MFn1, MFn2 and OPA1 gene expression of cardiac tissue after high intensity interval training and resveratrol injection in NAFLD rats

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect high intensity interval training (HIIT) with resveratrol supplementation on Cardiomyocytes expression of MFn1, MFn2 and OPA1 in NAFLD rats.

In this experimental study, forty-eight Wistar male rats were classified into two groups NAFLD (CN, n=40) and control-normal (n=8). NAFLD was induced in rats with high fat diet and then subdivided into five subgroups NAFLD, SHAM, TRNAF, SUPNAF and TRSUPNAF. Training groups have performed a running program on a motor-driven treadmill for eight weeks. Resveratrol (20 mg/kg) was injected into the SUPNAF and TRSUPNAF groups. Forty-eight hours after the last training session, rats were anesthetized; then hearts were excised and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C for measuring the indexes. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way analysis of variance, and significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05.

Induction of fatty liver reduced expression of MFn1 (p=0.009), MFn2 (p=0.003) and OPA1 (p=0.002). Also, in TRNAF, SUPNAF and RSUPNAF groups, MFn1 (p=0.010, p=0.048 and p=0.004 respectively), MFn2 (p=0.028, p=0.007 and p=0.011 respectively) and OPA1 (p=0.019, p=0.003 and p=0.006 respectively) increased significantly compared to the NAFLD group.

It seems that exercise training and resveratrol protects cardiomyocytes mitochondria against fatty liver disease, by reactivation fusion.