The Assessment of Some Metabolic Markers by Combination of Ursolic Acid Supplementation and Resistance Training in Young Older Obese Women.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we explored the impacts of moderate-to-high intensity resistance circuit training (MHRCT) and Ursolic acid (UA) supplementation to improve these pathological changes in young older obese women (women between the ages of 50 and 70). METHODS: The study included twenty-five young older women (age > 50 years and ≤70 years) with stage I-II obesity (BMI ≥ 30 and <40 kg/m2), who received eight weeks placebo with MHRCT, and MHRCT with UA supplementation. UA or placebo orally was ingested as a capsule three times per day for eight weeks. The following parameters were evaluated post- and pre-intervention. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measures. RESULTS: Interleukin-15 (IL-15), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Insulin, and HOMA-IR decreased significantly in the placebo and UA groups versus control, but the UA group significantly decreased compared with the placebo (p<0.05). In turn, the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Irisin levels showed a significant increase in the placebo and UA groups versus control. However, the BDNF in the UA group significantly increased compared with the placebo (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that applying resistance training can reverse the pathological changes that may occur with aging and a sedentary lifestyle. Our results showed that UA could enhance the effects of this type of exercise. Therefore, a combination of the resistance training program and UA supplementation may be considered as a novel and influential intervention to metabolic derangements and may also decrease the burden associated with this condition.

The effect of aerobic, resistance, and combined training on PPAR-α, SIRT1 gene expression, and insulin resistance in high-fat diet-induced NAFLD male rats.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance (IR) is known as the most important cause of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), which is accompanied by a decline in gene expression of hepatic's peroxisomes Proliferator-Activated Receptors-alpha (PPAR-α) and Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1). This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic, resistance, and combined training on hepatic PPAR-α and SIRT1 expression, IR, serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in rats of NAFLD induced by high-fat diet (HFD). METHODS: A total of 37 male NAFLD rats induced 12 weeks of HFD were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, aerobic, resistance, and combined training. All groups continued the HFD until the end of the study. The training groups carried out exercise training with moderate intensity by 8 weeks of running on a treadmill and climbing a ladder for 5 sessions/week. At the end of the trainings, PPAR-α and SIRT1 expressions were examined via qPCR technique in the liver tissue. RESULTS: The 3 types of trainings controlled the weight gain caused by HFD and showed a significant decrease in serum ALT (P<0.05). Post-hoc test results indicated a significant reduction in AST and IR between the control group and HFD+AT, as well as the control group and HFD+RT (P<0.05). Despite a notable increase in hepatic PPAR-α and SIRT1 expression, it was not statistically significant (P ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Doing any aerobic, resistance, and combined training for 8 weeks can control body weight, improve IR, decrease ALT; nevertheless, resistance training is more effective in improving NAFLD.

The Impact of High-Intensity Interval Training Versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Ankle-Brachial Index in Middle-Aged Women.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity has been linked to cardiovascular risk factors characterized by endothelial dysfunction and arterial wall thickening. Regular exercise training is recognized as a powerful tool to improve endothelial function and cardiovascular risk profile, but it is unknown which of high-intensity interval training or moderate-intensity continuous training is the best exercise. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 33 inactive and overweight women aged 40-50 years old and body mass index >27 kg/m2 were randomized to high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, or control. The exercise intervention consisted of 12 weeks of training and three supervised sessions per week. The moderate-intensity group was trained continuously for 47 min at 60-70% of maximal heart rate. High-intensity interval training consisted of four interval bouts of 4 min at 85%-95% of maximal heart rate with 3 min breaks at 50%-60% of maximal heart rate between the intervals. For all analyses, statistical significance was assigned at P < 0.05. RESULTS: According to our findings, while carotid intima-media thickness decreased in both training groups, this reduction was not statistically significant. In the high-intensity training group, the right ankle-brachial index increased significantly (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Twelve weeks of exercise training, especially in high-intensity interval training, have led to improving lipid profiles and endothelial function, it can be said that regular and prolonged exercise can probably be a preventive factor in cardiovascular disease in overweight women.

Influence of selected exercise on serum immunoglobulin, testosterone and cortisol in semi-endurance elite runners.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the levels of serum immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, IgG), testosterone and cortisol in semi-endurance elite runners during general preparation and competition phase of training. METHODS: Thirteen semi-endurance elite male runners with an average age of 18.92±1.7 years volunteered to take part in this study. The runners participated in the selected training for a period of 14 weeks and 12 sessions per week (in the morning and afternoon). Blood samples were collected during the three phases of training (before-preparation phase, after-preparation phase and before-competition phase). Data were analyzed by repeated measures and Bonferroni post hoc test, at a significance level of P<0.05. RESULTS: The levels of serum IgM in semi-endurance elite runners after preparation phase reduced significantly (P=0.004), while these levels during the competition phase increased even though significantly. The levels of serum IgG and IgA also reduced, however not significantly, during both phases. Moreover, after preparation phase, there was no significant change in serum IgA levels; though, these levels reduced, however not significantly, before competition phase. Cortisol levels significantly decrease after preparation phase (P=0.04); although, it increased before competition phase. Testosterone/cortisol ratio increases significantly after preparation phase (P=0.04), and it decreased before competition phase. Testosterone levels intangibility increased and decreased respectively after preparation and before competition phases. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicated that long and intensive exercises weaken the immune system, while moderate and short drills strengthened this system.