Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Physical Education & Sports Sciences, AK. C., Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran
2 Department of Exercise Physiology, Sha.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise and Allium sativum (garlic)–Stevia rebaudiana (stevia) extract supplementation on dopamine and noradrenaline gene expression, as well as behavioral and brain tissue changes, in high-fat diet-induced obese Wistar rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 33 three-week-old male Wistar rats with an average weight of 314 g were randomly divided into seven groups: healthy control (n=4), obese (n=5), obese+garlic (n=4), obese+stevia (n=5), obese+exercise (n=5), obese+exercise+garlic (n=5), and obese+exercise+stevia (n=5). After a period of 12-18 weeks under the obesity protocol, the rats reached a weight exceeding 310 g based on the Lee index. Then, the experimental groups received a garlic and stevia extract supplement at a dose of 250 mg/Kg of body weight for 8 weeks. The exercise protocol consisted of 30 minutes per day at a speed of 8 meters per minute. Anxiety- and depression-like behaviors were assessed using the open-field test, and gene expression levels were measured using the real-time PCR method. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test with a significance level set at P<0.05, using SPSS software, version 26.
Results: The results of the one-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference in mean noradrenaline gene expression in the obese+exercise+stevia group compared to the control (P=0.009) and obese (P=0.017) groups. However, no significant difference was observed in dopamine gene expression among the seven groups (P=0.445). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the mean immobility time, time spent in the open arm, and number of entries in the open arm among the five experimental groups compared to the obese and control groups (P=0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results of the study, aerobic exercise combined with stevia and garlic extract supplementation could significantly reduce anxiety and depression in male rats, while increasing dopamine levels and decreasing noradrenaline levels in Wistar rats.
Keywords
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