Acute Interval and Continuous Moderate Intensity Exercise Enhanced Circadian Thermogenic Activity through Browning related Genes in Obese Adolescent Female

Thermogenesis is associated with oxidation activity in muscle and fat tissue, the target of non-pharmacological therapy in preventing the increase in obesity. This research was designed to reveal the circadian profile of thermogenic gene expression after the acute interval and continuous moderate-intensity exercise. The subjects were 22 randomly selected obese adolescent females who met the predetermined inclusion criteria. The study subjects were then divided into three groups: control group (CG), acute interval moderate-intensity exercise group (AIMIE), and acute continuous moderate-intensity exercise group (ACMIE). Acute interval and continuous exercise were performed by running on a treadmill for 40-45 minutes, while moderate-intensity was defined as 60%-70% of the maximum heart rate (HRmax). The blood samples were collected initially (pre-exercise), followed by 10 minutes, 6 hours, and 24 hours post-acute interval and continuous moderate-intensity exercise treatment. Measurement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) and fibronectin type III domain 5 (FNDC-5) expressions in protein level were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Data were analyzed using one way-ANOVA and two way-ANOVA with a significant level of 5%. The findings suggest a substantial increase in the expression of PGC-1α and FNDC-5 after exercise compared to before the workout. A significant difference in PGC-1α and FNDC-5 expressions between the control group compared to AIMIE and ACMIE (p ≤ 0.05) has been observed. However, there is no significant difference in PGC-1α and FNDC-5 expressions after exercise between AIMIE and ACMIE (p ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, acute interval and continuous moderate-intensity exercise increase the expression of thermogenesis-related genes. Hence, acute interval and continuous moderate-intensity exercise might be potential non-pharmacological therapy to prevent, reduce, and control the increasing prevalence of obesity.