The interaction effects of aerobic exercise training and vitamin D supplementation on plasma lipid profiles and insulin resistance in ovariectomized rats

Impact of Combined Aerobic Training and Magnesium Supplementation on Serum Biomarkers and microRNA-155 and microRNA-21 Expression in Adipose Tissue of Type 2 Diabetic Rats: An Eight-Week Interventional Study

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Aerobic training (AT) and magnesium supplementation (Mg) have both been independently shown to have beneficial effects on glucose control and insulin sensitivity in individuals with T2DM. However, the potential synergistic effects of combining AT and Mg supplementation have not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week AT and Mg supplementation on serum levels of insulin, glucose, leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB, as well as the expression of mir-155 and mir-21 in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of rats with T2DM.

METHODS

For this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were induced with T2DM by a high-fat diet combined with a low-dose streptozotocin injection. The rats were randomly assigned to four groups: AT and Mg supplementation (AT + Mg), AT (5 days/week for 8 weeks), Mg supplementation (received daily supplementation of Mg chloride), and diabetic control (C). An 8-week AT program was implemented, with gradually increasing the intensity and duration to reach 25 m/min and 60 min in the 8th week, respectively. The training intensity was set at 50-60% of VO2max. The Mg groups were provided with rat diets containing 1000 mg/kg of Mg. The AT + Mg group received both interventions, while the C group served as the untreated control. Serum biomarkers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and VAT samples were collected for gene expression analysis using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

Serum biomarker analysis revealed that the AT + Mg group had a significant decrease in fasting insulin (p = 0.001) and serum glucose (p = 0.001), as well as an increase in adiponectin levels compared to the C group (p = 0.002). Additionally, the AT + Mg group showed a significant reduction in serum leptin, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and NF-κB, as well as downregulation of mir-155 and mir-21 in the VAT compared to the other groups. The AT group also showed improvements in several parameters, while the Mg group had fewer significant differences compared to the C group.

CONCLUSION

The combination of AT and Mg supplementation provides a synergistic effect that improves serum biomarkers and downregulates pro-inflammatory microRNAs in the VAT of T2DM rats. Meanwhile, Mg supplementation alone does not have a significant effect on pro-inflammatory microRNAs in the VAT. These findings suggest that such combined interventions could be a promising strategy for managing T2DM, potentially ameliorating inflammatory states and improving metabolic health.

The impact of vitamin D on type 2 diabetes management: boosting PTP1B gene expression and physical activity benefits in rats

BACKGROUND

The protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) plays a crucial role in the development of insulin resistance. Aerobic training (AT) and vitamin D (Vit D) supplementation have been shown to individually improve glucose tolerance and diabetes-related factors. However, the impact of their combined effect on PTP1B gene expression and serum irisin in the visceral adipose tissue remains unknown. This study aims to investigate whether 8 weeks of combined AT with Vit D supplementation can improve the expression of PTP1B in adipose tissue and serum irisin in obese rats with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: diabetic (n = 40) and non-diabetic (ND; n = 10). The diabetic rats were further divided into four groups: aerobic training with vitamin D supplementation (D + AT + Vit D; n = 10), aerobic training only (D + AT; n = 10), vitamin D supplementation only (D + Vit D; n = 10), and control (D + C; n = 10). The D + Vit D and D + AT + Vit D groups received 5000 IU of vitamin D via injection once a week, while the D + AT and D + C groups received sesame oil. Diabetes was induced in all groups except the nondiabetic group by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of streptozotocin. At the end of the intervention, blood and adipose tissue samples were collected, and RNA was extracted from adipose tissue for real-time PCR analysis of PPTP1B gene expression.

RESULTS

There was an increase in serum Vit D and irisin levels and a decrease in HOMA-IR and PTP1B gene expression in the diabetic rat model treated with D + AT and injected with 50,000 IU/kg/week of Vit D. Comparatively, when treated with D + AT + Vit D, the downregulation of PTP1B was significantly higher (p = 0.049; p = 0.004), and there was a significant increase in irisin (p = 0.010; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The present study shows that the combined AT and Vit D supplementation positively impacts the expression of PTP1B in adipose tissue and serum irisin in rats with T2D. These findings suggest that combining AT with Vit D supplementation can provide a new and effective strategy to improve glucose tolerance and diabetes-related factors in individuals with T2D by regulating the expression of PTP1B in adipose tissue and promoting the synthesis of beneficial irisin protein.

