Effect of resveratrol supplementation and interval exercise on heart cells apoptosis in male rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic hepatic diseases which may be associated with cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to consider the effect of combined therapy with resveratrol supplementation and interval exercise training on heart cells apoptosis in rats with NAFLD using TUNEL assay.

This experimental study was done on 35 Wistar rats. Animals were randomly allocated into five groups including control (healthy) and four NAFLD groups, including patient, resveratrol, interval exercise, and resveratrol + interval exercise. A TUNEL assay kit was applied for the detection of apoptosis in heart tissue.

The patient group had significantly higher percentage of heart apoptotic cells (24.38±0.69%) compared to the other groups (P<0.05), while the resveratrol + interval exercise (9.02±0.49%) and resveratrol (9.47±0.83%) groups showed significantly lower mean levels of heart apoptotic cells compared to the patient and interval exercise (P<0.05) groups. There was no significant difference in mean of apoptotic cells between resveratrol and resveratrol + interval exercise groups. The mean of apoptotic cells in interval exercise group was 11.39±0.28%.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is considerably associated with heart cells apoptosis. Resveratrol supplementation especially combined with interval exercise significantly reduces apoptotic cells in heart tissue.