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Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetic patients are at increased risk for the development of complications including cardiovascular, nephropathy and neuropathy. The increased risk is not fully explainable by factors such as dyslipidemia and hypertension. Therefore, oxidative stress has proposed as an alternative explanation although the underlying mechanism(s) is not clearly understood. The objective of the present study was to evaluate plasma prooxidant/antioxidant status in uncomplicated type 2 diabetic patients. An aged-matched group of non-diabetics was used as control group. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 20 type 2 diabetic patients 7 males and 13 females (44.2±0.7 years) and 20 non-diabetic patients 12 males and 8 females (43.2±0.9 years) were entered into this study. Plasma malonedialdehyde, total glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase were dertermined spectrophotometrically and level of vitamin E was measured by HPLC. Statistical analyses were carried out by means of the SPSS-Win version 10 soft-ware package. Results: The glutathione levels and vitamin E/triglyceride ratios in diabetic patients were lower than those of non diabetics (148.8±15.5 nmol/L vs 192.9±54.4 nmol/L p<0.05 and 14.4±1.6 mol/mmol vs 17.0±1.1 mol/mmol p<0.05 repsectively). Compared to control group, diabetic patients exhibited slightly higher levels of malonedialdehyde (196.1±10.7 nmol/L vs 175.2±20.4 nmol/L). Catalase content and superoxide dismutase revealed different activities in diabetic and control groups but the differences failed to show any statistical significance (571.9±65.3 g/L vs 541.1±67.4 g/L and 0.29±0.06 OD vs 0.26±0.01 OD, respectively). Conclusion: This study revealed that plasma markers of oxidative stress, when compared with control group, were slightly altered in uncomplicated type 2 diabetic patients. These data provide additional support for the hypothesis that oxidative stress precedes the development of diabetic complications.

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ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Improvement of antioxidant capacity and lessening the concentration of inflammatory markers by physical activity and exercise has received a lot of attention by researchers. The present study was performed to assess the effects of moderate- intensity resistance exercise training on total antioxidant capacity (TAC), creatine kinase activity (CK), resting levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β). Material and Methods: 20 healthy volunteer men participated in the study and assigned randomly to resistance training (RT) (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Blood samples were obtained from antecubital vein in pre and post-test steps. Then activity of CK and alterations in the plasma levels of TAC, IL-6 and IL-1β were measured. The subjects commenced resistance training on alternate days (3 days/week) for eight weeks using 65 to 70% of their one repetition maximum (1RM). Results: Considering groups × time interaction, no significant differences were found in the variables of CK (P=0.321), TAC (0.523), IL-6 (P=0.085) and IL-1β (P=0.11) between RT and control groups after eight weeks of training. However, we found that CK activity and TAC increased insignificantly in RT in the post test step. Conclusion: We concluded that moderate- intensity resistance exercise training for eight weeks could not increase plasma antioxidant capacity and did not change inflammation factors. However, it seems that this protocol did not produce any significant change in oxidative stress and it did not lead to increased basal concentration of cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-1β. Key Words: Weight training, Antioxidant defense, Oxidative stress, Cell injury Received: May 4, 2013 Accepted: June 8, 2013 Conflict of interest: None declared

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Background and Aim: Consumption of large doses of fructose have been associated with numerous metabolic abnormalities in human beings and laboratory animals. Homocysteine is believed to enhance oxidative stress while taurine has hypolipidemic effect. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of taurine and homocysteine on the oxidative stress and lipid profile in rats receiving a high fructose-containing diet.
Material and Method: In this experimental study, forty male adult Wistar rats were divided in to 5 groups. Our control group (group 1) received a normal chow.  The diets of the second to fifth groups were as following:
Group 2: A high fructose containing diet
Group 3: A high fructose containing diet + homocysteine thiolactate (50mg/kg /day)
Group 4: A high fructose containing diet + taurine (2%)
Groups 5: A high fructose containing diet + homocysteine thiolactate (50mg/kg /day)+ taurine (2%)
All the groups received the above mentioned diet for six-weeks. At the end of the experimental period, total antioxidant capacity, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol of the plasma were measured. Activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and level of malondialdehyde were measured in the heart and kidney tissues of the rats.
Result: Fructose alone or in addition to homocysteine significantly reduced total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities, while the levels of triglycerides and malondialdehyde increased. Taurine suppressed or attenuated these changes.
Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed the role of high fructose containing diet in inducing oxidative stress and hypertriglyceridemia. We also found that use of homocysteine deteriorated the effects of high fructose containing diet. In contrast taurine had beneficial effects and suppressed fructose induced-oxidative stress and hypertriglyceridemia.
Keywords: Fructose, Homocysteine, Taurine, Oxidative Stress, Rat.
 
