EFFECT OF MODERATE EXERCISES, CURCUMIN AND THEIR COMBINATION ON LEVELS OF LEPTIN AND HEPATIC ENZYMES IN ELDERLY MALE RATS

Background & Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a common liver disease in the world and most studies show that there is a relationship between aging and the prevalence of this disease. Regarding the side effect of chemical drugs, it is better to control and treat this disease by changing the lifestyle and diet. In this study, we investigated the effects of 8 weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training and administration of curcumin supplementation alone and together on levels of leptin and hepatic enzymes in elderly male rats. Materials & Methods: Thirty-two aged and eight young rats were divided into five groups: young control, aged control, aged-curcumin, aged-exercise, and aged- curcumin-exercise co-treatment. Results: After eight weeks of treatment, the results revealed a significant decrease in leptin after curcumin administration in compared to aged control but there was no significant changes in amount of hepatic enzymes. Moreover, 8 weeks of exercise training did not have a significant effect on the amounts of leptin and hepatic enzymes compared to aged control group. Also 8 weeks of treatment with curcumin and exercise together decreased the levels of leptin and hepatic enzymes significantly. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that consuming curcumin and moderate exercise training has positive effects on the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.