Synergistic Effects of Aerobic Training and Supplementation with Garlic and Stevia Extracts on the Body Weight of Obese Male Wistar Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet
Subject Areas : New studies in exercise metabolism and physical activityrasool azizi 1 , reza rezaei 2 , Sayyed-Javad Ziaolhagh 3 * , Neda AGHAEI 4
1 - PhD Student, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Aliabad Katoul Branch, Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aliabad Katul Branch, Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katul, Iran.
3 -
4 - Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Aliabad Katoul Branch, Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran
Keywords: Aerobic exercise, Garlic extract, Stevia extract, Childhood obesity, Male Wistar rats,
Abstract :
Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic training and supplementation with garlic and stevia extracts on body weight in Wistar rats rendered obese through a high-fat diet.
Methods: In this experimental study, 33 three-week-old male Wistar rats with a mean body weight of 314 g were randomly divided into seven groups: healthy control (n=4), obese control (n=5), obese + garlic (n=4), obese + stevia (n=5), obese + exercise (n=5), obese + exercise + garlic (n=5), and obese + exercise + stevia (n=5). After 12–18 weeks of high-fat feeding, obesity was confirmed based on Lee’s index, with body weight exceeding 310 g. Experimental groups received garlic or stevia extracts at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight for eight weeks. The exercise protocol consisted of treadmill running at 8 m/min for 30 minutes per day. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: Compared to the control group, 12 weeks of high-fat feeding significantly increased body weight in rats (p = 0.003). Despite eight weeks of extract supplementation and exercise, body weight remained higher than in the control group. Only the stevia group showed no statistically significant difference compared to the control group (p = 0.080). No significant differences were observed among the intervention groups compared to the obese control group.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that dietary composition is the primary determinant of obesity in childhood, while the effects of physical activity and supplementation with garlic or stevia on weight reduction appear to be minimal.
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