Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of aerobic exercise and Mealworm supplementation on reduced glutathione, hydrogen sulfide, lipid profile, glucose levels, and muscle mass in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Method: 25 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five equal groups: healthy, patient, patient + supplement, patient + exercise, and patient + supplement + exercise. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was induced by a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet. High-intensity interval aerobic training was performed for 8 weeks, 30 minutes, 5 days a week, at an intensity equivalent to 50-80% of maximum oxygen consumption, in a progressive overload manner. Mealworm supplement was administered via gavage at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. Enzymatic concentrations of reduced glutathione and hydrogen sulfide in the soleus muscle, sarcomere length and count, and serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), glucose, and body weight were measured. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and two-way ANOVA at a significance level of P ≤ 0.05.
Results:NAFLD significantly altered the studied parameters. Both aerobic exercise and Mealworm supplementation independently led to significant reductions in hydrogen sulfide, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, glucose, and body weight, along with significant increases in reduced glutathione, HDL, and muscle mass. The combined intervention produced significant improvements in all measured variables except sarcomere length.
Conclusion:Aerobic exercise combined with Mealworm supplementation may play a crucial role in reducing insulin resistance and managing NAFLD by improving oxidative stress status and regulating hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism. |
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