Changes in Angiopoietin-like 4 Protein Level and Insulin Resistance in Rats with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Effect of High Intensity Interval Training and Portulaca Oleracea extract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and Portulaca Oleracea extract on Angiopoietin-like 4 Protein (ANGPTL4) level and insulin resistance in rats with NAFLD. Twenty five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: healthy control, fatty liver control, HIIT, Portulaca Oleracea extract, and HIIT+Portulaca Oleracea extract. To induce NAFLD, the rats were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Portulaca Oleracea supplement at 400 mg/kg was given to the experimental groups. HIIT was performed for 8 weeks, 5 sessions per week at 90% maximum speed. Hepatic ANGPTL4 level and insulin resistance were measured after 8 weeks of HIIT and consumption of purslane extract. One way anova and tukey post hoc test was used for data analysis. Insulin resistance was significantly higher in fatty liver control group than healthy controls (P=0.002). But it was significantly lower in HIIT group (P=0.01), Portulaca Oleracea extract (P=0.037), and HIIT+Portulaca Oleracea extract group (P=0.012) than that in fatty liver control group. ANGPTL4 levels in the healthy control group was significantly higher than fatty liver control group (p=0.01). levels of this index in HIIT group (p=0.036), Portulaca Oleracea extract (p=0.01) and HIIT+ Portulaca Oleracea extract (p=0.007) was significantly lower than the fatty liver control group. It seems that HIIT and Portulaca Oleracea extract can play an important role in controlling the progression of this disease by reducing the level of ANGPTL4 and insulin resistance in patients with NAFLD.