Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training and Portulaca Oleracea Extract Supplementation on FGF-21 Level and Insulin Resistance in Rats with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Mohammad Ranaei; Ali Yaghoubi; Sadegh  Cheragh-Birjandi

doi:10.18502/ssu.v31i3.12806

Mohammad Ranaei Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Bojnourd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd, Iran.
Ali Yaghoubi Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Bojnourd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd, Iran.
Sadegh Cheragh-Birjandi Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Bojnourd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ssu.v31i3.12806

Keywords: HIIT, Portulaca Oleracea extract, FGF-21, Insulin resistance, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and Portulaca Oleracea extract on FGF-21 levels and insulin resistance in rats with NAFLD.

Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats at six weeks old and 160 to 185 g weight were randomly divided into four groups: fatty liver control, HIIT, Portulaca Oleracea extract, and HIIT+Portulaca Oleracea extract. According to the weight of the mice, Portulaca Oleracea supplement with a dose of 400 mg/kg was given to the two respective groups. The HIIT training protocol was performed for 8 weeks, 5 sessions per week, and each session was performed at 80-90% of maximum speed. Hepatic FGF21 level and insulin resistance were measured after 8 weeks of HIIT training and consumption of purslane extract. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used to compare groups at a significance level of p<0.05.

Results: Insulin resistance in HIIT (P=0.005), Portulaca Oleracea extract (P=0.011), and HIIT+Portulaca Oleracea extract (P=0.002) groups were significantly lower than fatty liver control group. The level of liver FGF-21 in the HIIT (p=0.023), Portulaca Oleracea extract (p=0.005) and HIIT+ Portulaca Oleracea extract (p=0.001) groups was significantly higher than the fatty liver control group.

Conclusion: It seems that HIIT and Portulaca Oleracea extract could improve insulin resistance in NAFLD by increasing FGF-21 levels and can play an important role in controlling the progress of this disease.