High-intensity exercise may compromise renal morphology in rats
V A Aparicio1, M Tassi2, E Nebot1
1Department of Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Faculty of Sport Sciences, and Institute of Nutrition and Food -Technology, University of Granada, Spain.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|January 16, 2014
Summary
High-intensity exercise (HIE) involving strength training in rats led to increased plasma urea and creatine kinase (CK), alongside detrimental renal morphological changes. This suggests HIE may elevate long-term kidney disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- High-intensity exercise (HIE) is increasingly popular, but its long-term renal effects, particularly from strength training, require thorough investigation.
- Understanding exercise-induced physiological changes is crucial for optimizing training protocols and preventing potential health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the renal effects of a 12-week high-intensity exercise program based on strength training in Wistar rats.
- To assess changes in urinary parameters, plasma biomarkers, and renal morphology following HIE.
Main Methods:
- 20 Wistar rats were divided into HIE and control groups for 12 weeks.
- Evaluated urinary volume, pH, citrate, calcium, and plasma biomarkers including urea, creatinine, CK, corticosterone, and testosterone.
- Analyzed renal morphology using Fibrosis HR® software.
Main Results:
- HIE group showed higher plasma urea and CK, and lower plasma creatinine compared to controls.
- Elevated plasma corticosterone and reduced testosterone were observed in the HIE group.
- Renal morphology analysis revealed increased interstitial connective tissue, glomerular tufts, and mesangial areas in the HIE group, indicating a worse renal profile.
Conclusions:
- High-intensity strength training induced significant alterations in renal function and morphology in rats.
- The observed changes suggest that HIE may be associated with an increased long-term risk of kidney disease.
- Exercise-induced stress could be a contributing factor to the negative morphological renal status observed.
