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 andZip7 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.
Nazari et al. (Sun,) studied this question.