International Journal of Nutrition Sciences

International Journal of Nutrition Sciences

The in vivo Effect of High-Intensity Endurance Training and Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) Seed Supplementation on Expression of Specific Zinc Transporter Genes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Araz Nazari 1
Abbass Ghanbari-Niaki 2
Khadijeh Nasiri 2
Yazgaldi Nazari 3
1 Department of Physical Education, University of Saravan, Saravan, Iran
2 Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran
3 Department of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran
10.30476/ijns.2026.107953.1536
Abstract
Background: Zinc as an essential trace element plays a vital role in cellular metabolism and various biological processes. Zinc homeostasis in cells is regulated by two families of transporter proteins, Slc30a (ZnT) and Slc39a (Zip). This study investigated the effects of high-intensity endurance training and supplementation with an aqueous extract of Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) seeds on the expression of key zinc transporter genes in the gastric tissue of male rats.
Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of Saline-Control (SC), Saline-Training (ST), Ajwain-Control (AC), and Ajwain-Training (AT). The training groups underwent a treadmill running protocol for eight weeks (5 days/week, 60 minutes/session). The Ajwain groups received a daily oral gavage of 200 mg/kg body weight of aqueous T. ammi seed extract. The gene expression levels of ZnT5, ZnT6, ZnT8, ZnT9, Zip7, Zip8 and Zip14 were measured using Real-Time PCR.
Results: The results indicated that training and Ajwain supplementation significantly affected the expression of ZnT6, ZnT8, ZnT9, Zip8 and Zip14 genes in the gastric tissue, whereas the expression of ZnT5 and
Zip7 genes did not show significant changes.
Conclusion: Supplementation with T. ammi and high-intensity endurance training distinctly modulated the expression of zinc transporter genes and may play a role in the regulation of zinc homeostasis and gastric health. These findings provide new insights into the effects of nutrition and exercise on the gastrointestinal system.

Highlights

Araz Nazari (Google Scholar)

