Resistance Training Decreases Lipid Content of Different Fat Deposits in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Background: Ovariectomy (OVX) in female rats leads to increased adiposity that may result in the emergence of obesity-related diseases. Adiposity index has been used in analyses and discussions endeavoring to elucidate the deleterious effects of increased adiposity and possible effects of resistance training (RT) as a treatment capable of preventing fat accumulation induced by OVX. Objectives: Investigate the effects of RT on adiposity index and the percentage of visceral fat in intact and ovariectomized rats. Methods: Female Wistar rats were distributed in four experimental groups (n = 10 per group): intact sedentary (INT-SED) and trained (INT-RT) groups; ovariectomized sedentary (OVX-SED) and trained (OVX-RT) groups. The rats performed RT for 12 weeks on a vertical ladder with a session performed every 72 hours. Intra-abdominal fat deposits including mesenteric (MES), urogenital (URO) and retroperitoneal (RET) were analyzed. Adiposity index was performed using a gravimetric method and percentage of fat (%) = (∑ (fat depots)/body mass) X 100). Results: RT in OVX animals decreased relative mass of RET and MES tissues compared to OVX-SED (P < 0.05). The OVX-RT group showed lower fat percentage for RET (Δ = 31%), MES (Δ = 44%) and URO (Δ = 36%) compared to OVX-SED (P = 0.001, P = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). The adiposity index (%) was lower in OVX-RT compared to INT-RT (P < 0.05). Rats exposed to RT and OVX decreased % of fat by approximately 15% compared to INT-RT group (P = 0.013). Conclusions: Resistance training was able to decrease the adiposity index and percentage of visceral fat RET, MES and URO tissue of OVX rats. Resistance training may be a beneficial, non-pharmacological treatment of obesity, specifically after ovarian hormone deprivation.