The Effect of Interval training and Omega 3 on Mitochondrial Biogenesis in the liver Tissue of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Rats

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been proven to be closely associated with NAFLD. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of interval exercise and omega-3 on mitochondrial biogenesis in liver tissues of NAFLD rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (mean weight 156.98±7.82) were divided into 5 groups: Control-Normal (CN), NAFLD, NAFLD-Training (TRNAF), NAFLD-Supplement (SUPNAF) and NAFLD-Training-Supplement (TRSUPNAF). The supplement groups received 1 g of Omega3 (per kg of body weight) orally during the intervention period. Interval training program including running on treadmill with a speed of 14-28 meters per minute, was performed 5 days a week for eight weeks. Results: Induction of NAFLD decreased the expression of PGC-1α, Nrf1, Tfam and SIRT3 (p=0.0001). The expression of PGC-1α, Nrf1, Tfam and SIRT3 was significantly increased in TRNAF (p=0.041, p=0.048, p=0.043 and p=0.035 respectively), SUPNAF (p=0.044, p=0.042, p=0.037 and p=0.033 respectively) and TRSUPNAF (respectively, p=0.0001, p=0.0001, p=0.0001 and p=0.0001) groups compared to NAFLD; and also, TRSUPNAF compared to TRNAF (p=0.041, p=0.040, p=0.039 and p=0.043 respectively) and SUPNAF (p=0.038, p=0.046, p=0.046 and p=0.045 respectively) group. Discussion: Our data showed that exercise training as well as omega-3 in the condition of NAFLD is able to modulate mitochondrial biogenesis through an increase in the genes involved in this pathway. Also, the combination of periodic sports activity and Omega 3 supplementation has synergistic effects.