Role of L-carnitine in exercise training: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic interactions Soheil Aminizadeh, Aliasghar Zarezadehmehrizi, Maedeh Amiri Deh-Ahmadi, Beydolah Shahouzehi Advances in Redox Research, 2026 • Elucidates L-carnitine's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles • Links mitochondrial redox balance to exercise performance • Details carnitine's mechanism in fatty acid oxidation • Explores therapeutic potential in metabolic diseases • Integrates mechanistic insights with clinical outcomes L-carnitine is a mitochondria-targeted compound that plays a pivotal role in lipid metabolism, redox balance, and inflammatory regulation, particularly under conditions of elevated metabolic demands such as exercise. This review explores the multifaceted functions of L-carnitine in modulating oxidative stress and inflammation, emphasizing its relevance to exercise physiology and clinical health. By facilitating the transport of long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria, L-carnitine enhances β-oxidation and energy production while buffering excess acetyl-CoA to maintain metabolic flexibility. Its antioxidant properties, mediated through the upregulation of SOD, GPx, and catalase, help mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and preserve mitochondrial integrity. Concurrently, L-carnitine suppresses cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, interrupting the feedback loop between oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. These mechanisms are particularly beneficial during and after exercise, where L-carnitine supplementation has shown potential to improve endurance, reduce muscle damage, and accelerate recovery in some studies, although findings across the literature are not entirely consistent. Clinical evidence also supports its therapeutic potential in conditions like cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and neuroinflammation. The review integrates mechanistic insights with performance outcomes, highlighting L-carnitine’s role as both a metabolic modulator and an ergogenic aid. Understanding these complex interactions provides a foundation for optimizing L-carnitine use, yet further research is warranted to clarify the optimal form (e.g., LCLT, ALCAR), dosage, duration, and target populations to maximize its therapeutic and ergogenic potential.
Exploring serum miR-33b as a novel diagnostic marker for hypercholesterolemia and obesity: insights from a pilot case-control study Yaser Masoumi-Ardakani, Mostafa Eghbalian, Hossein Fallah, Alireza Jafari, Beydolah Shahouzehi BMC Endocrine Disorders, 2025 Obesity and atherosclerosis are significant metabolic diseases characterized by disrupted lipid metabolism. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, conserved, non-coding RNA sequences consisting of approximately 22 nucleotides, playing crucial roles in biological and pathological functions. Among these, miR-33a/b is particularly associated with metabolic diseases, notably obesity and atherosclerosis. In this pilot case-control study, 45 subjects were examined, and serum miR-33b levels were measured in three groups: a control group, hypercholesterolemic (HC) subjects without obesity (HC group), and obese subjects without hypercholesterolemia (obese group). Serum miR-33b levels were determined using the real-time PCR method. The expression of miR-33b was significantly higher in the HC and obese groups compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The Body mass index (BMI) in the obese group was significantly higher than in the control and HC groups (p < 0.001). Additionally, serum total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels were higher in the HC group compared to both the control and obese groups. Our study demonstrated a correlation between serum miR-33b levels and HC and obesity. Finally, the ROC analysis demonstrated that miR-33b had an AUC of 0.74 for identifying hypercholesterolemia and an AUC of 0.76 for identifying obesity, indicating its acceptable diagnostic value alongside traditional markers. Therefore, serum miR-33b levels can be considered as a potential biomarker for obesity and hypercholesterolemia, but these finding are preliminary and further investigation is necessary in larger samples to confirm these associations.
Effect of plasma free fatty acids on lung function in male COPD patients Rostam Yazdani, Hossein Fallah, Shirin Yazdani, Beydolah Shahouzehi, Behnaz Danesh Scientific Reports, 2025 Inflammation and oxidative stress play a pivotal role in COPD pathogenesis. Free fatty acids (FFA) as signaling molecules through a series of G-proteins coupled receptors, play an important role in regulation of the immune system and oxidative stress. For this reason, we decided to investigate the profile of FFA in the plasma in the COPD patients. This is a case-control study comparing 40 male patients with COPD and 40 healthy controls. Biochemical plasma parameters were measured by Autoanalyzer, Malondialdehyde by TBA, total antioxidant capacity via FRAP method and the concentration of free fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. Then the relationship between the data and the spirometric findings of the patients was determined. In male COPD patients, fasting glucose, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid and total FFA showed a significant difference with the control group. Also, a positive correlation between the medium chain FFA and lung function was observed. The results of the present study showed that the concentration of different free fatty acids is different in healthy people and male COPD patients, and these differences, especially in the case of medium and long chain fatty acids, can be related to the lung function.
