Iranian Journal of

---

Background: Moderate and intense aerobic exercise increases the production of free radicals, and on the other hand, the use of antioxidant supplements such as grape seed extract (GSE) has been suggested as one of the ways to deal with oxidative stress. Based on this, the aim of this study was to determine the interventions effect of combined exercise and consumption of GSE on some factors of oxidative and antioxidant stress in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: The current study was conducted as a clinical trial on the 80 women with type 2 diabetes, who were randomly divided into four groups (20 people): control, exercise, GSE supplement, exercise + GSE supplement. The combined exercise protocol consisted of aerobic (20 minutes of treadmill running at an intensity of 60–70% of reserve heart rate) and strength training (at an intensity of 70% of one repetition maximum), which was performed for eight weeks (five days/week). GSE supplement was taken in the form of 200 mg capsules daily (morning and noon). Samples (five cc) were taken before and after eight weeks of interventions. In order to determine the acceptance or rejection of the null hypothesis of intragroup and intergroup changes, was used the two-way AVOVA, and then Tukey's post hoc test to determine different groups by SPSS version 25 (P≤ 0.05).
Results: The values of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and serum glutathione reduction (GSH) in the GSE and exercise + GSE groups increased significantly compared to the control and exercise groups (P= 0.001). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the GSE group showed a significant decrease compared to the control and exercise groups (P= 0.001).
Conclusion: It seems that the intervention of grape seed extract is more effective in reducing oxidative stress than combined exercise. The consumption of this extract alone, as well as with combined exercise, has a significant effect on increasing the total antioxidant capacity and reducing GSH (glutathione).

---

Background: This study aimed to compare the effects of high-intensity interval games and high intensity interval training on body composition indicators, aerobic capacity and lipid profiles of obese and overweight girls aged 10 to 12 years.
Methods: In this semi-experimental research, 30 girls (average height 149.26 ± 5.32 m, weight 67.41 ± 7.65 kg, and body mass index 30.14 ± 2.3 kg/m2) with overweight and obesity participated and were randomly divided into the groups of high intensity interval training (10), high intensity interval game (10) and the control (10). Training programs for eight weeks(3d/w), (90-85% of maximum heart rate) and 3-minute recovery (65-75% of maximum heart rate) with 4 times Repetition was done, which was done in the form of running in high intensity interval training and in the form of playing in high intensity interval game. Blood samples were taken to measure the serum levels of lipid profiles (48 hours before and after the intervention period).
Results: The two training groups compared to the control group, increased aerobic capacity and High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and body fat percentage, Triglyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC) and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P< 0.010) showed a significant decrease and between the two training groups in TG, LDL and HDL (P< 0.01) was a significant difference, with a greater increase in HDL and a greater decrease in TG and LDL was accompanied in the high intensity game group.
Conclusion: High intensity interval games can be suggested as a more suitable solution to improve the lipid profile of obese and overweight girls.

---

Background: Insulin resistance plays a fundamental role in disorders such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome. Regular physical activity and the use of medicinal plants are important strategies for its reduction and management. Ginger has attracted research attention due to its phytochemical compounds that influence insulin signaling pathways. Despite numerous studies, a bibliometric analysis examining the effects of exercise and ginger supplementation on insulin resistance has not yet been conducted. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the trends in Iranian research in this field.
Methods: In a bibliometric review, the keywords “training,” “ginger supplementation,” and “insulin resistance” were searched in the Magiran database. According to the entry criteria, 13 eligible articles were selected and data extracted from them, including writing pattern, collaboration, prolific authors and institutions, selected journals and study trends, and common keywords were extracted from the database of recipients and analyzed using VOSviewer software.
Results: The results indicated that 36 authors had an average of 3.23 ± 0.89 cooperation in writing articles. Fifty-four percent of the articles were published by public university faculty and 46% by independent universities. The most frequent keywords included "ginger", "insulin resistance", "obesity", "diabetes mellitus", "irisin" and "lipid peroxidation".
Conclusion: The results of this bibliometric study showed that exercise with ginger supplement reduced insulin resistance. In particular, 84% of the articles showed the positive effect of combined exercises (resistance and aerobic exercises) along with ginger supplements on the reduction of insulin resistance. Compared to other types of exercise, these exercises have had the greatest effect on improving the glycemic profile and body composition. In addition, high intensity interval training (HIIT) has also shown positive effects on reducing insulin resistance, but is not as effective as combined training. Also, due to the relationship between insulin resistance and various diseases, it is felt to conduct more studies on diverse statistical populations and people suffering from various diseases.

