Exercise increases markers of spermatogenesis in rats selectively bred for low running capacity

The oxidative stress effect of exercise training on testis function is under debate. In the present study we used a unique rat model system developed by artificial selection for low and high intrinsic running capacity (LCR and HCR, respectively) to evaluate the effects of exercise training on apoptosis and spermatogenesis in testis. Twenty-four 13-month-old male rats were assigned to four groups: control LCR (LCR-C), trained LCR (LCR-T), control HCR (HCR-C), and trained HCR (HCR-T). Ten key proteins connecting aerobic exercise capacity and general testes function were assessed, including those that are vital for mitochondrial biogenesis. The VO2 max of LCR-C group was about 30% lower than that of HCR-C rats, and the SIRT1 levels were also significantly lower than HCR-C. Twelve weeks of training significantly increased maximal oxygen consumption in LCR by nearly 40% whereas HCR remained unchanged. LCR-T had significantly higher levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 (PGC-1alpha), decreased levels of reactive oxygen species and increased acetylated p53 compared to LCR-C, while training produced no significant changes for these measures in HCR rats. BAX and Blc-2 were not different among all four groups. The levels of outer dense fibers -1 (Odf-1), a marker of spermatogenesis, increased in LCR-T rats, but decreased in HCR-TR rats. Moreover, exercise training increased the levels of lactate dehydrogenase C (LDHC) only in LCR rats. These data suggest that rats with low inborn exercise capacity can increase whole body oxygen consumption and running exercise capacity with endurance training and, in turn, increase spermatogenesis function via reduction in ROS and heightened activity of p53 in testes

The Comparison between Acute Effect of Citrullin Malate Different Doses on Aerobic and Anaerobic Power as Well as Lactate and Blood Urea Level in Young Soccer Players

Background: It has been suggested that citrulline malate (CM) is one of the effective supplements to improve exercise performance and fatigue resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of consumption of CM at various doses on aerobic power, anaerobic power, as well as plasma levels of lactate and urea in young soccer players. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, performed at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (2018), through targeted sampling, 40 trained young soccer players with were selectively classified into 4 homogenized groups based on their Vo2max value including low dose (LD) (4g), medium dose (MD) (8g), high dose (HD) (12g), and sugar solution control (C). The supplements were taken slowly within 15 minutes 1 hour prior to the tests. Then, the yoyo recovery test-level 1 and the Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) were used to evaluate their aerobic and anaerobic capacity, respectively. Blood biomarkers were also measured in the first 10 seconds after RSA test. Further, one-way ANOVA test was employed for data analysis. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The results showed that among the groups, the higher and lower values belonged to (respectively) Vo2max in HD and LD (51.13±6.22, 47.62±4.16), for RSA in HD and MD (34.11±6.34, 30.11±5.6), for urea in HD and LD (4.64±1.3, 4.16±1.46) and for lactate in C and MD (107.27±5.08, 103.66±7.34) groups (mean±S.D), respectively. There was no significant association between the groups for VO2 max value, RSA records as well as plasma levels of urea and lactate in response to taking different doses of CM (Pvalue>0.05). Conclusions: The results indicated that acute supplementation of CM at different doses did not affect aerobic and anaerobic power, or blood levels of lactate and urea

The Comparison between Acute Effect of Citrullin Malate Different Doses on Aerobic and Anaerobic Power as Well as Lactate and Blood Urea Level in Young Soccer Players

Background: It has been suggested that citrulline malate (CM) is one of the effective supplements to improve exercise performance and fatigue resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of consumption of CM at various doses on aerobic power, anaerobic power, as well as plasma levels of lactate and urea in young soccer players. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, performed at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (2018), through targeted sampling, 40 trained young soccer players with were selectively classified into 4 homogenized groups based on their Vo2max value including low dose (LD) (4g), medium dose (MD) (8g), high dose (HD) (12g), and sugar solution control (C). The supplements were taken slowly within 15 minutes 1 hour prior to the tests. Then, the yoyo recovery test-level 1 and the Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) were used to evaluate their aerobic and anaerobic capacity, respectively. Blood biomarkers were also measured in the first 10 seconds after RSA test. Further, one-way ANOVA test was employed for data analysis. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The results showed that among the groups, the higher and lower values belonged to (respectively) Vo2max in HD and LD (51.13±6.22, 47.62±4.16), for RSA in HD and MD (34.11±6.34, 30.11±5.6), for urea in HD and LD (4.64±1.3, 4.16±1.46) and for lactate in C and MD (107.27±5.08, 103.66±7.34) groups (mean±S.D), respectively. There was no significant association between the groups for VO2 max value, RSA records as well as plasma levels of urea and lactate in response to taking different doses of CM (Pvalue>0.05). Conclusions: The results indicated that acute supplementation of CM at different doses did not affect aerobic and anaerobic power, or blood levels of lactate and urea

