Treadmill Running and Antioxidants Supplementation Increases Cardiac Apelin and Oxidative Stress-related Biomarkers in Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

Purpose: The American Heart Association (AHA) published a statement on the importance of air pollution 
in the development of cardiovascular disease. Apelin is a multifunctional neuropeptide that plays an important 
regulatory role in cardiac dysfunction. We have investigated the cardioprotective effects of treadmill running 
and/or curcumin supplementation on the cardiac apelin and oxidative stress-related biomarkers such as total 
antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in male rats exposed to lead acetate.
Material and Methods: In this study Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: (1) lead 
acetate; (2) curcumin; (3) treadmill running; (4) treadmill+ curcumin; and (5) sham-operate groups. The rats in 
groups 1 to 4 received lead acetate (20 mg/kg). Also, groups 3 and 4 underwent treadmill running, 15 to 22 
m/min for 25 to 64 minutes, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks, while groups 2 and 4 received curcumin solution (30 
mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Rats in group 5 only received curcumin solvent (ethyl oleat). 
Results: Lead administration resulted in a significant decrease in apelin, heart mass, TAC levels, and 
significantly increased MDA. Furthermore, treadmill running and\or curcumin supplementation resulted in a 
significant increase in apelin, heart mass, TAC levels and a significant decrease in MDA levels.
Discussion and Conclusion: These results suggest a cardioprotective effect of antioxidants and regular 
endurance training in ameliorating lead-induced cardiotoxicity.

Keywords

• Apelin
• Antioxidant
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Exercise training
• Lead

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