The effect of endurance training in air pollution on the expression of brain cortex PGC-1α and Atf2 genes in Wistar male rats

Mitochondrial biogenesis is related to Ppargc1α and Atf2 genes. Endurance training through PGC-1α and Atf2 induces mitochondrial biogenesis, but it seems that air pollution has the opposite effect. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of endurance training in air pollution on PGC-1α and Atf2 genes expression in brain cortex mitochondria of Wistar male rats.

In this experimental study, 32 eight-week-old rats (weight: 180.77±10.65) divided into four groups: control, training, pollution, and training+pollution. In order to expose animals to air pollution, a 9000-liter chamber was used. The training was performed for eight weeks. 24 hours after last session, brain cortex was extracted. The expression of genes was measured using RT-PCR. The two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data.

Atf2 gene expression was significantly different in the training+pollution group compared to the control group (P=0.04). In addition, Atf2 gene expression was significantly different in the training group compared to the control group (P<0.01). Also, PGC-1α gene expression was significantly different in the training group compared to the control group (P<0.01). Also, PGC-1α gene expression was significantly different in the pollution group compared to the control group (P<0.01). But, PGC-1α gene expression was not significantly different in the training+pollution group compared to the control group (P<0.05).

Pollution has no effect on Atf2 gene expression, but training in both conditions increases it. Also, pollution reduces PGC-1α gene expression but training increases it. Therefore, it seems that expression of PGC-1α in air pollution is also influenced by other factors.