Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training, Pumpkin Seed Oil and Chickpea Supplementation on Gene Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes in the Liver and Muscle Tissues of Male Rats

Abstract

Introduction: There is ample evidence regarding the protective effects of antioxidant vitamins and minerals against oxidative stress. The discovery of zinc's protective role in countering free-radical formation and oxidative stress has instigated extensive research into the antioxidant properties of zinc and its involvement in the antioxidant defense system. Furthermore, the utilization of plants with antioxidant properties has gained increasing attention among researchers. This study aims to investigate the impact of six weeks of aerobic exercise training, along with supplementation of pumpkin seed oil and chickpeas, on the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and muscle tissues of male rats. Material & Methods: To achieve this objective, 36 Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control (C), training (T), chickpea (Ch), chickpea + training (Ch+T), pumpkin seed oil (P), and pumpkin seed oil + training (P+T). At the conclusion of the training and supplementation period, the gene expression of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) and catalase (CAT) were assessed. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: The results revealed that in all the groups involving pumpkin seed oil and chickpea supplementation, in both liver and muscle tissues, a non-significant decrease in the expression of the enzymes CAT and GPX1 was observed when compared to the control and exercise training groups. Conclusion: To a certain extent, the use of pumpkin seed oil and chickpeas may enhance the expression of antioxidant enzymes.

Keywords

• zinc
• pumpkin seed oil
• chickpea
• catalase (cat)
• glutathione peroxidase (gpx)