The Effect of a HIIT Training Course on the Expression of PGC-۱α, SIRT۱, and SIRT۳ Genes in the Cardiac Tissue of Elderly Female Rats

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-۱α, SIRT۱, and SIRT۳ genes in the cardiac tissue of elderly female rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, ۱۴ female Sprague-Dawley rats with a mean age of ۱۶-۱۸ months and a weight range of ۲۸۰-۳۲۰ g were randomly divided into ۲ groups of ۷, including the control group and the HIIT training group. The experimental group performed HIIT training for ۸ weeks and ۵ days a week with an intensity of ۸۵%-۱۱۰% VO۲max. 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. ۲۲ analyzed the findings (P≥۰.۰۵). Results: The results showed that the expression of PGC-۱α, SIRT۱, and SIRT۳ genes increased in the cardiac tissue of the experimental group compared to the control group after ۸ weeks of HIIT training, but this increase was not significant (P≤۰.۰۵). Conclusion: It seems that in elderly conditions, exercise from pathways other than PGC-۱α improves mitochondrial function. However, further research is needed on the effect of HIIT exercise on the expression of these genes in cardiac tissue.

Keywords:

HIIT training , Organelle Biogenesis , Aged , Heart