Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

The Effect of Eight Weeks of Aerobic Training Combined with Gallic Acid Consumption on Changes in Caspase 3 and miR-21 in Kidney Tissue of Rats Exposed to Cadmium

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors
Naser Nazari 1
Bahram Abedi 2
Abbas Mehranpour 3
1 Department of Sports Physiology, Maha.C., Islamic Azad University, Mahallat, Iran
2 Department of Physical Education, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Faculty of Physical Education, Tolo Mehr University of Qom, Qom, Iran
10.48305/jims.v44.i872.1375
Abstract
Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that can cause irreversible tissue damage, particularly in the kidneys. Although exercise and antioxidants have been reported to exert protective effects against renal disorders, the combined effects of aerobic training (AT) and gallic acid (GA) remain unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of eight weeks of AT combined with GA supplementation on caspase-3 and miR-21 expression in the kidney tissue of Cd-exposed rats.
Methods: Forty-two male Sprague–Dawley rats (8–9 months old, 250–270 g) were randomly assigned to healthy control (HC), Cd, sham, Cd+GA, Cd+AT, and Cd+AT+GA groups. GA was administered orally at 20 mg/kg/day. The exercise groups performed treadmill running for eight weeks, three sessions/week, at 15 m/min and a 15° incline, with session duration progressively increased from 15 to 60 min. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test and two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction.
Findings: Compared with HC, the Cd group showed higher caspase-3 and lower miR-21 expression (P = 0.001). Exercise and GA significantly reduced caspase-3 expression (P = 0.001), with a significant exercise×GA interaction (P = 0.001). Both exercise and GA significantly increased miR-21 expression (P = 0.001), with a significant interaction effect (P = 0.001).
Conclusion: Exercise and GA were associated with reduced caspase-3 and increased miR-21 expression in Cd-exposed rats, suggesting potential modulation of apoptotic responses.

Highlights

Bahram Abedi: Google Scholar

Keywords
Aerobic exercise
Gallic acid
Apoptosis
Kidney
Cadmium
Subjects
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 44, Issue 872
4th Week, September
September and October 2026
Pages 1375-1383

  • Receive Date 27 June 2026
  • Accept Date 13 September 2026