Background and Aim:Loss of muscle mass in aging is associated with chronic inflammation, and age-related disruption of intracellular redox balance is a major factor in causing this type of inflammation. In this study, the effect of nanoliposomal selenium supplementation along with resistance training on muscle expression of cytokines IL-18 and IL-1β, catalase enzyme activity, and muscle endurance in oldrats was investigated.
Methods: 20 rats with average age of 20-months were randomly divided into four equal groups: aged+solvent control, aged+supplement, aged+exercise, and aged+supplement+exercise. Resistance training was performed for 6 weeks, 5 sessions per week, including climbing a resistance ladder with an incline of 85 degrees with a weight equivalent to 25% of the body weight attached to the tail of the mice, 3 to 5 sets and 8 to 12 repetitions with overloading. Nanoliposomal selenium supplement gavage at 2.5 mg/kg body weight was performed according to the training days. Finally, muscle endurance was assessed using the Basket behavioral test. Then, IL-18 and IL-1β gene expression were measured by Real-time PCR and catalase activity was measured by ELISA in the soleus muscle. The data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests at the P≤0.05 level.
Results: Resistance training and selenium supplementation each independently resulted in significant reductions in IL-18 and IL-1β, as well as significant increases in catalase and improvements in muscle endurance. The interactive effect of the two interventions was significant in increasing catalase and improving muscle endurance and reducing IL-18. However, the combined effect of training and supplementation was significant in reducing IL-1β expression.
Conclusion: Resistance training combined with selenium intake may play a role in the relative improvement of age-related chronic inflammation and related muscle mass loss, possibly by modulating the pro-inflammatory state by regulating IL-18 and IL-1β cytokines and enhancing antioxidant defense by stimulating catalase.