Effect of Swimming Training and Crocin Consumption on Intrinsic Apoptosis Pathway in Muscle Tissue of High-Fat Diet-induced Obese Rats

Background: Obesity is a multi-factorial physical disorder that can lead to motor disorders and muscle mass loss. On the other hand, regular exercises and crocin consumption can exert anti-apoptotic effects. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of swimming training along with crocin consumption on the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in muscle tissue of obese rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 35 obese male Sprague Dawley rats (age: 16 weeks; weight: 390.12 ± 38.11) were selected and randomly divided into five groups of 7 mice including (1) control, (2) sham, (3) swimming training, (4) crocin consumption, and (5) swimming training and crocin consumption. During eight weeks, groups 3 and 5 performed swimming training three sessions per week and each session lasted 30 - 60 min, and groups 4 and 5 received 25 mg/kg of crocin (peritoneal) daily. Results: Swimming training had a significant effect on decreased Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) gene expression (P = 0.001) and increased P53 (P = 0.001) in the muscle tissue of obese rats while crocin consumption significantly decreased the Bax gene expression (P = 0.001). Moreover, swimming training with crocin consumption had interaction effects on decreased Bax gene expression in the muscle tissue of obese rats (P = 0.001). Conclusions: It seems that crocin consumption along with training can modify and prevent the progression of apoptosis induced by obesity.