Effect of Aerobic Exercise Combined With Thyme Extract Supplementation on the PGC-1α Gene Expression in Adult Male Rats

Abstract

Objective: Due to the uncertainty of the impact of thyme plant on endurance sport performance, despite its high antioxidant property, this study aims to assess the effect of aerobic exercise combined with thyme extract supplementation on the PGC-1α gene expression in male rats. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 40 adult male Wistar rats randomly classified into five groups of 8 including control, sham, aerobic exercise, thyme extract (400 mg per kg per day), and aerobic exercise + thyme extract. The rats began their exercise on a treadmill for 10 minutes a day with a speed of 10 m/min and a slope of 10%. Speed and duration of exercise gradually increased over the next two weeks until they reached 27 m/min and one hour per day, respectively. The real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method was used to investigate the PGC-1α gene expression extracted from the soleus muscle of rats. Results: There was a significant difference in PGC-1α gene expression after intervention between the combined group and control and sham groups (Mean=1.01±0.0306; F=4.238, P=0.05). However, the PGC-1α gene expression rate in aerobic exercise group and supplementation group was no significantly different compared to control and sham groups (Mean=1.01±0.0306; F=0.00001, P=0.005). Conclusion: It seems that thyme extract supplementation along with aerobic exercise increases the PGC-1α gene expression.