RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) in rats on their antioxidant systems, lipid peroxidation products, and their total oxidative status at different exposure times and temperatures. METHODS: Antioxidants in serum, plasma, liver, and erythrocytes were evaluated in two study groups following 1 min of exposure to -60°C and -90°C, for 5 and 10 consecutive days. RESULTS: WBC increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase in the group subjected to 5 and 10 days exposure, -60°C. The glutathione S-transferase activity increased in the groups subjected to 10 days WBC sessions. Total antioxidant capacity increased after 5 and 10 days of 1 min WBC, -60°C; a decrease was observed at -90°C. A decreased level of erythrocyte malondialdehyde concentration was observed at -60°C after 5 and 10 days of cryostimulation. An increased concentration was measured at -90°C after 10 days, and increase of erythrocyte malondialdehyde concentration after 5 days, -90°C. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research showing the effect of WBC in rats at different exposure times and temperatures. The effect of cryotherapy on enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems was observed in the serum of animals exposed to a temperature of -60°C in comparison to control.