Effects of upper-body, lower-body, or combined resistance training on the ratio of follistatin and myostatin in middle-aged men.

PURPOSE:Due to the mechanistic role of myostatin and follistatin in modulating muscle mass, shifts in the follistatin to myostatin ratio (F:M) may help explain changes in muscular size in response to resistance training (RT). The present study examined whether differential responses in follistatin and myostatin occur based on the amount of active musculature in a RT program in middle-aged men. METHODS:Forty middle-aged men (age = 46.5 ± 3.1 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups, upper-body RT (UB; n = 10), lower-body RT (LB; n = 10), combined RT (UB + LB; n = 10) or control (C; n = 10). The training protocol consisted of three exercise sessions per week for 8 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and 48 h after the final session of the training program. RESULTS:Muscle mass significantly increased (p < 0.05) following UB = 0.76 ± 0.46 kg, LB = 0.90 ± 0.29 kg, UB + LB = 1.38 ± 0.70 kg, compared to no changes after control. Serum follistatin increased in the LB = 0.24 ± 0.06 ng mL-1, UB = 0.27 ± 0.17 ng mL-1, UB + LB = 0.50 ± 0.18 ng mL-1, while serum myostatin decreased in the LB = - 0.11 ± 0.08 ng mL-1 and UB + LB = - 0.34 ± 0.23 ng mL-1, but not UB = 0.07 ± 0.16 ng mL-1. Further, change in concentration following training was larger between UB + LB and either LB or UB alone for both follistatin and myostatin. CONCLUSIONS:Both UB and LB increase muscle mass and alter the F: M ratio; however, the change in these endocrine markers is approximately twice as large if UB and LB is combined. The endocrine response to RT of myostatin and follistatin may depend on the volume of muscle mass activated during training

Effects of Icelandic yogurt consumption and resistance training in healthy untrained older males

Due to the important roles of resistance training and protein consumption in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia, we assessed the efficacy of post-exercise Icelandic yogurt consumption on lean mass, strength, and skeletal muscle regulatory factors in healthy untrained older males. Thirty healthy untrained older males (age = 68 ± 4 yr) were randomly assigned to Icelandic yogurt (IR; n =15, 18 g of protein) or an iso-energetic placebo (PR; n =15, 0 g protein) immediately following resistance training (3x/week) for eight weeks. Before and after training, lean mass, strength, and skeletal muscle regulatory factors (insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1], transforming growth factor-beta 1 [TGF-β1], growth differentiation factor 15 [GDF15], Activin A, myostatin [MST], and follistatin [FST]) were assessed. There were group x time interactions (p < 0.05) for body mass (IR: Δ 1, PR: Δ 0.7 kg), body mass index (IR: Δ 0.3, PR: Δ 0.2 kg∙m-2), lean mass (IR: Δ 1.3, PR: Δ 0.6 kg), bench press (IR: Δ 4, PR: 2.3 kg), leg press (IR: Δ 4.2, PR: Δ 2.5 kg), IGF-1 (IR: Δ 0.5, Δ PR: 0.1 ng∙mL-1), TGF-β (IR: Δ -0.2, PR: Δ -0.1 ng∙mL-1), GDF15 (IR: Δ -10.3, PR: Δ -4.8 pg∙mL-1), Activin A (IR: Δ -9.8, PR: Δ -2.9 pg∙mL-1), MST (IR: Δ -0.1, PR: Δ -0.04 ng∙mL-1), and FST (IR: Δ 0.09, PR: Δ 0.03 ng∙mL-1), with Icelandic yogurt consumption resulting in greater changes compared to placebo. The addition of Icelandic yogurt consumption to a resistance training program improved lean mass, strength, and altered skeletal muscle regulatory factors in healthy untrained older males compared to placebo. Therefore, Icelandic yogurt as a nutrient-dense source and cost-effective supplement enhances muscular gains mediated by resistance training and consequently may be used as a strategy for the prevention of sarcopenia

The Effect of Eight Weeks of Water Training on Sirt1, Pgc-1α and Body Fat Percentage in Obese Men

