Muhammad Bilal Akram

Mr. Muhammad Bilal Akram

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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2 January 2026 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SASheraz Ahmad
Sheraz Ahmad
KMKhalid Abdul Majeed
Khalid Abdul Majeed
SMSaima Masood
Saima Masood
MYMuhammad Shahbaz Yousaf
Muhammad Shahbaz Yousaf
Muhammad Bilal AkramMuhammad Bilal Akram
Muhammad Bilal Akram
HHHabib Ur Rahman Habib
Habib Ur Rahman Habib
Background/Objectives: Hypertension (HTN) remains a major global concern despite the availability of many antihypertensive medications, each with its own side effects. Lifestyle interventions, such as aerobic exercise and antioxidant-rich foods, represent promising non-pharmacological strategies for hypertension management. This study investigated the combined effects of exercise and vitamin C on anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, gut histology, biochemical markers, hematological profile, inflammatory gene expression, redox status, and stress hormones in L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 30) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6/group): control, hypertensive (HTN), hypertensive + exercise (HTN + EX), hypertensive + vitamin C (HTN + VC), and hypertensive + exercise + vitamin C (HTN + EX + VC). Exercise consisted of treadmill training at a low intensity (50 ft/min) for 60 min daily, while vitamin C was administered orally (200 mg/kg/day) for four weeks. Blood pressure, anthropometric parameters, gut histology, inflammatory gene expression, hematological indices, serum biochemistry, oxidative stress markers, and hormonal assays were measured. Results: Both exercise and vitamin C individually reduced blood pressure (p < 0.05) and increased villi length (p < 0.05), upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokine expression in the gut, lowered oxidative stress (assessed through CRP, MDA, and catalase), and reduced stress hormones (cortisol and norepinephrine). The combined intervention (HTN + EX + VC) showed the most pronounced effects, resulting in a greater reduction in blood pressure and reversal of the changes induced by hypertension when compared to the HTN group. Conclusions: Exercise and vitamin C were beneficial in lowering blood pressure and improving the adverse changes associated with hypertension.