The effect of two weeks of ginseng extract (Panax ginseng) supplementation on troponins I and T in response to acute swimming exercise in male rats

Acute sports activities can lead to damage to some tissues of the body (e.g., heart) due to the generation of oxidizing substances, resulting in an increase in troponins I and T levels. This study aimed to investigate the impact of two weeks of ginseng extract (Panax ginseng) supplementation on troponins I and T in male rats in response to acute swimming exercise.

In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (8 weeks old, mean weight of 239.48 ± 6.7 grams) were randomly assigned to four groups: placebo, placebo + acute swimming exercise, ginseng extract supplement, and acute swimming exercise + ginseng extract supplement. The supplement groups received 0.02 ml of ginseng supplement per day for two weeks via gavage. The acute swimming exercise groups engaged in swimming activity until exhaustion in water after the supplementation period. Blood samples were collected from the rats' hearts two hours after acute swimming exercise to measure troponin I and T proteins.

Troponin I and T levels significantly increased after acute swimming exercise in both groups compared to pre-activity levels (P < 0.001). Ginseng extract supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in troponin I (P < 0.001) and troponin T (P = 0.019) levels compared to the placebo group following acute swimming exercise.

The findings suggest that acute swimming exercise can induce heart damage in rats, and a two-week regimen of ginseng supplementation may mitigate these effects.