The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training and Saffron Extract on the Expression of Some Cachexia-Related Genes in the Skeletal Muscle of Female Mice Carrying Breast Cancer Cell Line

Studies show that exercise training and bioactive component of saffron can reduce apoptosis and cachexia caused by cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of four weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and consumption of saffron aqueous extract (SAE) on the expression of some cachexia-related genes (SIRT1, hTERT, and p53) in the gastrocnemius muscle of mice carrying 4T1 breast cancer cell line. For this purpose, 44 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into HIIT, SAE, HIIT + SAE, control and sham groups. Following 48h of the last intervention session, mice were euthanized, and the gastrocnemius muscle removed for further analyses. The results showed that the expression of the SIRT-1 gene in the HIIT group was significantly higher than the control and SAE + HIIT groups (P=0.03 and P=0.02, respectively). Also, the gene expression of hTERT in the HIIT group was significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05) and in the SAE group was significantly higher than the SAE + HIIT group (P=0.01). Furthermore, the gene expression of p53 in the HIIT and SAE + HIIT groups was lower than the SAE group (P=0.003 and P=0.004, respectively). Based on the results, it seems that HIIT has a positive role in reducing cancer-induced cachexia by regulating higher expression of SIRT1 and hTERT and lower expression of p53 and may be effective in reducing cancer-induced muscle wasting.