Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk

Abstract Inflammation is a major component of almost all acute and chronic liver disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training on IL-22 and STAT3 gene expression of liver tissue in steatosis animal model. In this experimental study, 32 rats (weighing 200-250 gr) were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups including healthy control, fatty liver, HIIT and fatty liver + HIIT group. Rats were infected with fatty liver by oral tetracycline at a dose of 140 mg/kg (soluble in 2 ml of water) for 7 days. The HIIT exercise program performed on treadmill five sessions per week for 5 weeks. The IL-22 and STAT3 gene expressions in the liver tissue of samples were measured by Real Time PCR. Data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests at significance level P <0.05. The results showed that the gene expression of IL-22 in liver tissue in HIIT group and fatty liver + HIIT was significantly lower than that in the fatty liver group (P = 0.001). Also, the gene expression of STAT3 in liver tissue in HIIT group and fatty liver + HIIT was significantly higher than that in the fatty liver group (P = 0.001). According to the results, the HIIT training program seems to help improve the liver steatosis.

Abstract Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate aging reduces the possibility of dependence on age-related diseases. Exercise treatment strategies reduce the burden of aging-related illness, disability, and premature death in the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval swimming training on ULK and TSC1/2 proteins of hippocampus tissue in elderly rats. In this experimental study, 16 elderly male Sprague Dawley rats (20 months old and mean weight 300-450 g) were divided into two groups of control and high-intensity interval swimming training. High-intensity interval swimming training consisted of 14 bouts 20-second swimming sessions with 10 seconds of rest between each session for six weeks (three days a week). The content of ULK and TSC1/2 proteins in hippocampal tissue was measured by Western blotting. Data were analyzed using independent t-test at the P<0.05. The results showed that high-intensity interval swimming training caused significant increase in content of ULK protein of hippocampus tissue in elderly rats (P=0.010). Also, high-intensity interval swimming training caused significant decrease in content of TSC1/2 protein of hippocampus tissue in elderly rats (P=0.010). According to the results, it seems that high-intensity interval swimming training can help improve the homeostasis regulatory pathways in hippocampal neurons in the elderly animal model.