The effects of exhaustive exercise on the activity levels of catalase in various tissues of male and female rats

The effects of exhaustive exercise on the activity levels of catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) in various tissues of male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus) were investigated. Both the male and female rats were subdivided into an experimental group and a control group consisting of eight rats each. One group of each sex was subjected to a swimming session of 1 h (experimental group) while the other group of each sex served as sedentary control groups. The tissues investigated were liver, heart, kidney and lung. The activity levels of catalase in all the tissues investigated were significantly (P<0.05) elevated in both male and female rats as a result of exercise. The average increase in the activity levels of catalase in the various tissues investigated for both male and female rats was 417% (males 404%; females 430%). The male and female rats exhibited comparable activity levels of catalase in all the tissues investigated. The higher activity levels of catalase as a result of exercise might be indicative of a compensatory measure to counteract the possible detrimental effects associated with oxidative stress. (C) 1999 Academic Press.