---

Background: Exercise training represents an effective approach that contributes substantially to lowering chemerin and vaspin levels, enhancing body composition, and preventing complications related to overweight and obesity. In this context, the present study sought to examine the effects of exercise training on chemerin, vaspin, and body composition in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on various outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. A comprehensive search for English and Persian articles published up to )January 4, 2025( was performed across the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, IranDoc, Magiran, Noormags, and SID (Scientific Information Database). Fifteen studies, including 19 exercise interventions and 440 participants with type 2 diabetes, were included. Data were analyzed using a random-effects model, and the mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and publication bias was evaluated through visual inspection of funnel plots and Egger’s test.
Results: A total of 15 studies (with 19 exercise interventions) involving 440 participants with type 2 diabetes were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that exercise interventions led to non-significant changes in c-Merlin [SMD= −0.967, 95% CI: −2.453 to 0.518, P= 0.202], body mass index (BMI) [SMD= −0.228, 95% CI: −0.470 to 0.013, P= 0.064], waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) [SMD= −0.038, 95% CI: −0.773 to 0.007, P= 0.054], and body fat percentage [SMD= 0.080, 95% CI: −0.524 to 0.685, P= 0.795] compared with the control group in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that exercise training significantly reduces vaspin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, while it has no significant effect on chemerin, body composition, or body composition indices (including body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist-to-hip ratio). It appears that physical exercise may play an effective role in improving the metabolic status of patients with type 2 diabetes through the modulation of vaspin levels.

---

Background: Aging is associated with Sarcopenia as well as oxidative stress (OS) caused by Ferroptosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise training (AT) on OS caused by ferroptosis in sarcopenia model mice.
Methods: Twenty-one C57BL/6 mice (16-24 wks. age) sarcopenia model with an average weight (25-35 g), and 21 healthy mice (6-7 weeks age) were randomly assigned to the following (1) healthy-young control (HYC; n= 7), (2) aerobic training-young (ATY; n= 7), (3) healthy-old control (HOC; n= 7), (4) old control-sarcopenia model (OCS; n= 7), (5) aerobic training-healthy-old (ATHO; n= 7), (6) healthy-old sarcopenia model (HOS= 7). The intervention group underwent AT for eight weeks, five sessions per week at an intensity of 60-80% of aerobic capacity (VO2max). The expression of the glutathione peroxidase (GPX-4) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes was measured using Real Time PCR. The Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Fe²⁺concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle was also measured.
Results: It was observed that the enzymes gene expression of SOD and GPX-4 in the (OSC) was significantly decreased compared to the (HOC) (P= 0.001, P= 0.002, respectively), and the MDA and Fe²⁺ was significantly increased (P= 0.001; P= 0.002, respectively). Also, the of SOD and GPX-4 gene expression of enzymes in the ATY, ATHO was significantly increased compared to the HYC, and HOS (P= 0.001; P= 0.002, respectively), and the concentration of MDA and Fe²⁺ was significantly decreased (P= 0.001; P= 0.002, respectively).
Conclusion: Finally, it can be said that aerobic training reduces oxidative stress caused by ferroptosis in Sarcopenia by increasing the enzymes GPX and SOD gene expression and reducing the concentration of MDA and Fe²⁺.
 

