Effects of supplementation with ginger and high-intensity exercise on inflammation responses in active girls

  Obesity is associated with increased risk of many diseases. Methylation is an important factor in obesity, indicating epigenetic changes. However, there is lack of data about PGC-1α methylation and regular exercise. Purpose of this study was to determine effects of 6-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on PGC-1α methylation in gastrocnemius muscle of obese male rats. In a experimental study, twenty four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (6 rats each): control healthy, trained healthy, control obese and trained obese. Healthy group consumed normal diet and obese group consumed high-fat diet (for 6 weeks). Trained healthy and trained obese performed swimming HIIT for 6 weeks. 24 hours after the last session of the training, gastrocnemius muscle of control and trained rats was extracted and then afterwards PGC-1α methylation was assayed. For analyzing data, paired sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used. After 6 weeks, body weight of trained obese group compared with control obese was decreased significantly (P=0.021). In addition, after 6-week HIIT, PGC-1α methylation of healthy (P=0.010) and obese group (P=0.037) compared with their control group was decreased significantly. It appears that 6-week swimming HIIT can be effective on obesity state and significantly reduce PGC-1α methylation in gastrocnemius muscle of obese male rats.