Effect of progressive resistance training on serum A-FABP and Apolipoprotein A-I concentration in male rats

Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP), a member of FABPs family, plays an essential regulatory role in energy metabolism and inflammation, as well as apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-I) is the major HDL-associated apolipoprotein. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training with progressive overload on serum A-FABP and apoA-I levels. Sixteen male Wister rats (12-14 weeks’ old) were randomly divided into control (n=8) and training (n=8) groups. The resistance training consisted of climbing (8 repetitions/day, 3 days/week, for 4 weeks) a ladder carrying a load suspended from the tail, with weights respectively equivalent to 50%, 75%, 90%, and 100% of their previous maximal carrying capacity and 30g increments for each subsequent climb. Fasting serum levels of A-FABP and apoA-I concentrations and lipid profile levels in serum and liver were measured. After four weeks resistance training serum A-FABP and apoA-I levels in training group were significantly higher than control group (respectively, P= 0.026 & P= 0.028). We did not find any significant difference in serum and liver lipid profile between groups (P > 0.05). These results indicated that resistance training with suitable intensity could be an effective strategy to increase serum A-FABP and apoA-I levels.