Introduction: VEGF plays an important role in angiogenesis. It has been proposed that exercise, curcumin and lead may induce physiological and pathophysiological processes in the lung tissues and may alter VEGF signaling response. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of eight weeks of endurance exercise training and curcumin supplementation on VEGF levels in the lung of rats exposed to lead acetate.
Method: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: lead (L), Curcumin + lead(CL), exercise+ lead(EL), exercise+ curcumin + lead(ECL), vehicle(V) and control(C) groups. Animals in the L, CL, EL and ECL groups received (20 mg/kg) of lead acetate, and EL, ECL groups received curcumin solution (20 mg/kg) through intraperitoneal injection while, those in the V group received ethyl oleat as vehicle. Animals in the E and EC groups were submitted to a progressive running program on a treadmill, 5 times a week for 8 weeks (15-22 m/min, 25-64 min).
Results: Results indicated that the lung VEGF levels induced by lead acetate were significantly increased and VEGF lung activity decreased in all groups with the exception of the control group.
Conclusion: It seems that the use of curcumin with endurance training can counteract the effects of lead pollution and have a protectiverole.