مقالات رزومه دکتر مریم نورشاهی

Resistance exercise leads to the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis, known as exercise-induced muscle hypertrophy. Several hormonal and nutritional factors, directly or indirectly impacting cellular pathways activated by exercise, influence muscle protein synthesis. Among these, acute and chronic alcohol consumption disrupts the balance between anabolic and catabolic mechanisms and affects muscles and heart activity in a different process. However, there is uncertainty regarding the precise mechanisms involved. This systematic review discusses the effects of alcohol consumption on muscle protein synthesis and degradation with emphasis on the hypertrophy pathway of mTOR and hormones involved in exercise-induced muscle protein synthesis. For this purpose, comprehensive searches were performed in Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science regarding the impact of alcohol consumption on protein synthesis processes, with an emphasis on the mTOR pathway in skeletal muscle following resistance exercise, in the time frame of 2010 to 2024. The following keywords were used to search in the title and keywords: protein synthesis, alcohol, ethanol, skeletal muscle, mTOR signaling, resistance exercise, and hypertrophy. After reviewing the articles, a total of 71 articles were selected for the current review. Previous studies indicate a decrease in growth hormone, testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor along with a negative effect on mTOR due to acute alcohol consumption, which ultimately leading to reduced hypertrophy. 15-20% decrease in basal protein synthesis in skeletal muscle is observed twenty-four hours after alcohol consumption, mostly in type II fibers, and particularly in type IIx fibers, which provide the greatest response to muscular hypertrophy after regular exercise. Chronic alcohol consumption also increases cortisol levels and activates the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, leading to the activation of atrophic pathways and subsequent muscle mass reduction. Over consumption of alcohol is associated with a 50% prevalence of alcoholic myopathy, which also causes abnormal hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in the left ventricle of the heart. Chronic alcohol consumption leads to cardiomyopathy or structural and functional abnormalities of the cardiac muscle. Therefore, considering that alcohol can have negative effects on muscle protein synthesis even up to one day after consumption and disrupt hypertrophic signaling pathways, can have an effect on cardiovascular health, and athletes need to be aware of the detrimental effects and consequences. Understanding the negative effects of alcohol on these physiological processes is crucial for promoting a healthy lifestyle and optimizing exercise outcomes in health and sports.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two types of continuous training with increasing duration and intensity (CTID, CTII) on the apoptosis pathway of nerve cells in the penumbra region during the rehabilitation period after stroke. 30 Sprague-Dawley rats (age 8 weeks, weight 265 ± 15 grams) were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: stroke, stroke+CTID exercises, and stroke+CTII exercises. Induction of stroke was done by (t-dMCAO) method. The CTID and CTII training protocol was performed 24 hours after the stroke with a speed (10 m/MIN) and a duration (10 min), and then the duration and intensity of the exercises increased progressively. MRI and behavioral tests were performed in this period. 48 hours after the last session, the rats were sacrificed and after dissection of the penumbra area, the tissues were evaluated for laboratory analysis. The results of the one-way ANOVA statistical test showed a significant difference in the changes in the ratio of BAX/BCL-2 and Caspase-3 between the groups, and these changes were only observed in the CTID group compared to the CTII and the stroke group. (P=0.042, P=0.028) and (P=0.036, P=0.021). In addition, the results of the behavioral test in both training groups were significantly different from the stroke group (P<0.05). The findings of the present study show that CTID exercise for rehabilitation in the acute phase after stroke can be presented as a suitable solution for prescribing sports exercises in the acute phase after stroke.

