Investigation of oxidant/antioxidant status and CASPAS-3 levels in rats given low-intensity acuteand programmed swimming exercise

Research in this area is important to understand the effects of different types of exercise on biochemical processes and to optimise exercise programmes according to personal or clinical goals. This study investigates the effects of programmed and low intensity acute swimming exercises on oxidative stress and apoptosis in Wistar albino rats. For this purpose, 30 male rats were divided into three groups as Control (no exercise), Programmed Swimming (30 min per day for 20 days) and Acute Swimming (one-time 30 min swimming). Oxidative stress markers, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI), and caspase-3 activity as a marker of apoptosis were measured. Caspase-3 levels were 15.3 ± 1.2 ng/mL, 9.2 ± 1.1 and 8.5 ± 1.0 ng/mL in the programmed swimming, low intensity acute swimming and control groups, respectively, p<0.05; OSI was 2323.58±516.58; 2020.27±224.13; and 1956.00±424.07 (p>0.05), respectively. This study reveals the determinant role of exercise protocols on cellular adaptations and biochemical processes and suggests that exercise intensity and duration should be rigorously standardised for a better understanding of the interaction between oxidative stress and apoptosis. Keywords: Exercise physiology; low-intensity acute swimming; programmed swimming; antioxidant activity; caspase-3