The effect of n-acetylcysteine and deferoxamine on exercise-induced oxidative damage in striatum and hippocampus of mice

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of intense exercise on brain redox status, associated with antioxidant supplementation of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), deferoxamine (DFX) or a combination of both. Seventy-two C57BL-6 adult male mice were randomly assigned to 8 groups: control, NAC, DFX, NAC plus DFX, exercise, exercise with NAC, exercise with DFX, and exercise with NAC plus DFX. They were given antioxidant supplementation, exercise training on a treadmill for 12 weeks, and sacrificed 48 h after the last exercise session. Training significantly increased (P < 0.05) soleus citrate synthase (CS) activity when compared to control. Blood lactate levels classified the exercise as intense. Exercise significantly increased (P < 0.05) oxidation of biomolecules and superoxide dismutase activity in striatum and hippocampus. Training significantly increased (P < 0.05) catalase activity in striatum. NAC and DFX supplementation significantly protected (P < 0.05) against oxidative damage. These results indicate intense exercise as oxidant and NAC and DFX as antioxidant to the hippocampus and the striatum.