Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: September | Volume: 7 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 68-74
Relative Impact of Swimming on the Plasma/Serum Levels of Blood Glucose and Lipid Profile of Wistar Rats: A Clinical Trial from South Eastern Nigeria
S.C. Meludu1, C.E. Dioka2, F.O. Ikemefuna3, C.M. Njoku3, O. Ekuma-Okereke3
1Department of Human Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State.
2Department of Chemical Pathology. Collage of Medicine, Nnnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State.
3Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nnnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State.
Corresponding Author: O. Ekuma-Okereke
ABSTRACT
Background: Swimming is a form of exercise which can be of good value to mankind but in some cases may be detrimental to health. This study was designed to assess the role of swimming on the serum levels of blood glucose and lipid profiles.
Materials and methods: A total of 40 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (A, B, C, D) which were allowed to acclimatize at room temperature for 2 weeks. Group A were not allowed to swim, while groups B, C and D swam for 2, 4 and 6 hours respectively, 3 times a week for one month. 4 ml of blood samples were collected before exercise, 2 and 4 weeks following exercise and 2 weeks post exercise through the orbital sinus. The plasma/serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were analyzed spectrophotometrically.
Results: After 4 weeks of swimming, the mean values of the Wistar rats from groups B (4.41±0.12), C (4.36±0.02) and D (4.27±0.01) were significantly lower (P<0.05) than the Wistar rats that didn’t swim (5.10±0.09). However, the mean serum levels of TC and LDL at 2 and 4 weeks of swimming were significantly lower (P<0.05) in Wistar rats in groups B (2.54±0.12; 2.51±0.06 and 1.05±0.02; 1.05±0.11), C (2.48±0.07; 2.45±0.02 and 1.06±0.06; 1.02±0.24) and D (2.22±0.26; 2.41±0.02 and 0.89±0.06; 1.02±0.12) respectively compared to group A rats (2.56±0.09; 2.51± 0.10 and 1.15±0.21; 1.16±0.15). While the mean value of HDL of groups B (1.24±0.04 and 1.25±0.03), C (1.26±0.09 and 1.28±0.09) and D (1.31±0.14 and 1.34±0.13) were significantly higher (P<0.05) when compared with group A Wistar rats (1.13±0.05 and 1.16±0.04) at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after swimming and non swimming respectively.
Conclusion: Swimming notwithstanding the duration, could be of good value in disease states such as diabetes mellitus and arthrosclerosis as shown be the significant decrease in blood glucose, TC and LDL and increase in HDL after hours and weeks of swimming.
Key words: Swimming, Wistar rats, Blood glucose, Lipid profile.