Effects of aerobic exercise on the inflammatory cytokine profile and expression of lipolytic and thermogenic genes in &bgr;1‐AR−/− mice adipose tissue

Abstract

Aim: Investigate the effects of moderate continuous aerobic exercise (MCAE) on the inflammatory cytokine profile and expression of lipolytic and thermogenic genes in &bgr;1‐AR−/− mice adipose tissue. Main methods: Four‐ to five‐month‐old male wild type (WT) and &bgr;1‐AR−/− mice were divided into groups: WT control (WTc) and trained (WTt); and &bgr;1‐AR−/− control (&bgr;1‐AR−/−c) and trained (&bgr;1‐AR−/−t). Animals from trained groups were submitted to a MCAE regimen (60 min/day; 60% of maximal speed, 5 days/week) on a treadmill, for 8 weeks. After euthanasia, white epididymal (eWAT) and inguinal (iWAT) and brown (BAT) adipose tissues were dissected and used to determine: adiposity index; adipocyte histomorphometry; cytokine concentration; and gene expression. The content of fat, protein and water of the empty carcass was determined. Key findings: MCAE reduced body weight, fat mass as well as iWAT and BAT adipocyte area in &bgr;1‐AR−/− animals. Aerobic exercise also diminished the concentrations of pro‐inflammatory (IL‐12p70, TNF‐&agr;, IL‐6) and anti‐inflammatory (IL‐10) cytokines in adipose tissue (iWAT, eWAT or BAT) of &bgr;1‐AR−/− mice. However, MCAE had no effect on the expression lipolytic and thermogenic genes in &bgr;1‐AR−/− mice adipose tissue. Significance: Alongside reductions in body weight, fat mass and adipocyte area eight weeks of MCAE improves the profile of inflammatory cytokines in &bgr;1‐AR−/− mice adipose tissue, despite no change in Lipolytic and thermogenic gene expression.