A Comparison of the Effect Two Methods of Endurance Swimming Training and Vitamin C Supplement on Liver Injury Biomarkers in Male Wistar Rats

The aim of this study was to examine the supporting effect of vitamin C supplement on changes of liver injury biomarkers stemming from exhaustive and endurance swimming training in serum of male Wistar rats. 36 male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were randomly divided into six groups: 1- exhaustive (EX), 2- exhaustive with VC (EX), 3-endurance (EN), 4-endurance with VC (EN), 5-control (C), and 6- control with VC (C). Endurance groups swam for 1 hour while exhaustive groups swam for 3 hours each session, 5 sessions per week for 10 weeks. VC supplement (100 mg/kg) started one week before starting the training protocol, and continued to the end of the 10th week. To estimate the indexes (ALT, AST, ATP), blood samples were collected from vena cava. Data were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA followed by a Tukey test (α˂0.05). Results showed that levels of ALT significantly decreased in EX (P=0.02) and EN groups (P=0.005) compared with EX group. Levels of AST reduced in EN group in comparison with C (P=0.03) and and EX groups (P=0.04). Also, levels of ALP reduced in EN group in comparison with EX group (P=0.03). Therefore, vitamin C supplement reduced liver injury in training groups especially endurance training group.