Received: Dec 5, 2016      Accepted: Jan 22, 2017

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Background and Aim: Cartilage disorders may deteriorate following oxidative stress injuries affecting mature chondrocytes.  Meantime, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into chondrocytes in the presence of oxidative conditions and act as a source of compensation for injured chondrocytes.  The present study aimed to investigate the effect of H₂O₂ on MSCs differentiation into chondrocytes in order to cast light on the dual roles of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of diseases.
Materials and Methods: Human mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from abdominal adipose tissue of three different donors and cultured in the presence of 50 mM H₂O₂ in order to differentiate into chondrocytes.  We determined cell viability by tetrazolium assay and measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) level by flow cytometry. Presence of glycoseaminoglycans was confirmed by safranin staining. 
Results: The percentage of cells containing ROS was significantly higher in the cells treated with hydrogen peroxide (29.2% ± 1) compared to that in the untreated control cells (7.7% ± 1.4).  A significant increase in glycoseaminoglycan content was observed in H₂O₂ treated cells compared to  that in the  control cells both on the 9^th  day (treated: 1.57×10⁴ ± 0.1 vs control: 0.91×10⁴ ± 0.09) and 21^st day (treated: 2.87×10⁴ ± 0.2 vs control: 0.96×10⁴ ± 0.07).  In addition, comparison of glycoseaminoglycan content on the 9^th and 21^st days showed a significantly higher content in both treated and control cells on the 21^st  day (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Hydrogen peroxide resulted in increased differentiation of adipose tissue-derived MSCs into chondrocytes.  Therefore, we concluded that, oxidative stress had positive role in the induction of chondrocyte differentiation.
Keywords: Chondrocytes, Differentiation, Glycosaminoglycans, Oxidative stress, Stem cells.
 
Received: Mar 1, 2017     Accepted: Nov 20, 2017

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Background and Aim: Reduction in sperm motility is one of the main causes of male infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Carob supplementation on sperm parameters, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress indices and sex hormones in the men with idiopathic infertility.
Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial which included 60 men with asthenospermia. The patients were assigned to intervention and placebo groups (n =30). The intervention group received 1500 mg Carob / day (three 500 mg capsules), and the placebo group received three placebo capsules / day for 12 weeks. The parameters of sperm, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde concentration, inflammatory markers and plasma sex hormones were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software and independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean values of changes between the two groups. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Differences in the changes in number, concentration and the percentage of motile sperms, total antioxidant capacity, concentration of MDA and plasma inflammatory markers were significant after the intervention (p<0.05). Changes in sex hormones were not significant in the two groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Increased concentration and motility of the sperm and decreased oxidative stress and inflammatory factors were observed in the intervention group. Use of plants with antioxidant capacity can be one of the ways to cope with oxidative damage to sperm in this group of infertile men.
Keywords: Carob, Asthenozoospermia, Oxidative stress, Inflammatory markers.
 
Received: Jan 20, 2018     Accepted: May 22, 2018

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Background and Aim: Knowledge of the physiological stress caused by different types of exercise training can be an important factor in proper designing of training programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two types of strenuous training (HIIT and resistance) on hippocampus superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in male Wistar rats.
Material and Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats (age: 8 weeks and weight: 205.19±17.19g), after one week of familiarization with environment and training, were randomly divided into three groups: control (n=6), HIIT (n=7) and resistance (n=7). During 10 weeks (5 sessions per week), rats performed an incremental HIIT training on the animal treadmill. HIIT training protocol started with 30 m/min running on the treadmill for one min with 10 reps and two min active rest at the first week and reached to 75-80 m/min for 1 min with 7 rep and 3 min active rest at the last week. In addition, resistance training was performed on one-meter height ladder (divided by 26 stairs) with a load of 30℅ of their body weight (suspended from tail) in the first week, which gradually increased to 250℅ of their body weight in the last week. We evaluated the activity of SOD and GPX in the hippocampus, serum MDA and TAC levels by spectrophotometry and ELISA Kit.
Results: The results of this study revealed no significant alterations in SOD and GPX activity in HIIT and resistance groups (P>0.05). However, the serum levels of TAC and MDA increased significantly in HIIT (p=0.001) and resistance groups (p=0.002) compared to those in the control group.
Conclusion: Based on our results, it seems that the effect of high-intensity interval and resistance training on hippocampus is not signifcant which could result from adaptation of hippocampus to this type of training in the long run. However, the significant increase of TAC and MDA in serum which represents high-level physiological stress induced by this type of training, should be considered in designing an exercise training program.

