Effect of Training Intensity on HIF-1a Gene Expression and Cardiac TG Content in Rats with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Mahdi Bagherian; Abdolali Banaeifar; Sajad Arshadi; Mohammad Ali Azarbayjani

doi:10.18502/ssu.v30i7.10753

Mahdi Bagherian Department of Sports Physiology, Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Abdolali Banaeifar Department of Sports Physiology, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
Sajad Arshadi Department of Sports Physiology, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Ali Azarbayjani Department of Sports Physiology, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ssu.v30i7.10753

Keywords: Low intensity endurance Training, High intensity interval training, HIF-1a, Heart tissue, Triglyceride.

Abstract

Introduction: HIF-1a is an important regulator in response to hypoxia that affects various genes involved in energy metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise intensity on HIF-1a gene expression and cardiac TG content in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Methods: The present study was performed experimentally on 40 male Wistar rats. Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. The control groups, low-intensity endurance training and intense interval training, consumed high-fat food for 16 weeks, and then the two training groups participated in exercise for 8 weeks. Furthermore, sham group, which used standard food during this period, at the end of training, the expression level of HIF-1a and the amount of intra-tissue fat of the heart were measured in 4 groups. HIF-1a expression was assessed using real-time PCR and TG assay on an auto-analyzer. SPSS software version 16 and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.

Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in the expression of HIF-1a gene between the control and the sham groups, HIIT and LIET groups (P=0.001). Moreover, there was a significant difference in triglyceride between HIIT and LIET groups compared to the sham and control groups, but no significant difference was observed between HIIT and LIET groups (P=0.0001).

Conclusion: The results showed that intense intermittent exercise and low-intensity continuous exercise may reduce cardiac triglyceride content by decreasing HIF-1a expression and increasing fatty acid oxidation.