Effect of Eight Weeks of Endurance Training with Pistacia Atlantica Extract on the Expression of Ghrelin Gene in the Intestinal Tissue of Rats

Impaired energy balance causes various diseases such as obesity, diabetes, etc. Many peptides are involved in regulating energy balance in the body, of which ghrelin is one of the most important. This study investigates the effect of endurance training and Pistacia Atlantica extract (Baneh) (as a plant rich in fatty acids) on ghrelin gene expression in the intestinal tissue of female rats.

In this experimental study, 20 adult female Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups: 1) saline control, 2) saline training, 3) Baneh control, and 4) Baneh + training. Groups 2 and 4 trained on a rodent treadmill for eight weeks (five days a week, each session for 60 minutes at a speed of 25 m / min with a zero slope) while groups 1 and 3 did not. Groups 3 and 4 received Pistacia Atlantica extract and groups 1 and 3 received saline solution before exercise as a gavage (1 mg per gram of body weight). Rats were anesthetized and biopsied 72 hours after the last training session in the fasting state. Data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance and P<0.05 was considered significant.

Eight weeks of aerobic training decreased ghrelin gene expression in rats intestinal tissue (P<0.001) but its expression increased in response to Pistacia Atlantica use (P<0.001).

The use of a high-fat diet (Baneh extract) increased the expression of the ghrelin gene in intestinal tissue. Eight weeks of aerobic training moderated this increase.