Many studies have shown that after ischemic stroke, survivors experience motor dysfunction, memory impairment, and cognitive problems. Exercise is an effective and widely used factor in rehabilitation strategy to improve cognitive recovery and motor control following ischemic conditions caused by stroke, which is effective by increasing signaling pathways related to neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, etc. Recognizing and examining these factors as a result of exercise can be a principled solution to prescribe the most efficient and effective training method for the faster recovery of people suffering from stroke.Stroke is a type of injury related to blood vessels in different levels of the brain. A clinical study of people who had a stroke showed that over several years after the stroke, people who had different types of exercise in their rehabilitation program showed good functional results in neurological rehabilitation, but in groups Without exercise, most people developed aggravated neurological disorders, with mortality in this group being much higher than in the other group. Lack of blood supply to nerve cells in the CNS causes neurological and cognitive disorders, in which all parts of the nerve cell such as the cell body, axons, axonal terminus, and dendritic cavity in the penumbra region Deprived of blood affects the healing processes of various therapies, often involving neurogenesis and angiogenesis, which regenerate damaged cells in neural circuits. The neuroplasticity process in the central nervous system is divided into two parts: structural and functional changes, which have the ability to adapt to learning processes, and cognitive memory following neurological damage, which are dynamic processes that a number of centers Different parts of the central nervous system will undergo numerous changes and interactions. However, by natural mechanisms, the body produces simultaneous changes after ischemic brain injury, but these changes are not sufficient to reverse and repair the damage. In normal conditions or in conditions of brain injuries, rehabilitation can be created as a dynamic process in the nervous system with the aim of adapting to different conditions.Recently, exercise has been considered an effective and practical factor to increase cognitive function and motor function in rehabilitation conditions that increase dendritic branching and axonal myelination through neuroplasticity processes such as increased neural activity and postsynaptic stimulation ability. These phenomena can occur after a stroke. Due to the importance of recognizing and examining the effective factors in the rehabilitation period after stroke, exercise in recent years has shown a very effective role in improving the physical and cognitive condition of these patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the effective mechanisms in the neurogenic and angiogenic process and also to inhibit apoptotic processes due to exercise as effective factors in improving motor function and cognitive ability after stroke.

To conduct this study, search the Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science databases on the effect of various types of exercise on neuronal molecular and cellular changes in the post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation period from 2005 to 2021. Mainly in the title, abstract of articles, and keywords in the studied articles, the words, Ischemic stroke, Rehabilitation, Endurance training, cognitive training, Neuroplasticity, were searched. The inclusion criteria for the selected papers were to be published in Latin in international and prestigious journals, and in general to be about the effect of exercise on molecular cellular signaling in the post-stroke rehabilitation period. Finally, based on the standard principles and the title of the articles, the title of the present study was done with 65 articles

In this review, we discussed recent studies on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of exercise-induced neuroplasticity and Neuroprotective after stroke, analyzed the type of exercise rehabilitation. Studies from 2005 to 2021 have shown that exercise, depending on the type, can inhibit nerve cell-degrading factors and rehabilitate them, as well as the formation of new neurons in the penumbra region with cellular and molecular changes specific to neurogenesis. In general, among the various training methods, high-intensity interval training had more advantages, which was also very important considering the time to start training after a stroke. Finally, it was found that the types of exercise in post-stroke rehabilitation will vary greatly based on the type of exercise that should be used based on the type and amount of stroke, in order to determine the exact effects of different types of exercise, more research is needed in the future.

It seems that one of the effective strategies in designing exercises for rehabilitation and recovery disorders caused by stroke is to use incremental methods in duration and intensity levels that start with very low-intensity exercises and increase the intensity of exercises over time.

Prevalence of obesity and its related disease is considered as a major health complication worldwide. Changing the phenotype of white adipose tissue to brown following exercise is currently being studied as one of the strategies to prevent obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of continuous and high intensity interval training (HIIT) on UCP1 of visceral and subcutaneous white adipose tissue in obese rats. Eighteen obese rats after eight weeks of high fat diet randomly divided into control, continuous training (CT) and HIIT groups. HIIT protocol included high intensity intervals (80-110 % vVO2max) and low intensity intervals (50 % vVO2max) and CT protocol included running with (65-75 % vVO2max) intensity. 48 hours after the last training session, rats were sacrificed, visceral and subcutaneous white adipose tissue were removed and UCP1 level was assessed through western blotting method. The results showed that eight weeks of CT and HIIT increase UCP1 in visceral and subcutaneous WAT (p<0.05), and this increase were higher in HIIT group regardless of visceral or subcutaneous adipose tissue (P<0.005). It seems that HIIT induce higher increase in UCP1 protein in visceral and subcutaneous white adipose tissue, so obese individuals can use this type of training to benefit obesity prevention affects and improvement of adipose tissue function.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of four weeks of incremental endurance training on Sarcolipin (SLN), FNDC5, and PGC1α protein levels in the soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle of adult male Wistar rats.

