Effect of intermittent running training on ‎serum TNF-α level and insulin resistance in a rat model of metabolic syndrome

Background and Aims: The critical importance of metabolic syndrome has necessitated the achievement of effective strategies to overcome the complications of this serious health condition. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of intermittent running training on serum TNF-α levels and insulin resistance in male Wistar rats with metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 24 male Wistar rats aged six weeks and weighed 150-180 g.  They were purchased from Zahedan University of Medical Sciences and after being fed with a high-fat diet for 12 weeks and the induction of metabolic syndrome model, they were assigned to three equal groups (n=8): training+metabolic syndrome, metabolic syndrome, and healthy control. The intermittent training group performed running with an intensity of 80%-110% maximum intensity for two-eight repetitions on the treadmill. To measure biochemical parameters, blood samples were taken directly from the hearts. All statistical calculations were performed in SPSS software (version 20) using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. Results: Serum TNF-α levels had no significant difference among groups (P=0.11); moreover, no significant differences were observed in insulin resistance among the groups (P=0.71). Conclusion: Although there were no significant changes in TNF-α and Insulin resistance between groups, probably response to intermittent running training in metabolic syndrome model is affected by training intensity. More investigations are needed to get the mechanisms.