Effects of 8 Weeks Resistance Training on the Expression of MicroRNAs Associated With Adipose Tissue Angiogenesis in Rats on a High-Fat Diet

Recent research has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) can be regarded as new biomarkers for metabolic and angiogenesis-related diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of resistance training on the expression of miRNAs associated with adipose tissue angiogenesis in rats with a high-fat diet.

Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (each with 10 rats): normal diet, normal diet+resistance training, high-fat diet, and high-fat diet+resistance training. The resistance training groups performed 5 sessions of resistance training protocol each week for 8 weeks. After one week of familiarity with ladders, in the 2nd week, weights of 30% of body weight were attached to the rats’ tails, which gradually reached about 180% of their body weight by the end of 8 weeks. To evaluate the effect of resistance training and a high-fat diet on miR-221, miR-222, miR-329, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) variables, sampling of mesenteric adipose tissue was performed immediately after killing the animals.

The levels of miR-221, miR-222, and VEGF in the resistance training group+normal diet and resistance training group+high-fat diet increased significantly compared to the control groups (P=0.001, and P=0.001, respectively). However, no significant difference was observed in any groups regarding miR-329 (P=0.103).

The results showed that resistance training increased microRNAs levels associated with adipose tissue angiogenesis in rats on a high-fat and normal diet.