High-Intensity Interval Training Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Mitophagy in Heart Tissue of Healthy Rats Following the Combination Use of Methylphenidate and Ethanol

OBJECTIVE: The concurrent consumption of methylphenidate (MPD) and ethanol are prevalent among young individuals and those diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on probable cardiac complications caused by the combined use of MPD and ethanol (ET), with a particular focus on oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission, fusion and mitophagy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried on male Wistar rats that received saline (CTL), HIIT, MPD, ET, MPD+ET, or a combination of HIIT with MPD, ET, or MPD+ET. Cardiac tissue damage and fibrosis were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. The expression of mRNAs was quantified using Real-time PCR, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured, calorimetrically. RESULTS: The combination of ET and MPD increased the levels of MDA, decreased the activity of SOD and GPX, and increased mRNA expression of DRP1, PINK, and Parkin compared to the CTL group. HIIT was associated with a significant reduction in oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission and mitophagy parameters in ethanol and MPD treated groups. HIIT reduced histopathological changes in MDA+ET group and fibrosis in groups receiving ET and combination of MDA and ET. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that HIIT intervention could be associated with significant reduction in adverse effects of concurrent consumption of MPD and ethanol on oxidative stress, mitochondrial fission and mitophagy, and injury in heart of healthy male rats.