The effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on nesfatin, irisin and resistin and gene expression of PGC-1α in Wistar rats

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on nesfatin, irisin and resistin and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor 1-alpha (PGC-1α) gene in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats (weight 300-250 g) were selected and randomly assigned into three groups: baseline control, eight-week control and HIIT training. The experimental group performed training protocol 4 days a week during 8 weeks, while the control group had no training program. To measure the levels of serum irisin, nesfatin, and resistin, the immunoassay method was used. Additionally, the real-time PCR method was applied to evaluate the relative PGC-1α mRNA level in soleus muscle. Independent T-test was used to analyze the data. Results: The results suggested that there was no significant difference between the concentration of nesfatin, irisin and resistin in the baseline control group compared to the eight-week control group (P > 0.05). HIIT increased the concentrations of nesfatin-1 and irisin (P = 0.0001), and significantly decreased resistin (P = 0.0001). Furthermore, eight weeks of HIIT significantly increased the PGC-1α mRNA (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, HIIT would possibly help to improve the levels of the factors, nesfatin, irisin, resistin and PGC-1α which involved in the energy balance homoeostasis.