Abstract
Obesity is a multifactorial and complex disease that is influenced by genetic, environmental, behavioral, and metabolic factors, and its prevalence and burden are continuously increasing across different populations worldwide. This condition is not merely considered a cosmetic issue or an imbalance in energy regulation, but rather a systemic disorder that can affect the function of numerous organs and physiological systems throughout the body. One of the major consequences of obesity is the development and persistence of inflammation in various body tissues—an inflammation that is typically chronic and low‑grade, and over time can contribute to the onset of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. This inflammatory process arises from several mechanisms, including increased activity of the immune system, alterations in adipocyte function, and the continuous release of cytokines and other inflammatory molecules that disrupt the body’s physiological balance. Chronic inflammation associated with obesity can trigger a series of biochemical and metabolic changes that ultimately impair overall health and increase the risk of developing metabolic diseases. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms related to inflammation in obesity and its consequences can play an important role in designing effective interventions to improve the health of affected individuals. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the regulation of the inflammatory markers TGF- β and IL-10 following high-intensity interval training and electrical stimulation in obese rats under calorie restriction.
Methods: In this experimental study, 35 male Wistar rats (eight weeks old, weighing 200±19 g) were randomly divided after obesity induction into five groups of seven: obese without calorie restriction (control), obese with calorie restriction, calorie restriction–high intensity interval training, calorie restriction–electrical stimulation, and calorie restriction–high intensity interval training–electrical stimulation. The groups underwent a calorie restriction protocol (16 hours of food intake, 8 hours fasting), four weeks of interval training (speed 10 to 20 m/min for 20 to 40 minutes), and electrical stimulation (0.5 mA for 20 minutes). Two days after the interventions, adipose tissue
sampling was performed, and gene expression was measured using real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at a significance level of p<0.05 with GraphPad software. Findings: The results of this study showed that HIIT significantly reduced TGF β gene expression (F=0.9, P=0.966) and IL-10 gene expression (F=10, p<0.0001) compared to the control group. Additionally, the combination of HIIT with electrical stimulation led to a significant increase in TGFβ (F=26, p<0.0001) and IL-10 (F=16, p<0.0001) compared to the control group. Conclusion: It appears that exercise training and electrical stimulation during calorie restriction, by reducing inflammatory gene expression in obese samples, positively influence their physical health and contribute to the improvement of obesity-related complications.