The effect of two types of high intensity and moderate intensity continuous training on serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10 in obese male rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) on inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-10) in obese male rats. Forty male rats were divided into two groups: high-fat diet (n=32) and standard diet (n=8), for 10 weeks. After inducing obesity, eight rats from the high-fat diet group (O) and eight from the standard dietary group (C) were sacrificed, and the other obese rats were randomly divided into three groups: obesity control (OC), moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) and high intensity interval training (HIIT). The HIIT protocol, including 10 bouts of 4-minute activity with equivalent intensity of 85-90% vo2max and 2 minute active rest periods, and the MICT protocol with equivalent intensity of 65-70% VO2max, with covered distance matched to that of the HIIT protocol, were performed for 12 weeks and 5 sessions per week. Serum samples were collected to measure serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10 by ELISA. In both HIIT and MICT groups, serum levels of TNF-α were significantly decreased and serum levels of IL-10 were significantly increased compared to OC group (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between the HIIT and MICT groups in serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10. It seems that both HIIT and MICT training protocols improve chronic inflammation by decreasing TNF-α and increasing IL-10.