Effects of High Intensity Interval Training and Curcumin Supplementation on Hippocampal Total Antioxidant Capacity, GRP78 and Caspase 3 Level in Male Rats Exposed to Arsenic

There is a little information about the synergic effects of exercise training and curcumin supplementations on arsenic exposure in the brain. We investigated the effects of six weeks of aerobic training and curcumin supplementation on hippocampal caspase 3, total antioxidant capacity and GRP78 level in rats exposed to arsenic.

Eighty five male rats were randomized in six groups including training, curcumin, training+curcumin, arsenic, ethanol control and normal control. Arsenic and curcumin were administered orally for entire the study period. HIIT were conducted for six weeks (5 d/w, 60 min/session (with 4 min running at 85-90% of Vo2max and 2 min recovery at 50-60% of Vo2max intervals).

 Exposure to arsenic through drinking water caused a significant increase in the amount of caspase 3 (P=0.001) and GRP78 (P=0.001) and a non-significant decrease in the total antioxidant capacity level (P=0.95) of the hippocampus. HIIT also significantly elevated hippocampal caspase 3 level (P=0.001), however only curcumin supplementation could attenuate caspase 3 (P=0.001) and TAC alterations (P=0.001) induced by arsenic exposure.

Arsenic exposure renders the hippocampus to oxidative stress and risk of apoptosis. In spite of a remarkable protective effects by curcumin supplementation, HIIT fails to overcome arsenic toxicity in the brain.