Effect of 12 Weeks of Green Tea Extract Consumption on Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Malondialdehyde (MDA) Levels and Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase and Catalase Activity of Old Rats\' Heart Tissue in Response to a Bout Acute Exhaustive Exercise

Background: The incidence of heart disease increase with age. Green tea is an antioxidant which can prevent cellular aging. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of green tea extract consumption on total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity of old ratschr('39') heart tissue in response to acute exhaustive exercise. Materials and Methods: 32 male rats were randomly categorized into two groups of supplement and non-supplement each consisting of 16 rats. The supplement group received green tea extract for 12 weeks. At the end of the 12 weeks, each of these groups was further divided into two groups of rest and acute exhaustive exercise. The non-supplement with the rest group was called control group. The non-supplement with exercise group was called exercise group. Further, the supplement group with the rest was called supplement group and finally the last group was entitled supplement with exercise. After 12 weeks of taking green tea extract, one session of acute exhaustive exercise was held on the treadmill. Sandwich ELISA method was used to measure TAC and MDA content and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity Results: The results showed that 12 weeks of green tea extract consumption increased TAC and decreased MDA levels. Furthermore, increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity in response to a bout acute exhaustive exercise. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, 12 weeks of green tea extract consumption can increase TAC levels and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes at rest and after acute exhaustive exercise.