Effects of high calorie dietary nutrition and exercise on energy metabolism parameters in obese Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Purpose: With the increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders, studies on energy metabolism have advanced, leading to the recent identification of new members in energy metabolism. This study aims to demonstrate the effects of a high-calorie diet and exercise on the newly identified peptides asprosin, irisin, nesfatin-1, and preptin, whose effects on metabolism are still under investigation, and to provide information for future research. Materials and Methods: In this study, 24 rats were divided into four groups: control, exercise, high-calorie diet, and high-calorie diet with exercise. Serum levels of asprosin, irisin, preptin, nesfatin-1, and insulin were measured using the ELISA method. Additionally, serum levels of glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were determined by the colorimetric method. Results: Compared to the control group, there were significant increases in body mass index, glucose, asprosin, TG, TC, and LDL-C levels. Serum HDL-C levels were notably lower in the experimental group compared to the control group. In the exercise group, irisin and nesfatin-1 levels significantly increased, accompanied by reductions in LDL-C, TG, TC, glucose, and preptin levels. Conclusion: A high-calorie diet was associated with an unfavorable lipid profile, while exercise-induced alterations in the secretion of peptides derived from adipose tissue and/or regulating energy metabolism. Although physical activity emerges as a crucial factor in peptide secretion and maintaining biochemical balance, further research is imperative to comprehensively understand the underlying mechanisms.