# The effect of training and Tribulus terrestris extract on the antioxidant system and telomere functional markers in the liver tissue of rats exposed to stanozolol

## TL;DR

This study examines how training and Tribulus terrestris extract affect liver antioxidants and telomere markers in rats exposed to stanozolol.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel combination of resistance training and Tribulus terrestris extract to mitigate stanozolol-induced oxidative stress and telomere damage.

## Key findings

- Training and Tribulus terrestris extract reduced malondialdehyde levels in liver tissue.
- The combination increased gene expression of PI3K, Akt, and TERT compared to stanozolol alone.
- Higher doses of Tribulus terrestris (100 mg/kg) showed greater increases in PTEN and TERT gene expression.

## Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the effect of training along with administration of Tribulus terrestris (T) on the antioxidant system and telomere functional markers in the liver tissue of rats exposed to stanozolol.

Forty- nine male rats, with average age and weight of 8-10 weeks and 180-220 g respectively, were randomly divided into 7 groups of seven rats: 1) Sh: Sham, 2) S: stanozolol, 3) S+T50: stanozolol+ 50 mg/kg T. terrestris, 4) S+T100: stanozolol+ 100 mg/kg T. terrestris, 5) S+RT: stanozolol + resistance training, 6) S+RT+T50: stanozolol + resistance training + 50 mg/kg T. terrestris, and 7) S+RT+T100: stanozolol + resistance training + 100 mg/kg T. terrestris. Rats in the S groups received 5 mg/kg stanozolol intraperitoneally (25 mg/kg/wk). Groups 5 (R+T), 6 (S+RT+T50), and 7 (S+RT+T100) performed resistance trainings three sessions per week with an intensity of 30-100 percent of body weight for eight weeks. Also, groups 3 (S+T50), 4 (S+T100), 6 (S+RT+T50) and 7 (S+RT+T100) received daily ethanolic extract of T with doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally.

In the S+RT, S+T50, S+T100, S+RT+T50, and S+RT+T100 groups, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly lower and gene expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) levels were higher than the S group. Also, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and TERT gene expression levels in the S+T100 group were significantly higher than the S+T50 group.

Training and T have a positive effect on the transcription pathway of antioxidants and telomere protection.