Exercise training and taurine supplementation reduce oxidative stress and prevent endothelium dysfunction in rats fed a highly palatable diet.

Abstract

Abstract Aim Few studies have analysed, from a nutritional point of view, the influence of exercise in minimizing detrimental diet-related health effects. This study evaluated the effectiveness of exercise and taurine supplementation in preventing vascular and metabolic disorders caused by highly palatable diet intake. Main methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats (255–265 g) were divided into 4 groups: Sedentary (SD); Sedentary + 2% taurine (SDTAU), Trained (TR) and Trained + 2% taurine (TRTAU). Exercise (treadmill, 60% maximum speed, 60 min, 5 days/week) started after 4 weeks of highly palatable diet feeding and was carried out for 7 weeks. Key findings Exercise effectively reduced insulin (61% and 68%), glucose (30% and 7%) and leptin levels (75% and 67%) in TR and TRTAU groups, respectively. All groups showed a reduction in hepatic triglyceride infiltration (74% for SDTAU, 82% for TR and 85% for TRTAU) but only exercise reduced TBARS (50% for TR and 41% for TRTAU). Impaired relaxation was seen in SD (E max = 67%) and improved with taurine (E max = 86%) and exercise (E max = 90% for TR and TRTAU). Increased expression of EC-SOD (32%) was seen in the aortas from all treated groups. Exercise, in the absence of taurine, increased Cu–Zn SOD (44%) and reduced gp91 phox (34%). Superoxide formation in the aorta was reduced in supplemented (75% in SDTAU) and in trained groups (64% and 77% for TR and TRTAU, respectively). Significance Exercise and taurine supplementation were effective in preventing endothelial dysfunction induced by highly palatable diet intake, through a decrease in vascular oxidative stress.