The Effect of a Course of Aerobic Exercise With Hypoallergenic Supplement of Tribulus Terrestris on Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Markers of Cardiac Tissue in Rats Toxicated With Hydrogen Peroxide

Oxidative stress causes DNA damage and apoptosis and leads to cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a course of aerobic exercise with hypoallergenic supplement of Tribulus terrestris on mitochondrial oxidative stress markers of cardiac tissue in rats toxicated with hydrogen peroxide.

To implementation of this experimental research, 42 male wistar rats randomly were divided into 7 groups include 1) Control (toxicated with hydrogen peroxide without extract), 2) Aerobic exercise, 3) Aerobic exercise - Tribulus terrestris extract 5mg/kg, 4) Aerobic exercise - Tribulus terrestris extract 10mg/kg, 5) Tribulus terrestris extract 5mg/kg, 6) Tribulus terrestris extract 10mg/kg, 7) Healthy control. All groups received 100 mg/kg body weight of hydrogen peroxide for 14 days intraperitoneal. Rats in supplemented groups received Tribulus terrestris hydroalcoholic extract with doses of 5 and 10 mg per day by gavage method. Aerobic training was performed on a treadmill at a speed of 23 m/min, 30 min/day, 5 days/week for eight weeks. 24 hours after the last training session, rat heart tissue was collected. Data were analyzed by Independent t-test, two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test at the P<0.05. 

Tribulus terrestris extract and mixed intervention of tribulus terrestris extract with aerobic training led to significant increase in levels of O-6-methyl guanine-DNA-methyl transferase, Prooxidants-antioxidant balance (PAB) and Cytochrome C Oxidase, as well as significant decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) the heart tissue of rats compared to the control group poisoned with hydrogen peroxide (P<0.05).

It seems that iintervention of regular aerobic training and the various doses of tribulus terrestris extract is a moderating factor in mitochondrial biogenesis and is effective in reducing the DNA damage in heart tissue and the lower dose has more benefits.