Effects of acute ethionine injection on plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels in trained male rats

The Combinatory Effect of Spirulina Supplementation and Resistance Exercise on Plasma Contents of Adipolin, Apelin, Ghrelin, and Glucose in Overweight and Obese Men

Methods

The current investigation was conducted in a single-blind and quasiexperimental fashion. Sixty overweight and obese men (BMI > 25) ranging in age from 30 to 55 years were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to one of four groups: training plus spirulina (T+S), training plus placebo (T+P), spirulina (S), or placebo (P). For eight weeks, the (S) and (P) groups consumed two 500 mg spirulina and placebo capsules daily, respectively. Resistance training was performed three sessions a week over eight weeks, consisting of 12 movements with 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-minute rest intervals and 40-90 percent maximal repetition. Adipolin, apelin, and ghrelin indices were measured before and after exercise using special kits.

Results

All variables changed significantly between groups except for apelin. Within-group comparisons revealed a substantial increase in adipolin levels in the (T+S) and (T+P) groups (P < 0.05). Apelin levels were decreased in the (T+S) and (T+P) groups. Additionally, FBS levels reduced significantly in (T+S) (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

It seems that eight weeks of circuit resistance training and spirulina supplementation can lead to reduced weight and apelin and FBS levels as well as increased concentrations of adipolin and ghrelin contents in overweight and obese men.

Combined Effects of High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Training and Ziziphus jujuba Extract on Tissue Nesfatin-1 in Rats

Nesfatin-1 is involved in metabolic/feeding regulation and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown that exercise and herb supplementation can influence nesfatin-1 concentration. The present study investigated the effects of high-intensity training (HIT) and Ziziphus jujuba (ZJ) extract on tissue nesfatin-1 in rats. Twenty-eight female rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups i.e. 1) Saline-Control (SC), 2) Saline-High Intensity Training (ST), 3) Ziziphus jujuba-Control (ZJC), and 4) Ziziphus jujuba-High Intensity Training (ZJT). Rats performed exercise on a treadmill and/or administered supplements intragastrically for 6 weeks, depending on group category. Seventy-two hours after the last training session, rats were anesthetized. Blood, hypothafi 2lamus tissue, heart and gastrocnemius muscles were sent to the laboratory for analyses. Significantly higher nesfatin-1 gene expression and concentration and ATP concentration were found in trained rat. HIT increased plasma High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and insulin concentration and reduced plasma Triglyceride (TG) and cortisol. ZJ increased tissue nesftain-1 gene expression and concentration while only increasing heart ATP. The combination of exercise and ZJ showed an additive effect compared to each intervention alone on hypothalamus, heart and gastrocnemius NUCB2 gene expression, heart and gastrocnemius nesfatin-1 concentration, plasma HDL and cortisol concentration. The authors recommend both interventions as a means to improve cardiovascular health in rats with further work needed to confirm similar findings in homo sapiens.

Effects of circuit resistance training intensity on the plasma ghrelin to obestatin ratios in healthy young women

BACKGROUND

Ghrelin and obestatin are orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides, respectively. It appears that an accurate balance between theses peptides is important for regulating energy homeostasis and body weight.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to identify the possible mechanisms by which circuit resistance training influences energy homeostasis and weight control.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven female students with the mean age of 22 ± 1.54 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 20.76 ± 1.86 kg/m(2) were selected and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Subjects performed circuit resistance training with 40% and 80% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) for 4 weeks. Total plasma ghrelin, obestatin, and glucose levels and the ghrelin to obestatin ratio were measured for all subjects before and after training.

RESULTS

One-way ANOVA tests showed that, the plasma ghrelin to obestatin ratio increased significantly in the 80% 1RM group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant reduction of the plasma obestatin level was found in this group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that an energy deficit caused by circuit resistance training in 80% of the 1RM group resulted in the ghrelin precursor being increasingly used for ghrelin production. Thus, obestatin secretion decreased and the ghrelin to obestatin ratio increased in order to stimulate food intake and lost energy resource consumption to eventually restore the energy balance in the body.

Short-,moderate-, and long-term treadmill training protocols reduce plasma, fundus, but not small intestine ghrelin concentrations in male rats

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that circulating ghrelin levels are upregulated by fasting, hypoglycemic status, and a physical exercise-induced energy deficit.

AIM

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the timecourse adaptations of the plasma, fundus, and small intestine ghrelin concentrations as well as related hormones and liver ATP levels to 3, 6, and 12 weeks of treadmill endurance running.

MATERIAL/SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Thirty-nine male Wistar rats (12-14 weeks old) were randomly assigned to 3 control (C3, no.=5; C6, no.=7 and C12, no.=7) and 3 training groups (E3, no.=6; E6, no.=7 and E12, no.=7). The rats in the 3 training groups were exercised on a motor-driven treadmill at 25 m/min (0% grade) for 60 min/day, 5 days/week for 3, 6, and 12 weeks, respectively. The animals were sacrificed 48 h after the last session of each training program and tissues were analyzed.

RESULTS

Total ghrelin concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) lower in trained rat plasma and fundus tissue after all treadmill endurance running programs. Small intestine ghrelin concentrations remained unchanged. Plasma GH concentrations and liver ATP content were significantly higher in E6 and E12 groups.

CONCLUSION

Data indicate that as little as 3 weeks of moderate treadmill exercise reduces plasma and fundus total ghrelin concentrations with elevated plasma GH and liver ATP content occurring after 6 and 12 weeks of training. Exercise training-induced improvement of energy source availability and negative feedback from increased GH levels may play a role in reducing plasma and fundus ghrelin levels.