Effects of intense exercise on change of function and pathology of liver and pancreas in rats

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of two acute exercise intensities on changes of function and pathology in liver and pancreas. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups; Group 1 (normal control): no exercise, Group 2 (exercise 75% VO[subscript 2max]): running on treadmill at 75% VO2max and sacrified immediately after exercise, Group 3 (exercise 75% VO[subscript 2max] + 6 hours group): running on treadmill at 75% VO2max and sacrified at six hours after exercise, Group 4 (exercise 90% VO[subscript 2max]): running on treadmill at 90% VO2max and sacrified immediately after exercise, Group 5 (exercise 90% VO[subscript 2max] + 6 hours group): running on treadmill at 90% VO[subscript 2max] and sacrified at six hours after exercise. Blood, liver and pancreas samples were collected at the end of the study. The results showed that level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in Group 4 and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in Group 2 and Group 4 were increased significantly as compared with normal control. Serum enzyme lipase was increased significantly in Group 4 as compared with normal control. Liver histopathology in all groups of exercise showed hepatocyte edema and necroinflammation. Pancreas showed congestion and edema in all groups of exercise. Our data indicated that high-intensity exercise at 75% and 90% VO[subscript 2max] caused the increase of serum and enzyme in liver and pancreas. In addition,such levels of exercise also caused histopathology change in liver and pancreas.