Therapeutic action of physical exercise on markers of oxidative stress induced by chronic kidney disease

AimsTo investigate the effects physical training exerts on markers of oxidative stress in rats with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Main methodsTwenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): sham, CKD, exercise-sham and exercise-CKD. Surgical reduction of the renal mass was performed (5/6 nephrectomized) and exercise was conducted on a treadmill (50 min/day up to 1 km/h for, 5 days/week for eight weeks). Forty-eight hours after the last exercise session, blood (1 mL) was collected from the abdominal aorta and animals were decapitated. The left kidney was surgically removed and stored at − 70 °C for subsequent analysis.Key findingsAn increase was observed in creatinine and urea levels, superoxide production, antioxidant enzymes, and oxidative damage in the CKD group, as compared to sham animals (p < 0.05). Physical training made superoxide production and oxidative damage decrease in the CKD group (p < 0.05), increasing SOD and GPX activity, though it did not increase the antioxidant effects of CAT, and renal parameters.SignificanceEven without altering renal function in animals induced to CKD model, the results show that physical training is an important component in the treatment of CKD, because it exerted a positive influence on oxidative stress parameters, especially on the reduction in superoxide production and oxidative damage, as well as an improvement in the antioxidant defense system, like SOD and GPX.