Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk

Abstract This study was designed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of Iranian research on the effects of various resistance training protocols on muscle hypertrophy. The analysis examined temporal publication trends, prolific authors, leading research institutions, and prominent journals in this field. All relevant articles published up to the year 1403 (2024) were retrieved from the MagIran database. Inclusion criteria were limited to original peer-reviewed research articles published in Persian, while conference abstracts and other non-journal sources were excluded. Data were analyzed using VOSviewer software to perform co-authorship and keyword co-occurrence analyses. Between 1390 and 1403 (2011–2024), a total of 31 articles were published in this domain. Most publications were authored by faculty members of public (state) universities. Approximately 65% of the articles appeared in journals affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, whereas 35% were published in medical sciences journals. Keyword analysis indicated that “resistance training” and “muscle hypertrophy” were the most frequent and central terms, with clustering results demonstrating strong interconnections among core research topics. Overall, the findings of this bibliometric analysis provide a structured overview of the research landscape and offer a roadmap for identifying research gaps, publication patterns, and future research priorities in the Iranian context.

Abstract The present study evaluates the effects of aerobic exercise and ethanolic bitter orange peel extract on the expression of cardioprotective genes in female rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). From the Islamic Azad University's Central Tehran Branch animal facility, 30 adult female rats of the Wistar strain were randomly assigned to five groups (six rats per group): 1) normal diet control (ND-C), 2) HFD control (HFD-C), 3) HFD aerobic exercise (HFD-AE), 4) HFD ethanolic bitter orange peel extract (HFD-BP), and 5) HFD aerobic exercise and ethanolic bitter orange peel extract (HFD-AE-BP). A normal diet was supplemented with 20% palm oil, 1.5% cholesterol, and 0.25 cholic acid to induce obesity. Before the intervention, the subjects received a HFD for four weeks, then continued it for another four weeks during the intervention. During the four-week aerobic exercise protocol, treadmill running was performed at a moderate intensity. An ethanol extract of bitter orange peel was administered orally to rats at a dose of 100 milligrams per kilogram of body weight for four weeks. After euthanasia, left ventricle myocardium was collected for real-time PCR analysis of CTRP9, LKB1, and AMPK gene expression. In the HFD-C, CTRP9 (P=0.001), LKB1 (P=0.001), and AMPK (P=0.001) genes were significantly lower than in the ND-C. Aerobic exercise significantly increased their expression compared with the HFD-C (P=0.001). Comparing HFD-C with ethanolic bitter orange peel extract, ethanolic bitter orange peel extract increased gene expression significantly (P=0.001). This indicates that the simultaneous use of these two interventions was able to add up the effects of each and did not have a synergistic effect. However, since the magnitude of change when these two interventions were combined was greater than the effect of each alone, the combination of AE and BP was greater than the effect of each alone, suggesting that these two interventions may be used to mitigate cardiac complications under HFD conditions.

Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) exhibits dysregulated p53 tumor-suppressor signaling, driving therapeutic resistance; exercise and nutraceuticals represent promising adjuvants for pathway modulation. This study investigated resistance training and nanocurcumin in an orthotopic GBM rat model (n=40), with groups including healthy controls, cancer controls, nanocurcumin (80 mg/kg/day), resistance training (ladder climbing, 50% BW + 30g, 3×/week), and combined intervention. After 4 weeks, tumor tissue analysis revealed resistance training significantly reduced p53 mRNA expression versus cancer controls (1.8 ± 0.2 vs. 3.1 ± 0.3; p = 0.021), while all interventions suppressed p21 (combination group: 1.2 ± 0.1 vs. control 4.0 ± 0.4; p < 0.001), demonstrating 70% greater p21 inhibition in the combined group versus monotherapies (p < 0.01). The synergistic p21 downregulation indicates potent disruption of the G1/S cell-cycle checkpoint, likely mediated through inter-organ cross-talk along the muscle-liver-brain axis—where exercise-induced myokines (IL-6, BDNF) mitigate tumor oxidative stress, nanocurcumin suppresses hepatic inflammatory mediators, and hemodynamic adaptations enhance blood-brain barrier penetration. These findings position resistance training and nanocurcumin as a novel non-pharmacological adjuvant strategy to potentiate conventional glioma therapies by leveraging systemic physiological communication.

