---

Background and Objective: Free radical production andsubsqunt oxidative steress can be due to hyperglycemia and its oxidation. This study was done to evaluate the effect of swimming training test and Fenugreek seed extract on plasma glucose and antioxidant activity in heart tissue of streptozotocine – induced diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 50 male wistar rats were allocated into five groups diabetic (DC, n=10), healthy control (HC, n=10), swimming training (S, n=10), swimming training + Fenugreek seed extract (1.74 g/kg/bw) (SF1, n=10), and swimming training + Fenugreek seed extract (0.87 g/kg/bw) (SF2, n=10). Streptozotocine (60 mg/kg/bw) was used for induction of diabetes in DC, S, SF1 and SF2 groups. Serum glucose and the rat heart tissue antioxidant enzymes activities of superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Glutation peroxidase were determined. Results: Body weight in all groups were significantly reduced in comparsion with healthy control group (P<0.05). Plasma glucose level significantly reduced in SF1 and HC groups compared to diabetic group (P<0.05). Cardiac antioxidant enzymes in swimming training, SF1 and SF2 groups significantly increased in compare to diabetic group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The combination of endurance swimming training and fenugreek seed extract can reduce plasma glucose and increase cardiac antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocine – induced diabetic rats.

---

Free radicals are unstable molecules in reaction with other molecules lead to a variety of injuries and illnesses. However, to prevent the injuries, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants react with free radical in various forms. Free radicals and antioxidant enzyme acts by various mechanisms, although age, gender and physical activity affects on these reactions. Different responses and adaptation are experienced to oxidative stress among women and men, young, elderly, subjects with physical fitness and untrained subjects. The present article reviewed the effect of oxidative stress due to exercise-induced adaptations.

---

Background and Objective: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that associated with increased serum glucose and insulin function impairment. Exercise training and saffron supplement are known as two effective factors in the prevention of the complications of type 2 diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of eight weeks of aerobic and resistance training with the consumption of saffron aqueous extract on malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase in men with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: In this clinical trial study, 36 men suffering from type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned into six groups: placebo, aerobic training, aerobic training with supplement consumption, resistance training, and resistance training with supplement consumption. Aerobic training was performed at 50-70% of maximal heart rate, and the resistance training was performed at 65-70% of the maximum replication for eight weeks. The saffron supplement was consumed at the dosage of 3 mg day-1. The concentration of malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase was measured before and after the trial after the 12-hour fasting period.
Results: Level of malondialdehyde significantly reduced in placebo and aerobic training with supplement prior to intervention (P<0.05). Level of glutathione peroxidase were significantly increased in aerobic training with supplement (P<0.05), resistance training (P<0.05) and resistance training with supplement (P<0.05) groups after intervention.
Conclusion: Aerobic and resistance training and their supplementation with saffron consumption can be regarded as an effective method to improve the peroxidase and antioxidant balance.

---

Background and Objective: Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) has numerous nutritional and therapeutic benefits. This experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of spirulina on changes in the levels of liver enzymes of male BALB/c mice exposed to a high dose of acetaminophen.
Methods: In this experimental study, 42 adult male BALB/c mice were divided into seven groups of six. The toxic dose of acetaminophen 600 mg/kg body weight was considered. The control group received only a standard diet and water. The sham group was gavaged with saline solution. The third to seventh groups were treated as: acetaminophen; spirulina 600 mg/kg/bw, spirulina 300 mg/kg/bw, spirulina 600 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen, and spirulina 300 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen, respectively. In all groups, mice were treated with acetaminophen and spirulina powder by gavage for 14 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after receiving the last dose of medication and deprivation of food (the animals still had access to water), the animals were anesthetized and blood samples were taken from the heart. Activity of liver enzymes including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was measured by spectrophotometry. Protein concentration was determined by the Lowry method. Catalase activity was assessed using hydrogen peroxide. The amount of malondialdehyde was measured and the total antioxidant capacity was determined by FRAP method by reducing ferric to ferro ions.
Results: The levels of serum transaminases (ALT, AST, ALP) as well as the level of total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde of the acetaminophen-treated group increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). The levels of these enzymes in the group treated with S. platensis 300 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen decreased significantly compared to the group treated with acetaminophen (P<0.05). Catalase activity in the acetaminophen group was significantly decreased compared to the control group (P<0.05).In the group of S. platensis 300 mg/kg/bw + acetaminophen, catalase activity increased significantly compared to the acetaminophen group (P<0.05). The results of experiments in two groups of spirulina and acetaminophen showed that the active ingredients of the algae at a dose of 300 worked better than 600 mg per kg of body weight in response to oxidative stress.
Conclusion: Consuming 300 mg/kg of S. platensis along with a near toxic dose of acetaminophen increases resistance to oxidative stress and injuries caused by drug poisoning by affecting the activity of enzymes and the antioxidant defense system.
 

---

Background and Objective: Antioxidant apigenin (AP) is a natural, non-mutagenic, and less toxic flavonoid with pharmacological anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities. This antioxidant is easily received by the cell, binds to sperm DNA, and forms a DNA-AP complex, thereby protecting sperm DNA. The present study was conducted to determine the antioxidant effect of AP on human sperm quality after freezing-thawing.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 10 normozoospermic samples underwent freezing-thawing conditions, and sperm functional tests were investigated in different AP concentrations, including 0.4 mM, 0.2 mM, 0.1 mM, and 0.05 mM.
Results: The quality of total sperm parameters and functional tests decreased after freezing compared to before freezing. Among the AP concentrations, only in the 0.2 mM AP concentration, the improvement of the additional histone percentage, protamine deficiency, and sperm DNA health were observed compared to the control; this finding was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The use of AP with a concentration of 0.2 mM during freezing-thawing culminates in improving sperm functional tests.