Endurance Training and Tribulus Terrestris Extract Effects on Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis Markers in the Liver Tissue of Rats Exposed to Arsenic

Arsenic (As), as a toxic metal, causes disorders in various tissues of the body, including the liver. However, studies have shown that exercise and herbs such as Tribulus Terrestris (T) have antioxidant effects in some diseases. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of endurance training (ET) and T extract on oxidative stress and apoptosis markers in the liver tissue of rats exposed to As. 

In this experimental study, 49 rats were randomly assigned into seven groups including: (1), control (C), (2) As, (3), As + 5 mg / kg T (As+T5), (4) As+ 10 mg / kg T  (As + T10), (5) As+ ET, (6) As+ ET+ 5 mg / kg T (As + ET + T5), and (7) As+ ET+ 10 mg / kg T (As + ET + T10). Over a period of eight weeks, groups 2-6 consumed 68 mg/L of sodium arsenite per day dissolved in drinking water. Also, groups 5-7 ran on the treadmill five sessions per week and 30 minutes per session at a speed of 23 meters per minute. 

Exposure to As led to a significant increase in O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase ( MGMT), cytochrome C, Malondialdehyde (MDA), prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), and decreased hepatic Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (P= 0.001). However, training and consumption of T reduced the concentration of MGMT, cytochrome C, MDA, PAB, and increased hepatic ATP concentration (P= 0.001). T with a dose of 10 mg/kg had a greater effect than 5 mg/kg dose on increasing ATP concentration and decreasing cytochrome C, MDA, and PAB in the liver tissue (P= 0.001). Also, the interaction of training and consumption of T was significant in reducing the concentration of MGMT, cytochrome C, MDA, PAB, and increasing the hepatic ATP concentration in rats poisoned with As (P= 0.001). 

It seems that endurance training with Tribulus Terrestris  extract by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis exerts a protective effect on liver tissue in cases of arsenic poisoning. Accordingly, these two interventions can be a good way to reduce the effects of arsenic induction on the liver tissue.