Abstract
Background: Chronic use of dexamethasone, especially in athletes, is associated with reproductive disorders. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of high and moderate intensity endurance training along with the consumption of safflower extract on testicular oxidative damage and testosterone level in male rats treated with dexamethasone. Methods: A total of 45 male Wistar rats were divided into the controlled and treated groups. Dexamethasone was subcutaneously injected for five days at a dose of 8 mg/kg. High and moderate intensity exercises were performed for ten weeks (five days a week) at speeds of 28 and 34 m/min, respectively, on the treadmill. The safflower seed extract (500 mg/kg of the body weight) was administered daily during the training period by gavage. At the end of the given period, testicular tissue sampling was performed to measure malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, Nrf2, and testosterone levels. Results: The results showed that high and moderate intensity exercises along with the consumption of safflower seed extract (P = 0.000) as well as high intensity exercise alone (P = 0.04) caused a significant increase in Nrf2 expression in animals receiving dexamethasone compared to the dexamethasone group. No significant change was observed in the testosterone level of the dexamethasone group compared to that of the control group. However, a significant change was detected in its level in some groups treated with moderate exercise, intense exercise, and safflower extract. Conclusions: It was concluded that moderate and high intensity endurance training, along with the consumption of safflower extract, had the potential to prevent infertility caused by dexamethasone.