The effect of resistance training on Rheb and mTOR proteins of Extensor digitorum longus muscle in elderly rats

Background and Aim: Aging is characterized by gradual decrease in volume and mass of muscle skeletal, resulting in impaired physical and physiological function. Exercise is the most effective way to the improvement of muscle function and is one of the stimulants of changing homeostasis in skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of resistance training on Rheb and mTOR proteins of Extensor digitorum longus muscle in elderly rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 16 elderly male Sprague Dawley rats (20 months old and mean weight 300-450 gr) were placed in two groups: control (n=8 rats) and resistance training (n=8 rats). Resistance training consisted of 8 weeks and 3 weekly sessions of climbing a one-meter vertical ladder with 26 steps and two cm of space between each step with slope 85 degrees. Each session included three shifts with five repetitions, with one minute rest between each repetition and two minutes rest between each set. In the first week, the amount of weights attached to the rats was 50 percent of their body weight, which gradually increased by 10 percent each week and reached 100 percent of their body weight in the eighth week. The rats were anesthetized 48 hours after the last training session. The content of Rheb and mTOR proteins in the extensor digitorum longus muscle was measured by Western blotting. Results: The results showed that eight weeks of resistance training caused significant increase in the mean proteins content of Rheb (P=0.001) and mTOR (P=0.013) in the EDL muscle of elderly rats compared to the control group (1.00). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, resistance training may help improve the factors involved in the synthesis of protein in skeletal muscle during aging.