Changes in Leptin Gene Expression and Receptor in Aged Male Rats Following Continuous Training with and without Calorie Restriction

Purpose : The present study aimed to examine the effects of continuous training with and without calorie restriction on atherosclerosis indices in aged male rats. Methods : this experimental study was conducted with a posttest design and a control group. The subjects consisted of 24 aged male rats, purposefully assigned to four groups based on weight: control, calorie restriction, continuous exercise, and continuous exercise with calorie restriction. The training duration was six weeks, comprising five 50-minute sessions per week, totaling 30 sessions. Each session included three phases: warm-up, cool-down (each featuring 6–8 m/min), and the main exercise (continuous running at 10 m/min on a specialized treadmill). The calorie restriction program involved reducing food intake by 30%. 48 hours after the last training session and an 8-hour fast, the rats were anesthetized with a combination of ketamine (90 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg). Results : continuous training combined with calorie restriction significantly affected leptin gene expression and its receptor in aged male rats (P<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the continuous training groups, with and without calorie restriction, regarding the expression of the PAI-1 gene in aged male rats (P>0.05). Conclusion : These findings demonstrate that continuous exercise and calorie restriction can influence leptin gene expression and its receptor.