Keywords
Trachyspermum ammi
Ajwain
Zinc transporter genes
Gastric tissue
Rat
  1. Kambe T, Hashimoto A, Fujimoto S. Current understanding of ZIP and ZnT zinc transporters in human health and diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2014;71:3281-95. DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1617-0. PMID: 24710731.
  2. Moradpour GR, Minaei MR, Haghighat N, et al. The Effect of Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery on the Level of Vitamin A, Iron, Copper, Ferritin, Hemoglobin, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Zinc and Cardiometabolic Factors in Patients with Morbid Obesity. Int J Nutr Sci. 2025;10:467-475. DOI: 10.30476/ijns.2025.104992.1386.
  3. Kambe T, Tsuji T, Hashimoto A, et al. The physiological, biochemical, and molecular roles of zinc transporters in zinc homeostasis and metabolism. PhysiolRev. 2015;95:749-84. DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00035.2014. PMID: 26084690.
  4. Deng H, Qiao X, Xie T, et al. SLC-30A9 is required for Zn2+ homeostasis, Zn2+ mobilization, and mitochondrial health. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021;118:e2023909118. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2023909118. PMID: 34433664.
  5. Taylor KM, Hiscox S, Nicholson RI, et al. Protein kinase CK2 triggers cytosolic zinc signaling pathways by phosphorylation of zinc channel ZIP7. SciSignal. 2012;5:ra11. DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2002585. PMID: 22317921.
  6. Myers SA, Nield A, Chew GS, et al. The zinc transporter, Slc39a7 (Zip7) is implicated in glycaemic control in skeletal muscle cells. PLoS One. 2013;8:e79316. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079316. PMID: 24265765.
  7. Liu MJ, Bao S, Gálvez-Peralta M, et al. ZIP8 regulates host defense through zinc-mediated inhibition of NF-κB. Cell Rep. 2013;3:386-400. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.01.009. PMID: 23403290.
  8. Mehrabani D, Sholehvar F, Yaghmaei P, et al. The impact of acemannan, an extracted product from Aloe vera, on proliferation of dental pulp stem cells and healing of mandibular defects in rabbits. Am J Stem Cells. 2024;13:75-86. DOI: 10.62347/UAFC3719. PMID: 38765804.
  9. Jalli R, Mehrabani D, Zare S, et al. Cell Proliferation, Viability, Differentiation, and Apoptosis of Iron Oxide Labeled Stem Cells Transfected with Lipofectamine Assessed by MRI. J Clin Med. 2023;12:2395. DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062395. PMID: 36983399.
  10. Fujishiro H, Yano Y, Takada Y, et al. Roles of ZIP8, ZIP14, and DMT1 in transport of cadmium and manganese in mouse kidney proximal tubule cells. Metallomics. 2012;4:700-8. DOI: 10.1039/c2mt20024d. PMID: 22534978.
  11. Chu A, Petocz P, Samman S. Zinc status at baseline is not related to acute changes in serum zinc concentration following bouts of running or cycling. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2018;50:105-10.
  12. Zare S, Mehrabani D, Jalli R, et al. MRI-Tracking of Dental Pulp Stem Cells In Vitro and In Vivo Using Dextran-Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles. J Clin Med. 2019;8:1418. DOI: 10.3390/jcm8091418. PMID: 31505807.
  13. Maynar M, Muñoz D, Alves J, et al. Influence of an acute exercise until exhaustion on serum and urinary concentrations of molybdenum, selenium, and zinc in athletes. BiolTrace ElemRes. 2018;186:361-9. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-018-1327-9. PMID: 29623649.
  14. Sheikhani-Shahin H, Mehrabani D, Ashraf MJ, et al. The healing effect of bone marrow-derived stem cells and aquatic activity in Achilles tendon injury. J Hellenic Vet Med Soc. 2019;70:1373-1380.
  15. Gaskell SK, Burgell R, Wiklendt L, et al. Impact of exercise duration on gastrointestinal function and symptoms. JApplPhysiol. 2023;134:160-71. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00393.2022. PMID: 36476157.
  16. Sheikhani Shahin H, Koushkie Jaromi M, Kardeh E, et al. The effect of aerobic exercise on bone mineral density and bone mineral content in female athlete patients following kidney transplantation in Shiraz, southern Iran. World Appl Sci J. 2013;27:23-27.
  17. Fallah A, Mohammad-Hasani A, Colagar AH. Zinc is an essential element for male fertility: a review of Zn roles in men’s health, germination, sperm quality, and fertilization. J Reprod Infertil. 2018;19:69-81. PMID: 30009140
  18. Dabidi Roshan V, Hekmat F, Memar Moghadam M, et al. The Effect Of Running Exercise And Calcium Supplementation In Tibial Bone Strength In Ovariectomized Mouse. Olympic. 2010;18:121-135.
