Exercise Reduces Glucose Intolerance, Cardiac Inflammation and Adipose Tissue Dysfunction in Psammomys obesus Exposed to Short Photoperiod and High Energy Diet

Joanne T.M. Tan, Kiara J. Price, Sarah Rose Fanshaw, Carmel Bilu, Quang Tuan Pham, Anthony Pham, Lauren Sandeman, Victoria A. Nankivell, Emma L. Solly, Noga Kronfeld-Schor, Christina A. Bursill

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Circadian disruption causes glucose intolerance, cardiac fibrosis, and adipocyte dysfunction in sand rats (Psammomys obesus). Exercise intervention can improve glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, adipose tissue function and protect against inflammation. We investigated the influence of exercise on male P. obesus exposed to a short photoperiod (5 h light:19 h dark) and high-energy diet. Exercise reduced glucose intolerance. Exercise reduced cardiac expression of inflammatory marker Ccl2 and Bax:Bcl2 apoptosis ratio. Exercise increased heart:body weight ratio and hypertrophy marker Myh7:Myh6, yet reduced Gata4 expression. No phenotypic changes were observed in perivascular fibrosis and myocyte area. Exercise reduced visceral adipose expression of inflammatory transcription factor Rela, adipogenesis marker Ppard and browning marker Ppargc1a, but visceral adipocyte size was unaffected. Conversely, exercise reduced subcutaneous adipocyte size but did not affect any molecular mediators. Exercise increased ZT7 Bmal1 and Per2 in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and subcutaneous Per2. Our study provides new molecular insights and histological assessments on the effect of exercise on cardiac inflammation, adipose tissue dysfunction and circadian gene expression in P. obesus exposed to short photoperiod and high-energy diet. These findings have implications for the protective benefits of exercise for shift workers in order to reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Original languageEnglish
Article number7756
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume25
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • adipocyte differentiation
  • browning
  • cellular hypertrophy
  • inflammation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Molecular Biology
  • Spectroscopy
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry

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