Response of Cardiac Tissue Oxidative Stress After Aerobic Exercise and Capsaicin Administrations in Rats Fed High-Fat Diet

Background: Oxidative stress harms cells and impairs the balance between oxidative and antioxidative factors. Exercise and capsaicin have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as well as some benefits on the cardiovascular system. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of aerobic training with capsaicin on heart changes oxidative stress in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were fed a normal diet (ND, n = 8) or HFD (n = 32) for 8 weeks. After eight weeks, all rats were divided into five groups: ND, HFD, high-fat diet-training (HFDT), high-fat diet-capsaicin (HFDCap), high-fat diettraining- capsaicin (HFDTCap). Training groups performed a progressive aerobic running program (at 15 - 25 m/min, 30 - 60 min/day, and 5 days/week) on a motor-driven treadmill for eight weeks. Capsaicin (4 mg/kg/day) was administered orally, by gavage, once a day. Results: The results showed significant increase in cardiac SOD, GPx and CAT levels in HFDT (P 0.001), HFDCap (P 0.001) and HFDTCap (P 0.001) groups. Also, a significant increase in the amount of this index was observed in the HFDTCap compared to the HFDT and HFDCap groups (P 0.05). The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in all experimental groups was significantly lower than the HFD group (P 0.001). Conclusions: Exercise and capsaicin improve HFD-induced oxidative stress. Therefore, exercise and capsaicin can be used as an appropriate alternative treatment for obesity and its associated inflammatory and oxidative effects.