The Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Vitamin D Supplementation on Hepatic Fas and c-FLIP Levels in Rats Exposed to Oxygenated Water

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of regular aerobic exercise and vitamin D supplementation on hepatic apoptosis in rats exposed to oxygenated water (H2O2).

Methods: For this purpose, 60 adult male Wistar rats weighed 220±20 g were randomly divided into ten groups (n=6 in each group) including: control group (C), H2O2 (H), double H2O2 (2H), H2O2 + Vitamin D3 Supplement (HD), double H2O2 + Vitamin D3 Supplement (2HD), H2O2+ Exercise (HE), double H2O2+ Exercise (2HE), H2O2 + Vitamin D3 Supplement + Exercise (HDE), double H2O2 + Vitamin D3 + Exercise (2HDE) and Dimethyl Sulfoxide + Saline (DMSO). Then, the animals were exposed to oxidative stress (intraperitoneal injection of H2O2 3 times a week), vitamin D3 (intraperitoneal injection daily) and daily treadmill exercise for 8 weeks (duration of training sessions 30 to 60 min, at speeds of 8 to 20 m/min). The rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last training session and liver tissue was extracted and Fas and c-FLIP protein concentration was measured by ELISA method. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the between groups differences.

Results: The results showed that Fas protein levels were higher in the H, 2H, HD and 2HD groups compared to the control group (P<0.05) and of c-FLIP protein level was lower in the H and 2H groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). The 2HE and 2HDE groups also showed less Fas protein level compared to the 2H group (P<0.05). In addition, the HE group compared to the H group and 2HE and 2HDE groups compared to the 2H group showed higher levels of c-FLIP protein concentration (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Overall, the results of the present study showed that exposure of rats to H2O2 initiates apoptotic cascade in liver tissue. However, regular treadmill exercise was able to attenuate this effect to a large extent, but vitamin D3 supplementation did not.