Effect of Resistance Training and Tribulus Terrestris Consumption on Avoidance and Working Memory in Rats Exposed to Stanozolol

Abuse of androgenic-anabolic steroids is associated with cognitive impairment in athletes; however, the beneficial effects of herbs and exercise on memory improvement have been reported in this regard.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance training (RT) with Tribulus Terrestris (TT) consumption on avoidance and working memory in rats exposed to stanozolol (S).

In this experimental study, 35 male rats were divided into seven groups of five animals including: 1) sham (normal saline) (Sh), 2) S, 3) S+100 mg/kg TT (STT100), 4) S+50 mg/kg TT (STT50), 5) S+RT (SRT), 6) S+RT+100 mg/kg TT (SRTTT100), and 7) S+RT+50 mg/kg TT (SRTTT50). During eight weeks, groups 5-7 performed three sessions of weekly RT at an intensity of 30% to 100% of body weight, and groups 3, 4, 6, and 7 received 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg TT peritoneally per day. The avoidance and working memory were measured 24 h after the last training session using shuttle box and Y maze tests, respectively.

The step-through latency (STL) and percentage of non-repetitive alternations were significantly higher in the RT (P≤0.05), STT100 (P≤0.05), and SRTTT100 (P≤0.05) groups. Additionally, the time spent in the dark compartment (TDC) was shorter than that in the S group. Moreover, PA levels were significantly higher in the SRTTT50 group, compared to that in the S group (P≤0.05). The RT and 100 mg/kg TT significantly increased the STL, reduced TDC, and increased the non-repetitive percentage of alternation (PA) (P≤0.05). Moreover, RT with 100 mg/kg TT significantly increased STL, decreased TDC, and increased PA (P≥0.05), while RT with 50 mg/kg TT only increased PA (P≥0.05).

The RT and TT consumption have a synergistic effect on memory improvement in rats exposed to S; however, it should be noted that the TT consumption is dose-dependent.