The effects of mental, physical, and combination of these two trainings were investigated on cognitive performance, serum level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and irisin in women diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Forty-four participants were randomized into 4 groups: physical training (PH; 8 weeks’ aerobic training, n = 11), mental training (ME; special computer gaming, n = 11), combined (PH + ME; n = 13), and control group (CO; n = 9). Analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc test revealed a significant increase in working memory (P = .012) and BDNF (P = .24) in the ME compared with the CO group. Also the ME group in comparison with the PH group demonstrated better working memory (P = .014) and processing speed (P = .024). Positive effect of mental training on the cognitive parameters, parallel with BDNF elevation, suggests that mental training is a more useful, safe, and persistent strategy to attenuate the progression of MCI probably via BDNF elevation, but the effect size is relatively small elevation.

Background.: Excess visceral adipose tissue accumulation after menopause is closely associated with decreased insulin sensitivity and adiponectin levels. Objective.: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement on visceral fat and serum adiponectin levels in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Method.: Forty 11-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into the four following groups ( n = 10 rats per group): sham-operated control (SHAM); sedentary OVX (OVX-SED); OVX with estrogen replacement (OVX-ER); and OVX with sesame oil treatment (OVX-C). Rats in OVX-ER and OVX-C groups received 17β-estradiol valerate (30 μg/kg, subcutaneously) and sesame oil as vehicle, five days a week, respectively. All animals were sacrificed after eight weeks of intervention. Results: Ovariectomy after eight weeks increased body weight and visceral fat ( P < 0.05) in OVX-SED and OVX-C groups compared with SHAM rats with no change in plasma adiponectin levels. Estrogen replacement in OVX animals decreased body weight (13.4%, P < 0.05) and visceral fat (10.4%). Although they were not statistically significant, adiponectin, insulin sensitivity and lipid profile of OVX rats were ameliorated with estrogen treatment. Conclusion.: We conclude that ovarian hormone withdrawal leads to higher body weight and visceral adipose tissue in rats, but surprisingly does not change adiponectin levels. Although a substantial decrease in body weight was achieved by estrogen replacement therapy in OVX animals, the beneficial metabolic effects of weight loss seems to be only mechanical, having a tendency to improve insulin sensitivity without elevating adiponectin production.

Context: Studies have shown that physical activity or exercise training may decrease the metabolic syndrome. Aim: The aim of the present study is to clarify the effect of combination exercise training on metabolic syndrome parameters in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Setting and Design: Twenty nine postmenopausal women (58.27 ΁ 6.31 years) with breast cancer were divided into two groups randomly as experimental group (n=14) and control group (n=15). Materials and Methods: Subjects of experimental group were performed 15 weeks combination exercise training including walking (2 sessions per week) and resistance training (2 sessions per week that was different from walking days). Before and after 15 weeks, fasting insulin and glucose, insulin resistance, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) were calculated. Also, Vo2peak, rest heart rate (RHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were measured in two groups. Statistical Analysis Used: Mean values of two groups in pre and post test were compared by independent and paired t-test for all measurements (P≤ 0.05). Results: Significant differences were observed for VO2peak, RHR, BW, BMI, WHR, SBP, fasting insulin and glucose, HDL-C and TG between experimental and control groups after 15 weeks (P< 0.05). Conclusions: Combination exercise training can improve metabolic syndrome parameters in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

To study the influence of aerobic exercise training on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin resistance, and lipid profile in middle-aged men diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MetS). This is an experimental repeated measure study. Subjects participated in aerobic training programs (18 sessions of 25-40 minutes per session) in Guilan University gymnasium and court. A total of 21 middle-aged men (50-65 years old) diagnosed with MetS participated. We randomly divided 21 middle-aged men with MetS into exercise and control groups. The exercise group followed an aerobic training program (18 sessions, 3/wk) at 50% to 60% of V[Combining Dot Above]O2 peak (25-40 minutes per session) and 6 weeks of detraining. Blood samples were collected at baseline, end of the training, and detraining. High BDNF level in patients with MetS and its reduction after chronic aerobic exercise. Aerobic training significantly decreased all the metabolic risk factors, including overall MetS z score, insulin resistance, and lipid profile (P < 0.05). After the detraining period, plasma triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and also overall MetS z score remained unchanged (P < 0.05); however, serum BDNF, which was decreased by aerobic training (P = 0.013), restored to the baseline at the end of the detraining (P = 0.018). Improved metabolic risk factors along with decreased serum BDNF in response to aerobic training and the opposite direction during the detraining emphasize the importance of physical activity in the treatment of MetS and prevention of related diseases.