Effects of Aerobic Training on Tissue Nesfatin-1/Nucleobindin-2 mRNA, Plasma Nesfatin-1 and High-density Lipoprotein Concentration in Female Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

Purpose: Nesfatin-1 is a protein derived from a precursor molecule of the nucleobindin-2 gene. Nesfatin-1 
has been suggested to act as a novel inhibitor and a potential regulator of food intake and body weight. It has 
been reported that changes in proteins and peptides that are released from hypothalamus and adipose tissue are 
related to cardiovascular diseases (CAD). Therefore, the aim of this study was investigate the effects of eight 
weeks of aerobic training on nesfatin-1/nucleobindin-2 expression, plasma concentration, and plasma highdensity lipoprotein (HDL-C) in female rats (Liver, small intestine and kidney tissues).
Material and Methods: In this study ten Wistar rats (6-8 weeks old and 125-135 g weight) were used. 
Animals were randomly assigned into control and training groups. Training group was given exercise on a 
motor-driven treadmill at 25 m/min (0% grade), 60 min/day, 5 days/week, for eight weeks. 72 hours after the 
last training session and after four hours of fasting, rats were sacrificed. Liver, small intestine and kidney were 
excised, total RNA was extracted, and after PCR procedure, quantitative real-time RT-PCR was performed. 
Plasma was also collected for plasma variable measurement. Data are expressed as means ± SEM and the 
significance level was set at P<0.05.
Results: Exercise-induced increases in liver (P<0.001), small intestine (P<0.001) and kidney (P<0.019) 
nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression were observed. A significant up-regulation in Plasma HDL-C concentration in 
the training group was also spotted (P<0.003) in comparison to the control group. Data analysis revealed no 
significant differences in plasma nesfatin-1 concentration between the study groups (P<0.093). 
 Discussion and Conclusion: Tissue nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA expression and plasma HCL-C concentration 
were affected (up-regulated) by physical exercise while plasma nesfatin-1 levels remained unchanged.

Keywords

• Food intake
• Physical stress
• Energy homeostasis
• Gene expression

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