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: SIRT1 and PGC-1α are two factors that increase the body's antioxidant capacity, which can improve inflammation and free radicals in obesity. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of eight weeks of water training on SIRT1, PGC-1α and body fat percentage in obese men. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, obese men (BMI = 30, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) > 0.5) were selected voluntarily and were randomly divided into two groups of water training (n = 11) and control (n = 11). The training program included three sessions per week for eight weeks with training intensity of 60 to 80% of maximal heart rate. BMI, body fat percentage and weight of subjects were examined before and after the intervention. Arterial blood samples were used to measure SIRT1 and PGC-1α during the pre-test and post-test stages. FINDINGS: The assessments showed that PGC-1α levels increased from 7.7 to 8.7 and SIRT1 levels increased from 11.3 to 12.6, and this increase was significant in the training group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The results showed that body fat percentage decreased from 30.2 to 27.83 and weight decreased from 94.7 to 92.2, which was significant compared to the control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, water training can increase the levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α and decrease weight and body fat percentage

Investigation of the Effect of Aerobic and Resistance Exercises on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells ABCG1 Gene Expression in Female Athletes

Introduction: Atherosclerotic heart diseases are the most important causes of mortality in most countries. ABCG1 transporter is responsible for making and forming of HDL particles and therefore probably plays a crucial role in prevention of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of two types of a single-session exercise (aerobic and resistance) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMN) ABCG1 gene expression in female athletes. Methods: Twenty four female athletes from Khorasan were randomly selected and assigned into three groups: control (N=8), aerobic (AE) (N=8), and resistance (RE) (N=8). Blood samples of subjects were collected before and after exercise sessions. PBMN cells were separated and m-RNA purification was performed by semi-quantitative PCR. Data was analyzed by paired sample T test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests by SPSS software (version 16). Results: Results showed that expression of PBMN ABCG1 m-RNA was significantly increased following a single-session exercise in RE and AE groups, but the increase in the RE group was higher than AE group (P ≤0.001 vs. P ≤0.014). Conclusion: It can be concluded that either resistance or aerobic exercise increases the expression of ABCG1 gene on PBMN cells in female athletes which leads to an improvement in reverse cholesterol transfer and cardiovascular benefits

Effects of 2 Months Aerobic Exercis on Glucose Homeostasis Index and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Introduction: The cause of many metabolic diseases is a progressive increase in fasting insulin levels that is generally associated with inflammatory status. In such conditions, circulating resistin hormonal levels and CRP levels also increase. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of 2 months aerobic training on insulin resistance and inflammatory markers. Methods: In the study, 30 middle aged healthy men volunteered (Age=38.56±4.77, BMI=25.14±2.16) to participate and based on their body fat percentage were assigned in two equal groups. Experimental group was asked to perform 2 months of aerobic exercise, 4 sessions a week with 60-80% maximum heart rate, while the control group was sedentary during the same period. Blood samples were collected 48 hours before the first session and 48 hours after the last session under similar conditions. Results: Plasma insulin (p≤0.001) and glucose (p≤0.001) levels decreased and consequently insulin resistance index also decreased (p≤0.001) in the experimental group as compared to controls. Also, resistin concentrations increased (p≤0.001), while CRP concentrations decreased (p≤0.001), respectively in the experimental group. Conclusion: In general, it can be concluded that regular aerobic exercise due to improved insulin resistance and plasma levels of two inflammatory markers (CRP and the resistin) reduces risk factors of metabolic disease and atherosclerosis and can be used as an effective strategy to prevent such diseases

The effects of an eight-week aerobic training program on plasma adipokine concentrations in middle-aged men

&quot;n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: Obesity is currently a worldwide health epidemic which has incited major interest among researchers to look for the underlying mechanisms that regulate body weight. In fact, adiponectin and leptin concentrations that are called adipokines are altered in obesity with a decreased production of adiponectin and an increased production of leptin. Adiponectin has anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-insulin resistance properties, but increased levels of leptin are observed in patients with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week aerobic training program on the plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin in healthy middle-aged men. &quot;n&quot;nMethods : Thirty healthy middle-aged men were selected based on their body fat percentage and were assigned to two equal groups. The experimental group took the 8-week training, four days a week on alternate days with an intensity of 60-80% of their heart rate reserve but the control group lived their sedentary life. Blood samples were collected before and after the training program from all subjects and plasma adipokine levels were measured.&quot;n&quot;nResults : Plasma adiponectin concentration increased while leptin levels decreased significantly (P&amp;lt;0.001 and P&amp;le;0.042 respectively) upon completion of the 8-week program. Moreover, reduction in body fat percentage (P&amp;le;0.001) negatively correlated with adiponectin (P&amp;le;0.001) and positively with leptin changes (P&amp;le;0.008).&quot;n&quot;nConclusion: In healthy middle-aged men, 8-week aerobic training programs could reduce body fat percentage and improve plasma adipokines levels. Therefore, aerobic training can be considered as a major strategy for preventing obesity and its accompanying diseases. &quot;n&quot;nKeywords: Aerobic training, adiponectine, leptin, obesity