Concurrent high-intensity interval training and probiotic supplementation improve associative memory via increase in insulin sensitivity in ovariectomized rats

OBJECTIVES

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a serious concern among postmenopausal women which predisposes them to cardiovascular and cognitive disorders. Healthful diet and exercise training have been essential strategies to prevent the progress of MetS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with a native potential probiotic and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for 8 weeks on retention of associative memory in rats with ovariectomy- induced metabolic syndrome.

METHOD

Thirty-two female ovariectomized Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 8/group): Control (OVX + Veh), exercise (OVX + Exe), probiotic (OVX + Pro), exercise with probiotic (OVX + Exe + Pro). One sham surgery group was included as a control group. Animals received 8 weeks interventions, and then were tested in a step through passive avoidance learning and memory paradigm, to assess long term memory. Then serum levels of adiponectin, insulin and glucose were measured by ELISA and colorimetry respectively. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and also One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

Eight weeks of HIIT and probiotic supplementation caused an increase in step through latency and shortening of total time spent in the dark compartment in OVX + Exe + Pro group compared with OVX + Veh group. Also significant increase in serum adiponectin levels, in parallel with a reduction in glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR were achieved by the group of OVX + Exe + Pro.

CONCLUSION

The present study indicates that HIIT combined with probiotics supplementation for 8 weeks effectively improves associative memory in MetS model of rats partly via improving insulin sensitivity and adiponectin level.

Effects of eight weeks of aerobic exercise and vitamin D supplementation on psychiatric comorbidities in men with migraine and vitamin D insufficiency: A randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

High prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities associated with migraine increases the risk of evolution from episodic migraine to chronic migraine. This study investigated the effects of eight weeks of aerobic exercise and vitamin D supplementation on psychiatric comorbidities in men with migraine and vitamin D insufficiency.

METHODS

Forty-eight participants took part in this randomized controlled clinical trial and were allocated into four groups: aerobic exercise and vitamin D (AE + VD), aerobic exercise and placebo (AE + Placebo), vitamin D (VD), and Placebo. AE + VD and AE + Placebo groups performed three aerobic exercise sessions per week for eight weeks and received a vitamin D supplement and placebo, respectively. The VD group received a vitamin D supplement, and the Placebo group received a placebo for eight weeks. The depression severity, quality of sleep, and physical self-concept were measured at baseline and after eight weeks.

RESULTS

The results showed that depression severity was significantly lower in AE + VD compared to AE + Placebo, VD, and Placebo at the post-test. Our results demonstrated that in the post-test, the mean score of sleep quality in AE + VD was significantly lower than AE + Placebo, VD, and Placebo. Finally, the results revealed that after eight weeks of intervention, the physical self-concept in AE + VD was significantly higher than in VD and Placebo groups.

LIMITATIONS

Not having complete control of sun exposure and the diet were the limitations.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that the concomitant application of AE and VD supplementation could provoke synergistic effects leading to additional psycho-cognitive health benefits in men with migraine and vitamin D insufficiency.

Myocardial angiogenesis induced by concurrent vitamin D supplementation and aerobic-resistance training is mediated by inhibiting miRNA-15a, and miRNA-146a and upregulating VEGF/PI3K/eNOS signaling pathway

