Treadmill Running and Antioxidants Supplementation Increases Cardiac Apelin and Oxidative Stress-related Biomarkers in Rats

The American Heart Association (AHA) published a statement on the importance of air pollution in the development of cardiovascular disease. Apelin is a multifunctional neuropeptide that plays an important regulatory role in cardiac dysfunction. We have investigated the cardioprotective effects of treadmill running and/or curcumin supplementation on the cardiac apelin and oxidative stress-related biomarkers such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in male rats exposed to lead acetate. In this study Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: (1) lead acetate; (2) curcumin; (3) treadmill running; (4) treadmill+ curcumin; and (5) sham-operate groups. The rats in groups 1 to 4 received lead acetate (20 mg/kg). Also, groups 3 and 4 underwent treadmill running, 15 to 22 m/min for 25 to 64 minutes, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks, while groups 2 and 4 received curcumin solution (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Rats in group 5 only received curcumin solvent (ethyl oleat). Lead administration resulted in a significant decrease in apelin, heart mass, TAC levels, and significantly increased MDA. Furthermore, treadmill running and\or curcumin supplementation resulted in a significant increase in apelin, heart mass, TAC levels and a significant decrease in MDA levels. Discussion and These results suggest a cardioprotective effect of antioxidants and regular endurance training in ameliorating lead-induced cardiotoxicity.