The effect of high-intensity interval training and CoQ10 administration on hepatic CEACAM1 and PDGFA proteins in diet-induced obese rats

Purpose High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) exert multiple health benefits that can prevent obesity-related fatty liver disease and insulin resistance; yet, the mechanisms remain to be fully understood. This study investigated the effect of HIIT and CoQ10 supplementation on hepatic CEACAM1 and PDGFA proteins in obese male rats. Methods In this experimental research, 48 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to weight-matched groups of lean control (LC), reference-obese control (RC), CoQ10, HIIT, HIIT + CoQ10 and control. HIIT intervention comprised of 5-16 reps of 2 min running at 85-90% maximum speed interspersed with 2 min running at 45-50% maximum speed carried out five sessions per week over 3 months. CoQ10 groups were gavage-fed on 500 mg/ kg CoQ10 supplement. Western blot analysis was carried out to assess protein content of hepatic CEACAM1 and PDGFA. Data analysis was performed by two-way ANOVA at P < 0.05. Results Hepatic CEACAM1 decreased and PDGFA protein content increased by diet-induced obesity (P = 0. 001). In contrast, HIIT alleviated obesity-induced reduction of CEACAM1 (P = 0.0001) and elevation of PDGFA (P = 0.0001). However, neither CoQ10 supplementation nor its combination with HIIT had significant effect on CEACAM1 and PDGFA (P > 0.05). Conclusion Enhanced CEACAM1 and reduced PDGFA seems to have a contribution in HIIT-induced improvement of insulin resistance and fatty liver. However, any potential effects of CoQ10 in the liver tissue is less likely to be mediated by CEACAM1 and PDGFA proteins in obese rats.