Potential of consumption of red dragon fruit extract on mitochondrial cytochromes in the gastrocnemius muscle after strenuous exercise

Abstract

Background. Skeletal muscle activity with heavy intensity causes an increase in free radicals
causing oxidative stress that causes damage to cell function to mitochondrial dysfunction and
plays a role in the cytochrome regulation process as an induction of apoptosis which normally
cannot be released from the mitochondria. This study aims to determine the antioxidant
potential of red dragon fruit (RDF) to delay the occurrence of oxidative stress, which increases
cell function in mitochondria in the gastrocnemius muscle. Methods. This study involved 25
three-month-old male rats with an average weight of 200 g. The RDF extract was obtained via
ethanol extraction and concentrated using an air-drying method. Rats were randomly allocated
into five groups as follows: two control groups (K1 [no-exercise, no RDF] and K2 [exercise,
no RDF] and three test groups (P1, P2, and P3; subjected to exercise and treated with 75, 150,
and 300 mg kg−1 body weight of RDF, respectively). The exercise was swimming for 20 min
three times per week for 31 days. Cytochrome-C and MDA were measured via an enzyme
linked immunosorbent assay, and histopathological examinations were performed via
hematoxylin and eosin staining of rat muscles. Results. Compared the MDA levels after the
ingestion of RDF extracts were between the K2 group and the P1, P2, and P3 groups. The
results showed significant differences (p <0.05 for P1 and P2, and p <0.01 for P3), indicating
the production of free radicals the occurrence of oxidative stress and cytochrome-c (Identified
as an essential mediator in the apoptotic pathway, unlocking mitochondrial cytochrome-c into
an apoptotic pathway), Cytochrome-C levels were compared between the K2 (16.1 ng/mg
protein) group and the P1(13.5 ng/mg protein), P2 (10.6 ng/mg protein), and P3 (7.2 ng/mg
protein) groups. The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05 for P1 and P2, and p <0.01
for P3). with features of damaged muscle cells based on histopathology. Ingestion of the RDF
extract improved gastrocnemius muscle cells, resulting in cell function repair. Conclusion. Red
dragon fruit (antioxidant) in exercise suppresses oxidative stress on cytochrome-C so that
apoptotic signals occur significantly in muscles, can prevent the apoptotic process, reduce
tissue damage, cause repair of cell function, and mitochondria can work usually. If there is a
lot of cytochrome in the cytosol, it indicates cell dysfunction.