Background: Exposure to heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) is a major contributor to liver damage, primarily through the activation of apoptotic pathways. Regular physical activity and the use of natural compounds may mitigate the toxic effects of Cd. This study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise combined with curcumin supplementation on liver apoptosis in Cd-exposed rats.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: Control, Cd, Cd + Curcumin (Cd+Cu), Cd + Aerobic Training (Cd+AT), and Cd + Curcumin + Aerobic Training (Cd+Cu+AT). The Cd groups received 5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium daily via drinking water. Aerobic training consisted of treadmill running at moderate intensity, five sessions per week for eight weeks. The curcumin groups received 160 µL/kg body weight of curcumin orally on a daily basis.
Results: The expression levels of apoptosis-related genes—BAX, BCL2, BAX/BCL2 ratio, and CASPASE-3 significantly increased in the Cd group compared to the control (p<0.0001). However, curcumin, aerobic exercise, and especially their combination significantly improved these apoptotic markers. Notably, BAX and CASPASE-3 expression decreased and BCL2 expression increased in the Cd+Cu+AT group compared to other Cd-exposed groups (p<0.01).
Discussion: These findings highlight the protective role of aerobic exercise and curcumin against Cd-induced hepatotoxicity through modulation of apoptotic molecular pathways. Their combination demonstrated a synergistic effect in reducing liver cell damage and may serve as an effective strategy against heavy metal-induced hepatic injury.