The Regulation of the Concentrations of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-Alpha and Sirtuin 1 Protein in the Soleus Muscle by Aerobic Exercise Training in Obese Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1a) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) are significant indicators of obesity and other metabolic disorders. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the regulation of the concentrations of PGC-1a and SIRT1 protein in the soleus muscle by aerobic exercise training in obese Wistar rats. Methods: This study was conducted on 24 obese male rats, which were randomly categorized into three groups of control, medium-intensity training (28 m/min), and high-intensity training (34 m/min) after obesity induction through a high-fat diet. A series of aerobic trainings in five sessions of 60-minute aerobic training per week was performed for eight weeks. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA to examine the mean differences between the groups. In addition, Tukey’s post-hoc test was used for the paired comparisons of the groups. Results: Significant differences were observed in the concentrations of the PGC-1a (P < 0.001) and SIRT1 proteins between the study groups (P < 0.001). Tukey’s post-hoc test revealed a significant difference between the moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and control groups (P < 0.01) regarding their mean concentration of the PGC-1a protein. However, the high- and moderate-intensity groups showed no difference in this regard (P < 0.028). Moreover, there was a significant difference in the concentration of the SIRT1 protein between the moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and control groups (P < 0.02), and the high-intensity training and control groups (P < 0.005). Conclusions: According to the results, aerobic exercise training could activate SIRT1 and PGC-1a and might enhance mitochondrial biogenesis in the subcutaneous fat. Therefore, aerobic training is recommended as a therapeutic approach to obesity and several other metabolic diseases.

Combined Phyllostachys pubescens and Scutellaria baicalensis Prevent High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity via Upregulating Thermogenesis and Energy Expenditure by UCP1 in Male C57BL/6J Mice

“…Next, to identify the other mechanisms of the inhibitory effect of BS21 on obesity, we examined the stimulatory effects of BS21 on thermogenesis and energy expenditure. Adipose tissue, especially BAT, produces heat through expressing UCP1 by PGC-1α and increasing mitochondrial biogenesis and density [23]. Thus, BAT acts as a major thermogenic tissue to induce energy expenditure by activating key regulators of thermogenesis [24].…”