Background and Objective: Diabetes leads to impaired blood supply to the peripheral nerves. Sema3A (Semaphorin 3A) is a denervated protein that increases in response to hyperglycemia caused by diabetes. Exercise and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplements can protect against diabetes-induced denervation. This study was done to evaluate the effect of high and moderate-intensity interval training with alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on the expression of Sema3A protein in the soleus muscle of Induced diabetic rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, thirty-five male Wistar rats (weight range: 190-220 g, 6-8 weeks old) were randomly allocated into seven groups of five: healthy control, diabetic, diabetic supplement (S), diabetic high-intensity training (HIT), diabetic moderate-intensity training (MIT), diabetic high intensity+supplement (HIT+S), and diabetic moderate intensity training+supplement (MIT+S). Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg/bw). The HIT and MIT protocols were performed five days a week for six weeks. ALA was administered orally at 20 mg/kg daily by gavage. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of Sema3A protein in the soleus muscle. Serum insulin was measured by the ELISA method.
Results: Diabetes leads to increased level of glucose, Sema3A, and a significant decrease in insulin in the soleus muscle compared to healthy (P<0.05). HIT and MIT in combination with ALA, significantly showed lower expression of Sema3A Protein than in the diabetic group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Although HIT and MIT can reduce the expression of Sema3A protein in the soleus muscle of diabetic rats, combining alpha-lipoic acid supplementation with exercise training is more effective in reducing the amount of denervation.

Background and Objective: The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is performed by colonoscopy, sampling, and histopathology. Stool calprotectin is a test showing the presence of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This study was done to determine the relationship between the calprotectin level in the feces and endoscopic findings in ulcerative colitis patients referred to the gastroenterology clinic in Gorgan, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 100 patients with ulcerative colitis referred to the gastroenterology clinic of Sayad Shirazi Hospital, Gorgan, north of Iran during 2020. The patients were asked to collect their stool samples one day before the procedure (just after taking the drug for bowel cleansing). Bowel cleansing was done by administering polyethylene glycol solution dissolved in water. The activity of ulcerative colitis was measured using the disease activity score. According to this criterion, a score greater than or equal to 5 is considered an active disease. Patients were classified into two groups: extensive or pan-colitis and left-sided colitis. Stool samples were evaluated for calprotectin in a single laboratory using a commercially available kit (Calprest- EuorociationspA. Trieste) at normal values of less than 50mg/g. The relationship between stool calprotectin with colonoscopic findings was evaluated.
Results: The average duration of infection was 4±3.1 years in the time range of 1-14 years. The calprotectin level was less than 50 μg/g in 16 patients. Stool calprotectin less than 50 µg/g was seen in only 16 patients. There was no significant relationship between the level of calprotectin and the either age or gender of patients. Most patients (84%) had active disease based on colonoscopic findings. Left-sided involvement was seen in 60% of patients. Fecal calprotectin level was significantly higher in those with acute phase and those with severe disease (P<0.05). Additionally, the calprotectin level had no significant relationship with the location of bowel involvement, extension, and disease duration.
Conclusion: This study showed that the fecal calprotectin level in patients with ulcerative colitis had a significant relationship with the severity and activity of the disease in north of Iran.

