The Effect of Interval Training and Omega-3 on Mitochondrial Biogenesis in the Liver Tissue of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)Rats

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is an important cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been proven to be closely associated with NAFLD. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of interval training and omega-3 on mitochondrial biogenesis in liver tissues of NAFLD rats.

In the experimental study conducted in 2022 at Amol Azad University, 40 male Wistar rats (mean weight 156.98±7.82) were divided into 5 groups: Control-Normal (CN), NAFLD, NAFLD-Training (TRNAF), NAFLD-Supplement (SUPNAF) and NAFLD-Training-Supplement (TRSUPNAF). The supplement groups received 1 g of Omega-3 (per kg of body weight) orally during the intervention period. Interval training program including running on treadmill with a speed of 14-28 meters per minute, was performed 5 days a week for eight weeks. The genes expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α), Nuclear respiratory factor 1 (Nrf1), Mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) and Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) were measured by Real Time PCR. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test at the P<0.05.

Induction of NAFLD decreased the expression of PGC-1α, Nrf1, Tfam and SIRT3 (p=0.0001). The expression of PGC-1α, Nrf1, Tfam and SIRT3 was significantly increased in TRNAF (p=0.041, p=0.048, p=0.043 and p=0.035 respectively), SUPNAF (p=0.044, p=0.042, p=0.037 and p=0.033 respectively) and TRSUPNAF (respectively, p=0.0001, p=0.0001, p=0.0001 and p=0.0001) groups compared to NAFLD; and also, TRSUPNAF compared to TRNAF (p=0.041, p=0.040, p=0.039 and p=0.043 respectively) and SUPNAF (p=0.038, p=0.046, p=0.046 and p=0.045 respectively) group.

The results indicated that exercise training along with omega-3 in the condition of NAFLD was able to modulate mitochondrial biogenesis through an increase in the genes involved in this pathway. Moreover, the combination of Interval exercise training and Omega-3 supplementation has synergistic effects.