Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Journal of Eexercise & Organ Cross Talk

Six-week combined exercise modulates mitochondrial dynamics (MFN1/DRP1) and oxidative stress (MDA/SOD) in fast- and slow-twitch muscles of aged rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Sina Gholaminezhad Kolachahi 1
Farhad Rahmani-nia 2
Mohammad Reza Fadaei Chafy 3

1 Department of Exercise Physiology, University Campus2, University of Guilan, Rasht, Guilan, Iran.

2 Professor of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

3 Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Ra.C., Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22122/jeoct.2025.541565.1165
Abstract
Aging is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, which leads to decreased cellular function and the development of age-related diseases. Exercise training is considered one of the most effective strategies for improving muscle cell function. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of six-week combined exercise on mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis markers (MFN1, DRP1) as well as oxidative stress markers (MDA and SOD) in fast- and slow-twitch muscles of aged rats. In this study, 16 male Wistar rats (463.2 ± 9.3 g) were randomly divided into two groups (n=8 per group): control and resistance-endurance training. The training group underwent combined resistance-endurance training, 6 days a week for 6 weeks (3 resistance days, 3 endurance days). Forty-eight hours after the last training session, animals were sacrificed and fast-twitch (gastrocnemius) and slow-twitch (soleus) muscle tissues were collected. Gene expression levels of mitofusin 1 (MFN1), dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) were measured by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). In slow-twitch muscle, exercise training significantly increased mRNA expression levels of SOD genes, and significantly decreased mRNA expression of DRP1 and the concentration of MDA compared to the control group (p<0.05). Similarly, in fast-twitch muscle, six weeks of combined training significantly increased SOD gene expressions and decreased DRP1 mRNA and MDA levels compared to controls (p<0.05). Combined exercise training positively modulates mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics markers (decreased DRP1 mRNA) and enhances antioxidant capacity (increased SOD gene expression and enzyme activity, decreased MDA levels) in both fast- and slow-twitch muscles of aged rats, highlighting its significant role in mitigating age-associated mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings reflect improvements in markers of mitochondrial quality control and oxidative stress rather than direct measurements of mitochondrial function.

What is already known on this subject?

Several studies have shown that aerobic exercise improves VO2max, mitochondrial density and activity, insulin sensitivity, and energy expenditure in young and elderly subjects.

 

What this study adds?

Six-week combined exercise regimen effectively modulates mitochondrial dynamics and reduces oxidative stress in the skeletal muscles of aged rats.

Keywords

Aging
Mitochondrial dynamics
Oxidative stress
Combined exercise
Fast-twitch muscle
Slow-twitch muscle

Subjects

Acknowledgements

None

Funding

No sources of funding were sought or awarded for this study.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval All ethical principles of the present study were observed in accordance with the principles of working with laboratory animals approved by the University of Guilan (Guilan, Iran), and all its steps were approved by the ethics committee of that university with the ethics code IR.GUILAN.REC.1404.063.

Informed consent Animal study.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: S.G.K, F.R, MR.F.C,; Methodology: S.G.K, F.R, MR.F.C,;  Software: S.G.K, F.R, MR.F.C,; Validation: S.G.K, F.R, MR.F.C,; Formal analysis: S.G.K, F.R, MR.F.C,; Investigation: S.G.K, F.R, MR.F.C,;   Resources: S.G.K, F.R, MR.F.C,; Data curation: S.G.K, F.R, MR.F.C,; Writing - original draft: S.G.K, F.R, MR.F.C,; Writing - review & editing: S.G.K, F.R, MR.F.C,; Visualization: F.R,;  Supervision: S.G.K,; Project administration: MR.F.C,; Funding acquisition: S.G.K.

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Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Volume 5, Issue 2
Spring 2025
Pages 67-74

  • Receive Date 16 March 2025
  • Revise Date 19 June 2025
  • Accept Date 30 June 2025

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