The Effect of high-intensity interval training with coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the Nrf2 and NQO1 in soleus muscle of older rats

increased oxidative stress is the main characteristic of all types of age-related injuries. Regarding the role of physical activity in adaptive responses to oxidative stress and importance of nutritional supplements, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of high-Intensity interval training along with the consumption of  coenzyme  Q10 supplements on the values of Nrf2, NQO1  in the soleus muscle of elderly rats.                                                                                                                                   

The current research was an experimental and fundamental type, which was conducted in the animal laboratory of Shiraz University. Forty-four elderly male Wistar field rats were used to carry out the research. After a one-week familiarization with the training environment, the animals were randomly divided into high-intensity interval training groups, a supplemental group, high-intensity interval training group with supplementation, and a control group (11 in each group). Subjects in the training groups performed interval high-intensity training for six weeks. So that in the first week, three interval repetitions were performed, in the second week, 5 interval repetitions, in the third week, 7 interval repetitions, and from the beginning of the fourth week to the end of the sixth week, nine interval repetitions were performed. Subjects in the supplement groups also consumed 200 mg of supplement per kilogram of body weight daily. After completing the training and supplementation period, the animals were anesthetized by injecting ketamine and xylazine, their soleus muscle was removed by open surgery, and after being transferred to a nitrogen tank, they were kept in a -80 freezer for western blotting. In order to answer the research questions, a one-way analysis of variance was used, and Tukey's post hoc test was used to check the differences.     

The findings of the research showed that high-intensity interval training along with Q10 supplementation has no significant effect on the Nrf2 values of the soleus muscle of elderly rats (P > 0.05). However, high-intensity interval training with and without coenzyme Q10 supplementation, as well as coenzyme Q10 supplementation, only significantly decreased the NQO1 values of the soleus muscle of aged rats (P < 0.001).

Considering the lack of effect of high-intensity interval training on Nrf2 and NQO1 reduction in elderly rats, in order to determine the mechanism of the effect of high-intensity interval training on antioxidant pathways, the conditions of the exercise program such as duration, intensity, repetition and exercise sets should be taken into consideration; It is also recommended to consider other standard dosages of coenzyme Q10 supplementation.