Nigella sativa supplementation attenuates exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in the maturing rat: a histometric and histologic study

Comparative effects of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on soleus muscle fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5, myonectin and glucose transporter type 4 gene expressions: a study on the diabetic rat model

BACKGROUND

The increase in fibronectin type-III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), myonectin, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) leads to a decrease in diabetes; meanwhile, exercise training can affect these factors. The result regarding the comparison between the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and that of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) is confusing. Thus, the present study investigated the comparative effects of HIIT and MICT on soleus muscle FNDC5, myonectin, and GLUT4 gene expressions in the diabetic rat model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Seventy-two male Wistar rats (weight 200 g ± 20) were randomly and equally assigned to six groups: control-healthy, MICT-healthy, HIIT-healthy, control-diabetes, MICT-diabetes, and HIIT-diabetes. At the first level, Streptozotocin (STZ) was utilized to induce diabetes in rats (at a dose of 55 mg/kg). After that, the training groups performed HIIT and MICT programs on the rodent treadmill for 6 weeks (five-session/week). Twenty-four hours after the last intervention, soleus muscle was removed, and sent to a research facility for future examinations. HIIT and MICT increased the muscle FNDC5, myonectin, and GLUT4 gene expression compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The type of training had no significant effect on the FNDC5 (P > 0.05), while the MICT program induced a greater increase in the myonec ztin and GLUT4 compared to the HIIT program (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, a positive relationship between all variables was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise training has a beneficial effect on diabetes conditions via the effect of FNDC5, myonectin, and GLUT4. Due to the correlation between myonectin and GLUT4 shown in the present study, physical activity may alter myonectin through its effect on GLUT requiring further investigation by subsequent studies.

The effects of Nigella sativa on respiratory, allergic and immunologic disorders, evidence from experimental and clinical studies, a comprehensive and updated review

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed had been used traditionally due to several pharmacological effects. The updated experimental and clinical effects of N. sativa and its constituents on respiratory, allergic and immunologic disorders are provided in this comprehensive review article. Various databases including PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus were used. The preventive effects of N. sativa on pulmonary diseases were mainly due to its constituents such as thymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol and alpha-hederin. Extracts and constituents of N. sativa showed the relaxant effect, with possible mechanisms indicating its bronchodilatory effect in obstructive pulmonary diseases. In experimental animal models of different respiratory diseases, the preventive effect of various extracts and constituents of N. sativa was demonstrated by mechanisms such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory effects. Bronchodilatory and preventive effects of the plant and its components on asthma, COPD and lung disorders due to exposure to noxious agents as well as on allergic and immunologic disorders were also shown in the clinical studies. Various extracts and constituents of N. sativa showed pharmacological and therapeutic effects on respiratory, allergic and immunologic disorders indicating possible remedy effect of that the plant and its effective substances in treating respiratory, allergic and immunologic diseases.

How high-fat diet and high-intensity interval training affect lipid metabolism in the liver and visceral adipose tissue of rats

Lipogenic and lipolytic pathways are tightly regulated by nuclear receptors and binding proteins, such as farnesoid x receptor (FXR) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c). We designed this research to study the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and high-fat diet (HFD) on hepatic and adipose FXR and SREBP-1c gene expression beside the plasma levels of lipid profile and insulin. 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal (~12% fat) and HFD (~56% fat) groups with or without participating in the 8 weeks HIIT protocol. Results from two-way ANOVA and Pearson tests (P<0.05) showed that the HFD rats experienced a larger weight gain correlated with dyslipidemia and hyperinsulinemia, higher hepatic and adipose SREBP-1c expression and lower hepatic FXR expression compared with normal diet fed rats. Although HIIT rats showed higher hepatic FXR and lower hepatic and adipose SREBP-1c expression and lower weight gain compared with untrained rats, plasma lipid profile levels had not any significant difference between trained and untrained rats. Interestingly, hepatic FXR expression was negatively correlated with weight gain and SREBP-1c expression in both tissues while only the hepatic SREBP-1c was positively correlated to insulin levels. In conclusion, HFD-induced dyslipidemia could occur via the activation of the hepatic SREBP-1c pathway under the insulin effect. Although HIIT rats showed lower SREBP-1c correlated to hepatic FXR activation it seems diet is more effective on lipid profile than HIIT. Also, in presence of HFD, HIIT only affects adipose lipolysis.

Medicinal benefits of Nigella sativa in bronchial asthma: A literature review

Nigella sativa L. (NS) seeds, known as black seed, is a spice and a traditional herbal medicine used in various diseases including bronchial asthma. This review aimed to assess the studies supporting the medicinal use of NS in asthma and to highlight future research priorities. Various medical databases were searched for the effects of NS and its active secondary metabolites in asthma inflammation and outcomes. There were fourteen preclinical studies describing multiple effects of NS in animal or cellular models of asthma including bronchodilation, anti-histaminic, anti-inflammatory, anti-leukotrienes and immunomodulatory effects. Furthermore, seven clinical studies showed improvements in different asthma outcomes including symptoms, pulmonary function and laboratory parameters. However, often these studies are small and used ill-defined preparations. In conclusion, NS could be therapeutically beneficial in alleviating airway inflammation and the control of asthma symptoms, but the evidence remains scanty and is often based on poorly characterised preparations. Accordingly, well-designed large clinical studies using chemically well characterised NS preparation are required.