Effect of Resistance Training with Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on the Intracellular Content of NRF2 and NQO1 Proteins in the Hippocampal Tissue of Male Sprague-Dawley Rats

Shakiba Ghani Dehkordi; Fatemeh Shabkhiz; Rahman Soori; Farahnaz Amirshaghaghi

doi:10.18502/ssu.v32i5.16123

Shakiba Ghani Dehkordi Department of Exercise Physiology, Aras International College, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Fatemeh Shabkhiz Department of Exercise Physiology, Sport Sciences and Health College, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Rahman Soori Department of Exercise Physiology, Sport Sciences and Health College, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Farahnaz Amirshaghaghi Department of Exercise Physiology, Sport Sciences and Health College, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ssu.v32i5.16123

Keywords: Coenzyme Q10 Supplement, Hippocampus, NQO1 Protein, NRF2 Protein, Resistance Training.

Abstract

Introduction: NRF2 and NQO1 proteins are very important for cell protection; Therefore, the purpose of this research was investigating the effect of resistance training with coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the content of NRF2 and NQO1 proteins in the hippocampus of male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, thirty-two 2-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats with an average weight of 200±20 gr were selected. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: 1-control, 2-resistance training, 3-resistance training+Q10 supplement and 4-Q10 supplement. The resistance training program consisted of climbing a ladder with 26 steps and a slope of 85 degrees, for 8 weeks and 3 sessions every week. The daily consumption of Q10 supplement was 200 mg/kg of body weight of rats. The content of proteins was measured through Western-Blot laboratory method. Data analysis was done by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests and the effect size of eta squared test using SPSS version 16 and Graphpad Prism software version 10.2.3. The significance level was P≤0.05.

Results: Eight weeks of resistance training with Q10 supplementation led to a significant change in NRF2 content (F=4.80, p≤0.03, ƞ2=0.64). Tukey's post hoc test showed this significant change between pairs of resistance training groups and Q10 supplement group (p≤0.04); medium effect size was observed in NRF2 content (ƞ2=0.64). No significant difference was observed in NQO1 content (F=3.01, p≤0.09, ƞ2=0.33). A weak effect size was observed in NQO1 content (ƞ2=0.33).

Conclusion: Doing resistance training together with Q10 supplementation alone or in combination cannot significantly change the content of NRF2 and NQO1 proteins in the hippocampus of the brain.