Mahsa Dehghan-Manshadi - Department of Exercise Physiology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad-Ali Azarbayjani - Department of Exercise Physiology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Sirvan Atashak - Department of Exercise Physiology, Mahabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, Iran.
Maghsoud Peeri - Department of Exercise Physiology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Saleh Rahmati-Ahmadabad - Department of Physical Education, Pardis Branch, Islamic Azad University, Pardis, Iran.

Background: Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments for menopausal disorders, but it may increase the risk of breast cancer, coronary heart disease, and pulmonary embolism. Objective: The present study investigated the effect of resistance training with and without vitamin D calcium (Ca++) chitosan nanoparticles on apoptosis markers in ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: ۴۲ female Wistar rats were divided into ۷ groups (n = ۶/each). One group was assigned as the healthy control to show the induction of menopause. The other ۶ groups comprised ovariectomized (OVX) animals including: ۱) vitamin D + calcium + chitosan + resistance training, ۲) saline + estrogen + resistance training, ۳) saline + resistance training, ۴) vitamin D + calcium + chitosan, ۵) saline + estrogen, and ۶) OVX + control. ۴۸ hr after the last intervention, the hippocampus tissue was extracted to measure the BCL-۲-associated X (BAX), B-cell lymphoma ۲ (BCL-۲), and caspase-۳ gene expression as well as the percentage of dead cells. Results: OVX rats demonstrated increased BAX gene expression, the ratio of BAX gene expression to BCL-۲, caspase-۳ gene expression, and percentage of dead cells of hippocampal tissue, but decreased BCL-۲ gene expression. Resistance training and vitamin D Ca++ chitosan nanoparticle supplements seemed to reverse these changes. Conclusion: The combination of resistance training and vitamin D Ca++ chitosan nanoparticle supplements may be considered a non-pharmacological treatment for OVX-induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis, BCL-۲-associated X protein, Caspase-۳, Estrogen replacement therapy, Hormone replacement therapy.