The Recovery Effect of Cold Water Immersion and Massage on the Physical Performance of Young Male Soccer Players

Introduction: In recent years, reducing the time intercept between competitions and increasing the level and number of competitions, has made it one of the trainers' major concerns to adopt and employ a suitable recovery method to reduce fatigue and improve performance. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two recovery protocols of cold water immersion and massage on the performance of young male soccer players following an exhaustive exercise session. Methods: Thirty young male soccer players were selected as statistical samples and divided into 3 groups of 10, including cold water immersion (CWI), massage (M) and passive recovery (P). 24 hours before and after an exhaustive test of simulated soccer match (90 minutes), tests of 20 m sprint, 40 m sprint, agility, vertical jump and RSA were taken from the subjects. To analyze the findings, dependent t-test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were used (p≥0.05). Results: There was no significant difference in the rate of variation in 20 m sprint and Sargent jump performances in the subjects of three groups (P≤0.05). Also, the agility of the CWI recovery group was significantly improved compared to the massage recovery group (P = 0.003). However, the repeat sprints ability in the recovery group of massage was significantly improved compared to the CWI recovery group (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Using both recovery methods of cold water immersion and massage after an exhaustive exercise session has a positive effect on the performance of young male soccer players, and if the conditions are met, then both recovery methods will probably have positive effects

Exercise Increases Markers of Spermatogenesis in Rats Selectively Bred for Low Running Capacity

The oxidative stress effect of exercise training on testis function is under debate. In the present study we used a unique rat model system developed by artificial selection for low and high intrinsic running capacity (LCR and HCR, respectively) to evaluate the effects of exercise training on apoptosis and spermatogenesis in testis. Twenty-four 13-month-old male rats were assigned to four groups: control LCR (LCR-C), trained LCR (LCR-T), control HCR (HCR-C), and trained HCR (HCR-T). Ten key proteins connecting aerobic exercise capacity and general testes function were assessed, including those that are vital for mitochondrial biogenesis. The VO2 max of LCR-C group was about 30% lower than that of HCR-C rats, and the SIRT1 levels were also significantly lower than HCR-C. Twelve weeks of training significantly increased maximal oxygen consumption in LCR by nearly 40% whereas HCR remained unchanged. LCR-T had significantly higher levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 (PGC-1α), decreased levels of reactive oxygen species and increased acetylated p53 compared to LCR-C, while training produced no significant changes for these measures in HCR rats. BAX and Blc-2 were not different among all four groups. The levels of outer dense fibers -1 (Odf-1), a marker of spermatogenesis, increased in LCR-T rats, but decreased in HCR-TR rats. Moreover, exercise training increased the levels of lactate dehydrogenase C (LDHC) only in LCR rats. These data suggest that rats with low inborn exercise capacity can increase whole body oxygen consumption and running exercise capacity with endurance training and, in turn, increase spermatogenesis function via reduction in ROS and heightened activity of p53 in testes

