Investigate the role of supplements of pumpkin seeds and exercise activity on oxidative stress factors

In recent years, investigations on the use of plants as a source for antioxidant components have been increased. This study aimed to investigate the role of supplements of pumpkin seeds and exercise activity on tissue oxidative stress factors in liver of male rats poisoned with hydrogen peroxide.

A total of 48 adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six groups of n = 8 including sham, pumpkin seeds 1g/Kg, pumpkin seeds 2g/kg, exercise, training+pumpkin seeds 1g/Kg, and training+pumpkin seeds 2g/Kg. To induce oxidative stress, intraperitoneal injection of H2O2 at a dose of 2mmol/Kg was given three times a week. The induction of pumpkin seed supplement was administered orally at 0.5 μg daily at a concentration of 300,000 UI/ml. The endurance training protocol started at 8m/min with 10-degree incline was started for 30 minutes on the treadmill in the first week and gradually increased to 20m/min with 10-degree incline for 60 minutes on the eighth week.

The results of this study showed that endurance training had a significant effect on the concentration of ATP, PAB, MDA, and 6-Methylguanine in liver tissue (p=0.001). Pumpkin seeds also had a significant effect on the concentration of ATP, PAB in liver tissue (p=0.001). Exercise in combination with pumpkin seeds supplementation had significant effect on the concentration of PAB, MDA, and 6-Methylguanine in the liver tissue (p=0.001).

Complementary nutrition with pumpkin seeds and endurance training can reduce oxidative stress in the liver tissue.