Abstract
Background: Inorganic arsenic (As) has destructive effects on the kidneys. The exact mechanism and effects of Tribulus terrestris (TT) and endurance training (ET) on renal apoptosis and oxidative stress are not quite clear. Objectives: The effects of ET and TT on apoptotic markers and oxidative stress were examined in the kidney tissue of rats, poisoned with As. Methods: In total, 49 rats were randomly allocated to seven groups: (1) control; (2) As (68 mg/L/day for 8 weeks); (3) As + 5 mg/kg TT (As + TT5); (4) As + 10 mg/kg TT (As + TT10); (5) As + ET (running on a treadmill, five sessions each week, for eight weeks); (6) As + ET + 5 mg/kg TT (As + ET + TT5); and (7) As + ET + 10 mg/kg TT (As + ET + TT10). At the end of 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and levels of cytochrome-C (Cyt-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), and prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in their kidney tissues were measured. Results: Renal Cyt-C, MDA, PAB, and MGMT decreased by ET (P≤0.05). ATP levels increased in TT5, TT10, ET + TT5, and ET + TT10 groups (P ≤ 0.05), while Cyt-C, MDA, PAB, and MGMT decreased in these four groups (P ≤ 0.05). Reduction of Cyt-C, MDA, PAB, and MGMT was greater in TT10 than in TT5 group and in ET + TT10 than in ET + TT5 group (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: ET and TT, synergistically and/or alone, reduced oxidative stress and apoptotic markers in the kidney tissues of rats. A dose-dependent effect was observed for TT.