Abstract
Previous studies have shown that regular physical activity combined with the use of the superfood NBS supplement can reduce the cardiac damage caused by methamphetamine. However, the genetic mechanisms affecting apoptosis in the myocardium affected by these methods have not been fully identified. The aim of this research was to examine the impact of aerobic training and NBS superfood intake on apoptosis and cardiac damage in methamphetamine- withdrawn rats. 104 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to eight distinct groups. Methamphetamine was given intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg twice a day during the first week. The dosage was then steadily raised by 1 mg/kg every week from the second to the sixth week. The training plan included five days a week, 60 min of moderate-intensity treadmill aerobic training across six weeks. Moreover, for a duration of 45 days, the NBS Superfood supplement was given daily at a dose of 25 g/kg. Myocardial sampling was performed to measure the levels of Melusin and caspase-3 gene transcripts, while blood serum analysis was performed to examine the concentrations of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes. Data analysis utilized a one-way analysis of variance (p ≤ 0.05). The results show that methamphetamine use greatly raised caspase-3 gene expression as well as CK and LDH levels while simultaneously lowering Melusin gene expression (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, lowering serum CK and LDH levels, enhancing Melusin gene expression, and lowering caspase-3 gene expression were all accomplished through aerobic training, nutritional supplementation, and the synergistic intervention (p 0.05). The results of the study showed that the combined intervention (training and supplementation) had better effects than the single intervention (exercise alone or supplementation alone). This was manifested in a significant decrease in caspase-3 levels and a significant increase in Melusin expression. The results of this study indicate that combining endurance training with the NBS Superfood supplement NBS can modulate genetic changes associated with methamphetamine-induced cell death and myocardial damage. This combined approach can be proposed as a novel method for addiction cessation in animal studies that can pave the way for future research in human populations.