No abstract

BSTRACTA limited number of studies has been carried out concerning the combined effects of resistance training and saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of circuit resistance training with Crocus sativus (saffron) supplementation on plasma viscosity and fibrinogen. For this purpose, 44 healthy male subjects, based on individual characteristics and after homogenization, were divided into four groups, including water-training (WT; n=11), petal sweat-training (PST; n=10), bottom part of flower-training (BFT; n=11), and upper part of flower-training (UFT; n=12). Resistance training consisted of 12 stations (each station for 30 seconds with 40% of one repetition maximum) for 2 weeks (5 sessions per week). Saffron in the amount of 500 mg was used twice daily, i.e. in the morning and immediately after exercise. Blood samples were taken before and 48 hours after the last exercise session and were analyzed for fibrinogen and plasma viscosity. Significant differences were observed between groups in plasma levels of fibrinogen (P=0.01). The post hoc test showed significant differences between the UFT and PST groups and the UFT and BFT groups (respectively, P=0.04 and P=0.014). In the post-test, plasma fibrinogen had significantly decreased in the WT (P=0.005), PWT (P=0.003), and UFT (P=0.001) groups compared with pre-test data (within group difference). Moreover, plasma viscosity was significantly changed among groups (F3, 37=3.52, P=0.024). The post hoc test showed significant differences between the UFT and WT groups (P=0.037). In post-test data, plasma viscosity had significantly decreased in the WT (P=0.015) and UFT (P<0.001) groups compared with pre-test data. The present results show that circuit resistance training with saffron supplements can reduce cardiovascular risk factors (fibrinogen and plasma viscosity).

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Exercise training and medicinal herb supplementation may improve microRNAs (miRNAs) expression associated with obesity. This study aimed to assess the effects of 10 weeks of aerobic training (AT) and dill extract (DE) on miR‐33 and miR‐223 expression of liver in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese rats. Forty male Wistar rats were fed a defined high‐fat (n = 32) and standard (n = 8, nonobese control [NC]) diet. After obesity induction, obese rats were randomly allocated to four groups: AT, DE, AT + DE, and obese control (OC). Rats were euthanized and plasma and liver tissue samples were collected after the intervention. The liver expression of miR‐33 was lower in the AT, DE, AT + DE, and NC groups compared with the OC group. Also, the liver miR‐223 expression was higher in the AT, DE, AT + DE, and NC groups compared with the OC group. Moreover, the liver expression of miR‐223 in the AT + DE group was higher compared with the AT and DE groups. The AT, DE, AT + DE, and NC groups had lower liver TC compared with the OC group. Also, the plasma level of apolipoprotein B (Apo B) was significantly lower, and liver HDL‐C was significantly higher in the AT + DE and NC groups compared with the OC group. These findings show that long‐term AT combined with the intake of DE may improve the plasma levels of Apo B, and TC and HDL‐C levels in the liver, which is probably due to AT and DE positive effects on miR‐33 and miR‐223 in the liver of obese rats. Practical applications Aerobic training reduces overweight and obesity health problems, however, the duration and intensity of the exercise training distinguish between individuals. We used an integrated approach combining pharmacological and non‐pharmacological as a medical strategy to prevent HFD‐induced metabolic injury in obese rats. The present results discovered that a combination of AT + DE intervention improves the miR‐33 and miR‐223 in the liver of obese rats.