The Effect of 6 Weeks of Aerobic Exercise and Aqueous Extract of Caraway Seed on Expression of FNDC5 Gene and Serum Irisin Level in Obese Male Rats

Overweight and obesity are one of the important factors in the prevalence of diseases. FNDC5 is the gene expression of the irisin protein in adipose tissue. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of 6 weeks of aerobic exercise and aqueous extract of carum carvi on FNDC5 gene expression and serum irisin level in obese male rats. In this experimental study, 24 obese male rats had 12 weeks of high-fat diet and then they were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1. high-fat diet + control 2. high-fat diet + exercise 3. high-fat diet + Carum Carvi extract 4. high-fat diet + exercise + Carum Carvi extract. The exercise groups performed aerobic exercise (approximately 50% - 70% VO2max) 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The gene expression of FNDC5, serum irisin level and body weight were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests. The significance level was set at α<0.05. The results showed a significant increase in FNDC5 gene expression, serum level of irisin (P<0.05) and a significant decrease in body weight in the high fat + exercise + Carum Carvi extract group compared to the other groups (P<0.05) and a significant increase in FNDC5 gene expression in the exercise groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). Therefore, it seems that moderate intensity aerobic exercise and aqueous extract of Carum Carvi can decrease body weight and obesity-induced risks by increasing FNDC5 gene expression and serum irisin level.