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Published on: April 28, 2023
Resistance training mitigates hepato-cardiac changes and muscle mitochondrial protein reductions in rats with
Caroline Pancera Laurindo1, Karen C Rego Gregorio1, Ana Caroline Rippi Moreno1,2
1Department of Physiotherapy - School of Sciences and Technology - Sao Paulo, State University - UNESP, Campus Presidente Prudente, Brazil.
Aim:
To investigate the effect of resistance training (RT) on hepatocardiovascular and muscle mitochondrial parameters in rats that were fed a high-calorie diet for 12 weeks.
Main Methods:
The animals were divided into four groups: control (C), exercise (E), obese (O), and obese plus exercise (OE). Group E and OE rats performed resistance training by climbing on a vertical ladder with load attached to the end of the tail (1×/day, 3×/week, for 12 weeks). Group O and OE rats were fed a high-calorie diet containing chow and a cafeteria diet for 12 weeks. Under anesthesia, the heart and liver were removed for histopathological analysis, and the gastrocnemius muscle was removed for Western blotting.
Key Findings:
Group O rats were heavier, with increased fat mass, elevated fasting glycemia, and total triglycerides, and exhibited a significant number of Kupffer cells and diffuse steatosis in the liver. Group O rats also showed increased thickness of the right ventricle, septum, and pulmonary artery. All of these parameters were attenuated by RT. PGC1-α protein levels were increased in both exercise groups. The protein levels of OXPHOS complexes III, IV, and V were reduced in Group O, while RT prevented this alteration.
Significance:
RT exerts a protective effect against hepato-cardiac alterations and prevents changes in the muscle mitochondrial protein profile induced by a high-calorie diet.
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