Measuring Protein Levels and Leptin Gene Expression in Response to Acute Endurance Exercise in Rats

Background and Leptin is one of the most important proteins involved in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis but the effect of acute exercise on leptin has been less investigated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a one-session exercise on tissue concentration and gene expression of leptin in rats. Methods and Materials: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats were housed in a standard environment, and were randomly divided into two groups (Control and Experimental). The exercise was running on a treadmill for 120 min (18 m/min). Immediately, 2 and 24 hours after exercise the rats anesthetized, blood, fat tissue and soleus were taken. Leptin concentration in the muscular, fat and blood were measured. Also, leptin gene expression was investigated with RT-PCR in tissues. Data were analyzed in SPSS 16 using repeated measures ANOVA (P<0.05). The results showed that leptin gene expression significantly increased in muscles 2 hours [(51%) from 169/15± 10/36 to 349/13± 112/71] and 24 hours [(48%) from 185/14± 8/21 to 359/01± 14/77], and in adipose tissue 24 hours [(49%) from 181/69± 21/42 to 361/66] (P<0.05). However, leptin concentration did not change neither in adipose tissue nor in muscle nor plasma (P>0.05). Also, there was no significant differences in plasma leptin, glucose and insulin between the two groups across the three times of mesurement (P>0.05). Acute exercise can increase leptin gene expression in muscle and fat tissues. However, exercise with longer duration and higher volume may appear to be more effective.