Effect of resistance training with Spirulina platensis on PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6k signaling pathway in cardiac muscle

Background.- Resistance training and spirulina change the expression of genes involved in the hypertrophy. We investigated the effect of resistance training with Spirulina platensis on PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6k signaling pathway in rat cardiac muscle. Methods. - For this purpose, 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control (Co; n= 8), spirulina platensis (SP; n= 8), resistance training (RE; n= 8), spirulina platensis + resistance training (SP +RE; n= 8). The resistance training group practiced five sessions each week for eight weeks. Spirulina 200 mg/kg/day was used in the supplement group and exercise +spirulina platensis group. Twenty-four hours after the last training session, the expression of genes was measured by Real-time PCR. Results.-Results showed the expression of mTOR increased significantly in the RE group (P=0.001) and the SP +RE (P= 0.02). The expression of Akt in the RE group increased significantly (P=0.01). The expression of Pi3k in the RE group (P= 0.001) and the SP+ RE group (P=0.001) increased significantly. The expression of P70-S6K in the RE group increased significantly (P=0.05). Conclusion. - Using spirulina platensis alone does not have an effect on the signaling pathway in the heart. However, the combination of resistance training can affect some of the components of the signaling pathway (PI3K/mTOR). And also, the effect of resistance training alone can have a significant effect on all components of the signaling pathway. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.