We have investigated the cardioprotective effects of exercise training and/or curcumin on lead acetate-induced myocardial damage. Forty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: (1) lead acetate, (2) curcumin, (3) endurance training, (4) training + curcumin, (5) sham groups. The rats in groups 3 and 4 experienced the treadmill running of 15 to 22 m/min for 25 to 64 minutes, 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Groups 1 to 4 received lead acetate (20 mg/kg), the sham group received curcumin solvent (ethyl oleat), and the curcumin and training + curcumin groups received curcumin solution (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Lead administration resulted in significant increases in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), malondialdehyde (MDA), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and significantly decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Treadmill running and\or curcumin supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in hs-CRP, CK-MB, MDA, and LDL levels and significantly increased GPx, TAC, and HDL levels. These results suggest a lifestyle-induced cardioprotective potential in ameliorating lead-induced cardiotoxicity.
