The Effect of Aerobic Training and Pistacia Atlantica Extract on the Levels of Heat Shock Protein 70 and Protein Carbonyl in the Heart Tissue of Diabetic Rats

Using the combination of exercise training and medicine, especially herbal medicine, is one of the therapeutic approaches in patients with diabetes. Purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of a 6-week aerobic training together with consuming of Pistacia atlantica extract on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels in the heart tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. Diabetes was induced via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). The six-week period exercise training program included aerobic training on a treadmill (five sessions per week, 40 minutes per session, with a speed of 20 m/minute and with a slope of 5 degrees). Pistacia atlantica extract was fed five days per week with a dose of 25 mg/kg. The rats were anesthetized 48 hours after the last training session, and their heart were isolated. Then, the levels of HSP70 and protein carbonyl in the heart tissue were determined using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and chemical colorimetric method, respectively. The HSP70 level in the diabetic group under aerobic training together with receiving Pistacia atlantica extract was significantly lower than the control diabetic group (P = 0.003); but, there was no statistically significant difference in the level of protein carbonyl between the groups (P = 0.740). It seems that aerobic training with Pistacia atlantica extract consuming, is a better therapeutic approach than using them alone, as a complementary therapy for reducing cardiac side effects in patients with diabetes.