Effect of Aerobic Training and Crocin Consumption on Bax Gene Expression in the Hippocampal Tissue of Ovariectomized Rats

Background: Ovariectomy is a standardized experimental model of menopause in rodents to study the effects of menopause in women. Objectives: The present study aimed to explore the effect of aerobic training (AT) with crocin (Cr) intake on Bax gene expression in the hippocampal tissue and weight of ovariectomized rats. Methods: In the current experimental study, 45 ovariectomized rats were randomly selected and divided into five groups of nine subjects, including (1) control (C); (2) Sham (Sh); (3) aerobic training (AT); (4) crocin intake (Cr); and (5) aerobic training + crocin intake (AT + Cr). Rats in groups 3 and 5 performed training for eight weeks, and three sessions, and groups 4 and 5 received 25 mg/kg crocin per day peritoneally for eight weeks. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test at a level of P≤0.05. Results: Bax gene expression was significantly lower in the AT (P = 0.001), Cr (P = 0.01), and AT + Cr (P = 0.001) groups than in the control group. Also, weights were significantly lower in the Cr (P = 0.001), AT (P = 0.001), and AT + Cr (P = 0.001) groups than in the control group. In addition, the weights were significantly lower in the AT (P = 0.001) and AT + Cr (P = 0.001) groups than in the Cr group. Conclusions: Aerobic training combined with crocin intake can reduce the weight of ovariectomized rats. Also, aerobic training and the concurrent consumption of crocin and aerobic training can reduce Bax gene expression in the brain hippocampal tissue of ovariectomized rats.