In this experimental study, 14 adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups of control (n=7) and training (n=7). The training group performed endurance exercises for 4 weeks and 5 sessions per week, which included running at the intensity of 75 to 80% of the vo2max. In rat surgery, SOL and EDL muscles were extracted, followed by changes in SLN proteins, and intramuscular FNDC5 and PGC1α were measured by Western blotting technic. Data were statistically analyzed by independent t-test (P≤0.05).

The results of statistical analysis showed that four weeks of incremental endurance training caused significant changes in the amounts of SLN (P = 0.035), FNDC5 (P = 0.02), and PGC1α (P = 0.012) proteins. In the soleus muscle, compared to the control group. Also, in EDL muscle, significant changes were observed in the amounts of SLN (P = 0.01) and FNDC5 (P = 0.043) proteins in comparison with the control group, but in the changes of PGC1α protein in EDL muscle compared to the control group, no significant difference was observed (P = 0.17).

According to the parameters of the study, it seems that endurance exercise can increase the amount of proteins related to thermogenesis and metabolism.

Increasing cytokines is one of the body responses to exercise. The effect of inflammation on chronic fatigue syndrome is obvious but its effect on exercise induced fatigue and recovery is unknown. Therefore, this study was performed in order to investigate the effects of 4-weeks of fish oil supplementation on peripheral fatigue induced by incremental exhausting exercise.

For this purpose, 20 healthy men were selected and assigned in fish oil (FO) and corn oil (CO) groups and consumed six gr/day of supplements. Before and after supplementation, peak to peak M-wave amplitudes and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of their tibialis anterior muscle were evaluated before, immediately after exercise and also, after 20-min recovery.

The results of two-way analysis of the differences of M-wave results didn’t show significant differences between groups while significant differences observed in MVC of participants in response to supplementation and after exercise and recovery (P < 0.05). In addition, we observed lower perceived exertion after exercise and supplementation only in FO group (P < 0.05).

These results showed that FO can improve muscular performance but this improvement is not due to the improvement in neuromuscular propagation (M-wave), while it can be as a cause of reduce in central fatigue or muscle contractile properties. However, complete understanding of the exact role of inflammation and FO on neuromuscular function still need more investigations.

Considering the impact of HMB supplement on sport performance, the tendency to consume it in order to achieve more efficiency has increased. Accordingly, the present study investigates the impact of a 6-day consumption of HMB-FA supplement on factors that influence hypertrophy and recovery in inactive men. 20 inactive men with a body mass index of 21.5±1 kg/m2 and age of 25.1±4 years were classified into the following two groups: sport with placebo and sport with supplement. The subjects started to consume HMB-FA supplement 6 days before resistance exercises. The muscle biopsy samples were taken from the subjects immediately before and 10 minutes after resistance exercise. Similarly, blood samples were taken immediately before and after as well as 48 after the exercise. The Results of independent t-test indicated that there is a significant increase (p =0.001) between serum levels of testosterone before and immediately after exercise in sport with placebo group in comparison with sport with supplement group. In addition, there is a significant increase (p =0.001) in P70S6K values and a significant decrease (p =0.001) in serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) between sport with supplement group and sport with placebo. Therefore, acute consumption of HMB supplement before resistance exercise can increase P70S6K values as the index of hypertrophy. By the same token, it decreases CK and LDH as the indices of muscle damage

Oxidative stress and inflammation increase after eccentric exercise. Cold-water immersion after exercise is common among athletes to accelerate recovery. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cold-water immersion after eccentric exercise on the oxidative and inflammatory responses in skeletal muscle.