  19. Yavari A, Javadi M, Mirmiran P, et al. Exercise-induced oxidative stress and dietary antioxidants. Asian JSports Med. 2015;6:e24898. DOI: 10.5812/asjsm.24898. PMID: 25883776.
  20. Boskabady MH, Alitaneh S, Alavinezhad A. Carum copticum L.: a herbal medicine with various pharmacological effects. Biomed ResInt. 2014;2014:569087. DOI: 10.1155/2014/569087. PMID: 25089273.
  21. Masoumi SJ, Mehrabani D, Moradi F, et al. The prevalence of dyspepsia symptoms and its correlation with the quality of life among Qashqai Turkish migrating nomads in Fars Province, southern Iran. Pak J Med Sci. 2015;31:325-330. DOI: 10.12669/pjms.312.6956. PMID: 26101484.
  22. Masoumi SJ, Khademolhosseini F, Mehrabani D, et al. Correlation Of Quality Of Life With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Amongst Qashqai Nomads In Iran. Arch Iran Med. 2012;15:47-50. PMID: 23199245.
  23. Asif HM, Sultana S, Akhtar N. A panoramic view on phytochemical, nutritional, ethanobotanical uses and pharmacological values of Trachyspermum ammi Linn. Asian PacJTrop Biomed. 2014;4:S545-S53.
  24. Rahnama M, Mehrabani D, Japoni S, et al. The healing effect of licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra) on Helicobacter pylori infected peptic ulcers. J Res Med Sci. 2013;18:532-533. PMID: 24250708.
  25. Panjehshahin MR, Owji AA, Mehrabani D, et al. Effect Of Curcumin On Cholesterol Gall-Stone Induction In Rats. J Appl Anim Res. 2003;23:75-80.
  26. Ranjbaran A, Kavoosi G, Mojallal-Tabatabaei Z, et al. The antioxidant activity of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and thymol in murine macrophages. Biocatal Agric Biotechnol. 2019;20:101220.
  27. Nazari A, Ghanbari-Niaki A, Nasiri K. The Selected Zinc Transporters (ZnT and ZIP) Gene Expression, Zinc, Iron and Glycogen Concentrations in Healthy Rat Testis: Effect of Aqueous Ajwain (Tracispermum ammi) Seeds Powder Extraction and High-intensity Treadmill Running. JChemHealth Risks. 2024;14:711-725. DOI: 10.60829/jchr.2024.3121949.
  28. Irshad A, Jawad R, Mushtaq Q, et al. Determination of antibacterial and antioxidant potential of organic crude extracts from Malus domestica, Cinnamomum verum and Trachyspermum ammi. SciRep. 2025;15:976. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-83506-0. PMID: 39762362.
  29. Agarwal U, Pannu A, Tonk RK. Emerging Traditional and Pharmacological Health Benefits of Trachyspermum Ammi (Ajwain): Future Aspects. J Funct Foods. 2025;4. DOI: 10.2174/0126668629357338250113095001.
  30. Elsalhy GE, Sharaf El-din MG, Abdelhameed RF, et al. Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague: A Comprehensive Review of Its Phytochemistry and Bioactivity. RecPharmBiomedical Sci. 2025;9:83-109.
  31. Handa SS, Khanuja SP, Longo G, et al. Extraction technologies for medicinal and aromatic plants: Earth. JMSET. 2008;1:21-5.
  32. Javed I, Iqbal Z, Rahman Z, et al. Comparative antihyperlipidaemic efficacy of Trachyspermum ammi extracts in albino rabbits. Pak Vet J. 2006;26:23-9.
  33. Ghanbari-Niaki A, Ghanbari-Abarghooi S, Rahbarizadeh F, et al. Heart ABCA1 and PPAR-α genes expression responses in male rats: effects of high intensity treadmill running training and aqueous extraction of black crataegus-pentaegyna. Res Cardiovasc Med. 2013;2:153-9. DOI: 10.5812/cardiovascmed.13892. PMID: 25478513.
  34. Niaki AG, Nazari A, Nasiri K. Intense Endurance Running Training and Supplementation with the Aqueous Extract of Ajwain Seed: Effect on the Levels of Zinc and Some zinc Transporters in the Liver Tissue of Male Wistar Rats. AnimBiol. 2024;16:83-97.
  35. Khavidaki AD, Ghanbari-Niaki A, Nasiri K, et al. Zinc Transporters in the Livers of Healthy Male Wistar Rats: An Investigation of the Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Supplementation with Pumpkin Seed and White Pea. Zahedan J Res Med Sci. 2023;26:e137982
  36. Zhang X, Guan T, Yang B, et al. A novel role for zinc transporter 8 in the facilitation of zinc accumulation and regulation of testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells of human and mouse testicles. Metab. 2018;88:40-50. DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2018.09.002. PMID: 30236453.
  37. Taylor KM, Morgan HE, Johnson A, et al. Structure-function analysis of HKE4, a member of the new LIV-1 subfamily of zinc transporters. Biochem J. 2004;377:131-9. DOI: 10.1042/BJ20031183. PMID: 14525538.
  38. Fukunaka A, Kurokawa Y, Teranishi F, et al. Tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase is activated via a two-step mechanism by zinc transport complexes in the early secretory pathway. J BiolChem. 2011;286:16363-73. DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M111.227173. PMID: 21402707.