Modulation of metabolic and cardiac dysfunctions by swimming in overweight rats on a high cholesterol and fructose diet: Possible role of adiponectin

Western diet rich in cholesterol and sucrose with decreased physical activity cause overweight and metabolic syndrome. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of swimming on the cardiac adiponectin mRNA expression in high cholesterol and fructose fed rats. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats divided into 2 equal groups. First group - control, that was fed with chow diet for 15 weeks. Second group was fed with high cholesterol and fructose diet (HCFD) for 15 weeks. Ten rats from both groups performed swimming during the last 4 weeks. After 15 weeks serum glucose, insulin, lipogram, leptin, resistin, adiponectin, and cardiac enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase - MB) levels were measured. HOMA-IR index was calculated, evaluation of cardiac adiponectin gene expression using RT-PCR and cardiac histopathological examination were studied. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), dp/dtmax and -dp/dtmax were measured by isolated Langendorff-perfused heart. Swimming exercise in rats fed HCFD resulted in improvement of the glucose homeostasis and lipogram with decreased leptin, resistin and HOMA-IR index with elevation in serum adiponectin. Also, there was an over-expression of down-expressed cardiac adiponectin gene. Also, ventricular functions were ameliorated by swimming exercise training. Swimming exercise partially improved the ventricular function that could be possibly explained through increased the cardiac expression of adiponectin.