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

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.