Effect of Endurance Training and High-Fat Diet on Serum Interleukin-6 and 17 Levels in Male Wistar Rats

High-fat diet (HFD) can cause several health problems and chronic inflammation. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of endurance training along with HFD on serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-17 in male Wistar rats.

In an experimental-controlled study, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups of HFD, training (T), HFD + training (HFDT), and control (C). Exercise training consisted of 40 minutes of running on treadmill at the maximum speed of 55%-65%, five sessions per week for four weeks. Forty-eight hours following the last intervention, serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels were measured. Data analysis was conducted by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test at P<0.05.

The results showed that serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels significantly increased as a result of HFD (P=0.001). Endurance training decreased IL-6 and IL-17 levels and there was a significant difference between training and HFD groups (P=0.001). However, based on the difference between HFDT and control groups, the variables did not return to baseline values.

According to the results, HFD induced inflammation in a short duration of four weeks manifested by elevated inflammatory indices. In contrast, endurance training ameliorated HFD-induced elevation of IL-6 and IL-17 and these levels did not return to baseline values.