts of 4-minute activity with equivalent intensity of 85-90% vo2max and 2 minute active rest periods, and the MICT protocol with equivalent intensity of 65-70% VO2max, with covered distance matched to that of the HIIT protocol, were performed for 12 weeks and 5 sessions per week. Serum samples were collected in two steps [after completion of diet and training protocols] to measure serum levels of irisin, FGF-21, insulin and glucose by ELISA

Results: in the comparison of the HIIT group to the OC group, serum levels of irisin [6.43 +/- 0.93 ng/ml vs. 4.61 +/- 0.61 ng/ml, p=0.003] and FGF-21 [1658 +/- 206.5 ng/l vs. 1093 +/- 125.97 ng/l, P=0.007] significantly increased, while MICT had no significant effect on these two hormones [P=0.29, P=1.00 respectively]. Also, when comparing both the HIIT and MICT groups to the OC group, serum levels of glucose [HIIT: 111.16 +/- 4.07 mg/dl, MICT: 117.5 +/- 1.37 mg/dl vs. 154.66 +/- 13.21 mg/dl, P=0.001, P=0.001 respectively] and insulin resistance index [HIIT: 1.96 +/- 0.20, MICT: 2.53 +/- 0.46 vs. 3.89 +/- 0.54, P=0.001, P=0.01 respectively] significantly decreased; although, serum insulin reduction [1.49 +/- 0.15 ng/ml vs. 2.14 +/- 0.43 ng/ml, P=0.018] was only significant in the HIIT group [P=0.018]

Conclusion: it seems that both HIIT and MICT training protocols lead to improved insulin resistance in obese rats. However the increase in serum irisin and FGF-21 was significant only in the HIIT group, suggesting that exercise intensity plays an important role in regulating the secretion of these hormones

[Effect of aerobic training on serum adiponectin and Ctrp-3 in males with metabolic syndrome]

Introduction: Adiponectin and CTRP-3 as anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic cytokines play an important role in the metabolic syndrome. The effects of aerobic training on both metabolic risk factors is unknown. Therefore we aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic training on and these cytokines serum adiponectin and Ctrp-3 levels in males with metabolic syndrome

Material and Methods: Twenty five males with metabolic syndrome [age: 56.04 +/- 4.37 yrs, weight:98.98 +/- 6.62 kg and BMI: 32.52 +/- 1.17 kg/m2] were randomized in two groups including the Aerobic Training [n=13] and the Controls [n=12]. Aerobic Training subjects were trained for eight weeks at 60-70% of max reserve heart rate, 3 sessions/wk. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 48 hrs following the last training session

Results: Aerobic Training increased serum adiponectin [P=0.002] and plasma HDL levels [P=0.001] and caused decreases in waist circumference [P=0.001], blood glucose [P=0.003] and insulin resistance [P=0.02]; however, there were no effects on serum CTRP-3 [P=0.30], insulin [P=0.65] and Mean atrial pressure [P=0.12] and plasma triglyceride levels [P=0.24]

Conclusion: Serum Adiponectin and CTRP-3 are associated with metabolic risk factors and insulin resistance and aerobic training can improve patients' metabolic state with synchronized elevation of the circulatory adiponectin level

Failure rate of no-sclpel vasectomy in prevention of pregnancy in Shiraz, Southern Iran

Bilateral vasectomy is the most effective method of male contraception but there are still some reports on its failure. This study was undertaken to determine the failure rate of the no-scalpel vasectomy in Shiraz Vasectomy Center, Southern Iran. From 2001 to 2003, 3900 no-scalpel vasectomies were done in Nader Kazemi Health Center. The records were studied for any failure in the method. Presence of any live sperm 6 months after surgery or any report of pregnancy post-vasectomy were considered as vasectomy failure. Among 3900 cases, 2928 patients had a complete follow up file while failure in the method was visible among 109 [3.72%] cases. The low failure rate of no-scalpel method indicated its high efficacy to control the fertility in males but there is still need of performance by expert surgeons in well organized centers