Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that aerobic exercise can improve mitochondrial function. However, the effect features of aerobic exercise with different periods on bodies remain poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise with different periods on the activity of mitochondrial Na⁺, K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase, as well as mitochondrial swelling.
METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were randomly separated into four groups, namely, control, 2-week, 4-week and 6-week aerobic exercise groups. The control mice had not undergone treadmill running. The other 3 groups carried on the corresponding period of exercise in the way of treadmill running, and the aerobic exercise mode was designed by referencing Bedford TG standard. Then the skeletal muscle mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation to measure their Na⁺ , K⁺-ATPase and Ca ²⁺ -ATPase activities, as well as the extent of mitochondrial swelling.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between the control group and 2-week aerobic exercise group. However, with the exercise prolonged, the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and Ca ²⁺-ATPase activities increased (P < 0.05) and the extent of the mitochondrial swelling decreased (P < 0.05). The present findings demonstrate that, aerobic exercise can protect the activity of mitochondrial Na⁺ , K⁺-ATPase and Ca ²⁺ -ATPase and increase the function of mitochondria. But it needs some time to adapt.