---

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Mindfulness Training on social isolation, sense of coherence, and body appreciation in overweight girls.
Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test/post-test control group. The statistical population consisted of overweight girls aged 14 to 18 in the city of Sari during the 2024-2025 academic year. A sample of 32 participants was selected via purposive sampling and then randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group received Compassion-Focused Mindfulness Training, delivered in eight structured sessions, while the control group received no intervention. The Compassion-Focused Mindfulness protocol was developed and administered based on the therapeutic framework proposed by Sadeghi et al. (2021), the instruments used in this study included: the Body Appreciation Questionnaire by Mendelson et al. (2001), the Sense of Coherence Scale by Antonovsky (1987), the Social Isolation Questionnaire by Madrasi Yazdi et al. (2017), the collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA & MANCOVA) were performed using SPSS software, version 26.
Results: The results indicated that Compassion-Focused Mindfulness Training had a significant effect on self-worth, sense of coherence, and social isolation in overweight girls. Specifically, this training led to a reduction in social isolation and an improvement in self-worth and sense of coherence among the participants. (Wilks' Lambda = 0.151, F = 11.787, P< 0.001).
Conclusion: Compassion-Focused Mindfulness Training, by emphasizing the non-judgmental acceptance of experiences and fostering a meaning-centered approach, can play a vital role in enhancing psychological well-being, regulating emotions, and improving social interactions. Therefore, incorporating this effective intervention for vulnerable groups, particularly overweight girls, is crucial for designing supportive and therapeutic strategies and can significantly contribute to improving their quality of life.
 

---

Background: Obesity is one of the causes of diabetes. On the other hand, exercise along with cinnamon supplementation has been recommended as an important approach for controlling and preventing obesity and its related complications, such as diabetes and insulin resistance. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the combined effect of exercise training and cinnamon supplementation on glycemic indices in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Methods: A systematic search of English and Persian articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Magiran, Google Scholar, NorMags, Irandoc, and SID databases was conducted up to January 2025. In data analysis, a random-effects model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD), standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Also, heterogeneity of studies was assessed with the I² test.
Results: In total, 11 studies involving 230 participants with obesity and type 2 diabetes were meta-analyzed. The results indicated that the combination of exercise training and cinnamon supplementation significantly reduced glucose (WMD = -13.317 [95% CI: -19.599 to -7.034]; P = 0.001) and insulin resistance (WMD = -1.098 [95% CI: -1.577 to -0.618]; P = 0.001) compared to the control group in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, insulin levels did not show a significant change (WMD = -2.123 [95% CI: -4.333 to 0.088]; P = 0.060).
Conclusion: The results of the present meta-analysis demonstrated that the combination of exercise training and cinnamon supplementation improves glucose and insulin resistance in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes. These beneficial effects are not accompanied by changes in insulin levels.

 

---

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training on lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, body composition, and Vo2max in patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity.
Methods: The type of research conducted is a systematic meta-analysis review. A systematic search of published articles was conducted from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Sid, and Magiran databases up to January 2024. The mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the (I2) test and publication bias was assessed using visual analysis of funnel plots and Egger's test.
Results: The results showed that high-intensity interval training significantly reduced body fat percentage [standard mean difference (SMD)=-0.796, P=0/001], BMI (SMD=-0.378, P=0/001), WHR (SMD=-0.424, P=0/001), LDL (SMD=-0.694, P=0/001), TC (SMD=-0.495, P=0/001), TG (SMD=-0.317, P=0/001) and fasting blood glucose (SMD=-0.557, P=0/001) in patients group compared to the control group had a significantly higher VO2max. However, high-intensity interval training significantly increased Vo2max (WMD=-0.997, P=0/001), and HDL (WMD=-0.558, P=0/001) in patients group compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, high-intensity interval training can have a positive effect on metabolic indices, body composition, and aerobic capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity and improve the condition of these individuals. Therefore, it is suggested that in medical centers for diabetic and obese patients, under the supervision of sports and medical specialists, the beneficial effects of high-intensity interval training should be utilized and used as an auxiliary strategy for the treatment and improvement of these individuals.