Interactive Effects of Swimming High-Intensity Interval Training and Resveratrol Supplementation Improve Mitochondrial Protein Levels in the Hippocampus of Aged Rats

Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress cause damage to cells which can lead to the aging process and age-related diseases. Antioxidants such as resveratrol and high-intensity exercise can benefit oxidative damage prevention. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of swimming high-intensity interval training and resveratrol on mitochondrial metabolism key proteins, SIRT5, SOD1, and PDH-E1 alpha, and the level of NAD(+) as a cofactor in the deacetylation process in aged rat hippocampus. Forty-five male Wistar rats, aged 20 months, were randomly divided into five groups: control (C), Swimming High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) (S-HIIT), Swimming HIIT with resveratrol supplementation (S-HIIT-R), resveratrol supplementation (R), and solvent of resveratrol supplementation (SR). S-HIIT and resveratrol groups performed the exercise and received resveratrol (10 mg/kg/day, gavage) for six weeks. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein level in the hippocampus. The amount of SIRT5 and SOD1 proteins in the hippocampus increased. S-HIIT with resveratrol or resveratrol alone increased the PDH-E1 alpha level significantly. The amount of NAD(+) was analyzed by assay kit that was reduced in S-HIIT, S-HIIT-R, and SR groups compared to controls. The results showed that resveratrol and S-HIIT attenuated the age-related brain changes by increasing the expression of SOD1 and SIRT5 and reducing the level of NAD(+) in the hippocampus. Considering these findings, S-HIIT and resveratrol supplementation could be proposed as strategies to attenuate age-related brain changes. Resveratrol alone and exercise through the regulation of crucial proteins and cofactors can influence mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of aged rats.