The effect of eight weeks of resistance training with tribulus terrestris on the apoptosis mechanism in the heart tissue of rats exposed to stanozolol

Abstract

Introduction: Abuse of androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) has irreversible effects on the heart in athletes. On the other hand, the beneficial effects of tribulus terrestris (T) have been shown to reduce cardiovascular risks. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance training (RT) with T on the apoptosis mechanism in the heart tissue of rats exposed to stanozolol (S). Methods: in this experimental study 35 male rats were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats including: 1) sham (normal saline) (Sh), 2) S, 3) S+100 mg/kg T (ST100), 4) S+50 mg/kg T (ST50), 5) S+RT (SRT), 6) S+RT+100 mg/kg T (SRTT100), and 7) S+RT+50 mg/kg T (SRTT50). During eight weeks, groups 5-7 performed three sessions of RT pre week, and groups 3, 4, 6, and 7 received specific doses of T daily. In order to analyze the research findings, the Shapiro-Wilk, one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post- hoc tests were used in SPSS21 software (P≤0.05). Results: RT reduced gene expression of CRP, cytochrome-c, AIF-1 and caspase-9 in the heart tissue (P=0.001); 50 and 100 mg/kg T reduced gene expression of CRP, cytochrome-c, AIF-1 (P=0.001) so that 100 mg/kg T has more favorable effect than 50 mg/kg T (P=0.001). Also, RT with T had interactive effects on reducing the genetic expression of CRP, cytochrome-c, AIF-1 and caspase-9 (P=0.001). Conclusion: RT and T consumption seem to have synergistic effects in reducing the apoptotic pathway markers in the heart tissue of rats exposed to the supra-physiologic dose of S.