The Effect of Resistance Training and Spirulina Supplementation on the Expression of IGF-1, AKT, Rheb, and TSC2 Genes in Kidney of Male Rats

Background: Various signaling pathways are involved in causing hypertrophy in different organs of the body.One of these important pathways is the mTOR signaling pathway, which, as a key regulator in cellular growth and metabolism processes, plays an important role in muscle hypertrophy and kidney function.The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of resistance training and Spirulina supplementation on the expression of IGF-1, AKT, Rheb, and TSC2 genes in male rats.Methods: 32 male Sprague Dawley rats, 3 months old and weighing 150 20 g, were randomly assigned to four groups: resistance training + spirulina supplement, resistance training, spirulina supplement, and control.Spirulina was orally administered to rats in the spirulina and resistance training plus spirulina groups at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight per day for eight weeks.The resistance training protocol consisted of eight weeks of ladder climbing to a height of one meter.The expression levels of IGF-1, AKT, Rheb, and TSC2 were measured using Real-time PCR. Results:The expression levels of IGF-1 (p<0.001),AKT (p<0.0001) and Rheb (p<0.0001)genes showed a significant increase in the exercise + supplement group.While the expression of TSC2 gene was significantly decreased in the exercise + supplement group (p<0.0001). Conclusion:The findings indicate a positive effect of resistance training and Spirulina supplementation on the expression of IGF-1, AKT, Rheb, and TSC2 genes in kidney tissue.