|
The Effect of Eight Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training Combined with Nigella sativa Supplementation on Selected Antioxidant Pathway Markers (Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1) in the Hippocampus of Rats with Type 2 Diabetes
|
Sussan Ramsari   , Bahram Abedi , Lida Moradi |
| Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, NT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran |
|
|
Abstract: (36 Views) |
Introduction: Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased oxidative stress and damage to brain tissues, including the hippocampus. The antioxidant pathway Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 plays a crucial role in counteracting such damage. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with Nigella sativa supplementation on the expression of these markers in the hippocampus of diabetic rats.
Methods: This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design. Forty male rats, after one week of laboratory acclimatization, were weight-matched and randomly assigned to five groups (n = 8 per group): healthy control, diabetic control, training, supplement, and training plus supplement. The high-intensity interval aerobic training protocol consisted of treadmill running for eight weeks. Nigella sativa extract was administered via oral gavage at the end of each training session at an effective dose of 400 mg/kg/day.
Results: The findings showed that induction of type 2 diabetes significantly increased serum levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 in the diabetic control group compared with the healthy control group. Furthermore, tissue levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 were significantly elevated following high-intensity interval training and Nigella sativa supplementation compared with the diabetic control group. Notably, the combined produced greater increases in the expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1 than either HIIT or supplementation alone.
Conclusion: Overall, these results indicate that high-intensity interval training and Nigella sativa supplementation have beneficial effects in enhancing the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway in the brain and may reduce oxidative stress–induced damage in type 2 diabetes
|
Article number: 08 |
| Keywords: High-Intensity Interval Training, Nigella sativa, Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1 |
|
|
Full-Text [PDF 273 kb]
(51 Downloads)
|
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/02/16 | Accepted: 2026/05/11 | Published: 2026/05/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
