Exercise-training reduces BAT thermogenesis in rats

In the energy balance equation, physical activity represents one component of energy expenditure. From various studies it appears that exercise-training does not affect clearly thermogenesis which depends on brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity. In the present work we examine how exercise-training can influence food intake and body weight regulation in relation to BAT thermogenesis. The proton conductance of the uncoupling protein of BAT was examined in male adult Wistar trained 2 h/day for 20 days and compared to that of sedentary (2 h of fasting instead of exercise) or control animals. All animals were provided with separate sources of the 3 macronutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrate) containing an identical percentage of vitamins, salt mixture and cellulose powder. At the end of training, rats were placed at 5 degrees C during 10 days, then during 4 days at 28 degrees C. This condition has been demonstrated to favour and amplify BAT responsiveness to moderate modifications of stimulation. The body weight of trained rats became significantly lower than that of the control and sedentary rats and this difference persisted all throughout the experiment. When placed at 5 degrees C, all rats increased their total ingestion: control rats enhanced fat intake, while sedentary and trained rats enhanced carbohydrate ingestion. When placed at 28 degrees C, all rats had identical total energy and that of the 3 items intakes. BAT proton conductance was about 40% lower in the trained compared with the sedentary plus the control rats. This indicated a lower BAT thermogenic activity in the trained animals. It could be concluded that exercise-training in rats induces negative energy balance; the reduced BAT activity could restrain weight loss and overeating.