Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of voluntary wheel-running (WR) on body weight (BW), waist circumference, mesenteric fat mass (MFM), adipocyte size, circulating cytokines/hormones, blood pressure (BP) and exercise endurance capacity in 11-month-old normal rats. Three-week WR with about 0.2 km of daily running distance caused a gradual loss in BW despite an increased intake of food/water. MFM decreased as daily running distance increased. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between MFM and BW, waist circumference or adipocyte size. On the other hand, WR significantly decreased systolic/diastolic BPs, and increased endurance exercise capacity. WR rat sera contained lower concentrations of angiotensin II, aldosterone, vasopressin and endothelin-1 and higher concentration of brain natriuretic peptide compared with sedentary rat sera. Thus, WR-induced reduction in resting BPs may be accomplished by attenuated vasoconstriction, enhanced vasodilatation and reduction in blood volume. In addition, circulating vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6 were higher in WR rats, suggesting angiogenesis, anti-inflammation and insulin-sensitization. These results support a prevalent idea that daily light-exercise is a potential strategy for preventing metabolic syndrome.
Highlights
The incidence of obesity has increased markedly worldwide during recent decades
We report that 3-week WR exercise, in which daily running distance is very short, decreases body weight (BW), waist circumference, MEM, adipocyte size and circulating adipocyte-secreted cytokines, leptin and resistin, and increases circulating C-reactive protein (CRP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukine-6 (IL-6) and endurance exercise capacity
There was a negative correlation between daily running distance and % body weight change, that was defined by an equation of X 100 (r = −0.66, data not shown)
Summary
The incidence of obesity has increased markedly worldwide during recent decades. Obesity and its associated disorders are serious worldwide problems to threaten the health [1]. Obesity is considered as a major and prevalent risk factor for metabolic syndrome, which is associated with an increased risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus [2]. In addition to abdominal obesity represented as waist circumference, other risk factors for metabolic syndrome are recognized widely to be atherogenic dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure and elevated fasting blood glucose [3] [4]. Macrophage-related inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity-induced insulin resistance [7]-[9]
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