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Background and Aim: Diabetes is one of the major risk factors for ischemic heart disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of antioxidant drug troxerutin (TXR) on ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial injury in experimental streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (250-270 g) were divided into four groups including control, troxerutin, streptozotocin and streptozotocin + troxerutin groups. Diabetes was induced in the rats by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg / kg streptozotocin and rats were studied for 10 weeks. Rats in the streptozotocin + tezroxerotin group received troxerotin by oral gavage for 4 weeks from the 7th week onwards. The hearts of the rats in all groups were placed in the Langendrov apparatus after separation from the body and subjected to local ischemia for 30 minutes followed by reperfusion for 60 minutes. The amount of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme in coronary artery as well as the parameters of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in myocardial tissue during ischemia-reperfusion were measured using special kits.
Results: Body weight and the amount of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes were significantly decreased in the diabetic rats (P <0.05). Troxerutin in the streptozotocin + troxerutin group improved the levels of these enzymes to normal levels (P <0.05), whereas lactate dehydrogenase level decreased in this group (P <0.05).
Conclusion: In this study troxerutin reduced the severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury in the diabetic rats.

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Background and Aim: Daunorubicin is an effective antibiotic for the chemotherapy of various cancers. To prevent damage to healthy cells during chemotherapy, it is recommended to change this treatment or protect healthy cells from chemotherapeutic agents by protective compounds. The present study aimed to check the protective effect of royal jelly on male reproductive system against the side effects induced by daunorubicin injection in mice.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 77 adult BALB/c mice were randomly divided into seven groups including sham, control, royal jelly 1, royal jelly 2, daunorubicin, royal jelly 1+daunorubicin, and royal jelly 2+daunorubicin. Mice received saline (0.09%), and daunorubicin (2 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, and royal jelly (50 and 100 mg/kg) orally for 8weeks. The sperm parameters, testis weight, and oxidative stress parameters were evaluated. Using SPSS software (version 16), data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Daunorubicin caused a significant improvement in sperm parameters, testicular weight, total antioxidant capacity (p<0.01), and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels (p<0.05), while in the treatment group these changes were compensated by royal jelly.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that daunorubicin caused decrease in sperm parameters and increased oxidative stress, while royal jelly, as a rich source of antioxidants, moderated these changes

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Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Origanum vulgare administration on testicular injury induced by torsion/detorsion  .
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 64 adult rats were divided into 8 equal groups, as following:1-Sham: the abdominal cavity was opened and then closed. 2.Torsion/detorsion: the rats underwent spermatic cord twisting for 4 hours and then untwisting (30 minutes before untwisting normal saline was injected). 3.Torsion/detorsion+ Origanum vulgare: Similar to group 2, the only difference was injections of Origanum vulgare with different doses (400 mg/kg, 250, 100) which were given to 3 separate groups. 4. Origanum vulgare recipient: without any surgery, injections of Origanum vulgare were given to 3 separate groups with different doses (400 mg/kg, 250, 100). Twenty-four hours after surgery, blood samples were taken to measure oxidative stress factors. Testicular tissue was removed for assessment of histological changes, and the epididymis tissue was used to measure sperm parameters. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.
Results: We found significant decreases in Johnson's score, epithelium height, and seminiferous tubule diameter (data obtained from histological examination), number and morphology of sperm parameters and oxidative stress factors (Malondialdehyde, Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase and, Catalase) in the torsion/detorsion group compared to those in the sham group (P= 0.0001), while they improved in the torsion/detorsion groups receiving Origanum vulgare group compared to those in the torsion/detorsion group, but in most cases, the results were not significant.
Conclusion: It seems that Origanum vulgare can partially reduce the damage caused by testicular torsion/detorsion.

