Comparison of three aerobic exercise methods with different intensities on PPARγ2 gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue of male Wistar rats

Background and aims: PPARγ is one of the proteins that plays a very important role in regulating adipose tissue metabolism under physiological and metabolic conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of three aerobic exercise methods of HIIT, HIT and MIT on the PPARγ2 gene expression in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of male Wistar rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four equal groups, including control, moderate intensity training (MIT), high intensity training (HIT), and high intensity interval training (HIIT). Twenty-four hours after the last training session, the rats were anesthetized and a subcutaneous adipose tissue sample was extracted from the rats and examined for PPARγ2 gene expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: All three aerobic exercise methods increased the expression of PPARγ2 genes compared to the control group (p=0.001), however, there was no significant difference among training groups in PPARγ2 changes. Conclusion: Three aerobic exercise methods of HIIT, HIT, and MIT increased the PPARγ2 gene expression, and this increase was greater in the HIT group than the other exercise groups. It seems the increase of the PPARγ2 gene expression is dependent on the duration of exercise.