The effect of CGRP antagonist and exercise training on mitochondrial dynamics in the aorta of male rats Beydolah Shahouzehi, Yaser Masoumi-Ardakani, Soheil Aminizadeh Chemical Biology Letters, 2025 Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP) is expressed in the cardiovascular system and showed vasodilatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise training and a CGRP antagonist (CGRPi) on the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial dynamics in the aorta. Forty-two male rats were divided into six groups (n=7): 1) Control; 2) Endurance Training (ET); 3) High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT); 4) CGRP antagonist (CGRPi,10 mg/kg) administered via intraperitoneal injections; 5) CGRPi + ET (CGRPi-ET); and 6) CGRPi + HIIT (CGRPi-HIIT). Protein expression was analyzed using Western blotting, while gene expression was quantified via Real-Time PCR. Both ET and HIIT significantly upregulated eNOS protein and the gene expression of Pgc-1α, Bcl-2, Nrf-1, Sirt3, Parkin, and eNOS. The increase in Bcl-2 expression induced by ET was attenuated by CGRPi in the groups with the combination of CGRPi and ET (P = 0.02). Exercise training enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis by affecting the expression of Pgc-1α, Nrf-1 and Sirt3. While CGRP is known to mediate vasodilation, we indicated that CGRPi did not affect eNOS expression, suggesting that CGRP exerts vasodilatory effects through mechanisms other than eNOS in the aorta. Furthermore, CGRPi does not showed negative effects over genes associated with mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis.
Effects of a polypill on circulating levels of resistin and visfatin in men with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A five-year clinical trial Mahdieh Nazari-Robati, Tania Dehesh, Beydolah Shahouzehi, Gholamreza Roshandel, Hossein Poustchi, Solaleh Emamgholipour Plos One, 2025 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease globally, characterized by insulin resistance, hypertension, and obesity. Adipokines such as resistin and visfatin play significant roles in glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Polypills are utilized to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The present observational study was nested within the PolyIran-Liver randomized controlled trial, which primarily assessed clinical outcomes in NAFLD patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of prolonged polypill consumption (five years) on circulating levels of resistin and visfatin as secondary outcomes in men with NAFLD. Participants from the PolyIran-Liver trial were included, comprising 41 patients in the control group and 40 patients in the polypill group, all of whom were men. The polypill regimen included aspirin, hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin, and valsartan. Treatment with the polypill resulted in a significant reduction in visfatin levels (2.27 ± 0.83 ng/ml vs. 2.10 ± 0.71 ng/ml, AdjP = 0.041), but no significant changes in resistin levels were observed within the polypill group (19.54 ± 4.11 ng/ml vs. 19.11 ± 3.08 ng/ml, AdjP = 0.396). The reduction in visfatin levels from baseline was significantly associated with changes in resistin levels and fasting blood glucose (FBG) (P < 0.05). Additionally, polypill intervention improved alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, lipid profiles, and systolic blood pressure in patients with NAFLD (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that daily intake of the polypill can lead to significant reductions in visfatin levels and improvements in metabolic parameters in men with NAFLD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term implications of polypill consumption in managing NAFLD through targeting adipokines.
Evaluation of the effect of interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase (IRAK) inhibitor on PPAR.γ and GLUT.4 genes expression in muscle tissueof insulin resistant mice Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, 2023
The effect of aqueous extract of quercus infectoria on insulin resistance and free fatty acids in insulin-resistant rats induced by a high-fructose diet Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, 2021
The effects of endurance training and estrogen-related receptor α disruption on mitofusin 1 and 2, GLUT2, PPARβ/δ and SCD1 expression in the liver of diabetic rats Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, B. Shahouzehi, Cardiovascular Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Y. Masoumi-Ardakani, Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;, H. Fallah, Department of Biochemistry, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;, S. Aminizadeh, Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Ukrainian Biochemical Journal, 2020
Carnitine effects on serum and pancreas inflammatory response in diabetic rats Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Y. Masoumi-Ardakani Masoumi-Ardakani, H. Fallah, Student Research Committee, School of Medicine,Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;, B. Shahouzehi, Cardiovascular Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Ukrainian Biochemical Journal, 2019
The effects of pdk4 inhibition on ampk protein levels and pgc-1α gene expression following endurance training in skeletal muscle of wistar rats Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, S. Aminizadeh, Y. Masoumi-Ardakani, Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran;, B. Shahouzehi, Cardiovascular Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Ukrainian Biochemical Journal, 2018
Effect of LXR agonist T0901317 and miR-33inhibitor on SIRT1-AMPK and circulating HDL-C levels Bulgarian Chemical Communications, 2018
Effects of pistacia atlantica resin oil on the level of VEGF, hydroxyproline, antioxidant and wound healing activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats Cardiology Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, B. Shahouzehi, M. Shabani, Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, N. Shahrokhi, Department of Physiology, Afzalipour School of Medicine & Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;, S. Sadeghiyan, Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;, Y. Masoumi-Ardakani, Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Ukrainian Biochemical Journal, 2018
Effect of L-carnitine administration on se rum insulin and adiponect in levels, and AMPK, APPL1 and PPARγ gene express ion in STZ-induced diabetic rat liver Cardiovascular Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, B. Shahouzehi, K. Barkhordari, Department of Virology, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;, S. Aminizadeh, Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran;, Y. Masoumi-Ardakanі, Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic, Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Ukrainian Biochemical Journal, 2017
Chronic aspiration of gastric and duodenal contents and their effects on inflammatory cytokine production in respiratory system of rats Iranian Journal of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, 2014
The effect of opium addiction on serum adiponectin and leptin levels in male subjects: A case control study from Kerman Coronary Artery disease risk factors study (KERCADRS) Excli Journal, 2013
