The Effect of a HIIT Training Course on the Expression of PGC-1α, SIRT1, and SIRT3 Genes in the Cardiac Tissue of Elderly Female Rats

Abstract

Background and Aim: Exercise improves the function of mitochondrial proteins and enzymes in old age. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) training course on the expression of PGC-1α, SIRT1, and SIRT3 genes in the cardiac tissue of elderly female rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 14 female Sprague-Dawley rats with a mean age of 16-18 months and a weight range of 280-320 g were randomly divided into 2 groups of 7, including the control group and the HIIT training group. The experimental group performed HIIT training for 8 weeks and 5 days a week with an intensity of 85%- 110% VO2max. Forty-eight hours after the last training session, rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of ketamine and xylazine, and the target tissue was immediately removed for examination. Shapiro-Wilk statistical test and one-way analysis of variance in SPSS software v. 22 analyzed the findings (P≥0.05). Results: The results showed that the expression of PGC-1α, SIRT1, and SIRT3 genes increased in the cardiac tissue of the experimental group compared to the control group after 8 weeks of HIIT training, but this increase was not significant (P≤0.05). Conclusion: It seems that in elderly conditions, exercise from pathways other than PGC- 1α improves mitochondrial function. However, further research is needed on the effect of HIIT exercise on the expression of these genes in cardiac tissue.