Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk

Abstract The effectiveness of EMS on muscle and physical performance has been demonstrated in various populations, including healthy young adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) session on changes in endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor in inactive men. In this quasi-experimental research, 16 inactive healthy men (age, 20-30 years; BMI, 18 - 24.9 kg/m2) from Tehran were selected and randomly assigned to two EMS stimulation (n=8) and control (n=8) groups. The subjects performed the exercise (squat, lunge, crunch and plank) with WB-EMS clothes for 20 minutes; frequency 80 Hz, pulse 5 seconds and pulse pause 3 seconds. The levels of VEGF and endostatin in plasma were measured using kit and ELISA method. The data were analyzed using independent and correlated t-test at the P<0.05. The results showed that intragroup changes of endostatin and VEGF were significant after an EMS training session (P≤0.05), but not significant change was observed in the control group (P≥0.05). Also, the inter-group changes of endostatin showed no significant differences between the two groups in the post-test (P=0.1). However, the intergroup changes of VEGF indicated significant difference between the two groups in the post-test (P=0.001). It seems that in inactive people, EMS stimulation increases vascular endothelial growth factor as the most important positive regulator of the angiogenesis process and decreases endostatin as one of the most important negative regulators of the angiogenesis process.

Abstract There is no treatment for Alzheimer's disease. However, some treatments can have a slowing and controlling effect on the disease process. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic training with saffron extract on plasma levels of apo E4 and presenilin gene in Alzheimer's rats by trimethyltin chloride. In this experimental study, 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats with the weight of 180±20 g were selected and after Alzheimer's induction (by intraperitoneal injection of 80 mg/kg trimethyltin chloride) were randomly divided into 4 groups; control, aerobic training, saffron extract, saffron extract- aerobic training. Saffron extract was injected intraperitoneally at the dose of 25 mg/kg daily for eight weeks. The aerobic training program consisted of incremental running on the treadmill at a speed of 15 to 20 m/min and 15 to 30 min per session and 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA at the P<0.05. The results showed that aerobic training (P=0.13), saffron extract (P=0.14) and the interaction of aerobic training and saffron extract (P=0.13) had no significant effect on apo E4in rats. Also, aerobic training (P=0.68), saffron consumption (P=0.67) and interaction of aerobic training and saffron extract (P=0.32) had no significant effect on persniline gene in rats. According to the results, it seems that aerobic training and saffron extract do not significantly alter the levels of apo E4 and the presenilin of Alzheimer's rats.

Abstract Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate aging reduces the possibility of dependence on age-related diseases. Exercise treatment strategies reduce the burden of aging-related illness, disability, and premature death in the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval swimming training on ULK and TSC1/2 proteins of hippocampus tissue in elderly rats. In this experimental study, 16 elderly male Sprague Dawley rats (20 months old and mean weight 300-450 g) were divided into two groups of control and high-intensity interval swimming training. High-intensity interval swimming training consisted of 14 bouts 20-second swimming sessions with 10 seconds of rest between each session for six weeks (three days a week). The content of ULK and TSC1/2 proteins in hippocampal tissue was measured by Western blotting. Data were analyzed using independent t-test at the P<0.05. The results showed that high-intensity interval swimming training caused significant increase in content of ULK protein of hippocampus tissue in elderly rats (P=0.010). Also, high-intensity interval swimming training caused significant decrease in content of TSC1/2 protein of hippocampus tissue in elderly rats (P=0.010). According to the results, it seems that high-intensity interval swimming training can help improve the homeostasis regulatory pathways in hippocampal neurons in the elderly animal model.