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Background and Aim: Hypoxia occurs especially in ischemia and heart attack, and finally can lead to death because of oxidative stress due to production of reactive oxygen species. Compounds with antioxidant activity can exhibit antihypoxic property. Kojic acid has good antioxidant activities. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no report about the protective effect of this compound against hypoxia-induced lethality in mice.
Materials and Methods: Protective effects of kojic acid against hypoxia-induced lethality in 80 mice were evaluated by three experimental models of hypoxia including asphyctic, haemic and circulatory.
Results: Antihypoxic activity of kojic acid was pronounced in asphyctic model and at the dose of 125 mg/kg, it prolonged the survival time in the negative control group (P<0.01). At this dose, it showed higher activity than positive control group (phenytoin) (P<0.01). Kojic acid showed marked protective activities in circulatory model. At the does of 62.5 mg/kg, it prolonged survival time which was significantly higher than those in the control groups (P<0.01). In haemic model, it significantly prolonged survival time only at the dose of 125 mg/kg (P<0.01). 
Conclusion: Kojic acid showed significant protective effects against hypoxia in some animal models. Antioxidant activity of this compound may be proposed as a mechanism for its antihypoxic activities.

 

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Background and Aim: Oxidative stress is an important factor in the development of memory and learning disorder which can cause neuronal damage in the hippocampus. Alpha-pinene is a polyphenolic compound from the terpene family that has shown important anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system and can affect memory. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of alpha-pinene on the improvement of working and spatial memory in rats. 
Materials and Methods: In this study, 24 male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control and 2 alpha-pinene groups (5 and 10 mg/kg IP) for 3 weeks. Spatial and working memories were assessed by Morris water maze and Y maze, respectively. Then, malondialdehyde level and total antioxidant capacity in hippocampal tissue were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test.
Results: The percentage of alternation in the Y maze increased in the group which had received 10 mg/kg alpha-pinene group compared to those in the control group and the group which had received 5 mg/kg alpha-pinene. The time spent in the target area at the dose of 10 mg/kg of alpha-pinene showed a significant increase compared to that in the control group, but there was no significant difference among the groups in terms of the time to reach the target platform. Alpha-pinene at the dose of 10 mg/kg decreased the level of malondialdehyde in hippocampal tissue compared to the control group, but no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of total antioxidant capacity.
Conclusion: Alpha-pinene increased spatial and working memory performance in rats. One of the possible mechanisms of memory improvement in the present study could be due to the reduction of malondialdehyde in the hippocampal tissue, as one of the important indicators of oxidative stress in the central nervous system.



 

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Background and Aim: Oxidative stress and inflammatory response play an important role in the development of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of dill seed on liver damage induced by LPS.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 32 rats weighing between 200 and 250 g were divided into four groups: control, control treated with dill hydroalcoholic extract, rats with liver damage، and rats with liver damage treated with dill hydroalcoholic extract. Dill hydroalcoholic extract was administered at a dose of 200 mg/kg. LPS was used to induce liver damage. Activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α) were measured. The differences between groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests.
Results: The levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TNF-α and MDA significantly increased and activities of SOD and catalase significantly decreased in the LPS group compared to those in the control group. Treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of dill significantly decreased ALT, AST, ALP, TNF-α and MDA and significantly increased SOD activity compared to those in the LPS group.
Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of dill showed a protective effect against liver dysfunction caused by LPS which is due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
 

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Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Caryophyllus aromaticus on DNA damage in mononuclear white cells of human blood using the COMET method.
Materials and Methods: Mononuclear white blood cells were isolated from blood samples taken from 15 healthy volunteers. Cells were treated with H₂O₂ (25, 50, 100, and 200 μM), as well as with aqueous and ethanolic extracts of aerial parts of cloves (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2.5 mg/ml). Finally, to induce DNA damage the cells were incubated in a combination of 100 μM H₂O₂ with each of the two aqueous and alcoholic extracts at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml at 4°C for 30 minutes. The extent of DNA migration was measured using the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis approach assay, and DNA damage was expressed as tail length (µm), percentage of tail DNA, and tail moment (µm).
Results: DNA damage in the mononuclear white blood cells exposed to the combination of hydrogen peroxide with aqueous extract of clove plant was significantly less than that in the mononuclear white blood cells treated with H₂O₂ alone. Tail length (µm) was 5.30±1.21 versus 21.84±3.91, percentage of tail DNA (%) was 4.29±1.21 versus 16.21±4.18, and tail movement (µm) was 0.24±0.08 versus 2.35±0.72, respectively (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The results showed that the aqueous extract of clove plant (2.5 mg/ml) can prevent oxidative DNA damage in human mononuclear white blood cells, which is probably due to the presence of antioxidant compounds in the extract.




