The Effect of High Intensity Training and Beetroot Consumption on NRF1 and TFAM in Visceral Adipose Tissue of Aged Type 2 Diabetic Rats

NRF1 and TFAM are proteins that affect mitochondrial biogenesis and play an important role in diabetes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of high intensity training (HIT) training and beetroot consumption on NRF1 and TFAM in visceral adipose tissue of aged type 2 diabetic rats.

In this experimental study, 40 male rats (weight range 270-300 grams and age 12-14 weeks) diabetic with streptozotocin were randomly divided into 5 groups (healthy control, diabetic control, supplement, exercise, exercise + complement) were divided. The training groups were subjected to intense interval training with an intensity of 50 to 90% of the maximum speed for 4 weeks and 4 sessions each week and 44 minutes each session. The groups receiving the supplement received 10 mg of beetroot per kilogram of body weight daily for 4 weeks and 4 times a week orally. The data are statistically significant using two-way ANONA test and (P < 0.05) was evaluated.

The results of the study showed that the induction of diabetes led to a significant decrease in the protein levels of NRF1 and TFAM, so that in the exercise group, beetroot had a significant effect on the changes of NRF1 in the visceral fat tissue of elderly rats with diabetes. (P=0.001), but the interaction of HIT training and beetroot supplement in NRF1 changes is not significant (P=0.56) and also the factor of exercise and beetroot supplement, as well as the interaction of HIT training and beetroot also has a significant effect on TFAM changes in visceral adipose tissue of elderly rats with diabetes. (P=0.001).

Based on the findings of the present research, it seems that high interval training with beetroot consumption can lead to an increase in NRF1 and TFAM gene expression and thus help to improve and control diabetes in the elderly.