The effect of eight weeks of high intensity interval training and crocin consumption on the apoptotic genes expression in the liver tissue of male rats under chronic doxorubicin induction

Background and Aim: The use of doxorubicin (Dox) in chemotherapy has irreversible effects on liver tissue. Therefore, the role of exercise activities and the use of antioxidants consumption on the mechanism of apoptosis induced by (Dox are not yet fully understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and crocin consumption on liver tissue apoptosis in male rats under chronic Dox induction. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (mean weight 200±20 g)and age range of 8 weeks divided into five groups including; 1: healthy control groups, 2: Dox (2 mg/kg in 7 doses), 3: Dox+crocin (10 mg/kg), 4: Dox+HIIT, and 5: Dox+HIIT+crocin. The training groups ran for 8 weeks, 5 days a week, at 2-minute intervals and with an intensity of 80 to 90% of the maximum speed. 48 hours after the last training session, liver biopsy were performed to assess the fibrosis and expression of Bax and Bcl-2 genes by (Real time-PCR) method. The results of statistical analysis were analyzed using by one-way (ANOVA), at p≤0.05. Results: Dox significantly increased Bax expression compared to Bax/Bcl-2 and also decreased Bcl-2 expression in liver tissue of the patient groups (p=0.001). In contrast, crocin and the combination of exercise and crocin decreased Bax expression compared to Bax/Bcl-2 and increased Bcl-2 expression in experimental groups compared to Dox group (p=0.001). Conclusion: It seems the high intensity interval training with consumption of crocin has significant effect on the decrease of apoptosis in liver tissue in male rats subjected to chronic doxorubicin injection.