The Impact of Resistance Training With Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Antioxidant Value of Nuclear Factor-Erythroid-2-Related Factor 2 in Young Male Rats

Nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an inducible transcription factor that improves redox balance through stimulating antioxidant gene expression.

Studies have shown that Nrf2 can be modulated by physical exercise. However, the impact of resistance training and coenzyme Q10 supplementation has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two months of resistance exercise and coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the expression of Nrf2 and NAD(P)quinone acceptor oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in young male rats.

In this semi-experimental study, a total of 36 male and young Sprague Dawley rats (age: 8 weeks) were randomly assigned into six groups as follows: resistance training (RT), training and supplementation of 200 mg/kg of rat weight (RT + Q200), training and supplementation and 300 mg/kg (RT + Q300), supplementary group with the value of 200 mg/kg (Q200), supplementary group with the value of 300 mg/ kg (Q300), and control. The resistance training protocol consisted of three set of five repetitions of trained rats climbing a vertical ladder with an extra load attached to the tail, representing 30–100% of total body mass three times per week for eight weeks. The proteins levels of Nrf2 and NQO1 were measured by Western blotting technique. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and in case of statistically significant difference, Tukey’s post-hoc test were used to determine the difference between groups.

The results showed that the expression of Nrf2 and NQO1 levels changed in the groups after the end of the period. While the expression of Nrf2 and NQO1 significantly increased in the RT and RT + Q200 groups (P<0.001).

The results of present study showed that resistance training provides a beneficial adaptation to Nrf2 and NQO1 activity, which can be further enhanced by Q10 supplementation with antioxidant effects.