Myokines as mediators of exercise-induced cognitive changes in older adults: protocol for a comprehensive living systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe world’s population is aging, but life expectancy has risen more than healthy life expectancy (HALE). With respect to brain and cognition, the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders increases with age, affecting health and quality of life, and imposing significant healthcare costs. Although the effects of physical exercise on cognition in advanced age have been widely explored, in-depth fundamental knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of the exercise-induced cognitive improvements is lacking. Recent research suggests that myokines, factors released into the blood circulation by contracting skeletal muscle, may play a role in mediating the beneficial effect of exercise on cognition. Our goal in this ongoing (living) review is to continuously map the rapidly accumulating knowledge on pathways between acute or chronic exercise-induced myokines and cognitive domains enhanced by exercise.MethodRandomized controlled studies will be systematically collected at baseline and every 6 months for at least 5 years. Literature search will be performed online in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SportDiscus, LILACS, IBECS, CINAHL, SCOPUS, ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (ROB 2). A random effects meta-analysis with mediation analysis using meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) will be performed. The primary research question is to what extent exercise-induced myokines serve as mediators of cognitive function. Secondarily, the pooled effect size of specific exercise characteristics (e.g., mode of exercise) or specific older adults’ populations (e.g., cognitively impaired) on the relationship between exercise, myokines, and cognition will be assessed. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023416996).DiscussionUnderstanding the triad relationship between exercise, myokines and cognition will expand the knowledge on multiple integrated network systems communicating between skeletal muscles and other organs such as the brain, thus mediating the beneficial effects of exercise on health and performance. It may also have practical implications, e.g., if a certain myokine is found to be a mediator between exercise and cognition, the optimal exercise characteristics for inducing this myokine can be prescribed. The living review is expected to improve our state of knowledge and refine exercise regimes for enhancing cognitive functioning in diverse older adults’ populations.RegistrationSystematic review and meta-analysis protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on the 24th of April 2023 (registration number CRD42023416996)

Biochemical Pathways of Sarcopenia and Their Modulation by Physical Exercise: A Narrative Review

Aging is a complex process characterized by progressive multisystem derangement predisposing individuals to increased risk of developing negative health outcomes. Sarcopenia is the age-related decline of muscle mass and function/strength and represents a highly prevalent correlate of aging. Several factors have been indicated to play a role in the onset and progression of sarcopenia; however, its pathophysiology is still unclear. Physical exercise is to date one of the few strategies able to improve muscle health in old age through multiple metabolic and transcriptional adaptations. Although the benefits of different exercise modalities on the function and structure of aged myocytes is acknowledged, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying such effects are not yet fully identified. Here, we briefly overview the current knowledge on the biochemical pathways associated with the onset and progression of sarcopenia. We subsequently describe the effects of exercise on relevant signaling pathways involved in sarcopenia pathophysiology

Comparison the effect of eight weeks aerobic training with moderate and high intensities on serum levels of Irisin and Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP-1) in white adipose tissue in obese male rats

Background and Objective: The synthesis of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in adipose tissue plays an important role in providing resistance and prevention of fat accumulation, weight gain and obesity. This study was done to evaluate the effect of eight weeks aerobic training with moderate and high intensities on serum levels of Irisin and UCP1 white adipose tissue in obese male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult obese male Wistar rats (weight: 250 to 300 gr, BMI>30g/cm2) were randomly assigned into three groups including moderate aerobic training intensity, high intensity aerobic training and control group. The aerobic exercise training was included 8 weeks (5 sessions/per-week for 60 min per session). All training groups carried out aerobic training with 28 m/min (moderate intensity), aerobic training with 34 m/min (high intensity) on treadmill. 48 hours after the training period, the level of UCP1 and Irisin protein was measured. Results: The level of UCP-1 in adipose tissue and serum Irisin in both aerobic training intensities increased compared to control group, but this increase only in aerobic training group with a moderate intensity was singnificant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Eight weeks aerobic training with moderate intensity leads to increase of UCP-1 in adipose tissue and Irisin levels

Exercise training increases anabolic and attenuates catabolic and apoptotic processes in aged skeletal muscle of male rats

Abstract Aging results in significant loss of mass and function of the skeletal muscle, which negatively impacts the quality of life. In this study we investigated whether aerobic exercise training has the potential to alter anabolic and catabolic pathways in the skeletal muscle. Five and twenty eight month old rats were used in the study. Aging resulted in decreased levels of follistatin/mTOR/Akt/Erk activation and increased myostatin/Murf1/2, proteasome subunits, and protein ubiquitination levels. In addition, TNF-α, reactive oxygen species (ROS), p53, and Bax levels were increased while Bcl-2 levels were decreased in the skeletal muscle of aged rats. Six weeks of exercise training at 60% of VO2max reversed the age-associated activation of catabolic and apoptotic pathways and increased anabolic signaling. The results suggest that the age-associated loss of muscle mass and cachexia could be due to the orchestrated down-regulation of anabolic and up-regulation of catabolic and pro-apoptotic processes. These metabolic changes can be attenuated by exercise training