Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training and Crocin on Hematological Parameters in Doxorubicin-Induced Male Rats

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracyclines antibiotic and is one of the most effective antitumor drugs. However, using this drug is associated with poisoning of healthy tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in hematological parameters of male rats exposed to doxorubicin after eight weeks of high-intensity interval training and crocin consumption. Materials and Methods: In the present experimental research, 50 male Wistar rats (weight 200-220 gr) were exposed to intraperitoneal injections of doxorubicin (2mg/kg, seven times for 7weeks) and randomly placed into five groups, including healthy control (saline) group, doxorubin group, doxorubicin with Crocin group, doxorubicin with training group, and doxorubicin with crocin a long with training group. The training groups completed the course with two intense interval training during the first week and completed 8 intense interval training in the last weeks. Forty eight hours after the last training session, blood samples were taken directly from the heart of rats to measure the desired indices of red blood cell (RBC), Hematocrit(HCT), Hemoglobin(HB), platelet(PLT), white blood cell(WBC), and percentage of lymphocytes(%LYM), and neutrophils (%NEU). Independent sample t-test as well as two-way ANOVA were used for data analysis. P value <0.01 was set as significant level. Results: The results showed that DOX significantly reduced all of the blood parameters in rats in comparison to the control group (p<0.01). Eight-week high intensity interval training significantly increased blood parameters (p<0.01). In Crocin- treated rats, the blood parameters were significantly increased compared with the DOX-intoxicated animals (p<0.01). In Crocin and high intensity interval training group, the blood parameters were significantly increased compared with the DOX-intoxicated animals (p<0.01). Conclusion: It seems that high-intensity interval training, Crocin, as well as combination of these two interventions can prevent severe reduction of hematological parameters in rats treated with doxorubicin.