[Home ] [Archive]   [ فارسی ]  
:: Main :: About :: Current Issue :: Archive :: Search :: Submit :: Contact ::
this is a test
Main Menu
Home::
Journal Information::
About the Journal
Editorial Board
Aims& Scopes
Journal News
Articles archive::
All Issues
Current Issue
Browse by Authors
Browse by Keywords
For Authors::
Instruction to authors
Subscription::
Registration Information
Subscription Form
Contact us::
Contact Information
Contact us
Site Facilities::
Site map
Search contents
FAQ
Top 10 contents
Inform to friends
Webmail::
Ethical Consideration::
Publication ethics and malpractice statement
::
Search in website

Advanced Search
..
Receive site information
Enter your Email in the following box to receive the site news and information.
..
:: Volume 20, Issue 4 (Winter 2026) ::
Iranian J Nutr Sci Food Technol 2026, 20(4): 23-33 Back to browse issues page
Effect of Endurance Training and Mealworm Supplementation on Mapk and aKlotho Gene Expression and Skeletal Muscle Tissue Changes in Rats with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver
A Mounesan * , A Rahimi , F Aghaei , A Sarshin
Faculty of Sports Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Iran , amir.mounesan@gmail.com
Abstract:   (572 Views)
Background and Objectives: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver disorders associated with fat accumulation in the liver in the absence of alcohol consumption. Endurance training and dietary supplements—such as insect-derived proteins like mealworm—may be effective in improving NAFLD. This study aimed to investigate the effects of endurance training and mealworm supplementation on the expression of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) and alpha-Klotho (αKlotho) genes and muscle tissue alterations in rats with NAFLD.
 Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 15 male Wistar rats (250 ± 50 g) were randomly divided into five groups: healthy control, NAFLD, NAFLD + training, NAFLD + supplement, and NAFLD + training + supplement. NAFLD was induced over 8 weeks using a high-fat diet. The endurance training protocol consisted of treadmill running 5 days per week. Mealworm protein supplement was administered by gavage at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, 5 days per week. Gene expression of MAPK and αKlotho was assessed using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).
Results: Endurance training and mealworm supplementation independently led to a significant increase in MAPK and αKlotho gene expression (p < 0.001). Each intervention also significantly increased the number and diameter of muscle fibers (p < 0.001), but their combined effect was not statistically significant (p = 0.941 and p = 0.688, respectively). SGPT and ALP enzyme levels significantly decreased (p < 0.01), while SGOT levels showed no significant change.
Conclusion: Endurance training and mealworm supplementation had a beneficial effect on the expression of genes related to cellular signaling pathways and liver function. However, their combined intervention did not result in significant structural changes in skeletal muscle. These findings may serve as a foundation for future research on the treatment of NAFLD.
Keywords: Endurance training, Mealworm protein supplement, Dietary supplement, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, MAPK, αKlotho
Full-Text [PDF 1622 kb]   (103 Downloads)    
Article type: Research | Subject: nutrition
Received: 2025/02/4 | Accepted: 2025/05/21 | Published: 2026/01/23
References
1. Smith BK, Marcinko K, Desjardins EM, Lally JS, Ford RJ, Steinberg GR. Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Role of AMPK 3. 2016. [DOI:10.1152/ajpendo.00225.2016]
2. Niriella MA, Dassanayake U, de Silva HJJSJoG. Mistakes in managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and how to avoid them. 2023;58(3):223-6. [DOI:10.1080/00365521.2022.2123252]
3. Powell EE, Wong VW-S, Rinella MJTL. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 2021;397(10290):2212-24. [DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32511-3]
4. Short KR, Vittone JL, Bigelow ML, Proctor DN, Rizza RA, Coenen-Schimke JM, et al. Impact of aerobic exercise training on age-related changes in insulin sensitivity and muscle oxidative capacity. 2003;52(8):1888-96. [DOI:10.2337/diabetes.52.8.1888]
5. Brunt EM, Wong VW-S, Nobili V, Day CP, Sookoian S, Maher JJ, et al. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. 2015;1(1):1-22. [DOI:10.1038/nrdp.2015.80]
6. Stevanović J, Beleza J, Coxito P, Ascensão A, Magalhães JJMm. Physical exercise and liver "fitness": Role of mitochondrial function and epigenetics-related mechanisms in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 2020;32:1-14. [DOI:10.1016/j.molmet.2019.11.015]
7. Bellentani S, Saccoccio G, Masutti F, Crocè LS, Brandi G, Sasso F, et al. Prevalence of and risk factors for hepatic steatosis in Northern Italy. 2000;132(2):112-7. [DOI:10.7326/0003-4819-132-2-200001180-00004]
8. Tang C, Yang D, Liao H, Sun H, Liu C, Wei L, et al. Edible insects as a food source: a review. 2019;1(1):1-13. [DOI:10.1186/s43014-019-0008-1]
9. Moruzzo R, Riccioli F, Espinosa Diaz S, Secci C, Poli G, Mancini SJA. Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor): potential and challenges to promote circular economy. 2021;11(9):2568. [DOI:10.3390/ani11092568]
