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

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

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Peyman Akraminia 1
Abdolali Banaiefar 2
Vahid Imanipour 3
Hadi Khoran 4

1 Department of exercise physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Iran.

2 Associated Professor, Department of exercise physiology, ST.C., Islamic Azad university, Tehran, Iran.

3 3Department of Physical Education, Pa.C., Islamic Azad University, Parand, Iran.

4 Department of Physical Education, ZARA.C., Islamic Azad University, Markazi, Iran.

10.22122/jeoct.2026.577930.1196
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.

What is already known on this subject?

Moderate-intensity intermittent training enhances cardiometabolic health in obesity by promoting angiogenesis (↑VEGF), improving antioxidant capacity (↑TAC), and reducing oxidative stress (↓H₂O₂), largely through muscle‑derived myokines/exerkines that activate HIF‑1α/VEGF signaling. Although CoQ10 lowers oxidative stress in various conditions, its combined effect with interval training in sedentary obesity is unclear. 

 

What this study adds?

Eight weeks of moderate-intensity intermittent training significantly increased VEGF, markedly elevated TAC, and strongly decreased H₂O₂ in sedentary obese men. CoQ10 supplementation provided no additional benefit and slightly blunted some training‑related vascular responses. Thus, interval training alone is the primary driver of vascular and redox adaptations, with no synergistic effect from CoQ10.

Keywords

Training
Coenzyme Q10
Vascular endothelial growth factor
Total antioxidant capacity
Hydrogen peroxide
Subjects

Acknowledgements

We extend our deepest appreciation to all the participants who contributed to this research. Their time and cooperation were essential to the success of this project.

Funding

None.

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 there is no conflict of interest in the present research.

Ethical approval 

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Varamin-Pishva Branch (ethics code: IR.IAU.VARAMIN.REC.1403.026). All procedures were performed in accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Trial registration was not obtained prospectively (IRCT); this is acknowledged as a limitation, and the study was conducted as an exploration trial.

Informed consent Performed. 

Author contributions 

Conceptualization: P.A., Methodology: A.B., Software: V.I., Validation: H.Kh.,; Formal analysis: P.A.,; Investigation: V.I.,; Resources: H.Kh.,; Data curation: H.Kh.,; Writing - original draft: p.A.,; Writing–review & editing V.I.,; Visualization: P.A.,; Supervision: A.B.; Project administration: V.I.,.; Funding acquisition: P.A.        

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Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 September 2026

  • Receive Date 24 February 2026
  • Revise Date 12 May 2026
  • Accept Date 16 June 2026

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