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Endurance training enhances LXRα gene expression in Wistar male rats

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Abstract

Liver X receptor α (LXRα) is a member of the ligand-activated transcription factor of nuclear hormonal receptor superfamily, whose activation leads to modulation in the expression of genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis including ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), which plays a crucial role in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) remodeling. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether endurance training enhanced the expression level of liver LXRα gene. Twelve adult male Wistar rats (200–220 g) were divided into control and training groups. Training group received exercise on a motor-driven treadmill at 28 m/min (0 % grade) for 60 min/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last exercise session, the rats were killed and blood was taken from the right ventricle of each rat. Plasma was collected for HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), TC and TG measurements. Furthermore, a portion of the liver of each rat was excised and washed in ice-cold saline and frozen in liquid nitrogen for assessment of LXRα and ABCA1 mRNA levels. Data indicated significant increase in both LXRα and ABCA1 mRNA levels in trained rats, compared to control rats. Plasma HDL-C concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in trained rats at the end of treadmill exercise. However, there was a significant decrease in LDL-C (P < 0.003), TG, TC concentration, TC/HDL-C and LDL/HDL-C ratios in trained rats compared with those in the control group (P < 0.001). In conclusion, we found that endurance training induced significant elevation in LXRα gene expression, which correlated with enhanced levels of ABCA1 mRNA and plasma HDL-C concentration.

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Abbreviations

ABCA1:

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1

CAD:

Coronary artery disease

HDL-C:

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol

LDL-C:

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

LXR:

Liver X receptor

RCT:

Reverse cholesterol transport

TC:

Total cholesterol

TG:

Triglycerides

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by a grant in aid of research from the Chancellorship Office for Research and Technology of the University of Isfahan (Grant No. 90/97891) awarded to Jamal Moshtaghian, Ph.D., which was used to support Fatemeh Kazeminasab for obtaining her M.Sc. degree from the University of Isfahan.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors has any conflicts of interest to disclose and all authors support submission to this journal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

    Fatemeh Kazeminasab, Mohammad Marandi & Fahimeh Esfarjani

  2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Hezar Jerib Ave., Azadi Sq, 81746-73441, Isfahan, Iran

    Kamran Ghaedi & Jamal Moshtaghian

  3. Department of Cellular Biotechnology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran

    Kamran Ghaedi

Authors
  1. Fatemeh Kazeminasab
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  2. Mohammad Marandi
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  3. Kamran Ghaedi
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  4. Fahimeh Esfarjani
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  5. Jamal Moshtaghian
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kamran Ghaedi.

Additional information

Communicated by Martin Flueck.

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Kazeminasab, F., Marandi, M., Ghaedi, K. et al. Endurance training enhances LXRα gene expression in Wistar male rats. Eur J Appl Physiol 113, 2285–2290 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2658-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-013-2658-z

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