Advances in Biology & Earth Sciences

Background: The role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in NAFLD in older patients is well known. This study was conducted to assess the effect of moderate exercise on ERS indicators in the liver tissue of aged rats. Methods: The study group consisted of 24 male Wistar rats divided into 3 groups: young (3 months), old (18 months), and old + exercise (old-Ex). After 4 weeks of moderate physical training, the expression levels of the proteins caspase-8 and caspase-12, along with the ER stress markers (PERK and CHOP) and the SREBP-1c gene, were measured in liver tissue samples using Western Blotting. Histological changes in the liver were detected via histopathology with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. Results: As a result, it was established that the old group had high levels of ERS, high levels of caspase-8 and caspase-12 protein expressions, liver fibrosis, and changes in the expression of the SREBP-1c gene as a factor of lipid metabolism in comparison with the young group. Moderate exercise decreased hepatic fibrosis, ERS markers, and apoptosis. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that regular moderate physical exercise alleviates age-dependent hepatic injuries due to reduction of endoplasmic reticulum stress and adaptation of ERS.