Comparative Effects of Six Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training with and Without Caloric Restriction on mTORC1 and MuRF-1 Gene Expression in Fast-Twitch Muscle of Aged Male Rats

Gholami, Sara; Moazzami, Mahtab; Attarzadeh Hosseini, Seyyed Reza; Hosseini Kakhak, Seyed Alireza; Farahati, Samaneh

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Comparative Effects of Six Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training with and Without Caloric Restriction on mTORC1 and MuRF-1 Gene Expression in Fast-Twitch Muscle of Aged Male Rats

Sara Gholami

, Mahtab Moazzami ^*

, Seyyed Reza Attarzadeh Hosseini

, Seyed Alireza Hosseini Kakhak

, Samaneh Farahati

Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. , moazami@um.ac.ir

Abstract: (188 Views)

Background and Aim: With increasing life expectancy, the aging population is growing, and sarcopenia, or the loss of muscle mass, is a significant age-related change. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a six-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program, with and without caloric restriction, on the expression of mTORC1 and MuRF-1 genes in the fast-twitch muscle of aged male rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 36 aged male rats (age: 26 months, mean weight: 430 g) were randomly assigned to four groups: control, HIIT, HIIT with caloric restriction, and caloric restriction alone. The HIIT protocol consisted of four 2-minute bouts at 80% of maximum running capacity, interspersed with 3-minute active recovery periods at 50% of maximum capacity, with progressive intensity increases. In the caloric restriction groups, food intake was initially reduced by 30%, adjusted to 20% from week four based on weight loss. Measurements of height, weight, and gastrocnemius muscle sampling were conducted 24 hours after the final training session, following a 12-hour fasting period. The expression of mTORC1 and MuRF-1 genes was assessed using Real-Time PCR.
Results: The expression of mTORC1 was significantly increased in the HIIT group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conversely, mTORC1 expression was significantly reduced in both the caloric restriction and HIIT with caloric restriction groups relative to the control group. MuRF-1 gene expression was significantly elevated in the HIIT, caloric restriction, and combined HIIT with caloric restriction groups compared to the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Six weeks of HIIT, with or without caloric restriction, alters the expression patterns of mTORC1 and MuRF-1 genes in the gastrocnemius muscle of aged male rats. These changes reflect the impact of these interventions on anabolic and catabolic pathways in skeletal muscle. To mitigate muscle atrophy in aging, careful consideration of exercise intensity and dietary regimens is essential.

Keywords: Aging, MuRF-1, mTORC1, High-Intensity Interval Training, Caloric Restriction

Type of Study: Research | Subject: General
Received: 2025/03/28 | Revised: 2025/08/12 | Accepted: 2025/07/16

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