Attenuation of Hepatic Oxidative Damages in Exhaustive Exercised Rats by Dammarane Saponins Supplementation

Abstract

PURPOSE: Oxidative damage of proteins and lipids may further impair other cellular functions after exhaustive exercise. This study investigated the effect of different concentrations of Dammarane Saponins supplementation to cope the exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative damages in liver of rats. METHODS: Dammarane saponins (DS), exclusively extracted from ginseng were given to rats at different dosages (20, 60 and 120 mg/kg b.w.) for 2 months and treated as placebo, DS-20, DS-60 and DS-120 groups. Each group consists ten and five rats performed exhausted swimming exercise from each group. RESULTS: Glutathione (GSH), a foot marker of oxidative stress was dramatically decreased after exhausted exercise in placebo group, and the same was elevated in DS treated groups even after exercise. No significant changes in oxidized GSH (GSSG) levels were reported after exercise. In this study proteins and lipids peroxidation was clearly observed in exercised liver as shown as elevated protein carbonyls and MDA (malondialdehyde) levels respectively. However, we found that elevated protein and lipid peroxidation levels were attenuated in all DS pretreated groups after exercise. Furthermore, we also found significant (p <0.05) increase in xanthine oxidase (XO) activities after exercise in placebo groups. Whereas, XO activities were controlled in DS pretreated groups than placebo exercised rats, which indicates diminished free radical production. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we demonstrated that exhausted exercise-induced oxidative damage in liver was significantly reversed by DS pre-supplementation. This was evidenced by improved intracellular GSH status, controlled protein and lipids oxidation, and XO values. These results further suggest that DS as a nutritional supplement to athletes could be helpful to cope with the oxidative damages induced by exhaustive performance.