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The effect of regular resistance exercise, vitamin D, and calcium supplements on the gastrocnemius muscle in rats in the post-menopausal period: An experimental study
Hosseini Sisi, Seyedeh Zahra; Azarbayjani, Mohammad Ali; Vafaeenasab, Mohammadreza; Peeri, Maghsoud & Dehghani, Mohammadreza
Abstract
Background: Menopause is the natural termination of menstruation which affects the
quality and important aspects of women’s life.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of regular resistance training (Ex) with vitamin D (Vit.
D) and calcium (Ca) supplements in the postmenopausal period on muscle tissue in
rats.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 72 female Wistar rats (8-10-wk old)
were randomly divided into control, placebo, Vit. D, Ca, Ex, Ca + Vit. D, Ex + Ca, Ex
+ Vit. D, and Ex + Ca + Vit. D groups. Control and placebo groups were fed with a
standard diet and sesame oil, respectively. Two month after the ovariectomy, Ex, Ca
(35 mg/kg), and Vit. D (10000 IU) were administred in all groups except the control. The
number of muscle and inflammatory cells, fiber diameter, endomysium thickness, and
degenerative collagen fiber area were assessed through hematoxylin-eosin staining.
Results: Muscle cell number was increased in the Ex + Vit. D + Ca, Vit. D + Ex, and
Vit. D groups compared to the control group; also, inflammatory cell number showed
significant increase in the Ex + Vit. D + Ca (12 ± 5.46), Vit. D + Ex (14 ± 3.25), Ex (13 ±
4.08), Vit. D (11 ± 3.26), Ca + Vit. D (10 ± 1.01), and Ca + Ex (9 ± 2.87) groups. Muscle fiber
diameter in the Ex + Vit. D + Ca and Vit. D + Ex groups was higher than the other groups.
Endomysium thickness was significantly decreased in the Ex + Vit. D + Ca and Vit. D
+ Ex groups compared to the control and placebo groups (p < 0.001). Degenerative
collagen fiber area showed a significant increase in the Ex + Vit. D + Ca and Vit. D + Ex
groups (p ≤ 0.001) comparison with the control group.
Conclusion: Regular resistance exercise, Vit. D, and Ca supplements can improve
muscle morphological features in the postmenopausal period.
Keywords
Menopause; Muscle; Vitamin D; Calcium; Exercise.
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