Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Journal of Eexercise & Organ Cross Talk

Aerobic exercise and cannabidiol supplementation modulate prostate Akt gene expression in high-fat diet-fed rats: Mechanistic insights into obesity-driven prostate cancer risk

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Marzieh Hafezi Eirdmousa 1
Mandana Gholami 1
Heshmatollah Parsian 2
Hossein Abed-Natanzi 1

1 Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahr-E- Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22122/jeoct.2025.525710.1154
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence indicates that obesity is associated with accelerated prostate cancer progression and elevated mortality rates. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms linking obesity to prostate cancer pathogenesis remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the effects of six weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic training combined with cannabidiol (CBD) supplementation on prostate protein kinase B (Akt) gene expression in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese male rats. Forty male Wistar rats (240 ± 20 g) were randomly assigned to five experimental groups: healthy control, HFD, HFD+exercise, HFD+CBD, HFD+exercise and CBD (n=8 per group). CBD was administered via oral gavage at 100 mg/kg, five days per week for six weeks. The aerobic exercise protocol consisted of treadmill running at progressive intensities, ranging from 15 m/min for 30 min to 27 m/min for 60 min, five days per week for six weeks. Following the intervention, prostate tissue was extracted for quantitative analysis of Akt gene expression. Statistical analysis revealed that aerobic exercise significantly modulated Akt gene expression (P=0.015). Similarly, CBD administration exerted a significant effect on Akt expression (P=0.004). However, no significant interactive effect was observed between aerobic exercise and CBD (P=0.068). These findings suggest that both aerobic exercise and CBD independently influence Akt signaling pathways, potentially through anti-inflammatory mechanisms, which may contribute to prostate cancer prevention. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise molecular interactions involved.

What is already known on this subject?

Studies indicates that obesity is associated with accelerated prostate cancer progression and elevated mortality rates.

 

What this study adds?

Six weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or CBD extract supplementation independently downregulated prostate Akt gene expression in a high-fat diet-induced obesity rat model.

Keywords

Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise
Cannabis
Prostate
High-fat diet
Akt gene

Subjects

Acknowledgements

We extend our gratitude to the Laboratory of the Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, as well as to all individuals who contributed to the realization of this study.

Funding

No sources of funding were sought or awarded for this study.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval This study's procedures were carried out under the Declaration of NIH. Ethical approval was granted by the Islamic Azad University University Ethics Committee (IR.IAU.SRB.REC.1403.136).

Informed consent Animal study

Author contributions

Conceptualization: M.H.E., M.Gh., H.P.; Methodology: H.P., H.A.N.; Software: M.H.E., M.Gh.; Validation: H.P., H.A.N. Formal analysis: H.P., H.A.N.; Investigation: M.H.E., M.Gh.; Resources: M.H.E., M.Gh.; Data curation: M.H.E., M.Gh.; Writing - original draft: H.P., H.A.N.; Writing–review & editing: H.P., H.A.N.; Visualization: H.P., H.A.N.; Supervision: M.Gh.; Project administration: M.Gh.; Funding acquisition: M.H.E.

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Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Volume 5, Issue 1
Winter 2025
Pages 7-12

  • Receive Date 23 January 2025
  • Revise Date 29 March 2025
  • Accept Date 30 March 2025

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