Abstract:

Objective: To explore the effect of dietary iron content and aerobic exercise on antioxidant capacity in the
medulla oblongata in female rats. Methods: Ninety weaning female rats were randomly assigned into dietary iron deficiency
group (ID), dietary iron sufficiency group (CN) and dietary iron overload group (IO), and the animals in each group was
further divided into exercise (E) and sedentary groups (S). After feeding for 1 month, the rats in each exercise group entered
a swimming program once per day (5 days per week) for 3 months, and the rats in the sedentary groups were given the same
treatment except for swimming. Animals were fasted for 24 hours after the last exercise regimen. The body weight, organ
weight, and medulla oblongata non-heme iron (NHI) content, SOD activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging capability
(HRSC) of rats were measured. Results: NHI content in the medulla oblongata from CNS group was significantly lower than
that in CNE group; SOD and HRSC activities in the medulla oblongata from CNS group were even higher than those in CNE
group. SOD activity in the medulla oblongata from IDE group was remarkably higher than that in IDS group; HRSC and
SOD levels the medulla oblongata from IOE group were dramatically higher than those in IOS group. Conclusion: Exercise
can increase NHI content in the medulla oblongata from dietary iron sufficiency groups and increase the risk of oxidative
stress. Aerobic exercise can effectively enhance the antioxidant capacity in dietary iron deficiency and iron overload groups.
Therefore, exercise can improve the dietary iron deficiency and iron overload status.

Key words: iron deficiency, iron overload, aerobic exercise, iron status, antioxidation