One hundred male Wistar rats (weight 285.11 ± 41.65) were randomly divided into control, eccentric exercise, eccentric exercise + normal water, and eccentric exercise + cold water groups. Half, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours after eccentric exercise, EDL muscle was removed in sterile conditions. The eccentric exercise involves 90 minutes of interval running on the treadmill at a speed of 16 m/min and a -16-degree slope. Muscle reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured by DCFDA and immunohistochemical staining. Kolmogorov-Smirnov for normality test and repeated measure ANOVA and Tukey’s post-Hoc tests for compare groups were used with a significance level of P≤0.05.

After eccentric exercise, ROS and TNF-α levels significantly (P<0.05) increased in the three experimental groups. The peak of ROS increase in the eccentric exercise, eccentric exercise + normal water, and eccentric exercise + cold water groups were recorded significantly (P<0.001) half, 48, and 72 hours after eccentric exercise, respectively. Also, the peak of TNF-α increase was significantly higher in the eccentric exercise and eccentric exercise + normal water groups were at 48 hours and in the eccentric exercise + cold water groups was at 72 hours after eccentric exercise (P<0.001).

Immersion in cold water causes an increase and delays the peak of ROS and TNF-α after eccentric exercise, which is probably related to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Therefore, after unaccustomed, eccentric, and damaging exercise, immersion in cold water is not recommended.

Eccentric contraction during exercise causes muscle and sarcolemma damage. Mitsogomin53 and Dysferlin are the major sarcolemma repair proteins. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage at different times on skeletal muscle Mitsogomin53 and Dysferlin. Fifty male Wistar rats, after familiarization with the environment and the treadmill were divided into five control groups and five eccentric exercise groups. Soleus muscle in sterile conditions disassociate half, 24, 48, 72 and 168 hours (one week) after eccentric exercise (90 min interval running with 16 meter/min and -16 degree slope). Hematoxylin-eosin and western blotting methods were used to measure the number of inflammatory cells and extract the proteins of Mitsogomin53 and Dysferlin. Two-way ANOVA and independent t-test were used to compare the means with the significance level of p≤0.05. The number of inflammatory cells, Mitsogomin53 and Dysferlin proteins at the half, 24, 48, 72 and 168 hours (one week) after eccentric exercise in the exercise group were significantly higher than the control group (p

Resistance training with HMB supplement helps preserving the body mass and, that is why, it is extensively practiced by athletes. However, there are contradictory results about the effect of the pathway of this supplement on increasing factors related to hypertrophy or reduction of atrophy. The present study investigates the effect of HMB and resistance training on response to Muscle MuRF1 and P70S6K in inactive men. To this end, 40 inactive men with the average age (25.5±5 years) and a BMI of (21.2±2 kg/m2) were divided into the following four training categories: training, training+HMB, HMB and control. The subjects did bodybuilding exercises (3set/10-12repitations/75%-80%1RM) for four days a week over a six-week time period. The control group did not do any kinds of exercise. The vastus lateralis muscle biopsy and 1RM amounts of each subject in leg press movement were conducted and measured before and after six weeks of training and consuming the supplement. The results of one-way ANOVA and repeated variance analysis test with inter-group factor showed that there is a difference (P= 0.001) between the increase of 1RM before and after six weeks of training and the amounts of P70S6K (P= 0.001) in all three groups in comparison with the control group. However, this difference was not significant (P= 0.22) in MuRF1 amounts. As a result, consuming HMB supplement in the course of training can lead to the increase of P70S6K response as a marker of hypertrophy and an increase of strength in the leg press after six weeks.

Nowadays, many studies have shown that exercise improves brain health and performance and may also increase neurological pathways in the brain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on Klotho, PLP and TNF-α concentrations in mice. Female mice were randomly divided to exercise (EX) or control (Con) groups. In the EX group, animals performed 8-week of HIIT. Mice initially ran at 6 m/min for 3 min at 0% grade, with the speed progressively increasing by 3 m/min every 3 min until exhaustion - when the mice were unable to maintain the required running speed. The maximal speed obtained was then used to calculate the individualized running speed for mice in the EX group. HIIT involved treadmill running 5 days per week for the final 6 weeks. Klotho, PLP and TNF-α expressions were studied using Western blot. Mice in the EX group had a significant increase in klotho and PLP concentrations compared to the control group (p≤0.01 and p≤0.05, respectively). Also, in the exercise groups mice had a significant decrease in TNF-α concentrations in compared to the control group (p≤0.05). Our data demonstrate that HIIT increased klotho and PLP and deceased neuroinflammatory cytokines. These proteins are associated with increasing myelination and protect the central nerve system against neurodegenerative diseases.

