Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Vitamin D Supplementation on Expression of Apoptosis-Regulatory Genes in Lung of Rats Poisoned with Hydrogen Peroxide

Background and Objectives: Apoptosis is essential for the survival and normal functioning of multicellular organisms, yet any interruption in this process could be detrimental. Increased production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress are key factors affecting apoptosis. Our objective was to determine the impact of exercise with and without vitamin D supplementation on expression of FLIP, Fas, and caspase 8 in lung of rats poisoned with H2O2. Methods: Forty-eight adult male rats were randomly divided into six groups: (C), (H), (HD), (HE), (HDE) and dimethyl sulfoxide. Groups H, HE, HD and HDE received 1 mmol/Kg intraperitoneal injection of H2O2. HE and HDE groups ran on treadmill for eight weeks. Expression of FLIP, Fas and caspase 8 was measured in lung tissues using RT-qPCR. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using SPSS 22 at significance level of 0.05. Results: Vitamin D supplementation caused a significant decrease in expression of Fas (P=0.014) and caspase 8 (P=0.016) compared to the control group. However, it significantly overexpressed FLIP in the lung tissues compared to the control group (P=0.005). Exercise with and without vitamin D supplementation had no significant effect on the expression of the apoptosis regulatory genes. Conclusion: Our results show that VD exerts protective effects on lung tissue by regulating apoptotic factors. Aerobic exercise alone and combined with VD has no significant effect on the apoptotic factors. These results indicate that VD supplementation can reduce lung injury under oxidative stress conditions.