Tissue Sphingosine Kinase 1 Gene Expression in Female Rats: Effects of Endurance Running and Pistachio-Atlantica (Bene) Supplementation

Sphingosine kinase is a key enzyme in modulating the levels of lipids and is emerging as an important and regulated enzyme. The aim of this study was to determine sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1) relative gene expression in the liver, small intestine, and kidney. Twenty Wistar rats (6- 8 weeks old, 125-135 g) were used. Animals were randomly assigned into saline-control (SC), saline-training (ST), Bene-control (BC), and Bene-training (BT). Training groups was given exercise on a motor-driven treadmill at 25 m/min (0% grade) for 60 min/day and 5 days/week for eight weeks. Subjects were fed orally with Bene extraction and saline for four weeks. SK1 relative gene expression was detected via the Real-time PCR method. Results demonstrated that exercise and Bene extraction significantly increased SK1 relative gene expression in the liver, small intestine, and kidney (p value < 0.006, p value < 0.007, and p value < 0.023, respectively); the increase, however, was not significant in visceral fat tissue.