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

The effect of aerobic interval-style continuous training combined with CoQ10 supplementation on MDA and TGF-β levels in inactive 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.2026.577937.1197
Abstract
Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and elevated oxidative stress. This study investigated the independent and combined effects of an 8-week aerobic interval-style continuous training program and CoQ10 supplementation on serum TGF-β and MDA concentrations in inactive obese men. Sixty inactive obese men (aged 30–45 years) were randomly assigned to four groups (n=15 each): control (CONT), CoQ10 supplementation (SUP; 100 mg/day), training (TR), and combined training + supplementation (TR+SUP). The supervised training protocol was performed three sessions per week for 8 weeks with progressive intensity. Fasting venous blood samples were collected before and after the intervention. Serum MDA was measured using colorimetric assay, and TGF-β was quantified via ELISA. Data was analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Significant time × exercise interactions were observed for both MDA (F(1,56) = 28.793, p < 0.001) and TGF-β (F(1,56) = 30.617, p < 0.001), with reductions in the exercise groups (MDA: exercise groups from 210 nmol/L to 156 nmol/L; TGF-β: from 35 nmol/L to 30 pg/mL). Time × supplementation interactions were also significant but smaller (MDA: η_p² = 0.082; TGF-β: η_p² = 0.068). No significant three-way interaction was detected for either marker. These findings highlight aerobic interval-style continuous training as a cornerstone intervention for mitigating obesity-related oxidative stress and fibrotic signaling. CoQ10 supplementation produced a small independent reduction in both markers, but no synergistic or additive interaction with exercise was observed.

What is already known on this subject?

Obesity is associated with elevated MDA (oxidative stress marker) and upregulated TGF-β signaling (fibrotic pathway). Interval training improves antioxidant defenses while CoQ10 neutralizes ROS. However, evidence on their combined effects in sedentary obese men is limited.

 

What this study adds?

This is among the first studies to show that 8 weeks of aerobic interval-style continuous training significantly reduces serum MDA and TGF-β in inactive obese men, while CoQ10 (100 mg/day) provides small independent effects without synergistic interaction with exercise.

Keywords

Interval training
Coenzyme Q10
Malondialdehyde
Transforming growth factor-beta
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.

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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