Abstract Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two continuous aerobic training and high-intensity interval training on body weight, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, and body fat percentage in overweight and obese military people. In this quasi-experimental study, 30 overweight or obese military personnel stationed in a military center were divided into two equal groups of 15 subjects within continuous aerobic training group and high-intensity interval training group. The training protocol consisted of six weeks of continuous aerobic training and high intensity interval training performed every week for three sessions and each session for 60 minutes with equal intensity. The research variables included body weight, body mass index, waist to hip ratio and body fat percentage, which were measured in the same and standard conditions in two stages of pre-test and post-test. After 6 weeks of intervention, high-intensity interval training group showed a significant reduction in body mass index, waist-hip ratio and body fat percentage compared to the continuous aerobic training group(P<0.05). However, there was no significant change in the body weight of the subjects (P<0.05). The results of this study showed that the high-intensity interval training protocol had a greater effect on the body composition parameters of the subjects compared to the continuing aerobic exercise protocol, so it could be included in the training program for overweight or obese military persons.

Abstract Interval training and selenium is an effective way to strengthen the immune system. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of High intensity interval training and Nano selenium supplementation on the expression of IL-10 and IL-12 genes in the testicular tissue of mice under dexamethasone administration. 40 Wistar rats aged 10 weeks were randomly divided into 5 groups of 8 (healthy, dexamethasone induced (patient), High intensity interval training + patient, Nano selenium supplement + patient, High intensity interval training + Nano selenium supplement+ patient). the exercise training program consisted of 5-12 repetitions of 1-minute running on the rodent treadmill with an intensity of 24-30 m/min, equivalent to 75-100% of maximal oxygen consumption, with active rest intervals of 75 seconds. These trainings were performed six days a week for four weeks. The prepared selenium nanoparticle solution, 100 mg in 250 nm size, was given to mice by gavage every other day. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine the difference in variables between groups at a significant level (P<0.05). All statistical calculations were done using SPSS version 25 software. The obtained results showed that interval training and Nano selenium supplementation led to a significant decrease in IL-10 (P<0.05). Also, IL-12 gene expression increased significantly along with interval training and Nano selenium supplementation (P<0.05). According to the current research, it seems that High intensity interval training and Nano selenium supplementation lead to improved immune function and possibly the ability to develop antioxidant defenses and reduce cellular oxidative stress.

Abstract Steatosis is the most important cause for chronic liver disease, from simple steatosis to advanced stages such as liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and liver cancer. In this study, the effect of MICT and probiotic consumption on IL15 gene expression in animal model of non-alcoholic steatosis was examined. This study is an experimental laboratory study. Thirty-two male wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 in the healthy (normal diet), steatosis, steatosis + probiotic, steatosis + probiotic +MICT groups and tested for 8 weeks. The exercise protocol was as follows: in the first week from 10 minutes of running at a speed of 18 meters per minute to the eighth week with 60 minutes of running at a speed of 28 meters per minute. Consumption of probiotics; Relevant groups received 109 CFU / ml of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG by gavage daily for 5 weeks and 5 days a week. Statistical calculation of this study was performed using SPSS 25 software. Probiotic consumption and moderate-intensity continuous training significantly increased IL-15 (p =0.000) and significantly decreased TG (p =0.000) in the non-alcoholic steatosis animal model. It seems moderate-intensity continuous training with probiotic consumption can improve the liver function of non-alcoholic fatty liver patients.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the interactive effect of aloe vera intake and eight weeks’ aerobic exercise on serum BDNF, glucose, and insulin levels in women with type 2 diabetes. In this experimental study, 32 women with type 2 diabetes were selected and randomly divided into four groups of control, supplement, exercise, exercise + supplement. The exercise program was performed 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks (40 min of exercise with 50-60% of heart rate reserve in the first four weeks and 60 min of exercise with 60-80% of heart rate reserve in the second four weeks). The supplement taking groups received 400 mg/kg of oral aloe Vera 3 days per week for 8 weeks. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). A significant increase was observed in BDNF levels, insulin sensitivity of patients in the supplement, exercise, and exercise + supplement groups (p=0.001). The glucose and insulin levels, insulin resistance, BMI, and body fat percentage significantly decreased in the supplement, exercise, and exercise + supplement groups (p=0.001). It seems aloe Vera intake and aerobic exercise to have protective effects against development of type 2 diabetes complications in women.