The effect of aerobic exercise swimming in combination with hydrogen rich water on clinical symptoms, histological changes and oxidative stress markers in experimental colitis model

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic gastrointestinal diseases that pose a challenge to its treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic swimming exercise and in combination with hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on clinical symptoms, histological changes and oxidative stress markers in an animal model of colitis.

Thirty male C57BL6 mice were divided into control, swimming exercise, colitis, colitis+swimming exercise, colitis+swimming exercise+ colitis groups. At the end of study, colon weight and length, spleen weight, disease activity index, histological changes and oxidative stress markers in colon tissue were evaluated. Data were analyzed using one-way or two-way ANOVA and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results showed that there were no significant differences between control and swimming exercised groups. But, in colitis animals, the disease activity index (such as weight loss, bleeding, and rectal protrusion) in exercised group decreased significantly compared to the colitis group; which showed a further decrease in the combined group (p<0.001). Moreover, colon length was also increased in exercised groups compared to the colitis group (p<0.05). Histological indices (such as leukocyte infiltration) and fibrosis were significantly decreased in exercsied groups compared to the colitis group (p<0.01). Colitis animals had higher malondialdehyde and lower antioxidative markers (superoxihde dismutase, catalase, total thiol) compared to the control group; while exercise and exercise plus HRW significantly improved antioxidative factors.

The results showed that swimming exercise especially in combination with HRW could improve clinical symptoms and histological changes of colon tissue in colitis animals and it can be considered as treatment strategy in patients with colitis.