The effect of voluntary exercise on histological alterations, miR-31 and miR-17-3p expression levels in aortic tissue of high-fat diet-induced obese rats

Abstract

Obesity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease that can be reduced by lifestyle modification. Whereas the effect of exercise in reducing obesity and cardiovascular risk factors has been proven; In this study, we investigated one of the intracellular pathways mediated by miR-17-3p and miR-31 in the process of voluntary exercise effect.

Materials & Methods: Forty adult Wistar rats (150 ± 10 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10: control group, voluntary exercise group: by receiving normal diet and doing voluntary exercise for three months, group Obese with high-fat diet: by receiving high-fat diet for three months, obese group with high-fat diet and voluntary exercise: by receiving high-fat diet and doing exercise voluntarily for three months. At the end of the study and animal anesthesia, blood and aortic tissue samples were prepared for histological examination and also to measure blood sugar, insulin levels and miR-31 and miR-17-3p expression levels.

Results: In the group receiving high-fat diet, despite the increase in insulin secretion, no effect was observed on lowering blood sugar (P <0.001). Exercise with a high-fat diet also significantly reduced insulin and blood sugar levels compared to the high-fat group. (P<0.001). High-fat diet and exercise alone significantly reduced miR-17-3p in aortic tissue compared to the control group (P<0.001). Exercise alone reduced miR-31 and a high-fat diet significantly reduced it (P <0.001). Histological studies also confirmed the positive effect of exercise in correcting the destruction of aortic tissue structure in a high-fat diet.