Effect of Resistance Training, Testosterone, and Phoenix dactylifera on Gene Expression of Adiponectin and GLUT4 and Oxidative Stress Markers in Adipose Tissue of Rats

 Background and purpose: The use of testosterone enanthate has increased in athletes, especially in resistance trainings. The present study aimed at comparing the independent and interactive effects of resistance training, testosterone, and Phoenix dactylifera extract on the expression of adiponectin and GLUT4, as well as some oxidative stress indices in brown adipose tissue in male rats. Materials and methods: Thirty-six male rats were divided into different groups, including a control group, exercise training, phoenix dactylifera extract, testosterone, phoenix dactylifera extract + exercise training, and testosterone+ exercise training groups. Resistance trainings were done for four weeks (5 sessions/week) in experimental groups. On days of exercise, the rats were fed with phoenix dactylifera extract and testosterone (100 and 2 mg/kg, respectively). Forty-eight hours after the last intervention, the animals were sacrificed and brown fat tissues were removed. Then, the gene expression of adiponectin and GLUT4, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. Results: Resistance training increased the expression of adiponectin and GLUT4, increased SOD activity and decreased MDA level. Testosterone also increased SOD activity and decreased MDA level in brown adipose tissue. Phoenix dactylifera increased the expression of adiponectin and the activity of SOD, and decreased MDA level. Exercise and simultaneous use of testosterone/phoenix dactylifera have synergistic effect on adipose tissue MDA compared to testosterone and phoenix dactylifera intervention alone. Conclusion: This study reinforces the hypothesis of using phoenix dactylifera as a natural substance instead of synthetic testosterone.