The Effect of Chronic Kidney Disease Induction Upon Affective Factors on Muscle Apoptosis in Rats and the Role of Aerobic Training in Its Modulation

Background and Objectives Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by progressive and irreversible loss of renal function. One of the complications of this disease is muscle wasting and atrophy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exercise training on CKD-induced muscle apoptosis in rats. Subjects and Methods In the present developmental study, 30 rats were selected and divided into 3 groups: disease training, disease control and healthy controls. Induction of CKD was through primary and final 1.3 resection of one kidney and complete resection of the other kidney. The training program consisted of eight weeks of continuous running training with an intensity of 45-55% VO2max. After removal of EDL muscle, protein level and Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression were measured by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, respectively. Results Induction of CKD caused a significant increase in protein level and gene expression of Bax and Bax/Bcl-2 and a significant decrease in Bcl-2 compared to the healthy control group (P<0.001). Also significant decrease was funded in the expression of genes and proteins Bax and Bax/Bcl-2 (P<0.001) and a significant increase was funded in protein Bcl-2 (P<0.001), without significant changes in the gene expression of Bcl-2 (P=0.935) in disease training compared to the disease control. Conclusion The results of the present study support the anti-apoptotic effect of exercise on muscle tissue of CKD patients; therefore, it is recommended that clinical research be conducted in this regard for exercise recommendations for these patients.