The Effect of Endurance Training with Nano-Curcumin Supplementation on p53-p21 Axis and TERF2 Gene Expression in Muscle Tissue of Male Wistar Rats: An Experimental Study

Apoptosis is a regular program of cell death. This active form of cell death is characterized by morphological changes such as cell wrinkling, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of endurance training along with nano-curcumin supplementation on p53 (Protein53)-p21 (Protein53) axis and TERF2 (Telomeric repeat-binding factor 2) gene expression in the muscle tissue of male Wistar rats.

In this experimental study, 24 male rats with a mean weight of 200±20 gr were randomly divided into 4 groups including healthy control, endurance training, nano-curcumin, and endurance training+nano-curcumin. Endurance training protocol was performed for 4 weeks. At the same time, rats in the nano-curcumin group received a supplement of 80 mg/kg of body weight. Indices were measured by Real-Time PCR. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance.

According to the results, a significant difference was observed between the mean of TERF2, p53, and p21 across the four groups (p<0.05). In the endurance training group and the nano-curcumin+endurance training group, the mean of TERF2 and p53 variables were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). Also, a significant difference was observed between the endurance training group and the nano-curcumin group (p<0.05). The mean of p53 in the endurance training group was significantly higher than the nano-curcumin group (p<0.05).

The results of this study showed that endurance training combined with nano-curcumin supplementation increases TERF2 gene expression and can reduce telomere shortening rate and aging. The results also showed that increasing the suppressor protein p53 and p21 during endurance training and nano-curcumin supplementation may lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.