| Summary: | <i>Background and Objectives:</i> Several studies have reported that some conditions such as exercise and hypoxia induce DNA damage and dysfunction and apoptosis. Some plant foods contain numerous bioactive compounds and anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight DNA damage. Therefore, the current study evaluated the effect of supplementation of Adiantum capillus-veneris (ACV) extract on Bax/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) ratio apoptotic index and remodeling of pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells in lung tissue of healthy Wistar rats during stressful conditions (hypoxia). <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Twenty-seven Wistar male rats (four-week old, 72 ± 9 g) were randomly assigned into three groups: normoxic, sedentary, and not-supplemented (NG, <i>n</i> = 9); exercise and hypoxia and not-supplemented (HE, <i>n</i> = 9); and exercise and hypoxia and supplemented group (HS, <i>n</i> = 9). The NG remained sedentary in the normoxia environment for nine weeks. The HE group participated in a high-intensity (IT) program for six weeks, then remained sedentary in the hypoxia environment for three weeks. The low-pressure chamber simulated a ~2800 M altitude 24 h/d. HS participated in IT, then entered and remained sedentary in the hypoxia environment for three weeks, and they consumed 500 mg per kg of body weight ACV extract. <i>Results</i>: The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio of the HE group increased significantly (+50.27%, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05), the average number of type I pneumocytes was reduced significantly (−18.85%, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05), and the average number of type II pneumocytes was increased significantly (+14.69%, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). Also, after three weeks of consuming the ACV extract, the HS group in comparison with the HE group had their Bax/Bcl-2 ratio reduced significantly (−24.27%, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05), the average number of type I pneumocytes increased significantly (+10.15%, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05), and the average number of type II pneumocytes reduced significantly (−7.18%, <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). <i>Conclusion:</i> The findings show that after three weeks of hypoxia following six weeks of high-intensity interval training in Wistar rats, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the number of type II pneumocytes were increased and the number of type I pneumocytes was reduced significantly. These results strongly suggest that an apoptosis state was induced in the lung parenchyma, and consuming ACV extract modulated this state.
|
|---|