Swim exercise inhibits hemostatic abnormalities in a rat model of obesity and insulin resistance

Background: We sought to determine whether swim exercise can inhibit high carbohydrate and fat diet (HCFD)-induced biomarkers of coagulation and thrombosis. Material and methods: Rats were either fed with HCFD (model group) or a standard laboratory chow (control group) for 15 weeks. Swim exercise-‘treated’ rats started swim exercise training from the 11 ^th week until being sacrificed, on Week 15. Results: HCFD caused a significant increase in blood glucose, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipidemia, and inflammatory biomarkers. In addition, HCFD significantly modulated coagulation and thrombosis biomarkers; fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, von Willebrand factor, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, blood clotting and bleeding time, and ADP-induced platelet aggregation that was effectively inhibited by swimming exercises. Conclusions: We demonstrate that in an animal model of obesity and insulin resistance, there is a significant change in hemostasis, which is ameliorated by swim exercise.