Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on TCF۷L۲ Gene Expression in Hepatocytes of Obese Rats

Objective Hepatic glucose release is greatly increased in the presence of obesity and related diseases. The research objective was to explore the impact of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on TCF۷L۲ gene expression in hepatocytes of obese rats. Materials and Methods: Out of ۲۱ male Wistar rats aged ۱۰ weeks years (۲۲۰±۱۰ g), obesity was induced in ۱۴ rats by ۸-week high-fat diet. The rats were then divided into normal (n=۷), obese control (n=۷), and HIIT obese (n=۷) groups. Rats in the HIIT group completed ۸ weeks of HIIT/۵ days weekly, whereas the other groups were inactive. After intervention, TCF۷L۲ gene expression in hepatocytes, insulin resistance and glucose compared using ANOVA /Tukey’s post hoc test between groups by SPSS-۲۲. Results: Obesity induction led to a significant decrease in TCF۷L۲ gene expression (P: ۰.۰۱۱) and an increase in blood glucose (P: ۰.۰۰۹) and insulin resistance (P: ۰.۰۱۹) compared with the normal group (P< ۰.۰۰۱). On the other hand, interval training led to a significant increase in TCF۷L۲ gene expression (P: ۰.۰۲۹) and a decrease in blood glucose (P< ۰.۰۰۱) and insulin resistance (P< ۰.۰۰۱) in the obese group compared with the control group. Conclusion: The observed enhancement in fasting blood glucose levels among obese rats could be linked to increased TCF۷L۲ gene expression in liver cells, which appears to be a response to interval training intervention. Nevertheless, understanding the main mechanisms responsible for observed changes requires further studies in this field.