The Effects of Obesity, Aerobic Exercise, and Cold-Water Exposure on Oxidative and Antioxidant Stress Markers in the Hippocampus of Male Wistar Rats

Fathei, Mehrdad; Mosaferi Ziaaldini, Mohammad; Attarzadeh Hosseini, Reza; Hosseini Kakhk, Alireza; Kasraei, Somayeh

doi:10.22070/daneshmed.2026.21261.1664

The Effects of Obesity, Aerobic Exercise, and Cold-Water Exposure on Oxidative and Antioxidant Stress Markers in the Hippocampus of Male Wistar Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mehrdad Fathei ¹

Mohammad Mosaferi Ziaaldini ²

Reza Attarzadeh hosseini ¹

Alireza Hosseini Kakhk ²

Somayeh Kasraei ¹

¹ Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Faculty of Sport Science. Department of Exercise Physiology

² Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Faculty of Sport Science, Department of Exercise Physiology

10.22070/daneshmed.2026.21261.1664

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: Obesity causes neuronal damage in the hippocampus by increasing oxidative stress. Aerobic exercise and cold water exposure, each through different mechanisms, can improve the oxidant-antioxidant balance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of aerobic exercise and cold water on SOD, CAT, and MDA levels in the hippocampus of obese male rats.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: healthy control, obese control, obese+exercise, obese+cold water, and obese+exercise+cold water. Aerobic exercise consisted of six weeks of treadmill running, five sessions per week, at an intensity of 50 to 70% of VO₂max, and a cold protocol consisting of gradual immersion in water at 18 to 14°C.
SOD, CAT, and MDA indices in the hippocampus were measured spectrophotometrically, and the data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and LSD test.
Results: Obesity significantly increased MDA and decreased SOD and CAT activity. Both exercise and cold interventions significantly improved these factors (P<0.05), and the combined exercise group showed the greatest protective effect. The large effect size indicated a strong effect of the interventions on oxidant-antioxidant balance (effect size: 0.993).
Conclusion: The combination of aerobic exercise and cold water exposure reduced oxidative stress and restored oxidant-antioxidant balance in the hippocampus and could be a safe and effective method to improve nervous system health in obesity.

Keywords

Aerobic exercise

Obesity

Cold-water exposure

Oxidative stress

Antioxidant defense

Hippocampus