 

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Background and Aim: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with an increasing global prevalence that can lead to premature death. High blood glucose is the main lab. abnormality in diabetes mellitus which occurs as a consequence of disorder in pancreatic insulin secretion or function. L -Serine supplementation regarded as safe by the FDA can improve glucose homeostasis and reduce homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of L-serine intake on oxidative stress indices and histopathologic changes in the pancreas of diabetic mice.
Materials and Methods: In order to conduct this study, 18 c57bl/6 male mice were purchased and divided into 3 groups (control, diabetic control and diabetic mice treated by L-serine(. Diabetes induced by chemical method (streptozotocin, 200 mg/kg). After four weeks of oral administration of L-Serine (approximately 280 mg/day/mouse), animals were euthanized by guillotine and blood samples and pancreas tissues were obtained to determine biochemical parameters, oxidative stress indices and pathological changes.
Results: The results of this study showed that oral administration of the supplement of L-Serine in diabetic mice could help to lower blood sugar levels and could lead to increased catalase enzyme activity (P<0.05) but had no significant effect on the levels of MDA, cholesterol, and triglyceride. On the other hand, histopathological changes showed a slight reduction in diabetes-induced pancreas damage in mice treated with L-serine.
Conclusions: These findings showed that the supplement of L-Serine may have a protective effect against diabetes-induced pancreas damage by lowering blood sugar and improving oxidative stress status.

 

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Background and Aim: Social isolation is a kind of stress, which by inducing oxidative stress in the nervous system causes behavioral disorders such as memory impairment, and anxiety. In this study we investigated the effect of grape seed oil (GSO) and its major component, vitamin E on cognitive behavior, anxiety, and hippocampal oxidative stress in adult male rats exposed to chronic social isolation.
Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into isolated and non-isolated groups. In the isolated group the rats were isolated socially for 8 consecutive weeks and were treated with GSO (2 ml/kg body weight) or alpha-tocopherol (30 mg/kg body weight).
Results: Social isolation reduced the time spent in the target quarter in the Morris water maze test (P < 0.01), and lowered the percentages of open-arm entrance and time spent in the open arm of the elevated plus-maze (P < 0.001). In addition, it increased malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.01), decreased glutathione content (P < 0.01), and enhanced catalase activity (P < 0.001) in the hippocampus. GSO and vitamin E prevented these changes in socially isolated animals.
Conclusion: It is concluded that GSO and vitamin E possibly reduce anxiety and memory deficits caused by social isolation through suppressing oxidative stress.

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Background and Aim: Testosterone enanthate is one of the common drugs among female athletes, and one of its basic side effects is the oxidative stress increase. Chicory is considered due to its antioxidant and protective effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was investigating the effect of chicory extract on SOD, GPX and MDA in the kidney tissue of female wistar rats during eight weeks' resistance training.
Materials and Methods: 22 female wistar rats aged 8 weeks and weighing 208.22±14.17 grams were provided from Pasteur Institute (Iran). After one week familiarization, the rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, 1) training + placebo group (n=6), 2) training + testosterone enanthate group (n=8), 3) training + testosterone enanthate + chicory group (n=8). Rats carried out eight weeks of resistance training with a 26-step ladder with weights (five days a week). Rats in the testosterone groups received steroid (testosterone enanthate/dose 20 mg) (in the form of injection) and chicory supplement (6 g/kg of body weight) (in the form of gavage) three times a week. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assessed by spectrophotometric methods, and one-way analysis of variance test was performed to compare intergroup differences along with Bonferroni's post hoc test for pairwise comparison.
Results: Consumption of testosterone causes a significant decrease in the level of GPX and SOD factors in rats (P<0.0001) and a significant increase in the level of MDA factor (P<0.0001) compared to the placebo group, and treatment with chicory causes a significant increase in the level The GPX and SOD factors of the rat and the significant decrease of their MDA factor level compared to the placebo rats are in the kidney tissue.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that the consumption of testosterone causes a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and an increase in oxidative stress in the resistance training rats body. Consuming chicory, along with testosterone supplementation, caused the level of these oxidative stress factors to return to their levels in placebo rats.