This study aimed to investigate the effects of co-treatment of aerobic-resistance training (ART), vitamin D₃ (VD₃) on cardiovascular function considering the involvement of microRNA-15a and microRNA-146a, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. To induce MI, male Wistar rats subcutaneously received isoproterenol for 2 days, then MI was confirmed by echocardiography. MI rats were divided into six groups (n = 8/group). MI + VD₃, MI + sesame oil (Veh), MI + ART, MI + VD₃ + ART, and MI + Veh + ART, and received the related treatments for 8 weeks. Exercise tests, echocardiography, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting, and histological staining were performed after the end of treatments. The highest ejection fraction (EF%), fractional shortening (FS%), exercise capacity (EC), and maximal load test (MLT) amounts were observed in the groups treated with VD₃, ART, and VD₃ + ART (P < 0.05). These were accompanied by a significantly increased angiogenesis post-MI. Furthermore, the levels of circulating microRNA-15a and microRNA-146a were significantly decreased in these groups compared to MI rats that were together with a significant upregulation of cardiac VEGF, PI3K, and eNOS expression. Overall, the best results were observed in the group treated with VD₃ + ART. Concurrent VD₃ supplementation and ART attenuated microRNA-15a and microRNA-146a and induced angiogenesis via VEGF/PI3K/eNOS axis. This data demonstrate that concurrent VD₃ supplementation and ART is a more efficient strategy than monotherapy to improve cardiac function post-MI.

Metabotropic Effect of Probiotic Supplementation and High-Intensity Interval Training in Menopause-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the interactive effect of supplementation with a native potential probiotic lactobacillus and 8-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in a menopause-induced metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

A total of 40 ovariectomized (OVX) Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control (OVX + Vehicle), exercise (EXE) (OVX + Exe), probiotic (Prob) (OVX + Prob), exercise and probiotic (OVX + Exe + Prob), and sham surgery. After the end of the treatment interventions, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), visceral fat, and serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, lipid profile, and adiponectin were measured using colorimetric analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.

RESULTS

Data revealed a significant decrease in weight, waist circumference , visceral fat, BMI, and levels of glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, triacylglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), but an increase in high-density lipoprotein and adiponectin levels (P = 0.001), in OVX + Exe + Prob compared with the OVX + Vehicle group.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicates that native probiotic lactobacillus combined with HIIT effectively reduces body weight, visceral fat, and levels of LDL, glucose, and insulin and increases adiponectin level, although exercise contributes more to fat reduction and probiotics to insulin resistance.

Alterations of liver enzymes and lipid profile in response to exhaustive eccentric exercise: vitamin D supplementation trial in overweight females with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background

Eccentric exhaustive exercise (EEE) training has been known as a promising training modality to enhance performance and stimulate adaptation in healthy individuals or patients that might also cause abnormal liver enzymes and lipid profiles. Vitamin D (Vit D) supplementation is believed to improve the condition of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) patients. However, there is limited evidence on the effect of Vit D supplementation on the EEE-induced alterations. This study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term supplementation of Vit D on the liver enzymes and lipid profile alterations following EEE in overweight women with NAFLD.

Methods

In this clinical trial, 22 overweight women with NAFLD were randomly divided into experimental and control (n = 11 in each). The experimental group consumed 2000 IU of Vit D per day for six weeks; the control group consumed a lactose placebo daily with the same color, shape, and warmth percentage. Two treadmill EEE sessions were performed before and after the six-week Vit D supplementation. Blood was taken from the antecubital vein to measure the liver enzymes, lipid profile, and Vit D at four stages: Pre 1(before the first EEE session), Post 1(after the first EEE session), Pre 2 (before the second EEE session), and Post 2 (after the second EEE session).

Results

The results indicate that Vit D supplementation significantly reduced Bodyweight (BW; P = 0.047), Body Mass Index (BMI; P = 0.044), Body Fat Percentage (BFP; P = 0.001), and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR; P = 0.001) in the experimental group. Additionally, the results showed increased liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and GGT) and lipid profile (TC, TG, and LDL) following EEE. While the HDL levels decreased significantly after EEE. Compared with control, the results of the independent t-test showed significantly lower ALT (P = 0.001; P = 0.001), AST (P = 0.001; P = 0.001), and GGT (P = 0.001; P = 0.001); while significantly higher Vit D (P = 0.001, P = 0.001) in the experimental in both Pre 2 and Post 2; receptively. Also, significantly lower TC (P = 0.001; P = 0.001), TG (P = 0.048; P = 0.001), and LDL (P = 0.001; P = 0.001); while significantly higher HDL (P = 0.001, P = 0.001) were observed in the experimental group compared to the control in both Pre 2 and Post 2; receptively.

Conclusions

Vit D supplementation reduces the liver enzymes and improves lipid profile alterations following EEE in overweight women with NAFLD. Thus, Vit D supplementation can be considered a functional supplement to improve the EEE-induced alteration.