10. Johnson GL, Lapadat RJS. Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways mediated by ERK, JNK, and p38 protein kinases. 2002;298(5600):1911-2. [DOI:10.1126/science.1072682]
11. Martín-Núñez E, Donate-Correa J, Muros-de-Fuentes M, Mora-Fernández C, Navarro-González JFJWjoc. Implications of Klotho in vascular health and disease. 2014;6(12):1262. [DOI:10.4330/wjc.v6.i12.1262]
12. Zhou X, Wang XJJocr, oncology c. Klotho: a novel biomarker for cancer. 2015;141:961-9. [DOI:10.1007/s00432-014-1788-y]
13. Patel AA, Torres DM, Harrison SAJJocg. Effect of weight loss on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. 2009;43(10):970-4. [DOI:10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181b57475]
14. Holloszy JO, Coyle EFJJoap. Adaptations of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and their metabolic consequences. 1984;56(4):831-8. [DOI:10.1152/jappl.1984.56.4.831]
15. Belluco S, Losasso C, Maggioletti M, Alonzi CC, Paoletti MG, Ricci AJCrifs, et al. Edible insects in a food safety and nutritional perspective: a critical review. 2013;12(3):296-313. [DOI:10.1111/1541-4337.12014]
16. Lee J-B, Kwon D-K, Jeon Y-J, Song Y-JJJoPI. Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)-derived protein supplementation attenuates skeletal muscle atrophy in hindlimb casting immobilized rats. 2021;64(5):211-7. [DOI:10.4103/cjp.cjp_40_21]
17. Charan J, Kantharia NJJoP, Pharmacotherapeutics. How to calculate sample size in animal studies? 2013;4(4):303-6. [DOI:10.4103/0976-500X.119726]
18. Buettner R, Schölmerich J, Bollheimer LCJO. High‐fat diets: modeling the metabolic disorders of human obesity in rodents. 2007;15(4):798-808. [DOI:10.1038/oby.2007.608]
19. Hwang S-Y, Hong S-B, Chang C-SJKJCLS. Evaluation of DiaSys Reagents for Routine Chemical Tests. 2001;33(2):119-28.
20. Zhang H-J, He J, Pan L-L, Ma Z-M, Han C-K, Chen C-S, et al. Effects of Moderate and Vigorous Exercise on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2016;176(8):1074-82. [DOI:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.3202]
21. Huis Av, Itterbeeck JV, Klunder H, Mertens E, Halloran A, Muir G, et al. Edible insects: future prospects for food and feed security. 2013.
22. Erel O. A novel automated method to measure total antioxidant response against potent free radical reactions. Clin Biochem. 2004;37(2):112-9. [DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2003.10.014]
23. Erel O. A new automated colorimetric method for measuring total oxidant status. Clin Biochem. 2005;38(12):1103-11. [DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2005.08.008]
24. Li J, Wang Z, Li C, Song Y, Wang Y, Bo H, et al. Impact of exercise and aging on mitochondrial homeostasis in skeletal muscle: roles of ROS and epigenetics. 2022;11(13):2086. [DOI:10.3390/cells11132086]
25. Williamson D, Gallagher P, Harber M, Hollon C, Trappe SJTJop. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation: effects of age and acute exercise on human skeletal muscle. 2003;547(3):977-87. [DOI:10.1113/jphysiol.2002.036673]
26. Kuro-o M, Matsumura Y, Arawa H, Kawaguchi H, Suga T, Utsugi T, et al. Mutation of the mouse klotho gene leads to a syndrome resembling ageing. 1999;12(10):703-7.
27. Liu Q-f, Yu L-x, Feng J-h, Sun Q, Li S-s, Ye J-MJDm. The prognostic role of klotho in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. 2019;2019(1):6468729. [DOI:10.1155/2019/6468729]
28. Keating SE, Hackett DA, Parker HM, O'Connor HT, Gerofi JA, Sainsbury A, et al. Effect of aerobic exercise training dose on liver fat and visceral adiposity. 2015;63(1):174-82. [DOI:10.1016/j.jhep.2015.02.022]
29. de Lira CT, dos Santos MA, Gomes PP, Fidelix YL, Dos Santos AC, Tenório TR, et al. Aerobic training performed at ventilatory threshold improves liver enzymes and lipid profile related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescents with obesity. 2017;23(4):281-8. [DOI:10.1177/0260106017720350]
30. Sharifi N, Amani R, Hajiani E, Cheraghian BJE. Does vitamin D improve liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? A randomized clinical trial. 2014;47:70-80. [DOI:10.1007/s12020-014-0336-5]
31. Hawley JA, Hargreaves M, Joyner MJ, Zierath JRJC. Integrative biology of exercise. 2014;159(4):738-49. [DOI:10.1016/j.cell.2014.10.029]
32. Campbell WW, Leidy HJJJotACoN. Dietary protein and resistance training effects on muscle and body composition in older persons. 2007;26(6):696S-703S. [DOI:10.1080/07315724.2007.10719650]
33. Hulmi JJ, Lockwood CM, Stout JRJN, metabolism. Effect of protein/essential amino acids and resistance training on skeletal muscle hypertrophy: A case for whey protein. 2010;7:1-11. [DOI:10.1186/1743-7075-7-51]
Send email to the article author

Add your comments about this article
Your username or Email:

CAPTCHA

XML   Persian Abstract   Print

Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Mounesan A, Rahimi A, Aghaei F, Sarshin A. Effect of Endurance Training and Mealworm Supplementation on Mapk and aKlotho Gene Expression and Skeletal Muscle Tissue Changes in Rats with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver. Iranian J Nutr Sci Food Technol 2026; 20 (4) :23-33
URL: http://nsft.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-3975-en.html
Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Volume 20, Issue 4 (Winter 2026) Back to browse issues page
Iranian Journal of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology
Persian site map - English site map - Created in 0.05 seconds with 35 queries by YEKTAWEB 4735