Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Journal of Eexercise & Organ Cross Talk

The effect of aerobic exercise combined with mealworm protein consumption on oxidant, antioxidant indices and FGF21 and mTOR gene expression in soleus muscle of rats with fatty liver

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Amir Mounesan 1
Alireza Rahimi 2
Fariba Aghaei 2
Amir Sarshin 2

1 PhD Candidate of Exercise Physiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.

2 Department of Exercise Physiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22122/jeoct.2025.510227.1144
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic liver disorder associated with fat accumulation, sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet. This study examined the effects of aerobic exercise and mealworm protein supplementation on oxidative balance and the expression of FGF21 and mTOR genes in the soleus muscle of rats with NAFLD. Fifteen male Wistar rats (250 ± 50 g, aged 10–12 weeks) were randomly assigned to five groups: healthy control, fatty liver, fatty liver + supplement, fatty liver + exercise, and fatty liver + supplement + exercise. A high-fat diet was used to induce NAFLD. The exercise group performed moderate-intensity treadmill running (12–16 m/min) for eight weeks, five days per week. Mealworm protein (20 mg/kg) was administered via oral gavage. Liver and muscle tissues were analyzed using Real-Time PCR (FGF21, mTOR) and ELISA (TOS, TAC). Combined treatment significantly increased FGF21 expression (~130%; p = 0.022), reduced total oxidant status (~40%; p = 0.001), increased total antioxidant capacity (~45%; p = 0.009), and lowered SGPT and ALP levels (~32% and ~38%, respectively; p < 0.05). mTOR expression showed no significant change (p = 0.113), and the 18% SGOT reduction was not significant (p = 0.169). The combination had greater effects than either treatment alone. Aerobic exercise combined with mealworm protein supplementation improves oxidative balance and FGF21 expression in NAFLD. This integrative strategy may offer a novel therapeutic approach targeting liver-muscle metabolic interactions. Further human studies are recommended.

What is already known on this subject?

  • NAFLD is a major global health concern associated with metabolic disorders.
  • Aerobic exercise improves oxidative stress and metabolic health.
  • Mealworm protein supplementation contains essential amino acids that may influence metabolic pathways.
  • The liver and muscle interact metabolically through organ cross-talk, particularly via signaling molecules like FGF21.

 

What this study adds?

  • This study highlights the synergistic effects of aerobic exercise and mealworm protein supplementation in improving antioxidant capacity and reducing oxidative stress.
  • It provides evidence that the liver-muscle cross-talk, mediated by FGF21, plays a crucial role in metabolic adaptations to exercise and protein intake.
  • Unlike FGF21, the mTOR gene did not show significant changes, suggesting that this pathway might require different stimuli or prolonged intervention.

Keywords

Aerobic exercise
Protein supplement
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
FGF21
Oxidative stress

Subjects

Acknowledgements

This article is derived from Mr. Amir Mounesan's doctoral thesis entitled "The Effect of a Period of Aerobic Training with Mealworm Protein Supplement on Hepato-Muscular Cross-Talk in Soleus Muscle and Muscle Changes in Fatty Liver Model Rats" at Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Zohreh Mazaheri, Head of the Tissue and Gene Histogenetics Research Laboratory, for her unwavering support and guidance, and to Dr. Fatemeh Noorzad, PhD student in Exercise Physiology, Shahid Rajaee University, Tehran, for her valuable assistance and advice throughout the research process.

Funding

None

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest The authors of this research article have no financial and personal conflict of interest statement.

Ethical approval The ethical code of this research was IR.IAU.K.REC.1403.066 taken from Islamic Azad University, 

Karaj Branch (Iran).

Informed consent Animal study

Author contributions

Conceptualization: A.M; Methodology: A.M; Software: A.M; Validation: A.R; Formal analysis: F.N; Investigation: A.M; Resources: A.M; Data curation: A.M; Writing - original draft: A.M; Writing - review & editing: A.M; Visualization: A.M; Supervision: A.R; Project administration: A.M; Funding acquisition: A.M

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Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Volume 4, Issue 4
Autumn 2024
Pages 284-291

  • Receive Date 04 October 2024
  • Revise Date 22 December 2024
  • Accept Date 23 December 2024

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