Effects of Aerobic Training and Pumpkin Seed Extract Consumption on the Heart and Aorta Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: A Case of Rats Exposed With Arsenic

Introduction: It has beenproposed that regular aerobic exercisetraining and medicinal plants are able to reduce oxidative damage resulted from toxin metal poisoning such as arsenic which is a significant risk factor in the heart diseases. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the simultaneous effect of regular aerobic exercise training and pumpkin extract on oxidative stress of the heart and endothelial cells of the aorta in rats poisoned with arsenic. Materials and Methods: 56 male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups including TC (toxic control); AE (aerobic exercise training); TAP1 (toxic aerobic exercise training + 300 mg/kg/day pumpkin seed extract consumption); TAP2 (toxic aerobic exercise training + 600 mg/kg/day pumpkin seed extract consumption); TP1 (300 mg/kg/day toxic pumpkin seed extract consumption); TP2 (600 mg/kg/day toxic pumpkin seed extract consumption), and HC (healthy control). The intervention was performed based on the groups’ categorization.  24 hours after the last intervention the samples were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using one and twoway analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The results showed that exercise training increased GSH (p= 0.0001) and GSSG (p= 0.0001) and declined MDA levels (p= 0.0001) in the aortic endothelial cells and heart tissue. Also, pumpkin seed extract consumption induced a significant increase in GSH (p= 0.0001) and GSSG (p= 0.0001) and decreased MDA levels (p= 0.0001) in the aortic endothelial cells and heart. On the other hand, interaction of exercise training and pumpkin seed extract consumption increased GSH (p= 0.0001) and GSSG (p= 0.0001) and decreased MDA levels (p= 0.0001) in the aortic endothelial cells and heart. Conclusion:It is concluded that concurrent of pumpkin seed extract consumption and aerobic exercise training could intensify mutual antioxidant effects in oxidative stresses such as cardiac disorders caused by arsenic poisoning.