THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE TYPE ON THE EXPRESSION OF PGC-1A AND HEART TISSUE TRIGLYCERIDE CONTENT IN RATS WITH FATTY LIVER (NAFLD)

PGC-1a is one of the most important regulators of cardiac mitochondrial biogenesis which plays a key role in lipid oxidation processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-intensity endurance training and high-intensity interval training on the expression of PGC-1a and heart tissue triglyceride content in rats with fatty liver (NAFLD).

This experimental study was performed on 40 male Wistar rats. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. The control group received low-intensity endurance training and intense interval training that consumed high fat diet for 16 weeks and then the two training groups participated in the exercise program for 8 weeks. Also, the sham group used standard food during this time. Finally, expression levels of PGC-1a and intracellular adipose tissue of the four groups were measured.

The results showed that expression of PGC-1a increased after endurance training and intense interval training in cardiac tissue of obese male rats. Also, both types of intense intermittent exercise and low-intensity endurance training significantly decreased the fat content of cardiac tissue (p<0/05).

The results showed that exercise training can increase the expression of PGC-1a and decrease the triglyceride content of the heart tissue in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, indicating that exercise training can be a non-medicinal treatment for these people to use.