The Effect of Resistance Training and Phoenix dactylifera L. Extract on DRP1 and MFN1 Protein Expression, and the Apoptotic Status of Rat Liver: A Safe Alternative to Testosterone Injection

Background: Testosterone enhances athletic performance in men and women, but its consumption has several side effects and is banned from most competitive sports. This study aimed to examine the effect of date palm pollen extracts (DPPE or Phoenix dactylifera L.), testosterone enanthate (T), and resistance training (RT) alone and in combination on hepatic damage and mitochondrial function of adult male rats. Methods: Thirty male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: Control (C), RT-treated, DPPE-treated, T-treated, DPPE+RT-treated, and T+RT-treated. The DPPE-treated animals received 100 mg/kg DPPE by gavage (five days/week for four weeks). T was injected subcutaneously into the target groups at a dose of 2 mg/kg daily (five days/week for four weeks). Moreover, the RT program was performed using a vertical ladder with weights (five days/week for four weeks). Results: RT, T, and DPPE significantly reduced collagen degradation, apoptotic cells, dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) protein expression, and increased mitofusin-1 (Mfn-1) gene and protein expression in liver tissue. RT with T/DPPE showed a synergic effect regarding present study variables. Conclusions: It seems that DPP, which is a natural compound, has less damaging effects than T on liver tissue. It can be used as a safe alternative to T injection for the enhancement of athletic performance and T deficiency.