Evaluation of Rat Muscle Structure in Pre-Menopausal Period after Regular Resistance Exercise and Taking Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements

Abstract

Introduction: Menopause can change the musculoskeletal system by reducing estrogen hormone levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of regular resistance training accompanied by vitamins D and calcium supplements during pre-menopausal period on muscle tissues of Wistar rats’ postmenopausal period.
 Methods: In this experimental study, female Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, placebo, vitamins D, Calcium, excercise, vitamins D- Calcium, vitamins.D- excercise, Calcium - excercise, and vitamins.D‐ Calcium - excercise groups. Control and placebo groups were fed with a standard diet and sesame oil, respectively. The amount of calcium consumed was 35 mg / kg and the amount of vitamin D was 10000 IU during the two-month period, and in the resistance training groups, two months of training was performed with a ladder. Then ovariectomy was done and sample of the gastrocnemius muscle was taken and the diameter of muscle fiber, the number of muscle and adipocyte cell as well as the number of inflammatory cells were studied. The statistical analysis by means of one-way ANOVA and SPSS version 20 was performed.
 Results: Compared to the control group, the increase in the number of adipocyte cells were observed in the vitamin D, calcium-vitamin D, vitamin D-resistance exercise and placebo groups but it was not significantly different. Muscle fiber diameter significantly increased in all groups compared to the control group (P <0.001). The number of muscle cells increased significantly in the calcium-resistance exercise group (103± 9), vitamin D-resistance exercise (105 ±6.9) and calcium-vitamin D-resistance exercise (114 ± 3.16) compared to the control group, while, there was a significant increase in inflammatory cells only in the control and placebo groups (p≤0.05).
 Conclusion: Regular resistance exercise accompanied with vitamin D and Calcium supplements in premenopausal period can improve muscle fiber diameter and muscle cell numbers; in addition, the process of decrease in the muscle strength and muscle inflammation during menopause will be delayed.