Background and Objective: Silver nanoparticles are produced in large quantities in the industry and have estrogenic activities and toxic effects on different organs. This study was conducted to determine the effect of silver nanoparticles on the ovarian tissue of NMRI rats treated with alpha lipoic acid.
Methods: In this experimental study, 24 female NMRI rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6. The groups included the control group, oral silver nanoparticles (500 mg/kg of body weight), injected alpha lipoic acid (100 mg/kg of body weight), and silver nanoparticles (500 mg/kg of body weight) plus alpha lipoic acid (100 mg/kg body weight). The treatment was performed for 28 days. After the treatment period, blood sampling was performed from the rats’ hearts to analyze biochemical parameters (malondialdehyde, estrogen, progesterone, and total antioxidant capacity using the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) method). By dissecting the rats, the left ovaries were removed, fixed, molded, and cut, tissue passaging was performed, and the ovaries were stained using the hematoxylin-eosin method. Then, the ovarian tissue was evaluated by different stereological methods.
Results: The total mean ovarian volume, the cortex volume, the medulla volume, and the corpus luteum volume, and the total number of primordial, primary, secondary, and Graafian follicles were significantly reduced in the silver nanoparticles group compared to the control group (P<0.05). The simultaneous administration of alpha lipoic acid and silver nanoparticles compensated for the adverse effects of silver nanoparticles on the above parameters. On the other hand, the mean number of different types of follicles in the rats treated with alpha lipoic acid significantly increased compared to the control group (P<0.05). A statistically significant reduction was observed in the measurement of estrogen and progesterone hormones in the serum of the silver nanoparticles group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, in assessing the antioxidant capacity of the serum of the group treated simultaneously with silver nanoparticles + alpha lipoic acid, a statistically significant increase was observed compared to the group treated with silver nanoparticles (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Silver nanoparticles can have adverse effects on the structure of the ovary and its components, and alpha lipoic acid can largely compensate for these detrimental effects.

Background and Objective: Neural, hormonal, and mechanical factors regulate the expression of fast-twitch isoforms in developing and mature muscle fibers. The transcriptional mechanisms responsible for regulating the gene expression of myosin heavy chain types are not well understood. This study aimed to determine the effect of a single session of intense resistance exercise with glutamine supplementation on the relative expression of the alpha and IIX isoforms of the myosin heavy chain gene in male rats.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 30 adult male Wistar rats divided into three groups: control, intense resistance exercise (first experimental group), and fierce resistance exercise combined with glutamine supplementation (second experimental group). The exercise groups participated in a single session of resistance climbing on an inclined plane with 4 sets of 5 repetitions, 30 seconds of rest between repetitions, and 2 minutes of rest between sets. Glutamine supplement powder was dissolved in 100 ml of distilled water at a dose of 0.5 grams per kilogram of body weight and administered daily via gavage for 5 days. The expression of alpha and IIX isoforms of the myosin heavy chain gene was examined in the extensor digitorum longus muscle tissue.
Results: The relative expression of the alpha myosin heavy chain gene in the fast-twitch muscle fibers increased significantly in the first experimental group (1.93±0.298) and the second experimental group (1.65±0.195) compared to the control group (P<0.05). The relative expression of the IIX motor unit gene in the fast-twitch muscle fibers also increased significantly in the first experimental group (1.42±0.239) and the second experimental group (1.26±0.190) compared to the control group (P<0.05). The increase in the relative expression of the alpha myosin heavy chain gene in the first experimental group compared to the second experimental group was statistically significant (P<0.05). However, the increase in the relative expression of the IIX motor unit gene in the first experimental group compared to the second experimental group was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Our study concludes that a single session of intense resistance exercise, with or without glutamine supplementation, significantly increases the relative expression of the alpha myosin heavy chain gene and the IIX motor unit gene in the fast-twitch muscle fibers of the extensor digitorum longus muscle in adult male rats. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular

Background and Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among obese individuals, with multiple underlying mechanisms contributing to this condition. This study aimed to determine the combined effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and vitamin D supplementation on the levels of inflammatory markers, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), in young women with vitamin D deficiency.
Methods: In this clinical trial, 39 sedentary women with vitamin D deficiency were randomly assigned to three groups: A control group, a HIIT-based running group, and a combined group (training + vitamin D). The training program included 12 one-minute repetitions of running at 80% to 90% of maximum heart rate (HRmax) and one minute of active rest at 50% HRmax, performed three sessions per week. Vitamin D supplementation was used weekly at a dose of 50,000 IU. TGF-β1 and TNF-α levels were measured and compared before and after the intervention.
Results: After 8 weeks of HIIT-based running, with and without vitamin D supplementation, the levels of inflammatory markers, TGF-β1 and TNF-α, showed a statistically significant decrease compared to the control group (P<0.05). The mean percentage change in TGF-β1 and TNF-α was also significantly greater in the combined group than in the training group without vitamin D supplementation (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Following 8 weeks of HIIT-based running, both inflammatory markers, TGF-β1 and TNF-α decreased in the study subjects, and this reduction was more pronounced in the vitamin D-receiving group.