Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hGH administration and endurance exercise on body composition in rats. METHODS: Forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: CON (saline injection group, n=10), GH (hGH injection group, n=10), Ex (Exercise group, n=10), and GH/ Ex (hGH injection and exercise group, n=10). GH and GH/Ex groups received hGH treatment by subcutaneous injections (0.4 IU/kg/day, 6 days/ 8 weeks). CON and Ex received saline injection with the same volume as GH. The exercise regimen was designed in 24 m/min for 2 h and 5 days/week for 5 weeks with 8 % treadmill grade after 3 week progressive increment of exercise volume and intensity. RESULTS: After 8-week experimental treatments, body composition, fat cell size, plasma free fatty acids (FFA), and plasma leptin. The % body fat in Ex (6.25 ± 0.52 %) and GH/Ex (6.15 ±0.57 %) was significantly lower than in CON (10.64 ± 0.73 %) and GH (9.69 ± 0.19%), respectively (p <.05). Fat cell size was significantly different between groups (CON (0.81 ±0.08 μg/cell) > GH (0.81 ±0.08 μg/cell)> Ex (0.81 ±0.08 μg /cell) = GH/Ex(0.81±0.08 μg /cell) (p <.05). FFA levels were significantly greater in GH (0.81±0.08 ug/cell) and GH/Ex(0.81±0.08 μg /cell) than in CON (0.81±0.08 μg /cell) and Ex(0.81±0.08 μg /cell) (p < 0.05). Plasma leptin concentrations in CON (4.11 ±0.75 ng/ml) and GH (3.62±0.49 ng/ml) were significantly higher than in Ex (1.45±0.22 ng/ml) and GH/Ex (1.20±0.15 ng/ml) (p <.05). CONCLUSIONS: : The results of the current study indicate that 1) 8-week hGH treatment in rats did reduce fat cell size, but slightly affect the body composition with marginally statistical significance (p = 0.11). 2) 8-week exercise training significantly affects both body composition and fat cell size. 3) hGH treatment significantly elevate plasma FFA levels but exercise training does not. 4) Exercise training significantly declines concentrations of plasma leptin but hGH treatment does not.
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