Eight Weeks of Progressive Resistance Training Increased the Content of UCP1 in Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of Rats

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

• Hani Firooz-zare ¹
• Alireza Safarzade ^{1, 2}
• Elahe Talebi-Garakani ^{1, 2}

¹ Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

² Athletic Performance and Health Research Center, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

10.22067/jcmr.2024.87131.1088

Abstract

New evidence indicates that exercise training as a stimulant of adipose tissue thermogenesis can play a positive role in preventing obesity.The purpose of research is to investigate the effect of eight weeks of progressive resistance training on the levels of proteins involved in the thermogenesis of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues in sucrose-fed rats. Method: Twenty- four male rats were divided into normal control, sucrose control, and progressive resistance training groups. The normal control group was fed only standard food and water. In addition to free access to water and standard food, the other two groups were fed a 10% sugar solution. The exercise program started after of nutritional intervention and continued for 8 weeks, 3 days a week. After 72 hours of the last training session and 4 hours of fasting, the rats were anesthetized and blood samples and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues were taken. Serum glucose and insulin level and insulin resistance index along with tissue levels of PGC-1α and UCP1 were measured. Results: The results showed that the consumption of sugar solution significantly increased serum glucose (P≥0.001) and insulin (P≥0.001) levels and HOMA-IR (P≥0.001) and decreased UCP1 levels in subcutaneous fat tissue (P≥0.03) compared to the control group. Also, progressive resistance training caused a significant decrease in insulin (P≥0.007), HOMA-IR (P≥0.025), increased UCP1 levels in visceral (P≥0.032) and subcutaneous (P≥0.005) adipose tissue compared to the sucrose control group. However, the levels of PGC1α in visceral and subcutaneous fat tissues did not show any significant changes. Conclusion: The results showed that progressive resistance training, in addition to improving insulin sensitivity, can play an effective role in the process of browning white adipose tissue by increasing the level of UCP1 in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, and as a therapeutic method for improving insulin resistance and obesity.

Keywords

• Progressive Resistance Training, insulin resistance, UCP1, PGC-1&alpha