The Effect of Resistance Training with Tribulus terrestris on Liver Enzymes in Rats Exposed to Stanozolol

Today, anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and growth hormone are widely used in men and women to increase strength and muscle mass in athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of resistance training (R) and Tribulus terrestris (TT) on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in rats exposed to stanozolol (S).

In this experimental study, 49 male Sprague Dawley rats with an age range of 8-10 weeks and an approximate weight of 180-200 g were randomly divided into 7 groups of seven animals, including: (1) sham, (2) stanozolol (5 mg/kg/day) (S), (3) 50 mg/kg T. terrestris extract (TT50), (4) 100 mg/kg T. terrestris extract (TT100), (5) resistance training (RT), (6) RT + TT50, and (7) RT + TT100. Resistance training was performed for eight weeks, three sessions per week. Data analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test in SPSS version 22.0 (P ≥ 0.05).

AST, ALT, and ALP levels in the RT, TT50, TT100, RT + TT50, and RT + TT100 groups were significantly lower compared to the S group (P ≥ 0.05). AST and ALP levels in the TT100 group were lower compared to the TT50 group (P ≥ 0.05). Moreover, ALT and ALP levels in the RT + TT100 group were lower compared to the RT + TT50 group (P ≥ 0.05).

It seems that resistance training together with TT consumption synergistically improves liver enzymes in rats exposed to stanozolol. In addition, the effect of resistance training + 100 mg/kg T. terrestris extract (RT + TT100) is much more favorable than RT + TT50, TT50, and TT100.