The effect of pumpkin seed and endurance training on oxidative stress factors and DNA damage

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of pumpkin seed and endurance training on oxidative stress factors and DNA damage of slow-twitch muscle tissue in male rats poisoned with hydrogen peroxide. Materials and Methods: A total of 48 adult male rats weighing 220±20 g at eight weeks were administered in accordance with stress interventions (hydrogen peroxide), pumpkin seed and endurance training. To induce oxidative stress, intraperitoneal injection of H2O2 at a dose of 2 mmol/kg was performed three times a week. Inoculation of pumpkin seeds was performed at 0.5 μg per day with intraperitoneal injection at a concentration of 300000 U/ml. The training groups performed daily aerobic exercise on a treadmill for 8 weeks, the endurance training protocol started at a speed of 8 m/min and a slope of 10 degrees for 30 minutes on the treadmill in the first week and gradually at a speed of 20 m/min at an angle of ten. The degree reached 60 minutes in the eighth week. Data were analyzed using repeated- measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test at the level of α = 0.05. Results: The results of the present study showed that training and receiving pumpkin seeds separately has a significant effect on ATP, ADP, ATP / ADP ratio, MDA and PAB of horseshoe muscle (P= 0.001); But the interaction between training and pumpkin seeds did not have a significant effect only on MDA of soleus muscle (P = 0.025) but had a significant effect on other variables (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Taking pumpkin seed supplement along with endurance training can reduce oxidative stress in the body.