 Exercise activity plays an important role in increasing biomarkers such as Klotho and PLP and improves clinical  outcome in mice with MS. In the present study, we evaluated whether 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) increases Klotho or PLP levels and decreased TNF-α in cerebellum tissue.  

Animals were divided into two groups of training (EX) and control (Con). After 4 weeks, the exercise and control groups were divided into two groups and EAE was induced in half of the animals in the control and EX groups. In the EX-6 weeks group after 4 weeks of training, EAE induction and training protocol continued until the sixth week. In the EX-4 weeks group after 4 weeks of training, EAE was induced and the training was stopped.

Klotho and PLP levels increased in the EAE-EX1 group compared to the EAE and EAE-EX2 groups (P≤0.0001). Also, demyelination levels decreased in the EAE-EX1 group compared to the EAE group (P≤0.007). TNF-α concentration decreased in both EAE-exercise groups (P≤0.0001).

The results of this study showed that HIIT increased Klotho and PLP levels and improved clinical outcomes in the in mice with MS.

Obesity and the need to control energy is considered to be one of the most important factors in the outbreak of chronic diseases all over the world. It must be taken into account due to transmission of its adverse effects from mother to offspring. Accordingly, the present study aims to investigate the effect of high-intensity periodic training in obese female rats before pregnancy on fatigue time, methylation of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) and sarcolipin genes in the Gastrocnemius Muscles of their offspring. To achieve this goal, 40 three-month-old Wistar female rats were bought and categorized into four groups: high-fat diet (250±22 g), control (170±30 g), training with high-fat diet (240±30 g) and training (190±33 g). The female rats became pregnant after six weeks of HIIT protocol. Their offsprings were divided, after birth, into two groups. By using specific PCR method, the first group were dissected to examine methylation of PGC-1α and sarcolipin. The second group performed swimming protocol after two months to assess fatigue level. One-way ANOVA test results demonstrated a significant decrease (P=0,001) in PGC-1α gene methylation amounts and a significant increase (P=0,001) in resistance to fatigue test between training group and the other groups and between training with high-fat diet group and high-fat diet group. Hence, HIIT before pregnancy in influential on PGC-1α gene methylation and the performance of rats’ offsprings (resistance to fatigue). Additionally, HIIT can reduce the effects of high-fat foods.

Considering the significance of mitochondrial biogenesis in physiological processes and the role of antioxidants thereof, the effect of saffron supplement on mitochondrial biogenesis with regard to high-intensity training has not be investigated so far. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the effect of eight weeks of sprint interval training with consuming saffron extract on the amounts of PGC-1α and SIRT3 in elderly male rats. 32 male rats (Wistar strain) were categorized into four groups as follows: sprint interval training, saffron supplement, control, and sprint interval training and saffron supplement. The training protocol consisted of eight weeks of sprint interval training on treadmill with four sessions per week. It is to be noted that saffron supplement was utilized as an antioxidant. The given saffron supplement was equal to 30 grams per kilogram of daily body weight for eight weeks. PGC-1α and SIRT3 levels were measured in gastrocnemius muscle by using ELISA method. The statistical method used was one-way variance analysis (ANOVA) for independent groups with significance level of ‘α > 0.05’. Although PGC-1α and SIRT3 levels appeared to rise in all experimental groups in response to consuming saffron and having sprint interval training, the only significant increase happened was in PGC-1α amounts in the sprint interval training group in comparison with the control group (P=0.000).  According to the results, it seems that consuming saffron supplement decreases the compatibility of sprint interval training. Consequently, consumption of saffron supplement during this training protocol must be avoided.

