The Effect of Aerobic Training and Tribulus terrestris Extract on Some Oxidative Stress Indices in the Heart Tissue of Male Wistar Rats Poisoned with Hydrogen Peroxide

Oxidative stress plays a key role in cardiovascular diseases. Hydrogen peroxide poisoning also increases oxidative stress. In contrast, aerobic exercise and the use of Tribulus terrestris (Tt) extract can individually play an antioxidant defense balance.

The aim of this study was to investigate the simultaneous effect of aerobic training (AT), and alcoholic extract of Tt on some oxidative stress indices in the heart tissue of hydrogen peroxide poisoned male Wistar rats.

Forty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups, including (1) healthy-control, (2) H2O2, (3) H2O2 + AT, (4) H2O2 + Tt 1 (5 mg/kg), (5) H2O2 + Tt 2 (10 mg/kg), (6) H2O2 + AT + Tt 1, and (7) H2O2 + AT + Tt 2. The AT protocol consisted of eight weeks (5 sessions per week) of treadmill running at 20 m/min for 60 minutes per session. Tissue samples were collected to measure oxidative stress indices. Two-way analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis.

A significant decrease in tissue concentration of cytochrome C (ng/mL), MDA (Pmol/mL), PAB index (HK), while an increase in tissue concentration of ATP (µM) was observed in the H2O2 + AT + Tt 2 group compared to other groups (P ≤ 0.05).

Combining AT and Tt can be a good strategy to reduce the complications of hydrogen peroxide poisoning. Because the observed changes were far from complete improvement compared to the healthy control group, it is likely that longer treatment periods and higher drug doses should be used. Future studies should use Tribulus terrestris (Tt) supplementation in addition to Tribulus terrestris (Tt) intake prior to training sessions.