Background & objectives: Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the main risk factors for neurological diseases which are associated with aging. On the other hand, aerobic exercise has beneficial effects on the brain health and cognitive function, and also improves mitochondrial dynamics. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 4 weeks of aerobic exercise on spatial learning, memory performance and mitochondrial dynamics in the hippocampal tissue of old rats. Methods: For this purpose, 14 male Wistar rats at 20 months of age were randomly divided into 2 groups: aerobic exercise (n=7) and control group (n=7). The exercise group performed 4 weeks of treadmill training (5 days per week at a speed of 10 to 15 m/min). Forty-eight hours after the last training session, the animals underwent behavioral tests. Twenty-four hours after the behavioral test, all rats were killed and hippocampal tissue was extracted. The mRNA expression of OPA1, Mfn2 and Drp1 genes were assayed using Real Time-PCR. The Independent t test was used for statistical analysis. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise in old animals improved spatial learning and memory performance, increased hippocampal OPA1 gene expression, and decreased Drp1 gene expression compared to the control group (p≤0.01). Conclusion:It seems that aerobic exercise can improve the function of brain mitochondria by modulating fusion and fission processes and it can be considered as an effective nonpharmacological method to deal with aging-related learning and memory perturbations.
Background and Objective: Elevated blood pressure may develop in hypertensive patients after performing resistance training. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of beetroot juice on cardiovascular and functional changes during and after a session of acute resistance training in men with hypertension. Materials and Methods:In the present single-blind quasi-experimental study, 20 men with hypertension were randomly divided into two groups of Beetroot Juice (BJ) and Placebo (PLA). Upper and lower body muscular strength, Perceived Exertion (RPE), Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), and resting and continuous Heart Rate (HR) were measured after resistance training in the pre-test. In the post-test, BJ and PLA groups consumed beetroot juice and non-caloric cherry flavor Beverage (4.5 mg/Kg Bodyweight), respectively, 150 minutes before repeating the measurements. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA, student's t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Beetroot juice significantly reduced SBP, DBP, and HR at rest and after resistance training compared to PLA. Furthermore, BJ significantly increased lower body muscular strength and decreased RPE during resistance training. Conclusion: Beetroot juice is a useful beverage that easily and harmlessly controls blood pressure in hypertensive patients. This drink prevents the risk of high blood pressure in addition to improving performance during resistance training.
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