Comparing the Effect of High and Moderate Intensity Exercise Trainings and Resveratrol Supplementation on FGF-21 and Cytokeratin-18 in Rats with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

There is little evidence about the effect of exercise trainings with different intensities and resveratrol on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) indexes. This investigation aimed at studying the effect of 8 weeks of high and moderate intensity exercise training and resveratrol supplementation on alterations of FGF-21 and Cytokeratin-18 levels in NAFLD rats.

In this experimental study, 48 adult male rats (210±10 gr) were randomly divided into six groups, including a healthy control group, a patient group, rats that received saline, some to do high and moderate intensity exercise trainings, and animals that received resveratrol (10 mg/kg/day). High fat emulsion was used to induce NAFLD. Exercise trainings were performed at 8 weeks, five times a week for 45 minutes. We measured serum levels of FGF-21 and Cytokeratin-18 by ELIZA and FGF21 mRNA by PCR real time method. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post-hoc test.

The serum levels of FGF21 mRNA, FGF-21, and Cytokeratin-18 showed significant decrease in resveratrol group, and high and moderate intensity exercise groups compared to the patient group (P≤0.001), but were not significantly different among these three groups (P≤0.001).

The resveratrol supplementation, and high and moderate intensity exercise trainings could decrease FGF-21 and Cytokeratin-18serum levels in NAFALD rats.