The Effect of Eight Weeks of Aerobic Training and Royal Jelly on Oxidative Stress and Liver Tissue Enzymes in Obese Rats

Oxidative stress is associated with a variety of inflammatory and metabolic diseases, including obesity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aerobic training and Royal Jelly on oxidative stress and liver tissue enzymes of obese rats.

In this experimental study, 45 male Wistar rats (mean weight= 187.5±9.37 grams) were divided into 5 groups: Normal Diet (ND), High-Fat Diet (HFD), High-Fat Diet + Training (HFDT), High-Fat Diet + Royal Jelly (HFDRJ) and High-Fat Diet + Training + Royal Jelly (HFDTRJ). The supplement groups orally received 100 mg of royal jelly (per kg of body weight) diluted in distilled water during the intervention period. An aerobic training program including running on a treadmill with an intensity of 50-60% of oxygen consumption (VO2max), was performed Five days a week for eight weeks. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test at a significance level of α=0.05.

There was a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant decrease in Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), and Catalase (CAT) in HFD group compared with ND group (P=0.001). Also, a significant decrease in MDA values and a significant increase in amounts of SOD, GPX, and CAT was observed in HFDT, HFDRJ, and HFDTRJ groups compared with the HFD group; and in the HFDTRJ group compared with HFDT and HFDRJ groups (P=0.001).  

It seems that the intervention of aerobic training and royal jelly can help to reduce oxidative stress and improve liver enzymes during obesity.