The effect of endurance training and crocin consumption on serum levels of catalase and glutathione peroxidase in ovarictomized rats

Estrogen reduction during menopause can lead to an increase in oxidative stress and decrease in antioxidant enzymes, but physical activity and nutrition can be considered as two important factors for improving these conditions. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of endurance training and crocin consumption on serum levels of catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes medulla in ovariectomized rats.

Thirty six female ovariectomized rats  with average ages ranging from 8 to 10 weeks were divided into 4 groups (n=9) including control, endurance training, crocin consumption and endurance training and crocin consumption groups. During 8 weeks period, the groups endurance training and endurance training plus crocin consumption were subjected to 5 training sessions per week while the crocin consumption and endurance training plus crocin consumption groups were received 25 mg/kg body weight crocin peritoneally. Enzyme levels were measured by the wavelength method and to analyze data one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) along with Tukey’s post hoc test were used at the significant level of p < 0.05.

Endurance training (p < 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively), crocin consumption (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), and endurance training plus crocin consumption (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) had a significant increase on the serum catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity in ovariectomized rats. However, endurance training plus crocin consumption had a greater effect on increasing enzyme levels (p < 0.001).

Endurance training along with crocin consumption can have a protective effect against oxidative stress by increasing serum levels of catalase and glutathione peroxidase medulla in ovariectomized rats.