The Effect of Resistance Training With Liposomal Vitamin C on The Expression PGC-1α and Mfn1 and Collagen Deposition of Hepatocytes in Elderly Rats

Aging is associated with some changes in the structure and function of the liver. Increased collagen deposition as well as decreased mitochondrial function are among these changes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise and vitamin C intake on PGC-1α, MFn1 and collagen deposition in elderly rats.

The present study was an experimental study with a control group. Twenty-five male rats (Wistar) aged 24 weeks (280-320 g) were randomly divided into 5; 1 young control group, elderly group + resistance training, elderly group + liposomal vitamin C, elderly group + resistance training + liposomal vitamin C and old age control group. In the groups receiving liposomal vitamin C, each group was given daily liposomal vitamin C (100 mg/kg/day) by gavage based on body weight. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine the difference between the groups and Tukey post hoc test was used to determine the difference between the groups. All studies were performed at the level of α≤ 0.05.

The findings of this study showed that aging significantly reduced the expression of PGC-1α and MFn1 and increased collagen deposition in the liver tissue of elderly rats (P = 0.001). However, in the resistance training group with vitamin C consumption, a significant increase in PGC-1α expression was observed in comparison with the elderly control group (P = 0.001). However, there was no significant change in MFn1 expression. Also, in the resistance training group in comparison with the elderly control group, vitamin C group in comparison with the elderly control group and resistance training group along with vitamin C consumption in comparison with the elderly control group a decrease in collagen deposition was reported (P = 0.001).

Resistance training with vitamin C consumption in elderly rats reduces collagen deposition in liver tissue and also increases PGC-1α expression.