The Regulation of the Concentrations of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-Alpha and Sirtuin 1 Protein in the Soleus Muscle by Aerobic Exercise Training in Obese Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1a) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) are significant indicators of obesity and other metabolic disorders. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the regulation of the concentrations of PGC-1a and SIRT1 protein in the soleus muscle by aerobic exercise training in obese Wistar rats. Methods: This study was conducted on 24 obese male rats, which were randomly categorized into three groups of control, medium-intensity training (28 m/min), and high-intensity training (34 m/min) after obesity induction through a high-fat diet. A series of aerobic trainings in five sessions of 60-minute aerobic training per week was performed for eight weeks. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA to examine the mean differences between the groups. In addition, Tukey’s post-hoc test was used for the paired comparisons of the groups. Results: Significant differences were observed in the concentrations of the PGC-1a (P < 0.001) and SIRT1 proteins between the study groups (P < 0.001). Tukey’s post-hoc test revealed a significant difference between the moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and control groups (P < 0.01) regarding their mean concentration of the PGC-1a protein. However, the high- and moderate-intensity groups showed no difference in this regard (P < 0.028). Moreover, there was a significant difference in the concentration of the SIRT1 protein between the moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and control groups (P < 0.02), and the high-intensity training and control groups (P < 0.005). Conclusions: According to the results, aerobic exercise training could activate SIRT1 and PGC-1a and might enhance mitochondrial biogenesis in the subcutaneous fat. Therefore, aerobic training is recommended as a therapeutic approach to obesity and several other metabolic diseases.