Trial registration: The trial was in the Iranian Clinical Trial Registration Center under the (IRCT20201130049538N1) on 05/07/2021.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Period of Aerobic Training and Vitamin D Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Background

Inflammatory markers of blood are critical predictors of chronic diseases as well as exacerbating risk factors. Exercise is a well-known strategy to reduce the risk of inflammation and chronic disease. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of a period of aerobic training and vitamin D supplementation (AT + Vit D) in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

Methods

This quasi-experimental research was performed on forty-six patients with metabolic syndrome who were selected according to the available sampling method, and were randomly divided into four groups: AT + Vit D (50,000 IU), AT, Vit D (50,000 IU), and control (C). The training protocol consisted of 40-60 min of AT 60-75% of maximal heart rate, three times a week, for 8 weeks. One-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were used to compare the between and within groups; the Bonferroni post hoc test was used if significant differences were found.

Results

The combination of exercise and vitamin D significantly reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) (P = 0.001), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P = 0.001), and improved the metabolic syndrome indices (P = 0.001 in all indices). The results also show that the improvement in the metabolic syndrome indices, CRP, and IL-6 was more significant in AT + Vit D, compared to AT or Vit D alone.

Conclusions

The findings from the present study suggested that a sedentary lifestyle and vitamin D deficiency accelerated the occurrence of metabolic syndrome probably by increasing the anti-inflammatory. Additionally, adequate levels of plasma vitamin D are necessary to achieve the beneficial metabolic effects of AT.

Sex and Age Differences Modulate Association of Vitamin D with Serum Triglyceride Levels

The sex and age differences in the relationship between vitamin D and lipid levels remain unclear. This retrospective study investigated the correlations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and various biomarkers, along with the sex and age differences in these associations, among 573 men and 436 women during physical check-ups. The mean age of the study population was 51.4 years, and 66% of people had serum 25(OH)D levels below 30 ng/mL. People aged over 65 years had higher 25(OH)D levels than those younger than 65 years, and women had lower 25(OH)D levels than men. Younger age (odds ratio (OR) per year = 1.044, 95% CI, 1.029−1.059, p < 0.0001), female sex (OR = 1.779, 95% CI, 1.149−2.755, p = 0.0097), and elevated serum triglyceride (TG) levels (OR per 1 mg/dL = 1.005, 95% CI, 1.002−1.007, p = 0.0002) were all independent risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Serum 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with TG levels. The positive association between vitamin D deficiency and hypertriglyceridemia was significant in men (not in women) and in those aged between 50 and 65 years. In conclusion, younger individuals, women, and middle-aged men with hypertriglyceridemia are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Effects of vitamin D supplementation and aerobic exercises on balance and physical performance in children with Down syndrome

Background/Aims

Children with Down syndrome are prone to vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D supplements are commonly used to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiencies. There is growing evidence that support the role of vitamin D improving muscles and central nervous system function. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction effects of vitamin D supplementation combined with aerobic exercises and conventional physical therapy on balance and physical performance in children with Down syndrome.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial was conducted for 38 children with Down syndrome, with ages ranging from 8 to 12 years. They were divided randomly into two groups. The control group (n=19) received conventional physical therapy and aerobic exercises, while the study group (n=19) received conventional physical therapy, aerobic exercises and vitamin D in the form of an oral daily dose of vitamin D3 400 IU (cholecalciferol). The children in both groups participated in the same physical therapy for 45 minutes, 3 days a week for 12 weeks, and undertook 15 minutes of aerobic exercise after the physical therapy sessions. Balance was evaluated by using the Biodex Stability System and physical performance was evaluated by using the 6-Minute Walk Test.

Results

All groups showed a significant improvement in the medial-lateral stability index, the anterior-posterior stability index, the overall stability index and the 6-Minute Walk Test after treatment (P<0.05). The study group showed a significant improvement in the measured variables compared with that of the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Vitamin D supplements, combined with aerobic exercises and conventional physical therapy, could improve balance and physical performance in children with Down syndrome. Therefore, vitamin D and aerobic exercises should be considered as an adjunctive to physical therapy.

