Effect of Eight Weeks of Resistance Training and Testosterone Enanthate Consumption on Antioxidant Balance in the Kidney Tissue of Female Wistar Rats

Khadijeh Molaei; Sanaz Mirzayan Shanjani; Ali Gorzi; Yaser Kazemzadeh; Abdolali Banaeifar

doi:10.18502/ssu.v33i9.20417

Khadijeh Molaei Ph.D. Student ,Department of Exercise Physiology, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr, Iran.
Sanaz Mirzayan Shanjani Department of Exercise Physiology, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr, Iran.
Ali Gorzi Department of Sport Sciences, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran.
Yaser Kazemzadeh graduate of kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Abdolali Banaeifar Department of Exercise Physiology, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ssu.v33i9.20417

Keywords: Testosterone enanthate, Antioxidant, Oxidative stress, Kidney tissue, Rat.

Abstract

Introduction: Testosterone enanthate is an anabolic–androgenic steroid that promotes muscle growth and improves athletic performance, but its misuse is associated with irreversible complications. Improper use of anabolic steroids can lead to tissue injury, particularly in kidney tissue. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance training and testosterone enanthate consumption on antioxidant balance in the kidney tissue of female Wistar rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 24 female Wistar rats aged 8 weeks and weighing 208.22 ± 14.17 grams were obtained from the Pasteur Institute (Iran). The rats were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) control, (2) resistance training + placebo, and (3) resistance training + testosterone enanthate (n = 8 per group). The study lasted eight weeks and included resistance training five days per week. In the resistance training + testosterone enanthate group, rats received intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight three days per week. Activity levels of kidney tissue antioxidant enzymes were measured using spectrophotometry method. Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS version 16 using one-way ANOVA at a significance level of P < 0.05.

Results: Resistance training + testosterone enanthate significantly increased MDA levels compared with the resistance training + placebo (P < 0.0001) and control (P < 0.0001) groups. SOD activity in the resistance training + testosterone enanthate group was significantly lower than in the resistance training + placebo (P < 0.0001) and control (P < 0.0001) groups. Likewise, GPX activity was significantly reduced in the resistance training + testosterone enanthate group compared with the resistance training + placebo (P < 0.0001) and control (P < 0.0001) groups. No significant differences were observed between the resistance training + placebo and control groups for GPX, SOD, and MDA (P > 0.999).

Conclusion: It appears that resistance training combined with testosterone enanthate consumption abuse may cause a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes and an increase in oxidative stress in kidney tissue.