Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: In recent years, the prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions, and exercise is a powerful stimulus for decreasing obesity. The purpose of present study was to investigate the effects of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on visceral and subcutaneous levels of Monocyte Chemo-attractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) in Wistar male Rats.

Methods: Twenty male rats (8 week years old) were randomly divided into two training and control groups. Training program performed in 5 weeks, and 5 sessions per each week. Rats completed 6 high-intensity intervals bouts with 2 minutes duration and 37 m/m in first week, between each bouts rats resting for one minute. During second week intervals bouts increased to 7 and speed increased until 40 m/m, in third week training protocol was performed with 43 m/m speed in 9 bouts, 10 intervals bouts with 49 m/m were completed during forth week, and finally week 12 intervals bouts with 52 m/m were completed. Blood sample collection and remove of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue was performed 72 hours after the last session. Independent T-test (α≤ 0.05) was used to data analyze.

Results: The results indicated significant decrease in insulin and visceral and subcutaneous levels of MCP-1 in training group compare to control group (p<0.001). But the variation in glucose levels was not significant (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The results of present study showed that HIIT caused decrease in visceral and subcutaneous levels of MCP-1, therefore this type of exercise trainings are able to decrease adipose tissue and probably obesity related diseases.