Supplementation of Modulates Alveolar Apoptosis under Hypoxia Condition in Wistar Rats Exposed to Exercise.

Several studies have reported that some conditions such as exercise and hypoxia induce DNA damage and dysfunction and apoptosis. Some plant foods contain numerous bioactive compounds and anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight DNA damage. Therefore, the current study evaluated the effect of supplementation of Adiantum capillus-veneris (ACV) extract on Bax/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) ratio apoptotic index and remodeling of pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells in lung tissue of healthy Wistar rats during stressful conditions (hypoxia). Twenty-seven Wistar male rats (four-week old, 72 ± 9 g) were randomly assigned into three groups: normoxic, sedentary, and not-supplemented (NG, = 9); exercise and hypoxia and not-supplemented (HE, = 9); and exercise and hypoxia and supplemented group (HS, = 9). The NG remained sedentary in the normoxia environment for nine weeks. The HE group participated in a high-intensity (IT) program for six weeks, then remained sedentary in the hypoxia environment for three weeks. The low-pressure chamber simulated a ~2800 M altitude 24 h/d. HS participated in IT, then entered and remained sedentary in the hypoxia environment for three weeks, and they consumed 500 mg per kg of body weight ACV extract. : The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio of the HE group increased significantly (+50.27%, ≤ 0.05), the average number of type I pneumocytes was reduced significantly (-18.85%, ≤ 0.05), and the average number of type II pneumocytes was increased significantly (+14.69%, ≤ 0.05). Also, after three weeks of consuming the ACV extract, the HS group in comparison with the HE group had their Bax/Bcl-2 ratio reduced significantly (-24.27%, ≤ 0.05), the average number of type I pneumocytes increased significantly (+10.15%, ≤ 0.05), and the average number of type II pneumocytes reduced significantly (-7.18%, ≤ 0.05). The findings show that after three weeks of hypoxia following six weeks of high-intensity interval training in Wistar rats, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the number of type II pneumocytes were increased and the number of type I pneumocytes was reduced significantly. These results strongly suggest that an apoptosis state was induced in the lung parenchyma, and consuming ACV extract modulated this state.