Effects of intense exercise on biochemical and histological changes in rat liver and pancreas

Background: Exercise has various effects on hepatic and pancreatic function. There is little information available for effects of exercise on histopathological changes in the liver and pancreas. Objective: Investigate the effect of intensive exercise on blood biochemical changes and histopathology in rat liver and pancreas. Materials and methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: 1 (normal control): no exercise, 2 (exercise 75% VO_2max): running on treadmill at 75% VO_2max and sacrificed immediately after exercise, 3 (exercise 75% VO_2max+6 hours): running on treadmill at 75% VO_2max and sacrificed at six hours after exercise, 4 (exercise 90% VO_2max): running on treadmill at 90% VO_2max and immediately sacrificed after exercise, 5 (exercise 90% VO_2max+6 hours): running on treadmill at 90% VO_2max and sacrificed at six hours after exercise. Samples of blood, liver and pancreas were collected at the end of each experiment. Results: The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased significantly in group 2 and 4, compared with normal control. Serum total bilirubin (TB) and enzyme lipase increased significantly in group 4 compared with normal control. In all group of exercise, liver histopathology showed hepatocyte edema and necroinflammation, and pancreas showed congestion and edema. Conclusion: High-intensity exercise at 75% and 90% VO_2max caused an increase of biochemical parametes in liver and pancreas. The levels of exercise also caused histopathology changes in the liver and pancreas.