The effects of a single session aerobic exercise on obestatin gene expression in trained women

&quot;nBackground: Studies indicate that obestatin, an anti-hunger peptide, plays an important role in energy balance, GH secretion, and body weight. It has been physiologically shown that obestatin apposes the function of Ghrelin. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a single session of aerobic exercise in trained women (a 1.5-mile run) on the expression of obestatin gene found in lymphocytes.&quot;n &quot;nMethods: 16 trained female participants (4&amp;plusmn;1 years of training experience) were voluntarily selected from Khorasan province in Iran and were randomly divided into two groups: the control and aerobic exercise groups. The participants in the aerobic group were asked to run for 1.5 miles with a fixed speed (70 VO2 max) while the controls were passively present in the exercise environment. Following an overnight fast, blood samples (10 ml from the antecubital vein) were collected before and immediately after the exercise from all the participants. Obestatin expression was investigated after separating the lymphocytes by centrifuge and using semi-quantitative RT-PCR.&quot;n &quot;nResults: There was a rise in obestatin gene expression in the case group after one session of aerobic training versus the control group but the changes were not statistically significant.&quot;n &quot;nConclusion: The results indicated that a single aerobic exercise could not significantly increase the expression of obestatin. Perhaps the type, duration and intensity of the applied protocol in this study did not have a cumulative effect on this gene although these results are in harmony with the results of other studies in this regard

The Effect of Four-Week Period of Aerobic Exercise with Cinnamon Consumption on Lipoprotein Indicates and Blood sugar in Diabetic Female Patients (Type 2)

Introduction: Cinnamon as an herbal medicine has the ability to reduce blood glucose and lipoproteins in diabetic patients. Based on the positive effects of exercise on diabetic patients, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Four weeks Period aerobic exercise alongside using cinnamon on lipoprotein parameters and blood glucose in women with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Thirty diabetic women were voluntarily selected and were randomly divided into three groups: 1) aerobic exercise group; 2) aerobic exercise alongside using cinnamon; and 3) control group. Aerobic exercise took four weeks with 60 percent of maximum heart rate. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the study. Results: Blood glucose, the fat percentage and HDL, and the ratio of LDL to HDL in the first group significantly decreased and in the second group increased (P<0.05). Also the first group showed a significant reduction in triglyceride. The only significant change observed in the control group was a significant increase in the level of LDL. Comparing the first and second group, it was observed that in the second group the level of total cholesterol decreased and the ratio of LDL to HDL increased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Using cinnamon alongside aerobic exercise is likely to be beneficial in regulating the concentration of blood glucose and lipids in diabetic patients

The acute effects of strength training on inflammatory markers predicting atherosclerosis: a study on inactive middle-aged men

&quot;n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: Cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis, are the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease has had an increasing prevalence in Iran in recent years. Homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) are two novel cardiovascular risk factors that independently predict risks of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of one session of circuit resistance training on the blood levels of the aforesaid inflammatory markers in inactive middle-aged men.&quot;n&quot;nMethods: The participants of this study included twenty-three healthy but inactive middle-aged men who were overweight and were randomly divided into two experimental (n=14) and control (n=9) groups. The activity included doing exercises with the subjects&apos; 35% one-repetition maximum (1-RM) intensity at ten different stations. Blood levels of homocysteine and hs-CRP were measured before and after the exercise.&quot;n&quot;nResults: Analysis of data using independent samples t-test showed a significant increment in the serum levels of homocysteine and hs-CRP after training in the experimental (P&amp;lt;0.05) versus the control group.&quot;n&quot;nConclusion: Elevation of homocysteine levels is due to the increase in protein metabolism and creatine synthesis for energy production and elevation of hs-CRP levels could be due to hepatic induction of interleukin-6 that acts as a signal for the stimulation of lipolysis and glycogenolysis. However, beneficial or adverse physiological effects of these changes are not thoroughly understood and more research is needed to conclude about the acute and chronic effects of different types of physical activity on the blood levels of these atherosclerosis risk factors