OXIDATIVE STRESS IS MARKEDLY REDUCED BY COMBINED VOLUNTARY EXERCISE AND TESTOSTERONE IN THE HEART OF DIABETIC RATS

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Endocrinology
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular complications in diabetes are linked to increased oxidative stress.
• Both exercise and testosterone can modulate the antioxidant system in diabetic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the individual and combined effects of testosterone and voluntary exercise on oxidative stress in the heart and blood of diabetic rats.
• To assess the impact of castration on these effects.

Main Methods:

• Type 1 diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats using streptozotocin.
• Rats were divided into eight groups, including diabetic, diabetic with testosterone, diabetic with exercise, and combinations, as well as castrated groups.
• After 42 days, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in blood and heart tissues.

Main Results:

• Testosterone and exercise treatments significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GPX, CAT) and decreased MDA levels in diabetic and castrated diabetic rats.
• A synergistic effect was observed when testosterone and exercise were combined.
• In castrated diabetic rats, antioxidant enzyme activities decreased, and MDA levels increased, highlighting the role of endogenous testosterone.

Conclusions:

• Voluntary exercise and testosterone administration, individually or concurrently, bolster the antioxidant defense system in diabetic rats.
• These interventions effectively mitigate oxidative stress, as indicated by reduced MDA levels in both blood and cardiac tissues of diabetic and castrated diabetic rats.