Swimming Exercise Modifies Oxidative Stress in Skeletal and Cardiac Muscles of Diabetic Rats

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p><jats:bold>Background:</jats:bold> Oxidative stress is a key factor in the worsening of diabetes, requiring an increase in the activity of the antioxidant system, culminating in a balance in the body. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the redox state in the skeletal and cardiac muscles in rats induced to diabetes model and submitted to swimming exercise training for 4 weeks. <jats:bold>Methods:</jats:bold> Wistar rats were separated into the following four groups: untrained control (C); trained control (T); untrained alloxan-induced diabetes (D); trained alloxan-induced diabetes (TD). The animals were submitted to swimming exercise<jats:bold> </jats:bold>training for 4 weeks. The redox state of skeletal and cardiac muscles was analyzed by TBARS, -SH groups and, H<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>O<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> production as well as by the SOD and Catalase activity. Besides, a histomorphometry analysis was performed in the cardiac muscle in which the total number of cardiomyocytes and the total area of collagen fibers were measured.<jats:bold>Results:</jats:bold> On the Soleus muscles, the TD group showed increased of H<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>O<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> and Catalase compared to T group; and SOD compared to D group. About the red gastrocnemius, TD group presented higher SOD and lower Catalase relation to D group. Regarding to cardiac muscle, TD group presented lower TBARS than D group, while it was higher in -SH groups and Catalase compared to D group. Moreover, the swimming exercise led to a decrease in hyperglycemia, benefits in pathogenesis and physio-pathogenesis, evidenced by a reduced number of cardiomyocytes and area of collagen fibers. <jats:bold>Conclusions:</jats:bold> The swimming protocol exercise in diabetic rats was able to control the hyperglycemia, control of oxidative damage and minimize the fibrosis on cardiac muscle in diabetic rats.</jats:p>