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Low-volume exercise can prevent sucrose-induced weight gain but has limited impact on metabolic measures in rats

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Abstract

Purpose

Rats given sugar-sweetened drinks can develop glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether such metabolic disruptions and also possible weight gain induced by chronic sucrose consumption could be attenuated by low-volume exercise.

Methods

Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, rats were given free access for 57 days to either a 10 % sucrose solution (Suc and SucEx) or water only (Con and ConEx), while exercise rats (SucEx and ConEx) received 20-min treadmill training every 3 days. Caloric intake and body weight were measured throughout this dietary intervention. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed on days 29 and 54. Plasma insulin, triglycerides and leptin were also measured, together with post-mortem measures of retroperitoneal fat pads and liver triglycerides.

Results

In groups given sucrose, exercise reduced calorie consumption, reduced weight gain and decreased leptin relative to non-exercised controls. Exercise was found to improve glucose tolerance and insulin action at day 29, but not day 54.

Conclusions

Low-volume exercise can be effective in preventing weight gain in sucrose-fed rats, probably via reduction of subcutaneous fat, but prevention of the glucose intolerance and dyslipidaemia produced by sucrose consumption may be transient.

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Abbreviations

AUC:

Area under Curve of blood glucose level as function of time

BGL:

Blood glucose level

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

MS:

Metabolic syndrome

NAFLD:

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

OGTT:

Oral glucose tolerance test

QUICKI:

Quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index

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Acknowledgments

The study was initially reported by CYC as part qualification for her Masters in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. It was partly supported by an Australian Research Council grant to RAB.

Conflict of interest

There are no potential conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Nutrition Unit, School of Molecular Bioscience (G08), University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Carling Yan-Yan Chan

  2. School of Psychology (A18), University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Michael Kendig & Robert A. Boakes

  3. Exercise, Health and Performance, Faculty of Health Sciences (C42), Cumberland Campus, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, 2142, Australia

    Kieron Rooney

Authors
  1. Carling Yan-Yan Chan
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  2. Michael Kendig
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  3. Robert A. Boakes
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  4. Kieron Rooney
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert A. Boakes.

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Chan, C.YY., Kendig, M., Boakes, R.A. et al. Low-volume exercise can prevent sucrose-induced weight gain but has limited impact on metabolic measures in rats. Eur J Nutr 52, 1721–1732 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0475-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0475-5

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