The effect of eight weeks of moderate-intensity interval training on gene expression of indicators involved in mitochondrial fission and fusion in the liver tissue of male Wistar rats

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license

Authors

Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

10.22049/jahssp.2025.30593.1746

Abstract

Background& purpose: Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that are constantly undergoing fission and fusion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of moderate-intensity interval training on gene expression of indicators involved in mitochondrial fission and fusion in the liver tissue of male Wistar rats. Methods: In an experimental study, 12 male rats with an average weight of 180 ± 20 g were purchased and included in the study. Then they were placed in two groups of moderate-intensity interval training (n=6) and control (n=6) with the help of simple random method. The moderate intensity interval training was performed for 8 weeks and 5 sessions per week. In the present study, rat liver tissue was used to investigate the genes expression of MFN1, MFN2, OPA1, DRP1, FIS1, PGC-1α and OXR1. Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney were used to compare between groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 software at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The results showed that 8 weeks of moderate-intensity interval training did not cause significant changes in body weight, genes expression of MFN1, MFN2, OPA1, DRP1, FIS1, PGC-1α and OXR1 and OPA1/FIS1 ratio in the liver cells of male Wistar rats (p>0.05). Conclusion: It does not seem that moderate-intensity interval training alters the processes of mitochondrial fusion and fission in the liver cells of healthy male Wistar rats.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 13 October 2025
  • Receive Date: 05 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 03 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 04 October 2025