How combined aerobic training and pomegranate juice intake affect lipid profile? A clinical trial in men with type 2 diabetes

Study aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic training (AT) and pomegranate juice intake (PJI) on the lipid profile in men with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed in middle-aged men (40–50 years old) with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned into four groups: AT + PJI (n = 9); AT (n = 10); PJI (n = 9), and control (C) (n = 10). The AT program consisted of 60-75% of HRMax, 40-60 min/day, three days/wk for eight weeks. Participants in the PJI group consumed 240 ml of pomegranate juice (sugar or additive-free) daily for eight weeks. Lipid profile was measured at the beginning and end of the study. The data were analyzed through paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance, as well as Tukey’s post hoc test at the signification level of P<0.05.

Results: AT + PJI, PJI, and AT groups demonstrated significant improvements in lipid profile compared to the C group. The results show that the AT + PJI group had significantly lower TC and LDL (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively), and significantly higher HDL (p = 0.023) compared with the PJI group. There was no significant difference between AT and PJI groups. Also, TG was significantly lower in AT+ PJI compare to the C group.

Conclusions: AT + PJI is more effective than AT or PJI alone in the improvement of lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Allicin Reversed the Process of Frailty in Aging Male Fischer 344 Rats With Osteoporosis

The research and development of pharmaceutical intervention is insufficient for the frail older adults, especially in preclinical stage for the frail individuals with osteoporosis. Garlic exerts an antiosteoporotic effect and its vital component allicin could protect organisms against aging. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of long-term intragastric administration of allicin (low dose of 4 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹; middle dose of 8 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹; high dose of 16 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) on frailty with osteoporosis in aging male Fischer 344 rats. Frailty was assessed with a 27-item frailty index based on quantifying health-related deficits in adult male rats varied from 13 to 21 months and in control rats from 6 to 9 months. Osteoporosis was appraised by bone mineral density detected by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, biomechanical properties measured by a three-point bending test, and bone metabolic analysis using ELISA. Allicin could attenuate frailty index scores by reducing the accumulation of health deficits in aging male Fischer 344 rats. Meanwhile, allicin could protect against senile osteoporosis, and the underlying mechanism may involve in increasing low bone turnover through elevation of both bone formation and bone resorption, and subsequently lead to increase of bone mineral density, contributing to reversing deleterious bone biomechanical features associated with aging. The present study reveals firstly that long-term oral administration with allicin attenuated frailty with osteoporosis during the process of aging, which provides a preclinical evidence for intervention of frailty.

Concurrent vitamin D supplementation and exercise training improve cardiac fibrosis via TGF-β/Smad signaling in myocardial infarction model of rats

Although the role of vitamin D in various types of disorders such as cancer and diabetes has been well recognized, its relation to cardiovascular diseases still remains equivocal. The present study aims to investigate the interactive effects of aerobic-resistance training (ART) and vitamin D₃ (VD₃) on both cardiac fibrosis and heart functions considering TGF-β1/Smad2, 3 (transforming growth factor-β1/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2/3) signaling in the myocardial infarction (MI) model of rats. Fifty-six male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups of sham (n = 8), and MI (n = 48). Then, MI rats were divided into six groups of VD₃, ART, VD₃+ART, Veh, Veh+ART, and sedentary MI. The animals received the related treatments for 8 weeks, and then their functional exercise capacity (FEC) and strength gain (SG) were estimated through exercise tests. Ejection fraction (EF%) and fractional shortening (FS%) and serum level of VD₃ were measured by echocardiography and ELISA, respectively. Cardiac expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2/3, and collagen I/III were assessed by western blotting and fibrosis by Masson's trichrome staining. The highest EF, parallel with the lowest expression of cardiac TGF-β1, Smad2/3, collagen I, and collagen III were observed in MI + VD₃ (P = 0.021), MI + ART (P = 0.001), and MI + VD₃ + ART (P < 0.001). Furthermore, similar to FS, the highest FEC and SG were related to the groups of MI + VD₃ + ART and MI + ART compared to the MI group. In conclusion, our data indicate that concurrent vitamin D supplementation and ART, compared with monotherapy, successfully improve cardiac function and alleviate myocardial fibrosis via downregulating TGF-β1, Smad2/3 signaling, and also regulating collagen I and III expressions.

