High intensity aerobic interval training and curcumin supplementation could control hippocampal neurotoxicity induced by oxygenated water consumption in male rats

Tissue dysfunction might be the result of reactions between free radicals and cell membranes. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of cell vulnerability and assessment of the effect of intense intermittent exercise and curcumin supplementation on apoptotic and antiapoptotic factors in Wistar rats.

For the study, 60 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided to 5 groups (n = 8) of saline, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), high intensity interval training (HIIT) + oxygenated Water, Curcumin Supplement + Oxygenated Water, and HIIT + Curcumin Supplement + Oxygenated Water. Rats were treated with H2O2 in the amount of 1 mmol/kg of body weight three times a week on even days and curcumin, 150 m g/kg of body weight, daily. Treadmill running program was performed for 8 weeks. Real-time PCR was applied to assess Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) genes expression. Data were analyzed by using the Two-way ANOVA.

The induction of oxidative stress by H2O2 increased expression of Bax, and decreased expression of Bcl-2 in hippocampus of rats (P = 0.0001). HIIT and curcumin supplementation decreased expression of Bax, and increased expression of Bcl-2, Also, decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio (P = 0.0001).

This finding showed that doing HIIT and taking curcumin supplements have been able to decreas oxidative stress, and the effect of both together could further reduce the apoptotic process.