Background and Objectives: We studied effects of eight weeks of resistance training and IGF-1 injection on serum level of IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio in Wistar rats.Methods: We randomly divided 28 male Wistar rats into four groups of salineinjected control (C), resistance training+saline injection (RS), resistance training+IGF-1 injection (RI) and IGF-1 injection (II). Resistance training protocol consisted of climbing a ladder (three days/week with 5 reps/3 sets) while carrying a weight suspended from the tail for eight weeks. IGF-1 and saline (1.5 µg/kg/day) were injected before and after exercise sessions. Serum IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio and morphology of colorectal tissue were evaluated.Results: Serum IGF-1 level and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio decreased in the RS group compared to the other groups (P< 0.05). Rats in the RS group had higher IGFBP-3 level than those in the II and RI groups (P< 0.05). IGF-1 injection had no effect on morphology of colorectal tissue. Conclusion:The resistance training reduces IGF-1 and increases IGFBP-3 levels, which might represent a link between resistance training and lower risk of colorectal cancer.

Background and objectives: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study examined the effects of cardiac rehabilitation exercise on lipid profile and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) gene in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, after screening, patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=12) and a control group (n=12). After the surgery and discharge from hospital, the experimental group performed rehabilitation exercise for two months, while the control group did not perform any exercise after discharge from the hospital and the initial phase of rehabilitation. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after the last training session to evaluate biochemical variables and PPAR-α gene expression of lymphocytes. PPAR-α expression level was assessed by qRT-PCR. Statistical analysis was done in the SPSS software (version 20) using repeated measures. Results: In the follow-up after the two-month cardiac rehabilitation exercise, the PPAR-α gene was significantly overexpressed and plasma HDL levels increased significantly in the training group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Although the concentrations of LDL and triglycerides decreased in the experimental group, this reduction was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that the protocols carried out in the study could be utilized for improving HDL levels and cardiovascular function in CABG patients.

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic exercise on serum iron, serum ferritin, platelet count, mean platelet volume, and some immunity indices in non-athlete females.Methods: In this study, 30 non-athlete females aged 30-45 years were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group. The experimental group was subjected to perform aerobic exercise at 60-70% of maximal heart rate for eight weeks, three sessions per week and one hour per session. Blood parameters were measured before the exercise program and after the completion of program by taking 2 ml blood samples from the venous vein of the participants in the sitting position. Finally, t-test was used to compare the pretest and post-test means of each group and independent t-test was used to compare the two groups at significance of 0.05.Results: After eight weeks of aerobic exercise, there was a significant increase in mean platelet volume and a significant decrease in serum iron and ferritin levels in the experimental group (P <0.05). There was a slight decrease in the number of platelets, white blood cells, granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes (P<0.05).Conclusion: We recommend physical education instructors, athletes and nonathletes to consider iron supplementation during aerobic exercise, and modify appropriate training intensity based on the fitness and age of trainees to prevent risk of anemia.

Background & objectives:Foxo1 is a transcription factor in insulin signaling in the liver. The function of Foxo1 is important in the ability of insulin to regulate hepatic glucose production and glucose homeostasis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of resistance training program on Foxo1 expression in liver cells as well as glucose and insulin serum levels in male Wistar rats with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The statistical population of this experimental study was 10-weeks old, male Wistar rats weighing 220±20 g (n=14). The studied rats were subjected to 6 weeks of high-fat diet and STZ injection for type 2 diabetes induction and then rats were randomly divided into two groups (control and resistance). The training group participated in a resistance training course for 6 weeks, 5 sessions per week, in the form of 4 sets and 5 repetitions per set, climbing a 26step ladder to a height of one meter with a vertical slope of 80%. Finally, 48 hours after the last training session, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels as well as Foxo1 expression level in liver cells of both groups were measured and compared by independent t-test (=%5). Results: The resistance training improved fasting blood glucose compared to control subjects (p<0.001). The serum insulin levels were significantly increased (p=0.042) and Foxo1 expression significantly decreased in resistance group when compared with control subjects (p=0.023). Conclusion:Based on these data, the decrease in glucose concentration in the exercise group can probably be attributed to the decreased expression of Foxo1 in hepatocyte cells in response to resistance training.

Background and Objectives: Inactivity, obesity and hormone disorders can lead to various diseases in obese and non-athletic individuals. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of six months of aerobic exercise on serum levels of insulin, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth hormone 1 (IGF-1) in sedentary obese women.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 15 inactive, obese (body mass index >30) women aged 37-47 years were selected from employees of the Ferdowsi University in Mashhad (Iran), via purposive and available sampling. The participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=10) and a control (n=5) group. The experimental group performed 60 minutes of aerobic exercise at 55-65% of heart rate reserve, three sessions a week, for six months. Serum GH, IGF-1 and insulin levels were measured in both groups before the first training session and after the last training session. The Shapiro-Wilk test and the Levene's test were used to assess normal distribution of data and homogeneity of variance, respectively. Independent and dependent t-tests were used to compare betweengroup and within-group differences at significance of 0.05. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software (version 18).Results: Serum concentrations of IGF-1 and insulin reduced significantly following the six-month aerobic exercise program. In addition, the exercise training caused an insignificant increase in GH levels.Conclusion: Our proposed aerobic exercise protocol significantly reduces IGF-1 level, which is closely related to the incidence of atherosclerosis, breast cancer, and colon cancer. The significant decline in insulin secretion following the six-month aerobic exercise program may provide more amounts of nutrients for muscle glucose metabolism.