Moderate physical exercise influence on systemic antioxidant mechanisms in Wistar rats

• Grant number: 11/14826-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2011
• End date: November 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Cardiorenal Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Agnaldo Bruno Chies
• Grantee: Daniele Moraes Losada
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). Marília , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Oxidant agents are associated with several physiological processes such as the destruction of bacteria by macrophages, drug detoxification, and vascular tone regulation. In contrast, when in excess, they can be biologically harmful being associated with various diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular problems. So it is vital to have a balance between the formation and neutralization of reactive species by antioxidant agents for the maintenance of homeostasis (redox balance). Indeed, this balance is particularly important during physical exercise which acts to unbalance this system by increasing the production of oxidant agents. However, when the exercise is regular, and of moderate intensity, it can act positively on the redox balance leading to functional and structural adaptations that increase the efficiency of antioxidant systems. Thus, to better understand the redox balance during exercise situations, we developed a pilot experiment in which was determined the FRAP (ferric-reducing Ability of plasma) in rats subjected to moderate running on a treadmill whose results suggest a significant increase in this parameter only in trained animals. To better understand this phenomenon, the objective of the proposed project is to investigate the behavior of plasma antioxidant systems in rats measured by FRAP as well as to improve the understanding of the physiological role of circulating antioxidant systems in maintaining redox balance during exercise. For this, we propose to study the influence of the interaction between blood/ vascular tissues on the plasma antioxidant capacity detected by FRAP. We also propose the determination of serum uric acid and ascorbic acid: antioxidants that directly influence the values of FRAP.(AU)