The Long-Term Effects of Colostrum Supplementation and Sprint-Endurance Training on Plasma VEGF Levels in Male Wistar Rats

previous studies have shown that bovine colostrum has antioxidant properties, but what has not heretofore been studied is the potential impact of antioxidant intake ofcolostrum supplements and various methods of physical exercise on changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of colostrum supplementation and sprint-endurance training on plasma VEGF levelsin male Wistar rats.
in the present experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (control, colostrum supplementation, aerobic exercise, anaerobic exercise, colostrum supplementation-aerobic exercise, and colostrum supplementation-anaerobic exercise). Groups receiving colostrum were orally fed daily for ten weeks with300 mg/kg bovine colostrum powder. Training groups received sprint-endurance training, three times a week for a period of ten weeks, with specified intensity and duration. In all the rat groups, blood samples were taken in the morning on an empty stomach before and 24 hours after the last training session. Data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov(K-S),one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests at α the findings showed that colostrum supplementation for ten weeks dosing 300 mg/kg tended to significantly increase VEGF levels in all study groups compared to the control group receiving saline (p the findingsindicated that intake of colostrum, as a strong antioxidant supplementhaving enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, along with sprint-endurance trainingfor ten weeksincreases plasma VEGF levels, thereby playinga significant role in vascular angiogenesis. Keywords: bovine colostrum, endurance training, sprint training, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Wistar rats