The Effect of Pre-pregnancy Aerobic Exercise on Gene Expression of Some Muscle Myokines after Childbirth

Hajizadeh , F; Ghasemnian , A; Noroozi , H

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Volume 30, Issue 4 (9-2025)

__Armaghane Danesh__ 2025, 30(4): 503-519

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The Effect of Pre-pregnancy Aerobic Exercise on Gene Expression of Some Muscle Myokines after Childbirth

F Hajizadeh¹

, A Ghasemnian²

, H Noroozi²

1- Department of Sport Sciences, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran , fateme.hajizade1370@gmail.com
2- Department of Sport Sciences, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

Abstract: (1896 Views)

Background & aim: Maternal physical activity during pregnancy reduces the risk of obesity in the child and the phenomenon of insulin resistance in the early days of birth. Regular exercise during pregnancy can prevent complications related to maternal overweight and its adverse consequences. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine and investigate the effect of pre-pregnancy aerobic exercise on the gene expression of the myokines irisin and IL_15 in the soleus muscle of maternal rats after childbirth.

Methods: In the present experimental study conducted in 2022-2023, forty-eight rats were included in the study, 24 female rats and 24 male rats, 8 weeks old, purchased from the Razi Institute in Karaj, iran. Then, the male and female rats were randomly divided into 2 groups based on weight (two groups of 12 male rats each and two groups of 12 female rats each). Each of the male and female groups was divided into a training group and a control group. After familiarization and division, the male and female training groups engaged in progressive aerobic training on an animal treadmill for 6 weeks. In the present study, a training speed of 10-18 meters per minute, equivalent to 60-70% of VO2max and at the same time physiologically efficient, was used. After the end of the pregnancy period and the birth of the offspring, the mother rats were anesthetized for tissue sampling and their soleus muscle tissue samples were isolated. Interleukin 15 and irisin gene expression was measured using real-time PCR. The collected data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk and independent t-tests.

Results: Irisin gene expression was significantly lower in the pre-pregnancy aerobic exercise group compared to the control group in the soleus muscle of maternal rats after the birth of the offspring (p=0.003). Interleukin 15 gene expression was not significantly different in the pre-pregnancy aerobic exercise group compared to the control group in the soleus muscle of maternal rats after the birth of the offspring (p=0.142).

Conclusion: It appeared that according to the findings of the present study regarding the decrease in irisin gene expression and the lack of change in interleukin 15 gene expression in the pre-pregnancy period, it could indicate the occurrence of adaptation to exercise or due to the threshold of stimulation of the aforementioned myokines following physical exercise.

Keywords: Myokines, Irisin, Interleukin 15, Aerobic exercise, Pregnancy, Skeletal muscle.

Full-Text [PDF 545 kb] (25 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research | Subject: Sport Physiology
Received: 2024/12/8 | Accepted: 2025/07/15 | Published: 2025/10/17

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Hajizadeh F, Ghasemnian A, Noroozi H. The Effect of Pre-pregnancy Aerobic Exercise on Gene Expression of Some Muscle Myokines after Childbirth. armaghanj 2025; 30 (4) :503-519
URL: http://armaghanj.yums.ac.ir/article-1-3730-en.html

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