Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Physiology research Center
2 Cardiovascular research Center
3 Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Background and aim: Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are key contributors to metabolic diseases. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants such as MitoQ have emerged as promising strategies to enhance mitochondrial health. This study investigated the effects of moderate-intensity treadmill and swimming endurance training combined with MitoQ supplementation on hepatic gene expression related to mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism in male Wistar rats.
Methods: Forty-two 9-week-old male rats were randomly assigned to six groups: sedentary control, treadmill training, swimming training, MitoQ supplementation, treadmill + MitoQ, and swimming + MitoQ. After an eight-week intervention, liver tissues were analyzed for key genes regulating lipid metabolism (SREBP-1c, PPARα), inflammation (NF-κB), mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1α, AMPK, SIRT1, NRF2), fusion (MFN1, OPA1), and fission (FIS1, DRP1),
Results: Both treadmill and swimming training significantly upregulated PGC-1α, AMPK, SIRT1, NRF2, and OPA1 expression. Swimming training resulted in greater suppression of lipogenesis (SREBP-1c) and inflammation (NF-κB) compared to treadmill training. Swimming+MitoQ led to the most marked reduction in SREBP-1c and NF-κB. Combined MitoQ and treadmill running affect remarkably MFN1 expression compared to the control and combination of MitoQ-swimming groups. Exercise training alone decreased FIS1 expression, a trend that was counteracted by MitoQ supplementation.
Conclusion: Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and MitoQ supplementation exert complementary effects on hepatic mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic regulation. Swimming combined with MitoQ provides superior benefits in reducing lipid accumulation and inflammation. These findings confirmed the therapeutic potential of integrating targeted antioxidants with exercise to manage mitochondrial-related metabolic disorders.
Keywords
- Mitochondrial biogenesis
- Fusion-fission balance
- Lipid metabolism
- Gene regulation
- Exercise physiology
Main Subjects
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