β1 integrin acts as mechanical receptors and vinculin is major protein in the focal adhesion site that transfers mechanical signals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of eccentric exercise on β1 integrin and vinculin proteins in fast and slow-twitch muscle of male Wistar rats. Eighteen Rats (286. 44±29. 7) following appropriate acclimatization with the environment and treadmill machine، were divided randomly in to three groups (Exp1، 2 and Controls). They ran 40 min downhill running on a 16 degree down sloped treadmill with the speed of 20m/min. After 48 h، animals were anesthetized and Soleus and EDL muscles were excised to measure β1integrin and Vinculin proteins using ELISA method. After 24 and 48 h، animal serum was also taken to measure Creatine Kinase activity. Data were analyzed using T-test and one way ANOVA. The level of significant was set at p<0. 05. Result showed that Creatin Kinase increased but not significantly. After 48 h following eccentric exercise، β1integrin and Vinculin significantly decreased (22 and 21% respectively) in the slow-twitch muscle. And also in the fast-twitch muscle β1 integrin was decreased (17%)، but Vinculin was increased (7%) significantly. Because of increasing the Creatin kinase، about of eccentric exercise could cause injury، and protein degradation is continuing in the slow-twitch muscle even 48 h after the exercise. Hypertrophy and constriction induced injury will be continued in a longer period. However more researches are needed.

Backgrounds and Tumor growth is dependent on Angiogenesis، and angiogenesis happens when angiogenesis factors overcome the anti-angiogenesis factors. Therefore، the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of six weeks continuous aerobic training on tumoral tissue expression of VEGF and endostatin in a mice model of breast cancer. Female Balb/c mice (n=20، 5 to 7 weeks old، 18±2 gr weight) were acclimatized with lab condition and their treadmills for two weeks. Mouse adenocarcinoma tumor balk was transplanted subcutaneously and after a week they were divided into two groups: training and controls. Training group underwent an endurance training for six weeks that was a (five bouts per week of treadmill running each 20 min with %50-%68 VO2max). Tumor tissue was removed 48h after the last training bout and the tissue expression of VEGF and endostatin was evaluated by wester blot analysis collected data were analyzed by statistical methods. Results showed that VEGF expression in tumoral tissue was increased significantly in training group (p<0. 05)، but the increment of endostatin was not significant (p≥0. 05). Interestingly tumor enlargement in training group was much lower than control (p≥0. 05). Presumably exercises induce. Tumor tissue shrinkage is not trough reduction of angiogenesis on other cellular and molecular mechanisms play a role.

Inter cellular adhesion molecule -1 (ICAM-1) is an important new factor which can predict cardiovascular disease (CVD). Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between plasma concentrations of inter cellular adhesion molecule–1 (ICAM-1) and cardiorespiratory fitness and anthropometric indices as noninvasive methods. From all among the male and female university personnel, 127 (72 men and 55 women) healthy and nonsmoker subjects (age: 36.62±5.7 years, VO2max:27.32±6.72 ml/kg.min) were selected using a medical questionnaire. Anticubital veinblood samples were taken in fasting status at rest. VO2max was then evaluated on a treadmill with gas analyzer and measurement of anthropometric factors (BMI, WHR and PBF) were measured in all the subjects in the laboratory. Serum ICAM-1 were measured by ELISA method. In women, controlling for their menstrual cycle, blood sampling was taken in follicular phase (3-8 days after onset of their menstrual period) and VO2max test was performed in 3-9 days (i.e., in the luteal phase). Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation and multinomial regression. The results showed that there were no significant correlations between ICAM-1 and VO2max, BMI, or PBF (P>0.05), wheares there was a signicant positive correlation between WHR and ICAM-1 in middle aged individuals (P=0.01). In addition, because of a strong correlation observed between VO2max and WHR (P=0.00), this factor could be used with WHR for more complete models in predicting the plasma concentration of ICAM-1. Findings showed that visceral fat tissue, compared to other factors, is more effective in predicting ICAM-1 concentrations.