Effects of vitamin D supplementation along with endurance physical activity on lipid profile in metabolic syndrome patients: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to determine the effects of vitamin D supplementation along with endurance physical activity on lipid profile among metabolic syndrome patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a parallel randomized placebo controlled trial, 70 metabolic syndrome patients, were randomly assigned into three groups. Biochemical tests were assessed as baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.

RESULTS

The mean vitamin D levels was increased significantly in both vitamin D and vitamin D plus physical activity groups (P value < 0.05). No significant change was observed in the placebo group. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL-C in vitamin D plus physical activity group (P value < 0.05). No significant differences in changes of triglycerides and HDL-C among the three groups (P value > 0.05). While, in vitamin D group a decreased in total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C and increase in triglycerides were observed, but did not reach a statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Daily supplementation of vitamin D for 12 weeks, along with moderate endurance physical activity, significantly increase vitamin D concentration and induce a significant reduction in lipid profile in metabolic syndrome patients.

The Effect of Estrogen Replacement Therapy on Visceral Fat, Serum Glucose, Lipid Profiles and Apelin Level in Ovariectomized Rats

Objectives

Ovarian hormones have been shown to regulate body weight, intra-abdominal fat accumulation and plasma level of cytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of estrogen replacement therapy on visceral adipose tissue, plasma level of apelin, lipid profiles, and glucose in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

Methods

Thirty female Wistar rats were divided into OVX (n = 20) and sham (n = 10) groups. OVX rats were subdivided into estrogen replacement therapy (OVX+est; n = 10) receiving 17 β-estradiol valerates (30 µg/kg, s.c., 5 day/week, for eight weeks), and vehicle control group receiving sesame oil same as experiment group (OVX+ses oil; n = 10). After the treatments, all groups were sacrificed and blood samples were collected, visceral fats were taken from the abdominal cavity and weighed immediately. Apelin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Lipid profiles and glucose were measured using the enzymatic colorimetric method. Data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and (P < 0.05) determined as the statistical significance level.

Results

After eight weeks, body weight, body mass index (BMI), visceral fat, apelin and lipid profiles (P < 0.01) were increased significantly in OVX rats compared to sham group. Treatment with estrogen leads to significant reduction in body weight and BMI (P < 0.05), there was no significant change in serum apelin level in OVX+est rats compared to OVX+ses.

Conclusions

These results suggest that estradiol replacement therapy successfully attenuated some of the metabolic syndrome components, and apelin does not probably stand as a mediator of these physiological functions.

Potential Cardiovascular and Renal Protective Effects of Vitamin D and Coenzyme Q10 in l-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is one of the primary modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Adequate vitamin D (vit D) levels have been shown to reduce vascular smooth muscle contraction and to increase arterial compliance, which may be beneficial in hypertension. Further, coenzyme Q10 (COQ10) through its action to lower oxidative stress has been reported to have beneficial effects on hypertension and heart failure. This study examined the possible cardiac and renal protective effects of vit D and COQ10 both separately and in combination with an angiotensin II receptor blocker, valsartan (vals) in l-NAME hypertensive rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hypertension was induced in rats by l-NAME administration. Following induction of hypertension, the rats were assigned into the following 6 subgroups: an l-NAME alone group and treated groups receiving the following drugs intraperitoneally for 6 weeks; vals, vit D, COQ10 and combination of vals with either vit D or COQ10. A group of normotensive rats were used as negative controls. At the end of the treatment period, blood pressure, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, lipids and serum, cardiac and renal parameters of oxidative stress were measured.

RESULTS

Compared to the l-NAME only group, all treatments lowered systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and creatinine levels as well as TNF-α and malondialdehyde. Further, the agents increased serum, cardiac and renal total antioxidant capacity. Interestingly, the combination of agents had further effects on all the parameters compared to treatment with each single agent.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that the additive protective effects of vit D and COQ10 when used alone or concurrent with vals treatment in hypertensive rats may be due to their effects as antioxidants, anticytokines and blood pressure conservers.