Intermittent vs. continuous swimming training on adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines in metabolic syndrome experimental model

Abstract

Objectives In this study, metabolic syndrome-affected rats were studied to examine how intermittent and continuous swimming training influenced adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Methods Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomized in this experimental study into four groups (n=8), including normal control (NC), metabolic syndrome (MS), continuous swimming training with metabolic syndrome (CT-MS: load 0–3% body mass, 5 d/wk, for 8 weeks), and intermittent swimming training with metabolic syndrome (IT-MS: load 5–16% body mass, 5 d/wk, for 8 weeks). The serum levels of metrnl, adipolin, irisin, leptin, TNF-α, and IL-6 were measured using the ELISA test. Results The IT-MS and NC groups exhibited significantly lower leptin concentrations than the CT-MS group (p=0.001). The irisin, meteorin, and adipolin serum levels increased significantly in CT-MS and IT relative to the NC and CT-MS groups (p=0.001), with the changes being more pronounced in the IT group (p=0.05). TNF-α and IL-6 were inclined in the CT-MS group compared with the other three groups (p=0.001), while IL-6 was increased in the IT group (p=0.024). Conclusions Intermittent swimming is more effective than continuous swimming training in improving adipokines in rats with metabolic syndrome.