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The impacts of an eight-week moderate aerobic exercise training on some gene expression involved in cholesterol metabolism in ovariectomized rats

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Abstract

Background

Estrogen depletion in postmenopausal women and animal models of ovariectomy is associated with some undesirable alternations in lipid metabolism, the adverse impacts of which could be improved through regular exercise training; however, molecular mechanisms underlying this process are not fully understood. In this study, the impacts of an 8-week moderate aerobic exercise training on plasma lipid profile, liver enzymes, and some gene expression involved in cholesterol metabolism were investigated in ovariectomized rats.

Methods

Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups including sham-control, exercise training, ovariectomized-control (OVX), and ovariectomized + Exercise training (OVX + E). Three weeks after ovariectomy, the animals began their training on the treadmill (25 m/min, 5 sessions/week) for 8 weeks. The hepatic expression of Fansoid X receptor (FXR), Cholesterol-1-alphahydroxylase 1 (CYP7A1), and Small heterodimeric protein (SHP) along with lipid profile and liver enzymes were assessed.

Result

The hepatic expression of FXR, CYP7A1 and SHP genes were down-regulated in OVX rats compared to the exercise group. The levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were significantly increased in OVX and OVX + E rats in comparison to sham and exercise groups. The levels of liver enzymes were also increased in OVX rats. However, exercise did not alter liver enzymes, despite a decrease in total cholesterol in OVX rats.

Conclusion

Although ovariectomy could down-regulate the hepatic gene expressions involved in cholesterol metabolism, our exercise protocol could not alter the expression of these genes in OVX rats. These effects may occur due to other variables such as some regulatory mechanisms which are not the subject of the present research.

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Abbreviations

ET:

Exercise training

TG:

Triglycerides

TC:

Total cholesterol

LDL:

Low-density lipoprotein

HDL:

High-density lipoprotein

ALT:

Alanine aminotransferase

AST:

Aminotransferase

FXR:

Farnesoid-X-receptor

SHP:

Small heterodimer partner

CYP7A1:

Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase

OVX:

Ovariectomy

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Acknowledgement

We are grateful to the University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran for sponsoring this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

    Maryam Emamian Rostami, Rozita Fathi & Khadijeh Nasiri

  2. Athletic Performance and Health Research Center, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

    Rozita Fathi

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  1. Maryam Emamian Rostami
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Correspondence to Rozita Fathi.

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All steps of the study were carried out in accordance with “Guiding Principles for the Care and Use of Research Animals” approved by the Ethical Committee of University of Mazandaran.

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Emamian Rostami, M., Fathi, R. & Nasiri, K. The impacts of an eight-week moderate aerobic exercise training on some gene expression involved in cholesterol metabolism in ovariectomized rats. Sport Sci Health 17, 383–392 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-020-00701-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-020-00701-y

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