Exercise Physiology
Ghasem Torabi Palat Kaleh; Ahmad Abdi; Asieh Abbassi Daloii
Abstract
Aim: Heart performance declines with age and obesity. Aging and obesity a major risk factor toward the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The aging heart undergoes several changes at the molecular, cellular and physiological levels, which diminishes its contractile function. The aim of the ...
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Aim: Heart performance declines with age and obesity. Aging and obesity a major risk factor toward the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The aging heart undergoes several changes at the molecular, cellular and physiological levels, which diminishes its contractile function. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of aerobic training and omega-3 on atrophy indices in the cardiomyocytes of elderly HFD rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (mean weight 148.82±18.24) 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% oxygen consumption (VO2max), was performed 5 days a week for eight weeks. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test at the P<0.05. Results: Significant decrease were seen in FoxO3a, MAFbx, and MuRF1 gene expression levels in HFDT (p=0.039, p=0.016, and p=0.043, respectively), HFDω3 (p=0.035, p=0.044, p=0.030, respectively), and HFDTω3 (p=0.0001, p=0.0001 and p=0.0001 respectively). Also, a significant decrease in FoxO3a expression was observed in the HFDTω3 group compared to HFDT (P=0.040) and HFDω3 (P=0.045). Conclusion: Aerobic training and omega-3 protected against HFD-induced cardiac atrophy in elderly rats, however, the combined effect of aerobic exercise and omega-3 was better.
