Different exercise protocols improve metabolic syndrome markers, tissue triglycerides content and antioxidant status in rats

Abstract

Background: An increase in the prevalence of obesity entails great expenditure for governments. Physical exercise is a powerful tool in the combat against obesity and obesity-associated diseases. This study sought to determine the effect of three different exercise protocols on metabolic syndrome and lipid peroxidation markers and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in adult Wistar rats (120 days old).

Methods: Animals were randomly divided into four groups: the control (C) group was kept sedentary throughout the study; the aerobic group (A) swam1 h per day, 5 days per week, at 80% lactate threshold intensity; the strength group (S) performed strength training with four series of 10 jumps, 5 days per week; and the Concurrent group (AS) was trained using the aerobic protocol three days per week and the strength protocol two days per week.

Results: Groups A and S exhibited a reduction in body weight compared to group C. All exercised animals showed a reduction in triglyceride concentrations in fatty tissues and the liver. Exercised animals also exhibited a reduction in lipid peroxidation markers (TBARS) and an increase in serum superoxide dismutase activity. Animals in group A had increased levels of liver catalase and superoxide dismutase activities.

Conclusions: We concluded that all physical activity protocols improved the antioxidant systems of the animals and decreased the storage of triglycerides in the investigated tissues.

Figure 1

Body weights during the study and the body weight AUC values at the end of the study. C = Control; S = Strength Training; AS = Concurrent Training; A = Aerobic Training. n = 8 animals per group. Results are expressed as the means ± standard deviation. Different letters indicate the significant differences between groups (p ≤ 0.05).

Figure 2

Lactacidemia and lactate threshold equivalent overload of one animal during the minimum lactate test. C = Control; S = Strength Training; AS = Concurrent Training; A = Aerobic Training. n = 8 animals per group. Results are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. Different letters indicate the significant differences between groups (p ≤ 0.05).

Figure 3

Catalase and SOD activities and TBARS concentrations in animal serum at the end of the study. C = Control; S = Strength Training; AS = Concurrent Training; A = Aerobic Training. n = 8 animals per group. Results are expressed as the means ± standard deviation. Different letters indicate the significant differences between groups (p ≤ 0.05).

Figure 4

Catalase and SOD activities and TBARS concentrations in animal livers at the end of the study. C = Control; S = Strength Training; AS = Concurrent Training; A = Aerobic Training. n = 8 animals per group. Results are expressed as the means ± standard deviation. Different letters indicate the significant differences between groups (p ≤ 0.05).