Endurance training increases capillary density in skeletal and heart muscles. But the molecular mechanism of these processes is not yet clear. Substantial evidence indicates that the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, angiogenic factor) and endostatin (antiangiogenic factor) might play key role in this process. Therefore, we investigated the effect of endurance training on serum levels of VEFG and endostatin in wistar rat. The study was performed in 20 male wistar rats, which were aged between 64 ± 6 days. All rats were subdivided into two groups randomly: endurance training group (n = 10) and sedentary group (n = 10). Therefore, the training group received 8 weeks of treadmill endurance training. At the end of endurance training program, the rats were anesthetized with halothane, and then blood sample was drawn from the descending aorta for measurement of serum levels of VEGF and endostatin. Serum levels of VEGF and endostatin was measured by ELISA method. Results of the study showed that endurance training increased serum levels of VEGF and decreased endostatin significantly. Furthermore, with adaptation to endurance training VEGF/endostatin ratio increased significantly. Also, VEGF has not significant correlation with endostatin. These finding suggested that with adaptation to endurance training the balance between angiogenic and angiostatic factor switched to angiogenic factor. These finding may provide new insight into the mechanisms relating to capillary density increment in response of endurance training.

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from an existing vascular bed. This process can facilitate the oxygen delivery to active muscles. Studies have shown that acute exercise can affect the process of angiogenesis. However, the role of the type of contraction that is used in exercise, especially eccentric contraction, in angiogenesis process is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eccentric exercise on serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Endostatin in male wistar rats. 36 male wistar rats (age= 49±7, weight=290±10) were used in this study. The rats were divided into two groups: the experimental group (eccentric exercise group) (n = 24) and the control group (n = 12). Also, the experiment group was subdivided immediately after the exercise (n = 12) and 24 hours after the exercise (n = 12). The eccentric exercise involved running on a treadmill with the speed of 20 m/s and -160 slopes for 45 minutes. Immediately and 24 hours after the exercise, blood sample was drawn from the descending aortafor measurement of serum VEGF and endostatin. Serum VEGF and endostatin were measured by ELISA method. Results of the study showed that immediately and 24 hours after the exercise the serum levels of VEGF decreased 28% and 12%, respectively (pı0.05) Also, serum levels ofendostatin decreased 26% and 38%, immediately and 24 hours after the exercise, respectively (pı0.05). Additionally, VEGF/endostatin ratio decreased immediately after the exercise (p=0.02) and increased significantly 24 hours after the exercise (p=0.001).Discussion and The finding of this study showed that the main factors that are involved in angiogenesis decreased significantly immediately after the eccentric exercise This finding may provide new insights into better comprehension of mechanisms related to changes of capillary density in response to eccentric training.

Reports in the literature on the menstruation cycle and its effect on exercise performance are contradictory, while consumption of nutrient supplements by women aiming at enhancing performance is invreasing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle on the aerobic capacity and metabolic responses and performance after exhausted exercise in active women. The study design was a double-blind cross-sectional trial. Twenty-six active volunteer college girl-students, 22.8 ± 3.0 years old, with a regular menstrual cycle with the folowing anthropometric measurements were selected: weight, 56.6±6.0 Kg; height, 163.3±4.0 cm; BMI, 20.8 ± 1.2 kg/m2. They were invited to come to our laboratory 3-9 days (i.e., in the follicular phase) and 18-25 days (i.e., in the luteal phase) after bleeding, at 2 consecutive months. They took either L-carnitine or placebo (40 mg/Kg body weight) capsules 2 hours before the Brunce test. The statistical tests used for data analysis were the one-way ANOVA with repeated measurement for parametric, and the Freidman test for non-parametric, data. The maximal oxygen consumption and time to exhaustion in both follicular and luteal phases increased significantly with L-carnitine supplementation by 5.5% and 6.7% (as compared to placebo), respectively. Also, L-carnitine supplementation in both phases led to a statistically significant decrease in blood lactate accumulation (F3,66 = 5.235, P =0.003); the magnitude of reduction in the follicular phase was 28.2% higher than in the luteal phase. On the other hand, the respiratory ventilation in the luteal phase increased significantly with L-carnitine supplementation (15% higher compared to the follicular phase). L-carnitine supplementation in the follicular phase, when estrogen is at its minimal level, can help decrease a reduction in VO2max and excrcise performance. The increased serum L-carnitine level may cause an increase in ß-oxidation and, thereby, increase VO2max and enhance performance.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mountaineering on health factors in elder people. This study was a cross-sectional study. Forty three elderly men (mean age 57/7±9/3 yrs) were selected randomly fromparks of Northern Tehran. According to their activity and type of activity, subjects divided into three groups of Mountaineer (n= 15), Trained(n= 14) and none-trained (n=14). Then their cardiovascular and physical fitness (vo2max, heart rate, fat percent, grip, reaction time, blood pressure, flexibility and balance) were measured. Data were analyzedusing one-way ANOVA. Comparison of aerobic capacity in three groups showed thatthere were significant differences (P≤0.01) as this variable in mountaineer group was better than two other groups (37/2%, 15.4% respectively).In addition resting heart rate, fat percent and reaction time were significantly lower in two trained groups in comparison with non-trained group (p≤ 0.05). There were no other significant differences between groups (p≥0.05). this study suggests that mountaineering may led to in termof the other variables positive effects on cardiovascular factors. Furthermore relative, higher grip strength, flexibility and reaction time inboth active groups emphasis the necessity of a physical activity and active life style as an important part of elder people’s life style.

