Effect of cold and moderate water immersion during resistance exercise on plasma heat shock protein response in rats

Today، Cold Water Immersion has developed among athletes for recovery speed. With respect to the significance of heat stress and HSP70 in physiological adaptations as well unspecified HSP70 Plasma response under these circumstances، this study was conducted to survey the effect of Water Immersion of varying temperature during resistance exercise on plasma level of heat shock protein 70 (eHSP70) in male rats. 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats (8-weeks) were assigned randomly to 1- Control group (CON; n=8، 208. 5± 7. 98)، 2- Resistance exercise group (RE; n=8، 209. 66± 9. 66)، 3- Resistance exercise+ Moderate Water Immersion group (Re+MWI) and 4- Resistance exercise+ Cold Water Immersion group (Re+CWI) groups. The resistance training consisted of climbing (5 reps/3 sets) a ladder (120 Cm) carrying a load (%50 body weight) suspended from the tail. At rest intervals between sets and at the thrid set (2 minute immersion+ 2 minute Rest)، rats in group 3 and 4 were immersed in a container of water with 27˚C and 14˚C، respectively. Immediately after euthanasia (24 h after the training session) blood samples (1. 5 ml) were collected via tail vein and plasma samples were separated after allowing blood to clot on ice. Plasma was stored frozen at -80°C for analysis. The data was analyzed with One-Way ANOWA method at 0/05 level of significance and plasma eHSP70 levels were evaluated with ELISA method. Results showed that eHSP70 incremental response in Re+MWI group and moderate water immersion group (12. 28±0. 43) was significantly greater than the control group (10. 59±0. 40). The incremental response was also higher in the two other experimental groups compared to the control group but it was not statistically significant. Based on findings of the present study، MWI (27 ˚C) during resistance exercise or sbusequently، induces eHSP70 incremental response. If the findings of this study could be generalized to future studies on human participants، it could be suggested for athletes in fields such a wrestling and weightlifting (with strength quality and a need to increase muscular protein content).