Biochemical and Histopathological Effects of Hirudotherapy in a Rat Model of Chronic Exercise-Induced Physiological...

Chronic exercise can induce physiological stress characterized by muscle damage, oxidative imbalance, and hormonal alterations, potentially impairing recovery and performance. Hirudotherapy, a traditional biotherapeutic intervention that contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and circulation-enhancing components, has attracted interest as a potential natural recovery strategy. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical and histopathological effects of hirudotherapy following chronic exercise in a rat model of exercise-induced physiological stress. Thirty-two male rats were assigned to four groups: control, hirudotherapy, exercise, and hirudotherapy plus exercise. Serum biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers were analyzed, and skeletal muscle and liver tissues were examined histopathologically to assess exercise-induced alterations and potential modulatory effects of hirudotherapy. Rats exposed to chronic exercise exhibited biochemical and structural indicators of physiological stress. Hirudotherapy was associated with partial attenuation of these alterations, particularly in histopathological findings, while changes in oxidative stress markers were not statistically significant. These findings suggest that hirudotherapy may exert a modulatory effect on post-exercise recovery processes; however, further studies are required to clarify its impact on oxidative stress pathways.