Protective effect of crocin and voluntary exercise against oxidative stress in the heart of high-fat diet-induced type 2 diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of type 2 diabetes and diabeticassociated cardiovascular complications. This study investigated the impact of crocin combined with voluntary exercise on heart oxidative stress indicator in high-fat diet-induced type 2 diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Rats were divided into four groups: diabetes, diabetic-crocin, diabetic-voluntary exercise, diabetic-crocin-voluntary exercise. Type 2 diabetes was induced by high-fat diet (4 weeks) and injection of streptozotocin (intraperitoneally, 35 mg/kg). Animals received crocin orally (50 mg/kg); voluntary exercise was performed alone or combined with crocin treatment for 8 weeks. Finally, malondialdehyde (MDA), activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) were measured spectrophotometrically. Results: Treatment of diabetic rats with crocin and exercise significantly decreased the levels of MDA (p < 0.001) and increased the activity of SOD, GPx, and CAT compared with the untreated diabetic group. In addition, combination of exercise and crocin amplified their effect on antioxidant levels in the heart tissue of type 2 diabetic rats. Conclusion: We suggest that a combination of crocin with voluntary exercise treatment may cause more beneficial effects in antioxidant defense system of heart tissues than the use of crocin or voluntary exercise alone.

<p>Protective Effects of <em>Spirulina platensis</em>, Voluntary Exercise and Environmental Interventions Against Adolescent Stress-Induced Anxiety and Depressive-Like Symptoms, Oxidative Stress and Alterations of BDNF and 5HT-3 Receptors of the Prefrontal Cortex in Female Rats</p>

“…For example, voluntary physical activity has been shown to mitigate anxiety and depression-like behaviors and oxidative stress in a rat model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, 94 and to protect the heart from oxidative stress in diabetic rats. 95 As aforementioned, findings of the present study demonstrated similar anti-oxidative stress of Spirulina platensis at a dose of 200 mg/kg, voluntary exercise and enriched environment in rats submitted to chronic adolescent stress. Although the underlying mechanisms of anti-oxidative stress properties of these treatments are not known, they may interact with HPA axis, and thus, reduce oxidative stress.…”

Crocin Improves the Endothelial Function Regulated by Kca3.1 Through ERK and Akt Signaling Pathways

“…Crocin, namely crocetin esters, is one of the major pharmacological compounds in saffron [1, 5], possessing protective effect against cardiovascular diseases [1, 3, 5-7]. Data confirms that crocin improves cardiac function through partially reducing peroxidation damage [3, 8] or protecting myocardial cells against drug-induced cardiotoxicity [9, 10]. Crocin also exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects through the reduction of peroxide damage to endothelial cells [5, 11], and potently reduce mean arterial blood pressure in rats [7].…”

Effects of resveratrol on learning and memory in rats with vascular dementia

“…Oxidative stress is not only associated with VD but is also associated with all risk factors for VD. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are widely used in many studies to represent the level of oxidative stress (26,27). MDA, a common marker for oxidative stress injury, is the product of lipid peroxidation in oxidative stress and is positively correlated with oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation (26).…”