Journal of Translational Medical Research

Background and Aim: Nowadays, using of natural and traditional supplements has become widespread in order to better exercise sports skills by improving body composition and increasing strength. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of saffron and resistance training on serum leptin levels, body composition and muscle strength in non-athletic young men.
Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 30 young non-athletes were selected through purposeful sampling and randomly divided into two groups: resistance training and saffron supplementation (15), and resistance training (15 people). Both groups performed the exercise protocol with four sessions of resistance training per week with 60-70% of a maximal repeat. Also, the first group consumed a single 150 mg pill of pure saffron daily. At the beginning and the end of the study, blood samples were taken for measurement of leptin, body biometric measurements were measured by BIA impedance biomechanical method, and high trunk and trunk strength were measured by chest compression and foot press, respectively. Data analysis was performed with dependent independent t tests.
Results: There was a significant difference in the level of leptin, body fat percentage and lean mass between the resistance training group and saffron supplementation and resistance training group (p≤0.05), upper and lower body strengths were not significantly different between the two groups.
Conclusion: According to the results, resistance training along with taking a saffron supplement can improve body composition in non-athletes men, but it does not improve upper and lower body strength.

Background and Aims: Obesity leads to impaired secretion and expression of adipokines in humans and causes the onset of type 2 diabetes. Although the role of regular exercise in the prevention of metabolic diseases has been reported, the mechanism of high-intensity exercise is still not well understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training on the changes in insulin, leptin and adiponectin levels in male Wistar rats with type 2 diabetes.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 20 male Wistar rats aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into four groups: Control, type 2 diabetes, exercise, and diabetes-exercise. Type 2 diabetes was induced by a high-fat diet and a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ). The rats in the exercise and diabetes-exercise groups completed 8 weeks of HIIT training (running at an intensity of 85-95% of maximum speed, intervals of 4-10). Insulin, adiponectin and leptin levels were measured in serum. Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), the Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance-beta (HOMA-β) and the Quantitative Assessment of Insulin Sensitivity Index (QUICKI) were calculated to assess insulin resistance and sensitivity.
Results: Diabetes decreased the level of insulin, adiponectin and leptin in serum. HIIT reversed the impairments caused by diabetes. HOMA-IR, HOMA-β and QUICKI also improved in the diabetes-exercise groups.
Conclusion: Overall, our results confirmed that diabetes has detrimental effects on serum leptin, adiponectin and insulin indices and that HIIT training can improve these disorders.


^*Corresponding Author: Hossein Pirani; Emails: hn.piranis@gmail.com

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