Physical Exercise versus Natural Estrogen Supplement in Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome in Aged Female Rats

Abstract

The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of either a low intensity swim- exercise program or low diet supplementation with soybean flour on the various criteria of the metabolic syndrome in aged postmenopausal female rats. The study was carried out on 55 aged menopausal female Wistar rats, initially weighing 260-350 gm (age of rats was between 15 -21 months).All rats were checked for estrous cycle activity by vaginal swabs and all rats showing estrous cycle activity were excluded. The included menopausal rats were randomly allocated into the following experimental groups: Group I:Control group (n=13): They were fed standard rat diet throughout the study. Group II:Metabolic Syndrome group(n=42): They were allowed to drink10% fructose solution for 8 weeks to induce metabolic syndrome. At the end of the 8thweek, rats were subdivided into: A. Metabolic syndrome- untreated group (MS, n=13):They continued drinking the 10% fructose solution till the end of the study. On the9th week of the study, they were subjected to 5 minute water immersion before each swimming session of the swim –exercised (MSE) rat group. B. Metabolic syndrome swim-exercised group (MSE, n=15):They continued drinking the 10% fructose solution till the end of the study and were subjected to low intensity swim exercise program,2 hours daily, 5 days a week, for6 weeks. C. Metabolic syndrome soybean -supplemented group (MSS,n=14):They continued drinking the 10% fructose solution till the end of the study, and were fed standard rat ch