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Background & objectives: Due to the prevalence of obesity and the subsequent development of metabolic risk factors, cardiovascular and fatty liver complications, exercise programs and the use of natural supplements can play a significant role in controlling and preventing these diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to review the effect of eight weeks of combined exercise and Chlorogenic acid intake on C-reactive protein and liver enzymes in obese women.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, which was performed as a pre-test, post-test with a control group, a total of 48 obese women were selected purposefully and divided randomly into four equal groups (n=12); exercise, supplement, exercise+supplementation and control group. The exercises program consisted of 8 weeks of aerobic and resistance training, 3 sessions with 60 minutes per week. The chlorogenic acid supplement group received daily Green coffee in capsule form contain 400 mg powder for 8 weeks and the concurrent group performed exercise and received Green coffee simultaneously. By using blood sampling the variables were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention. Data were analyzed by t-test and ANOVA at significance level of p<0.05.
Results: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the supplement group were the lowest and in the exercise+supplementation group had the highest decrease and there was no significant difference in the control group. The C-reactive protein (CRP) in the training+supplementation group was significantly decreased and in the three experimental groups there was a significant difference compared to the control group (p≥0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that combined exercise and natural substances rich in chlorogenic acid can decrease inflammatory factors such as C-reactive protein and liver enzymes.
 

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Background & objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of aerobic training along with resveratrol on cardiac expression of OPA1 and DRP1 in NAFLD male rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, forty eight male Wistar rats were classified into two groups: NAFLD (n=40) and Control-Normal (CN), (n=8). NAFLD was induced in rats with high fat diet and then subdivided into five subgroups, including patient (NAFLD), sham (SHAM), exercise-patient (TRNAF), supplement-patient (SUPNAF) and exercise-supplement-patient (TRSUPNAF). Training groups performed a running program on a motor-driven treadmill for eight weeks. Resveratrol (20 mg/kg) was injected into the SUPNAF and TRSUPNAF groups. Forty eight hours after the last training session, rats were anesthetized; hearts were excised and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C for measuring the indexes. Statistical analysis was performed using a one way analysis of variance, and Statistical significance was accepted at p≤ 0.05.
Result: The results indicated that the induction of NAFLD decreased OPA1 expression (p=0.001) and increased DRP1 expression (p=0.001) compared to CN. Also, in SUPNAFLD and TRSUPNAF groups, OPA1 (p=0.014 and p=0.001 respectively) increased and DRP1 (p=0.043 and p=0.007 respectively) decreased significantly compared to the NAFLD group.
Conclusion: It seems that exercise training and resveratrol alone or in combination by increasing OPA1 and decreasing DRP1 myocytes modulates heart damage in NAFLD patients.
 

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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 26-step 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 (a=%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.

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Background & objectives: The liver is one of the most important organs in the body and plays an essential role in the metabolism of drugs and toxins. Therefore, any damage to the liver can disrupt its function and cause various diseases. On the other hand, due to the increasing use of the medicinal herbs, in this study, the effects of hepatic protection of aqueous extracts of Humulus lupulus on liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats were investigated.
Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n=6). Group 1 (normal control) and Group 2 (control CCl₄): administered with distilled water orally for 14 days. Groups 3, 4, and 5 received 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of Humulus lupulus extract for 14 days respectively. Group 6: administered with silymarin (as standard drug) 100 mg/kg orally for 14 days. All of the groups except group 1 received 1 ml CCl₄ (1:1 v/v dissolved in olive oil) on 14^th day. All animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected to determine the biochemical parameters.
Results: Pretreatment with a Humulus lupulus extract significantly reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TG, and increased the serum HDL levels, but did not have a significant effect on GGT and LDL levels.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the Humulus lupulus extract can protect the liver from damage caused by carbon tetrachloride and have beneficial effects on lipid profile.

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Background & objectives: Obesity and a high-fat diet (HFD) lead to metabolic disorders in the liver by affecting the signaling pathways of fat and glucose metabolism. Exercise and dietary habits are of special interest to prevent and counteract obesity and its associated metabolic disorders. Also, Capsaicin ameliorates diet-induced obesity in rodents and humans. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of aerobic exercise and capsaicin on the gene expression level of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein kinase B (Akt) in the liver of HFD rats.
Methods: in this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were fed a normal diet (ND, n=8) or high-fat diet (HFD) (n=32) for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, all rats were divided into 5 groups: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet-training (HFDT), high-fat diet-capsaicin (HFDCap), high-fat diet-training-capsaicin (HFDTCap). Training groups have performed a moderate- intensity aerobic running program (60-50% VO2max, at 15-25 m/min, 30-60 min/day, and 5 days/week) on a motor-driven treadmill for eight weeks. Capsaicin (4 mg/kg/day) was administered orally, by gavage, once a day.
Results: Induction of diabetes was associated with decreased AMPK expression (p=0.0001) and increased Akt (p=0.0001). The results showed that training and capsaicin significantly increased AMPK expression (p=0.032 and p=0.045, respectively) and decreased Akt expression (p=0.045 and p=0.049, respectively) in HFD rat hepatocytes. Also, the interaction of training and capsaicin had a significant effect on the expression of AMPK (p=0.017) and Akt (p=0.0001).
Conclusion: The results showed that HFD impaired hepatocyte function and that aerobic exercise and capsaicin increased lipogenesis with increasing AMPK and decreasing Akt expression. However, the interaction effect of training with capsaicin was greater.

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Background & objectives: Due to the existence of various issues and limitations associated with traditional buccal drug delivery systems such as the disability to consume food whilst using topical drugs in the mouth cavity, unpredictable drug release profile, undesirable taste, low patient adherence to therapy, and accelerated drug removal with saliva, these conventional methods are now rapidly becoming replaced with oral thin films as more precise and novel oral drug delivery platforms. The current study aims to discuss the design and characterization of betamethasone-loaded oral thin films with the aim of improved drug delivery in mouth cavity diseases.
Methods: In this study, oral thin films with and without betamethasone were fabricated through the solvent casting method as a common, fast, and affordable technique prior to being evaluated for different physiochemical characteristics including weight, width, surface pH, disintegration period in vitro conditions, and swelling rates as well as drug release profiles at different intervals.
Results: Obtained oral films were demonstrated to possess adequate homogeneity, flexibility, and mechanical resistance. Accordingly, the average surface pH for films without and with betamethasone was equal to 6.75 and 6.66, respectively, which are in notable compatibility with the neutral pH of the oral cavity. Betamethasone-loaded films’ disintegration duration appeared to be superior to that of films without betamethasone and was in close correlation with their higher swelling rates. Further experiments revealed 25-30% drug release in the initial 20 minutes, followed by more than 90% betamethasone release in 360 minutes in a sustained manner.
Conclusion: These results are indicative of betamethasone oral films’ satisfactory physiochemical properties and potential applicability as a sufficient oral drug delivery platform in mouth cavity diseases such as oral lichen planus or recurrent mouth sores. By sticking to the mouth mucosa, these films can significantly reduce drug removal with saliva and thus ameliorate sufficient delivery of therapeutic agents to specific mouth lesions. Moreover, they can alleviate some of the issues and limitations of traditional topical oral drug delivery and improve treatment or control of disease symptoms.