Journal of

Introduction: Myostatin and follistatin proteins are key proteins in the regulation of muscle atrophy and hypertrophy. Aging and sarcopenia can lead to disruption of cellular mechanisms and the activity of these proteins. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance training on myostatin and folistatin proteins content in Gastrocnemius muscle tissue of elderly rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 12 female Sprague-Dawley rats (20-month-old) with an average weight of 250±30 g were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups: resistance training (n=6) and control (n=6). The resistance-training program was as followed: 3 days a week for 8 weeks, climbing a one-meter vertical ladder with 26 steps and two centimeters of space between each step with a slope of 85 degrees. SPSS software version 23 and independent t-test were used to analyze the data.
Results: The results showed that eight weeks of resistance training led to a significant increase in myostatin protein content in the training group compared to the control group (P≤0.04). In contrast, eight weeks of resistance training led to a significant reduction in folistatin protein content in the training group compared to the control group (P≤0.05).

Conclusion: According to the results of the present study on the content of myostatin and folistatin proteins, it is possible that the reduction of muscle atrophy in the elderly can be through other pathways of protein synthesis and muscle hypertrophy.

Introduction: Inflammation in the brain is known as neuroinflammation and increases TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor alpha) secretion and activates the TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) pathway. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 4 weeks preconditioning with high intensity intermittent training (HIIT) and moderate intensity training (MICT) on TNF-α and TLR4 levels in male Wistar rats.
Methods: The current research was an experimental study.18 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: high intensity intermittent training (6 heads), continuous moderate intensity training (6 heads) and the control group (6 heads). HIIT program included 6 stages of 2-minute activity with intensity of 85-90% VO2max and 5 stages of active rest for 2 minutes and MICT program with intensity of 65% VO2max with the same duration as HIIT for 4 weeks and 5 days per week was implemented. 48 hours after the last training session, rats were dissected and cortical tissues and layers of mice were extracted for TNF-α and TLR-4 using western blotting. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA test at a significance level of 0.05 With the help of SPSS version 16 software.
Results: The results of the present study showed that TNF-α and TLR4 in the cortex and stratum cerebral areas after 4 weeks of high-intensity and moderate-intensity intermittent aerobic exercise did not change significantly compared to the control group (p≥0.05).
Conclusion: According to these findings, it can be stated that exercise with high or moderate intensity cannot be an effective factor in increasing inflammatory markers in the brain.
 

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication in the patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of high-intensity interval training on TGF-b1 and SMAD7 gene expression in kidney tissue of elderly diabetic male Wistar rats.
Methods: In this study, 36 male 21-month old Wistar rats, with the weight of 340 to 390 grams were randomly divided into three groups: healthy control, diabetes, and diabetes- training. The training group, performed high-intensity interval training five times per week for six weeks, healthy and diabetic control groups have not done any exercises. 24 hours after the last training session, rats were sacrificed and kidney tissues were extracted to examine TGF-b1 and SMAD7 genes expression by Real-Time PCR method. To determine the difference among the groups, one-way analysis of variance with Tukeys Post hoc test was used at the significant level of P<0.05. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS software version 16.
Results: The results showed that six weeks of high intensity interval training led to a significant decrease in TGF-b1 gene expression in kidney tissue compared to the diabetic group (P=0.001). In addition, a significant increase in SMAD7 gene expression in kidney tissue was observed in the diabetes- training group compared to the diabetes group (P=0.008).
Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, it seems that high-intensity interval training can probably exert protective effects against nephropathy by reducing the expression of the TGF-b1gene and increasing the expression of the SMAD7 gene in kidney tissue. Because this research was conducted on elderly diabetic rats, it is suggested to check and confirm this training method in diabetic human models.