effect of endurance training and iron supplementation on some cellular respiration factors in rats

Iron plays an important role in oxygen transfer, mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, and oxidative phosphorylation; therefore, the reduction of iron can have a negative effect on the oxidative performance of athletes. The aim of study was investigate the effect of endurance exercise programs and iron supplementation on some cellular respiration factors in rats. Forty male wistar-rats were divided into four groups. experimental Group I, do endurance exercise programs on treadmill in during 12 weeks (intensity 32 m.min-1, 60 minutes in every session, and 5 sessions in a week) (T). Experimental group II do same exercise program, but intake daily 800 micrograms iron supplementary (Ferrous-Sulphate) (Ti). The control group C was without exercise (sedentary) (S), and experimental group III, did not do any exercise, but received an 800 microgram daily iron supplement (Si). After 12 weeks, their blood and muscle tissue samples were analyses. Data were analyzed using one way-ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis Test (P<0.05). Blood ferritin concentration only in the experimental group I and absolute weight of soleus muscle and cytochrome C oxidase only in the experimental group II than other groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Also, muscle hypertrophy, capillary density, and mitochondrial density in the experimental groups I and II compared with the control group and experimental group III were significantly different (p<0.05); But, this differences between both experimental groups I and II were not significant. Despite, body mass, relative weight of soleus muscle, and maximum oxygen consumption in the Experimental groups compared with the control group were significantly different and these differences between the experimental groups also were significant (p<0.05). It seems that iron supplementations combined with exercises maybe improve some markers of cellular respiration, hypertrophy, and aerobic capacity; Despite, these improvements probably do not occur in detraining.