A combination of lifestyle risk factors and/or biological changes associated with childbearing may explain the positive association between parity and increased risk of metabolic syndrome.

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Background: Aging impairs function of the heart and is associated with mechanical remodeling. This process involves accumulation of collagen and dysfunction in the regulation of active matrix metalloproteinase. On the other hand, exercise training improves cardiac function and regulates the increase of pro-inflammatory molecules, such as interferon gamma, yet the impact of exercise training on aging has not yet been defined. Objectives: This study examined the effect of continuous endurance training on mRNA expression of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in male elder rats. Methods: For this purpose, 14 Wistar male rats with age of 24 to 26 months and an average weight of 380 ± 20 g were randomly divided to two groups, including training (n = 7) and control (n = 7). Training groups performed continuous endurance training for six weeks. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 mRNA and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA expression in heart tissue were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. To analyze of the data, the independent t-test was used at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: The findings of this statistical analysis showed that six weeks of continuous endurance training had a significant effect on MMP-9 mRNA expression (P = 0.001). Also, this training protocol did not have a significant effect on expression of IFN-γ gene (P = 0.628). Conclusions: Continuous endurance training attenuated aging-induced cardiac inflammation of rats. There are numerous questions that remain to be answered to complete the understanding of the moderator effects of exercise on MMP-9 and IFN-γ, as a muscle conformity or indicate an inflammatory condition.

Objectives: The aims of the present study were two-fold: to investigate whether, compared to an active control condition, a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program could (1) reduce symptoms of stress and depression, and (2) regulate salivary cortisol and serum creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, two physiological stress markers. Methods: Thirty male wrestlers (Mage = 26.73 years) were randomly assigned either to the MBSR intervention or the active control condition. Both at the beginning and at the end of the intervention, the participants completed questionnaires on perceived stress and depression; in parallel, salivary samples were collected to measure cortisol in saliva, while blood samples were collected to assess serum CK. The study lasted for eight consecutive weeks. The intervention consisted of 16 group sessions (90 min each); the active control condition had an identical schedule, though without bona fide interventions. During the study period, the participants kept their sleeping, nutritional and exercising schedules unaltered. Results: Over time, symptoms of stress and depression decreased; the level of decrease was more prominent in the MBSR condition than the active control condition (significant p values and large effect sizes of interaction). Further, cortisol and creatine kinase concentrations also decreased more in the MBSR condition compared to the active control condition (large effect sizes of interaction). Conclusions: The present study’s findings suggest that among male wrestlers, a modified MBSR intervention have the potential to reduce both psychological (stress and depression) and physiological (cortisol and creatine kinase) indices as compared to an active control condition.