Impact of endurance training and Citrus aurantium L.var. amara Engl. (CAVAO) consumption on lipid profile, intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecules-1 (VCAM-1) in aged Sprague-Dawley rats

Aging is often accompanied by inflammation and lipid abnormalities. This study aimed at investigating the effects of endurance training combined with Citrus aurantium L.var. amara Engl. (CAVAO) consumption on the lipid profile, intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecules-1 (VCAM-1) in aged Sprague-Dawley rats.

In this experimental study, 35 aged Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 7 groups: high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), HIIT with CAVAO (HIIT+CA), MICT with CAVAO (MICT+CA), CAVAO alone (CA) (300 mg/kg/day), control, and sham. Over eight weeks, HIIT was conducted at 85-110% VO2max intensity, while MICT was performed at 65-75% VO2max intensity. Lipid profiles were assessed using a kit, and ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 gene expressions were analyzed via RT-PCR.

HIIT, MICT, HIIT+CA, MICT+CA, and CA resulted in a significant increase in HDL levels, with HIIT showing the most pronounced effect (P<0.05). LDL decreased significantly in all groups except CA (P<0.05). The HIIT+CA group exhibited a greater reduction in TG levels compared to the CA group. Cholesterol levels decreased in the HIIT, MICT+CA, and CA groups, with the CA group demonstrating a more substantial reduction than the HIIT and MICT+CA groups (P<0.05). VCAM-1 levels increased in all groups, while ICAM-1 levels decreased in all groups except HIIT+CA, where a more significant reduction in ICAM-1 was observed compared to other groups (P<0.05).

The combination of endurance training interventions and CAVAO antioxidant supplementation (HIIT, MICT, HIIT+CA, MICT+CA, CA) may offer cardiac protection against hyperlipidemia due to their antihyperlipidemic effects. The interactive effect of HIIT+CA and MICT+CA appears to have a more favorable impact on lipid profiles and ICAM-1 levels.