Sport Physiology

Sport Physiology

The Effect of 8 Weeks of Aerobic Training and High-Fat Diet on PGC-1α, FNDC5, and UCP-1 Gene Expression in Muscle Tissue of Male Wistar Rats

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Mohammad Rahman Rahimi 1
Naser Ghanbari 1
Mehdi Rahnama 2
Sanaz Mahmazi 2
Dara Latif Saifalddin 3
1 Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Branch, Zanjan, Iran
3 5Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Halabja, Halabja, Kurdistan region, Iraq.
10.22089/spj.2025.17905.2366
Abstract
Background and Purpose
Obesity is a major health concern in modern societies, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. Lifestyle modifications and regular physical activity are recognized as effective strategies for obesity prevention and management. Exercise plays a crucial role in weight control and metabolic health by influencing energy balance, improving body composition, and reducing fat accumulation. Research indicates that exercise can combat obesity through muscle tissue modifications and the secretion of myokines like irisin. PGC-1α, a key regulatory molecule in skeletal muscle, enhances FNDC5 expression, leading to irisin production. Irisin stimulates UCP-1 in adipose tissue, promoting white-to-brown fat conversion and thermogenesis. While studies have investigated exercise's effects on these genes, findings remain inconsistent. Some report significant increases in UCP-1 and FNDC5 after aerobic or resistance training, while others show minimal changes. For instance, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) elevated FNDC5 in healthy males, whereas combined training had no effect in non-athletes. Aerobic exercise also improved FNDC5 expression in obese rats. Given the role of high-fat diets (HFD) in visceral fat accumulation and varied metabolic responses to exercise, further research is needed. This study examines how progressive aerobic training combined with HFD affects PGC-1α, FNDC5, and UCP-1 levels in rats, assessing its potential to prevent weight gain via white-to-brown fat conversion.
Materials and Methods
Animals and GroupingForty male Wistar rats (8 weeks old, 180±10 g) were obtained from Pasteur Institute of Karaj. After one week of acclimatization, they were randomly divided into four groups (n=10/group): Control (CO): Standard diet, High-fat diet (HFD), Exercise (T): Aerobic training + standard diet, Exercise + HFD (T+HFD)Housing ConditionsRats were housed in polycarbonate cages (4/cage) at 22±2°C, 45±5% humidity, with a 12-hour light/dark cycle. Food and water were provided ad libitum.Diets: Standard diet: 18-23% protein, 4-6% fat, 45-55% carbohydrates, HFD: 60% fat-derived calories (soybean oil), 16% protein, 24% carbohydrates (pellet form, Razi Serum Research Institute)Progressive Aerobic Training Protocol: Duration: 8 weeks, 5 sessions/week, Intensity: 45–85% VO₂maxProgram:Weeks 1–4: Gradual increase in duration (15→35 min) and speed (12→27 m/min). Weeks 5–8: Weekly 10-min duration increments; speed fixed at 27 m/min. warm-up/cool-down: 10 m/min. minimal electric shocks were used for ethical compliance.
Results
 PGC-1α: HFD caused a significant 1.66-fold decrease (p=0.0001), while exercise (T) induced a 5.4-fold increase (p=0.0001). The T+HFD group showed no significant difference vs. CO (1.16-fold, p>0.05). HFD had the lowest PGC-1α levels (p<0.0001). FNDC5: Non-significant 0.86-fold reduction in HFD (p=0.141). Exercise (T) led to a 5.52-fold rise (p=0.001); T+HFD increased 1.47-fold (p=0.019). T group had the highest expression (p<0.0001). UCP1: No significant difference between HFD and CO (1.15-fold, p=0.337). Exercise (T) elevated expression 2.35-fold (p<0.0001) and 2.04-fold vs. HFD (p<0.0001).
Conclusion
HFD reduces PGC-1α expression, but aerobic exercise counteracts this effect. Exercise alone most effectively upregulates FNDC5 and UCP1. Combined training and HFD (T+HFD) only partially mitigates HFD’s negative impacts. These findings demonstrate that aerobic training can attenuate HFD-induced metabolic damage by positively modulating fat metabolism-related genes.
Article Message
This study demonstrates a critical interaction between diet and exercise at the molecular level. While a high-fat diet suppresses the expression of key genes regulating mitochondrial energy expenditure (PGC-1α, FNDC5), an 8-week progressive aerobic exercise program can effectively counteract this effect. Exercise significantly increased the expression of these genes, which are involved in the browning of fat and thermogenesis. This suggests that regular aerobic exercise provides a powerful protective effect against weight gain and obesity, even in the presence of a high-calorie diet, by enhancing the body's innate energy-burning pathways.
Ethical Considerations
The protocol (Code: IR.UOK.REC.1397.024) was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kurdistan University, complying with laboratory animal guidelines.
Authors’ Contributions
Conceptualization: Mohammad Rahman Rahimi, Mehdi Rahnama and Sanaz Mahmazi
Data Collection: Mohammad Rahman Rahimi and Naser Ghanbari
Data Analysis: Mohammad Rahman Rahimi, Naser Ghanbari, Sanaz Mahmazi
Manuscript Writing: Mohammad Rahman Rahimi, Naser Ghanbari
Review and Editing: Mohammad Rahman Rahimi, Naser Ghanbari, Dara Latif Saifalddin
Responsible for Funding: Mohammad Rahman Rahimi
Literature Review: Mohammad Rahman Rahimi, Naser Ghanbari, Dara Latif Saifalddin
Project Manager: Mohammad Rahman Rahimi
Conflict of Interest
According to the authors' declaration, this article has no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
We sincerely thank all participants who assisted us in conducting this research. The research costs were covered by the authors.
 
 
Keywords
Obesity, PGC-1a, FNDC5, UCP-1, Aerobic Activity, High-Fat Diet

Subjects

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end
Sport Physiology
Volume 17, Issue 67
Summer 2025
Pages 61-78

  • Receive Date 09 January 1404
  • Revise Date 19 August 1404
  • Accept Date 01 September 1404