@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2252-0805    The Horizon of Medical Sciences 2016;22(1):27-33

Background
… [1-9] Different phenolic compounds in the skin of Pistacia atlantica can reduce rate of the oxidation processes [10]. … [11] The extract of the herb contains antioxidants such as sterol and phytosterol, tocopherol, and total phenol. Tocopherol and phenol can act as antioxidants [12]. … [13-18]
Previous Studies
No study was found that investigate the simultaneous effects of an aerobic exercise course with the consumption of the extract of Pistacia atlantica on plasma levels of Lcn2 and insulin resistance index in diabetic rats.
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of aerobic exercises and consumption of the extract of Pistacia atlantica on plasma levels of lipocalin-2 and insulin resistance index in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats
Research type
This is an experimental study.
Research society, place and time
Male Wistar rats aged 12 weeks and weighing 180-240g bought from Research Center of Birjand University of Medical Sciences were studied.
Sampling method and number
40 rats were studied. The rats were kept in Animal Home of Birjand University of Medical Sciences at standard conditions (21±2°C and 12-hour darkness/light cycle).
Used devices&materials
40mg per kg of body weight of streptozotocin solvent were injected for 32 rats of 40 as intra-peritoneal. Blood sugar more than 250mg/dl was assumed as diabetes criterion [19]. … [20-30] The diabetic rats were randomly divided into 4 groups containing “diabetic control”, “diabetes + exercise”, “diabetes + exercise + extract”, “diabetes + extract”. Other 8 rats formed “healthy control” group. Ethanol and water solvents were used to produce extract. After every exercise session, 25mg per kg of body weight of extract (5mg of extract per 200g rat body weight) were daily fed to the rats of extract groups as gavage. The extract having been diluted in physiological serum, there was 0.5cc treated material as gavage for every rat weighing 200g. To reach equal conditions, equal volume of water administrated to other rats as gavage. Weight of each rat was measured and recorded one time per week using a scale (Bonso, 322, with 1g sensitivity; Japan). Exercise program was 6-week aerobic exercises on a treadmill and 5 sessions per week at 9-11 a.m. Three stages of the program were as the following. The first stage was to be familiar with laboratory. In the stage, the rats were walking on a treadmill with 5-10m/min speed and a zero degree slope for 10 minutes and 2-3 sessions. The second stage was with faster exercises in a longer period, reached its final conditions (40min exercises and 20m/min speed on a 5-degree slope) after 4 weeks from the beginning of the exercise. In two last weeks of the program, the rats walked on the treadmill with final intensity and period (40min exercises and 20m/min speed on a 5-degree slope) [31]. The rats of control group were attending on a walking session per week (5 minutes and 10m/min speed on a zero degree slope) to be familiar with the treadmill device. After 48hour from the last session and after 12hour fasting, the rats were anesthetized and blood sampling was done from their heart using syringes. Eliza kit (CUSABIOBIOTECH, Wuhan; China) was used to analyze and determine the plasma value of Lcn2. Eliza kit (Mercodia, Uppsala; Sweden) was used to determine the insulin levels of plasma. Insulin resistance was investigates by plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin and “HOMA-IR = (Fasting Glucose of Plasma (mmol/lit) × Fasting Insulin of Plasma (mmol/lit))/22.5” formula [3]. Data was analyzed using SPSS 19 software. Data normalization was assessed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The mean values were compared in the groups, using One-way ANOVA. Post-hoc LSD test was used to compare in pair.
Findings by Text
There was a significant difference only in HOMA-IR indices in five groups. There was no significant difference in lipocalin-2 index in five groups (Table 1). There was significantly higher mean HOMA-IR index in diabetic control group than healthy control group. There were significantly lower mean HOMA-IR indices in “diabetes + exercise” and “diabetes + exercise + extract” groups than “diabetic control” group. There was no significant difference in mean HOMA-IR indices between “diabetic control” and “diabetes + extract” groups, “diabetes + exercise” and “diabetes + exercise + extract” groups, “diabetes + extract” and “diabetes + exercise + extract” groups, and “diabetes + extract” and “diabetes + exercise” groups, respectively.
Main comparison to the similar studies
There were reduction in the plasma glucose level, improvement in the insulin resistance, and no significant change in the plasma levels of lipocalin-2 levels after 6-week aerobic exercises and consumption of the extract of Pistacia atlantica. 8-week aerobic exercises and consumption of the extract of Pistacia atlanitica do not affect plasma glucose [22]. There is an increase in the glucose resistance of the rats fed by Pistacia atlantica [23, 24]. There was a reduction in insulin resistance in “diabetic” and “diabetes + exercise + extract” groups compared to “diabetic control” group. Moderate intensity short-term sport activities lead to a reduction in insulin resistance, as well as a better function of Pancreas β cells [28], which are results consistent with the present results. There was no significant change in the Lcn2 levels after 6-week aerobic exercises with or without the consumption of the extract of Pistacia atlantica. In ten marathon runners, there have been higher Lcn2 levels immediately after sport activities, which have come to the base level after 48hours from the activities [29]. There has been an increase in the Lcn2 levels after one session incremental and exhaustive sport activities in the obese persons [30]. There was no significant difference between Lcn2 concentrations before and after 3-month exercises [5]. There is a significant reduction in Lcn2 level due to 8-week endurance and resistance exercises than control group, as well as a significant reduction in glucose and insulin resistance compared to pretest stage in healthy young men [33]. 8-week aerobic exercises leads to Lcn2 reduction [34]. … [35, 36]
Suggestions
Greater sample size and groups consuming different doses of the extract should be studied with different aerobic exercise intensities at longer exercise periods.
Limitations
Sample volume loss and no possibility to determine the effects of different doses of the extract and to conduct a longer exercise period were of the limitations for the present study.
Conclusions
Through a reduction in the insulin resistance, aerobic exercises can improve a dysfunction caused by diabetes oxidative effects solely or with the consumption of antioxidant extract of Pistacia atlantica (25mg/kg).
Acknowledgments
The staff of Laboratory Unit of Birjand University of Medical Sciences and manager of Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center of Endocrinology Institute of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences are appreciated.
Conflict of interest
Non-declared
Ethical Permissions
All ethical principles were observed by the researchers.
Funding Sources
There was no financial support.

TABLES and CHARTS

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