Appropriate nutrition is an essential prerequisite for effective improvement of athletic performance, conditioning, recovery from fatigue after exercise, and avoidance of injury. Nutritional supplements containing carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals have been widely used in various sporting fields to provide a boost to the recommended daily allowance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute L-carnitine supplementation on anaerobic threshold and lactate accumulation during incremental exercise. The study was double-blind, randomized and crossover in design. The subjects were 12 randomly selected active male physical education students, 21.75±0.64 years old, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 23.7±0.94, divided into 2 groups. They received orally either 2g of L-carnitine dissolved in 200 ml water plus 6 drops of lemon juice or a placebo (6 ml lemon juice dissolved in 200 ml water) 90 minutes before they began exercise on treadmill. They performed a modified protocol of Conconi test to exhaustion. Plasma lactate concentrations were recorded at rest and immediately after the test. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements was used for data analysis. The results showed that lactate accumulation immediately after exercise in the L-carnitine group (3.870±0.19) was significantly lower (p=0.000) than in the placebo (6.080±0.58) group. In addition, the intervention led to a higher increase (p=0.000) in the maximum oxygen consumption (50.54±1.48), as compared to the placebo group (45.16±1.51). The data also showed that the length of time required to reach the anaerobic threshold was higher in the L-carnitin group (19.14±0.65, vs 16.00±0.28 for the placebo group). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to the respiratory exchange ratio. L-carnitine supplementation seems to cause a reduction in the blood lactate accumulation and delay anaerobic threshold in an incremental exercise, resulting in improved performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine changes in salivary immunoglobulin A concentrations (S-IgA) & cortisol levels and any relationship between them, in adults after eight weeks of moderately intense exercise in the morning. Thirty, healthy, adult men (aged 30-50 years) having a sedentary lifestyles, were randomly selected and assigned to either the control or the exercise group their exercise program consisted of three sessions a week, for eight weeks. Each subject performed exercise at 06:00 a.m at 75% of maximum heart rate during the study, while controls continued their normal life style. Changes in fasting S-IgA concentrations and cortisol serum levels were monitored at the beginning and end of exercise at (0900) a.m following every session. Analysis of data was performed, using t-student test for comparing means of pre and post test. Pearsons correlation was used to determine any relationship between S-IgA concentration with cortisol concentration. The level of significance was chosen at P≤0/05. Results indicated significant changes in S-IgA concentrations in the pre and post exercise evaluations for the experimental group, while these remained unchanged in the control group. No significant differences were observed in serum cortisol levels, between experimental and control groups, without any relationship with salivary cortisol. Regular moderate exercise in the morning seems to enhance some factors of mucosal immune function in adults, which, in turn may contribute a decrease risk of infection.