Effects of aerobic exercise of different intensities in the liver of metabolic syndrome animals

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MS) corresponds to a sum of alteration in which, glucose intolerance is characterized as one of the most important. Among these are included: insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, endothelial dysfunction and others Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is also currently cited as a risk factor for MS Studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between physical inactivity and MS. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise training of different intensities on the liver of metabolic syndrome rats. Methods: 20 male Wistar rats were used and divided into four groups (n=5): control (C) sedentary MS (MS), walking MS (WMS) and running MS (RMS). Fructose-drinking rats received D-fructose (100 g/l). MS Training rats were assigned to a treadmill training protocol at low and moderate intensity during 1 h/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the livers were collected and submitted to a histological technique (HE). The images were captured and morphometric and stereological analysis of the hepatic tissue were performed. Results: It was verified that MS promoted a hypertrophy of the hepatocytes, a significant increase in the density volume of the hepatocytes, of the Kupffer cells, and hepatic sinusoids, and that, in both intensities (Running and Walking) the exercise training has mitigated the alterations. Conclusions: The data suggest, as nonpharmacological treatment, the walking (low intensity) is the most eficient, able to reverse the alterations caused by metabolic syndrome, the results being approximate to those of control group.