The effect of moderate-intensity intermittent training and coenzyme Q10 supplementation on serum VEGF, total antioxidant capacity, and hydrogen peroxide in sedentary obese men
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 01 September 2026
https://doi.org/10.22122/jeoct.2026.577930.1196
Peyman Akraminia, Abdolali Banaiefar, Vahid Imanipour, Hadi Khoran
Abstract Sedentary obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired angiogenesis, leading to endothelial dysfunction. Interval training and CoQ10 each improve redox balance and vascular health, possibly via inter-organ crosstalk, but their combined effects in sedentary obese men are unclear. Sixty sedentary obese men (30–45 years) were randomized into four groups (n=15): control, CoQ10 (100 mg/day), moderate-intensity intermittent training (3×/week, 8 weeks), and training + CoQ10. Serum VEGF, TAC, and H₂O₂ were measured pre/post-n via ELISA and colorimetric assays. Data were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA (α=0.05). Effect sizes (partial η²) were reported. Training significantly raised VEGF (p < 0.001, η² = 0.363) and TAC (p < 0.001, η² = 0.290), while strongly reducing H₂O₂ (p < 0.001, η² = 0.520). CoQ10 showed no significant main or interactive effects on TAC or H₂O₂; however, a significant three-way interaction (time × exercise × supplement) was observed for VEGF (p = 0.001, η² = 0.187). Post-hoc analysis revealed that the exercise-only group showed a greater increase in VEGF compared to the combined group, though the direct comparison between TR and TR+SUP at post-intervention did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). Eight weeks of interval training robustly improves VEGF and redox homeostasis in sedentary obese men, possibly through myokines/exerkines enhancing muscle–adipose–endothelial crosstalk and HIF-1α/VEGF signaling. CoQ10 provides no added benefit for most outcomes and may be associated with a modest attenuation of the exercise-induced VEGF response.
