The Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Omega-3 on Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress in the Heart Tissue of Elderly HFD Rats

Aging and obesity are associated with systemic inflammation and increased oxidative stress. Aerobic exercise and omega-3 play an important role in modulating oxidative stress and inflammation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise and omega-3 on inflammatory and oxidative stress in the heart tissue of elderly a high-fat diet rat.

In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (mean weight 311.32 ± 26.95) were divided into 5 groups: Normal Diet (ND), High-Fat Diet (HFD), High-Fat Diet-Training (HFDT), High-Fat Diet-Omega3 (HFDω3) and High-Fat Diet-Training-Omega3 (HFDTω3). The supplement groups received 1 g of Omega3 (per kg of body weight) orally during the intervention period. Aerobic exercise program including running on treadmill with an intensity of 50-60% maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), was performed 5 days a week for eight weeks. The tissue concentration of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured by ELISA method using special kits for rats.

Significant decrease were seen in TNF-α, IL-6, and NF-κB gene expression levels in HFDT, HFDω3, and HFDTω3. This decrease was also observed in HFDTω3 group compared with HFDT group and HFDω3 group. Also, significant decrease was observed in MDA values. Findings showed significant increase in Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, SOD, GPX, and CAT in experimental groups compared with HFD.

Combining aerobic exercise with omega-3 may ameliorate HFD-induced heart damage in elderly rats by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.